Town Commissioners Minutes — 2022-04-27

QUEENSTOWTI COMMTSSTONERS

April 27,2022 PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioner Tom Willis, Commissioner Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Attomey Lyndsey Ryan

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:01 PM

Hardee motion to leave the regular Commissioners meeting and enter a closed session at 5:01 p.m. to discuss contract and legal matters. Willis second. YOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

Hardee motion to adjourn the closed session at 6:08 p.m. and take a small break bqfore resuming regular meeting. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nq).

REGULAR MEETING RESUMED AT 6:13 P.M.

PUBLIC WORI$

o Revised quote from Aerzen for the blower was received. As they expected the Town to remove and ship to them for repair, Town Manager requested quote for thern to repair on site. This was not an option, and it was not an option for us to remove and ship. Revised quote added $1550 to pull blower and take to Aerzen to overhaul, making the repair cost $7216. New blower, delivered and installed, is $9737.

Callahan motioned to purchase the new blower, i.f it is confirmed that deliverv and installation is included. Motion seconded by willis. vorE: 3-aye. }-nay .

Complaint received about parking on Steamboat Ave. Had Chris Ritch install another no parking sign, as there was only one located on other end of the street.

r Kubota representative, Kevin Crane, will meet with Commissioners on May 25,2022, to discuss mernbranes.

PLANNING (No update) FINANCE COMMITTEE - Pat Bowell o APPI checked the market and provided price quotes from several different electric suppliers. Electric market very volatile right now. Looked into Delmara Power rates, and they are about I}%higher. Recommends Town sign again with Freepoint for 48 months at $ .0548 kwh. Callahan motioned to enter into a 48-month agreement with Freepoint.

2022. Motion seconded by Hardee. VOTE: 3-aye, }-nay o Attended the LGIT Renewal Workshop in Cambridge with Town Manager. Insurance rates are pretty much the same as this year, except for an increase in auto coverage.

o Attended the QA County Commissioners public hearing with Town Clerk/Treasurer regarding the tax set off for FY23. Commissioners have put 5167,299 in their budget for Queenstown next fiscal year. She also asked for funds to cover fireworks and it was approved.

HARBORMASTER (No update)

TOWN CLERK

1.

Minutes .

March 24,2022 (Closed Session) Hardee motion to accept as written. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 naJ).

.

April 7 ,2022 (Emergency Special Session) Hardee motion to accept as written. Callahan second. VOTE: 2 aye - Willis abstain .

April 12,2022 (Closed Session) Hardee motion to accept as written. Willis second. VOTE: 2 aye - Callahan abstain.

2.

Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received (Nothing to report)

TOWN MANAGER UPDATES

o Maryland Dept. of Human Services has launched a new progrcm designed to help residents offset the costs of their water and sewer bills. The federally funded program offers eligible households up to $2000 in assistance, focusing on the households *hose water and sewer bills are 30 or more days past due. The program will assist the lowincome households pay their water and sewer bills, avoid shutoffs, and support water

reconnections related to non-payment. There is no cost to the Town to participate. We would enter into an MOU with the Maryland DHS. Payment for any approved applicant would be sent directly to the town to be applied to the resident's account. MOU was reviewed by Attomey, and she approved with the addition of an indemnity clause.

Hqrdee motion to enter into MOU agreement. Willis second. VOTE: 3 ave - 0 nalt.

o Contacted Eastern Shore Land Conservancy regarding costs to maintain trails. Referred me to Chestertown and Tuckahoe. Owen Bailey, ESLC, cited examples ofjurisdictions creating "friends of' groups made up of residents who volunteer time to take care of basic maintenance, and he's also seen jurisdictions utilizing wood chips instead of mulch from local tree removal companies, as this is usually a free resource. He provided a

paper they developed that includes a section on how best management practices can help alleviate the maintenance costs for parks.

o Lex Birney requested an amendment to the LDA boundary. This amendment does not change the total area. The Planning Commission reviewed and recommended the Commissioners approve. Attorney Lyndsey Ryan will draft an ordinance for introduction at future meeting.

o Received complaint from resident on Comegys Lane regarding the condition of the trees in the rear of the property they say belongs to the town. Limbs are dead and breaking off onto homeowners' property. Before taking any action, need to veriff ownership of the open space.

o Town Manager requested a closed session at the end of the meeting to discuss employee matters.

OLD BUSINESS

INFRASTRUCTURE

1. I&Iproject

No update

2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure project

Waiting on revised PER. USDA review engineer has requested that Rauch send the project back through the MDP Clearinghouse and it has been submitted. Anticipated completion date is mid-May.

3. Wall St. Water Tower Maintenance

Waiting on revised PER as stated above 4.

Old Wharf Lane -Stormwater Waiting on Engineer to supply bid documents

5. Wall St. Water Line Replacement

No update

MARINE PROJECTS

1.

Boat Ramp Improvements Under construction 2.

Town Dock projects Waiting on revised big packages.

3.

Federal Channel Dredging No update

POLICY

1.

Review and Updates to Town Codes and Ordinances (2022) No update 2.

Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications & Revisions No update

3. Slss2sline (Atlantic Broadband) RenewaUoptions

No update

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

1.

Wheatland's Project No update

OTHER

1.

Speeding on Main St No update 2.

American Rescue Plan Act a.

Quarterly report submitted.

b.

Suggested Commissioners consider assisting some non-profits in town that may have been affected by Covid. Other towns set up applications that they would fill out requesting assistance. Due to the projects the town is considering, and the unknown costs, no decision was made. They will consider once costs are known with town projects.

NEW BUSINESS

None

ATTORNEY UPDATES

None

PUBLIC COMMENT

None CLOSED SESSION (Authorized by Section 3-305(b) of the General Provisions Article of the Marytand Annotated Code, and voted upon in Open Session) nay.

There being no further business, Hardee motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:30 pm.

Callahan second. VOTE: 3 a:re - 0 nav.

Respectfully submitted, Amv dMoor" Town Manager

TOWN OF OUEENSTOWN

CLOSED MBETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION RECORI)

A public body that meets in closed session may not discuss or act on any matter not permitted under the Maryland Statute summarized below. The public meeting law does not apply to executive functions, quasi judicial functions, or chance encounters or social meetings.

(I)

DATE AND TIME OF PROPOSE,D CLOSED MEETING OR EXECUTIVE

SESSION:

-ll*l nut., lJ-l JoAs.

I

(2) LEGAL AUTHORITY 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, General Provisions Article, $ 3- 30s(b) (2014) (l) discuss:

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 concems the proposal for a business or industrial

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

(s) consider the investment of public funds;

(6) consider the marketing of public securities;

Closed Session form Rev. I .15 Page 1 @ 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 staff; and (ii) the development and implementation of emergency plans;

(11) prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying

examination;

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

(13) comply 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 proposal, public discussion or disclosure 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:

\s\ Coslnn (Name o rd, Agency, Commission, or Committee)

(4) IDENTIFY TOPIC(S) PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSTON rN CLOSED SESSION:

Closed Session form Rev. 1.15 Pas.e2

(s) MEMBERS OF BOARD, AGENCY, COMMISSION, OR COMMITTEE

PRESENT AT PUBLIC MEETING AT WHICH CLOSED SESSION

REQUESTED:

Name Vote on Closure A\ ('c ircle correct vote) Ko.vAe e 6?asain.i

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aunn

\N\L\ @

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gainst @ gainst For/Against For/Against 5'.ot 1'. Dq

(6) TIME CLOSED SESSION CONVENED:

b,D8

TIME CLOSED SESSION CONCLUDED:

(7) PERSONS PRESENT AT CLOSED SESSION:

\ A Kr vc\e a , Tona \r. ,r u\ rr, /\wry l.{rn v r , Closed Session form Rev. l.l5 Page 3

(8) PLACE CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD:

n Ttrr OQhr o

(e) PURPOSE OF AND TOPICS DISCUSSED AT CLOSED SESSION:

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

f\One_

CERTIFICATE OF PRESIDING OFFICER

I hereby certify that I am the presiding officer of CiJnAt.l\\SS\O , public board, agency, commission, committee, or other public body of ^thoe-.,Tro(w n of Queenstown, Maryland. I further certify that by a majority vote on ttt" &1h day of ftOv't\ JOS1 , the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or commission voted to 11gfu;tor"d *""tirg 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 Closed Session form Rev. l.l5 Page 4 meeting described herein. The Clerk or Secretary is directed to maintain this document as a public record of the Town of Queenstown, and to append the same to the minutes of the next public meeting of the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or commission.

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Date Signature Printed Name Prgstd€,nk Title Closed Session form Rev. 1.15 Page 5