← All documents

town council meeting minutes

Minutes May 21, 2020 · 6 page(s)

View original PDF ↗ Meeting

Full extracted text

The document's complete text, exactly as extracted — not a summary. Use “Summarize this document” above for the short version.

Town Council of Centreville
May 21, 2020
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The May 21, 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; Joshua E. Shonts, Member via Zoom;
Steve Walls, Town Manager; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Chief Kenneth Rhodes, Centreville Police
Department; Clifford Matthews, Director of Public Works; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, the Town Council tabled the minutes of the
May 14, 2020 meeting.
Closed Session
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 7:52 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)
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:
• Personnel – discussed an employment agreement.
Actions: Town Council asked Town Attorney to make a revision to an agreement.
The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice
President; Steve Walls, Town Manager; and Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Public Hearing: Ordinance 05-2020 – FY2021 Budget
 The public hearing began at 7:05 p.m. for Ordinance 05-2020 for the purpose of adopting a budget for the
Town of Centreville for Fiscal Year 2021.
 Ms. Luffman reviewed the current tax rate for the town which is $.405 and reviewed the proposed totals for
the General Fund and Enterprise Fund.
 Ms. Brinkley verified that the notice of hearing was publicized in the Record Observer, 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 in regards to the Notice of Public Hearing, Mr. Morgan asked for comments from anyone in favor
of proposed Ordinance 05-2020.
 No one spoke in favor of Ordinance 05-2020.
 Mr. Morgan asked for comments from anyone opposed to Ordinance 05-2020.
 Written comments were received by: Walter and Anne Rowland, Harmony Way; Carolyn Harty; Christine
Roberts, Concerto Avenue; Roy Davis, Symphony Way; Loralyn Andersen-Petrie, Sonata Way; Patricia
Cipriano, Orchestra Place; Paul Kelsh, Harmony Way; Margaret Velardo, Harmony Way; Pat and Howard
Fox, Encore Court; Deborah Patti, Harmony Way; Eston and Rosemary Hoffman, Concerto Avenue; James
and Kathryn Buckheit, Concerto Avenue; Jenny Houghton, Chesterfield Avenue; Raymond Goodmuth,
Harmony Way; Jeff Phillips, Church Hill Road; and Tom Love, Orchestra Place. Joe Cichocki, Water Street
offered comments through Zoom.
 The record will be held open for comments until the June 11, 2020 Town Council meeting.
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to adjourn the public hearing for Ordinance 05-2020. Mr. Morgan seconded
the motion, which passed unanimously. The hearing adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Public Hearing: Constant Yield Tax Rate
 The public hearing began at 7:30 p.m. concerning the constant yield tax rate for the Town of Centreville for
Fiscal Year 2021.
 Ms. Luffman stated that the Town is not increasing the current tax rate of $.405 per $100. The Town’s
current tax rate is above the Constant Yield Tax Rate set by the State.
2020-05-21-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 1 of 6

 Mr. McCluskey reported that a public hearing is not required because the overall difference in the tax rate, in
dollars, is below the threshold the State sets.
 Mr. Shonts stated that he would like it to be clear there is no property tax increase proposed.
 Ms. Brinkley verified that the notice of hearing was publicized in the Record Observer, 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 in regards to the Notice of Public Hearing, Mr. Morgan asked for comments from anyone in favor
of the proposed Constant Yield Tax Rate.
 No one spoke in favor of the proposed Constant Yield Tax Rate.
 Mr. Morgan asked for comments from anyone opposed to the Constant Yield Tax Rate.
 No one offered comments opposed to the Constant Yield Tax Rate and Mr. Morgan referred to the written
comments read during the budget public hearing.
 The record will be held open for comments until the June 11, 2020 Town Council meeting.
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to adjourn the public hearing for the Constant Yield Tax Rate. Mr. Morgan
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The hearing adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
Public Hearing: Ordinance 06-2020 – Utility Rate Increase
 The public hearing began at 7:36 p.m. for 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.
 Mr. McCluskey stated that first, everyone on the Council is affected by the proposed increase in rates and
that the Council does not take this decision lightly.
 Mr. McCluskey shared a presentation for the public:
2020-05-21-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 2 of 6

2020-05-21-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 3 of 6

 Mr. Morgan reported that the Town is running a deficit for the Enterprise Fund. He stated that many people
compare Centreville to cities and counties they have lived in before, i.e. Howard County vs. Centreville. He
stated there are many more people to share the costs in other cities and counties than there are in Centreville,
which helps to distribute the cost.
 Ms. Brinkley verified that the notice of hearing was publicized in the Record Observer, 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 in regards to the Notice of Public Hearing, Mr. Morgan asked for comments from anyone in favor
of proposed Ordinance 06-2020.
 No one spoke in favor of Ordinance 06-2020.
 Mr. Morgan asked for comments from anyone opposed to Ordinance 06-2020.
 Written comments were received by: Roy Davis, Symphony Way; Juana Ridgeway, Opera Court; Loralyn
Andersen-Petrie, Sonata Way; Judy Webster, Harmony Way; Paul Kelsh, Harmony Way; Margaret Velardo,
Harmony Way; Pat and Howard Fox, Encore Court; Deborah Patti, Harmony Way; Eston and Rosemary
Hoffman, Concerto Avenue; James and Kathryn Buckheit, Concerto Avenue; Raymond Goodmuth,
Harmony Way; Mary Alice O’Connor, Church Hill Road; Dena Anderson, Commerce Street; Dorothy
Carroll; Dr. Matthew Weeman, Price Street; Darrell Barricklow, Edenderry Avenue; and Dan Worth,
Commerce Street.
 The record will be held open for comments until the June 11, 2020 Town Council meeting.
 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to adjourn the public hearing for Ordinance 06-2020. Mr. Morgan seconded
the motion, which passed unanimously. The hearing adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
 Mr. Morgan thanked An Optical Galleria for sponsoring the May 21st Town Council meeting on QAC-TV.
Citizens Comments
 Joe Cichocki, Water Street offered comments through Zoom.
Old Business
a. Ordinance 05-2020 – FY2021 Budget – Second Reading
 Mr. McCluskey read Ordinance 05-2020 for the purpose of adopting a budget for the Town of
Centreville Fiscal Year 2021. He stated this ordinance will be considered at the June 11th meeting.
b. Ordinance 06-2020 – Utility Rates Increase – Second 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.
 Mr. Morgan stated he was not in favor of a 40% increase in the utility rates this year. He proposed a
25% increase for FY21 and a 25% increase in FY22.
 Mr. McCluskey stated that a 40% increase only covers the Town’s operating costs.
 Mr. Shonts stated that if citizens want to pay less now it was fine but the problem will not go away and
the proposed increase is not something the Council is doing to pad the pockets; the end result is to catch
up.
 Mr. McCluskey stated that 40% is just enough to tread water and what is right for Centreville and the
future of the Town. He reported the Town is in a bad situation and needs to do this for the betterment of
the town.
 Mr. Morgan stated that it is an extraordinary time and does not feel approving a 40% increase is a good
decision.
 Mr. Shonts stated that now, more than ever, may not be the right time however, the public needs to know
to expect to have this conversation again until the Town is able to catch up.
 Mr. Morgan made a motion to reduce the water and sewer rate increase to 25% instead of 40% in FY21
and FY22 and implement at 5% increase moving forward in 2023. Mr. Shonts seconded the motion.
The motion passed with Mr. Morgan and Mr. Shonts voting yes and Mr. McCluskey no.
 Mr. McCluskey asked for Ms. Luffman to determine what the projected revenue gap will be with the
25% increase.
2020-05-21-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 4 of 6

New Business
a. North Brook Water Treatment Plan – McCrone Report
 Mr. Matthews stated that the report has been completed by McCrone Engineering, Inc. and submitted to
the Town Council for review. He would like to wait to review the report in detail until a work session
can be scheduled to allow citizens to attend as well as, McCrone and the Maryland Department of the
Environment.
 The report will be placed on the Town’s website, MDE will receive a copy, and the citizens that have
been involved throughout the process will receive a copy.
 The media filter has been received however; the work cannot be completed until Well 5 is back in-
service.
b. Chesterfield Cemetery Caretaker’s Building – Bid Consideration
 Mr. Walls stated this is on-hold at the moment until more details are finalized with the insurance
company.
c. 2020 Summer Meeting Schedule
 The Town Council agreed on the following summer meeting schedule:
 June 11, 2020
 July 16, 2020
 August 20, 2020
d. Employee Pay
 Mr. Morgan reported that the County is looking at the implications of a reduction in revenue and he
stated that the Town Council needs to keep a close eye on revenue and expenses.
 Mr. Morgan suggested looking at a possible pay cut for employees and would hope that the future
Council would bring staff back up to their original pay. He suggested the Council meet quarterly to
review the revenues and expenses.
 Mr. McCluskey stated that the Council said it would push expenses out and revisit at a later time and he
feels this goes both ways.
 Mr. Shonts had no comment.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Mr. Walls reported the following:
 Paving will take place on Happy Lady Lane and Church Lane.
 David A. Bramble, Inc. will be completing the milling and paving for the State Highway
Administration project on Liberty and Commerce Streets.
b. Chief of Police
 Chief Rhodes reported that everything is going well.
c. Town Clerk
 Ms. Brinkley stated that this is the last meeting paid for by An Optical Galleria for QAC-TV to air
the Town Council meetings.
 Mr. Morgan made a motion to fund the June 11th meeting for QAC-TV and provide Zoom as well.
Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Citizens Forum
 Mike Norris; Virginia Guy, Opera Court, offered written comments. Mike Sformo, Meadow Brook Way;
Ann Hazen, Meadow Brook Way; and Kerri Giuriceo, Harmony Way, offered comments via Zoom.
Council Roundtable
 Mr. Shonts asked that everyone make sure they have the facts before providing their comments. The more
the public gets involved, the more knowledgeable everyone is and he asked the public to get more involved.
 Mr. McCluskey thanked QAC-TV for live streaming the meeting and providing Zoom.
 Mr. Morgan thanked QAC-TV for streaming the meeting and Bruce Grove for reading the comments. He
asked that Facebook questions are included in the June 11th meeting. Mr. Morgan stated that names and
addresses will be required in order for their comments to be read through Facebook and Zoom.
2020-05-21-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 5 of 6

Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. McCluskey made a motion to adjourn the May 21, 2020 meeting. Mr. Morgan
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved funding the June 11th meeting for QAC-TV and Zoom.
2. Reduced the water and sewer rate increase to 25% instead of 40% in FY21 and FY22 and implement at 5%
increase moving forward in 2023 for Ordinance 06-2020 to be considered at the June 11th meeting.
2020-05-21-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 6 of 6