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February

Date: February 14, 2012

Time: 7:30 PM

Place: 5906 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase Village Hall

Present: Peter Gray; Tim Hanlon; Frances L. Higgins; Nancy Pines; Chris Richardson; Greg White; 2 Section 5 residents, Lara Sweeney

  1. Agenda Item: Minutes

    Peter moved that the January 10, 2012, Council meeting minutes be approved as presented; there was a second and the motion passed unanimously.

  2. Agenda Item: Citizens’ Concerns

    A Thornapple St. resident asked the Council to reimburse him for the cost of replacing four blocks of public sidewalk, his driveway apron, and his curbs and gutters. This work was completed in the summer of 2010 along with replacement of his driveway. The Council asked why the resident had waited so long to ask for reimbursement, and he claimed to have requested reimbursement soon after the project was completed. The manager had requested an invoice, which she did not receive. An invoice was finally emailed to the manager by Lara Sweeney, the contractor, on January 18, 2012. This invoice is for $4820, compared to the $1420 cost estimate from the company that does most of the construction repair work for Section 5. The Council questioned the significant discrepancy between these two amounts.

    Action:
    Lara agreed to provide more specific information on the costs, and the manager said she would ask our construction company for another cost estimate, based on the invoice. The Council will reconsider the amount to be reimbursed after it receives further information.

  3. Agenda Item: Police Contract

    The County Police Department has sent the manager a new contract for the supplemental police services. Peter has reviewed the contract, and suggested some specific changes to emphasize traffic law enforcement. The Council discussed whether to increase, decrease or leave the 2012-13 budget at the current $30,000, which would be the equivalent of 34 hours/month of supplemental police services.

    Greg said that cars often cut through on Williams Lane between Connecticut Avenue and Brookville Road during morning and evening rush hours, exceeding the speed limit. He requested that police officers be located on Williams Lane to deter such traffic violators. There was some discussion about better methods to determine the effectiveness of the supplemental police patrols.

    Action:
    The Council decided to keep the line item in the 2012-13 budget for supplemental police services at $30,000. The Council agreed that the new Police Services Agreement should specify that police be located on cut-through streets between Connecticut Avenue and Brookville Road during random peak rush hours. The Manager agreed to forward the proposed changes to the Police Services Agreement to Lt. Eric Burnett, Deputy Commander, 2nd District. The Council decided to monitor the supplemental police services for the next six months, and then survey residents' opinions on the effectiveness of such services.

  4. Agenda Item: Building Inspector's Report

    No permits were issued.

  5. Agenda Item: Discussion FY 2013 Budget/Treasurer's Report

    Tim provided the Council members with figures for the three previous fiscal years and to date for the current fiscal year, as the basis for constructing the budget for 2012-13. The Council discussed each line item for revenues and expenses. Total budgeted income is estimated at $363,000, and total expenditures $316,250. A further capital reserve of $11,000, would result in net income of $46,750

  6. Agenda Item: Report on the Middle School Site Selection Committee Report

    Greg provided the Council with a full written report from the Site Selection Advisory Committee for the new middle school in the Bethesda Chevy Chase Cluster. Greg serves on this committee as Section 5's representative. He has attended two meetings of the committee tasked with the responsibility of locating a site for the new middle school which serves our area. This new school is needed because of the excessive overcrowding at the present middle school, Westland Junior High, in Bethesda. Some time ago a site was selected; however, some residents in the neighborhood where the site is located objected. Greg said that there are only two sites large enough to accommodate a middle school. At the future meetings the committee will narrow the selection process and decide on one of the two sites and recommend this site to the County School Board. This new school will not be completed until 2017.

  7. Agenda Item: Manager's Report

    The manager engaged Alan Beal to inspect the new stone wall at 3600 Underwood St. The first inspection took place when the excavation was completed; the second when the building blocks were installed and the wall passed inspection both times. Alan will inspect it again when the stone facade is completed before Section 5 pays the stone mason his last payment.

    Peter and Chris are up for reelection and they intend to seek reelection in the April 2012 election.

    Marilyn and Tim Hanlon have asked the Council to contact A Wider Circle, a charity organization, and have someone from their organization bring a truck and collect the reusable items during Section 5's spring bulk trash collection.

    Action:
    The Council agreed to contact A Wider Circle and ask them to send a truck during the spring bulk trash collection and collect the reusable items.
    The manager emailed Jerry Pasternak, Pepco's Vice-president, asking that Pepco prune Section 5's trees every two years rather than every four. Mr. Pasternak has not responded regarding that request.
    The manager asked the Council if she may purchase a $100,000 CD with funds from the checking account.

    Action:
    The Council gave the manager permission to purchase a $100,000 CD at the bank with the highest interest rate. Nancy suggested that Section 5 purchase a CD from an online bank because the rates are higher.

  8. Agenda Item: Adjournment

    Peter adjourned the meeting. The next Council meeting will be March 13, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the Village Hall, 5906 Connecticut Ave. The Hall has handicapped access. Everyone is welcome.