WCA March Meeting (03/27/01)

Board Members: Brett Fox, Ann Lunson, Mike Murtha, Dede O'Donnell
Committee Members: Ellen Jones, Howard McGowan
Community Attendees: Roster given to Ellen Jones

Meeting called to order at 7:30.

Minutes from prior meeting approved.

New Business

1. Nottingham May Festival - Brett reported the event is always fun. We have not arranged for a booth but feel we will be able to get one. Brett suggested that we need to contact the PTA president to make arrangements. There is a deadline for input on the event, 4/13/01.

2. Bicentennial Neighborhood Day - Brett reported there was a meeting on 4/10/01. He said that we had published information in the newsletter. He also commented that neither this or the Nottingham May Festival activity has committee chairs or much activity.

3. Free Tree - Brett reported that he wasn't exactly sure what this is about but Chris Shaheen contacted him and talked about our area getting a new tree. This was related to the removal of the flag pole from the Williamsburg circle. Brett said that the County will likely replace the flag pole with a new tree.

4. Ellen Jones reported on the Conservation Plan. The two Spring projects that will be submitted to NCAC are the Little Falls median and Minor Hill. One of the Fall projects will be the signs for the neighborhood.

a. The Signs committee has made two changes. First, to include "established 1951" on the sign. Further discussion was pushed to the April meeting. The purchase order has not been approved and submitted. We won't see the colors before going with the final design.

b. Both projects need a letter of commitment before proceeding.

c. Minor Hill discussions included:

i. Ready to commit County funds after five years of effort
ii. Will move the tot lot back to Fall projects; don't have the time to complete what is needed
iii. Will move forward with the use plan
iv. The County has indicated it is possible to move the fences and/or remove the fences in the area above the reservoirs (about an acre of land); also suggested that there could be active use with proper weight load factors considered
v. The County has not approved any permanent structures (e.g., picnic tables) except exercise trail/track.
vi. The decision to proceed should put a stake through the heart of the monopole
vii. Plan for a figure 8 path; it will occupy as much space as practical
viii. Plans also include a crosswalk on Powhatan. Consideration of a three-way stop sign at the top of the hill is unlikely.
ix. Questions as to whether we can get electricity, who will maintain it once completed (the County will be responsible but WCA must be vocal), and if zoning could impose a height restriction.

d. Little Falls Project discussion included:

i. Have gotten almost all residents to approve. Two are still uncertain and one is out of town.
ii. Determined the Nottingham School project will not be in conflict with the project. Sidewalks are not part of the project.
iii. Provided a handout on the task force's efforts
iv. The dimensions are: 10-14' wide median, 12-14' travel lane, 5' bicycle lane and 8'for parking
v. Will also try to fix the traffic aberration of two lanes approaching the end of Little Falls/Williamsburg and Little Falls/Yorktown.

e. Other discussion points on the Conservation Plan included:

i. Looking for volunteers to plan trees in Williamsburg medians
ii. Keep medians on Sycamore and Williamsburg as front burner action even though Little Falls project took top priority
iii. Is Little Falls considered a minor arterial?
iv. Can there be special marking for bike path?
v. Not pursuing speed humps or raised crosswalks at this time

f. Schedule of events:

i. Public hearings at NCAC (April)
ii. Planning Committee (June)
iii. Board Meeting (July/August)

5. Brett discussed the Neighborhood Block Captains/Reps issue. He indicated the representatives were responsible for voicing issues of multiple people in the area not only self. The reps could have several projects that they assist with such as neighborhood watch and traffic calming. He said that generally the growth of an association comes from these small groups, getting them engaged. He suggested a meeting in two weeks at the school library. There was considerable discussion on the topic-how they operate, are they an arm of the Board, do they act independently, etc.

6. Brett discussed the Nottingham School Project and stated that WCA needed a rep. Brett is one of the reps but probably need another person. The commitment is for the full three years. The school doesn't want people to join and leave for continuity purposes.

7. Brett announced the Officer Nomination Committee resigned before the slate of nominees was established. The members decided to put forth the following slate of officers:

• President - Ellen Jones (motion carried)
• Vice President - Don Gross (motion carried)
• Treasurer - Ann Lunson (motion carried)
• Recording Secretary - Dede O'Donnell (motion carried)
• Parliamentarian - Mike Murtha (motion carried)
• Corresponding Secretary - Jim Toronto (motion carried)

The meeting adjourned at 8:55.