town council meeting minutes

Town Council of Centreville August 13, 2020 7:00 p.m.

M I N U T E S

The August 13, 2020 Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:11 p.m. by President Jeffrey C. Morgan at the Liberty Building located at 107 N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice President; Steve Walls, Town Manager; Acting Chief Lt. Conrad Meil, Centreville Police Department; Clifford Matthews, Director of Public Works; Krystel

Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town Clerk.

 Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve the July 16, 2020 minutes, as presented. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Appearances  Board and Commission Appointment  Mr. Morgan administered the oath of office for Sandy Simpson for a three-year term on the Park Advisory Board, expiring February 2023.

 Mr. Morgan administered the oath of office for Donald Dawkins for a three-year term on the Board of Appeals, expiring February 2023.

Closed Session

(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 6:15 p.m. at the Centreville Wharf

Building, 101 Water Way (Watson Road), 2nd floor meeting room to discuss personnel in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) Two 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 topics:

 Personnel – to conduct interviews for a vacant position Actions: No actions taken.

The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice President; Steve Walls, Town Manager; and Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; and applicants interviewing.

The meeting adjourned 9:45 p.m.

(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 6:15 p.m. at the Centreville Wharf

Building, 101 Water Way (Watson Road), 2nd floor meeting room to discuss personnel in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) Two 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 topics:

 Personnel – to conduct interviews for a vacant position Actions: No actions taken.

The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice President; Steve Walls, Town Manager; and Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; and applicants interviewing.

The meeting adjourned 8:32 p.m.

(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. at the Centreville Wharf

Building,101 Water Way (Watson Road), 2nd floor meeting room to discuss personnel in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) Two 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 topics:

 Personnel – to conduct interviews for a vacant position 2020-08-13-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 1 of 3 Actions: By consensus, the Town Council authorized the Human Resources Manager to make an offer to one of the applicants.

The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice President; Steve Walls, Town Manager; and Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager; and applicants interviewing.

The meeting adjourned 7:50 p.m.

(i) The Town Council met in closed session on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 6:33 p.m. at the Liberty Building, 107

N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room to consult with counsel in accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act. (ii) Two 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 topics:

• Consult with counsel – to discuss a developer agreement

Actions: By consensus, the Town Council authorized the Town Attorney to prepare a draft agreement.

The following members and staff were present: Jeffrey C. Morgan, President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice President; Steve Walls, Town Manager; and William Chapman, Acting Town Attorney.

The meeting adjourned 7:08 p.m.

Citizens Comments  No citizens comments were received.

Old Business a. Resolution 09-2020 – Drug and Alcohol Policy  Ms. Ebaugh stated that the Drug and Alcohol Policy was presented to the Town Council at the July 16, 2020 meeting. She stated it was requested to wait until this meeting for consideration to allow citizen comments.

 Ms. Brinkley confirmed that no comments were received.

 Mr. McCluskey read Resolution 09-2020 for the purpose of adopting a drug and alcohol policy for DOT and non-DOT employees.

 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve Resolution 09-2020. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

New Business a. Corsica River Dredging – Shallow Water Impacts & Mitigation  Mr. James Wood, Queen Anne’s County Parks and Recreation Public Landing Supervisor, was present to discuss the County’s dredging permit in which they propose to dredge the Town boat slips located at the Centreville Wharf. He stated that the dredging permit requires mitigation from the disturbance at the bottom of the river.

 Mr. Wood is recommending the removal of phragmites located on the Town’s two lots located across from the Wharf on Watson Road. He stated that the County’s grant would pay for the removal of the phragmites.

 Mr. Wood stated that the Maryland Board of Public Works wants assurance that these lots will remain tidal wetlands with no development. He stated he understands the Town’s Park Plan shows a proposed walkway and lookout and he reported that this does not interfere with the required amount of mitigation acreage.

 Mr. McCluskey asked if the County will be able to provide total funding for this phragmites eradication project? Mr. Wood stated that yes, for the removal of the phragmites. Mr. McCluskey asked if it also includes native plantings and Mr. Wood stated that it does include native plantings as well.

 Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve the phragmites eradication proposal presented by Mr. Wood for the wetland mitigation waiver request in support of dredging to 5 feet below Mean Low Water at the Town boat slips. Mr. Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 Mr. Wood reported the project will begin in the fall and will need to be completed before February 15th for spawning season.

2020-08-13-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 2 of 3 Reports of Department Heads a. Town Manager  Mr. Walls reported the following:

 Working on a developer agreement.

 Handling zoning issues and citizen’s requests.

b. Town Clerk  Ms. Brinkley reported the following:

 There are nine (9) candidates that have filed and been reviewed and confirmed by the Ethics Commission and the Board of Supervisors of Elections. The candidates are:

1. Dale F. Becraft

2. Shelby Brown

3. Robert R. Hardy, Jr.

4. Jeffrey D. Kiel

5. Steven K. Kline

6. Fred M. McNeil

7. Anne Lane

8. George G. Sigler

9. Daniel B. Worth

 Absentee ballots are an option for any registered citizen until September 28th at 4:30 p.m. After, it has to be an emergency. Contact Town Hall for an absentee ballot application.

 Other voting options were discussed by the Board of Supervisors of Elections. In addition to voting at Vincit Drive, providing an option for drive-thru voting and possibly offering the opportunity for citizens to complete an absentee ballot on a Saturday at different locations around Town.

 Mr. McCluskey suggested possibly choosing a location in North Brook, Symphony Village, and the middle of town to provide absentee ballots to citizens.

c. Human Resources Manager  Ms. Ebaugh reported the following:

 Have two applicants in background check for the Utility Worker positions.

d. Chief of Police  Acting Chief Lt. Meil presented the July 2020 status report for the Council, staff, and public.

Citizens Forum  No citizens written comments submitted.

Council Roundtable  Mr. McCluskey reported that the fishing derby was cancelled at the July 16th Town Council meeting and that he is also cancelling movie night. For the safety of all involved, he felt this was best.

 Mr. McCluskey stated that he met with an Eagle Scout about projects for the Town. He encouraged any other Eagle Scouts that are interested to contact the Town to discuss possible projects.

 Mr. Morgan thanked the nine people who filed for candidacy for the upcoming election.

Motion to Adjourn There being no further business, Mr. McCluskey made a motion to adjourn the August 13, 2020 meeting. Mr.

Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Carolyn M. Brinkley Town Clerk Council Action Items:

1. Approved the July 16, 2020 minutes, as presented.

2. Approved Resolution 09-2020 for the purpose of adopting a drug and alcohol policy for DOT and non-DOT

employees.

3. Approved the phragmites eradication proposal presented by Mr. Wood for the wetland mitigation waiver

request in support of dredging to 5 feet below Mean Low Water at the Town boat slips.

2020-08-13-TC Approved Minutes.doc Page 3 of 3