Chevy Chase View Town Council

COUNCIL OF CHEVY CHASE VIEW Monthly Meeting Date: September 21, 2022 Place: Meeting was held at Christ Episcopal Church Present: Paula Fudge, Chair; Tommy George, Peter Marks, Nancy Somerville and Ed Tarbutton, Council members Jana Coe, Town Manager Ron Bolt, Legal Counsel for Town Others Present: Ron Sherrow, 4013 Glenridge Street Called Meeting to Order: 7:02 p.m. by Paula Fudge, Chair Approval of Minutes of July 20, 2022, Monthly Council Meeting and August 12, 2022 Special Meeting: Ed Tarbutton moved the minutes of the July 20, 2022 Monthly Council Meeting be approved. Tommy George seconded the motion and it passed with a 5-0 vote. Financial Report for Period July 1, 2022, to August 31, 2022: The Council reviewed the financial report for the period of July 1, 2022, to August 31, 2022. Nancy Somerville moved that the Financial Report be accepted. Peter Marks seconded the motion and it passed with a 5-0 vote. Council Member Walk: Peter Marks conducted the monthly Council member walk and noted there is a modest amount of trash and litter, primarily in gutters and/or in ROW areas, throughout the town. Residents are encouraged to take a few minutes to pick up litter around their properties. Ratify Town Permit #552-09001 – Dumpster – 4017 Glenridge Street (Foley): Per Town Code, permits for dumpsters, portable storage units and fences are processed by administrative approval. Nancy Somerville moved that the following CCV Town permit be ratified: #552-09001- Dumpster – 4017 Glenridge Street (Foley) Applied 9/2/22, approved/issued 9/13/22 Ed Tarbutton seconded the motion and it passed with a 5-0 vote.  CCV Building Permit Summary for September 2022 Permits Issued after Administrative Approval: • #552-09001 - Dumpster – 4017 Glenridge Street (Foley) applied 9/2/22, approved/issued 9/13/22 Active and open permit construction projects: • 9819 Connecticut Avenue (Spry) Rear addition with basement - applied 6/1/22, approved 6/15/22, issued 7/12/22 • 9901 Connecticut Avenue (Nix-Gomez) – Sunroom, mudroom entry, expand second floor bedroom, raise roof of third floor level attic space – applied 12/24/21, approved 2/26/22, issued 8/30/22 • 4221 Everett Street (Strittmatter) - Dumpster applied 6/21/22, approved/issued 6/27/22 • 4221 Everett Street (Strittmatter) – Rear deck – applied 7/15/22, issued 9/9/22 • 4021 Glenridge Street (Matan) Addition - applied 4/7/21, approved, 4/21/21, issued 6/24/21 • 4021 Glenridge Street (Matan) Pool and pool house – applied 10/5/21, approved 10/20/21 • 4102 Glenridge Street (DeSarno) Addition and screen porch - applied 10/5/21, issued 1/29/22 • 4109 Glenridge Street (Keenan) Screen porch – applied 4/10/22, approved 5/18/22, issued 7/15/22 • 4113 Glenrose Street (Walsh) - Unpermitted driveway apron installation - applied 5/14/22 (not approved), revised 7/1/22, approved 7/20/22, issued 7/21/22 Closed out projects since the June 2022 Council meeting: • 549-07001 - Fence – 9909 Cedar Lane (Vorhis) applied 7/8/22, approved/issued 7/15/22, closed 9/1/22 • 10019 Cedar Lane (Cefo) Fence - applied 5/17/22, approved/issued 6/9/22, closed 9/1/22 • 4209 Franklin Street (Winters) Addition and entry portico applied 2/3/21, approved 2/17/21, issued 9/2/21, closed 9/26/22 2 Review of Town’s implementation plan for DotGov and Microsoft 365: Ari Fisher, the Town’s IT consultant, developed a proposed launch schedule for chevychaseviewmd.gov, the Town’s new authoritative DotGov domain name. The schedule details the transition of the Town’s website to the new DotGov domain, and the steps being taken to ensure a seamless redirect from the legacy domain (chevychaseview.org) that will be transparent to users. More information on the use of DotGov, including its benefits, may be found at https://home.dotgov.gov/about/. Mr. Fisher will conduct a one-hour session with every Council member, as well as the Town manager, to set up Microsoft 365 end user accounts. A Microsoft 365 training session will be held on recurring functions of the Council within Microsoft 365. Ed Tarbutton moved that the implementation plan be approved. Nancy Somerville seconded the motion and it passed with a 5-0 vote. Update on Pepco/municipality customer streetlight ownership process: On April 8, 2022, Pepco submitted to the Public Service Commission (PSC) a set of proposals that they believe clarified the process for municipalities to own their own streetlights. Although PSC staff endorsed Pepco’s proposals, the Public Service Commissioners listened to the municipalities’ insistence that Pepco provide more transparency regarding potential costs and the purchase agreement terms it will seek to impose. In a 3 to 2 vote, the Commissioners instructed Pepco to meet with municipalities and work together to resolve our differences and report back to the PSC on October 12th for a status review. Pepco is currently holding four work sessions with municipal officials. One issue of contention is how “fair market value” is determined for those municipalities that want to purchase lights from Pepco. At the first of these sessions, held on September 14, 2022, Pepco explained the following: “The Company will determine the fair market value using a combination of the following elements: 1. The average net book value of the Company’s streetlighting equipment; 2. An estimate of the lost revenue streams associated with the streetlighting equipment to be purchased; 3. An estimate of the age and condition of the streetlighting equipment to be purchased; 3  4. The quantity of streetlighting equipment to be purchased; 5. A third-party survey paid for by the customer; and 6. Any other relevant information pertaining to the streetlighting equipment to be purchased.” It is not yet clear how equipment that is beyond its depreciation or statistical useful life is valued. Update on DNR Grant and Memorandum of Understanding: As previously reported, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) awarded the Town of Chevy Chase View with a grant to conduct a resiliency study of stormwater issues in the Town. The Town Council is working with DNR officials to finalize the grant’s Memorandum of Understanding. The grant will fund the holistic study of stormwater issues throughout the Town and provide critical information needed to incorporate best practices in stormwater management into its public infrastructure planning; prioritize green and grey infrastructure improvements; educate residents and stakeholders about climate change impacts and stormwater issues and solutions; and build consensus around stronger stormwater regulation. Tommy George moved that the Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding, as well as authorize Council Chair Paula Fudge to execute the MOU after Ms. Fudge, Ms. Somerville and the Town manager finalize the editing of the Key Personnel provision. The motion was seconded by Pete Marks and passed with a 5-0 vote. Clark/Azar Bid Recommendation for Contract #405.005 – Miscellaneous Road Repairs – FY23 Street Improvements: Clark-Azar is working with the Town Council to develop the final punch list for the recently completed street improvements performed by Chamberlain Contractors, LLC. Recap of Town picnic: Ed Tarbutton reported that the recent picnic was a huge success, with many new families attending for the first time. The artists, photo booth and pitching machine were spread out along Summit Avenue which helped with pedestrian flow. The Council recognized and thanked Ed Tarbutton and Lisa Fair (former resident of the Town who chaired the picnic event for eight years) for their efforts. It was wonderful to host this annual gathering after its two-year suspension due to the pandemic. 4 Graphcom proposal to reset Town signage posts: Over the past four years, the Town has spent nearly $11,000 to repair and replace damaged signage units, most of which has been caused by vandalism. The Council reviewed the proposal from Graphcom to perform the following on forty-two (42) signposts in the Town: remove post, enlarge the hole to depth of 30", and reinstall each signage post in quick-dry cement, paint each base and clean the 2" pole. Resetting the signage posts 30" deep in quick-dry cement will prevent the 'rocking back and forth' of these units until they 'snap' at the base. Most often the street signs and stop signs are stripped from the pole once it is on the ground. At great expense to the Town, the Stop signs, Street signs and All-Way signs must be purchased when they are stolen from these signage units. Nancy Somerville moved the Council approve the proposal in the amount of $15,947.00. Ed Tarbutton seconded the motion, and it passed by a vote of 5-0. Update on oval Town of Chevy Chase View sign recently stolen from the Cedar Lane/Summit Avenue monument: The oval sign was returned to the Town Manager by a citizen and the Montgomery County police report was closed. The repair of the damaged backing and resetting the oval sign on the monument is estimated to cost $1,400.00. Appointment of Councilmember Nancy Somerville to Maryland Green and Blue Infrastructure Policy Advisory Commission: In late August 2022, Councilmember Nancy Somerville was asked to participate as a municipal representative on the State of Maryland Green and Blue Infrastructure Policy Advisory Commission. Ed Tarbutton moved that this appointment be approved. Tommy George seconded the motion and it passed with a 4-0 vote. Ms. Somerville abstained from the vote. CCV Directory for 2022-2023: The 2022-2023 Resident Directory is scheduled for issuance early November 2022. The distribution will be a bit later than usual to include the elected officials’ information following the November election. Residents are asked to check your listing in the printed 2021-2022 directory, and you can also double-check your information in the Town’s online directory via link – http://www.chevychaseview.org/wp/residents/town-directory/ 5 Recognition to Christ Episcopal Church: Christ Episcopal Church has provided the Town with the space needed for the Council’s work sessions and multiple meetings over the past twelve months. The Church’s staff accommodates requests for special equipment and use of the undercroft, when necessary. The Town generally contributes $1,000.00 as a gesture of appreciation. Tommy George moved the Town donate $1,000.00 to Christ Episcopal Church. Nancy Somerville seconded the motion, and it passed with a vote of 4-0. Peter Marks abstained as he felt his membership in Christ Episcopal Church may constitute a conflict of interest. Motion to Adjourn: At 9:25 p.m., Pete Marks moved that the meeting be adjourned. Ed Tarbutton seconded the motion and it passed with a 5-0 vote. Time and Place of Next Meeting: The Council will meet next at Christ Episcopal Church for its monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at 7:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jana Coe, Town Manager General Interest and Reminders Recycling of Cardboard Boxes: Ecology Services, the Town’s recycling contractor, has again asked us to remind residents to break down cardboard boxes and place them in a pile next to your recycling Toter on Tuesdays. If residents can take the time to break these boxes down, there is more capacity for collection and the crew members do not need to spend extra minutes in front of a home chucking boxes into the back of recycling truck. Thank you. Leaf Removal Began October 1, 2022: Hughes Landscaping, Inc. will remove all leaves on a weekly basis, weather permitting, until December 31, 2022. Please do not mix your grass clippings with the leaves at the curb. Leaves are to be placed at curbside and made accessible for truck pickup. Sticks, trash, rocks, and other rubbish will not be collected and should be bagged for normal trash 6 pickup. Leaves should not be shredded or bagged. For the residents on Connecticut Avenue, Cedar Lane, Kensington Parkway and Saul Road, your leaves also will be picked up weekly. For liability reasons, do not place leaves on our sidewalks. If you do not have a sidewalk, please rake your leaves as close to the street as possible. Find Your Home’s Flood Factor: Residents can enter their address at the following website https://floodfactor.com to ascertain the address's susceptibility to flooding based on past floods, current risks, and future projections. Please note that this data does not incorporate individual property drainage systems but looks at the broader geographical area’s susceptibility to flooding. More information can be found at http://chevychaseview.org/wp/2022/09/23/montgomery-county- has-a-new-flood-website/. Unleashed Dogs: Many residents are expressing increasing concern about unleashed dogs in the Town. Dog owners are reminded of the following provisions in the Montgomery County Code, Chapter 5, related to Animals and Public Nuisance: Animal Trespass (Montgomery County Code, Sec. 5-203(a)(3)) - “An owner must not allow an animal to enter private property without the property owner’s permission. ($100 fine). Any dog is at large if it is outside the owner’s premises and not leashed, unless it is a service dog, is in a dog exercise area designated by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission or is participating in an approved activity.” ($100 fine for first offense; $500 fine for each subsequent violation). Unwanted Contact - “The pet owner must prevent unwelcome or unsolicited threatening physical contact or close proximity to a person or a domestic animal that occurs outside the owner’s property that may cause alarm in a reasonable person, such as biting, chasing, tracking, inhibiting movement, or jumping.” ($500 fine). You are reminded to clean up after your dog and place the bag in your own trash container for disposal by Ecology Services’ crew. 7 Bulk Pick-Up - The next monthly bulk pick-up is scheduled on Saturday, November 5, 2022. As a reminder, heavy refuse includes major appliances (must have Freon removed), furniture, large toys, bicycles, and plumbing fixtures. Excluded are batteries, propane tanks, bricks, general construction debris and iron pipes. Please have your items at the curb by 7:00 AM on Saturday as the truck comes through early. Application for Building Permit – Building Permit Applications for consideration at the October 19, 2022 meeting must be submitted to the Town Manager by 5:00 p.m. on October 5, 2022. Please note that the review may take several days, and an application is not considered perfected until the Town Permit Administrator-Municipal Engineer, Lance Ball, completes his review. Please contact Jana Coe, Town Manager, at janacoe@chevychaseview.org or by calling 301-949-9274. PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE COMMUNICATION OPTIONS FOR TOWN RESIDENTS ONLY 1. Sign Up for eTown Mailings: You can receive the monthly CCV Council meeting minutes and other Council messages and important announcements from the Town Manager. This does not replace the CCV listserv. Go to the CCV website – on the front page click “For Residents” - choose the box that says “e-Town Mailings”. Add your address in the space at the bottom of the page and click “Go.” This will take you to the website of our partner, Constant Contact. Follow the directions on the screen to complete your registration. After you have completed these steps, you will receive an email confirming your registration. You can register as many email addresses as you like for your household, but you must use the link on the website page and enter each recipient individually. 2. Town Directory and Members Only Access: The Town publishes a Resident Directory in early Fall each year. In addition, this Resident Directory is available online, when you to sign up for “Members Only” (link) access to the Resident Directory. When you sign up for access, the online Resident Directory will be updated to include the information you provide. If you are new to the Town, we would like to add you to the Town’s online Resident Directory. Then, when the annual directory is reprinted in 8 the Fall, your information will be included in the printed version as well. The Town Manager administers online access accounts and formally activates residents’ accounts. You will receive an email with instructions once approved. We take your privacy seriously and have done everything possible to bring this useful content to you in a secure manner. 3. Listserv – Please consider becoming a member of the CCV listserv by emailing ChevyChaseViewNet+subscribe@groups.io 9