Category Archives: Meeting Minutes

The proceedings from Civic Association meetings

Meeting on May 23, 2012

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CGCA President Tom Miner called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

Radon: President Tom Miner said that as a realtor, he’s aware that some neighbors are discovering radon in their basements when they sell their homes and the buyer asks for a radon test. Tom will pull together information on simple radon tests and remediation and distribute it by email.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Don Mann reported that CGCA has $10,098 in the bank and has spent $125 since the fall meeting, on renting the room for this meeting and on signs advertising the Rockville Mayor and Council candidates’ debate the civic association co-hosted last fall. He said $5,000 of the total is money donated by Karen Carp to fund regular biodiversity studies of the Colleges Gardens Pond. (More details below.)

Election of officers: Each of the current officers was nominated to serve a second two-year term: President, Tom Miner; Vice President, Susan VanGrack; Secretary, Kathy Goldgeier; Treasurer, Don Mann. All four were re-elected unanimously. Their terms will expire in the spring of 2014.

Stream Restoration Update: John Hollida, an engineer for the City of Rockville Department of Public Works, reported on plans to repair three storm drain outfalls in the Upper Watts Branch Park Forest Preserve that runs through Woodley Gardens and College Gardens, and to study whether other outfalls also need improvement. Outfalls, near Azalea, Astor and Princeton Place were identified in a 2001 watershed study as needing repairs, which are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2014. The recent stream improvements adjacent to the lower Woodley Gardens Park ball field were part of the same project. At issue is the erosion around the concrete outfalls that allows nutrients and sediment to flow into the Chesapeake Bay, and erosion that widens the stormwater channels and carries water too close to private property. Hollida said the trees and Native American artifacts in the stream bed are always taken into consideration.

Three College Gardens residents serve on the task force that is helping to assess conditions in the stream valley and decide on other repairs: Paul O’Brien, Jim Carleton and Lou Marinelli, as well as CGCA President Tom Miner. For more information on the stream program and to see photos and task force meeting minutes, go to http://www.rockvillemd.gov/residents/publicworks/wattsbranch.html.

Pond Biodiversity Study: Thanks to $1,000 from the City of Rockville and a $5,000 gift to the civic association from CG resident Karen Carp, the College Gardens ponds has been surveyed twice—once before the park renovation and once afterward—to measure its plant, bird, animal and invertebrate biodiversity. Chris Hakenkamp, who performed the two studies, reported that whereas the old pond had poor water clarity, a few species of pollution-tolerant invertebrates and only two types of shoreline plants, the new pond is teeming with wildlife. The new pond is much bigger, with 130 meters of shoreline and vegetation that extends three or four feet into the water, creating a much greater habitat. The pH balance is good; the water is much cleaner and reaches a depth of six feet.

The only negative findings are goldfish, which presumably came from someone dumping  their aquarium into the pond, and 1-centimeter-long leeches, which could have been carried there by birds, turtles or frogs.

Hakenkamp’s conclusion is that the new pond is a big improvement in biodiversity and while it is not yet as diverse as you’d expect in a mature suburban pond, it is well on its way.

City Council member and College Garden resident Mark Pierzchala noted that the College Gardens Park redesign has won seven awards, at the city, county, state and national level.

Website and Listserv: Tom Miner thanked outgoing webmaster MarshallFisher and new webmaster Jerry Callistein, who has redesigned the website, at www.collegegardens.org. Please visit the website for civic association bylaws, meeting minutes and newsletters; historical information about the neighborhood; a link to the Garden Club of College Gardens; and neighborhood news. To add your name to the private civic association email list to receive neighborhood news, email Tom Miner at Tom.Miner@longandfoster.com. To join the College Gardens Yahoo group to share suggestions or ask questions among neighbors, send an email to collegegardens-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Directory: It is time to update the College Gardens neighborhood directory, which is done every two years. The cost will remain $5 for one copy and $3 for a second copy. Block captains will be knocking on doors over the summer to update information and the new directory should be out in mid-November.

Welcoming New Neighbors: One resident asked if the civic association still greets new residents with a welcome basket. The answer is no, but Karen Carp said the Garden Club brings each new family a geranium and an invitation to join, and realtor and resident Naomi Miner said she brings new residents a civic association directory and welcome information from the city of Rockville.

National Night Out: Vice President Susan VanGrack, who chairs the annual National Night Out event at the College Gardens Park (this year: Tuesday, August 7), said ours is the biggest such event in the city and possibly in the county. She asked residents to be sure to invite any new neighbors and to promote it especially to families with children. Susan Donohue, who organized the activities for kids last year and will do so again this year, asked for more middle or high school students to help.

Rockville Summit and new construction: City Council member and neighborhood resident Mark Pierzchala said the city will hold a second “Rockville Summit” in November and invited anyone who is interested to join one of the working groups exploring how Rockville can maintain its excellence in these challenging economic times. For more information, go to http://www.rockvillemd.gov/events/summit.html.

Mark also said this will be the last year Hometown Holidays uses the surface parking lot across from the Regal theater in the same way because construction will begin at the end of the summer on a residential building on that spot. The building will have ground-floor retail and two floors will be a hotel run by one of the Choice Hotels brands. Choice Hotels will be headquartered in the new building going up at the corner of Middle Lane and Rt. 355. Eventually, there will be two buildings on the movie theater lot, but there are no immediate plans for the second.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Goldgeier
CGCA Secretary

Meeting on November 16, 2011

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2011 Fall Meeting

November 16, 2011

Welcome:  CGCA President Tom Miner welcomed several special guests to the meeting:  Rockville Planning Director and College Gardens resident Susan Swift, Magruders store manager Joseph Vallee, Rockville City Council member and College Gardens resident Mark Pierzchala, Rockville Neighborhood Coordinator Orlando Heyliger, and Kevin Mack from Dewberry, the firm working on redevelopment of the former Shell station property in front of College Plaza.

National Night Out Recap:  Susan VanGrack thanked the volunteers who turned out in greater numbers than last year to make NNO a big success.  She said ours is one of the most successful NNOs in the city and local officials are eager to attend.  The CGCA spent less money on the event this year than last year.  Development Proposal for old Shell station site at front of College Plaza:  Landscape architect Kevin Mack of Dewberry, the firm working on redeveloping the former Shell station property, said retailer Auto Zone will submit a plan to tear down the gas station and car wash structures and build a single-story retail space on the property, with parking on the north side and in front.  The existing pine trees would remain, and considerably more landscaping would be added, along with two bioretention ponds for storm water management and a small public area with benches.

City Planning Director Susan Swift explained that Auto Zone has not yet submitted a formal application to the city.  Once it does, residents will have opportunities to testify at a public hearing held by the applicant and at a Planning Commission hearing.  The Planning department has not yet analyzed the proposal nor made any recommendation.  To follow the progress of the application, go to the city’s website, www.rockvillemd.gov, click on Development Projects in Rockville and go to the project called Auto Zone.  The city planner handling the project is Nicole Walters, 240-314-8215, nwalters@rockvillemd.gov and she welcomes inquiries or concerns.  The city cannot approve or deny an application based on the type of business or specific retailer applying, but must base a decision on compliance with the city’s master plan and zoning ordinance.

Mr. Mack answered questions about the proposed project:

• He believes the underground gasoline tanks were removed when the gas station closed.

• He believes Auto Zone’s market research indicated this was a good site for the company, even though there is a Trak Auto store in College Plaza.

• He expects Auto Zone to maintain the access road that is on its property.

• If the plan wins approval, the company hopes to break ground in spring 2012 and open the store next November.

• Auto Zone’s traffic projection shows lower morning and evening peak use than the gas station had.

Garden Club of College Gardens:  Virginia Render said the club planted 150 daffodils on The Hill (at the intersection of College Parkway and Nelson Street) and is collecting money for Manna food bank.  Anyone interested in donating should make a check out to Manna and give it to a garden club officer.  The checks will be delivered after January 1. The Garden Club has also started and advisory committee of members who will advise other members on designing plantings for their garden.  The Garden Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. and membership is $20 per year.

Treasurer’s Report:  CGCA Treasurer Don Mann reported that the association has $10,171 in the bank and spent $54 to rent the CG Elementary School media center for the meeting.  City Council member Mark Pierzchala noted that ours is the most flush civic association in the city – most others have a few hundred dollars in the bank.

It was noted that some funds in the CGCA account are targeted for the second half of the Pond study.

Treasure Don Mann will research the issue and report back the cost of the pond park study, sources of the funding, money spent thus far, and the remaining funds for the concluding study.

Hearing to amend Rockville city code to clarify “family”:  The city is considering updating the zoning ordinance to clarify the definition of family for purposes of enforcement.  The change would make the language in the zoning code and the enforcement code consistent.  (This pertains to rules about what constitutes a family and how many unrelated people may live together in a single family home.)  Statelicensed group homes are permitted in Rockville, but boarding houses are not.  Adding a separate or “accessory” apartment to a single family home requires special approval from the city.  The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed clarification on December 12, and will also accept written testimony.  Orlando Heyliger reported that the city had investigated complaints from the last CGCA meeting about a house on College Parkway with many cars parked on the street, and found that the residents were not in violation of the City code.

Crime and security:  CGCA President Tom Miner recalled the bike thefts and armed robbery that occurred over the summer and reminded residents to call the Rockville Police Department’s nonemergency number (240-314-8900) if they see anything at all suspicious.  He also encouraged residents to report any thefts to the police and to carry a cell phone when walking in the neighborhood to call in any unusual or suspicious people or vehicles.  Police will also come to your house to do a home security evaluation.  Rockville Police Chief Terry Treschuk attended an August CGCA meeting on neighborhood security and the minutes from that meeting are attached on page 3.

Other Business:  PEPCO will come to your house to do an energy audit.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

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August 24, 2011

Minutes of Special Security Meeting

Civic Association President Tom Miner welcomed a crowd of 44 people to the meeting, including city council members Mark Pierzchala and Piotr Gajewski, Rockville Police Chief Terry Treschuk and Lt.  Eric Over.  Additionally representatives from the Plymouth Woods HOA, Tais Szpanderfer and Gerry Cashin, and from the Americana HOA, Virginia Olney were in attendance.

Chief Treschuk congratulated College Gardens for having the biggest turnout for National Night Out of any community in the city and said the neighborhood has largely been problem-free.

The events that prompted the Civic Association’s invitation to the chief were three:

1. In early June there was a rash of stolen bikes across the city, including in College Gardens.  Five juveniles from the neighborhood were taking bikes from front yards.  The chief said 13 bikes were recovered, but only 5 have been returned.  If you did not report your stolen bike but want it back, call the police department and ask for Max Crago.  The youths are now in the juvenile justice system.

2. In June a woman reported that while she was out walking, a man exposed himself to her.  The chief said she looked away and was not able to describe him, so the police don’t have any clues about whom or why.

3. On July 27, in the 700 block of Fordham, around 9 p.m., a man from Plymouth Woods was out walking when he was approached by three young people who forced him to the ground and took some of his possessions.  The youths, believed to be 14-18 years old, fled on foot and the man reported that they’d had a weapon, though police do not know what kind.  Chief Treschuk said investigators are focusing on a couple of individuals of interest in an active investigation of the incident.

Advice from the chief:

• Don’t be afraid to out by yourself during the day

• Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for each other Resident asked questions about specific concerns and the chief responded:

Q. We’re concerned about youths who hang out in front of College Plaza.  Can the police do anything?

A. That problem exists at every shopping center in Rockville.  There is no law against congregating, but youths don’t have the right to stop public access.  The chief said the police check frequently and work closely with the merchants.

Q. What do you recommend to make a home as safe as possible?

A. Rockville police will perform a free home security survey and leave you with a written report of their recommendations for things such as locks, lights, bushes, etc.  The chief said he’s a fan of outdoor motion-sensor lights, and using a timer for lights and even a radio when you’re on vacation.

Q. Should we carry pepper spray?

A. Chief Treschuk doesn’t condone carrying any weapon unless you’re fully trained/capable in using it because it could be used against you.  He said the best weapon is to have your wits about you, to be aware of your surroundings, and to have a contingency plan for what to do in an unsafe or suspicious situation.

Q. What should I do if I’m home alone for long periods?

A. Develop a trusting relationship with your neighbors and then tell them you’re alone so they can watch out for you, and never let anyone in your house who may come to your door.  If someone asks to use your phone, tell them you’ll call the police for them.

Q. When should I call 911 versus the non-emergency police number?

A. In a life-threatening situation, call 911 because the dispatcher can see your phone number and address.  For instance, if a suspicious car pulls into your driveway, call 911.

Q. There are people hanging out in the alcove behind College Plaza every night.  Is there anything we can do about that?

A. The chief said he will ask the street crimes unit to investigate.

Q. Are there plans to put lights in College Gardens Park, where it’s very dark at night?

A. The park closes at dusk.  The question of whether to add lights and thereby invite night-time use is one to take up with the city council.

In addition to crime, Chief Treschuk said, his department handles complaints about dogs and other animals, enforcement of the speed camera program, code enforcement on property maintenance, home inspections to be sure renters are there legally and Homeland Security for the city, which includes things like preparing for hurricanes.

Chief Treschuk encouraged residents not to hesitate to call the police if they’re concerned about suspicious activity.  He invited residents to call him with questions at his direct number, 240-314-8912.  He also invited residents to set up a ride-along with police to learn more about the city.  Anyone who is interested should call Lt.  Over at 240-314- 8967.

Neighborhood Watch

Lt.  Over said the city recently joined the national Suspicious Activity Reporting program, whose slogan is “If you see something, say something.” He stressed that without calls from citizens, the police are ineffective, and said it is up to College Gardens as a community to tell the police if we see something odd or suspicious.  He said effective crime control is a partnership and encouraged residents to know what’s going on in the neighborhood and to be familiar with the patterns of activity – and to trust their instincts.

In the event of an incident, the police inform the Civic Association, which sends out the information through its listserv.  Civic Association President Tom Miner noted that the CGCA has email addresses from about 75 percent of the 330 homes in the neighborhood.  To add your email to the list, contact Tom at TOM.MINER@longandfoster.com.

College Gardens used to have an active Neighborhood Watch program, and some streets still have the signs up.  The goal of the program is to reduce the incidence of crime by training residents in property security and developing an action plan through which residents watch each other’s property and report suspicious persons and activities to law enforcement.  With or without a formal program, Chief Treschuk encouraged residents to watch out for each other.  Tom Miner said Neighborhood Watch will be a topic for discussion at the next civic association general meeting.

Meeting on May 25, 2011

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Spring Meeting

May 25, 2011

Minutes

Meeting Called to Order at 7:00 p.m.

Treasurer’s Report:  Don Mann reported that the CGCA spent $50 since its fall meeting and has a balance of $10,994.

Listserv:  CGCA President Tom Miner reminded residents to sign up for the CGCA email list and Yahoo group.

1. To make sure you get our College Gardens emails, send a message to webmaster@collegegardens.org.  We will add you and you will only get official messages from CGCA Executives.

2. To join the Yahoo Group, which is like an online community bulletin board, simply send an email to collegegardens-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You’ll get a return email requiring you to reply to confirm your subscription.  To manage your online membership, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/collegegardens and create a Yahoo ID.

Aluminum wiring:  Tom said there has been some discussion on the Yahoo group about aluminum wiring in neighborhood homes, so he invited Jeff Smith of Electrical Wiring Ltd. in Kensington to address the group.

Mr. Smith handed out a booklet produced by the U.S.  Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which is scanned and attached here, explaining that homes built between 1965 and 1973 may contain aluminum wiring, which was used during an apparent copper shortage during the Vietnam War years.  He noted that houses next door to each other may have different wiring depending on what was available to the builder at the time construction began on each house.  According to research by the CPSC, a home wired with aluminum wire manufactured before 1972 is 55 times more likely to have one or more connections reach gfire hazard conditionsh than is a home wired with copper wire.

Mr. Smith said signs of trouble in aluminum wire systems include warm-]t-]t-touch face plates on outlets or switches, flickering lights, circuits that donft work or the smell of burning plastic at outlets or switches.

He explained the “pig-tailing” process he uses to repair existing aluminum wire circuits.  Also called a crimp connector repair using a metal sleeve called a COPALUM parallel splice connector, he says this process is the one endorsed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Mr. Smith said the cost is roughly $56 per outlet, and $5,500 to do the whole house.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s toll-free hotline is 800]638-2772.

CPSC #516 Repairing Aluminum Wiring Pamphlet

Garden Club of College Gardens:  Co-president Cathy Davis said the club meets the second Thursday of the month and its big fundraisers include the spring plant sale and the fall bulb sale.  The club is part of the National Capital Area Garden Club and is open to anyone who lives in College Gardens or has an interesting joining.  The club’fs activities include helping with weeding and landscaping at Strathmore Hall and decorating a staircase there at Christmas time, as well as landscaping and weeding for Habitat for Humanity projects in the area.

A Garden Club membership flyer is attached to this message.

National Night Out:  Susan VanGrack said this year’fs event will be Tuesday, August 2, and she is eager to get young families involved in the planning.  Last year’fs NNO was a big success, with the civic association providing hot dogs, hamburgers and Carmen”s ice, and neighbors bringing side dishes to share.  She is especially looking for people to help organize activities for children and to gworkh at the event.

College Gardens Park Sign:  Don Mann explained that the glass-]enclosed sign board in the park is available to the neighborhood and asked for suggestions for rotating entries.  Suggestions included projects by neighborhood scout troops, information from the Garden Club, a history of College Gardens, information from our resident bird-watchers, and information about the pond’fs flora and fauna.  Anyone with other suggestions can send them to Don at DonMann@gmail.com.

Tree Pruning:  Tom Miner said the recent removal of several cherry blossom trees along the end of College Parkway near Nelson Street was done by Columbia Gas to maintain access to their underground gas lines.  The pipeline also goes under property on Clemson Court, and the gas company is ordering the removal of 12 trees on the Reuthersf property.  The catalyst for the removals was the gas line explosion in California, which resulted in increased federal pressure on the gas companies to be safe, according to Ted Reuther.

Tom Miner said the city of Rockville has excellent resources for tree management and for finding an arborist to assist in disputes between neighbors over the condition or safety of a tree.  See www.rockvillemd.gov/parksfacilities/ forestry/index.html.

City Council Member Mark Pierzchala said the council has asked the city manager to check with Montgomery College about new screening plants between the college and Clemson Court homes.

Princeton Place path:  Tom Miner and Mark Pierzchala said there is no news on the dispute over the now-]closed pedestrian path to Montgomery College, at the top of Princeton Place, but that there are discussions going on behind the scenes and the issue is not forgotten.

Rockville Neighborhood Resource Coordinator Orlando Heyliger listened to concerns from residents, including the large number of cars and residents at a rental home on College Parkway, and requests for both more and less enforcement of speeding.  He noted that the city investigated complaints about liquid seepage near the College Gardens Elementary School playground and found it is not sewage, but is continuing to investigate.  Planning is beginning for the Watts Branch Upper Stream restoration project, and the city’fs senior services program offers a list of contractors who are vetted by the city and a city employee who will come wait at your house with you for the workman to arrive.  For more information on the Rockville Senior Support Servicesf Home Maintenance Repair and Safety program, contact Lorraine Schack at lschack@rockvillemd.gov and review the attached brochure.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

 

Meeting on November 10, 2010

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November 10, 2010

Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

Treasurerfs Report:  Don Mann reported that as of our spring meeting, we had $12,181 in the bank.  We spent $1,095 on National Night Out and $51 to rent the meeting room at College Gardens Elementary School, leaving a balance of $11,042.

Announcements:

Gold Award Projects:  Two College Gardens residents are working on their Girl Scout Gold Award Project.  Meghan Washington is going to survey the flora at the College Gardens Park and make a census of how many of the 1,600 plants survived their first year.  She will also make a map of the plantings and share it with the neighborhood.  Edina Pasic is helping Upscale Resale Thrift Shop in College Plaza, a non-profit group that employs mentally impaired people.  She asks neighbors to make donations to the store (they will pick up if you call) and to volunteer there as well.  The phone for Upscale Resale Thrift is 301-738-7723.

Dogs:  Following a dog fight in the neighborhood last week, CGCA President Tom Miner asked that residents remember to obey local laws regarding dogs.keep them on leashes and pick up after them.

City Master Plan Update:  Jerry Callistein proposed that residents come together to define our vision for our neighborhood and the city and submit it as part of the cityfs master plan update.  Issues of particular interest to CG include the future of College Plaza and the relationship with Montgomery College.  Anyone interested in participating, please contact Jerry at Jerry@Callistein.com .

Peerless Rockville Award:  Paul O’Brien said the historic preservation group Peerless Rockville presented the City of Rockville with an award recognizing how well the city and the community worked together to renovate College Gardens Park.  Paul praised the involvement of CG residents, Jim Carleton, Mike Phillips, Ted Reuther, Mark Pierzchala, Charlie Burroughs, Jerry Leighton, and the group of parents who chose the playground equipment.

National Night Out:  National Night Out chair Susan Van Grack thanked former chair Shari Perry for her guidance this year, Don Mann and Ken Cohen for their expert grilling, Tom Miner for bringing the music and everyone who came to the August 2 event and had a great time.  She hopes people will share new ideas and volunteer to help make next yearfs NNO even better.

Solar Panels:  Yale Place resident Heath Marell explained his familyfs recent decision to install solar panels on their roof.  Any roof that gets 4-5 hours per day of full sun is a good candidate, he said.  He expects to recoup his initial outlay of $15,000 in 2 . years thanks to $12,000 in county, state and federal tax credits, an annual savings of $350 on his electricity costs, and an annual income of $850 for selling solar energy credits to companies that buy them.  The Marells chose a system in which their panels generate power that is sold back to the grid and they then buy power from the grid.  He also recommended a home energy audit, shopping for power companies that offer low rates, and exploring Pepcofs Energy Wise Rewards program as additional ways to save money on electricity and help the environment.  (For more information, see the Solar Panels attachment that Heath prepared.)

Portables at College Gardens Elementary School:  Andrea Hall explained that CGES was built to hold 690 students and is close to 800 now, with projections for 835 next year.  Montgomery County Public Schools has placed two portable classrooms at College Gardens that will soon be occupied, and MCPS will not add onto the building because it is already at maximum physical size for an elementary school.  As part of its FY 2012 Capital Improvements Program, MCPS plans to study whether to open a new elementary school on West Edmonston Drive, at the site of the former Hungerford Park Elementary School.  The new school would provide relief to the four Richard Montgomery cluster elementary schools.Beall, College Gardens, Ritchie Park and Twinbrook.all of which are above capacity.  The 150 students in the Chinese Immersion Program at CGES would move to the new school.  MCPS will also study whether to add on to Julius West Middle School, which is expected to be 300 students over capacity by 2016.

For more information on CGES capacity, see two Gazette articles:  http://www.gazette.net/stories/11032010/rocknew215600_32534.php and http://www.gazette.net/stories/11102010/bethnew214124_32556.php.

Rockville City Announcements:  City Branding:  Jenny Kimball, Assistant City Manager, pointed out that earlier in the year the City had undertaken a rebranding effort.  There are now three new Rockville logos with tag lines available for public review.  The City is asking for residentsf input.  The logos and the online comment form are available here:  http://www.rockvillemd.gov/branding.  Rockvillefs Pike:  The City is updating its plan for the portion of the Rockville Pike corridor that is within the City boundaries.  See map.  The new plan will be available shortly.  Residents can find out more information on the process and discover ways to get involved as well as provide The City with feedback.  See http://www.rockvillemd.gov/rockvillespike for details.

#45 Ride-On Bus:  Tom Miner reporter that he followed the civic associationfs direction at the spring meeting and asked the county department of transportation to consider adding a stop at Montgomery College and extending the hours of the Route 45 bus.  He received a letter saying the staff had reviewed the request but that funds are not available to expand any services at this time.  (To read the full letter, see the Route 45 attachment.)

Montgomery College Pedestrian and Bike Path:  Tom Miner reported that he attended the September 27 meeting of the Montgomery College Board of Trustees and presented a plan to reopen the fence that was developed by CG and Plymouth Woods residents, per the civic associationfs direction at its spring meeting.  Mark Pierzchala said the city also wrote a letter to MC, and he and a group of residents would meet November 13 to talk further.  But he is not optimistic that the college will re-open the fence.  Tom noted the concerns of Princeton Place residents when students smoked and lingered in their front yards.  Several suggestions were raised, including a key card access system.  But City of Rockville representative Jenny Kimball said key card entry raises questions about limiting access on a public sidewalk and managing the cards.  Tom asked anyone with continuing concerns or suggestions to contact him at president@collegegardends.org.

Accessible Playground Equipment:  Mark Pierzchala reminded residents that at the CGCA spring meeting, he asked for and the civic association agreed to approve a contribution toward the purchase of accessible playground equipment for CGES.  The schoolfs PTA was also willing to help, and Mark had intended to ask the city to put surplus money toward the project.  But the city spent much of the surplus to pay down the RedGate Golf Course debt, and other projects are already in line for remaining funds.  So Mark said he wonft move on the request this year.

College Gardens Park Sign:  Discussion of how best to use the sign board in the park was deferred to the next meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.