Town Commissioners Other — 2017-04-12

QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS

April 12,2017 PRESENT: President Thomas B. Willis, Jr., Commissioner Hogie Schuster, and Commissioner George L. Plumbo, Jr., Brynja Booth, Town Attorney, Mike Bowell, Acting Town Manager, and Amy Moore, Town Clerk.

CLOSED MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 3:07 P.M.

President Willis motioned convene a closed session at3:07 p.m. to obtain legal advice on a contract matter, as well as some zoning enforcement matters. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster and unanimously canied.

President Willis motioned to close the closed session at 4:00 p.m. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Schuster. which was unanimouslv carried.

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:05 P.M.

PUBLIC WORKS: Lane Cole o Construction pretty well completed at the plant o Working on prices for budgeting sidewalk and road projects o Checking into water on Main St. near comer of Charity Lane PLANNING: No updates , FINANCE COMMITTEE: Patricia Bowell o Ms. Bowell and Amy Moore, Town Clerk, attended the recent LGIT renewal workshop in Cambridge. We can expect a decrease in our property coverage premium, with a slight increase

in auto. Those with police departments can expect a substantial increase in premiums. To comply with liability coverage, the Town should require all who use personal vehicles for Town business to provide a copy of their driver's license. We are eligible to receive a discount upon adoption of our Risk Management Policy Manual. Personnel Manual also to be revised and codified.

o LGIT has been offering health coverage for several years now. Ms. Bowell and Ms. Moore will look into further.

o Budget work session is scheduled for April 19'2017.

o Would like to do the mitigation for the WWTP differently from landscaping. Her plan is to try to restore the area to the ecological way it was before. She provided a list of plants and their location. Total cost, including planting materials, moving soil, etc. is estimated at $3,700.

President Willis motioned to approve the mitigation plan submitted by Ms. Bowell. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote - 3-aye,0-nay.

ACTING TOWN MANAGER: Mike Bowell o Budget and grants are all in progress

TREASURER'S REPORT:

checking General Fund $156,182.18 Water/Sewer checking $ 78,365.87 WWTP Project checking $ 23,993.57

MII{UTES:

President Willis motioned to adopt the March 22,20L7 regular meeting minutes as written. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, O-nay President Willis motioned to adopt the March 22,2017 Executive Session minutes as written. Motion seconded by Commissioner Plumbo. Vote: 3-aye,0-nay

CLERK:

OLD BUSINESS:

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Perry Stutnan provided draft copies of the proposed Risk Management Procedures Manual he drafted with review from Ms. Pat Bowell. Commissioners to review and adopt by Resolution at a funue meetine.

NEW BUSINESS:

o Clerk informed that the Commissioners had received correspondence from Ms. Michelle Willey, granddaughter of the late John and Mary Messick. Ms. Willey is looking for information on annexing properly on RL 656 previously owned by her grandparents. Ms. Booth informed that a simple annexation petition would be required, as well as a plat showing the town boundary proposed. As there are adjacent properfy owners who may benefit from being amexed as well, we

will suggest Ms. Willey contact them as this could help her out with the frling fee. Clerk will draft a letter to Ms. Willev.

ATTORNEY UPDATES: Brynja Booth o She and Joe Stevens, attomey for the Waterman family, frled a Writ of Cirt with the Special Court of Appeals.

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Miller Environmental contract for operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater facilities is a one year contract, ending December 31,2017. Should the Commissioners decide not to automatically renew the contract for another year, she reminded them that notice must be given at least 90 days prior to the end of the contract. As the new WWTP has been in operation for over ayear, the Commissioners discussed soliciting prices for the operation and maintenance of our

plant, as well as our water facilities.

President Willis motioned to solicit prices for the operation and maintenance of our wastewater and water facilities, and to notiff Miller Environmental that we will not be automatically renewing our contract with them at the end of the year. Motion seconded by Commissioner Plumbo. Vote:

3-aye,O-nay. Miller will be invited to give us a price for operations and maintenance, as well as Tidewater (White Marsh) Utilities and Easton Utilities.

OPEN DISCUSSION:

o Matt Anthony, Aker Road - inquired if Town employee Chris Ritch was still staying at the plant and still using the town truck after hours. He was informed that Mr. Ritch has acquired an apartment here in town and would be moving into it the next day. He was also informed that Mr.

Ritch does not use the town truck for personal business.

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William Shepherd, Main St. - inquired what the plan for parking was for the town park. Mr.

Shepherd stated that he doesn't want to see a parking lot go in at the park. He would like to see the Town come up with a reasonable solution for parking, address the speeding on Main St., and a

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continue to address the drug issue at the park and in town. He also stated that he would like to see the park become a "smoke free" park.

Tom Chandler, Shore Christian Fellowship - Pastor Chandler explained to those in attendance their reasoning for closing the parking lot was to protect their members, especially after hours. He explained that the town had come to them about purchasing a strip of land. There was an original offer made by the town, with a counter offer by the church.

Jen Walton, Old Wharf Lane - the park is special and unique and the green space should remain.

She believes it would be good to have the Parks and Harbor Committee re-established. She has concems about too many houses in town losing value due to renters. Property owners need to be made to keep their homes up.

Commissioner Plumbo stated that the Commissioners are trying to address some of the issues, including the value of homes. He suggested the Commissioners could re-evaluate and take under consideration the Parks and Harbor Committee. He noted that he has seen some pressure from the policing agencies in town, but more could be done.

President Willis advised that the Commissioners are trying to determine the best way to handle parking at the park. He agreed that they can revisit the land acquisition issue, however noted that it still could be a while before a decision is made Ms. Bowell noted that Program Open Space is funded by the State through Queen Anne's County for land acquisition. It was agreed that Ms. Bowell would immediately begin pursuing firnding for

land acquisition. Ms. Bowell was also given authority by unanimous vote to speak with the Church on the town's behalf.

o Kim Keiler, Old Wharf Lane - asked if residents could have chickens in town. She was informed that the current ordinance prohibits them. Commissioner Plumbo stated that a survey would be included in the next newsletter to see what interest there was in allowing chickens in town under certain guidelines. We will take this matter up at a future meeting.

o Ms. Jo Cunningham, Main St. - advised those present that the colonial courthouse would be open on May 6th from l0-2 as part of the QA County Historic Consortium county wide tour. There will be live music, refreshments, activities, caricatures and free gifts. Clerk will place a flyer on the town's Facebook page and post in Town Office.

There being no further business at this time, Commissioner Plumbo motioned to adjourn the meeting at 5:29 p.m. Motion seconded by Commissioner Schuster. 3-aye,O-nay Respectfully submiffed,

TOWII OF OUEENSTOWIT

CLOSED MEETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION RECORD

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 PROPOSED CLOSED MEETING OR EXECUTIVE

SESSION:

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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:

(i) theappointment,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 I 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;

(5) consider the investment of public funds;

(6) consider the marketing of public securities;

Closed Session form Rev. l.l5 Page I consult with cotursel to obtain legal advice;

(8) consult with stafl or other individuals about pending or potential litigation;

(9) 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;

l) (l prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualiffing examination;

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

(13) comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requircment 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:

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(Name of Board, Agency, Commission, or Committee)

(4) TDENTTFY TOPrC(S) PROPOSED FOR DTSCUSSION IN CLOSED SESSION:

Closed Session form Rev. I . l5 Page2 (5)

MEMBERS OF BOARD, AGENCY, COMMISSION, OR COMMITTEE

PRESENT AT PUBLIC MEETING AT WHICH CLOSED SESSION

REQIJESTED:

Name Vote on Closure

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(circle goqrect vote) (!y'/Against ri/n H(l ,\ tLruo((r, r ,.[- tf)r.,.^, For/Against For/Against 3',(t'

(6) TIME CLOSED SESSION CONVENED:

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;o 0 V nr TIME CLOSED SESSION CONCLUDED: f

(7) PERSONS PRESENT AT CLOSED SESSION:

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Closed Session form Rev. l.l5 Page3

(8) PLACE CLOSED OR DGCUTIVE SESSION HELD:

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

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SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT CLOSED SESSION,IF ANY:

CERTIX'ICATE OF' PRESIDING OFFICER

I hereby certify that I am the presiding officer of (JJU public board, agency, commission, committee, or other public body of-thg. Town of rn Qtleenstown:_Marflan^g:'. I ' f '_ u * r * t ' h -: e :- r - g *^ e r rti$ tha] by a majority vote on the lT rtla' da1 of |1lnW,theaforesaidagency,board,committee,orcommissionvotedto u' hold a di6sbdmeeting 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 Page4 meeting dcscribed herein. The Clerk is directcd to naintain this dootrment as a public record of the Town of Queeosfionm, and to append the same to the minutes of the next public meeting of the aforcsaid ag€ncy, boar4 committse, ot commission.

Closcd Sossion form Rov. l.15 Page 5