Town Commissioners Minutes — 2024-03-12

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

QUEENSTOWI\ COMMTSSTONERS
March 12,2024
PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callatran, Town
Manager Amy Moore, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:OO PM
PUBLIC WORKS
o
Called in Kline's to pump out tank at wastewater plant as it was full and mixed liquor
was maxed out.
.
Looked into having Kline's pump out 18,000 gallons of sludge water so that Roberson
Plumbing can replace the operating valves located in the parking lot. Cost is estimated to
be $4-5K. Another option being explored is getting a Rain for Rent tank, pump out to the
tanks to hold while repairs are made, and then pump back when completed. Greg Smith
will keep us posted.
PLANNING COMMISSION
o
As a compromise to allowing the Planning Commission to grant an exception to the 500-
foot cannabis enterprise buffer in an existing commercial building in the HC zone, the
use could be approved by Special Exception. As such, any proposal would be vetted by
the Board of Appeals, who would determine if parking was adequate, could require a
traffic impact study, and can establish appropriate conditions, e.E.,limited signage and
buffering from visibility from US 301. The Board of Appeals process would also allow
the public to comment on the proposal. The text amendment would be something like the
following:
S 87. Cannabis Enterprises.
Cannabis enterprise uses, except on-site consumption businesses, are permitted in the
HC Highway Commercial, RC Regional Commercial, I Industrial districts, and
commercial areas in an approved RPC overlay district subject to the following
conditions:
A. Any proposed development site is located south of us 301.
B. The State of Maryland licenses the enterprise.
C. No enterprise may be located within -firu hundred (500) feet of a pre-existing school,
licensed childcare center, registered famity childcare home, playgrottnd, ricreation
center, Iibrary, public park, or church.J
D. The Boa llow es tn an rc ng tn
the HC Hi Co I di, ial the mitatio
outlined in C notwithstanding. (new text)
Use would be limited to infill properties only. Vacant lots would not be applicable.
' The Planning Commission reviewed a request for a dayhesource center from Haven
Ministries, to be held at Shore Christian Fellowship. Based on the information before
them, the Planning Commission did not consider the proposed use as an accessory use to
a church. They motioned to recommend the Town Commissioners amend the Zoning
Ordinance to provide for a day center as a special exception in churches. This would
require a public hearing and allow the applicant to make a presentation and give the
public an opportunity to ask questions.
Per Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan, a special exception is presumed to be approved. The
more regulatory thing to do would be to permit by variance. Commissioners approved to
table and discuss further at the next meeting.

l-
SAFETY & SPEEDING TASK FORCE
.
As the specific project requesting recommendations for safety traffic measures has been
completed, it was discussed about whether the group needs to continue on a regular basis
or on an as-needed basis. Town staffwill contact the members to get their feedback.
o
Benches - will replace the one in the bump out to match the other new ones purchased.
FINAI\CE COMMITTEE (no updates)
C ODE ENFORCEMENT/HARBORMASTER
.
Letters issued for a few untagged vehicles and trash violations.
EVENTS COMMITTEE
o
Easter Egg Hunt event scheduled for March 23 at}pmwith rain date of March 24.
TOWII CLERK
1. TreasurerslFinanceRePort
General Fund $28,751.41 WS Fund $69,383.88 ARPA Fund $642,330.92
2. Minutes
o
February 28,2024,2024 (Regular meeting)
llis moti itten. Call, VOT.
3. Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received - none
TOWN MANAGER UPDATES
o Rebecca Clark of QAC Economic/Tourism Development requested a meeting with
Town/State officials to discuss the town's economic development vision and any
resources needed. Couldn't make March 12th work, so looking at April 9th at 3:00 p.m.
Waiting for confirmation.
o The Council of Governments (COG) meeting is being hosted by Queenstown on
Wednesduy, March 13th at 6:30 p.m. Town to provide lite dinner. Topics and guest
speakers include: Theresa Young, Executive Direction of American Red Cross of
Delmarva; eAC HazardMitigation Plan (Scott Haas, Emergency Services Director), and
eAC Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance and Regional Hospital (Todd Mohn, County
Administrator).
OLD BUSINESS
INFRASTRUCTURE
1. I & I Project (no update - tabled until spring 2024)
2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project (no update)
3. Mernbrane Clean - Valve Automation
Work began last week on Project
4. Lead Service Line lnventory Project
Ms. Ryan advised that Rauch submitted an agreement for professional services with a
revisei project budget. The original cost of $205,985 was reduced to $ 1 29,345. Ms.
Ryan tras rwiewedihe agreement and found it to be acceptable with the exception of
t[uidated damages. Propose to revise section E to permit the recovery of damages,
including reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses, if any, resulting from
any failnre to submit the inventory by the required due date. Callahan motion to add

MARINE PROJECTS (no updates)
1.
Boat Ramp Improvements (no update)
2.
Town Dock Projects (no update)
3.
Federal Channel Dredging
o
Waiting on final report from Bayland Consultants
.
On our behalf the County has again applied for federal funding through Sen.
Cardin for FY'25.
POLICY
l.
Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications & Revisions (no updates)
2.
Road and Sidewalk Standards (no updates - resend & print hard copies)
3.
Nuisance Flooding Plan
Found no exemption in the State's Nuisance Flood Plan Development Guide
regarding state road flooding in town. Plans for other jurisdictions depict state roads.
Areas that are shown on assessment are Rt. 18@ Skipjack/Melvin and also theTown
dock at 2nd Ave. Asked Ms. Ryan to look into what responsibility the Town would
have, if any, to erect high water signs on a state road if we adopt the draft Plan. If we
don't place signs, is there any liability to the Town? Town staff instructed to contact
SHA about installing permanent signs depicting areas prone to flooding. Ms. Ryan
will also check with Oxford on how they implemented their plan, as they have state
roads that flood.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
l.
Wheatland's Project
a.
DRRA & PWA
ORDINAIICE NO. 24-OI _ AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS
OF QUEENSTOWN APPROVING AND 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. (pending revisions) (no update)
NEW BUSINESS
.
Haven Ministries - proposed daylresource center
Discussed under Planning Commission business
ATTORNEY UPDATES (no updates)
PUBLIC COMMENT
o
Pat Bowell
Noted that all the benches in the Town Center are different. Commissioners advised the
one between office and apartment building is privately owned. Commissioner agreed the
one in the bump out is older and could be replaced to match the new one installed, and
others to be installed.
o
Lane Cole
Suggested Town Manager ask Todd Mohn if the county would like all the chairs back
that were given to us years ago. They are currently taking up much needed storage space
and they have not been used, nor is there a plan to use.
o
Paris Wells
Resident of Second Ave. Researched ordinances and found that livestock and fowl are
not permitted to be raised in town. She would like to raise chickens for meat, not
necessarily for eggs. The raising time would be approximately 6 weeks. They would be

kept in her garage, not free roaming. Commissioners advised that the request has comd
up over the years, but the ordinance prohibiting ha-s rernained in effect. She suggested
that maybe the town could allow it on a permit basis. Commissioners advised that if she
were to get a petition for consideration to amend the ordinance, they may consider
putting it to referendum.
There being no furtlrer business, Hardee rnotion to adjoum the meeting at 5:02pm.
Callahafi second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.
Respectfully Submitted,
Town Manager