Town Council Meeting #17-03

October 2, 2003

Council President Michael Whitehill convened meeting #17-03 at 7:00pm in the Town Hall.  Vice President Norman Pinder, Donna Turner, Member, Terry Adams, Town Manager, Jonathan Hodgson, Town Attorney, Chief Ben Cohey, and Deana Ashley, Town Clerk, were also present.

Welcome:  Citizens and guests were welcomed to the meeting.

Review of Minutes from Previous Meeting:  Meeting #16-03 of September 18, 2003 minutes were accepted as read by the Council members.  Mr. Pinder made a motion to accept the minutes; Mrs. Turner seconded the motion. A vote was taken, members voted in the affirmative, and the minutes were approved unanimously. (3 ayes)

Appearances:     None

Business:     The Council discussed the holiday schedule for Town Hall for 2004.  The proposed scheduled was amended and approved.

Maryland Municipal League:  None

QAC Municipal League:  The Council has received a request to participate in a board created by Governor Ehrlich to discuss regional issues.  Mrs. Turner requested that the other municipalities be contacted and ask for their participation.  Mr. Whitehill offered to join if other municipalities declined.

Announcements and Correspondence:  Mr. Whitehill read the announcements and correspondence into the record. 

Report of Department Heads:

Town Clerk -

·        Ms. Ashley reported that the annual workers compensation audit was lower than estimates; resulting in possible credit on workers compensation policy.

·        The Rural Development loan from the USDA for construction of the wastewater treatment plant closed; $1,066,300 was posted to the water fund.

·        She also stated that the first metered water/sewer bills had been mailed to residents and business owners.

Chief of Police –

·        The Chief stated that his report was included in the Council’s books for their review.  There was nothing unusual to report.

·        He participated with other agencies in the storm emergency center for 36 hours. 

·        The new police department secretary, Jessica Isbell, was introduced and welcomed by the Council.

·        Mr. Pinder and the Chief discussed the new speed trailer; positioning in Town, data captured, etc.

·        He attended the Maryland Chief’s of Police Annual Training conference in early September.  The focus of many discussions was developing a model ethics policy for police agencies.

Town Manager -  Mr. Adams reported the following:

·        The concrete slab was poured for the new wastewater treatment plant.  The project continues to remain a month behind; he anticipates an on-schedule completion of April 2004.

·        A committee has been formed to commemorate the 300^th anniversary of Queen Anne’s County.  After discussion, Mrs. Turner offered to participate on behalf of the Council.

·        The September 30 work session with URS utilizing findings from the Conquest Beach study was productive.  Mr. Delormier, of URS, summarized the meeting for the Council.

·        Mr. Adams recently attended a presentation of accounting and utility billing software and recommended that it be reviewed by the auditor for purchase and implementation in Town Hall.

·        There will be a regularly scheduled Town Council work session on the third Monday of each month at 3pm.  An agenda and schedule will be posted.

·        He reported the Parks Board recommendation to suspend the use of the skateboard park for lack of and improper use.  The Board recommended the space be utilized as another pavilion.  The Council discussed the matter and proposed the park be closed by November 1, 2003.

·        Mr. Adams will attend a FEMA meeting with the County on October 9 to discuss reimbursement of expenditures.  Monies will be minimal as overtime will not be reimbursable during storm activities.  He will report back to the Council on his findings.

Citizens Forum:  Mary Roby, Northbrook – Mrs. Roby asked the Council about the street sweeper schedule; Mr. Adams responded there is a schedule, however, the driver has been out with an injury.  She also asked the Council to consider action on the use of portable basketball stands in streets.   The Council asked Mr. Hodgson to review other municipal actions and present a draft to them. 

Mr. Pinder and Mr. Adams discussed the completion of the Heights road improvement project, outstanding punch list items and retaining funds until work is to the Council’s satisfaction.

Mrs. Turner and Mr. Adams discussed the zoning inspector and his work to date on ongoing issues.

Motion to Adjourn:  There being nothing further to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote at 7:37 pm. 

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                                    Deana Ashley

101 Lawyer's Row

Centreville, MD  21617

Phone: (410) 758-1180

Fax:     (410) 758-4741