May 11, 2015 Board Minutes

River Hill Board of Directors
May 11, 2015

Ms. Smith, Village Manager, called the regularly scheduled meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. on May 11, 2015, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, MD 21029. Members present were Dave Clark, Michael Cornell, John Herron, William McCullough. Esti Schableman, Richard Thomas, and Liyan Zhang. Michael Dai, Student Member and Chao Wu, Council Representative were present. A list of attendees is on file with the Minutes. Ms. Smith welcomed the County Council Members and residents in attendance and introduced the new members of the Village Board and Columbia Council Representative.

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Mr. Cornell made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Schabelman seconded the motion. Ms. Smith made a motion to remove Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Agenda Item 9). Mr. Zhang seconded the motion. The motion passed (7-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

Election of Officers and Appointment of Village Manager (Agenda 3):
Mr. Schabelman made a motion to nominate Mr. Cornell to be Board Chairperson. Mr. Clark seconded the motion. The motion passed (7-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

Mr. Zhang made a motion to nominate Mr. Schabelman to be Board Vice Chairperson. Mr. Cornell seconded the motion. The motion passed (7-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

Mr. Cornell made a motion to re-appoint Ms. Smith as the Village Manager. Mr. Schabelman seconded the motion. Mr. Zhang amended the motion to include Ms. Smith as the person designated to act on behalf of the River Hill Community Association in exercising the powers and rights granted under the Management Contract regarding property rights. The amendment was accepted. The motion passed (7-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

County Council Listening Session (Agenda 4):
Mr. Cornell introduced the County Council Members in attendance and thanked them for their efforts to meet with the various Village Boards. The following Council Members were in attendance: Mary Kay Sigaty, Chair (District 4), Jen Terrasa (District 3), Calvin Ball (District 2), and Greg Fox (District 1).

Ms. Sigaty provided background information on the Council’s interest in meeting with the Village Boards. The Council Members and the Board discussed the MD 108 Design Guidelines project, the pressures of development including the funeral home, the MD 108/Linden Linthicum Lane intersection, and the status of a library in the Clarksville Commons mixed use development.

Resident Speak out (Agenda 5):
A complete list of residents who signed in to speak is attached to the original minutes. The following Clarksville – River Hill community members spoke:

David Elsaesser (Whistling Winds Walk) – spoke about the Design Guidelines, concerns regarding the expansion of the commercial district particularly with respect to the River Hill Garden Center, preservation of the school zone, and traffic safety along MD 108. He asked that the Sheppard Lane be modified to form a perpendicular intersection with MD 108 and that a signal be installed Linden Linthicum Lane.

Kristina Elsaesser (Whistling Winds Walk) spoke about concerns regarding the expansion of the commercial district particularly with respect to the River Hill Garden Center, preservation of the school zone, the desire of the community to conserve farmland and scenic vistas, and traffic safety along MD 108. She asked that the Sheppard Lane be modified to form a perpendicular intersection with MD 108 and that a signal be installed at Linden Linthicum Lane.

Matthew Levine (Empty Song Road) spoke about concerns regarding maintenance of a rental property on Empty Song Road. Mr. Levine expressed concern that all residents were not treated equally during the Property Standard Evaluation program.

Carol Young (Trotter Road) stated that Mr. and Mrs. Elsaesser had addressed her concerns.

James Nickel (Green Bridge) spoke.

Richard Smith (Linden Linthicum United Methodist Church and Clearview Estates) spoke in support of Mr. and Mrs. Elsaessers’ comments and expressed concern about the impact of commercial development, particularly on the River Hill Garden Center property, on the daycare operated by the church.

Rong Guo (Whistling Winds Walk) spoke about concerns regarding traffic congestion and safety along MD 108 and in support of a traffic light at Linden Linthicum Lane.

Frank Nezu (Western Sea Run) spoke about concerns regarding the expansion of the commercial district particularly with respect to the River Hill Garden Center, and traffic safety along MD 108. He supported a traffic light at Linden Linthicum Lane and MD 108.

Lauren Marcus (Flowing Water Trail) spoke in support of a traffic light at Linden Linthicum Lane and in support of efforts to improve our local watersheds. She asked the Council to fund legislation to reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Gail Rohrbach (South Wind Circle) spoke about development of the Crescent property in downtown Columbia.

Danny Selby (Golden Harvest Court) spoke about traffic and zoning concerns along MD 108, particularly with respect to the proposed commercial development at the intersections with Ten Oaks Road.

Delong Liu (Richardson Farm Lane) spoke about concerns regarding the proposed funeral home and impacts on public health and traffic.

Alan Schneider (Clarksville Pike) spoke about concerns regarding the proposed funeral home.

Shun Lu (Macbeth Farm Lane) spoke about concerns regarding the proposed funeral home.

Frank Cockrell (Tierney Drive) spoke about concerns regarding development along MD 108 and the impact on the Linden Linthicum Church and the cemetery. He supported the modification of Sheppard Lane to form a perpendicular intersection with MD 108 and the installation of a signal at Linden Linthicum Lane.

Susan Koehler (Misty Top Pass) expressed concern about the condition of the property located at the intersection of Trotter Road and MD 108.

Steve Marlow (Whistling Winds Walk) asked that the timing of the lights on MD 108 be examined. He also expressed concerns regarding Whistling Winds Walk cul de sac being used as a school drop-off point and the negative impact on the residents.

Mr. Cornell thanked the Council Members and residents for attending the meeting.

Administrative Items (Agenda 6):
Mr. Schabelman made a motion to approve the April 20, 2015 Minutes. Mr. Zhang seconded the motion. The motion passed (5-0-2). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

Board Meeting Calendar (Agenda 7A):
It was the consensus of the Board to review the calendar in more detail at the next meeting and possibly to schedule a special meeting on New Town Zoning with Jane Dembner. Mr. Clark and Mr. Herron will be unable to attend on July 13.

Board Member Responsibilities (Agenda 7B):
Ms. Smith collected the signed Fiduciary Responsibility, Covenant Compliance, Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest forms from the Board Members.

Board Training (Agenda 7C):
Ms. Smith reviewed the Board Training policy and reminded the Board to review the Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, and Cooperative Endeavor prior to the June meeting.

Development Committee (Agenda 8A):
The Board discussed the draft charter. Mr. Herron will incorporate comments and circulate a revised draft for comment.

7410 Grace Drive (Agenda 8B):
Mr. Clark, Mr. Herron, and Ms. Smith will coordinate with the developers regarding use restrictions.

Manager’s Report (Agenda 10A):
A written report is on file with the minutes. Ms. Smith reminded the Board of the Design Guidelines meeting on May 14. Ms. Smith made the Board aware of legislation proposed by Councilman Ball to promote healthier food and beverage options in the County and the Better Choices Coalition’s request for support. It was the consensus of the Board that at this time they were not familiar enough with the proposed legislation to provide support.

Board Chair Report (Agenda10B):
Mr. Cornell thanked the Board for the privilege of electing him Chair.

Council Representative’s Report (Agenda 10C):
Mr. Wu stated he is looking forward to working with the River Hill and CA Boards on behalf of residents.

Liaisons/Student Member (Agenda 10D):
None.

Board Speak Out (Agenda 11):
Mr. Clark expressed an interest in debriefing on the Listening Session.
Adjournment (Agenda 11):
Mr. Zhang made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. Mr. Schabelman seconded the motion. The motion passed (7-0-0). Student Advisory Vote – in favor.

Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager

Minutes Approved: June 1, 2015