MVF Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan 2024–2028 is approved

At the October 26 Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved the MVF Recreation and Parks Department’s Strategic Plan called, “MV: A More Active Tomorrow.” The department updated strategic priorities for its core provisions, which include aquatics, facilities, parks and programming. Staff gathered quantitative and qualitative feedback on the core provisions and Montgomery Village generally, which included a customer survey, demographic analysis of Montgomery Village, internal performance trends and analysis from best practices/neighboring providers. In October, staff presented the finalized plan to both the MVF Committee on the Environment (COE) and the MVF Recreation Committee, and both recommended adoption of the Strategic Plan unanimously, with few minor changes.

This updated Strategic Plan sets the goal of continuing to diversify programs and services to meet the needs of the community; continuing with technological enhancements to improve the participant experience; and laying the foundations for future improvements to MVF facilities, parks and pools.

Other Agenda Items

In other actions, the MVF Board:

• Approved the 2024 MVF Operating Budget and set the 2024 assessment rates
• Sanctioned MVF to move forward with a 2024 Overnight Permit Parking pilot program to allow 25 vehicles to park overnight at Peggy Mark Pool/Apple Ridge Recreation Area
• Permitted MVF to proceed with the RFP process of converting one basketball court to create an unlit multi-sport court at William Hurley Park
• Authorized MVF to move forward with asphalt parking lot repair at Lake Whetstone, the Montgomery Village Foundation Office, Edward DeSimon Park and Apple Ridge Recreation Area; and asphalt path repair at Lake Marion, North Creek Lake Park and South Valley Park
• Accepted changes to the Montgomery Village Community Center Use Policy and the Procedures for the Private Use of MVF Facilities
• Adopted changes to the 2022 401(k) Agreed-Upon Procedure Report

President’s Remarks

Keeping his comments brief due to the rather lengthy agenda, MVF Board President Scott Dyer thanked everyone, including the residents who spoke during Residents Time, for participating in the meeting.

EVP Report

EVP Mike Conroy thanked the Recreation and Parks Department for carrying out The Great Pumpkin Race and Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 14, at North Creek Community Center. Noting it is a rain or shine event, he said for the first time in 14 years, we had some rain. He praised the team for making weather-related pivots to keep participants as dry as possible. Even with the weather, there were still about 75 racers and tons of participants who enjoyed some great family fun.

Conroy also reported that Stedwick Pool is the next pool renovation pool in progress. In early October, MVF received two RFP responses and held interviews with those contractors. MVF had a quick preview of their designs and asked the contractors to make some tweaks to the designs before they get sent to the Recreation Committee. This entire process will kick off in 2024 for planning. In January, the Recreation Committee will host a community meeting to preview the proposals, and in February it should come to the MVF Board for action. In August, MVF would expect some design work to be substantially complete in order to begin the permitting process (which may take up to one year). MVF hopes to begin work in August 2025.

He also said Monument Realty is considering a potential update to Area 2 (along the extension of Stewartown Road). Monument held a community meeting Monday, Nov. 6 to present the concept of changing 8 single-family home lots to several strings of townhomes. Monument plans to present the concept to the full MVF Board at the Thursday, Dec. 7 meeting. Any changes would need to be approved by the county through a site plan amendment.

Conroy reported that the county has established a survey asking for input on safety improvements to Montgomery Village Avenue as part of the county’s Vision Zero initiative. This survey will be important for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic on one of Montgomery Village’s major throughways in the community. The survey information is published online and it will also be printed in the Friday, Nov. 17 print edition of the Montgomery Village News so that all residents have the opportunity to weigh in. MVF will monitor and keep the Board abreast of all developments.

Treasurer’s Report

MVF CFO Daniel Salazar presented the Treasurer’s Report for the year-to-date (YTD) and month ending September 2023.

Salazar reported that overall, all MVF funds were ahead of budget projections by approximately $1.11 million, driven by higher Revenues in Grant income (+$285,000), Investment Income (+$216,000; the portfolio has returned 3.73% YTD). Camps and Classes (+$119,000), Pool Membership Fees (+$72,000) and Capital Contribution fees (+$107,000) were all higher than budgeted. Personnel and Operating costs came in lower to the budget by about $135,000 and $159,000, respectively.

Salazar noted total Revenue was $7,947,303, and Operating Expenses were $6,639,438 through September; both were favorable to the budget.

Salazar said 283 units in Bloom Village and 13 Overlook Condominium units had been sold, making Capital Contribution Fees received through September at $293,000 versus $186,000 prescribed in the budget.

He said the Balance Sheet continues to reflect MVF’s strong financial position with $10.9 million of its assets held in Cash and Investments. MVF continues to hold close to $3.07 million in Undesignated Reserves. Assessment Receivables has seen an overall decrease, and the Delinquency Rate for September was reported at 6.3% (537 units). MVF’s current delinquency rate is 0.9% lower than the 9-year average delinquency rate for the month of September (7.2%). Last year’s delinquency rate was slightly lower at 5.8% (491 units).

Next Meeting

The next MVF Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 in the North Creek Board Room, 20125 Arrowhead Road. Residents are invited to attend; full meeting details and the meeting packet will be posted online at www.montgomeryvillage.com the week before the meeting.