GREATEGREATER SEVERNA PARK COUNCIL

Meeting

March 13, 2007

Minutes

 

The meeting was called to order by President Maureen Carr-York at 7:30 pm at the Severna Park Library.  Guests in attendance included A.A. County Executive John Leopold and Brenda Reiber from the County Executive’s office and County Councilwoman Cathy Vitale. Also present were representatives of Senator Greenip and Delagate McConkey’s office.

 

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

 

John Leopold opened the meeting discussing a very comprehensive list of topics of high interest to GSPC membership. At the end he fielded many questions from the membership. The following are some of the topics he discussed

    1.  Inadequate school capacity for approved residential zoning.

    2.  Substandard renovation project for Severna Park Middle School.

    3.  Piecemeal rezoning of residential parcels to commercial.

    4.  Inconsistent policy on resubdivision of single lots in established subdivisions.                       

    5.  Large scale sign code violations of temporary signs on county right of way.

    6.  BRAC impact on the county and traffic: Benfield Blvd, East West Blvd, Ritchie Highway, etc.

    7.  General Development Plan initiative.

8       Fiscal 2008 Budget-GASB, Capital projects, deferred road maintenance,                       deferred school building maintenance

9. School Board selection. 

  10. Use of rezoning applications to thwart zoning enforcement

  11. Panhandling

  12. County has a AA+ Bond rating

  13. Taxes and tax relief

  14. Smoking Ban proposal

  15. Noise Abatement

Mr. Leopold’s discussion was well received and we hope to get him back periodically.

 

Barbara Wilson, representing Tony McConkey’s office discussed student scholarship aid which is available thru his office. She provided packets at the meeting which must be returned by the middle of April.

 

Brenda Reiber discussed the effort the County is engaged in to collect information on all Homeowners Associations.  She discussed the use of this information which is focused at two areas: 1) notifying HOA leadership of Emergency information for their members, 2) insuring that all affected HOA and homeowners are notified of any proposed development or land use changes that may affect them. The Form can be found on the AACounty web site http://www.aacounty.org/CountyExec/ComServe/index.cfm . Question can be sent to Brenda Reiber at breiber@aacounty.org 

 

County Councilwoman Cathy Vitale discussed the state of the county for “Emergency Preparedness”. She indicated that 90% of what we should be doing is already in place. She recommended that everyone go to the County web site and look up the Health Dept. and review Emergency preparedness. It discusses every thing you should do to prepare for 30days of emergency. http://www.aahealth.org/emergency.asp

Cathy also discussed her view on several of the topics discussed by Mr. Leopold. She also indicated that she currently supports the ban on smoking even though she did not initially. The membership is always ready and pleased to hear from her on current topics.

 

Secretary’s Report:  Jerry Pesterfield presented the January minutes.  With the February meeting cancelled due to weather, the January Minutes needed approval. Without objection the minutes were approved as submitted. 

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Steve Poland presented the Treasurer reports for January (due to cancelled Feb. meeting) and February. For Feb. Steve reported a balance of $954.57 in checking, a balance of $2410.63 in our money market, a balance of $20000 in our CD for total operating funds of $23,365.20. Beautification Trust Fund balance is $2447.58. Total Funds are 25,812.78.  Without objection the reports were approved as submitted.

 

Steve Poland also presented the 2006 Income Statement and Balance Sheet as well as the Income/Expenses Summary Sheet which were previously approved by the GSPC Board for the Audit committee. Without objection they were both approved as submitted

 

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

 

Environmental:  Al Johnston indicated that the Greater Severna Park Watershed Action Group North reported that the Cypress Branch restoration project will continue in 2007. The Magothy River Targeted Watershed project application ($125 million) has been deferred to 2008 by the State. There are no Magothy River funds for 2007.

 

Audit Committee: Committee Chairman John Norville reported that the Audit was completed March 10th and that all was o.k. The Audit Report, which is almost complete, will be presented to the Board for approval on March 28th and for the Delegates on April 17th. per GSPC Bylaws.

 

Police Relations  Al Johnston reminded the council members that the police incidents for last month were the same issues as reported on before….people are 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 a recent polling that was done on several of the issues before the County residents. The results show how split and diverse the residents of our county are and how difficult it can be for our elected officials to determine support for particular initiatives.  The results can be viewed on the web at  http://www2.aacc.edu/csli  . Dan also reported on the Benfield water main project as well as several others in the community.

 

Centennial/ASPIRE:  Earl Schaffer reported the Capital Steps are coming to Severna Park High School on March 31 as a fund raiser for the Centennial Mural Project. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling (410)647-2525 or email csnolte@verizon.net . In addition, the murals continue to be worked on and ASPIRE is accepting donations.

 

BWI Noise:  Jeanne Carpenter reported that she attended the Public Workshop at the end of Jan. and there was no new information presented that they had not heard before. Jim Cain (President of Severna Enclave) reported that they attempted to install the portable noise monitor in there community (Benfield & Jumpers Hole Rd) but were unsuccessful. The machine was returned for calibration/repair and is expected back sometime in April. . 

 

Zoning/Legislation:  Al Johnston reported on 2 Bills before the County Council and asked for GSPC to take a position of support for both.

Bill 8-07 Supplement to Homeowners Property Tax Credit Program

- GSPC Members Passed unanimously.

Bill 9-07 Use or Occupancy of a Building Constructed without a permit

- GSPC Members Passed unanimously.

HB 551/SB147 Radium Pilot Grant-Sunset Repeal passed the House and the Senate

(up to 25% grant for Radium remediation of your wells)

Al reviewed the status of several items before the Administrative Hearing Officer/Board of Appeals.

On Subdivisions…Wayne Howard spoke on the Reserve at Canterbury Crossing development. He thanked the members and GSPC for their support which help them achieve a satisfactory agreement with the developer.

 

Beautification:  No report

 

Education:

Beth The school board nominating convention will take place in the spring.  There will be two vacancies.[districts 21-32 and At-Large]  For more information please visit http://www.geocities.com/sbncaacnty/ .  President Maureen Carr-York asked for increased participation to the Board of Education.  Tito Baca was in attendance and spoke of his candidacy for the School Board.

 

Bylaws Committee: Dan Nataf reported that the changes to the bylaw language will be presented to the Board at the next meeting and be put before the members as soon as it is ready.

 

New Business: John Norville again recommended the AACC class on Community and Condo Association Management. This course starts on March 31st and will be for 4 Saturdays at 9:30 – 11:30. For information call (410) 777-2325 or visit www.aacc.edu/nonprofit .

John also discussed and handed out copies of the “U.S. Volunteer Protection Act of 1997”. It reviews the liabilities of Volunteers which include HOA’s.

 

Old Business:  none

 

Next Meetings:            General Meeting

April 10, 2007 7:30 pm Severna Park Library

 

Board Meeting

March 28, 2007 7:30 pm Severna Park Library

                                   

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

Jerry L. Pesterfield

GSPC Board Secretary