2026-01-08-tc-approved-minutes.pdf

Town Council of Centreville January 8, 2026 7:00 p.m.

M I N U T E S

The January 8, 2026 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; Sandra L. Huffer and Fred M. McNeil, Members; Carolyn Brinkley, Town Manager; Sharon VanEmburgh, Town Attorney; Karen Luffman, Finance Officer; Gary Phillips,

Operations Manager, Chief Robert Hobbs, Centreville Police Department; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; and Gaye Adams, Town Clerk.

As there were no changes to the agenda, Ms. Kaiser asked if there were any changes or edits to the minutes from the December 04, 2025, meeting. There being no changes, Mr. McNeil made a motion to approve the meeting minutes as presented. Ms. Huffer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Citizens Forum No citizens provided comments.

Appearances

• Mr. McNeil handed out the trophies for the Holiday Parade winners, and Mr. Rich Ryan from the Parks

Advisory Board handed out the trophies for the Christmas Tree Decorating contest winners.

• Chris Lehman – SB & Company – FY 25 Audit- Virtual

• In summary, SBC stated that the Town was issued an unmodified opinion on the financial statements, there

was no fraud discovered or made aware of, no material weaknesses identified, and they received full cooperation from management.

2026-01-08-TC-Draft-Minutes 1 | Pag e

• The Council requested additional information to better understand the variances in expenses, particularly

public safety spending. Mr. Lehman will provide further information to Ms. Luffman, who will then present the details and explanations to the Council.

Old Business a. Updated Demolition Quote for 2647 Centreville Rd.– Council President

• Ms. Kaiser updated the Council on the current state of the Mill. Several attempts have been made to work

with the property owner to fulfill his obligations.

• Gary Phillips, Operations Manager, provided an updated quote.

• Ms. Huffer asked how final communication with the property owner would be handled. Ms. Brinkley stated

that the Town will continue communicating as it has previously—via certified mail, regular mail, and email.

The property owner will be given a deadline to remove all personal property before demolition. After extended discussion, January 14 was set as the final date for item removal, with demolition scheduled to begin on January 15.

• Mr. Phillips proposed installing a temporary privacy fence during demolition. The fence would be provided

by Sun Belt for one month for $1,495, which includes installation and removal.

• Mr. McNeil made a motion to approve the updated quote from Martin’s Excavation & Hauling for $125,605

to complete the remaining demolition at 2647 Centreville Road. Ms. Huffer seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

• Ms. Huffer made a motion to approve the temporary privacy fence for $1,495. The motion was seconded by

Mr. McNeil and passed unanimously.

• Ms. Luffman stated that the demolition costs will be paid using interest earned on the Town's accounts.

New Business a. FY 2027 Budget Timeline- Karen Luffman, Finance Officer

• Ms. Luffman shared the budget timeline with the Council:

2026-01-08-TC-Draft-Minutes 2 | Pag e b. Resolution 01-2026 – Amend Employee Performance Evaluation-Council President

• Resolution 02-2026 was presented for the purpose of amending the employee performance evaluation

policy.

• Ms. Ebaugh explained that the change defines the policy governing the timing of employee merit

increases in writing,

• Ms. Huffer motioned to approve Resolution 01-2026, Mr. McNeil seconded the motion, which passed

unanimously.

c. Resolution 02-2026- Amend the Annual Leave Policy- Council President

• Resolution 02-2026 was presented for the purpose of amending the annual leave policy.

• Ms. Ebaugh explained the requested change to the annual leave policy. The current policy requires

that leave balances exceeding 400 hours at year-end be forfeited. This request is to approve transferring those excess hours to an employee’s sick leave balance instead, allowing them to be applied toward retirement.

• Mr. McNeil made a motion to approve the transfer of leave balances to the sick leave balances. Ms.

Huffer seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

d. Ordinance 15-2026- Zoning Text Amendment- Chapter 170- Signs- First Reading- Council President

• Ordinance 15-2026 was presented for the purpose of amending the Town of Centreville Zoning

Ordinance, which is Chapter 170 of the Code of the Town of Centreville, to update the definitions, design standards, sign charts, and code provisions regarding signs.

• Ms. Kaiser stated the Council has received a letter from the Planning Commission unanimously

forwarding a favorable recommendation for Ordinance 15-2026.

• Ms. VanEmburgh stated that the original ordinance was presented back in April, but after several

amendments from the Planning Commission, the ordinance changed significantly, thus requiring a new number.

• A public hearing is scheduled for January 22, 2026.

2026-01-08-TC-Draft-Minutes 3 | Pag e e. Symphony Village – Request for Support- Engineering and Traffic Study – Council President

• Ms. Kaiser explained that this study was requested by a resident of Symphony Village.

• Ms. Kaiser stated that a more comprehensive solution needs to be discussed with Queen Anne's

County about opening Taylor Mill Road.

• Mr. McNeil provided background that Delegate Steve Arentz suggested a petition. The community

simply wants to gather information.

• Mr. McNeil motioned to have that engineering and traffic study done.

• Ms. Huffer indicated that a letter of recommendation to County Roads regarding Taylor Mill

Road is not warranted at this stage and agreed that a discussion with County leadership is prudent.

• Ms. Kaiser requested that Ms. Brinkley schedule a meeting with the County to present

Symphony Village’s concerns.

f. Maryland Municipal League

• Nothing at this time.

g. Council of Governments

• Next meeting is February 11, 2026

h. Economic Development

• Ms. Kaiser provided the following update:

• Attended the County's Economic Outlook this morning. Ms. Kaiser participated in a panel on regionspecific economic developments, challenges, and opportunities.

• Continued work on filling in the Centreville Economic Development Association Board.

i. Park Advisory Board

• Mr. McNeil reported the following:

• Looking forward to the tree pruning event on Tuesday, January 13th, with Bartlett Tree Services.

• There are beautiful benches throughout the town. Mr. McNeil encouraged walking around the town

and sitting to take in the views.

j. Centreville Planning Commission

• Ms. Huffer provided the following update:

• Last meeting wrapped up the signage revisions in Ordinance 15-2025

• The Work session was great as it scheduled projects for the year.

• Interested in a parking survey for the Town and Ms. Huffer supports putting this into the budget.

Reports of Department Heads a. Town Manager

• Ms. Brinkley reported the following:

• Held three meetings: one with Senator Guy Guzzone, Chair of the Maryland Budget and Taxation

Committee, to discuss the wastewater treatment plant and potential funding; and two additional meetings with Ms. Kaiser, Jake Weissmann, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, and Dylan Goldberg, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, to discuss town-related issues and wastewater treatment plant funding.

• On January 8, Ms. Brinkley attended the County’s 2026 Economic Forum.

• Ms. Brinkley is scheduled to speak to the Veterans group at the American Legion on January 12th.

• Attended the Planning Commission work session on January 7th.

b. Chief of Police

• Chief Hobbs reported the following:

October October 2025 November 2025 Criminal Arrests (Adult) 7 5 Criminal Arrests(Juvenile) 0 0 2026-01-08-TC-Draft-Minutes 4 | Pag e Traffic Citations 22 27 MV Warnings 168 153 Safety Repairs 39 14 Parking Citations 1 1 Incidents 652 735 Enforcement November 2025 December 2025 Criminal Arrests (Adult) 5 7 Criminal Arrests(Juvenile) 0 0 Traffic Citations 27 18 MV Warnings 153 127 Safety Repairs 14 11

Parking Citations 1 1 Incidents 735 728

• The Chief also discussed the many special assignments for November and December, including the

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot at the YMCA, Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting, Providence Farm Holiday Light judging, and the Symphony Village Holiday Light judging.

• Ms. Kaiser thanked the police for having a presence at the Menorah lighting; it was comforting to have them

there.

c. Town Clerk

• Nothing at this time

Citizen Comments:

• No citizens provided comments.

Council Roundtable

• Mr. McNeil thanked Ms. Brinkley for her incredible response to all his emails and texts. He appreciated her

quick response.

• Mr. McNeil thanked Clifford Matthews and the Department of Public Works for fixing a broken water pipe

in bad weather.

• Ms. Huffer mentioned the Spark exhibit at the Kennard African American Cultural Center ends Sunday,

January 11, 2026. She encouraged anyone that had not attended to please take a moment to visit the exhibition.

• Ms. Kaiser has worked through the retreat agenda for February. Once the Council approves it, Ms. Kaiser

will email it to everyone.

There being no further business, Ms. Huffer made a motion to adjourn. The Town Council meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

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

1. Approved December 4, 2025, Meeting Minutes

2. Approved Resolution 01-2025- Amend Employee Performance Evaluation

3. Approved Resolution 02-2025- Amend the Annual Leave Policy

4. Approved updated demolition Quote for 2647 Centreville Rd.

2026-01-08-TC-Draft-Minutes 5 | Pag e