Regular Monthly Meeting August 6, 2009

Members Present:

Lina Vlavianos, Chair
Sally Hornor, Vice Chair
Dan Haas
Charlotte Lubbert
Kurt Riegel
Joe Rubino
Jeff Schomig
Bob Whitcomb
Scott Hymes, MD DNR (Ex officio)
Sam Shropshire, City Council (Ex officio)                                

Guests and Staff:

Steve Carr, City of Annapolis
Karl E. Hoke, FOBCNP
Mayor Ellen Moyer, City of Annapolis
Marisa Wittlinger, City of Annapolis
Brenda Weeks, AACo. DPW/WERS

Members Absent:

Debra Smith
Virginia P. Clagett, MD House Delegates (Ex officio)
Veronica Jagoe for AACo.Councilman Benoit (Ex officio) 

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Vlavianos called the regular monthly meeting of the Severn River Commission (SRC) to order at 4:12 p.m. at Back Creek Nature Park, 1314 Edgewood Road, Annapolis, MD. A quorum was declared present. Guests, SRC members and staff were introduced.

Ms. Marisa Wittlinger and Mr. Steve Carr, representing the City of Annapolis and the Mayor’s office, welcomed Commission members to Back Creek Nature Park. Ms. Wittlinger presented a brief history of the park noting it was the City’s original wastewater treatment facility. The Park was designated official through Program Open Space in 1990. Because it was often little used, it was dubbed the “hidden jewel” of Annapolis. Recently it has become a busy place as an environmental education center for local students with programs for three-year olds through high school. The newest program, the Stormwater Education Experience (SEE), was created in partnership with the City and Maryland Department of the Environment. Eighteen “hands-on” learning stations located throughout the park teach children about the effects of stormwater - how it can help as well as harm the Bay. The City’s first green roof is still thriving in the park and in 2005-2006 a program creating a living shoreline was started.  The City is always looking for volunteers to run its many programs.  The fall program guide for the park can be found at www.annapolis.gov/recreation. 

Shropshire introduced Mr. Carr and noted he has had a big impact on the City’s environmental programs. Mr. Carr reviewed the many partnerships involved with the City in making the park what it is today. He stressed the importance of creating an urban living classroom for local students and families. He introduced Mr. Karl Hoke, a member of the volunteer group, Friends of Back Creek (FOBCNP) who are focused on issues regarding the park. 

Mayor Ellen Moyer joined the meeting in progress. Mr. Carr took SRC members on a tour of the park after the meeting was adjourned. SRC members then enjoyed delicious food and a tour of the Rodgers property. The City desires to purchase the property as an extension of Back Creek Nature Park.

MINUTES

The Minutes for the July 9, 2009, regular monthly SRC meeting was presented for approval.  The record was corrected to reflect that Schomig was not present at the July meeting.

MOTION:  A MOTION, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE JULY 9, 2009, REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE SEVERN RIVER COMMISSION AS CORRECTED ABOVE, WAS MADE BY SCHOMIG AND SECONDED BY HORNOR.  THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE AND THE MINUTES WERE ADOPTED.

1. The Chair was notified that Smith and Clagett would not be present.
2. Haas, Rubino and Vlavianos’ terms expire January 31, 2010.  Haas and Rubino indicated they are interested in continuing to serve on the Commission.  Steve Carr will start the paperwork now for Haas’ reappointment.
3. Margaret McHale, Chair of the State Critical Area Commission, will be available to discuss Critical Area regulations at the November SRC meeting.  She has asked for some guidance on what specifics to address. Schomig will draft a list of questions.
4. The September 3, 2009 SRC meeting has been rescheduled to September 10, 2009 (2^nd Thursday) because of the Labor Day weekend holiday.

OLD BUSINESS

Scenic Severn River

Schomig reported he has not had a response to the message he left for Mr. Jon Hodgson of the County Office of Law. He requested the Law Office look into the State Scenic Rivers Act to give guidance on the significance of the Act on the Severn River. 

Vlavianos suggested serious discussion by SRC is needed to determine if this topic is worth pursuing. She has not heard from Clagett on the current “life” of the Scenic Rivers Board.

Critical Area Legislation (CA)

Schomig feels, rather than specifics, the focus should be on the issues raised - elimination of trees that are leaning toward the water and ground cover.  Other concerns among many that were questioned are:  removal of all undergrowth destabilizing hillsides and causing erosion, the scientific basis behind the recommendations of the approved plans, the threshold requirement for granting a VMP that involves removal of vegetation within the 100-foot buffer, the property owners/developers purpose for requesting vegetation management plans (VMP).

Following considerable discussion about recent clearing of trees in Arrow Cove and other locations in the County, Schomig will draft a letter to the County Executive asking what are the limitations if any for allowing trees and vegetative cover removal in the Critical Area buffers. Also, what is the basis for which owners, developers, builders, etc. can request permission to remove trees and vegetative cover in the buffer areas and be granted such permits. 

Articles 16/17 Revisions

Riegel reported that a draft of Article 16 was distributed at the last meeting of the work group. He is reviewing it and will provide comments to Planning & Zoning. He noted he is trying to avoid getting distracted by the engineering details that are more appropriate to construction than to the preservation and conservation goals that the Commission would prefer. He feels he can provide no particularly useful feedback to the County respecting the engineering.

Article 16 deals with floodplain management, erosion and sediment control, stormwater management and violations. Riegel’s understanding is that the goal is to harmonize County regulations with the State requirements and then possibly, if appropriate, go beyond those requirements. Comments are due by the August 20 work group meeting.

Annapolis

As previously recorded, Mayor Moyer, Marisa Wittlinger and Steve Carr introduced SRC to the history and a tour of Back Creek Nature Park.

General Development Plan (GDP)

Hornor reported that today she sent email copies of  SRC’s letter/comments regarding the 2008 GDP dated May 21, 2009 to Commission members. She noted the County Council would be discussing the 2008 GDP at a regular Council meeting on August 17 for the first time. Representing SRC, Hornor plans to speak at that meeting and present a shortened version of SRC’s letter/comments. She encouraged other SRC members who wish to speak to Council regarding the GDP to do so.

Jabez Environmental Overlay Zone

Vlavianos stated she had nothing new to report at the present time.

Septics

Whitcomb reported Bay Restoration Funds are no longer available at this time to the County for voluntary septic upgrades. The program is on complete hold status and the County will not know if they will receive their allocation for the current fiscal year for a few weeks. The County expects to get less money and more restrictions in this fiscal year. A total of 630 applications are waiting in line. The State and County Health Department are meeting to iron out differences including restrictions placed by the State on who is eligible for upgrades. 

Lubbert reported the SRC website had 1,021 hits in July.  In response to a request to be included on the SRC email list, SRC does not have a public email list. In response to an inquiry about SRC’s source of funding, SRC has no funding - all members are volunteers.

Oyster Restoration Activities in the Severn River

Hymes announced he is the new marketing director for the Marylanders Plant Trees Program.  Any type of native tree can be planted.  The program is funded through environmental mitigation fines.  The State is partnering with businesses, communities and citizens to help plant new tree cover.

PUBLIC INPUT

There was no public input.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.  The next SRC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2009, 4:00 p.m., in the Severn Room (4^th Floor), 2664 Riva Road.