Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on April 6, 2004

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on May 4, 2004

 

 

The hearing on the Proposed 2004-2005 Budget was called to order was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Oland.

 

The Treasurer reviewed the income and expense items for the proposed budget.  Total income is $142,800.00 for the 2004-2005 Budget.  Expenses budgeted include an added item of general repairs and maintenance; major changes included reduced legal expenses; and an increased waste collection fee. Total expenses are $129,600.00 The CIP budget reflects a $30,000.00 balance for the Montgomery Street drainage project.  Council Member Bennett questioned whether engineering fees were included in this figure.  It was proposed to add an additional $10,000 to the drainage project to bring the total proposed budget for the Montgomery Street Drainage project to $40,000.00.   Total income and expenses for CIP are $54,500.00

 

With no further public comment, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:35 p.m.

 

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The regular meeting of the Laytonsville Town Council was called to order by Mayor Charles W. Oland on April 6, 2004 at 7:36 p.m. in the Laytonsville Town Hall.  Council members Bennett and Bradsher were present.  Council Members Dave Preusch and Tom Wilkinson were absent.  There were 8 citizens present.   The Clerk and Treasurer were also present. 

 

 

The minutes of the regular Town Council meeting of  March 2, 2004  to include the minutes of the Public Hearing were approved as presented.

 

The minutes of the Work Session meeting of March 16, 2004 were approved as presented.

 

Discussion Items:

 

Treasurer’s Report:  The Treasurer reported that the source of major income was $1,195.01 for income taxes.   The total income for the month of March, 2004 was $2,794.52.  Major expenses for the month of March were $1,051.00 for the Town Hall walkway/drainage project; and payroll expenses.  The total expenses for the month were $8,074.67.  The net income for March was ($7,23l.44).  The balance in the CIP fund is $77,590.39; the balance in the Fixed Asset account is $392,208.63; and the balance in the General Fund is $111,343.73. with a total asset balance of $581,142.75.  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as    

submitted, subject to audit.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

Discussion/Action Item:

 

The Mayor reported that at the Work Session on March 16, 2004 a discussion was held with Elm Street Development representatives regarding the proposed annexation of approximately 28 acres, more or less, to the northwest quadrant of the Town, to include a dedicated Right-of-Way for a proposed Northwest By Pass.  Annexation requirements are more fully described in Section 19 of Article 23 A.  Mayor Oland reviewed the proposed section under consideration as 28 acres more or less currently owned by Elm Street Development.

 

Town Planner, Stan Benning, reminded the meeting that any alignment of the proposed By Pass, both horizontally and vertically, must meet State Highway Administration standards.

 

Counsel for Elm Street Development, Mr. Jody Kline, reported that any concept plan submitted by Elm Street Development would contain the formula to meet any State requirements and would also allow some flexibility for Elm Street Development for any unforeseen circumstances.

 

Mr. Kline further reported that ultimately lot size zoning (25 acres as now in Montgomery County vs R-3, two acres in the Town) was up to the County Council/Planning Board and the Mayor and Council of the Town.

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion that the Town of Laytonsville authorize the Town Counsel, Stanley D. Abrams, to proceed with discussions with Elm Street Development’s Counsel relative to the annexation of 28 acres more or less to the northwest of the Town.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

Discussion Items:

 

 

Mayor:

 

The Town had received a notification from Senator Rona Kramer’s office that students who reside in the 14th Legislative District are being encouraged to apply for a Senatorial Scholarship from the office of State Senator Rona E. Kramer.  The scholarships are awarded yearly to undergraduates, including incoming freshmen and graduate students.  The scholarships are awarded for four years, or until the recipient completes his or her degree, whichever comes first.  Applications are available from Senator Kramer’s office by calling (301) 858-3625 or by email to:  pmartin@senate.state.md.us.

 

Fairhill Pre-Preliminary Plan:  The Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission has forwarded for comment the pre-preliminary plan for three lots to be developed on Riggs Road.

 

Draft Meeting Minutes:   At the regular Town Council meeting on March 2, 2004 and in subsequent emails, Mr. Eckford Voit, a resident, has requested the Mayor and Council’s consideration of delivering draft minutes so that they may be viewed before the next scheduled regular meeting.  Mayor Oland reminded the meeting that only minutes can only be approved at authorized meetings and only  approved minutes are to be posted to the web site.

 

No Parking Signs:  No Parking Signs have been installed on Howard Street.  A resident has noted that cars were waiting in this zone and if the problem persists, a “No Stopping” sign will be considered.

 

Street Cleaning:  Proposed expenses will be tabled for discussion until the May 4, 2004

Meeting.

 

Forest Conservation Ordinance:  The Town’s current Forest Conservation Ordinance was reviewed by David McKee, Benning and Associates, for compliance.  There will be a hearing on May 4, 2004 to introduce amendments in language to the Ordinance to bring the Ordinance current to State law.

 

Public Water:  Mayor Oland reported that since the middle 1990’s, the Town of Laytonsville has been working to bring public water to the Town. The cost is now $5,583,000 which would include a new pressure zone, storage tank and pumping zone.  $1,165,000 has been identified as health hazard funds by the WSSC; $562,00.00 as the impact fee fund; and $685,000.00 as the front foot benefit fee fund.  The Fulks South/Natelli Communities developer’s contribution is $2,171,000.00 leaving a $1,000,000.00 deficit.  Mayor Oland wrote County Executive Douglas Duncan and asked for support in obtaining the $1,000,000.00 deficit and was denied.  Mayor Oland wrote Senator Kramer and Senator Kramer sponsored a State Bond Bill for the Town which was denied.  It is apparent that more support is required from the County.

 

Route 108 By Pass/Citizens Advisory Board:  Eric Wenger reported that Mr. David Whittaker from the Maryland Department of Planning  attended the Citizens Advisory Board meeting and provided valuable information.  Mr. Whittaker recommended that the Town develop a Community Conservation Plan which is required by the State Highway Administration; that the Town solicit local and state politicians to support the Town’s request for funding; that the Town should engage Mr. Dan Burden from Walkable Communities, Inc. to enhance the Town’s position of making the roads safer, to slow traffic and to make the Town a better place to live.  Mr. Wenger has contacted Mr. Burden’s office to conduct a walking tour of the Town on May 8, 2004 for a fee of $1,600.00.

 

Mayor Oland will contact the State Highway Administration to discuss engaging a consultant for the Town.

 

Mr. Wenger will prepare a flyer regarding the May 8, 2004 visit from Mr. Burden to encourage residents’ participation.

 

Town Hall – Sidewalks/window wells/grading:  The sidewalks, window wells and grading has been completed.

 

Town Hall Roof:  A representative from Jack’s Roofing inspected the roof on April 5, 2004 and will repaint the back porch roof and one-half of the front porch roof to correct the flaking and peeling paint.

 

Action Items:

 

2004-2005 Budget:  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adopt the 2004-2005 budget as submitted and modified at this meeting.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adopt the real property tax rate of .016 cents per hundred for the 2004-2005 year.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adopt the personal property tax rate of .35 cents per hundred for the 2004-2005 year.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

Appoint Election Judges:  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to appoint Barbara H. White, Dottie Tessier,  Jacob J. Cecere and Anne Sladki as election judges for the May 3, 2004 election.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

Corrected Parking Ordinance:  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion that the Mayor and Council reconsider our prior action on Parking Ordinance No. 01-04 for the limited purpose of correcting the Ordinance to include the following omitted language:  “undergoing active repair or restoration” in Section 8 (b) (3).  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

Draft Meeting Minutes:  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion that the Town allow a resident to come into the Town Hall two weeks prior to a regular Town Council Meeting to acquire a copy of the draft minutes of the previous meeting.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved. Draft minutes may be obtained during normal business hours.

 

Land Use Map Amendment:  Mayor Oland reported that the Public Record had been kept open from the March 2, 2004 Public Hearing to allow Virginia Eckenrode to comment.  Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to close the record of the Public Hearing on the Land Use Map Amendment to reflect the new R3 Zone.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to approve the Land Use Map dated April 2004.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.

 

 

Citizens:

 

Sheree Wenger reported that street lights were out on Maple Knoll Drive.

Sheree Wenger submitted a letter to the Mayor and Council requesting their review of the fee schedule.

 

Mayor Oland requested that Town Planner, Stan Benning, review the Town’s subdivision fee schedule.  The entire fee schedule will be reviewed in July, 2004.

 

 

 

A Work Session Meeting has been tentatively scheduled for April 20, 2004.

 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Motion approved.  Meeting adjourned.

 

 

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

April 6, 20040