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September

Date: September 10, 2019

Place: Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue

Time: 7:30 PM

Present: Greg Chernack, Scott Livingston, Maryann Luongo, Phil Giordano, Ashley Kavanaugh, and two Section 5 residents

Agenda Item: Greetings and Introductions

Chairman Greg Chernack called the meeting to order and welcomed those in attendance.

Agenda Item: Review and Approval of June Council Meeting Minutes

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

Agenda Item: Residents comments

There were no resident comments.

Agenda Item: Consideration and Adoption of Resolution 9-19-1, a Resolution to Adopt the Montgomery County Hazard Mitigation Plan of 2018

Chairman Chernack introduced Resolution 9-19-1, a resolution to adopt the Montgomery County Hazard Mitigation Plan of 2018. He explained that the County’s plan must be adopted in order to preserve the ability for the Section to obtain disaster mitigation grant funding. Council Chair Chernack moved that Resolution No.: 9-19-1 be approved; there was a second, and the resolution passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda Item: Update on Potential Candidates for Part-time Section 5 Police Positions

Last spring during budget discussions, the Section decided to hire two off-duty police officers to work exclusively in Section 5. Each officer would work a total of five hours per week for a total of ten hours. Chairman Chernack and the Town Manager met with four prospective candidates over the summer. Chairman Chernack recommended the hiring of Captain Jason Cokinos and Sergeant Mike Pratt. There was a motion to approve the hiring of both officers with a start date of October 1, 2019; there was a second, and the motion passed.

Agenda Item: Monthly Financial Report

The Town Manager presented an overview of the Section’s current financial status, and entertained questions from the Council. When reviewing the Section balance sheet, Council member Luongo inquired about moving money from our checking account to the MLGIP DC account that has a slightly better interest rate. The Council authorized the Town Manager to transfer $350,000 from the Bank of America checking account to the MLGIP account.

Agenda Item: Manager’s Report

-The Town Manager indicated that the Section is still under contract with Lee’s Trees to do leaf removal this fall. Lee’s Trees has proposed a fee increase of $100 per day of work. The Manager recommends allowing for the increase as they have not changed their fees in several years. The Council agreed, and the Manager will notify Lee’s Trees of the agreed upon increase.

-The Manager said that Section 5 received a snow removal proposal from Rolling Acres for the 2019-2020 winter season. The Section has used Rolling Acres for snow removal for several years. The new proposal shows the same fee schedule with no price increase. The Manager recommends agreeing to the proposal. The Council agrees, and the Manager will notify Rolling Acres.

-The Manager noted that all the curbs, cross walks, and stop bars were repainted in early September.

-The Manager said that she had met with the auditors in early August. The audit should be completed in October, and it will be presented to the Council at the December meeting.

-The Manager asked about rescheduling the October meeting for Wednesday, October 16. The normal meeting date is Tuesday, October 8, but it falls on Yom Kippur. The Council agreed to the date change, and the Manager will make residents aware.

-The Manager provided an update for the Council regarding the possible project with Grace Fielder and Associates. Ms. Fielder indicated that her firm was not inclined to assist the Section with the implementation of new signage and planters. She noted that in general her firm specializes in large-scale all-encompassing projects. The Council decided that at this time the Section was not ready to engage in a project of this nature. We will continue to pursue the idea of new Town signs, planters, and the necessary sidewalk reconstruction.

-The Manager asked about sending flowers from the Section to Harold and Wilma Schneiberg. The Schneibergs have lived on Thornapple for 54 years and are moving out mid-month. The Council approved.

Adjournment

Chairman Chernack adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be held October 16, 2019, at 7:30 PM at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Avenue. The Village Hall has handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.