January 6, 2020 Minutes

River Hill Board of Directors

Meeting Minutes

January 6, 2020

 

 

Opening (Agenda 1):

Tony Miceli, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. at the River Hill Meeting Room (6330 Trotter Road, Clarksville, MD). The following members were in attendance: Dave Dalpe, Harjeet Jandu, Matthew Levine, and John Wan, and Adam White. Jeff Du, Student Member, Renee DuBois, Council Representative, and Susan Smith, Village Manager, were in attendance. Angela Ling arrived at 7:20 p.m.

 

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):

Mr. Miceli made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of the November 4, 2019 Minutes. Mr. Levine seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

 

Administrative Items (Agenda 3):

Mr. Dalpe made a motion to approve the November 4, 2019 Minutes as submitted. Mr. Wan seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0-1). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

 

Mr. Levine made a motion to approve the December 2, 2019 Minutes as submitted. Mr. Wan seconded the motion. The motion passed (4-0-2). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

 

Kimco Realty (Agenda 4):

Greg Reed, VP Development, and Dana Valenti, Director of Development met with the Board to discuss the River Hill Village Center. Danielle Johnson, Property Manager, was unable to attend. Mr. Reed noted that there are vacancies in the village center and two merchants are having sales issues. It is possible that there will be another vacancy in 2021. Kimco is finding that company-wide, retail spaces that are greater than 10,000 sq. ft. are 98% leased; however, smaller spaces are only 88% leased. Kimco considers this a disturbing trend and has hired an outside broker to lease space. We should expect to see signage changes in the River Hill Village Center shortly.

 

Mr. Reed noted that Giant Food has right of first refusal for businesses in the center and there are also restrictions on the types of businesses that may lease space to reduce competition. The village center currently has the maximum number of food establishments. Kimco has an option to purchase the vacant parcel which is adjacent to and owned by Giant. Mr. Reed stated Kimco had considered the Ruby Tuesday site; however, decided against it as the site does not split up well.

 

The Board asked for Kimco’s assistance in pressuring JPMorgan Chase to maintain its property. Other concerns raised by the Board included the need for walkability improvements: adding sidewalks adjacent to the vacant parcel; from the entrance on Great Star Drive to connect to the sidewalk by M & T bank; and to connect Daybreak Circle to Daylong Lane to close the gap between the corner and the stairs to the condos. A request was made to trim the tree by the pole light at the stairs to the condos. Other suggestions from the Board included the addition of a spray pad and the need to make the courtyard more inviting and usable, Board Members noted smokers from the River Hill Sports Grille are congregating by the fountain which is a deterrent for other users. Members of the Board also suggested the Village Center website be updated as it is very static and out of date. Kimco will follow-up with the State Highway Administration (SHA) about how to obtain signage identifying the Village and shopping amenities on MD 32 as was discussed two years ago.

 

Megan Williams, Constituent Services Liaison, Office of the County Executive (Agenda 5):

Ms. Williams introduced herself and responded to traffic & safety concerns raised by the association in advance of the meeting. She reported that SHA is planning to modify the signal on MD 108 at Great Star Drive to add flashing red arrows for turning vehicles. She noted SHA had already made signal and signage adjustments in the area of the MD 108 and Ten Oaks Road. Captain Yetter, Police Department, Southern District Commander, has indicated the department will examine recent speed studies and conduct directed enforcement on Great Star Drive, including use of informational speed signs. Kim Prium, Director Constituent Services, was also in attendance. She suggested the association engage our state representatives when it comes to issues related to widening MD 32. The next public input session on the County’s FY21 budget will be held in March. The association may email input to cball@howardcountymd.gov.

 

Resident Speak Out (Agenda 6):

None.

 

Neighborhood Centers (Agenda 7A):

Ms. DuBois noted that at the neighborhood center meeting with the CA Board, participants will be divided into groups and will respond to a set of questions. It was the consensus of the Board that the association does not agree with limiting uses to non-commercial uses.

 

Streets for All in Howard County (Agenda 8A):

It was the consensus of the Board to not join the Streets for All Coalition.

 

FY20 2^nd Quarter Financial Reports & Variance Analysis (Agenda 8B):

Ms. Smith provided an overview of the reports. Mr. Dalpe made a motion to approve the financial statements and variance analysis. Mr. White seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-1). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

 

FY19 IRS 990 and 990T (Agenda 8C):

Mr. Levine made a motion to approve the 9990 and 990T subject to a change in the signature to reflect the current Board Chair. Mr. Dalpe seconded the motion. The motion passed (7-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

 

Ad Hoc Playground Committee (Agenda 9Ai):

Ms. DuBois noted that $700,000 is included in CA’s draft FY21/22 Budget for life safety tot lot renovations. CA still needs to develop a tot lot policy e.g., renovations, removal.

 

Development Advisory Committee (Agenda 9Aii):

The Board asked Ms. Smith to schedule a presentation on the water tower project for an upcoming meeting.

 

 

Teen Advisory Committee (Agenda 9Aiii):

Mr. Du reported the Breakfast with Santa event went well and Ms. DuBois complemented the TAC on the event. The TAC members will help run the Bingo Event in late January. The committee is planning an event in April but has not yet decided on the target audience or event details.

 

Traffic & Safety Committee (Agenda 9Aiv):

Mr. Dalpe reported the first committee meeting was held in December. Attendees identified issues to focus on: MD 32 noise, MD 108, and speeding on residential roads. Mr. Dalpe attended the Office of Transportation’s meeting on December 2. The meeting focused on increasing public transportation, decreasing car use, and complete streets. The next Traffic & Safety Committee meeting will be held on February 13.

 

Watershed Committee (Agenda 9Av):

Mr. White noted that the county will be re-writing the zoning regulations and that this may be an opportunity to eliminate the “alternative compliance” options that have been available to developers.

 

Manager’s Report (Agenda 9B):

A written report is on file with the original minutes. Ms. Smith will draft input on the County’s FY21 budget for the Board’s consideration. Topics to include school funding, sidewalk maintenance, Clarksville Pike streetscape and land acquisition, and pruning on main thoroughfares.

 

Council Representative Report (Agenda 9C):

Ms. DuBois discussed several elements of the draft FY21/22 budget. Mr. Miceli made a motion to not support the Columbia Association’s planned $3 Million capital project to renovate the locker rooms at the Columbia Gym. Mr. Dalpe seconded the motion. The motion passed (7-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

 

Board Chairperson Report (Agenda 9D):

Mr. Miceli asked members to remind committee members that prior to commenting on social media they need to consider how their comments will reflect on the association.

 

Board Speak Out (Agenda 10):

Mr. Miceli suggested that based on recent school redistricting, Mr. Du examine the Student Member Committee Charter and that the Board discuss whether to continue to have a maximum of two Student Members.

 

Adjournment (Agenda 11):

Mr. Miceli made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:58 p.m. Mr. Dalpe seconded the motion. The motion passed (7-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

 

Submitted: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager

 

Minutes Approved:  February 10, 2020