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Friendship Heights council approves CAC grants, fountain and landscape contracts and several administrative measures
Summary
The council approved two CAC new‑initiative awards after an amendment, awarded a fountain repair contract and a three‑year landscape maintenance contract, adopted a non‑discrimination policy, authorized a new capital holding account and increased assistant program director hours.
The Friendship Heights Village Council approved a slate of measures Tuesday, including funding two community‑initiative proposals, awarding contracts for fountain repair and landscape maintenance, and adopting administrative and personnel changes.
The council amended and adopted the Community Advisory Committee’s recommendations on the village’s annual "new initiatives" program, approving integrated support for residents facing cognitive decline for $3,500 and a pilot program of monthly open houses at village buildings for $2,400 after an amendment to combine the items. The council recorded the vote on the amended motion as unanimous.
On procurement, staff recommended awarding the Humphrey Park fountain repair contract to Winkler Pool Management for $27,390 after reviewing four bids and confirming the firm’s scope coverage. The motion to award passed with six members voting yes and one member recused.
The council also awarded the three‑year landscape maintenance contract to Davey Tree Expert Company with a three‑year total of $226,419. Council discussion noted competing considerations: staff and some members praised Green Sweep’s long service in the village, while others emphasized cost savings and the fact that the low bidder presented references and a broad service profile. The final vote was 5–2 in favor of Davey Tree.
Policy and finance actions included unanimous approval of a comprehensive non‑discrimination policy recommended by the policies committee, and authorization for staff to open a new capital holding account at People’s Bank to comply with the village’s investment policy (moves funds from the Maryland Local Government Investment Pool to keep allocations within policy limits). The council also approved increasing the assistant program director position from 30 to a maximum of 35 hours per week; staff estimated the extra hours would cost roughly $10,000 annually.
The council chair said staff will carry out the implementation steps for each approval and return any required contract documents to the council record. Several members asked staff to follow up on technical clarifications: whether the fountain lighting system can reintroduce color filters, the precise scope and schedule for landscape work, and next steps for awarded CAC initiatives. The meeting adjourned at about 8:27 p.m.
