by Mike Conroy
At the August 24 Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Board of Directors meeting, the Board discussed and approved a proposal from Executive Vice President (EVP) Dave Humpton to modify the way MVF handles security for its parks and facilities. The proposal calls for hiring two new full-time, benefitted positions, in lieu of a hired security contractor.

The Park/Facility Assistants would be hired to patrol, observe and report incidents at MVF-owned facilities and parks, and would be managed by the Parks and Property Manager, under the Recreation and Parks Department. Proposed coverage for these positions would be more flexible and robust than MVF’s current security contract allows, and could be modified easily depending on issues or needs that arise. Costs for the full program are built into the 2018 Draft Budget, but do not exceed the costs of MVF’s current security contract.

The Board also approved the 2018 Draft Budget for publication. The proposed budget includes a $.55/unit/month increase in the MVF Fee and a $1.15/unit/month increase in the Designated User (DU) Fee; for more information on the 2018 Draft Budget, see the article on page 1 and the proposed budget insert on pages 25 to 32.

Agenda Items
Per recommendation from the Audit Committee at their meeting just before the Board meeting, Pat Seery and Keith Silliman were appointed committee chair and vice chair, respectively. Also recommended by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board was a change in the Reserve Investment Policy, adjusting the allocation targets of the equities and fixed income to allow more profitable long-term return on investments (ROI). Treasurer Bob Carey noted that MVF has gained recent excellent returns on equities, but up is against the cap imposed by the policy; the change in the policy allocation will let MVF capitalize on its ROI and provide the flexibility to move forward.

Revisions in criteria for The Downs (East Village) and Club Hill (Stedwick) were approved. Replacement roof materials in The Downs will now be considered on an individual basis, and the “Oak Brown” deck stain color was added as a standard acceptable color in Club Hill. These changes were considered based on recent Property Improvement Requests and changing materials in the marketplace. Both criteria revisions were approved by the respective homes corporations they affect.

The Board authorized the EVP to negotiate a purchase option agreement for a conservation easement with Ecotone, Inc., allowing them to perform various stream restoration activities in specific areas of the Village. The proposal from Ecotone is in conjunction with a grant program from the State Highway Administration for stream restoration projects. The easement would cover nearly 2,800 feet of stream between Montgomery Village Avenue and Wightman Road, behind North Creek Community Center, between Overlea, Greentee II and the Rothbury Apartments. Any project work by Ecotone would be subject to public comment and feedback during a design phase.

President’s Remarks
Board President Pete Young thanked the staff and Audit Committee for their work in preparing and reviewing the 2018 Draft Budget. He especially noted the hard work and positive results that EVP Dave Humpton and CFO Greg Snellings have proved over the last 10 years with the organization.

EVP Report
EVP Humpton updated the Board on several topics, noting that more information was available in his full report included in the meeting packet and online. Humpton said that Monument Realty’s Site Plan for the former golf course property is in review with the county, and a hearing is likely later this year. He also said that Atlantic Realty Companies (ARC) have submitted a Site Plan to the county for the Village Center, and anticipates a hearing by the end of the year.

Humpton noted that the county is preparing for more legislation that could affect the Village, and that he and General Counsel Christopher Hitchens would be keeping a close watch on progress. Of particular interest would be a Zoning Text Amendment regarding telecommunication towers; legislation allowing short-term rentals through sites like Airbnb; and the county Roadway Reimbursement Program.

Treasurer’s Report
MVF Treasurer reiterated some sentiments from CFO Snellings’ earlier budget presentation, noting MVF’s continued strong financial position. Carey said that both Revenue and Expenses reported as favorable to budget for 6 of 7 last months; he praised staff for their work in maintaining a positive budget.

Carey reported a few trends in the 2017 budget including reduced Village News Advertising Revenue and decreased Collections Fees. He said the decrease in collections is good, as it also indicates a reduction in delinquencies. He further observed that both personnel and operating costs—both major components of the budget—were consistently favorable to the budget due to good controls.

Next Meeting
The next MVF Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28 in the North Creek Board Room, 20125 Arrowhead Road. The meeting begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. with Residents Time. Residents are invited and encouraged to attend. The meeting agenda and information packet will be available online at www.montgomeryvillage.com the week of the meeting.

by David Humpton, EVP
As EVP, part of my responsibility is to represent MVF and the community before various government bodies, and the Montgomery County Council, in particular, has legislation that affects our community. On the state front, I think residents will be pleased with efforts to improve travel time on I-270 through the use of innovative congestion management techniques. These will take time to design and implement, but should make some improvements in commute times. Still, a long-term plan that dovetails better with Virginia’s roadway improvements is vitally needed. These are a few of the hot button items that are of interest:

County Council
•    County council resolution on M-83 - for the last 6 months or longer, the planning board and county council have been discussing what to do with land use plans in the upper county, given the stagnation of the Midcounty Highway extension, M-83. The council finally decided that the best course of action was to direct the planning board via a resolution not to take into account the assumption that M-83 would be built when calculating transportation capacity for projects in the upper county area for development applications. The council introduced the resolution on September 19 and will hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at the council office building.

•    Bill 22-17, Homeowner’s Associations – Repeal of Roadway Maintenance Reimbursement – Back in June, the county council introduced legislation that would repeal the county law that provides for reimbursement to Montgomery Village homeowners associations that helps fund the maintenance of private streets. The rationale behind this bill was that no appropriation of funds had been made since FY 2011 for this program, and that is was unlikely that future county council budgets would include such funding. It was also reported that a number of council members believe that the law can be reinstated if additional funds could be earmarked in the future.

MVF sent a letter to the council objecting to this bill, arguing that it would be very difficult to reinstate such legislation and that a greater effort needed to be made to fund this program. A public hearing by the Transportation Infrastructure Energy and Environment Committee was held on September 14, and during the meeting, the committee voted not to support the bill.

It should be noted that Montgomery Village homeowners associations receive some funding from the state Highway User Revenue Fund pursuant to state law. However, since 2010, the amount of reimbursement has been much less, based on overall state funding for highway maintenance.

•    Bill ZTA 17-03, Short-term Rentals – MVF Board President Pete Young testified at the September 12 public hearing before the county council on a zoning text amendment (ZTA) that would allow short-term rentals (such as Airbnb) in most zones as long as they met certain standards that would be outlined in the zoning code. President Young thanked the council for its efforts to balance varying priorities in addressing this important issue, while moving the county forward into our evolving shared economy, but at the same time maintaining the quality of life for neighborhoods.

The ZTA establishes various limitations on short-term rentals, including: maximum duration of rentals in calendar year of 90 days, counting only when the owner is absent; one off-street parking space must be provided for each rental contract; the total number of adult overnight guests is limited to six, with the additional limitation of two per bedroom; and the requirement to notify neighbors of the use and provide them with an emergency contact person if the owner is not present during the rental. The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will be holding a work session to further refine the legislation before it goes back to the full council for further action in late fall.

I-270 Innovative Congestion Management
During the September Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board meeting, Jeff Folden, Chief, Innovative Contracting Division, Office of Highway Development, State Highway Administration (SHA), gave a briefing on solutions to move the most traffic the furthest and fastest on I-270 from Frederick County to the I-495.

SHA has completed a competitive procurement to design and construct various roadway improvements, technology and techniques along the roadway. The roadway improvements include extending acceleration lane at MD 109; reconfiguring exit lanes to I-370; creating auxiliary lane in local lanes south of Shady Grove Road and between MD 28 and MD 189; and maintaining three lanes from I-270 and dropping right lane on I-495 at I-270/495 merge (the split).

Innovative technologies and techniques include intelligent traffic signals, which will control the rate at which vehicles enter I-270 from on-ramps; message signs to alert drivers to changing traffic conditions; and electronic speed limit signs, which will change depending on traffic conditions. Design work has already commenced and actual improvements will begin in 2018 and be completed by the end of 2019.

The complete presentation can be found online at www.montgomeryvillage.com under “Development & Projects.”

Even with the warmer weather this past week, it won’t be long until we see cooler temperatures and leaves changing colors. Add to that shorter daylight hours and soon we’ll be bundled up and wishing it were summer again.

While you might be inclined to stay inside when this happens, instead take it as an opportunity to try out a new class or program this season—you may find a new hobby or passion! Aside from The Great Pumpkin Race and Fall Festival, Halloween Hoopla and Holiday Craft Bazaar, gather your family, friends and neighbors to listen to the “haunting sounds” of the Montgomery Village Community Band during their Halloween Concert, scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29 at Lake Marion Community Center, 8821 East Village Avenue.

Find your inner artist with another popular Wine & Paint class on Friday, Nov. 10, or the brand new Paints & Planks activity on Saturday, Oct. 7. Complete a personalized wooden sign, suitable for home display (and a really great holiday gift!) in one of two sessions scheduled that evening.
If you’re looking to get a jump (or maybe a really late start) on the popular New Year’s Resolution about fitness, there’s a number of active classes you can join. Put a team together for the fall Futsal league and see how your soccer skills match against other Village residents. Drop in to Yoga, Zumba, Pop Pilates, or Aerobics for a total body workout.

If dancing is more your style, check out Argentine Tango—either by yourself or with a partner—for fun and style that you can show off at the next wedding or reception you’re invited to! Maybe music is your thing, but dancing isn’t. If that’s the case, then try joining either the Montgomery Village Community Band or the Montgomery Village Blue Notes. Both community bands are always in need of new instrumentalists and play several concerts a year in the area. What better way is there to spend some free time, share your musical talents and promote your community?

Montgomery Village Foundation offers plenty more to do for both kids and seniors, from Taekwondo to a 5-day a week senior program. Don’t miss out by staying inside this fall. Get out and meet some new neighbors in one or more of these fantastic classes.

For a complete listing, more information or to register, call 301-948-0110 or visit www.montgomeryvillage.com and choose “Classes & Programs” from the “Recreation” menu.