Jason R. Goldstein

The meeting addressed updates on construction projects, specifically the Red House renovation, which is proceeding with framing and demolition for new stairs, aiming for completion in early April. Discussions regarding Page Park stormwater management plans noted that concept plans were resubmitted, and the Council anticipates approving the contractor selection in March before receiving final permits in April. The Council also considered public comments, including procedural suggestions regarding hybrid meetings and advisory committee disclosure requirements, and concerns about EV charging station usage policies. Committee reports covered updates from the Advisory Committee on Development regarding bike lanes, and the Policies and Procedures Committee, which reviewed several policies, moving to adopt the Travel Policy and the Village Center Space Rental Policy after amendments and discussions regarding per diem rules and nonprofit usage rates. The Village Manager reported on the fountain RFP reissue and plans for waterproofing membrane replacement behind the Village Center.

The meeting commenced with the welcoming of a new council member, Daniel R, following his confirmation by the Montgomery County Council. The main agenda item was a presentation by doctoral student Geraldine Hayes regarding the results of a recent quality of life survey. Key findings discussed included resident prioritization of services like parks and the village shuttle, the importance of the farmers market as a village program, and policy issue focus on retail shops, although younger residents prioritized affordable housing. Feedback on the survey itself suggested making future surveys shorter and increasing representativeness across different age groups and buildings. Council members also discussed the finding that younger adults expressed concern about affordable housing and potential difficulties in paying bills.

This Investment Policy for the Village of Friendship Heights establishes guidelines for investing public funds with primary objectives of safety, liquidity, and return on investments, in that priority order. It outlines the scope, prudence standards, and delegates management responsibility to the Village Council. The policy specifies permissible investments, including US Treasuries, federally insured bank accounts, and the Maryland Local Government Investment Pool, along with diversification limits and a maximum two-year maturity for direct investments, all while adhering to State laws.

The committee meeting included several key discussions. The Council Liaison reported no recent Village Council actions regarding previous committee submissions, but suggested reviewing Sustainable Maryland environmental projects for community applicability. The Chairperson provided updates on recent international climate change conference priorities. Further discussion involved differing opinions within the Village Development Committee regarding development progress and property ownership constraints. The committee also addressed village safety and lighting issues. A significant portion of the meeting focused on addressing excess winter salting of village sidewalks, planning actions such as a Council report, a grant application for salt safety training, and meetings with building owners. Additionally, the committee discussed promoting the use of native plantings within the village to support local fauna, potentially starting with a butterfly garden at Page Park.

The agenda for the Village Council Meeting includes several discussion points. Under the initial Convene section, there will be an update on Page Park and Red House from the Project Manager, general comments from the public, and reports from the Village Manager and Treasurer. Committee reports will cover updates from the Advisory Committee on Development, and summaries of the Policies and Procedures Committee meetings from December 16, 2025, and January 6, 2026, as well as the Parks and Grounds Committee meeting of January 6, 2026. New business items include discussions and votes on several policies recommended by the Policies and Procedures Committee: Social Media Policy, Ethics Policy, Travel Policy, and Village Center Rental Policy. Additionally, the Council will discuss proposals for repairing the fountain and replacing the lighting in Humphrey Park, and there will be an introduction of a proposed amendment to the Village Bylaws.