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Minutes July 21, 2022 · 4 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
July 21, 2022
7:00 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The July 21, 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, Ashley H. Kaiser, and Eric
B. Johnson, Jr., Members; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Krystel
Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Ashley Russ, Finance Specialist; and
Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.
 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the
June 23, 2022 meeting minutes, as presented. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Citizens Forum
No citizens offered comments.
Appearances
o Mr. Gene Magary was sworn in for a three-year term as a member of the Park Advisory Board.
Public Hearing: Ordinance 07-2022 – Zoning Text Amendment – Convenience Stores
 Mr. Kline read Ordinance 07-2022 for the record amending the Town of Centreville Zoning Ordinance, which
is Chapter 170 of the Town Code to revise the definition of “Convenience Store” to increase the allowable
size from less than 2,000 square feet to a maximum of 5,500 square feet, and provide the maximum square
footage of a “Convenience Store” in the Central Business District (CBD) shall remain at less than 2,000
square feet.
 Ms. VanEmburgh stated that the Planning Commission met on May 18, 2022 to review Ordinance 07-2022
and forwarded an unfavorable recommendation to the Town Council by a 3:2 vote stating that it was not
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
 Ms. Brinkley verified that the notice of hearing was publicized in a newspaper circulated in Queen Anne’s
County.
 Mr. Kline asked for comments from those in favor of Ordinance 07-2022.
 Joe Stevens, Water Street; Royce Herman, Hope Road; Joe Brown, Concerto Avenue; Davis Emory;
Tilghman Hemsley, Banjo Lane; Paige Tilghman; and Tom Russel, spoke in favor of Ordinance 07-2022.
 Mr. Kline asked for comments from those opposed to Ordinance 07-2022.
 Mary Margaret Goodwin, Commerce Street; Chrissy Aull, Overlook Lane; Eleanor Strietman, Opera Court;
Cheryl Huyck, Quail Run Drive; Quinten Kent, Commerce Street; Scott Leager, Liberty Street; Bo Oristian,
Chesterfield Avenue; Barbara Young, Recovery Drive; Kim Kline, Elm Street; and Kara Voight, Front Street,
spoke in opposition to Ordinance 07-2022.
 Ms. Kaiser made a motion to adjourn the public hearing on Ordinance 07-2022. Mr. Johnson seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Old Business
a. Ordinance 07-2022 – Zoning Text Amendment – Convenience Stores
 Mr. Kline asked for a discussion by the Town Council on Ordinance 07-2022 for the purpose of
amending the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, which is Chapter 170 of the Town Code, to revise the
definition of “Convenience Store” to increase the allowable size from less than 2,000 square feet to a
maximum of 5,500 square feet, and to provide the maximum square footage of a “Convenience Store”
in the Central Business District (CBD) shall remain at less than 2,000 square feet.
 Mr. Johnson stated that he is in the middle at the moment, not a no but not now. He encourages
citizens to comment on the Comprehensive Plan being reviewed by the Planning Commission.
 Ms. Kaiser stated that she is in favor of Ordinance 07-2022. Businesses look for these types of
establishments to attract other businesses. She stated most other businesses can go in there by-right,
such as the Taco Bell that has an application in to the Town.
 Ms. Anania stated that she is thrilled by the community involvement and it is not an easy decision but
she is against the text amendment. She feels Centreville has an excess of convenience stores and that it
would be a big disturbance to the sight line.

 Mr. Kline stated that every municipality in Queen Anne’s County pays town tax and the notion that the
addition of this tax will solve all problems is not true. He stated the cost of government is going up like
everything else. He stated that he is a firm no, is not in favor of growth, and this is a place that has to
be protected.
 Mr. Kiel stated that he lives on that end of town and the traffic now is impossible to get on 213. He
stated this would be repeating services that are already provided in town and does not feel the Town
needs a Royal Farms.
 Mr. Kline asked for a motion on Ordinance 07-2022. Ordinance 07-2022 failed for lack of a motion to
adopt.
New Business
a. Resolution 04-2022 – HRA Retiree Stipend Amendment – Introduction by Town Manager
 Mr. Koogle presented the following memo:
 Ms. Ebaugh stated that there is currently no stipulation on how long an employee has to work for the
Town in order to receive the HRA retiree stipend.
 Ms. Kaiser reported that she felt it should be moving forward and not retroactive and that she would
sponsor the resolution.
b. Ordinance 10-2022 – Code Reference Corrections – Introduction by Town Manager
 Mr. Koogle stated this ordinance was discussed previously by Ms. VanEmburgh to clean up incorrect
references within the Town’s Zoning Code.
 Mr. Kiel stated he would sponsor Ordinance 10-2022.
 Mr. Kline requested the amendment related to a supermajority be corrected as well when presented to the
Town Council during the August 18th meeting.
 Ms. VanEmburgh stated she would make this correction.
c. Contract Lobbying Services – Sponsored by Council Member Kaiser
 Ms. Kaiser presented the following memo:
 Ms. Kaiser stated that there is a lot of value with the Town having its own lobbyist and not share
with the County.
 Ms. Kaiser made a motion to approve contract lobbying services for the coming legislative
session for an amount not to exceed $60,000 annually. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
d. Grant Writer – Sponsored by Council President Kline
 Mr. Koogle presented the following memo:

 Mr. Kline made a motion to approve contracting a second grant writer for the 2023 fiscal year
for an amount no to exceed $28,800. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
 Nothing to report.
b. Economic Development
 Mr. Johnson reported that the Fireside Chat is being rescheduled. He stated this event is not closed and is a
public meeting where anyone can attend. There was a targeted group he solicited to attend but the intention
is for anyone to attend who is interested.
c. Park Advisory Board
 A total of five (5) swings were ordered; three (3) for Millstream Park and (2) for the Wharf Park. The Park
Advisory Board would like to hold an event to celebrate the Wharf Park. Ms. Anania will speak to them at
the next meeting to discuss details.
d. Council of Governments
 Mr. Kiel reported the Council of Governments is in summer session and will not meet again until
September.
e. Centreville Planning Commission
 Mr. Kline reported that the Planning Commission is meeting on the Comprehensive Plan.
Reports of Department Heads
a. Town Manager
 Mr. Koogle reported on the following:
 Staff held their first meeting to begin the 5-year budget
 The Intended Use Plan is out for public comment until the end of August, which the Town of
Centreville is on at this time for a loan of $14,959,400
 There is a possibility the Town will run sewer lines out to the intersection of 301/304 to provide sewer
connections for State and County facilities due to failing septic systems. A letter was received from the
QAC Health Department regarding the failing septic. This could gain more monies from the Bay
Restoration Fund (BRF for the Town. The only other way to get increased BRF is to raise water and
sewer rates by 20%
 In discussion with the County to use their fuel depot
 The abandoned alley issue will require a costly survey and the Town is looking at leaving this as is
 Waiting on a letter from QAC for the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant
b. Chief of Police
 Chief Saboury reported on the following:
 Provided an overview of the June 2022 Status Report to the Council and citizens
 National Night Out will be held on August 2nd
 Ordered 30 additional 2-hour parking signs to expand the 2-hour parking program
c. Town Attorney
 Ms. VanEmburgh reported that a settlement agreement has been drafted for the Anton Black case. She

has reviewed the agreement and is recommending acceptance by the Town Council.
 Mr. Kline made a motion to accept the settlement agreement for the Anton Black case and authorize
President Kline to sign the agreement on behalf of the Town. Ms. Kaiser seconded the motion, which
passed unanimously.
d. Finance Officer
 Ms. Luffman reported the following:
 Began working on the FY2022 audit.
 The Federal government will be meeting the following week therefore she is anticipating another
increase in ICS (insured cash sweep) interest rate.
e. Human Resources
 Ms. Ebaugh reported the following:
 Will be presenting an amendment to the Flex Spending Account (FSA) to increase the cap and is
looking for a sponsor. Mr. Kline will sponsor the resolution.
 Making changes to the Personnel Manual and asked the Council if they would like it presented in
pieces or the manual as a whole. Mr. Kline requested it be presented as a whole.
f. Town Clerk
 Ms. Brinkley presented the following:
 The façade improvement program is underway and applications have been submitted to the Maryland
Historical Trust for review and approval. They review to determine if the proposed changes will
cause any adverse effects on the property.
 The properties who have applied for this round of funding are: The Cutting Room, Cottage Cuts, the
property located at 100 N. Liberty Street, Danny’s Garage, and Ashley Insurance.
Citizen Comments
Mary Officer, Harmony Way, offered comments on the Farmers’ Market sign located on Rt. 301 and suggested
businesses.
Council Roundtable
 Ms. Kaiser reported that August 5th will be the next First Friday event. She encouraged everyone to attend
the Farmers’ Market on Sundays on the Town square.
 Mr. Johnson was also going to remind everyone of First Friday on August 5th.
 Ms. Anania had nothing to report.
 Mr. Kiel reported that paving will take place in August to repave from Millstream to Rt. 301.
 Mr. Kline reported that August 1st is the deadline to file for the October 3rd Town election.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Ms. Kaiser made a motion to adjourn the July 21, 2022 Town Council meeting. Mr.
Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the June 23, 2022 meeting minutes, as presented.
2. Ordinance 07-2022 failed for lack of a motion to adopt.
3. Approved a contract lobbying services for the Town for the coming legislative session for an amount not to exceed
$60,000 annually. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
4. Approved the contracting of a second grant writer for the 2023 fiscal year for an amount not to exceed $28,800.
5. Accepted the settlement agreement for the Anton Black case and authorized President Kline to sign the agreement
on behalf of the Town.