SEVERN RIVER COMMISSION
Special Meeting Minutes
August 15, 2011 – 6:00 P.M.
Severn Room, 2664 Riva Road, 4th Floor
Attendance
Record
Members Present: Lina Vlavianos, Chair 8/9
Sally Hornor, Vice Chair 8/9
Joel Dunn 4/9
Kurt Riegel 8/9
Joe Rubino 6/9
Jeff Schomig 8/9
Bob Whitcomb 8/9 Scott Hymes, MD DNR (Ex officio) 4/9
Guests and Staff: Brenda Weeks, AACo. DPW/WERS Members Absent: Mike Robinson 6/7
Fred Paone, City Council (Ex officio) 0/9 CALL TO ORDER Chair Vlavianos called the special meeting of the Severn River Commission (SRC) to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Severn Room, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD. A quorum was present. PUBLIC INPUT / AGENDA ITEMS – There was no public input OLD BUSINESS SHA’s Property Vlavianos explained, as required by SRC's Bylaws, that three days notice was given to members and only the topic for which the special meeting was called may be discussed. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to respond to Councilman Jamie Benoit's open letter of resignation as ex-officio member from SRC and accusations that SRC "crossed the line" from advisory to advocacy by writing the letter of July 27, 2011 to the Secretary of Transportation suggesting the State Highway Administration’s (SHA) excess property on the Jabez be permanently protected. Discussion followed with all members agreeing the accusation is unfounded referencing the Scenic and Wild Rivers Act and County Council Resolution 47-89. All felt the SRC acted correctly in its advisory capacity especially since SHA requested a reconfirmation of SRC's commitment to protect the Jabez watershed. Schomig's drafted response letter was discussed, editing and incorporation of members' comments would be made and the letter would be sent to Councilman Benoit only, with the hope that he would rethink proceeding to bring the issue before the County Council. The Commission does not wish to embarrass Councilman Benoit for his baseless accusation, however, if called in front of the County Council, the letter would be distributed as SRC's maintained position to the County Council as well as others who received copies of Councilman Benoit's letter. Commission members are prepared to appear in front of the County Council if necessary.
ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. The next regular SRC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 4:00 p.m. in the Severn Room (4th Floor), 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, MD.
|
