Town Commissioners Minutes — 2025-04-09

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

QUEENSTOWI\ COMMISSIONERS
April 9,2025
PRESENT: President AI Hardee, Commissioner Tom Willis, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town
Clerk Aaron Horney, Finance Committee Chair Pat Bowell
(NOTE: WORK SESSION SCHEDALED FOR 3:00PM WAS CANCELLED)
REGT]LAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:OOPM
GTIESTS
.
Robert Rauch, RAUCH, Inc. - Town Engineer RE: Water/Sewer Rate Study
Rate study more intensive than expected- many variables that need to be disbussed. Suggested a
work session be scheduled to discuss in detail. Generally, is assumed expenses will increase by
l0% n new fiscal year. Has factored in current 447 EDUs, debt to retire, and costs of the Old
Wharf project in getting an estimate of what Town's projected income vs. expenses will be-
estimates revenue of $649,000 vs. expenses of $959,920. Suggests town may need to raise debt
service fees and consumption rates to close the gap. When revenue from Wheatlands will come in
will factor into calculations as well. Commissioners agree to schedule a work session with Rauch
for April 1l at 2pmto discuss further.
PT]BLIC WORIG
o
Grease in Outlets pump station- GM contacted all restaurants and all have working grease traps
and are pumped regularly. Will be addressing issue with each food location onsite as well. WS
operator plans to raise the levels in the pump station to allow for manual removal of grease
currently present.
o
Still waiting on part for generator at WWTP. Have filed claim with insurance to see if covered
under breakdown policy- would be $10k deductible if so. Original maintenance agreement is
.
basic/doesn't include what most preventative maintenance agreements would include. Includes
basic items such as filter/oil changes. Now recommending a new maintenance plan- will put
together for Commissioners review.
.
AT&T looking to upgrade equipment on Wall St. tower. Plans sent to Town tower consultant
company for review and comments.
o
Complaint/concerns received from resident on Old Wharf La. regarding tractor trailers recent use
of Maryland Ave/Old Wharf La. going towards MD 18. Have been at lease 4 incidents in last 12
months. No damage other than ruts created from recent event. Some mailbox damage during last
incident. Any way to address- signage? Commissioners ask if resident can contact trucking
company as they have their info from previous incident- inquire why using those roads? Can then
decide if any actions needed to address further.
.
Complaint received from resident about truck/trailer parked on Olde Point La. Owner lives on
Wick Ct. Signs in place prohibiting trailer parking on Wick (owner still parks there- has received
a citation) Owner also parks on Olde Point but is allowable under current l2hrr'.limit. Interest in
changing the ordinance to limit parking further on Olde Point? Commissioners agree if further
complaints from other residents received they will consider changes to current parking
regulations.
o
Met with Harry Meissner about storm grates on Steanrboat Ave. One near 215 is ok as is- no
changes recommended. One at 219 is below street level due to layers of pavement buildup.
Property owner at 219 concerned with parking by the gtate. Recommends new grate to place on
top of box/grate currently there. Town will need to cut asphalt back for new grate.
o
Comm. Willis discussed plant expansion with WS operator Greg Smith- informed Mr. Smith
states there is enough room at curre,lrt WWTP site to expand plant capacity from 200,000 to
400,000 gallons per day. Also states town currently does not have enough emergency storage
capacity- could use any additional property acquired by town for increasing storage capacity.
Willis also suggested town TV lines along Del Rhodes Ave. from US 301 to the pump station to
determine if sediment/debris in pump station caused by cracked lines. Pres. Hardee asked to find
out if had been done before. If so, what were the results and if not it needs to be. Willis motion to
have lines TV'd either watt. Hardee second. VOTE: 2 alte - 0 nalt.

PLANNING COMMISSION
o
Gave approval of Wheatland's record plats for Phase I and 2with easement relief on a couple
end townhouse lots. Approval given on condition of an approved PWA. Phase 1 includes 109
residences.
FINAI\CE COMMITTEE
o
Chair Pat Bowell attended LGIT insurance meeting- Expects insurance premiums to rise 8Vo for
FY2026 over FY 2025. Confirmed town has cyber incident coverage- also possibility that recent
WWTP generator issues may be a covered loss.
o
Attended QAC tax set-off meeting. Town will receive $163,000. Fireworks funding will be
determined on pending decision by County on allowance of fireworks within the county- if so,
will be funded.
CODE BNFORCEMENT/HARBORMASTER (no updates)
EVENTS COMMITTEE
o
Easter Egg Hmt event a success. Currently working on budget for FY2026 events.
TOWN CLERK
l.
TreasurersffinanceReport
o
Gen Fund 5146,748.60 W/S Fund $67,737.00 ARPA Fund $591 ,937.64
o
Current CDs totals: General $703,596.50 Water/Sewer $266,697.58
2.
Minutes
.
March 26,2025 (Regular Meeting)
Hardee motion to approve as written. Willis second. VOTE: 2 a:te - 0 nay.
.
March 26,2025 (Closed Meeting)
Willis motion to approve as written. Hardee second. VOTE: 2 aye - 0 nay.
3.
Correspondence/RequestsAnfo - Sent and Received (nothing to reportl
TOWI{ MANAGER T]PDATES
o
Letter seeking reimbursement for grease damage at Steamboat Ave. sent to property owner in
amount of $6,251. Awaiting response.
.
krquiry from ham radio group about potential interest from Town to allow placement of
equipment on water tower. Group provides emergency radio backup to QAC emergency system.
Currently has antenna on county'owned tower but will need to move in near future. Non-profit
and currently pay no rent to county. Nothing concrete at this time- just feeling towns out. County
may move them to another county-owned location. Commissioners suggested if any agreement
the Corurty should pay lease fees to Town for the space as the service is to benefit the County.
.
Outstanding Items updated as follows:
o
Water quality at Queenstown Harbor- water samples taken last week- Awaiting results.
.
Royal Farms trash- resident contacted corporate office since last meeting. Corporate informed
they contacted the store manager to clean up and take pictures. Instructed manager to check
on trash throughout the daylduring each shift. Informed they will follow up on this and will
look into getting a fence installed to address trash entering adjacent residential properties. Ms.
Moore contacted them today reiterating these concerns and requesting a fence be installed.
.
Electronic Speed Signs- Need to have utilities marked- Miss Utility won't process service
ticket without SHA permit #. Currently working on getting SHA permit.
.
Outlet Center Lighting- They are currently drafting an RFP to try to outsource lighting work
as part of a larger project. Will update town once RFP is complete and has response from
corporate office. If denied, plan to work on in-house one at a time. Pres. Hardee asked Ms.
Moore to contact Outlets about need to clean up the property as well as the buildings are in
need of powerwashing/painting- property looking dirty.
OLD BUSINESS ITEMS
INFRASTRUCTT]RE
1. I & I Project (no updates)
2.
New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project
a.
Interim Financing
Ms. Moore stated that for the interim line of credit, Town would need to take a minimum
draw of $50,000 at time of settlement to meet tax-exempt requirements. Construction
agreement must be in place in order to do first draw which town does not have yet as
project hasn't been put out to bid yet. Town as of now has $206k in soft costs spending

on the project that will be eligible for refund to the town upon taking the draw down. Will
discuss with Town Attorney.
b.
Bond Counsel
Pre-closing scheduled for 4116, final closing on 4117. President & Town Clerk to sign
documents.
3.
Solar (no updates)
MARINE PROJECTS
1.
Federal Channel Dredging
Bayland believes they can amend the shoreline protection in place now to provide more
adequate erosion protection, which MDE wants to see. Will have additional design fee now
and add some cost to the construction grant. Will pull additional engineering costs from same
grant. DNR can work with town to try to increase grant funds if total project cost cemes in
over the grant amount. No guarantee, but DNR should be able to cover costs if project stays
reasonable priced
POLICY
l.
Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications & Revisions
Currently under review.
2.
Road and Sidewalk Standards
Amendments previously discussed have been made and is ready for approval. Willis motion
to approve the revised Road and Sidewalk Standards. Hardee second. VOTE: 2 aye - 0 nay.
3.
Water/Sewer Rate Study (discussed earlier by Bob Rauch during Guests)
4. ORDINAI\ICE 25-03 . A}I ORDINANICE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO
AMEND ARTICLE II AND ARTICLE TV PART ITI OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING
ORDINANCE TITLED, "CRITICAL AREA OVERLAY DISTRICT'' TO COMPLY WITH
RECENT LEGISLATION (public hearing scheduled fo, 4/23/25)
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
l.
Wheatland's Project
2.
6915 Main Street
Town Attorney currently working on finalizing a purchase agreement for review.
NEW BUSINESS (none)
ATTORNEY UPDATES (no updates)
PUBLIC COMMBNT (none)
There being no further business, Hardee motion to adjourn the meeting at 5:28 pm. Willis second. VOTE:
2aye-0nalt.
W
Town Clerk