Regular Monthly Meeting January 3, 2008

Members Present:

Lina Vlavianos, Chair
Sally Hornor, Vice Chair
Dave Hanson
Scott Hymes
Charlotte Lubbert
Joe Rubino
Michael Shultz
Debra Smith

Guests and Staff:

Albert Johnston, Greater Severna Park Council
Brenda Reiber, AACo. County Executive’s Office
Brenda Weeks, AACo. DPW/WES

Absent:

Jeff Schomig
Virginia P. Clagett, MD House Delegates (Ex-officio) Ron Dillon, County Council (Ex-officio)
Sam Shropshire, City Council (Ex-officio)

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Vlavianos called the regular monthly meeting of the Severn River Commission to order at 4:01 p.m. in the Severn Room. A quorum was declared present. 

The Minutes for the December 6, 2007, regular monthly SRC meeting was presented for approval. On page 2, paragraph 2, sentence two was deleted from the draft minutes because the information (“ACT preservation fund”) was out of context.

MOTION: A MOTION, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 6, 2007, REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE SEVERN RIVER COMMISSION WITH THE ABOVE CHANGE, WAS MADE AND SECONDED. THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE AND THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

1. Schomig was unable to attend today’s meeting due to a job commitment.
2. Vlavianos will be out of town January 9-17, 2008.  If the need arises, please contact Vice Chair Hornor for assistance.
3. The County Executive reappointed Lubbert and Hymes to SRC for 3-year terms beginning February 1, 2008. Smith’s reappointment by the Mayor of Annapolis is awaiting confirmation.
4. SRC members requested that future Commission meetings be scheduled in the Severn Room (4^th floor), 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD. 

OLD BUSINESS

Special Committees Reports

Critical Area Legislation (CA)

Rubino reported, according to Schomig, the County has already submitted the county’s proposed changes in the CA legislation to the State Critical Area Commission and is awaiting a response.  Although charged at the December SRC meeting, Schomig will not be generating a draft letter to the County requesting to sit in on Staff Critical Area legislative review meetings as observers representing SRC. Schomig requested a copy of the proposed CA changes/comments from Brenda Reiber in the County Executive’s office for SRC to review. 

Schomig and Rubino were invited to meet with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) attorneys for a briefing on CBF’s view on possible revisions to the State Critical Area law. Schomig found possible Critical Area violations on Clements Creek. Photos taken of the violations will be reviewed by SRC, submitted to AACo. Inspections & Permits and used for discussion with CBF.  

Hanson thanked Lubbert for giving the Ed/Com Committee reports in his absence at the November and December meetings. Hanson expressed concern over a major sewage spill on November 20 due to a failure at the Jennifer Road pumping station on Cowhide Branch near Jennifer Road and Admiral Drive.  He noted this is part of an on going, major County capital project. Hanson was directed to contact AACo. Department of Public Works to obtain additional information/details.

Hanson mentioned a desire to organize a speakers’ forum to expose the public to the wealth of information provided to SRC by invited guest speakers. Hornor noted the Severn River Association has a good speakers program and is always looking for someone for SRA’s well-advertised Tuesday evening meetings.

Hanson announced The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association (MSSA) is offering scholarships to students interested in relevant studies (marine biology, forestry, environmental, etc.).  Interested students should contact Sherrie with MSSA at (410) 255-5535 for information/application.  The deadline is April 30, 2008.

Environmental Overlay Zone:

Vlavianos noted there is nothing new to report.

Naval Academy Dairy Farm:

Rubino reported the lease negotiations between Anne Arundel County and the Navy is complete but the Navy still needs to sign the documents.  The Advisory Committee membership, who will advise the County on how to implement the lease once it is signed, is still being discussed.

KCC Properties:

Vlavianos reported Mauriello has not yet drafted a letter to the County regarding KCC and the Watershed Management Tool (WMT).  The Commission feels KCC can be used as an example showing the usefulness of incorporating the utilization of the WMT into the General Development Plan.

Hornor, on behalf of SRC, submitted an application requesting appointment to the Special Advisory Committee to the Planning Advisory Board, not to serve as a regular member but to be allowed to attend selected meetings dealing with land use. She has not had a response. The Special Advisory Committee’s purpose is to provide input on the update of the GDP. Schultz and Vlavianos are to act as substitutes if Hornor is unavailable for Severn River Watershed relevant meetings. Ms. Reiber pointed out Community and Constituent Services will have some input into the make up of this advisory committee, and every effort will be made to see that all areas in the County are represented on the Committee.

Lubbert reported the SRC website had 1,121 hits in December. Pollution, history, birds and reptiles received the most hits. Commission members feel the website looks good and commended Lubbert.

Shultz reported, according to Alan Friedman of the County Executive’s office, the County Executive’s office is still working on acceptable stormwater legislation, trying to negotiate a new approach. An all payer system is not acceptable to the County Executive. Shultz will pursue contact with Mr. Friedman to brief SRC about the progress being made. Following a lengthy discussion, Commission members decided to take no other action at this time. Shultz will keep SRC informed/updated.

NEW BUSINESS

Impact Fees

In response to Hymes’ inquiry, Vlavianos noted SRC has supported increasing impact fees for a number of years. The County Executive is proposing significant increases in impact fees on new construction, but no details are yet available. Mr. Al Johnston addressed the County’s history regarding impact fees, noting that consultant studies were done when Anne Arundel County first implemented impact fees in 1988 and then updated them in 2001. The bill that went into effect in 2001 used the 1988 consumer price index to determine the increase. Impact fees will be discussed at the Planning Advisory Board meeting tonight, and a Council work session will be held January 8 if the bill is introduced on January 7. Hornor and Hymes will stay on top of this issue. SRC may comment on the legislation once more details are available.

PUBLIC INPUT

Community Connections Day

Brenda Reiber announced the County Executive’s Office of Community and Constituent Services would host the County’s first annual Community Connections Day 2008. This Community Associations Open House is aimed to inform civic, community, and homeowners’ association leaders about how to best utilize the multitude of county services available to communities. Two dates are scheduled: Saturday, February 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Village of Waugh Chapel Community Center and Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Anne Arundel Community College.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m. The next regular monthly SRC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 7, 2008, 4:00 p.m., in the Severn Room, 2664 Riva Road (4^th floor).