[0:05] Good evening. I would like to call the town council meeting of February the [0:09] 12th, 2026 to order at 7:12 p.m. >> I would like to move Greg Dodson [0:17] administrate the meeting due to technical difficulties with Zoom. [0:20] » I second the motion. [0:26] So, I guess we'll call for the vote then. So, all in favor say I. [0:31] » I. I. >> I. [0:32] » Any opposed? >> Motion carries. [0:36] » Thank you. Good evening, everyone. I would like to note for the record that [0:42] the mayor is absent this evening. also that council vice president Healey uh is [0:49] present on via zoom but due to technical difficulties cannot run the meeting [0:55] tonight. So I will step in and run the meeting. [1:00] Next we would like to start with the pledge of allegiance. [1:04] Um we're going to ask Mr. Bowen to lead us. [1:12] » To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it [1:17] stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice [1:23] for all. >> Thank you. [1:30] » Approval of the agenda. >> Move to approve the agenda. [1:37] Second. >> Any discussion? [1:41] All those in favor? >> I I [1:44] » Any oppose? Thank you. [1:51] Next, we have uh next item is the minutes from January 14th and February [1:57] the 5th. Uh can I get a motion to approve the minutes from January the [2:00] 14th town council meeting as submitted? Move to approve the January 15th [2:06] meetings meeting minutes. >> Is there a second? [2:10] » Second. >> Any discussion? [2:12] » All in favor? >> I. [2:15] » Any oppose? Thank you. Request for a motion to approve the minutes from [2:20] February the 5th town council work session as presented. [2:25] » So moved. >> Second. [2:29] » All in favor? >> I. [2:31] » Any oppose? Thank you. Okay, moving on to business items. Our [2:37] next item includes the annual election of the town council vice president. [2:46] Is there a motion to elect a town council vice president? [2:53] » I move to nominate Mickey Hmel for the position of vice president town council [2:58] effective immediately. [3:09] Is there a second? [3:14] » Is she >> I'm sorry. Yes. Councilwoman Healey [3:19] second that motion. >> All right. Thank you. Any discussion? [3:24] All those in favor of council member Mickey Hmel [3:31] becoming the vice president of the council, please signify saying I. [3:37] » I. >> Any oppose? [3:40] Thank you. Effective immediately, I am turning the meeting over to the new [3:45] elected vice president. >> Thank you, Greg. [3:49] » You're welcome. >> unorthodox role of role of how we're [3:52] going tonight. Um, all right. So, next up on the agenda [3:55] is the contract award for the flower box replacement. We went over this last week [4:02] at the work session. Um, we didn't have any other questions. Um, so we're good [4:05] to entertain a motion for approval to W let me make sure I get this exactly [4:11] right. [4:15] So many papers. uh Wes Incorporated in the amount of $178,434. [4:23] » So move. >> Is there a second? [4:26] » Second. >> All in favor? [4:29] » I. >> All opposed. [4:32] » All right. Motion carries. >> All right. [clears throat] Um the next [4:39] bit we have is the council of sheriff's report. [5:03] We're still catching up. [laughter] Last time I didn't turn the mic on and [5:07] they were hollering at me. So once again, good evening. Um, [5:13] everyone received a copy of the town report. [5:17] Um, during the month of January, we responded to 67 calls for service, [5:26] and we had 639 self-initiated activities to include follow-ups for [5:31] investigations, patrol checks, and traffic stops. Some of the cases we had [5:36] of note, um, on the 21st, we had a theft and runaway. That's the one that we've [5:43] seen quite frequently in the town reports. Um that juvenile has since gone [5:48] to Shelton camp. Um and has quieted down in there for the time being. I'm not [5:54] sure what's going to happen with that after the fact, but um it's been [6:00] peaceful for the deputies not having to respond out there every day. So, um, we [6:04] had a few DUIs, um, several assaults, [6:09] and, uh, we did have a couple frauds. Um, a lot of them having to do with cash [6:16] apps. So, just trying to remind citizens, keep an eye on your cash app [6:20] stuff and things like that. All of your online stuff is very vulnerable. Uh, [6:25] majority of the frauds we see have to do with a lot of these new apps. Um, not [6:30] that I make any money from them, but I'm a big uh fan of Zel. [6:36] I've never had an issue personally with Zel watch. I will tomorrow now. But um I [6:41] do see a lot of issues with the cash apps and uh even the Apple Pay, which is [6:46] also very secure, but they're able to crack those two. So, um any questions [6:53] from the council? [6:57] » Uh seeing none. Thank you. >> Okay. All right. I'll be here till the [7:00] end if anyone has any questions or needs to speak with me. So, thank you for your [7:04] time. [7:07] » Next, we have the town administrator's report. [7:11] » I'm almost [snorts] afraid. Good evening, uh, council. Linda Vasala, town [7:15] administrator. Just a couple of quick items from January. Uh, starting with [7:19] the Chesapeake Beach Water Reclamation Treatment Plant. I do provide an update [7:22] each month. Um, we have had a little bit of trouble getting copies of the [7:28] finalized budget. We did get the top budget. We were seeking rollup numbers. [7:32] When I wrote this report, we did have that information and we recently got [7:36] that information. So, we are uh meeting as a team right now to go back through [7:41] and make sure we understand what those numbers look like and how it may or may [7:44] not impact our budget. U, I think I mentioned uh during our budget [7:48] presentation that when we put our numbers together, we were a little [7:50] concerned we weren't going to have them. So, we made adjustments internally [7:53] accordingly. Um, so I will by the time we come to work session in March, we [7:59] should have some pretty solid numbers for you. I think we're going to be okay, [8:02] but until we've looked at that, um, I'm not going to give you 100% on that one. [8:08] Our FY26 budget update, we are doing very well. Um, Joanne will talk to you a [8:12] little bit about the treasures report here in a minute, but we are still [8:15] tracking very positively. We're paying very very close to our expenditures and [8:19] the revenue lines coming in and um the tax differential discussion will be [8:25] happening on February 24th. Mayor Benton will be down with the county [8:28] commissioner. So, we'll have some information hopefully from the county [8:32] with that and we have not yet got gotten the constant yield information and as [8:36] soon as I get that I will send it over to you. [8:40] um that will be part of the final budget uh approvals. [8:46] And then uh for the 27 planning, I mentioned we're coming back for two [8:50] presentations next month. We'll have your during the work session, we will [8:54] have the CIP, so the capital improvement plan presentation. We will have the [9:00] council budget presentation. And if you have items that you would [9:04] like for us to include in that pleas presentation, please get them to me and [9:07] we'll make sure they're in there. and we still have time to take any other [9:10] adjustments or questions that you have and we can get that updated. And we will [9:15] also be doing a discussion in work session about the recommended fee [9:19] schedule. [9:23] And with that, uh, that's kind of the 50,000 foot view. We do every month [9:27] provide you an update on our open IRBs and contracts. Um, nothing really new to [9:34] update here with the exception of the award tonight. So, we're we're doing [9:37] pretty well. So with that, that is the end of my report unless you have any [9:40] questions. [9:44] » All right, seeing no questions, have to check on Zoom for [9:49] Mary. All right, next up we have marketing and [9:53] communication. [9:59] » Hello everybody. Kevin Schmidt, communications director. Exciting start [10:03] to this meeting. appreciate everyone's patience as we [clears throat] uh [10:08] creatively problem solve. Uh you have my report uh for the month. A couple [10:14] standouts uh that I'd like to mention. Our open call for farmers market vendors [10:19] is out right now. Um we look forward to a bunch of returning vendors and perhaps [10:25] some new exciting ones. Uh they can register online. It's been promoted on [10:30] our website in our newsletter. um on our social media pages and open [10:36] applications are till March 9th. Uh I believe we have five election judges [10:43] now. Um it might it may be great to have an additional one just in case. We do [10:48] need five total. Um so those applications are also still ongoing. Um [10:54] and then as far as events, we have one. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And then as far as [11:00] as far as events, um we have uh the animal Valentine's and the Bayside [11:07] History Museum. Animal Valentine's on Saturday and the Bayside History Museum [11:12] uh on Sunday here at town hall. So, thank you for your time. Any questions? [11:19] » Yes. You mentioned about the five election judges and maybe a six. Why [11:25] would you need a six judge? >> Uh I haven't we haven't [11:28] graded the applications yet. We've just received them. So, I don't know if we [11:32] cap it at five or maybe we want to have an extra in the tank just in case [11:36] availability becomes an issue. >> All of those applications will come to [11:39] council. >> Yeah, but I'm just wondering why we [11:42] would need an extra person to add it. >> Normally, it's five, correct? [11:47] » We have a total of five. The application um process was open, I believe, through [11:52] the end of this week. >> Okay. So maybe I think what I'm hearing [11:57] is that we only received five applications [12:00] » to date. >> Two days. [12:01] » Okay. And when when are we closing again? [12:04] » I believe it's Friday, sir. I'll double check the date on that. [12:06] » Okay. Maybe we blast it out again. Maybe add a [12:11] few days to it and see what happens and go from there [12:16] since we still have some time. [12:20] the we the only we can certainly do that and we'll do that. Um just a reminder we [12:26] have to have them appointed by April 1st. So we'll have something for you. [12:30] » If we need to extend a week we could we could bring it to the regular council [12:33] meeting. >> Yeah. Yeah. I get it. [12:36] » Got it. >> Yep. Thank you. [12:38] » Absolutely. >> All right. Thank you, Kevin. [12:41] » Thank you. >> All right. Next is planning zone [12:44] planning and zoning and code enforcement. [12:52] Good evening, council. Rick Crump, planning zoning director. Um, we had a [12:57] report in front of you. As usual, January's for planning zoning, code [13:01] enforcement is our slowest time of the year, [13:06] colder it gets, the few things we have happen enforcement wise with properties. [13:14] We did have a plan commission this month that the final approval for the Flynn's [13:20] Arcade that will be opening shortly and board of appeals. We had several [13:27] short-term rentals that were also approved. Other than that, it was a [13:31] relatively slow slow month just catching up on [13:35] filing and closing out internal things. [13:43] » Any questions? [13:46] » All right. Thanks, Rick. >> Thank you. [13:51] » Next, we have public works. [13:58] » Everyone, for the record, Donnie Bowen, Department of Public Works. Um, for [14:03] anybody who's been in the area, I think the words of the month this month are [14:07] snow, ice, and cold temperatures. So, public works been hard uh hard at it [14:11] with that. Um, I'd like to take a minute to thank my crew. They were out. They've [14:15] been out working hard during the storm to keep the roads clear. Um crews worked [14:21] around the clock during the storm and then we had the ice hit after we got the [14:24] snow pretty much gone. You know, we had two or three inches of ice on top of [14:27] that. So, it made it pretty difficult, but uh I think they did a pretty good [14:31] job. We kept the roads open. Um the mayor did authorize bringing in some [14:35] contract help to clear the parking areas, um the public sidewalks and the, [14:39] you know, shoulders to try to get as much parking available as we could with [14:43] the amount of snow we had. Um, like I said, that that was uh I [14:47] think the crew overall did a great job. We brought on like three additional two [14:51] Bobcats and a little mini skid steer which helped with the sidewalk. So, I [14:55] think that worked out well. Um, K&H did provide some help out front here in [15:00] front and went a little further. So, they did the whole strip along in front [15:03] of Second and Third Street pretty much for us. So, that was kind of nice of [15:07] them. Um, we also responded to several calls um over the weekend, over the last [15:13] couple weeks with frozen pipes. As you can imagine, most of those probably did [15:17] uh 15 or 20 frozen pipe calls. Most of them were under the residents crawl [15:22] spaces and it just required us to cut the water off so they could do the [15:25] repair and then we came back out and cut the water back on for them. Um, we did [15:29] have one water main break that did require after our shutdown in the Burn [15:33] Oaks townhouse subdivision. We had a saddle that did break and uh that one we [15:39] had to wait on Miss Utility for probably three and a half hours to get there [15:42] because it was electric in the area. So, we had to wait to get it marked. It was [15:44] a Friday night and it took um we we only had the water off about an hour and a [15:49] half though total just the water shut off time. But it take a little bit like [15:53] I said we found it about um resident called in found about 4:00 in the [15:58] evening, we had to wait till about 8 8:30 before we could start digging and [16:01] uh by 11:00 we were kind of wrapped up with it. So, [16:05] um you have my report. Does anybody have any questions on any anything else? [16:08] » The uh Burn Oak saddle, was that one of the new ones or was that one of the old [16:12] ones? >> That was the old one. [16:14] » Yeah, like whenever Burns was built, I can't remember exactly off top of my [16:16] head, but that was original saddle. >> Okay. I remember at some point we were [16:19] going through replacing those. I didn't know if we got to that section. Every [16:22] year it seems like when it gets cold, I mean, we haven't had a winter like this [16:26] for five or six years, thank God. But, uh, but for some reason over there, um, [16:31] San Francisco and there we lose them when to the cold weather. [16:35] » Yeah, I remember that one up in San Francisco a few years back. [16:37] » But it is supposed to be 60° next Wednesday. So, come on. Looking forward [16:41] to that. >> And we'll start back on the normal [16:44] saddle work next week, maybe. >> Any other questions? [16:52] No, >> thank you. Did I think Mary has some [16:56] » She does. I I have it. >> She says she would she would like to [17:03] thank Department of Public Works for all the long hours and good work. I saw the [17:08] contractors. It keeps And they really It keeps flipping down. Oh, and they really [17:15] helped and I know you helped a lot of people as well. Great job to everyone. [17:21] » Thank you. [17:25] » Again, from all of us, thank you and your crew, Donnie, for all the hard [17:28] work. >> I'll let them know. Thanks. [17:31] » All right, Joanne. [17:48] Good evening everyone. Thanks for having me here. A treasures report is through [17:53] January 31st. Um the most uh significant items to me [17:59] are 75% collection on the property tax revenue. [18:04] That's pretty good for for this year. And then the other thing I'd like to [18:10] point out is we're into our second quarter of the water and sewer billing [18:15] and that has gone flawlessly. We um we were down an employee, we hired [18:22] a new employee and there's been like no no lapse in service as far as the water [18:29] and sewer billing. So that's good. And then the other item I'd like to [18:34] mention, and Kevin's too gracious to say it, but I know Donnie and his crew do a [18:39] lot, but also Kevin went out and uh personally dug out. There was a couple [18:44] older people that needed help and he went out and dug them out. So, got to [18:49] give him kudos, too. But, um, if you have any questions, you [18:54] can always reach out to me and I'll be more than helpful. Any [19:02] questions? >> Thank you. [19:05] » Good. >> Thank you, Dan. [19:06] » Thank you, >> Bill. [19:21] Good evening, council. Uh, Phil Ashworth, director of waterfront parks. [19:25] Nothing really to add to my report. Um, just want to have you know, all the [19:31] events for 2026, both along the waterfront and the nature center. Um, [19:36] it's a long list of events and we'll be very busy this year. And a few ones that [19:40] I'm kind of excited about, the nature center, especially Easter will be a lot [19:44] of fun. But, um, other than that, we're just kind of resetting for the upcoming [19:49] season. It's kind of the time of year where we just kind of press reset and [19:53] get ready. And um yeah, I'd also like to thank u my staff for helping clear the [19:59] boardwalk and bike path and everything along the waterfront. It's good. I [20:03] appreciate it. Any questions? [20:08] » All right. Thanks, Phil. [20:12] » All right. [clears throat] With the reports done, we'll move into [20:15] public comment. Um since we're having a few technical difficulties, I'll ask is [20:19] there any public comment here first? Okay, seeing none, I'll go to if there's [20:24] any public comment. Um, for those on Zoom, if you can, can you please put it [20:28] in the chat and then Stacy will get it over to us. [20:33] I'll give that a few minutes if people need time to type up. [21:19] There's nothing in the chat, I think. >> Okay. [snorts] [21:23] All right. So, with that, we'll move on to mayor and council reports. Um, Mary, [21:28] if you wanted to start typing up your report, um, so Stacy can read it and [21:32] then we'll start here with in house. Uh, Greg, would you like to start? [21:41] » Thank you all for joining online. Uh, Mary, sorry we couldn't hear your voice [21:46] tonight. Um, Mickey, congratulations on being the VP. [21:53] And Donnie, thanks. Kudos to you and your crew. Um, and I am so glad that we [22:00] moved to get the contractor to do the sidewalks. [22:05] um because uh I love hearing from my [22:09] constituents, but not so much when it comes snow and ice [22:15] removal. So, uh especially when they were seeing [22:19] our neighbors get their stuff cleared out in the next town. So, thank you for [22:24] getting a contractor, whether that was you, a lender, or the mayor, whoever did [22:28] it. Thank you guys. [clears throat] [22:31] And um hopefully next time they can probably [22:36] clear the path along the boardwalk. Uh there were a lot of people walking [22:43] out in the street and not everyone likes to slow down for [22:49] people and it makes it a little unsafe. So, if we could in addition to getting [22:55] the sidewalks cleared on the main street, if we could work on that [22:59] pathway, I know that boardwalk itself is another story, but if we could at least [23:04] clear the path, the back path, that would be a big help. Other than that, [23:10] thank you to everyone on staff. Uh, everyone continue to be safe out there [23:15] and we'll see you the next time. [23:24] Michelle, [23:27] » good evening everyone. I'm a little bit tired because I spent every morning this [23:32] morning um with the safe nights program if you haven't heard about that at all [23:37] saints. So serving breakfast and then I spent most of the week on Capitol Hill [23:42] as well um talking about the importance of federal statistics. So um please bear [23:48] with me. Um so last work session we spent kind of [23:52] a lot of time talking about agendas and whose agenda napapolis and etc. And I I [24:00] really like to emphasize that we should be spending more time talking about our [24:04] agenda. Um and that's expressed through our town's budget and that's also [24:10] expressed through our shared priorities which we are still going to discuss. So [24:14] I'm really excited to have that opportunity. Um, I've said it before and [24:19] I want to say it again now. I I'm very uncomfortable making big decisions [24:23] without the public's input. So, um, my job isn't really to guess what people [24:28] want. It's to hear you and then to kind of go to bat for you. So, I can't [24:32] promise that you'll always get exactly what you want or how you want it or when [24:37] you want it. But, I can promise that I'll represent your interests. But, if I [24:41] don't know what they are, then I'm flying blind. So, I've set up a [24:45] dedicated town council phone number. So, that's separate from my personal line. [24:50] So, if you have a concern or a question or a priority, you can call me at [24:55] 2026885529. [24:58] That's my direct line, so please feel free to use it. Um, speaking of working [25:03] together, I'm excited to announce we're establishing a blackbox theater citizens [25:08] task force and a finance subcommittee. So, thank you so much to the constituent [25:13] who is online who called me um wanting to know how he can serve uh his [25:18] community. This would be a fantastic way for you to do that. Um and there are [25:23] other direct ways to get involved. So, uh this is about how we shape our local [25:27] culture and how we manage our resources. So, if you have questions about that, um [25:32] please reach out to me. I want to say finally so you know the mayor last time [25:36] mentioned several upcoming bills that are coming through Annapolis and you [25:40] need to know that these conversations actually start much [25:46] way before you ever see like a draft bill. Um so uh there is a draft bill [25:52] coming up. It's HB502. Um that would require members of [25:56] condominiums and HOAs to complete specific training on their [26:01] responsibilities. So, if you live in an HOA or a condo, this affects your [26:06] leadership and your community directly. So, here are a couple ways to stay ahead [26:11] of this stuff. There's software that's called Fast Democracy. It's a free tool [26:15] that you can use to track bills like HB502 the second that they're [26:20] introduced. And then once you see a bill, you don't need to just watch it. [26:24] You can go ahead and participate in a hearing. You can contact your Southern [26:28] Maryland delegation or you can call me. Um, so you can set up an appointment [26:33] here at town hall. We'll sit down, look at the facts, and we can make sure that [26:37] the town's moving in the direction that you want it to go. Thank you. [26:42] » Thank you, Alan. [26:47] » Yeah. Um, [clears throat] a couple things. [26:51] Um, one, I went to an event back January, January 17th. It was the, uh, [26:57] winter sewing event at the nature center. [27:00] um very cold, blustery, rainy day. It [27:05] wasn't exactly the perfect day to be doing things like that, but um I don't [27:12] know how many um uh milk cartons were were done, but um [27:20] there was a handful of people there enjoying themselves. I know I I think I [27:25] did like three or four of those things that uh you know that we'll have some [27:28] plants that are going to be planted around town. Um it was a great event [27:33] despite the uh despite the weather and um I would encourage everyone to take [27:40] advantage and and go see this nature center because I um been been out there [27:46] with some of the new exhibits and everything and and it really looks good. [27:50] Um, second thing I wanted to mention, and Donnie, I didn't want to do this [27:55] during your presentation, but uh, you guys, uh, waterfront crew, y'all did [28:03] a bangup job, uh, with the snow and and ice and, you know, the weather. Um it [28:10] was two weeks of subf freezing and and the ice hung around forever and ever and [28:18] um people fell including myself on it and but one observation I would like to [28:24] make is I look at this little I look at this town our town and the resources [28:29] that we have and [28:34] I don't know I I drive in and out of DC four times a day and I drive on DC [28:38] streets. I drive on Slum Parkway. Um, I can honestly tell you, unbiased opinion [28:46] here, but I can honestly say this town handled handled the weather, handled [28:51] that snow, the storm aftermath better than I've seen DC do it and the US Park [28:58] Service on Sutland Parkway because that it it just, you know, these roads were [29:05] clear for the most part very quickly. took a while to get some of the other [29:10] snow and stuff out of certain areas, but um [29:15] yeah, I this town handled it handled it so much better than many other areas [29:20] that I seen in my travels up and down the road. [29:25] Um [snorts] [29:28] finally, uh congratulations Mickey. Um I know you will serve this town well in [29:33] this position for this coming year. So, um, and Mary, hate to see you go, but [29:40] we'll enjoy you here on council still, just not as the, um, vice president. So, [29:47] um, with that, I I think that's all I have. [29:52] » Thank you, Alan. Stacy, did you want to read Mary's? [30:00] » She just added one more. Um, [laughter] she says, "Congratulations to Mickey. I [30:06] enjoyed my time as VP. I am also happy to pass the baton." [30:12] Uh, [30:16] it's it's like not she thanked everyone for coming out. [30:21] Happy Valentine's Day. She said, "I'll be long- winded next month when I'm [30:25] there in person." And she thanked Donnie again for doing a fantastic job on the [30:29] roads. All right. Thank you, Mary. All right. Um, [30:34] thank everybody joining us on Zoom for the unorthodox little bit of meeting we [30:39] had today. Thank everybody here in person. Um, thanks everybody on staff, [30:43] not just Donniey's crew, Phil's crew, and Kevin um, for shoveling. And I'd [30:48] like to thank the residents who got out and shoveled and kept up with their [30:52] shoveling um, and then also helped their neighbors and anybody else who they saw [30:56] that needed help shoveling. Um I was at work and somebody helped Becky shovel [31:00] out her car just from up the street just came down and helped her out. So um [31:04] we're a nice little community here of people helping each other out. So that [31:08] really makes me happy with that. Um a reminder this Sunday is [31:13] the first lecture of the this year's museum lecture series for the Bayside [31:17] History Museum. It'll be here starting at 1. Yes, one. Um so I'll be here. [31:26] We're going to change up the layout this year since we have all the new AV. Um, [31:29] they're not going to have to move the chairs. We're going to face it this way [31:32] instead of at the screen. So, we'll try that layout out. And with that, I am [31:38] done. And I would entertain a motion to close. Oh, go ahead, Greg. [31:43] » Yeah. [31:56] No, that's just a subcommittee of the Blackbox Citizens Task Force. That's [32:01] independent of the town council. [32:06] » Okay. Good. All right. With that, I'd entertain a motion to adjurnn the [32:11] meeting. [32:16] » Is there a second? >> Second. [32:18] » All in favor? >> I. All opposed. [32:22] » All right. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for joining us. [32:27] » Only if you want to. >> [laughter]