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april 20 2023 town council meeting minutes approved

Minutes April 20, 2023 · 6 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
April 20, 2023
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The April 20, 2023 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council Member Eric B. Johnson, Jr. at
the Liberty Building located at 107 N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following members and staff were
present: Eric B. Johnson, Jr., Daniel B. Worth; Jim A. Beauchamp, Members; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager;
Chief Robert Hobbs, Centreville Police Department; Clifford (Kip) Matthews, Director of Public Works; Jenial
Turner, Project Manager; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Karen
Luffman, Finance Officer; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Johnson stated the April 6, 2023 budget work session minutes,
April 6, 2023 meeting minutes, and the April 13, 2023 budget work session minutes would be considered
at the May 4, 2023 Town Council meeting.
Closed Session Statement
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at the Vincit Building, 110
Vincit Street, Planning and Zoning meeting room to discuss personnel in accordance with the Maryland Open
Meetings Act. (ii) Five 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 board and commission members and contract positions
Actions: By consensus, agreed to not seek reappointment for a board or commission member.
The following members and staff were present: Steven K. Kline, President; Ashley H. Kaiser, Vice President; Eric B.
Johnson; Daniel B. Worth and Jim A. Beauchamp, Members; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager; and Carolyn
Brinkley, Town Clerk.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Citizens Forum
Jordan Kafka and Kim Agee spoke on the importance of the ban on plastic bags and provided a petition.
Appearances
a. 2023 Tattoos for a Cause – Keith Edmonds, Ink or Dye Studio
 Keith Edmonds of Ink or Dye Studio was present to discuss the 2023 Tattoos for a Cause event in
partnership with Recovery Awareness Foundation to help bring awareness to substance use disorders and
mental health.
 Mr. Edmonds stated that this is a public community event to be hosted on September 30, 2023 from 11:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. He stated, aside from tattooing, the event will host several vendors, corn hole
tournaments, raffles, and live music.
 Mr. Edmonds requested permission from the Town Council to close Lawyer’s Row for the event to allow
vendors, etc. to set up for the event.
 Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to approve the use of Lawyer’s Row on September 30, 2023 with set up
to begin at 8:00 a.m., the event from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and to coordinate the efforts with the
Centreville Police Department and the Centreville Department of Public Works. Mr. Worth seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
b. Carol D’Agostino – Grant Opportunities
 Ms. D’Agostino reported that the State began looking at the Main Street Improvement Program grant
differently in how they distribute funds. She stated that Main Streets no longer have to compete for the
money are split out by the following: Designated Main Streets (which is Centreville) - $25,000; Affiliate
Main Streets - $10,000; and Baltimore City Main Street - $8,000.
 Ms. D’Agostino stated she reviewed last years efforts and will continue with the following:
o Continue to promote businesses
o Content writer
o Interns and subcontractors
o Business/seasonal promotions
o Web subsite and business list
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 By consensus, the Town Council approved Ms. D’Agostino to proceed with applying for the Main Street
Improvement Program grant.
 She also discussed a grant through NASCAR for non-profits within a certain proximity to a sanctioned
NASCAR race track. She stated through her account with Chesapeake Charities she would be able to
qualify.
 Ms. D’Agostino reminded the Town Council of the ribbon cutting for Benson and Mangold scheduled for
the following Tuesday.
 She reported that the Farmers’ Market will open on Sunday, May 7th for the season.
c. Tim McCluskey – Proposed Changes to Zoning Ordinance Regarding Digital Signs
 Mr. McCluskey made the following presentation:
 Mr. McCluskey requested that the Town Council not modify the language for electronic signs. He stated
that electronic signs are non-conforming and does not believe that a special exception is the answer.
Old Business
a. Resolution 05-2023 – Travel Policy for Town Council Members
 Mr. Johnson read Resolution 05-2023 for the purpose of adopting a travel policy for Town Council
Members.
 By consensus, the Town Council agreed to include the recommended additions by Ms. Luffman to the
resolution for consideration at the May 4, 2023 Town Council meeting.
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b. Sign Ordinance – Digital Signage – Sponsored by Council Member Johnson
 Mr. Johnson stated that his initial support of this change in language was to allow those with digital
signage to use for emergency notifications when the need arises.
 After Mr. Johnson and Ms. VanEmburgh complete the draft ordinance, it will be distributed for review.
 Mr. Worth suggested to change the timing of message changes on digital signs from 30 seconds to every
five (5) minutes.
New Business
a. 2023 Arbor Day Proclamation
 Mr. Johnson read the 2023 Arbor Day Proclamation into the record:
WHEREAS, in 1872 J. Sterling Morton proposed that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and
WHEREAS, this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in
Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, in 2008 the Town Council of Centreville amended Chapter 145 of the Code of the Town of
Centreville which governs the planting, maintenance and removal of trees within the Town; and
WHEREAS, trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, lower our heating and
cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife; and
WHEREAS, trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and
countless other wood products; and
WHEREAS, trees in the Town of Centreville increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of
business areas, and beautify our community; and
WHEREAS, trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council of Centreville proclaims the last Friday in
April as ARBOR DAY in the Town of Centreville; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Centreville urges all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to
support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and further urges all citizens to celebrate by either planting a
tree or maintaining existing trees to promote the well-being of this and future generations of trees in our Town.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the President of the Town Council of Centreville has hereunto subscribed their
name this twentieth day of April, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.
 Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to support the April 28, 2023 Arbor Day celebration and approve the
2023 Arbor Day proclamation. Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
b. Personnel Manual Updates – Discussion – Council President
 Ms. Ebaugh presented the following memo:
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 Mr. Johnson requested that a policy be put in place for email retention once the Town moves away from the
County IT services.
c. Water and Wastewater Plant Full-Service Operator – Award of Bid Proposal
 Mr. Matthews presented the following memo:
 Mr. Worth made a motion to approve the water and wastewater plant full-service operator proposal to
Susquehanna Operational Services, for the initial three (3) year agreement, not to exceed $406,000 for the
first year. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion.
 Mr. Beauchamp was concerned over the price difference between Susquehanna Operational Services and
Maryland Environmental Service. Mr. Matthews stated the difference is the level of service received
between the two companies.
 The motion passed unanimously.
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d. Water Tower Maintenance – Award of Bid Proposal
 Mr. Matthews presented the following memo:
 Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to approve the water tower maintenance proposal to Southern Corrosion,
for the initial five (5) year agreement, not to exceed $38,653 per year. Mr. Worth seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
e. Centreville Wharf Dock Additions – Award of Bid Proposal
 Ms. Brinkley presented the following memo:
 Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to approve Big Island Ventures to install two finger piers at the
Centreville Wharf in the amount not to exceed, $22,250. Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
 Mr. Beauchamp reported the MML Summer Conference is coming up on June 25th.
b. Council of Governments
 Mr. Worth stated the next COG meeting is scheduled for May 6th and hosted by the Town of Sudlersville.
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c. Economic Development
 Mr. Johnson reported that the next fireside chat is on schedule for May 3rd and will be held at the Vincit
Building, 110 Vincit Drive. It will consist of a panel discussion on what will Centreville look like in 10
years.
d. Park Advisory Board
 The Arbor Day Celebration is scheduled for Friday, April 28th at 9:15.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
 The scheduled Planning Commission meeting the previous night was cancelled due to lack of agenda
items.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Mr. Koogle reported the following:
 The groundbreaking for Little Kidwell extended will take place within the next few weeks.
 Comcast is coming to Centreville.
 Have been looking at ESRI Data, which is a digital mapping and analytical software that is used by
the Town of Easton to track their infrastructure.
b. Chief of Police
 Chief Hobbs reviewed the March 2023 statistical report for the Council, staff, and citizens.
c. Town Clerk
 Ms. Brinkley reported that staff have been able to review, scan, and store decades of documents. This is
a huge step in completing the records retention schedule with the State. She stated staff would not have
gotten this far had it not been for the Cleaning Days approved by the Town Council.
Citizen Comments:
Kara Willis, provided comments related to changes proposed to the sign ordinance.
Council Roundtable
 Mr. Worth had nothing to report.
 Mr. Johnson reported that First Friday will begin again on May 5th.
 Mr. Beauchamp had nothing to report.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to adjourn the April 20, 2023 meeting. The meeting
adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the use of Lawyer’s Row on September 30, 2023 for the Tattoos for a Cause event, with set up to
begin at 8:00 a.m., the event from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and to coordinate the efforts with the Centreville
Police Department and the Centreville Department of Public Works.
2. By consensus, the Town Council approved Ms. D’Agostino to proceed with applying for the Main Street
Improvement Program grant.
3. By consensus, the Town Council agreed to include the recommended additions by Ms. Luffman to the
Town Council Travel Policy resolution for consideration at the May 4, 2023 Town Council meeting.
4. Supported the April 28, 2023 Arbor Day celebration and approved the 2023 Arbor Day proclamation.
5. Approved the water and wastewater plant full-service operator proposal to Susquehanna Operational
Services, for the initial three (3) year agreement, not to exceed $406,000 for the first year.
6. Approved the water tower maintenance proposal to Southern Corrosion, for the initial five (5) year
agreement, not to exceed $38,653 per year.
7. Approved Big Island Ventures to install two finger piers at the Centreville Wharf in the amount, not to
exceed $22,250.
2023-04-20-TC-Approved-Minutes