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2026-05-21-tc-approved-minutes.pdf

Minutes May 21, 2026 · 4 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
May 21, 2026
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The May 21, 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; Sandra L. Huffer, Frederick E. Beu ,
and Fred M. McNeil, Members; Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Chief
Robert Hobbs, Centreville Police Department; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Clifford Matthews, Director of
Public Works; 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 May
7th Town Council meeting minutes. There being none, Ms. Huffer made a motion to approve the minutes
as presented. Mr. McNeil seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Citizens Forum
No citizens were available for comments.
New Business
Ms. Kaiser asked Mr. Matthews to present New Business to delay time for the Public Hearing.
a. Purchase Request – Portable Sign Board for DPW – Clifford Matthews, Director of Public Works
• Mr. Matthews presented a request to purchase a portable electronic message sign board.
• Mr. Matthews explained the sign would improve communication with residents regarding hydrant flushing,
road closures, trash and recycling changes, paving projects, and community events.
• The Town has previously borrowed the Police Department’s smaller signboards, which proved effective for
public notification.
• The proposed sign is a larger 4’ x 8’ unit capable of displaying additional messaging.
• Funding for the purchase would come from the FY26 Public Works operating budget and would not require
additional appropriations.
• Staff noted the Public Works Department remains under budget for the fiscal year.
• Delivery is expected within two to four weeks.
• Council discussed the benefits of improved public communication and the importance of notifying residents
regarding the upcoming recycling program changes.
• Mr. McNeil made a motion to approve the purchase of a portable electronic signboard from Safeware, Inc. in
an amount not to exceed $19,773 using the FY26 operating budget, Mr. Beu seconded the motion which
passed unanimously.
Public Hearing
a. Ordinance 02-2026– Vacant Properties Ordinance - President Ashley Kaiser
• The public hearing for Ordinance 02-2026, an ordinance adding a new Chapter 150 of the Town Code to
establish the procedures and requirements for vacant properties and matters generally related thereto, was
called to order at 7:09 p.m.
• Ms. Kaiser provided the background for this Ordinance. Ms. Kaiser discussed the purpose of the ordinance,
including addressing blighted, overgrown properties, debris, and property maintenance concerns. Ms. Kaiser
explained the ordinance would provide the Town with additional tools to address vacant properties negatively
impacting neighboring properties.
• Ms. Kaiser called Ms. Adams, Town Clerk, to provide evidence of public notice.
• Ms. Adams presented certification of publication in the Bay Times Record Observer on May 1st and May 8th
• Ms. Kaiser stated no citizens were present at the meeting for comments and no comments were received prior
to the meeting and asked for a motion to adjourn the public hearing.
• Mr. Kiel moved to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Beu seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
• The public hearing for Ordinance 02-2026 adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
b. Ordinance 04-2026- FY 2027 Budget – Karen Luffman. Finance Officer Second Reading-Council President
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• The public hearing for Ordinance 04-2026 is for the purpose of adopting a budget for the Town of Centreville
for Fiscal year 2027, was called to order at 7:11 p.m.
• Ms. Luffman provided an overview of revisions made since the previous budget discussion. The recycling
line- item was removed from the budget and replaced with the newly approved trash contract.
• Workers’ compensation numbers were updated using actual figures provided by the insurance carrier. The
General Fund surplus remains at $26,543 and the Enterprise Fund surplus at $6,258.
• Ms. Kaiser called Ms. Adams, Town Clerk, to provide evidence of public notice.
• Ms. Adams presented certification of publication in the Bay Times Record Observer on May 1st and May 8th
• Ms. Kaiser stated no citizens were present at the meeting for comments and no comments were received prior
to the meeting and asked for a motion to adjourn the public hearing.
• Ms. Huffer moved to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
• The public hearing for Ordinance 04-2026 adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
Old Business
a. Ordinance 02-2026– Vacant Properties Ordinance- Consideration- President Ashley Kaiser
• Council members discussed the importance of addressing blight, tall grass, debris, and other property
maintenance concerns.
• Council agreed the ordinance provides an important enforcement tool and clarifies property owner
responsibilities.
• Ms. Huffer made a motion to approve Ordinance 02-2026 Vacant Properties and Mr. Kiel seconded the
motion. Ms. Kaiser asked for a roll call vote which passed unanimously.
Council Member Yes No Abstain Absent
Council Member Beu X
Council Member Huffer X
President Kaiser X
Vice President Kiel X
Council Member McNeil X
b. Ordinance 04-2026- FY 2027 Budget – Karen Luffman. Finance Officer Second Reading-Council President
• Council was reminded that the FY2027 budget is scheduled for public hearing and consideration at the June
4, 2026, meeting.
c. Ordinance 05-2026-Amending Planning Commission Membership-Second Reading- Council President
• This Ordinance is to amend the provisions of Chapter 20, Article V of the Town Code related to the Town of
Centreville Planning and Zoning Commission.
• The ordinance proposes reducing the number of Planning Commission members to a more achievable
volunteer number from seven (7) members to five (5) members.
• Council discussed the challenges of maintaining membership levels and noted the proposed number aligns
more closely with surrounding jurisdictions.
• A public hearing will be held at the June 4, 2026, Town Council meeting.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
• No report.
b. Council of Governments
• Mr. Kiel reported the following:
o Southern Queen Anne’s will host an old-time baseball game on October 10 as part of the
250th anniversary celebration.
o Several municipalities reported uncontested elections.
o Church Hill’s 150th anniversary celebration will occur on June 6 with a parade and fireworks.
o Queen Anne’s County discussed wastewater treatment capacity, speed cameras, public safety
concerns, and scam awareness initiatives.
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c. Economic Development
• Mr. Beu reported the following:
o Mr. Beu reported that the first Centreville Economic Development Authority (CEDA)
operational meeting had been held successfully.
o They discussed coordination with Queen Anne’s County Economic Development, Planning
and Zoning, and Main Street initiatives.
o Pat Fox was unanimously selected as Chairperson.
o The board discussed the importance of timely communication regarding economic
development opportunities.
o The next meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 3:30 pm in the first-floor meeting room at
the Wharf.
d. Park Advisory Board
• Mr. McNeil had no updates at this time
• Ms. Huffer encouraged watering newly planted trees due to dry conditions.
e. Planning Commission
• Ms. Huffer reported the following:
o The Blue Crab Car Wash final subdivision plat and site plan were approved.
o Additional revisions are being made to the proposed fence ordinance.
o Planning Commission reviewed amendments related to Ordinance 03-2026 solar array
regulations.
o Ordinance 06-2026 establishing a six-month moratorium on short-term rentals was
recommended for approval.
o Current officers have been reappointed, with Ms. Willis serving as Chair and Mr. Zuella
serving as Vice Chair.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
• Ms. Brinkley reported the following:
o Met with the Army Corps of Engineers and State Highway regarding the State Highway
property and trail access. An area of reserved rights will be identified for the trail and the
public is permitted to access the whole property, including the mitigated area, for recreation,
foraging, and similar passive uses.
o The Town completed employee open enrollment activities.
o Ms. Luffman will begin the FY26 audit process soon.
o Staff met regarding public communication strategies related to trash, recycling, and utility
billing updates.
b. Chief of Police
• Chief Hobbs reported the following:
o Officers participated in the Touch-A-Truck event, school activities, and community events.
o Upcoming events include high school graduation, farmers markets, fraud prevention
discussions with the American Legion, Juneteenth activities, Maryland Crafted,
Fireworks July 2, and National Night Out.
o National Night Out 2026 will be held August 4, 2026, at Queen Anne’s County High School.
Planned activities include K9 demonstrations, a petting zoo, and participation by the
Maryland State Police Aviation Unit.
o Council requested recent speed trailer data from deployments throughout Town.
c. Director of Public Works
• Mr. Matthews apologized for the recent trash pick up issues.
• Residents were advised of ongoing trash collection delays due to contractor equipment issues.
d. Town Clerk
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• Ms. Adams reported the following:
o Fireworks permits for the July 2 event have been approved by the State.
o Planning for the fireworks event continues, including rides, nonprofits, and a petting zoo.
o Planning has begun for the 2026 holiday parade theme.
o Staff continues to work on the Town cemetery mapping and digitization project.
o Preparations for Maryland Crafted are underway, including the Sip & Savor Trail using the
Let’s Rally app.
o WRNR will participate in Maryland Crafted with live broadcasts and giveaways.
o VIP tickets for Maryland Crafted remain available.
o The Main Street Market Study presentation is scheduled for the July 16, 2026, Council
meeting.
Citizen Comments
• No citizens provided comments.
Council Roundtable
• Mr. Kiel asked for an update on the Mill property. Ms. Brinkley stated the permit for the beam for the
building has been approved, they have not completed the fence permit yet.
• Mr. Kiel stated that a resident expressed appreciation for final paving work in Providence Farm.
• Mr. Beu emphasized the importance of communication regarding economic development opportunities
and discussed efforts to retain interest in a proposed restaurant project.
• Mr. McNeil thanked staff members for assistance with resident inquiries and recycling communication
efforts.
• Ms. Kaiser discussed the return of First Fridays beginning June 5, 2026, at 6:00 pm on Lawyers Row
and thanked Town staff for all the work towards making that a great event.
• Ms. Kaiser also discussed ways to continue efforts related to sustainability, recycling education, and
community outreach for continued recycling efforts. She is looking into having recycling partners
attend First Fridays as well as the Farmer’s Market.
There being no further business, Ms. Huffer made a motion to adjourn. The Town Council meeting adjourned at 7:52
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R. Gaye Adams
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the purchase of a portable electronic sign board for Public Works
2. Approved Ordinance 02-2026– Vacant Properties
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