Minutes from the WECA Executive Board Meeting – January 18^th, 2007

Present:  37 residents 

Guest Speakers: Art Chambers and Scott Ullery, City Manager.

The meeting was called to order at 7pm by President Patricia Woodward.

Minutes:  Approved

Treasurer’s Report:  Patricia noted that our treasurer was not able to attend the first part of the meeting and that the account balances were as before.  She also recognised her ongoing work with selling advertising space in the next edition of the WECA Newsletter.

Patricia welcomed Mr Art Chambers and Mr Scott Ullery, to the meeting.

Old Business:

1) The proposed I-270 - Gude Interchange: Patricia recalled Phil Andrew’s visit in 2006 and stated that * had continued to liaise and discuss several of the points raised at that meeting.  Subsequent information had led * to write a letter to Marilyn Praisner, President of the Montgomery County Council, requesting their support for the funding of the above project.  His reasoning was that much traffic (commuter as well as trucks), traveling through the City on Route 28 was bound for destinations outside of Rockville.  Thus, unnecessarily ‘clogging’ up the town centers’ roads.  He also argued that this through traffic may threaten the success of new businesses in the area by restricting ease of access to its retail, residences and other commercial enterprises.

2)  T-Mobile’s proposed monopole for Julius West Middle School:  * was unable to attend the meeting so * gave the group the following information.  MCPS Superintendant Weast had been sent a letter opposing the monopole.  Patricia encouraged people to telephone Mr Weast’s office to state their views concerning the monopole.  His office number is (301) 279 3381, this number will also be posted on the  WECA Listserv for your convenience.  To avoid such a difficult situation arising in the future, citizens of Rose Hill Falls had strongly encouraged the City to review/change the current zoning law with reference to erecting monopoles in residential areas.  The group still had no news from the Board of Appeals or from JW PTSA concerning upcoming discussions and meetings.  The group in opposition to the proposal are planning to display a banner to gain wider support amongst local residents.  This has been approved by their Neighborhood Association and they are currently seeking details from the City with reference to appropriate display guidelines.

3)  The WECA Newsletter:  * spoke of the upcoming WECA Newsletter which is to be delivered throughout the West End.  It will include advertisements from local businesses and schools and the lay-out/design will be by *.  Rose has worked tirelessly on producing an up to date block captain list in order to reach the maximum number of West End residents.  It is hoped that this publication will heighten awareness of civic issues and encourage more community participation within the West End area.  * made a motion to propose a new block captain for Block 14B which was seconded by *.  The vote was unanimously in favor. Thanks to * of Autumn Wind Way.  Four more block captains are needed, the areas to cover are 3A, 6A and two for Rose Hill.  So, volunteers from the residents in those areas would be much appreciated.

4) The Historic Methodist Church: * spoke of the latest news concerning the installation of an elevator at the church.  Previously, this proposal seemed to be moving ahead successfully however, a Fire Marshall is requiring the addition of a new exit in the building.  The next meeting of the Historic District Commission and Church representatives will take place at 7pm on February 15^th.  They will then discuss whether an appropriate exit can be agreed upon.  * then relayed Pastor Wood’s invitation for people to attend the meeting to show support for this cause.  General discussion took place and as their Church session coincided with the next WECA meeting, * made a motion for a letter to be sent from WECA, which was seconded by *.  All present voted in favor and some residents said they would attend the church meeting.  Patricia then noted that the elevator had been under consideration for the building since 2004 and the letter would encourage a speedy and positive conclusion to this matter.

New Business

5)  City Overview:  Maria Broadbent distributed new, City calendars and an application form for the Police Force for the group to peruse.  Information  about a Citizen’s Academy was distributed.  The course will be held at Rockville Senior Center over 10weeks from March 6^th-May 8^th, dinner is provided.  The course ends at 9.30pm and is organized by the Police Dept., for further information  telephone (240) 314 8922.  There is also a Senior Academy, also held at the Center which commences March 6^th –April 10^th (Tuesdays for 6 wks), from 1-3pm.

6)  Presentation from Scott Ullery, City Manager:  Mr Ullery covered a variety of items of interest and attempted to give updates on existing construction issues as well as projects that were still at the proposal stage.

a) A Grocery Store for Town Center:  He was not able to impart the name but spoke of lengthy contract negotiations concerning a very interested party.  Art Chambers assured the group that an announcement would be made in the near future, when all parties’ legal representatives were satisfied.  Art Chambers addressed the fact that Harris Tweeter had indeed ‘pulled out’ but they’d also done this in several other locations too.  On the subject of Town Center he would welcome feedback from citizens concerning usage of Town Center garages and any other comments or observations.

b) Town Center:  The City was correcting a number of items, which typically occur when executing such a large project. ie; pavers being installed upside down, a truck – too high- for the parking garages crashing into the stonework etc.  He was excited to announce a number of retail establishments and restaurants coming to the Center. 

c)  Chestnut Lodge:  Mr Ullery had been in contact with Morty ( the Developer) as well as other representatives to discuss  the long term vision for a ‘City style, passive park’ which is favored by the Mayor & Council.  Scott suggested that simple yet historical signs may be erected at this site also promoting that the area be treated with respect.

d)  Sidewalks for Beall Ave:  Once envisaged for 2011 they have now been moved into the 2007/08 CIP.  The cost is now much higher due to the discovery of a drainage issue, which necessitates a further $400,000 to be redirected to the project. It does mean that this will enable the City to complete a contiguous sidewalk, (along the north side) from N. Washington St to Nelson St.  Scott also spoke of a petition he had received requesting a sidewalk on Anderson.  The citizen stretch of sidewalk was requested for between Forest and Laird.  He underlined the City’s continuing objective to fill in missing ‘links’ where possible.  The Public Works Dept. have developed a methodology for prioritizing the need for sidewalks across the City.

e) The Old Post Office:  It is hoped that the Post Office be in the City’s hands by the summer.  Scott thanked Roger from the Frame Shop for working with an architect and City staff in order that postal services might be available from within the Frame Shop itself.

f) He also mentioned an injection of $500,000 in the upcoming budget for renovations at the Swim Center.  These would also include meeting rooms.

g) The empty Giant site:  The City was approached by representatives from the Non-Profit Center Movement, a kind of co-op which helps to administrate non-profit organizations.  It is extremely early but they may be interested in looking at the above site.

h)  A new District Court House and the old library site:  This issue elicited many questions and comments from the group.  Scott stated the City’s general view was ideally not to place it on the ‘old’ library site as that was deemed to small and wouldn’t work for many reasons.  He reported that at a State level their opinions had rather fallen of deaf ears .His hope was now that Maryland has a new Governor and Administration things would progress more successfully.  In brief, the City would also prefer the ‘Phase II site -the  site north of Beall - that so many WECA members were promoting.  A variety of questions were answered by Scott concerning the courthouse, a judicial campus and what was proposed for the old library building.  It is imagined that as City staff grows and space in premises are put under even more pressure that the site could be used as an annexe to City Hall, perhaps in time, even to landscape between the buildings.  City staff numbers have not grown in relation to the exponential population surge that Rockville has undergone in the last 5-6 years.  The City tried to save money in this way because Town center development was so expensive.  * asked if these ideas would affect the demolition plans for the old library.  Art Chambers said that this was scheduled for late spring/summer.

i) Town Center Shuttle Buses:  There are enough grant funds for 2.5 shuttle buses at the moment, it was hoped that Ride On would operate them.   However, the City is in the process of forming a solid conclusion as far as this matter is concerned.

j) The Refuse Issue:  The policy issues and options have been reframed and the ultimate plan is to move away from manual operations.  The vision is to move ahead of other places in the State to single stream recycling, (not having to separate paper from plastic waste) alongside a semi-automated system.  A public hearing will take place on February 20^th at City Hall.

Open discussion followed and discussion of concerns included:
 the traffic situation near the main Post Office.  Maria Broadbent stated that she’d met with P.O. staff and they welcomed other stores which can provide stamps or alternative mailing sites to ease their workload.  Post Office representatives are aware of the problem and are in close communication with local grocery stores. 

Other topics were generally discussed, ie: power of the County and State concerning new buildings in Rockville.  A citizen voiced concern over drainage and flooding problems since large, ‘mansions’ had been built in the vicinity of her property. 

High property assessments were also raised. One citizen stated that she had been successful in having her assessment reduced.  She advised paying for several assessments close to your home, informing the authorities of the results, plus square footage etc.  They visited her on site then she went to their office armed with more detailed information with a positive outcome.  Many others in the group had not been as successful. However, residents are encouraged to appeal when appropriate.

RORZOR – Residents of Rockville Re-Writing Of Zoning Ordinance

The maximum height of single family homes as well as city buildings was discussed and Noreen Bryan suggested looking at ordinances that were already being implemented in  other towns. Art Chambers the RORZOR spokesperson explained at length why the rewriting of the zoning laws was so complex.  In 1976 the current zoning laws were written for a suburb and Rockville’s needs had changed radically since that time.  RORZOR’s objective was to streamline and clarify certain issues  where possible in the interest of  transparency.  He also reiterated that once this important task is completed, the conclusions reached will affect the ‘face’ of Rockville for the next 25-30 years.  He welcomed citizen input and suggested residents look at the master plan available online at the main City website. The RORZOR committee members meet every two weeks and all meetings are open – again he advised looking at their website for topics that are still to be discussed and researched.

Art then discussed some of the businesses that are relocating to Town Center, and their proposed opening times.  Parking procedures and prices were discussed at length and below are some points that may be of interest that came out of the detailed discussions:

a) Grocery store customers will have to use parking meters, the cost will be $1.00 per hour, Monday-Friday 7am-10pm, it’s free on Sat. and Sun. and holidays.
b) The proposed buildings that will be sited on the current Regal Cinema parking lot, (21 and 23 storeys high). Yes they will cast shadows but on the office part of the buildings not on residential dwellings.
c) The new grocery store is 2/3’s the size of Giant.
d) The garages at Town Center cost $40,000,000 to build and it has be decided that the ‘users’ of the space will pay for them.  Times are as above, in a).
e) As per *’s request, Art Chambers agreed to check back concerning traffic mitigation plans to re route traffic from Beall Ave. There were several comments about drivers running stop signs and speeding on Beall.  Also two residents complained about the speed limit being changed from 25mph to 30mph on W. Montgomery Ave.  Scott stated that there is a current plan re traffic mitigation in the West End.  He hopes the City’s new speed cameras will act as a suitable deterrent.
f) * enquired concerning Gibbs Street – it was designed to have a more intimate ‘feel’, to reduce traffic speed and to accommodate outside dining in appropriate weather.  The street is named for William Gibbs, Principal of an African American High School in the 1930’s.  He was a key figure and instrumental in fighting for equal rights and pay.
g) There is to be a two way bike lane on Gibbs so cyclists can access it via Beall or E. Middle Lane.
h)The County Council decided that parking for library users would be free.  Art has a meeting next week with them, to work out the practicalities concerning this decision.
i) Not all of the condos at Town Center are sold, this may necessitate the owners to rent them out until the market is more buoyant.
j) Speed cameras are hoped to help speeding problems throughout the West End.  There are fifteen of them.  They will take a photograph or videotape offending drivers in their vehicles – traffic tickets will be $40.  * is on the committee dealing with possible locations for both mobile and stationary types.  Neighborhoods can request one but the City will decide on a number of criteria. Contact the WECA board for *’s contact information.
k) The fire station will remain at its current site.

Dilapidated/boarded up buildings:  Several residents voiced concern about boarded up or dilapidated buildings in the neighborhood. ie: E Montgomery & S. Adams.  Maria Broadbent addressed specific communications with one landlord who is continuing to explore his options, and Art added that the City does has the power to step in if a structure is dilapidated. * made a *motion to write a letter to expedite these matters to help stabilize a community not hinder it, it was seconded by *.  The vote was unanimously in favor of bringing this issue to the attention of the City without delay.

The Duball Development:  Duball’s representatives go before Mayor & Council on Monday, Feb’ 22^nd and then to the Planning Commission, also in February.  If all goes well for them Art imagined that they would not begin construction immediately due to the condo market slump. Delivery would be expected 2.5-3 years from now.  They anticipate to build the Maryland Avenue structure first then move onto develop the second one on Monroe.

The KSI Development:  They are still trying to relocate the Bank of America tenant to their new location – the old Staples building.  If all is approved they should begin construction 1-1.5 years from now with anticipated availability of the residential units in 2-3 years time.  These dwellings are designed to be for rent.

The Beall Grant Apartments:  these were due to be developed but because of an APFO (Adequate, Public Facility) ordinance this doesn’t look like it will proceed at this time.  The developers are meeting with the City to try to communicate about this obstacle.  The fact that Beall Elementary is ‘over capacity’ at the moment goes against them.

The meeting was adjourned at 9.15pm.