The following is an unofficial summary of the Town Council meeting last Wednesday:
Variance Hearings
The Town Council unanimously approved variances for three properties. The first provides a small variance needed to construct a small addition at 7005 Beechwood Dr. The second allows construction of a more substantial addition at 7009 East Ave. The third permits construction of rear porch at 4011 Thornapple St.
Proposed Changes to Permit and Variance Fees
The Town Council reviewed proposed increases to permit and variance fees that it had discussed at the budget work session and made changes that included reductions in the proposed increases for three fees, including the fee for a variance application, and a rise in the proposed increase of one fee. None of the proposed fees may legally exceed the cost to the Town of administering the Code and many remain substantially below the cost to the Town.
All of the proposed changes will appear in the upcoming addition of the Forecast and residents will have the opportunity to give their input at the budget hearing at the Annual Meeting before the Council considers them again.
Approval of Proposed FY12 Budget and Tax Rates
The Council unanimously approved the budget proposal that will be posted to the Town website and described in the upcoming issue of the Forecast.
The proposed budget maintains the constant yield tax rate which means that the property tax rate is set at a level designed to collect the same amount of revenue as last year. In this case, due to a decline in assessed value of properties in the Town, this will result in an increase in the tax rate from .10 to .105—equivalent to an increase from $100 per $1 million of assessed value to $105 per $1 million of assessed value—though the Town is projected to collect no more money from property taxes than last year.
The expenditures in the proposed operating budget for FY12 are 18.6% lower than in the FY11 Budget and 20.6% lower than in the FY10 Budget, though it is less drastic reduction from FY11 projected actual expenditures because the Council cut expenditures in mid-year by roughly 13.5% in response to a decline in expected revenues.
The one major change in services proposed is a change in yard trash collection from twice weekly to once weekly. Town residents will have a chance to comment on this proposed change and other components of the budget proposal at the Town Annual Meeting. The budget proposal, including the budget narrative which helps to explain each line of the budget, will be posted to the Town website.
Purple Line Mitigation Advisory Group Report
Rich Brancato of MAG reported to the Town Council on three proposals for the crossing at Lynn Drive other than an at-grade crossing. The Committee viewed none of the proposals as acceptable. The Town Council agreed by consensus to adopt MAG’s recommendation to work for a safe at-grade crossing at Lynn Drive, though the Council also discussed the need to obtain public input before making any final recommendation to MTA.
Street Lighting Evaluation
Joel Rubin, Chair of the Public Services Committee, reported on his committee’s recommendations regarding street lighting. The Council asked the Committee to flesh out aspects of the proposal further, especially potential costs, so it can be considered at the May Council meeting before the Town puts out a proposal or options for public comment.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Town of Chevy Chase Council Meeting
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Town of Chevy Chase Council Meeting
The following is an unofficial summary of the Town Council meeting of February 9th.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, the Council held a moment of silence in memory of Arthur Schatzkin and Roy Gordon.
Variance Request
The Council unanimously approved a request by John and Ellen Barnes to permit the replacement of a front-yard fence.
Montgomery County Civic Federation Membership
The Council decided to put off a decision on whether to join the Civic Federation until it can get more answers to some questions about the obligations of membership.
Intersection Changes at East Ave. and the Thornapple Path
The Town Council held a public hearing on proposed changes to the intersection of East Ave. and the Thornapple Path. After receiving much valuable input from residents, the Council agreed unanimously that parking restrictions within 20 feet on the southeast side of the crosswalk are needed to improve visibility but that it would be better to leave the Thornapple Path and the crosswalk at their current locations.
Committee Reports
The Town Council heard committee reports from our Town Committee chairs: The activities of the committees are too numerous to report here so I’ll mention just a few highlights. Chair Judy McGuire explained that the Climate Committee just held a very successful and well-attended Food Fest in conjunction with the Environment Committee. The Committee is also involved in a review of the Town’s effort to reach the goals outlined in the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.
Bridget Hartman reviewed the numerous events hosted by the Community Relations Committee, such as the Town’s Annual Progressive Dinner and the upcoming Chili Dinner on February 27, and has led a number of community service events, such as the holiday gift program and the Manna Food Drive. Chair Sally Kelly outlined that the Environment Committee is in the process of reviewing the Tree Ordinance and working with the Community Relations Committee on the annual Garden Tour to include information on sustainable gardening.
Long-Range Planning Committee Co-Chairs Tina Coplan and Steve Seidel reviewed the numerous forums held in conjunction with last year’s election as well as the Town’s involvement in monitoring developments, such as the Pearl Street project and the review of the Chevy Chase Lake Sector Plan, which impact Town residents. Purple Line Mitigation Committee Chair Maryann Hoffman explained that her committee was monitoring the MTA’s new noise study and continuing to work on the crossing at Lynn Drive.
Chevy Chase Historical Society
New CCHS President Bridget Hartman outlined for the Council the activities of the
Society related to the Town, including the upcoming Chevy Chase history day to be held May 1 in the Town.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Tony Varona Profiles Four Montgomery Mayors
On Pam's House Blend, American University Law Professor Tony Varona has written about Mayor Bruce Williams of Takoma Park, Mayor David Lublin of Chevy Chase, Mayor Peter Fosselman of Kensington, and Mayor Jeffrey Slavin of Somerset.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Chevy Chase Post-Storm Photos
Downed power lines so we can't move this tree until PEPCO deals with the wires
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Declaring Our Independence!
The King of England was roundly denounced as we reread the Declaration of Independence and demanded our freedom once again at the start of Chevy Chase's annual Fourth of July party. Thanks to everyone who participated, including my next door neighbor's kids who stole the show. I think Ana won the award for the most impassioned while Ike brought us home with conviction. Kudos to Linna for making it through the toughest passage.From Left to Right in the Photo: Del. Ana Sol Gutierrez, County Executive Ike Leggett, Chevy Chase Councilmember Al Lang, Del. Al Carr, Chevy Chase Councilmember Linna Barnes, County Council President Nancy Floreen, Beth Kevles, Chevy Chase Mayor David Lublin, Joan Hoover, Del. Jeff Waldstreicher, Sen. Rich Madaleno, David Salzman, Nine-Time Chevy Chase Mayor Mier Wolf, and Chevy Chase Councilmember Pat Burda.
Note: No children, animals, or Englishmen were harmed in the reading of this Declaration.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Lawton Center to Be Site of First Solar Roof
Ketch Ryan and Kirk Renaud in the Town of Chevy Chase pushed hard to make this happen and I know that they'll be especially thrilled by the news in this press release from Councilmember Roger Berliner (D-1):
Jane Lawton Center in Chevy Chase to be Site of First County Solar Roof Program
At Urging of Councilmember Roger Berliner, Community Building Will Serve as Model for County Buildings
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 21, 2010—Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner announced today that the Leggett Administration has agreed to make the Jane Lawton Recreation Center in Chevy Chase the site of the Division of General Service’s first solar roof program. Councilmember Berliner, in collaboration with the Town of Chevy Chase, has been working for more than a year with local solar cooperative members and the Montgomery County Department of General Services to honor this facility and Jane Lawton in this way.
Councilmember Berliner has been urging the County to make the Lawton Center a model for the County’s program to retrofit more public buildings with solar energy. In May, Councilmember Berliner wrote to the Department of General Services “in hopes of speeding up progress on a no-cost option to install solar panels on the Lawton Center in Bethesda.” The County announced today that it had agreed to the solar panels.
“I am pleased that the Leggett Administration and General Services Director David Dise have firmly committed to moving forward expeditiously in making the Lawton Center a photovoltaic (PV) installation site for the County's planned retrofit of County roofs,” said Councilmember Berliner. “It is fitting that this much used and much loved recreation center will now also be a site for environmental education and a showcase for the positive role solar energy can play in our County's future. This is the kind of visionary leadership that embodies the spirit of Jane Lawton and her living legacy.”
The Lawton Center, which was formerly known as the Leland Community Center, is located at 4301 Willow Lane within Leland Neighborhood Park in Chevy Chase. The building serves as a recreation center and houses the Town of Chevy Chase offices and a Day Care Center. In 2009, the center was renamed to honor Ms. Lawton, who worked her way from PTA volunteer to mayor of the Town of Chevy Chase to Maryland delegate representing District 18.
In addition, Director Dise has indicated that the project will qualify under the local small business initiative and that this work will be reserved for local vendors.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Meet the Mayor
In yet another sign that blogs are taking over the known universe (or at least MoCo), MPW founder David Lublin has just become Mayor of the Town of Chevy Chase. Way to go, blogfather!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Berliner and Hopkins Answer Forum Questions
Prior to their scheduled debate on June 1 which will be hosted by the Town of Chevy Chase, the town asked District 1 Council Member Roger Berliner and challenger Ilaya Hopkins to answer a number of questions on important issues. Following are the questions and the candidates' answers.
2010 Elections: Why Care?
Find Out Which Candidate Represents You Best For Montgomery County District 1 Seat at June 1 Forum in Town
Hear County Council member Roger Berliner and challenger Ilaya Hopkins—running to represent our community on the Montgomery County Council—in their first public debate, on Tuesday, June 1, 7 p.m., at the Lawton Community Center. The Democratic opponents will face off on important local issues, and answer your questions. Charles Duffy, host of Montgomery Municipal Cable TV’s “Political Pulse,” will moderate.
Come a half hour early and meet the candidates. Become informed before the primary elections on September 14, 2010.
Here’s a preview of where the candidates stand on key questions. They were asked to respond in three sentences or less.
Purple Line: What do you support, and where should we go from here?
Berliner: When I sought to represent the people of District 1 in 2006, I pledged to support a combined light rail/hiker biker trail. When this matter came before the Council, I joined all 8 of my colleagues on the Council, the County Executive, and the Planning Board in supporting this option. I have been and will continue to work closely with the Town of Chevy Chase Mitigation Committee and others to ensure that the project, if financed, is built in a manner that respects the neighborhood’s most affected by the project.
Hopkins: I support designing and investing in a robust and integrated public transit system. I supported bus rapid transit on the master plan alignment including the trail because it offered lower cost, greater flexibility and a reduced footprint that addressed the community's concerns about noise and tree cover. I respect the selection of light rail as the preferred alternative and will work with the community to ensure the final design of the Purple Line addresses concerns of preserving recreational space and minimizing the impact on local neighborhoods and businesses.
What other solutions do you suggest for traffic congestion, as Walter Reed moves to the National Naval Medical Center in 2011?
Berliner: I believe traffic congestion represents one of the greatest threats to our quality of life. My response to this threat has been a comprehensive one, including: (1) I sponsored the current transportation test for development, a test that my predecessor had eliminated; (2) I successfully sponsored an amendment to the County Executive's budget savings plan to preserve Ride-On services – something I see as a ‘core’ government service; (3) my initiative to declare Rockville Pike/Wisconsin Avenue and Connecticut Avenue as "Sustainable Transportation Corridors", was enthusiastically supported by the Sierra Club, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce, the Smart Growth Coalition; the City of Rockville; and the Coalition of Military Medical Center Neighbors; and (4) I sponsored an amendment that will give developers in White Flint an incentive to take cars off the road.
Hopkins: I've worked with the Navy to ensure that the new Walter Reed's transportation plan emphasizes a multi-modal transit approach including rail, bus, carpooling, bicycle and pedestrian access. I have been engaged in this process since 2006 and have worked with local communities to provide viable transportation solutions that meet broad community goals. I also recognize that BRAC and the half a million new patients and visitors will mean many more cars on our roadways and was instrumental in securing $150 million in federal funding for local transportation improvements to alleviate the stress on our neighborhoods and communities.
What is your position on the proposed County growth policy in Bethesda/Chevy Chase and neighboring communities?
[Note: The revised White Flint Sector Plan was approved by the County Council on March 23. Plans for Chevy Chase Lake and Kensington are now being reviewed by the Montgomery County Planning Board and are expected to be considered by the County Council in the next few years.]
Berliner: We must strengthen our county’s "growth policy" in order to ensure that we protect our established neighborhoods like Bethesda and Chevy Chase from overdevelopment, school overcrowding, and gridlock. When our growth policy was before the council last year, I sponsored and passed an even stronger school test than was recommended by the school system, our planning department, and a council committee. I have consistently supported the building moratorium threshold designed to protect our schools from overcrowding – and when a moratorium recently occurred in the BCC cluster, I encouraged my colleagues to fund the solutions needed to address the overcrowding in our schools – and we did.
Hopkins: The recent building moratorium demonstrated that growth policy can highlight when our community is being stressed, but the County Council did little to address those concerns both in terms of dealing with overcrowding in our schools and managing the growth our community is experiencing. County growth policy needs to be more responsive and longer term with key triggers that can allow for adaptation and adjustments as community needs change. However, as we have seen, even improved policies require active, engaged leadership to make the policy effective and bring meaningful solutions that will address community needs.
With a $947 million Montgomery County shortfall, how would you close the budget gap?
[Note: The fiscal year 2011 budget will be adopted by the Council on May 27 and goes into effect on July 1, 2010.]
Berliner: Our current fiscal situation is literally without precedent. Over the long term, we must achieve greater efficiencies in our government by consolidating and restructuring to make our budget sustainable. In the short term, we face the most painful decisions imaginable. We will be asking our employees to make significant financial sacrifices; we will be laying employees off and furloughing them too; we will be cutting programs that are discretionary to the bone; and trying our best to preserve as much as we can of our absolutely essential core government functions such as public safety, schools, and our safety net services.
Hopkins: The historic nature of this deficit represents an unprecedented failure of the County Council to recognize oncoming fiscal realities and make hard choices to address a changing budget environment. We must focus on core services that are essential to our community and commit to delivering more with less, while examining programs and services that are ineffective or better left to the private sector. Partnerships with non-profits such as Manna, a food bank, A Wider Circle, a social service provider and Bethesda Green, a sustainable living resource, are all excellent examples of how small investments can provide broad community benefits.
How do you propose increasing County revenues?
Berliner: We need to increase revenues to protect our excellent school system and public safety. The healthiest way for our county to do this is to increase the tax base. Arguably the most significant step the Council has taken in this regard is its approval of the White Flint Sector Plan, which is estimated to generate $6-7 billion in additional revenues for the county. With the White Flint Sector plan, we are replacing acres of asphalt with a vibrant new walk-able community. We will also spur economic development by creating a favorable climate for bio-sciences, and capitalizing on our unique assets in the form of NIH, FDA, our existing bio-science companies, and our world renowned hospital and research organizations, such as Johns Hopkins.
Hopkins: County revenues dropped precipitously after the double impact of the housing crisis and the recession. We cannot allow our economy to stagnate. We must focus on helping the County's small businesses survive, keeping people employed and stabilizing the county's budget. We must attract new businesses and diversify our economy by making Montgomery County the destination for innovative businesses and the tax revenue and jobs they provide.
Roger Berliner, running for a second term, serves as lead member for energy and environment on the Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee, and is a member of its Public Safety Committee. He is the Council representative to the County’s Sustainability Working Group and Green Economic Task Force. Regionally, he serves on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Board of Directors and on COG’s Climate, Energy, and Environment Policy Committee. For 20 years he has been president of Berliner Law PLLC, specializing in energy law. He received a law degree from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, California, and an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College.
www.rogerberliner.com
Ilaya Hopkins, a past president of the East Bethesda Citizens Association, serves on the County Executive’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Implementation Committee that will relocate Walter Reed Army Medical Center to the Bethesda Naval Hospital campus. She is on the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board, where she co-chairs the Quality of Life Committee; and serves on the board of Bethesda Green, a public-private partnership to promote sustainable living practices. Hopkins was formerly an organizational development consultant and international cultural exchange program officer. She has a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
www.ilayahopkins.com
Cosponsors for the forum are Citizens for a Better Bethesda, Chevy Chase Section 5, Chevy Chase West, East Bethesda, Edgemoor Citizens Association, Garrett Park, Martin’s Additions, Rollingwood Citizens Association, Somerset, Town of Chevy Chase.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
All Quiet in the Town of Chevy Chase
Unlike in Chevy Chase Village which has seven candidates running for three seats in an election to be held this Saturday, elections were quiet this year in the Town of Chevy Chase with no one challenging the three incumbents, including yours truly. However, County Councilmembers Roger Berliner, Marc Elrich and Nancy Floreen stopped by to say hello as did Senator Rich Madaleno along with Delegates Al Carr, Ana Sol Gutierrez, and Jeff Waldstreicher.
The vote tallies came in shortly after the Town's Annual Meeting; 159 ballots were cast in the election--a low turnout since there were only three candidates for the three seats. Here are the official results:
Kathy Strom, 120 votes
David Lublin, 118 votes
Al Lang, 103 votes.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Climate Change Forum in Chevy Chase Tonight
Following is an announcement from the Town of Chevy Chase Climate Protection Committee detailing a forum in the town hall tonight on climate change.
Discussion and Desserts:
April 8, 7-9 PM,
Chevy Chase Town Hall
4301 Willow Lane
Chevy Chase, MD.
Many of us who are concerned about climate change are baffled and frustrated by the news we have read about what’s going on in Washington and at international meetings. Don’t you wish you could sit down with some experts and ask them your burning questions? One of the great benefits of living in Washington, DC is that many of the movers and shakers are our neighbors and this is certainly true in the case of climate change. The Climate Protection, Environment, and Community Relations Committees invite you to Discussion and Desserts with a panel of local experts on climate change:
· Charles Ebinger, Director of the Energy Security Initiative at the Brookings Institution;
· Juliet Eilperin, national environmental reporter for the Washington Post who writes the Post Carbon blog;
· Stephen Seidel, Vice President for Policy Analysis and General Counsel at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change; and
· Alexandra Teitz, Senior Counsel, Environment and Energy, Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. House of Representatives (Chairman Henry A. Waxman).
The session will be moderated by Charles Duffy, host of Political Pulse on MMTV, Channel 16. Each panelist will give a short opening statement and then the audience will take over with your questions and comments. Please come join us for a lively and provocative discussion. Questions: Call Warren Rizzi, 301-654-7144. Please come, invite your friends, and be prepared to ask challenging questions.
Judy McGuire
Chair, Climate Protection Committee
Town of Chevy Chase (MD)
Last Night's Chevy Chase Town Council Meeting
Boy Scouts opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supplemental Appropriations for Snow Removal
The Town Council approved unanimously a supplemental appropriation of $88,100 to cover the unusually high cost of snow removal. The Town anticipates receiving reimbursement from FEMA for roughly 75% of the costs unrelated to sidewalk snow removal.
Proposed FY11 Budgets and Tax Rates
The Town Council unanimously agreed to my motion to accept the budgets and tax rate that we plan to present to the Town at the Annual Meeting. They are outlined in my previous post on the budget work session and will be discussed further in the upcoming issue of the Forecast. The budget and budget narrative, outlining each line of the budget, will be posted online on the Town website on Thursday.
Pearl Street Development Project
The Town Council discussed the Town’s response to the Pearl Street development project. The Council had consensus that the project is higher than appropriate in the context of the Bethesda Master Plan. Moreover, the developer should have to provide a sizable public amenity in order to satisfy the conditions to receive greater density under the County’s planning requirements.
Snow Removal Operations and Improvements
Chair Bill Pritchard presented the Public Services Committee’s reaction to a request for comment made by the Council on several resident suggestions. The Committee responded positively to requests for improved communication, stating “the Town phone lines should divert to a call answering system that can handle high call volume, record messages from residents and provide recorded important updates. . . . A staff person should be assigned responsibility for the answering system and providing updates through Town Crier.” The Council directed the Town Manager to develop a plan to implement this idea.
The Committee rejected proposals such as hiring day laborers or Town teens due to coordination and liability issues. The Public Services Committee similarly recommended against clearing the walks or driveways of senior citizens or providing snow equipment, such as snow blowers and shovels, for similar reasons.
The Committee recommended that the Town “maintain adequate replacement parts” for its essential snow equipment. The Town Manager explained that the Town plans to buy a new truck with appropriate equipment in the upcoming fiscal year and that the existing equipment will serve as a backup to that equipment.
B-CC Educational Foundation Donation
Accompanied by Town Resident Georgia Guhin, representatives of the B-CC Educational Foundation, including the Principal of B-CC High School, made a request for a donation to help fund the College Tracks program. All Councilmembers expressed strong support for this program. I stated that the current economic crisis increased the imperative for the Town to contribute to make sure that valuable and needed programs like this continue but that the decline in our own revenues meant that we could not fully meet the request and proposed a substantially smaller donation of $10,000.
The Council concluded by expressing support for a donation in roughly this neighborhood but also wanting more specific information to comply with the Town’s donation policy. We also asked the Foundation Members to encourage neighboring municipalities and civic associations to match our commitment.
Neighborhood Watch
Coordinator Scott Egloff presented his proposal for responsibilities for the Town and Resident Neighborhood Watch Coordinators. The Council approved the idea and thanked Mr. Egloff for his work to make the program happen as well as this proposal which will help assure that it continues into the future even as participants change.
Clean Currents Renewal Program
The Town Manager consulted with the Town Council by phone before the meeting as he had received an unusually good quote on wind power prices, lower than previous amounts or current standard PEPCO rates, and wanted to lock it in before it expired at noon today. He did so for three years with the unanimous approval of the Council.
Single-Stream Recycling Program
The Town Manager proposed that the Council consider single-stream recycling. Essentially, this would allow residents to recycle all recyclables in a single larger, potentially wheel able bin. Councilmembers and the Town Manager discussed potential pluses and minuses—the major pluses being substantially increased recycling with positive results for the Town’s Climate goals and less need to separate recyclable items. Potential concerns include higher costs, longer distance to transport recycling, and the impact on the look of the Town of larger recycling bins. All agreed that it would desirable to investigate further and that consultation of Town residents would be vital before making any change.
Town Survey 2010
The Council expressed a desire for getting more help on putting together an improved survey. With support from the rest of the Council, I asked that any survey include questions requested by the Environment Committee on how residents like to receive communications from the Town. The Council also discussed difficulties involved in asking about various policy issues.
Annual Meeting and Election Plans
The Council went over plans for our lighting consultants to present and answer questions regarding options for improving the Town lighting in addition to the usual presentation on the Town Budget.
Adjournment
With much merriment and councilmembers calling dibs on the remaining brownies to appease our respective spouses and children, the Council adjourned.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Berliner to Hopkins: See You in Chevy Chase
Last week, Council District 1 challenger Ilaya Hopkins proposed a series of debates with incumbent Roger Berliner and he has agreed to at least one of them. On June 1 at 7 PM, the two will debate at the Town of Chevy Chase Town Hall at 4301 Willow Lane. This is the backyard of East Bethesda resident Hopkins and the stronghold of Purple Line rail opponents, with whom the pro-rail incumbent has disagreed in the past. Following is the press release from the Berliner campaign.
Contact: Heather D. Mills
Email: friendsofberlinerpress@gmail.com
Phone: 202.701.4526
Councilmember Berliner Announces First Candidate Debate for District 1 Council Campaign
Bethesda, MD (March 29, 2010) – Incumbent County Councilmember Roger Berliner (D-1) announced today the first of what his campaign hopes will be several debates in his bid for re-election. On June 1, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall, the Town of Chevy Chase, along with Somerset, Chevy Chase West and East Bethesda, will co-sponsor an event to be moderated by Charles Duffy, host of Channel 16’s Political Pulse.
“I look forward to discussing my record of working hard and getting results for the residents of District 1,” said Councilmember Roger Berliner. Berliner, a lifelong Democrat and the first Democrat ever elected to represent District 1, was recently voted “Best County Councilmember” by the readers of Bethesda Magazine.
Since elected in 2006, Berliner has hosted eleven public forums for constituents – more than any other member of the County Council. As a result, District 1 voters know where he stands on the issues. But debates are important, and Councilmember Berliner “looks forward to debating my challenger, and I am authorizing my campaign to work out the number, place and format of future candidate debates, as is the normal practice.”
About Councilmember Roger Berliner:
Roger Berliner was first elected to the Montgomery County Council in November 2006 when he defeated the incumbent Republican by 12 percentage points. He currently serves as Lead Member for Energy and Environment on the Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee and is a member of the Public Safety Committee. He also serves as the Council’s representative to the County’s Sustainability Working Group and Green Economic Task Force. Regionally, he is on the Washington Regional Board of Directors of the Council of Governments, and serves as Vice Chairman of COG’s Climate, Energy, and Environment Policy Committee.
Councilmember Berliner’s accomplishments on the County Council include:
· Comprehensively addressing our traffic nightmare by sponsorship and passage of a tough new transportation test for development; proposing that Wisconsin and Connecticut Avenues be designated by the Governor as Sustainable Transportation Corridors; and providing incentives for developers to commit to taking action that will result in fewer cars on our roads.
· Sponsoring and passing 8 major energy/environmental initiatives that include the groundbreaking Home Energy Loan Program, a tax credit for solar energy, and a consumer measure that gives homebuyers information on how much their new home will cost to heat and cool, a measure the state legislature is exploring adopting for state-wide applicability.
· Successfully fighting to protect our quality of life by sponsoring and passing comprehensive McMansion reform; preserving the open space at the heart of Bethesda on Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues; and preserving the historic viewshed of the C&O Canal from unsightly development.
· Leading the fight to provide stronger public safety by keeping the Bethesda police station open to the public 24/7; fighting against the proposed ambulance fee that would cripple our invaluable volunteer service; and advocating for a new computer system to reduce response times for ambulance calls;
· Strengthening our local economy by working with the County Executive’s team to provide small businesses with access to capital; creating good “green jobs” in Montgomery County; and being a leader in the remaking of White Flint, which is estimated to produce $6-7 Billion in additional county revenues; and
· Fighting to preserve the quality of our school system by sponsoring and passing the amendment to the growth policy that ensures developers contribute where schools are overcrowded; working with MCPS to ensure that District 1 schools receive their fair share of modernization funding; and supporting 99% of the school system’s operating budget requests.
From speed bumps to modern elementary schools to sustainable transit policies, Roger's focus has been and will continue to be protecting the community we love and preserving our quality of life.
###
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Chevy Chase Town Council Budget Work Session for FY11
The following is a summary of the results of the Town Council’s annual budget work session on Wednesday, March 24. Virtually all decisions were made consensually after discussion among the five council members and included the participation of the Town Manager and the Town Clerk.
Revenues and Expenditures in the Current Fiscal Year
The Council reviewed the current fiscal situation. Revenues were below estimates in the FY10 Budget in two areas: (1) highway user taxes and (2) income taxes. The State slashed Town revenues from highway user taxes from $121,000 to an estimated $6,432—a decline of $114,568.
The Town projected a sharp drop of 45% in income tax receipts in its FY10 Budget, a decline to $2.3 million from the approximately $4.2 million received in FY09, due to the severe economic recession. In fact, income tax revenues are estimated to fall by 50%--a drop of $178,825 more than anticipated in the FY10 Budget.
While total revenues fell by an estimated $293,393, the deficit projected for FY10 has increased by only $72,500 because the Town is projected to have spent roughly $221,000, or 7.4%, less than budgeted in the FY10 Budget. The total projected deficit in the operating budget for FY10 is now $327,000.
Revenues and Property Tax Rates in the Upcoming Fiscal Year
In my capacity as Town Treasurer, I worked with the Town Manager and Town Clerk to prepare a base budget in anticipation of this Council work session. The FY11 budget estimates that revenues from income taxes will remain the same as in FY10, and the Council maintained this approach in the final budget that it will propose to the community for consideration at the Town’s Annual Meeting on May 4.
The FY11 Budget takes into account that the State plans to continue transfers to the Town from highway user taxes at the drastically reduced levels instituted in the middle of the current fiscal year. Additionally, the County plans to reduce by 5% the amount it transfers to municipalities as payment for services performed by the Town instead of the County.
During the work session, the Council increased revenues over the projected amount in the base budget by a net of $7,500. The unanimous decision to retain the property tax at $0.01 per $100 of assessed value instead of reducing taxes to the constant yield tax rate of $0.0093 per $100 of assessed value yields an additional $9,000. The Council also estimated that it would collect $1,000 in municipal fines, the same level as in the FY10 Budget, which was viewed as more realistic than the projected increase to $2,500 in the base budget.
Operating Expenditures in the Upcoming Fiscal Year
The proposed budget retains all services at current levels -- from trash pickup and snow removal to policing. The Council rejected the elimination of yard trash collection between January 15th and April 1st—the only proposed cut in services—that would have saved an additional $8,000. The proposed FY11 Budget also continues the increased allocation begun in FY10 that allows the Town to employ off-duty Montgomery County police officers to patrol the town every night as well as during the afternoon dismissal at Chevy Chase Elementary School.
The base budget for FY11 considered by the Council reduced expenditures in FY11 by $28,000 from projected actual expenditures in FY10 and by $252,500 over the FY10 budget. At the work session, I proposed further specific cuts in expenditures, and the Council adopted a total of $23,500 in additional net cuts that are designed to save money without reducing services.
The most difficult decision made by the Council was to cut an additional $32,000 from the proposed FY11 Budget by delaying a planned increase in staff salaries. The Council did not take the decision lightly but felt unanimously that it is appropriate in light of the fiscal situation and current staff salary levels.
During the work session, the Council adopted a total of $63,500 in expenditure cuts, resulting in a reduction in the proposed deficit in the operating budget to $212,500 from the $276,000 in the base budget. The Council agreed unanimously that the deficit is sustainable in light of the Town’s reserves.
Capital Budget in the Upcoming Fiscal Year
The proposed capital budget for FY11 includes a little more than $1 million in expenditures needed to maintain the Town’s roads. The Town spent an estimated $1.1 million on roads this year. After FY11, the Town will have completed anticipated needed road improvements for some time with capital expenditures projected to fall dramatically as a result in subsequent years.
Budget Documents and Budget Narrative
Residents will be able to review the proposed budget online at the Town’s website (www.townofchevychase.org) by early next week. Budget worksheets posted there will include a budget summary as well as planned line-by-line expenditures, including actual numbers from FY09, budgeted and projected actuals for FY10, as well as the proposed FY11 Budget. Additionally, the Town will post the budget narrative, a document that provides a brief explanation of each line in the budget.
Budget Hearing
If you have any comments on the proposed budget, I encourage you to testify at the hearing at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 4th. Residents are also welcome to speak on the budget during the public comments period at the Town Council meeting on April 7th or to write the Town at townoffice@townofchevychase.org. E-mails sent to this address are received by the Town Manager and all five members of the Town Council. Of course, you are also welcome to write me directly at dlublin@townofchevychase.org.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Growth Policy Follies II
Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson won the Oscar for best performance in a residential forum when he said that he we needed higher density in Bethesda so that there would be housing for "working families." I guess Lionsgate in Bethesda decided not to target the working family market and build condos starting at $800,000 with a view of the inside of a parking garage (yes, really) because they couldn't get higher density. You can't make this stuff up.
Royce also mentioned an oft-repeated (and, I assume, true) statistic on how only 4 percent of the land zoned for developed in Montgomery County has not yet been developed. Royce then quickly moved to the conclusion that we had to allow higher density in order to have further growth in Montgomery, and we wouldn't want to take the Agricultural Reserve.
I am certain that Royce cares genuinely about the Ag Reserve. After all, he played a critical role in its creation and has consistently worked to protect it. However, implying that the Ag Reserve was threatened was just a local version of the Park Service's old Washington Monument gambit. They'd propose reducing visiting hours for the Monument every time someone wanted to cut their budget in an effort to wring more money out of the feds.
Leaving aside the acerbic comment whispered to your gentle corespondent that "Frederick County is our real Ag Reserve" (folks, I don't make the news, I just type it), no one has proposed touching the Ag Reserve. I'd say at least Royce didn't say "Won't somebody please think of the children!" but he did get a bit passionate about kids and locally grown apples.
The whole "Approve the growth policy or the economy and the Ag Reserve get it" approach seems a tad neglectful of the fact that plenty of development can occur under the existing zoning laws and master plans through redevelopment of already developed properties. Anyone else remember the scads of white planning board signs in downtown Bethesda before the bubble burst?
Moreover, certain areas of the County retain a lot of room for transit-oriented development. Not far away from Bethesda, the area around the Wheaton metro still has a lot of room under existing plans and laws for much denser development. None of the metro stations in Prince George's have replicated the growth around Bethesda or Ballston. Allowing more density in existing boom areas like Bethesda may merely serve to further concentrate economic growth in areas that already have it.
Part III looks at the discussion about schools.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Growth Policy Follies I
The Growth Policy Forum was a glittering night in the Chevy Chase Town Hall as supporters and opponents of changes to the growth policy and the new CR zone squared off in front of the kleig lights of public access television.
Unknowingly, I took my seat next to Dan Reed, formerly independent blogger who now works for Councilman George Levanthal who did not attend. Dan was taking such copious notes that I asked if he was a reporter. In snyc with the views of his boss, Dan at times appeared as frustrated with the views of opponents as I did with supporters.
Planning Board Chair Royce Hanson had three personalities, alternating between your avuncular uncle who always has a charming anecdote ready to divert your attention, angry Dad a.k.a. John McCain, and B-Actor William Shatner who has relied heavily on pregnant pauses to emphasize the pseudo-gravitas of his points from Star Trek to Priceline.
Joining him in support of the new policies was Holland and Knight's Pat Harris--the most effective advocate of the evening in my opinion. Easily having the best stage presence and a nimble mind, Pat argued effectively for the policy but never forgot for a moment her clients. In other words, she defended developers passionately even when they weren't mentioned.
East Bethesda Civic Association Chair Ilaya Hopkins, a former candidate for the Planning Board, sat next to Pat and critiqued the proposals. At times, Ilaya appeared to take the strategic decision not to argue with Royce, possibly because he was doing more damage to his position than she could.
I guess other observers will have to judge whether Ilaya wisely followed the rule of not getting in the way of someone destroying themselves or let Royce dominate the discussion. Royce shamelessly overrode moderator Charles Duffy's efforts to keep him remotely within time. He repeatedly cut off Charles' futile efforts to get him to wind up by saying that this was important and insisting on being allowed to continue.
Former Planning Board Member Meredith Wellington's more direct critiques of the proposals provoked angry Dad to interrupt and to snap at her. They disagreed vehemently on the future implications of the proposed changes to the growth policy and CR zone with Meredith seeing no need to rush to adopt these changes now.
More on the debate in Part II of this series.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Microsoft Comes to Chevy Chase
Following is the county's press release.
Contact:
Kristina Ellis, DED, 240-793-9568
Tonya Klause, Microsoft, 703-402-7020
For Immediate Release: November 13, 2009
Microsoft Celebrates New Chevy Chase Office
Will Bring 500+ New, Relocated Jobs to the County
Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Director Steve Silverman joined yesterday afternoon with Microsoft executives, employees, partners and clients and federal, state and local government officials and representatives to celebrate the opening of Microsoft Corporation’s first Montgomery County location – a new 134,000 square foot showcase office in the heart of Chevy Chase.
Microsoft employees moved into the new office located at 5404 Wisconsin Avenue in June, but yesterday’s event marked the official opening of the new facility to Microsoft’s business partners, clients, community members and new employees.
“We are thrilled to welcome the world’s largest software company to Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. “Attracting a world-renowned, industry changing company like Microsoft, and the 500-plus new and relocated jobs it will bring to Chevy Chase, is huge news at anytime, but especially now when the economy has made it extremely difficult for most companies to survive, much less expand in this manner.”
The company’s new Chevy Chase office houses a portion of their U.S. Public Sector, including federal, state, local and educational divisions and their Health Solutions Group, which is focused on health IT products and services. The new facility will ultimately house some 500 new and relocated employees over the next few years.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to grow and expand here in Montgomery County,” said Teresa Carlson, Vice President of Microsoft Federal, who represented the commercial and public sector leadership team at the opening event. “Our presence here helps us contribute to Montgomery County’s role as the economic engine for the state. It also affirms our commitment to being an economic partner to the broader region, as we have offices in downtown Washington, D.C.; in Reston, Virginia and now here in Maryland.”
In addition to a brief program, the open house featured Windows 7 tips from Microsoft employees, an “Ask the Expert” session, an XBOX gaming area, and Microsoft Surface demonstrations.
“Microsoft’s decision to relocate and expand here supports Montgomery County’s many business friendly attributes that made, and keep us, one of the nation’s most desired business locations,” said Silverman. “The addition of Microsoft to the County’s existing corporate community is tremendous, and our Department and County stand ready to assist them in their continued growth and success, as we strive to do with each and every business, big and small, in the County.”
# # #
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Growth Policy Panel Discussion
The Town of Chevy Chase, Citizens Coordinating Committee for Friendship Heights, Town of Somerset, Edgemoor Citizens Association, and East Bethesda Citizens Association will host a panel discussion on "Proposed Changes to the Growth and Zoning Policies" on Monday, October 26 from 7 to 9 p.m at the Town of Chevy Chase Town Hall located in the Jane E. Lawton Center, 4301 Willow Lane.
Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson, former Planning Board member Meredith Wellington, Chamber of Commerce representative Patricia Harris, and Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board member and East Bethesda resident Ilaya Hopkins will discuss the new proposals in a public forum moderated by Charles Duffy, host of MMCTV’s Political Pulse.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Chevy Chase Town Council Meeting
The following is an unofficial summary of Wednesday's Town Council Meeting:
Energy Audit and Improvements Program
The Council held a public hearing on the Environment Committee’s proposed program sponsored by myself at which one resident testified in favor. During discussion, Mayor Strom proposed making the program a matching program rather than a reimbursement program but Councilmembers Barnes, Lang, and myself thought that would be unnecessarily complicated for both staff and residents.
The Council agreed by consensus that more work was needed on specific language but then unanimously voted to approve the program. The Energy Audit and Improvements Program will allow a resident to receive $200 towards a BPI Certified Energy Audit and an additional $400 for work recommended by the audit conducted by a licensed contractor. Alternatively, if the resident may receive up to $600 towards payment for work if no Town funds were received for an audit.
Appropriation for Consulting Water Management Program
The Town Council unanimously appropriated $20,000 for the Consulting Water Management Program.
Variance Hearings
The Town Council unanimously approved variances for a deer fence at 7101 Meadow Lane and from the front yard setback and wall plane length requirements for an addition at 4429 Bradley Lane.
Election Ordinances
The Town Council heard from Costis Toregas, Chair, and Brenda Lizzio, Member, of the Election Board on three proposals. The first proposed ordinance would establish terms for members of the Election Board with one member designed to rotate off each year to provide for continuity and renewal of the Board. The Board would be appointed by the Council.
The second proposed ordinance would move the filing date for Town Council elections up to four weeks from the current two in order to allow the Board more time to conduct activities related to election campaign to inform voters and maximize turnout. The third proposed ordinance would clarify provisions related to absentee voting in order to protect recent progress made towards making it easier for Town residents to vote by absentee ballot.
The Council unanimously voted to introduce the ordinances and to hold public hearings on them at the November meeting.
Building Code Amendments
Dedun Ingram, Chair of the Land Use Committee, presented on proposed changes, primarily of a technical and housekeeping nature to the building code. Some of the changes were referred back to the LUC for further consideration and consultation with Town Attorney David Podolsky as to proposed language. Councilmember Lang and I both voiced strongly our belief that the highly complex wording needs to be explained in clear language prior to Council consideration or a public hearing. Mayor Strom agreed in an email after the meeting and suggested that introduction of these ordinances be delayed until proposed language and explanations are finalized.
Mid-Year Meeting
After discussion, the Council decided not to have one this year with several commenting on the relative popularity of alternative social events sponsored by the Town such as the recent Centennial Progressive Dinner and the upcoming Oktoberfest.
Decorative Crosswalk and Stop Sign
The Council heard from a resident regarding the replacement of a decorative crosswalk at Rosemary and Meadow. The Council agreed by consensus to replace this crosswalk as it was before the recent repaving work and that the Public Services Committee would consider an approach towards future crosswalks. Earlier in the meeting the Council unanimously approved a new stop sign at Maple and Aspen.
Street Lighting Evaluation Update
Councilmember Lang provided a very helpful quick update on the street lighting evaluation. The contractor has identified dark areas in Town—the Town is below average in terms of lighting—and is also beginning to identify potential approaches. All members of the Council agreed on the importance of public consultation as to any proposed changes as one could go a number of different ways depending on preferences for more or less lighting on streets.
Snow Removal for Seniors
The Town will compile a list of Town teens willing to shovel driveways for payment to make it easier for Seniors to locate someone to do this if they choose.
Postponed Issues
The agenda being hopelessly ambitious, the Council postponed discussion of the proposed Tree Survey and Noise Control ordinance until next month.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at around 11pm when Councilmember Lublin pleaded for mercy--received with much unexpressed joy on the part of the ill Town Manager and unhappiness on the part of Councilmember Burda whose excellent question on street lighting was rather rudely interrupted by your gentle correspondent. My apologies to Pat.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Town of Chevy Chase Town Council Meeting
Here is my summary of the meeting held on July 8th:
The Town Council started its meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Kelly and Sloane Murray following the pledge of allegiance.
**Town Manager’s Report**
Town Manager Todd Hoffman gave his first formal and written report of the past month’s activities. Councilmember Al Lang requested that it be posted to the web and the Council supported this idea.
**Charter Amendments**
I introduced two charter amendments. The first would allow the mayor to serve two consecutive terms before needing the unanimous consent of other councilmembers before continuing in that office. Currently, the mayor may serve for only one year before unanimous consent is required. The second proposed amendment would mandate that the Town hold referendums in the manner of Town elections rather than forcing everyone to show up to vote at a town meeting at a specific time and day as currently outlined in the Charter. The introduction of the first amendment was approved 4-1 with Councilmember Lang dissenting and the second was introduced with unanimous approval. The Council plans to hold public hearings on both amendments in September.
**Native Canopy Tree Program**
I introduced a resolution to allow the Town to implement the Native Canopy Tree Program proposed by the Environment Committee and supported unanimously by the Council at the previous meeting. The program would support the planting of canopy trees on resident property to help promote the tree canopy. The Council unanimously approved the resolution and reviewed implementation plans drafted by Town Staff. We also learned that six residents have already requested trees. The Council will consider the budget transfer needed to pay for the program at its September meeting.
**Building Code Amendments**
Several members of the Land Use Committee, including Chair Donna Kirk, Sue Blacklow, Kathy Flaxman, Lees Hartman, Dedun Ingram, Joe Rubin, and Bruce Russell, presented their Committee’s detailed proposal to amendment the Town Code to clarify and remove inconsistencies regarding the current rules regulating land use as well as reduce the need for variance requests. Among many other proposals, the revisions would change the definition of the rear setback line so that residents with irregularly shaped properties would have more regularly shaped building envelope. (My understanding is that none of the changes would reduce the amount of buildable land.) The changes would further make it easier to replace existing walls without the need for a variance.
The proposals were not discussed or debated at this meeting. The Council plans to hold a work session to consider these complex rules and then hold a public information session in advance of a public hearing. Everyone on the Council was grateful for the enormous amount of work which clearly went into putting together the thoughtful and lengthy report on this complex issue.
**Water Management Program**
The Council reviewed proposed operating procedures drafted by Staff with input from the Public Services Committee for the proposed water management program proposed by the Public Services Committee and supported unanimously by the Council at the last meeting. The Council would like to move forward with the program and will hold a public hearing on it and consider the transfer of funds within the budget needed to pay for it.
**Committee Operating Procedures**
Councilmember Pat Burda and Community Relations Chair Ann Wild presented and the Council reviewed the proposal of the Long-Range Planning Committee regarding committee operating procedures. The Council discussed various ideas for improvement, focusing on various ideas to promote openness with an emphasis on making sure that residents are aware that they can attend any committee meeting as well as committee minute reporting. Other proposals concentrated on coordination among the committees and with Town Staff.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Town of Chevy Chase Election Results 2009
Linna Barnes was reelected to the Town Council and will be joined by Pat Burda, who currently serves as chair of the Town's Long-Range Planning Committee. They defeated David Eason and Deborah Vollmer. Vote totals and analysis below the fold.
Each voter could vote for two candidates. A total of 615 votes were cast in the Town, down from last year's record turnout.
Pat Burda, 363 (59%)
Linna Barnes, 357 (58%)
David Eason, 267 (43%)
Deborah Vollmer, 44 (7%)
The vote totals add up to less than the possible 1230 votes because many voters probably bullet voted. Some of David Eason's supporters urged a bullet vote in order to maximize his chances of election. However, it is clear that at least one-quarter of his voters must have also cast ballots for one of the other candidates even assuming the unlikely scenario that all bullet votes were cast for him. Of course, some voters may have also cast blank ballots, spoiled their ballots, or bullet voted for one of the other candidates.
As explained in a previous post, one can roughly divide the candidates into three very rough groups from divisions stemming from past debates over land-use controls as well as partisanship. Of course, a number of other issues came up in the election and individual voting decisions are often far more complex.
Pat Burda and Linna Barnes had many of the same supporters as myself and Kathy Strom--two of last year's winners. However, Pat and Linna received a substantially greater share of the vote. Indeed, their margin of victory was greater even in absolute terms despite a noticeable drop in turnout. This occurred despite the perceived potential for Deborah Vollmer to play a Ralph Nader-like spoiler role this year.
David Eason had many of the same supporters as Al Lang did in 2008. However, Dave managed a only slight improvement over Al who came in third and won the final seat in last year's more crowded and complicated race featuring three incumbents as well as three newcomers.
