Town Commissioners Minutes — 2024-01-31

QUEENSTOWT{ COMMISSIONERS

January 31, 2024 PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan PUBLIC HBARING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 pM

PROPOSED ORDINAI\CE 24.01 A}I ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF

QUEENSTOWN APPROVING ANID ADOPTING A DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS AND

RESPONSIBILITIES AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE TOWN COMMISSIONERS OF

QUEENSTOWN AND WATERMAN FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, PURSUANT TO THE

QUEENSTOWN TOWN CODE

o Barry Waterman and Joe Stevens were present to give an overview of their DRRA petition submitted to the Town. Mr. Stevens stated that exhibits included with the petition show the petition complies with the current Town Comprehensive Plan and all applicable Town ordinances. Also discussed were the benefits to the Town resulting from the DRRA including increased tax revenue and lots offered to the Town.

PIJBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED

' Matt Reno - Planning Commission recornmends Town take ownership of offered buffer areas and I acre lot. Buffer area could be used for trails/possible kayak launch in future and lot could be used for trailer storage or other revenue stream for town. Good amenities for the town.

' Pat Bowell - Encourages Town to approve the agreement. Will lead to long-term financial benefits to the town. Is responsible growth for town.

o Geneva Rieu - Agrees with statements made by Mr. Reno. Trail would be a benefit to town.

o Di Quynn-Reno - Trail in buffer area would be good for town. Would encourage integration of current residents with people from new development areas- avoid 'ous vs. them" mentality. place for trailers would be benefit to town. Encourages town to accept PC recommendations.

o BeckylRyan Booth - Land is asset to town. Should accept DRRA and take ownership of buffer/lots offered.

' Claire/Ryan Malvey - Support town ownership of buffer. Planning for future considering walkability, boatability, accessibility to nature important to town and residents.

OTHER DISCUSSION

o Mr. Watennan clarified that the "trailer lot" would come with acceptance of the buffer area.

Town has 5 years to decide if it wants to take ownership but no guarantee regarding the lot if an HOA is established and decides to take ownership of the-lot before the S-year periodls up.

Commissioners concerned about trailer lot space- would all be claimed before any new homes are built? Lead to problems possibly- how to address? Could take ownership of buffer and lot now but choose to not do anything with either for now and determine any use in the future?

n the

REGTJLAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:41PM

GUESTS (none)

PUBLIC WORKS

' Susquehanna WWTP Operations Agreement submitted for review - will need closed session to discuss following regular meeting.

' 2 bids received for lead service line inventory project- Rauch: $205,985 / KCI:30,317.63.

Appears to be differences in scope of bids. Ms. Ryan suggests interviewing bidders to understand differences in bids received. Commissioners agree- Ms. Moore/IVIs. Ryan to meet with bidders.

o Resident_Elaine Crispell concerned about issues with her driveway settling in one area- believes may be from water erosion underneath. Can town look into? Comm. Callahan will visit site to view issue in person before Commissioners make decision on any actions taken.

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Maryland House Bill 1427 requires towns that experience nuisance flooding to develop nuisance flooding plan- must be submitted to MDP, published on town website and updated every 5 ye3rs.

Town currently overdue on requirement. Ms. Moore will work on drafting a plan for review for next meeting.

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Need for extra keys for Town vehicles? Costly to make extras- $150 each. Currently have 2 for each vehicle. Need accessible for office staff, public works, plant operators. Commissioners agree have current sets stored in areas accessible to all staff- no need for additional sets at this time.

PLAIINING COMMISSION

o PC recommends Commissioners accept the buffer area and 1 acre lot for trailer storage at Wheatlands.

. Requesting further context of Commissioners request for reconsideration of PC proposed cannabis regulations. Pres. Hardee stated belief that certain areas proposed to be off limits to dispensarieJ could limit opportunities for Town in future. Believes certain areas could be acceptable and possibly only suitable locations for any future business. Limiting options could cost town tax revenue down the road.

o Still discussing homeless shelter proposal. Will have Haven Ministries at February meeting to further discuss.

SAFETY & SPEEDING TASK FORCE

o Three benches ordered to be installed in Town Center area hopefully in the next week or so.

FINAI\CE COMMITTEE

. Finance Chair Pat Bowell completed tax setoff report requested by the county. Won't know amount town will get next fiscal year until County gets updated info in February. However, anticipating same as current fiscal year (5164,922)

CODE ENFORCEMENT/IIARBORMASTER

. Currently addressing untagged vehicle issues on Harbor Lane and Thompson Ave. with letters issued to ProPerty owners.

EVENTS COMMITTEE

o planning Easter Egg Hunt and other activities for Marchz3'd at2pm at town park with rain date of March 24th.

TOWI\ CLERK

1.

TreasurerslFinanceRePort General -$334,499.47 lW-S - $83,361 .03 IARPA -s642,276.52 2.

Minutes o December 13,2023 (Regular meeting) willi, .

January 16,2024(SPecial meeting)

3. Correspondence/RequestsAnfo - Sent and Received

o Comptaints received about parking at Second and Steamboat Aves. Vehicles parking on roadway along fencing- blocking purt of road. Prevents school bus from accessing road.

Install tto p*fhg signs to addresrZ Co*-issioners believe issue will resolve itself shortly as vehicles are related to work being done at nearby residence. Will continue to monitor and contact vehicle owners when vehicles are present to inform thern to move.

. Board of Appeals members terms expire in February. All are willing to continue serving. No interest from other residants to serve on board. Willis motion to reappoint all current

TOWI\ MANAGER T]PDATES

o American Legion Auxiliary Unit 296 serfi thanks to Town for donating to the 2023 Wreaths Across America effort. Donations received help place wreaths on every glave at Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetry in Hurlock.

o Will need a closed session after the regular meeting to discuss personnel matters.

OLD BUSINESS

INFRASTRUCTT]RE

. I& IProject (nouPdates) o New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project Ms. Moore stated she was informed by James Cook with Rauch that he received email notice that funding was approved. Town has not received such notice so will follow up to confirm if accurate. Have received notice that ER/PER have been approved.

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Membrane Clean - Valve Automation Contracts drafted for electrical and piping work- reviewed and approved by Ms. Ryan. Ready for ' town approvaVsignature. Pres. Hardee signed the contracts on behalf of the Commissioners.

MARINE PROJECTS

l.

Boat Ramp Improvements MDE issued permit for pier. Had to reduce width from 6 to 5ft per MDE regulations. No change in price from contractor H&H.

2.

Town Dock Projects All construction is completed. Contacted Sean MacNeal to look at wobbly/leaning finger pier sometime this week for opinion on cause and possible repairs.

3.

Federal Channel Dredging Have requested update on status of study/report. Waiting for response.

POLICY

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I Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications & Revisi ons (no updates) 2.

Road And Sidewalk Standards Rauch almost ready with draft for Commissioners review. Will forward copy later in the week.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

l.

Wheatland's Project a.

DRRA & PWA

ORDINANCE 24-01 - e ligible for adoption Commissioners wish to discuss further questions regarding the DRRA with Town Attorney during closed session following the regular meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

' Pres. Hardee discussed town policy regarding working from home. Belief that policy should be halted and in cases when ernployees are unable to be in-office due to personal appointments, etc., employees should take personal days instead of working partial days from home. After discussion, agree that employees be required to notiff Commissioners when requesting to work from home if needed.

' Mr. Horney informed Commissioners that the Town's current billing software provider (Muni- Link) also offers notification services similar to services Commissioners recently inquired about looking into for town updates. Would be nominal costs to town to add service that would provide email and phone voice notifications. Callahan motion to have Muni-Link notfrcation serttice Willis VOTE:

ATTORNEY IJPDATES (no updates) PIJBLIC COMMENT (none) to obtain

CLOSED SESSION

(Only il'needed, authorized by Section 3-305(b) of the General Provisions Article of the Mary*lond Annotated Code, and voted upon in Open Session) The Commissioners met in closed session to discuss Susquehanna WWTP Operations Agreemant, Waterman/Wheatlands DRRA, and personnel issues.

'il lis

VOTE: