MEETING MINUTES, September 22, 2009
GENERAL MEETING
Welcome
Mike Phillips, President of CGCA, welcomed the membership (approx 40) to the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
Susan VanGrack, Treasurer of CGCA, reported that the Association has approximately $9000.00 in the bank.
Old Business
Fence Closure at Princeton Place and Montgomery College No Smoking Policy Orlando Heyliger, Rockville’s Neighborhood Resource Coordinator addressed the meeting, starting with a recap of the situation.
• Fence opening at the top of Princeton Place was closed by Montgomery College March 2009 to address the problem of students parking and congregating near the circle and smoking as a result of the MC smoking ban implemented August 2008. Area neighbors had complained and expressed safety concerns.
• An option of rerouting the path to a new opening deeper into the woods of Anderson Park has been withdrawn by the City and MC.
• Under consideration is an option that is used by American University to resolve a similar neighborhood-college conflict. This option uses a pass card system to allow access through a controlled gate. The cards are distributed by the neighborhood to residents upon request.
• The City Manager’s office is drafting a letter to the County Ride-On bus department suggesting a change to route and additional times for the bus that services College Parkway.
Ted Rutherford said the City does have some ability to legislate smoking in city parks. A working group (crated by whom?) has an appointment with the new MC President on October 7th.
The initial task force had some communication problems between the members. Mike Phillips is to provide names, email addresses, and phone numbers to taskforce members Pauline Wright, Ted Rutherford, Ken Hoffman, and David Kindermann.
Ann Hoffman suggested CGCA continue to put pressure on MC and the new MC President to modify their strict no smoking policy.
Gerry Cassel, President of the Plymouth Woods Association said Eylse Glasgow, the PWA Secretary, was at a MC meeting at the same time as the CGCA meeting, to provide public comments.
A motion was made and seconded that read, “The CGCA favors reopening the pedestrian walkway between Princeton Place and Montgomery College.” Some discussion followed, pointing out that this motion, as presented, did nothing to address the original problems of parking, smoking, and group loitering on Princeton Place.
A vote was taken: 12 for, 25 opposed. The motion did not pass.
A second motion was offered by Mark Pierzchala and seconded that read, “The CGCA favors reopening the pedestrian walkway between Princeton Place and Montgomery College, as long as there is adequate protection for the upper Princeton Place residents from the adverse effects of the MC Tobacco Free policy.” Some discussion followed, mostly around the definition of adequate protection.
A vote was taken: 28 for, 0 opposed. The motion was passed.
Mark Pierzchala offered another motion that was seconded. This motion read, “Be it resolved that CGCA form a task force to define the term ‘adequate protection’ in the previously passed motion. The membership of the task force will include representatives of upper Princeton Place and also of the wider College Gardens Community. Membership will be 5 people.” Some discuss followed.
A vote was taken: 27 for, 1 opposed, 1 abstained. The motion was passed.
Mark Pierzchala offered to notify Mayor and Council of the two passed resolutions.
Pond Update
Construction has been delayed during the year due to inclement weather. Soon a new split rail fence will be constructed along the back of the homes that back up to the construction. The old fence is rotting and needs to be replaced. Construction is scheduled to be completed the week of October 16th. Planting of vegetation will follow shortly. The chain link fence surrounding the construction will moved in closer reopening the path behind the pond.
New Business
Neighborhood Watch had some discussion about the old watch program. It was generally felt that a formal Neighborhood Watch was not needed by all residents should the spirit of watch out for neighbors, which would include: getting to know all your immediate neighbors and their phone numbers and calling 911 if you see or suspect something wrong. The City has a Watch program. CGCA will consider having someone from the City at the next meeting.
Candidate Forum – CGCA will be sponsoring a candidate forum in conjunction with Woodley Gardens and Plymouth Woods associations. Date and location will be announced shortly CG Directory is scheduled to be published again. Block captains will be around in the next few weeks to verify and collect data for the directory. The cost of the directory will remain at $5; a second directory can be purchased for $3.
Paperless Newsletter (emailed) was proposed by the CGCA Executive Committee. An option for any residents to continue receiving paper copy will be available. Benefits of a paperless newsletter will be that it is better for the environment, less paper use, and helps us all be more ‘green.’ Lower production cost saves money and might allow for more frequent newsletters. It was noted the CGCA bylaws might need to be modified for an e-newsletter.
A motion was made and seconded are read, “A motion is made to amend the CGCA bylaws to allow for delivery of an e-newsletter, provided residents have the option to continue receiving a printed copy.”
A vote was taken: 27 for, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. The motion was passed.
New Bench – a resident, Naomi Miner, called the City, inquiring if a new bench could be installed at the corner of Yale Place and College Parkway. This bench would provide a good place to sit at the best location to watch sunsets. It is also a good place for people to watch sporting events on the field. Mike Critzer, of the City’s Parks Departments, has a bench that can be installed but wanted the CGCA to allow for some discussion. It was generally agreed that a bench would be good as long as it did not interfere with winter sledding on ‘the hill.’ In fact it might be a good place to sit and watch the sledding on the hill.
Matching Grants – Orlando Heyliger, Rockville’s Neighborhood Resource Coordinator reminded the meeting that matching grants up to $1000 were available for neighborhood programs. Orlando can be contacted at oheyliger@rockvillemd.gov .
Restaurant Week – in new Rockville Town center is October 5th through the 11th. More information is available at www.buyrockville.org.
Conflict Resolution Day is sponsored by the City, October 15th, at the Rockshire Community Center.
New paid parking hours in Town Center will be in effect Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. See http://www.rockvillemd.gov/news/2009/09-september/09-15-09.html for complete details. A resident and owner of a Town Center business said many merchants are struggling already and feared the new extended paid parking hours will further hurt their business. She suggested posting blog comments at http://rockvillecentral.com/ and emailing Mayor and Council to reconsider the new extended hours.
The meeting was adjourned.