Chapter 20 Boards, Committees And Commissions

Exactly as extracted, unformatted — for checking against the original. The readable version is easier to read.

Chapter 20 Boards, Committees And Commissions Ch 20 Art I Planning And Zoning Commission Ch 20 Art II Personnel Review Board Ch 20 Art III Park Advisory Board Ch 20 Art IV Tree Board Ch 20 Art V Centreville Economic Development Authority [HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of Centreville as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.] GENERAL REFERENCES Authority to establish parks — See Charter. Code of Ethics — See Ch. 54. Trees — See Ch. 145. Ch 20 Art I Planning And Zoning Commission 20-1 Creation; Authority And Duties 20-2 Membership; Terms; Removal From Office; Vacancies, Officers; Quorum 20-3 Jurisdiction [Adopted 12-19-1974 by Ord. No. 607 1 ] 1 Editor's Note: Pursuant to Article 23A, § 2B, of the Annotated Code and Ord. No. 821, adopted 12-20-1983, the Town exempted itself from Queen Anne's County Ordinance No. 69 (Establishment of Planning Commissions). 20-1 Creation; Authority And Duties Pursuant to §§ 3.01 to 3.09, inclusive, of Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland, 1957 Edition, as amended, 1 there is hereby created a Planning Commission to be known as the "Town of Centreville Planning and Zoning Commission," hereinafter called the "Commission," with all the authorities and duties vested in and devolving upon such Commission by virtue of the provisions of Article 66B aforesaid. 1 Editor's Note: Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland was repealed by Acts 2012, ch. 426, effective October 1, 2012. For current provisions, see the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. 20-2 Membership; Terms; Removal From Office; Vacancies, Officers; Quorum Membership; terms; expiration of terms; alternate members; removal from office. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall have eight members, one of whom shall be a member of the Town Council of Centreville, who shall serve in an ex officio capacity concurrent with his/her official term. The member of the Town Council of Centreville shall be a nonvoting member of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The other seven members shall continue to serve based on their current staggered appointment terms and their successors shall be appointed for terms of five years, and shall serve until their successor takes office, and the member shall be appointed by resolutions of the Town Council of Centreville. The Town Council of Centreville may appoint one or more alternate members to sit on the Planning Commission in the absence of any member of the Commission. Alternate members shall serve until the Thursday following the third Wednesday in April in each year, or until his/her successor takes office. The Town Council of Centreville may appoint a temporary alternate in the absence of an alternate member. Temporary alternate members shall serve for 30 days. The terms of Planning and Zoning Commission members appointed pursuant to this section shall expire on the Thursday following the third Wednesday in April in each year. All members, alternates, and temporary alternates of the Planning Commission must be municipal residents living within the corporate limits of the Town for a minimum of 180 days prior to their appointment. This requirement does not pertain to any currently serving members or alternate members of the Planning Commission as of the date of passage of this ordinance, however, all future appointees, including reappointments, must be municipal residents living within the corporate limits of the Town. Removal from office. The Town Council of Centreville may remove a member of the Planning Commission for: Incompetence; Misconduct; In the same manner as for a member of a state board or commission: Failure to attend meetings under § 8-501 of the State Government Article. Conviction of a crime in accordance with § 8-502 of the State Government Article. The Town Council of Centreville shall provide to the member: A written statement of charges stating the grounds for removal. An opportunity for a public hearing to contest the charges. All existing terms shall expire on April 21, 2005. Those vacancies shall be filled in accordance with § 20-2A(1) hereof. The Planning and Zoning Commission shall have the following officers: a Chairman who shall preside over all meetings, a Vice Chairman who shall serve in the Chairman's place and stead if the Chairman is unavailable, and a secretary. The Commission shall elect its officers from its membership at its regular meeting during May of each year. Quorum. A majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. [Amended 3-17-2005 by Ord. No. 01-05; 1-21-2016 by Ord. No. 12-2015] 20-3 Jurisdiction The Commission shall have jurisdiction in the corporate limits of the Town of Centreville, as well as other areas adjacent to the the Town as authorized by Article 66B. Ch 20 Art II Personnel Review Board 20-4 Purpose 20-5 Membership; Terms; Dismissal 20-6 Rules And Regulations For Hearings 20-7 Jurisdiction 20-8 Appeal To The Court [Adopted 3-17-2011 by Ord. No. 01-2011 1 ] 1 Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the repeal of former Art. II, Citizens Review Board, adopted 12-20-1979 by Ord. No. 809, as amended. 20-4 Purpose The purpose of this article is to establish an advisory Personnel Review Board for hearing grievances as are properly brought before it and referred to it in accordance with rules and regulations. 20-5 Membership; Terms; Dismissal The Personnel Review Board shall consist of five members appointed by the Town Council of Centreville and shall be selected based on their demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of, public personnel administration. All members of the Personnel Review Board must be municipal residents living within the corporate limits of the Town for a minimum of 180 days prior to their appointment. If a member of the Personnel Review Board ceases to be a municipal resident living within the corporate limits of the Town of Centreville they shall be considered to have resigned. Initial appointments shall be for staggered terms of not more than three years; thereafter, all appointments shall be for three-year terms, except in the case of the death, resignation, incapacity, dismissal, or other vacancy of any member of the Board, in which case the Town Council of Centreville shall have the power to appoint a member to fill the unexpired term of such person. [Amended 1-21-2016 by Ord. No. 12-2015] 20-6 Rules And Regulations For Hearings Chair. At the beginning of each calendar year, or as soon thereafter as practical, the Board shall convene and elect a Chair for that year. The Chair shall preside over any Board functions at which he or she was elected. The membership of the Board may not be changed, once seated for any one case. The Chair shall: Schedule all Personnel Review Board hearings and meetings. Conduct and preside at all meetings of the Personnel Review Board. Make evidentiary rulings at all hearings. In the event of any disagreements among members of the Personnel Review Board regarding evidentiary or procedural matters, he or she shall obtain the consensus of the Board regarding the issue in question and abide by such consensus. Vice Chair. At the beginning of each calendar year, or as soon thereafter as practical, the Board shall convene and elect a Vice Chair for that year. The Vice Chair shall preside over any Board functions when the Chair is not in attendance. Quorum. A simple majority of serving Personnel Review Board members shall constitute a quorum. Guidelines for hearings. The Personnel Review Board hearing shall conform to the following guidelines: The grievant shall bear the burden of establishing the propriety of his or her case by a preponderance of relevant facts and testimony. The scope of the appeal shall conform to the matters which were raised by the grievant in the grievance. The Personnel Review Board shall hear and make recommendations to the Town Council of Centreville in accordance with this article, the Town of Centreville's Personnel Manual, and Town policy. The grievant may be represented by an attorney at a Personnel Review Board hearing; management shall be represented by the Town Attorney. The grievant and management may call other employees as witnesses, and the director of the department to which the employee is assigned shall facilitate their attendance at the hearing. The Personnel Review Board may request of the Town Council of Centreville that it appoint independent counsel to provide legal advice to the Personnel Review Board. The hearing proceedings shall be electronically recorded and retained by the Town as an administrative record of the hearing. If the grievant requests a transcript of the hearing, the grievant is required to pay the costs for transcribing the grievance hearing. Time limits. All appeals shall proceed in accordance with time limits established by this article. If any action required by this article or the Personnel Manual 1 is not taken by the grievant or management within an established time limit, any issue dependent upon such action shall not be considered. 1 Editor's Note: The current Personnel Manual is on file in the Town offices. Preliminary objections. A party may note an objection by filing a preliminary objection no later than five days prior to the date of any scheduled Personnel Board hearing. A preliminary objection may be filed to challenge: The impartiality of any member of the Personnel Review Board; The jurisdiction of the Personnel Review Board; or Nonconformance by a party with any mandatory time limit or other procedural requirement. Evidence. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply to a Personnel Review Board hearing. The Personnel Review Board may take administrative cognizance of: The existence and content of federal, state and Town of Centreville laws; The identity of the Town Council of Centreville, Town Manager, and all department directors; Facts which are common knowledge; and Normal physical properties of items. All remaining facts must be established through the introduction of admissible evidence at a Personnel Review Board hearing. Evidence shall be deemed admissible which, in the judgment of the Personnel Review Board: Appears credible; Tends to establish or refute the existence of a relevant fact; and Is not, by its nature, unreasonably prejudicial or repetitious. Evidentiary rulings shall be made by the Chair of the Personnel Review Board upon objection by a party to a Personnel Review Board hearing to any testimony or item of evidence. Evidence which is not admitted shall not be considered by the Personnel Review Board for any reason. 20-7 Jurisdiction The Personnel Review Board shall hear only such matters as it may be authorized to hear by the Merit System of the Town of Centreville, sometimes referred to as the "Personnel Manual" or "Rules and Regulations Governing Classified Service in and for the Town of Centreville." 1 Authorized action. Based upon the decision of a majority of the Board, the recommendations provided to the Town Council of Centreville regarding a personnel action being appealed by the grievant shall be either: Sustained; or Overruled. The Personnel Review Board shall not be empowered to modify any disciplinary sanction, including reinstatement, but may make such recommendations to the Town Council of Centreville. The Personnel Review Board shall provide to the Town Council of Centreville its findings and recommendations, but all decisions regarding grievances shall be determined by the Town Council of Centreville. 1 Editor's Note: The current Personnel Manual is on file in the Town offices. 20-8 Appeal To The Court A party may appeal a decision of the Town Council to the Circuit Court for Queen Anne's County in accordance with the Maryland Rules of Procedure within 30 days of the date of the formal decision of the Town Council. Ch 20 Art III Park Advisory Board 20-9 Creation 20-10 Membership; Appointment; Term; Compensation 20-11 Ex Officio Members 20-12 Officers; Bylaws; Meetings; Annual Report 20-13 Failure Of Members To Attend Meetings 20-14 Purpose Of Board 20-15 Duties [Adopted 1-3-1985 by Ord. No. 827] 20-9 Creation There is hereby established an advisory board to be known as the "Centreville Park Advisory Board." 20-10 Membership; Appointment; Term; Compensation The Centreville Park Advisory Board shall be composed of such number of members as the Town Council shall deem appropriate and appoint and who shall serve without compensation and who shall be selected from the citizenry of the Town by the Town Council to serve a three-year term of office. [Amended 2-18-2016 by Ord. No. 04-2016] 20-11 Ex Officio Members The Town Manager and one member of the Town Council, appointed by the Council President, shall be ex officio, nonvoting members of the Park Advisory Board. The Council President may appoint himself/herself to this Board. 20-12 Officers; Bylaws; Meetings; Annual Report The Park Advisory Board shall elect from its members a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and other such officers as it deems necessary. The Board shall establish its own bylaws for the conduct of its activities. It shall meet regularly at a time and place established by it. It shall submit an annual report of its endeavors to the Town Council. 20-13 Failure Of Members To Attend Meetings Whenever a member of the Park Advisory Board shall fail to attend three or more regular meetings in a given calendar year, the Chairman may so advise the Town Council, which may void the appointment and appoint another person to fill the position. 20-14 Purpose Of Board The purpose of the Park Advisory Board, in lending stability and continuity to general operations, shall be to determine needs, make recommendations and give other needed advisory services to the Town Council and the Town Manager on matters relating to the park and recreational services so that leisure time opportunities meaningfully and purposefully result in self-development, satisfying activities and enriching social and cultural experiences will be available to the citizens of the Town. 20-15 Duties The duties of the Park Advisory Board shall be as follows: To act in an advisory capacity to the Town Council and Town Manager in all matters pertaining to Town parks and recreational activities and to cooperate with other governmental agencies, civic groups and other appropriate organizations in the advancement of sound park planning and programming. To have periodic inventories made of park and recreational services that exist or may be needed and to interpret the needs of the public to the Town Council. To establish and continually revise a long-term comprehensive park plan, which provides an adequate system of standards for areas, facilities, equipment, programs, leadership and personnel consistent with total community planning. To recommend policies for approval of the Town Council in order to maintain the highest quality and standard of park services. To aid in coordinating the park services with programs of other governmental agencies and voluntary organizations. To review the effectiveness of park services. To keep the Town Council and general public aware of the progress being made in achieving park goals and of the problems that confront such implementation. To review the annual budget for park services, advise the Town Manager and the Town Council on the development of long-range capital improvement programs, and render appropriate advice concerning solicitation and encouragement of gifts of money and property for the benefit of the community. To perform such other duties not prescribed by ordinance or other law and, consonant therewith, establish such rules and procedures as may be necessary to implement and carry out the duties and responsibilities of this Board. Ch 20 Art IV Tree Board 20-16 Creation 20-17 Membership; Bylaws; Meetings 20-18 Purpose Of Board 20-19 Duties 20-20 Annual Report [Adopted 11-20-2008 by Ord. No. 09-2008] 20-16 Creation There is hereby established a board to be known as the "Centreville Tree Board." 20-17 Membership; Bylaws; Meetings The Centreville Tree Board shall be composed of the members who serve as the Centreville Park Advisory Board. [Amended 2-18-2016 by Ord. No. 04-2016] The ex officio, nonvoting members of the Park Advisory Board shall also serve the Tree Board in that capacity. The officers of the Park Advisory Board shall also serve the Tree Board in that capacity. The Board shall establish bylaws for the conduct of its activities. It shall meet regularly at a time and place it shall establish. The Town Manager shall maintain records of the Board's proceedings and assist the Board with dissemination of information and other administrative duties as may be assigned by the Board. 20-18 Purpose Of Board The Tree Board is established to promote tree planting and preservation within the Town of Centreville and to advise the Town Council and the Town Manager on matters related to trees. 20-19 Duties The Tree Board shall have the following duties: Develop a written plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting or removal of trees and shrubs in parks, along streets and in other public areas. The plan will be presented to the Town Council and, upon its approval, shall constitute the Town Tree Plan. Advise the Town Council on matters pertaining to the preservation of trees and establishment of tree canopy cover within the Town. Help plan and carry out activities to promote trees, such as Arbor Day celebrations and tree planting promotions. Help plan and carry out educational outreach on tree planting, care and protection and the importance of trees to the Town's environment and character. Adopt a Tree Species List to guide tree planting within Centreville. Adopt standards and procedures for tree planting, maintenance and protection as necessary for administration of this code. 20-20 Annual Report The Tree Board shall submit an annual report to the Town Council providing information on the following activities for the past year: Arbor Day activities and other activities promoting tree planting and preservation. Tree planting activity and loss of trees on Town-owned property and along streets, sidewalks and pathways. An assessment of the Town's tree canopy coverage. Ch 20 Art V Centreville Economic Development Authority 20-21 Creation 20-22 Responsibilities 20-23 Structure [Adopted 11-21-2013 by Ord. No. 09-2013] 20-21 Creation There is hereby established a board to be known as the Centreville Economic Development Authority (CEDA). 20-22 Responsibilities Execute a periodic inventory of existing businesses; the physical infrastructure, utilities and resources as well as the workforce skills available in association with the Town; survey, assess, and evaluate the potential market demand for business attraction; and analyze the potential opportunities and challenges to successful economic development. Draft and present an Economic Development Plan (Plan) for approval by November 21, 2015 or a date to be determined by the Town Council, working closely with staff and appointed boards, commissions and committees to consider overlap and compatibility with existing projects, programs and goals of the Town. The CEDA will update/revise the Plan periodically. [Amended 1-15-2015 by Ord. No. 12-2014] The CEDA will be directed to consider the following elements in the Plan development process: Impacts on livability, historic character and preservation, and protection of environmental assets; Potential for tourism and recreation; Available transportation modalities, traffic flow and impacts; Capacity of utilities and service availability; and Other considerations as determined. Recommend a budget, financial strategies and mechanisms to implement the Plan, possibly including creation of a microloan business assistance fund. Identify, benchmark, and track certain metrics for evaluation of progress toward plan implementation. Create a weighting methodology for consideration and evaluation in relation to award of permits, financial resources, and/or tax related benefits or incentives to facilitate business attraction and retention within the Town. Report to the Town Council on an annual basis on activities, accomplishments, financial matters, and progress toward implementation of the approved Economic Development Plan. 20-23 Structure The CEDA is to be structured as follows: The Board of Directors (Board) will be composed of seven members, and one non-voting ex officio member, to be appointed by the Town Council, with a three-year term to be served on a rotating basis. With the exception of the Board's initial Chair which is to be directly appointed by the Town Council, officers are to be elected by the Board and from the membership of the Board at the Board's first meeting after the start of the Town's fiscal year. The Board will consist of the following seven representatives and one nonvoting ex officio member: One Main Street Manager or appropriate Town staff representative shall be the nonvoting ex officio member; One representative from the real estate sector; One representative from the Queen Anne's County Arts Council; Three resident citizens with experience and interest in economic development; Two brick and mortar business owners that may not necessarily reside within the Town limits; Failure of members to attend meetings. Whenever a member of the Board shall fail to attend three or more regular meetings in a given calendar year, the Chairman shall advise the Town Council, which may remove the member and appoint the respective alternate to fill that position on a permanent basis or appoint a new member to fill the vacancy at its discretion. Town staff shall provide clerical and financial management support to the CEDA, until which time the entity is self-funded or has the capacity to carry such costs independently. [Amended 5-16-2019 by Ord. No. 05-2019] [Amended 4-17-2025 by Ord. No 03-2025] HISTORY Adopted by Ord. 03-2025 on 4/17/2025