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Minutes February 25, 2021 · 6 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
February 25, 2021
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The February 25, 2021 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Timothy E. McCluskey
at the Liberty Building located at 107 N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following members and staff
were present: Timothy E. McCluskey, President; Steven K. Kline, Vice President; Robert R. Hardy, Jr., Jeffrey D.
Kiel, and Shelby C. Anania, Members; Steve Walls, Town Manager; Chief Joe Saboury, Centreville Police
Department; Clifford Matthews, Director of Public Works; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Karen Luffman,
Finance Officer; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. Kline made a motion to approve the
February 4, 2021 meeting minutes, as amended. Ms. Anania seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Closed Session Statement
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Tuesday, February 18, 2021 at 6:34 p.m. via a Zoom call to consult
with counsel to obtain legal advice on a legal matter in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) All
five 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 legal advice on a development agreement and a zoning matter.
Actions: No actions taken.
The following members and staff were present via Zoom call: Timothy E. McCluskey, President; Steven K. Kline,
Vice President; Robert R. Hardy, Jr., Jeffrey D. Kiel, and Shelby C. Anania, Members; Steve Walls, Town Manager;
and Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney.
The meeting adjourned 7:37 p.m.
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Tuesday, February 25, 2021 at 6:12 p.m. at the Liberty Building, 107
N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room to discuss personnel and consult with counsel to obtain legal advice on a
legal matter in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) All five 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 – interviewed a candidate for a Board or Commission vacancy.
 Consult with counsel – discussed legal advice on a developer agreement and on a zoning matter
Actions: No actions taken.
The following members and staff were present: Timothy E. McCluskey, President; Steven K. Kline, Vice President;
Robert R. Hardy, Jr., Jeffrey D. Kiel, and Shelby C. Anania, Members; Steve Walls, Town Manager; Sharon
VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; and a candidate for a board/commission position.
The meeting adjourned 6:56 p.m.
Citizens Comments
 No citizen comments provided.
Appearances
a. Board and Commission Oath of Office
 Mr. Hardy made a motion to approve Jennifer Holdgreve as a member of the Board of Supervisors of
Elections for a three-year term expiring, April 2024. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
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 Mr. Kline made a motion to approve Chriss Chisolm as a member of the Board of Supervisors of
Elections for a three-year term expiring, April 2024. Mr. Hardy seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
 Mr. Kline swore in Jennifer Holdgreve as a member of the Board of Supervisors of Elections.
b. Centreville Ethics Commission Presentation
 Martha Herman, Chair and Carrie O’Connor, Vice Chair of the Centreville Ethics Commission made a
presentation on the mission, members, and goals of the Commission.
Old Business
a. Ordinance 01-2021 – Text Amendment – Agriculture Uses in the Planned Business District (PBD) – Second
Reading
 Mr. McCluskey read Ordinance 01-2021 for the purpose of amending the Town of Centreville Zoning
Ordinance, which is Chapter 170 of the Town Code, to add agriculture as a permitted use (subject to
limitations contained herein) in the Planned Business District (PBD).
 Mr. McCluskey stated the Centreville Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to
the Town Council for Ordinance 01-2021.
 Ms. Brinkley will schedule a public hearing for the March 18th Town Council meeting.
b. Ordinance 02-2021 – Text Amendment – Moratorium – Accessory Structures over 400 S.F. – Second
Reading
 Mr. Kline read Ordinance 02-2021 for the purpose of adopting a temporary moratorium on the issuance
of permits for accessory structures in excess of 400 square feet.
 Mr. McCluskey stated the Centreville Planning Commission forwarded a favorable recommendation to
the Town Council for Ordinance 02-2021.
 Ms. Brinkley will schedule a public hearing for the March 18th Town Council meeting.
c. Tax Set-Off / Tax Differential – Discussion
 Mr. McCluskey reported that the information submitted to the County Commissioners was included in
the Council’s packets. This information was due February 23rd and was anticipated to be discussed at
last week’s Town Council meeting, which was cancelled due to weather.
 After some discussion, Mr. Hardy stated he was in favor of keeping the difference between last year’s
differential and this year’s differential. For example, if last year was $.11 and this year is $.13 the Town
would give the $.11 back to the residents and keep the difference of $.02.
 Mr. Kline stated that he was not in favor of not giving the full tax differential back to the citizens. He
felt that the Town needed to look at what we would need the money for, earmark it, and then build a case
to the County Commissioners and citizens. Mr. Kline was not in favor of any decision, other than back
to the citizens, this year until the new Council Members can get a better understanding of the budget.
 Mr. Kiel stated he was in favor of giving the full tax differential back to the citizens.
 Ms. Anania stated she was in favor of giving the full tax differential back to the citizens.
 Mr. McCluskey clarified if the Council would like to revisit this item during the budget work sessions
this year.
 Mr. Kline is in favor of considering this in the out years, but not this year.
 By consensus, the Town Council decided to table the discussion on tax differential/tax set-off until this
year’s budget meetings.
d. Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
 Ms. Brinkley reported that all volunteers on the Town’s boards and commissions received a Town of
Centreville mask and $20 Centreville Dollars.
 By consensus, the Town Council tabled this discussion until a May meeting.
e. Employee Appreciation Breakfast
 By consensus, the Town Council tabled this discussion until a May meeting.
f. 2021 Fireworks
 The Town Council requested the fireworks company be contacted to reserve the date and to contact the
Board of Education regarding the reservation of the high school parking lot.
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 Preparations will begin for the Family Fun Day and as the date gets closer, the Town Council will
determine if it will be held based on any COVID-19 restrictions.
 Ms. Anania requested to be a part of the planning committee for this event.
New Business
a. Ordinance 03-2021 – North Brook Phase III – Deed of Dedication – First Reading
 Mr. McCluskey read Ordinance 03-2021 for the purpose of authorizing the acceptance of the rights of
way including roadways in the North Brook Phase III Subdivision and consenting to the conveyance of
the 6.6-acre proposed park in the Phase II of the North Brook Subdivision to be conveyed directly to the
North Brook Phase II Homeowners Association, Inc. in lieu of a conveyance to the Town; in compliance
with the Charter of the Town of Centreville, Article III, Section 301, paragraph 46, and all matters
related thereto.
b. Park Advisory Board Annual Report
 The Park Advisory Board submitted their annual report for review by the Town Council.
 Ms. Anania highlighted items within the report:
 A loblolly pine near Creamery Lane and a hickory tree along Millstream Park were designated as
Maryland Champion Trees.
 Ms. Mileski initiated discussion about adding artwork/sculptures to the Millstream and Wharf parks.
 Southeast Creek Lawn and Landscape was awarded a second-year Park Landscape Maintenance
Agreement.
 Christmas decorations were wonderful again this year.
c. Carter Farm Discussion
 Mr. McCluskey made the following presentation:
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 Ms. VanEmburgh explained the intent and purpose of a Development Rights and Responsibility
Agreement.
 Mr. McCluskey discussed the current zoning for the Carter Farm property as a Traditional Neighborhood
Development zone which was changed 2014.
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Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Centreville Park Advisory Board
 Ms. Anania stated the Park Advisory Board met via Zoom on February 2nd and discussed the following:
 A bar be installed at the kayak launch ramp to help people when getting in and out of their kayak.
 Restoring the basketball court at Millstream Park.
 Communicating with the family of John and Nancy Covert on ways to honor their memory.
 Multiple calls were received regarding bulbs out on Christmas lights. Many of the Christmas lights
will be replaced for use next year.
 Tree Board will meet next Tuesday, March 2nd.
b. Council of Governments
 Mr. Kiel reported the COG will be meeting on March 10th for the tax set-off/tax differential discussion
with Queen Anne’s County.
c. Maryland Municipal League
 Mr. Hardy reported that he received information from MML regarding dog parks.
 There was discussion regarding the MML Summer Conference which will be begin on June 27th in
Ocean City. The conference will be limited to 400 participants and only two (2) people from each
municipality will have the opportunity to attend. It was decided that Mr. Hardy would attend as the
liaison with MML.
 By consensus, the Town Council requested this topic be placed on the March 4th agenda for discussion
about who will be the second person to attend.
d. Planning Commission
 Mr. McCluskey reported that the Planning Commission met the previous week and discussed the
following:
 Forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for the accessory structure moratorium.
 Approved the site plan for a storage warehouse on Little Hut Drive.
 Reviewed the preliminary site plan for GTI at the business park.
 Reviewed the preliminary site plan for lot E-1 at the business park.
 Forwarded a favorable recommendation to the Town Council for agriculture uses in the Planned
Business District.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Mr. Walls reported the following:
 Signed a lease agreement with AB Indiana who will be placing an antenna on the North Brook water
tower to provide internet services to those interested.
 Reviewed the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) schedule that will allow staff additional time to
review incoming projects as well as allow the Planning Commission additional time to review. TAC
will consist of staff members and consultants for the Town.
 The Finance Department paid off the Queenstown loan and deposited the remaining $72,000 from
the CD into the permanent fund.
b. Chief of Police Report
 Chief Saboury reported the following:
 Reviewed the January, 2021 statistical report for staff, Council, and the public.
 The 3rd speed camera will be deployed on Railroad Avenue on February 26th.
 The 4th speed camera was submitted to the Maryland State Highway Administration for approval.
 The actuarial study for LEOPS is still in process.
 Torchio Architects, Inc. is measuring the Centreville Wharf Building to begin plans for possible
relocation of the Police Department.
 The new Administrative Assistant begins Tuesday, March 2nd. Chief Saboury thanked the Town
Council for supporting the request to hire an administrative assistant.
c. Town Clerk
 Ms. Brinkley reported the following:
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 Centreville Main Street received the Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative (MD SERI)
grant in the amount of $147,526. A total of $132,300 will be used as direct business support for a
micro-grant and $15,226 will be used for indirect business support to fund a bonus card program for
the ShopCentrevilleMD Community eGift card program. It is projected the micro-grants will be
awarded in amounts up to $3,500. The grant requirements stipulated that no more than 15% of the
funds could be used for indirect business support.
 The application opened up on Wednesday, February 24th and 16 applications have been received.
Citizens Forum
 No citizens provided comments.
Council Roundtable
 Mr. Kiel thanked Mr. Matthews for his staff for salting the ice around town. He also thanked Chief Saboury
for his officers as he always sees them around town and appreciates them being visible to the public.
 Mr. Hardy gave praise to Chief Saboury for his officers as well. He suggested if the Town does a salary
study, staffing levels need to be looked at as well. A speed survey has come out to check the speed of
internet. Mr. Hardy asked everyone to go to https://maryland.speedsurvey.org/ to determine internet speed.
This survey will help the State better understand the needs.
 Mr. McCluskey stated he would not be in attendance at the March 18th meeting. He was asked to join the
Queen Anne’s County Rebranded Committee. He stated all presidents of the councils/commissions in QAC
were asked to participate.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Kline made a motion to adjourn the February 25, 2021 Town Council meeting.
Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the February 4, 2021 meeting minutes, as amended.
2. Approved Jennifer Holdgreve as a member of the Board of Supervisors of Elections for a three-year term
expiring, April 2024.
3. Approved Chriss Chisolm as a member of the Board of Supervisors of Elections for a three-year term
expiring, April 2024.
4. By consensus, the Town Council decided to table the discussion on tax differential/tax set-off.
5. By consensus, the Town Council tabled the discussion on the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner until a May
meeting.
6. By consensus, the Town Council tabled the discussion on the Employee Appreciation Breakfast until a May
meeting.
7. By consensus, the Town Council requested the Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference topic be
placed on the March 4th agenda for discussion about who will be the second person to attend.
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