The Mapleleaf Online

Barbara H October 2nd, 2009

MCA General Meeting Minutes

5/27/09

Officers present were: Allen Myers, President; Janet Maalouf, Vice-president; Hugh Barteman, Treasurer; Barbara Harrison, Secretary. In addition, at least 36 members of the community attended.

Guest Speakers: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda BRAC Update

Janet introduced: Captain Daniel Zinder, Deputy Commander National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) and David Oliveria, Deputy Chief of Staff for Facilities and BRAC Program Manager at NNMC. Captain Zinder and Mr. Oliveria presented a detailed discussion on the status of the building project. Among the information provided were the following points:

· The hospital is only one part of the base at the NNMC. There are a store, a hotel, a medical school, the naval dental school, and other facilities.

· The BRAC process will relocate the tertiary care patients (subspecialty and complex care) from Walter Reed (all other patients will go to Ft. Belvoir). One benefit to the move is the co-location with other medical institutions nearby (e.g. NIH, a traumatic brain injury center, USUHS, AFRRI).

· The Naval Hospital sees about 600,000 total patients annually now. When the transition is complete, outpatient visits will increase to about 1,000,000. Inpatient visits will also double. There now are 3900 staff supporting the medical center (out of 8000 personnel on campus); there will be 2300 added personnel related to the move.

· Plans include widened roads, 2 additions to the medical center (now under construction at the front of the campus and projected to be completed in October of 2010), patient and staff garages, a fitness center that would include rehab for wounded warriors, new admin support. Funding legislation for the project is on the Hill now.

· The Fisher Foundation is donating three 20-unit houses donated families or outpatients.

· Many of the wooded areas are to be preserved. Parking will be provided for patients, but a lot of the staff parking will be lost. Now there are 3 parking spaces for every 3 people. In future there will be 1 space for 3.9 people.

· As part of the Transportation Management Plan, gate houses will be improved to increase the flow through campus during peak hours. Staff are being strongly encouraged to use mass transit. There will be on campus busses and better pedestrian access. Current funding is $1 million for lane improvements at the North Gate on 355, and $20 million for Metro access improvements.

· In response to questions, the following points were clarified: There are about 10,500 people on campus during the day. So far, adding an exit ramp direct from the Beltway has been dismissed due to safety and security issues. It was noted that most patients do not arrive during rush hour (normal appointment times are from 8:30 a.m. to about 3:30 p.m.), and most of the staff is there before rush hour. A survey of usage of different gates is being done; potentially certain gates could be restricted to staff or patients only.

Secretary’s Report Minutes of the 3/18/09 General Membership Meeting were distributed. It was moved that they be adopted. The motion was unanimously approved.

Treasurer Report – The Treasurer reported that, for the period March 16, 2009 through April 30, 2009, expenses were $288.89 (WJ Prom Breakfast contribution, stamps, meeting refreshments, Verizon). Total income for the same period was $300 in membership dues. The checking account balance on April 30 was $6,779.06. Allen noted that we have just settled a $636.99 underpayment to the Post Office related to a Post Office error in our bulk rate mailing account. This account is now closed. We do hand delivery of most newsletters (volunteers please contact Janet Maalouf!) and use the printer’s rate for the January mailing. Allen noted that we are about to change our insurance provider for directors and officers insurance, since we found a less expensive source.

Election of Officers – Ralph Schofer, chair of the Nominating Committee reported that all current officers agreed to continue serving. No others have volunteered. The current officers were reelected by acclamation. Allen pointed out that there are 950 homes in the neighborhood and encouraged others to step up and volunteer.

Establishment of Dues – Two years ago, dues were raised when we expected to lose our meeting site at the Cardiology College. Since this location is still available to us, we don’t need to budget additional funds for an alternate location. In addition, no spring social was held last year, since no volunteer coordinator stepped forward. Thus Allen raised the question of whether dues should be reduced. Jim Winkler moved that we keep our dues at $25. In recognition that discussion about dues might be affected by the FAES proposal discussion, a motion was made, seconded, and approved by a unanimous show of hands to table the matter until after the FAES discussion.

FAES Proposal for Townhouse Development in Maplewood – FAES owns 3.42 acres of undeveloped lots plus 4 lots with homes, for a total of just over 4 acres along Cypress Ave. and W. Cedar Lane. At the March 18 MCA meeting, FAES presented a plan to develop these properties into 31 townhouses to be rented to multiple students per townhouse. Susan Cheney, chair of the MCA FAES Committee provided a report on this issue. FAES has formally applied to rezone the property as RT-8 (8 townhouses per acre). Presently the land and all the surrounding area is R-60 (single family homes with a minimum of 6000 square feet per lot). All the FAES proposal exhibits may be viewed at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville.

The MCA FAES Committee has met twice since March 18. Its members agree that the development proposal is inconsistent with the single-family detached home character of Maplewood and have stated their concerns in a letter to the FAES Board. It was noted that Maplewood doesn’t have any multi-unit rental dwellings now, and there is nothing else like the FAES proposal in Montgomery County. FAES calls the proposed development “scholar housing”, which obscures the single room occupancy aspect. The Committee views the project as being rooming houses, because the 31 attached structures could house up to 155 people. In addition, green space would be lost, excessive traffic generated, and the number of transient residents greatly increased.

Susan moved that MCA will oppose the FAES application to rezone the 6 properties between West Cedar Lane and Acacia Avenue into RT 8, in favor of them remaining R-60. The motion was seconded. The FAES Committee also recommends that MCA should seek advice of a land use attorney who has some experience working with citizens associations to guide us through the process. Discussion centered around the potential need for legal advice. For the rezoning process, the proposal will go to the planning board (likely in September), to a hearing examiner for County Council, then to the County Council. There also may be master plan and occupancy issues in addition to the zoning question. After a vote to call the question, Susan’s motion was approved unanimously.

Susan then moved that: MCA will authorize the FAES committee to consult with a land use attorney for advice vis a vis the FAES application for up to 1.5 hours. (It was noted that the first half hour is free for a citizen’s association.) This motion was seconded. After concerns were raised that 1.5 hours would be insufficient time, and recognizing that our fiscal status is good, a friendly amendment by Jim Winkler to authorize up to $825 for 3 hours of consultation was accepted. Allen and Susan know and recommend Norman Knopf and David Brown, who specialize in representing citizens associations. Ralph Schofer is an expert witness for Knopf-Brown and believes they are honest. Susan’s motion, as amended to authorize the additional funds, was carried unanimously. Allen will use the listserve to report back to members over the summer. Ralph Schofer volunteered to serve pro bono as an expert witness on parking or traffic issues.

The motion that MCA should keep annual dues at $25 was then voted on and carried unanimously.

Neighborhood Watch Committee – Amy Tsai needed to step down as chair for personal reasons. Jessica Kasten and Jessica Brown have agreed to cochair the group, and Jessica Brown reported. They have held a meeting of block captains and have completed a flyer for distribution to neighbors. Each block captain will hold a “meet and greet” with their neighbors before June 30. We now have 17 captains covering 10 homes each – only 170 homes out of 950 in the neighborhood. Ideally we should cover all. Jessica reiterated that thefts continue to occur. People should lock doors, leave valuables out of sight, keep front door lights on, and keep a look out, especially between midnight and 3 a.m. Call 301-652-9200 to report suspicious activity. Officer Mathis of the Montgomery County Police is available to do a break-in home assessment for free. Jessica corrected her phone number – it should be 301-581-0557.

Adjournment – Allen noted that this is the end of the membership year and that the next MCA meeting will be in September.

Submitted by Barbara Harrison

Approved at 9/30/2009 MCA General Membership Meeting

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