Town Council Meeting
January 21, 2010

The January 21, 2010, Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council President Frank C. Ogens, in the first floor meeting room of the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company. The following members and staff were present: Frank C. Ogens, Council President; Norman P. Pinder, Jr., Vice President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Member; Bob McGrory, Town Manager; Steve Kehoe, Town Attorney; Abigail Hill, attorney; and Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Frank Ogens.

Review and Approval of Minutes

Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve the January 7, 2010 Council minutes as amended. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Announcement of Closed Sessions

Council President Ogens announced that (i) The Town Council met in closed session on January 7, 2010, after the regular meeting at 8:50 p.m. at the Goodwill Fire Department to discuss personnel and receive legal advice on legal matters. (ii) All three members of the Town Council voted to close the session. (iii) The authority to close the session is found in Section 10-508 (a)(1) and ection 10-508 (a)(7) of the State Government Article. (iv) The Council discussed personnel issues
and received legal advice from counsel. The Council discussed the following:  (1)Prospective Public Works agreements regarding Spring Street; (2) Personnel issue regarding a specific employee.

The following members and staff were present: Frank C. Ogens, President; Norman P. Pinder, Jr., Vice President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Member; Steve Kehoe, Town Attorney; Abby Hill, attorney; Bob McGrory, Town Manager; and Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide.

Council President Ogens announced that (i) The Town Council met in closed session on January 21, 2010, at 5:00 p.m., at the Town Hall Annex, 105 N Liberty Street, Centreville, Maryland, to discuss personnel and receive legal advice on legal matters. (ii) All three members of the Town Council voted to close the session. (iii) The authority to close the session is found in Section 10-508 (a)(1) and Section 10-508 (a)(7) of the State Government Article. (iv) The Council discussed personnel issues and received legal advice from counsel. The Council discussed the following:  (1) Proposed legal agreement regarding annexation east of town; (2) Legal advice regarding pending litigation; (3) Board and commission appointments.

The following members and staff were present: Frank C. Ogens, President; Norman P. Pinder, Jr., Vice President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Member; Steve Kehoe, Town Attorney; Abby Hill, attorney; Bob McGrory, Town Manager; and Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide.

Citizens Forum

Mary Roby, 203 South Liberty Street, offered comments. Mr. Pinder suggested the topic of storm drains on Rt. 213 could be raised at the Council's February 2, 2010 meeting with the State Highway Administration.

Appearances - None

Old Business

a. Vegetative Buffer Planting – Millstream Park - Discussion

Mr. McGrory noted that this topic is a carry-over from Council's last meeting and is a Queen Anne's County grant proposal. Eva Kerchner has talked with the Critical Areas Commission staff and notes that are some site constraints on two of the lots being considered for buffer planting. The Cemetery Advisory Board will meet next week to discuss the constraints. The topic will be placed on Council's February 4, 2010 agenda.

b. DNR Contract Extension - Symphony Village Stormwater Retrofit

• Mr. McGrory reported that the plans relating to this contract have been finalized for the proposed stormwater retrofit at Symphony Village. The advertisement for bids was sent to the newspaper today.

Mr. McCluskey made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Natural Resources and the Town of Centreville as presented this evening. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

New Business

a. Ordinance No. 01-2010 - Maryland Water Quality Financing Administration

• Mr. Kehoe commenced reading of Ordinance No. 01-2010 until Mr. Pinder recommended dispensing with the reading of the ordinance in its entirety and include it in the record. Mr. McGrory noted that this is a bond issue for financing work on the water treatment plant.

Copies of the Ordinance are available at Town Hall.

Mr. McGrory reported that the ordinance relates to the construction of a water treatment facility and is at the same bond rate, one percent (1%), and was approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works in December.

Announcements

Mr. Ogens read the announcements for the information of the Council, staff, and public.

Correspondence

Mr. Ogens reviewed Council correspondence for the information of the public.

Mr Ogens noted a request from the Queen Anne's County Arts Council for funding in the amount of $1,000 for the coming year. Mr. McCluskey made a motion to donate $1,000 to the Queen Anne's County Arts Council for 2010. Mr. Pinder seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Mr. Ogens noted a request from the Centreville Police Department to support those officers participating in the Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge which is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2010. Sgt. Conrad Meil, Cpl. Kim Conley, Ofc. Rob Hobbs and Secretary Lisa Farber are participating. Mr. Pinder made a motion to contribute $100 per person participating in the Polar Bear Plunge. Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Mr. Ogens noted a thank you from Dennis Reed, Chairman, Wounded Veterans Waterfowl Committee, for the Council's donation for the event.

Department Head Reports

a. Town Manager

Mr. McGrory reported that he had a constructive dialog with Queen Anne's County regarding annexation of property on the east side of Town. The Planning Commission has advised of its endorsement of the annexation.

Mr. McGrory met with the Queen Anne's County Planning Commission and they are comfortable with the Municipal Growth Element (MGE) going out for sixty day review. After review by the Town and County Planning Commissions and subject to their recommendation, a joint meeting will be scheduled with the Town Council and the Queen Anne's County Commissioners for consideration of the MGE document as an amendment to the 2009 Centreville Community Plan.

The Park Advisory Board held a work session on the Town's master plan for parks. Chris Rogers of URS also attended that meeting.

The Kennard School held a recycling event in which students created sculptures and other works of art using recycled materials. Some are on display in the Town Hall.

b. Chief of Police

Chief Rhodes reported highlights of staff events since the last meeting. Speed enforcement has been stepped up at approaches to Town using the speed trailer. The results have been effective.

Chief Rhodes proposed a work session with the Town Council to discuss long range plans, including personnel, training, equipment, and the budget. He noted that he is looking into possibilities for upgrading the office computers as they are beginning to have problems.

Chief Rhodes said he may also wish to schedule a closed session to discuss some personnel issues. A work session was scheduled for 4:00 p.m on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the Goodwill Fire Company. Mr. Kehoe suggested they could go into a closed session following the work session if needed.

c. Town Attorney

Mr. Kehoe reported that Emmitt McGee has sent a release form to allow transfer of documents from DLA Piper to Jackson Lewis, LLP, his new firm. Mr. Pinder made a motion to allow the release and transfer of files to Jackson Lewis, LLP. Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Citizens Forum

Mary Roby, 203 South Liberty Street, offered comments. Mr. Ogens suggested discussing Route 213 sewer lines at the Council's work session with SHA on February 2, 2010.

Council Roundtable

Mr. Pinder asked Chief Rhodes for his recommendation concerning parking on both sides of Watson Road. It is extremely crowded during summer months and the crabbing season. It was noted that emergency equipment would have difficulty getting through. Chief Rhodes suggested eliminating parking on one side. Mr. McCluskey recommended involving the County. Mr. McGrory suggested asking the fire chief for a letter of recommendation. Mr. Pinder suggested they could also talk with Todd Mohn, County Public Works.

Mr. McCluskey reported that the Planning Commission met and has finalized work on the Design Standards document. After review by the Town Council and Mr. Kehoe, a public hearing will be held. Upon final review, the Planning Commission will recommend that the Town Council adopt the document. Mr. Kehoe noted that it would be adopted by ordinance.

Mr. Ogens reported that the Park Advisory Board and the Master Gardeners are considering a project to beautify the small parcel of Town land at the intersection of South Commerce Street and Little Kidwell. He also reported that Sarah Berlin, Park Advisory Board member, has been elected Vice Chair. There was an announcement at the Park Advisory Board meeting that the Garden Club is planning a May Day Basket competition. Businesses, residences and children will be encouraged to participate and the event will be coordinated with the Farmer's Market.

Motion to Adjourn

Mr. Pinder made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion and the January 21, 2010 regular meeting of the Town Council adjourned at 7:50 p.m. by unanimous vote.

Respectfully Submitted,
Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide