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approved meeting minutes 06.05.25.pdf

Minutes June 5, 2025 · 6 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
June 5, 2025
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The June 5, 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 (via zoom), Daniel
B. Worth, and Sandra L. Huffer, Members; Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager; William C. Chapman, Acting
Town Attorney; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Chief Robert Hobbs, Centreville Police Department; Carol
D’Agostino, Main Street Manager.
• Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. Jim Beauchamp asked to recognize the
Centreville Police Department, in particular two officers, Officer Ford and Officer DeCrispino, who
responded to a call for a shooting outside of town. These two officers were the first on the scene, secured
the area, and performed life-saving measures on several victims. Mr. Beauchamp commended their
actions. The Council unanimously agreed and thanked Chief Hobbs and the entire Centreville Police
Department for all that they do.
• Ms. Kaiser then asked if there were any changes to the agenda. Mr. Beauchamp stated that Ordinance 08-
2025 should have been on the agenda, but he was unable to make the changes in time for the meeting.
After working with the town attorney, Mr. Beauchamp provided a version for the Council to review and
take up later. There were no other agenda comments. Ms. Kaiser asked if there were any changes to the
May 15, 2025 meeting minutes; there being none, Mr. Kiel made a motion to approve the meeting
minutes as presented. Ms. Huffer seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
Citizens Forum
No citizens provided comments.
Appearances
a. Jennifer Moore – Farmers’ Market Request
• Ms. Moore has requested a Tuesday evening market from 4-6 p.m.
• The weekday market would like to start sometime in June.
• Ms. Kaiser asked to have a meeting with the Market and with Council to discuss the market being a
function of the Town. Ms. Moore agreed to set that up.
• Ms. Moore then requested on June 29, 2025 to close Broadway during the farmers market's hours.
The market will host the Water’s Edge Museum from Oxford. Ms. Moore expects a larger crowd.
The event is at 11 a.m. for about one hour.
• Ms. Kaiser is willing to conditionally approve these requests, pending a scheduled meeting. She
clarified that this approval is not contingent upon the meeting's outcomes.
• Ms. Huffer thanked Ms. Moore for wanting to expand the market on a weekday, and Ms. Kaiser
thanked her for the addition of the food truck.
• The farmers’ market now accepts SNAP and WIC.
• The farmers’ market has also expressed interest in sourcing protein on an occasional basis.
• Ms. Huffer motioned to approve an evening market starting in June from 4-6 p.m. and closing
Broadway on June 29, 2025 during the time of the Farmers Market. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
• Ms. Brinkley asked for clarification on the location of the evening market and what spaces will be
closed.
• After a lengthy discussion, the evening market will be on the corner of Lawyers Row, across from the
Shore United bank.
b. Tara Coursey – Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Centre – Juneteenth Celebration
• Ms. Coursey introduced herself as the new Executive Director.
• Ms. Coursey is inviting everyone to join them on June 14, 2025 to the Free Family event at Kennard
Elementary from 8-4 p.m. Ms. Coursey outlined the highlights of the festival:
o All proceeds benefit the Heritage Center
o Breakfast Buffet for a $5.00 donation
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o Free Father’s Day haircuts
o The Parade is at 10 a.m. from the High School to Little Kidwell
o Opening Ceremonies at 12:00 p.m.
o Free Basketball Clinic
o Performers and a DJ
o New at the event is One Maryland One Book, sponsored by the Museum and Library Services and
Maryland Humanities. Every year, they select an author, and they choose a book that everyone should
read. This year, the author chosen to attend will be Carol Boston Weatherford. Ms. Weatherford will
do a reading and book signing at the event. The book Selected is called Kin.
o The second author at the event will be Dr. Clair Small, a former professor at the University of
Maryland Eastern Shore. She will also be reading and book signing at the festival.
c. Kara Willis- Request Front St. Road Closure - Private Event
• Ms. Willis would like to close the Street from 4:30 p.m.- 11:00 p.m.
• Mr. Kiel made a motion to close Front St. from 4:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. on July 12th, Mr. Worth
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Old Business
a. Ordinance 07-2025 – FY 26’ Budget – Second Reading and Consideration – Council President
• Ms. Luffman reported the following:
o The transfer to fund balance in the Operating Fund is $99,990.
o The transfer to fund balance in the Enterprise Fund is $150,961.
o 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.
o 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 but is not currently grant funded.
• Mr. Beauchamp motioned to approve the FY 26 Budget, Ms. Huffer seconded the motion. Ms.
Kaiser asked for a 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 09-2025-Chapter 31 – Dangerous Buildings – Second Reading – Council President
• Ms. Kaiser provided background that this Ordinance which amends 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.
New Business
a. Ordinance 11-2025 – Deed of Dedication -Green Street Extended- First Reading – Council President
• Ordinance 11-2025 was introduced for the purpose of authorizing the acceptance of Green Street
extended from the Young Men’s Christian Association of the Chesapeake, Inc. and all matters related
thereto.
• Ms. Brinkley mentioned that a letter from the County was received allowing the YMCA to dispose of
the property.
• A public hearing is scheduled for June 26, 2025
b. Encumbrance of Capital – Karen Luffman – Finance Officer
• Ms. Luffman provided a memo regarding the Encumbrance
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• The current trail brochure is given out at Town Hall.
• It was discussed to distribute the brochure at the Farmers’ Market, First Friday and the kiosks at the
Outlets.
• Ms. Huffer motioned to encumber the funds of $3000 to the FY 26 budget. Mr. Kiel seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
c. Town Solar Power Partnership – Karen Luffman – Finance Officer
• Ms. Luffman provided a memo about the solar partnership.
• Ms. Kaiser would like to wait to make the decision to allow time to make more inquiries. Ms. Kaiser
asked to add this back to June 26, 2025 agenda.
d. Water Allocation – Spring Street – Carolyn Brinkley – Town Manager
• Ms. Brinkley provided the following memo:
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• Mr. Kiel motioned to approve one sewer and one water allocation for 132 Spring Street and one
sewer allocation for 138 Spring Street. Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
e. Town Council Meeting Summer Schedule – Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager
• Ms. Kaiser proposed meetings on July 10 and August 7, noting that the timing ensures
meetings are not too far apart. She also suggested scheduling a TND work session.
• Ms. Willis was asked to provide the Council with a brief update on the Planning
Commission’s progress regarding the TND changes.
• Ms. Willis reported that the Planning Commission expects to complete the TND updates by
the end of July. Following this, Ms. Kaiser proposed holding a TND work session on July
31, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the Centreville Wharf building, 1st floor.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
• Summer Conference in Ocean City, Maryland- June 22-25, 2025
• A know before you go email has been sent out from MML- looking forward to a great conference.
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
• Applicants need to apply to CEDA. Ms. Kaiser will meet with Carolyn and Carol to recruit specific
members for the board.
d. Park Advisory Board
• The process of getting the band shell bid is still moving along. The band shell will be completed this
year; no exact date has been given.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
• Mr. Worth stated the Planning Commission approved the shopping subdivision on Laser Drive across
from Dunkin Donuts.
• Working on a revised draft of the comprehensive signage plan for the shopping center.
• The election of officers will be moved to the end of June.
• Created a draft of their annual report.
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• Next Planning Commission work session is June 11, 2025.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
• Ms. Brinkley reported the following:
• Met with the Town’s representative from Julie Parker Communications to outline the upcoming
communication strategy. The communication audit, followed by developing the plan. Step one:
launching a staff survey.
• Staff had a meeting with the EPA regarding the Town’s Federal earmark funding for streets. Attended
the Corsica Implementers meeting, along with member Sandy Huffer, and provided an update on the
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Conducted a site tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant with the Maryland Department of the
Environment (MDE). MDE raised questions regarding our Preliminary Engineering Report (PER); an
amendment was submitted, and the Town awaiting final approval.
• The Department of Public Works continues progress on the mixing study which is expected to
conclude in July. Ms. Huffer requested a 6-month update on the Treatment Plant. Ms. Brinkley
requested the update be delayed until July in hopes of the approval of the PER and completion of the
mixing study.
• Staff as well as Ms. Huffer attended the Corsica Implementors meeting.
• State Highway is still processing the deed for land acquisition on S. Commerce Street.
• Attended a social media training session with Gaye Adams and Laura Anthony. It was highly
informative, particularly on social media archiving. Our current website provider was highly
recommended for archiving services, and Ms. Adams is now gathering cost estimates.
• Continued collaboration with the owners of 101 South Commerce Street on finalizing construction
plans. Basement foundation work is still in progress.
• Ms. Adams and Ms. Brinkley completed the last Character Counts sessions in May. Character Counts
has been very rewarding.
• The Touch a Truck event on Saturday, May 31, 2025 was a huge success with over 150 kids in
attendance. The event had 15 vendors and two food trucks.
b. Chief of Police
• Chief Hobbs expressed his sincere appreciation to the Town Council for their continued support of
the Police Department and other Department Heads. He emphasized that the Council’s service is
truly valued.
c. Town Attorney
• Mr. Chapman presented the Council with a revised draft of Ordinance 08-2025, which includes two
proposed amendments. These items are slated for discussion at the upcoming Council Meeting on
June 26, 2025.
d. Main Street Manager
• Ms. D’Agostino shared a brief update on the upcoming Maryland Crafted event, scheduled for
Saturday, June 7th.
• The event has already exceeded its fundraising goal by $2,000—an exciting milestone.
• VIP tickets are still available and include access to crafted beverage tastings paired with dishes from
local favorites: Mama Mia’s, Bay Shore Steam Pot, Uno Mas, and Doc’s.
• Volunteers from Centreville and beyond—including neighboring counties and states—are stepping
up to support the event.
Citizen Comments:
No citizens provided comments
Council Roundtable
• Mr. Kiel intends to contact the Property Management Company to address the deteriorating condition of the
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Acme parking lot and request that it be repaired.
• He also expressed his gratitude to the officers who were first on the scene during the early Sunday morning
shooting, commending them for their outstanding response and dedication.
• Ms. Kaiser reminded everyone to join in the fun at the upcoming First Friday Luau, featuring live music,
delicious food, and games for all ages, as well as the Maryland Crafted Event on Saturday and the Farmers’
Market on Sunday.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Kiel made a motion to adjourn the June 5, 2025 Town Council meeting. Ms.
Huffer seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Gaye Adams
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved weekday evening farmers market pending a scheduled meeting.
2. Approved the closure of Front Street July 12, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for a private event.
3. Approved Ordinance 07-2025- FY 26’ Budget.
4. Approved the encumbrance of capital.
5. Approved water and sewer allocations– Spring Street.
6. Approved summer meeting schedule.
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