Organizational Green Plan approved at January MVF Board meeting

As part of Montgomery Village Foundation’s (MVF) 2021 Strategic Priorities, the Department of Recreation and Parks was tasked with creating an Organizational Green Plan with the goal of further reducing the organization’s environmental impacts. At the December MVF Board of Directors meeting, the Green Plan was presented as an information item; the Board adopted the Organizational Green Plan at its January 27 meeting.

The Green Plan was developed using 5-year historical data from each MVF-owned property, including: resource (electric, gas, water) usage; paper usage; overall fuel consumption; survey feedback from staff and resident committees; an energy audit of all facilities; and a look at Best Practices from neighboring entities. Using the results from the data collection, the plan was organized into five key focus areas: Resource Efficiencies; Air Quality and Transportation; Land Management; Waste Reduction; and Public Engagement and Programming.

Staff will use the focus areas to guide future projects and initiatives with the goal of continued environmental consciousness and impact reduction. The Green Plan was reviewed and supported by both the Recreation Committee and the Committee on the Environment prior to being reviewed and approved by the MVF Board of Directors. The Organizational Green Plan can be viewed online at www.montgomeryvillage.com.

Other Agenda Items
The Board had a lengthy discussion about the proposal by Evergreen Investment Company to build a 7-story apartment complex on the second parcel of the Lidl property, adjacent to the entrance to Whetstone. Whetstone Homes Corporation (WHC) requested the MVF Board’s support in opposing the plan as presented during the previous community meetings. The Board approved sending a letter of expectations for the continued process to Evergreen, noting the concerns expressed by residents as a top priority. See article for more details.

In preparation of the 2022 Pool Season, the Board approved the 2022 Pool Schedule, and revisions to the Activity Card Distribution, Pool Use and Pool Operating policies, as well as the Procedures for Swim Team Use of Facilities. The minor revisions were all housekeeping in nature, updating dates, pricing and applicability for Bloom Village.

A bid for $101,215 was awarded to Directive for website development services, in order to redevelop the current website. The platform the website is currently built on is nearing end-of-life and will no longer be supported for updates or security; in addition, the current website host is changing their business model and no longer a fit for MVF. The change to Directive will yield significant savings in monthly hosting, and a long-term technology partner.

The Executive Vice President (EVP) was authorized to sign a Letter of Agreement and other necessary documents with Montgomery County for a culvert replacement project on Wightman Road. MCDOT identified the project as necessary, as the existing corrugated metal pipe is deteriorating and causing flooding during significant rain events. The failing culvert underneath Wightman Road, near Goshen Road (in North Village) poses pedestrian and motorist safety hazards.

Finally, the Board authorized the EVP to negotiate and execute an Annual Service Fee Agreement with Atlantic Realty (W-ARC) for the residential units that will be built at the Village Center. This agreement affords the residents of those units the ability to use and pay into MVF and DU amenities, but does not make them full members of Montgomery Village Foundation. For more information, see the full article.

EVP Report
EVP Dave Humpton reported the potential to receive a State Bond Bill to offset spending of assessment revenue for capital projects. He noted that Recreation staff are working with Senator Nancy King on an approximately $350,000 Bond Bill to support the Watkins Mill Outdoor Fitness Area project. He explained MVF would match the funding, if granted, and a decision would be made by the end of the State legislative session in April.

Humpton also noted MVF’s leadership in Annapolis and partnership with other large-scale HOAs on monitoring and advocating for legislation that helps HOAs and condominium associations. He mentioned MVF’s commitment to relaying information to all the associations in the Village to gain feedback and community impacts as well. Humpton noted a full list of bills being monitored is included in the monthly EVP Report.

Treasurer’s Report
CFO Daniel Salazar presented the Treasurer’s Report for the year-to-date (YTD) and the unaudited financials ending December 31, 2021, which remain subject to change through the year end audit.

Net Income was reported at $1.96 million (approximately $1.3 million favorable to the budget) mainly due to Investments (up $484,000), Capital Contribution Fees (CCF) (up $84,000), Pool Memberships (up $60,000) and Miscellaneous Revenue (up $172,000 due to recovery of legal fees from the condominium lawsuit). Additionally, MVF saw lower-than-expected Personnel Costs (favorable by $289,000) from open positions and temp labor due to the North Creek Pool not being open, lower-than-expected Legal Fees and Bad Debt Allowance, and Landscape and Maintenance (favorable by $100,000).

He also said the Contributions to Reserves (CTR) were made monthly in accordance with the budget; YTD CTR was reported at $1.35 million. He reported 4th Quarter Delinquencies at an all-time low of 7.2%.

Salazar said the Bad Debt Allowance was reviewed and increased by $30,000 bringing the coverage to 35% of Assessment Receivables. He reported the Investment Portfolio was up 7.96% YTD, returning $2.4 million since its inception.

Next Meeting
The next MVF Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, as a conference call/Zoom meeting. A second “Meet the Candidates” event will be held prior to the meeting at 7 p.m., also via Zoom; get to know the candidates running for the MVF Board of Directors. Residents are invited to join the call; full meeting details, the meeting packet and/or participation instructions will be posted online at www.montgomeryvillage.com the week before the meeting.