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2025-03-06-tc-minutes.pdf

Minutes March 6, 2025 · 8 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
March 6, 2025
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The March 6, 2025, Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Ashley H.
Kaiser at the Liberty Building located at 107 North Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following
members and staff were present: Ashley H. Kaiser, President; Jeffrey D. Kiel, Vice President; Jim A.
Beauchamp, Daniel B. Worth, and Sandra L. Huffer, Members; Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager;
William C. Chapman, Town Attorney; Clifford “Kip” Matthews, Director of Public Works; Krystel
Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Chief Robert Hobbs, Centreville
Police Department; Carol D’Agostino, Main Street Manager; and Gaye Adams, Town Clerk.
• Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Worth made a motion to approve February 20,
2025, meeting minutes. Ms. Huffer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Citizens Comments
Ms. Wendy Emerson is opposed to making Homewood Avenue a one-way street as it affects her travel
around her home due to heavy traffic on Glendale Ave. with Shore Lumber, school buses and parents
picking up kids.
Appearances
a. Ms. Carol D’Agostino-Main Street Events and Waiver Request of Chapter 7, Article I, Section
7-2. A.
• Ms. D’Agostino was joined by Jana Howley with the Maryland Winery Association to
discuss Drink Maryland: Centreville A Maryland Makers Event.
• Ms. D’Agostino presented the history of the event, how the event is executed, who attends
the event as well as other statistics. Last year the event did drop in sales from approximately
700 tasting passes to 400.
• Ms. Kaiser shared her hesitation about the event as well as the event partner, since Ms.
Howley created a post on Facebook touting the event prior to the approval of the Council.
• Ms. Howley apologized to the Town Council for posting prior to approval.
• Mr. Beauchamp dislikes the name of the event but does appreciate bringing visitors to the
town.
• Ms. D’Agostino is always open to improving the event. The event will move up one week,
as well as adding a VIP event at Bull and Goat. Ms. Kaiser would like to see the statistics
after this event, as well as vendor and town feedback.
• After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Kiel made a motion to wave Chapter 7, Article I, Section 7-
2A, on June 7, 2025. Mr. Worth seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
• Ms. D’Agostino also asked for permission to close the Lawyers Row and Broadway for
Centreville Day on October 25, 2025 and June 7, 2025. Mr. Kiel made the motion to close
Lawyers Row and Broadway for Centreville Day on October 25th as well as June 7th for the
Drink Maryland event. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. Kara Willis- Chair, Centreville Planning Commission- Discussion of Chapter 170-38 Signs
• Ms. Willis explained the Sign Code is complicated.
• There are several documents regarding the Sign Code. Zoning Code 170-28 Language, Zoning
Code 170-70 Definitions and Chapter 170 Attachments, tables 7-10 as well as design standards.
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• She explained that permitting is required for signs for an existing business or a new business in
an existing building. Permits are also required for temporary signage as well.
• New developments would present the proposed signage to the Planning Commission. Prior to
site plan approval the plans should include all the signage on site as well as placement.
• Ms. Willis stated that temporary signage is the most confusing. They typically are in the form
of wall/flats signs, window signs, freestanding signs and flutter or feather signs. Temporary
signs should not be larger than 4 square feet and should be 10ft from the right of way.
• She also reported that residential zoning has different restrictive code standards than
commercial and the Central Business District; real estate signs are allowable temporary signs;
off-site advertising signs are not permitted.
• Ms. Willis indicated that sign code enforcement can be difficult.
• Ms. Huffer expressed that compliance is an issue, visually you can see noncompliance and it
can be enforced, but this can also be difficult. Most of the time people and business do not
know. The Town should continue the phase of education and informing residents and
businesses, not fining.
c. Keith Edmonds- Owner- Ink or Dye Studio- Street Closure Request
• Mr. Worth made a motion to close Broadway and Lawyers row from 8am – 11pm on
September 25, 2025, Mr. Kiel seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Public Hearing
a. Amended Ordinance 01-2025 – Amending Chapter 158 Vehicles, Non-Self Propelled,
Consideration-Sponsored by Council Member Beauchamp
• The public hearing for Ordinance 01-2025 for the purpose of amending Chapter 158 Vehicles,
non-self-propelled, was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
• Ms. Kaiser called Mr. Jim Beauchamp to provide background on Ordinance 01-2025.
• Mr. Beauchamp stated this Ordinance was drafted by Town Attorney Ms. Sharon
VanEmburgh based on what other towns are currently enforcing.
• Ms. Kaiser called Ms. Adams to provide evidence of public notice for the hearing.
• Ms. Adams presented the certification of publication, that Ordinance 01-2025 was published in
the Bay Times Record Observer.
• Ms. Kaiser asked first to hear from all those in favor of Ordinance 01-2025, and then from all
those opposed.
• Residents David Connolly, Richard Starkey, Tim McCluskey, Steve Kline, Martin Callahan,
Patricia Gerhart and Wayne Bloodsworth all voiced strong opposition to the Ordinance as
proposed.
• Ms. Kaiser directed Ms. Adams to read the two requested opposed emails into the minutes, the
others will be circulated to Town Council via email.
• Ms. Adams read those two into the minutes.
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• The public hearing for Ordinance
Council Member Yes No Abstain Absent
Council Member Beauchamp X
Council Member Huffer X
President Kaiser X
Vice President Kiel X
Council Member Worth X
d. One Way Street Discussion-Clifford “Kip” Matthews
• A resident has requested the Council’s consideration to make the South end of Homewood
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01-2025 adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
b. Ordinance 02-2025 – Moratorium Extension – Consideration – Sponsored by Council Member
Worth
• The public hearing for Ordinance 02-2025 for the purpose of extending the moratorium for a
period of 6 months on the application for, approval of, construction of, expansion of,
processing of, or issuance of building permits for any subdivision, site plan, or building permit
application for any residential or mixed-use project where the anticipated equivalent dwelling
units (EDUS) exceed seven for the total project pending consideration and adoption of revised
zoning ordinance provisions as the Town Council may consider advisable and to adopt an
updated Capacity Management Plan and Allocation Policy.
• Ms. Kaiser called Mr. Worth to provide background on Ordinance 02-2025.
• Mr. Worth stated this Ordinance extends a previous passed moratorium and the Planning
Commission has provided a favorable recommendation of this.
• Ms. Kaiser called Ms. Adams to provide evidence of public notice for the hearing.
• Ms. Adams presented the certification of publication, that Ordinance 02-2025 was
published in the Bay Times Record Observer.
• Ms. Kaiser asked first to hear from all those in favor of Ordinance 02-2025, and then from all
those opposed. There being none, Ms. Kaiser asked for a motion to adjourn the public hearing,
Mr. Worth so moved, and Mr. Kiel seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
• The public hearing for Ordinance 01-2025 adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Old Business
c. Ordinance 01-2025- Amending Chapter 158, Consideration- Vehicles, Non-Self Propelled-
Council Member Beauchamp
• Ms. Kaiser is not inclined to vote on this Ordinance considering the public comments in
opposition and Mr. Beauchamp agreed.
• A motion from Mr. Kiel to table Ordinance 01-2025 for no more than 60 days. Mr.
Beauchamp seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
d. Ordinance 02-2025 – Moratorium Extension, Consideration – Sponsored by Council Member
Worth
• Mr. Beauchamp motioned to approve Ordinance 02-2025 and Mr. Kiel seconded the motion,
however Ms. Huffer wanted a discussion, stating she feels the length of a 6-month moratorium
is too long.
• After a thoughtful discussion, Mr. Beauchamp amended his motion to include language that
states - 6 months or the effective date of an enacted TND Ordinance, whichever occurs first..
Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
A roll call vote was taken

Avenue one way from Windsor Avenue to Belvedere Avenue in said direction as this end of
Homewood Avenue. is very narrow. Large trucks try to turn from Belvedere Avenue onto
Homewood Avenue and ride up into the lawns on the corner of Belvedere Avenue and Homewood
Avenue.
• Mr. Matthews clarified the Department of Public Works sent a letter to the properties that abut
Homewood Avenue. Out of the 10 letters only two responses were received. There was one
person opposed and one in favor. The concerns from the opposed individual were that this
change would increase traffic congestion to get to her home. The constituent in favor of the
one-way street did express some concerns. Those concerns were that they were not opposed to
the street becoming one way, as long as, the street was still going to be maintained by the
Town, that it will not be turned into an alley and lastly that the trash will still be picked up.
• After some discussion Mr. Kiel made a motion to approve changing the south end of
Homewood Avenue, between Windsor Avenue and Belvedere Avenue, into a one-way street.
Ms. Huffer seconded the motion. The motion passed with four voting in favor and one voting
against.
Council Member Yes No Abstain Absent
Council Member Beauchamp X
Council Member Huffer X
President Kaiser X
Vice President Kiel X
Council Member Worth X
New Business
a. FY26 Budget Presentation – Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager and Karen Luffman, Finance
Officer
• Ms. Brinkley provided brief opening remarks and then turned the presentation over to Ms.
Luffman. Ms. Luffman stated the FY2026 budget being presented to Council is a balanced
budget.
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Actual as of 2/24/2025
b. Town Water System Evaluation- Clifford “Kip” Matthews, Director of Public Works
• In 2003 the Town started a study to monitor the water system.
• This study shows that the Town is in very good shape with water capacity.
• As the Town develops, staff will have to help the system keep up with demand.
• The following information was given to the Council within a report:
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e. Resolution 02-2025 – 152 Comet Drive, LLC – Public Works Agreement
• Representative Genevieve McFarland from Stevens and Palmer LLC and Rebecca Brown, from Green
Thumb Industries, 152 Comet LLC, provided background for the Public Works Agreement.
• Final Site Plan approval was given to GTI to expand the outdoor grow facility, and the conditions of
that approval have been added to the public works agreement in consultation by mutual counsel.
• Mr. Worth expressed concerns that GTI needs to ensure that they continue to mitigate the smell of
cannabis throughout the town, or an Ordinance would need to be created to ensure those conditions are
meet.
• Ms. Kaiser stated she is fine with the Public Works Agreement as written.
• Mr. Beauchamp motioned to approve the Public Works Agreement; Mr. Kiel seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
• Ms. Kaiser called for a roll call vote:
Council Member Yes No Abstain Absent
Council Member Beauchamp X
Council Member Huffer X
President Kaiser X
Vice President Kiel X
Council Member Worth X
Reports of Board and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
• Mr. Beachamp stated the MML Conference registration is going well, the draft agenda is
online, and the General Assembly is very busy.
b. Council of Governments
• Mr. Kiel stated the Council of Governments meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2025.
c. Park Advisory Board
• Ms. Huffer stated, on Monday she met with the new Trail Ambassadors from the Wye River
Upper School that will walk and watch the Millstream Park trail and inform the Park
Advisory Board on what is going on.
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• The Tree City application has been approved.
• The tree canopy in 2013 was 37%, in 2019 it was 57%. The aerial photo of the tree canopy is
coming up again and the Park Advisory Board is excited to get those numbers.
• Arbor Day is April 25, 2025. The Trail Ambassadors will help give out baby seedlings of
trees and the Town will plant 3 trees.
• Looking forward to the purchase of the property next to the Citgo and having that finally be
completed.
d. Planning Commission
• Mr. Worth reported the following:
o Reviewed the Comprehensive Plan map revisions for a public hearing scheduled for
March 19, 2025.
o Worked on TND revisions.
e. Economic Development
• Ms. Kaiser previously discussed changing the make-up of CEDA to reflect the current needs
of the town. It has been sent to our Town Attorney to make those code changes.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
• Ms. Brinkley stated staff are continuing to work on the budget and March 13, 2025 is the
first budget meeting
• Introduced the Town’s Code Enforcement Officer, Clifton Stagnaro. Mr. Stagnaro works 10
hours a week. The Council would like to hear a report quarterly regarding enforcement
activities. In 2024, the Town recorded 68 violations and issued two citations.
• The Town’s website does provide a link to report code violations.
b. Chief of Police
• Chief Hobbs reported the following:
• A new K9 has received certification and has been added to the Centreville Police Department.
He is a 2-year-old lab named Milo.
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• Attended the Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force Meeting.
• Delivery has been received of the two new speed trailers.
c. Human Resources
• Ms. Ebaugh reported the following:
o Fully immersed in budget.
o Looking to fill all the open position within the municipality.
Mr. Beachamp asked Ms. Ebaugh about the On Call Policy as to where it stands with
the 60-day temporary time limit placed on the policy.
o Ms. Ebaugh stated she would come back to the Council with an updated policy.
d. Town Clerk
• Ms. Adams followed up on the two Trail Ambassadors. They are Silas Packie and Mariella
Sanderson. The Town is excited to have them aboard.
Citizens Forum
• No citizens comment.
Council Roundtable
• Mr. Kiel mentioned he received several criticisms regarding Ordinance 01-2025 and that they
never knew it was being introduced. Mr. Kiel stated there are several places for the public to
find and see the ordinances that are being introduced by the Town Council. The Town of
Centreville website www.townofcentreville.org as well as an eblast that goes out to those that have
signed up to receive those.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned
at 9:24 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Gaye Adams
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
- Approved a waiver request of Chapter 7, Article I, Section 7-2. A.
- Approved Drink Maryland: Centreville A Maryland Makers Event on June 7th and Centreville Day
on October 25, 2025
- Approved closing Lawyers Row and Broadway for the June 7th and October 25, 2025, events.
- Approved the road closure of Lawyers Row and Broadway from 8 a.m. -11 p.m. on September 25,
2025 for Tattoos for a Cause.
- Approved Ordinance 02-2025 -Moratorium Extension with amendment.
- Approved changing Homewood Avenue to one-way from Belvedere Avenue to Windsor Avenue.
- Approved Resolution 02-2025 – 152 Comet Drive, LLC – Public Works Agreement
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