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Minutes May 14, 2020 · 4 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
May 14, 2020
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The May 14, 2020 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by 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, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice President; Steve Walls, Town Manager; Karen
Luffman, Finance Officer; Clifford Matthews, Director of Public Works; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources
Manager; 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
April 9, 2020 meeting and budget work session minutes; April 16, 2020 meeting and budget work session
minutes; and the April 23, 2020 budget work session minutes, as presented. Mr. Morgan seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
Closed Session
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 6:26 p.m. at the Liberty Building, 107 N.
Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room to consult with counsel, discuss the acquisition of land; and discuss personnel
in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) All three 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:
• Consult with counsel – discussed lease agreements and a zoning matter
• Personnel – discussed compensation of specific employees
• Land acquisition – discussed potential acquisition of land
Actions: No actions were taken.
The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice
President; Joshua E. Shonts, Member; Steve Walls, Town Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; and
Karen Luffman, Finance Officer and Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager, were present for a part of the
meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at the Liberty Building, 107 N.
Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room to consult with counsel, and discuss personnel in accordance with the
Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) All three 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:
• Consult with counsel – discussed lease agreements, developer agreement, and advice on legal matters.
Actions: Town Manager to have follow-up discussions with individuals associated with lease agreements, developer
agreement and legal matters.
The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice
President; Joshua E. Shonts, Member; Steve Walls, Town Manager; and Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney.
The meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 7:49 p.m. at the Liberty Building, 107 N.
Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room to discuss personnel in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii)
All three 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 performance evaluation and contractual agreement of an employee.
Actions: No actions taken.
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The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice
President; Joshua E. Shonts, Member; Steve Walls, Town Manager; and Kenneth Rhodes, Chief of Police.
The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 6:45 p.m. at Centreville Town Hall, 101
Lawyer’s Row to consult with counsel in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) Two 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:
• Consult with counsel – discussed the potential disposition of town property.
• Personnel – discussed an employment agreement.
Actions: Council authorized Town Manager to discuss acceptance of an offer with a prospective purchaser.
The following members and staff were present: Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice President; Joshua E. Shonts, Member
via telephone; Steve Walls, Town Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney via telephone; and Jeffrey C.
Morgan was present for a portion of the meeting based on advice of counsel.
The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
Public Hearing: Charter Amendments – Resolutions 01-2020 through 07-2020
 The continuation of the public hearing for Resolutions 01-2020, 02-2020, 03-2020, 04-2020, 05-2020, 06-
2020, and 07-2020 for additional public comments.
 Ms. Brinkley indicated that no additional comments were received in favor of or against the proposed charter
amendments.
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to adjourn the public hearing for Resolutions 01-2020 through 07-2020. Mr.
Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Citizens Comments
 Mr. McCluskey read comments received from the following citizens: Joseph Wharton, Harmony Way; Olivia
Mull, Wrights Neck Road; Tom Love, Orchestra Place; Joseph Brown, Concerto Avenue; Jody Simmons;
Jennifer Miller; Justin Asher, Brook Run Lane; Larry Reese; Deacon Bob Wilson; Niki Pino; Jenny Sargent;
Adriane Watson; Brent Ziegler; Lisa Roemer; Royce Holm, Opera Court; Anne & Kevin Cassidy, Overture
Way; Helen Benchoff, Happy Lady Lane; Andrew Hanson, East Meadow Drive; Cecilia Lukenich; and
Kathy Mitchell.
Old Business
a. Resolution 01-2020 – Amending Section 201 – Revise Number of Council Members – Consideration – for
the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the number of council members; selection; and term and
matters generally related thereto.
b. Resolution 02-2020 – Amending Section 202 – Qualifications of Council Members – Consideration – for the
purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the qualifications of council members and matters generally
related thereto.
c. Resolution 03-2020 – Amending Section 209 – Number of Votes for Emergency Ordinance – Consideration
– for the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the number of affirmative votes required for the
suspension of the ordinance requirements for an emergency ordinance and matters generally related thereto.
d. Resolution 04-2020 – Amending Section 409 – Provisions for Election of Council Members – Consideration
– for the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise provisions related to the election of council
members and matters generally related thereto.
e. Resolution 05-2020 – Amending Section 412 – Provisions for Vote Count – Consideration – for the purpose
of amending the Town Charter to revise the provisions related to vote count and matters generally related
thereto.
f. Resolution 06-2020 – Amending Section 419 – Provisions for Uncontested Elections – Consideration – for
the purpose of amending the Town Charter to revise the provisions related to uncontested elections and
matters generally related thereto.
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g. Resolution 07-2020 – Amending Section 420 – Provisions for Tie Votes – Consideration – for the purpose of
amending the Town Charter to revise the provisions related to tie votes and matters generally related thereto.
Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve Resolutions 01-2020, 02-2020, 03-2020, 04-2020, 05-2020, 06-2020,
and 07-2020, as presented. Ms. VanEmburgh stated that these resolutions are to transition from three to five
Council members and how those members will be seated. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
h. Budget Discussion
 Mr. McCluskey discussed the possibility of raising the Public Utility Tax or utilizing some of the tax
differential to help with revenue in the budget. He stated that the comp time on the books for the Town
is a liability and should be discussed.
 Mr. Morgan stated that he was not in favor of adding additional expenses to the budget and will not
discuss using the tax differential.
 Mr. McCluskey reported that the comp time is a liability that the Town is not accounting for.
i. Fireworks
 Ms. Brinkley presented the following memo:
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to cancel the July 2, 2020 Fireworks and Family Fun event and utilize
the funds for an event to take place in fall. Mr. Morgan stated that he was not in favor of postponing the
event to a later date and suggested canceling the event and put the money back in the budget. Mr.
McCluskey amended his motion to cancel the July 2, 2020 Fireworks and Family Fun event. Mr.
Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
New Business
a. Ordinance 05-2020 – FY2021 Budget – First Reading
 Ms. Luffman read Ordinance 05-2020 for the purpose of adopting a budget for the Town of Centreville
Fiscal Year 2021. Whereas, by virtue of the power and authority contained in Section 506 of the Charter
of the Town of Centreville, Now Therefore Be It Enacted and Ordained, by the Town Council of
Centreville as below and attached: Section 1: The summary of revenues and expenditures and attached
thereto as Exhibit A, pursuant to Section 506 of the Town Charter, shall be the budget for Fiscal Year
2021, from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. Section II: The tax rate levied for Fiscal Year 2021 shall be
$0.405 per $100 of assessed value and the public utility tax rate for Fiscal Year 2021 shall be $7.00 per
$100 of assessed value and is incorporated in the attached document which constitutes the budget. When
Effective: This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force effective July 1, 2020.
 Ms. Luffman stated that a public hearing will be held on May 21st.
 The Town Council asked how citizens would be allowed to participate in the budget hearing. There was
discussion about requesting QAC-TV set up a Zoom meeting during the May 21st Town Council meeting
to allow citizens to participate live.
b. Ordinance 06-2020 – Utility Rates Increase – First Reading
 Mr. McCluskey read Ordinance 06-2020 for the purpose of establishing the Town of Centreville Water
and Sewer User Fees and Service Fees for both metered and unmetered customers.
 Ms. Luffman suggested that the rate per 1,000 gallons over 6,000 gallons for water outside of town limits
should be raised to equal the in-town rate of $7.71. She stated there currently is one account outside of
town limits. Mr. McCluskey stated it should be double what the in-town rate is. Mr. Morgan stated it
should be increased however, would like a third council member present before making a decision.
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 The Town Council were in favor of increasing the vacant lot fee to $40.00.
 A public hearing will be held on May 21st for Ordinance 06-2020.
c. Board & Commission Appointments
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to appoint Mary Margaret Goodwin to a three-year term with the
Centreville Economic Development Authority expiring 2023.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Mr. Walls reported that he has been working on the budget and following-up with zoning matters.
 Maryland State Highway Administration is currently working on curb and gutter work on Liberty and
Commerce Streets. He stated that they will begin mill and overlay on both streets in June and it should
take approximately a week per street to complete.
b. Director of Public Works
 Mr. Matthews reported that the pump has been changed out at the North pump station.
 Well 5 is still down due to a lightning strike and they are still awaiting parts to be delivered.
 The filter media has been delivered for the North Brook Water Treatment Plant and will be changed once
Well 5 is back up and running.
c. Finance Officer
 Ms. Luffman reported that they are preparing for the audit.
d. Human Resources
 Ms. Ebaugh reported that an offer had been made for the Water/Wastewater Operator position and they
are waiting to hear a response. She has been working on open enrollment paperwork and will be
distributing them to employees the following week. Ms. Ebaugh continues to work with the attorneys to
complete the non-DOT drug policy.
Council Roundtable
 Mr. McCluskey reported that the potential increase in water and sewer rates are not being taken lightly by the
Council. He stated that there is $2.7 million in the bank for the enterprise fund and $2.5 million in expenses.
Currently, the enterprise fund revenue does not cover the cost for water and wastewater operations. Mr.
McCluskey reported that the average household increase would be $.50 per day (under 6,000 gallons) on
their utility bill and $.91 per day for a household with 14,000 gallons.
 Mr. Morgan state he hopes everyone is doing well.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. McCluskey made a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel at 7:50
p.m. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the April 9, 2020 meeting and budget work session minutes; April 16, 2020 meeting and budget
work session minutes; and the April 23, 2020 budget work session minutes, as presented.
2. Approved Resolutions 01-2020, 02-2020, 03-2020, 04-2020, 05-2020, 06-2020, and 07-2020.
3. Cancelled the July 2, 2020 Fireworks and Family Fun event.
4. Appointed Mary Margaret Goodwin to a three-year term with the Centreville Economic Development
Authority expiring 2023.
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