2024-04-04 tc-minutes.pdf

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

Town Council of Centreville
April 4, 2024
7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
The April 4, 2024, 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; Eric B. Johnson, Jr., Vice President; Jim A.
Beauchamp, Daniel B. Worth, and Jeffrey D. Kiel, Members; Carolyn M. Brinkley, Town Manager;
Jenial Turner, Program Manager; Chief Robert Hobbs, Centreville Police Department; Carol D’Agostino,
Main Street Manager; and Gaye Adams, Town Clerk.
• Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Worth made a motion to approve the March 14, 2024,
Budget meeting minutes, Mr. Kiel seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Johnson
made a motion to approve the March 21, 2024, Budget Work session minutes. Mr. Kiel seconded
the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Worth made a motion to approve the March 21,
2024, Town Council meeting minutes; Mr. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
Citizens Forum (Citizens are requested to keep their comments to three minutes)
No comments
Closed Session Statement
(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, April 4th, 2024, at 6:30p.m. 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 topic:
Personnel- Discussed board and commission appointments.
The following members and staff were present: Ashley H. Kaiser, President; Eric B. Johnson, Jr., Vice
President; Daniel B. Worth, Jim A. Beauchamp and Jeffrey D. Kiel, Members; Carolyn M. Brinkley,
Town Manager, Gaye Adams, Town Clerk.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
Appearances
a. K9-Dog – Cash – Chief Robert Hobbs
• Chief Hobbs presented the Centreville Police Department’s new K9 Cash.
• K9 Cash is trained in narcotics detection and tracking.
• K9 Cash's first shift with his handler, Officer Henderson and the Centreville Police
Department was February 26,2024.
• To date K9 Cash is the only law enforcement K9 permanently assigned to Queen Annes
County.
b. Wastewater Treatment Plant Update-Jenial Turner and Per Struck
• Ms. Turner and Mr. Struck made the following presentation for the benefit of the Town
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Council and public:
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• Mr. Struck, from Whitman Requardt & Associates (WRA) reported that the Town’s
upgraded treatment plant will be upgraded to enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) using
membrane bioreactor technology.
• WRA are in the process of developing the design to improve how it treats the water,
reduces nutrients, and provides consistent healthy, quality water.
• The expansion will increase capacity from 542,000 gallons per day (GPD) to 1 million
gallons per day (MGD).
• In December 2023, the Town turned over the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) to the
Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and two weeks ago MDE commented and
provided feedback. WRA is reviewing that feedback and once complete will re-submit the
amended PER for approval. Mr. Beauchamp requested copies of the PER along with
MDE’s comments. Ms. Turner will provide the Council with that report.
• Mr. Beauchamp also asked if the footprint of the current plant was big enough for the
expansion. Mr. Struck said that it is however, comes with a few challenges for the
engineers. One is to keep the plant operating during the expansion and the second is
disposing of the effluent. Staff have been looking at surface water discharge in
combination with spray irrigation. Mr. Beauchamp also stated that the County’s
wastewater treatment plant discharges into the Chesapeak Bay.
• The current wastewater treatment plant schedule is as follows: Finalize the preliminary
engineering report June 2024, final design June 2025, construction permitting December
2025, bidding concludes March 2026, and construction concludes December 2029.
• Mr. Johnson expressed environmental concerns and Ms. Turner explained the Town has
met with several environmental groups as well as MDE to ensure everything is being done
in an environmentally sensitive manner.
• The last challenge is funding. Mr. Johnson stated that during Secretary Day’s visit he
learned there may be some opportunities for additional funding and would keep the
Council updated on those opportunities. Ms. Turner also stated Town staff are looking into
grants. Ms. Kaiser’s chief concern is raising funding. Ms. Kaiser stated the Council needs
to work hard on advocating for the Town and raising money.
• Mr. Beauchamp asked if the plant can be built, notwithstanding the outfall, but built with
the money that is fused with a timeline even if those pieces are not operational. Ms. Turner
stated that they have been looking at that as well, ensuring they meet the terms and
guidelines of those loans. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Worth are interested in being kept informed
of the scalability of the wastewater plant.
• WRA will be back in July to update the Council.
c. Mainstreet Improvement Grant Update and Project Restore-Carol D’Agostino
• Main Street Manager, Carol D'Agostino, informed the Council of the Operating Assistance
Grant through Maryland Main Street that supports town businesses. The Council unanimously
approved the application for it.
• Ms. D’Agostino also shared great news on Project Restore and the 102 N. Commerce St.
property. That property has been purchased and restoration has begun. They hope to be
complete with the restoration by Summer 2025. The building will have a restaurant below and
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6 apartments above.
New Business
a. Resolution 09-2024- Charter Amendment; Section 701-Sponsored by Council Member
• Mr. Beauchamp read Resolution 09-2024 into the records for the purpose of the Town Council
to revise the reporting structure for the Chief of Police. Ms. Kaiser asked for the procedure.
Ms. Brinkley stated the Council needs to have a second reading on April 18th and schedule a
public hearing with consideration on May 2nd. The Town then has a 40-day referendum period
and then the approved resolution goes into effect on the 50th day after approval. No further
discussion was added. The Resolution now moves onto the second reading.
b. Proclamation: Celebrate Trails Day
• Ms. Kaiser moved to approve the Proclamation and declare the fourth Saturday in April,
Celebrate Trails Day. Mr. Beauchamp moved, Mr. Worth seconded, the proclamation was
approved unanimously.
Reports of Boards and Commissions
a. Maryland Municipal League
• Nothing at this time.
b. Council of Governments
• Nothing at this time.
c. Economic Development
• Mr. Johnson reminded everyone about the Centreville Reaching for Economic Development
Enterprise meeting is April 10th at 5:30 p.m. at the Liberty Building, 2nd floor.
d. Park Advisory Board
• Ms. Kaiser stated they, elected officials, talked about the trail masterplan. The Park Advisory
Board also discussed trail marketing material and requests and Ms. Kaiser made the request
for that funding at the Budget Meeting work session.
e. Planning Commission
• Mr. Worth stated the Planning Commission had their last meeting on April 3, 2024, and has
completed the zoning map changes. Their next meeting is April 17th. The North Commerce
mixed use development is up for final approval. The annexation portion of Providence Farms
has been pulled from the April 17th meeting.
Reports of Department Heads
Town Manager
• Ms. Brinkley informed the Council that Jane Saulsbury, a 26-year employee of the Town had
passed away.
• Secretary Jake Day came to Centreville the previous week for a tour and look at business
façade improvements that have been completed. To date the Town has received 6 grants for a
total of $280,000 and it has gone towards improving 19 properties.
• Ms. Brinkley and Ms. D’Agostino met with the owners of 102 N. Commerce St. and is
helping them move forward with the project.
• Last Thursday Ms. Brinkley, Gaye Adams, Lt. Larrimore, Chief Hobbs, and Lt. Harris met
with the Centreville Rotary Club and provided them with a Town update. The information
was well received, and the Town received great feedback from the meeting.
Town Clerk
• Ms. Adams would like to begin a volunteer spotlight to showcase the wonderful volunteers
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and talent we have in the town starting this summer.
• Ms. Adams is creating a Town of Centreville Summer intern program beginning June 2025. It
will be an 8-week paid intern program. Ms. Adams will reach out to Queen Anne’s High
School as well as Chesapeake College for interest. Ms. Brinkley and Ms. Adams will also
investigate grant opportunities to help pay for the interns.
Citizens Forum
No comments
Council Roundtable
• Mr. Beachamp asked Ms. Brinkley if the Town has a copy of the Centreville Economic
Development Authority (CEDA) promotional videos that were filmed. Ms. Brinkley believes the
Town has them and will do some research.
• Mr. Worth was looking for a progress report from GTI. Mr. Johnson and Ms. Kaiser will be taking
a tour of the plant, but Ms. Kaiser thinks GTI should come to a Town Council meeting for a brief
update. Ms. Brinkley will reach out to set that up.
• Mr. Johnson would like to have the CEDA Economic Development Plan reviewed via a scorecard
with volunteers to get an assessment of the viability of that plan.
• Lastly, Mr. Johnson stated that on April 12th at 6 p.m. the movie Spellers will be shown at the
Vincit Building. This movie is about Autism and has been getting rave reviews.
• Ms. Kaiser informed the Council that First Fridays are starting up again on May 3rd. Lots of
vendors are signed up and she is hopefully the citizens will turn out and participate.
• An issue with parking by the YMCA was discussed. Ms. Kaiser asked for the curb to be painted
yellow between Little Kidwell Extended and the first entrance to the YMCA.
• Ms. Kaiser would like to expand our meeting calendar with more Town events. Ms. Adams will
ensure more are added.
• Ms. Kaiser would like the Town to become a Business of Character through the Character Counts
Program. She is a Character Counts volunteer and encourages everyone to volunteer. Ms. Adams
will investigate the Business of Character requirements.
• Mr. Kiel offered condolences to the family of former Officer Marc Whaley who passed March 26,
2024. He was with the CPD for 26 years.
• Mr. Johnson asked when Taco Bell will open and was informed there currently is not a date.
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Ms. Kaiser adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gaye Adams
Town Clerk
Council Action Items:
1. Approved the Budget Meeting Work Session Minutes of March 14, 2024.
2. Approved the Budget Meeting Work Session Minutes of March 21, 2024
3. Approved the Town Council Meeting Minutes of March 21, 2024
4. Approved Proclamation: Celebrate Trails Day
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