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february 2 2023 - town council meeting minutes

Minutes February 2, 2023 · 6 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
February 2, 2023
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The February 2, 2023 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Steven K. Kline at the
Liberty Building located at 107 N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following members and staff were
present: Steven K. Kline, President; Ashley H. Kaiser, Vice President; Daniel B. Worth and Jim A. Beauchamp,
Members; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager; Clifford (Kip) Matthews, Director of Public Works; Lt. Charles
Larrimore, Centreville Police Department; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town
Attorney; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Ashley Russ, Finance Specialist; Jacki Payne, Administrative Assistant;
and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Ms. Kaiser made a motion to approve the
January 19, 2023 meeting minutes, as presented. Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Citizens Forum:
Joe Brown, Concerto Avenue, offered comments.
Closed Session Statement
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 6:15 p.m. at the Liberty Building, 107
N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room to discuss personnel in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act.
(ii) Four members of the Town Council voted to close the session. (iii) The authority to close the session is found in
Section 3-305 of the General Provisions Article.
(iv) The Town Council discussed the following topics:
 Personnel – discussed the performance of an employee.
Actions: No actions were taken.
The following members and staff were present: Steven K. Kline, President; Ashley H. Kaiser, Vice President; Daniel
B. Worth and Jim A. Beauchamp, Members; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town
Manager; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
Public Hearing: Resolution 01-2023 – Charter Amendment – Section 701 – Chief of Police
 The public hearing began at 7:05 p.m. for Resolution 01-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter
to revise the reporting structure for the Chief of Police.
 Ms. VanEmburgh stated that this is to amend the reporting structure of the Chief of Police.
 Ms. Brinkley 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
in regards to the Notice of Public Hearing, Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone in favor of proposed
Resolution 01-2023.
 No one spoke in favor.
 Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone opposed to Resolution 01-2023.
 No one spoke in opposition of Resolution 01-2023.
 Mr. Worth made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously. The public hearing for Resolution 01-2023 adjourned at 7:07 p.m.
Public Hearing: Resolution 02-2023 – Charter Amendment – Section 702 – Merit System
 The public hearing began at 7:08 p.m. for 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.
 Ms. Ebaugh stated that this is to amend the Charter to keep the Town consistent with the language of the
State.
 Ms. Brinkley verified that the notice of hearing was publicized in a newspaper circulated in Queen Anne’s
County.
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 There being no legal matters relating to the jurisdiction of the Town Council of Centreville nor any objections
in regards to the Notice of Public Hearing, Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone in favor of proposed
Resolution 02-2023.
 No one spoke in favor.
 Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone opposed to Resolution 02-2023.
 No one spoke in opposition of Resolution 02-2023.
 Ms. Kaiser made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously. The public hearing for Resolution 02-2023 adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Public Hearing: Resolution 03-2023 – Charter Amendment – Section 703 – Unclassified and Classified Service
 The public hearing began at 7:10 p.m. for Resolution 03-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter
to revise the unclassified and classified service for the Town.
 Ms. Ebaugh stated that this resolution codifies what the Town is already doing.
 Ms. Brinkley 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
in regards to the Notice of Public Hearing, Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone in favor of proposed
Resolution 03-2023.
 No one spoke in favor.
 Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone opposed to Resolution 03-2023.
 No one spoke in opposition of Resolution 03-2023.
 Mr. Worth made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously. The public hearing for Resolution 03-2023 adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Old Business
a. Resolution 01-2023 – Charter Amendment – Section 701 – Chief of Police – Sponsored by Council President
 Ms. Kaiser made a motion to approve Resolution 01-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter
to revise the reporting structure for the Chief of Police. Mr. Worth seconded the motion. The motion
passed with Ms. Kaiser, Mr. Worth, and Mr. Kline voting in favor and Mr. Beauchamp voting against.
b. Resolution 02-2023 – Charter Amendment – Section 702 – Merit System – Sponsored by Council President
 Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to approve 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. Ms. Kaiser
seconded, which passed unanimously.
c. Resolution 03-2023 – Charter Amendment – Section 703 – Unclassified and Classified Service – Sponsored
by Council President
 Mr. Worth made a motion to approve Resolution 03-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter
to revise the unclassified and classified service for the Town. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
d. Automatic License Plate Reader System – Sponsored by Council Vice President Kaiser
 Ms. Kaiser stated that she requested Chief Hobbs to secure the last audit of the automatic license plate
reader system (ALPR). She reported that federal agencies are able to access information from the ALPR
system and that one-third of the requests received are not processed due to the requirements needed to
obtain the information.
 Ms. Kaiser indicated that she is in favor of car located ALPRs and not in favor of the fixed units placed
on poles. She also requested Chief Hobbs state on his monthly report to the Council how many times
information was requested using the ALPRs.
 Lt. Larrimore stated that the Centreville Police Department is only interested in the car mounted ALPRs.
 There was consensus from the Town Council to move forward with the grant request for the purchase of
car mounted ALPRs.
New Business
a. Resolution 04-2023 – Classification Plan & Career Ladder Amendment – Sponsored by Council President
 Mr. Kline read Resolution 04-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town’s Classification Plan and
Centreville Police Department Career Ladder to revise the Lieutenant and Sergeant classified position
grades.
 Ms. Ebaugh reported that this is a follow-up from the compression study to update the classification plan
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and career ladder for the Centreville Police Department. She stated this will allow additional grades
between the Corporal and Sergeant and, Sergeant and Lieutenant positions to eliminate the possibility of
compression among positions.
 Mr. Kline made a motion to approve Resolution 04-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town’s
Classification Plan and Centreville Police Department Career Ladder to revise the Lieutenant and
Sergeant classified position grades. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. Rules of Council
 Mr. Kline and Ms. Kaiser stated they are still working on the rules of Council.
c. FY2023 Mid-Year COLA – Sponsored by Council President Kline
 Mr. Koogle presented the following memo:
 It was discussed if this will be revisited in the coming budget. Mr. Koogle stated that another mid-year
COLA will be placed in the FY2024 budget for consideration by the Town Council. Staff will not be
requesting another COLA for July but a mid-year consideration by the Council in 2024.
 Ms. Kaiser made a motion to approve a mid-year 3% COLA increase for employees effective January 31,
2023. Mr. Kline seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
d. Future of the Centreville Wastewater Treatment Plant – Sponsored by Council President Kline
 The following presentation was made:
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 Mr. Kline asked Mr. Matthews if the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) would allow
100% stream discharge. Mr. Matthews stated that he is confident, based on COMAR regulations he has
read, that MDE will not allow 100% stream discharge.
 Mr. Kline asked if other states are using potable reuse. Mr. Matthews reported that yes, Wichita Falls,
TX is using potable reuse – 50% lake water and 50% water reuse.
 Mr. Matthews reported that legislation and regulations would need to be changed before it would be
permitted in Maryland.
 Ms. Kaiser stated that there is a national concern over reclaiming ARPA funds.
 The Town Council requested that cost estimates be established and brought back to the Town Council.
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e. Internet Access – Sponsored by Council President Kline
 Mr. Matthews reviewed the timeline for the proposed trunk line for Talkie Communications along Rt.
213.
 May 4, 2022
 Received a Miss Utility ticket to mark utilities from Hope Road to Gravel Run Creek.
 A hold was placed on the ticket. An email was sent to Andrew DeMattia explaining that the ticket
was placed on hold by the Town and the right-of-way (ROW) permit is required prior to this work.
 At 3:52 p.m., Andrew DeMattia sent a reply email stating “This is a state road. I was not aware you
required a permit for state. Please correct me if I’m wrong.”
 May 5, 2022
 Mr. Matthews spoke with Scott Ballard, Talkie’s Construction Superintendent. It was discovered that
Andrew DeMattia was correct and the construction work is within the State Highway Administration
(SHA) ROW, however, it is also within the Town limits and a permit issued by the Town is required
to protect and mark our utility locations. Mr. Matthews requested Mr. Ballard provide a copy of the
plans, construction timeline, and a formal request for this permit by completing the Town’s permit
application.
 At 8:55 a.m. Mr. Matthews followed-up via email to Andrew DeMattia, Scott Ballard, and Town
staff.
 At 9:08 a.m. Mr. Ballard replied with an email and included Joe Manning with Talkie asking him to
forward what was submitted to SHA
 At 6:32 p.m., Mr. Matthews received an email from Mr. Manning with the requested documents.
 At 7:07 p.m., Mr. Matthews received an email from Mr. DeMattia stating they need to make a
correction to the SHA permit and would be changing which side of the road the install would take
place.
 June 29, 2022
 At 9:52 a.m., Mr. Matthews received an email with Talkie’s formal request for a Town permit.
 July 21, 2022
 In Mr. Matthews absence, Town representatives, Mike Whitehill and Jim Kelbaugh attended the
preconstruction meeting with Talkie representative, Scott Ballard and SHA representative, Don
Anderson. Mr. Anderson explained to everyone that SHA only claims ROW from back of the curb to
the back of the curb. Mr. Ballard said Talkie was planning to start sometime mid-August.
 September, 2022
 Talkie submitted Miss Utility tickets to mark utilities from Hope Road down to Liberty Street.
 Talkie’s construction crew began to directionally bore on Rt. 213 from Hope Road to the old Dunkin
Donuts within the SHA ROW. Mr. Kelbaugh and Mr. Matthews met with Talkie and the SHA
inspector on-site about a discrepancy in the Miss Utility locations requested in that area. When
discussing the project and reviewing the plans with the SHA inspector, he informed the Town that
Talkie could not install hand holes within the SHA roadway as Talkie had planned to do. The
discussions evolved into Talking installing the hand holes behind the curb. At this time, Mr.
Matthews explained that the Town has no ROW on Liberty Street behind the curb and it was Talkie’s
responsibility to obtain approval from each individual property owner on Liberty Street to obtain
access to the ROW.
 Mr. Whitehill suggested Talkie could obtain a Franchise Agreement from the Town and Talkie asked
if they could “opt in to the existing ABB/Verizon Franchise Agreement so everything is even?” Mr.
Matthews informed Talkie that was not allowed and “each utility had to have one for its own entity.”
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
 Mr. Beauchamp reported that reservations have opened for the summer conference.
b. Council of Governments
 Mr. Worth stated COG meets again in March and had nothing additional to report at this time.
c. Park Advisory Board
 Ms. Kaiser had nothing to report and stated the February meeting was cancelled.
d. Centreville Planning Commission
 Mr. Kline reported that the Planning Commission is revisiting the comprehensive community plan the
previous evening and encouraged everyone to attend the second and final public hearing on February 15th.
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Reports of Department Heads
a.
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Town Manager
 Mr. Koogle reported the following:
 Electricity through a third party expires this coming summer. His advice to Council was to wait due
to the volatility of the market. Staff investigated standard offer services and met with Delmarva
Power who were very candid about going through a third party for electricity.
b. Town Clerk
 Ms. Brinkley reported that since Cleaning Day began a year ago, 4,342 pages have been scanned
into the system which includes 75 years of Town Council minutes and 34 years of ordinances and
resolutions.
 A Code Violation Reporting Form was developed and placed on the Town’s website to allow
submittals electronically.
Citizen Comments:
Joe Brown, Concerto Avenue, offered comments.
Council Roundtable
 The Town Council had nothing additional to report.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Ms. Kaiser made a motion to adjourn the February 2, 2023 meeting. The meeting
adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the February 2, 2023 meeting minutes, as presented.
2. Approved Resolution 01-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the reporting
structure for the Chief of Police.
3. Approved 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.
4. Approved Resolution 03-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the unclassified and
classified service for the Town.
5. Approved Resolution 04-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town’s Classification Plan and Centreville
Police Department Career Ladder to revise the Lieutenant and Sergeant classified position grades.
6. Approved a mid-year 3% COLA increase for employees effective January 31, 2023.