The July 23rd meeting started at 4:30 pm with a closed session. There were three closed session topics:
- Administrative, Boards & Commissions - To discuss appointing Board members to the Ag Preservation Advisory Board and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
- Consult with Counsel – Reviewed an ongoing legal matter with States Attorney Lance Richardson, Chief of Staff Rob Penny and Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Cogan.
- Personnel - Reviewed an ongoing personnel matter with County Attorney Pat Thompson.
Open Session began at 5:35 pm.
Boards & Commissions
Ag Preservation Advisory Board: Edward Clower was unanimously appointed to the Ag Preservation Advisory Board for a five-year term ending June 30, 2024.
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board: Phil Starkey was unanimously appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board to fill the remaining term of Jean Waagbo which ends on December 31, 2021.
DPW
Sanitary District
Sonny Schulz Blvd LLC Public Works Agreement – This is the Public Works Agreement with Sonny Schulz Boulevard LLC to allow for the construction of a commercial building on Lot 7 of the Matapeake Business Park (formerly known as Penguin Ventures). -APPROVED 4-0
Kent Narrows Water Main Construction Bid - Construction Bid to award a contract for the Kent Narrow’s water main to David A. Bramble, Inc. in the amount of $677,000. This water main will connect the Kent Narrows/Oyster Cove System to the Stevensville system. The 12-inch line will extend from the Boatel site to Dundee Ave running primarily along MD 18. The work will not start until mid-September in order to minimize summer traffic disruptions. -APPROVED 4-0
Queenstown Assisted Living Project – This is a request for water & sewer allocation to grant an additional 3,825 gallons per day of water and sewer allocation to SHA Grasonville LLC to accommodate their proposal to construct a 79-bed assisted living facility at a current cost of $208,226. The developer will be placing a 10% within 30 calendar days and has agreed to the condition that the deposit will be non-refundable. - APPROVED 4-0
DPW- Administration
Traffic Counter Data from Recent Sundays, Comparison of Traffic Volumes for Memorial Day 2019 & 2020 & Change in Volume at US 301 and MD 313 Galena Road – This is an informational item highlighting recent traffic trends along US 50/301 obtained from our Traffic Counters.
Public Hearing Comprehensive Water & Sewerage Plan 6:05 pm
Comprehensive Water & Sewerage Plan Public Hearing is to change the WATER AND SEWERAGE ALLOCATION POLICY (Appendix I) — Proposal is to make the currently required 10% deposit on the Cost of the sewer and/or water allocation non—refundable. -RECORD LEFT OPEN FOR TWO WEEKS
ACTION ITEMS
Item #
Honorary Dedication of a portion of MD 404 to Daniel Lister – This is a request letter to our MDOT/Maryland Transportation Commission Liaison, Mr. Ian Beam. The request is to dedicate a portion of MD Rt 404, between Downes Station Road and Saathoff Road in the Memory of the late Daniel Lister, Assistant Fire Chief for the Queen Anne – Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company who died in the line of duty. Mr. Lister was also an employee of the Queen Anne’s County Department of Human Resources at the time of his demise. -APPROVED 4-0
FY 2020 EMS Transport Unit – This is a purchase request via the Houston-Galveston Area Council pre-established government contract to purchase a new ambulance for the Department of Emergency Services from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for the amount of $270,245. -APPROVED 4-0
FY 2020 Department of Parks & Recreation Capital Equipment Purchase – This is a purchase request from the Department of Parks and Recreation for one (1) used 2018 Massey Ferguson MF6713L Tractor ($67,500) and a 2019 RHINO 2150 15’ Rotary Cutter ($12,500) from Binkley and Hurst LP for a total price of $76,000.00. This total amount includes a $4,000 Trade-In allowance for a 1985 MF 699 Tractor with Loader. -APPROVED 4-0
Broadband Pilot Projects – This is for the construction of two Broadband extension projects: 1) Colby/Willow Branch and 2) Grove Creek/Bulle Rock. Both projects have been awarded a 100,000 state grant and have funding support from our local cable provider, Atlantic Broadband (ABB). The County must also contribute to each project in order to fully fund them for construction. ABB will be the owner and service provider. County funds needed for Colby/Willow Branch (250 homes) is $712,000. County funding needed for the Grove Creek/Bulle Rock (31 homes) project is $140,000. -NO ACTION TAKEN
Letter of Support for “Queen Anne’s County Broadband Engineering Studies” – This is a letter for a grant application seeking $75,000 for a Broadband engineering study that results from the Broadband Feasibility Study we are now starting/conducting. No match is required. The grant request is with the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund through the Rural Maryland Council. If awarded, this is a natural next step to begin following our Broadband feasibility study. -APPROVED 4-0
FY 2020 Contribution to the Upper Shore Regional Council – This is for the County’s annual contribution to the Upper Shore Regional Council in the amount of $12,000. -APPROVED 4-0
Property Liens - This is for approval of Resolutions to place property liens on properties that have been cited for nuisance violations (overgrown grassy vegetation). -APPROVED 4-0
Property Tax Credit for Disabled or Fallen Emergency Workers – This is a request to grant the 100% County Tax Credit for the tax year 2019-2020 in the estimated amount of $2,593.82 for Mark J. Carr. The County Attorney has reviewed and approved this application. -APPROVED 4-0
Property Tax Credit for Disabled or Fallen Emergency Workers - This is a request to grant the 100% County Tax Credit for the tax year 2019-2020 in the estimated amount of $3,131.72 for Todd L. Powers. The County Attorney has reviewed and approved this application. -APPROVED 4-0
Budget Amendment CC-1 – This is a budget amendment to move budget authority from the contingency fund to all specific Departments for approved employee COLAs & Pay For Performance adjustments for FY 2020. -APPROVED 4-0
Desk Item #1 - Historic Christ Church / Subcommittee Discharge Recommendations - The recommendation is that the property known as Historic Christ Church be awarded to The Friends of Historic Christ Church with conditions as follows:
- Shine Like Stars Pre-School shall be given a one-year extension. The lease will begin on July 1, 2019 and will end on June 30, 2020. The extension of the lease will allow for a stream of revenue for Friends of Historic Christ Church, while it pursues grants and fundraising opportunities. Any future extensions of this lease will be the subject of negotiations between Friends of Historic Christ Church and Children’s Center for the Learning Arts/Shine Like Stars.
- If for any reason Friends of Historic Christ Church cannot maintain the property, the County will have first right of refusal to recapture the property at no cost.
- Alcoholics Anonymous shall be allowed to continue to meet in the church’s parish hall as long as they wish to do so.
The Friends of Historic Christ Church were given two (2) weeks to accept the award and conditions. Following acceptance, the transfer will be advertised in a local paper for three successive weeks giving the terms and the compensation to be received. At the conclusion of the advertisement period, the County may commence with the formal transfer of the property.
Desk Item #2 - Grant to purchase 10 new Automated External Defibrillators for Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department - This is a draft letter of support for a grant application for ten (10) Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) for the Grasonville VFD. Grasonville VFD is making this application for a submission on August 10 to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The grant value is approximately $20,000. No matching funds are required. The new AED’s will replace old units that range from 15 to 20 years old which have since been discontinued and unsupported by the original vendor. -APPROVED 4-0
INFORMATIONAL/CORRESPONDENCE
Item #
- Open Meetings Compliance Board, 13 Official Opinions of the Compliance Board 39 (2019) Talbot County Council
- MDOT – MD 50 onto MD 18 traffic, Response letter from Sec. Pete Rahn
- SRA – Approval for Participation in the Employer Pickup Program
- MDE Tidal Wetlands Division permit report
- Town of Queenstown – Planning Commission RES 19-101, “Wheatland Farm”
- P&Z Monthly Department Report for June 2019
- Econ & Tour Monthly Department Report for June 2019
- 2018 State Board of Elections Audit
- BOE – Major Category Transfer Report
- Letter from the Parents of Shine Like Stars Preschool
- Citizen Letter – Land Use inquiry
- 7/3 Citizen Letters – PIA Request – 224 Canal Street
- 7/10 Citizen Letters – PIA Request – 224 Canal Street
- Centre for the Arts Thank you Letter
- Citizen Thank you Letter
PRESENTATIONS
Item #
I. Haven Ministries Programs Update – Ms. Krista Pettit, Executive Director
II. Master Gardener Presentation Update – Ms. Rachel Rhodes, Coordinator & Horticulture Educator
LEGISLATIVE - Tab 7
Public Hearing 6:15 PM
County Ordinance 19-12 - County Transfer Tax -RECORD LEFT OPEN FOR TWO WEEKS
For the gift card, what was the total daily traffic on July 7, 2019 going westbound at US 50 and MD 8 across the Bay Bridge?
-Todd.