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may 4 2023 - town council approved minutes

Minutes May 4, 2023 · 5 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
May 4, 2023
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The May 4, 2023 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council 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; Eric B. Johnson, Jr., Daniel B. Worth; Jim A. Beauchamp, Members; Chief
Robert Hobbs, Centreville Police Department; Lt. Charles Harris, Centreville Police Department; Officer Sam
Ferracane, Centreville Police Department; Clifford (Kip) Matthews, Director of Public Works; Jenial Turner, Program
Manager; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Karen Luffman,
Finance Officer; Jacki Payne, Administrative Assistant; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Johnson moved to approve the April 6, 2023 Budget Work
Session minutes; the April 6, 2023 meeting minutes, as amended; the April 13, 2023 Budget Work
Session minutes; and the April 20, 2023 meeting minutes. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
Citizens Forum
Bente Cooney, Plastic Free QAC spoke in favor of Ordinance 02-2023, plastic bag ban; Pat Jameson, President,
QAC League of Women Voters spoke in favor of Ordinance 02-2023, plastic bag ban; Bob Pino, An Optical
Galleria spoke in opposition of Ordinance 02-2023; Carolyn Moorehead, in favor of Ordinance 02-2023 but asked
if exclusions could be put in place for the smaller businesses that do not use very much plastic.
CONSENT AGENDA
a. Item 1: Resolution 05-2023 for the purpose of adopting a travel policy for Town Council Members.
Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Old Business
a. Resolution 07-2023 – Personnel Manual Updates – Council President
 Resolution 07-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town of Centreville Personnel Manual Rules and
Regulations, governing the operation for the Town of Centreville.
 Mr. Worth asked if the Town had an Employee Assistance Program. Ms. Ebaugh stated that the Town
does have an Employee Assistance Program in place.
 Mr. Worth asked about the Health Reimbursement Account. Ms. Ebaugh stated that the Town
established a Health Reimbursement Account for retired employees to receive a stipend each year to help
with medical expenses.
 Mr. Worth asked if it was mandatory for all employees to be enrolled in the State Pension system. Ms.
Ebaugh stated, yes, it is mandatory for all full-time employees.
 Mr. Worth asked for clarification on the sick and safe leave vs. sick pay vs. FMLA. Ms. Ebaugh
explained the difference between all three.
 Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to approve Resolution 07-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town of
Centreville Personnel Manual Rules and Regulations, governing the operation for the Town of
Centreville, as amended, to change Director of Administration to Town Manager on Page 40, Section
10.D.
 Mr. Beauchamp amended the motion to include changing “County” to “Town” on Page 54, Section 4.E.
Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
New Business
a. Ordinance 01-2023 – FY2024 Budget – First Reading – Council President
 Mr. Kline read Ordinance 01-2023 for the purpose of adopting a budget for the Town of Centreville for
Fiscal Year 2024.
 Ms. Luffman stated there was no additional comments at this time.
b. Ordinance 02-2023 – Plastic Bags – First Reading – Sponsored by Council President Kline & Council Vice
President Kaiser
 Mr. Kline read Ordinance 02-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town Code to create a new Chapter
102 of the Town Code regarding plastic bags to prohibit retail establishments from providing plastic
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carryout bags to customers.
 Mr. Worth requested that #1 under the second whereas be stricken. Mr. Kline stated he agreed to strike.
 Mr. Worth stated that he did not feel this ordinance was pro-business and that the County should be the
one to enact this. He felt that customers would go to other towns to shop instead of coming to
Centreville.
 Mr. Beauchamp stated that he felt this should be county-wide and not just Centreville. He stated that he
forwarded the draft ordinance to Todd Mohn, County Administrator.
 Mr. Beauchamp expressed his concerns about the cost of bags. He felt there should be a more graduated
cost based on the size of bags.
 Mr. Johnson stated he is in favor of this ordinance and moving forward however, his preference would be
to do it in conjunction with the County.
 Mr. Kline reported that he is very much in favor of the ordinance and not in favor of waiting for the
County. He stated Centreville is behind many Eastern Shore municipalities on this ban and he is willing
to be flexible with the fee. He stated he received a call from Price & Gannon regarding their reluctance to
ban plastic bags because they see an increase in shoplifting when people bring their own bags.
 Ms. VanEmburgh asked if there were any changes that should be made to the ordinance prior to it going
to public hearing. Mr. Kline stated he has received comments and will forward them to Ms. VanEmburgh
to implement and the fee should be discussed.
 A public hearing on Ordinance 02-2023 will be held on June 1st.
c. Centreville Trail Volunteer Bike Patrol
 Mr. Fred McNeil made the following presentation:
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 Mr. McNeil stated this is modeled after the Kent Island Trail system that is in partnership with the Queen
Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office. They are helpers on the trail that help with flat tires, chain issues, hand
out waters and swag and they have ZERO police activity acts and are only a presence on the trail for help.
 By consensus, the Town Council was in favor of beginning a volunteer bike patrol in partnership with the
Centreville Police Department.
d. Board and Commission Appointments
 Mr. Johnson made a motion to appoint the following:
 Jim Watson to the Board of Supervisors of Elections for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Frederick Beu to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Carrie O’Connor to the Centreville Ethics Commission for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Sandy Simpson to the Park Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Rich Ryan to the Park Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Dale Becraft to the Personnel Review Board for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Council Members Yes No Absent
Beauchamp X
Worth X
Johnson X
Kaiser X
Kline X
e. Purchase of Vacall Truck – Kip Matthews, Director of Public Works
 Mr. Matthews presented the following memo:
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 Mr. Matthews stated that, if the Council approves the purchase, it will be ordered immediately since it is
being purchased with ARPA money. He stated that if the truck is delivered before July 1st, it will be
included in the FY2023 budget and if it is delivered after July 1st, it will be included in the FY2024
budget.
 Mr. Beauchamp asked Ms. Luffman if there was an issue in which fiscal year the truck was delivered.
She indicated it was not an issue.
 Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to approve the purchase of the Vacall truck from Mid Atlantic Waste
Systems at the price not to exceed $526,902. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
f. Allocation for 116 Holton Street – WJM Properties
 Mr. Matthews presented the following memo on behalf of the Town Manager:
 Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve one (1) allocation for WJM Properties, LLC located at 116 Holton
Street. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
 Mr. Beauchamp had nothing to report.
b. Council of Governments
 Mr. Worth stated that COG meets Wednesday, May 10th in Sudlersville.
c. Economic Development
 Mr. Johnson reported that the fireside chat took place the previous night and was a good discussion. He
will present a summary of the discussion at the next Town Council meeting.
d. Centreville Planning Commission
 Mr. Kline reported that the Planning Commission met the previous night regarding the Community Plan.
The May 17th meeting will have the final site plan review of the Board of Education building located in
front of the YMCA and beside the Vincit Building.
 Mr. Beauchamp stated that the original plan of that site included a traffic circle which was changed after
the Little Kidwell Extension was put in. He asked if it has been put back in to the plan. Mr. Kline stated
it was not included in the plan.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Chief of Police
 Chief Hobbs introduced Officer Sam Ferracane as the newest Officer to the Centreville Police
Department. Mr. Johnson swore in Officer Ferracane.
 Chief Hobbs recognized Officer Ferracane and Lt. Harris for their work in locating a lost older adult
from his home.
b. Mr. Johnson thanked Ms. VanEmburgh for her work in the digital signage ordinance.
Citizen Comments:
No citizens offered comments.
Council Roundtable
 Mr. Beauchamp had nothing to report.
 Mr. Worth stated that he felt this may not be the best time to amend the sign ordinance with the Planning
Commission’s work on the Community Plan. Mr. Johnson stated one of the Planning Commission
members offered to help with the ordinance prior to it being presented to the Planning Commission.
 Mr. Johnson reported that the first, First Friday of the season will be held the following evening from 6:00
p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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 Mr. Kline stated that David Wheelan, Publisher and Executive Editor of the Chestertown Spy, Talbot Spy,
and Cambridge Spy is interested in starting a Centreville Spy. Since QACTV will be unable to record/air
the Planning Commission meetings, he suggested taking a portion of the $3,000 earmarked in the FY2024
budget and donate towards this effort. Mr. Kline stated that he concurs with Mr. Worth’s suggestion
regarding the sign ordinance.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to adjourn the May 4, 2023 meeting. Mr. Johnson
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the April 6, 2023 Budget Work Session minutes; the April 6, 2023 meeting minutes, as amended;
the April 13, 2023 Budget Work Session minutes; and the April 20, 2023 meeting minutes.
2. Approved Item 1 on the Consent Agenda.
3. Approved Resolution 07-2023 for the purpose of amending the Town of Centreville Personnel Manual
Rules and Regulations, governing the operation for the Town of Centreville, as amended.
4. By consensus, the Town Council was in favor of beginning a volunteer bike patrol in partnership with the
Centreville Police Department.
5. Appointed the following:
 Jim Watson to the Board of Supervisors of Elections for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Frederick Beu to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Carrie O’Connor to the Centreville Ethics Commission for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Sandy Simpson to the Park Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Rich Ryan to the Park Advisory Board for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
 Dale Becraft to the Personnel Review Board for a three-year term expiring April, 2026.
6. Approved the purchase of the Vacall truck from Mid Atlantic Waste Systems at the price not to exceed
$526,902.
7. Approved one (1) allocation for WJM Properties, LLC located at 116 Holton Street.
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