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2025-05-15-tc-approved-minutes.pdf

Minutes May 15, 2025 · 6 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
May 15, 2025
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The May 15, 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, and Sandra L.
Huffer (via Zoom), Members; Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Clifford
“Kip” Matthews, Director of Public Works; 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 and a moment of silence, Ms. Kaiser requested to remove Ordinance
08-2025 from the agenda. The Council agreed unanimously with the removal. There being no other
changes to the Agenda, Mr. Jim Beauchamp moved to approve the April 17, 2025 meeting minutes as
presented, Vice President Kiel seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
Citizens Forum
No citizens provided comments.
Appearances
a. Fern Beu – Rockin' the Porch Event
• Ms. Beu asked the Council to support the 2nd Rock the Porch event on October 5, 2025, from 2:00 - 6:00
p.m., immediately following the Farmers Market.
• This planned community event will have live events, food trucks, local breweries, and artisans. Musical
performances will take place on the beautiful front porches of historic buildings of downtown Centreville,
concluding with Kia Soul at the Courthouse.
• Last year the Council donated $500.00 towards the event, and Ms. Beu asked the Town Council to be a
sponsor again this year. Ms. Kaiser made a motion to donate $750.00 out of the current FY25 budget in
support of the event. Mr. Beauchamp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
• The Arts Council is also partnering with Uno Mas to create a Beer Garden on Lawyers Row and would
like permission to allow the public consumption of alcohol. Mr. Beauchamp made a motion, contingent on
approval by the Queen Anne’s County Liquor Board, to suspend Chapter 7-3 of the Town Code to allow
the public consumption of alcohol. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
• Ms. Beu also requested the continued closure of Lawyers Row until 8 p.m. Mr. Kiel made a motion to
close Lawyers Row until 8 p.m. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Public Hearing: Resolution 05-2025- Centreville Comprehensive Plan: 2040 – Sponsored by Council member
Worth
• Ms. Kaiser called the hearing to order to discuss Resolution 05-2025 to approve an amendment to the
Town of Centreville Comprehensive Plan: 2040 according to the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code
of Maryland at 7:09 p.m.
• Ms. VanEmburgh provided background information for Resolution 05-2025, indicating that this resolution
is to approve the changes to the Comp Plan, which primarily dealt with map changes and is all related to
complete neighborhoods and making everything consistent with complete neighborhoods.
• Ms. Adams verified that the notice of hearing was publicized in a newspaper circulated in Queen Anne’s
County.
• There being no legal matters relating to the jurisdiction of the Town Council of Centreville nor any
objections regarding the Notice of Public Hearing, Ms. Kaiser asked for comments from anyone in favor
of Resolution 05-2025. No comments were provided.
• Ms. Kaiser asked for comments from anyone opposed to Resolution 05-2025. 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 Resolution 05-2025 adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Public Hearing: Ordinance 07-2025 –FY 26’ Budget, First Reading- Council President
• Ordinance 07-2025 was discussed to adopt the FY2026 budget for the Town of Centreville.
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• Ms. Luffman provided background for Ordinance 07-2025.
• The new FAMLI line item has been removed in all budgets as the state legislature voted to extend the
start date to 2027.
• Workman's Comp numbers were also changed to actual numbers, and the allocation cost changed
from 5% to 0%.
• Those changes put the transfer to fund balance in the Operating Fund at $99,990.
• Those changes also put the transfer to fund balance in the Enterprise Fund at $150,961.
• In the Capital Budget, the General Fund has a total of $342,000 in Capital requests, and in the
Enterprise fund, the total requested capital is $115,000.
• Lastly, grant-funded projects totaled $4,625,250. Ms. Luffman noted under the C25 – Farm, there is a
cost of $2,500,000. That is a placeholder amount for a water reuse farm if needed. This amount will
stay in the C25 budget to match the Department of Public Works' 5-year budget.
• Ms. Kaiser asked for those in favor of Ordinance 07-2025. No comments were provided.
• Ms. Kaiser asked for comments from anyone opposed to Ordinance 07-2025. No comments were
provided.
• Mr. Kiel made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously. The public hearing for Ordinance 07-2025 adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
Old Business
a. Resolution 05-2025 – Centreville Comprehensive Plan: 2040 – Sponsored by Council member Worth
• Resolution 05-2025 is to approve an amendment to the Town of Centreville Comprehensive Plan:
2040 according to the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
• Mr. Beauchamp mentioned in Exhibit A, bullet point 6, that the plan specifically mentions Taco Bell.
Mr. Beauchamp feels it is not appropriate to list the business by name; it should be by parcel number.
• Ms. VanEmburgh agreed it should be the parcel number and will make that simple change.
• Mr. Kiel made a motion to approve Resolution 05-2025- Centreville Comprehensive Plan. Mr.
Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. Ordinance 07-2025 – FY 26’ Budget
• Ms. Kaiser explained that due to the cancellation of the Town Council’s previous meeting, Ordinance
07-2025 was introduced and a public hearing was held on the same evening; however, the Council
will consider on this Ordinance at the June 5, 2025, Council Meeting.
New Business
a. Ordinance 06-2025 – Text Amendment: Chapter 170 – Electronic Signs – First Reading – Council President
• Ordinance 06-2025 was introduced to amend the Town of Centreville Zoning Ordinance, which is
Chapter 170 of the Code of the Town of Centreville, to allow electronic messaging centers as a
permitted use for schools in residential zones and subject to additional standards for such signs.
• The Council discussed several minor changes, including adding the word “public” before each
occurrence of the word “school.”
• Mr. Beauchamp also requested the text amendment to say a free-standing monument sign.
• Ms. VanEmburgh agreed to all those simple changes.
• Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to refer Ordinance 06-2025 to the Centreville Planning Commission.
Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. Ordinance 09-2025 – Chapter 31 – Dangerous Buildings, First Reading – Council President
• Ms. Kaiser provided background on Ordinance 09-2025 for the purpose of amending Chapter 31
Dangerous Buildings to allow the costs of repair, vacation and/or demolition by the Town to be
assessed against the property as a lien collectible in the same manner as real estate taxes.
• A public hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2025.
c. Public Information Officer Services – Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager
• Ms. Brinkley provided the following memo:
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• Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to reject the RFP and accept the Julie Parker proposal as a benefit from being
a member of LGIT. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
d. Utility Rate Study – Karen Luffman, Finance Officer
• Ms. Luffman updated the Town Council on the budget utility rate study in FY 25 and provided the following
memo:
• Ms. Luffman is asking the council to approve the money in the budget, as the reason for the study has changed.
• Mr. Beauchamp motioned to approve the use of the funds, Vice President Kiel seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
e. Queen Anne’s County White Marsh Sewer Connection – Clifford Matthews, Director of Public Works
• Mr. Matthews informed the Council that Queen Anne's County has asked for a sanitation sewer service only
at White Marsh Park, which is located outside of town limits.
• Mr. Matthews is asking the Council for permission to connect White Marsh Park, however, he would like to
wait for the Council’s approval of allocations until the County's plans are available, which could be up to a
month away. Mr. Matthews stated that it is estimated to be one to two allocations.
• The County is responsible for everything and will connect to the main in North Brook.
• Ms. VanEmburgh, the Town Attorney, advises that the Town create a policy to deal with the extension. The
Town could adopt a policy by Resolution, Ordinance, or make it a part of the Capacity Management Plan.
• Mr. Matthews requested a Public Works Agreement as well.
• After a brief discussion, “Institutional use” should be added to the policy we agree to write for the
extraterritorial extension to be allowed.
• The Council was in agreement with granting Queen Anne's County the allocations.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
• Summer Conference in Ocean City, Maryland- June 22-25, 2025
b. Council of Governments
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• Mr. Kiel updated the Town Council on two of the Council of Government meetings.
• Alan Quimby, the Director of Queen Anne’s County Public Works, discussed how they are working
on their Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plant Plan.
• The Department of Emergency Services is working on its hazard mitigation plan.
• County Administrator Todd Mohn reported that the State Highway User Funds will be decreasing in
District II.
• Church Hill is working on their Budget
• Two speed Cameras in Church Hill, averaging 200 violations per month
• Church Hill is also working on their wastewater treatment upgrades.
• Lastly, the Community Church Hill Hunt is completed
• Queenstown is working on the water tower infrastructure project
• Wheatlands has a developer now, Richmond American Homes. 200 homes will be developed
• The Golf Course is going to have a 25-room hotel, new cottages, and a new 9-hole executive golf
course with a driving range.
• The County has budget hearings May 19th, 20th and 21st.
• Two developments in Queen Anne's County are working to get approved. One is on Kent Island; one
is in Grasonville.
• Queen Anne's County has a Plastic Bag Ban hearing scheduled for May 27, 2025
• The Board of Education building will be in service at the start of the school year.
• The Speed Camera in Sudlersville has had 725 violations from January until now.
• The Queen Anne's Sheriff’s Office now has three K-9 units and one Drone Unit.
• Queen Anne’s County has 12 school resource officers and 4 officers graduating from the academy in
June.
c. Economic Development
• Applicants need to apply to CEDA, and we do need one reference from the Arts Council to CEDA
d. Park Advisory Board
• Washington College has sent two quotes for Canopy Mapping, which needs to be done every 5 years
• Arbor Day was a great Celebration
• Elm tree getting replaced at the Wharf
• Container Garden on Front St. is being completed.
• Discussing our options with Kip Matthews from the Department of Public Works for the empty tree
wells in Town to increase the tree canopy.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
• Mr. Worth was absent, and Ms. Huffer gave a brief update
• A Saturday work session was held on May 3rd, from 9- 3 p.m. and a lot of TND work was
accomplished
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
• The Ad for Zoning Administrator has been placed.
• Public Speaking Training with Julie Parker went well.
• May 29th, Ms. Brinkley, Ms. Adams, and Laura Anthony from the Centreville Police Department, are
attending Social Media training.
• Working on a lot of Town zoning items.
• Staff has also been working on items with the Cemetery.
• Touch a Truck event will be held on May 31, 2025 at Queen Anne's High School from 11-3 p.m.
b. Chief of Police
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c. Town Clerk
• Ms. Adams requested that the Council donate at the Gold Level for the Town to be a Business of
Character again. Mr. Kiel made a motion to approve the donation of $250 to become a business of
Character. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion. It was approved unanimously.
• Board and Commission notifications are now live on the Town’s website,
www.townofcentreville.org. Ms. Adams encourages the Town and Council Members to sign up.
d. Main Street Manager
• It is time to apply for the Main Street Improvement Grant Process. This is the $25,000 grant we have
received in the past from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
• Ms. D’Agostino is looking to get an updated Market Study. The last study was completed in 2015.
The Market study would use most of the grant.
• With the rest of the grant, Ms. D’Agostino would like to continue the Bonus Pop Up cards program
and small business promotion and marketing.
• The Council had no questions regarding the proposed use of the grant funds, should they be awarded.
• Ms. D’Agostino reported that the event is $2000 above last year's sponsorship donors.
• The VIP experience at the Bull and Goat will have beer and food pairings. The local restaurants for
providing 4 guided tastings are: Bay Shore Steam Pot, Mini crab balls, Mama Mia’s with Bruschetta,
Uno Mas will provide Pollo Asado Street Tacos, and lastly, the Event is waiting on what Doc’s will
be providing.
• Several VIP tickets have already been purchased.
Citizen Comments:
Mr. Frederick Beu asked the Council for the Plans that are occurring at the Wharf. Ms. Brinkley updated Mr. Beu on
the grant phases. We are in the third phase, which is to improve the parking lot, as well as add a walking path and
build a band shell.
Mr. Beu asked what the current zoning is for Carter Farm. Ms. Brinkley stated it is TND, Traditional Neighborhood
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Development.
Council Roundtable
• Ms. Huffer asked Ms. Brinkley regarding the PIO Services, if she would brief the Council on the plan. Ms.
Brinkley stated yes, as a Resolution will need to be presented and passed after the approved plan.
• Ms. Kaiser stated that the June 6, 2025 First Friday will be a Lua theme and Gunther’s BBQ will be
cooking a whole Hog.
• Speaking in front of a Veterans Group, Monday, June 23, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at the Legion. Ms. Brinkley will
attend with Ms. Kaiser.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Kiel made a motion to adjourn the May 15, 2025 Town Council meeting. Mr.
Beauchamp seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Gaye Adams
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved April 17, 2025 Meeting Minutes.
2. Approved the $750.00 Donation to the Arts Council out of A10.
3. Approved the suspension of Chapter 7-3, allowing the public consumption of alcohol at Rocking the Porch.
4. Approved the extended closure of Lawyers Mall after the Farmers Market until 8 p.m. on October 5, 2025.
5. Approved Resolution 05-2025 the Centreville Comprehensive Plan, 2040.
6. Approved referring Ordinance 06-2025 – Text Amendment- Chapter 170 – Electronic Signs to the Planning
Commission.
7. Approved the Public Information Officer services through LGIT.
8. Approved the use of the funds for the Utility Rate Study.
9. Approved the allocations to Queen Anne’s County for White Marsh Park.
10. Approved Business of Character
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