Town Commissioners Other — 2018-11-28

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QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS

November 28, 2018 PRESENT: President Thomas B. Willis, Jr., Commissioner Holger Schuster, CommissionerAl Hardee, Town Attorney Brynja Booth, and Amy Moore, Town Manager/Clerk.

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.

PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance

18-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS

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OF QUEENSTOWN TO REPEAL AN]) RE-ENACT THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING

ORDINANCE

Ms. Booth provided an overview ofthe Zoning Ordinance changes and need to repeal and re enact:

• Biggest change to the ordinance is to sign regulations, which was due to recent Supreme

Court rulings on signs.

• There were changes to the QRD district

• Mostly minor tweaks made to oridnance

Mike Rada, 720 Del lThodes Ave., asked why repealing and re-enacting? Ms. Booth advised that it is easier to do that way versus going thru and adopting changes throughout the ordinance.

Willie Comegys, First Ave., inquired ifit would affect existing signs? Ms. Booth advised that it would most likely be grandfathered.

There being no further comment on the ordinance, President Willis motioned to close the public hearing. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay Town Clerk Amy Moore provided the Certification ofElection results from the November 5, 2018 election. President Thomas B. Willis was re-elected to a three year term by a vote of52 to 48 over Paul Cain. A copy ofthe Certification is hereby attached a deemed a permanent part of

these minutes.

Ms. Booth administeredthe Oath ofOffice to Thomas B. Willis, Jr.

Commissioner Schuster made a motion to re-appoint Thomas B. Willis, Jr. as President ofthe Commissionfor the next year. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay President Willis gave a briefsummary ofthe November 6,2018 work session with Town Engineer Robert Rauch:

• Mr. Rauch identified the I & I high priority areas. Commissioners approved to direct Mr.

Rauch to work up a scope ofwork and bid documents for sleeving the sewer lines. Mr.

Rauch was also authorized to prepare grant applications for various funding agencies.

• Discussed the water tower and infrastructure project with Mr. Rauch. The Town still

hasn’t given final approval to proceed. The Town was awarded a loan and grant package 2 from USDA towards this project. Commissioners want to obtain additional information, including financial, before making final decision.

The Town Commissioners recognized the volunteer efforts ofMr. Ralph Kirchner, by presenting him with a Proclamation and gift certificate. Mr. Kirchner has been volunteering his time over the past couple ofyears cleaning up trash around town several days a week. Mr. Kirchner is our 2018 Volunteer ofthe Year.

Town Clerk presented Mr. Rauch’s evaluation report on the impact ofT & I flow reduction from selective repairs to the collection system. He is recommending full lining oflines in certain sections ofon Old WharfLane and Main St. His estimated cost for that work is $85,000. hi addition, he suspects high flow on Melvin Ave. between manholes 84 to 81. Twenty thousand gallons per day is a conservative estimate ofthe possible I & I flow reduction that could be

realized by completing the proposed repairs. Greater reductions are possible ifthe source ofthe high flow on Melvin Ave. can be identified and repaired. Mr. Rauch intends to prepare a grant application to MDE for funding. He will also be looking at additional funding as well. He can attempt to get USDA Rural Development funding as well. This would require the completion of a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and an Environmental Report (ER). The Town would

be responsible for funding the PER and ER in anticipation ofthe project being approved by USDA for funding. Estimated cost to complete the reports is $20,000, since much ofthe initial work has been completed. In addition, he noted it appeared a sump pump may be pumping into the collection system from Main St. Lane Cole advised he would look into it.

Mr. Rauch’s report also including requested specific analysis ofthe preferred site for the proposed water tower. The Commissioners tabled discussion.

PUBLIC WORKS

- Lane Cole, contract employee, advised:

o Complaints that several ofthe new speed bumps too high. They will be shaved down in the coming weeks. Willie Comegys noted that due to the new bumps on Second Ave., traffic on First Ave. has increased and requested speed bumps be considered there. CommissionerHardee motioned to install two speed bumps on First Ave., seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay o John English doing the ditch work on Maryland Ave. Need to add a 6” pipe and

backfill. It will be tamped, and a swale created, to take care ofsurface water.

o Mr. Cole suggested the Commissioners consider giving Town Manager the authority to make purchases, or other expenditures, up to $7500 without having to wait for a Town Commissioner meeting. Ms. Booth will look into this.

PLANNING

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• Town Clerk advised that Ms. Betty White’s term on the Planning Commission has

expired. Ms. White is interested in continuing to serve, and the Planning Commission wishes for her to be reappointed. CommissionerHardee stated to be fair to all residents, we should post the opening and request anyone interested submit a letter to the Town.

The Commissioners agreed to put notice in newsletter.

3 FINANCE COMMITTEE No report -

TOWN MANAGERJCLERK-TREASURER

Treasurer’s Report - General Fund checking $266,406.67 Water/Sewer Fund checking $ 68,250.08 WWTP Project checking $ 13,498.34 Minutes — President Willis motioned to accept the October 24, 2018 regular meeting minutes as written.

Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 2-aye, 0-nay Commissioner Hardee abstained.

Commissioner Hardee motioned to accept the November 6,2018 work session minutes as written. Motion seconded by President Willis. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay Correspondence/Other —

• ESAM Legislative dinner is Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Fisherman’s Inn. RSVP

deadline is January ~

• Tree Lighting ceremony is Friday, November 30, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Center

• Due to the Christmas holiday, the December meeting will be held on Wednesday,

December at 7:00 p.m.

191h

• Christmas party scheduled for December 12°’ from p.m. at the American Legion.

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OLD BUSINESS

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• WWTP loan closeout Ms. Booth advised the plant has been operational for well over

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a year. USDA and MDE are anxious to get the project closed out. Currently there is $20,000 owed to the contractor and $32,000 owed to the engineer. USDA is requiring an

Exhibit K

be approved to authorize payment to the engineer, as these expenses exceeded the original scope. Payment to 0MB has no bearing on the problems we have at the plant that will be discussed at a future date with 0MB.

President Willis motioned to approve Exhibit K, with the stipulation that the invoices to 0MB are confirmed by the Town Attorney. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee.

Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay • Ordinance

18-04 AN ORDNANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF

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QUEENSTOWN TO REPEAL AND RE-ENACT THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING

ORDINANCE Pete Robertson inquired about the zoning map designations that were to — be corrected. Ms. Booth advised that the map is not part ofthe text component. It would be adopted separately.

President Willis motioned to adopt Ordinance 18-04. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay

NEW BUSINESS

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• Commissioners discussed holding a Town Hall style meeting at the Methodist Church.

This informal meeting would allow residents to voice concerns and discuss issues with 4 the Commissioners one on one. We would also be able to educate the public on the constraints the Town is under on certain issues. Thoughts are to include the Planning Commission and Sheriff’s Dept. as well. Clerk with check with Church on availability for 2/20/19 or 2/22/19.

ATTORNEY UPDATES Brynja Booth -

• Advised there isan updated zoning map that goes along with the new Zoning Ordinance.

Changes include:

o Adjustment to corporate boundary due to Dudley annexation o Added “pending PRC floating zone” designating the Wheatland’s property o QRD district is a floating zone and has been expanded o Kevin Dey property is recommended for HC o The rest ofthe town is to remain as currently zoned President Willis introduced Ordinance

18-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF

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QUEENSTOWN TO REPEAL TN ITS ENTIRETY AND RE-ENACT THE

QUEENSTOWN ZONING MAP. President Willis motioned to hold a public hearing on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster.

Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay

PUBLIC COMMENT

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• Paul Cain, Steamboat Ave. his next door neighbor has a dusk to dawn light that is very

— bright and shines in his windows at night. This has become a nuisance. He couldn’t find anything in our ordinances about them that would allowthe town to enforce. The Town Attorney will look into it and get back to us.

• Di Quynn-Reno, Main St. has communication concerns. During recent election, she

— was frustrated trying to find information on our website. She felt the information wasn’t readily accessible for all citizens. Those who get water and sewer bills electronically do not get the monthly newsletter, and it was troublesome to find on the website. The Commissioners agreed that this has been an issue and that we have begun looking into ways to improve upon the website and other forms ofcommunication. She submitted

some recommendations to increase and improve communication to the Town residents with the goal oftransparency and increased participation by residents. The Commissioners thanked Ms. Quynn-Reno for her recommendations and will continue to work on ways to improve communication.

There being no further business at this time, President Willis motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Motion seconded by CommissionerHardee. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay Respectfully submitted, ~ore Town Manager/Clerk

TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF QUEENSTOWN:

I hereby certify that on the day ofNovember, 2018, an election was held at the 5th QueenstownTown Office, 7013 Main Street, Queenstown, Maryland for the purpose ofelecting one (1) Towxi Commissionerfor a term ofthree (3) years.

The results ofthat election, with Ms. Constance Cole and Ms. Diane Lewis as Judges, were as follows:

Thomas B. Willis, Jr. 52 Votes Paul E. Cain, Jr. (Write-in) 48 Votes Disqualified Votes 3 Votes Total Votes Cast: 103 Votes

ATTEST:

/ _____________

Aaron Homey Date Administrative Assistant

ATTEST:

Amy W” oore Date Town Clerk