Town Commissioners Minutes — 2020-09-23

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

QUEENSTOWII COMMISSIONERS
September 23,2020
PRESENT: President Tom Willis. Jr., Commissioner Al Hardee, Commissioner Bryon Callahan, Town
Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan
PUBLIC IIEARING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:53 PM
O ORDINANCE _ 20.04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND
SECTION 3.7 OF THE QUEENSTOWN CODE TO PROHIBIT THE PARKING OF VEHICLES
AND TRAILERS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WHERE A SIGN IS POSTED PROHIBITING
PARKING BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF QUEENSTOWN
There were no public comments regarding the proposed ordinance.
O ORDINANCE - 20-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO AUTHORIZE
THE PURCHASE OF 0.67 ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY F. WICK DUDLEY, PETER I.
DUDLEY AND CLAY D. E\,TNAS, TAX MAP 51H, GRID 21, PARCEL 40 FIFTH ELECTION
DISTRTCT, QUEEN ANNE'S COLINTY, MARYLAND FOR THE PLACEMENT OF A WATER
TOWER TO SERVICE THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN AND TO
AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF QUEENSTOWN TO
EXECUTE SUCH DEEDS AND PLATS AS ARE NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE SALE
There were no public comments regarding the proposed ordinance.
president Willis motioned to adjoum the hearing at 6:55 pm. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee.
VOTE: 2 aye - 0 nay. Third Commissioner's position was vacant at time of this vote.
REGT'LAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:OO PM
SWEAR IN NEW COMMISSIONER - Bryon Callahan
o Mr. Callahan recited the Oath of Office and was sworn in as Town Commissioner. Commissioner
Callahan will serve through November 2022.
GUBSTS -
o Krista Pettit, New Haven Ministries
Ms. pettit introduced herself to the Commissioners and explained the operations of New Haven
Ministries located on Del Rhodes Avenue. Operations are assistance with bill payments and food
pantry services for those in need in the Services are by appointment to limit amount of
people at location at any given time. Comm " i o s r s r i n on ty e . r s welcomed Ms. Pettit and New Haven Ministries
to Queenstown.
PUBLIC WORKS - AmY Moore
o Outlet well electrical wires burnt up earlier in the month due to loose connections' Also caused
chlorine pump to burn up. wiring hai been fixed and new pump has been installed'
o Water hamme.ing at plant caused another pipe break. Have 3 prices for installation of soft-start
devices to eliminate water hammer issue. RAO Btectnc @ $17,000.00, Electrician under Steve
Roberson @ $10,000.00, Lywood Electric @ S11,832.00. Lywood has done other electric work at
the plant previously. Comms. Hardee and Callahan suggest going with Lywood as they have done
work there and are familiar with plant. Pres. Willis motioned to have Lywood Electric install soft-
start devices at plant provided they offer a warranty on the work done' Comm. Hardee seconded'
VOTE:3aYe-0naY
o W Lighting and sleeves at plant have reached end of useful life and need to be replaced' Lights
lifespan is l-year average, current lights are 5 years old. UV intensity is very low' Equipment is
made by Trojan, a singli source ,.rpfli"., thereiore no other suppliers to get multiple prices from'
Cost to replace is $14,016.00 for 48 bulb/sleeve combo kits. To go with other providers would
require equipment changes. Comm. Hardee suggests looking into possibility of changing equipment
- get pricing for cost of change over and new suppliers vs. replacement of current bulbs' Pres' Willis

motioned to purchase the Trojan bulbs/sleeves in the event that costs of equipment changeover
would be prohibitive. Comm. Hardee seconded. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay
o
Entire plant has been greased, wet well has been cleaned, belt press has been run this month.
o
Cost of fabrication of room to enclose electrical panels/controls at plant is about $5,400. Town
would purchase materials. New electric not included in price. Comm. Hardee suggests putting out to
bid. Would need specs drawn up to put out for bid. Will table for now pending getting specs diawn.
PLANNING - Matt Reno
r
Drafted letter signed by Planning Commission regarding Draft Master Trails Plan, sent to eueen
Anne's County Commissioners and QAC Recreation & Parks Director requesting review and
comments on the plan. Once comments are received will make any adjustments accordingly to the
plan and then will bring to Commissioners for review/adoption. Goal is to get County to iecognize
need for trails/connectivity between other trails in the area.
o
Testing paint on curb stops for boat landing area for marking adopt-a-stop donors. Went well, will
paint all curb stops. Have 5 donors so far, looking for more - 5 stops left to adopt. Will put notice in
newsletter seeking more donors.
o
The term of Philip Snyder, current Chair of the Planning Commission, expires end of September. Mr.
Snyder has stated he would like to serve again for another term. Pres. Willis motioned to reappoint
Mr. Snyder as a member of the Planning Commission. Comm. Hardee seconded. VOTE: : ave -
O
nay
FINANCE COMMITTEE - Amy Moore
o
Annual Highway User Revenue report will be due soon. Will work with Finance Committee
Chairman Pat Bowell to complete and submit.
TOWN CLERI(- Aaron Horney
o
Treasurers/FinanceReport
.
-
Water/Sewer Checking $209,379.75
. Includes recent payment of w/s allocation fees for remaining Steamboat Village properties.
-
General Fund Checking $117,433.16
o
Minutes
I
August 26,2020 comm Meeting - Commissioner Hardee motioned to accept minutes as written.
President Willis seconded. VOTE: 2 aye _ 0 nay
' September 16, 2020 Comm Special Meeting - Commissioner Hardee motioned to accept
minutes as written. president willis seconded. vorE, 2 aye - 0 nay
' September 18,2020 Comm Closed Meeting - Commissioner Hardee motioned to accept minutes
I as written. president willis seconded. vorE: 2 ave - 0 nav
September 18, 2020 comm Special Meeting - Commissioner Hardee motioned to accept
minutes as written. president willis seconded. vorg: 2 aye _ 0 nay
o Commissioner Callahan was not present for these meetings and did not vote.
Correspondence/Requests/Info _ Sent and Received
' Received email from Beth Malasky - Dept. of community Affairs for eAC outlining the
county's plan for Halloween. county not cancelling trick or ireating- issuing guidance on how
to participate safely. Sent guidance materials to towns in the county tJ make own determinations.
Sudlersville, Queen Anne and chyrch Hill going with county plan. centieville making decision
soon' Queenstown will allow trick or treating oo o"tob", :i, o-spm with County guidelines in
place. will state guidelines in newsletter and on website.
' Queenstown Landing assisted living center has invited the commissioners to their open house
and model grand opening on October gth.
TOWN MAIIAGER - Amy Moore
o
Current AT&T tower-lease expiring soon. AT&T wants extension at current rent rate. Current lease
has rent increase built in. Should go with that rate for any new agreement. Extension would not
provide commitment from AT&T. Town representative Vertical Architects recommends that AT&T
commit to 10+ years if Town commits to 20 years. Not recommended to do month to month lease.
Are still in negotiations with AT&T. Pres. wiilis would like Finance committee to gather figures on
current leases on worth at 10, 15 years. Has been contacted by_companies regarding"potentiai."rri"g
of tower leases' Info needed to be able to explore options the Town has regarding selling tower
leases vs. keeping them.

o
Applied for abandoned boat/debris cleanup grant from DNR for $4,000 to clean up debris in area
around town docks and investigate ownership of 2 rowboats on Second Ave.
o
Nikki Williams interested in renting space in Town Office for her tutoring/therapy business. Did
look at space in downstairs area which is unused currently. Would work for her needs. Would have
separate entrance to use. Would have sanitation/social distancing precautions in place. Would need
for few hours per week to start- could increase. Does town rent one room vs. entire downstairs?
Commissioners should do walkthrough to look at area- determine need and rent cost.
OLD BUSINESS
o I&Iproject
No updates currently.
o
Water Tower & Infrastructure project
.
Interim Financing
Ms. Moore still working on, will work on with Finance Committee Chair. Pat Bowell- should
have something in place by next meeting.
Dudley Property- Acceptance of terms
Ms. Moore stated Town Engineer Bob Rauch recently met with SHA regarding easements to run
force mains thru their property to connect new tower on Dudley property to Wheatland's. SHA
cannot commit to easements until they know what their plans for their property will be as they
originally had plans to use property for potential overpass in area. Will need to look at other
properties/ways to get to Wheatland's if unable to go thru state property. Potentially look at using
Friel's property on Friel's Rd- could run main to US 50 close to where originally needed to go-
would not need SHA easement. Could put tower there as well if Friel's worked with us. Rauch
would like to discuss alternate plans/scenarios at future meeting. Pres. Willis questioned need for
Dudley property if town able to use Friel property for tower- still purchase for future use? Town
Attorney Lyndsey Ryan suggested deferring vote on Ordinance 20-05 until more information
provided by Bob Rauch. Commissioners will meet with Mr. Rauch at future meeting.
. oRDINAI\CE - 20-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO
AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF 0.67 ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY F. WICK
DUDLEY, PETER I. DUDLEY AND CLAY D. EVNAS, TAX MAP 51H, GRID 2I, PARCEL
40 FIFTH ELECTION DISTRTCT, QUEEN ANNE'S COLINTY, MARYLAND FOR THE
PLACEMENT OF A WATER TOWER TO SERVICE THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF
QUEENSTOWN AND TO AUTHORZE THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF
QUEENSTOWN TO EXECUTE SUCH DEEDS AND PLATS AS ARE NECESSARY TO
EFFECTUATE THE SALE eligiblefor adoption
Commissioners will defer voting on Ord. 20-05 pending meeting with Town Engineer.
Wheatland's Project
.
Petition for Planned Development - Waterman Family Limited Partnership
Contacted by Kevin Shearen regarding number of copies of plan needed for Planning
Commission. Anticipates plan will be coming in soon. Ms. Ryan stated County recently
approved comprehensive water/sewer amendment for Wheatland's by 5-0 vote.
Speeding on Main St
Ms. Moore spoke with Queenstown Postmaster regarding delivery trucks at post office speeding in
town. He informed he spoke with all mail truck delivery drivers and boss of the company they
contract with. Other unmarked delivery trucks come to post office- contracted by FedEx or Amazon-
not Postal Service. Does not have contact info for those trucks. Di Quynn-Reno informed speeding
by trucks is still an issue. Also informed trash truck was noticed speeding in town as well. Ms.
Moore will contact trash company regarding speeding.
Boat ramp improvements
Ms. Moore talked with Bob Rauch about improvements. He indicated he had information from prior
boardwalk project that could be useful- will provide to Ms' Moore.
Boat landing parking and signage
Discussion on finding prior ordinance adopted regarding restricting non-resident usage of boat ramp.
Ms. Ryan still recommends fee system for residents/non-residents as restriction could be
constitutional issue. Fee system would likely discourage non-resident usage of ramp area. Fee lower
for residents due to taxes paying for ramp maintenance. Number of permits can be limited to control

usage. Should also put out notice of limited parking available in newsletter/website following
improvements at ramp area. Start with fees/permits, if issues persist at ramp, possibly go further with
justifications regarding restricting usage of area. Ms. Moore can order sign for facility stating
regulations for usage of facility and have posted at entrance. Also contacted tow company for towing
needs at site. Will provide sign with contact information for towed vehicle owners. We will post
under town regulation sign at facility. Have also contacted John English regarding supplying
millings for area to level area./cover grass where parking will be designated. Waiting to hear back.
once completed, can work on getting parking stops placed/spaces marked.
' oRDTNANCE - 20-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND
SECTION 3.7 OF THE QUEENSTOWN CODE TO PROHIBIT THE PARKTNG OF
VEHICLES AND TRAILERS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WHERE A SIGN IS POSTED
PROHIBITING PARKING BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF QUEENSTOWN eligibte for
adoption
Comm. Hardee motioned to adopt Ord.20-04. Comm. Callahan seconded. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay
o
Trailer parking issues
General Discussion on parking issues with limitations of current ordinances. Currently allow on
street parking of 12 or less hours. How to accommodate businesses such as lawn care. etc. Limit
overnight parking? Prohibit parking entirely? How to address need for emergency/school vehicles to
pass through? Ensure traffic not impeded by any parking. Should do walk thru of town streets and
discuss more at future work session.
NEW BUSINESS
o
None
ATTORNEY UPDATES - Lyndsey Ryan
o
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
o
Joe Kelkowski
Lights left on in Town Office upstairs after hours- make sure turned off. Town will look into
installing light switch timers to ensure lights turn off automatically after some time.
o
Nikki Williams
Still interested and has need for renting space at Town Office. Would like to discuss with
Commissioners more. Has minimal need now- hopes to grow with some time. One room would work
for needs. commissioners will discuss more and make a decision soon.
o
John Cvach
Mr. Cvach thanked the Commissioners for their consideration of him during the interview process
for the vacant Commissioner position created by former Commissioner Hogi-e Schuster's deiarture.
commissioners thanked Mr. cvach for his interest in the position.
There being no further business at this time, Pres. Willis motioned to adjourn the meeting at g:29 pm. Comm.
Hardee seconded. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nav
Aaron R. Horney
Town Clerk-Treasurer