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january 5 2023 town council meeting minutes - approved

Minutes January 5, 2023 · 4 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
January 5, 2023
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The January 5, 2023 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice President Ashley H. Kaiser at
the Liberty Building located at 107 N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following members and staff were
present: Ashley H. Kaiser, Vice President; Eric B. Johnson, Jr., Daniel B. Worth, and Jim A. Beauchamp, Members;
Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager; Clifford (Kip) Matthews, Director of Public Works; Chief Robert Hobbs,
Centreville Police Department; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney;
and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the
December 1, 2022 meeting minutes, as presented. Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Citizens Forum
No citizen comments were offered.
Appearances
a. 2022 Christmas Tree Decorating Contest Winners
 Ms. Kaiser presented trophies to the winners of the 2022 Christmas Tree Decorating Contest:
 1st Place – Girl Scout Troop 226
 2nd Place – Girl Scout Troop 1423
 3rd Place – Girl Scout Troop 591
 Mr. Johnson presented trophies to the winners of the 2022 Centreville Christmas Parade:
 BEST OVERALL
 Wye River Upper School
 MOST ORIGINAL
 1st Place – Mike Garner Hay & Livestock
 2nd Place – 14u UQA Lions Softball
 3rd Place – New Freedom Church
 KEEPING WITH THE THEME
 1st Place – American Heritage Girls
 2nd Place – Bridge’s Behavioral Health & Wellness
 2nd Place – Centreville Middle School Honor Society
 3rd Place – Girl Scout Troops 446, 1423, 226
New Business
a. Resolution 01-2023 – Charter Amendment – Chief of Police – Council President
 Ms. Kaiser read Resolution 01-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the reporting
structure for the Chief of Police.
 Ms. Kaiser reported this is a Charter clean-up based on action by the previous Council, two Councils ago,
to make the Chief of Police report to the Town Manager. This will allow the Town Manager to manager
this position more effectively.
 Mr. Worth asked if the Town Manager would then hire the Chief of Police in the future. Ms. Kaiser
stated yes, but in consultation with the Town Council.
 Mr. Beauchamp stated when he was previously on the Council, the Chief of Police reported to the Town
Manager for everything administratively and to the Council on things police-related.
 Mr. Johnson asked Ms. VanEmburgh how other jurisdictions have the Chief of Police reporting. Ms.
VanEmburgh stated it varies between jurisdictions. She stated this resolution was created based on
previous direction from the Council.
 Mr. Johnson requested alternate language be presented to the Council as it relates to the administrative /
police-related issues of the Chief of Police.
b. Resolution 02-2023 – Charter Amendment – Section 702 – Merit System – Council President
 Ms. Kaiser read Resolution 02-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the
references to the State Office and Regulations for the merit system.
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 Ms. Kaiser reported that this resolution is to keep the Town consistent with the language of the State.
c. Resolution 03-2023 – Charter Amendment – Section 703 – Unclassified and Classified Service
 Ms. Kaiser read Resolution 03-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the
unclassified and classified service for the Town.
 Ms. Ebaugh reported that this resolution codifies what the Town is already doing.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
 Mr. Beauchamp reported that the legislative session begins the following week and MML has created
their legislative priorities which are the following:
 Creating an option for municipalities to establish their own police accountability boards and
administrative charging committees.
 In addition, MML has created strategic initiatives, as follows:
 The expansion of municipal revenue sources to alleviate the dependency upon property taxes and,
 State policies that promote clear, effective, and transparent communications with residents.
b. Council of Governments
 Mr. Worth reported that the COG will meet the following week on January 9th and the Town of
Centreville is hosting.
c. Economic Development
 Mr. Johnson reported that the next Fireside Chat will be scheduled for February and he will provide more
information on that when details have been finalized.
 He has discussed a town beautification team developing and they are launching their official name and
meeting. The Centreville Festivities and Beautification Team will launch their next meeting on Monday,
January 9th from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
d. Park Advisory Board
 Ms. Kaiser reported that the Park Advisory Board completed their annual report which was distributed to
the Town Council.
 Ms. Kaiser inquired about the remaining Waterway Improvement Fund (WIF) grant. Ms. Brinkley stated
that there is $36,945.44 remaining in the grant. Suggestions were discussed with the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) which included four (4) additional boat slips and picnic tables. If the boat slips
could be completed prior to the end of the grant cycle, the Town Council was in favor of additional slips.
If it cannot be completed, then using the funds to complete the design and permitting and then apply for
construction funds in the next grant cycle would be feasible.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
 Mr. Kline was not present at the meeting however, Ms. VanEmburgh reported that the public hearing for
the Town’s Comprehensive Community Plan will be held on January 18th.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Mr. Koogle reported the following:
 The Town sent information on farm access testing and the farmer’s had a few follow-up questions,
which were answered therefore, the Town is waiting for the documents to be returned before testing
can begin.
 As a recap, Mr. Koogle stated that the Town had an opportunity to apply for federal congressionally
directed spending. The Town applied for the maximum $4 million and was awarded $2.155 million
out of the Interior Bill to be used towards the upgrade of the Town’s wastewater treatment plant.
 In conversation with Senator VanHollen’s office and Senator Cardin’s office, the Town will be
applying for another round of congressionally directed spending to be used towards the list of roads
that need to be upgraded. This would include the infrastructure beneath the roads as well as, the
road itself. He also discussed applying for funds to be used towards a new municipal building.
Funds can be applied for again to be used towards the wastewater treatment plant however, since
funds were already received for this, they indicate it would not be funded again. This is the reason
for additional items for consideration.
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 The Town is in this year’s legislative budget and he will report on the final numbers once they are
confirmed.
 In Annapolis at least two (2) times to meet with legislators on behalf of the Town.
 WATEK Engineering Corporation will be attending the January 19th Town Council meeting to
discuss the technical aspect of the wastewater treatment plant upgrade.
 Employees are encouraged to continue learning and Ashley Russ, Finance Specialist, took a course
and received her accounts payable certification.
 Mr. Johnson stated great work has been done by staff and the lobbyist at obtaining funding for the
upgrade and appreciates their efforts.
 Ms. Kaiser stated that securing $2.1 million is huge and thanked the Town Manager for his hard
work.
b. Chief of Police
 Chief Hobbs reported the following:
 Officers helped to organize and participate in the Christmas parade.
 During the holiday season, patrols were increased at the shopping centers.
 Hired Michelle Herd as an uncertified officer and she began the police academy the day before
 With regards to capital purchases, the Police Department has taken possession of all three (3)
police cars and the coloring had to be changed to black and white as opposed to navy and
white as navy is no longer being made.
 Ms. Kaiser asked if the partitions are being utilized in all police cars. Chief Hobbs reported
that all but one car is on the road with partitions.
 All parking meters have been removed.
 Working on the 5-year budget.
 Police Department has completed all trainings required for 2022.
 Laura Anthony, Administrative Assistant, went through all files and has updated them for
compliance.
 Ms. Kaiser asked when a speed camera would be installed on Little Kidwell. Chief Hobbs
stated that he will ask RedSpeed to complete another study and this will be revisited once the
data is collected.
 Automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems were discussed related to a grant that would
pay for two (2) mobile units and two (2) remote locations. This information would collect tag
information and relay that information to officers if that tag was flagged for a reason (i.e.,
amber alert, silver alert, suspended tags, warrants, etc.).
 Ms. Kaiser stated that she was not in favor of ALPR systems and asked that this be placed on
the January 19th Town Council agenda for further discussion.
c. Director of Public Works
 Council asked Mr. Matthews the reason for work on the wires on Watson Road. Mr. Matthews
explained that this is part of the phasing in of work related to the Wharf Park upgrades.
d. Human Resources Manager
 Ms. Ebaugh reported the following:
 Two verbal offers were made for Utility Workers.
 Have had two (2) separations and one (1) new hire.
 Accufund is now live on the cloud and the employee portal will be available shortly.
 Met with LGIT and have an estimated $45,000 surplus for 2022.
e. Town Clerk
 Ms. Brinkley reported the following:
 Began the application for Tree City USA designation the Town applies for each year.
 Working on the January 28th Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
Citizen Comments
No citizen comments were offered.
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Council Roundtable
 Mr. Beauchamp had nothing to report.
 Mr. Worth thanked Mr. Koogle for getting a structural engineer on board to look at some potentially
dangerous buildings in town.
 Mr. Johnson stated that he has moved into the Providence Farm neighborhood.
 Ms. Kaiser had nothing to report.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Johnson made a motion to adjourn the January 5, 2023 meeting. Mr.
Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the December 1, 2022 meeting minutes, as presented.
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