February 11, 2025, Board Meeting Minutes

River Hill Board of Directors

Meeting Minutes

February 11, 2025

 

Opening (Agenda Item 2):

Mr. Bruening called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom. The following members attended: Kevin Bruening, Rob Mekelburg, Moe Imran, Balbir Lakhanpal, and Barbara Lembas. Renee DuBois (Village Manager) and Eric Greenberg (CA Rep) were present. The following guests attended the meeting: Lisa Kraus, Kevin Day, and Lily White.

 

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda Item 3):

Mr. Mekelburg made a motion to approve the agenda. Mr.Imran seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0. Ms. Lembas voted in the affirmative.

 

Administrative Items (Agenda Item 4)

Announcement of Executive Session Held/To be Held (Agenda Item 4A)

A closed meeting was held on January 29, 2025, to discuss contract negotiations.

 

Approval of Minutes (Agenda Item 4B)

Mr. Mekelburg made a motion to approve January 10, 2025, minutes. Mr. Imran seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-0-1, Ms. Lembas voted in the affirmative.

 

Delegate Jen Terrasa (Agenda Item 4C)

Postponed until May 2025.

 

Leslie Barnett, CA Presentation (Agenda Item 4D)

Postponed until March 2025.

 

Resident Speak Out (Agenda Item 5)

Lisa Kraus spoke about Grace Property and Howard County CB11-2025, ZRA 211-The addition of certain research and development laboratories as a permitted use in the Planned Employment Center (PEC) zoning district. 

Lily White spoke about Grace Property and Howard County CB11-2025, ZRA 211. Ms. White is requesting a third-party report from the Maryland Department of the Environment.

 

Reports (Agenda Item 6)

Village Manager Report (Agenda Item 6A)

Ms. DuBois discussed the Columbia Association Management Contract and the possibility of facility lease and rent revenue collected by CA and redistributed to the Villages. Updates were also given on the First Lego Team and RHCA Elections.

 

Columbia Council Representative (Agenda item 6B)

Discussed the Columbia Association budget timeline, and the future vote on the CA Capital and Operating Budget.

 

Board Chairperson (Agenda Item 6C)

Mr. Bruening updated the Management contract negotiations with the other Village Chairs.

Mr. Bruening made a motion to allow himself to speak at the Columbia Association Board of Directors’ meeting on behalf of the River Hill Community Association and to modify the presentation for public notification. Mr. Lakhanpal seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor of the motion.)

 

Old Business (Agenda Item 7)

None.

 

New Business (Agenda item 8)

CA Management Contract (Agenda Item 8A)

See Board Chairperson, Agenda Item 6C, above.

 

RHCA Referendum Questions-Annual Meeting (Agenda Item 8B)

Mr. Bruening made a motion to insert a referendum question on the ballot to allow for a per-meeting stipend for members of the Board of Directors. Mr. Imran seconded the motion. The vote for the motion was Mr. Bruening and Mr. Imran, and against was Mr. Mekelburg and Mr. Lakhanpal. Motion failed 2-2.

 

Maryland Pre-filed Legislation (Agenda Item 8A)

Mr. Bruening made a motion to limit discussion to five minutes for each piece of legislation. Mr. Mekelburg seconded the motion. The motion passes 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor of the motion).

 

HoCo 6-25 Ambient Air Quality Control – Permit Applications, Permit Holders, and Property Tax Credits

Mr. Bruening made a motion to support the legislation with an amendment removing the property tax credit. Mr. Mekelburg seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor of the motion).

 

HoCo 9-25 Howard County – Speed Monitoring System-Authorization. 

After extensive discussion, Mr. Bruening made a motion to extend discussion time by five minutes. Mr. Greenberg seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor). Mr. Lakhanpal made a motion to support the legislation with an amendment to emphasize the engineering of traffic calming devices on streets for safer driving.” Mr. Imran seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor of the motion).

 

HoCo 10-25 Howard County – Board of Education – Mandatory School Holidays

Mr. Mekelburg made a motion to table discussion on HoCo 10-25. Mr. Lakhanpal seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor of the motion).

 

HoCo 14-25 Columbia Association – Lease Requirements and Governing Documents

Mr. Greenberg made a motion to support the legislation with an amendment to require landlords to furnish updated tenant lists to the Columbia Association and appropriate village offices. Mr. Bruening seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor of the motion).  

 

HoCo 17-25 Noise Abatement Monitoring Systems-Authorization

Mr. Mekelburg made a motion to support the legislation. Mr. Bruening seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor of the legislation).

 

Troop 618 Free Use (Agenda item 8D)Mr. Mekelburg made a motion to allow Scout Troop 618 one free use of Claret Hall during the month of May 2025. Mr. Lakhanpal seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0 (Ms. Lembas voted in favor of the motion).

 

Board Speak Out (Agenda Item 9)

None.

 

Adjournment (Agenda Item 10)

At 9:44 p.m., Mr. Bruening adjourned the meeting.