Town Commissioners Minutes — 2021-11-09

QUEENSTOWI\ COMMTSSTONERS

November 912021 PRESENT: President Tom Willis, Commissioner Al Hardee, Commissioner Bryon Callahan, Town ManagerAmy Moore, Town Clerk Aaron Horney, Town Attomey Lyndsey Ryan

WORK SESSION CALLED TO ORDER AT 3 PM

Town Engineer, Robert Rauch and James Cook of Rauch, Inc. were present to discuss several projects.

Wall St. Water Tower Report - 3 proposals received for servicing the water tower- Suez, Southern Conosion, Liquid Engineering. Liquid Engineering being the lowest cost. Rauch opinion is keeping tower using Liquid Engineering proposal is best option as costs to do so would be around $5,000 less than costs associated with removing the water tower. Tower will provide benefit as redundancy in water system in addition to a new tower. Existing cell leases add benefit

to keeping tower in place. Rauch will contact USDA to request approval to reallocate funding to servicing as opposed to removal of tower. Have dive inspection to determine if need for interior service now vs. later.

Prioritized Sewer Line Replacement Estimates - Old Wharf, Del Rhodes, Melvin, Main identifred as highest priority areas for replacement. Discussed in-road (est. $1,578,053) vs. outof-road (est. $1,866,981) replacement options and abandonment vs. removal of replaced lines.

Suggests beginning with Old Wharf. Ms. Ryan has confirmed ARPA funding can be used for proposed work.

Old Wharf Lane Stormwater Conveyance Plan - Discussed possible plan for addressing drainage issues in area of Old Wharf La. and Maryland Ave. via routing of stormwater into possible bioreactor area to be constructed near Old Wharf Lane. Use of bioreactor solution vs.

simple drainpipes would potentially qualiff project for grant funding. Can figure cost estimates for project and report back to Commissioners.

WWTP Control Room - No bids received. Have reached out to contractors with no interest so far. Could possibly have Town employee Bryan Miller do work if plans were simplified to use wood studding instead of metal studding. Rauch can have plans redrawn using simplified wood stud plan. Ms. Ryan suggests reaching out to a few contractors with redrawn plans. If no interest still, then can proceed with Mr. Miller doing work.

Following Mr. Rauch's report, VOTE:3ave-0nalt.

REGTJLAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4 PM

CERTIFICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS/SWEARING IN

o The results of the Election for Town Commissioner were as follows: Christina Palmer - 7l votes.

Thomas Willis - I22 votes. Total votes cast - I93. Commissioner Willis was declared elected as Town Commissioner and the results were certified by Mr. Horney as true and correct.

o Commissioner Willis recited the Oath for Town Commissioner and was sworn in for a three-vear term.

APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT

a 0 nav.

GIIESTS - EdwardRadcliffe & Paul Quirion Boy Scout Edward Radcliffe was present to observe and learn about the Commissioners Meeting process.

The Commissioners invited Mr. Radcliffe to sit in at the Commissioners table during the meeting.

PIIBLIC WORKS - Amy Moore o Met with representatives of Lacrosse to discuss management of Thompson Ave. stormwater ditch. Responsibility of ditch maintenance is on Lacrosse. Town has cleared ditch to help relieve drainage issues in area but further clearing/cleaning of ditch is required by Lacrosse. Also discussed need to bring Thompson Ave. shoulder areas up to spec before Town assumes ownership/maintenance responsibilities for the Thompson Ave. extended roadway portion. Town

has authority to maintain ditches but not required to. Ditches, driveways, sidewalks not Town responsibility. Ms. Moore will send letter to Lacrosse reiterating discussed requirements.

o MDE informed Town that current Water Appropriation Perrnit has expired. Rauch working on getting permit renewed.

o Sidewalk issues discussed at previous meeting - additional need for replacement of sidewalks in vicinity of 305 Steamboat Ave. due to pavement and sidewalk being same height lsading to drainage issues- sidewalk will need to be raised in area. Some sidewalks in Old Point Lane and Comegy Lane area may not require replacement- may be able to be grinded even to address concerns. Should be able to begin work next week. Also brick sidewalk issues in town centerlooking for contractors to provide repair estimates.

o Contacted Pavemaster regarding possible swale on Charity Lane- will be in town possibly next week to do work and address Harbor Lane issues.

o John Anderes of Queenstown Harbor Golf requesting to have water meters installed inside three existing cottages instead of using meter vaults in yard. As cottages landscaping was completed prior to meters being installed, would prefer to avoid digging in yard to install. Could be installed to allow radio reading and would allow access to public works if needed. Commissioners fine with request. Future cottage meters would be installed using standard meter pits.

o Recent inspections of playground equipment shows some in need of repairs- vinyl surfaces beginning to separate in areas. Can possibly repair temporarily by using rubberized coating on affected areas until equipment can be replaced. Equipment is nearing 20 years old- possibly look for grant funding to replace. Basketball court in need of improvements- possibly could replace current surfacing with asphalt surface.

o Water leak by bumpout at Charity and Main- source not known at this time. Will have Steve Roberson and Lane Cole investigate to try to determine source of leak.

PLAI\NING - Amy Moore o Planning Commission was infonned at last Planning meeting of comments received on proposed fence ordinance- offered to review again.

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Approved site plan for pole barn at 111 Charity and solar plans for 6740 Main.

o Scheduled meeting with solar company regarding possibility of solar equipment at plant.

FINAI\CE COMMITTEE - Amy Moore o Audit has been completed- copies available for review. Will have Finance Committee Chair Pat Bowell give overview at future meeting.

HARBORMASTER - l/o updates.

TOWI\ CLERI(

o Treasurers/FinanceReport General Fund balance $152,025.31 / Water-Sewer Fund balance $311,070.54 / No change in ARPA Fund balance.

e Minutes None available for review.

o CorrespondencelRequests/lnfo - Sent and Received lnformed of parking issues on Wick/Old Point cul-de-sacs. Vehicles parking perpendicular to roadway or parking parallel two-deep. Can be addressed by sending letters to residents of both streets informing of parking violations. Contact Sheriffs Offrce if continues. Ms. Ryan stated need to speciff fine structure to address parking violations inZonrng Ordinance.

TOWI\ MANAGER I]PDATES

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County bucket truck scheduled to use on Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 to put up wreaths and decorate Town Christrnas tree. Will need tree delivered/put up by that date.

o AT&T has completed work at Wall St. tower. Have removed bird nest- will be contacting regarding installation of bird deterrent devices.

o Town representative Hugh Odom drafted basic terrns to give to AT&T for consideration for lease renewal. Commissioners agreeable with proposed terms to allow Mr. Odom to begin negotiations.

Commissioners would like Ms. Ryan to review any contract offered prior to signing.

o COG meeting tomorrow. Town of Queen Anne hosting. Mr. Horney will be attending.

OLD BUSINESS

o I&Iproject Previously discussed.

o Water Tower & Infrastructure project o Interim Financing - Draft ordinance sent to USDA for review- once reviewed can proceed with introduction.

o Wheatland's Project o Forest Conservation Plan review - Has been completed. Comments were provided to Barry Waterman. Has not responded back yet.

o Impact study - no update o DRRA - Ms. Ryan has meeting scheduled with Joe Stevens to discuss drafted DRRA.

o Speeding on Main St No updates.

o Boat ramp improvements Two responsive bids submitted. Big Island Ventures S28,750 & Lindstrom Excavation $34,700.

Rauch recommends Big Island Ventures offer. Hardee motion to award contract to Big Island Ventures for $28,750. Callahan second. VOTE: 3 aye - 0 nay.

o Town Dock projects o Construction/dredging updates - Notice of award given to Big Island Ventures for dredge work. No start date as of yet. Dock repair work almost ready to put out to bid.

o Wall St. water tower maintenance Waiting pending on possible inspection to determine if immediate need to do repairs.

o Review and updates to Town Codes and Ordinances (Fall 2021) Tabled until further review by Commissioners.

o Control Room Renovation Previously discussed.

o American Rescue Plan Act No updates.

o Fence regulations - ORDINANCE NO. 2l-06 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF

QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND SECTTON 94 OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONING

ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH HEIGHT, AREA, AND BULK REQUIREMENTS FOR

FENCES WITHIN TOWN (revised -for discussion and eligiblefor adoption) Revised version provided for review- further changes discussed. Asked Town Attorney to research similar town's fencing regulations for guidance and report next meeting.

o Zoning Ordinance Amendment - ORDINANCE NO.

21-07 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN

oF QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND SECTION 8 OF THE QUEENSTOWN ZONTNG

ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS AND TO AMEND SECTION 67 OF

THE QI.JEENSTOWN ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT TTIE STORAGE AND PARKING

OF ONE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT PROVIDED CERTAIN SETBACK

AND SIZE REQUIREMENTS ARE MET (public hearing scheduledfor I l/17/21) No update- public hearing scheduled.

o Channel dredging No updates.

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Old Wharf Lane -Storrnwater Previously discussed.

o Water/Sewer Connections Code - proposed clarifications & revisions Will schedule meeting with Steve Roberson and Bob Rauch to discuss revisions.

o Zoningmap - correction needed - RESOLUTION 21-106 - A RESOLUTION OF THE

COMMISSIONERS OF QUEENSTOWN TO ADOPT THE ATTACHED ZONING MAP FOR

TIIE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO CORRECT A MTSTAKE IN THE QUEENSTOWN

ZONING MAP (eligiblefor introduction and adoption)

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Callahan informed a complaint was received regarding lawn at a property in town- Ms.

Moore will discuss complaint with Town Code Enforcernent Offrcer Harold Veasel.

Also received complaint regarding cats in town- are allowed to roam? Any regulations requiring keeping in yards? Mr. Homey will look into.

ATTORNEY UPDATES -,1/o updates.

PIIBLIC COMMENT - Paul Quirion & Edward Radcliffe Mr. Quirion and Mr. Radcliffe thanked the Commissioners for allowing Mr. Radcliffe to sit in with the Commission and for the opportunity to learn more about the procedures of local government.

There being no further business, 3ale-0nay.

OATH OF OFFICE

I, Thomas Willis, Jr., do swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland and support the Constitution and laws thereof; and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgement, diligently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice, execute the Office of Town Commissioner of Queenstown, according to the

Constitution and Laws of this State.

illis, Jr.

I certifo this to be Thomas Willis, Jr's. true act:

'J,"'l^,

SEAL:

AARON R HORNEY

NOTARY PUBLIC

TALBOT COUNTY

MARYLAND

MY COMMTSSTON O(P|RES trtARCt{ 21, 2t/?B