Meeting minutes of Town Council on April 1, 2008

As reviewed, approved, and accepted by the Town Council on May 6, 2008

Mayor Oland called the regular Town Council meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. The Mayor and Council Members Frank Bennett, David Preusch, Tom Wilkinson and Charles Bradsher, were present. The Clerk and Treasurer were present. There were seven citizens present.

The minutes of the regular Town Council Meeting on March 4, 2008 were approved as submitted. The minutes of the Public Hearing to consider the 2008-2009 Budget/Ad Valorem Tax Rate were approved with the addition of adding that the real property tax rate was proposed as $.12 per $100.00 of assessed value and the personal property tax was proposed to be $.35 per $100.00 of assessed value.

Treasurer’s Report: Reviewing the Profit and Loss Report for the month of March, 2008: total income for the month of March was $4,661.00, which includes Permits and Fees in the amount of $1,000.00; and property taxes in the amount of $1,219.00. Major expenses for March, 2008 were $2,734.00 for waste collection; $4,156.00 for repair and maintenance and $2,924.00 for legal expenses. Total net income for the month of March, 2008 was -$11,351.00. Looking at the Balance Sheet for the month of March, 2008, the fund balance for the general fund is $297,059.00; for the CIP account, the balance is $97,554.00 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 March, 2008 is $778,551.00.

Council Member Dave Preusch made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March, 2008 subject to audit. Council Member Tom Wilkinson seconded. Unanimously approved.

Discussion/Action Items:

2008-2009 Budget: The hearing to consider the proposed 2008-2009 Budget/Ad Valorem Tax Rate was held on March 4, 2008.

Lions Club Storage Facility: Mayor Oland reported that the Town had received a communication from the Laytonsville Lions Club to consider the suspension of their request to construct a storage facility on Town Hall property. The $2,000.00 budgeted by the Town for the construction of the pad will be placed in surplus.

Chapter 31 – Montgomery County Parking Violations: A letter has been received from Montgomery County dated March 26, 2008 that the Town’s requested has been turned over to the County attorney for review. A hearing for this proposed Ordinance will be scheduled at a later date.

Resolution No. R-01-08 – Establish the Compensation for Employees of the Town:

The Resolution proposes compensation for employees of the Town for the period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

Appoint Robert H. Vogel Engineering, Inc. as Town Engineer: Mayor Oland introduced a proposal to appoint James a Ruff, Robert H. Vogel Engineering, Inc. as a Town Engineer.

NV Homes – House Designs – Lots 5, 6 and 12: Mayor Oland introduced Mike Bingley, ElmStreet Development and Dwight Hurtz, NV Homes. Mayor Oland reminded the meeting that the Town Council gave the Historic District Commission the advice and consent review of the lots in the Rolling Ridge Subdivision that face Rolling Ridge Lane, located outside of the Historic District. NV Homes was submitting new renderings for three model types to be added to the current inventory. The same request has to be submitted to the Historic District Commission for their review at their April 21, 2008 meeting.

Wynterhall: Elevation A. Elevation change with the Historic District Commission’s recommendations was reviewed. Option on Lots 5, 6 and 12.

Wynterhall: Elevation D: No change

Dartmouth: Elevation A. Flat porch, no rail

All garages are side-loaded.

Dartmouth: Elevation C. No change

Mayor Oland noted that the Town Council originally approved one style per lot and NV Homes was now requesting additional options.

Gibraltar: Removed from the inventory

Sheree Wenger, Chair of the Historic District Commission, noted that Lot 6 and 12 can have detached two car garages. Mrs. Wenger noted that the HDC has made a recommendation that the designs go into the approved inventory.

NV Homes – Building Permits for Lots 2 and 13: Mayor Oland noted that the Town had issued Building permits for lots 2 and 13.

Mayor Oland complimented ElmStreet Development and the Historic District Commission on the bronze plaque at the entrance to the Rolling Ridge Subdivision.

Town Parade: Mayor Oland announced that the Town Parade will be held on May 17, 2008. The theme is “Laytonsville Salutes the Armed Forces.”

Maryland Department of the Environment: There will be a meeting at the Olney Library on April 9, 2008 to discuss the proposed gas to energy project planned for the Landfill.

Montgomery County – US Housing and Urban Development Grant Programs: The Town had received a request to include the Town’s population in calculations for community and HUD block programs to acquire, rehabilitate, construct, renovate or subsidize housing affordable to people with low and moderate incomes.

Buffington Proposed Annexation: Mayor Oland introduced Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Buffington. The Buffingtons are requesting that the Town consider the annexation of approximately 48 acres on the Town’s western border. Dr. and Mrs. Buffington submitted an updated concept plan with 24 proposed lots. Council Member Bennett noted that the Town of Laytonsville should have roadway access to any property before considering an annexation request. Mayor Oland also stated that the Town would want to have access through existing Town borders to consider any annexation request.

Eric Wenger, Chair of the Citizens Advisory Board, stated that he would make the notation of this request in the development of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.

DCPJ Holdings, Inc: Mayor Oland noted that the Town’s Board of Appeals had received a request to postpone the scheduled hearing on April 7, 2008 for DCPJ Holdings, Inc.

Work Session: The Mayor and Council have cancelled the Work Session scheduled for

April 15, 2008.

Action:

Close Record 2008-2009 Budget/Ad Valorem Tax Rate: Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to close the record for the Public Hearing to consider the 2008—2009 Budget/Ad Valorem Tax Rate. Council Member Charles Bradsher seconded. Unanimously approved.

2008-2009 Budget/Ad Valorem Tax Rate: Mayor Oland made the motion to approve the 2008-2009 Budget as presented with the deduction of $2,000.00 for the construction of the pad for the Laytonsville Lions Club Storage Facility; the $2,000.00 will be placed in surplus and the establishment of the real property tax rate at $.12 per $100.00 of assessed value and the establishment of the personal property tax rate at $.33 per $100.00 of assessed value. Council Member Tom Wilkinson seconded. Unanimously approved.

Resolution No. R-01-08 – Establish the Compensation for Employees of the Town: Council Member Preusch made the motion to approve Resolution No. R-01-08 as submitted to reflect a 5% increase. Council Member Bennett seconded. Unanimously approved.

Appoint Robert H. Vogel Engineering, Inc. as Town Engineer: Council Member Bennett made the motion to appoint Robert H. Vogel Engineering, Inc. as Town Engineer. Council Member Wilkinson seconded. Unanimously approved.

NV Homes House Designs – Lots 5, 6 and 12: Council Member Bennett made the motion to approve, subject to the Historic District Commission’s approval at their April 21, 2008 meeting, the submitted design for Lots 5, 6 and 12. Council Member Bradsher seconded. Council Member Wilkinson abstained. Motion approved.

Montgomery County – US Housing and Urban Development Grant Programs: Council Member Bennett made the motion not to enter the program. Council Member Wilkinson seconded. Council Member Preusch abstained. Motion approved.

Council:

Council Member Preusch noted that residents were to start applying for the Homestead Tax Credit. Forms will be included with residents’ assessment notices.

Council Member Wilkinson noted his concern about water coming into Town in plastic pipes; the quality of the water; and future water costs.

Citizens:

Sheree Wenger submitted a renewal invoice for the Maryland Association of Historic District Commission dues.

Phyllis Sterling suggested that the clothes collection bins in the Layton Shopping Center should be re-located.

Council Member Frank Bennett made the motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.  Council Tom Wilkinson seconded.  Unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathryn D. Buit

Clerk

April 1, 2008

ON THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008 WASHINGTON SUBURBAN SANITARY COMMISSION WILL CONDUCT A COMMUNITY INFORMATIONAL MEETING AT THE LAYTONSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REGARDING WATER SERVICE TO THE TOWN.