COLLEGE GARDENS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
SPRING MEETING MINUTES
May 11, 2022
* Simultaneous in-person/virtual – 15 people in-person; 17 accounts signed-on
7 p.m. – call to order
Proposed Meeting Agenda (JMH): CGCA President John Mosely Hayes (JMH) introduced the other CGCA officers [Treasurer Jennifer Weiland (JW); Ex-officio Officer Tom Miner (TM); note – Vice-President Chaula Butterworth unable to attend; Secretary position vacant], the City Councilperson Mark Pierzchala (City Report), the Rockville City Manager Robert DiSpirito (City Report), Rachael Plett of the Woodley Gardens Civic Association (pool update), CGCA member Diane Fuchs (radon update), mentioned that Rockville City Police LT Brian Paul was unable to attend (note – he did submit a report and highlights inserted below) and reviewed the proposed meeting agenda:
– Treasurer Report
– Elect CGCA Secretary
– Police Report
– City Updates — Woodley Gardens Pool, Blue Mailbox, 270 expansion
– National Night Out Event Update
– Radon Information
– Plan for collecting/sharing directory info
Treasurer report (JW): Treasurer Jennifer Weiland reported that as of April 30, 2022, the date of the last bank statement, the CGCA account had a balance of $3808.23.
Election of CGCA Secretary: Meeting attendees unanimously elected Gamal (Jimmy El-Masry) as CGCA Secretary effective immediately.
Police Report (Brian Paul): (from submitted report) Between January 10, 2022 and April 10, 2022, Rockville police compiled three criminal offense reports on activities within College Gardens. These reports were written regarding one theft of a video doorbell, one vandalism of tires and two thefts from autos in the neighborhood on March 23.
City Council Updates – mailbox replacement status, Woodley Gardens Pool, deer management, 270 expansion, other (Mark Pierzchala):
Mailbox update – The Mailbox at the corner of Princeton Place and College Gardens Parkway was destroyed by a car several months ago. Citizens of College Gardens, Rockville City Council Member Mark Pierzchala and Rockville City Manager Robert DiSpirito have contacted the Rockville Post Office and State Representative Jamie Raskin asking that the mailbox be replaced. Representative Raskin’s office has stated that it is working on the issue.
Woodley Gardens Pool – Rachael Plett of the Woodley Gardens Civic Association gave an update on the status of the Woodley Gardens pool. The pool was purchased by two families who live in Woodley Gardens and it will be open this summer. Plans are underway for the Georgetown Day School to re-open following remodeling which will add a second story to both the school and the pool clubhouse. The owners plan to expand enrollment capacity from 100 to 200 children. The owners also plan to refurbish the pool after the 2022 season with the intention of the work being completed in time for the 2023 pool season.
270 Expansion – Mark gave a synopsis of the information and efforts of the DontWiden270.org (coordinator Janet Gallant) organization. Rockville City Manager Robert DiSpirito emphasized that the City Council has been very responsive and has submitted multiple official letters to voice its concerns about the proposed expansion, copies of which are on the Rockville City website for reference.
National Night Out (NNO) (JMH; JW): Attendees discussed the August 2022 NNO picnic and there was general agreement that this year’s picnic would be potluck, as it was in 2021, with water and Carmen’s Ice to be paid for from CGCA funds. There was also discussion of holding the NNO picnic with the other nearby neighborhoods of Woodley Gardens and Woodley Gardens West. Executive Committee members from Woodley Gardens and the CGCA will discuss that possibility in the coming months.
Radon Awareness (Diane Fuchs): CGCA member Diane Fuchs gave a presentation about her experience of finding high radon levels in her home and the process of installing a radon mitigation system. Diane has also worked with the city of Rockville to raise awareness of the radon issue which has prompted the city to start taking substantial steps toward informing citizens of the dangers of radon.
Directory (JMH; JW; TM): Executive Committee members gave an update on the neighborhood directory plan which includes updating information for each household, creating an electronic directory that can be viewed online or downloaded as an Excel or PDF file, a creating/sharing two PDF directory files – one sorted by house and another sorted by primary last name. A small group of members led by CGCA member Karen Carp will use the electronic directory to produce a printed directory for those who prefer that format. Block captains will be asked to finish collecting household information by June 30, 2022.
Meeting ended: 9:04.