← All documents

2026-02-19-tc-approved-minutes.pdf

Minutes February 19, 2026 · 3 page(s)

View original PDF ↗ Meeting

Full extracted text

The document's complete text, exactly as extracted — not a summary. Use “Summarize this document” above for the short version.

Town Council of Centreville
February 19, 2026
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The February 19, 2026, 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; Frederick E. Beu, Sandra L.
Huffer, Members; Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Chief Robert Hobbs,
Centreville Police Department; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; and Gaye Adams, Town Clerk.
As there were no changes to the agenda, Ms. Kaiser asked if there were any changes or edits to the
minutes from the February 5, 2026 meeting. There being no changes, Ms. Huffer made a motion to
approve the meeting minutes as presented. Mr. Beu seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Closed Session Statement
Citizens Forum
Ms. Margaret Jaegly from North Brook shared her concerns regarding the water bill late fee. She presented a
packet that was given to the Town Attorney, who will draft a response to her questions and concerns.
Appearances
a. Goodwill Fire Department Update:
• Mr. Raymond Aaron, President, and Mr. Wayne Bloodsworth, Chairman of the Board, provided an
update and explained how the Council’s donation was being used.
• Donation funds allocated to EMS were being applied toward the purchase of a new EMS cardiac monitor,
estimated cost is $55,000, with expected delivery around mid-year.
• Remaining donation funds would support a capital project to repair the Fire Company parking lot, which
has not been resurfaced since approximately 2003.
• Mr. Bloodsworth noted they would be willing to include paving work in the area near the Town’s parking
lot by the water tower if desired, while the contractor is mobilized.
• The Fire Company described a recent generator replacement necessity:
o Generator failure required an urgent replacement due to operational needs (bay doors,
communications, and electrical systems).
o Generator replacement cost stated as $120,000, with a projected wait of approximately five
months.
• The Fire Company noted long-range planning needs, including eventual replacement of a single mid-size
truck noted as approximately $1.3 million.
• Council thanked the Fire Company for its service and the update. The Fire Company reiterated an open
invitation for Council to tour the station and shared community event information, including:
o Breakfast is held every third Sunday.
o Cash Bash is scheduled for April 25, 2026.
2026-02-19-TC-Draft-Minutes 1 | Pag e

Old Business
a. Ordinance 01-2026 – Deeds of Road Dedication- Providence Farm Phases IV & V-Second Reading – Council
President
• Ordinance 01-2026 was presented for the purpose of authorizing the acceptance of Providence Lane,
Portsmith Lane, and Bristol Lane in Providence Farm Phases IV and V and all matters related thereto.
• Council noted the ordinance will have a Public Hearing at the March 5, 2026 meeting. Discussion and
consideration will occur at that time.
New Business
a. FY26 Mid-Year Update- Karen Luffman- Finance Director
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
• Nothing at this time.
b. Council of Governments
• Town of Barclay reportedly received a federal earmark of $1.3 million for a new Town Hall.
• Queen Anne’s County is continuing work on its solid waste plan.
• Chesapeake College reportedly has a fully funded 50,000 sq. ft. Career and Technology Center project.
c. Economic Development
• Mr. Beu reported being out for several weeks and is preparing to restart recruitment efforts for seven
members needed for the Centreville Economic Development Authority (CEDA).
• Mr. Beu stated his goal is to complete the process within approximately 30 days, including interviews.
d. Park Advisory Board
• Nothing at this time.
2026-02-19-TC-Draft-Minutes 2 | Pag e

e. Centreville Planning Commission
• A special exception application for an owner-occupied short-term rental at 109 Wharf Lane was
recommended to move forward.
• Planning Commission continued discussion regarding the fence ordinance policy cleanup and
consolidation, including front yard fence provisions that may have been removed previously and were
being evaluated for reinsertion and clarification.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
• Ms. Brinkley reported the following:
o Staff have been focused on budget development and have held additional budget meetings since the
last Council meeting. The proposed budget is expected to be presented to Council at the March 5,
2026 meeting, including binders and an overview.
b. Chief of Police
• Chief Hobbs reported the following:
o K9 scan numbers were lower in January due to annual K9 certification training, with expectations of
higher numbers in coming months.
o The Town experienced one attempted homicide incident in January; an arrest was made, and the
matter was resolved without injury to the public. Chief Hobbs recognized assistance from the Queen
Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office.
o The department conducted 484 business and residential patrol checks.
o Special assignments included:
▪ K9 certifications attended by two officers.
▪ Meeting with a local veteran’s group at the American Legion.
▪ Quarterly meeting with the Queen Anne’s County Drug Task Force; drug trends
noted as primarily outside Town limits.
o Chief Hobbs also reported the department provided active assailant training for Town staff and
completed security walkthroughs of Town facilities, offering operational recommendations for
improvements.
o Council thanked Chief Hobbs and the department for responsiveness and professionalism.
Citizen Comments:
• No citizens provided comments.
Council Roundtable
• Mr. Keil thanked staff and Council for the Council retreat and noted it was productive.
• Mr. Beu stated the retreat was valuable for understanding department operations and reiterated focus on
reestablishing CEDA. Mr. Beu also announced he would be absent from the March 5, 2026 meeting and
expressed intent to advance CEDA candidate materials before that date.
• Ms. Huffer echoed that the retreat helped establish priorities for the coming year and encouraged the public
to participate in the Main Street survey currently underway.
There being no further business, Mr. Kiel made a motion to adjourn. The Town Council meeting adjourned at 7:39
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Gaye Adams
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved February 5, 2026 Meeting Minutes
2. Public Hearing scheduled for March 5, 2026 for Ordinance 01-2026-Deeds of Road Dedication
2026-02-19-TC-Draft-Minutes 3 | Pag e