CA
2 018 C O L U M B I A A S S O C I A T I O N A N N U A L R E P O R T
Working every day in hundreds of ways to make Columbia an even better place to
live, work and play
Hundreds of individuals work in hundreds of ways throughout our community — from the crews who care for Columbia’s vaunted open space to the team members who provide a safe and affordable place for young children to learn and play before and after school, and from the staff and expert instructors at our pools and other sport and fitness facilities to the talented teachers at Columbia Art Center. I have worked around our country and can say this with certainty: The breadth of CA’s cultural and recreational programming far exceeds what you would find in other communities of this size and population, and it even surpasses what is available in many larger communities. And that is just part of what CA does. We also strive to create a healthier natural environment for residents to live, which fittingly fulfills Mr. James Rouse’s vision of Columbia as “a garden for growing people.” Every good garden has someone tending and caring for it. This annual report highlights CA’s role in helping Columbia bloom, showcasing many of Columbia Association’s efforts and accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2018 (May 2017 to April 2018), as well as what we are looking forward to doing in Fiscal Year 2019. Much of what you will read within covers major initiatives — facilities that recently opened or are undergoing renovations, events and efforts that attracted large numbers of participants, and other programs of which we are particularly proud. In addition to those major initiatives, Columbia Association continues to provide the community with the variety and quality of services, large and small, that should be expected of the No. 1 Small City in America. It would be impossible to try to list them all. Those hundreds of ways we work every day truly do add up. We are proud of our many accomplishments and all that has been done. But there is much more to be done — because a “community of choice” is constantly evolving and cannot remain the same. Sincerely, Milton W. Matthews President and CEO, Columbia Association
2 C O L U M B I A A S S O C I AT I O N A N N U A L R E P O R T
95 miles of
Columbia Association offers a vast array of recreational, cultural and community services for residents and visitors. CA’s Welcome Desk and Customer and Member Service Center are located at its headquarters at 6310 Hillside Court and are open six days each week to provide information and greet community members and visitors. This annual report is a brief recap of Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18), which ran May 1, 2017-April 30, 2018, with a look ahead at FY19 (May 1, 2018-April 30, 2019).
pathways
About Columbia
Columbia has approximately 100,000 residents. CA operates and maintains 43 community
buildings and sports facilities plus 23 outdoor pools, nearly 3,600 acres of open space, 95 miles of pathways, three lakes and more than 40 ponds. No other organization in Maryland offers the breadth of CA’s facilities, amenities, programs, events, activities and services. Under Maryland corporations law, CA is a private, non-stock corporation (established in 1965). Under the federal tax code, CA is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit community services corporation. Under the Maryland Homeowners Association Act (enacted in 1984), CA is a homeowners association because it has “the authority to enforce the provisions of a declaration.” Find out more by visiting ColumbiaAssociation.org, CA Headquarters, or by contacting CA’s Customer and Member Service Center (410-730-1801), which answered more than 100,000 phone calls in FY18.
CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2018/19
Dick Boulton Dorsey’s Search
Lin Eagan Town Center
Janet Evans Long Reach
Alan Klein Harper’s Choice
Gregg Schwind Hickory Ridge
Andrew Stack Owen Brown
Virginia M. Thomas Chao Wu Oakland Mills River Hill
100,000 residents
Nearly
3,600
acres of open space
43
community bulidings and sports facilities that CA operates and maintains
Nancy McCord Wilde Lake
Shari Zaret Kings Contrivance
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 3
Learn more about CA’s
budgets for FY19 at
ColumbiaAssociation.org/budget
The budget for FY19 was approved by CA’s Board of Directors in February 2018. Total revenues for FY19 are budgeted at $74.5 million, about $ 3.5 million higher than estimated FY18total revenues. Total operating expenses for FY19 are $70.7million, about $4.7 million higher than estimated total expenses for FY18. Annual Charge CA’s annual charge helps pay for many functions — from maintenance of lakes and ponds to pathways, other amenities and the operations of village community associations. The annual charge rate of 68 cents per $100 of assessed value will not change; this has been the same annual charge rate since 2004. The annual charge cap will remain at 3.5% to help pay for planned capital improvements to the amenities and facilities enjoyed by Columbia’s residents, guests and other stakeholders. Residential properties contribute approximately 66% of the annual charge revenue, with commercial properties making up the other 34%. The revenue from the annual charge, while significant, only covers slightly more than half of CA’s expenditures. This is why residents who choose to use CA facilities pay a membership fee that goes toward the operating expenses associated with those amenities.
4 COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION FY19 APPROVED BUDGET Summary of Funds, Expenditures and Annual Borrowings 30
Board of Directors Includes administrative costs for supporting the CA Board.
M I L L I O N S
25
Administrative Services Departmental costs related to supporting the organization.
WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM
20
$81,798,000
15
Capital Expenditures Includes items such as construction and improvements to new and existing buildings and land, as well as costs for vehicles, equipment, etc.
10 5 0
Sport and Fitness Income $28,279,000
Residential Annual Charge $26,296,000
Commercial Annual Charge $14,160,000
34.6% 32.2% 17.3%
Borrowings $7,316,000
8.9%
Community Services Programs $4,775,000
5.8%
Total Capital Expenditures of $20,275,000 have been decreased by $275,000 due to certain unallocated non-cash adjustments.
Interest and Other $972,000
The most recent financial statements and independent audit report are posted at ColumbiaAssociation.org.
1.2%
This data representation is not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
30
M I L L I O N S
25
WHERE THE MONEY IS USED
20
$81,798,000
15 10 5 0
Sport and Fitness Income $29,188,000
Capital Expenditures $20,000,000
Open Space Management $13,497,000
35.7% 24.5% 16.5%
Community Services Programs $8,059,000
9.9%
Village Community Associations $5,411,000
6.6%
Administrative Services $2,240,000
2.7%
Debt Repayment $1,895,000
2.3%
Board of Directors $1,002,000
1.2%
Contingencies/ Other $506,000
0.6%
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 5
1,700+ youth
participated in Before and After School programs daily during the school year.
350
Columbia Community Exchange members participated in neighborto-neighbor time bank exchange program. Summer camps
859
campers in FY18.
6 COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT
COMMUNITY SERVICES
CA’s mission includes fostering growth for individuals
with a wide array of programming and activities for the
entire community. Community Services include the annual summer camp programs, school age services, Columbia Art Center programs, Youth and Teen Center programs, international and multicultural programs, the Lakefront Summer Festival and much more. Find out more about Community Services at ColumbiaAssociation.org/services.
LOOKING AHEAD
HIGHLIGHTS
FY19
FY18
• Lakefront Summer Festival attracted large crowds nightly, averaging about 450 attendees for films and 250 for concerts. New to the festival was free dance instruction from Haven on the Lake instructors, with about 75 in attendance at each session. • More than 80 students participated in the annual High School Student Exchange with Cergy- Pointoise, France; Tres Cantos, Spain; and Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
• Community Services helped celebrate Columbia’s 50th Birthday over seven months of events, including a luminarium, Katena, which had about 6,000 people in attendance. • Columbia Art Center held the first Color Columbia plein air art exhibit in September, with more than 40 artists crafting open air paintings around the Downtown Columbia Lakefront and Wilde Lake. • The Youth and Teen Center piloted a Summer Community Food Pantry, which served more than 1,000 people by providing food on a weekly basis.
•
Offering local multicultural events, as well as establishing a new sister city relationship with Liyang, China.
• Major structural renovations will occur at Columbia Horse Center. • School Age Services will expand its health and wellness programs by providing instructors after school who will teach fitness, art and nutrition.
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENGAGEMENT
Planning is an important CA function encompassing CA’s involvement in land use matters, revitalization, transportation and environmental-related projects, and other activities that impact the future of Columbia. An online Columbia Development Tracker keeps the community up-to-date on proposals and meetings in and around Columbia. For information, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/planning. Columbia Association uses many channels to communicate with the Howard County community, including ColumbiaAssociation.org, social media channels, email newsletters covering many of CA’s programs and classes, more than a dozen print publications, and more. The organization also holds several major annual events — including Dog Day and KidsDay.
HIGHLIGHTS
LOOKING AHEAD
FY18
• Continued monitoring development on the Columbia Planning and Development tracker on CA’s website and continued to cultivate strong relationships with Howard County Government officials to increase CA’s influence in planning and development matters, including land use, transportation, bicycling facilities and redevelopment projects. • Participated as a member of the Howard County Development Regulations Assessment Steering Committee and provided guidance on the first phase of the development regulations update.
FY19 • Organized and hosted small group conversations on race, class and culture called ColumbiaDialogues. Groups of approximately 15 had facilitated discussions about their experiences with race and class. The well-received program was replicated by the county’s library system. • As part of CA’s Community Building Speakers Series hosted two speakers to address the community covering best practices, policies and tools to help older neighborhoods remain attractive and economically vibrant. • Began live-streaming of CA Board of Directors meetings in May 2017. The videos are also posted within several days on the CA website.
• Results of the Millennials Work Group, which began meeting in February 2018 and will prepare a report to advise Columbia Association on how to better serve and engage with millennials. • Coordination with Howard County Government as it updates the County’s land development regulations, including New Town zoning for Columbia. • Add digital signage to Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Ice Rink, Haven on the Lake and Columbia SportsPark and SkatePark.
400+
bricks were installed
at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront as part of the 50th Birthday Celebration. The next installation will be in 2022. CA’s Facebook page had
507,958
impressions, its highest number ever.
KidsDay had almost
2,000 attendees.
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 7
2.1million+
visits to Sport and Fitness facilities in FY18, including over 409,000 admissions to CA’s 23 outdoor pools.
900+
non-member guests visited CA facilities during our three Open Houses.
300+
attended Haven on the Lake’s second annual Wine, Cheese, Chocolate and Shopping event.
130
players in Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club’s 50th Birthday Tournament. 8 COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT
FITNESS AND WELLNESS
CA wants Columbia to be a healthy and active
community — and our nearly endless fitness options
provide so many ways to achieve it. In addition to a range of fitness clubs and facilities (see page 11), CA also offers community wellness programs like NewU and Optimal Health for My Baby & Me. CA wants staying active to be easy for families — that’s why it offers KidSpace services at Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Gym, Supreme Sports Club and Haven on the Lake. As an added feature, CA offers options for birthdays and other parties for children in its KidSpace areas.
HIGHLIGHTS
LOOKING AHEAD
FY18
FY19
• Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club celebrated its 50th anniversary alongside Columbia’s 50th birthday, drawing the largest member tournament in history.
• Phase three of Columbia Swim Center renovations began in May 2018 and includes a new entrance canopy, signage and a new roof over the main pool.
• Columbia Athletic Club completed phase one of a two-phase renovation in summer 2017 and has begun phase two, which is expected to be completed in late fall 2018. • The Long Reach Tennis Club held its grand opening in April to much community excitement. • Columbia Gym hosted 120 parents and children to see the band Milkshake. • Fairway Hills Golf Club clubhouse renovations and new event tent area were completed in 2018.
• Columbia Athletic Club’s second phase of renovations began in May and includes an expanded front entrance and locker rooms, a new spa pool, programming space to accommodate small group and functional training, and interior finishes and upgrades.
• Phase two of Columbia Ice Rink renovations will began in May of 2018 and include new flooring and interior upgrades. • CA’s first Water Journey splash pad amenity will be introduced at Running Brook Pool. • Hawthorn Pool will undergo the final phase of planned ADA upgrades, including a new wading pool and hot tub upgrades.
OPEN SPACE AND FACILITY SERVICES
Received
In addition to managing open
space and pathways (see page 11),
CA is responsible for design, building, planning,
maintenance and management functions that
conserve natural areas, encourage green community design and provide amenities for a more livable and vibrant Columbia.
LOOKING AHEAD
HIGHLIGHTS
FY19
FY18
• Provided event support for many of Columbia’s 50th Birthday celebration events, as well as the annual July 4 celebration. • In Kennedy Gardens, 25 neighborhood-themed posters — originally created and recently restored by Gail Holliday — were installed for display on five metal poster trees. • A joint CA and Howard County Government 700-foot-long stream restoration project at the intersection of Dobbin Road and Oakland Mills Road began in November and was completed in January.
• Held 11 Exploring Columbia on Foot outdoor walks; these guided tours of different areas in Columbia highlighted the open space and natural features. • Launched CA Community Focus newsletter, which includes updates on CA construction and community maintenance projects, community planning initiatives, energy tips, watershed projects and items of interest from Columbia Archives.
• Installation will begin in late fall on the pathway connection between Little Patuxent Parkway and the Chrysalis. • Design and permitting phase of a joint stream restoration project involving the Maryland State Highway Administration, Ecotone Inc. and Columbia Association begins in FY19. This project will restore 6,600 feet of the stream that runs from Lake Kittamaqundi through Wilde Lake to Cedar Lane Park.
$542,000+
in reimbursements from the state of Maryland for watershed restoration projects. Rain Garden Cost Share program built
69
rain gardens for residents in FY18, bringing the total to 355.
50,000+ daffodils were planted for Columbia 50th Birthday.
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 9
Installed
12+
ENERGY STAR® HVAC units. Added
56kW
of solar photovoltaic electricity generation capacity. Helped facilitate recycling
300+
air conditioners and dehumidifiers in collaboration with BGE.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
CA continues to establish itself as
a leader in environmental sustainability.
Relative to 2012, CA has reduced energy use intensity by 20% and our carbon footprint has been reduced by more than 50%. This has been accomplished through great strides in energy efficiency and by fully offsetting our electricity use with renewable energy. Through community outreach, CA identified and worked with residents pursuing the same goals.
LOOKING AHEAD
HIGHLIGHTS
FY19
FY18
• LED lighting retrofits were completed at Columbia Gym and the Dorsey’s Search Meeting Room. • Installed ENERGY STAR HVAC units at Kahler Hall, Stonehouse, Linden Hall, Columbia Gym, and Supreme Sports Club.
• Held quarterly community energy meetings, which were attended by approximately 150 residents. • Received a Certificate of Recognition from the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program.
• Complete two to three new solar PV installations to further promote clean energy. • Complete LED upgrades at Owen Brown Community Center, Faulkner Ridge Neighborhood Center, and Columbia SportsPark. • Install additional electric vehicle charging stations.
10 COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT
AMENITIES
CA FACILITIES BY THE NUMBERS
CA maintains:
CA operates a welcome center;
an art center; a youth and teen
center; a historical archive; three full-service fitness clubs; an ice rink; an outdoor sports park with mini-golf, batting cages and a skatepark; two golf clubs; five tennis clubs; 23 outdoor swimming pools, including two mini-waterparks; a mind body wellness retreat and spa; five indoor swimming pools; and a hot water therapy pool. There are approximately 2.5 million visits to CA facilities annually, which serve approximately 60,000 members.
AWARDS and ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live — • Howard Magazine’s Small Cities: Columbia, Number 1 in 2016 “Best of Howard County,” 2017: • Jeff Ellis Silver International Aquatic Safety Award — Best Golf Course: Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club six consecutive years of “exceeds” ratings Best Pool for Kids: Swansfield Mini-WaterPark • League of American Bicyclists: 2016, Best Personal Trainer: Bonnie Pace “Bicycle Friendly Community,” bronze award Honorable Mention, Gym: Columbia Gym • Niche.com’s Best Cities to Live in America, 2016: No. 3 Honorable Mention, Gym: Supreme Sports Club • Niche.com’s Best Suburbs to Live in Maryland, 2017: No. 2 Honorable Mention, Kids’ Activity: Columbia • 24/7 Wall St.’s Best Counties to Live In: 2017, No. 5 SportsPark (Howard County) Honorable Mention, Kids’ Activity: SplashDown • US EPA ENERGY STAR Certificate of Recognition Honorable Mention, Pool for Kids: River Hill Pool for energy management and promoting energy efficiency
Connect With Us!
▲
ColumbiaAssociation.org/social • Facebook.com/ColumbiaAssociation YouTube.com/CATVChannel • Instagram and Twitter: @ColumbiaAssn
• Nearly 3,600 acres of open space • 95 miles of pathways • 165 tot lots • 3 man-made lakes (Lake Elkhorn, Lake Kittamaqundi and Wilde Lake) • More than 40 ponds • CA Headquarters • Columbia Archives • Columbia Art Center • Columbia Athletic Club (with indoor tennis) • Columbia DogPark • Columbia Gym • Columbia Horse Center • Columbia Ice Rink • Columbia Skate Arena • Columbia SkatePark • Columbia SportsPark • Columbia Swim Center (with SplashDown) • Fairway Hills Golf Club • Haven on the Lake • Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club • Long Reach Tennis Club • Outdoor pools — 23 locations throughout Columbia • Owen Brown Tennis Club • Racquet Club at Hobbit’s Glen • RV Park • Supreme Sports Club • Wilde Lake Tennis Club • Youth and Teen Center • 14 neighborhood centers • 10 village association buildings • 22 outdoor athletic courts COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 11
One size does not
Everybody wants a little something different when it comes to fitness — a membership that’s tailor-made. CA’s membership plans each offer a unique mix of activities and options. Questions? A membership advocate at one of our fitness clubs or a Customer and Member Service Center staff member would be happy to assist you! Visit the closest fitness club to you or call the number listed to learn more. Information is also available on CA’s website at ColumbiaAssociation.org/membership.
fitness all Columbia Athletic Club
Customer and Member Service Center
Closed for renovations May through late fall, tennis expected to reopen in mid-August
Haven on the Lake
5435 Beaverkill Road 410-730-6744
Columbia Gym
6151 Daylong Lane 410-531-0800
6310 Hillside Court 410-715-3000
10275 Little Patuxent Parkway 410-715-3020
Supreme Sports Club
7080 Deepage Drive 410-381-5355
CA HAS IT!