Minutes of the WECA Executive Board Meeting, February 21, 2008

The meeting was called to order by president Patricia Woodward at 7:00 pm.

Minutes: In the absent of secretary Jan Balkam, * distributed copies of the minutes of the November 15, 2007 meeting.  A motion was made by * and seconded by * that the minutes be accepted as presented.  The vote in favor was unanimous.

Treasurer’s Report: * presented her treasurer’s report.  The current balance of the T. Rowe Price account as of 12/31/07 is $2,593.62.  The checking account balance following a deposit of $1,410 of advertising fees is now $1,762.82.  Additional income of $230 from ads is expected, bringing the total to $1,892.82.  However, approximately $1400 will be needed for the upcoming printing of the newsletter.  A motion was made by * and seconded by * that this report be accepted.  The vote in favor was unanimous.

New Business:

1. Additional help is needed to solicit ads for the newsletter.  * is willing to manage the money, but can no longer go out to stores to seek ads.  Please contact Patricia Woodward 301-762-3376 if you can help.

2. Nominating Committee:  * has agreed to chair this year’s committee.  Additional members include *, *, and *.

3. Jennifer Kimball is WECA’s current Neighborhood Liaison following the loss of Maria Broadbent to a new job in Annapolis.  Jennifer will represent WECA in the interim until a replacement is hired.  Jennifer passed around a flier reminding residents to attend the second Rockville Pike Planning Meeting on Tuesday, February 26^th, at the Ramada Inn.

4. Move the Courthouse:  * announced that several residents, members of an umbrella committee of the Town Center Action Committee, are meeting with representatives in Annapolis on Monday, February 25^th,, to present their case to move the proposed new District Courthouse from the old library site to the old Giant property.  *t has signs available for anyone who would like to display one.  In addition, *t shared a written list of Facts about the Courthouse that details the history of the issue and the numerous concerns that citizens share regarding this possible construction.    Also, * shared a letter from Eileen McGuckian, Executive Director of Peerless Rockville, to Mayor Hoffmann and members of the City Council encouraging them to take up the issue of historic designation of the 1971 library.

5. * made an announcement that the Montgomery County Humane Society, located on Gude, is in need of used towels and bed linens

Stormwater Management Utility Fee:  Lise Soukup,  an engineer for Rockville’s Department of Public Works, discussed the upcoming fee and distributed several informative handouts:  Frequently Asked Questions, Projected Rates for Fiscal Years 2009-2017, the Revenue/Expenditure (Cash Flow) Analysis chart, the Process Timeline, and the brochure “Water, Water, Everywhere…Answers to your Stormwater Management Questions.”  Additional materials can be obtained from Lise.  Contact here at 240-314-8500 or at lsoukup@rocvillemd.gov.  Additional information is also available on the City’s website.  Each homeowner will be assessed a fee of $55.80 this July.  The fee will appear on the 2008 property tax bills.  It is currently projected to increase 7.5% to 8.5% each year.  Concerns raised included drainage problems following development of new developments, future rate increases beyond 2017, and availability of credits for upgrades of systems.

Beall’s Grant II:  Rob Goldman, president of the Montgomery Housing Partnership, introduced Mark Drake, architect for the project, and Steven Sprecker, director of real estate development for MHP.  Rob gave a brief history of MHP and defined their mission.  The representatives then presented an overview of the proposed project:  169 market rate and affordable rental units (109 new and 60 old), efficiencies, and 1-,2-, and 3-bedroom units, 229 parking spaces, and “green” features of the new building.  The project has gone before the Development Review Committee.  Changes to the plans will be presented to this committee again.    Questions raised by residents present included concerns that the parking lot exit/entrance being on Beall, a residential street with lots of traffic already (the second level of parking is not on Beall), communication with Snowden’s Funeral Home should take place (this has happened already), possible renovation of the existing building (will occur as tenants move out of units) , time frame of the project (1 ½ - 2 years down the line for ground breaking), school capacity data (MCPS reports that projected enrollment is now declining), and building materials (Hardy Plank).  A motion was made by * and seconded by * that WECA write a letter voicing approval of this project.  The vote in favor was unanimous.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Rose Sharkey for Jan Balkam, Recording Secretary

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