September 27, 2010 Board Minutes

River Hill Village Board Meeting

Todd Harrison, Board Chair, called a regularly scheduled meeting of the River Hill Village Board to order at 8:55 p.m., on September 27, 2010, at Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle, Clarksville, MD 21029.  Members present were Tony Miceli, Asmi Panigrahi, and Frank Saletel. Susan Smith, Village Manager, was present.  Trevor Greene and Michael Cornell were absent.

Approval of the Agenda (Agenda 2):
Mr. Saletel made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.  Mr. Miceli seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0).

Robinson Nature Center (Agenda 3): 
Mark Raab, Superintendent, Natural Resources Division, Howard County Recreation and Parks Department, presented information on the Robinson Nature Center.  The Center is expected to open in April 2011.  The facility will sit on18.5 acres, will be three levels, and is build into the hillside overlooking the Middle Patuxent River.  The County expects that the facility will be Platinum LEED certified.  It will include such elements as a green roof, geothermal HVAC, photovoltaic solar panels, waterless urinals and low flow toilets.  The Center will include a Discovery Room, a digital planetarium capable of showing astronomy and other science-related presentations, and the following major exhibits:  Welcome to Your Watershed; Changing Lives, Changing Landscape (a historic component related to Howard County’s farming history and the Simpsonville Mill); a signature Wildlife Exhibit; and Use Your Senses, an exhibit that focuses on the Nocturnal Forest. In the County’s current budget, four staff positions are funded.  The Center is expected to rely on the assistance of volunteers to help in running programs, gardening, producing a newsletter, and more.

Resident Speak Out (Agenda 4): 
None.

Old Business (Agenda 5):
A. “Community Playground”/Open Space Amenities – Ms. Smith explained that CA is still investigating whether in can install bike paths along Great Star Drive and how this might impact the budget allocated for additional open space amenities in River Hill.

New Business (Agenda 6): 
     None.

Reports (Agenda 7):
A. Village Manager – Ms. Smith discussed the Architectural Committee’s request for a legal opinion regarding the installation of a ground-mounted solar water heating system.  It was the consensus of the Board to investigate this further with assistance from the Columbia Association. Mr. Saletel made a motion for the Association to purchase a laptop computer and an LCD projector for less than $1500.  Mr. Miceli seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0).

B. Board Chair – Mr. Harrison made the Board aware of discussions the Master Plan Committee has been having about incorporating the historical marker and extending the boundaries of the high impact area to include the site proposed for a funeral home.  He reported that the next step is to start identifying areas of focus and to develop draft milestones.  Jane Dembner will be assisting in this process.

C. Liaison Areas – It was the consensus of the Board to extend the deadline for submission of applications for the Teen Advisory Committee through October 2, 2010. Ms. Panigrahi will follow-up with the River Hill High School student who expressed interest in serving as the Student Government Association’s liaison. 

Administrative Items (Agenda 8):
Mr. Saletel made a motion to approve the September 13, 2010 Minutes as submitted.  Ms. Panigrahi seconded the motion. The motion passed (3-0-1).

Board Speak Out (Agenda 9): 
None.

Adjournment (Agenda 10):
Mr. Saletel made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:44 p.m.  Ms. Panigrahi seconded the motion.  The motion passed (4-0-0).

Minutes submitted by: Susan M. Smith, Village Manager

Minutes Approved:  October 4, 2010 (4-0-1)