River Hill Board of Directors
Meeting
December 17, 2007
Barbara Wertman, Board
Chair, called a regularly scheduled meeting of the River Hill Village Board to
order at 7:33 p.m., on December 17, 2007, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle,
Clarksville, MD 21029. Members present
were Larry Blickman, Todd Harrison, Michelle Potocko, Frank Saletel, and Sunil
Sinha. Michael Cornell, Council
Representative and Susan Smith, Village Manager were present. Eva Lambright,
Covenant Advisor, arrived at 7:40 p.m.
Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Ms. Potocko
made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted. Mr. Blickman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (6-0-0).
Resident Speakout (Agenda 3): None.
New Business (Agenda 4):
A.
Holiday Closure Schedule
– Mr. Blickman made a motion to approve the proposed schedule as
submitted. Ms. Potocko seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously
(6-0-0).
B.
Board Training – Ms. Wertman discussed the need for training
and requested Board input. The Board
discussed various forms of training.
Ms. Wertman will create a schedule/structure for further discussion.
Old
Business (Agenda 5):
A. Covenant Enforcement Process – Mr. Sinha walked
through the process that included: a reduction in the number of violation notices
sent to a property owner prior to issuing a 15-Day Violation Notice from three
(3) to two (2); a recommendation that a Village Board Member attend
Architectural Committee meetings but be a voting member. Discussion.
Mr. Blickman made a motion to
accept the procedure as presented. Ms.
Potocko seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously (6-0-0).
B. Columbia Association Revitalization Policy – Ms. Smith distributed a revised draft
being discussed by CA’s Performance Oversight Committee. Ms. Smith also distributed a summary of
Oakland Mills’ revitalization program successes and explained the
Revitalization Coordinator/Community Organizer position. Mr. Cornell discussed support for creating a
Columbia-wide position funded through CA that could apply to all neighborhoods,
not just those that are aging. The need
to support the creation of the position during the upcoming FY09/10 CA budget
process was discussed. Ms. Wertman made a motion for the Board to
support CA creating a Community Organizer position that would focus initially on continuing the
revitalization efforts in Oakland Mills and who would act as a resource for all
villages as needed. Mr. Blickman
seconded the motion. The motion passed
(5-0-1).
C. Whistling Winds Walk Tot Lot – The draft agenda for
the meeting was distributed and discussed.
Two goals were identified: that RHCA has a process for how we deal with
vandalism, and the development of specific recommendations for the Whistling
Winds Walk tot lot.
Executive
Session (Agenda 6): At 8:55 p.m. Ms. Wertman made a motion to
move into Executive Session for the purposes of personnel matters. Mr. Blickman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (6-0-0). Ms. Wertman moved to adjourn the Executive
Session at 9:10 p.m. Ms. Potocko
seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously (6-0-0).
Reports
(Agenda 7):
A. Chair – Ms. Wertman discussed the meetings of the
Board Chairs.
B. Mr. Blickman reported that the next Ad Hoc Traffic
& Safety Committee meeting will be held on January 9. Ms. Smith will follow-up on curb cuts on Rt.
108 near Walgreen’s. Mr. Blickman
discussed the calls for service and commented that it is good to see an
increase in the number of calls regarding suspicious vehicles and persons since
this reflects that residents are paying attention and calling the Police.
Ms. Potocko made the Board aware of a call from a
realtor regarding satellite dishes. Ms.
Smith reported that the questions had been addressed by the Covenant Advisor.
Council Representative – Mr. Cornell reported that
the Poinsettia Tree will be coming back to the Columbia Mall next year and that
General Growth Properties will be holding open community meetings regarding the
plans for downtown Columbia in early 2008.
Mr. Cornell reported on a conference bill in the State Legislature that
deals limited partnerships and the affect on the CA assessment when there is a
transfer of ownership versus a sale of the property. He also commented on the
CA Board’s letter regarding the Downtown framework document and that the Board
had held a work session with a consultant to clarify their role. Mr. Cornell reported that after the first of
the year, Mary Kay Sigaty’s office will set up another meeting regarding the
Trotters Run development. He reported
that he has asked CA’s External Relations Committee to reconsider the
landscaping request. Mr. Saletel
discussed the need to have CA actively involved. Mr. Cornell reported that CA’s policies and procedures regarding
cemeterys had been sent back to CA Staff to work on.
C. Manager’s Report – A written report is on file with
the minutes. Mr. Saletel volunteered to
serve on the Deer Population Advisory Group and will be available after January
20. Ms. Smith explained that in light
of a recent incident in the Villas of River Hill two residents have stepped
forward to volunteer to be Block Captains for two of the four buildings. Ms. Smith summarized proposed amendments to
the 401(k) plan. Ms. Smith reported that the Meeting Room tile is not currently
available and therefore replacement will be rescheduled to spring 2008.
Administrative
Items (Agenda 8): Mr. Blickman made a motion to approve the
minutes as amended. Ms. Potocko
seconded the motion. The motion passed
(5-0-1).
Board
Speakout (Agenda 9):
Ms.
Potocko requested a copy of the Board Meeting schedule for 2008.
Adjournment
(Agenda 10):
Ms. Potocko made a motion to adjourn the meeting at
9:46 p.m. Mr. Harrison seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager
Minutes Approved: March 3, 2008
River Hill Board of Directors
Meeting
January 7, 2008
Larry Blickman, Board Vice
Chair, called a regularly scheduled meeting of the River Hill Village Board to
order at 7:35 p.m., on January 7, 2008, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle,
Clarksville, MD 21029. Members present
were Todd Harrison, Frank Saletel, and Sunil Sinha. Barbara Wertman, Michelle
Potocko, and Michael Cornell (Council Rep) were absent. Susan Smith, Village Manager was present. A
list of attendees is on file with the minutes.
Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Mr. Saletel
made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted. Mr. Sinha seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0).
Resident Speakout (Agenda 3): Jennifer Buckstein inquired about the
replacement of the stop sign behind Claret Hall and expressed a need for speed
bumps on Daylong Lane. Ms. Smith
explained that Kimco Realty will replace the missing signs and is considering
the installation of speed bumps. Ms. Buckstein
also inquired about Blockbuster leaving the village center and asked what the
Association was doing. Ms. Smith
explained that closing the store was a business decision. Todd Buckstein inquired about development
along Rt. 108 and the Fire Academy site.
Ms. Smith explained that the Village Board has initiated a discussion
with the County about developing a Master Plan for Rt. 108 in Clarksville and
that County Executive Ken Ulman has expressed his interest and support for
re-developing the Gateway School Site in a manner that will be beneficial to
the community.
Teen Representatives Report (Agenda 4): Teen Representatives Julie Adhya, Charles
Dai, and Alec Zhang distributed copies of their Coffee House concept paper
(included with the minutes). It was the
consensus of the Board to approve the concept and support the teens in their
effort.
Community Organizer Position
Presentation (Agenda 5): Sandy Cederbaum, Oakland Mills Village Manager, and Karen
Gray, Oakland Mills Board Member, thanked the River Hill Village Board for its
support of a Columbia Association funded Community Organizer Position. They distributed notebooks containing
background materials and outlining the successes of the Oakland Mills revitalization
program. The Community Organizer
position began as a three year, grant funded position; however, the current
funding will end in April. Ms. Gray and Ms. Cederbaum expressed the importance
of maintaining the position just as Oakland Mills begins to tackle major
issues. The potential benefits of having this position available to other
villages, Oakland Mills’ revitalization committee structure, and overlaps with
Downtown Columbia’s revitalization were discussed.
New Business (Agenda 6):
C.
Free Usage Request(s)
– Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the free usage of Claret Hall by the CA
Teen Advisory Committee. Mr. Saletel
seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously (4-0-0). Ms. Smith
distributed the River Hill High School Post Prom Committee’s request for a free
usage of Claret Hall for a used prom dress sale (copy on file with the
minutes). Mr. Saletel made a motion to approve the RHHS Post Prom Committee’s
request with the requirement that a request be made for the specific date and
that the user pay a security deposit, pay for set up and breakdown of the
facility, and pay for staff time. Mr.
Blickman seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously (4-0-0).
D.
FY08 2nd Quarter Financials and Variance Analysis
– Mr. Saletel made a motion to approve
the Fy08 2nd Quarter Financials and Variance Analysis as
submitted. Mr. Sinha seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously
(4-0-0).
E.
Table Purchase – Mr.
Saletel made a motion to approve the purchase of two tables for Claret Hall as
recommended by staff. Mr. Harrison seconded
the motion. The motion passed
unanimously (4-0-0).
Old
Business (Agenda 7):
D. CA FY09 & FY10 Operating & Capital Budgets -
Draft – Mr. Saletel volunteered to attend the upcoming Budget Forum and to
speak on behalf of the Village Board at the Budget Hearing. Mr. Saletel and Ms. Smith will develop the
draft testimony and circulate it for comment.
It was the consensus of the Board to have a special meeting to discuss
the testimony if needed.
E. Whistling Winds Walk Tot Lot – It was the consensus of the Board to make a decision regarding the
after hours closure of the tot lot at the next meeting. Staff will send notice to residents
regarding the inclusion of the closure on the agenda.
Reports
(Agenda 8):
D. Liaisons – Mr. Harrison will coordinate with staff to
update the complaint process flow
diagram. The Board discussed the
possibility of outdoor seating at the coffee shop that will face Claret Hall
and the installation of a mailbox in the village center that does not require
drivers to exit their vehicles. Mr.
Saletel and Ms. Smith will coordinate to draft a cover letter regarding the
Trotters Run development. Ms. Smith
will check with the State Highway Administration regarding the status of signs
identifying exits for the Village of River Hill.
E. Council Representative – None.
F. Covenant Advisor’s Report – Written reports are on
file with the minutes for November and December 2007.
G. Manager’s Report – A written report is on file with
the minutes.
Administrative
Items (Agenda 9): The minutes for the December 18, 2007
meeting were tabled.
Board
Speakout (Agenda 10):
The
Board discussed the vandalism and hate bias cases that occurred on December 28,
2007 and what position, if any the Association should take.
Adjournment
(Agenda 11):
Mr.
Sinha made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:59 p.m. Mr. Harrison seconded
the motion. The motion passed
unanimously (4-0-0).
Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager
Minutes Approved: As amended March
3, 2008
River Hill Board of Directors
Meeting
January 28, 2008
Barbara Wertman, Board
Chair, called a regularly scheduled meeting of the River Hill Village Board to
order at 7:32 p.m., on January 28, 2008, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle,
Clarksville, MD 21029. Members present
were Larry Blickman, and Todd Harrison.
Frank Saletel was absent. Michael Cornell, CA Council Representative,
and Susan Smith, Village Manager, were present. Sunil Sinha arrived at 8:35
p.m. Mr. Blickman left the meeting at 9:37 p.m. A list of attendees is on file
with the minutes. Michelle Potocko has submitted her resignation and will no
longer be on the Board.
Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Mr. Harrison
made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of an Executive Session
before Administrative Items. Mr.
Blickman seconded the motion. The
motion passed unanimously (3-0-0).
Resident Speakout (Agenda 3): Mr. Mathew Levine, 6424 Empty Song Road,
inquired about the Columbia Association assessment and expressed concern that
the cap on increases was only good for homeowner’s who had been in the house
for over a year. He asked where he
could find the “rule” that says that new homeowners are not eligible for the
cap. Mr. Levine also commented on
website updates, holiday decoration rules need to be enforced, and staff
responsiveness.
Mr. Hughes, 5733 Whistling Winds Walk,
stated that he and his wife are in favor of closing the Whistling Winds Walk
tot lot after hours and inquired why closure does not occur until 10 p.m. as
opposed to dusk or dark as in public parks.
Mr. Hughes commented that they see foot traffic heading to River Hill
High School well after events have started at the school and that youth appear
to be congregating in the area of the school near the nursery school play
area. Mr. Hughes also discussed the
need for neighbors to turn on their house lights as well as the use of unmarked
police cars and bike patrols. Mr.
Cornell explained the rationale behind CA not installing lighting at tot lots.
New Business (Agenda 4):
F.
Whistling Winds Walk Tot Lot – Mr. Blickman made a motion to request that the Columbia Association
close the Whistling Winds Walk tot lot from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Mr. Harrison seconded the motion. Ms. Wertman requested to amend the motion to
encourage CA to also consider closing the area from dusk to dawn. There were no objections to the
amendment. The amended motion passed
unanimously (3-0-0).
G.
Donation Request –
Mr. Blickman made a motion to approve a $250 donation to the Atholton High
School Post Prom Party. Mr. Harrison seconded
the motion. The motion passed (2-1-0).
H.
Watershed Resident Advisory Committee – Ms. Wertman made a motion to support CA staff’s recommendation to
appoint Mr. Mateya to the Watershed Resident Advisory Committee. Mr. Blickman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (3-0-0).
I.
Association’s Board of Directors Membership – Ms. Wertman
provided background information on the number of members on the Village
Board. It was the consensus of the
Board to leave membership at seven (7) members for the upcoming elections. This will result in three (3) open seats for
two year terms and one (1) open seat for a one year term.
Old
Business (Agenda 5): None.
Reports
(Agenda 6):
H. Chair – Ms. Wertman reported on the CA Budget Hearing
and the Compensation Study meeting. Ms.
Wertman reported that she had met with the Principals at Pointers Run
Elementary and Clarksville Elementary Schools to discuss having students
participate in public reading of the Declaration of Independence. This event would tie in with the
Association’s Independence Day celebration.
I.
Liaisons – Ms. Smith
provided an update on the Ad Hoc Traffic and Safety Committee meeting held on
January 9. Mr. Harrison reviewed the changes between the draft and final
versions of the “Downtown Columbia: A Community Vision” document. He will forward information to the Board.
J. Council Representative – Mr. Cornell commented that
Gail Broida, Council Representative for Town Center, had had a stroke and has
been unable to attend meetings. He reported on the meeting with Gregory Hamm,
GGP's General Manager for Columbia. Mr.
Cornell explained that rather than creating a new Columbia Association position
for FY09, the Community Organizer Position is moving forward as a Columbia
Association grant to Oakland Mills to be administered through the Columbia
Foundation. He explained that in the
next year a committee will work to determine how the Community Organizer
position can be defined to serve as a resource for all villages. Mr. Cornell explained that a lot of
questions have been raised about the CA draft budget and that he will forward
the questions to the Village Board if interested. Mr. Cornell and the Board discussed the concern that resident
fees increasing at a faster rate than non-resident fees. Mr. Cornell reported that the CA Board of
Directors had approved the Charter for the Watershed Resident Advisory
Committee and a timeline for the presidential search. A draft job description for the CA president is circulating and
the CA BOD had decided to have a search firm in place before the new BOD is
seated. Mr. Cornell explained the
“placeholder” in the CA budget for a new CA headquarters building and requested
that the Village Board provide input on a new headquarters.
K. Manager’s Report – A written report is on file with
the minutes. Ms. Smith discussed: the
March 25 meeting with Gregory Hamm; her January 14 meeting with representatives
from DPW and DPZ regarding the Gateway School property and master planning for
MD 108; the Teen Representative’s decision to hold the Coffee House on April 18
at Claret Hall; modifications to the Riverdale development plans; vinyl tile
replacement at The Meeting Room, entrance drainage and security system
improvements at Claret Hall. Mr.
Cornell commented that some Town Center residents have requested that
Segway/Segway-style vehicles be allowed on CA pathways. Mr.
Cornell commented on the proposed internet-based HVAC system and
explained that the cost effectiveness of implementing the system has not been
analyzed.
Executive
Session (Agenda 7): At 9:15 p.m. Ms. Wertman made motion to
move into Executive Session for the discussion of personnel matters. Mr. Sinha
seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously (4-0-0). At 9:37 p.m. Ms.
Wertman made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Mr. Harrison seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0).
Administrative
Items (Agenda 8): The minutes for the December 18, 2007 and
January 7, 2008 meetings were tabled.
Board
Speakout (Agenda 9): None.
Adjournment
(Agenda 10):
Mr.
Sinha made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Mr. Harrison seconded
the motion. The motion passed
unanimously (3-0-0).
Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager
Minutes Approved: As amended March
3, 2008.
River Hill Board of Directors Meeting
February 4, 2008
Barbara Wertman, Board
Chair, called a regularly scheduled meeting of the River Hill Village Board to
order at 7:36 p.m., on February 4, 2008, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle,
Clarksville, MD 21029. Members present
were Frank Saletel and Sunil Sinha.
Todd Harrison and Larry Blickman were absent. Michael Cornell, CA Council Representative, and Susan Smith,
Village Manager, were present. A list of attendees is on file with the minutes.
Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Mr. Saletel
made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition Whistling Winds Walk Tot
Lot as Item 6B. Mr. Sinha seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously
(3-0-0).
Resident Speakout (Agenda 3): None.
Village Manager’s Report (Agenda 4): A hard copy
is on file with the minutes. Ms. Smith
obtained availability information for a second presentation of the results of
the Compensation Study. Another meeting
will be scheduled for representatives of the Village Associations.
Ms. Smith invited Board Members to
attend the annual luncheon with CA Open Space Maintenance and Construction
staff to be held on February 28 at noon, Claret Hall.
New Business (Agenda 5):
J.
The Board discussed the draft Village Allocation Model
distributed in the Board Packets. It
was the consensus of the Board to request that the CA Budget Committee review
the model with the Village Boards prior to their presentation to the CA Board
of Directors.
Old
Business (Agenda 6): None.
A. Board Training – The Board discussed the draft Board
Training Policy and provided input. Ms.
Wertman will work on modifications to the policy.
B. Whistling
Winds Walk Tot Lot – The Board
reviewed the draft letter to CA requesting closure of the Whistling Winds Walk
Tot Lot. It was the consensus of the
Board that this version can be used if it adequately addresses the issues
raised by Chick Rhodehamel regarding the use of “dusk”.
Reports
(Agenda 7):
L. Chair – None.
M. Liaisons – Mr. Saletel reported that he had reviewed
the December financial statements and that there has been a significant drop in
revenue which is primarily attributed to a drop in newsletter advertising.
Administrative
Items (Agenda 8): The minutes for the December 18, 2007,
January 7, 2008 meetings, and January 28, 2008 were tabled.
Board
Speakout (Agenda 9): Ms. Wertman
discussed the Charter for the Traffic and Safety Committee and asked that it be
an agenda item at the next meeting.
Adjournment
(Agenda 10):
Mr.
Saletel made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sinha seconded the
motion. The motion passed unanimously
(3-0-0).
Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager
Minutes Approved: As amended March 3, 2008