Montgomery County Civic Federation Executive Committee Meeting
Wednesday, September 22nd, 7:45
Red Brick Courthouse, Rockville, Maryland
Attending: Wilhelm, Lamari ,Warnock, Schofield, Mast, Humphrey, Snee, Wolff, Goldstein, Dennis
Call to order 7:45 PM
Corrections: Executive committee minutes for June 24th. (last paragraph, 4th line down). Minutes report that allocating 3 hours for delegates meeting was not discussed prior. However, it was discussed in the previous executive committee meeting.
Minutes approved otherwise.
Treasurer's report: Revised report on receipts handed out, and report for June 30th and Sept 30th. Name of awards meeting changed to reflect change in purpose. Cost of printing the newsletter will be closer to $1800 or $1900 and not $1500 as budgeted. However, mailing costs are expected to be less offsetting this cost. Decided to not amend the budget. Discussed donation of $150 from Neighbors for a Better Montgomery.
Jim Humphrey asked that costs be sent to district VPs. Dan pointed out that this information is in the database; however the single page report is easier to handle. Some discussion of database and sorting.
Membership. List of groups not paid should be published in October Newsletter. Charles mentioned we should place a disclaimer in the list that typically most groups do pay, but late, and we would appreciate payment sooner. A mailing that went out with attachments for membership in June worked well in generating payments.
Community Hero. Wayne is writing up piece on Laura van Tosh for October newsletter. Ideas for November? Luella thinks those that worked so hard on the petition drive should be recognized. Some feel this looks too much like giving the award to ourselves. Other suggestions for community hero will be welcomed.
December Meeting: Suggestion to hold regular meeting on 13th, and the ExComm meeting on 16th so Newsletter production will not occur during holidays. Discussion about having a regular meeting in May. Banquet & awards reception will be May 6th. Regular meeting date would be Monday May 9th, making this Banquet Friday and meeting Monday night. This can be decided later, but need to give notice on the banquet room or we lose deposit. Recommendation is to flip deposit for room to May and finalize regular meeting date (or not) later.
Vote-Yes-on-C: (8:12 PM) Charles discussed printings, and recommended "tri-fold" format because it makes a compact handout with a lot of room for printing. Need to get some kind of printing in place. Precinct meetings are coming up and we need to encourage debate with these groups. Some groups have come out against, some based on old research from 1987 or older, and often individuals do not agree with group leadership. However, a lot of groups are in favor of the question. Opposition has started printing signs. General population seems positive to the effort, but a number of entrenched groups are not in favor because of power erosion.
Conversation on arguments for and against the question. Opinion was that MCCF shouldn't spend too much time on this - move issues to the specific Yes on C group - as not all MCCF members are in favor of position.
Committee for Montgomery: Cary has represented us in the past year as president of MCCF. Reviewed motion that designated president and/or his designee should be representative (see newsletter from May 2003, page 4, top right). By-Laws of CFM says term is for 2 years and president is only designee. Cary would like to remain as CFM designee for continuity. Expectation was terms were staggered around MCCF cycles, so it makes sense to keep Cary in place to complete some initiatives with this group. Some suggested that maybe the term should be staggered - 6 months or something. Some strong feelings expressed, one way or the other, some were neutral. CFM committees are meeting now. October meeting will probably set their agenda for the year. Motion to stagger representation through June of year, then new president is informed to CFM to make the change. Motion passed 6-1-1. Cary will forward minutes to Dan as received.
Bylaws Changes: Deferred until later.
Housing: Zoning MPDU amendments activity is happening in rural areas, some of MCCF blind spot is that there is poor representation from agricultural preserve. Transferable Development Rights are being picked up by farmers because they need the income to keep afloat. County is considering selling TDRs (intention was never to sell them). Potential to seriously devalue the TDRs as they exist now, causing financial hardship to farmers. Dan is testifying on MPDUs during hearings. Wayne will testify on accessory apartments because Dan will be out of the area. Goal of TDR program was to zone property so it couldn't be developed by master plan changes. But when master plans are redone, density will get converted to a TDR category. History has been that at last minute placed TDRs over changing the intention to the master plan.
Jim is spending a lot of time with environmental groups and council members to discuss the housing topics. Housing committee is working very hard to get a coalition together. Post is paying attention to MPDU legislation, we'll see if this gets in the paper.
Education: Candidates forum coming up.
Environmental: Bikeways plan, function is to introduce state and county policies in to promote non-residential use of bicycles. Implication is that bikers win on these 200 trails if there are any conflicts. Rationale is kind of silly - statement is 21% of trips are commuter related so they'll get some of them on to bikes. Four big policy themes, some of which get into enforcement Hearing next Tuesday on topic. Probably should have a program on this to get perspective on the topic, hear from both sides. Others felt a forum might be too late since there are decisions coming up. Concerns about political issues around this topic, "enforcement" issues. Discussion of environmental impact.
Utilities: WSSC discussion. This is becoming a larger issue. Recent news of sewage into local streams. Cary suggests that committee looks into this topic - should be some kind of report. This requires some level of effort. Complicated issue because of cross jurisdiction issues.
Transportation: Norbeck road widening project was supposed to be a local road with no relationship to ICC. Letter to focus group indicates Norbeck widening is on hold until ICC is done. This is probably incorrect on a number of issues. Motion to send letter to be drafted. Unanimously supported.
Bylaws: Adding public safety committee, changes published in newsletter, awards committee changes to be published. Nothing else new at this time.
Programs: Art Wallenstein scheduled for October. Luella thinks Oct. program should focus on ballot questions. Concerns about tying ballot Question C into program with other two ballot questions. Proposal made that October program be a debate between two County Councilmen just on Question C. Much discussion on formats and venues. Motion for program to be a debate on question C passes 6-2-0. Cary to make calls needed to organize debate.
Proposal for November program: get state delegates to discuss legislative issues for upcoming year. Passed. Future program proposed on state level medical malpractice issues. Lots of interest in topic, but December may be tough time to get legislators to participate. Peggy Dennis to discuss with Marilyn Goldwater.
Sentinel Articles: Transportation or buses for next week? Need topics for upcoming weeks.
Newsletters Assignments: Cary & Fernando on Debate on C ; Wayne on community hero; Dan's President's message; Dan's list of members needing to pay dues; Peggy on bylaws amendment.
Meeting adjourned at 10:01 PM EST
This Page Last Edited: October 3, 2004.