Town Commissioners Minutes — 2020-01-22

Exactly as extracted, unformatted — for checking against the original. The readable version is easier to read.

QUEENSTOW|I COMMTSSIONERS
January 22,2020
PRESENT: President Thomas Willis, Jr., Commissioner Al Hardee, Commissioner Holger Schuster,
Administrative Assistant Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan, Pat Bowell, Paul Cain. Town
Manager/Clerk Amy Moore was absent.
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:OO PM.
GUESTS:
PUBLIC WORKS:
President Willis motioned to hire George Frigon as a consultant to ffoubleshoot and address ongoing
problems at the wastewater fieatrnent plant as he is extremely knowledgeable in this field. Motion seconded
by Commissioner Hardee. VOTE: 3-aye,O-nay.
Preside'nt Willis stated the Town will also be taking steps to pre,pare for the Town possibly hiring either a
new employee or a new company to operate the wastewater treatment plant.
PLAIINING: Paul Cain
Planning Commission met with Kevin Cashen, president of Queenstown Bank at their January 8,2020
meeting regarding placing an electronic message sign at the bank property in Town. The Planning
Commission decided against allowing the sign because it would require amending ordinances and would not
fit in with the character of Town Center.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Pat Bowell
Ms. Bowell discussed a proposal the Town received from Landmark to purchase the lease agreements the
Town has with cell phone companies for their equipment located on the Town's water towers. The offers are
to pay a lump sum using a discounted rate of about 8 percent of what the Town currently receives in reve,nue
from the agreements. Unless the Town was to invest the money received from Landmark's offer at a rate of
higher than 8 percent return, the Town would lose money by accepting the offer. As this is not likely to
happen, and because the proposal would give Landmark confiol of the water towers, Ms. Bowell stated the
proposal is not in the Town's best interest and does not recommend accepting l,andmarks proposal.
Commissioners agreed with Ms. Bowell's opinion.
Ms. Bowell stated the Commissioners had requested a review of water/sewer hookup rates. A survey
conducted by MML was given to the Commissioners showing various water/sewer rates, hookup rates, and
impact fees for various municipalities who participated in the survey. Ms. Ryan also provided rates for
Trappe and Greensboro and discussed Centreville's current rates versus rates in place when Queenstown's
rates were adopted. Ms. Bowell discussed the differing methods of how hookup/impact fees are determined
in various municipalities and jurisdictions. Commissioners will have a fufirre work session to further discuss
connection rates and fees.
TOWII MANAGEWCLERI(-TREASURER: Aaron Horney
Treasurerts Report -
General Fund Checking: $ 169,069.99

Water/Sewer Fund Checking: $124,697.65
Minutes -
President Willis motioned to accept the October 23, 2019 minutes as written. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Hardee. VOTE: 2-aye,0-nay. Commissioner Schuster abstained from voting.
President Willis motioned to accept the November 20,2019 minutes as written. Motion seconded by
Commissioner Schuster. VOTE: 2-aye,O-nay. Commissioner Hardee abstained from voting.
Commissioner Hardee motioned to accept the Decernber 18, 2019 minutes as written. Motion seconded
by Commissioner Schuster. VOTE: 2-aye,0-nay. President Willis abstained from voting.
C orrespondence/Other -
Amy Moore met with Sheriff Hoffrnan to work on future patrolling schedules. The Town received an
invoice for Nove,lnber's covetrage. Sheriffcovered approximately $2000 of the cost, leaving the Town's
share due at $1534.96. SheriffHoffrnan recommended installing 3 electronic speed signs, 2 on Main St.
and I on Del Rhodes Ave. Will talk to town of Queen Anne as they recently installed some in town.
County Commissioner Moran advised that the County may have funds to grant the Town for signs. Will
contact County about funding once cost of signs is known. Will check with State regarding requirements
to post along state roads.
Town received letter of interest from Christopher Drummond regarding the vacant Board of Appeals
altemate position. Commissioners agreed Mr. Drummond would be a welcome addition to the Board of
Appeals. president Willis motioned to appoint Mr. Drummond to the Board of Appeals as an alternate.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. VOTE: 3-aye,0-nay.
Tim Hanrahan, who volunteered to be Santa at the Tree Lighting requested the Town make a donation
to the Animal Welfare League on behalf of Santa. Commissioner Hardee motioned to make a donation
of $250 to the Animal Welfare League. Seconded by Commissioner Schuster. VOTE: 3-aye,O-nay.
OLD BUSINESS:
o
I & I Project: No updates.
o
Water Tower & Infrastructure project: No updates.
o Dudley property-Acceptance of terms: Ms. Ryan stated at previous discussion the offer from Dudley
included Town reserving water/sewer capacity. Town made clear that was not part of the agreernent so
that has been removed. The offer is just an agreerne,lrt to consider a contract. Commissioners have not
made a decision as of yet. Bob Rauch is currently working on survey and legal descriptions needed to
create a deed. Commissioners will have a future work session to discuss water tower project further as
decisions on water tower and Dudley property need to be made soon to avoid any grant opportunities
expiring.
NEW BUSINESS:
o Greenspring Rd & Rt. 301 traffic concerns: Commissioner Hardee discussed concerns from a citizerr
regarding the Greenspring/3ol intersection due to increased 301 traffic. Stated Perry Stutnan had years
ago written to SHA regarding future plans for the intersection. Would like to coordinate with County
Commissioners, State Delegates, and QVFD and meet with SHA to follow up on concerns and ideas for
improvements. pat Bowell stated a J-turn at the intersection was proposed at a State Highway meeting
she attended 2 years ago and is their preferred way to improve it. Was in the plans, suggested checking
to see what improvernents if any are planned for the intersection. Lonnie Anthony stated improvements

should consider emergency services ability to navigate quickly through an intersection, will it increase
response times for calls.
o
2020 Summer Concert Series: Commissioner Hardee discussed success of the 2019 concert series.
Residents seemed to enjoy, heard lots of positive comments, attendance increased with each concert.
Would like to continue with 3 concerts for the 2020 season. Commissioners were supportive of
continuing concerts. Suggested a cap of $2,000 for band costs. Would work out details on stage, electric,
possible food stand, booking bands, etc.
ATTORNEY UPDATES:
Ms. Ryan discussed ideas for conffolling access to the boat landing on Skipjack Lane to discourage
undesirable activity. Options include posting regulation signage at entrance of road, installing gate with a
means of access for those who acquire permits to use the facility. Cannot limit use to only residents of
Town. Commissioners discussed having separate permit fees for residents and non-residents. Would like to
know options for what can be done to limit use of facility. Ms. Ryan stated easiest, cost efficient option is to
post regulation signage with ordinances to back up regulations. Will discuss other options further in future
meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
F/Sgt. John Meyers of the Queen Anne's County Sheriffs Office provided statistic numbers for
Queenstown for the period of March, 2019 through January,2020. 544 calls of service were responded to
(including the Outlet Center), 82 alarm responses, 56 radar assignments, 18 suspicious incidents
investigated, 22 check welfare calls, 19 patrol checks, 35 theft complaints (mostly at Outlet Center).
Commissioners stated radar in Town appears to have helped to lower speeding and are discussing with
Sheriffs Office to continue radar enforcement in Town.
There being no further business at this timeo President Willis motioned to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:53
pm. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee. VOTE: 3-aye,O-nay.
ly submitted,
Aaron Horney
Administrative Assistant