CCRA Annual Membership Meeting
November 13, 2014
Board members present: Virginia Ceaser, Chris Fleming, Peter Gilbert, Chris Kelly, Brent Kynoch,
Tim McTaggart, Bill Sandmeyer, Nedra Weinstein, Cathy Wolf; Suzanne Resnick, president, Sue
Kamenar, general manager.
Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. at Chevy Chase Village Hall.
Minutes: 2013 Annual Meeting minutes were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Budget:
Chris Kelly, CCRA Treasurer, presented the 2015 budget, which anticipates a net operating
revenue of $29,544 and a gain after capital reserves of $4,544. The total operating revenue will be
$676,831 and operating expenses will total $672,287. Principal and interest payments on the
mortgage will total $145,860 and reflects an ongoing mission of the Board to pay down the
principal on a consistent basis. The 2015 Budget was approved.
Long Range Financial Planning:
Tim McTaggart, committee chair, outlined the long-range financial plan. In 2014,the Board
concentrated on lowering the debt incurred from the re-build, and worked on preparing a plan for
the long-term maintenance of the infrastructure. The Board began to review and prioritize
potential capital expenditures for the pool and tennis complex, as identified by Clark Baugher of
Georgetown Aquatics and Sue Kamenar. The process helped to focus attention on the ongoing
maintenance and capital needs of the Club. This 'wish list' of forward-looking capital expenditure
requires aggressive management of the debt obligations. The Club has made progress on
achieving this goal. The funds from the Capital Assessments will continue to be used for increasing
our capital reserve as well as accelerating the principal payments of the mortgage. CCRA’s cash
position remains strong.
Operations:
Sue Kamenar, General Manager, praised Georgetown Aquatics, CCRA’s long-term pool managers,
for their efficiency and diligence in finding cost effective solutions to problems. She reported that
this season was a smooth one at the pool. There was only one brief power outage.
Website:
There has been high praise for the new website. In addition to saving money for postal services
and the tennis reservation service, communication with the membership has become more
efficient and timely. In the near future, members will be able to vote via the website.
Fairchild House:
The lease with the Outdoor Nursery School will expire in August. The Board is beginning the
process of negotiating a new lease with the new Directors. Some tree work and exterior painting,
paid for by CCRA, will be necessary.
Membership:
Virginia Ceaser, committee chair, reported that there are currently 350 families on the waiting list
for permanent membership. Waiting time for a summer membership (from 6-7 years to now 5
years), and for permanent memberships (from 8-10 years to 6-7 years) is shorter for both types of
membership. One possible reason for the shorter wait times is the recently added Emeritus
membership status that is now offered to long term, older, members who use the Club less
frequently. This option requires the loss of their permanent memberships and limited use of the
facility.
Landscape:
Miller Landscapes continues to do an outstanding job in maintaining the grounds. The Board is
pleased with the landscape company’s work and their responsiveness whenever there is a
ground’s problem.
Community affairs:
Bill Sandmeyer, committee chair, reported on three community issues that might affect the CCRA
membership in the future. First, the Chevy Chase Sector Development Plan is officially final,
approved, and adopted. Second, the FTA, in March 2014, authorized the Maryland Transit
Administration to proceed with design, land acquisition, and construction for the Purple Line
based on availability of funding. Purple Line planners anticipate that construction of the line could
start in late 2015 and that the light rail could open for service by late 2020. However, at this time,
the governor-elect of Maryland has not indicated his degree of support for the project
Third, the Platt Ridge Road Extension, a project that would extend Platt Ridge Road through the
woods next to the neighborhood entrance to CCRA, has been approved. The extended road would
make for an alternative entrance to the neighborhood. It would not significantly alter CCRA
members’ access to CCRA. The acreage of wooded parkland lost to the project will be made up by
acquisition of park land elsewhere in the county, probably by early 2015. Construction should run
from October 2015 through August 2016. No action will be taken before or during CCRA's 2015
summer season.
Cafe:
Suzanne, Resnick, committee chair, reported that there were many compliments from the
membership about the café this past season. Members cited that the quality and variety of food
choices were good, the staff was pleasant, and the area was clean. Because of an investment in new
equipment by CCRA (such as an outdoor refrigerator for quicker customer purchases), the wait
times were reduced from previous seasons. The café had a few special events such as the ice
cream socials, movie night, and a holiday barbeque. The Board also received some individual
complaints about slow service as well as a failure to adequately service an evening swim meet.
The Board is currently vetting another food vendor, who had been recommended by a member.
Social:
Cathy Wolf, committee chair, reported on several social events held this summer. The kickoff
event was a wonderful tour of the grounds by Lila Fendrick. The Bridge Club (“Card Sharks”)
continued in its second year, although participation was spotty. The Book Club, led by Cris Fleming
and also in its second year, gained in popularity attracting both new and more participants. Both
an adult and child table tennis tournament was held mid-summer. Also, there was the popular ice
cream social and movie night. Next summer the Board will encourage the café to offer more
special dinners, and as always, encourages ideas from members.
Swim team:
The CCRA Stingrays had over 200 swimmers in the swim program. The Stingrays competed in
Division G of the MCSL in 2014. In 2015, the Stingrays will be moved to Division I. Head coach,
Emma Sullivan, and Assistant Head Coach, Miranda Steel, will both return for the 2015 season.
Because of the large number of swimmers, there were also many junior coaches.
Due to the able stewardship of the Swim Team “A reps”, Ann Bittman and Carolyn Greis, the swim
team finished the season with a surplus of funds. Ann and Carolyn are retiring this year, and the
CCRA Board wholeheartedly thanks them for their years of service.
Also, the Board congratulates our home grown talent, Caroline McTaggart, on another banner year
in setting new swim records in the county.
As requested by the swim team, the Club purchased four pop-up shade canopies, and new turn
flags for the lap pool. The Club will purchase new lane lines for the lap pool for next season.
Tennis:
Betsy Heidenberger, CCRA tennis pro, reported that there was an increase in participation of new
members in mixers, leagues, and classes, coupled with the enthusiastic turnout of long time tennis
players. There were three mixers over the course of the summer, and a family scrambles event
that coincided with the ice cream social. Doubles league play had another successful season. 46
members participated in League One, and 37 members in League Two. The Singles League had 16
players dispersed over three levels of play. “Team No Drama”, a women’s team, was formed and
matches were played against other area tennis clubs. Two junior team matches were arranged
with Columbia Country Club.
The courts remain in good condition. Premier courts (1 and 2) show no signs of wear and tear.
Surface cracks on courts 3 and 4 continue to be monitored. The online reservation system was
well accepted by the members and worked well.
Governance:
Peter Gilbert, committee chair, reported that the proposed amendments to the CCRA bylaws were
approved by the membership.
In brief, the purpose of the first amendment was to clarify the existing geographical areas in which
residents may be offered membership in the Association.
The purpose of the second amendment was to eliminate the position of General Counsel as an
elected officer of the Association as it was the view of the Board of Directors that it is not
necessary to require that such position be an elected officer of the Corporation.
The purpose of the third amendment was to clarify that only fully paid “Active Permanent
Memberships” could vote at any CCRA membership meeting and to allow written notice of annual
meetings to also be sent electronically to members. This amendment also permits members to
constitute a quorum and to vote at any meeting either electronically or by using the Association’s
website at any CCRA membership meeting. This amendment further requires that any matter
submitted for a vote by any member be submitted to the President at least thirty (30) days before
the date of the Annual Meeting, and be signed by forty five (45) Active Permanent Memberships .
The amendments to the bylaws were approved.
Nominations:
Suzanne Resnick, committee chair, reported that the proposed slate of nominees to the Board of
Directors was approved by the membership. Tim McTaggart, Cathy Wolf, Chris Kelly, Paul Haar,
and Robert Lederman will begin serving their three-year term on the Board immediately.
The committee chair thanked retiring Board members Brent Kynoch, swim team liaison, and Lila
Fendrick, grounds chair, for their years of dedicated service to CCRA.
New Business:
The Board responded to questions from the floor.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46.
Attendees enjoyed a wine and cheese reception afterwards.