September 10, 2012 Meeting Minutes

Dipper Wettstein, Board Chair, called the regularly scheduled meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., on September 10, 2012, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, MD 21029.  Members present were Jenny Chu, Todd Harrison, DengFeng Liu, and Liyan Zhang. Kaede Johnson (Student Member), Michael Cornell (Council Representative), and Susan Smith (Village Manager) were present. Tony Miceli was absent.  Kenny Kan and Tiffany Kan (Student Member) arrived at 7:06 p.m.

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Mr. Zhang made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.  Mr. Liu seconded the motion.  The motion passed (5-0-0). (Student Advisory Vote – in favor.)

 Administrative Items (Agenda 3):
Mr. Zhang made a motion to approve the August 20, 2012 Minutes.  Mr. Liu seconded the motion.  The motion passed (3-0-2). (Student Advisory Vote – abstained.)

 Resident Speak Out (Agenda 4):
None. Steven Grill, Autumn Wind Circle, was in attendance and it was the consensus of the Board that he could provide his input during the discussion of Agenda 5A.

 Scout Troop 618 – Chartering (Agenda 5A):
Manny Fonseca, Chief Operating Officer for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Baltimore Area Council (BAC), spoke about the responsibilities of a chartering organization which includes, but is not limited to: overseeing of the annual budget, appointment of quality leaders, ensuring quality programs for youth and adults, providing a safe meeting place, and abiding by Scouting’s values.  A Chartering Organization Representative would need to be appointed to oversee the program and this individual would act as liaison to the troop, oversee the program, and appoint the adult leaders. Mr. Fonseca explained that all adults volunteers complete an application and criminal background checks are conducted, all registered adults are required to take Youth Protection Training every 2 years, and there is a “two deep” requirement (two adults must always be present).  Mr. Fonseca also reviewed the general liability insurance coverage.

Mr. Grill, Autumn Wind Circle, raised his concern that Boy Scouts is a discriminatory organization due to the fact that the scouts and adult leadership must attest to the scouting values that prohibit participating of homosexuals and atheists. Mr. Grill said that in order to participate, youth and adults must lie and he questioned whether this is an organization that the Association wants to support. Mr. Fonseca explained that as a membership organization, BSA can choose membership, however the Baltimore Area Council has created a non-discrimination clause and that in 102 years the BAC has not revoked the membership for any scouts who are homosexual. Mr. Kan made a motion that the River Hill Community Association charter Troop 618.  The motion failed for lack of a second.

 Mr. Kan made a motion that RHCA consider becoming a chartering organization.  Mr. Zhang seconded the motion.  The motion passed (6-0-0). (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor) Discussion.

Mr. Kan made a motion that RHCA charter Troop 618.  Mr. Harrison seconded the motion.  The motion failed (3-3-0) (Student Advisory Votes – 2 opposed).  The motion failed and therefore RHCA will not charter Troop 618. 

CA Proposed Legislation (Agenda 5B):
Mr. Cornell provided some of the history regarding the proposed legislation. Discussion. Ms. Smith will follow-up with CA Counsel to clarify impact as it relates to RHCA’s definition of membership.

Communications Plan (Agenda 5C):
Ms. Smith presented the results of the survey to date and reviewed staff costs associated with the newsletter.  Mr. Kan made a motion to revisit the status of the newsletter in 6 mos.  Mr. Zhang seconded the motion.  The motion passed (6-0-0). (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor.)

Policy Review (Agenda 6A):
Mr. Kan made a motion to approve the following policies as presented: Conflict of Interest, Whistleblower, and Document Destruction.  Mr. Harrison seconded the motion.  Discussion.  The motion passed (6-0-0). (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor.)

Mr. Wettstein made a motion to approve the Code of Ethics as presented.  Mr. Kan seconded the motion.  The motion passed (6-0-0). (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor).

Free Usage Requests (Agenda 6B):
Mr. Zhang made a motion to approve the free uses for the following troops: Girl Scout Troop 1985, Cadette Troop 67, and Girl Scout Troop 2802. Mr. Liu seconded the motion.  The motion passed (6-0-0).  (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor.) 

 New RHCA Special Events (Agenda 6C):
Mr. Kan identified a potential conflict of interest and offered to recuse himself. It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Kan should remain for the presentation but refrain from voting.  Ms. Athena Kan presented a proposal for a Community Health Day to be co-sponsored by RHCA and CHOICE, a non-profit to fight childhood obesity that her family has founded.  June 22, 2013 was proposed as the date of the event. The Board discussed involving the Teen Advisory Committee in organizing and providing manpower for this event.  Mr. Wettstein made a motion to approve use of space at Claret Hall if it is available and that RHCA co-sponsor the event.  Mr. Zhang seconded the motion.  The motion passed (5-0-1). (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor.)

 Ms. Smith presented a proposal from River Hill resident Brian Avrunin requesting that RHCA co-sponsor a business networking event for River Hill residents.  Mr. Avrunin has volunteered to organize the event.  Mr. Harrison made a motion for RHCA to support the initial networking event by promoting it in the Villager, through the listserv, and Facebook.  Mr. Kan seconded the motion.  The motion passed (6-0-0). (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor).

 CA FY14 Budget (Agenda 6D):
Ms. Smith reviewed her recommendations for input.  Ms. Smith will draft input from RHCA for Board review.

Manager’s Report (Agenda 7A):
A copy of the written report is on file with the original minutes.  Ms. Smith made the Board aware that Arya Dance may be interested in renting the Meeting Room from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays.  However, this conflicts with current policy which prohibits classes after noon.  Mr. Harrison made a motion to support making the Meeting Room available for classes from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mr. Kan seconded the motion.  The motion passed (6-0-0). (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor.)

Ms. Smith shared the plans for the installation of a bike rack at Claret Hall.  The RAC and AC will review the plans and provide advisory input to CA.  It was the consensus of the Board that the proposal is satisfactory and that the process for obtaining the needed approval should proceed.

Board Chair Report (Agenda 7B):
None.

Council Representative Report (Agenda 7C):
None.

 Liaisons (Agenda 7D):
Kaede Johnson reported that on October 5, River Hill High School will hold HawkFest as part of the school’s homecoming activities.  He asked for assistance in publicizing this event.

Board Speak Out (Agenda 9):
None.

Adjournment (Agenda 10):
Mr. Harrison made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 p.m.  Mr. Kan seconded the motion.  The motion passed (6-0-0).  (Student Advisory Votes – 2 in favor.)

Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager

Minutes Approved:  Approved November 5, 2012