Town Commissioners Minutes — 2025-01-22

QUEENS TOWr\ C OMI\IS STONERS January 2212025 PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan, Finance Chair Pat Bowell

PT]BLIC HEARING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:OOPM

oRDTNANCE 24-05 - ANI ORDINANICE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO REPEAL AND REPLACE CHAPTER 7 OF TI{E QUEENSTOWN CODE TO ESTABLISH THE PROHIBITION OF

ODOR NUISANICES

PT]BLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments heard or submitted on the proposed ordinance.

REGT]LAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:O2PM

GTIESTS

.

David castle - sunwise Solar RE: Solar options for Town Commissioners discussed questions regarding proposed Sunwise contract with Mr. Castle. Define Commercial Operation Date? When system is turned on and is operational. With town sharing field with other towns how is that managed? Queenstown would have separate equipment/meten Agreement term seems long at25 years? Standard length term for this type of project. Towns rate

would be capped while standard energy rates would continue to increase for traditional electric.

Initial contract price of $0.0941kwh would increase by 15% per year through 25-year term- cap would be around $0.13/kwh at end of term. Towns current energy bills with Delmarva Power include enetgy/delivery charges and other charges. Energy/delivery charges should be removed from Delmarva bill. Energy would be billed by Sunwise instead. Only any overage energy needed would appear on Delmarva bill which would be unlikely unless Towns energy needs increase in

future. Other charges would remain on bill but would be based on non-S.ttr*G energy kwh used by Town so would likely decrease. If Town anticipates increased energy needs in futue, could be worked into contract. Town currently at I megawatt. System maxes-out around 2 megawatts.

Expects a 12-18 month process target time for beginning operation. Commissioners will consider further and make a decision at a later date.

PT'BLIC WORKS

o Amendments to QAC Water/Sewer Plan reviewed by Planning Commission and approvedrecommend sending to CountY.Hardee motion to send. amendments to Countv. Callahai second.

VOTE:3alte-0naL o Snow removal policy draft presented to Commissioners for review . Hard.ee motion to adopt the Town snow removal poliq. willis second. vorE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

PLAI\NING COMMISSION

o Proposing amendments to Zonng Ordinance to address tIB538 which would allow manufactured homes, 18233 & S8268 which are Critical Area amendments relating to climate, equity, and administrative provisions. Ordinance will be ready for possible introduction at February tn"ltitrg.

' Requested Town staff draft a proclamation acknowledging former Planning mernber phil Snyder's years of service to Queenstown. Commissioners agree in addition to make Mr. Snyder Queenstorvn Community Volunteer of the Year. Ms. Moore will have ready by next meeting.

FINAI\CE COMMITTEE (no updates) coDE ENFORCEMBNTIITARBORMASTER (no updates) EVENTS COMMITTBE (no updates)

TOWI\I CLERK

1.

Treasurers/FinanceReport o General Fund 8237 ,188.63 / Water-Sewer Fund $19,280.52 / ARPA Fund $591 ,7gl.5g 2.

Minutes o January 8,2025 (Regular meeting) Callahan motion to accept as written. Hardee second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

3.

Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received o Board of Appeals merrbers current terms up in February- all have expressed interest in continuing on new terms. Hardee motion to re-appoint all current members to new l-]tear terms. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

o New solar speed signs have come in. Will begin preparing them for installation.

TOWI\ MANAGER T]PDATES

o Reside,nt Vince Guido inquired if he and his wife could purchase a bench to install on the boardwalk for pedestrians to rest. Town would need to determine if there is sufficient room on the boardwalk to accommodate a bench. Commissioners agree to allow request as long as bench is similar in style to others in town and can fit on boardwalk.

o Comm. Willis, Ms. Moore, and Mr. Horney attended ESAM Legislative Dinner Meeting last night. Several eastern shore delegates and se,nators present to discuss General Assernbly updates as follows: Governor introduced FY26 budget- towns shouldn't feel any changes however the counties will which may filter down to towns. Highway User funds safe for FY26 but changes may come after that.

o Floriat LLC inquired about timeline/requirements for doing a perc test for septic on property they intend to operate cannabis growing facility on. Per Town Code, wells/septic not permitted with exception of non-potable wells on ag parcels. Referred them to Sectionsl4.4(C) and 14.6 which deal with exemption requests.

o Water/Sewer Rate Study info- Greensboro had MD Rural Water do one but took over a year and info provided ultimately wasn't helpful. Also had another company do one for cost of $24,000 which provided very helpful info.

o Closed Session needed at end of meeting to discuss personnel matter.

OLD BUSINESS ITEMS

INFRASTRUCTT]RE

1. I & I Project (no uPdates)

2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project (no updates)

3.

Solar (discussed above)

MARINE PROJECTS

l.

Federal Channel Dredging (no updates)

POLICY

1. Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications & Revisions (no updates)

2.

Road and Sidewalk Standards o Work Session held yesterday. Will meet with Rauch to discuss further.

3. Ordinanc e 24-05 - ANI ORDINANICE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO REPEAL

ANID REPLACE CHAPTER 7 OF THE QI.JEENSTOWN CODE TO ESTABLISH TIIE

pROHIBITION OF ODOR NUISANCES (eligiblefor adoption) . Callahan motion to adopt Ordinance 24-05. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 na!.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

l.

Wheatland's Project o Developer looking to discuss w/s reservation/allocation- asking where does Town stand with ptogr"s of water project. Town close- still working with USDA sending documents needed and working with bond council.

2' :tt5p*tlsllitri'**ri'e with engineer for a ptan. witt follow up with rown once put together.

NEW BUSINESS

o pres. Hardee inquired about status of Queenstown Harbor water issues. Believed a report was to be put together io address low water pressure issues. Ms. Moore wasn't aware of report statusbelieves itutr is that pressures will increase when lines in the area are looped. Ms. Moore will follow up with Rauch for any updates.

ATTORNEY ITPDATES (no uPdates)

PI,BLIC COMMENT

o Di Quynn-Reno Asked if the Town has or is considerittg a severe weather/snow emergency plan? Believes would be beneficial to Town as the last snowstorm showed a need for improvem€nt of the Town's response to snow events. Commissioners agreed and informed that they just adopted a snow plan.

Ms. Reno would like to see document as she can offer suggestions to add to plan such as protocols for residents with special medical needs, what happenr if essential employees aren't able to come in, what happens if private property is damaged during snow clearing, ensuring employees are trained to use equipment, etc. The Commissioners welcome any suggestions and Ms. Moore will provide a copy of the plan to Ms. Reno for her review.

Callahan motion to leave the regular meeting and enter a closed session at 7:05pm. I(illis second.

VOTE:3alte-0nalt.

CLOSED SESSION (Authorized by Section 3405A) of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, and voted upon in Opm Session) The purpose of the closed session was to discuss a personnel matter.

Willis motion to adiourn the closed session and return to the regular meeting at 7:29pm. Callahan Ms. Moore mentioned that the lift trailer the Town recently rented to take down holiday decoration around town worked great. Town resident Pat DeVitto sells such lifts. Commissioners agree should inquire with him regarding Town needs and possible ptrchase of a lift.

There being no further business. Hardee motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:30pm. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye-0nalt.

Respectfully submitted,

M.:3>

TOWN OF OUEENSTOWN

CLOSED MEETINGIEXECUTIVE SESSION RECORD

A public body that meets in closed session may not discuss or act on any matter not permitted urder the Maryland Statute summarized below. The public meeting law does not apply to executive fi.rnctions, quasi judicial functions, or chance encounters or social meetings.

(I)

DATE AND TIME OF PROPOSED CLOSED MEETING OR DGCUTTVE

SESSION:

5an.a Date: Psa5 rime: 1:o5f - 1:M pn

(2) LEGAL AUTHOzuTY FOR CLOSING PUBLIC MEETING OR GOING TNTO

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

Open Meetings Aqt, Maryland Code Annotated, State Government Article, 10- $ 508(a), 2004 Repl. Vol.

ftT\ discuss:

\.-/ (i) theappointment,employment,assignment,promotion,discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has jurisdiction; or (ii) any other personnel matter that affects I or more specific individuals;

(2) protect the privacy or reputation of individuals with respect to a matter

that is not related to public business;

(3) consider the acquisition of real property for a public pu{pose and matters

directly related thereto;

(4) consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial

orgaruzation to locate, expand, or remain in the State;

(5) consider the investment of public funds;

(6) consider the marketing of public securities;

(7) consult with counsel to obtain legal advice;

(8) consult with staff, or other individuals about pending or potential

litigation;

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

to the negotiations;

(10) discuss public security, if the public body determines that public

discussion would constitute a risk to the public or to the public secrrrity, including;

(i) the deployment of fire and police services and staff; and

(ii) the development and implementation of emergency plans;

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

examination;

(lZ) conduct or discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible criminal conduct;

(13) comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed

."q,riri-ent that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or matter; 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, public 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:

W

r*,-riSSton Ou*. of Board, Agency, Commission, or Commiuee)

(4) IDENTIFY TOPIC(S) PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSION IN CLOSED SESSION:

(5)

MEMBERS OF BOARD, AGENCY, COMMISSION, OR COMMITTEE

PRESENT AT PUBLIC MEETING AT WHICH CLOSED SESSION

REQUESTED:

Name Vote on Closr:re (circle,5nqect vote)

A

L h\ard,er Q4Aeainst .^.

6rto , C.l\^bo^ ({or,},'uainst ,4..

Q9*ainst For/Against For/Against

(6) TIME CLOSED SESSION CONVENED: _-J_to5pn

?:XQpn

TIME CLOSED SESSION CONCLUDED:

(7) PERSONS PRESENT AT CLOSED SESSION:

I

Q Harl*l 6rvn" 6l\arha',, 7oa ttji$'s, ,

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

(e) PURPOSE OF AND TOPICS DISCUSSED AT CLOSED SESSION:

(10) SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY:

No"q-

CERTIFICATE OF PRESIDING OFFICER

I hereby certify that I am the presiding officer of public board, agency, commission, committee, or other public body of the Town of frnlrylana. I further certiff that by a majority vote on the i a + \-A. " { t .d r ay o^f eqeenstown, (, the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or commission voted to ffigforthepurpoSeS,andtodiscussthetopics,setforthabove,andthat no other topics *.tr discussed, and that the foregoing is a true record of the closed

meeting described herein. The Clerk or Secretary is directed to maintain this document as a public record of the Town of Queenstown,, and to append the same to the minutes of the next public meeting of the aforesaid agency, board. committee, or commission.

Date Signature Sl l{o.All.- Printed Name n .^ I P+si&enf Title