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june 1 2023 town council approved minutes

Minutes June 1, 2023 · 4 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
June 1, 2023
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The June 1, 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; 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; William Chapman, Acting Town Attorney; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Krystel Ebaugh, Human
Resources Manager; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
President Kline began the meeting announcing the passing of Officer Sam Ferracane with the Centreville Police
Department, expressing the Town’s thoughts and prayers with his family and children.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Worth made a motion to approve the May 18, 2023 meeting
minutes, as presented. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Citizens Forum
Sveinn Storm spoke about banning smoking and beer bottles.
Appearances
a. Providence Farm Block Party
 A street closure request was submitted for a block party to take place in Providence Farm.
 After some discussion, and by consensus, the Town Council approved the road closure in the 200
block of Providence Lane, contingent on liability insurance.
b. Board and Commission Member Oath of Office
 Mr. Fred Beu received the oath of office for a three-year term on the Board of Zoning Appeals,
expiring April 2026.
c. Carol D’Agostino – Main Street Updates
 Ms. D’Agostino reported that she has been working on becoming a partner with the Centreville Spy.
An MOU will be created for one (1) year with stakeholder discount rates on advertising. She indicated
that this money she will be contributing towards the Centreville Spy will come for the $25,000 grant
received from Maryland Main Street.
 The Give-a-thon with NASCAR raised $1,427.08 which is with Chesapeake Charities. She stated this
money will be used for reimbursements for businesses.
 DrinkMaryland will be held on June 19th. Currently there are 40 artisans planned to be in attendance
with Chesapeake Sons as well as Phillip Dutton & the Alligators providing musical entertainment.
Last year there were $4,850 in donations and this year there has been $5,350 so far. The event will
take place from noon to 5:00 on Lawyers Row and Broadway.
Public Hearing: Ordinance 01-2023 – FY2024 Budget
 Mr. Kline called the hearing to order for Ordinance 01-2023 for the purpose of adopting a budget for the
Town of Centreville for Fiscal Year 2024 Budget at 7:20 p.m.
 Ms. Luffman stated the current tax rate remains the same at $.535 per $100 of assessed value and the
Public Utility Tax (PUT) will remain at $13.00 per $100 of assessed value. The General Fund stands at a
positive $61,968 and the Enterprise Funds stands at a negative $26,274 and will require a transfer from the
Fund Balance.
 Ms. Brinkley verified 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 regarding the Notice of Public Hearing, Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone in favor of
Ordinance 01-2023.
 No one spoke in favor.
 Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone opposed to Ordinance 01-2023.
 Mr. Sveinn Storm accidentally spoke in opposition of the plastic bag ban.
 Ms. Kaiser made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously. The public hearing for Ordinance 01-2023 adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
2023-06-01-TC-Approved-Minutes

Public Hearing: Ordinance 02-2023 – Plastic Bags
 At 7:26 p.m., Mr. Kline called the hearing to order for 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 carryout bags to customers and incentive use of reusable bags.
 Mr. Kline announced that this ordinance was written and sponsored by himself and Vice President Kaiser.
 Ms. Brinkley verified 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 regarding the Notice of Public Hearing, Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone in favor of
Ordinance 02-2023.
 Patricia Jamison, Sara Shelley, Courtney Leigh, Carissa Shue, Susan Shue, Elaine Studley, Eleanor
Streitman, Sandy Huffer, Mary Friel, Ginger Cushing, Jordie Kafka, Sara Price, Joe Sykes, and Peggy
Sangles, spoke in favor of Ordinance 02-2023.
 Mr. Kline asked for comments from anyone opposed to Ordinance 01-2023.
 Ken Huddleston, Bill Gordon, John Harper, and Sveinn Storm spoke in opposition to Ordinance 02-2023.
 Mr. Worth made a motion to allow written comments to be permitted until the July 20th Town Council
meeting. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which passed with 3 ayes and 2 nays.
Council Members Yes No Absent
Beauchamp X
Worth X
Johnson X
Kaiser X
Kline X
 Mr. Beauchamp stated he felt the $.10 fee should be stated as “may” instead of “shall” until he heard from
the Retailers Association. He feels this should be done in connection with Queen Anne’s County.
 Ms. Kaiser asked Ms. Sara Price from the Retailers Association to come forward and discuss shoplifting.
Ms. Price stated there has been an increase in shoplifting with a ban on plastic bags because of reusable
bags being brought in to stores, but it is also in conjunction with self-checkout.
 Ms. Kaiser asked about customer complaints. Ms. Price stated that she has heard from small businesses
within Main Street districts that already provide bags and charge a fee. They feel the $.10 fee should be
kept in the law to keep everyone fair.
 Mr. Beauchamp asked if the fee could be dependent on the size of the bag. This has not been brought up
and no other legislation has been based on a fee to bag size.
 Mr. Johnson made a motion to adjourn the public hearing. Mr. Beauchamp seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously. The public hearing for Ordinance 02-2023 adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Old Business
a. Ordinance 02-2023 – Plastic Bags – Consideration – Sponsored by President Kline & Vice President Kaiser
 Mr. Kline stated the record will remain open until July 20th for additional comments.
 Mr. Kline stated he is inclined to amend the restaurant concerns and will work with Ms. VanEmburgh to
make any amendments.
 Mr. Johnson stated he is not in favor of a ballot initiative.
b. Ordinance 01-2023 – FY2024 Budget – Second Reading – Council President
 Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance 01-2023 for the purpose of adopting a budget for the
Town of Centreville for Fiscal Year 2024. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Council Members Yes No Absent
Beauchamp X
Worth X
Johnson X
Kaiser X
Kline X
2023-06-01-TC-Approved-Minutes

New Business
a. Ordinance 03-2023 – Penalty Reference Correction – First Reading – Sponsored by Vice President Kaiser
 Mr. Kline read Ordinance 03-2023 for the record to amend the Code of the Town of Centreville to update
the penalty sections throughout the Code.
 Mr. Koogle stated the ordinance is part of a Town Code clean up. The fines stated throughout the Code
indicate up to $1,000 which is too subjective and needs more structure to the fine schedule for
consistency.
b. Resolution 08-2024 – Municipal Infraction Fines – Sponsored by Vice President Kaiser
 Mr. Koogle stated that this will set out the fee schedule for municipal infractions based on identifying
them as Class A, Class B., and Class C municipal infractions.
 Mr. Johnson stated the guide that was attached for reference was helpful.
c. Allocation Request – Lot B, Laser Drive – Taco Bell – Kip Matthews, Director of Public Works
 Mr. Matthews presented the following memo:
 Mr. Matthews requested the Town Council decide on a number of allocations they would like to set aside
for new businesses that do not currently have paid allocations.
 After some discussion, the Town Council decided to evaluate the applications on a case-by-case basis.
 Ms. Kaiser made a motion to approve five (5) allocations for ABTB Mid-Atlantic/Taco Bell for a new
commercial building located on Lot B – Laser Drive. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Council Members Yes No Absent
Beauchamp X
Worth X
Johnson X
Kaiser X
Kline X
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
 Mr. Beauchamp had nothing to report.
b. Council of Governments
 Mr. Worth had nothing to report.
c. Economic Development
 Mr. Johnson stated that a panel discussion will take place on QAC-TV on July 20th.
d. Park Advisory Board
 Ms. Kaiser had nothing to report.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
 Mr. Kline had nothing to report.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Had a Zoom call with Talkie and Queen Anne’s County regarding running a trunk line through
downtown Centreville. The Town cannot give authority to Talkie to dig on property the Town does not
own. Staff will go door to door with Talkie to talk to property owners for approvals.
 Have a meeting on June 6th with the Chair of the Environmental Committee.
 Have a meeting on June 8th related to the holding pond expansion.
2023-06-01-TC-Approved-Minutes

 Received projected numbers for the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant with four (4) alternates:
• Alternate 1 – 4 SBR (Sequencing Batch Reactor)
• Alternate 1A – 3 SBR with Granular Sludge
• Alternate 2 – Activated Sludge
• Alternate 3 - Membranes
 The two alternates that are being considered total between $24 million and $26.5 million with a 4%
escalator over year increase.
Citizen Comments:
No citizens offered comments.
Council Roundtable
 Mr. Beauchamp had nothing to report.
 Mr. Worth had nothing to report.
 Mr. Johnson stated that he and Mr. Beauchamp will be touching base in August about walkable features
around town as they believe there are funding sources available. First Friday will take place the following
day.
 Ms. Kaiser stated the previous week a lessee modified a boat slip and feels it was egregious enough to
terminate the lease.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Ms. Kaiser made a motion to adjourn the June 1, 2023 meeting. Mr. Johnson
seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the May 18, 2023 meeting minutes, as presented.
2. By consensus, the Town Council approved the road closure in the 200 block of Providence Lane, contingent
on liability insurance.
3. Allow written comments for Ordinance 02-2023 to be permitted until the July 20th Town Council meeting.
4. Approved Ordinance 01-2023 for the purpose of adopting a budget for the Town of Centreville for Fiscal
Year 2024.
5. Approved five (5) allocations for ABTB Mid-Atlantic/Taco Bell for a new commercial building located on
Lot B – Laser Drive.
2023-06-01-TC-Approved-Minutes