Town Commissioners Minutes — 2025-02-26

QUEENSTOWI\ COMMISSIONERS

February 261 2025 PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan

WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:00 PM

o Brian Fitzgerald - Rauch, Inc. RE: Review of the following topics:

1.

Proposed Road Design Standards- responses to questions from previous review.

o Cul-de-sac radius measured from center to edge of pavement (40ft) & center to edge of ROV (52 ft). Size is standard- should be adequate for emergency vehicle use but can confirm.

o Residential street width standards/classifications- classifications based on how much traffic expected to travel street type. Can remove access street classification and have all streets be a minimum of 34 ft. wide.

o Standard details for sidewalks and ROW infrastructure can be implemented- will prepare proposal.

o Fire Hydrant color standard can be changed to red to match current hydrants.

.

Directional drilling standard is included to ensure contractors and their work meet appropriate standards.

2.

Water Quality Report o Discussed findings of study related to ongoing water quality issues in Queenstown Harbor development area. Water samples showed iron present increased towards end of lines. Believe dead end lines and elevation rises through the length of the lines are causes of sediment/iron and low-pressure issues in this area. Tying the mains into a loop should help with sediment issues. Houses in area

may have nalrow laterals which may be causing pressure issues from friction loss as well. Increased lateral widths and installation of pressure pumps along the main line would help pressure issues. Residents present expressed desire to explore this solution. Can get cost estimate/recommendation for pump installation- Commissioners Willis and Callahan agree. Pres. Hardee abstained from decision as he lives in area affected. Can look into testing black substance noted by Hardee

as being present in washing machine as well.

After no funher discussion,

ZZ

second. VOTE: 3 alte - 0 nay.

REGULAR MEBTING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:03 PM

GUESTS

' Patrick Belznerr6915 Main RE: Proposed development plans/property discussion Mr. Belzner expressed interest in continuing discussions with Town regarding Town's potential interest in purchasing a portion or the entirety of 6915 Main. Town had discussions with prior owner of property. Belzner exploring 3 scenarios: Subdivide lot into 3 lots and give Town lot 3 for an easement for lot 2, rill lotr 2 and 3 to Town, or

reconfigure lot 2 tohave easement to Charity and add some of lot 2 to lot 3. Town will also need to determine how to proceed regarding WS line agreement in place with prior owner. Will discuss with Mr. Belzner further.

.

David castle, sunwise solar RE: proposed solar agreement Mr. Castle informed that elror noted on proposed contract discussed has been corrected.

Also explained a bill example showing KWh charges from Delmarva bill should decrease or go away completely when on the solar agreement. Town would get bill for electric use from Sunwise. Finance Chair Pat Bowell reviewed agreement and stated the savings not huge starting out but would increase over time assuming the Town's electric demand doesn't greatly increase. Mr. Castle stated that rules regarding community residential

usage would prevent town residents from joining with Town as part of the program however the QVFC could possibly join in if interested- will look into and report back.

PUBLIC WORKS

o Large generator at WWTP has a hydraulic leak. Getting repairs set up.

PLAI\NING COMMISSION (no updates) FINAI\CE COMMITTEE (no updates) CODE ENFORCEMENT/IIARBORMASTER (no update s) EVENTS COMMITTEE (no updates)

TOWI\ CLERK

l.

Treasurers/Finance Report .

General Fund $173,615.28 / W-S Fund $46,943.56 / ARPA Fund $591 ,841.97 2.

Minutes o January 2L,2025 (Work Session) Willis motion to s written. cond. VOTE: 3 January 22,2025 (Regular Meeting) Callahan motion to accept as written. Willi VOTE: 3 o January 22,2025 (Closed Session) Willis motion to as writt n second. Vr -0 3.

correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received o Boardwalk bench donation request by Vincent Guido- boardwalk determined to be too narrow to accommodate a bench. Could place bench at end of boardwalk along sidewalk- is area owned by Queenstown Harbor Community? Pres. Hardee doesnl believe so- likely wouldn't be an issue if is community owned- will look into. Will check with Mr. Guido as well if agreeabte with location and price details

TOWN MANAGER UPDATES

o 2025 MML Conference will be on June 22-25 this year. Town Manager and Clerk will attend plus any Commissioners if interested.

OLD BUSINESS ITEMS

INFRASTRUCTURE

1. I&IProject

Retallick finishing up job in Easton, then will be available to begin working on project.

2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure project

a.

Interim Financing Letter of Commitment from Queenstown Bank to be signed.

Wi ion the Letter Commitment dee s VOTE:3a])e-0na]).

b.

Bond Counsel ORDINANICE 25-01 - AN ORDINANCE of the Town Commissioners of Queenstown (the "town") authorizing the issuance, upon the full faith and credit of the town, of (i) a general obligation installment bond in the principal amount not to exceed one million eight hundred twenty-eight thousand dollars ($ 1,828,000) to be designated "the town commissioners oi q,,r..nstown general obligation bond (water system improvement)" (the "bond"), with such other

designation or modified designation as authorized by the town, and (ii) a general obligation note in the maximum principal amount not to exceed one million eight hundred twenty-eight thousand dollars ($1,828,000) to be designated "the town commissioners of Queenstown general obligation note (water system improvement)" (the "note") with such other designation or modified designaiion as authoized by the town, each under the authorify of L9-207 and 19-301, et seq.

Of the local government article of the annotated code of Maryland (2013 replacement volume, as amended) (the "enabling act") and section 19-46 of the charter of the town (the "charter"); the net proceeds of the sale of the bond and the note, respectively, will be used and applied for the public purpose of financing and refinancing the costs of the refurbishment of the existing 50,000 gallon elevated tank located on wall street, the installation of a new 100,000 gallon

ground storage tank, the construction of a new four inch well into the Mattawan aquifer and a new water treatment facility, and the replacement of undersized and/or defective watermains to meet the provisions of the l0 states standards to all areas within the town service area, and the extension of new water mains to new areas, together with the acquisition of all necessary property rights and equipment, together with any related construction, architectural, financial, fiscal,

legal, design, planning and engineering expenses; prescribing the form and tenor of the bond and the note and the terms and conditions for the issuance and sale of the bond and the note; providing for the levy and collection of any taxes necessary for the prompt payment of the maturing principal of and interest on the bond and the note and that the full faith and credit and taxing power of the town be

irrevocably and unconditionally pledged to the payment of the principal and interest on the bond and the note. (eligible for introduction) Hardee motion to introduce Ordinance 25-01. Willis second. VOTE: 3 av)e - 0 nay.A public hearing will be scheduled for March 26,2025.

c.

Outlets Public Works Agreement I't Amendment/Public Utilities Right of Way & Easement Both documents to be signed.

dee motion ceot and si ts Public Wor ement ltt Amendment. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nqy.

e motion I eot and si Utilities ROW ment. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

3.

Solar (discussed earlier during Guests)

MARINE PROJECTS

1.

Federal Channel Dredging Dept. of Army Permit was submitted on Feb. 18,2025 and is under review.

POLICY

1.

Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications & Revisions (no updates) 2.

Road And Sidewalk Standards (discussed earlier during Work Session) 3.

Water/Sewer Rate Study Quote to do study obtained from Maryland Center for Environmental Training of $9,569.00 - would take around 60 days to complete. Previously submitted Rauch proposal to do study quoted at $10,000.00 with 30-day completion timeframe. Citing Rauch's more agreeable timeframe, Callahan motion to accept Rauch pro- sal.

Willis second. VOTE: 3 alte - 0 nay.

4. ORDINAI\ICE 25-02 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF

QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND ARTICLES VI AND VII OF THE QUEENSTOWN

ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT MANUFACTURED HOMES AND

MODULAR DWELLINGS IN ZONING DISTRICTS THAT PERMIT SINGLE-

FAMILY DWELLINGS AND BY ADDING SECTION 9O.I THERETO, TO

PERMIT QUALIFIED PROJECTS (eligible for introduction) After discussion, Commissioners agree to take no action at this time.

5.

ORDTNAI\CE 25-03 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO

AMEND ARTICLE II AND ARTICLE TV PART III OF THE QUEENSTOWN

ZONING ORDINANCE TITLED, "CRITICAL AREA OVERLAY DISTRICT'' TO

COMPLY WITH RECENT LEGISLATION (eligible for introduction) Commissioners agree to review further prior to any decision.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

1.

Wheatland's Project Met with Town Afforney, Rauch, Waterman, and developer to discuss status of USDA funding. DevelopersAVatennan inquired if could proceed with obtaining costs for putting their own water/sewer in in case something happens with the USDA funding. Were told they can but should be getting approval to bid very soon from USDA- Town still has time to meet deadlines in the DRRA to run water/sewer.

2.

6915 Main Street (discussed earlier during Guests) NEW BUSINESS (nothing to discuss) ATTORNEY UPDATES (no updates) PUBLIC COMMENT (no comments) There being no further discussion, Callahan motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 7;28pm.

Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nav.

Respectfully submitted, &,rz A-aron Horney Town Clerk