August Meeting of the IHGE Community Association Board

7:30 PM Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Board Members Present: Dara Adams, Melissa Bowen, Susan Braddock, Jim Gooding, Diane Nicholson, Sophia Phillips, Teresa Woo.                                                                                                                                    

Treasurer’s report – Sophia Phillips gave the Treasurer’s report. An Audit Committee of Brenda Collins, Cheryl Reecher, and Michelle Sotiros has been formed and will report to Anne Arundel County by September 30.  There have been no unusual or extraordinary expenses, and we will have approximately $2,000 in carryover funds for the coming year. 

Pool committee/club house – Melissa Bowen reported that the pool and clubhouse have been well utilized this summer.  We will need to replace the diving board after the end of the season at a cost of approximately $3,000 for the repair needed and the new diving board.  She has costs for several options and will see if the costs are lower in the fall.  She will be investigating various pool management companies for next summer.  The current pool management company has done a reasonably good job, but the prices are being increased, and it makes sense to see what else might be available and what the costs would be.  There have been problems with people swimming in the pool after hours.  Melissa asks that she be called if anyone hears or sees anything.  An ice machine is being donated to the club house and will be installed in the main room near the refrigerator.  A curtain will be made to cross the entire alcove where the appliances will be located.  We have several new families in the neighborhood and Melissa suggested that we have a “welcome” cookout at the pool on Labor Day weekend.  Details to follow. Jim Gooding offered to tackle repairing the siding on the shed, which was damaged by lacrosse balls.

Mosquito Spraying Update –Jim Gooding reported that spraying has not been going on very much in the last month. Jim asked, “Do we want to set up for a representative from Dept of Agriculture to give us their presentation on Mosquito Control techniques and actions?” The Mosquito Control Group will also conduct a yard review for homeowners who provide written permission.  There seemed to be interest among Board members and community residents who were in attendance.  Jim will follow up to see if a date can be scheduled for this service.  

Tracy Kruk gave a report on the sign committee – The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for August 31^st. The members of the committee are: Tracy Kruk, Chair; Debbie McCloskey; Marc Segre; Diane Riley; Bill Phillips; Marieluise Riegel; and Kathy Hatch.  The committee is tasked with securing at least three bids for attractive, visible, and “non-removable” signage on (or above) the walls at the Indian Hills – Glen Eden entrance on Ritchie Highway.  The committee will also look at lighting options and the possibility of signage for the entrance to Glen Eden.  However, the priority is the main entrance into the community.

Directory plans –Sophia Phillips will again do the directory this year, probably in October. 

Diane Nicholson talked about a zoning appeal issue that impacts Indian Hills.  The property in question is on the “southbound side” of Ritchie Highway and was formerly Karlton’s Florist.  The property in question is actually zoned R1, but it has a zoning variance as a lawful, non-conforming C1 use and is intended for only .73 acres of the 1 ½ acre property.  The rezoning request and appeal is to change the zoning permanently to C1, which would allow office buildings on the entire site and set a precedent for commercial development in the entire area.  The Board voted unanimously for Indian Hills – Glen Eden to oppose the appeal.  Kurt Riegel will draft some suitable language for a 2 minute statement by our community spokesperson and send it to the Board.  The Board will identify someone from the community to speak on our behalf.  The appeal meetings will be held at 6:30 PM on Tuesday Sept 15 and Wednesday Sept 16 at the Arundel Center in Annapolis.  More information will be available on the website.

A by-laws review committee has been established to determine whether the by-laws need to be updated.  As specified by the by-laws, the committee will be composed of “at least three volunteer members of the Community, sanctioned by, but not to include any members of the Board of Directors.”  Kurt Riegel, Lou Callisti, and Marc Segre have volunteered to serve.  Changes to the by-laws need to be ratified by the neighborhood.  Any suggestions for needed changes should be given to one of the committee members.

Announcements:

Indian Hills-Glen Eden has an opportunity to appoint a person to serve the Severn River Association as IGHE's representative.  Anyone interested in watershed issues or in more information should contact Diane Nicholson or Kurt Riegel. 

We’re looking to improve the website and need your ideas about what you would like to see on there, and how we can make it more useful to residents and those thinking of moving into the neighborhood

Dogs and attending issues (barking, owners not cleaning up after them) continue to be raised as problems in the community.  Please clean up after your dog, and make sure that Fido doesn’t spend the day barking in the yard.  Ask your neighbors if Fido is “talking” too much – they’ll tell you!

Speeding in the neighborhood has again become a problem.  Speeding delivery and trash pick up trucks as well as speeding neighbors and friends are creating dangerous situations for kids, walkers, and those on bikes.  Several “close calls” have been reported to the Board.  The board will investigate getting the speed limit reduced to 15 miles per hour and getting additional speed limit signage. Meanwhile, please SLOW DOWN and encourage others to do the same!