COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT
2017
CA
Working every day in hundreds of ways to make Columbia an even better place to
live, work and play
There has been plenty to celebrate over the past 12 months. In 2016, Money Magazine named Columbia the No. 1 small city to live in. In 2017, we have come together to mark Columbia’s 50th birthday with more than 100 events for — and involving — the whole community. The scale of the celebration truly befits the occasion. Also, there has been plenty that Columbia Association has accomplished over this past year. There remains much more that CA will do. In May, CA launched its new membership structure, the culmination of a two-year project with the goal of providing better, more-desirable options for members and guests. Meanwhile, CA is continuing to make improvements to its buildings, pools and other physical assets — many of which have been around since Columbia’s early years. We are also building Long Reach Tennis Club to replace the indoor courts in Owen Brown, where the bubble is at the end of its useful life. While CA is preparing for the future, we are still committed to successful operations today. We will continue with our free movies and concerts nearly every night at the Lakefront Summer Festival; our sport, fitness and wellness programming to provide recreation while encouraging healthier lifestyles and lives; our multicultural programming emphasizing the wonderful diversity and inclusiveness in the area; our camps and before and after school programs; our support of the village community associations and their own missions; and our efforts in maintaining nearly 3,600 acres of open space, which are one reason why Columbia is so beautiful. So much goes into making Columbia a community of choice. This annual report serves to highlight CA’s many efforts and accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2017 (May 2016 through April 2017) and what we are looking forward to in Fiscal Year 2018. Along with the many other stakeholders in the Columbia community, we proudly work every day to continue the growth, in its many forms, of Columbia as a “community of choice.”
2 COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT
Sincerely, Milton W. Matthews President and CEO, Columbia Association
95 42 community bulidings 100,000 3,600 and sports facilities that miles of acres of residents
open space
Columbia celebrates its 50th birthday in 2017, and Columbia Association has been there every step of the way
pathways
CA operates and maintains
About Columbia
Columbia has approximately 100,000 residents. CA operates and maintains 42 community
buildings and sports facilities plus 23 outdoor pools, approximately 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.
with a wide array of recreational, cultural and community services for residents and visitors. CA’s Maggie J. Brown Welcome Center and Customer and Member Service Center are located at its headquarters at 6310 Hillside Court to provide information and greet community members and visitors. This is a brief recap of Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17), which ran May 1, 2016-April 30, 2017, with a look ahead at FY18 (May 1, 2017-April 30, 2018).
The range of amenities that CA provides to the community played a large part in Columbia being selected as the Number One Small City in America (Money Magazine) this past year. 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.
live, work and play 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 FY17.
CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2017/18
Dick Boulton Dorsey’s Search
Lin Eagan Town Center
Janet Evans Long Reach
Alan Klein Harper’s Choice
Nancy McCord Wilde Lake
Gregg Schwind Hickory Ridge
Andrew Stack Owen Brown
Virginia M. Thomas Chao Wu River Hill Oakland Mills
Shari Zaret Kings Contrivance
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 3
The budget for FY18 was approved by CA’s Board of Directors in February 2017. Total revenues for FY18 are budgeted at $71.3 million, about $1.5 million higher than FY17 total revenues. Total operating expenses for FY18 are $67 million, about $1.5 million higher than total expenses for FY17. Learn more about CA’s budget for FY18 at ColumbiaAssociation.org/budget. Annual Charge
Play a new way
to pathways, other amenities and the operations of village community associations.
an all-new membership structure,
CA’s annual charge helps pay for many functions — from maintenance of lakes and ponds 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 percent 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 70 percent of the annual charge revenue, with commercial properties making up the other 30 percent. 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.
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On May 1, 2017, CA launched
which replaced one that had been in place for more than 25 years. CA resident members who pay an annual charge will continue to pay lower fees for services than nonresidents. For membership information, call 410-730-1801 or visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/ membership.
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION FY18 APPROVED BUDGET Summary of Funds, Expenditures and Annual Borrowings Sport and Fitness Income $27,693,000
35.4%
The most recent financial statements and independent audit report are posted at ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Residential Annual Charge $25,056,000
32%
Board of Directors Includes administrative costs for supporting the CA Board.
*Total Capital Expenditures of $17 million have been increased by $1,805,000 due to certain unallocated non-cash adjustments.
Commercial Annual Charge $13,492,000
This data representation is not in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Community Services Programs $4,544,000
17.2%
Administrative Services Departmental costs related to supporting the organization. Capital Expenditures Includes items such as construction and improvements to new and existing buildings and land, as well as costs for vehicles, equipment, etc.
5.8% WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM Borrowings $7,042,000
9% Sport and Fitness Programs/Facilities $28,616,000
36.5%
Community Services Programs $7,713,000
Capital Expenditures $18,805,000
9.8%
24%
Open Space Management $13,192,000
16.9%
$78,334,000
Interest/ Other $507,000
0.6% Board of Directors $947,000
Debt Repayment $1,828,000
2.3%
Village Community Associations $5,213,000
1.2%
Administrative Services $1,576,000
Contingencies/Other $444,000
0.6%
WHERE THE MONEY IS USED
$78,334,000
6.7% 2%
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 5
Summer camps
Lakefront Summer Festival
in FY 17
each movie night each concert
HaitiFest
500+ 805 400-500 200-300 campers people attending, people attending, attendees HIGHLIGHTS
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.
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FY17
• The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County, which celebrated its 15th anniversary, assisted with registering potential volunteers in response to the July 2016 flash flood in Ellicott City.
• The Youth and Teen Center (YTC) received the Governor’s Crime Prevention Award for their outstanding contributions to furthering crime prevention. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services hosted • International Exchange the awards ceremony on and Multicultural Programs Dec. 13, where YTC was collaborated with the Howard one of the few community County Library System agencies honored. on a Central America and Mexico CultureFest, with approximately 525 adults and children in attendance. • CA provided oversight for planning and staging Columbia’s milestone 50th Birthday Celebration.
LOOKING AHEAD
FY18
• As part of the 50th Birthday • Columbia Art Center Celebration, Columbia hosted an awards ceremony Art Center is organizing the for the 2016 Congressional first Plein Air Columbia. Youth Art Competition for Artists will create works on the 3rd District of Maryland. Sept. 9, 2017, at Lake The 1st place-winning work Kittamaqundi that will be was showcased in the U.S. exhibited at Columbia Capitol for one year. Art Center.
• School Age Services (SAS) donated more than $2,500 to FISH of Howard County. The money was the result of the community service project, Litter to Glitter, hosted in the 20 SAS programs. In this program, families donate recyclable materials and the children use their creative skills to create crafts, such as piggy banks and home decor. The items are then “sold” to the families for a donation to FISH. • Piloting online registration for School Age Services 2017-2018 school year.
• With the required change of beginning the school year after Labor Day, the Camps division has added three additional camps: Camp At A Glance and TREK, which is being held for two different age groups.
COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENGAGEMENT Planning is an important CA function in the
community and encompasses CA’s involvement in
land use matters, revitalization, transportation and
environmental-related projects and other activities that impact Columbia. An online Columbia Developer Tracker keeps the community
up-to-date on development proposals and related meetings in and around Columbia. For more
information, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/planning.
In recognition of Columbia’s 50th Birthday, a special
section was earmarked for brick placement at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront in spring 2017.
Columbia Association regularly assesses the
platforms it uses to communicate with residents and members, and in FY17 CA added digital
signage to its busiest facilities to provide timely and relevant information.
HIGHLIGHTS
FY17
• Hosted CA’s Community Building Speakers Series event “Sustaining Racial Integration in Housing in Columbia: Exploring the Model of Oak Park, Illinois” with speaker Rob Breymaier, executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center.
• Collaborated with Howard County Government to oversee the Oakland Mills Village Center Redevelopment Study.
• Sold nearly 400 bricks, including some in celebration of Columbia’s 50th Birthday, which will be added to the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.
7,000+ video views
• More than 30 volunteers counted bicyclists and pedestrians at 13 locations. • CA hosted its first annual Veterans Day event, held at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. • An aesthetic update at Columbia Gym began late in FY2017; when complete it will give the club a fresh, contemporary look.
LOOKING AHEAD
• Received the League of American Bicyclists’ Bronze Award as a Bicycle Friendly Community. • Installed a digital signage system at Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Gym, Supreme Sports Club and CA Headquarters.
SplashDown reopening
FY18
• Live-streaming of CA Board meetings began in May 2017 to make proceedings accessible to all community members.
• Begin planning for the enhancement of the Downtown Columbia Lakefront Plaza as Columbia’s premier civic gathering space.
Columbia selected No.1 small city in America
80,784 people
reached; 4,243 reactions; 637shares; 1,967 link clicks on social media channels
KidsDay
+ 2,000 attendees COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 7
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
YouthFit, NewU, and Optimal Health for My Baby & Me.
CA wants staying active to be easy for families and offers KidSpace services at Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Gym, Supreme Sports Club and Haven on the Lake.
HIGHLIGHTS
FY17
FY18
• Renovated Columbia Swim • Construction has begun on the Center and installed the new new Long Reach Tennis Club — SplashDown waterslides, the permanent building is projected which no longer use inner tubes. to open in early 2018 with six air-conditioned indoor courts, two • Fairway Hills Golf Club is now viewing lounges and locker rooms. the home of FootGolf, with
Monday evening tee-times throughout the season. Played with a regulation soccer ball, FootGolf has its own tees and holes set along the rough areas of the course.
• Beachfront access added to the wading pool at Kendall Ridge.
As an added feature, CA offers options for birthday
and other parties for children in its KidSpace areas.
Outdoor pools
LOOKING AHEAD
• Added beachfront access to wading pool at River Hill. • Added climbing wall to Thunder Hill Pool.
• Bathhouse updates completed at Dickinson and Bryant Woods pools. • Columbia Athletic Club will undergo phase one of its renovation plan. • Fairway Hills Golf Club clubhouse will undergo a renovation of the Pro Shop. • Phase two of Columbia Swim Center renovation will be complete.
KidSpace
CA parties
800 + 430,492 61,000 + admissions birthday, pool, visits skate parties
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LOOKING AHEAD
HIGHLIGHTS
FY18
FY17
• Completed CA’s first-ever Open Space Assessment Report, which compiles existing open space plans and programs; includes lessons learned from interviews with other park and land management organizations; and recommends enhancements to CA’s open space and stewardship efforts.
• The planting phase of the Harper’s Glen stream restoration project was completed in the third quarter.
• Downtown Columbia Lakefront improvements and repairs to the plaza and fountain are nearly complete. The fountain has new mechanical, plumbing and lighting components in preparation for Columbia’s 50th Birthday Celebration events.
OPEN SPACE AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
• Three bridges were installed and 5,500 linear feet of pathway were widened and improved around Lake Elkhorn.
• Ten events that comprised the second “Exploring Columbia on Foot” walking series were completed during the second quarter. Attendance at the walks has remained high.
In addition to managing
open space and pathways
(see page 11), CA is responsible
for design, planning, maintenance and management functions that conserve natural areas,
encourage green community
design and provide amenities for a more livable and
• The Downtown Columbia Lakefront Bell Tree was installed at Lake Kittamaqundi in spring 2017 and will be dedicated in summer 2017.
• Poster trees displaying Gail Holliday village and neighborhood signage will be installed in Kennedy Gardens this summer.
• Dredging is scheduled to take place this fall at Wilde Lake.
2, 1 00 linear feet
of pathway widening, upgrades and drainage repairs were completed in Long Reach.
vibrant Columbia.
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 9
ENERGY MANAGEMENT CA continues to establish itself as a
leader in environmental sustainability. Relative to 2012, CA has reduced energy use intensity by 18 percent and our carbon footprint has
been reduced by more than 50 percent. 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.
HIGHLIGHTS
FY17
• New ENERGY STAR® HVAC units were installed at Bryant Woods Neighborhood Center, the maintenance facility at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club, Running Brook Neighborhood Center, • Energy audits and HVAC Slayton House, Swansfield upgrade design projects were completed at Columbia Neighborhood Center, Gym, Supreme Sports Club, Thunder Hill Neighborhood Columbia Athletic Club and Center and The Other Barn Stonehouse in Long Reach. in Oakland Mills. • LED lighting projects were completed at Columbia Art Center, Columbia Ice Rink, Stevens Forest Pool and Talbott Springs Pool parking lots, as well as at Columbia SportsPark.
LOOKING AHEAD
FY18
• Four new ENERGY STAR HVAC units will be installed at Columbia Gym. • Radiant heating will be installed at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club’s maintenance facility. • New LED fixtures will be installed at Slayton House.
Reduced energy usage by
6% relative to FY2016
Completed
25 LED
lighting retrofit projects
29 Community events to promote energy efficiency
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CA FACILITIES BY THE NUMBERS
AMENITIES CA owns and maintains:
CA operates a welcome center; an art center; a 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; three tennis clubs; 23 outdoor swimming pools including two mini-waterparks; a mind body wellness retreat; 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 • US DOE Better Buildings Alliance Showcase: • Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live — Small Cities: energy savings at Supreme Sports Club Columbia, Number 1 in 2016 • Jeff Ellis Silver International Aquatic Safety Award — • Howard Magazine’s “Best of Howard County,” 2016: six consecutive years of “exceeds” ratings Best Golf Course: Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club • League of American Bicyclists: 2016, Best Gym: Supreme Sports Club “Bicycle Friendly Community,” bronze award Best Pool for Kids: Swansfield Mini-WaterPark • Niche.com’s Best Cities to Live in America, 2016: No. 3 Best Personal Trainer: Bonnie Pace • Niche.com’s Best Suburbs to Live in Maryland, 2017: No. 2 Honorable Mention, Gym: Columbia Gym Honorable Mention, Kids’ Activity: Columbia SportsPark • 24/7 Wall St.’s Best Counties to Live In: 2017, No. 5 Honorable Mention, Kids’ Activity: SplashDown (Howard County) Honorable Mention, Pool for Kids: River Hill Pool • US EPA Green Power Partnership Leadership Award
Connect With Us!
▲
ColumbiaAssociation.org/social • Facebook.com/ColumbiaAssociation • YouTube.com/CATVChannel Instagram and Twitter: @ColumbiaAssn • Pinterest.com/ColumbiaAssn
• 3,600 acres of open space • 95 miles of pathways • 167 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 • 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 • 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
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT 11
play new a
way! IntroducIng INTRODUCING
NEW MEMBERSHIPS We asked. You told us. We listened! Six all-new membership plans. For more information, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/newmemberships.