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Minutes January 16, 2020 · 5 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
January 16, 2020
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The January 16, 2020 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice President Jeffrey C. Morgan at
the Liberty Building located at 107 N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following members and staff were
present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, Vice President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Member; Steve Walls, Town Manager; Clifford
Matthews, Director of Public Works; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Ashley Russ, Finance Specialist; Sharon
VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve the January
2, 2020 meeting minutes, as written. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Appearances
a. Carol D’Agostino – Drink Maryland & Centreville Day
 Ms. D’Agostino reported that she met with the Maryland Wineries Association and Grow and Fortify
and reviewed the stats of the 2019 Drink Maryland event.
 With approval from the Town Council, the date for this year is proposed for June 20, 2020 and Grow and
Fortify is looking for another three-year commitment in the renewed Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU).
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve a three-year commitment for the Drink Maryland event and
approve June 20, 2020 as the date for this year’s event. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
 Ms. D’Agostino reported that she has been working with Paige Tilghman, Economic Development
Manager on the following:
o a list of leased spaces that includes specifications available to provide the County
o business welcome packet
o how to add value to networking meetings
 Minimum wage; Styrofoam
 Collaborate with the County
o look at ways to have regular meetings with the downtown businesses
o wayfinding signage grant includes hiring a consultant to develop a master plan as well as, the
fabrication of a few signs
o looking at ways to support the Farmers’ Market
 Mr. Morgan asked if the Farmers’ Market would be moved back to Liberty/Commerce Streets?
o Ms. D’Agostino stated that it would be up to the vendors.
Citizens Comments:
Joe Brown, Concerto Avenue, provided comments.
Old Business
a. Council of Five Advisory Committee Progress Report
 Mr. Nick Rowdon, member of the Council of Five Advisory Committee, was present to provide a
progress report on behalf of the committee.
 Mr. Rowdon presented the following information:
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 Mr. McCluskey stated that the committee should take advantage of the budget allowed for this process
and send letters to citizens, hold a public hearing, etc. to get the word out about this process and the
addition of two more council members.
 Mr. McCluskey requested the August 3rd date in the timeline be changed from “Candidates File for
Election” to “Deadline for Candidates to File for Election”.
 Mr. McCluskey and Mr. Morgan both were not in favor of the committee spending time deciding on
districting since the window of time available before the October election was too small to allow enough
time to implement.
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 Mr. McCluskey stated that he has not seen the “why’s” behind their recommendations and would like to
see the pros and cons. He also stated that he is in favor of holding an election each year.
 Mr. McCluskey also indicated that he was in favor of a three-year term and felt four-year terms were too
long and leaves the risk of resigning half way through a term.
 Mr. Morgan thanked Mr. Rowdon and the rest of the committee for all of their work.
b. Ordinance 15-2019 – Subdivision Regulations – Second Reading
 Mr. McCluskey read Ordinance 15-2019 for the purpose of amending Section 138-64 of the Town Code,
which creates and sets forth the information that shall appear on the record plat.
 Mr. McCluskey stated that the Centreville Planning Commission met and reviewed the proposed
ordinance and sent a favorable recommendation to the Town Council and will be sending a letter.
 A public hearing is scheduled for February 20, 2020.
c. Ordinance 01-2020 – Tax Set-Off – Second Reading
 Mr. Morgan requested Ordinance 01-2020 be tabled and placed on February 20, 2020 meeting agenda.
New Business
 Mid-Year 2020 Budget Update
 Ms. Luffman presented the following memo:
b. Engineering RFP Results – Water Treatment Plan – North Brook
 Mr. Matthews presented the following memo:
 Mr. Matthews stated that this is being completed at the direction of the Maryland Department of the
Environment (MDE) and the cost for this project is out of the Town’s control.
 Mr. Morgan asked if Mr. Matthews saw the email that was submitted by Mr. Beauchamp in which Mr.
Matthews replied yes and that he still stands behind what he recommended to begin with.
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 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve McCrone as recommended by staff for the investigation of the
operation and performance of the Town’s Water Treatment Plant located at North Brook, as required by
MDE.
 Mr. Morgan stated he had concerns with McCrone because they worked with this system and are familiar
with it. He referenced Mr. Beauchamp’s concern of needing an outsider’s viewpoint.
 Mr. Matthews stated his recommendation is based on McCrone’s experience with arsenic removal
systems and systems that are similar to the Town’s plant.
 After further discussion, Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
 Mr. Morgan asked Mr. Matthews if it was time to change the reed beds? Mr. Matthews stated that he is
already working on the pricing for this.
c. Purchase Request – F250 4x4 Truck with Snow Plow – Department of Public Works
 Mr. Matthews presented the following memo:
 Mr. Matthews stated that $48,000 was approved in the capital budget for this purchase.
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve the purchase of an F250 4x4 truck from the Maryland State
Contract and a slide in dump body for a total of $46,625. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
d. Queen Anne’s County Alcoholic Beverages Article – Discussion
 Mr. Morgan asked for this topic to be added to the agenda as it was brought up during the Queen Anne’s
County Council of Governments meeting. He stated there are provisions being proposed to be removed
that would allow chain restaurants to locate to Queen Anne’s County and municipalities.
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion that a letter be written to the Maryland State Legislature, District 36,
requesting they remove the 15% rule and the two-year residency requirement. Mr. Morgan seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
 Mr. McCluskey stated that he would read the letter at the January 28, 2020 QAC Commissioners
Meeting.
e. Independence Day Fireworks / Family Fun Day
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to hold the Independence Day fireworks and family fun day on Sunday,
June 28, 2020 with the same budget. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
d. Outdoor Movie / Fishing Derby
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to hold the outdoor movie night and fishing derby on Saturday, August
29, 2020. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Mr. Walls reported the following:
o the contractor is continuing to work on the sidewalks on Church Lane;
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o 12” water main from Little Hut Drive to Heritage Way was connected. The contractor is filling the
line and completing the Bac-T sample before it is put into service;
o working with department heads on budget.
b. Town Attorney
 Ms. VanEmburgh stated that the Council of Five Advisory Committee has been working hard and have
had engaging communication.
Citizens Forum
Nick Rowdon, Kidwell Avenue, provided comments.
Council Roundtable
 Mr. McCluskey reported on the following:
o Planning Commission is close to finalizing the street tree ordinance;
o will begin working on the Comprehensive Plan which will impact the budget;
o delivered Gunston’s first place Christmas parade trophy;
o attended the Old Courthouse Distillery ribbon cutting ceremony.
 Mr. Morgan read the upcoming events and meetings.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. McCluskey made a motion to adjourn the January 16, 2020 Town Council
meeting. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved January 2, 2020 meeting minutes, as written.
2. Approved a three-year commitment for the Drink Maryland event and approved June 20, 2020 as the date for
this year’s event.
3. Approved McCrone as recommended by staff for the investigation of the operation and performance of the
Town’s Water Treatment Plant located at North Brook, as required by MDE.
4. Approved the purchase of an F250 4x4 truck from the Maryland State Contract and a slide in dump body for
a total of $46,625.
5. Approved a letter to be written to the Maryland State Legislature, District 36, requesting they remove the
15% rule and the two-year residency requirement.
6. Approved holding the Independence Day fireworks and family fun day on Sunday, June 28, 2020 with the
same budget.
7. Approved holding the outdoor movie night and fishing derby on Saturday, August 29, 2020.
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