News Flash

Todd Mohn’s Wrap Up for the May 14^th County Commissioner Meeting

The May 14^th meeting started at 5:00 p.m. with a closed session for Consult with Counsel & Boards and Commissions.

Boards and Commissions

The Board unanimously agreed to reappoint Conrad Craig and Fred Lagno to fill the vacancies on the Bay Bridge Airport Advisory Committee.  These terms will expire on June 30, 2027. 

The Board unanimously agreed to reappoint John McQueeney to fill the vacancy on the Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board).  This term will expire on June 30, 2028. 

PRESENTATIONS

2. Ms. Cathy Willis, Director – Community Services Update and Proclamation #24-13 Older Americans Month  

Ms. Cathy Willis, Ms. Annie Sparks, Mr. Michael Clark and Mr. Robbie Gill showcased the Community Services update highlighting the 2024 Senior Summit and the Housing Authority, Proclamation #24-13 Older Americans Month was read and Robbie Gill presented an update on the YMCA of the Chesapeake.

3. Mr. Alan Quimby, Director of Department of Public Works – 2011 Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan – Informational Meeting.........................................     9-11

An information meeting was held and a public hearing is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 to discuss a proposed map amendment request for an improved property just south of Matapeake Estates.  The request is to change the sewer service designation from S-6 (No Planned Service) to S-2 (service on demand).

GEM III REAL PROPERTIES LLC – This property is currently improved with a single-family dwelling located at 1410 Romancoke Road in Stevensville.  It is shown on Tax Map 63 as Parcel 121, is approximately 10.8 acres in size, and is zoned Neighborhood Conservation – 5-acres (NC-5).  The property is currently served via a documented failing on-site sewage disposal system and the remaining soils on the site are deemed to be unsuitable for a replacement system.  The proposal is to amend the property from S-6 (No Planned Service) to S-2 (Service On Demand) with an ‘L’ designation (Limited Development) which would require any intensification on this site, other than a replacement of an existing home, to be required to re-amend the Plan.  The amendment will allow the property to eventually connect to the immediately adjacent Matapeake Estates subdivision which is part of the Southern Kent Island Sanitary Project – Phase 4.   Flows from the use are anticipated to be 250 gpd.      

LEGISLATION

County Ordinance #24-01 – Nonwater  Dependent structures on Piers Public Hearing                             

AN ACT CONCERNING nonwater-dependent structures on piers in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area of Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE of permitting nonwater-dependent structures on piers on State or private wetlands by meeting specific standards and adding a definition for nonwater-dependent project and pier in Chapter 14:1 of the Code of Public Laws of Queen Anne’s County; BY ADDING a new § 14:1-49 to allow nonwater-dependent structures on piers and ADDING the definition of nonwater-dependent project and pier to § 14:1-11 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.  ADOPTED 5-0

2. County Ordinance 24-10 - Executive Assistant Public Hearing

A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT CONCERNING the Executive Assistant and Deputy Executive Assistant to the County Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County; FOR THE PURPOSE of eliminating the provision that the Executive Assistant and Deputy Executive Assistant to the County Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County shall serve at their pleasure; making such positions merit system employees; and generally revising the employment status of such employees.   ADOPTED 5-0

PUBLIC WORKS

Roads

This bid is structured so that the individual contracts can be awarded to separate bidders based on lowest bid submitted.  In addition, bidders must supply documentation of industry pricing on a specified date used in determining their bid price.  This information is used by the Department to determine the delivery cost of each bidder.  Though the price of fuel will change throughout the year due to market variables, the contractor must hold their delivery cost (profit margin) for the duration of the contract.  A total of eight (8) bids were received with two (2) bidders disqualified as they did not include state fuel tax as specified in the bid documents. 

Contract descriptions and recommended awards are listed below: 

Contract A        Roads Division’s 87 Octane Unleaded Fuel contract for depot tank locations at the Centreville Shop and Sanitary District. – Award to Petroleum Traders Corporation

Contract B        Roads Division’s Diesel Fuel contract for depot tank locations at the Centreville Shop and Sanitary District.  – Award to Cato Gas & oil Company

Contract D        Sanitary District’s Diesel Fuel contract for water and wastewater generator tank locations throughout: Stevensville, Chester and Grasonville. – Award to Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Solutions 

Contract E        Parks and Recreation’s 87 Octane Unleaded Fuel contract for various locations throughout the County. – Award to Tri-Gas and Oil Co.

Contract F        Parks and Recreation’s Diesel Fuel contract for various locations throughout the County. - Award to Tri-Gas and Oil Co.

APPROVED 5-0

In 2015, the Sanitary Commission granted Elm Street Development allocation for a 128 single family residential subdivision in Grasonville.  In 2019, Elm Street Development was granted additional allocation to increase the lot count to 156. In 2021, the Sanitary Commission executed a Public Works Agreement for Phase 1 of the development consisting of 46 lots.  In 2023, the Sanitary Commission executed a Public Works Agreement for Phase 2 of the development consisting of 54 lots. A Public Works Agreement (Phase 3 and final) was presented for the remaining approved 56 lots.  The Agreement has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney.   APPROVED 5-0

ACTION ITEMS

The Character Counts! pillar celebrated in May is CARING. This pillar is rooted in kindness, gratitude, and compassion. Two groups were recognized:

EBeauty Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free wigs to women undergoing treatment for cancer, alopecia, and other medically related hair loss, founded in 2011 by Carolyn Keller, a two-time breast cancer survivor from Stevensville MD. 

Queen Anne's County Department of Social Services Foster Care Unit was also recognized. Queen Anne's County Foster Parents open their hearts and share their lives with foster children - providing love, warmth, guidance, and hope for youth whose lives have been filled with change and uncertainty.  Foster care is an opportunity for community resources and partnerships to be maximized to increase child and family well-being and the likelihood of successful reunification. 

A 97.786 acre property owned by Robert E. Arnold is ready to be submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for review and final approval.  Total funding is being provided by the Rural Legacy grants program through Program Open Space, no County funds are being utilized.  The Robert E. Arnold property is located within the Forman Brach Rural Legacy Area and will add to the 10,129 acres that are already preserved.   APPROVED 5-0

An Amended Deed of Forest Conservation Easement document for the Robert and Joy Sponaugle Amended Forest Conservation Plan #01-08-08-0001 was presented to the Board. In 2008, the Waterman Realty Company property received minor subdivision approval to create one cluster lot (Lot 4). As part of this approval, a Deed of Forest Conservation Easement that placed 0.33 acres of land into a protected afforestation area was recorded among the Land Records of Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.  The applicant is proposing to relocate the existing 0.33-acre protected afforestation area away from the approved sewage reserve areas to avoid potential septic system problems from tree roots. The 0.33-acre protected afforestation area will be relocated along an agricultural ditch that empties into an on-site stream. To support this activity, the applicant will be required to amend the forest conservation easement. Staff recommends execution of this amended Deed of Conservation Easement.   APPROVED 5-0

A Buffer Management Plan (BMP) is required by State law and implemented by local jurisdictions whenever a new subdivision application is received for waterfront properties within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. Article XXVI of the Queen Anne’s County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations further establishes bonding requirements for such Plans.

The Austin Reed and Margery P. (Reed) Poitras Subdivision was approved and recorded in the land records in February 2020. This developer failed to comply with the obligations of the BMP affiliated with the subdivision.  There is a two-year window in which a bond is held in order to assure the survivability of plantings for the BMP.  During that two-year timeframe, inspections revealed noncompliance with the approved Plan. Also, during this timeframe, the property transferred to a new owner. Having received no response from Mr. Reed to multiple written and verbal attempts to coordinate BMP compliance.  A compliance plan was implemented that included collaboration with the new property owners who have addressed compliance with the Reed BMP.  Staff has been coordinating with a representative of Travelers Bond Insurance to call the bond in order to reimburse the expenses incurred by the current property owners to implement the approved BMP. Travelers Bond Express has agreed that their client has not met the bond obligations and has sent the County a release and assignment for payment of the claim. Staff requests execution of the document to revoke Travelers Bond 107465104 which will allow the Department to make payment to the new property owners and close the inspection case affiliated with this subdivision approval.   APPROVED 5-0

Chesterwye Center has a 99-year lease with the County for two residential homes situated on Gravel Run Road adjacent to the Grasonville Senior Center.  These facilities are on property owned by the County which provides housing for their clients. Chesterwye was awarded grant funds in the amount of $288,869 from the Department of Health Capital Projects Grant program for renovation of one of these homes.   The grant funds will provide for needed renovation, and installation of Hoyer lift systems, ADA accessible bathrooms, ADA ramps and improvements to critical living areas (windows, doors, flooring and roofs).  Chesterwye bid out the proposed work in early 2024 and has selected a contractor. The contractor must be approved by the Maryland State Board of Public Works, and in order to proceed, a Right of Recovery Agreement must be executed since the County is the property owner. The Right of Recovery Agreement would require the grant funds to be refunded to the State in the event the facilities are not used for the intended purpose for the next 30-years.    APPROVED 5-0 

The Department of Parks and Recreation recommended to contract with Kokosing Industrial, to provide Dredging Operations for the Price Creek Dredging Project to maintenance dredge the Price Creek channel.  The material will be beneficially used for a marsh restoration project at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) via an innovative “thin layer placement” approach. 

Bids were received as follows:

Funding for this project is available via MD-DNR loans and grants.   No County Funds are needed.   Staff recommends award of this contract to the low bidder, Kokosing Industrial in the amount of $1,248,829 for dredging services in Price Creek, contingent upon acquisition of wetland permits, finalization of MD-DNR loan and grant funding and execution of the Special Benefit District agreements.   APPROVED 5-0

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

1. County Ordinance #24-09 
2. Congress of the United Stated letter – Rural Development Broadband ReConnect loan 
3. Maryland Environmental Trust Letter – Katherine Merrick donation of perpetual conservation easement                                
4. Plumbing/HVAC Board March 28, 2024 minutes
5. Thank you card – Frank and Kellie Todd  
6. Thank you card – Katya Lindsey   
7. Thank you card – Rocky Jones Family   

Watch the meeting here https://www.youtube.com/live/BwLmaRWd0Y8?si=3RrxVM0GQUzcr0LJ