Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on August 7, 2007

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on September 4, 2007

The regular meeting of the Mayor and Town Council was called to order by Mayor Oland at 7:33 p.m.  The Mayor, Council Members Frank Bennett, and Tom Wilkinson were present.  Council Members Charles Bradsher and David Preusch were absent. The Clerk and the Treasurer were present. There were 4 citizens present.

The minutes of the regular Town Council Meeting on July 3, 2007 were approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report:  Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of July, 2007: total income for the month of July, 2007 was $42,010.00 that includes a transfer in of $40,000.00.  Major expenses for July, 2007 were $34,091.00 for the Town Hall pavilion and $2,200.00 for grounds maintenance. Total net income for the month of July, 2007 was -$4,847.00. Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of July, 2007, the fund balance for the general fund is $257,099.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $85,831.00 and the balance for the fixed assets fund is $383,938.00.  The total fund balance for the Town of Laytonsville for the month of July, 2007 is $726,868.00.

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report subject to audit. Mayor Charles W. Oland seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.

Discussion/Action Items:

Draft Minutes: Mayor Oland reported that in 2004, a resident had requested that the Town approve the release of draft minutes. The Mayor and Council approved this request. It is Mayor Oland’s position that draft minutes should no longer be released. Approved minutes are distributed to residents and posted on the Town’s web site.

Town Hall Pavilion: The construction of the Town Hall pavilion has been completed. An electrician will be present at the Special Meeting of the Town Council on August 14, 2007 to present a recommendation for ceiling lights for the pavilion.

Goshen Enterprises – Town Hall Pavilion: Goshen Enterprises has submitted a proposal to install topsoil and to install sod or seed the perimeter of the pavilion.

Hearings/Special Meeting August 14, 2007: The Mayor and Council will hold hearings and a Special Meeting on August 14, 2007 to consider proposed Text Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.

Work Session – August 21, 2007: The Work Session on August 21, 2007 has been cancelled.

Town Hall Gas Furnace: Bethesda Refrigeration has installed the gas furnace for the Town Hall.

Parade – May 19, 2007: DVDs are available at the Town hall for the parade held on May 19, 2007.

Montgomery County Request for Volunteers: Montgomery County Volunteer and Community Service Center has submitted a request for volunteers for their Emergency Action Team. If you are interested, please contact Cathy Buit (301) 869-0042.

Action Items:

Draft Minutes: Mayor Oland made the motion that the Town’s draft minutes not be made available to the public until they have been approved by the Mayor and Council. Council Member Frank Bennett seconded. Unanimously approved.

Goshen Enterprises – Town Hall Pavilion: It was agreed by consensus to delay the installation of any soil or seed around the pavilion perimeter until Spring. It was agreed to approve the $800.00 expense to install topsoil to smooth out the transition between the existing grade and the concrete slab for the pavilion.

Council:

Citizens:

Michele Shortley inquired as to the status of the proposed Route 108 By Pass. Mayor Oland reported that the By Pass is in the State of Maryland’s inventory with no proposed release date. Mrs. Shortley mentioned that persistent citizen and municipal contact would be appropriate.

Patricia Murret, a reporter for the Gaithersburg Gazette, questioned the Public Hearings scheduled for August 14, 2007. Mayor Oland reported that the Hearings were Text Amendment changes to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. Mayor Oland invited Ms. Murret to attend the August 14 hearings.

Pete Stadler reported that the Maryland State Secretary of Agriculture was a guest in the Town at the Stadler’s Nursery on July 30, 2007.

Mayor Oland noted that the Town of Laytonsville had entered into an agreement with the Stadler family to maintain a 29+ acre agricultural easement in perpetuity on the nursery property.

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.  Council Tom Wilkinson seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

August 7, 2007