Montgomery News

Town of Kensington Mayor and Town Council met March 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

• Approved the Town Meeting Minutes from February 12, 2018.

• The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) discussed the proposed Summit Avenue Extension project and presented possible alternatives.

• Approved installing speed humps along the 3400 block of Oberon Street and the 10500 block of Wheatley Street.

• Introduced Ordinance No. O-01-2018 - an Ordinance to adopt the Town's Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (FY19). The Public Hearing will be held on Monday, April 9th, 7 pm.

Town Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Furman; Council Members Bartram, Crimmins, McMullen, and Rollins; Town Manager Daily; and Clerk-Treasurer Engels were present. Assistant Town Manager Hoffman was necessarily absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence was observed for the passing of Dorothy Warren.

The Town Meeting Minutes from February 12, 2018 were reviewed and approved. See Council Actions.

From the Mayor and Town Council:

John Thomas, Planning Manager with MCDOT, and Scott Holand, Gannett Fleming, discussed the proposed Summit Avenue Extension project and possible alternatives. Mr. Thomas noted that the Summit Avenue Extension project has an estimated cost range of $7.1 - $19 million depending on the proposed route, and a projected improvement on traffic by only ten percent. Therefore, MCDOT proposed a chart of alternative short and long term improvement projects, to include the following:

• Lengthen the southbound left turn lane (400 feet) at Plyers Mill Road and reduce the northbound leftmost turn lane at the MD 185/MD 193 intersection; add a northbound right turn lane (125 feet) prior to Plyers Mill Road; consolidate the two bus stops along MD 185; and adaptive traffic management using “Smart” Signal Technology.

• Lengthen the eastbound left turn lane at MD 185 (200 feet); convert the flashing traffic signal at Plyers Mill Road and MD 185 to fully operational; and signing and marking improvements.

• Lengthen the eastbound left turn lane (200 feet) on Knowles Avenue to Summit Avenue.

• Widen MD 185 along the railway bridge and create a dedicated right turn lane northbound; addition of a southbound right turn lane at Howard Avenue; and extend the Plyers Mill eastbound left turn lane.

• Provide Dynamic Reversible Lane Operation on MD 185 between Knowles Avenue and MD 185.

The Council commented on the proposed alternatives and were concerned that the alternatives did not adequately address Knowles Avenue and MD 185; future development and increased traffic; pedestrian safety; and cut thru traffic.

Leslie Maxam stated the alternatives presented do not address the Connecticut and Knowles Avenue intersection and pedestrian safety, which she noted was the intent behind the extension.

Leslie Olson supported Ms. Maxam’s comment and noted that it is important to improve pedestrian crossings.

Jack Gaffey supported the existing location of the bus stop in front of Safeway, which allows traffic to exit Howard Avenue onto Connecticut; asked about enforcement of the ‘Do Not Block the Box’ signs and about synchronizing the lights at Connecticut and Knowles with the Connecticut and Plyers Mill Road.

Peter Bartram suggested adding a fourth lane to Knowles Avenue and stated that pedestrian safety needs to be the focus at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and University Blvd.

Nimrod Levi noted concerns about turning left from Detrick Avenue onto Knowles and appreciated any improvement to the area.

Town Manager Daily suggested that MCDOT and SHA look into using Concord Street as an adjunct to Metropolitan as part of a future study and noted that the ‘Do Not Block the Box’ signs are not enforceable, as there is no official State law regulating the blocking of these areas.

Mayor Furman noted that the Town will draft a letter addressing the Summit Avenue Extension project and the proposed alternatives.

Town Manager Daily updated the Council on the proposed bump out at the intersection of Howard Avenue and Fawcett Street and provided a schematic from the Town’s Traffic Engineer.

The Council discussed the proposed bump out, along with a possible three-way stop at the intersection and the loss of a parking space.

Town Manager Daily will instruct the Traffic Engineer to crosshatch the bump out and provide cost estimates.

Jack Gaffey stated that merchants should be discouraged from parking in front of their stores and the Town should enforce the time limit on loading zones.

Dan Lonnerdal questioned whether the location of the radar recording device was appropriately placed and asked about the status of the speed humps along Oberon and Wheatley Streets.

Town Manager Daily confirmed that the proposed speed humps had been marked by the Traffic Engineer and the Town is moving forward with installing two (2) speed humps and removing the existing hump at Oberon Street and Kensington Parkway. See Council Actions.

Karen Shultz spoke against adding the speed humps.

Leslie Olson stated she did not see the speed hump markings and thought there would be notification.

Council Member Bartram stated for future petitions, there will be a provision to leave a notice if the property owner is not home; and the speed humps will be marked based on the Traffic Engineer’s assessment.

Jack Gaffey suggested a petition form should have a place to oppose it instead of leaving it blank.

Council Member Rollins stated that the Konterra property on Metropolitan has construction material and trucks, and asked about the removal of the storage container at the Train Station.

Council Member Crimmins noted that he served as a judge for the 1st Annual KVFD Chili Cook- Off, and that there will be two separate meetings at St. Paul Park to discuss the proposed pavilion on March 8th, 10:00 am, and on April 7th, 10:00 am.

Mayor Furman stated that the MML Chapter meeting with the County Council is March 15th ; Strosnider’s Grand Opening will be on March 23rd and 24th; announced that she would be running for a second term as Mayor, and that Council Members McMullen and Rollins may also elect to run for reelection; Nominations are due by 4:00 pm on May 14th and the Candidate Forum will be held on May 21st, with the Town Election on June 4th, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm; the Development Review Board (DRB) will meet on March 14 th, 7 pm, to discuss the proposed senior living project at 3906 and 3910 Knowles Avenue; the Noyes Library 125th Anniversary Gala will be held on April 14th; the Ethic Commission will convene on March 13th, 7 pm, to review financial disclosures; and that the Huggins property has been sold to the Levin Family and will be temporarily leased to Cherner Brothers and Hawkins Produce.

Public Appearances:

Joe Campbell appreciated the Mayor’s onsite help with the water main problems; asked if Council Members McMullen and Rollins will be running for reelection; reminded the Council about providing additional Budget information, and suggested providing employee’s salaries to enhance transparency; and questioned when the covered ‘No Left Turn’ sign at the intersection of Kensington Parkway and Kent Street will be removed.

Ordinances, Resolutions, Regulations:

Ordinance No. O-01-2018 – An Ordinance adopting the Town’s Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (FY19) and levying a tax on all assessable property within the Town was introduced. The Council set the Public Hearing for April 9, 2018, 7:00 pm. See Council Actions.

Council Member McMullen stated that a summary of the FY19 Budget will be sent out by March 30, and invited the public to contact the Town for any clarification, comments, or questions in advance of the Public Hearing.

Mayor Furman noted that the Council will hold a Work Session on March 19th, 7 pm, to discuss a plan for the proposed Annexation; the Council will also accept any questions with regards to the FY19 Budget at the Work Session.

Council Actions:

Council Member McMullen moved to approve the Town Meeting Minutes from February 12, 2018. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member Crimmins moved to install speed humps on Oberon and Wheatley Streets in the designated locations, per the Town Engineer, and to remove the current speed hump on Oberon close to Kensington Parkway. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member McMullen moved to introduce Ordinance No. O-01-2018 – an Ordinance adopting the Fiscal Year 2018-19 (FY19) Budget, and set the Public Hearing for Monday, April 9, 2018, 7:00 pm. The motion passed unanimously.

Council Member Bartram moved to adjourn the Town Meeting at 9:06 pm. The motion passed unanimously.

https://tok.md.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Approved-Minutes-March-12-2018.pdf