April 5, 2010 Board Meeting

River Hill Board of Directors Meeting
April 5, 2010

Frank Saletel, Board Vice Chairperson, called a regularly scheduled meeting of the River Hill Village Board to order at 7:03 p.m., on April 5, 2010, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, MD 21029. Members present were Trevor Greene and Tony Miceli. Michael Cornell, Council Representative, and Susan Smith, Village Manager, were present.

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Mr. Green made a motion to add 6E. Grant Request to the agenda. Mr. MIceli seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (3-0-0).

Resident Speak out (Agenda 3):
Ms. Teresa Anderson, 6432 Fairest Dream Lane, submitted a petition signed by residents in favor or retaining RH4 – River Run Tot Lot. Ms. Anderson stressed the high number of users, the visibility, and the cleanliness as factors in retaining this tot lot. Ms. Anderson recommended that RH20 – Ascending Moon Path or RH3 – Velvet Path be considered as they are in wooded areas and under utilized. Ms. Anderson also suggested that equipment for older children, ages 8 – 11 years, be integrated into the tot lots.

Covenant Advisor’s Report (Agenda 4):
Ms. Lambright made the Village Board aware of an open space encroachment issue on Summer Sky Path. It was the consensus of the Board to send a letter to the Columbia Association and to also work through the Architectural Committee (AC) as unapproved modifications. Ms. Lambright will draft a letter for Board Review. Ms. Lambright and the Board discussed Resident Architectural Committee membership issues.

Old Business (Agenda 5):
A. River Hill Garden Center – Ms. Smith explained that there are two farms opposite the River Hill Garden Center on the northwest side of MD108. Ms. Smith has learned from Joy Levy, the County’s Agricultural Preservation Administrator, that Limestone Valley (342 acres) has been in the state agricultural preservation program since 1982. The easement was intended to be perpetual, but has a 25 year termination clause. Therefore, the property can potentially be redeveloped. The Breeden Farm, part of which fronts along MD 108) has 96 acres in the County’s agricultural preservation program. There is a 25 acre piece of the Breeden Farm that is not included under the agricultural preservation. This area currently can be developed. However, there are stream and topography issues that will make this challenging.

To develop the properties currently participating in agricultural preservation programs, the owners can petition to buy back the easement if they can prove that farming is no longer economically viable. However, they would have to pay the fair market value of the land (not the agricultural value). These properties are currently zoned RC (Rural Conservation) which permits clustering of homes (#acres/4.25 = # homes). The number of residential units could also be increased by purchasing additional density. These properties are currently outside the water and sewer district and therefore would require well and septic systems. Due to their location, these properties appear to be more at risk of development than other properties participating in the agricultural preservation program.

B. Village Board Membership – Ms. Smith explained that the Association’s attorney has reviewed the legal documents and will attend the April 19 Board Meeting to discuss.

New Business (Agenda 6):
A. Rental Contract Revisions – Ms. Smith reviewed proposed revisions to the social event and multiple use rental contracts (copy on file with the original minutes). Mr. Saletel made a motion to have the proposed contracts, with the changes suggested by the Board, reviewed by the attorney prior to implementation. The Board would only need to re-review the contracts if the changes are substantive. Mr. Greene seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (3-0-0).

B. FY11 Operating Budget – Ms. Smith reviewed the FY10 4th Quarter estimate (copy on file with the original minutes). The Board discussed the need to increase rental and advertising revenue. A budget work session was scheduled for Monday, April 12 at 7 p.m. at Claret Hall.
C. Tot Lot Elimination Program – Mr. Saletel made a motion to table this agenda item. Mr. Greene seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (3-0-0).
D. Donation Request – Mr. Greene made a motion to table this agenda item. Mr. Saletel seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (3-0-0).
E. Grant Request – Mr. Greene provided an overview of the Community Crime Prevention Summit that he and Ms. Smith attended. Mr. Greene recommended that the Association request funding for a Block Organizer to take over coordination of the Neighborhood Watch Program. Mr. Greene circulated a job description (copy on file with the original minutes). Mr. Greene made a motion to apply for a Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention grant. Mr. Miceli seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (3-0-0). Ms. Smith and Mr. Greene will develop the grant application.

Reports (Agenda 7):
A. Village Manager – Written report on file with the minutes. The website presentation will be given on May 3. The new site will be the lead story in the June newsletter. Mr. Miceli will chaperone Rockfest ’10. The Board made no decision on hosting a H1N1 Clinic on April 24. Purchase requests for FY10 out of budget furniture and fixture expenses will be presented at the April 19 meeting.
B. Council Representative – Copies of the Talking Points from various CA Board and Committee meetings (copy on file with original minutes). Mr. Cornell pointed out the following:

• Friends of Columbia 501 (c) 3 – was chartered in 2005 to collect government and private funds to support activities that improve the quality of life for the people of Columbia.
• $190K grant from the State for Symphony Woods had made it through Committee (Kasemeyer and Robey sponsored)
• CA Board is preparing the CA President’s Annual Evaluation.
• CSS implementation in July, card reissuance begins in April.

Mr. Cornell explained that CA revenue projections are exceeding the actuals for FY10. This is due in part to the lack of turnover of commercial properties. As a result, CA is not receiving income based on the higher assessed values. Mr. Cornell also reported that CA is considering options for the golf courses including new facilities, partnering with others, and lease arrangements.
C. Liaison Areas – Mr. Miceli reported on the most recent Traffic & Safety Committee meeting which was attended by Ray Mercado, DPW.

• Due to the change in the width of Great Star Drive (from 45’ to 38’), in order to install bike lanes from MD 108 to Guilford Road left turn lanes cannot be installed at all intersections. At this time the County does not have the funding available to re-stripe the roadway and install “Share the Road” signage.

• The County will examine the installation of a light at the pedestrian refuge island adjacent to Gentle Call.
• Work orders have been filed to prune up the trees along Great Star Drive.
• A school crossing will be installed at Hayboat Court.
• Large pedestrian safety signs will be installed.
• At the April 28 Meeting, the Committee will walk around the community with Mr. Mercado to look at other issues such as the need for an additional sidewalk near the Summer Sky Path and Indian Summer Drive intersection.

Administrative Items (Agenda 8): Mr. Miceli made a motion to approve the March 15, 2010 minutes. Mr. Greene seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (3-0-0).

Board Speak out (Agenda 9):
None.

Adjournment (Agenda 10):
Mr. Greene made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Miceli seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (3-0-0).

Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager

Minutes Approved: April 19, 2010

Action Items
Village Board Meeting
April 5, 2010

Board Members

• Tony – Chaperone at Rockfest ’10.
• Trevor – Coordinate with Susan on grant application.

Village Manager

• Coordinate with Association’s attorney to review the proposed rental contract revisions.
• Prepare an FY11 Budget Summary for the April 12 work session.
• Develop Community Crime Prevention grant request.

Covenant Advisor

• Prepare March 2010 for April 19 meeting.
• Draft correspondence to CA regarding Open Space encroachment enforcement.

Facilities Coordinator

Special Events/Newsletter Coordinator

Administrative Assistant