COLLEGE GARDENS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
SPRING MEETING MINUTES
May 22, 2024

This was a hybrid meeting with [16] people attending in-person; and three members participating via phone or video link.

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by the Vice-President of the College Gardens Civic Association (CGCA) Gamal (Jimmy) El-Masry (GE).

Introduction and Proposed Meeting Agenda (GE): 
GE explained that the Association President Jennifer Weiland (JW) had hoped to chair the meeting, but her flight back to DC had been delayed and she was unable to join online.GE introduced the Association Secretary John Mosely Hayes (JMH). The Treasurer position was currently vacant, and volunteers were welcomed to serve as Treasurer and complete the Executive Committee. The meeting followed the proposed agenda:
Police Report – Rockville Police Lieutenant Bill Nieberding 
Treasurer Report – GE
City Updates – Barry Jackson, Rockville City Councilmember
Update on College Gardens Park Picnic Shelter Mural by Karyn Miller, Arts, Culture, and History Program Manager
Printed Directory Update by Karen Carp; and College Gardens Directory Update and Bi-annual CGCA Membership Dues 
Updating Electronic CGCA Membership Directory and Collecting Membership Dues 
By-law Amendment – Vote to complete process to amend bylaws to allow electronic voting on CGCA issues
Geothermal Installations in College Gardens – GE and CG resident Robert Wise
New Business


Police Report, LT. Bill Nieberding (City of Rockville Police):.
LT. Nieberding explained that there were no major safety issues that had occurred in the CG community to report on. One issue in general for Rockville, is that there were occasional car thefts that occurred in Rockville, or stolen cars from elsewhere that found their way to Rockville. The City Police as a rule does not engage in hot pursuits of such stolen cars because the car chase usually ends up causing more harm to persons and property than the loss or limited damage of an insured vehicle.
Regarding the occasional large presence of City Police vehicles in the neighborhood, as had recently been seen, this usually is the result of a suspicious person being reported to the Police. If capacity allows, the Police usually respond with overwhelming presence (which may make such an incident seem more dangerous that it really is) so as to minimize the probability of any one police officer needing to or the suspect using force.



Treasurer Report, GE:
The bank account balance since the last meeting has grown from just under $5,750 to a balance of $5,778.86 as of end-April 2024, thanks to some new membership dues and interest income. 
No major expenses were incurred since the Fall Meeting.
Looking ahead, there may be some expenses in the coming few months in connection with the August 6th National Night Out (always the first Tuesday in August).


City of Rockville Update,  Councilmember Barry Jackson (BJ): 
Budget: The City Council recently approved its annual budget. There will be no increases in city taxes. The City succeeded in increasing staffing in some critical areas, including: a new staff member responsible for making City Parks more accessible to physically challenged people; and six more police officers (the latter to offset in part some cutbacks in coverage of Rockville by the Montgomery County Police; county police will continue to assist with violent crime incidences, but no longer help as much as they had in the past on non-violent situations).
Widening I-270 and toll lanes: This remains a possibility despite the unanimous opposition by the City Council. To this end, the Mayor had sent a letter expressing strong opposition to this project to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. The exact position of Governor Wes Moore’s Administration is not clear since it formally approved the plan to go ahead with the widening/toll project, but also said it would not implement the plan for now. This project appears to have been pushed from 2040 to 2045, but it could be reactivated earlier if the political majorities change. We all need to be vigilant.  Unlike the Rockville City Council, city governments north of Rockville are not opposed to the project
Woodley Gardens Shopping Center Vape Shop update: The City Council will be considering changes to the zoning ordinance that will require minimum distances of vape shops from places where young children gather and play (parks, schools, playgrounds, etc.). If approved, this could bar a vape shop from opening in the Woodley Gardens Shopping Center. In the end, a reasonable compromise will have to be worked out because it will not be possible for the City to prohibit outright such activities, given that the shop owners are engaging in a legal business. 
Access to the Senior Center from Gude Drive: Plans by City Planners are going ahead to allow access to the Senior Center’s north parking lot from Gude Drive, while barring through-traffic into the Woodley Gardens neighborhood. There will likely be some removable obstacle installed that would allow police or emergency (fire/ambulance) vehicles to drive through. 
Zoning: The City Council might approve changes to the zoning ordinance that would allow homeowners to add small separate construction units on their land, such as  for use by elderly parents, guest quarters, etc. However such exceptions would only be allowed on large properties and with sufficient distance from neighbors; conditions that most, if not all properties in the College Gardens neighborhood do not meet the size lot size requirement (comment from Mark Perzchela, former City Councilmember).

Update on College Gardens Park Mural, Ms. Karyn Miller (Arts, Culture, and History Program Manager, City Manager’s Office, City of Rockville):
Following the recommendation of the Artist Nomination Committee (which GE served on) to select Artist Andy Dahl and his proposed artwork, the proposal went to the City’s Cultural Arts Commission where it received unanimous support.
The project will next go to the City Mayor and Council for consideration at their July 29 meeting.
Once formally approved by the Council, the City will be ready to start the contracting process with the selected artist. 
Mr. Dahl was invited to attend this meeting, but had a scheduling conflict. He looks forward to engaging with the community in an active and inclusive way.
There are a few more steps to go, but the City hopes to start implementing the project in the fall.
Handout provided (attached herewith).

CGCA Printed Directory Update, Karen Carp (KC), (CGCA Printed Directory Special Committee Chair, Scott Butterworth Co-Chair): 
KC has been working with others (Scott Butterworth, CG resident), to put the electronic directory into a format that can easily be printed in the form of a booklet. 
There are a few more steps to go. She hopes to have this process completed by September 2024. 
It would be good if she could have a better idea of how many households would be interested in having printed booklets. She was of the impression that they could be as high as 50% of the membership.
KC can use the CGCA Google Group to canvas the membership and verify this number.  

Updating Electronic CGCA Membership Directory and Collecting Membership Dues, GE and JMH:
JMH explained that IAW the CGCA bylaws, the biannual membership dues (currently $10 per household every two years), is not intended to pay for a printed directory, but that the CGCA Executive Committee will continue to help maintain and periodically provide the Membership the Electronic CGCA Membership Directory to its members and the Special Committee Printed Directory. 
Later this year will be time to collect another round of dues (every two years).  It was agreed that this would best be done with the help of block captains, who could also help prompt and  supplement collecting directory information from the homes in the neighborhood.
A volunteer is needed to help lead the dues collection and directory update effort.


Proposed amendment to by-laws to allow electronic voting on CGCA issues, GE:
GE explained that the proposed amendment would allow the Executive Committee to solicit members’ views on an important matter of interest to the Association by electronic means between the General Meetings. The draft was recommended for a vote at the last Association meeting in November 2023. If approved at this meeting, it would go into effect immediately.
The proposed amendment would be added to Article VIII, and would read as follows:
“Article VIII, Section 5- Between General Meetings, the Executive Committee is authorized to hold electronic votes on matters it deems to be important or of significant interest to the Association. The same quorum requirement will apply to the electronic vote as spelled out in Article XI, Section1. The outcome of the electronic vote will be determined by the majority of the votes cast. The Executive Committee may then communicate, or otherwise act upon, the outcome of the electronic vote, as if such decision were taken by the membership in a General Meeting.”
The proposed amendment was approved by a unanimous YES vote.
A suggestion was made, and generally agreed upon by those in attendance, that, particularly for those members who do not follow their email inboxes on a daily basis, the Executive Committee can post signs around the neighborhood when such electronic voting takes place.  This would help alert members to check their inboxes for important electronic information and/or action that was required. These alerts could be similar to the signs posted around the neighborhood that invited members to attend today’s meeting.

Geothermal installations in College Gardens, GE and CG resident Robert Wise (RW) made a joint presentation of their experience with installing a geothermal (GT) heating and cooling system in their homes:  
A slide show was provided with pictures of the work that was done, along with explanations (attached herewith).
RW had his system installed in 2014, GE just a few months ago. 
The costs for such a system are quite high, having risen from about $37,000 in 2014 to about $42,500 in 2024. However, there are considerable financial incentive programs that reduce the net out-of-pocket costs, including a 30% federal tax credit on the total amount; $3,000 in grants from the State of Maryland; and another $1,500 from PEPCO.
The installation can take about 4-6 weeks, depending on the availability of drillers and the permitting process. It also involves major digging and trenching in the yard.
Once installed, the outside air conditioning (AC) unit becomes obsolete and is removed, and the previous gas heating furnace is replaced with a much quieter electric pump and compressor. The overall carbon footprint is reduced substantially, especially if combined with solar panels that generate free electricity.
In addition to significant savings from lower utility bills (about $100-$150 per month) , the system also generates so-called renewable energy credits (RECs) which can be sold through brokers for around $70-$90 per month.

New Business, JMH: 
JMH asked that a Special Committee/Task Force be formed and in partnership with the Woodley Gardens Civic Association (WGCA) to continue to try and address the growing deer menace in the neighborhood and ecological injury to the Upper Watts Branch Nature Preserve to which the two neighborhoods are adjacent. 
JMH explained that he had met with a similarly concerned WG resident (Michele Berlove introduced to him by the WGCA) and a person with a lot of deer management experience who has been in touch with county and city officials gathering useful information.  
Members agreed to authorize the CGCA to support the formation of a Special Committee on Deer Management (to give the proposed committee flexibility, the proposed committee can be outside of CGCA and CGCA still support the committee, have them speak at meetings, use the CGCA email group, adopt their findings in letters to the city or county, etc.).  Ideally the proposed committee would be one that the WGCA would support in a similar fashion as well. 
The special committee’s proposed initial goals would include:
To gather/summarize the city council information and actions that have already been done (8 city council meeting discussions as reported by Mark Perzchela)
Plan and mobilize CGCA and WGCA community members to conduct a deer survey at the end of the summer.
Formulate, propose and help implement (if there is support) a deer management plan.

The meeting ended at 9:15 pm.


Attachments (included with email distribution): 
Mural Presentation Handout
Geothermal system slides

COLLEGE GARDENS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
FALL MEETING MINUTES
November 8, 2023

This was a hybrid meeting with 21 people attending in-person; and 8 members participating via phone or video link.

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by the President of the College Gardens (CG) Civic Association (CGCA) Jennifer Weiland (JW).

Introduction and Proposed Meeting Agenda (JW): 
JW introduced the other CGCA officers: Gamal (Jimmy) El-Masry (Vice President; GE); John Mosely Hayes (Secretary; JMH); [Treasurer currently vacant] 

JW introduced the meetings speakers – 
LT. Bill Nieberding – City of Rockville Police Report point person
Mark Pierzchala – City Council Representative, CG resident and former CGCA President – City update 
Diane Fuchs – West Rockville Connects Village Organization Volunteer
Jennifer DeMatteo – Garden Club of College Gardens (GCCG) President
Karyn Miller – Arts, Culture, and History Program Manager, City of Rockville

JW described the proposed agenda:
– Treasurer Report
– Police Report
– City Updates
– Woodley Gardens Shopping Center Vape Shop update
– West Rockville Connects village organization update
– CGCA voting on 3 issues that CGCA maybe asked to weigh-in on before the next CGCA meeting
– Proposed amendment to by-laws to allow electronic voting on CGCA issues
– Mural on CG Park Shelter
– CGCA Treasurer?
– New Business 

Treasurer’s Report (JW):  JW reported that as of November 8, 2023, the CGCA bank account had a positive balance of $5,749.42; expenditures since the Spring meeting were for the National Night Out event including $18.59 for potluck supplies and $302.80 for Carmen’s Italian Ice. The next CGCA membership dues collection cycle is targeted for 2024. 

Police Report (Lieutenant Bill Nieberding, Lt. (BN)): 
Nothing alarming to report.  The College Gardens and Woodley Gardens communities continue to have a very low number of calls for police service.
A meeting participant who has a home on Yale Place next to the CG elementary school shared that a car parked at her home had the wheels stolen.  BN responded that this was an outlier event and that normally such theft occurs in apartment complexes and parking garages by car theft gangs. 
He explained that in many cases they target specific car models and steal the whole wheels which in some cases can be quite expensive.

City of Rockville Update (Mark Pierzchala, Rockville City Council Representative): 
City Election, Rockville voters elected Monique Ashton as Mayor; and Kate Fulton, Adam Van Grack, Izola (Zola) Shaw, incumbent David Myles, Marissa Valeri and Barry Jackson as Council Members to form the new enlarged 7-member council.  Many of the council members are there for the first time, and there will be many issues which they will be confronted with right away. 
Widening I-270 and toll lanes is still a strong possibility despite the strong opposition coalition. Proposed development will first start from I-370 north and once this is done work will move farther south to connect the I-270 Spur to Rockville and further north to the section that would have been completed in the first phase.  
Woodley Gardens Shopping Center Vape Shop update. The City Council has put a moratorium on more vape shops within the city, as it continues to review and revise the ordinance and permit process regarding this type of business. In the end, this might prove to be a difficult matter for the City to prohibit, and a reasonable compromise might need to be worked out because it will not be possible for the City to outright prohibit such businesses in our neighborhood. Possible exclusion zones that might hold legal muster might include proximity to schools and playing fields where very young children congregate. There is also the hope that moral suasion by the community could dissuade the potential vape shop operators from going ahead with the project.

West Rockville Connects village organization(Diane Fuchs, WRC Volunteer): Diane explained that Villages are local, volunteer-led, grassroots organizations, which foster social connections through activities and events, and coordinate volunteer help at home using a neighbor-helping-neighbor model. She explained that there were six other “Villages” that are being developed in Rockville and that Trish Evans (tevans@rockvillemd.gov; Tel: 240-314-8807) works on coordinating the development of Villages for the City of Rockville.  The email to connect with persons working on the WRC which includes the CG neighborhood is wrcvillage@gmail.com.  To learn more about WRC, go to westrockvilleconnects.org. She also showed the contents of the WRC welcome package for new arrivals to the neighborhood..

Garden Club of College Gardens (Jennifer DeMatteo, immediate past GCCG President):  Jennifer described the activities of our neighborhood garden club and invited residents to join the GCCG meetings held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm, usually at the Rockville Senior Center.  Further, the GCCG welcomes new residents to College Gardens with a red geranium plant, the club flower. In addition to maintaining the landscaping of the Hill, at the corner of Nelson St. and College Pkwy, the club holds an annual Plant Sale in April and bulb sale in the Fall.  Geraniums were delivered to new residents of College Gardens following our spring plant sale. Neighbors were invited to join the GCCG on November 9, for a lecture and discussion on cultivating edible mushrooms.

CGCA voting on three issues (JW, CGCA President): JW explained that the CGCA Executive Committee wanted to determine how the CGCA members felt about three issues that the CGCA might be asked to weigh-in on prior to the next CGCA meeting. JW then led a vote of the meeting participants to determine the CGCA position on the issues  
Widening I-270 and toll lanes – The overwhelming majority of participants voted that they were against the expansion of I-270 and creation of toll-lanes
Woodley Gardens Shopping Center Vape Shop – The overwhelming majority of participants voted that they were in favor of zoning restrictions that would prohibit a vaping shop in residential and so close to playing grounds and public parks, such as the Woodley Gardens shopping center.
Gude Access to Senior Center – All participants voted that they were in favor of allowing a northern access to the Senior Center,  provided that there is a barrier between the north and south parking lots that would not allow for non-emergency vehicle traffic from a possible north entrance to pass through into the Woodley Gardens neighborhood.
  
Proposed amendment to bylaws to allow electronic voting on CGCA issues (JW, CGCA President): 
JW explained that the purpose of the proposed amendment is to allow the Executive Committee to solicit members’ views on important matters of interest to the Association by electronic means between the General Meetings. While the bylaws allow for special meetings, the low attendance at spring and fall meetings did not bode well for attendance at special meetings and therefore only reflect the position of a small number of residents.  Allowing residents to weigh in electronically on issues allows for the possibility of more robust participation from our community.  The CGCA bylaws required that at least 10 CGCA members sign a petition for such an amendment to be placed on the next CGCA General Meeting. Only then would a majority vote allow for the proposed amendment to the bylaws to become effective. 
An in-depth discussion amongst the participants followed, ending with 10 CGCA members petitioning that the amendment be made. The point was made that in-person meetings provide a more personal venue in which to exchange viewpoints and thereby get to know our neighbors and that the bylaws allow for special meetings at any time to gather community input.  A participant pointed out how a question is phrased and described before a vote is critical, and that electronic polling might not afford the opportunity for the CGCA to hear feedback and clarify issues for voters.
At the next CGCA meeting, tentatively scheduled around April/May 2024, a vote will be taken to complete the amendment process.
If approved, it will be added as Section 5 to Article VIII (Committees) and is proposed to be worded as follows –
“Article VIII, Section 5- Between General Meetings, the Executive Committee is authorized to hold electronic votes on matters it deems to be important or of significant interest to the Association. The same quorum requirement will apply to the electronic vote as spelled out in Article XI, Section1. <See attached Bylaws> The outcome of the electronic vote will be determined by the majority of the votes cast. The Executive Committee may then communicate, or otherwise act upon, the outcome of the electronic vote, as if such a decision were taken by the membership in a General Meeting.“

Mural on CG Park Shelter (Karyn Miller – Arts, Culture, and History Program Manager, City of Rockville): 
The City of Rockville will work with the community and an artist to transform the College Gardens Park Picnic Shelter with a vibrant mural. Community input is essential for Rockville’s public art planning, as it enables us to align our efforts with the needs and desires of those we serve. By participating in this project, community members can actively contribute to the development of the public art landscape in their community. This mural project is an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent and creativity of artists while fostering community engagement and pride in the neighborhood.  
A survey on the project is accessible here: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/348/Arts-Culture
Residents are invited to attend an upcoming Cultural Arts Commission meeting. To attend the meeting or find out more about this project, please contact Karyn Miller, Arts, Culture, and History Program Manager for the City of Rockville. Karyn can be reached at kmiller@rockvillemd.gov.
The Artist Nomination Committee will meet twice. They will be asked to review artist submissions in advance of the meetings. Meetings will last approximately 1.5-2 hours each. Exact dates and times are still to be determined, but the approximate timing and time commitment is outlined below. Gamal (Jimmy) El-Masry will represent the CGCA on this Committee.
Meeting 1: early Jan 2024, likely the week of Jan 8-12. This meeting is for preliminary review and scoring of all artist applications. The Committee will be asked to recommend a short list of artists who will then develop more detailed and site-specific proposals.
Meeting 2: late Feb 2024, likely the week of Feb 19-23.  This meeting is to review detailed proposals from a short list of artists, score proposals, and make recommendations for an artist to the Rockville City Council for final approval.  

The meeting ended shortly after 9:00 pm.

COLLEGE GARDENS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
SPRING MEETING MINUTES
MAY 10, 2023

This was a hybrid meeting with 21 people attending in-person; and about 15 members participating via phone or video link.

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by the President of the College Gardens (CG) Civic Association (CGCA) John Mosely Hayes (JMH).

Introduction and Proposed Meeting Agenda (JMH): 

JMH introduced the other CGCA officers: Chaula Butterworth (Vice President); Jennifer Weiland (JW, Treasurer); Gamal (Jimmy) El-Masry (Secretary; not able to attend); and Tom Miner (immediate Past-President and Exofficial) 

JMH introduced the meetings speakers – 

• LT. Bill Nieberding – City of Rockville Police Report point person
• Mark Pierzchala – City Council Representative, CG resident and former CGCA President – City update 
• Sandy Watson – Woodley Gardens Civic Association President
• Diane Fuchs – West Rockville Connects Village Organization Volunteer
• Jennifer DeMatteo – Garden Club of College Gardens (GCCG) President

JMH described the proposed agenda:
– Treasurer Report

– Police Report

– City Updates

– Woodley Gardens Shopping Center Vape Shop update

– West Rockville Connects village organization update

– CGCA updates

– New Business 

Treasurer’s Report (JW):  JW reported that as of April 30, 2023, the CGCA bank account had a positive balance of $6331.50; 77% of the 336 CG single family households had given $10 bi-annual membership dues during 2022 dues collection; and that next CGCA membership dues collection cycle is targeted for 2024. 

Police Report (Lieutenant Bill Nieberding, Lt. (BN)): 

• ‘College Gardens and Woodley Gardens communities including both shopping centers made up approximately 2.5% (a low amount) of all the calls for police service in the city of Rockville. Further, the highest number of calls throughout the city are “disorderly calls” and “suspicious situations” calls. The vast majority of these calls are either unfounded or easily adjusted by having a conversation with the parties involved.
• Concerning driving in the city and the appearance of a higher rate of aggressive driving in the city including speeding and running stops signs. I believe with so many people making the same observations, there is probably a rate of more aggressive driving. Police department’s today are avoiding aggressive traffic enforcement to avoid the image of being overbearing, but at the same time the police department are enforcing observed violations. I reminded everyone to please contact the police department if there is a particular area or intersection that should be checked by our patrol officers as time allows.
• There was a question about Artificial Intelligence (AI). I did not have a lot of knowledge about AI but advised that it affects many aspects of our lives. Everyone should follow the news about AI and make their own determination.
• The police department has added a Mental Health Counselor to the police department. Beth Loftus is a credentialed professional who gives the police department another valued resource in helping people who may be having a mental health crisis. She is available to respond to a scene to assist officers and also follow up with citizens for additional help.
• There was a question about street lights that was fielded by Councilman Pierzchala. Pepco maintains them and the City is working with them to identify and repair faulty lights.
• We had a little bit of conversation about the recent guest in the neighborhood – the bear. It is a good idea to accept the idea that we will have uninvited guests from mother nature from time to time. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is a great agency that takes these situations very seriously. The Rockville City Police are always happy to work with the DNR.
• The police department is looking forward to seeing the College Gardens Civic Association this summer at National Night Out.’

City of Rockville Update (Mark Pierzchala, Rockville City Council Representative): 

• Widening I-270 and toll lanes, the Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club submitted a multi-organization coalition supported letter to the MD Dept. of Transportation Secretary to not widen I-270 with toll lanes, and the Rockville City Council unanimously continues to recommend the same to state and other government officials. 
• Rockville City Budget, this was Mark’s 12th year serving on the council and he was very disappointed in the council’s performance in adequately budgeting for the future.  In particular, the City’s not raising police salaries negatively impacts the Police Dept’s ability to hire additional police officers. There are four vacant police officer positions. Further, not enough money has been allocated to maintain the capital improvements part of the budget. Mark is concerned that in time not doing so will impact the AAA bond rating that the City currently has (a hard rating to acquire). In addition, Mark was disappointed that 2 million dollars has been budgeted for a consultant to provide a Red Gate Park utilization proposal plan.
• Rockville Hometown Holidays Celebration, held at the Redgate Park on the last weekend in May. Rockville..
• During the Q&A session that followed, Mark explained that the Rockville Housing Enterprises had purchased the Scarborough Square’s 122 apartment units and will maintain the property as affordable housing for its current tenants, including for larger families. 

Woodley Gardens Shopping Center Vape Shop update (Sandy Watson, Woodley Gardens Civic Association President): Explained that vape shop does not have the appropriate electrical permits. In addition, the City Council has put a moratorium on more vape shops within the city as it reviews and revises the ordinance and permit process regarding this type of business. 

West Rockville Connects Village (Diane Fuchs, WRCV Volunteer): Diane explained that Villages are local, volunteer-led, grassroots organizations, which foster social connections through activities and events, and coordinate volunteer help at home using a neighbor-helping-neighbor model. She explained that there were a couple of other Villages that were being developed in Rockville and that Trish Evans (tevans@rockvillemd.gov; Tel: 240-314-8807) works on coordinating the development of Villages for the City of Rockville.  The email to connect with persons working on the WRCV which includes the CG neighborhood is wrcvillage@gmail.com. 

Garden Club of College Gardens (Jennifer DeMatteo, GCCG President):  Described the activities of our neighborhood garden club and invited residents to join the GCCG meetings held on the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm, usually at the Rockville Senior Center.  Further, the GCCG welcomes new residents to College Gardens with a red geranium, the club flower. In addition to maintaining the landscaping of the Hill, at the corner of Nelson St. and College Pkwy, the club holds an annual Plant Sale in April and bulb sale in the Fall.

CGCA updates (JMH, CGCA President, now Secretary): 

• Gave an update that the CGCA National Night Out neighborhood potluck would be held August 1, Tuesday, in the evening at the CG Park Pavilion.  The CGCA will provide Carmen’s Italian ice and water. The Rockville German Band will perform; a robotics group will give a robotics demonstration; the Montgomery County Police Department will give a drone demonstration; there will be a Manna Food Collection; and Rockville City Police Department, Fire Department and City officials will attend.
• JMH also proposed that in the future the CGCA should consider using software like Google Forms to poll its membership on various issues; it was pointed out that the CGCA bi-laws would need to be updated if using such a polling tool would be used to take a membership vote outside of the normal Spring and Fall CGCA meetings. 
• JMH recognized that Chaula Butterworth had decided to resign her position as the CGCA Vice-President and that the remaining officers wanted to change to new positions as follows – Jennifer Weiland, President; Gamal (Jimmy) El-Masry, VP; John Mosely Hayes, Secretary.  A vote was taken and it was unanimous to allow the changes.  There were no volunteers to become the CGCA Treasurer and the CGCA officers will continue to seek out a volunteer to fill the Treasurer position. 

.  

The meeting ended at 9:00 pm

COLLEGE GARDENS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Fall MEETING MINUTES
October 12, 2022

This was a hybrid meeting with 21 people attending in-person; and about 15 members participating via phone or video link.

The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by the President of the College Gardens Civic Association o(CGCA) John Mosely Hayes (JMH).

Introduction and Proposed Meeting Agenda (JMH): 

JMH introduced the other CGCA officers: Chaula Butterworth (Vice President); Jennifer Weiland (JW, Treasurer); Gamal (Jimmy) El-Masry (Secretary); and Tom Miner (Immediate Past-President and Exofficial) 

JMH then introduced the meetings speakers – 

• Ken Hoffman, primary CGCA City of Rockville’s Comprehensive Master Plan 2040 (CMP) point person; Akiva Liberman, secondary CGCA CMP point person
• LT. Bill Nieberding – City of Rockville Police Report point person
• Mark Pierzchala – City Council Representative, CG resident and former CGCA President – City update 
• James Hedrick of the Rockville Housing Enterprises (RHE), for update about the RHE purchase of the Scarborough Square Apartments
• Christopher Meyers, Jane Lyons and Katie Gerbes City’s CMP team

Agenda:
– Treasurer Report

– Police Report

– City Updates – Discussion of RHE Acquisition of Scarborough Square Apartments and other info (e.g. Deer mitigation update) 

– Directory info update

– City Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP) Project Prioritization Session 

– New Business 

It was proposed to use the second hour of the meeting for the CMP Project Prioritization discussion.

Treasurer’s Report (JW):  JW reported that since the last meeting in May 2022, the CGCA had paid out expenses for paper copies used by block captains of $54.44; and collected dues for the electronic directory project (see agenda item No. 5) of about $2,150.00. As of October 12, 2022, the CGCA had a positive balance of $5,679.11 at hand. 

Police Report (Lieutenant Bill Nieberding, Lt. (BN)): BN reported that he joined the Rockville Police in his current capacity as a member of the Command Staff in July 2022. There was not much in terms of crime to report in our area. There were some reports of suspicious cars parked around the Woodley Swimming Pool after dark, but they turned out to be harmless. There was a fire incident at the College Gardens Park Gazebo. The fire was quickly extinguished and blown into the pond; which made an investigation of the fire source and possible instigators very difficult. There was also a recent report of a naked person in the neighborhood, who was probably suffering from mental illness. He was taken by the police to a local hospital for evaluation.
In the ensuing questions and answers session (Q&A), Lt. BN explained that there had been a marked increase in incidents where guns were involved, rising from 7 per year in 2021 to more than 30 in the first 9 months of 2022. This probably reflected the new reality after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down New York’s restrictions on the carrying of concealed weapons, and Governor Hogan subsequent loosening of similar restrictions in Maryland. Other issues discussed were the need for adequate street lighting to avert crime in some areas; and increased occurrence of cars rolling through, and not respecting, STOP signs at key intersections.

City of Rockville Update (Mark Pierzchala, Member of the Rockville City Council): 

• On the widening of the I-270 with toll lanes, the Maryland chapter of the Sierra Club and three other environmental advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit claiming deficiencies in the proposal’s environmental analysis. The City of Rockville has also put in a request for additional information and data. While these new initiatives may delay the project, in reality no one can really tell what its fate will be. Even though both gubernatorial candidates have stated on the record that they would consider significant changes to the project, the Maryland Board of Public Works may still approve parts of the project before Governor Hogan’s term ends in January 2023.
• On the overpopulation of deer, there is no easy solution. This matter has been discussed at some 7-8 City Council meetings with no clear resolution in sight. Deer overpopulation is a problem across the Eastern Seaboard, and open culling is very difficult in Montgomery County and Rockville with such a high and dense human population. 
• During the Q&A session that ensued, one participant complained about large trucks parking on the College Plaza parking lot; and another inquired as to when the bumpy Nelson Street would be resurfaced, particularly from around College Parkway to West Montgomery Avenue.

Scarborough Square Apartments (James Hedrick, JH): (Summary about the apartment acquisition was sent via the CGCA Google Group prior to the meeting) JH of the Rockville Housing Enterprises (RHE, which serves as the City of Rockville’s agency to acquire and manage affordable housing) explained that RHE will be purchasing, on behalf of the City of Rockville, the Scarborough Square’s 122 apartment units which are currently owned by a private investor. The deal is likely to be finalized in early December 2022, after which more details will be made public. RHE will continue to maintain the property as affordable housing for its current tenants, including for larger families. RHE is planning to upgrade the property in about 2-3 years (façade, landscaping, possibly new roofing, etc.), when the refinancing of the purchase is envisaged. A summary about the apartment acquisition was sent via the CGCA Google Group prior to the meeting. 

Neighborhood directory update (Jennifer Weiland, JW): JW explained that about 90 percent of the names, addresses and household data had been entered into the updated electronic directory that will be made available to members in good standing (gave every two years CGCA dues – currently $10) as an electronic file. The electronic directory has the advantage that it can be updated on an ongoing basis. Only a few block captains have yet to hand in their collected data. For those who prefer a printed directory, a special CGCA work group led by CGCA member Karen Carp will be provided the electronic directory file so the work group can produce a printed version.

City of Rockville’s Comprehensive Master Plan 2040 (CMP). (Project list and previous CGCA member submission suggestion letter to city regarding CMP sent via the CGCA Google Group prior to the meeting) Christopher Meyers, Jane Lyons and Katie Gerbes from the CMP made a presentation about the CMP, emphasizing that this was an evolving and living document that was intended to guide City planners over the next decades. For Planning Area 5, which encompasses College Gardens and Woodley Gardens, the Plan currently includes five projects as described below and the meeting participants gave feedback about these projects. CGCA CMP point person Ken Hoffman gave additional background and a synthesis of CGCA feedback to the City regarding the CMP so far, including input about Area 7. 

• Project 1: Create a new vehicle entrance from West Gude Drive only to the Rockville Senior Center’s northern parking lot, without any drive-through access to the neighborhood. There was general support from attendants.
• Project 2: Reopen pedestrian and bicycle connection from Princeton Place to the Montgomery College campus. There was firm opposition from immediate neighbors, but also general support from other members who welcomed the safer and quicker access that such an entrance would allow to the Montgomery College campus.
• Project 3: Redesign and construct a safer bicycle and pedestrian access from Yale Place to the Millennium Trail along West Gude Drive. There was general support from attendants who emphasized the current dangerously steep and sharp turn onto the Trail with limited visibility.
• Project 4. Explore the feasibility for one or more new bicycle and pedestrian paths across Upper Watts Branch Park to connect the College Gardens and Woodley Gardens neighborhoods. There was widespread opposition to any new paved paths that would change the character of the park. Some members were open to exploring one safe wooden bridge crossing or stepping stones over the creek at the head of an existing dirt path. Participants were opposed to any type of paved/developed trail and did not want trails to become bike trails, but rather left as natural and pedestrian oriented as possible.
• Project 5: Explore the feasibility of a new bicycle and pedestrian path connecting the Upper Watts Branch Park to West Gude Drive, opposite Gaither Road. Most attendants were indifferent, but some more immediate neighbors opposed this project fearing that to do so could attract unwanted foot traffic.  Participants were opposed to any type of paved/developed trail and did not want trails to become bike trails, but rather left as natural and pedestrian oriented as possible.

The CMP Team encouraged CGCA members to visit the City of Rockville webpage, fill out the survey, and provide any comments on the draft CMP by October 19, 2022. There will also be future opportunities to comment on subsequent drafts of the CMP. The CMP can be accessed and viewed at:
(https://www.rockvillemd.gov/203/Rockville-2040-Comprehensive-Plan-Update)

(Post meeting – The CGCA sent out a message from the City CMP Team with a link to the CMP project prioritization survey, an Area 5 project summary and links to the CMP).  

The meeting ended at 9:15 pm