June 7, 2021 Minutes

River Hill Board of Directors

Meeting Minutes

June 7, 2021

 

 

Opening (Agenda 2):

Matthew Levine, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. The meeting was held virtually via conference call using Zoom. The following members were in attendance: Eric Greenberg, Tony Miceli, Jian Ni, Dipper Wettstein, and Adam White. Alex Oh, Student Member, Renee DuBois, Columbia Council Representative, and Susan Smith, Village Manager, were present. Michael Cornell, FY21 Election Committee Chairperson, and Janet Munro (Morning Time Lane) were in attendance. Mr. Jandu and Mr. Pillai were absent. Mr. Cornell left the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Mr. Wettstein left the meeting at 10 p.m.

 

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 3):

Mr. Levine made a motion to approve the agenda. Mr. Miceli seconded the motion with an amendment which was not accepted by Mr. Levine. Mr. Wettstein made a motion to amend the agenda and add the Diversity Committee to the agenda. The motion failed for lack of a second. Mr. Greenberg seconded the original motion. Discussion.

 

Ms. DuBois made a motion to amend the agenda and remove the Education Committee (Agenda 8B) from the agenda. Mr. Wettstein seconded the motion.

 

The agenda was approved (5-1-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor (1).

 

Village Elections (Agenda 4A):

Mr. Cornell reviewed the Election Committee’s report (a copy is on file with the original Minutes). The report recommends steps the association should take to: ensure that village elections are meeting the requirements of the Charter, By-Laws, and MD Homeowner’s Association Act; and, to update the election process and procedures.

 

Mr. Levine made a motion to create an Election Policy Committee made up of no more than ten (10) members to review the report and develop recommendations by September 2021. Mr. Miceli seconded the motion with an amendment that a Charter be developed for the committee and that a Board Member chair the committee. Mr. Levine accepted the amendment. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote -in favor (1).

 

It was the consensus of the Board that a charter be reviewed at the July meeting.

 

Announcement of Executive Session Meetings Held/To Be Held (Agenda 5A):

Ms. Smith announced the Board held a virtual Executive Session on May 3, 2021.

Participants were Eric Greenberg, Harjeet Jandu, Matt Levine, Tony Miceli, Jian Ni, Dipper Wettstein, and Adam White. Susan Smith, Village Manager, was also present. At 8:36 p.m. Mr. White made a motion to move into Executive Session for the purposes of discussing legal matters. Mr. Levine seconded the motion. The motion passed (7-0-0). At 9:12 Mr. Miceli made a motion to adjourn the Executive Session. Mr. Levine seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0).

 

Ms. Smith announced the Board held a virtual Executive Session on June 1, 2021. Participants were Eric Greenberg, Matt Levine, Tony Miceli, Jian Ni, Dipper Wettstein, and Adam White. Susan Smith, Village Manager, was also present. At 7:02 p.m. Mr. Levine made a motion to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing legal matters. Mr. White seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0). At 8:10 p.m. Mr. Levine made a motion to end the Executive Session. Mr. Greenberg seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0).

 

Ms. Smith announced the Board will hold a virtual Executive Session either at the end of tonight’s meeting or at another time later in the week for the purposes of discussing legal matters and personnel matters.

 

Board Meeting Minutes – May 3, 2021 (Agenda 5B):

Mr. Levine made a motion to approve the May 3, 2021 Minutes as submitted. Mr. Greenberg seconded the motion. The motion passed. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor (1).

 

Resident Speak Out (Agenda 6):

None.

 

Legal Committee (Agenda 7B):

The Board discussed the large legal expenses in FY21. Mr. Levine made a motion to form a Legal Committee made up of residents from the community that would make recommendations to the Board of Directors. Mr. Miceli seconded the motion with the amendment that a Charter be developed for the committee. Mr. Levine accepted the amendment. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor (1).

 

Board Meeting Schedule (Agenda 7C):

Ms. Smith shared a draft meeting schedule. Mr. Levine made a motion to approve the schedule with two changes: August 16 (tentative), and January 10, 2022. Mr. Greenberg seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – abstained.

 

Volunteer of the Year (Agenda 7D):

Ms. Smith discussed suggestions for Volunteer(s) of the Year. Mr. Wettstein nominated Simone Smith, Watershed Committee Chair. Ms. DuBois seconded the motion.

 

Mr. Miceli made a motion to recognize the Resident Architectural Committee, Architectural Committee, and the Election Committee Chairperson (Michael Cornell) as Volunteers of the Year. Mr. Levine seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor (1).

 

COVID-19 Procedures (Agenda 8A):

Mr. Levine made a motion that the association remove all COVID requirements and procedures and follow the Center for Disease Control’s and Howard County’s guidance. Ms. Dubois seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor (1).

 

Development Advisory Committee (9Ai)

Mr. Levine reported that Five Guys had opened at River Hill Square.

 

Teen Advisory Committee (Agenda 9Aii):

Mr. Oh reported that the committee is planning to participate in the Independence Day Parade and will be working on float ideas.

 

Mr. Oh reported that 13 applications had been received for the Teen Advisory Committee. No applications were received for the Student Member Committee. Board discussion. Mr. Levine made a motion that the current Student Members help to interview the TAC applicants; that the applicants be informed that they will each need to attend 1 – 2 Board Meetings during the year to provide updates; and that TAC members be given the option of voting in an advisory capacity on matters before the Board for the upcoming year only. Ms. DuBois seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor (1).

 

Traffic and Safety Committee (9Aiii):

Mr. Miceli thanked the Board for their support of the Howard County Office of Transportation’s grant application and the letter sent. Mr. Levine made a motion to ratify the email vote to approve the letter (Copies are on file with the original Minutes.) Mr. Greenberg seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor (1).

 

Watershed Committee (Agenda 9Aiii):

Mr. White reported that the committee had held a successful Pull and Plant on May 22. He reported that 40 – 50 people had attended. He noted the committee is investigating re-stenciling the storm drains and may apply for another grant.

 

Village Manager (Agenda 9B):

A written report is on file with the original minutes. Mr. Levine instructed Ms. Smith to set up the Board emails using villageofriverhill.org.

 

Columbia Council Representative (Agenda 9C):

Ms. DuBois inquired whether anyone from the Board would be attending the Public Works Board meeting on June 8^th?

 

Ms. DuBois reported that Janet Evans (Long Reach) is the new Chair of the Columbia Association’s Board of Directors, and that Ginny Thomas (Oakland Mills) will be the Vice Chair. The first meeting of the new CA Board will be June 10. CA is subleasing the Haven space to The Pearl Spa and because of the additional revenue will be opening two (2) more outdoor pools this season. CA will establish a reserve account and will be saving 3 – 6 months of operating expenses.

 

Board Chairperson (Agenda 9D):

Mr. Levine announced that beginning in July, the village Board Meetings will be held in a hybrid fashion (in person and via Zoom). He noted that it will be up to the individual committees to determine whether they will meet via Zoom, in person, or in a hybrid fashion.

 

Board Speak Out (Agenda 10):

Mr. Levine made a motion to officially thank Alex Oh and Shyam Pillai for their contributions to the association as Student Members and as Chairpersons of the Teen Advisory Committee. Mr. Miceli seconded the motion. The motion passed (6-0-0).

 

It was the consensus of the Board to hold an Executive Session for personnel matters on Thursday, June 10.

 

Adjournment (Agenda 11):

At 10:07 p.m. Mr. Levine made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Greenberg seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor (1).

 

Submitted: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager

 

Minutes Approved:  July 12, 2021