Approximately 100 people representing more than 60 homeowners and
condominium organizations from across Montgomery County on Oct 23 attended a
forum in Rockville designed specifically for homeowner association and condo
board leaders. During the forum, which was hosted by County Councilmember
Nancy Floreen, participants exchanged ideas about problems they share and asked
the representatives of twelve County Government departments and agencies how they
could better work together.
Issues
raised during the forum ranged from speed humps on neighborhood roads to nuisance animals. Many participants said homeowner
associations, and especially condo boards—which can assess monthly dues in the
hundreds of dollars—need better tools for collecting overdue fees. Several
people had questions about the County’s recently revamped Water Quality Protection Charge and its associated credits.
Others expressed a need for individual utility meters in multi-family
buildings.
With
so many department and agency heads on hand, many participants who came with
questions or unresolved problems were able to leave the forum with answers or
commitments for further follow-up. Several participants expressed appreciation
for the opportunity to meet with leaders and decision-makers face-to-face.
“I
organized this forum because people who are involved with their homeowner
associations are connected to their community in a unique and highly localized
way,” said Councilmember Floreen, who chairs the Council’s Planning, Housing
and Economic Development Committee. “I wanted to make sure these volunteers
have the tools they need to continue in their good work.”
The
forum can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube.
Many of the subjects discussed apply to homeowners and condominium
associations that were not represented at the forum. To view the forum, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_yPosvaJPY
.
Among
the representatives of County departments and agencies present at the forum
were: Jewru Bandeh (East County Regional Services Center), Ken Hartman
(Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center), Cathy Matthews (Upcounty Regional Services Center); Nadim Khan (Health and Human
Services), Reginald Jetter (Permitting Services), Eric Friedman (Consumer
Protection), Peter Drymalski (Commission on Common Ownership Communities),
Steve Shofar (Environmental Protection), Rick Nelson (Housing and Community
Affairs), Walter Wilson (County Attorney), Gwen Wright and Pam Dunn (Park and
Planning), Bruce Johnston and Gary Erenrich (Transportation), Commander James
Fenner and Lt. Jaques Croom (Police) and Susan Hoffman (Recreation).
