MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS TOWN MEETING

July 11, 2007

The Town meeting of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, July 11, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Jim Reid, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, and Debbie Zimmerman, Town Manager Gloria Long Rollins, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Public Works Director Bob DePaola, Public Works Supervisor Dennis Miller, TFC Ed Muller, 13 citizens, and 2 press, Gina Gallucci of the Frederick News Post and Jeremy Hauck of the Gazette.

The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. MINUTES

Closed minutes from June 27 will be reviewed and accepted at the next Town Meeting.

2. SUN MEADOW PHASE 5 REDUCTION OF LETTER OF CREDIT

Ms. Hauver reviewed Frederick County inspector’s recommendation to reduce the Sun Meadow Phase 5 Letter of Credit in the following amounts: $153,719.87 for Roadway Construction, $168,960 for Water Infrastructure, and $42,389 for Storm Drains, for a total reduction of $365,068.87. The remaining amount on the Letter of Credit would be $747,131.13.

3. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Bradley Scott, Life Scout in Troop 1070, proposed an Eagle Scout project whereby he will build a bridge at the Walkersville watershed. The bridge will connect a nature trail to existing paths and will be located at the fishing ponds promoting connectivity and fishing. Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman asked him to make a presentation to the Parks Committee in August and keep in touch with the Parks Committee with his ideas and progress.

Burgess Whitmore signed the approval document to get the project underway.

4. PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS – STALEY PROPERTY ORDINANCES 2007-13 AND 14

Commissioner Weddle noted that Attorney Seymour Stern would need to revise the wording in the text amendments, as they do not meet the definition for Senior Living Communities, with amenities, etc. He allowed they could be introduced as is and revised through the Planning Commission and the hearing process. Ordinance 2007-13 adds letter C. to §88-30 permitting Independent Senior Living Communities in the R-4 District, provided that a minimum parking ratio of 1.25 parking spaces are provided per living unit. Ordinance 2007-14 adds letter C. to §89-7 exempting Independent Senior Living Communities in the R-4 District from the Public Schools Determination of Adequacy Requirements of the APFO.

5. ORDINANCE 2007-10 ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES

Ms. Hauver presented clarified language for Ordinance 2007-10 which was previously introduced.

6. GIFTS FOR ACTIVE MILITARY PERSONNEL

Burgess Whitmore proposed that the Town form a committee to work on organizing and sending gifts to local people serving in the military. We will advertise for information on every local soldier so that we can acknowledge their service. Any persons interested in serving on this committee should contact Town Hall.

7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Jim Reid, to pay the attached bills. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0.

8. COMMISSIONERS’ CONCERNS

Commissioner Debbie Zimmerman notified commissioners of a special Parks Committee meeting next Wednesday, July 18 at 6:30 pm, at Heritage Farm Park. The purpose of the meeting is to establish a location for a second softball field at HFP so that all softball games will be moved from the fields at Sherwood Drive.

9. CITIZENS’ QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS

Kevin Folk, Winterbrook HOA President, asked commissioners the following questions regarding proposed text amendments: 1) as he understands the proposal, it would not be a blanket exemption to the APFO applicable to all zoning classifications, but just a piecemeal exemption just to R-4 zoning designation? (Ms. Hauver answered, just R-4 Independent Senior Living Communities). 2) Does the Town Code not already have a definition of Independent Senior Living Facilities that would apply here? How many definitions of Independent Senior Living Communities do we need in the Town Code? (Ms. Hauver answered, there’s just one and they are not proposing to change it, they’re just proposing to add it to R-4). 3) Does that project have to meet the definition? (Ms. Hauver answered, certainly).

Harold Roderuck noted that he really likes the new Channel 99.

Commissioner Chad Weddle noted that in order to transfer property to Frederick County for the new library site, §C4-4 A.(62) on page C33 of the Town Charter will need to be amended. He will write something up to introduce at the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gloria Long Rollins

Town Manager