Town Commissioners Minutes — 2020-11-18

QUEENSTOWI\ COMMISSIONERS

November 18, 2020 Al PRESENT: President Tom Willis, Jr., Commissioner Hardee, Commissioner Bryon Callahan, Town Clerk Aaron Homey, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7PM

CLERK CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS/SWEAR IN

o Mr. Horney stated that Commissioner Hardee filed and qualified to be placed on the ballot. As a result of no candidates frling a certificate of nomination to be placed on the ballot as a write-in candidate by the Oct.23,2020 deadline, the election was deemed uncontested and cancelled pursuant to Sec. l9-2L2 of the Town Charter. Commissioner Hardee is therefore declared reelected as Commissioner for a3-year term beginning Nov. 18, 2020.

o Mr. Horney then swore in Commissioner Hardee as Commissioner of Queenstown.

GUESTS

o Ray Burkhardt - 118 Olde Point Lane - Open space concerns Mr. Burkhardt discussed several issues he would like addressed. Shortly after moving in, the Town removed some trees and brush from the open space area behind his house. This was the only barrier between his property and US 301 and Royal Farms. Now has privacy issues and other concerns for his property. Was told would be rectified by the Town but

no solution yet. Pat Bowell stated new shrubs and trees have been planted in the area.

Commissioner Hardee asked if fencing would help. Mr. Burkhardt agreed would address concerns. Commissioners agree to vote on pricing and installing fencing in area at next meeting. Also discussed drainage issues affecting him and neighbors. Issue is separate from drainage pond issues at Olde Point Lane previously addressed. Issue is drainage ditch runninE Ulttitta properties not flowing to pond as intended. Commissioner Callahan

stated he knows the area and drainage could be affected by grass clippings laying in ditch over time and fencing installed in yards near ditch could be preventing proper draining.

Commissiorr"r, ugr"" Town will look into solutions including clearing/digging out ditch.

Also Royal Farms dumpsters being ernptied at 4 or 5 in the morning, used to be at 8 or 9.

Stated Town hasn't addressed. Ms. Moore stated wasn't aware of this issue as it wasn't brought to the Town, was likely addressed by citizen previously. Will address concerns with Royal Farms regarding moving collection times. Also stated people keeping boats/trailers on the street, why won't Town address issue? Ms. Moore and Ms. Ryan stated the Town addresses property maintenance violations by sending letters and issuing

fines when appropriate. The Town must follow procedures and give proper notice when addressing uioluti,onr. If trailer moved by deadlines in notices sent and returned later, considered a new violation and process starts over. Will look into whether certain procedures can be adjusted to address repeat offenders' PUBLIC WORIG - AmY Moore o Return activated sludge pump at plant has failed. Has been sent out for repair. Only

running on one pump now and do not have a spare. Has asked operator for prices on new pump anO reUuitt po-p with warranty to use as a spare. Also asked operator to compile iirt of all pumps/motors we should have spares for and order in importance of need.

Should have readY bY Dec' 1.

o Water running down Main St. was tested for and found to have chlorine. Will be testing again Friday *d d"t".-ine how to address. Determine whether natural source' leak, or both. President Willis would like to address soon as water on road in winter months can be of concem when freezing.

PLANNING - Matt Reno o Decided at last Planning meeting more info was needed for Wheatland's regarding specifics on individual lots as part of the Master Plan. If received in next couple weeks, will review at next meeting and will hold public hearing at future date. Ms. Moore stated has not been submitted to Town Office yet. After conducting hearing and receiving any public input, will then make recommendation to Commissioners. Ms. Ryan statedlncl

submitted info reviewed, would need to provide public l5-day notice prior to public hearing scheduled date.

o Mr' Bowell inquired if any interest in planning vacancy yet - none submitted yet.

Commissioner Hardee suggested Ryan Booth had interest in position. Mr. Booth was present via zoom and stated he would possibly be interested. Would decide soon if he wanted to be considered.

FINANCE COMMITTEE - pat Bowell o Completed HUR report showing State how funding given to Town was allocated - no issues showing funding allocation for projects completed. State also asks about projects not completed - added trail plans not completed as good to list projects that could be completed in future should funds become available.

o Audit report received from auditor. Managernent budget analysis written and sent to auditor to be included in final financial statements.

o As part of cell tower lease discussion, explained Town finances for new Commissioner Callahan - putposes of General fund vs. Water/Sewer fund. W/S fund must be supported by sufficient w/s rates. Cell tower rents are part of w/s fund in addition to consumption fees, debt service fees, etc. Current tower lease agreernents highly subsidize w/s operations - keep town's consumption fees competitivi with other io*n.. Debt service

rates fixed - will decrease as more users enter the water system. Interest in Town,s cell leases for a reason -5G upgrades will result in added value to town's leases in fufure.

Selling leases would result in town losing control of water towers. Keeping leases gives town control of water towers. Current contracts with cell tower llase negotiition company gtve town maximum revenue for leases monthly and any potential extra revenue bases on upgrades. Selling leases would result in lump payment for leases but loss of monthly revenues and potential for increased revenue ln-future from upgrades.

commissioners would have to weigh options of all proposals.

TOWN CLERI( - Aaron Horney o Treasurers/FinanceReport o General Fund -$294,016.94 o Water/Sewer Fund - $124,630.30 o Minutes o Oct.2E,2020 Regular Meeting Comm- Hardee motion to accept the minutes as written. Comm. Callahan second.

VOTE:3aye-0nay.

o Oct.28,2020 Closed Session Comm. Hardee motion to accept the minutes as written. pres. Willis second.

VOTE:3aye-0nay.

o Nov. 5,2020 Special Meeting Comm. Hardee motion to accept the minutes as written. pres. Willis second.

VOTE:3aye-0nay.

o Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received o Nothing to report TOWN MANAGER - Amy Moore o Amendments have been proposed to County's liquor laws that would allow liquor licenses in county locations in addition to locations within municipalities in the county.

Could remove incentive for restaurants to come to municipalities instead of locations in Kent Island, etc. If any concerns, should voice via letter to County Commissioners as soon as possible.

o Proposal received from George Frigon to work as an advisor and address various WWTP if issues. Commissioners agree should discuss proposal at a future meeting to determine services needed. Will work on scheduling meeting.

o Due to Govemor's newly issued mandates concerning Covid-l9 - should Town Office resume rotating staff between working at home/ofEce? Commissioners agtee should go to one staff member in office/one at home starting after Thanksgiving. Commissioner Hardee suggests meetings go back to all virtual as well.

OLD BUSINESS

o I&Iproject Some cleanout caps still to replace - Chris and Bryan working to complete/veriff completion by property owners.

o Water Tower & Infrastructure project o Interim Financing Ms. Moore contacted Queenstown Bank, Shore United Bank, BB&T Bank to borrow $1,828,000 in interim financing for 2 years and repay interest only monthly. Queenstown offer was z.goh, Shore United offer was 2.65yo, BB&T offer was l.5l%. Ms. Bowell specified these are not comparable offers as BB&T offer was for paying interest on entire amount of loan funds whether drawn or not.

Other two offers are interest on actual amount of loan funds drawn. Should try to negotiate better rate from Queenstown/Shore United. Commissioners agree not to go with BB&T offer.

Dudley Property - Acceptance of terms o ORDINANCE

20-05 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN

TO AUTHORZE THE PURCHASE OF 0.67 ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY

F. WICK DUDLEY, PETER I. DUDLEY AND CLAY D. EVANS' TAX MAP

5IH, GRID 21, PARCEL 40 FIFTH ELECTION DISTRICT, QUEEN ANNE'S

COUNTY, 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

TO EXECUTE SUCH DEEDS AND PLATS AS ARE

QUEENSTOWN

NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE SALE (eligiblefor adoption) . Held public hearing on ordinance Sept. 23,2020 - no public comments were received.

.

After discussion, Pres. Willis motion to adopt Ordinance 20-05- Motion second by Comm. Callahan. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay' r Comm. Hardee motion to authorize Pres. Willis to execute purchase agreement for Dudley property. Pres. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - o nay.

o Wheatland's Project o petition for Planned Development - Waterman Family Limited Partnership Discussed earlier in meeting.

Speeding on Main St.

Sheriff Deputies have been in town issuing citations. Ms. Quynn-Reno stated she has no new information on speeding mail vehicles. Appreciates the extra attention of the Sheriffs Department. Suggests setting up speed detail later in evening now that it is getting darker earlier - speeders more dangerous for pedestrians when darker.

Boat Ramp improvements Ms. Moore met with Bob Rauch early November to discuss boat ramp improvements.

Rauch's drafter will draft a scope of work for improvernents at ramp.

Boat Landing parking and signage Regulation sign has been installed. Working on notice sign to attach to draw attention to it. Draft permit application, permit stickers, parking signage ready for review.

Commissioners ok with designs, will proceed with ordering. Discussion on need for permits for any parking at landing regardless of use of ramp launch. Discussion on draft ordinance to require permitting for use of landing area and draft resolution to establish permit fees. can discuss fees further at future workshop session.

o Comm. Hardee motion to introduce Ordinance20-07. Pres. Willis second. VOTE:

3 aye-0nay.

O ORDINA}ICE 20.07 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN

OF

QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND CHAPTER 13 OF THE QUEENSTOWN CODE

TITLED "PARKS AND PUBLIC PROPERTY' TO ADD SECTION

13.4

TITLED "PERMITS FOR USE OF QUEENSTOWN BOAT RAMP''

o Public hearing for Ord. 20-07 will be scheduled for Decernber Commissioner's meeting.

o Town Dock projects Met with Rauch, scope of work has been drafted. Still waiting to hear from the Army Corps of Engineers.

NEW BUSINESS

ORDINANCE 20.06 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO

AMEND SECTION 14.35 OF THE QUEENSTOWN CODE TO PROVIDE THAT THE

PROPERTY OWNER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE WATER

METER AT THE TIME oF INSTALLATION (eligibte for introduction) o Pres. Willis motion to introduce Ordinanie ZO-OA. Comm. Callahan second.

VOTE:3aye-0nay.

o Public hearing for Ord. 20-06 will be scheduled for December Commissioner,s meeting.

RESOLUTION 20.106 - A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMISSIONERS

OF

QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND SECTION 19-19.1 OF THE

QUEENSTOWN

CHARTER TO MODIFY THE TIME FOR FILING AS A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE IN

TOWN ELECTIONS TO TWENTY-FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ELECTION

(e ligible for adoptio n) o Pres. Willis motion to adopt Res. 20-106. Comm. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye

- 0 nay.

ATTORNEY UPDATES

Waiting to hear from Rauch regarding water tower to get end date for when we have to make a decision on USDA loan for the water tower. Hofe to get before next worksession.

Also working on utility easement for the Friel property as they were receptive to an easement thru their property.

PI]BLIC COMMENT

o Ms. Di Quynn-Rcno Stated that she appreciates the work done to the boardwalk regarding the power washing.

Her walks on the boardwalk are more pleasant and it looks grat.

There being no further business at this time, President Willis motion to close the meeting at 9:01 pm. Cornmissioner Hardee second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

TOWN OF QUEENSTOWII

ELECTION RESULTS

November 2, 2020 @lection Cancelled) Alton Hardee, Jr. filed and qualified for the office of Town Commissioner of Queenstown. No one filed a certificate of nomination to be placed on the ballot as a write-in candidate by the October 23, 2020 deadline. Therefore, the election was considered uncontested and was cancelled, pursuant to Section 19-21.2 of the Town Charter. Mr. Hardee is herebv declared as re-elected as Town

Commissioler of Queenstown for a 3-year term, beginning November 18,2020.

Aar:5n R. Horney, Town

OATH OF OFFICE

I, Alton Hardee, Jr., do swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland and support the Constitution and Laws thereof; and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgement, diligently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice' execute the office of Town commissioner of eueenstown, according to

the Constitution and Laws of this State.

Alton Hardee, Jr.

I certify this to be Alton llardee, Jr.,s true act:

rl

/J: 20

-QoAo Date Notary public My Commission Expires: at lrtarOl,t aoaS