January 24, 2011 Board Minutes

Todd Harrison, Chair, called a regular meeting of the River Hill Village Board to order at 7:04 p.m., on January 24, 2011, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, MD 21029.  Members present were Trevor Greene, Tony Miceli, and Asmi Panigrahi.  Michael Cornell, Council Representative, was present. Susan Smith, Village Manager, was present.  Mr. Saletel did not attend.

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):

Ms. Panigrahi made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of an Executive Session following Agenda #9 (Administrative Items) and moving Agenda #4 (Teen Advisory Committee Report) before Agenda #3 (Resident Speak Out).  Mr. Greene seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0).

Teen Advisory Committee Report (Agenda 4):

The Teen Advisory Committee (TAC) Members reported on the following upcoming events:  School’s Out – Mad Science Presentation (2/18/11), One Day (3/12/11), Rockfest (4/1/11), Breakfast with the Bunny (4/9/11), Searching for Spring (4/16/11), and Art/Music Showcase (May/June 2011).  The TAC has selected the Special Olympics of Howard County as the charitable organization that will benefit from the proceeds raised by Rockfest.

Resident Speak Out (Agenda 3):

H.J. Holloway, 6213 Waving Willow Path, expressed concern and frustration about the condition of the property located at 6200 Waving Willow Path and the County’s lack of response.  He provided photos of the property.

Ross Carlson, 12105 Early Lilacs Path, expressed concern about bicycling safety in the community e.g., along Great Star Drive, and supported the installation of bike lanes on Great Star Drive and improved bicycling connections.

Larry Blickman, 6228 Waving Willow Path, expressed concern and frustration about the condition of the property located at 6200 Waving Willow Path.  He also expressed concern with the County’s response to his inquiries and the length of time it has taken for them to take action.  He stated that residents are working out side at night and making a lot of noise.  He also expressed concern that there are multiple families living in the property and/or that it is being used as a boarding house.

Susan Levi-Goerlich, 6440 River Run, requested that a signal be installed for bikers at the intersection of Grace Drive and Cedar Lane.  She explained that because a bike does not trigger a change in the signal that it is difficult to cross at the intersection.  She also supported improved bike connections within the community.

Mary Clay, Special Assistant to Councilperson Sigaty, spoke regarding the property at 6200 Waving Willow Path.  She stated that Ms. Sigaty has requested that the Department of Planning and Zoning provide a status report.  She encouraged residents to call the police if they are harassed by the residents and when there is loud and disruptive behavior.

Councilperson Mary Kay Sigaty, Phillip Nelson, CA President, and Mark DeLuca, Deputy Director Department of Public Works – Bike Lane Discussion (Agenda 5):

Mr. Greene provided an overview of the River Hill Bicycle Lane Proposal (distributed to the guests).  Mr. Greene emphasized the need for improved connections within the village as well as with the rest of Columbia and the County.  The Association has identified Great Star Drive as the Association’s highest priority for bike lanes and outlined the need for directional signage to guide bikers through the community. Specific areas of concern were noted:  pedestrian crossing and traffic diverter on Great Star Drive near Eternal Ocean Place, and the Grace Drive/Cedar Lane intersection.  Mr. Greene encouraged cooperation between the County, CA, and the community.

Mr. DeLuca spoke about the County’s efforts to provide bike facilities in the county and the need to identify bike routes.  The County has drafted Bike Facilities Guidelines (December 2010) that will be used when bike facilities are being considered and installed.  He identified the following bike facility options:

1.       Shared use – wide curb lanes on roadways, can be used as long as the posted speed limit is below 50 mph;

2.       Shoulders – e.g., 3 – 5’ wide designated shoulder, with width kept low to discourage parking;

3.       Dedicated bike lanes; and

4.       Off road facilities e.g., pathways.

Mr. DeLuca explained that although Great Star Drive is a wide curb lane road and therefore shared use with bicyclists is an option.  However, due to the traffic volumes on Great Star Drive it might be a good candidate for using the shoulder for bikes.  He noted that roads such as Little Patuxent Parkway and Brokenland Parkway are good permitted.

Mr. DeLuca explained that there is a need to map the bike facilities village-by-village, similar to the plan done by the City of Laurel.  The analysis should be conducted area-wide to include access to major designations such as Howard Community College, Howard County General Hospital, the Village Centers, the Library, and the Robinson Nature Center.  He also recommended the addition of way finding signage on Columbia’s pathways.  Mr. DeLuca acknowledged that bicycle level of service and pedestrian level of service do compete with each other.  He also cited departmental concerns with installing bike facilities due to “creep” in the maintenance budget.  He suggested that MD 108 needs a dedicated bikeway since it is anticipated that it will become a 5-lane road.  He also noted that improvements to the Grade Drive intersection must be coordinated with the State Highway Administration which controls that intersection and that there have been improvements in bicycle detection that could be installed to facilitate crossing at the signal.    Mr. DeLuca also stated that there is a County Capital Project to study traffic on Cedar Lane.

Mr. Nelson noted that CA is conducting a connectivity study that will have focus groups that include the villages and this will provide the Association with an opportunity for input.  Councilperson Sigaty identified the need for the following:  mapping of routes in the community and with connections to other areas, the creation of a Committee at the village level to assist in coordinating, and DPW to examine Great Star Drive for the addition of bike facilities.  A Committee made up of representatives from the Village Board, the community, and Bicycling Advocates was suggested.  Mr. DeLuca volunteered to participate.  Councilperson Sigaty also suggested that the Association take steps to promote biking in the community, such as implementing a “share the road” campaign with bumper stickers, etc.

New Business (Agenda 6): None

Old Business (Agenda 7):

A.  CA FY12 Budget – Mr. Greene made a motion to ratify the email vote on the budget testimony (copy on file with the Minutes).  Mr. Miceli seconded the motion.  The motion passed (4-0-0).

Reports (Agenda 8):

A. Village Manager – A written report is on file with the Minutes.  It was the consensus of the Board to invite John McCoy, CA’s Watershed Manager, to attend an upcoming meeting to give a presentation on CA’s plans.  Ms. Smith asked the Board for input on topics for discussion at the Community Resource Partnership Meeting and indicated that the issues that have arisen regarding 6200 Waving Willow Path and enforcement and follow-up by the County are items that staff have identified.

B.  Chairperson – Mr. Harrison expressed a desire to step down as Chair of the Master Plan Committee.  Mr. Harrison made a motion to appoint Mr.  Greene as the chair of the Master Plan Committee.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Panigrahi.  The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). Mr. Harrison will continue as a member of the committee.

C.  Council Representative – Mr. Cornell reported that the FY12 budget has been the CA Board’s focus.  He noted that Ms. Dembner is conducting extensive outreach into the community, with the County, and with the Howard Hughes Corporation.

D.  Liaisons – It was the consensus of the Board to include the formation of a Bike Facilities Committee on the February 7, 2011 agenda.

Administrative Items (Agenda 9):

Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the January 3, 2011 Minutes as submitted.  Ms. Panigrahi seconded the motion.  The motion passed (3-0-1).

Mr. Harrison made a motion to approve the December 20, 2010 Minutes as submitted.  Ms. Panigrahi seconded the motion.  The motion passed (3-0-1).

Executive Session:

Mr. Miceli made a motion to move into Executive Session at 9:30 p.m. for the discussion of litigation and terms or conditions of business transactions in the negotiation stage.  Mr. Greene seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0).  At 9:40p.m. Ms. Panigrahi moved to adjourn the Executive Session.  Mr. Harrison seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0).

Board Speak Out (Agenda 10):

None.

Adjournment (Agenda 10):

Mr. Greene made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:41 p.m.  Ms. Panigrahi seconded the motion.  The motion passed (4-0-0).

Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager

Minutes Approved:  February 21, 2011