Meeting minutes of Town Council Meeting on October 2, 2007                      

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on November 6, 2007 

 

 

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,  Charles Bradsher, David Preusch and Tom Wilkinson were present.   The Clerk and the Treasurer were present. There were 14 citizens present. 

The minutes of the regular Town Council Meeting on September 4,  2007 were approved as submitted.  The minutes of the Public Hearing on September, 2007 to consider  a proposed Zoning Text Amendment to define the term “contributing resource” (Section 104) and to repeal and reenact with amendments provisions of the Zoning Ordinance relating to Violations and Penalties (Section 132) and Appeals (Section 133) were approved a submitted. 

 

Treasurer’s Report:   Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of September: total income  for  the month of  September was  $19,323.00,  which  includes  income tax in the amount of $10,576.00; property tax in the amount of $2,902.00. Major expenses for September, 2007 were $11,574.00 for the Town Hall pavilion; $3,056.00 or payroll expenses; $2,604.00 for waste collection; and $2,443.00 for special projects (Town picnic).  Total net income for the month of September, 2007 was -$5,731.00.  Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of September, 2007, the fund balance for the general fund  is $204,328.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $88,952.00 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 September, 2007 is $677,218.00. 

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report subject to audit.  Council Member David Preusch seconded the motion.  Unanimously approved.

Discussion/Action Items:

Proposed Zoning g Text Amendment to define “Contributing Resource” (Section 104) and the proposed Zoning Text Amendment to repeal and reenact with Amendments Provisions relating to “Violations and Penalties” (Section 132) and “Appeals” (Section 133):    Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to close the record for the public hearing held on September 4, 2007.  Council Member David Preusch seconded.  Unanimously approved.

 

 

 

Proposed Amendment to the Preliminary Plan Submitted By Laytonsville Communities, LLC:  Mayor Oland indicated that the record would remain open for the public hearing held on September 4, 2007.    Discussion followed. A continuance of the hearing is tentatively scheduled for October 23, 2007 at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall to further discuss the proposed T-intersection; light; and round-about.  Representatives of the SHA have been invited to attend.

Proposed Text Amendment to Define “Contributing Resource” in Section 127.02 of the Zoning Ordinance:  This text amendment public hearing will be held on November 6, 2007.

Zoning Ordinance – Section 132 – Misdemeanor Fine:  It had been suggested that the fine be increased.  The State of Maryland statutes limits the maximum fine to $1,000.00.  Mayor Oland further reported that the in Section 133 of the Zoning Ordinance, the number of days for the “Appeals” process was increased from 30 days to 45 days.

Town Hall Pavilion Picnic Tables:  Mayor Oland reviewed selections for picnic tables for the pavilion.

Snow Removal Contract (2007 2008) – J.B. Kline:  Mayor Oland reviewed the contract for the 2007-2008 season.

WSSC Update:  Mayor Oland reviewed the most current updates:

Work Session:  The Work Session scheduled for October 16, 2007 has been cancelled.

Town Hall Pavilion:  Mayor Oland reported that the final inspection for the pavilion was scheduled with Montgomery County.

Town Picnic:  The Town Picnic was held on September 15, 2007 with more than 300 people in attendance.

Action: 

Proposed Zoning Text Amendment to Define “Contributing Resource” (Section 104) and Proposed Zoning Text Amendment to Repeal and Reenact with Amendments provisions relating to “Violations and Penalties” (Section 132) and “Appeals” (Section 133):   Mayor Oland made the motion to approve the Zoning Text Amendments.  Council Member Frank Bennett seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Town Hall Pavilion Picnic Tables:  Mayor Oland made the motion to approve the placement of 7 fir picnic tables and 1 ADA picnic table in the pavilion.  Council Member David Preusch seconded.  Unanimously approved.  Mayor Oland reported that the picnic tables were being donated to the Town. 

Snow Removal Contract (2007-2008) – J.B. Kline:  Council Member David Preusch made the motion to approve the contract from J.B. Kline for the 2007-2008 snow removal season.  Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Town Hall Pavilion Expenses:  Mayor Oland reviewed the expenses vs budget figures.  Additional costs were incurred because of Montgomery County requirements. 

Council:

 

Citizens:

Mrs. Phyllis Sterling recommended that the tentatively-scheduled meeting for October 23 with the SHA be moved to another location.

Mrs. Sterling reported that she had attended the October 1, 2007 Board of Appeals meeting and the Public Hearing on September 4, 2007 and was concerned that the decision-making process by the Town Council and the Board of Appeals was being influenced by the amount of funds being invested by an applicant on a project. 

Mr. Bill Ludwig questioned the road entrances to the Laytonsville Elementary School and to Brink Road for the proposed Laytonsville Communities subdivision.

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.  Council Tom Wilkinson seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

October 2, 2007    

 

By-Pass history:  The Town owns almost all of the northwest portion needed for the By-Pass thanks to annexation.  The Town is attempting to obtain the remaining portion of that section.  Montgomery County Planning is very much against a bypass.  They would have Route 108 through Town upgraded to a four lane highway.  When they were advised that this would eliminate many front yards and some homes, they still recommended upgrading.  When the County Council approved the Olney Master Plan, they had inserted, at the Town’s request that the “Town had planned a relocation of MD 108.”  When the Fulks South subdivision goes to recordation, the Town will own approximately one-half of the southwest section.  The Town Council uses every opportunity to lobby our legislature representation.  As a result of the annexation, the Town is now in the State Highway Administration needs inventory.  That inventory is a list of projects that are competing for funding.