GREATER SEVERNA PARK COUNCIL

Meeting

April 10, 2007

Minutes

 

The meeting was called to order by President Maureen Carr-York at 7:30 pm at the Severna Park Library.

Maureen started the meeting with the introduction of several new members and participants.

 

Secretary’s Report:  Jerry Pesterfield presented the March minutes for approval.  Without objection the minutes were approved as submitted. 

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Steve Poland presented the preliminary Treasurer report for March, pending receipt of SmithBarney statement. Steve reported a balance of $1770.69 in checking, a balance of $2410.63 in our money market, a balance of $20,000 in our CD for total operating funds of $24,181.32. Beautification Trust Fund balance is $2449.08. Total Funds are 26,630.40.  Without objection the report was approved as submitted.

 

President’s Report:  Maureen Carr-York reported the paid communities.

 

Special Guests: Present was Dick Clinch of Senator Greenip’s office and Barbara Wilson from Delagate McConkey’s office.

 

Dick Clinch discussed several of the key items that were passed and defeated providing insight from the Senator’s point of view.

The Maryland Session official recap can be found at the following web site.

http://www.mlis.state.md.us/2007rs/Wrap_up/current_issue.pdf   

 

Barbara Wilson discussed several of  items from this years Legislature session. She also announced that Tony McConkey’s office would like to have an intern during next years session of the legislature. They are looking for a high School or college student for this great learning opportunity. Interested individuals should contact her at Delegate McConkey’s office at (410) 841-3406.

 

Last month’s minutes did not include an important item that was discussed by AA County Executive John Leopold. He has set up a constituent’s hot line to help people find the correct area of responsibility within the county government if they are having trouble. This new number is (410) 222-2222

 

Environmental Committee:  Carla Logan from the GSP Watershed action group reported that on April 19th ( 7:30 – 8:30 at Severn School) an Engineer with the AA County Dept. of Public Works will be giving a presentation on “Cypress Creek: A watershed analysis”.  Tools and methods the county uses to do analysis on watersheds to determine what restorations are needed. A similar presentation was done for the Ben Oaks community last year and was well received.

 

Audit Committee: . Per GSPC Bylaws, Committee Chairman John Norville presented the Audit report for 2006.  The committee reported that “In our opinion the GSPC financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial position and activities of the GSPC, and the 2006 Treasurer followed the proper procedures and processes, as determined by the best of our judgments. “John Norville thanked John Lipman for his work and assistance and Steve Poland for his cooperation and detail. Without objection the report was approved unanimously as submitted. 

 

Bylaws Committee: Dan Nataf presented the proposed language changes to the GSPC Bylaws for discussion. The changes were proposed since attendance at meetings is not always sufficient to meet the quorum requirements as currently set out in the Bylaws.  Not all communities attend the meeting on a regular basis .   An example is the election of GSPC officers for 2006 which was delayed because of the lack of  sufficient communities present  to achieve a “Super Quorum”. These proposed changes were given to the members present to discuss with their communities. The issues will be revisited at the May meeting. The bylaw changes will not be voted on until the issues have been discussed in depth.

Several comments/concerns were expressed as follows:

 

Changes in Quorum Requirement

Roberta Mason of Chartwell raised concerns over reducing the number required to make a super quorum and suggested improving the meetings to attract increased participation. This suggestion is also on the GSPC Board objectives for 2007.

 

Sage Mumma of Arnold Preservation Council indicated that under “Roberts Rules” a default of two thirds of a membership are required for super quorum to change bylaws unless stated differently in the organizations bylaws. Current GSPC bylaws state “ a majority of members in good standing” is a super quorum.

 

Sage Mumma also suggested allowing “proxy voting” to help solve the problem.  This was well received and will be discussed more.  An issue of distribution was discussed…email vs mail or both.  John Norville raised concerns regarding who votes for a community. Sage will provide some input for the Board.

 

Edward Geary of North Cape Arthur asked if our bylaws state who can be an alternate. Maureen stated that she expects to hear for the community president or delegate if they are sending a alternate to represent the community.

 

Changes in Dues Process

There was conversation regarding when the various Community HOA elected new officers. The majority is on a calendar year but there are other variations also. The key is getting new HOA officer information on a timely basis in order to communicate timely any proposed GSPC bylaw change.

 

 

Police Relations  Al Johnston talked about the new computers that are being installed in the patrol cars. $500,000 for 10 units.

Gypsy Moth spraying will begin again. Al will provide more information and dates as this project begins.

People continue leaving unattended vehicles running or with keys in the ignition and they are being stolen!! People are leaving their garage doors open and tools and lawn mowers are being stolen. Lock your cars, doors, windows, and keep the garage doors closed.

 

Public Works:  Dan Nataf discussed several changes the County has made regarding Benfield Rd construction traffic safety.  Comments were made that even though improvements have been made there are still some things to do. Improved signage directing traffic (keep right or keep left),  possible blinking lights at night, confusing signage at Benfield and West Benfield merger (signs still say “road closed”, “detour”.)

 

The Ritchie Hwy repair and repaving will take another 3-4 weeks to complete.

 

There was discussion on the need for signage / blinking lights at roads crossing the B&A Trail. There was agreement with a need for signage. It was also stated that the main issue is still speeding and careless driving.

 

Dan also discussed the Concrete Channel cleaning on McKinsey Rd which is part of the water quality enhancement for the Magothy River watershed. It will cause some temporary lane closures.

 

Centennial/ASPIRE:  Maureen reported that the Capitol Steps event was a great success and cleared over a $1000 dollars for the mural fund. She is also finishing up on the community history project and asked members to get any remaining information in as soon as possible.

 

BWI Noise Committee:  Denny Stam will update next month.

 

Zoning/Legislation:  Al reviewed a variety of issues that he is tracking.  Below you will find the detailed list of current issues.

GSPC Zoning/Legislation Agenda 3-13-07, Regular=follow, Boldface=report, T/L=Task Leader

 

Legislation, Planning and Capital Projects:

   2007 Session 2,476 Bills in both Chambers.  No Severna Park Bond Bills.

   SB 324/HB 1114 $8k/$6k, Second term election, Commission: TAAC, AACCC, AACC Trustees, PTA, AEL,

      AA Executive=1, Governor=5.  Beidle amendment submitted on parents pending.  

   SHA Projects for Anne Arundel County 8-1-06 (Fiscal 2007)

   Gypsy Moth spraying in Severna Park.

   Severn River Commission, 4-5-06, Horse Farm scheduled-Stadium Authority has withdrawn Proposal.

   Transition Team report possible release 3-30-07, D. Callahan 

  

Administrative Hearing Officer/Board of Appeals/MDE-Corps of Engineers:

    Paul Gunby Jr. v. Olde Severna Park Improvement Association, et al, Court of Special Appeals 2005, 1180,      .

            Community riparian rights. T/L Bryan Warman

    BA 128-R Steven Curtis, 8657 Veterans H’way, C2 request in R2 zone, Affirmative responsibility of County Council.

       Vote 5-2 to deny. Appealed to Circuit Court 2-2-07 Motion for Board to determine GSPC participation. 

        County Office of Law will appear. GSPC should watch but need not appear.                

    BA 75-06R(2006-0222R), BA 76-06R(20006-0223R), Severna Park Market Center LLC, 6:30PM3-20 &             5:30PM22-07. R5 to C3, T/L Andy Weber, Adrienne Croll (Berrywood) & Judy Todd (Berrywood Ridge).

            SHA prior ownership argued as a mistake. No prefile.               

    BA83-06-R M. Piera, 3-21-07 6:30PM denial R2 to C3, 977 Ritchie, Arnold, T/L S. Mumma No prefile.

            Long Standing entrance encroachment & dumpster use  

 BA 51-06-V. Harold Boyer, dwelling-conditions-100' Bog buffer, (Olde Severna Park) 747 B & A Blvd, 2-1-07

             Postponed 8-22.  Motion for Board to determine GSPC position.     

    BA 64-06-V, Converse-Gruver, lot unmerger, (Round Bay) 596 Old County Rd & 105 Askewton 1-31-07 6:30PM

            Planner Schappert. 2-26-07 T/L Bruce Nelson. Board voted 5-0 to deny application for unmerger.  See below.

    BA 69-98-A, Charles Cromwell, remand from Circuit Court, 2-20-07 6:30PM  (GSPC watch only)                                                              

    BA 65-06-V John Barry, steep slopes variance, Park Dr (Old Severna Park) Extended hearings 5-15, 5:30; 5-17,

            6:30,  J. Furry, Planner.   Resolution filed            

    BA 82-06A, R. Dreams, Inc, (Beyerlein), 8351 Veterans Highway, 5-9-07 Postponed fr 3-29-07 (Shipley's Retreat).

    BA 29-06A. The Reserve at Canterbury Crossing Traffic Concepts, Settlement 3-7-07. T/L Wayne Howard

    BA 88-06-A Converse Group, 5-10-07 5:30PM, subdivision plat S2004-062, P2005-052, 22 Truck House Road

    BA 5-07-V Herbert Mitchell  4-26-07, buffer to steep slopes (Holly Ridge)

    BA 84-06-V, Miller-LeQuin, 4-12-07 5:30PM, dwelling-steep slopes, wide of Askewton Road.(Round Bay)

            T/L Bruce Nelson. Resolution 4-10-07

    2007-38-V Joyce Lane Properties-Hiawatha Enterpr, Admiral's Ridege Age. 4-10-07 11:00AM, townhouses

setback,            TM 39, P 151, 313, 348. Resolution 3-28-07,  T/L S. Mumma

    2007-45-S Spectic, LLC, 4-17-07 expansion nonconforming 6apartments 321 Magothy Rd (Manhattan Bch)

            Resolution 4-10-07        T/L Bill Stark

Board of Appeals Deliberation Meeting 3-7-06

    BA 64-06-V, Converse-Gruver, Board voted to grant application for unmerger.  Open meetings issue. 

    Theory of the decision, equity v. law.  No request for Office of Law participation.  Decision pending. 

    AHO denied as a matter of law.

           

Subdivisions:

     Cypress Landing Section 1, Final, S1989-085, P2006-113, Application 10-5-06, ADC 14 J2, x7458

     Stafford Property, Sketch, 2 Units, 406 Ash Cir, S1994-023 P2006-80, 7-18-06, x7458                                                                     

     Arnold Hgts, Final, S1998-108 P2006-73, 3 Units Age, Lighthouse Dev, ADC H1, x7458

     406 Ash Circle, Minor Severna Forest, 17 Item Deficiency List: fire hydrants, wrong public sewer connection, etc. 

     Michaelson subdivision-Community Meeting 8-28-06, Cypress Creek Community 4SFD Merged Lots T/L E. Krause

     Quadrangle C06-0062, 400 Jumpers Hole Rd, Residential Age Restricted 4SFD Condo Planner Bill Love x7458

     Napier Property (John Taylor), 8419 Woodland Rd, 2SFC, MS 1978-057, P 2006-91 Planner Gary Maragos x7458

     Admirals Ridge, 39 townhouse units on 11.6 acres. Community meeting minutes 7-6-06, T/L Sage Mumma attended.

     1395 Ritchie Highway S2006-034 Sketch Phase Owner – Hiawatha Enterprises

     Cattail Passage, no stormwater treatment facility-Wayne Howard telcon 7-18-06, email Jeff Torney.

     Susan McConkey, 207 Cypress Creek Road, Community Meeting 7:00PM 7-16-06, Jones Elementary School

     St. Martins Retreat "New", Final 13 Units, Cattail Assoc.  S2004-030, P2006-0055, 13 lots, Jeff Torney x7458

     Sullivan's Retreat, Nantucket North, LLC, Final 16 Age, 4-13-06, S2004-060, P 2006-0053Bill Love x7458,

     1 Admiral Drive, Minor-North Severna Park, Modification to Final-Community Meeting prior to submission required.

     Cypress Landing West 3d Revision, Steve Callahan 410 222-7458, TL Carroll Hicks. 

     Century 21 Office Project Ritchie Highway. Gary Hoffer, Public Meeting 6-29, north of former Sunoco Station.      

Items discussed and noted for follow:                                                                                                 

     ANNE ARUNDEL WEEK IN REVIEW Friday's at 7pm and 10pm, Saturday's at 6am, 9am,noon, 3pm, 6pm and

9pm, Sunday's at 6am, 9am,noon, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm, Monday's at 6am, 9am,noon and 6pm, Tuesday's at 8am,

4pm and 8pm, Wednesday's at 8am, 4pm and 8pm, Thursday's at 8am, 4pm, 8pm
    Direct Constituent Service Line is (410) 222-2222   Will be answered 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday.

    Whitney's Landing dredging request County-caused damage. Meeting 8-30-06, T/L Denny Stam.

    Severn River Commission-Overlay Zone Legislation, Watershed Master Plan 12-7-06.

    Complaint: Beyerlein, 3-7-06, Inoperable cars in violation of Nonconforming Use, Nonconforming Use expired,

    Consent Order Violation-Curtis, 8657 Veterans H’way. Dist Court Request-Contempt Order. Service issue.7-5-06

 

Beautification:  No report

 

Education:  No report

 

New Business: none

 

Old Business:  none

 

Next Meetings:            General Meeting

May 8, 2007 7:30 pm Severna Park Library

 

Board Meeting

April 18, 2007 7:30 pm Severna Park Library

                                   

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

Jerry L. Pesterfield

GSPC Board Secretary