February 7, 2022 Minutes
River Hill Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes
February 7, 2022
Opening (Agenda Item 2):
Ms. Battle called the meeting to order at 7:44 p.m. The meeting was hybrid held in person at Claret Hall and virtually via Zoom. The following members attended: Kevin Bruening, Matthew Levine, Janet Munro, Adam White, Jian Ni and April Battle. Renee DuBois, Village Manager and Eric Greenberg, Columbia Council Representative were present. The following Election Procedures Review Committee members attended the meeting: Richard Thomas and B. Aletta Nonyane. Trinity Cheng, Co-chair of the Teen Advisory Committee, was present. The following guests attended the meeting: Gary Sauers, Jennifer Zhai, Paul Verchinsky, and Megan Williams.
Approval of the (Agenda Item 3):
Mr. Levine made a motion to approve the agenda. Ms. Battle seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
Announcement of Executive Session(s) Held/To Be Held (Agenda Item 4A):
There was an Executive Session held on February 7, 2022, subject to COMAR Section 11B-111 (4) (iv)” Consultation with staff personnel, consultants, attorneys, board members, or other persons in connection with pending or potential litigation or other legal matters.”
Board Meeting Minutes – January 3, 2022, and January 18, 2022 (Agenda Item 4B):
Mr. Levine made a motion to approve the January 3, 2022, Minutes. Mr. White seconded
the motion. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
Mr. Levine made a motion to approve the January 18, 2022, Minutes. Mr. Bruening seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
Resident Speak Out (Agenda Item 5)
Community member and former Oakland Mills Community Association Board Member Paul Verchinsky spoke about the BWI Roundtable group and asked the River Hill Board of Directors to request and recommend that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revert back to flight plans that were used before the NexGen flight path program due to increased air pollution and noise pollution affecting communities in Central Maryland. Mr. Levine and Ms. DuBois proposed sending out an e-blast notifying the community about the BWI Roundtable’s request and recommendations for proposed legislation and to solicit feedback from River Hill residents. The Board will then decide how to proceed and draft a letter by the end of March to submit as written testimony.
Teen Advisory Committee Report (Agenda Item 6)
A Virtual Bingo event was held on January 24. The cost per person to attend was $5, and there were 36 participants. Gift cards were awarded as prizes, and the Teen Advisory Committee members each had a role/job. Many participants turned their cameras on, and parents seemed pleased about the event. There was only enough time to play 8 games. The event raised $111.60. The next event being sponsored by the Teen Advisory Committee is Virtual Trivia Night on March 11, 2022.
Old Business
Election Procedures Review (Agenda Item 7):
Discussion of making changes to the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws through the use of ballot questions during Village Elections occurred. It was reviewed that the Elections Committee is responsible for changes made to the Elections Procedures. The Election Committee must approve the changes to the By-Laws as it is separate from the responsibilities of the Board of Directors. The ballots/ballot questions will be drafted by the attorney. The use of electronic voting procedures is being explored.
Mr. Levine made a motion to include a ballot question to amend the Articles of Incorporation such that only residents of the Village of River Hill are able to serve on the Board of Directors. Ms. Battle seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
Mr. Levine made a motion to not include a ballot question to amend the By-Laws by removing the requirement of obtaining greater than 50% of the votes in favor of each candidate for the Board of Directors. Mr. Bruening seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous consent.
Mr. Levine made a motion to remove the date requirement for submission of Candidate Statements. Ms. Battle seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business
Confirmation of Architectural Committee Members (Agenda Item 8A)
The comment period is still open for residents to provide feedback on the proposed Architectural Guidelines changes. Final review will occur during the open meeting of the RAC on February 16 via Zoom. Ms. Munro inquired about a guideline for electric vehicle charging stations.
Architectural Committee candidates Mr. Sauers and Ms. Zhai introduced themselves and spoke about their 6+ years serving on the RAC. The other candidate was not present for the meeting. Mr. Levine recommended asking the remaining candidate to attend the next Board Meeting.
Mr. Levine made a motion to appoint Mr. Sauers and Ms. Zhai to the Architectural Committee, each with a 2-year term. Mr. Bruening seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The appointments of both Mr. Sauers and Ms. Zhai will be forwarded to Columbia Association for consent.
Confirmation of Election Committee Members (Agenda Item 8B)
Ms. DuBois proposed that Mr. Greenberg serve as the Chairperson of the Election Committee and that Ms. Battle serve on the Election Committee. There were no other volunteers.
Mr. Levine made a motion to appoint Mr. Greenberg as Chairperson of the Election Committee and to appoint Ms. Battle to serve on the Election Committee. Mr. Bruening seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0-1.
Development Advisory Committee Liaison (Agenda Item 9Ai)
Ms. Battle has been in touch with the new Cedar Creek development. They have ten homes left to sell in Phase 1 before moving on to Phase 2 next spring. The Scott Property meeting will be held on February 8 and the River Hill Board of Directors will be providing testimony.
Watershed Committee (Agenda Item 9Aii)
Mr. White reported that the committee is active, although the winter is a very slow time for them. Their next meeting will occur either during the last week of February or in early March.
Village Manager (Agenda Item 9B):
It’s budget season. Community input is requested by the office of County Executive Calvin Ball regarding priority of items that need to be addressed such as tree trimming, street repair, sidewalk repair and other things that have been neglected in the Village. Submittal of a written report is requested. Ms. DuBois proposed that funds for electronic voting be included in the RHCA budget. Mr. Levine proposed that funding for additional technical equipment to keep the hybrid meetings running smoothly be included in the RHCA budget. Ms. Munro inquired about funding for enforcement of the Covenants. Ms. DuBois mentioned that RHCA will request more corporate sponsors for Special Events in the future since it has worked well. Claret Hall improvements are part of CA’s Capital Budget, and the carpet is being replaced later this month.
Columbia Council Representative (Agenda Item 9C):
It’s budget season for Columbia Association as well. A work session will be held on February 10 and the final vote to approve a budget will occur at the meeting on February 24. Mr. Greenberg reports that there is $11 million budgeted for Capital Project expenses. He will ask about more funding for Covenant enforcement. There is $125,000 budgeted for performances at The Chrysalis.
Board Chairperson (Agenda Item 9D):
Mr. Levine would like to keep doing hybrid meetings and wants to ensure that adequate technology is available to do so.
Board Speak Out (Agenda Item 10):
None.
Adjournment (Agenda Item 6):
At 9:24 p.m., Ms. Battle made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Munro seconded the motion. The motion passed with unanimous consent.
