Town Commissioners Minutes — 2006-03-30

COMMISSIONERS

QUEET{STOWI{

SPECIAL MEETING

( March 30,,2026 PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Bryon Callahan & Jim Watzin, Town Manager Amy Moore, and Assistant Town Attorney Jen Dindinger SPECIAL MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting was to meet in closed session with Town Attorney to obtain legal advice, then meet in open session with Town Engineer to review first draft of water/sewer rate study, and Commissioners discuss Finance and Completion of Offsite Water Improvements Proposal - Wheatland's Development.

to ourn and enter the ur, o obtainin lepal advice atzinseconded. Vote: 3-dve. }-nav Collahan motioned close the closed session at 6:3I D.m., Watzin seconded, Vote: 3-ave, 0-nay There were no decisions voted on in Closed Session President Hardee called for a ten-minute recess before recalling special meeting to order.

Special meeting recalled to order at 6:40 p.m Robert Rauch, Town Engineer Present water/sewer rate study ( Bob Rauch, Town Engineer, was present to review his first draft of the proposed water and sewer study and obtain some information from the Commissioners on how to proceed. Mr. Rauch approached the study by reviewing where we are with the current rates and operating costs; what costs may increase with

Wheatland's on the system; and recommending capital equipment replacement costs be included. Mr.

Rauch reviewed several spreadsheets related to budget income, expenditures, and debt selice, before reviewing the draft comprehensive water and sewer rate study. As drafted, he is projecting a 37% increase in water and sewer consumption rates in order for the town to meet expense expectations. Mr. Rauch will offer some options on how to breakdown the rate categories to be more favorable to the lower water users

for the Commissioners to consider for inclusion in the final rate study. Currently, there are 320 users using less than 7,000 gallons/month; 22 using 7,000 - 15,000 gallons/month; and 7 users consuming over 15,000 gallons/month.A vast majority of users (320 out of 349 total) fall under the <7,000 gallon tier, but they account for less than half of total consumption. Mr. Rauch will revisit the study with consideration of

including the capital equipment replacement and other costs vs not including. Commissioners will meet with Mr. Rauch again when study is complete.

Discuss Finance and Completion of Offsite Water Improvements Proposal - Wheatland's Development Richmond American Homes (RAH) and Waterman Family Partnership, LLC have proposed to cover the $4. I million shortfall in the water infrastructure project in order for them to begin developing their project.

In return, they request that the Town waive the water and sewer allocation fees, as well as the impact fees.

The Commissionirs discussed and are not in favor of giving up sewer allocation fees or the impact fees.

per the DRRA, we are required to provide Wheatland's water. Developers offered the funding when the shortfall in USDA funding became apparent. Per Barry Waterman, they can build only what is needed for them, which would cost them less. It was agreed that Barry Waterman would go back to RAH with Town's ( blessing that they build their own water system, and water allocation fees would be waived by the Town.

However, sewer allocation fees and impact fees would not be waived.

Mr. Waterrnan asked if they could work under the Town's MDE permits or would they need to be transferred. Ms. Moore will check with engineer. o Mr. Waterman advised that the allocations are stepped in the DRRA and inquired if they could be changed and phased in. Currently allocations will be issued as follows: 50 at start of project, additional 100 at water project completion, final I l7 within four years of the DRRA execution.

Di Quynn-Reno asked if the Town would be able to make water improvements that are needed without Wheatlands and what would it cost the town. She was advised that yes, it could be done without Wheatlands, and the plan would need to be downsized, redrawn and bid. She also recommended getting the word out to the people about these discussions, especially raising water and sewer rates. Not many people attend meetings and probably don't read minutes, newsletters, etc. Important issue that the public

should be aware of and suggested holding a meeting. She was advised that there will be public hearing on any rate increase. President Hardee advised possibly holding a Town Hall meeting on this and other topics.

There being no further business, Callahan motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 p.m. Watzin second.

VOTE:3qve-0nqv.

Respectfully submitted, w.

Town Manager ( ) o TOWI\ OF QLTEENSTOlVN

CLOSED I}IEETIN G/EXECTITIVE SESSION RECORD

A public body that meets in closed session may not discuss or act on any malter not permitted under the Maryland Statute summarized belolv. The public meeting law does not apply to executive functions, quasijudicial func.tions. or chance encounters or social meetings.

(1) DATE AND TIME OF PROPOSED CLOSED ME,ETING OR EXECLITIVE

SESSION:

;00 Date: 3 Time:

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

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

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

1) ( discuss

(i) the appointment, 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 1 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 purpose and matters

directly related thereto;

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

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

(5) consider the investment of public funds;

(6) consider the marketing of public securities;

(D

consult with counsel to obtain legal advice;

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

litigation;

(e) 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 security, including;

(i) the deployment of fire and police services and staffi and (ii) the development and implementation of emergency plans;

(11) prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualifuing examination;

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

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

requirement 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 proposai, public discussion or disciosure 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:

C. \ S\U

c\ (I.{ame of B Agency, Commission, or Committee) (4) TDENTTFY rOprC(S) PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSION IN CLOSED SESSTON:

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(s) MEMBERS OF BOARD, AGE,I{CY, COMMISSION, OR COMMITTEE

PRESENT AT PLJBI,IC MEETING AT WHICH CLOSED SESSION

REQTJESTED:

Name Vote on Closure (circle c vote) gainst aha^ t 1)r \J#z,,ln For/Against or/Against

F

(6) TrME CLOSED SESSION CONVENED:

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TIME CLOSED SESSION CONCLUDED:

(7)

PERSONS PRESENT AT CLOSED SESSION:

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PLACE CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD:

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(9) PTJRPOSE OF AND TOPICS DISCUSSED AT CLOSED SESSION:

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

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CERTIFICATE OF PRESIDING OFFICER

I hereby certify that I am the presiding officer of U I O har s public board, agency, commission, committee, or other public body of the Town of aueerstown, Maryland. I further certify that by a majority vote on the day of the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or corun -S iss O io + n n v oted to hotd a closed meeting for the purposes, and to discuss the topics, set forth above, and that no other topics were discussed, and that the foregoing is a true record of the closed

meeting described herein. l'he Clerk or Secretary is directed to maintain this document as apublic record of the Town of Qtreenstolvn. andto appendthe same to the mintttes of the next public meeting of the afbresaid agency, board, commiftee. or commission.

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Date Signature

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