Anne Arundel
Waterway Restoration Alliance

Meeting Notes 2006-05-23

May 23, 2006 the AAWRA meeting @ South County Police Headquarters was called to order by President Bob Whitcomb. Guest speakers Pat Lynch and Vernon Penner of Amberly Community on Whitehall Creek. 
Attendance: 13 individuals with 3 notable guest. 
Mike Shay - District 33b Maryland Delegate candidate
Debbie Weller of Bayland Consultants, 
Gail Smith - AA County Official
Treasurer's Report
Work continues on 501(c) (4) and it was pointed out that membership dues help fund this effort. It was reported that AAWRA had 3 new members join. New attendees where encouraged to join AAWRA and discussion of the importance and accomplishments of AAWRA Biggest accomplishment was soliciting that the Waterway Improvement Fund is applied to Waterway projects. It was stated that in the past a estimated $27 million dollars of the Waterway Funds where moved to other Maryland general funds. Also stated, AAWRA represent numerous communities and works for every waterway project equally and that united communities makes for a stronger statement.

AAWRA webpage
It was stated that the AAWRA webpage as being out of date. Next meeting displayed on webpage is still showing Feb. 28, 2006. Another person stated that she discovered AAWRA via the webpage while doing research for their community but found it lacking contact information. Another comment was made about the meeting minutes have not been updated. www.anfp.org was mention as a possible website comparison.

AA 2007 Budget
The AA County Proposed FY2007 budget was released on May 1st, 2006. The Q-List located @ http://www.aacounty.org/Budget/Resources/FY07Supp2WaterwayImps.pdf The proposed budget for the Waterway Improvement Fund is on track for dredging to be done on schedule and the improvement for DMP dump site Town Point. Final approve is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 30, 2006. Early targeted campaigning seemed to be the key for this FY budget.

Annapolis City creeks where discussed. These creeks have a 3rd layer of governmental challenge to contend with. Mayor should be contacted for these creeks.

Bob Whitcomb reported that he has requested Waynes Creek be put back onto the "List". It was explained to new members and new attendees about the dredging "List" and that they need to solicit first AA County Executive and then Merrill Plait, AA chief engineer for their dredging projects to be put on the "List". Currently there are 18 waterway projects on the "List".

Amberly Community on Whitehall Creek. - Pat Lynch and Vernon Penner Silting in of Whitehall Creek was contributed by the Route 50 overpass highway project. Bayland estimated more than 80% of the silting was caused by the RT 50 project. Campaigning and working with Merrill Plait, State Highway personnel, federal personnel and Bayland.s report over 8 years finally resulted into 1 ½ to 2 million dollars of funding. Additional $134,000 was needed in funding which was done by establishing a Special Community Benefit District (SCBD) which requires approval by 75 percent of the community. SCBD is a special tax which is managed by and applied to your real estate taxes by AA county. Amberly community proposed $81,000 be paid by the 54 water front homes and that the whole community of 182 would equally split paying for the remaining $53,000 balance. The SCBD loan is for 25 years and is interest free. This was done in a 4 week notice. The newly "Boat Count" regulation also was an obstacle but with AAWRA support and some campaigning this was overcome. Historical waterway data was mentioned as very important to be collected and presented.

Similar financial action was done at Clements Creek but after approval for SCBD many members rejected the process because of the evil word "Tax" by several groups within the community. After research and numerous discussion it was voted that each homeowner would pay up front for their part of the dredging.

Neither community has an enforceable homeowners association. Both communities have community piers and other community waterway amenities.

Q&A for candidates
It was agreed that this would best be done via emails. Paul Ricket collected the question that where read and will compile the questions into a list to send out to the AAWRA board and those who volunteered to be a part of this work group. It was suggested that there should be 2 question lists, one list of questions for State candidates and one for AA county candidates. July 3rd is the deadline date for candidates to register. Once the list has been compilied, revised and completed, it will be mailed to candidates for replies.

AARWRA meeting schedule
1. Next meeting is July 25, 2006 @ 7:00pm at the South County Police Station. AA county FY2007 will be final approval will have been completed and someone from AA will be a guest for discussion.

2. August 24(?), 2006 is River Association Debate for candidates at Annapolis High School and AAWRA members should try to attend.

3. AAWRA's subsequent meeting will be September 26, 2006 @ 7:00pm at South County Police Headquarters

Attending this meeting were: 

Bob Whitcomb/Saefern
Jay Phillips, DCET
Geoff Thomas/Admiral Heights
Paul & Gloria Rickett, Broadwater Farms
Christine Reinert, Poplar Point
Mary Lawrence, Poplar Point
Elish Moore, Deale Beach
Lymand Hall, West River
Richard Fraenkel, Severn House
Debbie Weller, Bayland
Vern Penner, Amberly
Pat Lynch, Amberly
Mick Shay, SACRED and Candidate 33B
Charlie Burke, Harbor View
Virginia Jared, Podickory Point