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September

Date: September 12, 2017

Place: Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue

Time: 7:30 PM

Present: Chris Richardson, Scott Livingston, Pat Xeller, Greg Chernack, Nancy Pines, Ashley Kavanaugh, Joseph Toomey, and five Section residents

Agenda Item: Greetings and Introductions

Chair Chris Richardson called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance.

Agenda Item: Review and Approval of June Council Meeting Minutes

Chair Richardson moved that the minutes from the June meeting be approved; there was a second, and the motion passed.

Agenda Item: Resident Comments

There were no resident comments.

Agenda Item: Proposed Washington Gas Project Update

The Town Manager reported that she and Joe Toomey had recently met with Washington Gas regarding an upcoming project they have scheduled for Section 5. The streets involved are Dalkeith, Thornapple, Thornapple Place, and Underwood. The project is scheduled to start around November 1, and it should be completed in three to four months depending on weather. The Section plans to negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Washington Gas that will allow the Section to receive reimbursement for the costs associated with the project’s damage to the streets. WSSC is also scheduled to do work to replace water mains in April 2018 that will further damage the streets. The Section will seek to sign a similar MOU with WSSC. Once both projects have been completed, the Section will use the reimbursement money to do a full mill and pave of the effected streets.

Agenda Item: Section Infrastructure Report

Joe Toomey provided a preliminary infrastructure report that included an analysis of the projected annual right-of-way maintenance costs. He measured the Section’s roadway, curb, and sidewalk using the Google Maps distance measuring feature. To calculate average annual maintenance cost, a life cycle of 15 years for roadways, 20 years for curb, and 25 years for sidewalks, was assumed. He advised on average 1/15th of the roadway must be replaced each year, and 1/20th of the curb, and 1/25th of the sidewalk. Using the above-mentioned information, he estimated the Section should plan to budget $80,000 a year for roadway, curb, and sidewalk costs annually.

Agenda Item: Discussion of Code Revision Work

The Town Manager and Joe Toomey noted the Council has been working for over a year on revisions to parts of our current Building Code. This language is found in Chapter 9 of Section 5’s Code of Ordinances. The purpose of this project was to clarify small inconsistencies in our current Building Code language, make the activities requiring a Section 5 permit clear to residents and contractors, and introduce straightforward and user-friendly supporting documents to aid in making the building process easier.

Most of the proposed changes deal with clarifying regulations already in place, but there are also a few new proposals dealing with stormwater and drainage. The biggest change is the removal of the requirement that all patios, driveways, and walkways be constructed out of permeable materials. The Council concluded that there are additional and potentially more efficient ways to achieve proper stormwater and drainage. The Section will be circulating the proposed changes to all residents by postal mail. An official ordinance will be introduced by the Council at the October 10 meeting.

Agenda Item: Records Retention Policy Update

The Town Manager indicated the Section is in the process of drafting a records retention plan. This plan is required by the State of Maryland.

Agenda Item: Resolution to Adopt Rules and Regulations Concerning Public Information Act Requests

The Council introduced a resolution that would establish a set policy for Section 5 in regards to Public Information Act requests. The policy and resolution were drafted by town attorney, Ron Bolt. Chair Richardson formally introduced the policy to the Council for a vote; there was a second, and the resolution passed.

Agenda Item: Fire Board Vacancy

The Manager indicated that Section 5 currently has two vacant seats on the Chevy Chase Fire Department Board. The Section will post the openings and ask for volunteers for the seats in the September newsletter. Current Fire Board member, John Higgins, gave a brief description of the time commitment and job.

Agenda Item: Monthly Financial Report

The Town Manager presented an overview of the Town’s current financial status, and entertained questions from the Council.

Agenda Item: Manager’s Report

The Town Manager indicated Section 5 was recently notified by the Montgomery Planning Department (MPD) of a proposed change in road classification for Brookville Road. The County is recommending as part of its Master Plan of Highways and Transitways that that road be upgraded to a Minor Arterial classification. Brookville is currently classified as a Primary Residential Street. The Section is in ongoing discussions with MPD and the other area Chevy Chase municipalities regarding the practical effects of this proposed change. MPD is holding a community outreach meeting on October 11. The Town Manager will attend. The Section is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates to the Council and residents once more information is available.

The Town Manager noted upcoming Section events include a bulk trash collection scheduled for September 16, the fall block party on September 24, and the first fall leaves collection on October 16. There will also be a wine tasting on October 14. The event is privately hosted, but it is planned as a neighborhood event and all Section 5 residents are invited to join.

The Town Manager said she is working with Lindsay and Associates on the annual audit.

The Town Manager is scheduled to meet this week with David Anspacher. He is the Project Manager for Montgomery County’s Bicycle Master Plan. The plan’s preliminary recommendations propose the use of a portion of Woodbine for a bikeway. (Note: This plan is different from the Interim Capital Crescent Trail which was discussed at the June Council meeting. The ICCT also purports to seek the use of Woodbine for a bikeway, although Section 5 has yet to receive a proposal from the County.) The Town Manager stated that she believes Woodbine is not a safe option for a bike route given the road’s physical setup and the high volume of cut-through traffic throughout the day. The Council concurred. The Town Manager will meet report back with more information following the meeting with Mr. Anspacher.

Adjournment

Chair Richardson adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be held October 10, 2017, at 7:30 PM at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue. The Village Hall has handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.