Town Commissioners Minutes — 2017-06-14

QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS

June 14, 2017 PRESENT: President Thomas B. Willis, Jr., Commissioner Hogie Schuster, and Commissioner George L. Plumbo, Jr., Brynja Booth, Town Attomey, Mike Bowell, Acting Town Manager, and Amy Moore, Town Clerk.

PUBLIC HEARING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:00 P.M.

Public hearing on proposed Ordinance

17-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF

QUEENSTOWN TO ADOPT SUPPLEMENTAL FINDINGS OF FACT IN CONNECTION

WITH THE APPLICATION OF THE GROWTH ALLOCATION FLOATING ZONE TO THE

WATERMAN PROPERTY AND TO REFLECT THAT THE TOTAL ACREAGE OF THE

WATERMAN PROPERTY TO BE RECLASSIFIED IS 59,402 ACRES IN ORDER TO BE

CONSISTENT WITH THE NEWLY ADOPTED QTJEENSTOWN CRITICAL AREA MAP.

Ms. Booth advised that gro*th allocation previously approved for the Waterman property was 59.70 acres. Due to the new mapping changes, it is now 59.402.

Joe Stevens, Attomey for the Waterman Family. submitted documents as part of the hearing record.

There were no public or written comments received.

President Willis motioned to close the hearing at 4:07 p.m. Motion seconded by Commissioner Plumbo and motion passed unanimously.

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:08 PM

Brynja Booth advised that the Commissioners met in Closed Session prior to the meeting. She advised that the Bowlingly property is eligible for a Special Exception for events. The owners have to follow a process. The Planning Commission must give a favorable recommendation to the Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals has criteria to follow and a public hearing will be held. Without going into what she told the Town, her client, Ms. Booth advised that the Town

will be contacting the owners of Bowlingly regarding the large event they recently held on their property without having obtained prior approval, which was a violation.

OPEN DISCUSSION:

o Lori Sharer - presented a packet with a presentation, emails and letters from residents opposing the use of the Bowlingly property for public events. People were busy and took their time to pull together the presentation.

o Jen Walton - there were greyhound buses in front ofher house three times the day ofthe event. People were speeding down Old Wharf Lane. She will attend the public hearing whenever scheduled.

.

Genie Fitzgerald - As a Wall Street resident she doesn't see when Bowlingly holds events, but Queenstown is generally a quiet town. It's not acceptable for people to do whatever they want. Feels that the owners blatantly disregarded the process and Queenstown.

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Commissioner Schuster advised that the town is actively working on enforcing the regulations.

r Lori Sharer - Bowlingly is a treasure to this town. Allowing parking on their property can damage the trees that are there.

o Kim Keiler - the owners have been clearing along their shoreline for the past 3-4 months.

Unless they have a permit, this is a violation of the Critical Area law.

o Lori Sharer - with the behavior ofthe owners, they should have to stafi the process all over again. Ms. Booth advised that the owners do not have to start the process over again, but reiterated they will be receiving a letter from the Town.

r Kathy Parker - 7l 12 Second Ave. resident - it is a residential property without approval for events and is a clear violation.

o Robert Liesel - will buses and traffic over 5T be going one way on Dudley? Currently still having problems w'ith trucks on Dudley.

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Lonnie Anthony - 90% ofresidents on Dudley want something done. The police can't be there all the time. The truck stop in Centerville is closing soon and truck traffic at Royal Farms has tripled. He would like the Commissioners to consider making Dudley Avenue one way. He was advised that we would need to get SHA involved as Dudley is located between two state roads.

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Deputy Meade was present and advised that they could enforce the signage about trucks on Dudley, and they also now have two electronic speed signs.

r Mr. Cvach - Old Wharf - requested a "no parking" on the comer of Old Wharf and Maryland. Also requested that the "Dead End" sign on Old Wharf be moved closer to the comer.

o Jen Walton - inquired if there has been any movement on the park parking lot issue. She was advised the Town is still working on it. She also asked ifthere were any thoughts on reinstating the parks and harbor committee. There are people who want to be involved and would be glad to help out. The Commissioners advised they would discuss it.

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Mike Warring - Old Wharf Lane was not built for all the traffic that could be generated by the events at Bowlingly.

PUBLIC WORKS: Lane Cole o Working on obtaining prices to pave Steamboat Avenue. He has put Wall St. paving on hold due to it being part of the granVloan funding project being investigated for a new *'ater tower and replacement of infrastructure. Would like to reallocate the funds set for Wall St. paving to Steamboat Avenue.

PLANNING:

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Ms. Booth advised that the Plan-ning Commission has signed off on the draft of the Comprehensive Plan. The next step is to have it introduced at the Town Commissioner *ill level. Ms. Booth draft a resolution for the next meetins.

FINANCE COMMITTEE: Patricia Bowell r Very preliminary discussion with the Shore Christian Fellowship scheduled for next week regarding the park.

o The first draft of the Personnel handbook is complete. They are still working on position descriptions.

ACTING TOWN MANAGER: Mike Bowell .

All projects are ongoing

TREASURER'S REPORT:

checking General Fund $125,538.20 checking Water/Sewer $157,782.99 checking S WWTP Project 4,907.1,2

CLERK:

r Clerk advised that she received complaints regarding speeding on Thompson Avenue.

Lane Cole will check for speed limit signs.

o Discussion on setting spending limits to employees. These limits would allow employees to make purchases or order work without the prior approval of the Town Commissioners.

Commissioners set the limit of $750 for both Lane Cole and Amy Moore. Anlthing over that would need prior approval by the Commissioners. Per the existing Procurement Ordinance, any expenditure costing over $7,500 should be either put out to bid or vendors solicited, unless it's of an emergency nature. Clerk and Town Manager will draft a Resolution regarding these limits, and Ms. Booth will review for legal compliance.

r Clerk received a request from Paul Redpath, member ofthe Recreational Youth Athletic League, for use of the town park for soccer games. They have been holding games in Annapolis. however, their membership has increased with Queen Anne's County residents. He will talk to Shore Christian Fellowship for permission to use their parking lot. Games would be held on Saturday momings. Commissioners agreed if they can

work out parking, they would consider the request. RYAL would be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance and sign an Indemnity Agreement with the Town.

.

Mrs. Linda Borenstein contacted the Clerk regarding pending litigation between them and their neighbor. The owner of the property adjacent to them, which lies outside of town boundaries, is claiming part of the Borenstein's property. She believes as this claim may affect the Town boundary. that the Town may want to join she and her husband in fighting the claim. Her first action will be to have a property survey completed. At this

time, the Commissioners don't see any point in spending legal fees until we see if there is any merit to the claim. If Mrs. Borenstein wishes to bring us what documentation she has, we would be glad to look at it-

OLD BUSINESS:

o President Willis motioned to adopt Ordinance

17-03 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN

OF QUEENSTOWN ADOPTING A GENERAL BUDGET FOR THE FICAL YEAR

BEGINNING JULY I,2017 AD ENDING JLINE 30,2018, AND ESTABLISHING A

TAX RATE OF .7773 PER $1OO OF ASSESSED REAL PROPERTY VALUE AND A

TAX RATE OF .44 PER $1OO ON ALL COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS PERSONAL

PROPERTY AND PUBLIC UTILITIES; AND ALSO ADOPTING AN ENTERPRISE

BUDGET FOR THE TOWN'S WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS. Motion seconded by Commissioner Plumbo and carried unanimously.

o President Willis motioned to adopt Ordinance

17-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN

OF QUEENSTOWN TO ADOPT SUPPLEMENTAL FINDINGS OF FACT IN

CONNECTION WITH THE APPLICATION OF THE GROWTH ALLOCATION

FLOATING ZONE TO THE WATERMAN PROPERTY AD TO REFLECT THAT

THE TOTAL ACREAGE OF THE WATERMAN PROPERTY TO BE RECLASSIFIED

IS 59.402 ACRES, IN ORDER TO BE CONISTENT WITH THE NEWLY ADOPTED

QUEENSTOWN CRITICAL AREA MAP. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster and carried unanimously.

r Ordinance 17-05 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF

QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND THE QUEENSTOWN TOWN CODE TO ADD

CHAPTER 7 TITLED "RESIDENTIAL RENTAL HOUSING LICENSE AND

INSPECTION'' TO ESTABLISH A LICENSING AND INSPECTION PROGRAM FOR

RESIDENTIAL RENTAL DWELLING LNITS WITHIN THE TOWN OF

QUEENSTOWN - Action on this Ordinance was tabled.

o Resolution 17-103 - A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A FEE SCHEDULE FOR RENTAL LICENSES - Action on this Resolution was tabled.

ITTEW BUSIITIESS:

r No new business was introduced ATTORI\IEY UPDATES: Brynja Booth o No updates There being no further business at this time, President Willis motioned to adjoum the meeting at 5:30 p.m. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. 3-aye, 0-nay Respectfrrlly submitted, /,.urlh|ALtJtffi'- A-u w. Voor"- Town Clerk

TOWN OF OUEENSTOWN

CLOSED MEETING/IXECUTIVE SESSION RECORD

A public body that meets in closed session m.ay not discuss or aot on any matte.r not perrnitted under the Maryland Statute summarized below. The public meeting law does not apply to executive functions, quasi judicial functions, or chance encounters or social meetinss.

(1)

DATE AND TIME OF PROPOSED CLOSED MEETING OR DGCUTTVE

SESSION:

o""' ll U ll'{ I ,^",L'.31 Wt (2)

LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CLOSING PUBLIC MEETING OR GOING INTO

EXECUTryE SESSION (circle the section of the law which authorizes the closed session):

Open Meetings Act, Maryland Code Annotated, State Government &1icie, $ 1 0- 508(a), 2004 Repl. Vol.

(1) discuss:

(D

the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resigaation, or performance evaluation ofappointees, employees, or officials over whom it has j urisdiction; or (ii) any other personnei mattel that affects 1 or more specific individuals:

(2) protect the privacy or reputation ofindividuals with respect to a matter that is not related to public business;

(3) consider the acquisition ofreal property for a public purposc and mattcrs directly related thereto;

(4) consider a matter that concems the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in thc Statc;

(5) consider the investment ofpublic funds;

(6) consider the marketing ofpublic securities;

consuit with counsel to obtain legal advice;

consult with staff, or olher individuals about pending or potential litigation;

(9) conduct collective bargaining negotiations or consider matters that relate to the negotiations;

(10) discuss public security, ifthe public body determines that public a discussion would constitute sk to the public or to the public security, including;

(0 the deployment offire and police services and staff; and (iD the development and implementation of emergency plans;

(11) prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualiling

examination;

(12) conduct or discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct, (13) comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, orjudicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or mafter; or (14) before a contract is awarded or bids are opened, discuss a matter directly if related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal,

pubiic discussion or disclosure would adversely impact the ability of the public body to participate in the competitive bidding or proposal process.

(3)

TOWN BOARD, AGENCY, OR COMMISSION PROPOSING CLOSED OR

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

(Name of Board, Agency, Commission, or Committee) (4) (5)

MEMBERS OF BOARD, AGENCY, COMMISSTON, OR COMMTTTEE

PRESENT AT PUBLIC MEETING AT WHICH CLOSED SESSION

REQUESTED:

Vote on Closure (circle caqeot vote) (Go/egainst (!9!A'gainst (pAeamst For/Apinst For/Against 7:31 trtrvl

(6) TIME CLOSED SESSION CONVENED:

3:1 1 TIME CLOSED SESSION CONCLUDED: l,rw

PERSONS PRESENT AT CLOSED SESSION:

UNJq (l^-.

(8) PLACE CLOSED OR E)GCUTIVE SESSION HELD:

(e) PI,T.POSE OF AND TOPICS DISCUSSED AT CLOSED SESSION:

0btu,,u .t'), . ,, r-ta ..^ (10)

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAXEN AT CLOSED SESSTON, IF ANY:

-ltlwru

CERTIFICATE OT' PRESIDING OFFICER

r hereby cerrifi that r am the presiding "n*, 'r (OtnAl4A(lrl,"tlh A( 6tJO0,tltlWJtA) public board, agency, commission, committee, or other public body qt |}p Town ot' / Queenstown, Maryland. I frrther certify that by a majority vote on the I Ytl day of 4tlMl_*UI1__, the afbresaid agency, board, o. co.-isrio-nv otei to

- "o..itt"",

I hold a'closed meeting for the purposes, and to discuss the topics, set fbrth above, and that no other topics were discussed, and that the foregoing is a tue resord of the closed mccting described herein, The Clerk or Seoretary is directed to maintai:r this document as a public record of the Town of Queenstown, and to appcnd thc same to the minutes of the next public meeting of the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or commission.

lt'{lrr b Printed Name lvudoilL