Town Commissioners Minutes — 2024-06-12

Minutes June 12, 2024 · 3 page(s) in the original

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QUEENSTOWI\ COMMISSIONERS

June 12r2024 PRESENT: President Al Hardee, Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Carly Landolfi

REGT]LAR MEETING CALLBD TO ORDBR AT 4:OO PM

GTIESTS

Richard Stoltzfus, Sunrise Solar RE: Update on solar options for town owned property Town would need 571 kw solar system to meet current use levels- about 2.5 acres of land would be needed. Town doesn't have available currently. Suggested town look into Maryland Clean Energy grant program and explore options such as partnering with businesses in area to lease roof spacdlace panels or using off-site town or grantor owned lands. Also could look into separating

WWTP electric costs from overall electric costs.

o Steve Roberson, Steve Roberson Plumbing RE: Update on video of certain sewer lines Notified of stoppage in residence at Steamboat/Second Ave. Issue caused by grease in main line coming from another residence. 2nd time rn 2 years issue has occurred. Notiffing property owner regarding dumping grease in drains as costly to repair and will be liable for future issues. Also checked area atMD 4561656- several areas of infiltration observed as well as large crack/impact

area in line. Will determine if caused by recent cable infrastructure work. Commissioners agree to have known issues in this area repaired now. Scheduled smoke testing/TV inspection should find any further issues in area. Also completed work on replacement of 2 sewer valves at WWTP under asphalt area.

PT]BLIC WORKS

o Plan to run dye pack and water through two pipes on Melvin Ave. Friday morning looking for suspected leaks. Called Frank Russum from fire department to set up fire truck.

o Sink hole at 136 Melvin Ave.- possible sewer line break from Comcast work. Roberson proposes to look at along with Del Rhodes line breaks.

o Pre-construction meeting with Talkie Thursday l1:00 am- Rauch to do all Miss Utility markings based on Talkie's scheduled work areas.

Del Rhodes pump station gate replaced. TL Fence replaced chain link along fence front to match at no charge.

o Speed bump proposed by resident on Comegys Lane. Issue stems from one known offender.

Cbmmissioners agree no bump for now- have Sheriff make contact with offender to try to curb behavior first.

o Alley between 1st12nd Avenues (owned by adjacent private property owners) damaged from tractor during bulk collections. Pavement coming up in chunks- will fill with graveVpossibly patch for now. May need paving company to repair if patch doesn't hold.

PLAIINING COMMISSION

o Annual Report- approved by Planning Commission and submitted to MD Dept. of Planning.

SAF'ETY & SPEEDING TASK FORCE (no updates)

FINAI\CE COMMITTBE

o Assisted with financials required by USDA.

o Terms expiring in June. Currently have 2 vacancies. Hardee motion to reappoint Finance Chair Pat Bowill to a new term. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay. Will advertise in newsletter for vacant positions.

CODE ENFORCEMENT/HARBORMASTER (no updates) EVENTS COMMITTEE (no updates)

TOWI\I CLERI(

TreasurersffinanceReport .

General Fund $71,992.52 - W/S Fund $8,255.48 - ARPA Fund $642,543.30 2.

Minutes o May 22,2024 (Closed session) Pres. Hardee question about minutes- will discuss in Closed Session.

May 22,2024 (Regular meeting) Callahan motion to approve as written. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

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

TOWI\ MANAGER T]PDATES

o New public works employee started Monday. Going well so far.

Did not receive grant from MD Historic Trust for courthouse repairs. Work still needs to be done- Have employee Bryan Miller do or put out for bids? Commissioners agree to put work out to bid.

o July/August Comm. Meetings- regular schedule? Commissioners agree to use regular schedule.

o Need Closed Session after meeting to obtain legal advice from Town Attorney on contract matter.

OLD BUSINESS ITEMS

INFRASTRUCTT]RE

1. I&IProject

Bids received 5/17. Rauch reviewed bids and recommends project be awarded to lowest bid Retallack & Sons, Inc. Stated that bidder within rights to amend bid based on any cost increases- keep in mind if not planning to proceed with project near term.

New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project Updated application/paperwork submitted to USDA last week. Application being reviewed by National Office. Rep. Jean Fabi hopes to be sending obligation docs for signature any time. Would need to have approved prior to June 20 to avoid BABA requirements.

Membrane Clean - Valve Automation Electrical work to start next week. Plumbing work to start week following that.

Lead Service Line Inventory Project Project ongoing.

MARINE PROJECTS

Federal Channel Dredging DNR rep. Isaac Wilding drafted a scope of work for next phase of project- engineering for dredging and placement. Asked Bayland to review and address any deficiencies that they may see in the required services.

POLICY

Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications & Revisi ons (no updates) 2.

Road and Sidewalk Standards (no updates) 3.

FY25 Proposed Budget - ORDINANCE NO. 24-04

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN ADOPTING A GENERAL

BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY I,2O24AND ENDING JUNE 30,

2025 AND ESTABLISHING A REAL PROPERTY TAX RATE OF $ ,2312 PER $1OO OF

ASSESSED REAL PROPERTY VALUE, A TAX RATE OF S .58 PER $IOO OF ALL

ASSESSED COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND A TAX

RATE OF $2.00 PER $100 OF ASSESSED PUBLIC UTILITIES; AND ALSO ADOPTING

AN ENTERPRISE BUDGET FOR THE TOWN'S WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS,

WHICH INCLUDES AN INCREASE TO MONTHLY WATER AND SEWER

CONSUMPTION RATES BY EIGHT PERCENT (8%), AS ADOPTED JUNE 22, 2022.

@ublic Hearing scheduledfoUowing regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.)

DEVBLOPMENT PROJECTS

Wheatland's Project a.

DRRA & PWA

ORDINANCE NO. 24.01 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) Two outstanding issues with proposed trailer lot and sewer allocation. Commissioners to meet with Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan June 18ft at 3:00 pm to finalize.

NEW BUSINESS

' Comm. Willis discussed trees/vegetation hanging low over some roads in town growing from private properties- can Town require property owners to maintain trees gfowing from their property growing into roadway areas? Or charge them for Town to maintain? Ms. Ryan/Ivls.

Landolfi will look into.

ATTORNEY UPDATES (no updates)

PT]BLIC COMMENT

o Mike Rada, Resident Mr. Rada discussed recent drainage issues on his property along Del Rhodes Ave. Issues began following recent work by Comcast. Would like issues to be addressed by re-grading the areas of concern. Ms. Moore will contact Comcast to address concerns.

Willis motion to leave the regular meeting at 5:24pm to enter a Closed Session to obtain legal advice from the Town Attornqt. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 alte - 0 nay.

CLOSED SESSION (Authortzed by Section 3-305O) of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, and voted upon in Open Session) The purpose of the closed session was to obtain legal advice from the Town Attorney regarding a contract mattero and to discuss possible corrections to the May 22,2024 Closed Session minutes prior to approval.

Callahan motion to end the Closed Session at 5:36pm and return to the regular meeting.Willis second.

Hardee motion to take a recess of the regular meeting at 5:35pm until the Public Hearing scheduled to begin at 6:00pm. Willis second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nalt.

NNCUIAR MEETING RECOI\WENED/ PTJBLIC IIEARING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 PM

ORDINAI\CE NO. 24.04

AN ORDINA}{CE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN ADOPTING A GENERAL BUDGET FOR

THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024 ANID ENDING JUNE 30, 2025 ANID

ESTABLISHING A REAL PROPERTY TAX RATE OF $ .2312 PER $1OO OF ASSESSED REAL PROPERTY VALUE, A TAX RATE OF S .58 PER SIOO OF ALL ASSESSED COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY, ANID A TAX RATE OF $2.00 PER $1OO OF ASSESSED PUBLIC UTILITIES; A}TID ALSO ADOPTING A}.I ENTERPRISE BUDGET FOR TI{E TOWN'S

WATER AND SEWER OPERATIONS, WHICH INCLUDES ANI INCREASE TO MONTHLY

WATER AND SEWER CONSUMPTION RATES BY EIGHT PERCENT (8%), AS ADOPTED JUNE 22,2022.

o No public comments were received on the proposed ordinance.

Hardee motion to adopt Ordinance 24-04. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 na!.

YOTE:3aye-0nay.

There being no further business, Callahan motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:02pm. Willis second.

VOTE:3alte-0natt.

Horney