Minutes from the WECA General Meeting – November 16^{th,  2006}

Present: Seventeen West End residents were in attendance, joined by Maria Broadbent from the City of Rockville.

President Patricia Woodward called the meeting to order at 7pm.

Treasurer’s Report:  * was unable to attend so Patricia outlined the state of WECA’s financial affairs whilst referring to a letter and statements submitted by * for the group.  A check had been received from * for a future advertisement in the newsletter – it will be deposited after the Ad’ Contract is completed. Forms are still being awaited in order that names and addresses can be changed on the * account. * also requested WECA’s tax ID number, * will relay that information to her directly.

Minutes:  * made a motion that was seconded by * to approve the minutes of the October 19^th WECA meeting.  The motion was then supported unanimously.

Old Business:

Patricia Woodward had provided an agenda with documentation pertaining to old as well as new business.

1.  Replacement and reorganization of a Block Captains in certain areas:  * informed attendees that the neighbor who had previously been responsible for part of Nelson Street had moved house, leaving a vacancy.  * suggested consulting the feedback forms from that area in order to find a new person and * took on the task of following that up.

* also raised the issue of clarifying and updating information concerning Block Captains in the Rose Hill and Rose Hill Falls neighborhoods.  * offered to accompany *  and * on a walk around these neighborhoods in order to assess how best to distribute the responsibility amongst volunteers.  It was noted that property maps from the City would further facilitate this time consuming exercise. * will obtain new maps of Block Captain areas from the City.  Maria Broadbent offered some information concerning these and the matter needs to be pursued further.  After some discussion Patricia stated that a meeting between specific residents of RHF and RH, herself, and the volunteers mentioned above was essential for this matter to be resolved satisfactorily.

2.  KSI  - Bank of America and  the October 11^th Planning Commission:  After hearing testimony from several people the Planning Commissioners chose to vote in WECA’s favor concerning the demolition of the Bank of America building at 255, N. Washington Street.  The Planning Commission voted that night with 6:0 with one abstention in favor of the Use Permit for the KSI project.  Let it be noted that *, *, *, *, * and * spoke in favor of the WECA recommendation.  This means that KSI will move forward with their development and that their requirements to carry out traffic mitigation projects will also be forthcoming for the West End.

3.  Jerusalem – Mt Pleasant UM Church update: *  was to attend an HDC meeting on October 19^th but it was cancelled.  However, he informed the group that ground had been ‘broken’ in readiness for the installation of the elevator and that a feasibility study had been submitted to the City for their perusal.  He will relay any new information at the next meeting.

4.  More effective communication/updating for West End residents:  * stated that he’d been working as the Communications ‘Chair’ for the past two years and had been doing so with little or no support with reference to the website postings.  He presented a number of ideas as to how residents could access and continue to follow important local issues. He was also concerned that the newsletter and some other material posted on the WECA website was out of date – this could lead people to believe that WECA was not an active/effective organization.  After lengthy discussion, he and others suggested implementing measures that informed residents of volunteers’ ongoing progress/work, as well as posting the times and venues of key meetings.  * wanted to be provided with an agenda for upcoming meetings so he could publicize them and then hopefully attract more attendees.  It was also agreed that people heading up certain ‘campaigns’ would take responsibility to liaise with * and in some cases they’d write succinct reports of their findings.  For example, * re the T-Mobile monopole, * concerning the old Post office etc. Patricia agreed that the Minutes of meetings be published on the website/listserve and that should anything of particular sensitivity arise it could be edited appropriately.  * agreed to do this as well as taking out peoples’ names if they’d contributed during a meeting in order to protect their privacy.  The group also agreed that journalists and other interested persons be referred directly to the President, Patricia Woodward and more detailed information would be given at her discretion.  Ultimately, * agreed to edit, update and decipher all information in electronic form.  He further stressed the importance of giving a balanced account of the facts etc. when submitting written pieces to him; that is of course unless WECA had voted to take a strong position on a certain issue.

5.  T-Mobile’s proposed monopole at Julius West Middle School and the November 15^th Planning Commission: *  reported that the Planning Commissioners had unanimously voted against T-Mobile’s application to install the monopole within the school grounds.  However, this issue will be finally decided upon by the Board of Appeals at City Hall on December 2^nd. The meeting is scheduled for 9am.  Several people commented that they had received postal notification from the City of the former meeting on the 14^th November.  Maria noted these complaints.  *  had researched another, possible site for the monopole and spoke of this briefly. Finally, * commented that if people felt strongly opposed to this structure that they attend the Board of Appeals meeting in December.  She explained that there was a concern, as  previously the Appeals Commissioners had been known to overturn the Planning Commission’s recommendation, ie. the monopole application for Twinbrook.

6. City Overview:  Maria Broadbent informed the group of :-

a)  A Town Hall Meeting (7pm-9pm) and Open House (6.30pm-7pm) with WMATA- Metro is to be held on 5^th December, at the Stella Werner Building, 100 Maryland Avenue,(the Council Office Building across from City Hall). This would be an opportunity to meet with Metro Board Members and to express one’s ideas and suggestions.

b)  The CIP is completed and Maria confirmed that WECA’s request for improved street lighting and other action items concerning pedestrian safety had been submitted.  There are nine in total that are to be assessed this year.

c)  The Mayor & Council are to examine results of a nine month long Refuse Pilot Study and explore future options.  Maria was not sure, but they may in fact be voting on this issue on the same day.  This point generated much discussion with many people voicing concerns that they were against it or needed the program to be amended in some way.  This meeting is scheduled for 7pm on December 11^th at City Hall.  * made a motion that was seconded by *, to ask * to write a letter requesting that the Mayor & Council delay action concerning the refuse pilot program until January, as there has been no opportunity for public discussion. Patricia stated that Craig Simoneau, (Chief of Public Works) be invited in December to present the facts and to answer residents’ concerns in detail. *, and later Maria, urged that as well as stating views to Mr Simoneau  that residents should also inform the Mayor & Council directly as a way to exert influence.

d)  The new library is scheduled to open at noon on 29^th November.

e)   Maria also reminded the group of the ‘Holiday Drive’ – an attempt to collect non-perishable items that can be made into Holiday food baskets for needy citizens.  There is a need for 1300 baskets, please leave your donations at the City Hall lobby area.  They will be taking collections between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

*  requested information concerning 100, W. Montgomery Avenue which seemed to have been boarded up for some time.  * and * also enquired about the future plan of action of a sidewalk near their homes.  Maria said she would let them know the state of affairs concerning these two issues at the next meeting, if not before.

7.  Motion to move the next WECA meeting to 14^th December:  A motion was made and seconded by * that the next WECA meeting be held on 14^th December, as many people will be away for the holidays on the third Thursday of the month.  The motion was unanimously approved.

8. The old Post Office:  * told the group that Congressman Van Hollen has been in touch with GSA and the post office representatives.  * commented on the size of the premises and that it hasn’t been agreed that the police may use it as the cost may be prohibitive.  Apparently, there is a ‘loose’ plan to maintain a sub post office at Town Center.  * added that perhaps a ‘Mail Boxes etc’ type store may be installed for the convenience of new and current residents somewhere in that vicinity.  * and Scott Ullery will liaise re this issue. *A TCAT meeting will also discuss these issues on Tuesday Nov 21^st, please see below for further details of venue and time.

9. * Town Center Action Team (TCAT) Meeting: * urged all residents who would like more information concerning the new Town Center development to attend this key meeting. Amongst other issues, the siting of a new courthouse, Phase II of Town Center and the closure of the old Post Office will all be addressed. The meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday in the Conference room of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, situated at 255, Hungerford Drive.  Please note that the entrance is actually on Monroe.

10.  Issues of concern that WECA plans to focus on in the near future:  Patricia asked the group to share ideas that were of concern to them or that they thought appropriate for WECA to focus upon in the future. For example, she thought it prudent to invite Scott Ullery to present the City’s vision of the Town Center and how officials planned to deal with any repercussions that may arise because of it.  It was added that speakers could be announced in advance in the upcoming WECA newsletter. * thought that the Police Dept should be invited .  Many attendees agreed and wished for a presentation focusing on Neighborhood Watch schemes as well as crime rates. * reiterated the need for street lighting where it proved insufficient and * echoed others’ concerns by sharing her own story.  She had witnessed two men in ‘jumpsuits’, wearing no shoelaces walking along Great Falls Road toward a young girl. She was returning home alone after the end of a ‘half day’ at Julius West Middle School.  It was assumed because of their attire that they had come straight from the Courthouse and were returning to the Detention Center.  Apparently, the Sheriff takes accused persons to the courts but after the hearings there is no transportation provided for detainees who have been ‘released’ on bail.  They must then walk back through the West End to the Detention Center in order to collect their clothes and other belongings.  This may be a County issue, but all felt that it should be addressed without delay.  After hearing further contributions Patricia reflected the group’s general wish that several officials be invited at the same time, to further increase awareness of how their collective ‘routines’ may affect the local community.  So, a motion was made by * that was seconded by *, to request * (WECA’s Correspondence Secretary) to invite the appropriate officials from the following institutions – the Police Dept., Sheriff’s Office, Detention Center, the Principals of Beall, Julius West, Richard Montgomery and Christ Episcopal Schools and also the Presidents of the various PTA’s.

New Business

11. Representatives from Duball – owners of the parcel of land opposite the Regal Cinema. The land is currently a parking lot and they plan to build residential and retail on the whole piece of property: The Duball representatives presented the following information and showed a 3D, cardboard model as well as a large drawing of the site plan.  The project has already been approved by Mayor & Council and this section has been designated for building for several years now.  However, Duball actually only purchased the land 5 months ago for $34.5 million. Two large buildings are planned with a 66ft, main road running down the center of the development, from the cinema to Middle Lane.  The City has insisted that this be a ‘public’ thoroughfare and Duball hopes that this road may be cobblestones or made of a material which will contrast with the surrounding streets.  Ballards may also be installed, allowing the street to be closed to traffic at times.  However, these points are currently under review by the City and have not been finalized at this point, neither has the exact design style of the facades of the buildings.  The City has strongly indicated to the developer that they wish the structures to appear to be ‘broken up’ into sections by having different features so as not to emit an unpleasing, oppressive feel. So, Duball are exploring various designs options such as Gothic and Contemporary amongst others. The building to the East (nearest to the Metro), will be 173ft high (18 storeys) and the other will be 143ft high (15 storeys).  They will comprise of a total of 485 residential units, (it is not yet clear whether they will be for rent or sale), 73 MPDU’s  and 40.000sq ft of retail space.  Each building will have a swimming pool and there will be no exposed parking areas visible from the outside.  Some parking is below grade level, this will be designated for guests and consumers whilst reserved parking for residents will be above.  When complete, there will spaces for 1400 vehicles, the existing parking lot can ‘accommodate’ 350 vehicles.  The developer also has plans to install four pieces of ‘public’ art at each corner of their development.  The Duball representatives were keen to emphasize that each building will, when finished, appear as if it’s three individual buildings because of their diverse, architectural facades.

This project generated much discussion in the group about potential gridlock issues.  * countered the representative’s comment concerning published traffic studies.   The current road systems are predicted to ‘fail’ during times of high traffic volume. The group projected what the area would be like when increased density from Town Center vehicles was coupled with the Duball development traffic. Also the 66ft wide road, to be named ‘Renaissance’ that bisects the development was deemed to be ‘canyon like’ by many due to the lack of potential for sunlight to penetrate there. * suggested strings of lighting to illuminate this road but the developer told her that the City had turned down that idea.  There were also concerns about the styles not being complimentary to the ‘Victorian’ look of Town Center. Even though the market is not strong at the moment Duball made it clear that they will not reconsider building this size project in its entirety.   They were not sure which of the buildings’ they’d construct first, though completion of that building was estimated as approximately 2010.  Although the company may not begin construction until early 2008, Duball is scheduled to go before the Planning Commission at the end of December to seek the next necessary permit.

The meeting was adjourned at 9pm.

*The NEXT WECA MEETING is at 7pm, December 14^th at Rockville Presbyterian Church, Harrison Street.

Respectfully submitted

*

Recording Secretary