News Flash

The Commissioners April 26^th meeting started at 5:15 p.m. with a closed session for Boards and Commissions.     

No decisions were made in closed session.   

The Regular meeting was called to order at 5:35 pm by President Chris Corchiarino. 

PUBLIC WORKS

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1. Elm Street – Special Assessment for Roads Improvements Decision

A public hearing was held on April 19, 2022, at the Kent Island Estates Community Hall to present and review the proposed Elm Street Improvement Special Assessment (private to public road upgrade) project with members of the Kent Island Estates Roads Association, property owners and community members.  All of the property owners within the assessment area were notified of the public hearing via certified mail and the hearing was advertised in the Record Observer consistent with the County Code.   The majority of the residents who responded/commented on the proposed project were in favor of moving ahead.   

APPROVED 5-0

ACTION ITEM

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1. Petition to Terminate Public Easement – Gibson’s Grant – Community Pier and Waterfront Park Area                                                    

Representatives from the Gibson’s Grant community requested that the County Commissioners terminate the public easement currently in place on the waterfront park area and the community pier located within the subdivision. The Critical Area Commission was consulted on the matter and concluded, while there was an intention to connect this public amenity to the subdivision approval and growth allocation award, that intention is not legally substantiated by clear conditions of approval at the State or Local level.   As a result, the proper review of the termination of that public use agreement is at the sole discretion of the Commissioners.  The attorney representing Gibson’s Grant requested that the County Commissioners consent to the termination of the public access easement and to consider signing the “Eighth Amendment to the Covenants” for the Community.   This action has received overwilling majority support from the residences of Gibson’s Grant.    APPROVED 5-0 

2.  Memorandum of Understanding with Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Somerset and Calvert – Ferry Project                             

Staff has been collaborating with Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County on determining the feasibility of a passenger ferry with a focus of tourism promotion and asset development. There are now additional counties joining efforts to fund a feasibility study for a passenger ferry system. The consortium of counties could potentially include Anne Arundel, Calvert, Somerset, Talbot and Dorchester. The Chesapeake Ferry System Consortium is now preparing to apply for a $200,000 EDA local technical assistance grant which requires a 50/50 match.  We are now asking for permission to execute a new MOU to include Anne Arundel, Calvert and Somerset and plan to once again play a supportive role in the grant application process for the EDA grant.  Staff recommends signing the MOU with the Ferry System Consortium to collaborate in the Ferry Project feasibility study as well as approve funding of $25,000 should the EDA grant be awarded.  APPROVED 5-0 

3.  Information & Communications Technology Standard Operating Policy Updates & Revisions                                                                                    

This is a series of updated Information Communication & Technology policies and procedures for consideration.  These have been thoroughly vented by senior Departmental Leadership and we recommend approval.  

1. Revised Telework Policy
2. Revised Telework Guide
3. Revised Telework Request Form
4. New Telework Log
5. Deleted Remote Workplace Self-Certification Checklist
6. Revised Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy (aka Computer Systems)
7. New Standard Operating Policy Annual Acknowledgement Form
8. Revised Passwords Policy
9. Revised Mobile Device Reimbursement Policy
10. Revised Telephone Usage Policy
11. Deleted Mobile Devise Acceptable Use Policy       APPROVED 5-0 

4.  Bid Review for Maryland Energy Administration Grant       

The Division of Housing and Community Services (DHCS) applied for a grant through the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to perform energy efficiency improvements at the Foxxtown Apartments in Sudlersville. The approved project consists of replacing 62 Packed Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) units with a more energy efficient option: replacing 10 refrigerators with new Energy Star Certified options and replacing 10 light bulbs per unit with energy efficient LED lightbulb.  The invitation to bid was posted on the County Website and on the eMaryland Marketplace. DHCS received only one (1) bid for the work.  Staff recommends rejecting the bid received and issue a new Invitation to Bid to attempt to obtain at least three bids in order to obtain competitive pricing.  APPROVED 5-0 

5.  FY2023 Proposed County Commissioners’ Budget     

This is the final FY2023 Citizens’ Budget Letter. This letter will be sent to the citizens of Queen Anne’s County to summarize the FY2023 Proposed County Commissioners’ Budget, as well as provide information/dates on the public hearings.  Both the General Fund Revenue Summary and the General Fund Expenditure Summary will be included with this letter for distribution.  APPROVED 5-0 

DESK ITEM 1   A letter to the Maryland public school construction program that the County support the funding commitment for the Queens County High school partial roof replacement. This is needed to lock-in State matching funds for the project of $4.2 million.  APPROVED 5-0 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

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1. Thank you letter from Cassandra Hosler                                                 
2. Thank you letter from Patty Saelens, BOE                                  
3. Maryland Department of the Environment – Notice of Application Received for State Permit and Opportunity for Hearing                                                           
4. Support letter for FY23 Economic & Tourism Development Budget
5. Planning and Zoning Monthly Department Report February 2022
6. Planning and Zoning Monthly Department Report March 2022 

PRESENTATIONS

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1. Proclamation 22-17 Charles Comegys Life Saving Event                     
2. Proclamation 22-29 Patrick Miles Life Saving Event                      
3. Proclamation 22-28 Jayden Wilson Life Saving Event                             
4. 2022 QAC Comprehensive Plan and Kent Narrows Community Plan – Final Review and Editing         

The following modifications to the 2022 Comprehensive Plan and KNDF COMMUNITY Plan were reviewed and voted on: 

1. I move to accept Staff’s recommended edits and actions as outlined in the public comment sheet which the County Commissioners received on 12 April 2022. APPROVED 5-0 

2. I move to accept with Staff’s recommendations to take no action, as outlined in the staff memorandum dated 26 April 2022, on the written comments received by Bay Area Association of Realtors (BAAR), Corsica River Conservancy (CRC), Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) and the Kent Narrows Development Foundation (KNDF) at the 12 April 2022 public hearing.  APPROVED 5-0 

3. I move to accept Staff’s technical edits to both text and maps in the Plans which correct typos, wording choices, and points of clarity/inconsistency.  APPROVED 5-0

2) COMPREHENSIVE REZONING REQUESTS 

1. I move to accept all 48 Comprehensive Rezoning Requests as recommended by the Planning Commission and included in the public hearing materials presented at the 12 April 2022 public hearing, with the exception of three properties. APPROVED 5-0 

2. I move to reject CRR 02: Dream Farm, LLC c/o Tracy T. Schulz – Map 57, Parcel 68 based on the Technical Committee’s recommendations to oppose that request.

APPROVED 4- OPPOSED-1 

3. I move to reject CRR 05: Chesterhaven Beach Partnership, LLP – Map 57, Parcel 25 based on the Technical Committee’s recommendations to oppose that request.

TABLED 

4. I move to reject CRR 07: Cliff and Danielle Lowe – Map 48, Parcel 11 based on the Technical Committee’s recommendations to oppose that request.

APPROVED 3 – OPPOSED-2 

5. I move to include language in the final resolution to adopt the 2022 Comprehensive Plan and the Kent Narrows Development Plan that articulates the County’s commitment to amend the Plans if the County is successful in identifying a reasonable option to create additional sewer treatment capacity at the KN/S/G sewer treatment plant.  APPROVED 5-0 

3) GROWTH AREAS 

1. I move to remove 4 parcels zoned Neighborhood Village Center, NVC from the Growth Area and redesignate them Rural Agricultural Areas (RAA) and Agricultural & Open Space and rezone them Countryside. These parcels specifically are Dream Farm LLC. – Map 27, Parcel 68; Lowery, John Claude Jr. & JoAnn – Map 57, Parcel 43, Lot 1; Lowery, John Claude Jr. & JoAnn – Map 57, Parcel 43, Lot 2; and Gardner’s Purchase Inc. – Map 57, Parcel 39. APPROVED 5-0 

2. I move to allow the portion of parcels 43 (lot 1), 43 (lot 2), and 68 zoned NVC which are directly adjacent to Route 18 to be designated Rural Business Employment Center (RBEC) and Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) and rezoned Town Center in line with the existing parcels that are zoned Town Center to be Commercial & Mixed Use and eventually zoned Town Center.  APPROVED 5-0 

4) FINAL 2022 QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND KENT NARROWS COMMUNITY PLAN  

I move to accept the final Plans as directed with all prior motions made today and direct Staff and Wallace Montgomery to edit both documents accordingly and to present them before the Board for formal adoption at a future meeting.  APPROVED 5-0 

LEGISLATIVE

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PUBLIC HEARING 5:50 PM 

1. County Ordinance 22-08 Concerning Revision of the Human Resources Ordinance, 

Chapter 27            

                 RECORD OPEN FOR TWO WEEKS                                                                                                                                                 

If you would like to watch the entire meeting visit: https://youtu.be/7J7iHS51Hek