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Minutes January 20, 2022 · 4 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
January 20, 2022
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The January 20, 2022 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by 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; Jeffrey D. Kiel, Vice President; Shelby C. Anania, Eric B. Johnson, Jr. and
Ashley H. Kaiser, Members; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Clifford
(Kip) Matthews, Director of Public Works; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources
Manager; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. Kiel made a motion to approve the January
6, 2022 meeting minutes, as presented. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Closed Session Statement
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Liberty Building, 107
N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room to discuss land acquisition and consult with counsel in accordance with the
Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) 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 candidate for a board/commission position; discussed a matter relating to an
employee
 Consult with counsel – discussed potential legal matters
Actions: No action taken.
The following members and staff were present: Steven K. Kline, President; Jeffrey D. Kiel, Vice President; Shelby
C. Anania, Eric B. Johnson, Jr, and Ashley H. Kaiser, Members; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager; Sharon
VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk; Clifford (Kip) Matthews, Director of Public Works;
and a candidate for a board/commission.
The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Citizens Comments
No citizens offered comments.
Appearances
a. Swearing In of Town Manager – Charles “Chip” Koogle
 Mr. Kline swore in Charles “Chip” Koogle as Town Manager for the Town of Centreville.
Old Business
a. Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion - Discussion
 Mr. Koogle reported that staff met with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to discuss
available funding for the upgrade to the Town’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). He explained that
MDE is requiring an analysis of alternatives be completed in the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER).
The State has requested the contract be amended with the current engineering firm (Whitman Requardt
and Associates (WRA) to complete the alternatives analysis which would be covered under funding from
the State.
 Mr. Koogle stated there are two applications for funding with the State: planning and design or planning,
design, and construction. The planning and design to convert the WWTP from a Biological Nutrient
Removal Program (BNR) to an Enhanced Nutrient Removal Program (ENR) would be covered 100% by
MDE and the percentage of funding for the construction portion would be dependent on the equipment
being replaced as it relates to the ENR conversion.
 The application for funding is due January 31st and staff is beginning to work on this along with the
assistance of WRA.
 After additional discussion, and by consensus, the Council agreed that the upgrade to the WWTP should
be at 1 MGD (million gallons per day).
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 The Council discussed ensuring information is disseminated to the public to make them aware that
upgrading the WWTP is not an option and must be completed as the equipment is at end of life, with
some equipment not available for replacement due to age.
 Mr. Koogle discussed meeting with the North Brook and Symphony Village HOA’s and Mr. Johnson
discussed breaking the town into four (4) sectors and Council Members attending these sessions to
discuss the upgrade to the citizens.
 Mr. Kline stated that Ms. Kaiser drafted a letter to be sent to the State legislature requesting full funding
of this project.
New Business
a. FY2022 Mid-Year Update
 Ms. Luffman presented the following memo:
 Ms. Kaiser stated that the Town should not be in the cemetery business. There was discussion among the
Council and staff regarding the cemetery. Ms. Kaiser stated she would contact the State agency that
oversees cemeteries to discuss different business models of cemeteries.
 Parking meters were discussed and Mr. Kline requested this topic be discussed at the February 17th Town
Council meeting. The Council requested options to implement parking such as, kiosks, Park Mobile, etc.
 Mr. Johnson requested Ms. Luffman prepare a list of grants the Town has received over the past five (5)
years. He stated that he is thrilled so far with the work of Mr. Koogle and thanked Ms. Luffman for her
work on the budget.
b. Allocation Discussion
 Mr. Koogle stated that the last report sent to the State indicated the Town’s capacity was at 83%. Due to
this percentage, the Town is required to report the capacity to the State each year, with the next report
due at the end of January.
 The Town currently has a contract to complete an Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) study for the South
Interceptor located at the South Pumping Station and running west to the existing Front Street Pumping
Station. This contract will be amended to include a study from 4-H Park Road to the North Interceptor.
 Mr. Kline stated to the public that the Town Council does not have the choice at this point to do nothing
with the upgrade to the Town’s WWTP as the current plant is at end of life. He stated the Town Council
and staff are working on ways to pay for this in hopes it will not fall back on the citizens.
c. Resolution 01-2022 – Charter Amendment – Repeal Section 523 – First Reading
 Mr. Kline read Resolution 01-2022 for the purpose of amending the Town Charter to repeal and replace
Section 523 of the Town Charter.
 Mr. Kline stated that even though this is being replaced he wants to make sure staff are still reporting
purchases to the Town Council.
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 Mr. Johnson stated that this allows staff to do what the Council has asked and permitted them to do
through the budget process.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
 Ms. Kaiser stated she had no report at this time.
b. Economic Development
 Mr. Johnson stated he had nothing to report at this time.
c. Park Advisory Board
 Ms. Anania reported that the Park Advisory Board Annual Report has been included in the Council’s
packets for their information. She highlighted a few important items in the report.
 Mr. Kline requested Mr. Whitehill attend a Town Council meeting to discuss the trails by Symphony
Village and possible funding in the budget.
 Ms. Anania reported that the Park Advisory Board also included a letter requesting the Town Council
consider working with Queen Anne’s County to develop an off-leash dog park at White Marsh Park.
 Ms. Anania stated that an updated tree growth map was received from the GIS Department at
Washington College and has been included in the Council’s packet for review.
d. Council of Governments
 Mr. Kiel reported the January meeting has been cancelled and the next one is planned for February 9th
which the Town of Centreville will be hosting.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
 Mr. Kline reported that the Planning Commission met after the last Town Council meeting. The Carter
Farm development is moving forward and site plans will be presented soon for review. He stated the
Town Council will need to decide on sewer allocations for this project.
 Mr. Johnson made a motion to appoint Wendy Taylor Emerson as an alternate member of the Centreville
Planning Commission. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Reports of Department Heads
 Town Manager:
 Mr. Koogle reported the following:
o Bob Davis, Code Enforcement Officer has been talking with businesses to discuss potential code
violations
o Working on issues with residents regarding bulk trash and trash cans left out after pick-up/piling
trash at the curb days prior to pick-up
o Letter was sent to residents on Green Street extended regarding camper parking and the Town’s
future ownership of this street
o Working on removing the truck parked on Little Hut Drive
o Held initial meetings with Murphy and Dittenhafer regarding the space assessment for staff needs
o Working on a digital interface for employees – all employees will receive an email address and
access to computers
o Recommended increasing boat slip annual lease to $1250. Council asked staff to look in to pricing
of similar slips in the area
o Council requested the review of the Town Code related to piling trash on porches or side of the
house
b. Finance Officer:
 Ms. Luffman reported that she has been working on the FY2023 budget with Department Heads.
c. Director of Public Works:
 Mr. Matthews reported the following:
 Contractor is working on the storm drains on Little Hut Drive
 The siding was delivered for the Centreville Wharf Building and the contractor began replacing the
rotting wood behind the siding and the siding
 Contractor waiting on better weather to add two more course of blocks to the small shed at the Spray
field before the new roof will be installed
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 There was discussion regarding trash pick-up in town. Mr. Matthews stated that he was in contact
with the trash company and they have had staffing issues this past week which increased the more
than normal complaints.
o It was recommended to add “Aware of Trash Issues” to the Town website for residents to look
for issues that may have arisen with the trash company
o Council discussed the issue of trash and recycling being dumped in the same truck
o Council requested an email blast be sent about trash issues and who needs to be contacted
d. Human Resources Manager
 Ms. Ebaugh reported the following:
 Working on year end reports
 Working on filling open positions
 Budget
 Insurance plan reviews
 Working on the digital interface for staff
 Mr. Johnson asked how the career ladder implementation is going? Ms. Ebaugh stated it is moving
in a more positive direction and she and the Department Heads are working together.
e. Town Clerk
 Ms. Brinkley reported the following:
 The Town received notice that of award of $55,000 for another round of funding for the Façade
Improvement Program
 Working on the budget
 A successful Cleaning Day was held on Tuesday, January 18th and a lot of work was done by all staff
and it was a very productive day.
Citizens Forum
No citizens offered comments.
Council Roundtable
 Ms. Kaiser had nothing additional to report.
 Mr. Johnson stated it would be good that have a code enforcement fact sheet that can be handed out to
citizens and business owners. He requested again for Council to consider “sponsoring” a department by one
or two members. He stated he will be presenting a Liberty/Commerce Street roads assessment and will be
sponsoring a proposal to the Town Council for a Town Hall facelift.
 Ms. Anania had nothing additional to report.
 Mr. Kiel discussed fiber optics through downtown and the inspection of poles. He also discussed the lack of
boat parking at the Centreville Wharf and requested the two additional lots the Town owns across the street
be opened up for boat trailer parking.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Kline made a motion to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing
personnel. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting went into closed session at 9:13
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the January 6, 2022 meeting minutes, as presented.
2. By consensus, the Council agreed that the upgrade to the WWTP should be at 1 MGD (million gallons per
day).
3. Appointed Wendy Taylor Emerson as an alternate member of the Centreville Planning Commission.
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