Welcome to the EBCA Neighborhood

31 Residents Present
President Greg Volz called the meeting to order at 8:10 pm
Approved minutes from last meeting.

I) Old business – from Sept
A) Greg brought up the East Bethesda Yahoo group and mentioned that the East Bethesda police liaison will hopefully come to next meeting.

B) Ilaya Hopkins - EBCA together with the Town of Chevy Chase sponsored a forum on the Annual Growth Policy.  The event was well attended and the panel spoke on the ins and outs of this biannual review.  The event was covered by the county cable channel.

C) Mosquitoes in summer months – take it up at next meeting.

II) Special guests –Bruce Crispell, Director of Long Range Planning, MCPS and Sean Bulson, Acting Community Superintendent.

Mr Crispell led this part of the meeting.

A) Issues affecting overcrowding in schools of East Bethesda students:

i) Enrollment surge in our cluster – MCPS is trying to figure out how to address it systematically over the next months/year.
ii) Request for capacity studies – how many classrooms can be added – and how will this affect boundary studies in future.
iii) 2010 census will give a more accurate picture.
iv) The downturn in the economy has thrown MCPS's regular planning and building off – also more families have been choosing MCPS over private schools. Just one more reason that there are more students in the classrooms.
v) The building projects that have been approved are in line to build. They will go on as planned.
vi) Now that K is full day, it greatly increases capacity – these program changes were mandated.
vii) According to MCPS principals, the portables, trailers, etc, don’t diminish the effectiveness of program. The enrollment of a school is always divided by staffing ratio. They will always add portables to maintain this ratio.
viii) Three elements: class size reduction, upward birth trend, and full day K have all contributed to over-crowding in the Bethesda cluster.

B) Process - the following are merely meeting notes and not intended to capture the extent of the issue. For more detailed information please refer to these websites:
http://www.ebca.org/localeducation.htm

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/planning/PDF/CIP11_Ch4_BCC.pdf

Mr. Crispell referred to the handout from the website above, especially the summaries on pages 4-9. He noted that, among other things:

    1) The greater enrollment especially in elementary level seems counter-intuitive since the economy is not strong. Students switching from non-public schools to MCPS is part of reason.

    2) Capacity studies are underway this winter – architects study it and see how and what can be built at what expense.

    3) Question about reopening Lynnbrook as an elementary school – Crispell responded that there is not enough enrollment to justify it. He said that a whole school has so much overhead. Administration, faculty, support, etc…It's not feasible.

    4) By March we can know what we need to build where.

    5) There will possibly be a boundary study about Bradley Hills and where the elementary age students can go.  There is a strong need to relieve Bethesda Elementary. It looks as if an addition can be added to Bradley Elementary, so going through the communty involvement stage first and then possibly go through the whole reassignment stage. That is step one.

    5) The question is how much can we add to these 4 schools (Rosemary Hills, North Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase, and Bethesda Elem). In early to mid-march, we will start the process in round table discussion. By the end of school year, they'll know more about what the community sense is. The superintendent will receive the report in June and by fall, they’ll make a proposal.

    6) That said, 2014-15 would be earliest that any additions to these schools would open.

    7) The option for all 3 at 3rd grade may also be reconsidered. So be prepared.

C) Questions from EBCA members:

i) Q: There are a lot of kids in the neighborhood. Do you have a sense of it and how do you collect numbers?
A: There has been a steady incline of population in the neighborhood. There is no accurate way to gauge enrollement other than census. Indeed, almost every elementary school in county is near or at capacity.

ii) Q: What’s the basis for strong commitment to EBCA pairing the RHPS?
A: Diversity. A long history of this relationship. Have to keep in mind quality integration goals.

iii) Q: Is there a mechanism to get expediting of process because of economy and willingness of builders and funding, etc.
A: A little bit. There is a slowdown of projects – and keep in mind that the process spans 18 months of planning and 18 months to build. So it’s a 3 year process.

iv) Q: Why is a 40 minute commute to elementary school normal? Is there smething we could do? In advance?
A: Bethesda is, indeed, the most overutilized cluster. They are planning 4 addition projects – and the rest are in feasibility study stages = after that  the bureauocracy takes over.

v) Q: Is a charge levied on developers that goes to schools?
A: Only to multifamily developments.

vi) NCC and CC communities have wanted 6th grade to stay at those schools. But the School Board is moving toward wanting 6th grade in a Middle School.

vi) Should we do a survey to compile useful census and school choice information?
A: Yes – go for it. A community survey is fine. We are moving as fast as we can – we can never predict enrollment numbers. But please know that the county is behind you.

vii) In closing, Greg Volz asked how should we interact with MCPS to make sure this dialog continues? Mr. Crispell responded that we could conduct a neighborhood survey and they’ll look at the results. Jack Hayes is involved and he’ll be on roundtable, etc.  Crispell also mentioned to work with cluster leadership and PTA’s and we’ll all know what community interests are. He closed by asserting that he would be happy to come again to address concerns specific to EBCA.
 
III) New Business

A) Ilaya Hopkins: With regard to BRAC, we recently learned that in the FY 10 Defense Authorization and FY 10 Defense Appropriation bills, the Congress included monies for BRAC related infrastructure improvements outside the fence of the base. The Defense Department is also being asked to study and report on the impacts of the expansion to the surrounding community. The Coalition of Military Medical Center Neighbors (www.cmmcn.org) of which EBCA is a part continues to work with county and state officials to ensure that any resources that come this way are used responsibly and to promote a multi-pronged and integrated response to the transportation and transit needs of the Medical Center area.


B) Alan Rothenberg – Is on the Chevy Chase fire board that meets monthly at the firehouse on Connecticut Ave. There are 2 other community associations that have made monetary contributions to the fire board. He suggests that we should consider doing so.

C) Next meeting – date proposed is March 17, 2010

IV) Adjourn After Trivia Question

Which streets in East Bethesda are named after states?
Answer: Maryland, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

27 residents present

1) Introductions - President Greg Volz opened the meeting by introducing himself and the other officers present.

2) Finance and budget report - Jack Hayes
+ Jack passed out a sheet with last year's budget expenditures and those proposed for 2010.
+ Expenditures were just over total income.
+ Sponsorships for the newsletter were significantly lower (down from $6500 to $4800)
+ Next year's budget was approved.

3) BRAC Update - Ilaya Hopkins
+ Completion of the construction at Navy Medical is still two years out.
+ Montgomery County submitted to the Federal Govt a grant request for $20 million to help build a pedestrian underpass on Rockville Pike.
+ Questions from members:
    - Are bike lanes in the new plan?
    The idea is that all modes of transport will be improved.
    - Where will the entrance be?
    The project has 3 phases: a) the hospital, b) other buildings, and c) the gates. The main gate will be on Rockville Pike just south of Stone Ridge School where considerations will be made about the amount of space needed for cuing and staging of cars seeking entry and security clearance. The truck inspection will be on Jones Bridge Road.
+ Go to montgomerycountymd.gov/brac for more information.

4) Purple Line update - Dave Saltzman
+ There is not much new to report.
+ The governor has approved the medium cost option for the Purple Line. The light rail will cost about $100 million a mile.
+ Currently the draft environmental impact statement is being reviewed by the Federal Transportation Administration. This will take a while.
+ There are many remaining issues that need addressing like the CSX right of way through Silver Spring, the impact on Wayne Avenue and how the light rail will affect the streets and car traffic.
+ To reiterate: the EBCA postion is that we oppose anything that will degrade our use and access to the Crescent Trail. Councilmember Berliner supports this position. The issue of money remains - if the train is built, there is no money allotted for the trail.
+ Gazette article outlines the Town of Chevy Chase's next moves.
+ What can we do in the meantime? Keep your eyes open for any new developments and any new information from the MTA. Also, keep commenting to the county about keeping up the quality and amenities of the trail.  If you'd like to get involved on behalf of the EBCA, contact Dave.

5) Education Update: BCC Cluster - Monica Hayes
+ Monica provided all with a copy of a spreadsheet on the Projected Enrollment and Space Availability of the BCC cluster schools. The enrollment numbers indicate an even greater need for more space in our schools. By late October MCPS will announce details about a capacity study and the possibility of a boundary review study. By spring of 2010, expect results of the capacity study.
+ She recapped last years' transfer policy changes (go to EBCA.org for more info) and described the appeal that MCPS is taking to the State Board of Education about this transfer policy.
+ Question from member:  Do the capacity issues affect building development in this cluster? Yes, there is a moratorium on development - no new development projects are in cue because of over-capacity in the schools.
+ Monica fielded several questions from members about the transfer policy and the timing of the MCPS appeal. We expect to know more by the end of October.

6) New Business
+ Kevin Krauss announced that the next park clean up will be on 7 November. Volunteers greatly needed.
+ A member shared with the group that she'd started a yahoo group titled, EBCA, to communicate community relevant information such as crime reports and service recommendations. This group is separate from the EBCA.org forum already in place. Since the existence of two such functions on the web is redundant, the EBCA.org website will hopefully soon have the ability to send out digests similar to yahoo-groups. Ilaya Hopkins commented that they are working on it.
+ Greg would like to invite a member of the police department to come share some general information and answer questions at the next meeting.
+ Ilaya is on the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board and talked a little about the growth policy and the need for public input. She also wanted us all to know about Bethesda Green's center launch and open house from 1- 3 October.
+ A.B. Carneal spoke up about gather a group of "skeeter beaters" to educate about mosquito reduction for next summer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35.

24 members present

I) Mosquitoes - member Ella Kransky introduced Janine Dorothy of the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Mosquito Control Section.

A) Ms Dorothy described the process for getting your community treated by the Mosquito Control Section. One important factor she mentioned is that her group cannot treat private property, so she said that there is probably not much they could do to help EBCA since she believes the mosquitoes are breeding mostly (almost entirely) in our yards.

B) Just by way of information, her group does not spray for adult mosquitoes, rather they do larvae control by putting 2 different bacterial products into standing water, ditches, storm water grates. The larvae die after the pupate stage.

C) Ms. Dorothy fielded several questions from members:
  
    1) Can they treat parks?
No, parks are treated by another Montgomery County Department.

    2) Will private spraying help?
No, only if 10 or more neighbors band together to get an entire section thoroughly treated or sprayed. But even so, the effect does last very long. Be careful, because some companies use very strong chemicals which kill the mosquitoes, while also killing every other living insect. This lasts for up to 30 days.

    3) If you do spray your own yard, for example, before an outdoor party, where should you do it?
Spray in dark sheltered areas, under ground covers, in window wells, under decks and porches. Remember that all spraying is temporary.

    4) Are there mosquitoes in the tree canopy?
Not particularly, though there are definitely more mosquitoes in communities which have a lot of old growth trees. They can breed in holes in old trees. Their native habitat is bamboo, so if you have that, the mosquitoes are thriving there.

    5) Do purple martins or bats help keep the population down?
No. Dragon flies do, but they are difficult to keep in one place. They wander too much.

    6) Do water barrels installed at the bottom of gutters give a place for breeding?
Yes, caulk the opening so that it’s totally blocked.

    7) Do mosquito fish help keep the population down?
Yes, the Holbrooki version are good. Beware of buying the wrong genus. You can order them online.

D) Facts about Asian Tiger Mosquitoes (ATMs)
    1) Are prevalent west of the Chesapeake Bay.
    2) Are called “ankle biters”.
    3) Will follow you inside your home and lay eggs inside your home in water-filled containers.
    4) Only breed in containers and gutters (man-made).
    5) Do not breed in ditches, ponds, puddles, ruts, lakes. Never.
    6) Do breed in bird baths, plastic pools, nooks and crannies in plastic toys, in folds of                     tarps.
    7) They’ll also breed in gardening figurines, molded rims of pots, lawn chairs.
    8) Will breed in plastic corrugated tubing as well. Put a screen or pantyhose over the end.
    9) Drill holes in toys and chairs to allow for draining.
    10) Get rid of standing water in all of these items on a weekly basis.
    11) On a short walk around the block, Ms. Dorothy saw at least 5 tarps and many corrugated     tubes which she knows are breeding grounds for the ATMs.

    12) What to buy to get rid of ATMs (remembering that everything is temporary):
        a) Mosquito donuts - break them into pieces to spread them out more.
        b) Mosquito torpedoes - make sure that wildlife does not eat them as they are made of             corn and bacteria.

    13) What to do to repel ATMs:
        a) Use DEET repellent.
        b) Use lots of fans on your porch if you’d like to sit on it.
        c) Natural alternatives work, but not for as long, ie: garlic pellets, natural repellent.
        
    14) What does not work:
        a) Citronella does not work.
        b) Mosquito magnets do not work - they do trap mosquitoes but don’t get rid of them.

D) Conclusion - Ideas for our neighborhood
    1) We could benefit from a community squad trained to do yard inspections. Ms. Dorothy said she'd be happy to come here to train a group of people and that one can learn to do it within an hour's time. If we can get the community to be vigilant about yards and to empty all water that collects in containers, etc, we are sure to see fewer mosquitoes.

    2) Another idea was to look into a gutter cleaner who could do the entire neighborhood for a bulk rate.

    3) On-going education is key via the newsletter, website, word of mouth, and hopefully a yard inspection squad.


II) The Examiner - Request for neighborhood cessation of delivery.
A) In the past few weeks, residents have found that individual requests to cease delivery made on The Examiner's website have been successful.
B) As such we will not pursue this issue as a neighborhood; residents should take care of cessation on their own.
C) However, rental and vacant houses still accumulate papers, so neighbors need to be helpful in recycling them before they pile up and end up clogging the sewers.

III) Elections - Miebeth Jansen read off the slate of candidates:
President: Greg Volz
Co-Vice Presidents: Rebecca Fayed and Kevin Kraus
Treasurer: Jack Hayes
Secretary: Ann-Barron Carneal
Asst Secretary: vacant

Ilaya asked each person to say a little about her/himself and goals in office.

Greg Volz:
- a resident for 8 years
- wants to focus on the betterment of the neighborhood and community within our boundaries.
- wants to better the relationship and communication between Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School.
 - wants streets to continue block parties and even try to tie different groups together so that more folks can get to know each other.
- Lynnbrook Recreation Center - focus on keeping it as a viable site for rentals.
- wants to look into creating a community pool.
- make the Neighborhood Watch program better.
- continue Ilaya's great work on the website and newsletter.

Rebecca Fayed:
- wants to focus on the community and the neighborly feel of East Bethesda.
- is interested in keeping up and improving the website for this purpose.
- is interested in the school choice issue.
- wants to make sure that all voices are heard.

Jack Hayes:
- has been involved for many years.
- is in charge of the money!

Ann-Barron Carneal:
- lived here for 3.5 years.
- all notes from General Membership Meetings are posted on the website.
- if the notes posted on the website are in any way inaccurate, please let me know!

After it was determined that we would vote on this as a slate, Miebeth Jansen asked for votes, aye and nay. The slate was passed unanimously.

IV) No Old Business or New Business

V) Good-Byes and Thank yous all around!
- Tori Hall presented Ilaya with a framed plaque and photos to thank her for her dedication to being a great president and for all that she accomplished during her tenure.
- Ilaya thanked her officers with kind tokens of appreciation.

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