EAST COUNTY CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD

MINUTES

Meeting of September 1, 2010

Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center
3300 Briggs Chaney Road
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904

MEMBERS (ECCAB)
Present: Marva Deskins (Chair); David M. Kochanski, Esq (Vice Chair); Anthony Ramirez (Secretary);
Eric G. Luedtke (Parliamentarian); Thomas J. Aylward; Kim Bobola, Ph.D; Sally Colgan; G. Stanley
Doore; Peter Myo Khin; Allan Mulligan; Leonard E. Newman; Alfredda H. Payne, Ph.D.; Bill
Strassberger; Odessa Shannon; Saschane M. Stephenson; Benoy Thomas; Ned B. Williams.

Absent: Vanessa E. Ali

STAFF (EMRSC): Joy Nurmi (Director); Nona Watson (Community Development Manager) and Anjoo
Chohda (SEAA), Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center

GUESTS:
Khalid Afzal (Team Leader, M-NCPPC ); Chuck Crisostomo (Planning Division Manager, Montgomery
County Department of Homeland Security); Whitney Teal (Editor, Colesville Patch); Sharon Wilder (Cross
Creek Club Community Representative); Mark Doore (Committee for Montgomery); Amjad Chaudhry (Bait-
Ur- Rehman Mosque and former ECCAB member); Keith Roachford; Ric Roachford and Daniel Roachford
(East County Resident); Frank Carouso (GLCA); Pam Saul (Staff, Sen. Rona Kramer; District 14,
Montgomery County); Mark Pharoh (Chair, Eastern County Recreation Advisory Board); Mara Parker (Staff,
Councilmember Marc Elrich’s office); Miti Figueredo (Staff, Councilmember Nancy Navarro’s office)

CITIZEN’S FORUM

Chair Marva Deskins –Welcomed everyone and presided over the meeting. The guests were asked to
introduce themselves and share their concerns with the board. The floor was opened for questions.

Whitney Teal– gave a brief introduction. Currently serves a website editor of Colesville Patch, is
interested to learn about events in the community.

Amjad Chaudhry – shared update about the Mosque and invited board members to the mosque in
celebration of Ramadan.

Mark Doore – member of Civic Calverton and an advocate for The Committee for Montgomery (CFM).
The CFM is a coalition of 40 leaders representing a broad cross section of Montgomery County business,
labor, education, civic and community based organizations. CFM’s priorities include education, health
and human services, economic and workforce development and transportation. Extended an invitation to
members to attend the CFM's Annual Legislative Breakfast scheduled on December 13, 2010. Check out
information at http://committeeformontgomery.org

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Frank Carouso- reminded members that Primary Election Day is in two weeks (September 14, 2010)
from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.

Chair Marva Deskins – Thanked Chuck Crisostomo for cooking and the Center staff for the annual
board cookout/potluck, which was provided by Board members and Center staff. Announced presentation
by Khalid Afzal, Team Leader, M-NCPPC and Chuck Crisostomo, Planning Division Manager,
Department of Homeland Security.

PRESENTATIONS

1. Khalid Afzal (Team Leader, M-NCPPC) – shared a quick updated on East County Science Center
Master Plan. The department is currently developing communication email/distribution list and maps. The
Project officially begins in September. The first scope of work for this project is scheduled in November
2010 and is anticipated to be completed in a year (this is wrong – please check with Khalid on what he
said). Information will be posted on the website in October and November. The boundary planning started
on June 30th. The sector plan boundary will be expanded to include the West Hillandale area and Burnt
Mills (bounded by MD 650, I-495, US29 and Long Branch Park). Members were asked to
share/communicate any ideas about community involvement with either Nancy Sturgeon or Khalid Afzal,
Community-Based Planning department. http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/community/ecsc/

 
2. Chuck Crisostomo (Planning Division Manager, OEHMS) - Thanked the board for the invitation.
The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security plans, prevents, prepares and protects
against major threats that may harm, disrupt or destroy our communities, commerce and institutions.
Shared a presentation on Community Preparedness and information on the summer storms in July and
August 2010.

Shared information and brochures on “Are you Emergency Ready?” A four step path to preparedness for
Montgomery County residents. He provided information on the four steps:

1. Alert! Montgomery – to sign up visit Alert.MontgomeryCountyMd.gov

2. Make a Plan – develop a plan and review it regularly with family members.
3. Make a Kit – The emergency kit should include Water (one gallon per person per day for at least
three days); Food (a three day supply of non-perishable food); Can Opener (Manual hand-
cranking); Radio (battery-powered or hand-cranking); Flashlight (with extra batteries); First Aid
Kit; Medication (a three day supply); Toiletries (for personal hygiene); Copies of important
documents (insurance policies, identification and bank accounts in a waterproof container); Other
Suggested Items (infant formula and diapers, extra clothing, paper and pencil, books and games
for children)
4. Get Involved – once your family is prepared for emergencies, why not help prepare your
community.

Shared Pepco’s presentation with the board, spoke on the impact of straight lines winds (with a speed of
80 to 90 miles/hour). The winds took down trees and power lines throughout the County. The duration of
the storm was 18 minutes. Power Outages experienced in DC: 9-12% loss; PG County: 9%; Montgomery
County: 70% range.
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July 25th Storm Mobilization - Storm Damage: The total number of customer outages at the peak of the
storm was 323,662 with 238,977 in Montgomery County; 49,316 in PG County; 35,369 in DC
1,953 wires down. Based on the system damage comparison, the July 25th storm caused the most
infrastructure damage since Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

Chair Deskins– Thanked the speakers for their presentations.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chair Deskins asked for a review of the minutes of the ECCAB Meeting of July 7, 2010.

[September 1st 2010-1] A motion to approve the minutes of July 7th 2010. The motion was moved by
Leonard Newman; seconded by Allan Mulligan and unanimously approved.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Joy Nurmi announced:

1. Presentation by County Task Gang Force in November.

2. IDA Sector Meeting – the July meeting had a very good turnout of 40 people at the White Oak
Library.
3. In early October, ECRSC staff will meet with the County Executive, the Department of Economic
Development Director Steve Silverman and representatives from Edens and Avant, the shopping
center owners of Burtonsville Crossing, to discuss the tenant situation. Currently there are 12
vacancies in the Burtonsville Shopping Center. With Giant Store moving out, the total will
increase to 14 vacancies, as the County liquor store will also move. Council member Nancy
Navarro’s office is also aware of the meeting.
4. Nona Watson met with the White Oak Shopping Center businesses to get contact information to
invite them to the next IDA Sector meeting.
5. The next IDA Sector meeting is scheduled in late September at the White Oak Library in the
morning. Details will be shared.
6. Contacted Saul Centers Inc., Property Managers, White Oak Shopping Center. Waiting for their
response.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Announcements by Chair Deskins:

1. Shared Park and Planning’s snapshot of Montgomery County. Our area has the lowest retail sales
(12%) countywide. Homeownership is 81%; county rate is 73%. The largest employers in East
County are USDA and Seventh Day Adventist Church. Transportation analysis in East County –
74% drive alone; 15% use public transportation.
2. Upcoming Motion/Discussion by Economic Development on ZTA 10-07.
3. Regarding the letter proposed by Services Committee in reference to tractor trailer parking on Old
Columbia Pike. Sally Colgan will work Joy Nurmi on this matter.
4. Upcoming Board Agenda for September through December may include the following
presentations:

Chris Jones (update on Burtonsville Crossing);

Office of Community Partnerships
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 Public Safety night featuring State Attorney Office and Police on crime and gang activities;
Washington Adventist Hospital – update in east county

5. Recognized Odessa Shannon who received “Legends of Montgomery County” Award. The board
applauded Ms. Shannon.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilmember Nancy Navarro’s office:

Miti Figueredo announced:

• Pepco Hearing - Maryland Public Service Commission to Hold Public Hearing on Pepco
Reliability on Monday, Aug. 30, at Council Office Building

The Office of Legislative Oversight staff conducts program evaluations, budget analyses, audits,
investigations, and other special studies. OLO receives it assignments from the County Council,
which annually adopt a Council Resolution that sets forth the Work Program for the office.
On May 18, 2010 an Amendment to the FY 2010 Work Program of the Office of Legislative
Oversight was adopted. OLO will present an update/report on Montgomery County’s Structural
Budget Deficit. OLO's report back to the Council will be organized into two parts:
Part I: The County's Structural Budget Deficit: Defined, Quantified, and Explained
Part II : Options to Achieve Long-Term Fiscal Balance The due date for completion of OLO's
project is December 2010. This timing will enable the report to be presented to the newly
elected Council, before the Council adjourns for winter recess.
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/council/.../20100518_16-1343.pdf

Councilmember Mark Elrich’s office:

• Mara Parker announced that there were a number of ZTAs that needed to be addressed by
the Council before the Oct. 26th session as they are not permitted to deal with them any closer to
the election itself and if the Council waits until after the election, they will expire.
• The code enforcement legislation (ZTA 09-03) is in that category.
• Councilmember Elrich wants to address 09-03 now and he knows it is an issue that ECCAB has
been concerned about.
• We also think it’s important to keep an eye on the White Oak Recreation Center because about $2
million of the CIP money moved to address the shortfall on the Fillmore project in Silver Spring
apparently came from savings on the White Oak Recreation Center.
• Councilmember Elrich wants to be sure those savings were indeed from the project coming in
under budget and not from any changes in the project itself.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Services Committee: Chair Anthony Ramirez

The Services Committee is working on the Parking issues that Sally Colgan raised, loitering and crime
around White Oak Shopping Center. Joy informed the Board that the shopping center is the focus of the
upcoming IDA Sector meeting. The committee is also working on sponsoring a Health Fair in conjunction

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with Burtonsville Day. Kim Bobola has done an excellent job in organizing the health fair. 15
organizations are confirmed for the heath fair.

Kim Bobola – thanked Washington Adventist Hospital for participating and providing Vitamin D
screening, offering flu shots (need to buy immunization); and blood screening. There will also be
seminars on diabetes, blood pressure and much more will be offered. Asked members to share contacts of
local health care providers/non profits who would be interested to participate at the event.

Outreach Committee: Alfredda H. Payne, Chair

The Outreach Committee met last week. Representation of citizens across East County. Shared concern
what are the boundaries/borders of members serving in east county? Joy Nurmi mentioned will email the
boundary report. Services committee will be conducting a survey addressing the needs of the east county
residents at Burtonsville Day. The committee plans to meet after the board meeting.

Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee: Tom Aylward, Chair

The committee met in July. Discussed Projects of Burtonsville Development Shopping Center, 198 and
traffic pattern.

OLD BUSINESS

Chair Deskins – The Board approved a motion for the Economic Development Committee to consider a
position on ZTA 10-07.

Tom Aylward- presented the board about ZTA. Asked members to outreach with community and email
their feedback regarding the proposed ZTA. The committee will use the feedback/information at the
committee meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

None

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Chair Deskins – announced Burtonsville Day is scheduled on September 25th – the sign-up sheet for
members was distributed.

Len Newman – Burtonsville Fire Department 20th Annual Carnival - Come join in the fun and help your
community. Proceeds will go to the Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department, which provides emergency
response for you and your neighbors over 6,000 times per year. The carnival is being held at the Corner of
Sandy Spring Road (Rt. 198) and Star Pointe Lane, Burtonsville, MD

Bill Strassberger –invited members to attend Panafest 2010, a celebration of African Heritage month is
scheduled on September 18, 2010 from 3:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center. The
flier will be emailed.

Eric G. Luedtke – early voting is scheduled at Marilyn J. Praisner Center starting September 3, through
September 9, 2010 - 10:00 am to 8:00 pm including Labor Day. Closed Sunday.

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ADJOURNMENT

Chair Marva Deskins- passed a motion to adjourn the meeting.

[September 1st 2010-2] A motion to adjourn the meeting of September 1st 2010 was passed. The motion
was seconded and unanimously approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

The next meeting of ECCAB is scheduled for October 6, 2010.

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 ATTACHMENT

Director’s Report – September 2010

Burtonsville Day – The ECCAB Services Committee is working hard on the health fair. They have received
commitments from 12 organizations as partners in this effort. We will get an update this evening.

Anti-Gang Federal Funds for Briggs Chaney/White Oak areas

Last year, Congress approved $1.3 million each for Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties for gang
prevention activities. It is an outgrowth of the bi-County gang task force effort between the two
jurisdictions. The funding is expected to be released soon. In Montgomery County, police plan to fund a
sergeant and two police officers, a prosecutor and a crime analyst. These positions will be dedicated to the
special Investigations Division to specifically focus on the Briggs Chaney/Castle Boulevard, White Oak
and Langley/Takoma Park areas. The County’s HHS is a partner and youth prevention activities will be
funded as well.

IDA Sector Meeting – July 29th at 7:00 at the White Oak Library

About 40 people turned out for the IDA Sector meeting. Two citizens received awards from the Third
District Police for providing information that led to arrests. We also had a presentation about the “Citizens
Police Academy.” We are planning the next IDA sector meeting for September or October in the morning
so that businesses from the White Oak Shopping Center and the management company for the center will
be able to attend.

Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center

The East County Regional Services Center staff met with a number of business owners in this shopping
center regarding their concerns about the Center’s future with Giant leaving and no prospects for a new
tenant in that space. In early October, ECRSC staff will meet with the County Executive, the Department
of Economic Development Director Steve Silverman and representatives from Edens and Avant, the
shopping center owners, to discuss the issues at Burtonsville Crossing.

Praisner Library Begins Year-Round Sunday Service

Beginning August 15, Marilyn J. Praisner will be open Sundays.

“Residents have expressed a desire for year-round Sunday service,” said County Executive Ike Leggett,
“and with library services so much in demand these days, we wanted to find a way to fill their needs in
spite of budget cutbacks. I am pleased to say we have achieved that goal.”

Previously, Sunday hours were in effect from late August until June. “The new schedule, based on
customer feedback, reflects the library’s responsiveness to the expressed needs of customers,” said
Montgomery County Public Libraries Director Parker Hamilton.

For more information, visit the library website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library.

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Leggett Promotes Back-to-Back Pedestrian Safety; Announces Installation of New Fixed Pole Speed
Cameras at White Oak Middle School
To promote pedestrian safety before nearly 142,000 local children start school on Monday,
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today announced the installation of new fixed pole speed
cameras at White Oak Middle School, where speeding has been a chronic problem for many years. Two
cameras were installed at the school – one for each direction of traffic on New Hampshire Avenue.
These are the first new, fixed pole cameras to be installed since 2009.

White Oak Middle School was selected because traditional traffic enforcement practices have not been
successful in slowing traffic and reducing collisions at this location. Police also announced that they
will be enhancing traffic enforcement activities in school zones during the first few weeks of school.

“One of the top priorities of my administration is the prevention of needless pedestrian deaths and
injuries, and speed cameras are an important tool in reining in reckless drivers,” said Leggett.
“Speeding near neighborhood schools is a very serious problem. As children start school on Monday, I
urge everyone to slow down to save lives. For those who don’t, Montgomery County Police will be out
in full force near school zones ensuring that drivers obey the law.”

For decades, Police have combated persistent speeding on New Hampshire Avenue near the school. The
area has a history of serious personal injury collisions. Since 2003, three fatal, 122 injury, and 71
property damage collisions were reported within one-half mile of White Oak Middle School. Of the
injury collisions, 10 involved pedestrians.

Over a seven-day period, Police monitored speed in front of White Oak Middle School and found that
36,000 vehicles were traveling 52 mph or more through the 40 mph speed zone. More than 9,000
vehicles were traveling 56 to 60 mph, and nearly 6,000 were speeding at 61 mph or more.

The new speed camera is expected to help reduce speeds not only near White Oak Middle School, but
also to have an impact at St Johns Catholic School, Jackson Road Elementary, the Martin Luther King
Recreational Park and Swim Center and Springbrook High School, all of which are located within
three-quarters of a mile of the camera.

“Our goal is to do whatever is necessary to slow drivers down to the speed limit and have them pay
more attention to the pedestrian traffic around them,” said Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas
Manger. “The fixed speed camera at White Oak Middle School will help us create a safety zone in an
area that has seen far too many car crashes and pedestrian collisions.”

Fixed pole speed cameras were first installed in Montgomery County in 2007. They have proven to be a
deterrent to unsafe driving by reducing speeding. Montgomery County also uses mobile and portable
cameras throughout the County in residential areas with speed limits of 35 mph or less or school zones.
All locations are marked with “Photo Enforced” signs. A list of the speed enforcement areas is available
on the County’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/safespeed.

Leggett also announced that Montgomery County Police will step up traffic safety enforcement around
school zones during the first month of school, especially focusing on drivers who do not stop for school
buses, run red lights, or ignore other pedestrian and traffic safety laws.

Leggett urged parents to talk with their children about safe walking and safe driving rules and the

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difference between crossing the street when exiting a school bus compared to a Metro or Ride On bus.

The County has prepared a fact sheet of pedestrian safety tips for parents and kids (see attached) that
also includes school bus and transit bus safety information. Children and teens should be reminded that
there are different rules for exiting public transit buses, like Ride On and Metrobus, as compared to
school buses. When school bus riders exit the bus, they should cross in front of waiting school buses.
Passengers exiting Ride On or Metro buses should wait to cross the street until the bus has departed.

For more information on the County’s speed camera program, go to

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/safespeed or call Police Media Services at 240-773-5030.

Pedestrian Safety Advice for Children and Parents

Myth: A green light means that it is safe to cross.

Fact: A green light or pedestrian walk signal means that crossing is allowed. But, to be safe before
stepping off the curb, first look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT. When it is safe to cross, continue looking left and
right. Be especially alert for vehicles making a right turn on red.

Myth: You are safe in a crosswalk.

Fact: Before crossing in a crosswalk, stop at the curb and check for cars by looking LEFT-RIGHT-
LEFT. When it is clear, cross and keep looking left and right.

Myth: If you see the driver, the driver sees you.

Fact: The driver may not see you. Try to make eye contact with the driver. Make certain the driver sees
you and stops before you cross in front of the car.

Myth: The driver will stop if you are in a crosswalk, at a green light or have a pedestrian walk signal.
Fact: The driver may not see you. The driver’s view may be blocked. The driver may run a traffic light
illegally. The driver may turn without looking for pedestrians. Don’t ever assume a vehicle will stop for
you.

Myth: Wearing white at night makes you visible to drivers.

Fact: Even if pedestrians wear white clothes, drivers will have a difficult time seeing them at night.
Carry a flashlight. Wear retro-reflective clothing. Walk facing traffic.

The street is a danger zone. Remember, when crossing a street always:

• Walk alertly. Stay off cell phones and don’t text while walking.
• Stop at the edge of parked cars, the curb, or other vehicles.
• Look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT for moving cars.
• Cross when clear, and keep looking left and right.
• Walk, don’t run or dart, into the street.
• Look for signs that a car is about to move (rear lights, exhaust smoke, sound of motor, wheels
turning).

For more information, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/walk

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Rules of School Bus Safety

For students:
• Be at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the edge of the road,
and line up away from the street.
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says that it is okay before entering the bus.
• When crossing the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or side of the road to a point at least
five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before crossing. Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you
can see the driver.
• When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps do not get
caught in the handrail or door.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• Walk at least three giant steps (six feet) away from the side of the bus any time you are walking beside
the bus.
• If you drop something near or under the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up. The driver
may not see you and begin to drive away.

For motorists:
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch for children traveling to and from school. It
is difficult to predict their actions, so it is your responsibility to be extra cautious.
• Drive slowly. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the
neighborhood.
• Watch for children playing and gathering near school bus stops.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Learn and obey the school bus laws.
• Learn the flashing light system that school bus drivers use to alert motorists about stopping:
o Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop and load or unload children. Motorists need
to slow down and prepare to stop.
o Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm mean the bus has stopped and children are boarding or
exiting the bus. Motorists must come to a complete stop a safe distance from the bus and wait until the
red lights stop flashing, the arm is retracted, and the bus begins moving before they start driving again.

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