2025-01-16-tc-minutes.pdf

Town Council of Centreville January 16, 2025 7:00 p.m.

M I N U T E S

The January 16, 2025 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Ashley H. Kaiser at the Liberty Building located at 107 North Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following members and staff were present: Ashley H. Kaiser, President; Jeffrey D. Kiel, Vice President; Jim A. Beauchamp, Daniel B. Worth, and Sandra L. Huffer, Members; Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Clifford

“Kip” Matthews, Director Public Works; Jenial Turner, Program Manager; Chief Robert L. Hobbs, Centreville Police Department; and Gaye Adams, Town Clerk.

• Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Kiel made a motion to approve January 2, 2025

meeting minutes, with amendments. Mr. Worth seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Citizens Comments Mr. Christopher Mulhall, Senior Manager of Government Affairs, introduced himself to the Town. Comcast will soon be available, and he wanted to express his desire to enter into a franchise agreement with the Town.

Appearances a. Brandon Davis – DMS & Associates- Hillside Update

• Brendan Mullaney, Attorney; Brandon Davis, Project Engineer with DMS & Associates; and Greg

Torchio of Torchio Architects were present to discuss the Hillside Liquor project proposed for 425 S. Commerce Street.

• Mr. Mullaney provided background on the property and the project. The proposed redevelopment of

the property includes a 6,356 square foot first floor and a second story of the same square footage.

The liquor store will be on the main floor and six apartments on the second floor.

• The letter included provides further details and has two requests from the Council to consider. 1.)

approval for water and sewer allocations for the proposed uses and 2.) approval to relocate the existing pedestrian easement on the southern portion of the property to proceed in the permitting and site plan processes.

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• Mr. Torchio talked through the new architecture and oriented the Council to the different facades.

• Below are the revised architectural drawings per the Planning Commission’s Request.

• Roof top deck for recreation for the tenants and the various elevations.

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• Mr. Beauchamp asked Mr. Torchio if the mechanical components were behind the wall on the roof. Mr.

Torchio confirmed that is correct.

• Ms. Huffer asked if the rendering on the top left is the view from the bridge. Mr. Torchio said that yes it

was. Bottom left is the southeast corner toward the SHA property.

• Mr. Kiel asked where the Fire Department connection is located. It will be on the front right corner by

the intersection and the stair tower.

• After a discussion of the architectural aspects, the easement was discussed. The first sheet shows the

2009 proposed 15’ easement. The second sheet depicts the new proposed 15’ easement.

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• Mr. Davis provided clarification of the easement indicating that in 2009, the property line was just

behind the existing sidewalk and prior to the bridge work that was completed in 2019, the State Highway Administration (SHA) purchased a portion of the property fronting Commerce Street.

• Mr. Mullaney clarified that the relocation of the easement is proposed, requested, and necessary because

the designed layout of the project including the storm water features is to minimize the impacts to sensitive environmental areas of the site.

• Mr. Davis explained why the storm water features conflict with the easement as it exists today. The

layout as proposed is to avoid non tidal wetlands. The unique design of the retaining wall is to keep that outside of the stream and the non-tidal wetlands.

• Mr. Beauchamp asked how tall the retaining will be. The top of the retaining wall would be about 2.5’

of existing grade.

• Ms. Kaiser asked if DMS had discussed these plans with the SHA? Mr. Davis stated they did not. Ms.

Kaiser asked if they had spoken to SHA regarding the entrance to the property as proposed. Mr. Dixon stated they have met with the District 2 SHA liaison regarding the property.

• Mr. Worth stated the easement is 15’ wide, a walking trail is 6’ wide so there would be room for

adjustment if necessary.

• Mr. Mullaney re-stated his request to the Council of approval for water and sewer allocation for the

proposed uses and approval to relocate the existing pedestrian easement on the southern portion of the property to proceed in the permitting and site plan processes.

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• Ms. Kaiser would like to hear from SHA regarding the proposal that is on their property.

• The 2009 easement is from the Town’s work to tie to the existing Millstream Trail

• Ms. Kaiser is looking for the public benefit and the public good for the changes in the easement and

approval of EDU’s.

• Mr. Beauchamp would like to walk around the site with Mr. Davis

• Ms. Huffer agreed with Ms. Kaiser that this is a complex project and really wants to hear from SHA.

• Mr. Kiel feels 24’ is wide enough for a truck to turn into the entrance.

• Mr. Mullaney highlighted that this is a minor modification of an easement that allows the project to

begin. The Town needs housing and this project does offer 6 new units to the town. It also allows the resident who is a business owner in the town to expand his business.

• The apartments would be market price units.

• Mr. Worth was ready to approve and is satisfied with the easement but due to the Council needing

further information he defers to the Council President.

• Mr. Beauchamp moved to table the Hillside requests for further investigation.

New Business a. Waste Water Treatment Plant Update - Clifford “Kip” Matthews Director of Public Works

• Jenial Turner, David Nixson, Engineer, Whitman, Requardt & Associates and Kip Matthews provided

an update on the upgrade and expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

• Mr. Nixson stated the project will be moving forward with an upgrade to Enhanced Nutrient Removal

(ENR) and using Membrane Bioreactor technology. This is what is recommended and the most cost effective. The last time Mr. Nixson provided an update, Council members requested the cost to operate a Reverse Osmosis Treatment for the plant. It would cost the Town approximately $250,000 a year just in electricity and maintenance. This does not include the 250,000 gallons of rejected water that has to

be disposed of.

• Public Works is working on ways to expand the stream discharge by moving the outfall further out into

the Corsica River. Use of the spray irrigation field will continue. Mr. Beauchamp asked if the effluent disposal is the most important part and Mr. Nixson said yes, and the current plan is the most economical.

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• Mr. Nixson stated they are waiting for the final approval of the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER)

from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)

• The mixing study is very important in helping to determine the location of the outfall. Three (3)

samples of the Corsica River are taken in December, January, and February and again in April, May, and June. All the samplings occurred at 4 different points along the river. This is to have comparables once the plant is up and running for stream discharge. While working on the mixing study, Public Works is working with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to understand fish spawning areas in the Corsica River.

• Mr. Matthews reported that the lagoon located at the spray field must also be expanded regardless of

the discharge because that Town will be required to continue with spray irrigation.

• Mr. Beachamp asked what the current capacity was of the permitted 542,000 gallons. Mr. Matthews

stated capacity is at 80% and the amount that can be sprayed differs between a dry year and a wet year.

• The lab renovations have begun and will be completed March 2025.

• Moving forward, a lot of information is needed from DNR and MDE regarding the mixing study.

• Mr. Worth asked if the lagoon schedule is the same as the proposed upgrade schedule. Mr. Matthews

stated it is not and is planned to be constructed by December 2026.

• Ms. Turner stated the current schedule and plan meets all the requirements from the State.

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• Ms. Turner gave an overview of the funding situation for the plant upgrade.

• Ms. Turner stated that the Town is required to recertify to retain the current Bay Restoration Funds

(BRF) and staff plans to apply for additional Bay Restoration Funds.

• The Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) funds are still available.

• Public Works has set aside $2 million of the ARPA funds for the lagoon expansion.

• Ms. Brinkley will investigate applying for additional CDS funds for certain aspects of the plant.

• Ms. Kaiser stated CDS funds may not be available.

• The gap of funding for the Wastewater Treatment Plant is approximately $20 million today.

• Ms. Huffer has recommended another update in 6 months.

Reports of Board and Commissions a. Maryland Municipal League

• Mr. Beachamp mentioned the Legislative Session is underway.

b. Council of Governments

• Mr. Kiel stated the Council of Governments meeting will be held at the Liberty Building 5:30 p.m. on

February 12, 2025.

c. Park Advisory Board

• Ms. Huffer stated the PAB meeting was held earlier in the week and the annual report, which

highlights all the activities in 2024.

• Discussed the bandshell, parking lot, lighting and walking path.

• Fishing Derby is successful, and the movie night has not been. Further discussion regarding movie

night has been tabled until the band shell is complete.

• Once the bandshell is complete the Park Advisory Board will discuss what events should take place to

bring the community to the Wharf? They will utilize Carol D’Agostino in helping with marketing the new space and events.

d. Planning Commission

• GTI came in for the final site plan review and it was tabled due to many questions and incomplete

details for the expansion.

• The shopping center for the business park final site plan was tabled as well for signage and parking

issues. The moratorium is coming to an end in April and the Planning Commission has not had the time to update the code during the intended time frame. Mr. Worth has asked for a 3-month extension.

• Ms. Huffer asked what EDU allocation is currently available and if it is tied to the moratorium.

• Mr. Matthews clarified that while the spray field is a pinch point, a report will be made available to

the Council near the end of February and beginning of March to report on how many EDU allocations are available.

• He stated that ss long as the limitations continue to be met with the nitrogen and phosphorus and stay

within compliance, the Town is good.

• The Planning Commission has a work session scheduled for February 5, 2025 to work on the Code.

• Ms. Kaiser stated the GTI letter included in the Council’s packets discusses the scientific readings

from GTI trailers, those measurements are what is reliable. No drying is occurring currently.

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• Ms. Brinkley stated interviews have been wrapped up for the open Administrative Assistant position.

• Sent Council Senate Bill 204 which is the requirement to set the tax rate by June 1st rather than July

1, 2025.

• Completed the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Public Information Officer.

• Tuesday the 21st is the Eastern Shore Association of Municipalities (ESAM) dinner at Fisherman’s

Inn.

• The midyear budget update will be on the February 6th Council agenda.

• Town Offices are closed on Monday the 20th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

b. Police Department

• Chief Hobbs provided the 2024Year End Review for the Centreville Police Department.

• Update on the $96,000 Maryland Department of the Environment Community Grant were used to

purchase two speed trailers along with 4 speed indicator signs.

• Chief Hobbs requested the Councils input on the placement of the 4 speed indicator signs.

c. Town Clerk

• Ms. Adams stated she is attending the IIMC, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Conference

in Richmond January 21-24, 2025 Citizens Forum

• No citizens comment.

Council Roundtable

• Vice President Kiel accepted an award for the Town of Centreville for the Town’s continued support of

the Goodwill Fire Department.

• Mr. Kiel also brought up GTI and the odor and stated that he has not smelled it as much as the residents

have reported.

• Ms. Kaiser stated property values have not come down since GTI has been in the town.

• Mr. Beauchamp discussed tax assessment and snow removal. He stated the Town should apply for to be

divided into thirds with SDAT (State Department of Assessments and Taxation) the way the State does it. Mr. Beauchamp expressed disappointment in the lack of sidewalk clearing and would like to get a letter out to those individuals who did not clear sidewalks, and impose a fine for the next offense.

• Mr. Worth also discussed that it wasn’t helpful having the plows push the snow in front of the sidewalks.

• Mr. Worth, Ms. Huffer, and Ms. Adams attended the economic forum meeting with Queen Anne’s

County. Great presentation that can be found online at https://choosequeenannes.com/

• Ms. Huffer liked the economic forum as well, and stated the County did express concerns with the State

of Maryland deficit and how that would affect the County and the towns.

• Ms. Huffer followed up on CEDA and Ms. Adams stated there are 7 applicants.

• Ms. Kaiser thanked DPW for the snow removal even though it was a difficult job. Ms. Kaiser also stated

Town staff does not need to tolerate disrespect from constituents and may refer such issues to her directly.

Motion to Adjourn There being no further business, Mr. Beauchamp made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Kiel seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, R. Gaye Adams Town Clerk Council Action Items:

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- Approved meeting minutes with amendments for 1/2/2025.

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