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march 16 2023 town council approved minutes

Minutes March 16, 2023 · 6 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
March 16, 2023
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The March 16, 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; Eric B. Johnson, Jr., and Daniel B. Worth,
Members; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager; Chief Robert Hobbs, Centreville Police Department; Lt. Charles
Larrimore, Centreville Police Department; Clifford (Kip) Matthews, Director of Public Works; Krystel Ebaugh,
Human Resources Manager; William C. Chapman, Acting Town Attorney; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; and
Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. Worth made a motion to approve the
March 2, 2023 meeting minutes, as presented. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Citizens Forum
Jeff Kiel, 4-H Park Road, spoke in opposition to proposed speed humps; Theo Reed, Little Kidwell Avenue, spoke
in favor of proposed speed humps and discussed the speeding and running of stop signs in Providence Farm; and
Melissa Zador, Windsor Avenue, spoke in opposition to speed humps and conflict of interest with regards to speed
humps.
Mr. Kline asked the Town Council if there was any discussion with regards to citizen’s comments.
 Mr. Johnson stated that there are three (3) Council Members that live in the Providence Farm subdivision
and his view is to look at the impact of speeding and what the data indicates.
 Ms. Kaiser stated she does not feel this is a conflict of interest because three (3) members live in the area.
She believes that the speed limit is too high on Kidwell Avenue and should be lowered to 15 mph.
 Mr. Worth indicated that Kidwell Avenue is very wide and traffic calming measures should be considered
to help slow traffic, as was done on Liberty and Commerce Streets.
Old Business
a. Rules of Council – Sponsored by Council President
 The Rules of Council were discussed and Ms. Kaiser requested an additional rule be included to address
all members as Council Member.
 By consensus, the Town Council adopted the use of Rules of Council.
New Business
a. FY2024 Budget Presentation – Town Manager
 Mr. Koogle made the following presentation:
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 A discussion on the yearly donation increase to Goodwill Volunteer Fire Department will take place
during budget work sessions.
 There was discussion regarding the current debt, which is 15% of the budget.
 Mr. Kline requested, and all agreed, to include the funds balance in each budget work session.
 Ms. Kaiser requested a separate document showing what interest was spent on.
 Mr. Kline stated when he ran in 2020, he ran on reducing the Town’s debt.
 Mr. Koogle stated his plan is to begin quarterly budget overviews with the Council.
 Mr. Johnson requested if an item is cut from the budget, to put the item back on the table for later
discussion.
 Mr. Kline stated there are five (5) streets that need reconstruction, there is over $5 million in the funds
balance, and the streets keep getting pushed back. His opinion with relation to funds dedicated to the
upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant is to take care of what we have now.
 Mr. Johnson stated he has suggested a capital improvement plan.
b. Festivities and Beautification Team – Council Member Johnson
 Mr. Johnson reported that at Christmas a few years ago, there were negative comments in relation to the
Town’s decorations. This Festivities and Beautification Team is working on ways to raise money to
purchase decorations for the town. He made the following presentation:
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 Ms. Elaine Studley, from the Queen Anne’s Legacy Foundation was present and stated this is a citizen driven,
citizen funded project.
 There was discussion regarding the planting of bulbs which would be bought by the citizens and businesses
and volunteers would plant.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Council of Governments
 Mr. Worth stated COG met on March 8th to discuss tax set-off.
 Additional discussion was the County’s concern about the cost of school expenses; each student costs
$9,000.
 The County wants to put together a committee to discuss municipality involvement with the Adequate
Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO).
 The Sheriff’s Office is concerned with people climbing on the granite at the court house during Town
events.
b. Economic Development
 Mr. Johnson reported informal fireside chats have taken place and another one is upcoming to discuss
“The Town of Centreville in Five Years.”
 All council members are invited to attend and be a part of the panel. Davis Emory, property owner of the
Centreville Business Park, has been invited to attend as well.
 There is an open position for a liaison with the Queen Anne’s County Economic Development
Commission. Pat Fox, member of the Centreville Planning and Zoning Commission will be applying for
this position.
c. Park Advisory Board
 Ms. Kaiser reported the Park Advisory Board met on Wednesday, March 7th. The swings at both
Millstream Park and the Wharf Park have been installed.
 The Board discussed fundraising efforts.
 Ms. Kaiser recognized Priscilla Mileski, member of the PAB and the Farmers’ Market for the work they
do in town and planting bulbs in our parks.
d. Centreville Planning Commission
 Mr. Kline reported the Planning Commission met the previous night and continues to work on the
Community Plan, and have held two (2) public hearings.
 There was consensus among the Planning Commission to reopen public comment on the Community
Plan and hold another public hearing.
 Mr. Kline requested the changes made to the Community Plan be placed on the website for public view.
 The Planning Commission is working through the site plan and elevations for the new proposed Board of
Education building across from the high school.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Mr. Koogle reported the following:
 Does the Council want to engage MML to consider water reuse as a legislative action?
 Ensured the Town Council and public, in light of the bank failure in California, all of the Town’s
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monies are FDIC insured.
 Asked the Council to think about the sale of 101 Water Street and the Pennsylvania Avenue
property, which has a public works agreement for parking.
 There was discussion of the Sandy Bottom property (located across from the Citgo station on S.
Commerce Street) owned by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). Mr. Kline stated
he met with MDOT regarding this property and it must get appraised. He reported the thought of
selling to the Town for $1.00 is a myth and they will sell for the appraised value.
 The use of Program Open Space funds through Queen Anne’s County was discussed and the next
step would be to speak with the County.
Citizen Comments:
No citizen comments.
Council Roundtable
 Mr. Johnson stated he appreciates the thoughts and support during his illness. At the next Town Council
meeting, he would like to discuss the Town’s current sign ordinance.
 Mr. Worth had nothing to report.
 Ms. Kaiser reported the Town has a new electronic code on the Town’s website therefore, if anyone had the
old link bookmarked, it would need to be updated.
 Mr. Kline stated he would like to introduce a new policy on the way the Town pays for Council Members
attending conferences, meetings, etc. He would like Council Members to pay for these upfront and then
seek reimbursement. All were in favor of this change. Ms. Brinkley will present this as a resolution.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Johnson made a motion to adjourn the March 16, 2023 meeting. The meeting
adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the March 2, 2023 meeting minutes, as presented.
2. By consensus, the Town Council adopted the use of Rules of Council.
3. In favor of Council Members paying for conferences, events, trainings and seeking reimbursement through
the Town after attending.
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