GREATER SEVERNA PARK COUNCIL

Minutes of the March 9, 2004 Meeting

ADMINISTRATION

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM by President John Strange

Welcome: Carroll Hicks, GSPC Director and Chairperson of the Police / Community Relations Committee introduced the guest speaker, Captain David Pressley, Commander of the Eastern District. He was accompanied by Cpl Jim Meyer (PAC Officer – works with communities) and Cpl Wayne Tanis (traffic specialist). Captain Pressley presented an overview of the department, specifically the Eastern District, whose headquarters are located on Mountain Road. This is the largest district with 137 officers assigned there and includes 64 schools (5 high schools); however, no malls. Each of the county high schools has been assigned a police officer who provides enforcement while also functioning as a resource person and mentor. They also do some teaching in government classes. The busiest area of the district is Baker sector (south Glen Burnie along Crain Highway). There is one lieutenant and two sergeants in charge for each shift. There is a PAC officer, traffic specialist, and domestic violence officer assigned to each district. Seven detectives are assigned to the Eastern district as well. The most serious crimes in Anne Arundel County were down 4% in 2003. It was noted that the

newsletter that had previously been available to communities has been discontinued due to budget constraints.

Cpl Tanis reported on traffic enforcement. Part of his job involves analysis of accidents for trends and engineering flaws, as well as enforcement. Last year there were 28,000 stops for enforcement in the Eastern district, 7,000+ just for speeding which is a major problem. The sign trailer that displays the speed of passing vehicles is available to communities at their request for 3-4 days at a time. The pedestrian crossing on Robinson Road at the B&A Trail has been noted to be a safety problem. Failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk can result in a $500. fine and up to a two-month jail sentence. The seat belt law has been in effect since 1967, yet many still do not use them. In response to questions about cell phone use and driving, Cpl Tanis noted that their use is a great source of distraction.

Cpl Meyer offered some prevention tips – lock sheds and close garage doors to prevent theft. Mark items in your garage and home, as well as boat equipment with your drivers’ license soundex number so that if recovered, it can be returned. Lock your car, even in your driveway. Beware of home improvement scams now that warmer weather is approaching. If going on vacation, do not cancel newspapers, but rather, ask a trusted neighbor to collect them. You may also request the police to check on your home while you are away on vacation. Cpl Meyer also noted that graffiti continues to be a problem. Please take photos of it and report it to the police.

The police department’s website is: www.aacopd.org. Phone # 410-222-6145. Capt Pressley may be reached by e-mail at www.eastern@toad.mail.net.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes were approved as submitted via mail and e-mail. Those interested in receiving the minutes by e-mail may sign-up at the entrance table or contact Michele Rose by e-mail at mrose@cablespeed.com.

President’s Report: John Strange reported that the following communities have paid dues for 2004 as of March 8th: Arnold Preservation Council, Arundel Plaza, Bendale, Ben Oaks, Bluff Point, Carrollton Manor, Chartridge, Chartwell, County Crusaders, Cypress Improvement, Cypress Landing, Fairwinds, Harlequin, Hollywood, Kensington, Linstead, McKinsey Park, North Cape Arthur, Oakleigh Forest, Riverdale, Severna Forest, Severndale, Severn Heights, Sheffield Park, Shipley’s Choice Community, Solomons Ridge, Swann Point, West Severna Park, Whitehurst, and Whitneys Landing. This represents 49% of last year’s total membership.

Treasurer’s Report: Al Johnston, Vice-President and former Treasurer, presented an income statement for the entire calendar year of 2003 which included $2326.92 in income and $2489.35 in expenses for a net loss of $162.43. Some of the expenses were a donation of $500.00 to the World War II Memorial Fund and $330.00 in legal fees for the Jiffy Lube case. The total funds at the end of the year were $26,379.92 including the Beautification Trust Fund of $4322.44.

Al also presented the budget for calendar year 2004. He noted that printing and postage expenses are expected to decrease due to the number of people who have agreed to receive minutes of the meetings via e-mail. A motion to adopt the budget was approved by affirmation.

Al gave a revised report for January, 2004 indicating a balance of $26315.01 as of January 31, 2004. This includes $4322.44 in Beautification Trust Funds. The total is based on a previous balance of $26,379.92 with expenses totaling $72.78 for the month and income of $7.87.

Tom Decker, Treasurer, presented his very first report for the month of February, 2004. It indicated a balance of $26847.60 still including the Beautification Trust Fund of $4322.44 as of February 29,2004. There was 638.87 in income ($630.00 in dues) and $106.28 in expenses. There was an inquiry regarding the poor interest rate being received on the Money Market Fund. Al noted that the Board will review that concern again at their next meeting. Tom Decker will also investigate the rates prior to the next Board meeting. A motion was made and passed to accept all of the reports.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

John Norville, GSPC Director and Chairperson, presented the annual audit report indicating that all records were in order and that the treasurer had followed all procedures and processes. No irregularities were found. A recommendation was made to write the purpose of the check in the memo space. The committee also verified the submission of the annual Personal Property Return. An official signed copy of the audit will remain on file with the secretary. A motion to accept the report was approved.

On behalf of the GSPC, John Norville prepared and John Strange presented Al Johnston with a certificate of recognition for his outstanding service to the Severna Park community for serving as the treasurer and in other offices from 1992 through 2004. John Norville made a motion of resolution that the GSPC commend and express its appreciation to Al for his many years of service. It was seconded and unanimously and enthusiastically approved.

Post meeting note: Lew Heck reported via e-mail that progress is being made. Some of the requested grants have been received and a number of government agencies are interested in the project. Bayland Consultants and Designers, Inc, designers for the project, requested letters of support from the GSPC which have been sent. It may be a couple of months before Bayland will need further assistance. Lew is planning a walk of the project area soon.

Al Johnston reported, in the absence of the chairperson, that the area south of Cypress Creek has considerably less plantings in the median of Ritchie Highway than the area north of Robinson Road. Ritchie Highway, from Severna Park to Route 50, is planned to be expanded to three lanes in each direction. Larry is looking into how this will affect the beautification project.

Beth noted that there are currently three candidates for the open seat on the School Board. Janice Holmes, Olde Severna Park, and Maureen Carr-York, GSPC Director from Brittingham, will be representing the GSPC during the School Board Nominating process. She also reported that the School Board cut the budget that had been submitted by the superintendent. Cuts were made to the gifted and talented program, textbook spending, and to the extension of the IB / Extended Learning program to the middle school. Dr. Christine Amiss, the coordinator for this program, will be one of the guest speakers at the meeting next month. The second guest speaker will be Rob Leahy, CAC Chairperson Severna Park High School.

Carroll reported that the last Police Community Relations meeting was held on February 18^th. The main topic was traffic safety. There is one captain, one lieutenant, and ten officers involved in the traffic safety program in A.A. County. One of their functions is to investigate school bus violations. There is a $275. Fine for running past a stopped school bus with lights flashing. Some of their other functions involve crash reconstruction; alcohol enforcement, rehab, and education, as well as enforcement of red light cameras. School crossing guards are also part of this program. Carroll was surprised to find that it is illegal to have plastic or any other kind of covering, even clear, over license plates. Some of the worst intersections in our area are Route 2 and Cypress Creek (over 200 crashes in 2003), Route 2 and Jones Station (51 crashes), and Route 2 and McKinsey Road (32 crashes), and Route 2 and College Parkway. Many newer cars have black boxes that monitor the cars actions which can be downloaded by the police at the scene of a crash. Carroll noted that it is recommended to place children in the center back seat in their car seat for the best protection.

HB 677 McConkey: Referendum B/E-Selection of Members 410 841-3223 Barbara Wilson L/A

HB 467(03) Civic Association Liability. If your association carries a minimum of $200,000 liability, no one can sure your officers or directors. An affidavit is required to be filed and is attached to the minutes. After completion, it should be sent to: Hon. Karl Aumann, Secretary, Maryland Department of the State, 16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

HB 1204 Mobile Telephone Sales and Use Tax. (Del Love 2-24-04 County Council position) CE 3-5-04.

Earleigh Heights Siren Fire Co. Their siren is an old air raid siren that is currently in need of repair and not in use.

Al spoke with their secretary, Bill Smith, regarding the complaints about the noise from the siren from neighboring

communities. At their board meeting on 3-3-04, they voted to continue to use the siren. Fire departments have a special

exception regarding noise. Earleigh Heights is the only county company still using a siren. Every member of the

company carries a pager. According to Mr. Smith, they want to continue using the siren because people run through the

red light at the intersection. Karen Schneider, Cypress Landing, made a motion that the GSPC oppose the use of the

Jumpers Hole Rd Project #478300, Dan Anderson, Project Manager 410 222-7566. T/L Al Johnston. Report expected

during the month of April.

Jones Station Park & Ride Commercial Development. Meeting 2-7-04 Proj. Mgr. Adel Stevens 410 767-3695

North Branch Cypress Creek Committee, Grant App., Chesapeake Bay Trust, Lou Heck 410 647-6191

Community Center Capital Program. T/L Task Leader: Pat Haun 410 647-5843. HB 442, SB 132, Bond

Bill, $500, 000 Matching Grant. GSPC Testimony at Delegation Hearing 2-20-04 House Hearing 3-6.

Jiffy Lube Construction, Dewatering complaint. Peter Cooper, GSPC Environmental Committee chairperson, reported

on an overflow of muddy water from the site into the nearby stream. He provided a visual sampling of the overflow,

which indicated a significant amount of sediment in one small sampling. County inspectors were notified and

responded immediately, provided instructions for correction, and continue to monitor. Peter and Al will also continue

to monitor. They will also notify Paul Spadaro, President of the Magothy River Association.

to purchase a hard copy at $20.00 and a CD copy at $5.00 that may be shared with the member communities was

BA 100-03A Richland Homes Permit to demolish 110 Water Street which involves the merging of two lots versus the

ability to build on both. Hearing 3-2-04, Continued to 6-22-04. A motion to support Olde Severna Park in this case was

2003-201S, 203S & 367V, WaWa et al. Special exception & variance petition denied by AHO. Property is capable of

development other than WaWa without a variance. BA 11-04S, 12-04S, 13-04V, 14-04V, Notice mailed 2-9-04.

Scheduled 6-2-04 4:00PM. A motion to continue the GSPC’s opposition to this project to the Board of Appeals was

2003-0430S Chuck Converse, Special exception (five townhouses with a common septic system is proposed) AHO

denied petition. Letter from Riverdale on the Magothy 2-3-04 requesting GSPC assistance in opposition to this

received. Appealed as BA17-04A, 6-9-04 4:00PM. A motion to support the community of Riverdale on the Magothy in

the opposition to five townhouses on the old Riverdale Restaurant site was approved by affirmation.

2003-0159R Raymond Woodard et al, (9 Jones Station Properties), BA 75--83-03, 4-7-04, 4:00 PM.

2003-0328R Sosnoski & Clement Hardware, R5 to C3, 2.58A, BA124-03, 4-21-04. Letter previously received from

North Severna Park requesting the GSPC assistance on file. A motion to support the community of North Severna Park

2003-0471S, 2003-0472V Koch Homes, Hearing 1-20-04, Adjourned to 3-4-04 revised Traffic Study. Al presented an

overhead to show traffic study for this project of 177 single and semi-detached homes. Several areas of failing roads

Cypress Landing West 3d Revision, Sketch 3-18-04, 11:00AM, Steve Callahan 410 222-7455. Karen Schneider

reported that the county had given the developer of their community, Leonard Attman (Attman Real Estate Co, Glen

Burnie), permission to conduct tests on their open space property that is owned by their community. Mr. Attman

wanted to use this property to access another property that he owns. The county had been misinformed by Mr. Attman

that he was in negotiations to purchase the open space property. In the meantime, he had already started removing trees

and doing other work there. The community notified the county that there were no negotiations and the county issued a

stop-work order. The county has subsequently stopped the review hearing. The developer has not been ordered to

repair the damage. This developer has still not completed all items from his original development of Cypress Landing.

According to Ms. Schneider, since it has been so long, a judge has waived all but two items of their four-page punch

list. Those two items are the widening of the west side of Earleigh Heights Road to create a right turn lane and to

create an access to the B&A Trail from their community. The original plan had called for the construction at a different

location with a bridge. The community passed on that idea and requested just a nice path. What they have received is a

path with a large drop that does not meet disability regulations. The county wants that rebuilt.

2003-333R Concord Builders, Inc (Moore 2.34 A), 2003-0334 (Hruzd 10.05A). R2 to MXD-R 10-21-03

(Veterans Highway), sewer to Veterans main. Task Leader: Bob Cooper, SCHO, report.

Quadrangle, et al, S84-126, 400-4 Jumpers Hold Road, Lori Allen, 410 222-7485. Jumpers Hole Road

Study will impact. 30-Day Zoning Violation Notice 10-8-03. Task Leader, Roberta Mason, Chartwell.

Sonneborn Property, S2001-038, Sketch Plan Approved 9-23-03 with conditions, Lori Allen 410 222-7485

Dyas, Michael Property, 9.9A, 17 lots, S 03-069, Sketch Plan 10-16-03 9:00AM. Lori Allen, 410 222-7485

Benfield Crossing, C2003-017, 1.51A Retail expansion with access from Exxon Station Sketch Plan

10:00AM 10-23-03. Mike Murray, 410 222-7960. SCCA interest? Task Leader: Al Johnston

Listman, Truckhouse Road, S#2002-045, P#2002-085 4.9 A, 9 Units, Jeff Torney, 410 222-7458, Sketch

Sage Mumma announced that the Arnold Preservation Council is sponsoring an open public forum on the budget at the Magothy River Middle School on Thursday, March 25. John Hammond will address them. Al noted that Ms. Owens is still considering the cell phone tax. Budget constraints will probably necessitate either cutting of some services or the raising of some taxes.

Earl Schaffer reported that the Severna Park Chamber of Commerce is holding the Independence Day Parade on July 5^th this year. The theme is “Volunteerism – Severna Park Volunteers”. They are looking for the communities to nominate people from their community that have volunteered to make Severna Park a better place and enter the parade with either a float or walking group holding their names on a placard. The Grand Marshall this year will be Andy Borland.

Beth Slikker reported that nothing will be done regarding a paper trail for the new computer voting machines due to

NEXT MEETING

Executive Board – Wednesday, March 30th at 7:30 PM at the Severna Park Library.

GSPC General Meeting – Tuesday, April 13th at 7:30 PM in the meeting room of the Severna Park Library.

The scheduled speakers will be Dr. Christine Amos, Coordinator for the Extended Learning / IB Program, and Mr. Rob Leahy, Chairperson of the Severna Park High School CAC.

Special note: Thank you to Sherrill Modlin for taking notes for the first ten minutes of this meeting due to the secretary’s late arrival.

The undersigned are the President and Secretary of the _________________________Inc., a non-profit Community Association, (“Association”), as defined by Section 5-406(a)(7) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, and hereby certify, under the penalties of perjury, that the following facts are true and correct to the best of our knowledge, information and belief:

1. The Association is a non-profit Association, which is incorporated in the State of Maryland, which has been in existence for more than 5 years.

2. The Association is composed of at least 25% of adult residents within the Community known as _________________________________Inc., Anne Arundel County, Maryland. (“Community”)

4. The Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Association define the geographical boundaries of the Community.

6. The Association promotes the social welfare and general civic improvements of the Community.

7. The Association is in good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation.

Witness the hand and seals of the President and Secretary on the day and year first set forth above.

__________________________________. By:___________________________________(SEAL)

On this ____day of ____________, 2004, before me, the undersigned officer, personally appeared

_________________ and ____________________ of Anne Arundel County, State of Maryland, know to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the persons described in the foregoing Affidavit, and acknowledge that they executed the same in the capacity therein stated and for the purpose therein contained.