Location: Reston Community
Center, Hunters Woods
Center, Hunters Woods
Attendees: C.J.
Basik, Sridhar Ganesan. Diane Lewis, Colin Mills, Terry Maynard, Tammi Petrine,
Gary Walker, Gary Lee Thomas, Dick Rogers
Basik, Sridhar Ganesan. Diane Lewis, Colin Mills, Terry Maynard, Tammi Petrine,
Gary Walker, Gary Lee Thomas, Dick Rogers
Visitor: Mike Collins (former RA North Point Board
member and currently an aide to Congressman Connolly)
member and currently an aide to Congressman Connolly)
Absent: John
Hanley
Hanley
Call to Order: President
Mills called the meeting to order at 7:35.
Dick Rogers agreed to take the minutes.
Mills called the meeting to order at 7:35.
Dick Rogers agreed to take the minutes.
Agenda: Adopted
with no change.
with no change.
Minutes: The May
minutes were adopted as submitted.
minutes were adopted as submitted.
Treasurers Report:
Diane Lewis reported no significant changes in income or expenditures. The Board thanked Diane for her services as
Treasurer during her term; she is leaving the board.
Diane Lewis reported no significant changes in income or expenditures. The Board thanked Diane for her services as
Treasurer during her term; she is leaving the board.
RCC-Rec Center:
An extensive discussion was held on the rec center issue.
An extensive discussion was held on the rec center issue.
Colin Mills reported on the 17 June RCC budget meeting which
approved $50,000 for possibly holding a referendum on the rec center in
November 2014. The RCC Building
Committee is looking at the issue of alternate locations for a rec center. RCC
plans to look more closely at rec center financing in early 2014.
approved $50,000 for possibly holding a referendum on the rec center in
November 2014. The RCC Building
Committee is looking at the issue of alternate locations for a rec center. RCC
plans to look more closely at rec center financing in early 2014.
Tammi Petrine reported on the RCA rec center committee she
has formed. There are several members with park, recreation or financial
experience who can help analyze operating expenses.
has formed. There are several members with park, recreation or financial
experience who can help analyze operating expenses.
A discussion was held on possible operating expenses and who
would pay for them. The consensus was
that more research is needed. Gary Lee Thomas made the point that it is
important for the public know that unlike County oversight, there is no “Reston
auditor” to overview the process. It was suggested that the financial issues be
put forward in simple terms that the average Restonian could understand.
would pay for them. The consensus was
that more research is needed. Gary Lee Thomas made the point that it is
important for the public know that unlike County oversight, there is no “Reston
auditor” to overview the process. It was suggested that the financial issues be
put forward in simple terms that the average Restonian could understand.
It was noted that RA has not yet taken a position and this
will be discussed at the regular July RA Board meeting. The possibility of joint RCA-RA work on the issue
following the example of Aurora, Colorado might be considered.
will be discussed at the regular July RA Board meeting. The possibility of joint RCA-RA work on the issue
following the example of Aurora, Colorado might be considered.
As a result of the discussion, Mills and Petrine will see if
a community coalition can be put together and then RA support for it solicited.
a community coalition can be put together and then RA support for it solicited.
Election update:
Colin Mills noted that there was no candidate for the North Point seat. A
press release on the election and candidate has been distributed. Gary Walker
reported that election ballot process seems to be working OK. The election period will run from 26 June to
10 July.
Colin Mills noted that there was no candidate for the North Point seat. A
press release on the election and candidate has been distributed. Gary Walker
reported that election ballot process seems to be working OK. The election period will run from 26 June to
10 July.
Technology/social
media: Gary Walker reported that the website is up and working. He will
explore whether photos can be put on it. He noted is important that the
newsletter come our regularly since people seem to respond to it. People seemed
to be picking up that it was on the site. There are about 810 subscribers
although some are dropping out
media: Gary Walker reported that the website is up and working. He will
explore whether photos can be put on it. He noted is important that the
newsletter come our regularly since people seem to respond to it. People seemed
to be picking up that it was on the site. There are about 810 subscribers
although some are dropping out
Community Calendar:
Gary Lee Thomas raised this some time ago, saying that it would be good if
people had just one place to go to see what is happening in Reston. It was noted that one problem is that there
are so many organizations in Reston and we
cannot depend on them informing RCA of their activity; RCA would need a paid
person just to contact them. A possible
link to the Patch calendar was discussed. Colin summarized the discussion
saying this is a good idea but we would need to determine if we can partner with others.
Gary Lee Thomas raised this some time ago, saying that it would be good if
people had just one place to go to see what is happening in Reston. It was noted that one problem is that there
are so many organizations in Reston and we
cannot depend on them informing RCA of their activity; RCA would need a paid
person just to contact them. A possible
link to the Patch calendar was discussed. Colin summarized the discussion
saying this is a good idea but we would need to determine if we can partner with others.
RCC Meeting Space:
Colin submitted a letter he drafted to Leila Gordon asking for free meeting
space at RCC rather than paying the current $18 per meeting. A discussion was held on whether we could get
free meeting space elsewhere. There may
be concern at RCC that if they give RCA free space they will have to do it for
many others.
Colin submitted a letter he drafted to Leila Gordon asking for free meeting
space at RCC rather than paying the current $18 per meeting. A discussion was held on whether we could get
free meeting space elsewhere. There may
be concern at RCC that if they give RCA free space they will have to do it for
many others.
A motion was made
that Colin should send the letter. It was approved with 6 votes in favor and 1
opposed; 2 members abstained.
that Colin should send the letter. It was approved with 6 votes in favor and 1
opposed; 2 members abstained.
RCA Communication Disclaimer:
In response to C.J. Basik’s motion at the previous meeting, Colin had drafted a
short policy statement disclaiming RCA sponsorship of personal communications
that do not reflect adopted RCA policy. The sentence that the author is an RCA Board
member was deleted. A motion was
made for approval of the amended statement and it was approved unanimously.
In response to C.J. Basik’s motion at the previous meeting, Colin had drafted a
short policy statement disclaiming RCA sponsorship of personal communications
that do not reflect adopted RCA policy. The sentence that the author is an RCA Board
member was deleted. A motion was
made for approval of the amended statement and it was approved unanimously.
“Maker Fair”: Gary Lee Thomas noted he had not been able to
get in touch with Brian Jacoby but had talked with his number 2. They are still interested in organizing a “maker
fair” in 2014 but they need to partner with a civic organization which would
help to provide insurance and manpower.
Jacoby has talked about their employing an event planner. Thomas said RCA still needs to figure out how
it could fit in. It was suggested that
USGS might be a good site.
get in touch with Brian Jacoby but had talked with his number 2. They are still interested in organizing a “maker
fair” in 2014 but they need to partner with a civic organization which would
help to provide insurance and manpower.
Jacoby has talked about their employing an event planner. Thomas said RCA still needs to figure out how
it could fit in. It was suggested that
USGS might be a good site.
Transportation:
Dick Rogers briefly noted that access to the south side of the station appears to
be at a dead end and that County DOT officials are uncertain what to make of Supervisor
Hudgins push for higher priority for Soapstone planning. He noted that an RCA rep on the Hunter Mill Transportation
Advisory Council (HM TAC) would be
useful.
Dick Rogers briefly noted that access to the south side of the station appears to
be at a dead end and that County DOT officials are uncertain what to make of Supervisor
Hudgins push for higher priority for Soapstone planning. He noted that an RCA rep on the Hunter Mill Transportation
Advisory Council (HM TAC) would be
useful.
It was moved the
RCA designate Dick Rogers to represent RCA on the HM TAC.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Colin will send a note to Hudgins requesting his appointment.
RCA designate Dick Rogers to represent RCA on the HM TAC.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Colin will send a note to Hudgins requesting his appointment.
RMPTF: Terry
Maynard noted that the issue of whether the county will abandon its 300 sq ft
standard for office workers is still open.
He noted that businesses are using much less space per worker now than
years ago and square footage per office worker is expected to decline sharply
in the next few years. Use of the 300
GSF/worker standard will mean more workers in Reston when some see it going as
low as 100 GSF/worker. He hopes to get a
formal response from the county.
Maynard noted that the issue of whether the county will abandon its 300 sq ft
standard for office workers is still open.
He noted that businesses are using much less space per worker now than
years ago and square footage per office worker is expected to decline sharply
in the next few years. Use of the 300
GSF/worker standard will mean more workers in Reston when some see it going as
low as 100 GSF/worker. He hopes to get a
formal response from the county.
Other items; Gary
Lee Thomas suggested a formal letter of appreciation to Hank Blakely, who has
left the Board. Colin agreed to prepare one.
Colin also thanked Diane Lewis and C. J. Basik, who are leaving the
Board, for their service.
Lee Thomas suggested a formal letter of appreciation to Hank Blakely, who has
left the Board. Colin agreed to prepare one.
Colin also thanked Diane Lewis and C. J. Basik, who are leaving the
Board, for their service.
Next Meeting: 22 July. The new Board will be seated then.