14 April 2015

Meeting Minutes, Tuesday February 10th, 2015



Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee

Mid-County Regional Center, 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton MD 20902

Meeting Minutes, Tuesday February 10th, 2015

 

Members Present:  Devala Janardan(Chair), Tom Stanton(Vice-Chair), Omar Lazo, Mirza Donegan, William Moore, Leah Haygood, Derry Goberdhansingh, Carlos Perozo, Dan Thompson

Staff Present:  Ana Lopez van Balen, Director, Mid-County Regional Services Center

Guests: Andrew Rollo, Mary Rollo, Mike Smith, residents

               MJ Jornaneh, Wheaton Coalition

               Chris Gillis, Aide to Montgomery County Council President Leventhal

               Adam Fogel, Aide to Councilmember Navarro

               George Leventhal. President, Montgomery County Council

Call to Order:  6:31pm by Chair Devala Janardan.  An introduction of new member Omar Lazo followed.  A motion was made and passed to approve the January meeting minutes without changes

Community Concerns: Mike Smith, resident, requested WUDAC be more aggressive in advocating for A&E funding and for a venue.  Andrew Rollo, resident, mentioned that cars in an intersection get priority and pedestrian crosswalk signals should be automatic without need to press button to activate

Guest Speaker:  Chair Janardan introduced County Council President George Leventhal.  WUDAC members introduced themselves.  After a brief background and update on Council activities, President Leventhal took questions from WUDAC members.  Some areas of concern included the impact of budget deficits on the future Sustainability/Greening plans for Wheaton, the impact of an open Reedie Drive on the proposed Town Square, tax incentives and venues for A&E, and a proposed Transit Authority for Montgomery County.  President Leventhal pointed out that cheaper rent in Wheaton is a great lure for A&E.  He also mentioned the need for Wheaton to market itself and to include Westfield and the Arts and Humanities Council in the discussions.  There will be $90000 in grants for Wheaton A&E released next week.  Mr. Leventhal committed himself to help wherever possible.

Council Staff Report:  Adam Fogel, Aide to Councilmember Nancy Navarro, discussed her efforts to include an Arts and Humanities center for Wheaton in the County budget.  Discussion included possible locations for this.  Adam stated that the goal is sustained investment like that which has occurred in White Flint and Silver Spring.  Adam also handed out a memo from Councilmember Navarro concerning full funding for the Wheaton Library and Rec Center.

Chair Report: Chair Janardan reported on a meeting with the County Executive concerning sidewalks and A&E.  He was accompanied by Vice Chair Tom Stanton.  He also briefly mentioned a budget forum he attended last month

Directors Report:  Ana Lopez van Balen reported on a large turnout at the Budget Forum and noted that the Library came up.  She updated WUDAC on the ongoing work of the SPDC assessments and using the WheatonMD.org website for redevelopment updates.  Lastly she handed out nomination forms for the annual WUDAC awards

W&K Chamber:  William Moore updated WUDAC on Chamber activities and that morning’s chamber board meeting

Old Business:  Chair Devala Janardan led a discussion of planning a Walking Tour.  Concerns centered around the need and timing of this tour. Devala tasked the Character subcommittee to work on this.

New Business:  Leah Haygood handed out a memo developed by the A&E subcommittee about collaboration with GreenWheaton on shared goals

Adjourn:  8:05pm