Town Commissioners Minutes — 2023-07-11

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

QUEENSTOWI\ COMMISSIONERS
July 11,2023
PRESENT: Commissioners Tom Willis & Bryon Callahan, Town Manager Amy Moore, Town
Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan
RBGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:03 PM
GUESTS
o
Mr. Warren \ilright - Queen Anne's County Drug Free Coalition
Presented potential impacts of recreational marijuana legalization in the county.
Overview of discussed info is attached to the minutes.
PUBLIC WORI(S
.
Quotes for cleaning R&D storm ditch and Queenstown Village storm pond. Lowest
estimate from Apex Grading & Landscaping at $3,150. Other quotes at $6,080 and
$6,500. Rip rap not included in any quotes but Apex recommends as erosion is apparent.
Rip rap would be additional $ 1,500 approx. Work 4 months out. Callahan motion to
accept Apex estimate with addition of rip rap. Willis second. VOTE: 2 aye - 0 nay. Ms.
Moore will ask if possible to do ditch now and pond later as ditch work needed asap.
o
Storm grates on Steamboat Ave. and First Ave. are below the road grade- should be
addressed. Commissioners agree to have inspected by Harry Meissner for potential
repairs.
o
Resident on Old Wharf Cove La. connected to town blow off valve- was using unmetered
water for outdoor pu{poses. Has used in past and was notified to cease use of valve.
Resident claims only used due to distance from house of area watering- suggests town
either install meter on valve for their outdoor use or determine fixed amount to bill for
usage. Commissioners agree town should lock valve to prevent funher unauthorized use
and suggest resident install spigot on the property after the meter box for watering
pu{poses. Ms. Moore will notiSr resident of decision.
o
Hydrant flushing scheduled for July 13-14.
PLANNING COMMISSION (no updates * July meeting was cancelled due to lack of quorum)
SAFETY & SPEEDING TASK FORCE
o
Task Force member Tereza Hagerstrom presented recommendations including renovation
of the bump-out area at Maryl and/Main to include more seating and improre the look of
the Town Center area, installing benches along sidewalks in town, adding bike lanes on
Main and Del Rhodes, and updating the Town Code to allow riding of bikes on town
sidewalks. Commissioners will review recommendations and discuss at a future meeting
upon Pres. Hardee's refurn.
FINANCE COMMITTEE (no updates)
CODE ENFORCEMENT/IIARBORMAS TER
o
Followed up with trailer complaint, grass/weed violations, fence without permrt
violation- all resolved.
o
Several slips still vacant- followed up with lease holders to remind of slip lease
requirements.
EVENTS COMMITTEE
.
Concert in Park scheduled for 7/15 6-9 pm. Pete Sanchez (pop, rock, oldies)
TOWN CLBRK
1,. Treasurers/Finance Report
General Fund: $290,646.17 Water/Sewer Fund: $62,022.29 ARPA Fund: $685,773.96
2.
Minutes
.
June 6. 2023 (Regular meeting)
n motion to approve as written. Willis s

o
June 6,2023 (Closed meeting)
Callahan motion to approve as written. Willis second. VOTE: 2 aye - 0 nay.
o
June 21, 2023 (Regular meeting)
Minutes not ready for approval.
3.
Correspondence/Requests/Info - Sent and Received (no updates)
TOWN MAI\IAGER UPDATES
o
Resident complaint about number of squirrels in town- can trap lrelocate? Not allowed
under Town Code without permit from Town Office. Have never issued permit before-
how to handle? Commissioners agree Town should develop permit. Ms. Ryan/Ms. Moore
will look into.
o
Caden Quirion Eagle Scout life ring project for docks going well- did very well with
fundraising. Will possibly have funds left over after completing project- add more to
project or give to Troop scholarship fund? Commissioners agree funds should be donated
to Troop if Caden wishes to.
OLD BUSINESS
INFRASTRUCTURE
1. I&IProject
Rauch submitted project administrativelengineering estimated costs. Per Town
Attorney, the I & I scope of work has been completed and accepted and is eligible to
put out to bid now. Willis motion to put project out to bid. Callahan second. VOTE: 2
aye - 0 nalt. Will address engineering later and discuss upon Pres. Hardee's return.
2. New Water Tower & Infrastructure Project (no updates)
3. WalI St. Water Line Replacement
Project has begun. Hit the line during work- have repaired and sanitized- waiting on
certification of sanitization- will then begin reconnecting residents to new line. Water
intermittently shut off at times during work- residents notified when necessary.
MARINE PROJECTS
1. Boat Ramp Improvements
Rauch submitted project estimate- $30,000. Commissioners will discuss upon Pres.
Hardee's return.
2.
Town Dock Projects
Paving portion being advertised- bids due7l25. Pre-bid meeting scheduled for 7118.
3. Federal Channel Dredging
Contract from Bayland to begin material dredging/placement study, analyzatron work
ready for review and signature.
POLICY
L. Water/Sewer Connections Code - Proposed Clarifications/Revisions (no updates.)
2. Road and Sidewalk Standards
Commissioners agree to discuss at future work session. Ms. Moore will schedule.
3.
FranchiseAgreements
Ms. Ryar/Ms. Moore meeting tomoffow to work on draft agreements.
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
L. Wheatland's Project
Rauch advised that Wheatlands is proposing a regional pump station, which would
eventually become the Town's. Rauch has done initial review, Waterman has
submitted plans to be submitted with a construction permit application. Rauch
suggests Town be co-applicant. No financial burden to Town as developer pays fees
and construction costs. Rauch advised that this is commonplace practice.
Commissioners agree would prefer to have other agreements in place before
considering.

NEW BUSINBSS
o
Comm. Callahan advised that he met with representative of church next to park property.
Advised that they are not opposed to burying of temporary electric service going to park
properfy via their property and making it permanent. Ms. Ryan advised Town could enter
into agreement with the church for electric use at park. Will discuss further at future
meeting.
ATTORNEY UPDATES (no updates)
PUBLIC COMMENT (no comments)
to leave the r, r meeti 5:29 the our
qf discussing personnel issues, Callahan second. V}TE: 2 aye - 0 nay.
CLOSED SESSION
fuuthorized by Section 3-305(b) of the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, and voted
upon in Open Session)
The Commissioners entered into a closed session to discuss personnel issues.
is motion to end return to the r
There being no further business, Willis motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 6:12 pm.
Callahan second. VOTE: 2 alte - 0 nay.
Respectlrlly sqbmitted,
Aaron Horney
Town Clerk

RECREATIONAL CANNABIS _ POLITICAL SUBDIVSIONS
o
Can establish reasonable zoning requirements
o
Cannot establish requirements that unduly burden cannabis
establishments
o
Cannot impose fees greater than other business fees charged
o
Cannot prohibit delivery or transport business
o
can dictate 500 feet from schools, playgrounds, childcare, recreation
area, parks, or public library
o
1000 feet from anotherdispensary
o
Can request a public hearing
o
Can use same restrictions on recreational as medical
o
Can regulate signage and advertising.
POTENTIAL GROWTH
o
Currently 22 growers,28 processors, 105 dispensers
o
Next 4 years -200 processors, 310 dispensers. l0 incubators
o
July |,2023 all medical dispensaries become medical and
recreational
o
January 2024 rotnd 2 of new growers, processors
o
Future includes on-site consumption establishments
QACFFCT@gniail.com - 443 480 4953

Queen Anne's County Drug-Free Coalition info. Line -qaGdfC@gmail.COm
oProrD ovERDosEs/DEATHS lN QAC:
YEAR o.D. DEATHS NOTE
20L7 58 5 First year of QACGP
20L8 t22 L6 Fenta nyl
20L9 68 t2 NARCAN
2020 75 1,3 OIT Grant
2021. 47 L2 BOE/DFC
2022 26 6 QA Commissioners
YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY - qUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY (HiSh School)
%
(Last 30 days) #QA
% of students ever used RX w/o RX in life 11.3 26L
% of students currently use marijuana 20.3 469
% of students currently use EVD 24.4 553
% of students currently use alcohol 32.3 739
% of students currently binge drinking 19.1 44L
%of students rode with someone drinking 35.s 820
% of students ever bullied electronically
%af students ever offered /sald/given drugs
On school property in last L2 months 19.3 446
YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR STUDY - COMPARED
Currently use USA MD AA #QA
Marijuana L6% L5% 20.3% 469
EVP t8o/o t4.7% 24.4% 554
Alcohol 23% L9.4% 32.3% 746
Class of 2O2L -2311 high School Students
(Allstatistics from 2O2L-22Youth Risk Behavior Survey -Queen Anne's County)

TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT MARIJUANA
o
Speak honestly with your kids about choices, pausing decisions and
risky behaviors
o
StaV educated about current drug trends so you can teach your kids
o
Be clear and consistent about family rules and behaviors
. judgmentat \
Listen to what they say, do not be
o
Encourage positive friendships and finding things to do that interest
them
Health Harms and Addiction
o
Today's marijuana is more potent than in the past- up to 99% THC
o
More stoned people do not help do not help society. Marijuana
is
addictive, can produce withdrawal and dependence.
o
Regular marijuana use can produce irreversible brain damage,
impairing memory and learning.
.
Marijuana can be the pathway to other drug of abuse
o
Studies show mental illness is on the rise in legal states.
o
AAA reported traffic fatalities have doubled in legal states.
.
Studies found marijuana users did not use opioids less
All Statistics from learnaboutsam.org

RECREATIONAL CANNABIS 2023
Individual can have 1.5 ounces, or 12 grams in concentrate - also
Delta9and2plants
In 24 months, all convictions for simple possession will be expunged
9o/o sales tax, 5o/o goes back to communities most impacted
Cannabis is any part of the plant and related products, no hemp
Regulation by the Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Commission
There are also infused and concentrated cannabis products
Regulations will allow for a banking system
State will regulate internet sales and regulate packaging
A caregiver may administer cannabis to a student in school
Maryland's Education Program is called, "Maryland, did you know"?
There will be literally hundreds of types of cannabis related products
No roadside test is available to tell officers if a driver is impaired with
cannabis
o There is no Maryland cap on the percent of THC
o Officers cannot use smell as probable cause
a Second hand cannabis smoke has THC and other carcinogens
DFC Mission - Promoting healthy and safe Communities by reducing alcohol and other drug use and misuse
Emphasis on adolescents and young adults.