[0:05] 7:00 p.m. allow us to call the meeting
[0:08] of the town of Chevy Chase Town Council
[0:10] to order.
[0:13] Please rise for the Pledge of
[0:14] Allegiance.
[0:38] We have a fairly straightforward program
[0:40] for everyone this evening. As usual, we
[0:42] will begin with general business. That
[0:45] includes a financial report, the town
[0:47] manager's report, and public comments.
[0:50] And may I remind everyone that those
[0:52] public comments should not regard either
[0:55] of the public hearings that we're
[0:56] holding today that follow the public
[0:59] comments. And those hearings are about a
[1:01] variance request from the residents of
[1:04] 7011 Hillcrest Place, as well as an
[1:07] ordinance to amend the ADU regulations
[1:11] in the town.
[1:12] And finally, we will conclude the
[1:15] evening with council discussions and
[1:16] actions regarding a grant request from
[1:19] Rosemary Hills Elementary School, as
[1:22] well as
[1:23] a discussion of an ordinance to amend
[1:25] front yard hedge regulations. So, let's
[1:28] begin. I'd like to turn it over to the
[1:30] treasurer for our June financial report.
[1:33] >> Thank you very much.
[1:35] So, [clears throat] June is the end of
[1:37] the fiscal year. So,
[1:39] we finished the year in very good shape.
[1:42] Um,
[1:43] we received 110%
[1:46] of the budgeted revenue for the fiscal
[1:48] year. So, that's
[1:50] 5.5 [clears throat] million.
[1:52] We had budgeted 5 million, so we
[1:54] overachieved there.
[1:56] On the operating side, we spent 96% of
[2:00] our budgeted operating expenditures.
[2:03] So, that's 3.8 out of about $4 million.
[2:06] So,
[2:08] um
[2:09] it underspent, which is a good thing.
[2:11] And then on the capital side,
[2:13] >> [clears throat]
[2:13] >> we spent 78% of what we had budgeted for
[2:16] the year.
[2:17] So, that's expenditures of 665,000
[2:21] against a budget of about 853,000.
[2:25] So, as we had been reporting for many
[2:27] months now, we completed the fiscal year
[2:29] comfortably within our budget.
[2:32] A lot of details are available in the
[2:34] packets that were sent around, but glad
[2:36] to address questions if there are any.
[2:39] I want
[2:41] >> [clears throat]
[2:42] >> Um I'm curious either
[2:44] Carlo or Todd answer, how come we
[2:45] underspent on our capital expenditures?
[2:48] It looks like we did on street and
[2:49] roads.
[2:50] What happened there to cause us to spend
[2:51] less than we anticipated?
[2:54] >> We actually This doesn't represent a
[2:56] full
[2:57] This This is just a snapshot. We we
[2:59] still have a lots of invoices coming in
[3:01] specifically for capital improvements.
[3:03] >> Okay.
[3:04] >> Um so, this doesn't by any means
[3:06] represent final. That won't be obviously
[3:08] until the audit's performed. There are a
[3:10] lot of expenses that will need to be
[3:11] accrued that we're getting invoices for
[3:13] and after after July 1st that will be
[3:17] accrued to the prior fiscal year. We
[3:19] have some outstanding invoices for
[3:21] capital work, street and road repair,
[3:23] concrete and and asphalt. Um so, this is
[3:26] a snapshot of where we were as of the
[3:28] end of June, but it doesn't account for
[3:30] invoices that we're receiving for
[3:32] expenses incurred in FY '26 that will
[3:35] need to be accrued back to that fiscal
[3:37] year.
[3:38] >> So, do you think at the end we'll
[3:39] probably be closer to our budget number?
[3:41] >> I do.
[3:43] >> Yeah, we just got invoices today for the
[3:45] work we did on 27 and some springtime.
[3:48] >> Okay.
[3:48] >> All right.
[3:49] 8,000 plus year.
[3:52] >> So, that brings Okay. But, we'll still
[3:53] have a very healthy surplus for the year
[3:55] then even if we do spend as we debate.
[3:57] I'm always a little concerned if we
[3:59] grossly underspend our capital budget
[4:00] cuz [clears throat] you guys are careful
[4:01] in estimating what needs to be done.
[4:04] And I'm concerned whether something that
[4:05] should have been done wasn't done. So,
[4:07] >> I brought it to your [laughter]
[4:08] attention cuz they bill us on time and
[4:11] for the uh
[4:13] >> You mean you call them up and say,
[4:14] "Please, pretty please, will you bill us
[4:16] as fast as possible?"
[4:17] >> I do.
[4:18] And [laughter] then you wait months
[4:22] » Okay.
[4:23] >> All right.
[4:23] >> We have until the end of August. Yeah,
[4:24] you you usually the end of August is
[4:26] this is the uh
[4:28] cut off for accruing expenses to the
[4:31] prior fiscal. So, we have a long way to
[4:33] go to make sure that all appropriate
[4:35] expenses are accrued to the prior fiscal
[4:37] year.
[4:39] >> Okay. Thank you. That was my question.
[4:42] >> [clears throat]
[4:45] » But, that concludes uh
[4:48] the financial report. Let's move over to
[4:50] the town manager's report. Todd?
[4:52] >> Thanks, Joy. I'll report on some uh
[4:54] highlights, some initiatives undertaken
[4:56] by town staff over the last month. Um
[5:00] The I'll try to be brief and uh I'll let
[5:02] you ask questions if you want more
[5:03] information on any of these. The staff
[5:05] communicated with Purple Line and
[5:07] Montgomery County Department of
[5:08] Transportation officials
[5:10] about the shielding of of several lights
[5:12] on the Capital Crescent Trail adjacent
[5:14] to the town. Specifically, two lights uh
[5:17] that are on the ramp from Elm Street
[5:19] Park up to the bridge that crosses the
[5:21] Purple Line tracks.
[5:23] Um [clears throat] these are not
[5:24] currently shielded. They're not They are
[5:26] currently energized, but not
[5:27] illuminated. And we feel they're going
[5:29] to be disruptive to the adjacent uh
[5:31] residents. Um we've been dealing with
[5:34] this matter for quite some time.
[5:36] We heard recently and dispositively
[5:39] from MTA
[5:41] uh that shielding will need to be done
[5:44] in conjunction with the the
[5:45] once the county takes ownership of the
[5:47] Capital Crescent Trail.
[5:49] Um
[5:50] the county in turn
[5:52] uh has said that they want to wait until
[5:55] the lights are illuminated um to
[5:58] determine how disruptive they may be,
[6:00] what the impact may be, and what what
[6:03] solutions there may might be effective
[6:06] um once they take ownership of the
[6:08] Capital Crescent Trail.
[6:10] We understood that that might happen
[6:12] simultaneous to the trail opening, but
[6:14] that is still not certain. And there's
[6:17] And then there's a process we have to
[6:18] follow about submitting a permit to be
[6:20] reviewed. And understanding that might
[6:23] that process might take a long time,
[6:25] we've reached out to our contacts at the
[6:28] Department of Transportation
[6:30] asking for their cooperation in in
[6:34] determining a solution now uh that can
[6:36] be implemented immediately after the
[6:38] county takes ownership and the lights
[6:40] are illuminated. Uh and our county
[6:42] contacts said that they would review the
[6:43] matter and the plans and specifications
[6:47] and get back to us about the process and
[6:49] options. And so we are waiting to hear
[6:52] from them as to whether they're willing
[6:53] to work with us now to find some viable
[6:55] solutions that can be implemented
[6:58] immediately after they take ownership
[6:59] and the lights are illuminated.
[7:02] Uh the staff also continued planning for
[7:05] our automated speed camera program.
[7:09] Automated speed enforcement program.
[7:11] Uh we're continuing to look into options
[7:13] and alternatives for uh
[7:16] the town's access to this national
[7:18] database of driver and vehicle records
[7:20] so that citations can be issued to the
[7:24] owner of record uh for a violation of
[7:27] our speed camera that's to be uh
[7:29] installed on Bradley Lane.
[7:31] We're also looking into the review
[7:33] process on our end and who that must be
[7:36] done by and how that process will work.
[7:39] Um and I will give you updates as that
[7:41] proceeds through the summer as we
[7:43] develop those plans and find out what
[7:45] logistics and protocols we need to
[7:46] follow.
[7:48] Staff also met with Corso officials to
[7:50] discuss and coordinate uh mobilization
[7:53] efforts, tree removal, and construction
[7:56] activities on the site.
[7:58] The construction management firm is um
[8:01] now moving forward going to provide
[8:02] weekly updates um on their website and
[8:05] directly to the town in the format that
[8:08] I provided to the council this week. Um
[8:11] we have we're distributing those
[8:13] notifications to neighboring residents
[8:17] uh or residents adjacent to the Corso
[8:19] site and we're also posting them on our
[8:22] Town Crier.
[8:24] Staff, Dave in particular, oversaw the
[8:26] completion of the CCST, the Capital
[8:29] Crescent Surface Trail phase two work,
[8:32] which is
[8:33] done for all intents and purposes except
[8:35] a few minor details that need to be
[8:37] adjusted. Um
[8:39] Uh we have been informed and that also
[8:42] included the phase two work also
[8:43] included some of the additional
[8:45] improvements Dave wanted to make to
[8:47] sidewalks and concrete over there. So,
[8:50] uh we're happy that we were able to
[8:51] coordinate with the county to make that
[8:52] happen while they were doing these
[8:54] improvements.
[8:55] Uh we've been informed by the county
[8:56] that phase three will begin this summer
[8:59] and phase three consists of constructing
[9:03] the connection from the improvements
[9:05] they've done on 47th Street uh and Elm
[9:08] Street Park to the actual Capital
[9:10] Crescent Trail um under um
[9:14] at the at the mouth of the park.
[9:17] It also includes all the park
[9:19] improvements that are going to take
[9:20] place, which include multi-generational
[9:22] playgrounds,
[9:24] um retaining walls, berms, um and those
[9:28] plans were reviewed and uh by by
[9:33] residents and the community and the town
[9:35] council uh number of years ago.
[9:38] Uh the staff communicated with the State
[9:40] Highway Administration about the
[9:42] maintenance of the medians on
[9:43] Connecticut Avenue, which are looking a
[9:45] bit messy.
[9:46] Um but also, and more importantly, uh
[9:50] the status of Bradley Lane striping or
[9:52] restriping to effectively shift the
[9:54] lanes farther away from the sidewalk and
[9:56] to the south.
[9:58] We were told that work would be done in
[9:59] June, uh which it wasn't.
[10:02] Um and the response I received from the
[10:05] District 3 engineer
[10:08] was a bit arcane,
[10:10] um but he said that he's trying to work
[10:13] with the department doing the work to
[10:15] stripe or restripe without having to
[10:18] eradicate any lines at this time.
[10:21] And he said he said he'll update me as
[10:22] soon as he's able.
[10:24] I I'm not sure what he means by that. Uh
[10:27] I don't know how they can restripe and
[10:28] effectively shift the lanes away from
[10:31] the sidewalk with without restriping
[10:33] or without at least re- eradicating the
[10:35] existing lines. So, I'm going to need
[10:37] more information and get more info from
[10:39] him [clears throat] about what their
[10:40] plans are, and he said he would provide
[10:41] me details when he has them.
[10:44] Um the town awarded uh we rebid our tree
[10:47] maintenance and
[10:49] landscape services contracts this past
[10:51] spring, and we've just awarded those uh
[10:53] those contracts to uh the most
[10:55] responsible and responsive bidders,
[10:57] which happen to be the ones we currently
[10:59] have.
[11:01] We've also increased stop sign
[11:02] enforcement throughout the town
[11:04] um based on resident uh complaints and
[11:07] comments.
[11:08] We've completed our inventory of street
[11:11] signs for our town-wide replacement
[11:13] project, and that might
[11:16] bear pausing here for a second. We Dave
[11:18] sent out an email to the council this
[11:20] week asking for your feedback on the
[11:23] design of these signs. At a previous
[11:25] meeting, I think it was two meetings
[11:26] ago, we had indicated um that we wanted
[11:29] to use the new signs at Easton Leland
[11:32] that were fabricated there to as a
[11:34] template as the model for all the street
[11:37] signs for this this town wide street
[11:39] replacement project. Uh, but they then
[11:41] sent out an email to the council this
[11:43] week asking for concurrence on the
[11:46] design whether it should include the
[11:48] logo, uh, all caps,
[11:51] sans serif fonts,
[11:53] um, borders and colors and things like
[11:55] that. Um, I think the majority if I'm
[11:57] not mistaken Dave and you can correct me
[11:59] came back and said
[12:01] they liked the
[12:04] lettering and the fonts and everything.
[12:05] I think the issue and they I believe the
[12:07] majority also wanted the logo, um,
[12:10] put on the new street signs.
[12:14] And
[12:16] one of the reasons why we're using the
[12:18] font we're using the sans serif font is
[12:20] because it is the standard, um, of the
[12:24] manual on uniform traffic control
[12:25] devices.
[12:27] Uh, that's the national bible if you
[12:30] will for, uh, street signs and
[12:32] everything related to traffic control.
[12:34] So we're using what the standard bearer
[12:36] is there as a sans serif font. It's more
[12:38] legible, it's easier to read. It's, um,
[12:41] and we're using all caps which we
[12:43] currently have except on the serif font.
[12:45] Um, we're using the border, um, and the
[12:49] only issue I wanted to raise with the
[12:50] council is the logo.
[12:52] Um,
[12:53] our recommendation is not to include the
[12:55] logo even though a majority of you have
[12:58] indicated that you'd like to use it and
[13:01] my my reasons are, uh,
[13:04] mult I have multiple reasons for, uh,
[13:06] first of all I if the logo is currently
[13:08] allowed illegible. You can't read it.
[13:11] You don't know what it is or what it
[13:13] says. The font is about as big as a
[13:16] refrigerator magnet and the font I think
[13:19] there's a 12 point font and a 10 point
[13:21] font. No driver is ever going to be able
[13:24] to see what that is or recognize what it
[13:26] is when they're driving 20 miles per
[13:28] hour throughout town. It's also a bit
[13:30] distracting to the primary purpose of
[13:32] street signs, which is for navigation.
[13:35] We [clears throat] don't really have a
[13:36] branding need in the town other than for
[13:39] goodwill purposes. We don't have an
[13:41] economic development component. But I
[13:44] think I go back to the fact that
[13:47] even if you can't read it, I wouldn't
[13:48] make it any bigger because I still think
[13:49] that logo is a bit distracting to the
[13:51] primary purpose of of the signs, which
[13:53] is for navigation.
[13:55] And so our recommendation was to go with
[13:57] the exact sign that's located at this
[13:59] intersection of East and Leland, but
[14:01] it's completely up to the council to
[14:03] make that decision. And so I'll leave it
[14:04] at that unless you want to have a larger a longer conversation about
[14:09] that and to see in which direction we'd
[14:11] like to go.
[14:14] The town continued our overgrown
[14:16] vegetation management program. We are
[14:18] definitely seeing progress and
[14:20] compliance
[14:21] based on the letters we sent out the
[14:23] original batch of letters we sent out.
[14:25] We are addressing one issue in
[14:27] particular, but all the rest have have complied, which we're happy to see.
[14:33] Another very small batch of letters
[14:34] recently went out
[14:36] about some minor encroachments,
[14:39] primarily overhead encroachments, and so
[14:41] that program is actually going very
[14:43] well.
[14:45] The town submitted our closeout report
[14:47] for our ARPA grant, so that's done.
[14:50] And we've completed our application for
[14:52] the balance of program open space funds
[14:54] for for open space improvements, and
[14:56] we're hoping to use those for the
[14:58] improvements we're currently making to
[14:59] the Thornapple Path.
[15:01] Speaking of which, we've completed
[15:04] hardscape modifications to the path
[15:07] to address ADA accessibility issues, and
[15:09] we've ordered a new ADA compliant gate.
[15:13] The existing gate's there to prevent
[15:18] bicycles and skateboards and things from
[15:20] uh blowing through there for the time
[15:22] being, but that gate should be installed
[15:24] hopefully in the next month or so.
[15:27] Uh we've continued to research
[15:28] relocation of Bradley Lane fire
[15:29] hydrants, and we've authorized a
[15:31] topographic survey to be completed on
[15:33] that to identify the locations of all
[15:35] the existing improvements and the
[15:37] boundaries of properties.
[15:39] We procured a sprinkler system for
[15:40] Zimmerman Park. We haven't had to use it
[15:42] yet because we've had pretty good rain,
[15:44] and the turf looks pretty good, but we
[15:45] have that ready to deploy as needed. We
[15:49] also procured a new sound system for
[15:50] town events, which I understand went uh
[15:52] was was
[15:54] uh um
[15:55] well received at the July 4th event. And
[15:58] we provided project support to town
[16:00] committees.
[16:02] There's one other issue I want to raise
[16:04] with you tonight that's sort of last
[16:05] minute. It's an issue that Chevy Chase
[16:07] Village has has approached us about. Uh
[16:10] they are looking uh apparently a number
[16:13] of their residents have
[16:15] um [clears throat] have commented on how
[16:17] successful and our our entry restriction
[16:20] signs are how effective our entry
[16:23] restriction signs are along Connecticut
[16:25] Avenue um along all the intersecting
[16:28] streets of Connecticut Avenue. All of
[16:30] them have a do not enter 7:00 to 9:00
[16:32] a.m. restriction on them.
[16:34] And [snorts]
[16:35] many [clears throat] residents comment
[16:36] uh in the village commented on how well
[16:38] ours worked, and they wanted the village
[16:40] to consider the same entry restrictions
[16:42] there.
[16:43] Um
[16:45] and the data that we collected in our
[16:46] 2020 study that was collected in 2019
[16:49] pre-pandemic did suggest that they
[16:51] worked pretty well. Um things have
[16:54] changed obviously since that time, and
[16:57] the village wanted to know if we would
[16:58] be interested in a small cost sharing
[17:00] arrangement since this study would
[17:02] benefit not only them but us in so far
[17:05] as we could determine where we would
[17:08] want to uh deploy police or focus police
[17:12] attention on those streets where um
[17:15] violations of the entry restriction were
[17:17] worse or are were
[17:20] greater than others.
[17:22] Um
[17:22] I told Shayna that I would address this
[17:24] with the council tonight. They're
[17:25] looking at likely
[17:28] undertaking the study
[17:30] as soon as school
[17:32] re- begins and they, you know, want to
[17:36] move forward with awarding a contract to
[17:38] get the contractor prepared to start
[17:39] work as soon as as soon as school
[17:42] reconvenes.
[17:44] I do think it would be beneficial for
[17:45] the town. The cost of the study is
[17:47] $12,500.
[17:49] Um so if we split it 50/50, it would be
[17:52] 60-6250
[17:54] max the town would contribute but there
[17:56] could be any cost split that we we'd
[17:57] like to entertain.
[17:59] But I do think it would be beneficial
[18:01] for the town in so far as we could
[18:02] target enforcement. It wouldn't be for
[18:05] the purposes of making spot changes to
[18:08] our traffic control
[18:10] and entry restriction
[18:12] signs because that's not what we want to
[18:15] do any longer is to make spot
[18:17] improvements. We want to do it
[18:18] holistically.
[18:19] » [snorts]
[18:19] >> But it would be primary primarily for
[18:21] the purpose of
[18:23] targeted enforcement of those areas
[18:25] where the violations are the worst.
[18:28] And I think it would be helpful. It
[18:29] would also be a very helpful to have
[18:31] additional data.
[18:32] You know, there are some claims often
[18:34] that we don't have enough data and so
[18:36] having that data
[18:38] updated from 2019 would be very helpful
[18:41] to refer to when a new study or any new
[18:44] studies are done. And so I would
[18:46] recommend that we the council approve a
[18:48] 50/50 split of that amount up to a up to
[18:51] a maximum of 6250. And if you'd like to
[18:54] do that tonight, you can entertain a
[18:56] motion to do so as a supplemental
[18:58] appropriation.
[19:00] Um but that concludes the staff report.
[19:04] » Thank you, Todd. Um I'd like to get some
[19:07] input from my colleagues on that last
[19:09] proposal regarding the conduction of a
[19:12] traffic study.
[19:15] Rich, do you have anything to say about
[19:16] that, Mr. Transportation?
[19:19] >> No, I I actually support it. I think it's for
[19:23] the
[19:24] 6,000 little and change,
[19:28] we get data to show how effective those
[19:30] turning those uh
[19:33] do not turn signs are. Um
[19:36] And and and we have received complaints
[19:38] that it's not working. So, I I I I think
[19:41] just having data would be useful for us.
[19:44] Um
[19:45] and as Todd said that
[19:47] anything else in the future, we could
[19:49] always use that that could be a part of
[19:51] something that's already been done and
[19:53] we wouldn't have to pay for it again.
[19:54] So, uh
[19:56] I think that, you know, for $6,000, I
[19:58] think
[20:00] compared to what we paid for the last
[20:02] traffic study is it's a it's quite a
[20:04] deal. So,
[20:06] I would [clears throat] I would endorse
[20:08] we go ahead and
[20:09] do, you know, let the
[20:12] village go ahead and do the data
[20:13] collection.
[20:17] » Anyone else?
[20:18] >> No, I think it makes sense.
[20:19] >> Sure.
[20:20] >> [clears throat]
[20:20] >> Okay.
[20:21] Tamar?
[20:21] >> Is Rich offering a motion?
[20:23] >> Uh well, we didn't hear from Tamar.
[20:26] >> I I support it, too, but I do wonder
[20:28] what is the nature of the data
[20:30] collection? Does it compare to what was
[20:31] done before? I mean, what would explain
[20:33] the difference in cost?
[20:36] >> Uh we we did a town Am I on mute? No,
[20:38] I'm not. We did a town-wide study
[20:40] before, Tamar. It was it was all about
[20:41] cut-through traffic and and and and
[20:44] traffic calming, but it was uh it was
[20:46] town-wide. Uh it wasn't just about the
[20:49] entry restrictions off Connecticut
[20:50] Avenue.
[20:52] And [snorts] um on second thought, we
[20:53] don't need a supplemental appropriation.
[20:55] This ma- nominal amount of money can be
[20:57] taken up our out of our consultants and
[20:58] engineers accounts under streets and
[21:00] roads. So, there's no need for a
[21:01] supplemental.
[21:03] >> So, we don't need a motion, either?
[21:06] >> You don't. If you could just approve the
[21:07] work of uh uh um
[21:10] >> [clears throat]
[21:10] >> But I do think we all agree that this is
[21:12] worth doing.
[21:14] Thank you, Todd. We will accept your
[21:15] recommendation. So, please proceed with
[21:18] the cost-sharing arrangement with the
[21:19] village uh to conduct a traffic study
[21:21] along Connecticut Avenue.
[21:23] >> Will do. Thanks.
[21:25] Do you Would you like to discuss the
[21:26] town street signs? I think probably
[21:29] Dave, would you Can you inform the
[21:30] council as to when that project will be
[21:32] underway and when we need a decision
[21:34] about the design of these signs?
[21:41] » Yeah, I mean, uh there isn't really a
[21:42] timetable for it. Um I was hoping to get
[21:44] it started probably in the fall um and
[21:47] finish it in the spring.
[21:48] Um but we can certainly do all the prep
[21:50] work and then it's just a matter of
[21:52] ordering the signs and having them
[21:53] installed. So,
[21:55] um I'd like to keep it moving just cuz
[21:57] I've got a little momentum on it, but
[21:59] there's no
[21:59] >> [clears throat]
[21:59] >> deadline.
[22:01] >> Maybe we can have some email back and
[22:02] forth to resolve this question of the
[22:04] logo.
[22:05] >> Yeah, why don't we do that? Um and then
[22:06] we can move on with this. But yeah, our goal then is to have this ready for
[22:11] you, Dave, so that by the fall you can
[22:13] move ahead.
[22:14] >> Yep. Sounds great.
[22:15] >> Okay.
[22:18] Oh. Please, go ahead.
[22:20] >> Todd, thank you for the report. And
[22:22] couple questions, the um
[22:25] trail-related. So, the phase two work
[22:28] that is almost done,
[22:30] when will that be put in service? Do you
[22:32] have a a date for when that
[22:34] is going to be available for public use?
[22:38] >> The
[22:39] uh yes, I the the plan now is to put it
[22:43] in service this fall.
[22:46] Whether the county takes ownership of it
[22:48] simultaneously is uh
[22:51] not an answer I have.
[22:54] Um but it is to be put in service, a
[22:56] portion of it is to be put in service
[22:58] this fall.
[23:00] Specifically, the portion between Elm
[23:01] Street Park and
[23:03] Barney, do you recall where it ends,
[23:05] that portion where it will stop?
[23:08] >> I don't. I don't. But I want to make
[23:09] sure you're addressing
[23:11] >> No, that was going to be my second
[23:12] question.
[23:13] >> I think he was asking specifically about
[23:14] that little stretch on 47th Street
[23:17] because there's still a a fence around
[23:20] >> site.
[23:20] >> Yeah.
[23:21] >> Oh, I see what you mean. I still think
[23:22] it's this
[23:23] >> has been done. It all looks fine, but
[23:24] you can't access the trail there.
[23:26] >> I I believe it's still Yeah, this fall.
[23:29] It will that that entire stretch along
[23:30] 47th and the connection they're building
[23:32] this summer likely will all open in
[23:34] order to connect to the CCT and the ramp
[23:37] and the bridge this fall.
[23:40] >> But the section between Willow and
[23:44] Elm.
[23:45] >> Yeah.
[23:46] >> That work is done.
[23:48] >> Why not take out
[23:49] >> Why why are they leaving the fences
[23:51] there so you can't use it? I just
[23:53] >> Dave may know. Dave's overseeing the
[23:55] work. Dave, do you know why the fences
[23:57] are still there or what they're
[23:59] continuing to do? Do you know? We can
[24:01] ask, certainly, but
[24:02] >> I I assume the parks department wanted
[24:04] to wait till the grass got was growing,
[24:07] but it's still in that. So I I have the
[24:09] same question Carl has. Why not take up
[24:10] the fence and allow people to,
[24:12] you know, it's it's unsightly for one
[24:15] thing, but it's also inconvenient.
[24:17] >> Right.
[24:17] >> I think they did the road striping. Um
[24:19] they probably want to get all of those
[24:20] in before they actually open it up to
[24:22] make sure the crosswalks are safe.
[24:24] Um which should be done probably the
[24:27] beginning of next week. Uh but I'll find
[24:29] >> Find out and I'll check on it.
[24:30] >> out
[24:31] all the details and
[24:32] >> Okay.
[24:33] Yeah, and then to the um question
[24:35] that you were answering just that so I
[24:37] can be clear.
[24:40] Uh what I recall Let me
[24:42] give some context. What I recall from
[24:44] the
[24:46] uh county announcement about the phase
[24:49] three is the work, as you said, would
[24:52] start this summer, but I think it was
[24:53] scheduled to be finished next summer.
[24:57] So that's when the connection to the
[24:59] bridge would be complete.
[25:01] And then I was wondering whether they
[25:03] would open
[25:04] the trail on the other side of the
[25:06] bridge
[25:07] ahead of the bridge being having a place
[25:10] to land.
[25:12] That's
[25:14] if I'm being clear. I'm not sure that I
[25:15] am.
[25:19] » Uh
[25:21] DBC, I'm opening the season I'm opening
[25:23] a CCST phase reconstruction notice right
[25:26] now.
[25:27] And it says it's
[25:29] the project will connect the existing
[25:30] bike lane network in the intersection of
[25:32] Bethesda Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue to
[25:34] the northbound portion of the CCST,
[25:36] which is part of the proposed Purple
[25:37] Line project.
[25:39] Phase three includes the project includes construction of
[25:43] phase three A, a surface trail
[25:44] connection at Elm Street Park to the
[25:46] future Capital Crescent surface trail
[25:48] near near the Air Rights building. In
[25:49] phase three B, the construction of the
[25:51] recreational improvements to Elm Street
[25:53] Park.
[25:54] Uh this includes but is not limited to a
[25:56] playground, fitness equipment, and
[25:57] playground resurfacing.
[26:00] Um
[26:03] My Sorry, this is only work.
[26:05] Construction to begin summer 2026.
[26:09] It doesn't give a time frame for
[26:12] completion
[26:14] on this notice.
[26:16] Um
[26:17] but I'm not sure Can you rephrase the
[26:19] question or re
[26:20] >> Yeah, so I I
[26:22] My recollection is the announcement I
[26:24] received in the mail
[26:25] >> Right.
[26:26] >> said that that work would start this
[26:28] summer and finish next summer.
[26:32] And as I understand it physically, until
[26:34] that work is finished,
[26:37] you can't get across You can't use the
[26:38] bridge.
[26:40] So, I'm wondering if if the trail is
[26:42] going to be open
[26:45] on the north side of the bridge ahead of
[26:49] it
[26:50] being able to connect to the bridge in
[26:52] the phase three work that we're
[26:53] discussing.
[26:54] >> I don't know the answer to your
[26:55] question, but I can find out.
[27:00] » Follow up. Let me ask a follow-up
[27:01] question to that.
[27:02] I had not seen that notice you just
[27:04] referred to, Carlos, so thank you for
[27:05] mentioning it. Um, what separates 3A
[27:09] from 3B?
[27:11] Um,
[27:13] I would be really surprised if 3A,
[27:15] meaning just that
[27:17] 100-yard connection
[27:19] from the corner of Willow and Elm to the
[27:22] portal
[27:23] would take 12 months to do.
[27:26] That would really be pretty surprising.
[27:28] It's not impossible this county could
[27:30] take that long, but I'd be surprised.
[27:32] And if that were to be the case,
[27:35] then that
[27:36] completely blows away
[27:39] all of our efforts to try to get that
[27:41] bridge open this fall
[27:43] uh, because that's what we wanted for
[27:45] the kid our kids to be able to walk to
[27:46] BCC
[27:48] more on a more more on a more direct
[27:50] path and without without going out to
[27:52] Wisconsin. Um, so I think trying to get
[27:56] clarity on whether that 12-month
[28:00] period is for
[28:02] just 3A, or does that really also
[28:04] include 3B, meaning the development and
[28:07] the construction of the three different
[28:09] recreation areas, uh, playground areas.
[28:12] I 12 months for all of that is plausible
[28:15] to me, but I would like to think that
[28:17] they could do 3A
[28:21] within a couple of months. I mean, it
[28:22] didn't take them very long, well, longer
[28:24] than it should have, but they're still
[28:25] within a couple months they built the
[28:27] link along 47th Street and
[28:30] 3A is a shorter distance.
[28:32] So, is that something you could track
[28:34] down, Todd, and try to hone in on that
[28:36] or just what they wrote? Because
[28:37] otherwise there's a huge disconnect
[28:39] in all of our discussions about trying
[28:41] to get that bridge open this fall, and
[28:43] now having an announcement that they
[28:45] won't finish it till next summer.
[28:46] >> Yeah, happy to.
[28:48] >> Okay, thank you.
[28:53] » [laughter]
[28:57] » Never a dull moment.
[28:59] Okay, let's move on to public comments.
[29:01] Um, we're happy to take comments from
[29:03] anyone here in the room or online. Uh,
[29:06] but
[29:08] please hold your comments if they regard
[29:10] either the variance request for 7011
[29:13] Hillcrest Place or the ordinance on ADU
[29:17] regulations. Do we have any public
[29:19] comments?
[29:24] Going once.
[29:27] Going twice.
[29:29] No public comments this evening.
[29:32] Okay, let's move on to the second part
[29:34] of our program. And the first item on
[29:37] the agenda is a public hearing for the
[29:39] variance request of 7011 Hillcrest
[29:43] Place.
[29:44] Um, I'm going to turn this over to the
[29:46] town attorney, Ron Bolt, to introduce
[29:49] this for us. Thank you.
[29:51] >> Thank you. Yes, this is the application
[29:53] of Kevin and Mary Love for a FAR, floor
[29:57] area ratio, variance of 100 square feet
[30:01] to accommodate a second story addition
[30:04] in a
[30:05] rear screen porch to be built on an
[30:07] existing deck.
[30:10] The hearing will begin with the
[30:11] applicant's case, and the applicant can
[30:13] please note that the council has had the
[30:16] opportunity to review your materials in
[30:18] advance, so you don't need to restate
[30:20] everything in there, but please feel
[30:22] free to address what you'd like.
[30:25] After that,
[30:27] the council members will ask their
[30:29] questions of staff and/or the applicant.
[30:32] Following that, if there's anyone else
[30:34] attending the hearing tonight that wants
[30:35] to make a comment or ask a question,
[30:37] you'll have the opportunity to do so.
[30:39] Then the applicant will be be given a
[30:41] rebuttal period if necessary.
[30:45] The record will then close and the
[30:46] council will deliberate and entertain a
[30:49] motion directing me to prepare a written
[30:51] decision either approving or denying the
[30:54] request. Please note that if the request
[30:56] is approved, it's not final until it's
[30:59] been written up and that's usually a
[31:02] process that takes about a week or two
[31:04] and you can't get your permit till
[31:07] that variance decision has been issued.
[31:11] Before anyone speaks, we ask that you
[31:14] please wait until you're identified by
[31:17] the mayor for purposes of the recording
[31:20] so that we don't have multiple people
[31:21] speaking at once.
[31:23] Please identify yourself by name and
[31:25] address
[31:27] and I'll note for the record that we've
[31:29] received two letters in support of the
[31:31] request.
[31:32] One from Beth Tomasello and David Keto
[31:35] who are confronting neighbors across the
[31:37] street and another letter from Ashley
[31:40] McIntosh. I do not know where she
[31:43] resides but perhaps Miss Love can let us
[31:46] know if she knows. And then we also got
[31:48] a call in support from Stephen Canter on
[31:51] Sycamore.
[31:53] And those are in the record. So with
[31:55] that, turn to the applicant. Now please
[31:57] come up to the the microphone stand if
[31:59] you would.
[32:01] Yes, thank you.
[32:08] » [clears throat]
[32:09] >> All right. So Mary Love, I'm the uh
[32:13] the the the one of the two people for
[32:15] the application and essentially what we
[32:18] are trying to do is create a master
[32:21] bath. I see Carlos a tall man over
[32:24] there. My husband is a tall man and our
[32:26] current master bath is under a gambrel
[32:28] roof so he cannot stand upright in our
[32:31] shower. So we felt like after
[32:34] two or three years in in house, we're
[32:35] going to uh
[32:37] give us more than a 5 by 5 ft shower
[32:39] that he might be able to stand upright
[32:41] in. And so, what we're planning on doing
[32:44] for our
[32:45] hopefully our construction,
[32:47] and it's okay that we won't get this for
[32:49] a week because we have paused on
[32:51] engineering until we get your blessing,
[32:53] is our first floor has a bathroom that
[32:56] was added, I think, in the '70s. So,
[32:59] essentially what we want to do on the
[33:00] second floor is build a bathroom
[33:02] directly above that. I wouldn't call it
[33:05] extravagant or large.
[33:07] You know, it'll be a shower, a toilet, a
[33:09] vanity for both of us. And then, we have
[33:11] an existing porch in the back of our
[33:14] house. And so, our goal was always to
[33:18] screen it in. Just I'm sure you guys
[33:20] have been outside today. I think the
[33:21] mosquitoes have come out with a
[33:23] vengeance.
[33:24] My poor children are covered in bites.
[33:26] Our thought is, you know, we want some
[33:29] sort of outdoor living space that we can
[33:30] actually enjoy during the summer. And
[33:33] then, the last thing we're going to do
[33:35] with this project, I I don't know if it
[33:37] even needs to be addressed, but our
[33:39] front stoop is failing after a mere 100
[33:42] years. So, we're going to give that a
[33:43] bit of a face-lift.
[33:48] » Thank you.
[33:49] Does anyone have any questions for Mrs.
[33:51] Love?
[33:55] Do we have any comments from anyone here
[33:58] in the room or anyone online regarding
[34:00] this variance request?
[34:04] » Guys, I have a microphone. I want to
[34:06] talk a little longer. Now, I'm just
[34:08] kidding.
[34:10] >> [laughter]
[34:10] >> I I just unmuted, but I don't know if
[34:13] it's my turn to speak.
[34:15] >> It It is. Could you please identify
[34:17] yourself and your address?
[34:19] >> Yeah, hi. My name is Brian Steel. My
[34:22] wife, Jessica, and I recently purchased
[34:25] 4104
[34:27] Sycamore Street, which is immediately
[34:30] adjacent to the north of the Love's
[34:33] property. So, we're at the corner of
[34:35] Hillcrest and Sycamore.
[34:37] And
[34:38] we're So, we're familiar with the layout
[34:40] of that end of the street. And I think
[34:43] that this modification would
[34:45] be a meaningful enhancement to the
[34:48] Love's home and entirely in keeping with
[34:53] what else has happened and is happening
[34:55] in that area.
[34:56] Um in in all respects. Um so, we are
[34:59] supportive of their plans and
[35:02] look forward to Mr. Love being able to
[35:04] stand up straight in the shower.
[35:07] >> Thank you, Brian.
[35:10] Thank you for that comment. Do we have
[35:12] any other comments or questions about
[35:14] this variance request?
[35:25] Do we have any comments from staff?
[35:30] Would the council like to deliberate
[35:32] about this variance?
[35:34] >> I'll make a motion to approve the
[35:35] variance.
[35:36] >> Second. [clears throat]
[35:38] >> All in favor.
[35:39] >> I.
[35:42] >> [clears throat]
[35:42] >> Wonderful.
[35:43] >> Thank you.
[35:45] >> Were you expecting a more more drama?
[35:47] I'm sorry to disappoint you.
[35:49] >> [laughter]
[35:55] » Brian, would you please the app Please
[35:58] advise the applicant of what comes next.
[36:01] >> Yes, so now I'll draft the decision and
[36:03] I'll circulate it to the council for
[36:06] approval. And once that's been signed by
[36:08] the mayor, you can get your permit and
[36:11] usually about a week or two to to get
[36:13] that decision written and approved.
[36:18] And then Dave will let you know once the
[36:20] decision's ready and you can get your
[36:22] permit.
[36:25] » Right. All right. On to the discussion
[36:28] of and the public hearing.
[36:29] >> Excuse me, may I make a quick comment?
[36:31] >> Yes.
[36:31] >> Um
[36:32] as a liaison to the land use committee
[36:33] this coming year, um
[36:35] there are a number of issues in our code
[36:37] that uh like to have taken up and I'm
[36:39] talking to Dave about. And I'd like to
[36:41] add this to one as to sort of the
[36:43] question of whether a screened-in porch
[36:45] should be counted as part you know,
[36:46] inside the FAR. Uh and I think that's a
[36:49] legitimate question for us to ask and
[36:51] I'd like deliberation because uh
[36:53] I and I many, many years ago I pushed
[36:56] hard to change our code so people could
[36:58] build by right a front uh
[37:02] a front porch out 9 ft instead of only 3
[37:06] ft. I felt that was reasonable.
[37:09] Uh and and uh we also learned that that
[37:11] only applied to the porch floor but not
[37:13] the porch roof seal the ceiling for the
[37:15] porch. So, anyway, there are going to be
[37:17] a number of issues that we want to take
[37:19] up. Uh I might add also the one that we
[37:22] dealt with last time dealing with the
[37:24] restriction on
[37:26] um retaining walls having to be 2 ft
[37:28] back and whether that should be scaled
[37:30] so that a low wall doesn't have the same
[37:32] requirement as a high wall would. So,
[37:34] anyway, we'll be taking up a lot of
[37:36] these issues over the course of this
[37:37] coming year and hopefully coming back to
[37:39] the council for the discussion.
[37:41] >> Terrific. Timbrook.
[37:43] >> With there also um was there also the
[37:46] issue of the roof over the the stairway
[37:49] to the basement, the outdoor stairway to
[37:51] the basement?
[37:51] >> was another one. Thank you for
[37:52] mentioning that. Is that on the on your
[37:54] list? It's on the list. Okay.
[37:57] >> [laughter]
[37:58] >> Great.
[37:59] You sound like the character from the
[38:00] Mikado. What's the you know, the has the
[38:03] list of all the people in
[38:06] >> He's got a little list.
[38:08] Um okay, ordinance to amend the ADU
[38:12] regulation. Um this is a open public
[38:15] hearing. Um Ron, I'm going to turn to
[38:18] you again to
[38:20] start us off on that.
[38:21] >> Yes. So, as everybody is aware
[38:25] in the General Assembly regular session
[38:27] for 2025, a law was passed
[38:31] providing that local jurisdictions,
[38:35] including the town,
[38:36] have to promote accessory dwelling units
[38:40] by affording them the same setbacks as
[38:44] other accessory buildings. So, that law
[38:46] provides you cannot impose on an
[38:48] accessory dwelling unit like a you know,
[38:51] granny pod or the like, a setback that's
[38:54] larger than what you require for sheds,
[38:57] detached garages, and other accessory
[38:59] buildings. The town code currently has
[39:02] different setbacks for different types
[39:05] of accessory buildings.
[39:07] And so, this ordinance would eliminate
[39:10] the stricter setback for detached
[39:12] accessory dwelling units, and it'll
[39:14] apply the same setback to all accessory
[39:17] buildings.
[39:18] There is currently in the code the
[39:20] setback modifier that is similar to the
[39:23] county's. So, where an accessory
[39:25] building is taller than 12 ft or longer
[39:29] than 24 ft,
[39:31] an additional setback applies for each
[39:34] additional foot over those thresholds.
[39:37] So, the proposal is to rely on that existing setback modifier to uh
[39:44] prevent the looming of accessory
[39:46] buildings over the neighbors.
[39:48] Uh the state law provides that we have
[39:51] to adopt the law before October of 2026.
[39:56] Uh this is why we are doing it now. And
[39:59] the ordinance has already been
[40:01] introduced, and as the mayor noted, it's
[40:03] on the docket tonight for a public
[40:05] hearing. And following the public
[40:07] hearing, if the council so wishes, there
[40:10] can be a motion to adopt that ordinance.
[40:18] » Do we have any discussion of this
[40:20] particular ordinance?
[40:26] Do we have any comments from the public
[40:28] either online or here in the room
[40:30] regarding the ADU regulation?
[40:37] » Hi, this is D. Harris.
[40:40] Is this time for
[40:42] >> Yes, yes, we
[40:43] >> speak briefly?
[40:45] >> Thank you. You can comment about this.
[40:46] D, what is your address, please?
[40:48] >> Yeah, 4428 Ridge Street.
[40:53] » Go ahead.
[40:54] >> Yeah, I just
[40:56] the adjustments to the regulations look
[40:58] eminently reasonable to me and I'm glad
[41:01] that the town is taking care of this on
[41:03] a timely basis. My only request is to
[41:08] I don't know whether this can happen in
[41:10] tonight's discussion or not, but I think
[41:13] it would help to
[41:15] um
[41:16] clarify somehow
[41:18] uh
[41:21] when I read through the proposed um
[41:24] ordinance, there was discussion of the
[41:27] ability to
[41:29] um
[41:31] maintain,
[41:33] uh modify, and I can't remember the
[41:35] exact words, but maintain, modify, and
[41:39] um
[41:40] >> repair there you go,
[41:42] existing buildings. Um and I was
[41:45] interested out whether there's any
[41:48] adjustment or where one can find out
[41:51] information about what kind of
[41:54] permitting is necessary in order to
[41:56] repair, modify, or
[41:59] uh you know, all of those things. That's
[42:02] just more more of a question than a
[42:04] comment, but it seemed relevant to
[42:08] um
[42:09] make sure that people know.
[42:17] Just yes.
[42:20] Yeah, Dave can correct me if I'm wrong,
[42:22] but I believe no permit is needed for
[42:25] ordinary repairs either at the town or
[42:29] the county level.
[42:32] Um, but if you are
[42:35] and let's say ripping off the siding and
[42:37] putting on new siding, then a permit is
[42:39] required in order to confirm compliance
[42:42] with with setbacks, but yeah, Dave can
[42:44] correct me if I'm wrong there.
[42:47] » Yeah, the yeah, the short answer is
[42:49] there's
[42:50] you know, some discretion or that needs
[42:52] to be applied as to when a repair turns
[42:54] into a replacement. Um, so, you know, I
[42:57] can certainly meet you out there to take
[42:59] a look at it. Um,
[43:00] if you have a specific question and
[43:02] generally as long as the
[43:03] three-dimensional shape of the building
[43:05] is not changed and it's maintained
[43:07] during the course of the construction,
[43:10] um, we consider that to be a repair
[43:12] and does not require a permit.
[43:14] >> And new doors for example on on a
[43:17] dilapidated building is not a is is just
[43:19] a repair, yes?
[43:20] >> That is just a repair, yeah. Yeah, new
[43:22] siding can go up. Um, you know, if the
[43:24] roof rafters are are rotten, as long as
[43:26] the structure itself is maintained and
[43:29] they're replaced in the same dimension,
[43:31] that's a repair, so so we're pretty
[43:33] flexible.
[43:34] >> Okay, great. Thank you thank you very
[43:35] much.
[43:40] Do we have other comments or questions
[43:42] regarding this ordinance?
[43:54] I think it's a worthy effort. We need to
[43:56] be in compliance with county law.
[43:59] Um,
[44:00] this probably doesn't materially change
[44:02] the existence of any other dwellings in
[44:04] the town.
[44:06] So, Ron, at this point, is it up to us
[44:09] to make a motion to approve this
[44:10] >> Yes.
[44:11] >> ordinance?
[44:11] >> That's right. Yeah, and then the
[44:12] ordinance will take effect on
[44:14] August 7th, 2026.
[44:18] Uh we were required to give the County
[44:20] Council notice, which we did.
[44:23] Under state law, the county has the
[44:25] opportunity to provide comments
[44:27] on our building regulations. They did
[44:28] not provide any comments.
[44:32] » Very good. Do we have a motion?
[44:35] >> I'll move [clears throat] approval of
[44:37] the ordinance to amend the front yard
[44:39] hedge regulations.
[44:42] >> [laughter]
[44:43] >> This is for the accessory dwelling units
[44:46] ordinance.
[44:49] Sorry. I I was still I'll move approval
[44:52] for the accessory dwelling unit
[44:53] regulations.
[44:57] » All in favor.
[44:58] >> I.
[45:02] » Thank you very much. Now, we're moving
[45:04] on to the third part of our program this
[45:06] evening, and that is council discussions
[45:09] and actions.
[45:10] And we're going to start now with a
[45:12] discussion of
[45:14] the ordinance to amend front yard hedge
[45:17] regulations.
[45:19] Over to you, Ron.
[45:21] >> Okay.
[45:23] So,
[45:25] the council will recall that
[45:28] there's a strange result from application of our front yard hedge requirement, which
[45:35] prohibits
[45:37] hedges in a front yard exceeding 3 ft.
[45:40] And it was noted that with respect to a
[45:43] particular property,
[45:45] that resulted in an overly restrictive
[45:48] situation because the grade of that
[45:50] property is lower than the street, and
[45:52] so you can and you could have a 5-ft
[45:55] hedge that's completely not visible from
[45:57] street level, but because we say they
[45:59] can be no taller than 3 ft,
[46:01] uh those hedges would be prohibited. So,
[46:04] this ordinance would amend the
[46:05] regulations to provide that we're going
[46:07] to measure the height of the hedge from
[46:09] the surface of the grade of adjoining
[46:11] ground or the grade of the nearest
[46:14] public sidewalk
[46:16] or the curb or edge of the street you
[46:19] know when in circumstances where that is
[46:23] uh
[46:24] higher
[46:25] than the uh actual elevation of the
[46:27] yard.
[46:31] And so, this has has
[46:36] Let's see.
[46:40] » Was that the tool public hearing in May?
[46:43] >> Okay, thank you. Yeah, I couldn't
[46:45] remember why we're in discussions
[46:46] instead of public hearings. Thank you,
[46:47] Todd. Yeah, so we've already had the
[46:49] public hearing on this one. This one is
[46:51] ready for
[46:52] a motion to adopt unless there are
[46:55] discussions or amendments.
[46:57] >> I gave this to [clears throat] the
[46:58] council, so.
[47:01] >> Notice was also given
[47:03] >> I'm sorry, Todd.
[47:04] >> Notice was also given to the county and
[47:06] they had no comments.
[47:07] >> Yes, thank you.
[47:09] >> Okay, so
[47:11] do we have a motion?
[47:14] Do Are we Is there any more discussion
[47:16] on this matter?
[47:19] >> I just wondered, are we supposed to open
[47:20] it up for discussion from the public? Is
[47:23] this a public hearing?
[47:25] >> We had the public hearing. We had the
[47:27] public hearing already and we didn't
[47:29] have the appropriate notice period to
[47:31] the county, which is why we
[47:34] this time are you know why we shifted
[47:36] the vote to this meeting.
[47:38] >> Right.
[47:39] >> So, if there are no other discussions
[47:42] or comments from the council regarding
[47:44] this ordinance, do we have a motion?
[47:49] » I'll start.
[47:50] All in favor?
[47:51] >> Aye.
[47:55] » Very good. Um
[47:57] Finally, uh
[48:00] Katie,
[48:01] we are ready to hear
[48:03] a presentation from the PTA the Rosemary
[48:06] Hills Elementary School PTA regarding a
[48:08] grant request that they made last year
[48:10] for
[48:12] the Rosemary Hills Elementary School
[48:14] outdoor classroom project.
[48:16] >> Hi everyone.
[48:19] Hello south.
[48:22] So I don't want to be repetitive, but I
[48:26] can give a brief summary of where we
[48:28] started and where we are if that's
[48:30] helpful. I'm Katie Bale.
[48:33] I'm the executive vice president now at
[48:36] the Rosemary Hills PTA
[48:39] and I'm still stewarding this along
[48:42] after a long year of discussion with the
[48:45] county and waiting. Um
[48:47] and I'm grateful for
[48:50] the interest and support here. So the
[48:53] where we started was with a proposal
[48:55] that I did
[48:58] researching and talking to companies
[49:00] about costs and um what we thought as an
[49:04] estimate would be of the work and at the
[49:07] time the main consideration was increased
[49:12] shade for the space which I know you
[49:14] went and I think you went and saw
[49:16] recently. Rebecca told me that you made
[49:18] a quick little visit. Thank you for
[49:20] doing that. Um
[49:23] and to reduce maintenance. So up front
[49:26] it cost a little bit more in order to
[49:28] put some pavers in and get rid of some
[49:31] of the mulch and so our original idea
[49:34] was to get some sort of shade sail back
[49:37] there to allow for children to be out
[49:40] there without being roasting cuz there
[49:42] really isn't shade back there and then
[49:45] to kind of get rid of these big beds
[49:47] that required a lot of mulching where
[49:49] the PTA was spending thousands of
[49:51] dollars just to get it weeded.
[49:55] And so
[49:56] we brought this to the principal. She
[49:58] brought it to the district. We finally
[50:00] got up in the queue for uh discussion
[50:03] and um
[50:05] met with them in the spring and they had
[50:08] some really great suggestions about how
[50:10] to modify the project to both make it
[50:12] more cost-effective and also just easier
[50:16] to
[50:17] um maintain long-term. Like for example,
[50:20] a shade sail is lovely, but
[50:22] if it were to rip or break, it's just
[50:25] it's a onerous both financially um
[50:29] and just uh
[50:31] for the county to deal with. So, having
[50:34] the umbrellas with the tables and
[50:37] getting a tree installed that's going to
[50:40] grow into a big shade tree would be more
[50:42] cost-effective and just easier to
[50:45] maintain, which really is aligns well.
[50:48] And we've had really great discussions
[50:50] with the county on this. They've been a
[50:53] great partner in seeing what we wanted
[50:55] to do, providing us input on what other
[50:57] schools have done.
[50:59] Um and so that's brought the cost down,
[51:02] which [clears throat] is great. So,
[51:03] we're kind of closer to about 50,000 as
[51:06] opposed to 65,000,
[51:08] which uh is on account of
[51:11] the shade sail not being in there and um
[51:14] the tree that will go in. They have a um
[51:18] partnership with a local nursery where
[51:21] we can get free trees and they've
[51:23] already done that up
[51:24] on the um
[51:26] the playground side, which is lovely cuz
[51:28] we also don't really have shade on the
[51:31] playground. So, at recess, even when
[51:33] it's only like 75 out, it can feel quite
[51:35] warm. So, they've planted a bunch of
[51:37] river birch trees along the perimeter
[51:40] there
[51:42] um that will grow fast and provide more
[51:44] shade for the kids when they're out
[51:46] there for recess.
[51:48] Um
[51:49] So, that
[51:50] Now, we have approval from uh the
[51:52] district. We have a approved contract um
[51:57] and they've started clearing the space.
[52:00] We received our $10,000
[52:02] um commitment uh from Section 5 this
[52:06] week that came in the mail. Uh Section 3
[52:09] is having their meeting tonight and
[52:11] she's going to get the signatures on
[52:13] that check.
[52:14] Um and so, we're very We're in very good
[52:18] shape to make this happen and be
[52:20] completed um by the time school starts,
[52:22] which is really exciting. So, right now
[52:25] the main project is um
[52:28] clearing the space and getting it ready
[52:30] uh and that will be done in the coming
[52:33] weeks and they'll be out there watering
[52:35] the sod and uh taking care of that. And
[52:37] then the second part uh will be
[52:40] purchasing some of the educational
[52:42] items. So,
[52:43] um that's kind of where we are. I can
[52:46] talk more specific if you like, but um
[52:50] you know, just again incredibly
[52:51] grateful. And I also just want to say
[52:53] thank you again uh for that opportunity
[52:57] to come because when I spoke last year,
[52:59] it resulted in a in a different donation
[53:02] cuz I also talked to you about our food
[53:04] pantry and we got a $2,000 donation from
[53:09] um a resident who has a family
[53:11] foundation and has supported the BCC
[53:13] food pantry. And so, this year we were
[53:16] able to have
[53:18] I think six or seven um market days and
[53:21] had about 15 families each time and the
[53:24] money that we received from them
[53:26] enabled us to replenish it throughout
[53:29] the year and really had a lot of
[53:30] community buy-in. And so, now we have a
[53:33] plan next year to do more and um engage
[53:38] our families on participating in um
[53:42] contributing toward it. So, it's really
[53:45] exciting and we have a teacher who's um
[53:48] son is going to start there next year.
[53:49] She lives over in section five and she's
[53:51] going to be sort of like our in-house
[53:54] liaison to enable people to sort of go
[53:56] more on demand. Um so, I just I really
[53:59] thank
[54:01] the opportunity not just to talk about
[54:02] the outdoor classroom, but other ways
[54:04] that we ended up helping the community.
[54:06] So, thank you so much. I really
[54:08] appreciate it. Um I'm happy to answer
[54:11] question.
[54:13] >> Certainly, go right ahead, Bonnie.
[54:14] >> Yeah, thank you. Um
[54:16] when we made [clears throat] this
[54:17] appropriation, we gave 10,000 outright
[54:20] and we'd give another 10,000 if matched.
[54:22] >> Yep.
[54:22] >> We made it clear that we the match would
[54:25] not apply to governmental sources of
[54:27] fund funding.
[54:28] >> Yep.
[54:28] >> But, we also made clear that the match
[54:30] would apply for donations otherwise from
[54:33] anywhere. It didn't have to be from
[54:34] within the town.
[54:35] Um and so, I really like a little bit of
[54:38] clarification here regarding your your
[54:41] comment in your memo that the PTA can
[54:43] complete the match.
[54:45] >> We would
[54:46] >> Is that effectively from other donations
[54:47] from families and individuals?
[54:50] >> We have enough money in hand to do that.
[54:52] We wanted to contribute a part
[54:55] to it as well and I
[54:58] I'm been the treasurer and we've had a
[55:00] really strong year of
[55:03] fundraising again, probably more than I
[55:05] thought and part of that is we had an
[55:07] incredible
[55:09] uh response to our food drive in the
[55:12] fall and we received
[55:15] $12,000
[55:17] from the community to provide food that
[55:20] I thought we were otherwise going to
[55:21] have to do out of our own PTA budget.
[55:23] So, we both provide food and uh gift
[55:27] cards. So, we um we didn't have to pull
[55:30] into our money as much. So, we
[55:32] >> Wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm sorry. Let
[55:33] me Let me clarify. So, uh when you're
[55:35] suggesting if we could use the PTA
[55:38] contribution as part of the matching
[55:40] that would draw the additional money
[55:41] from our office.
[55:43] >> If you were amenable to
[55:44] >> is that where does that where does that
[55:46] PTA money coming from?
[55:48] >> That comes from just our donations.
[55:50] >> Donations from families to the PTA.
[55:53] >> right. That's right.
[55:54] >> okay. So that not from
[55:56] >> the auction or no, no, no. It's not from
[55:59] It's not a match from the I'm sorry. No, no. It This is because
[56:04] like I said, I thought we would be more
[56:06] encumbered and helping cuz we had 30
[56:08] families that we were planning for and
[56:10] then we had 60 and I thought, okay,
[56:12] well, then we're really going to have a
[56:14] lot more to spend there, but between
[56:19] community donations and um
[56:21] other things, we were able to cover
[56:23] that. So we have a little bit more than
[56:25] I expected in funds that came
[56:28] from our annual fund, spirit wear sales,
[56:31] rhino run, all things that are
[56:32] contributed from the community.
[56:34] >> I need to know. Okay. Um so the other
[56:36] question is this. In terms of the
[56:38] budget, you are still looking to get
[56:40] um
[56:42] your base I'll round it up to 50,000,
[56:44] right? Okay. And
[56:47] to get to the 50
[56:49] what I see here is 13 from section 3, 10
[56:52] from section 5
[56:53] are committed 10. So that's 33,000.
[56:58] Another if you count if you're only at
[57:00] the 2788 and only count of that, that
[57:03] would yield
[57:04] and then we would match that. Okay. So
[57:06] that's another 5,500 or thereabouts. So
[57:09] you're only at around 38,000.
[57:11] On the other hand, if we permitted the
[57:13] PTA match to be included then the town
[57:16] would put in a full additional 10, you'd
[57:18] have that other 10.
[57:20] So then you would have
[57:21] 13 plus 10
[57:24] plus 20 from us plus another 10.
[57:27] So 13 23 Um
[57:31] uh
[57:32] 53. you're much closer to actually what
[57:35] you need. Is that I
[57:36] >> That's right.
[57:37] >> Am I correct in those numbers?
[57:38] >> That's That's right. That's right. We
[57:40] We're coming in where we're in a very
[57:42] strong position and any overage, I have
[57:45] a commitment from section three to
[57:48] um
[57:49] provide that if something were to come
[57:51] up unexpected. Um and so I feel very
[57:54] confident that we can
[57:57] um put it all together. I mean, the the
[57:59] money that we have
[58:00] >> Sorry to interrupt, but I just want to
[58:01] be clear. It seems to me that
[58:03] if my colleagues are comf- comfortable
[58:04] with this, permitting the PTA donation
[58:07] to count against as as matching funds,
[58:10] which therefore would allow us to raise
[58:12] our contribution to the full 20,000,
[58:15] actually is really important in terms of
[58:17] you being able to get the budget.
[58:19] >> No, it it it is, but we
[58:22] also
[58:24] have a plan where with what we have now
[58:26] and what we contribute, we can get the
[58:30] maintenance done and then if we needed
[58:33] to
[58:34] piece out, you know, buying the
[58:36] educational board, we could do that um
[58:39] in the year as we're fundraising,
[58:43] uh
[58:44] whether it's like I said through the
[58:45] annual fund or
[58:47] whatever it is that we get. Um my family
[58:50] typically does a $10,000 match. So maybe
[58:54] instead of that, we would
[58:55] give to this. So it's it's um it is
[58:58] fluid, but I mean, we're close.
[59:05] » Um I was also a little confused. I'm
[59:07] going to play back what I think I
[59:08] understand from this and tell me if I've
[59:10] got it right.
[59:11] So your original estimate was 65,000.
[59:14] >> Yep.
[59:14] >> You've trimmed that down to 49,400.
[59:19] Plus 3,000 for the umbrellas or does
[59:21] that include 3,000 for the umbrellas?
[59:23] >> So
[59:24] >> It's just a yes or no. We I know
[59:26] >> I'm just waiting cuz I have to use um
[59:29] district-approved
[59:31] contractors. So, you know, they ballpark
[59:35] things for me, but then I need to go to
[59:37] it.
[59:37] >> Is the total project now 49,400 or is it
[59:41] 52,400?
[59:42] >> It's 52,400.
[59:43] >> Okay, so 52,400.
[59:45] >> That's what I would say is what I'm
[59:46] looking at.
[59:47] >> you hope to get.
[59:48] >> Yep.
[59:48] >> You already have
[59:51] 33 in
[59:52] hand including our 10,000.
[59:55] If the PTA
[59:57] comes up with 10, we come up with 10,
[1:00:00] you've got all the money you need.
[1:00:02] >> Yeah.
[1:00:02] >> Very close.
[1:00:03] >> Yeah.
[1:00:04] >> [laughter]
[1:00:04] >> Right.
[1:00:04] >> Yeah. Thank you.
[1:00:05] >> Yeah.
[1:00:07] >> And most immediately
[1:00:09] you need this 39 to cover the work
[1:00:12] that's already begun, right?
[1:00:13] >> And I have 23 of it. Like I've got the 10
[1:00:18] from
[1:00:19] um
[1:00:21] from section five and like as of tonight
[1:00:23] I'll have the 13 from from section
[1:00:26] three. So, I we're good to start. I
[1:00:28] mean, we wouldn't have started if we
[1:00:29] didn't think
[1:00:31] we knew you know, didn't think we had
[1:00:33] the funds
[1:00:34] to cover that.
[1:00:35] >> Is there a Is there a special account
[1:00:37] that's been set up
[1:00:38] for this project, a dedicated account?
[1:00:41] >> It's not a dedicated account. It's a
[1:00:42] line item
[1:00:44] uh but
[1:00:45] >> Line item in what in whose budget?
[1:00:46] >> In our budget. Yeah, I mean but
[1:00:48] >> It meaning the PTA's budget?
[1:00:50] >> PTA budget. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean,
[1:00:51] there's a line for it, but it's not if
[1:00:54] you mean like did we set up a separate
[1:00:56] bank account? No, but
[1:00:58] >> Okay. I just want to make sure I
[1:00:59] understood.
[1:01:00] >> Yeah, yeah.
[1:01:01] >> Just in terms of tracking our donation.
[1:01:03] >> Yeah, no, I
[1:01:05] So, everything that came in with that
[1:01:07] gets tracked to
[1:01:09] a specific number in QuickBooks. So, all
[1:01:13] of that is tracked. So, when I sent that
[1:01:15] from Todd, you know, that was everything
[1:01:19] that came from from
[1:01:22] that request, the 2788, and that's
[1:01:26] marked when we run the report on that, that's
[1:01:31] everything marked to that specific link.
[1:01:33] It's
[1:01:35] the 7,000 is from our general fund
[1:01:38] though. Like if we were to do the
[1:01:40] remaining match, that's just PTA general
[1:01:43] fund.
[1:01:44] >> Right. Okay.
[1:01:44] >> Does that make sense?
[1:01:47] » Okay, so I have um so thank you, Katie.
[1:01:50] Um I have some questions for for you all
[1:01:52] and and for Todd in terms of how we
[1:01:54] would do this. So, in the past when
[1:01:57] we've given other grants and and we have
[1:01:59] done other grants to nonprofit
[1:02:01] organizations that serve town residents,
[1:02:04] um
[1:02:05] we
[1:02:06] write the check to the organization. So,
[1:02:09] let's just start with the 10 grand that
[1:02:11] we
[1:02:12] committed. Um and then how have we ever
[1:02:16] done matching funds? And if so, how
[1:02:19] would we verify that those matching
[1:02:21] funds were actually collected for this
[1:02:23] purpose?
[1:02:27] » Oh gosh.
[1:02:27] >> Well, I Oh, sorry.
[1:02:29] >> Yeah.
[1:02:29] >> Todd. Go ahead.
[1:02:31] Todd.
[1:02:32] >> Off the top of my head, I don't know if
[1:02:33] we've done any done anything like this
[1:02:35] in in a matching way, but I don't have
[1:02:38] total recall right now over the past
[1:02:41] 20-some years to know if we've ever done
[1:02:43] this, but not that I can recollect.
[1:02:47] » Yeah, I haven't either.
[1:02:48] >> [clears throat]
[1:02:49] >> This was an
[1:02:50] off-the-cuff idea and how to try to
[1:02:52] >> I have I mean, I have from because it
[1:02:55] was um primarily people giving through
[1:02:59] um online donation. Like I the list that
[1:03:03] I produce comes from Stripe, and I can
[1:03:05] produce more evidence of it being a real
[1:03:10] transaction if you need, but that that
[1:03:13] comes from people clicking on a specific
[1:03:15] link that only goes to the outdoor
[1:03:18] classroom funding. So, I was really
[1:03:22] intentional about tracking it
[1:03:24] >> Correct.
[1:03:24] >> that way.
[1:03:25] Um
[1:03:26] so,
[1:03:27] I feel really and I'd be happy to open
[1:03:29] up the books to Todd, to anyone to to
[1:03:32] see the back end of Stripe of, you know,
[1:03:35] the verified transactions
[1:03:37] that have happened, you know, um
[1:03:40] if that would make you feel comfortable.
[1:03:42] >> Yes.
[1:03:43] >> And then um for us, I mean,
[1:03:46] we would probably if you allow the PTA
[1:03:50] to do it, we would probably give a check
[1:03:53] or I don't know what we would have to
[1:03:55] show, a check or something set aside.
[1:03:57] Maybe I would
[1:03:58] pay to that link
[1:04:01] from our bank account, you know, to show
[1:04:04] the money from the PTA went or
[1:04:06] something. I'm trying to think of how we
[1:04:08] would maybe pay ourselves on that link
[1:04:11] so that you could see
[1:04:13] that. And so, we have the address and
[1:04:15] name and contact information of
[1:04:18] everybody. Yeah, yeah. And then they would be us.
[1:04:21] >> Okay, so I think we can work out with
[1:04:23] the town manager an appropriate way
[1:04:25] >> I can definitely get with you the
[1:04:27] nitty-gritty of it. Um
[1:04:29] but that those are that's how we went
[1:04:32] about it and part of the reason we did
[1:04:34] that specific link through Stripe, which
[1:04:37] is our payment processor, was
[1:04:39] to keep all of that separate from,
[1:04:42] you know, spirit wear, whatever, you
[1:04:44] know, all the other little things that
[1:04:45] we do. So, that was only for that.
[1:04:48] >> Okay. Okay.
[1:04:50] >> And we may we could also ask for a
[1:04:51] post-project report how the funds were
[1:04:53] used uh to ensure that our auditor has
[1:04:57] everything that they need to
[1:04:59] >> [clears throat]
[1:04:59] >> ensure that
[1:05:00] >> Okay.
[1:05:00] >> So, absolutely they're kidding me if
[1:05:02] they can't be provided a report on
[1:05:05] >> you need.
[1:05:07] All right. Very good.
[1:05:11] And that I've been the treasurer, so
[1:05:12] I've been the one also like I'm
[1:05:15] going into a different role, but I've
[1:05:17] been the one handling all the
[1:05:19] transactions, so I feel really
[1:05:21] comfortable like that everything is in
[1:05:23] good order.
[1:05:25] >> I was going to suggest that
[1:05:27] in addition to whatever detail Todd
[1:05:29] thinks is necessary,
[1:05:32] just a letter that is a certification,
[1:05:35] you know, we have an approval that we
[1:05:36] took a few months ago.
[1:05:39] And you know, something from the PTA
[1:05:41] that certifies that they've raised money
[1:05:44] in accordance with
[1:05:46] how we approved it, so we can match. So,
[1:05:49] just have that as a
[1:05:50] single document and then
[1:05:52] I'd leave it to Todd as to how much
[1:05:54] verification beyond that he feels is
[1:05:56] necessary.
[1:05:57] >> No, that makes sense. We can do
[1:05:59] something that um is similar to the
[1:06:01] acknowledgement from the district and
[1:06:03] sort of
[1:06:05] puts all of that in a piece and you can
[1:06:07] have exhibits that show both, you know,
[1:06:10] the district approval, the approved
[1:06:12] contract, and the maintenance
[1:06:14] contract that we have with the you know,
[1:06:17] with the district.
[1:06:19] But we're very excited cuz it's going to
[1:06:21] make the space more usable. So, we're we really do appreciate it.
[1:06:27] » Very good.
[1:06:28] So, Todd, what is the next step for us?
[1:06:31] Do we need to make a motion to approve
[1:06:34] the grant? Um
[1:06:35] from what I understand though, the the
[1:06:37] $10,000 grant was that already approved
[1:06:39] last year?
[1:06:39] >> Yes.
[1:06:40] >> Okay. So, that grant was approved.
[1:06:42] >> There were conditions to it though.
[1:06:44] >> Yeah.
[1:06:44] >> Which have to be met including the
[1:06:46] contract and some other items. Todd, you
[1:06:48] may recall the specifics of it.
[1:06:49] But yes, there were some conditions. It
[1:06:51] was It was an outright grant of 10,000.
[1:06:53] >> Right. Okay. And so then the contract
[1:06:55] has at least for the for the phase one
[1:06:57] work of the outdoor classroom has been
[1:06:59] presented with Katie's materials. And so
[1:07:02] then the only thing that needs to be
[1:07:03] done is as Carlos suggested a
[1:07:05] certification that other funds have been
[1:07:07] raised.
[1:07:08] >> do we I think the the question is what
[1:07:10] is the size of the matching grant?
[1:07:12] >> Right.
[1:07:12] >> Uh and are we comfortable that the PTA
[1:07:15] contribution could count against the
[1:07:17] match? If we are,
[1:07:19] then if I understand Katie's point, we
[1:07:22] would then be providing an additional
[1:07:23] $10,000
[1:07:26] rather than only the additional 20 788.
[1:07:30] Um and
[1:07:31] >> And if you're if you decide that you're
[1:07:33] not
[1:07:35] >> We would need a motion for that.
[1:07:37] >> Yeah.
[1:07:38] >> Um but we have a plan still even if you
[1:07:42] were to not approve that. We will still
[1:07:44] put up money from the PTA and we just
[1:07:47] didn't have, you know,
[1:07:50] 50,000 to do on our own, but we always
[1:07:52] plan to commit money and um if you don't
[1:07:57] think that that's an appropriate way cuz
[1:07:59] I really wasn't sure. I asked Todd. I
[1:08:01] was like, I don't even know if that is
[1:08:04] allowed to say, you know, the PTA would
[1:08:06] get the match from their funds, but I'm
[1:08:09] prepared to go back to section three and
[1:08:11] they will assist me. I I'm confident of
[1:08:14] that.
[1:08:15] >> Okay, so then
[1:08:16] >> By the way, I think
[1:08:18] >> Todd, go ahead.
[1:08:19] >> Yeah. Uh a PTA is a non-governmental
[1:08:21] source. It's it's a 501c3. So I I that
[1:08:25] would be eligible for a match from the
[1:08:26] town.
[1:08:27] Yeah, in in
[1:08:30] um
[1:08:31] June of 2025, uh there was a resolution
[1:08:34] that was submitted to a public hearing
[1:08:36] for this support. Um obviously the
[1:08:39] contribution was subject to conditions
[1:08:41] being met.
[1:08:42] Uh they have been met according to your
[1:08:45] discussion this evening. Um and there
[1:08:48] was a commitment to provide that support
[1:08:50] on those conditions. So tonight would
[1:08:52] just be a motion for a supplemental
[1:08:55] appropriation for the entire amount of
[1:08:57] what you decide to contribute.
[1:09:00] >> I see. So we're voting on or we're
[1:09:03] proposing a resolution to approve the
[1:09:05] match.
[1:09:06] >> Yes.
[1:09:07] >> Because the council's already approved
[1:09:09] the grant that was $10,000.
[1:09:10] >> not not exactly. They didn't approve it
[1:09:13] was a resolution to support it with
[1:09:15] certain funding levels if conditions
[1:09:17] were met. So, it was a conditional
[1:09:19] support or commit conditional
[1:09:21] commitment. Tonight you would do a
[1:09:23] supplemental for the entire amount of
[1:09:25] the contribution.
[1:09:27] >> I see. Okay. So, we're comfortable that
[1:09:31] following the resolution that was made
[1:09:33] last year for the $10,000 commitment
[1:09:35] that we would approve that
[1:09:37] payment to the Rosemary Hills PTA.
[1:09:41] >> I mean, I suggest the wording as follows
[1:09:43] that we
[1:09:45] make an appropriation tonight of
[1:09:48] uh
[1:09:51] 20,000 Well, let me let me say it in two
[1:09:54] pieces. Appropriation of 10,000
[1:09:57] plus another 10,000 upon evidence
[1:10:01] acceptable to our town manager of a
[1:10:04] matching amount of 10,000.
[1:10:06] And that we accept that the PTA
[1:10:08] contribution will count as part of that
[1:10:10] match.
[1:10:12] With what we know tonight, that
[1:10:13] effectively means that we'll be
[1:10:14] appropriating $20,000.
[1:10:17] >> Thank you.
[1:10:19] Well said. [clears throat]
[1:10:20] >> Okay.
[1:10:21] >> I'll second.
[1:10:24] » All in favor.
[1:10:25] >> I.
[1:10:27] >> Thank you again. Maybe if you have time
[1:10:29] when we're finished, we'd love to have
[1:10:31] you come see the space. We would really
[1:10:33] appreciate that.
[1:10:33] >> before the beginning of the school year?
[1:10:35] >> It should be the the um maintenance part
[1:10:39] is definitely the ordering of some of
[1:10:41] the um
[1:10:43] of the educational materials is sort of
[1:10:46] like dependent, but they'll still be
[1:10:48] able to use it and enjoy it um right
[1:10:52] away in in the fall, which is really
[1:10:55] nice.
[1:10:55] >> Right.
[1:10:56] >> Thank you so much.
[1:10:57] >> Okay.
[1:10:59] >> Thank you.
[1:11:01] Do we have any other items for
[1:11:02] discussion this evening?
[1:11:04] >> Uh I think the only other one if I can
[1:11:06] offer one which Rich and join an absent
[1:11:08] conversation about because of dealing
[1:11:10] with traffic but obviously we've all
[1:11:12] seen the not large number of notes in
[1:11:13] the list serve
[1:11:15] regarding the parking policy. And um
[1:11:19] the uh
[1:11:22] I I've I think that the
[1:11:25] what's happened in the past in this and
[1:11:27] I've I'm not just speaking about Rich
[1:11:28] has been the most recent liaison to the
[1:11:30] public services committee but I was the
[1:11:32] liaison when we last really took up this
[1:11:34] issue with a deep dive a couple of years
[1:11:35] ago.
[1:11:36] And the PSC does really great work but
[1:11:40] inevitably only the people who are
[1:11:42] directly involved in the issue in hand
[1:11:44] end up knowing much about it. So I think
[1:11:47] one of the things that's really starkly
[1:11:49] evident from reading these list serve
[1:11:51] posts is how little people know about
[1:11:54] the policy. Uh I you you would come to
[1:11:57] think that somehow we we we grant
[1:12:00] certain streets a privilege of having
[1:12:02] permitted parking
[1:12:03] uh for the purpose of being able to park
[1:12:06] as close as possible. That's the
[1:12:08] which obviously is not the way the
[1:12:10] policy works
[1:12:12] uh and nor obviously the intent.
[1:12:15] Uh so uh my thought was that we ought to
[1:12:18] put out some kind of
[1:12:20] notice um
[1:12:22] to really in allow people to understand
[1:12:26] not only what our policy is but why it
[1:12:28] we have policy we have and get into some
[1:12:31] of the issues that in fact have been
[1:12:33] grappled with in the past. Um and and um
[1:12:38] and
[1:12:38] one way I was thinking of doing this was
[1:12:40] through a Q&A
[1:12:41] that we could eventually put out as a
[1:12:43] town crier which we know it then be
[1:12:45] picked up on the list serve as at least
[1:12:47] a first effort to on on mass address
[1:12:51] the questions. Uh and to give one
[1:12:53] example that we drilled down on before,
[1:12:56] but is pertinent, uh
[1:12:58] clearly there are residents who feel
[1:13:00] that some number of of residents who
[1:13:02] have parking permits abuse the privilege
[1:13:05] and not only park on the street they
[1:13:07] live, but when they want to go to Trader
[1:13:09] Joe's or somewhere over near Bethesda,
[1:13:11] they park over on the eastern edge of
[1:13:13] the town. Uh and the western edge of the
[1:13:15] town. Um and I sure there is some of
[1:13:18] that. I don't know how much, but
[1:13:20] let's grant that it happens. Um the PSC
[1:13:24] considered that issue very carefully
[1:13:26] with the view that the only way you
[1:13:28] could really solve it would be actually
[1:13:30] to go to kind of zonal parking. And and
[1:13:32] the streets closest to the west edge of
[1:13:34] the town would have their own zone.
[1:13:37] Um but, you know, on reflection, the
[1:13:39] committee felt and the council that I
[1:13:41] was on at the time agreed
[1:13:44] that that's becomes problematic. First
[1:13:46] of all, it just means people who want to
[1:13:47] get close to Bethesda park on the edge
[1:13:50] of whatever zone they're allowed to be
[1:13:51] in. So, the situation moves back from
[1:13:54] 46th Street to 45th Street or whatever,
[1:13:56] you know, wherever you put it. And then
[1:13:58] you also get caught up with families
[1:14:01] that live right at the border
[1:14:03] and who may be seeking to park and now
[1:14:05] find that they're parking in the wrong
[1:14:07] zone and are you know, liable for for a
[1:14:10] citation
[1:14:12] because they strayed across the line and
[1:14:14] they're parking in the wrong zone. So,
[1:14:16] at the end, the the committee and
[1:14:19] ultimately the council said, look,
[1:14:21] for all those reasons, leave things the
[1:14:23] way they are, but let's again try some
[1:14:25] moral suasion.
[1:14:27] And we did have some more
[1:14:30] you know, town criers and other messages
[1:14:32] saying, please, essentially, don't abuse
[1:14:34] this. This is still allow you to park
[1:14:36] near your homes conveniently
[1:14:39] and [clears throat] to hold back the
[1:14:40] number of other people who'd be parking
[1:14:42] near your home so you can. Uh but don't
[1:14:45] take this as a license to park, you
[1:14:47] know, on 46th Street. So, anyway, that was what we did and obviously all
[1:14:52] that has been either wasn't fully
[1:14:54] understood, appreciated, or communicated
[1:14:56] well. Could be our fault, but I think
[1:14:59] given the spate of these listserv
[1:15:01] notices, it's worthwhile our making an
[1:15:03] effort to, as I you've often heard me
[1:15:05] say, rerun the commercial and at least
[1:15:07] lay it out and and then obviously there
[1:15:10] could still be more commentary and we
[1:15:12] may have to grapple with it again, but
[1:15:13] at least people should go into the
[1:15:15] discussion with more information than
[1:15:17] thinking that that we set up a permit
[1:15:19] system and arbitrarily
[1:15:21] we and the council make decisions about
[1:15:23] this and that somehow it's a privilege
[1:15:25] to have a permit.
[1:15:27] >> Thanks for the background on that,
[1:15:28] Bernie. It is really
[1:15:31] it's a fraught issue. I remember last
[1:15:33] time I was on the council we talked
[1:15:35] about parking many times, but it it does
[1:15:38] bear repeating. So, thanks
[1:15:41] and thanks for your input on working on
[1:15:43] that FAQ document.
[1:15:45] >> And I'll I'll I'll engage Rich as well.
[1:15:48] >> [laughter]
[1:15:49] >> Claude does pretty good work, Joy. Thank
[1:15:52] you.
[1:15:52] >> [laughter]
[1:15:53] >> I'm sorry.
[1:15:55] Oh, Claude does pretty good work, yeah.
[1:15:56] Whoever Claude is.
[1:15:58] >> Whoever Claude is, indeed.
[1:16:01] All right, if we don't have any other
[1:16:02] issues, we will adjourn this meeting.
[1:16:05] >> Okay.