December 9, 2013 Minutes

Kenny Kan, Board Chairperson, called the regularly scheduled meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on December 9, 2013, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, MD 21029.  Members present were Kathy Chavers, Jenny Chu, DengFeng Liu, and Dipper Wettstein. Tiffany Kan, Student Member, Michael Cornell, Columbia Council Representative, and Susan Smith, Village Manager, were present. Melissa Bradshaw and Liyan Zhang were absent. A list of attendees is on file with the Minutes.

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Ms. Chavers made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted.  Mr. Liu seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0-0) (Student Advisory Vote – in favor).

Administrative Items (Agenda 3):
Mr. Wettstein made a motion to approve the Minutes from the November 18, 2013 meeting. Ms. Chu seconded the motion.  The motion passed (5-0-0) (Student Advisory Vote – in favor). 

Resident Speak Out (Agenda 4):
None

Andy Stack, Chairperson, CA Board of Directors & Aria Connor, CA Communications Department (Agenda 5):
Ms. Connor provided updates on the following new communications tools:  Inspire Columbia Website, Excite Columbia program, and the new CA website expected to begin Beta testing at the end of January 2014.

Mr. Stack provided several handouts (on file with the original Minutes). He gave an overview of CA’s FY13 financial position and noted that CA has been working to reduce debt, to covert long term debt to short term debt at lower interest rates, and to spending more on repairs and maintenance.  He noted that in the last 10-15 years the focus has been on paying down CA’s debt rather than making infrastructure improvements.  New capital projects receiving funding:   Dog Park, Symphony Woods, and Hobbits Glen Golf Club.  Due to ADA requirements, CA will be spending more on improvements and anticipate $6 – 7 million dollars in associated expenditures over the next 5 years.  Mr. Stack reviewed the CA Board Committee’s Objectives and highlighted the – accomplishments including:  Lake dredging completed and now working on Lake Management Plan, introduction of the Spectrum system to improve membership services, establishment of a 501(c)(3)  to assist with Columbia’s 50^th Birthday Celebration to be held in 2017, and adoption of the Inner Arbor Plan.

Mr. Wettstein suggested that televising the CA Board Meetings will be helpful.  He also encouraged CA to work with the villages to establish village-level watershed committees.

FY14 2^nd Quarter Financial Statements & Variance Analysis (Agenda 6A):
Ms. Smith and Mr. Kan provided a summary of the 2^nd Quarter Financial Statements.  Mr. Kan made a motion to approve the FY14 2^nd Quarter Financial Statements and Variance Analysis as presented.  Mr. Wettstein seconded the motion.  The motion passed (5-0-0).

Simpson Oaks Development – Update (Agenda 6B):
Ms. Smith made the Board aware of the revised Simpson Oaks plan and the boundary and zoning map provided by Mr. Oh (copies on file with the original Minutes).  Mr. Cornell inquired about annexation.  It was agreed to include Simpson Oaks on the February Board Meeting Agenda.

River Hill Garden Center Variance Petition (Agenda 7A):
Mr. Kan made a motion authorizing Mr. Wettstein to speak on behalf of the Board regarding the County’s Design Guidelines Initiative for Clarksville – River Hill and the expansion of the study area to include MD 108 between Guilford Road and Trotter Road.  Ms. Chavers seconded the motion.  The motion passed (5-0-0) (Student Advisory Vote – in favor). It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Wettstein be permitted to reach out to local businesses and encourage their attendance at the December 12 Hearing.

Executive Session (Agenda 8):
At 8:19 p.m. Ms. Chavers made a motion to move into Executive Session for the purposes of legal and personnel matters.  Mr. Liu seconded the motion.  The motion passed (5-0-0).  Ms. Kan recused herself. At 8:54 p.m. Ms. Chavers made a motion to close Executive Session.  Mr. Cornell seconded the motion.  The motion passed (5-0-0).

Manager’s Report (Agenda 9A):
A written report is on file with the original Minutes.  Ms. Smith provided a brief update on the Clarksville Commons project.  It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Wettstein and Mr. Runser would be the appropriate representatives to meet with the developer.  Ms. Smith reminded the Board Members to follow-up with Ms. Lambright regarding any outstanding covenant compliance issues on their properties.  Ms. Smith noted that in the wake of the townhouse fire there is some interest in holding a Fire Safety Information Session for residents.

Board Chair Report (Agenda 9B):
Mr. Kan noted that the next meeting agenda will include an update on ARC cases, a discussion about the CA budget, and a community clean-up.

Council Representative’s Report (Agenda 9C):
None

Liaisons/Student Members (Agenda 9D):
Ms. Kan reported on the successful Breakfast with Santa event.

Board Speak Out (Agenda 10):
Mr. Wettstein thanked the Board for their support of the residents on Whistling Winds Walk.

Adjournment (Agenda 8):
Mr. Liu made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Mr. Wettstein seconded the motion.  The motion passed (5-0-0) (Student Advisory Vote – in favor).

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Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager

Minutes Approved:  January 6, 2014