Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on February 1, 2005

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on March 1, 2005

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council was called to order by Mayor Oland at 7:34 p.m. The Mayor, Council Members Frank Bennett, David Preusch, and Charles Bradsher were present. David Halperin was absent.. The Clerk was present. The Treasurer was absent. There were 8 citizens present.

Mayor Oland introduced Captain Evelyn Cahalen, District Commander of the Germantown Fifth District – Montgomery County Police. Captain Cahalen reviewed the department’s community policing and projects for the Fifth District. The Germantown District encompasses 230 square miles. Captain Cahalen may be reached by cell phone: 240-876-1184 or email: evelyn.cahalen@montgomerycountymd.gov. Lt. Edward Harhai can be reached at 301-840-2440 or email: Edward.harhai@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Mayor Oland adjourned the regular meeting and opened the Public Hearing to consider a proposed Resolution to comprehensively amend the Charter of the Town as provided in new Articles I through Articles XIII and to repeal all provisions of the existing Charter inconsistent therewith at 8:00 p.m. Mayor Oland introduced Vic Tervala, Institute for Governmental Services – University of Maryland. Mr. Tervala created the draft of the comprehensive review of the Town Charter. A model was created in 1955 and this model is in use in many of the State’s municipalities and is the basis used for the review of the Laytonsville Town Charter.

Mayor Oland requested public comment.

Mayor Oland closed the Public hearing at 8:10 p.m. The record will remain open until the next regular Town Council Meeting on March 1, 2005.

Mayor Oland called the regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council to order at 8:15 p.m.

The minutes of the Public Hearing on a Preliminary Plan of Subdivision submitted by Laytonsville Communities, LLC and the minutes of the regular Town Council meeting of January 4, 2005 were approved as submitted. The minutes of the Joint Meeting of the

Mayor and Council with the Historic District Commission on January 17, 2005 were approved as submitted. The minutes of the Work Session on December 14, 2004 were approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report: Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of January, 2005, major sources of income were real property taxes in the amount of $14,504.77. Major expenses for January, 2005 were $3,938.80 for legal expenses; signs in the amount of $2,094.75 and $3,008.84 for waste collection. Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of January, 2005, the fund balance for the general fund is $146,811.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $74,897.00; and the balance for the fixed assets fund is $380.361. The total assets for the Town of Laytonsville for the month of January, 2005 are $602,069. Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted, subject to audit. Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.

Discussion/Action Items:

Work Session – February 15, 2005: This Work Session will review the red-lined comments from Town Counsel, Stan Abrams regarding the proposed revision of the Town Charter. The Work Session will also complete the review of the Comprehensive Land Plan started in the Work Session of December 14, 2004.

Mayor Oland proposed combining the regular Town Council Meetings and the Work Sessions into one meeting and this procedure will be followed for the March 1, 2005 meetings.

Thank You From Iraq: The Town has received an email from Captain Carson Mayo expressing his unit’s appreciation for the care package they received.

Truck Traffic on S. Montgomery Street: Scout Matthew Crase has brought truck traffic on S. Montgomery Street to the Mayor and Council’s attention. Council Member Frank Bennett discussed enlarging the intersection of S. Montgomery Street and Howard Street. Council Member Bennett will review this proposal with the storm drainage plan for S. Montgomery Street and see if some assistance may be provided. Mayor Oland recommended that Macris, Hendricks & Glascock (engineers conducting the S. Montgomery Street drainage project) conduct an engineering study for this proposal.

Stadler Family Properties – Request for Water Service Category Change: In a letter from Miller, Miller and Canby dated January 3, 2005, the Town has received a request to consider the recommendation of approval of a water service category change so that the Stadler Properties could obtain public water. Mayor Oland commented that this proposal was beneficial to the Town. By consensus, the Mayor and Council approved a recommendation that the Stadler Family Properties should receive a water service category change to enable them to obtain public water. This recommendation will be sent to the Montgomery County Council.

December 4, 2004 Minutes of the Regular Town Council Meeting: Mayor Oland discussed the minutes regarding the Geisbert/Berman house. The minutes of the December 4, 2004 meeting should read “the Historic District Commission has discussed that the house be moved farther from the road but within the original footprint – now that the owners are excavating the basement. It was agreed by consensus that the Mayor and Council were not opposed to the Historic District Commission’s discussion that the house be moved farther from the road.”…

Town Picnic: James O’Hair and Council Member David Preusch are pursuing plans for a Town picnic. It was agreed by consensus that $2,000.00 will be included in the budget for the picnic. It was agreed by consensus that no alcoholic beverages would be allowed.

Council:

Citizens:

Merritt Techter discussed the increase in Pepco rates and the possibility of buying electricity in bulk. Mayor Oland commented that this subject was currently being considered in the legislature. Mr. Techter also reported the sign on the south entrance of the Town was leaning..

Phyllis Sterling inquired about the Bookmobile visiting the Town. Council Member Charles Bradsher to inquire.

Eric Wenger commented that Maple Knoll Drive was not being plowed after snow.

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Council Member Dave Preusch seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

February 2, 2005