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Minutes March 3, 2022 · 4 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
March 3, 2022
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The March 3, 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; Chief Joe Saboury, Centreville Police Department; Karen Luffman,
Finance Officer; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, the Town Council honored the retirement of
K9 Crush from the Centreville Police Department. Chief Saboury provided the following:
o K9 Crush is a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois and spent the last 9 years with the Centreville Police
Department protecting the citizens of Centreville
o Seized $32,000; 8 apprehensions (no bites); attended 1,728 training hours; and completed 626 scans
o K9 Crush was wished well in his retirement
Review of Minutes from Past Meetings
 Ms. Kaiser made a motion to approve the February 17, 2022 meeting minutes, as presented. Mr. Johnson
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Closed Session Statement
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 6:17 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)
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 – discussed management of staff
Actions: No actions taken.
The following members and staff were present: Steven K. Kline, President; Jeffrey D. Kiel, Vice President; Shelby
C. Anania, Eric Johnson, Jr., and Ashley H. Kaiser, Members; and Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney.
The meeting adjourned at 6:54 p.m.
Citizens Comments
No citizens offered comments.
Appearances
a. Michelle Keplinger – Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT)
 Ms. Keplinger from the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) presented the Town Council with a
check in the amount of $109,492 which is a surplus as a result of lower-than-expected claim costs for
health insurance the previous fiscal year.
New Business
a. Roof Replacement – Pump House & Office Building
 Mr. Matthews presented the following memo:
 Mr. Johnson asked how long it had been since these roofs were replaced. Mr. Matthews stated they are
the original roofs from when the treatment plant was built which was about 18 years ago. He stated the
proposed shingles for the new roof are 30-year shingles.
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 Mr. Kiel made a motion to approve the roof replacement for the office building and pump house at the
wastewater treatment plant in the amount of $13,116.30. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
 Ms. Kaiser had nothing to report.
b. Economic Development
 Mr. Johnson stated he has been approached by several members of the Centreville Economic
Development Authority (CEDA) requesting the group be reignited. By consensus, the Town Council
agreed to have Mr. Johnson work with Paige Tilghman, Economic Development Manager and Mr.
Koogle to reignite CEDA.
c. Park Advisory Board
 Ms. Anania reported that the Park Advisory Board met via Zoom earlier in the week and next month’s
meeting will be held at the Centreville Wharf Park pavilions. She stated quotes are being gathered for
the expansion of the walking trails to present to Town Council and the Park Advisory Board is working
on finalizing plans for Arbor Day.
 Ms. Kaiser asked if anyone had contacted the County about collaborating with Queen Anne’s County on
a dog park at Bloomfield Farm. Ms. Anania stated she would check with the Park Advisory Board and
report back.
d. Council of Governments
 Mr. Kiel reported that the QAC COG will meet the following week, on March 9th, to meet with Queen
Anne’s County regarding the tax set-off/tax differential. All Council Members were encouraged to
attend. The meeting will be held at the Liberty Building.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
 Mr. Kline requested the status of the Carter Farm. Mr. Koogle stated they have reserved the Queen
Anne’s County Library for an information session with the public. It is scheduled for Sunday, March
13th from 12 to 5.
 Mr. Koogle stated that, at this point, Carter Farm is moving forward with approvals until the Town
Council decides their next steps.
Reports of Department Heads
o Town Manager:
 Mr. Koogle reported the following:
o Town received plans from Queen Anne’s County for Little Kidwell extended and have reviewed.
The County plans to begin this summer as well as, Green Street extended.
o Spoke with a contact at Energy Professionals, LLC who bid out energy prices. The current rate is
$0.04740 per kWh. Mr. Koogle is working to get an updated price and will report back to the
Council.
o Verizon is recommending phones be switched to voice over IP (VOIP). He is working on pricing for
all Town offices.
o The Maryland Municipal League sent out a recommendation to create a telework policy which Mr.
Koogle will begin working on since there is not one in place for Centreville.
o There were 17 code enforcement violations opened in February; 8 are still open; 9 are closed; and 2
so far for March.
o The last 19 hires made for the Department of Public Works did not make it to a full year. Mr.
Koogle would like to change the approach for these positions to not hire at a base salary. The
current base salary for a Utility Works, after the 3% COLA increase, is $16.05 per hour. Staff are
also looking at the cost to train these individuals and will be creating individual development plans.
b. Chief of Police
 Chief Saboury reported on the following:
o On February 22nd, 73 coin-operated meters were inspected and 13 were placed out-of-order and
bagged. The cost to repair the current meters is approximately $6,000-$8,000.
o Cost estimates were received for parking kiosks:
 $500 rent per month per kiosk
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 $50 per meter for passthrough software fee
 $382 upfront to program the meter
 $350 per meter for a price change
 $175 for 3 paper rolls
 $300 for a one-time delivery fee
 Town of Centreville would pay for all signage
 4.3% transaction fee for all credit card transactions
 Revenue is 75% to Town of Centreville and 25% to vendor
o Chief Saboury recommended a 60-day pilot program to remove all meters on Lawyers Row and
place 2-hour parking signs and officers will enforce. If the pilot is successful, will move to
Broadway and Commerce Street to remove meters and place 2-hour parking signs.
o Chief Saboury will be reconsidering the part-time parking enforcement officer for consideration in
the upcoming budget.
o After additional discussion, by consensus, the Town Council were all in favor of completing the 60-
day pilot program for 2-hour parking signs once the signs arrive.
o Purchased two (2) prisoner transport partitions. There are a total of 9 police vehicles that would
require the partitions. The cost of the partition is $2,563 plus $1,500 in labor to install. After
reviewing the budget with Ms. Luffman, three (3) additional partitions could be purchased in FY22
for a total of $12,191. Seven additional could be purchased for the entire fleet for a total cost of
$28,446. Chief Saboury is working with Mr. Koogle and Ms. Luffman on any leftover funds to
purchase additional partitions before the end of the fiscal year.
o After additional discussion, by consensus, the Town Council approved the purchase of the remaining
7 prisoner transport partitions.
o Sgt. Larrimore is a Defense Tactical Instructor and has been offered the opportunity, at no cost, to
attend an instructor course for Deescalating Training.
o As a reminder, the Centreville Police Department website contains how to pay RedSpeed camera
tickets and also contains the monthly reports.
c. Town Attorney
 The Town Council received a memo from Ms. VanEmburgh regarding a possible moratorium for new
allocation requests. The Town Council would like a report on how many allocations have been paid in
full and how many have paid a deposit.
 Mr. Matthews stated the report he completes shows the exact flow at the plant which is then calculated
by the number of EDUs to determine the remaining allocations.
 Ms. Kaiser stated she would hesitate to create a moratorium that applied to already paid for allocations.
 The Town Council requested the report showing the number of EDUs that have been paid in full and the
number that have paid a deposit.
 Mr. Johnson stated he would meet with Ms. VanEmburgh, Mr. Matthews, and Mr. Koogle to discuss and
come back to the March 17th meeting with recommendations to the Town Council. He stated he is
willing to sponsor this legislation.
d. Director of Public Works
 Mr. Matthews reported the past two weeks have resulted in two major water leaks on Belvedere Avenue
and Windsor Avenue. He stated he appreciates the patience of the residents on those streets while the
Town worked through the leaks. He also thanked his staff for their hard work on these problems.
 Mr. Kline thanked Mr. Matthews for his leadership in heading this department.
 Mr. Matthews stated the new Administrative Assistant, Samantha Smith began. Ms. Turner, the Program
Manager, is doing great and jumping in.
e. Finance Officer
 Ms. Luffman reported that she is finishing up the final draft the Council which she will present to them at
the March 17th meeting.
 An email blast was sent out regarding the low-income assistance for utility bills. The Town has also
submitted their application to participate in this program.
 Ms. Luffman stated that she will be re-negotiating the ICS rates with Shore United Bank.
 Mr. Johnson thanked the Finance Office for fixing the wording difference on the utility bills.
f. Human Resources
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 Ms. Ebaugh reported on the following:
o The new Administrative Assistant for the Department of Public Works began on March 1st
o One utility worker candidate is in background check. Interviews were scheduled for 9 candidates
and only 1 showed up
o Attending Career Day at the Centreville United Methodist Church
o Meeting the following week with the Town’s healthcare broker for updated rate information for the
coming fiscal year.
o Mr. Johnson asked for a review of the workers compensation insurance policy currently in place.
o All employees now have an email address although, for security reasons, direct deposit statements
cannot be sent through email.
g. Town Clerk
 Ms. Brinkley reported the following:
o The Town’s Sustainable Communities application was submitted on February 22nd and a response
regarding the application should be received by mid-to the end of March.
o The current rate for leasing the Town’s boat slips is $750. Previously, the Town Council discussed
raising the rates. After some discussion, Mr. Kline made a motion to raise the Town-owned boat
slips from $750 per year to $1,250 per year effective April 1st. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
o Requested consideration for the reimbursement of the purchase of prisoner transport partitions from
FEMA and is awaiting a response.
Council Roundtable
 Ms. Kaiser stated that Mr. Johnson has been speaking with citizens to pick up First Fridays in April.
 Mr. Johnson had nothing to report.
 Ms. Anania had nothing to report.
 Mr. Kiel reported that he has had several requests to allow the spray irrigation field to be used for hunting.
Mr. Matthews stated that it has come up over the years and his concern has always been stray bullets into
equipment, spray heads. Mr. Kiel stated that maybe it could be restricted to bow hunting only. The Town
Council requested to come up with a plan.
 Mr. Kline had nothing to report.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Johnson made a motion to adjourn the March 3, 2022 Town Council meeting.
Ms. Anania seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the February 17, 2022 meeting minutes, as presented.
2. Approved the roof replacement for the office building and pump house at the wastewater treatment plant in
the amount of $13,116.30.
3. By consensus, the Town Council agreed to have Mr. Johnson work with Paige Tilghman, Economic
Development Manager and Mr. Koogle to reignite CEDA.
4. By consensus, the Town Council were all in favor of completing the 60-day pilot program for 2-hour parking
signs once the signs arrive.
5. By consensus, the Town Council approved the purchase of the remaining 7 prisoner transport partitions.
6. Approved raising the Town-owned boat slips from $750 per year to $1,250 per year effective April 1st.
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