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2025-08-07-tc-minutes.pdf

Minutes August 7, 2025 · 7 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
August 7, 2025
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The August 7, 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;
Lieutenant Charles E. Harris, Centreville Police Department; Chief Robert Hobbs, Centreville Police Department;
Jenial Turner, Program Manager Department of Public Works; and Gaye Adams, Town Clerk
• Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. Beauchamp requested a work session to
discuss in detail the Wastewater treatment plant update and design proposal. The Council agreed, and a
work session was scheduled for Thursday, September 4th, at 5:30 p.m. in the Liberty Building. As there
were no other changes to the agenda, Mr. Kiel moved to approve the July 10, 2025, meeting minutes as
presented. Mrs. Huffer seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
Citizens Forum
No citizens provided comments.
Appearances
a. Ashley Durant – Family Fun Day – Road Closure Request
• Ms. Durant asked the Council to consider closing Coursevall Dr. for her event to ensure safe crossings, as
activities will take place on both sides of the street.
• After discussion, the Council denied the street closure. The Centreville Police Department will provide an
officer to direct traffic from 2:00–8:00 p.m.
b. Mary Margaret Goodwin – Maryland 250 Updates, Branding and Centreville History Signage
• August 27, 2025: Bronze plaque ceremony and dedication to Samuel Turbett Wright on the Courthouse
Green at 6:00 p.m.
• The guest speaker is Patrick O’Donnell, author of Washington’s Immortals.
• Ms. Goodwin encouraged the Town to leverage its history to increase tourism.
• Ms. Goodwin also recommended full-color aluminum for historical signage throughout town.
Public Hearing- Ordinance 08-2025 – Trailer Ordinance – Council Member Jim Beauchamp
• Ms. Kaiser called the hearing to discuss Ordinance 08-2025 at 7:26 p.m. An Ordinance of the Town to amend
Chapter 158 Vehicles, Non-Self-Propelled.
• Ms. Kaiser called on Mr. Beauchamp to provide background information.
• Ms. Beauchamp explained that the language went through two iterations, as well as strong public feedback.
This current version has taken all of those comments into consideration and is the best version presented.
• Ms. Adams verified that the notice of the hearing was publicized in the Bay Times Recorder Observer on July
18, 2025.
• There being no jurisdictional concerns or objections to the notice, Ms. Kaiser called for comments in support
of Ordinance 08-2025.
• No comments were provided.
• Ms. Kaiser asked for comments from anyone opposed to Ordinance 08-2025. No comments were provided.
• Mr. Worth made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously. The public hearing for Ordinance 08-2025 adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Public Hearing – Ordinance 10-2025 – Chapter 2 – Administrative Search Warrants – Amended Language – Council
President
• Ms. Kaiser called the hearing to discuss Ordinance 10-2025 at 7:28 p.m. An Ordinance of the Town to add a
new Chapter 2 entitled Administrative Search Warrants.
• Ms. Kaiser provided background information.
• Ms. Kaiser explained that the language added a new chapter that removes residential-only and adds the
language for all buildings.
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• This ordinance gives the Middle Department Inspection Agency (MDIA) inspectors the ability to inspect a
property that poses an imminent danger to tenants or the public.
• State law requires this added chapter in order to allow for administrative search warrants.
• Ms. Adams verified that the notice of the hearing was publicized in the Bay Times Recorder Observer on July
18, 2025.
• There being no jurisdictional concerns or objections to the notice, Ms. Kaiser called for comments in support
of Ordinance 10-2025.
• No comments were provided.
• Ms. Kaiser asked for comments from anyone opposed to Ordinance 10-2025. No comments were provided.
• Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously. The public hearing for Ordinance 10-2025 adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Old Business
a. Ordinance 08-2025 – Trailer Ordinance – Consideration- Member Jim Beauchamp
• Mr. Beauchamp feels this Ordinance needs no further discussion.
• Ms. Kaiser stated that the council made significant progress on the ordinance. She noted that removing
provisions that imposed costs on residents appears to have reduced resistance. She emphasized the need
for extensive public education before strict enforcement. Overall, the ordinance aligns the Town of
Centreville with comparable municipalities.
• Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to approve Ordinance 08-2025, and Mr. Kiel seconded the motion.
• 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
b. Ordinance 10-2025 – Chapter 2-Administrative Search Warrants –Amended Language- Consideration-
Council President
• Ms. Kaiser asked for any comments on this Ordinance.
• There being none, Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to approve Ordinance 10-2025. Mr. Worth seconded
the motion.
• 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
New Business
a. Update to Vendor Payment Processing Procedures- Karen Luffman – Finance Director
• Ms. Luffman presented a memorandum outlining a new procedure and requested the removal of the
check register approval step.
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• After a brief discussion, the Council denied the initial request and modified the process as follows:
Finance will provide the Council 48 hours to object to and/or ask questions about the check register; after
that period, checks may be processed.
b. Wastewater Treatment Plant Update – David Nixson – Whitman, Requardt & Associates
• Jenial Turner, Program Manager for the Department of Public Works, and Mr. David Nixson of
Whitman, Requardt & Associates, presented a PowerPoint on the status of the Wastewater Treatment
Plant upgrade and expansion. A work session to review the project in depth is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on
September 4, 2025, to inform strategic decision-making.
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c. Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Design Proposal – Clifford Matthews, Public Works Director
• Jenial Turner, Public Works, provided background. This proposal is for all required elements from design
through preparation of contract construction documents, review of submitted bid documents, and
recommendations for awarding the bid.
• This phase of the WWTP Upgrade is proposed to cost $2,446,672; the Town would pay for this with a
Congressional Directed Spending Grant that the Town has been approved for in the amount of
$2,155,000. This grant has a matching funds requirement of 20% ($431,000). The 20% matching funds
will be budgeted in the FY27 budget and can come from both out-of-pocket sources and/or state-funded
sources such as MDE grants, etc. Please note that this design and proposal do not include engineering for
any items that may be required for a new discharge.
• The staff recommends awarding Contract Amendment 4 to WRA at $2,446,672 for the WWTP Upgrade
Design.
• After a brief discussion, Mr. Worth made a motion to award contract amendment 4 to Whitman Requardt
& Associates for $2,446,672 for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Design. Mr. Kiel seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
d. Findings of Fact – 2647 Centreville Road
• Ms. Kaiser stated the Finding of Fact Public Hearing was held on July 29, at which time the Council
determined that the building was dangerous. Ms. Kaiser then read the Demolition Order:
• Ms. Kaiser asked the Council if there needs to be any discussion or a motion on the Demolition
Order. Mr. Kiel made the motion to accept the demolition order for 2647 Centreville Rd. Mr. Worth
seconded the motion. Ms. Kaiser then called for a roll call vote
Council Member Yes No Abstain Absent
Council Member Beauchamp X
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Council Member Huffer X
President Kaiser X
Vice President Kiel X
Council Member Worth X
e. Ordinance 12-2025 – Amendment to Chapter 170 – TND/PUD Standards – First Reading – Council President
• Ms. Kaiser stated that the Council had a work session on July 31, and it was very productive.
Minimal changes were made to the Ordinance.
• This Ordinance goes back to the Planning Commission to review those changes.
• A public hearing will be held on this Ordinance on September 18, 2025.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
• The Fall Leadership Conference will be held October 12th-14th in Garrett County
• Mr. Beauchamp called Ms. Huffer to comment since she attended a MML Symposium recently.
• Ms. Huffer stated it was informative and looks forward to sharing insights relevant to the Town and
to Council governance.
b. Council of Governments
• Mr. Kiel had nothing to report. The next meeting is on September 10, 2025, hosted by Queen Anne's
County.
c. Economic Development
• Ms. Kaiser reported the following:
• The Town has reached out to the Bay Area Realtor Association to get their nominee for CEDA, and
Ms. Kaiser has reached out to the Arts Council to get their nominee.
• Ms. Kaiser is working to fill the seats for the board.
d. Park Advisory Board
• Ms. Huffer reported the following:
• Spoke about the Tree the Shore Grant.
• Discussed all the sites for the trees to be planted in October:
o Historic District- Lawyers and Commerce tree wells (4 trees)
o Watson Road (3 trees)
o Millstream II (8 trees)
o Liberty/Water Street (7 trees)
o Pennsylvania Ave (7 trees)
• It will cost the Town $1000 for tree barriers
• Ms. Kaiser in agreement with the planting of the trees except for the property on Liberty/Water St
and Pennsylvania Ave.
• After a discussion, the only streets not included are Liberty and Water St.
• Ms. Kaiser motioned to approve the Tree the Shore Grant, excluding Liberty/Water St. Mr. Kiel
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
• Fishing Derby is September 13th 4 p.m.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
• Mr. Worth reported that the Planning Commission meeting on July 16th approved Draper Brothers'
Final Site Plan & GTI grow barn.
• Reviewed the Ordinance 12-2025 and referred it to the Town Council work session on July 31st.
• The August 6th work session reviewed the zoning map changes that are needed to comply with the
Comprehensive Map changes.
• Progress of notifying property owners of the Town changes.
• Discussed meeting minutes and adopted a minimized version of what has been done.
• The Planning Commission meets again on August 20, 2025.
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Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
• Ms. Brinkley reported the following: the Town has received the communications plan from Julie
Parker Communications. The Social Media starter kit has been completed, and she is reviewing the
Town’s social media policy.
• Jenial Turner, Tonya Wright, and Ms. Brinkley met with the Town’s Lobbyist to discuss funding for
the wastewater treatment plant.
• Attended First Friday and National Night Out; both events were well-received.
• Ms. Brinkley stated she is attending MACO next week and is looking forward to the classes.
b. Chief of Police
• Chief Hobbs reported the following: Thanked the Town Council for supporting the CPD with code
enforcement, specifically abandoned vehicles.
• The July and August reports will be presented at the September 4th meeting.
• National Night Out was well attended and received great community feedback on the event.
• In response to President Kaiser’s question about staffing, Chief Hobbs stated that one officer
resigned due to a spousal relocation; her last day is August 25. Paperwork is underway for a
replacement officer to start on August 26.
• Ms. Kaiser also asked about the next staff meeting; Chief Hobbs said it will be in October and will
notify Ms. Brinkley once the date is set.
c. Town Attorney
• Nothing new at this time, Mr. Chapman will ensure that the work session is noted on the 4th.
d. Town Clerk
• August 4th was the application deadline for elections.
• Three candidates have filed, and the Ethics Commission will review the financial disclosures. The
Board of Supervisors of Elections meeting date has not been scheduled yet, but it will happen before
our next Town Council Meeting on September 4th.
• The intern completes his time on August 15th.
• Ms. Kaiser requested a Council proclamation and a letter of recommendation for the intern.
e. Main Street Manager
• Ms. D’Agostino had included in the packets a one-page document regarding a year in review for
2024.
• Ms. Kaiser requested numbers from Maryland Crafted; Ms. D’Agostino will email those to the
Council tomorrow.
• Regarding the grant for the property on North Commerce Street, the status is currently in flux.
• In response to Mrs. Huffer’s question about the open restaurant space, Ms. D’Agostino said a
prospective tenant is aiming to open in November/December; no contracts have been signed.
• Regarding the Market Analysis Grant, the analysis will run from September through June; Ms.
D’Agostino will provide Council the timeline.
Citizen Comments:
• Mr. Ryan Showalter from Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Investments addressed the Council about EDU
allocations for restaurants in the approved commercial shopping center and provided one-year actual flow
data from comparable locations. The Town code follows Maryland Department of the Environment
recommendations for allocations.
• Ms. Showalter provided the raw data to Clifford Matthews, Director of Public Works.
• Ms. Kaiser found the actual flow data for the restaurants in different locations reasonable to allow for the
approval of the lower 15 allocations.
• Ms. Showalter stated the restaurants are willing to take the risk of having to pay more in a year if water
usage is greater than.
• After a lengthy discussion, Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to allow for the requested 15 allocations. Mr.
Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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Council Roundtable
• Mr. Beauchamp stated he was one of the three who submitted paperwork for the election. It is his intention,
if the other two candidates make it through the Ethics Board and the Board of Supervisors of Elections, is to
withdraw his nomination. Mr. Beauchamp has served the Town of Centreville for 10 years.
• Mr. Worth mentioned he would like an update on the capacity management plan and sewer update. It is
currently with the Town Attorney.
• Ms. Kaiser's reminder that the last first Friday is September 5th, and to support The Arts Council’s event on
October 5th, Rockin' the Porch.
• October 16th will be the reorganization meeting for the Town Council.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to adjourn the August 7, 2025, Town Council
meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Gaye Adams
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved Ordinance 08-2025
2. Approved Ordinance 10-2025
3. Approved Demolition Order for 2647 Centreville Road
4. Approved the contract amendment 4 to Whitman Requardt & Associates for $2,446,672 for the Wastewater
Treatment Plant Upgrade Design.
5. Approved 15 allocations for Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Investments at the Centreville Business Park – Lots N,
O, P.
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