For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 6, 2006
Council Extends Deadline for Applicants for Position of Chairman of
The Montgomery County Planning Board Chair
Deadline 5:00 P.M. May 31, 2006
Today the Montgomery County Council extended the deadline for applications for the position of Chairman of the Montgomery County Planning Board. “It is always useful to have a competitive pool of applicants, especially for positions of this importance,” said Council President George Leventhal. “The person whom we ultimately appoint as Chairman, whether it is Chairman Berlage or someone else, will be in a stronger position for having emerged from a competitive field.”
Currently, Mr. Derick Berlage (Democrat) serves as Chairman of the Planning Board, and his term will expire on June 14, 2006. Mr. Berlage has indicated that he wishes to be considered for reappointment. The Council expects to designate the appointee as Chairman. The Council will accept letters of application until 5:00 PM on May 31.
No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and all members must be residents and registered voters of Montgomery County when appointed. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. This position can be filled by a Democrat (D), Republican (R), or an Independent (I). Current members are: Derick Berlage, Chairman (D), Allison Bryant (R), Wendy Collins Perdue (D), John Robinson (D), and Meredith K. Wellington (R). In appointing a Chairman for the Board, the Council will establish the salary for the Chairman within a range of $134,000 to $150,000.
The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. Planning Board members also serve as Commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Some of the Board’s responsibilities with regard to planning are: 1) preparation and amendment of the County General Plan; 2) preparation and amendment of the Master Plans and functional plans; 3) formulation of subdivision regulations; 4) preparation of or recommendations on Text Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance; 5) implementation of the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans, and other plans for development; 6) advice on the planning implication of capital facilities and programs of the County Government, Montgomery College, WSSC and Montgomery County Public Schools; and 7) approval of the work program and the annual operating budget for the Park and Planning Department and Central Administrative Services.
The Planning Board sits as the Park Commission and approves the annual operating budget and Capital Improvements Program for the County park system, land acquisition contracts and major development contracts for parks, development plans for individual park facilities, policies for park operations, and park user fees. These functions require a meeting at least once each month.
The Montgomery County Planning Board meets all day every Thursday. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meets the second Wednesday of every month. Two full days a week are spent in meetings. Substantial additional time is required for preparatory work and other activities related to Planning Board responsibilities.
The Chairman's responsibilities are to perform a leadership role with respect to the Montgomery County portion of the Commission as well as to chair the meetings of the Planning Board; to assist in developing overall vision and direction for the Commission; to oversee the functioning of the Montgomery County Planning Board staff; to provide guidance on preparation of budgets by Park and Planning Department staff for presentation to the Board; to represent the Planning Board at official meetings; to present the Planning Board's position, especially before the County Council; and to serve as Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission as well as to carry out other customary duties of the office.
Letters expressing interest in being considered for the position, including a resume, should be addressed to Council President George L. Leventhal and must be received in the Council Office, Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850, no later than 5:00 P.M. on Monday, May 31, 2006. It is the Council’s policy not to consider applications received after the deadline. After the May 31 closing date, Councilmembers will review the letters of application and select applicants for interviews to be held in June or July.
Letters of application are made public as part of the appointment process. The names of all applicants are published and available for public review, and interviews are conducted in public. A resume of professional and civic experience should be included with letters of application. A financial statement of assets, debts, income, and family property interests will be required of all applicants; only the candidate appointed will be required to make the financial statement available to the public.
****************