Town Commissioners Minutes — 2025-04-23

' QUEENSTOWT{ COMMISSIONERS

April 23,2025 PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahan, Town Clerk "' Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan

PUBLIC HEARING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:OOPM

ORDINANCE 25-03 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO

AMEND ARTICLE II AND ARTICLE IV PART III OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING

ORDINANCE TITLED, "CRITICAL AREA OVERLAY DISTRICT" TO COMPLY WITH

RECENT LEGISLATION

No public comments were received on the proposed ordinance.

CaUanan motion to

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:O2PM

GUESTS

o Patrick Belzner - 6915 Main St.

Mr. Belzer discussed the situation with the property. WS line testing was performed with both failing. Stated his partner who is purchasing the property (Kathleen Snyder) is willing to accept responsibility for having new water/sewer lines installed at the property.

Has signed proposal between Snyder and Steve Roberson Plumbing to have lines installed within 6 months of his purchase of the property. Commissioners agree to allow Snyder to accept responsibility for installing lines. Ms. Ryan will draft agreement between Town and Snyder requiring lines be installed prior to further transfer or occupation of the property. Will require to be signed prior to Town stamping a deed. Ms.

Ryan is also preparing a purchase agreement between the Town and Snyder for Town's purchase of proposed subdivided lots from Snyder following Snyder's purchase of the property and subdivision of said lots.

PUBLIC WORIG

.

Still getting a lot of water coming into the WWTP. Permeability of membranes is going down. Will likely have to schedule inspection earlier than usual.

o Video Pipe was to look at areas of concern on 4118. Still waiting for them to get us a scope and price. Can do the work relatively soon.

o Two Thompson Ave. culverts in poor shape to be replaced on 4124.

o Stonn drain pipe at Messick La./R&D area in bad shape. Martins inspected and believes it should be replaced. Proposal and quote submitted- $20,250.00. Town will attempt to get further quotes from other contractors prior to making a decision.

. Water sample testing at Queenstown Harbor completed/results received. All tests were if within acceptable limits. Awaiting response from Brian Fitzgerald any plan going forward to address dirty water/pressure issues besides planned future looping of water line.

o Awaiting response from utilities before installation of solar speed signs- all have responded except for Talkie- have until tomorrow to respond.

PLANNING COMMISSION (no updates) FINANCE COMMITTEE (no updates)

CODE ENFORC EMENT/HARBORMASTER

.

Royal Farms seems to be keeping up with trash on property now. Have been checked 12 days in a row as of 4122. Clean each time. Will check area backing up to residential properties as well to make sure trash is gone.

EVENTS COMMITTEE (no updates)

TOWN CLERK

l.

Treasurers/Finance Report .

Gen. Fund 5136,725.41 Water/Sewer Fund $245,443.95 ARPA Fund S59l ,937.64 2.

Minutes .

April 9,2025 (Regular Meeting) Callahan motion to approve as written. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

o ll, April 2025 (Work Session) Willis motion to approve as written. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

3. Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received

o Received email from new owners of 220 Old Wharf La. Asking for assistance from town related to the waterfront area between their property and the Town lot next to them. Asking for assistance in removing some dead tree trunks that have washed up and settled in the area and removal of debris from the storm drain pipe that exits in the area. Town will arrange for removal of the debris/tree trunks

TOWN MANAGER UPDATES

o Update from Graeme Walton- They spoke to the truck driver that hit their mailbox in Feb. 2024. They said they got rerouted by their GPS after making a wrong turn they believe. Said they were heading to Friels Cannery. This was the first of 4 incidents over time- the drivers in the other incidents did not stop and did not cause any damage other than ruts in the grass.

OLD BUSINESS ITEMS

INFRASTRUCTURE

1. I & I Project (no updates)

2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project

a.

Interim Financing/Bond Counsel Closing on financing was 4117.9240,782.42 first draw as soft cost reimbursement received to Town W/S fund. USDA requested updated project budget. Rauch has provided- anticipates increase of $ 1.9 million. ($ 1.4 million in construction costs and $412,000 in engineering costs) Cost to rehab Wall St. tower alone went from $93,785 in2023 to $135,000 now. Total cost of project now estimated to be $5.9

million.

b.

Project Status Project has been approved to go out to bid. Will be posting tomoffow hopefully.

3.

Solar (no updates) 4.

Queenstown Harbor Water Issues Discussed during public works updates.

MARINE PROJECTS

1. Federal Channel Dredging

Proposal from Bayland Consultants to provide design services for the breakwater -odifi"ution necessary to obtain State/Federal permits for beneficial placement of dredge material at Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge. Would be additional cost of $18,000. Per Isaac at DNR, grant can be modified to cover this additional expense.

POLICY

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

2.

Road and Sidewalk Standards if Standards adopted at last meeting. Before finalizing, need to determine simply requiring ADA compliance for sidewalks is acceptable or if would prefer to have . r exact specifications for sidewalks noted. If not, no further action is needed.

Commissioners agree to leave as is with ADA compliance standards referenced.

3.

Water/Sewer Rate Study Rauch still working on study.

4.

ORDINANCE 2s-03 - AN ORDTNANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO

AMEND ARTICLE II AND ARTICLE IV PART IIT OF THE QUEENSTOWN

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

COMPLY WITH RECENT LEGISLATION (eligiblefor adoption) Willis motion to adopt Ordinance 25-03. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 a:te - 0 nalt.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

l.

Wheatland's Project (no updates) 2.

6915 Main Street Discussed during Guests with Patrick Belzner.

NEW BUSINESS

o Pres. Hardee noted that the channel markers have been removed from the creek channel.

Will try to find out reason for their removal.

.

Comm. Willis noted that Lane Cole is receiving hospice care currently. Believes the Town should honor Mr. Cole is some way as he had dedicated his service to the Town for many years. Commissioners agree.

ATTORNEY UPDATES

o Working on posting the water tower/infrastructure project for bids.

o Working on a Public Works agreement for Wheatlands Phase 1.

PUBLIC COMMENT (none) There being no further business, Callahan motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:37pm. Willis second. VOTE : 3 aye - 0 nalt.