Members Present: Lina Vlavianos, Chair
Sally Hornor, Vice Chair
Scott Hymes
Charlotte Lubbert
Jeff Schomig
Debra Smith Guests and Staff: Albert Johnston, Greater Severna Park Council
Carey Kreidler, Marymount University
Brenda Weeks, AACo. DPW/WES Absent: Dave Hanson
Joe Rubino
Michael Shultz
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 4:12 p.m. in the Severn Room, 2664 Riva Road. A quorum was present MINUTES The Minutes for the January 3, 2008, regular monthly SRC meeting was presented for approval. MOTION: A MOTION, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE JANUARY 3, 2008, REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE SEVERN RIVER COMMISSION AS WRITTEN, WAS MADE BY HORNOR AND SECONDED BY LUBBERT. THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE AND THE MINUTES WERE ADOPTED AS WRITTEN. ANNOUNCEMENTS / CORRESPONDENCE - Shultz and Hanson notified Chair Vlavianos they would not be able to attend today’s meeting, and Rubino was not present.
- Hymes, Lubbert, and Smith’s reappointments for 3-year terms to end January 31, 2011, have been confirmed.
- The County Executive’s office formally requested Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Department of the Environment to appoint representatives (ex officio) to SRC as indicated in the SRC Resolution.
- Hymes recently has been hired by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and has asked the State Ethics Commission for a ruling regarding any conflict of interest.
- Councilman Jamie Benoit has been appointed by the County Council Chairman to represent Council as an ex-officio member on the SRC.
- Vlavianos will be out of the country February 10-28, 2008. Contact Vice Chair Hornor if the need arises.
- The County Executive’s Community Connections Day 2008 is scheduled for Saturday, February 9, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Village of Waugh Chapel Community Center and Saturday, March 8, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Anne Arundel Community College.
- The Tributary Strategies Team Annual Meeting will be held on February 9, 2008, 8:30 - 3:00 p.m., at Maryland Department of the Environment. A number of interesting speakers are featured pertinent to SRC’s mission.
- SRC sent a January 9, 2008 letter to the County Executive regarding utilization of the Watershed Management Tool (WMT) in the General Development Plan (GDP) update and soliciting support for mandated utilization of the WMT in the development review process.
- SRC received a response from the County Executive to the above-referenced letter regarding utilization of the WMT in the GDP. This response will be discussed later in the meeting when the GDP topic on the Agenda is addressed.
OLD BUSINESS Special Committees Reports Critical Area Legislation (CA) Schomig reported he has been in contact with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), and Rubino and he plan to meet with the CBF attorneys to discuss their views regarding the proposed changes to the State Critical Area legislation. Referring to the County CA law, he noted that not much more can be done from an enforcement standpoint as the law is currently written. Vlavianos pointed out two separate issues are being addressed: the County CA update and the State CA legislation proposed changes. The recently introduced State bill will have a number assigned and then will go to the Environmental Matters Committee where favorable/unfavorable recommendations may be given or the bill can die. Following additional discussion, Schomig will obtain and review the proposed changes to the County Critical Area (CA) law and report to the Commission at the March meeting. Education/Communication Vlavianos reported that Hanson still plans to inquire about the Cowhide Branch sewage bill, but he has not yet been able to reach the appropriate party to obtain the information. Jabez Branch Environmental Overlay Zone: Hornor reported the Overlay Zone Committee met with Liz Burton (AACo. P&Z engineer) on January 18, 2008. The Committee is still reviewing the current overlay zone document language, particularly impervious cover. The desire is to have the strongest language possible that is agreeable to everyone. Other concerns being addressed include: waivers, steep slopes disturbance, sediment control, stormwater management, riparian buffers, septic system requirements. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2008. Naval Academy Dairy Farm: There is nothing new to report at this time. KCC Properties: Hymes will update the Commission at the March meeting. General Development Plan (GDP) In response to SRC’s January 9, 2008 letter to the County Executive regarding utilization of the Watershed Management Tool (WMT) in the GDP update and soliciting support for mandated utilization of the WMT in the development review process, Vlavianos read from the County Executive’s January 31, 2008 letter. The following points were emphasized: watershed and water resources management will be a component of the GDP; the County Executive recognizes SRC’s contribution in the development of the WMT; the WMT is already being utilized by Watershed & Ecosystem Services in their review of development proposals; P&Z and DPW are working closely to address septic system pollution problems; and a member of SRC will be serving on the Special Advisory Committee to the Planning Advisory Committee on the GDP. Following a discussion of the issues, SRC wants to meet with Planning & Zoning and Watershed & Ecosystem Services to discuss the County Executive’s response. SRC members feel the meeting is needed to clarify possible misunderstandings expressed in the County Executive’s letter on where, how and if the WMT is being used in the subdivision review process. MOTION: A MOTION, THAT VLAVIANOS WILL REQUEST A MEETING WITH PLANNING & ZONING AND WATERSHED & ECOSYSTEM SERVICES TO DISCUSS THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S LETTER OF JANUARY 31, 2008 REGARDING UTILIZATION OF THE WMT IN THE REVIEW PROCESS, WAS MADE BY HYMES AND SECONDED BY SCHOMIG. THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE Website Lubbert reported the SRC website had 1,569 hits during January. Pollution, history, and birds were the most popular topics. Stormwater Utility Fund There is no new action to report at this time. SRC is awaiting the County Executive’s next proposal. Impact Fees A public meeting with County Council to discuss Impact Fees Bill 608, introduced by the Administration, is being held at 7:00 p.m. tonight; a second public hearing is scheduled for February 18, 2008. During the discussion, Schomig, on behalf of SRC, suggested that County Council seriously consider, as a means to encourage smart growth, eliminating impact fees for redevelopment of existing developed lots in a manner that would improve the environmental condition of that lot. He also encouraged reanalysis of proposed impact fee figures by an equally qualified outside consultant if reanalysis is done. MOTION: A MOTION, THAT SCHOMIG WILL TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF SRC ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008, IN FRONT OF COUNTY COUNCIL REGARDING IMPACT FEES, WAS MADE BY HYMES AND SECONDED BY LUBBERT. THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. NEW BUSINESS Sewage Treatment Plant Tour Lubbert expressed the desire to tour a County treatment facility and invited SRC members to join her. She is concerned about failing septic systems in the county. Chris Phipps, County DPW, was suggested as a contact. Anyone interested in touring a County sewage treatment plant should contact Lubbert. Chain Pickerel Schomig reported that the Severn River Rod & Keg Club has requested DNR to institute a year round moratorium on fishing for Chain Pickerel in the Severn and Magothy Rivers. The Capital is planning to do a story in March about the Club’s “catch and release” winter pickerel tournament. PUBLIC INPUT Mr. Al Johnston, Greater Severna Park Council, reported that waivers are now called modifications by Planning & Zoning; the Navy and the County have signed the lease for the Naval Academy Dairy Farm; and a presentation at the Greater Severna Park Council Exposition scheduled for April 19, 2008, will address how to get tax credit information and information will be available on nitrogen removal systems. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. The next regular monthly SRC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2008, 4:00 p.m., in the Severn Room (4th floor), 2664 Riva Road. | 
