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