The pledge of allegiance
to the flag of the United States of
America
Um
Dan Dval are in pre are present.
Um and we are going to head right into
it. Informational discussion on the
following budget discussions. Um three
different funds are going to be
discussed. Uh general fund, mitigation
fund, water reclamation fund, and this
is I'm assume going to be the treasurer.
So, I guess you you're going to sit
there and do it.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay. All right.
>> Uh, take it away.
>> Great. Well, I don't know if we're going
to have it on the screen or possibly.
>> I think so.
>> Okay.
Well, we can wait a second.
We get it. That That's promising.
Well, as we're getting as we're getting
there, I'll just give a brief uh
preview. So, tonight is the mic on.
>> Yeah.
» Oh,
>> look at that. All right.
>> You've got some power. [laughter]
>> We'll see if I could uh manipulate it.
Um so, tonight we'll be going over the
uh general fund, the mitigation fund,
and the treatment fund budgets. uh you
were provided copies of all these slides
as well as some additional information
uh in your packets last week. I've
gotten some questions from some council
members and have responded uh to them uh
with those individual questions, but uh
any other questions we have as we go
along tonight uh you know it is work
session so you know please uh you know
just speak up on those.
So, the uh first part of the of the
general fund, we'll go over the general
fund budget first. Uh I've made some
notes that I'm going to skip through
right now. You probably looked over
those and most of those will be uh
referred to as we go through the budget
itself. So as we look at the
spreadsheets for the budget, uh what you
have in the first three columns are the
uh three actual uh revenues for fiscal
year 23, 24, and 25. And then in the uh
fourth and fifth columns you have the
current fiscal year 26 budget and the
actual fiscal year 26 figures through
February of uh this year. So eight
months of the current fiscal year and
then the final column is the fiscal year
27 proposed budget which we will be uh
referring to through most of the night.
So as you start through the general
fund, the first two pages are the
revenues. Uh the first item being the
real property tax revenue. Uh the rate
is being uh proposed at 2977 cents which
is the current rate. Uh this is actually
slightly over the constant yield rate
but uh historically that is the rate
that's been set. uh by setting it at
0.2977
uh it will generate an additional
$82,000 in real property tax. That's
because the assessed values of
properties in Chesapeake Beach have
increased about $27 million.
So you know that because the increase
assessment keeping the rate the same
generates additional revenue. So, you
see the real property tax revenue uh
estimated $3.2 million
uh for fiscal year 27
under the admission amusement taxes. And
I won't go through all the items, but
I'll highlight, you know, some of the
ones that have changed the most. Uh that
is being projected at 2,18,000
or $2.1 million in the budget. Uh the
emission amusement taxes have increased
about 400,000
uh from fiscal year estimated for fiscal
year 26.
Um
so I've increased that budget line item
by uh 400,000.
Uh going down to the operating property,
uh that is uh tax on Verizon and BG&E.
Uh you can see that is at $88,000.
Uh we set that rate uh tax on those
properties at a $139 per $100 of
assessed value. Uh the property
continues to go up each year and this is
property held by Verizon and BGE on the
public rightway.
Uh going down to permits, fees, and
penalties. Uh you see that at $20,000.
We've actually broken that out uh from
prior years. Included in there was the
rental license fees and we've if you
look at the line item under that uh
we've taken $40,000 which is about what
we've been collecting on the rental fees
uh each year and put that in the
separate category. That was at the
request of a uh council member to show
that separately and public has actually
asked for that as well.
Uh interest on savings you see a
decrease there. Uh that is because we're
using uh you know some of our surplus to
fund the water park project. So uh the
assumption there is that we are going to
earn about three and a quarter percent
on the reserves we have of about 15
million. So that comes to 487,500.
Uh cable TV uh cable franchise fees, you
see a slight decrease, which is you know
kind of been the uh trend that we see as
people move from cable TV services into
direct TV and some of the other uh
providers. the franchise fee that we get
from that uh decreases.
Uh speed camera revenue, I'm projecting
that to increase. Uh we're in the
process of negotiating a new contract
with a a camera company uh to do the
administration of that which would
provide additional revenues to the town
over what uh we are currently getting
which as you can see is you know about
12 thou about 20,000 anticipated for
this year and has been about in that
range in the prior years.
Um, jumping down to state income taxes,
we're seeing about a 6% increase in uh,
state income taxes over a three-year
average. Uh, it's actually been higher
than that this year. So, I projected
that at 1 million uh, 987,000.
Uh, highway users revenue is at 579,000.
Uh, which is current estimate from the
state. uh they will be providing usually
a updated one after the general
session's complete but it should be in
that range.
um state aid for police protection uh at
50,360
which is where we are now. Again, that's
another uh source that I'll get updated
figures before uh the budget's adopted,
but it won't uh vary significantly from
that amount.
Um the other revenue sources uh you see
transfers in from fund balance for the
water park of 16.9 million. Uh these are
revenues that you know were you know
surplus funds as well as the sale of the
bonds that we will not be using in
fiscal year 26 that will roll over into
27
as well as the uh general or I'm sorry
the state bond bills for the water park
and 1.1 million. We won't recognize that
until fiscal year 27 either. Total those
together is $18 million. And on the
expenditure side of the uh general fund
budget, you'll see that $18 million
figure being used uh for the
construction costs on the other side. Um
the other transfer in a fund balance of
1,898,000
is the amount of surplus funds that are
being put into the general fund to
balance the budget. Um and you know a
large portion of that is you know for
capital projects that uh we're
anticipating doing u which I'll go
through the capital projects as we get
into the expenditure side of the budget
as well. So when you take all those
revenues into consideration and the fund
balance carryover
uh the total revenue or budget will be
29 million26,000.
So, I'll stop there if you want and you
know answer any questions on the revenue
side if you have any.
>> Any anybody have any questions on the
revenue side?
>> I have a question.
>> Yep.
>> Um the tripling of the amount of revenue
for speed cameras, are we changing
anything? Is that the plan or what what
brought that? [sighs and gasps]
Uh we're not changing anything as far as
what we are charging per violation. Uh
apparently when the town entered into
the agreement with the current vendor
for uh those speed cameras, we basically
wrote on the uh Calvert County contract,
>> which uh under that contract, the town
pays a certain amount per month to that
vendor, which is for each camera that
the town has. And there's three cameras
and they charge us $3,900 per camera. So
that's roughly $12,000
a month that we uh are charged for the
vendor charges us for running the
cameras. Uh we make about $10,000 a
month in revenue
uh from violations that we collect. So
we don't make any money because we pay
the vendor more than what we are
collecting.
Um that contract has expired
and there's other uh vendors out there
that have different uh cost structures
for how they charge for the operation of
the cameras. Uh and you know so instead
of paying a fixed amount for the camera,
you could pay them to process the
violations and they will charge. So, if
the cameras, it's a $40 ticket. Is it
40? Yeah, $40 ticket. Uh, you know, the
fees for processing it, uh, in the
contracts that I've seen I have have at
other jurisdictions, you know, charge
like $15 for a violation. So, the vendor
gets 15, the town would get the
difference about $25.
So, it's not charging any of the
violators anymore. It's just how we are
sharing the monies that that are
collected with the vendor. So that's how
we generate the additional amount of
revenue.
>> Okay. So the speed is staying the same.
>> Y
>> and the price per violation is staying
the same and the only thing anticipated
for change is
>> admin costs.
>> Yep. when the when we were I believe
under negotiation with uh we're looking
at other companies that have or not
other companies other towns that have
actually bid out their speed camera
services recently and are possibly going
to ride on one of those contracts if it
is comparable to our contracts.
>> Okay. And
>> which would generate the sharing as I
just explained.
>> Understood.
>> Thank you.
>> Yep. Good question.
I have a couple questions. Yeah. Um
line item for um [clears throat]
our site rental. It says in the notes
move to utility fund. Um doesn't seem to
be any revenue for 24 25
um 26. Was it uh moved be prior or do we
not have any revenues coming into that?
>> Because it was it was uh moved into the
utility fund at the end of fiscal year
23. So when we get to utility fund
budget at next month's meeting, you'll
see terror site revenues in there for 24
going forward.
>> Okay. So, it's just it's still showing
here because, you know, we're showing
the actuals back to 23 and that's where
it was in 23.
>> Gotcha. Okay. Uh, one other question.
Um, you mentioned a million something
for um balancing the budget and other
revenue sources.
>> Yes.
>> Um, what was that exact number and what
number is that lumped into?
Um it's actually by itself under uh
under other revenue sources. The second
item down account 430135
>> and it's 1,898,
Got it.
>> 139.
>> Okay. Thank you. Mhm.
>> Is is that number coming out of the
capital improvement budget that we did
not expend or
>> um it's just prior year surplus that uh
you know the town has. We have over $15
million in surplus uh and [snorts] uh
that is being pulled from that in order
to balance the budget. So it's being
used to cover the expense side of the
budget. And then the capital
expenditures I look at as capital
expenditures I think it's like $3.9
million.
So 1.2 million of that is being uh
covered with current year's revenue or
fiscal year 27 revenues and the other
1.8 is being covered from uh savings.
It's a way to look at it.
So in this budget, did you assume a
reconciliation of our capital
improvement budget?
>> What do you mean by that?
>> Like this fiscal year, fiscal year 2026,
there's lots of money that went
unexpended
>> on capital improvements.
>> Um that wasn't included in that
estimated 15 million or so of reserves.
that number will probably increase to
17 or 18 million because [clears throat]
I would anticipate there's probably two
to three million of unspent capital
items uh this year that will roll over.
So that will increase our uh surplus.
>> Okay. So but as of today and this budget
that revenue is still available and not
accounted for here.
>> Correct. Yeah. So if you want to expend
it by the end of [snorts]
26, June of 30th, then it won't roll.
>> Unlikely we will have time. But yes.
That is
>> why I'm asking.
>> Yes.
All right. So as we um go into the
expenditure side um you know some of the
I've reformatted some of the uh expenses
within departments I've added in some uh
new line items which I thought you know
after looking over the budget over the
last year would made more sense. So some
of the account names might be a little
different on a few of them and then lump
you know I've carved out a separate
department for recreation which some of
their salaries and seasonal staff and
costs are moved into there out of wreck
ops or whatever other line items they
were in. I've also added a new uh
section for uh committees so that you
know they would all be in one place
instead of kind of spread out within the
budget. So I'll point those out uh as we
go through as well. Um so at the bottom
of the first page uh it starts out with
the salary and benefits and these are
for the general government staff. uh
there is a separate salary schedule
which I believe we do that in a closed
session uh last year uh to show the
breakdown you know between each employee
and what's included in there but in
general uh throughout the uh departments
uh there's about a 5.7%
uh increase uh which uh the cost of
living January over January of uh 25 to
26 six is currently 2.7%. So about 2.7%
of that is factored in as a uh cost of
living and then there's a average of
about a 3% uh merit in there. So when
you look at you know the different
salaries department yeartoyear you know
that's you know going to be part of the
differences in there for for most
departments. as we get into the
treatment plant that will be a little
different and we'll touch base on that
and what's uh you know going on in their
salaries uh when we get to the treatment
plant budget.
So at the top of the next page we start
getting into uh operating costs.
[snorts] Uh again I won't touch on all
the items just you know some of the ones
that have some changes. So the audit uh
it was bid out three years ago. It does
have a increase each year. Uh so that's
increased to 34,000 and the cost of that
spread out amongst the different funds.
So you see the increase here to 8,500
for the general fund.
Uh legal counsel which includes costs
for the town attorney. uh the board of
appeals, the lobbyist,
uh it's estimated 120,000
uh planning and zoning uh increase in
the uh hours for the planner. So you see
an increase under the planning and
zoning under engineering.
uh that cost is actually uh decreased
and the reason for that is uh we're
costing the uh cost of the engineer to
the projects he's working on. So if he's
working on the water park, it's gone
water park. If he's working on uh you
know other projects uh goes there. So in
doing analysis it looks like you know
the cost for general works about 60,000
projects that aren't underway. uh other
general follow-up work
um
so under printing and publications
uh had that as a two $12,000 decrease
and you know it it looks more in line
with the prior years and I was trying to
figure out why we had $18,000 allocated
this year and looks like we had put
$8,000 in there for newsletter which I
don't know if we're doing that or not.
So, I don't know whether to leave that
in there or not. Uh so, currently it's
not included.
Um
under
uh bank and credit card fees that was
previously called professional fees,
which I don't really consider bank and
credit card fees professional fees, so I
changed the name uh there. Um, and it
was budgeted 67,000 this year, but we
did have a public relations fee
consultant included in there. Again, I
don't know if that's something that's,
you know, we didn't do this year.
Haven't done it yet, and I don't know if
that's going to be included, so I did
not put it in.
Um,
the health department, uh, we are paying
rent there. It hasn't been budgeted in
the past in the past, but it has been
incurred in the last two years. So, you
know, figure that's something that we do
need to budget for. Um, grants to local
organizations.
Um, currently, uh, it's budgeted 76,000.
Uh, most of the items, uh, included in
there. And let me see if we got it. Here
there's the 76,000 in the in the right
column. So most of the organizations
are the same uh and funded at the same
levels this current year with the
exception of Chesapeake Beach Railway
Museum. We've increased that from 1,500
to 5,000.
Uh and then we've added SmartCon in
there, which is an organization we uh
provided some funding for this year and
then the Chesapeake Health for the
birthing center at 50,000.
Um
the smaller amounts with the exception
of the railway as it's highlighted
there. I'm waiting on final allocation
from the mayor. We are reaching out some
of those organizations to um you know
see what their needs are because we
haven't gotten a lot of feedback from
them or requests for this year. So they
may change before um you know the next
draft of the budget that you get.
Um
[gasps] I guess we'd go back to special
events. So, special events budget um you
see it's increased from 195,233.
Uh some of the notes on the right here
will let you know tell you where some of
those figures come from. I believe about
12,000 or so uh events that we've done,
but they've been costed to the
recreation operation line item of the
budget. and we're trying to uh there's a
lot of things lumped into that account.
So, we are trying to
uh move them out into their own line
items. So, you see the ones highlighted
uh say move from rec ops and then there
is some other uh um events that have
been added in there as well. So, you
know, it looks like a a larger increase
uh from 195 233, but some of those were
allocated elsewhere. Uh there are some
newer ones and some additional funding
for existing ones.
Um
go back to
the
deputy.
Um so at top of uh page three uh you see
the police deputy and residents line
item uh the 1,454,000
is the estimate we received from the
sheriff's office. There is a detailed
breakdown in your packet. I won't and
also up on the screen but I won't refer
back to that. um you know they reconcile
that at the end of each year and then
either give us a credit back or um you
know charge us additional uh for fiscal
year uh 25 we did get a credit back that
was uh about I think it was about
100,000 less that got credited against
our bills for the current year.
Uh we added a new line item in for
satellite uh for a satellite police
office. Apparently they had a satellite
office at Fishing Creek which no longer
exists. Um and so they are looking for
uh a new location. Uh so we've put money
in there to possibly rent space uh for
them, but you know there could be other
options to do that as well. Uh but
that's a a figure that was put in there
based on you know renting a space at
current rates. Uh for that
uh North Beach Volunteer Fire Department
uh allocated uh 50,000 donations same as
it's been for you know at least the last
five years.
uh the uh salary and benefit line items.
These are for public works and we also
had some items here that were for
recreation. So you could see the payroll
taxes, recreation and recreation ops
salary. I've noted that they've been
moved to a separate budget uh item. So
you can see I kept the prior years here
so you could see where they were in
prior years. And then when we get down
to the wreck uh department line items,
you'll see that we moved it down there.
Uh salary and wages for public works uh
you know 605,000.
That one's a larger increase because
there is a additional staff full-time uh staff
want to say a uh
labor beginning, you know, someone at
the beginning of the the scale. uh going
into that department or it's being
proposed. And then you see the uh
payroll related uh taxes and benefits
for them. Uh when you get under public
works supplies, first item is the
gasoline and tolls.
Um that has gone up uh you know
currently because of uh different
allocation. We're now allocating 80% of
the gas uh charge. This is for the
vehicles to uh public works and 20% to
the utility fund. It was at 5050. Uh Jay
has asked you know looked at that and uh
thinks that the breakdown should be 8020
instead of 5050. So that's where part of
the increase is there. Uh with the price
of gas going up now that may have to be
increased uh you know if it stays up
high. So we may need to put additional
money there.
under the public works contracted
services and fees. Um the holiday lights
[clears throat] is at 175,000. That
includes the uh current contracts for
the electrician and basically the
installer for all of the lights and
company that does the maintenance
windmill farms of 130,000.
Uh new displays for the coming year at
35,000 then additional 10 for
miscellaneous costs.
uh trash removal service uh possible 8%
increase which built into their
contract. Uh brings it up to 681,000.
Uh trash removal uh cans at Kellum's
Field is a new line item. Uh and if you
need to, Jake could elaborate a little
further on this if you have questions,
but it's uh new service to pick up uh
you know trash from the cans at Kellums
and throughout the town. And I can't
remember how many cans there are, but
there are quite a few of those. And you
know, this seemed to be an efficiency
request uh uh to do this.
Um
so most of the other items to get down
to snow and ice removal, you know, are
pretty much in line with uh prior years.
Under the snow and ice removal, you
know, obviously 26 was an unusual year.
you know, we're over budget there.
Currently at 110,000 vers versus 50,000
budget. Uh prior years were a lot less
than that. Um so, you know, kind of
split the difference and put it in at
70. Hopefully, we'll have a you know,
another uh easy year in fiscal year 27,
but you know, [clears throat]
we definitely have to allocate just in
case.
At the uh top of the next page, we get
into the recreation line items. And
here's where, you know, we've uh
generated uh you know, some accounts
separately for the recck department. So,
the wreck operation salary is the office
staff uh that forms the recreation
uh recreational uh duties.
uh the seasonal wages for Kellums or for
the seasonal staff that that works at
the Kellums for the events that happen
there. That was previously costed under
wops. Uh which again, you know, I felt
that we should break out and show it so
you know, it'd be easier to see what
we're spending uh on those costs. and
similar to
uh the seasonal Bayfront Park staff. So,
that was under a different line item,
but it was had had a different uh name
to it, which I didn't really think uh
told you what it was for. Uh so, we put
that into a separate line item and then
they have direct department has their
own breakout for their taxes and
benefits that you could see under there.
Um it's blank for all the actuals in
prior years because those were all shown
under the public works figure and within
the public works department
uh for the subcommittees uh you know I
mentioned before you know these were
spread out throughout the budget in
various places so I've uh went and
combined them one place so that they're
easy to see. Uh there was a new one
added for the walkability committee of
$10,000.
Uh the other ones uh the opioid
awareness uh committee the green team
and seabbox were uh you know already
existing
uh accounts
uh new line item under debt service uh
which is 500,000 you know by the middle
of May or you know we'll know what that
actual figure will be uh but you know
I'm estimating it to be about 500,000
that's the annual ual debt service that
will be on the water park. Uh debt
service that will be going to market in
May. Uh and that's based on a 15-year
payback starting fiscal year 27 through
fiscal year 42
under capital expenditures for the water
park. That's where you see the 18
million which is the actual construction
cost. The operating budget will be
presented uh at the May work session. Uh
we're working on that now. It'll be the
first year it's operational again in I
guess three years. So uh you know we're
kind of starting from scratch again and
you know generating that budget. So it's
taking a little longer. Uh saddle
replacement is something that was
requested by the public works director
and when I'm done I think he could
probably add little or add more
information
uh regarding to what that request is
for.
And then last item is the capital
expenditures
which uh yeah is 3,867,000.
So under the fiscal year 27 column you
could see what those projects are and
I'll go through them briefly. So um you
know the asphalt overlay and road
repairs these are the HU highway user
funded projects. So it's the road work
that we do within the town. Um we
currently have about $1.4 million in
reserve funds [clears throat] you know
that we've accumulated over the years
that we haven't used yet.
So what I did is I took that 1.4 million
allocated over the next five years and
then added in the uh projected
uh annual
HQR benefit that we'll get which you
know I had touched on
uh on the revenue side. So for fiscal
year 27
that was 579,000.
So, I just said, "Okay, for the next
five years, we're going to get somewhere
in that range. Plus, we have the 1.4
million uh surplus
uh of highway users revenue funds. I
divide that equally, and that's how we
get the 879,000
a year for five years.
Uh the 261 connectivity trail connection
and design, uh that's the estimate that
we have from Mexican Associates. uh you
know to do the design work. You know,
you all know the conversations that have
been had with that. It could be more, it
could be less. We could be getting state
highway users money to help fund that.
We might not be getting highway users
revenue. So, I've just put it in to the
budget for for discussion purposes that
[clears throat]
that the design is there if we want to
pay 100% of it. Um, you know, we could
decide where we go from there. Uh, the
railway trail extension. Um, I had again
gotten ballpark estimates from Mecan
Associates of what it would cost to
actually design uh the railway trail. He
said 150,000.
And then the estimated construction cost
is 2 million. So, I've broken out the uh
assumed that the design would take place
in 27, probably take, you know, a while
to do the design. Uh we may be able to
start construction during 27. So, I put
a half a million dollars in 27 to start
construction and then that would go over
two years. You know, as we get closer,
maybe it would only be a year. So the
two million construction cost is spread
out over three years.
Uh the sign and wfairing projects uh I
believe that's for the trails as well uh
kept at 25,000.
The uh boardwalk sidewalk railway trail
maintenance uh we budget that at 100,000
a year. So that just continued that for
the five years. uh coastal resiliency if
it happens doesn't isn't projected until
fiscal year 28. Uh storm drainage
improvements again is uh an item that we
budgeted 100,000 a year for. Uh there
are uh improvements to the town hall for
the chamber conference room and lobby at
85,000.
uh town hall sidewalk flooring and
carpet at 60 and property improvement
behind the town hall which basically the
house that we purchased I don't know it
was a couple years ago uh if we want to
do some improvements there uh that's at
50,000
uh the truck replacement in the toolk
are requests from the public works
director uh at 70 and 90,000
and
the
Veterans Park bricks. Can you help me
with that one, Jay? Is that replacing
the existing bricks or
>> including that? Um, and maybe some
different technologies and also some
benches and some general maintenance.
» And then we get into the Kellum's Park.
Again, this this is, you know, we've got
the concept planned for the park. We had
about 10 or 12 line items in past
budgets that we were like piece mealing
together. So going forward, it looks
like we're going to be dealing with the
concept design, refining that uh putting
those uh designing the full concept and
putting the building plans together. So
it's anticipated that that would uh
start in 27 and then the construction
cost is estimated at $5 million. So
again allocating part of the
construction is happen in uh 27 and then
proceed forward through 28 and 29 and
maybe it'll be sooner uh maybe it will
need to be stretched out.
Um
the last two items are the veterans park
upgrades uh of 50,000
that includes late speakers and concrete
repairs. And then there's the uh kayak
launch at 50,000 which previously was
thought to be done with POSOS funding
but as we research POSOS funding there
really isn't any POSOS monies available
to do any projects at the county. Um so
if we're going to do that it would need
to be done oursel and therefore uh
that's why it's being budgeted as the
capital project.
Um, so I think that's the main capital
projects and I think that's the last
item within the budget, right?
>> Yep.
» A lot. But if you have any questions,
we'll answer those. A lot of questions.
>> Any questions? Go ahead, Jamie.
>> I have a few questions. Um,
[clears throat] I'll I'm going to go
through I'm gonna go page by page if you
don't mind. Um,
>> tell her where tell us where we're
starting.
>> Right. So, starting on at the top where
it says legal counsel, the last six is
620600.
It talks about Bank of America fees at
18,000 under legal fees. Is this just US
>> actually board of appeals?
>> Board of Appeals. Okay. Somebody told me
it was Bank of America. That's what I
was saying.
>> That is Yeah,
>> I was like, that's why I Why are we
paying Bank of America there? Okay,
perfect question. Thank you.
Um um okay and then I just had a
comment. Are we I I do see throughout
Comcast coming up quite a bit. Are are
we going to explore uh like think big as
well as an opportunity to upgrade uh the
town's infrastructure? I mean we're going all over the community. Uh
there might be an opportunity to
decrease our utility costs uh and go
fiber uh at the same time. As I was
looking throughout a couple uh a couple
of these, um I did have a question. Uh
if you go about halfway down the same
page, uh 624800, it says health
department rent. Um
what is that? I don't I don't know where
that's that's at.
>> Could you help me on that?
>> So, we have an agreement with the health
department to share space. So we cost
share the space that they have over
where the old library was.
>> So they're in a smaller space. They're
currently renovating to move into to
take over the space where the library
was, but there are a lot of uh town
residents who seek medical services
there.
>> Okay. Okay. I didn't know that. That's
awesome. Okay. Thank you. Um
[clears throat]
do we have any clarity on the trash
services for Kellums in the town, Jay?
like what like what that frequency is
going to look like.
>> I plugged in some money and I'm working
on some prices, but basically we used to
have a trash person and the the biggest
role was they were semi-retired. The
town didn't pay them benefits. They were
able to work weekends, which when the
water park opens and everything, it's
our biggest demand. So, I want to look
at somehow going back to there if we can
find the right person, the right thing,
cuz we have 40 trash cans now that we
empty throughout town. We do three
trashs a week, which is great. and we
have the staff, but I going to have to
start bringing them in on weekends again
to do up and down 260, do the rail
trails, the parking lot. So, I'm just
exploring. I think it's more cost
beneficial in the town to get a better
product if we can find the right
individual to do it. We used to have one
Allen Brown and if he's listening, I
thank you for doing what you did for
many years. But, um, he was a perfect
fit for it. And
>> so, I want to explore that. I think
it'll be more cost effective
>> to have a lower level person designated
to do that.
>> Okay. Thank you. Sure.
>> Um and then I'll flip over to the
[clears throat] capital uh capital
budgets page.
Um
so I'll [clears throat] start from the
bottom and work my way up, but um the
Veterans Park has two $50,000
uh uh pieces in here. Um, so there was a
meeting uh a few weeks ago related to
the revitalization of uh or whatever
acronym or verb we want to put in front
of that um of of Veterans Park because
if you go over there I mean it's a
beautiful park. It's stunning when you
come down and see the bay. But if you
actually get up close, there's a lot of
wear and tear because it's, you know,
next to the water and and it's showing
its age and and there was some
conversations about um how to um honor
uh uh veterans more appropriately. Um so
there was like a little group that met
and there's some conversations that are
ongoing. However, because of that, uh I
think we wanted to pause. There's
actually a question around restoring
bricks and even finding out who's on the
current bricks. So, I don't think we
want to uh have any funding in there
right now for uh specifically for
bricks, but I would ask Jay like what do
we what what would you need I know as we
have to have that conversation maybe
repurposing this for the design that we
would like to do versus um
putting it in here for Rex.
>> Sure. So, I think the original 50,000
where it says lights and when it's when
the mayor first became mayor, we went
back over there. It used to have lights
in the fountain. They used to have a few
things that we were going to try to
restore. The second 50,000. I'm not 100%
sure if that was allocated just to the
bricks or something else.
>> Just to the bricks.
So, that may have
been from the original plan to replace
the bricks and now we may moving may be
moving to something different.
>> Okay. So, I'm wondering then if that's
where we would maybe look to
>> you want to remove it or just have it
say veteran park revitalization instead
of specifying bricks.
>> I would probably swap it to that so we
can use it for the design discussions.
Uh and and that and it's not to I don't
mean to catch the council or anybody
offguard. It literally was a
conversation we just had and there's a
lot of things we had to it wasn't ready
to be presented. So, um but obviously
we're at budget time. So, um, yeah, I
think just swapping it to that and we
can partner use it for
>> I think that makes a lot of sense.
>> Yeah. Um, and then I'm I'm so sorry. I I
went um I skipped one piece on the
council member. What is it we want to
do? Change the name or you lump it
together with the other 50,000. You
could just um I think you could probably
just remove the bricks and lump it in
with the
veteran park upgrades and make that
100,000.
>> Yeah. So you don't have two line items.
I'm not an accountant, but that sounds
simple. So um and I'm sorry, I I did
make a mistake on um on the grants
piece in there um to local
organizations. Mayor, if you remember,
uh I'm going to advocate for the Bucks a
little bit here. There was discussions
about a one-time increase, uh to 10,000
versus 5,000. And the the purpose was
they were going to uh purchase the
concussion pads that go on all the
helmets for all the teams uh moving
forward. And I and I think they were
going to cost all share a piece of that,
but uh I would encourage us just for a
one time. Uh, I know we I know it's
pretty steady across the board.
Everybody's around the 5,000 mark, but
for a one time to to support youth
safety, um, increasing that from 5,000
to 10,000,
>> I think that's fine.
Get that down.
>> I think they missed their 5,000 payment
like two years ago anyway.
>> Yeah. And there's some nuances to it
where it was only allowed for like
scholarships. Um, and I I think
collectively as a town, you like safety
equipment is a very important thing in a contact sport. So, allowing them to
do that uh would be really nice. But,
okay, thank you. Uh, that's all I have.
Thanks.
>> Anybody else? Eric, you got anything?
» We probably should have something in
here for uh goals over at Kellum. Soccer
goals.
>> We're going to hold you hostage. Maybe
we can put uh maybe we can put a a
singular line item in, you know, for
like $5,000 for soccer goals at Kellum's
Park.
>> Where' that go?
>> It goes when the capital
Yeah.
>> Yeah. When you vote for the capital, I
got it included. think that I propose
that we add a line item
under the already two existing KMS Park
items that says uh soccer goals $5,000
bullet point
>> or that line item
» I don't think it needs its own line
idle. Yeah, it should have its own line
item, so it gets done. It's [laughter]
>> like,
>> well, it was already captured in the
revitalization plan.
>> There you go.
>> Own line item. He wants to see
>> No, he wants to see not vote for the
other one.
>> Um, we might actually also have funds
this year to where we could explore
that. But, um,
>> I would appreciate it if there if it had
its own line item.
Oh, really?
[laughter]
I'll add a separate line item.
>> Thank you, Mr. Treasure.
>> The Are you done, Eric?
[laughter]
>> The uh
>> John,
>> I'm just thinking about that.
>> Yeah.
>> I'm just thinking about the satellite.
Um, so they lost their satellite office
over here, the sheriff's department. And
I was wondering what the purpose of that
property is that we purchased over here.
Like what could that be a satellite
office possibility once we refurbish
that or
>> I think there a lot of things that are
possible but their need is more
immediate than what we would be able to
produce if we refurbished the place that
we have behind us. And the idea is to
bring um a satellite office that's more
front-facing because when they were back
in Fishing Creek, a lot of people didn't
know that they were there.
>> I didn't either.
>> Um so the idea is to have space
potentially where the health department
is in that same complex
>> that would have signage and then it
would be a place where Chesapeake Beach
residents would be able to go and
interface with the police department
instead of having to drive all the way
down to Prince Frederick.
>> Gotcha. Okay. So maybe more of a longer
term idea could be to restore that
building.
>> Well,
>> or do we have another purpose for that?
>> I think at this point there has not been
anything determined
uh for the use of that building. The
only thing I've heard is reports from
staff that have actually been in it,
which I have not, is that it's in very
rough shape and uh it probably needs to
be Okay, Wendy just gave me the high
sign back here. She went like this. Um,
>> we have 50,000 in there for that this
year, right? Did we do anything?
>> We talked about um engaging like an
architect to figure out like what our
options are and I'll [clears throat]
defer to Jay about some of the
conversations that happened in the past
when they actually acquire the property.
>> So, just just inform the council, it's
an older house, has lead paint and
asbestous and it may not be cost
effective to
rebuild. So, I think the 50,000 has been
rolled over um year after year to
actually demo it and just have open
green space until we have a plan.
>> Dog park.
>> Just want to throw that out there.
[laughter]
>> Get a dog park.
>> All right. Uh yeah, I think that's it
for now. Thanks. [clears throat]
>> Great. Councilman Laura,
» you did a very good job answering most
of my questions. I just
>> Good.
>> Yeah.
I have all these notes and and none of
them are needed for the most part. Um
I'm going to do like Jamie and start
just go page by page.
>> He's just not close to it.
» Take your times.
I would like to see the newsletter come
back if that's something possible. So,
I'll just make that comment.
» Printed newsletter. You mean printed
newsletter?
>> Yeah,
>> I like that idea.
>> Yeah, I think that would be great. Um
especially we've been going through this
history stuff for our project and it's
very difficult to locate
>> um recent history.
>> Agreed.
>> Because the newspaper went away.
>> I like that idea.
Unspent ARPA funds. Where where's that
going from fiscal year 2026?
>> So [clears throat] technically there are
no unspent ARPA funds. Uh they've all
been spent. So um I'm looking at that as
surplus funds. It's okay.
>> Unreserved surplus funds that could be
used for whatever purpose you want. So
>> we should probably start stop talking
about ARPA funds because we don't want
anyone to think that we have ARPA funds.
[laughter]
>> Right. Right. I I know the story behind
that. They were spent on something else
but but tracked as ARPA. So, okay. So,
now we're just going to go back to
tracking them as surplus.
>> Yep.
» Why is the trash increasing by 8%.
>> Uh, it's built into their contract.
>> An 8% increase each year.
Um, I'm not exactly sure what that
amount is, but there is a increase built
in there. I'm not have to look at it
again.
>> Okay.
>> See exactly what, you know, if it's
spelled out, but that was what the
increase was the prior year.
>> I would guess based on the increase in
cost of fuel that they're going to be
losing money on that.
>> They might have a fuel adjustment in
there, too, because I've seen cont.
>> Was there a fuel adjustment as well?
>> There might be. I I don't know, but I
do.
>> Can you take a look at that? Take a look
at those contracts.
>> Y
>> appreciate that.
>> Yeah, that would make it more
reasonable, but a 8% increase is a
pretty huge increase. Um, generally
speaking,
um, and then a, uh, the $35,000,
uh, trash pickup. I just can we get a
picture whenever we do make that
contract, which I agree with that
contract. Um just to make sure that all
areas are covered. Um that that would be
great. And really
um getting some community input on that
would also be good because
myself I'm not home anymore during the
summer during the day but my neighbors
are.
Just an idea there.
Um,
we have the street [snorts] sweeping
landscaping contract that we're
reducing.
And I guess I'm just wondering why.
>> I don't think it was reducing it. I
think that note that it is quarterly uh
was from when we did go to
quarterly. Apparently, we're only doing
it quarterly. Um because I think the
8,100 on that goes back a ways. Um
yeah, so
apparently we added it on in fiscal year
24
» and it's been 8,100 since then. So that
note
uh reduced accordly I think goes back to
the fiscal year 24 when it went to 8100.
>> Gotcha. So it's no change in the street
sweeping right now.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> And I know you know when the summer's
really getting rolling
um there were comments about a need for
street sweeping.
Um,
I guess mostly when it was windy a lot
of times. So, I don't I don't know if we
can find a way to accommodate
some kind of clause or or some kind of
way to make sure that we keep up with
our street.
» Maybe allocate for a change order if
that's feasible.
And then um
the green team has been asking me if we
could look at the landscaping contract
so that they understand what um is
covered and not covered with watering
and evasive removal.
And an area was caught up out at
Brownies Beach that seems to be getting
bad. And uh it really would be good to
be proactive there. Hope it'll take over
quick and their reports are that it was
successfully treated previously. We want
to treat the other areas
>> if it's in that contract. There was
actually uh items added into uh
the
landscaping numbers [snorts] that
includes uh a request from the green
team to do native garden at town hall
areas on 17th street at boardwalk
including trees trees at Chesapeake
Village Water Tower and Buffer Garden at
Kellumsfield parking area.
Um I don't Invasives can can be a little
bit pricey. So if they're in the
contract, we would want to know that
>> probably not to provide all labor
equipment materials and supervision
necessary to maintain those areas
planted by the green team, which
includes fertilizing once a year,
removal of excess mulch, edging and
mulching of all beds and trees, and any
necessary pruning to native plants and
trees.
to those four areas that I touched base
on.
>> I think the general request is just to
sit down with with Melanie who's a
master gardener and so that
>> um you know I see your note that it's
coming back up too.
>> Yes.
>> So capturing all that would be
>> chime in here just because it's not a
Dan question that's a more
administrative question. So, we've sat
down with the green team as staff and
we've sat down with Less, the
contractor. And so, the next step is to
bring us all together to make it all the
same.
>> Okay. So, that's already happening. Yes.
>> Okay. So, pointless conversation, but
thank you for the update.
>> But just letting you know that we're
it's on our radar.
>> It's good to know. It's good to know.
So, thanks for asking the question.
» Um
And then my last question is um I see
saddle replacements in the general fund
budget and
I'm just wondering why it was placed in
the general fund budget.
There's a reason. um instead of the
>> you you you could go ahead and start
a little more history on it.
>> Yeah, I told Dan I just need a half
million dollars. Put it in there. No. Um
>> and he did it.
>> That is what I told him. But uh when we
talk about I know it's not ARPA fun
anymore and I wanted to
bring back the last administration and
what I will do is share with the council
the
meeting that was recorded is the best
way to look at the project when it was
started. I don't know if you probably
have seen it.
>> So it's a PowerPoint that shows the
problem in Richfield. I had saddles in
here and different things and I I will
have uh forwarded to the council members
the minute and the meeting date to
watch. But at that time it was like a we
had 5.8 million ARPA funds and we are I
had asked for about 2 million and we
only spent 1.1
and we've done some research and some
spot saddle checking in-house public
works and kind of came up with what we
need to replace as part of that first
phase of that project. So, there's some
areas left that I I have here and
they're basically finishing up the areas
in Richfield Station and the rest of Bay
View Hills to proactively replace the
saddles. And the reason I said do it out
of the general fund because thinking of
the ARPA funds and um the original scope
of work that I thought I had from the
get-go, but I understand now that the
ARPA funds were spent and I understand
um so I'm not going to call it ARPA
funds, but that was the intent from the
get-go. It's the council's pleasure
where it's funded from, but I do think
if you watch it, you'll see the need.
And it does save if we do it proactive.
It's going to cost us about 376,000. I
budgeted 500. If we do it reactive, it's
going to be 750,000 and sprout out over
time. So,
>> and these are explain briefly what
happens when the saddles fail.
>> Uh, the PowerPoint shows it in way more
detail, but basically if we go in
proactive and these saddles are failing,
I brought some in. I called it showed
and tell. It's it's electrolysis in the
ground. There's a lot of different
things that lead to it, but it's a cast
iron saddle. It's a copper lateral,
creates a battery, if you will, and it
cannot follow a ductal iron pipe because
it's plastic. So, the charge goes end to
end. It ends up eating the saddle
underground till they blow. Anyone that
lives in Richfield's station has seen
the Yeah.
>> So, when they blow, first of all, it's
in the middle of the night. It's not
exactly safe and the ground is
compromised. It costs twice as much
because you got a bigger hole in the
road.
um you have to haul off the material,
it's saturated, and then you have to put
it back in the middle of the night. And
it also gets people uh unscheduled out
of service. The proactive approach is
you pick the street, which we've test
pitted and replaced one saddle in each
one of these streets, so we know the
condition and we know what's coming. Um
and then you hire a contractor that
proactively goes in and does one street.
They do about two to three saddles a
day. you know, it's a shut off at 9:00
a.m. and we're back on by 2 PM. Uh the
PowerPoint shows the process, but but
that's it. So, basically in Richfield
Station and Baby Hills, these saddles
are failing and they're going to fail.
It's a proactive approach of replacing
them.
>> That helps. Thank you. Any other
questions?
>> Um, not about that. As you know, I I
believe it belongs in the utility fund.
I
>> I know. I know.
Um
so going to the capital programs, uh we
have the highway user funds across the
board and last year we had an asphalt
overlay line [clears throat]
and we were supposed to get a schedule
of how that was spent and I don't
believe that we got that but I think it
was spent.
Um, but I do think that knowing where
[clears throat] large expenditures such
as the ones in the highway user funds
are spent is something that we have
should be doing. Um, so I'd be
interested to know where they were spent
last year and um
>> and and and honestly that's on me
because we produced a scoring sheet in
the road report so I can follow up with
a with a map in the footages for the
public and the council of where we did
spend that money and what we plan to
spend this year coming up.
>> That [snorts] that would be good. Um
because there's a there's a lot of need
in for those highway user funds. Um, we
all know that I have a a project that I
would like to see done.
>> Oh, really?
>> Really? [laughter]
>> A lot of people would like to see it
done.
>> Um,
but those are big expenditures. Just not
knowing where that money goes isn't
really appropriate. So, um, look forward
to seeing that.
Um,
I'm happy to see the $68,000
in the
connectivity trail design. I um,
you know, if if it's
my choice, which clearly isn't, I would
say get the state grant, pay it back if
you have to, and move the project
forward. I think people have been
waiting long enough. Um, but that's all
I'll say. I hope we do move it forward.
Um it's been a very long time with that
project and um it's unsafe.
So that's all I'll say there. Um signs
and wfairing. I think we would like to
use this year's um just a heads up.
Don't roll that back in because I've
already have been working with the green
team a little bit and I think we're
going to spend that money to refresh
some of the signs that they already have
information for.
Um,
I think that's it. I mean, the the
Kellum's project isn't really broken
down.
I like that project. You won't see me
not voting for that project. Um,
>> Kellum's just just to help you out. it.
So, it's just with Wayne's team right
now to to give us the master plan back
based off of the feedback from
everybody. And then there was some
additional Sumeilia's already found like
potential grant money that could
supplement some of the activities we
were trying to do. Um, so what's in here
is just the estimate if we were to pay
100% out of pocket with no support, but
I don't that's not realistic at all.
We're going to go for open spaces money.
we're going to go for some additional
grant funding and then the council will
get a presentation soon of like here's
the iteration two of the master plan
that they're working on. So Jenny
Jenny's still working on so you'll see a breakout of what all that entails but
this is just Wayne giving a notional
knows that we're going in the budgeting
cycle putting something into the budget.
>> So I appreciate that. Um, I would
appreciate support for my neighborhood
because currently nobody can get to
Kellumfield.
So, I I hope we can reopen those
conversations. It looks like we have
enough money for everything. Um, and
I'll leave that there. And then I'll
just ask the question.
Um,
does the plan include pilings?
» Does it include? I mean I think it would
if it require if something required
pilings maybe but I don't think any I
don't think there's anything I I don't I
mean I'm not we'd have to ask Wayne that
or Jay if you know
>> so preliminarily before that discussion
I did tell him any permanent structure
would need piles there and he is
understanding of that
>> but um
>> so if we're talking about pilings now
we're talking about
a lot of winds and a lot a lot of
coordination which goes back
to my original thought that we should be
master planning the entire area. But as
I said, if we're going to get something
done in Kellum's Field um to beautify
the area, I am all for it. you won't see
me voting against it, but
um
[clears throat] I think there is a
planning point in everything we're doing
in the center of town
that we need to be aware of.
[snorts]
>> Noted.
>> Agreed.
Anthony
» Dan,
>> sir,
>> I have no general fund budget questions
for you.
>> Thank you.
>> You're breaking the mold here.
» Okay.
>> Are you happy with the opioid awareness
committee?
>> Actually, yes, because a lot of things
will end up going into events anyway, so
it pretty much evens out now that I
thought about it. But thank you. Okay.
All right.
>> Oh, your time. Can I have your time?
Well, all right. I have a follow up.
>> Just this time.
>> All right. Real quick. Um, and just uh
so I don't have to do ask for a budget
amendment. Um, I think maybe if we could
make that soccer goal uh line item
um
15,000 because um
for the for permanent goals that are
sturdy that won't be uh ruined by kids
hanging on them or anything like that.
You know, high quality goals. talking
about two large goals on the side and
another four for short field. That's six
goals. So, that's kind of I think that's
a more realistic budget line item. Um
I'd like to see that if there's any if
there's enough agreement. No.
>> Do they have something to light up at
night?
>> I don't know.
>> You should look into that. I mean, look,
if it doesn't cost that much, we pay
what, you know, whatever whatever the
least amount is, but I think maybe 5,000
probably won't be enough to get it done.
Um,
so, uh, I'll say that. And then I do
want to comment on, um, Lor's, uh,
intent or desire to, uh, have the saddle
replacements, uh, move to utility fund.
I actually, I concur with that. I think
that's probably where it belongs. Um,
and in the same vein, I think that um
the the capital expenditures for the
water park and the debt service for the
water park probably deserves to be in
the water park fund.
Um, along that same line of reasoning.
And I mean, those are my comments.
>> Thank you. All right. Anybody else have
anything before we move on? C
>> can I just ask Jay one question on
capital projects? I know uh you had
mentioned a storage facility that you
wanted for public works, which as I look
through the capital project and think
about the budget and all the
conversations I've had with various
people, I noticed that is not there. Is
that something you want to advocate for
or is that something that could be done
in subsequent years?
>> I actually and I'm glad you mentioned
that and I did I know we discussed it.
So up at Chesig Village which is uh the
water tower property that the town
acquired for free thankfully um working
with the developers. So we have the land
and we have built already a lean to
there where we currently store our vac,
the little town boat, the seabbox oyster
projects and a few other things.
It is basically twothirds of it has been
taken over by Christmas displays. And
now moving forward with the new stuff
we're getting, we have actually closed
it in, created wall. So I lost my
storage. And what I would like to do is
build another public works building.
It'll be a multi-purpose. Uh it's not a
building. It's not a Yeah, it's not a
heated or electrical structure. It's what exists there today, but now I
want to build one on the side. The only
addition will be there will be one
closed in bay. One thing we suffered
from this year uh with the snow events
is we had 17 days in a row where it
never got above freezing and it's very
hard to wash your truck outside
literally without it freezing. So we
made like a make two shelter. We could
at least get ice and salt off. When I
build this new thing up there, it'll be
one bay closed in that we could heat and
have a place where we could if we have a
similar situation. We have a wash down
that's heated. Um, and it's $75,000.
» So that's not in the budget at this
time.
>> That's not in the budget at this time.
>> He had asked for it and I didn't want to
talk.
>> What? I'm sorry. What did you say?
>> I had not included in the budget.
Something he had talked about a couple
different times when I discussed his
budgets with him. But reflecting on it,
I noticed that it's not there. So I left
it out. So, we could put soccer goals on
each end.
>> Mhm. [laughter]
>> They can be heated.
>> We add it.
>> Add it. I think we should add it. Why
wouldn't we add it?
>> Yes.
>> So, if you'd make a note to add that,
please.
>> Thank you, council and mayor. Yeah. And
Dan,
» anything else on the general fund before
we move on?
>> All right. Time for the mitigation fund.
Here's
the mitigation fund.
Um,
again, doesn't have, you know, a lot of
activity. Apparently, in the past, it
was used for, uh, larger projects. Uh so
the only thing we have here on the
revenue side is interest on uh some uh
savings that we have included in that
account of about $3,000.
A critical area grant that we uh seem to
get each year. and then some uh tree
planting and maintenance expense
associated with uh
work done that's needed in order to get
that $2,000 grant.
» I don't know anything more about it. Now
>> I have one comment about that. Um
the green team has just been awarded a
tree city um I guess for the second
round in a row and part of the
requirements is to have a certain amount
of money based on residential population
designated for trees and we found it in
the mitigation fund last year. I just
want to make sure that we have the right
amount in there for them to maintain
their effort.
>> What's the actual amount that they have
to have?
>> I don't know because we need to base it
on the number of residents we have.
>> Is it for new trees or is it what's it
need to be for?
>> It's just part of the the tree city
program. you have to have a certain
amount of money per resident
dedicated for the maintenance of your
tree of your trees,
>> right? So, we have the you know the
landscape landscaping budget and things
like that. It's not a mitigation fund,
but we spend you know monies for
maintenance of the trees and trimmings
and things. So,
I guess we need to figure out what that
dollar value is and see if what we're
doing within the uh tree maintenance
budget would be enough.
And if not, then you know, we
[clears throat]
allocate more to the tree maintenance
budget versus mitigation fund.
>> Yeah. And it could even be a zone line
item set out in the general fund. It can
be anywhere in the budget. just I'm just
asking staff to um be aware of that
program and make sure that the wording
is
accurate in the budget so that they can
maintain there.
>> Joe, are you familiar with that? I work
with you on that. Okay.
>> Thank you. Dan, I have a might be a
silly question, but why are these like
five line items not just rolled into the general fund?
>> Like why is it certain thing?
>> My knowledge uh of past is not great
enough to answer that question.
>> It's just so small.
>> I get the idea.
>> It's such a small fund. Why don't we
just
>> add five line items? I I can try to
research it a little better and see if
>> what the history is of it and why it's
there. I mean,
>> yeah,
>> Sarah might have an answer.
>> There's one less fund we would have to
deal with.
>> Why is it a separate fund
instead of putting those five line items
into the general fund?
It just feels better after spending an
hour on the last one.
>> Yeah.
>> I mean, let's just be It just feels
better like we got something else done
and then we can go on to the next one,
right? Some good reprieve
>> for the beans.
» Maybe we'll make up for it in the next
one. [laughter]
Let's move on to the wastewater
treatment plant fund. Oh, I'm sorry. I
got that name wrong again. I always
will.
Right. So, um, most of the information
within the treatment plant fund I got
from Josh. So, um, I'm going to turn it
over to Josh because he knows a whole
lot more about what individual costs are
in there. I did share with each of you
the uh detailed spreadsheets that Josh
used to come up with these numbers. Uh
they got sent over like late this
afternoon. Uh so you will have those as
well, but I'll let Josh uh take over
from here.
>> Good evening. Um so going down I'll kind
of go off of uh Dan's uh presentation he
has here. uh going into the engineering
professional fees. Um that's basically
includes known contract services. And
then we have the um an average for
project engineering fees. And what I did
was I looked at what our expenditures
were for the last three fiscal years.
Averaged that out and put that amount in
there. That came out to about $45,000.
Uh all the rest of it, like I say, is
for our SCADA systems. uh Pacina doing
network backups for our computers um
flow meter calibrations and scale
calibrations which were required to do
but for MD um
interjurisdictional agreements.
» Sure. So the other thing that you might
not see now but you will see potentially
if our partners are aligned is that the
inclusion of the um reworking the
interjurisdictional agreements which are
currently um probably over 40 years old
um and need to be revisited
but we need to get partner alignment on
that first.
» So
Anybody have any questions regarding the
uh engineering professional fees line
item? We'll just go by line item by line
item if we want to.
>> Just I had a question on what Sam just
said. Is that something we need to add
to this professional line item now or
wait until we have
>> we have ourations?
>> We have our partner meeting next week
and so I think it would be most prudent
to wait till we hear back from them to
make sure they're aligned and then add
it.
>> Okay.
budget at all right now.
>> I think there's value in going over it
now.
>> Yeah. And this budget was actually as
shown here was given to the partners a
month ago. So they're going over it as
well. And you know, they may have some
questions next week. So there could be
changes from them as well. But this is
the actual budget that they were looking
at. Um so
» so next item it would be our safety line
item. Uh we have no major changes on
there. Uh generally that's just going
through our annual hearing testing. Um
replacements for reagents for our
portable eyewash stations. We have a
number of those in the plant. Uh
personal PPE.
Uh spill response materials and then
OSHA training during the year. And that
line item hasn't changed since last
year.
Uh for lab analysis and supplies,
we did have a significant reduction uh
as a result of the lab services RFP that
we did recently. Uh we've cut that by
about $66,000
uh year-over-year. Uh we did have an
increase in cost for our um lab
equipment. uh some of the uh materials
that we need for our testing. Costs are
going up on that. Uh we're making a
change to our u daily uh testing for our
nutrients. Uh we had been using two
different types of tests. One of the
tests has been being very inconsistent
over a period of time and didn't see any
reason to continue with that to do the
other test more frequently. had a little
bit of cost increase um but it really
didn't make a huge change on the budget
year-over-year and we had a lot of
savings with the uh lab services.
So, equipment repairs and maintenance.
Uh as our equipment gets older, we're
finding that we of course need to do
more maintenance. We're having equipment
that's um needing to go out for
rebuilds, uh stuff like that. We have
our generator service contract
uh for two annual checks on that along
with a load bank test annually. Uh we
have a project for replacement of a
block heater on the generator. It's
going to be about $5,600 to do that
work. Um that's already been quoted from
Kelly Generator who handles our uh
generator service. Uh chem service
contract that's our chemical analyzer
for our denitrification filters. that
controls the chemical application. Um,
HVA service contract, uh, annual RPZ
inspections which are required by
plumbing code, uh, and a service
agreement with Zyllem for our dry prime
pump and also annual, um, service
contract for our, uh, lab desktop
equipment.
And since, again, since the equipment's
getting older, we did increase that line
item to try and compensate for that.
Right now, we have about $10,000 left in
that budget for the fiscal year. Started
at 90,000.
Any questions?
Anybody got any questions or comments?
>> You had a comment.
>> This beard is looking good, man.
>> Second.
>> The beard is looking good, man.
[laughter]
>> I I tend to agree.
>> I'm proud I'm proud of him. I'm proud of
him.
>> I think Jamie does, too. and John
is the uniform. Jay, get with it.
[laughter]
» All right. So, for TP office expense, um
doesn't look like Dan had in the
presentation. That's just generally our
annual training. Um uh janitorial
supplies, office supplies, break room
supplies, uniforms. Uh that line item is
hasn't had an increase year-over-year.
We are trying to get our operators out
as frequently as possible for their um
certification exams to try and get that
knocked out and see if we can get more
license operators.
And that makes me
uh realize I did not go over to
salaries, which was one of the topline
items. Um I'll go ahead and backtrack on
to that. Uh for salaries, we did have an
increase this year. um that primarily is
for the three trainees that we have in
the uh apprentichip program. As part of
the Maryland rural water apprentichip
program, we're required to initially pay
them at 65%
of full operator pay and then after
their completion of their first year,
which would be an F FY27, they are to be
paid at 85% of operator pay. So, that's
a significant pay increase over where
they were as a trainee.
>> Um, and it's all dependent on them
completing their required 2,000 hours of
OJT and I believe it was about 150 200
hours of relevant relevant training
hours uh classes.
So, more than likely they're going to
meet that. They had uh quite a few hours
uh for previous experience, previous
classes they had taken that they got
credit for. Um, but that is something
that's going to occur this fiscal year
as required by the apprentichip program.
And ideally once they complete this next
year, they'll pass the license pass test
and we'll have three new operators. So
that's one thing we're shooting for. I
also figure into the budget
um for possible increases for um one
more oper or trainee to become an
operator. Uh we have one uh trainee
who's taken the exam the last two times.
you need a 70 to pass and he's gotten a
69 the last two times. So, he's very
frustrated and as soon as he comes back
and doesn't pass, he's filling out an
application to retake that exam and it
takes about a month for MDE to process
it and get him lined up and then he goes
back out and takes the exam again.
>> So, um anybody have any questions
regarding the salary since that was
>> questions? Yeah. Um
so, I don't know. So you got salaries
here and then uh under the notes it's um
personal schedule and then notes
continue on under that is are those are
those notes of 50% of salaries the notes
on Zach treasurer and um town
administrator percentages are those
associated with the salary line or the
plant benefits and taxes line
>> they're associated with the
administration
down at chest to speak beach line.
>> Okay.
>> The 50 Well, take that back. The 50% of
salaries is 50% of the treatment plant
line. The administration TCB is the Zach
28% treasur 20%.
» Um
yeah. Okay. And um just for purposes of
expressing an opinion um and been
expressed before, I'm not uh for
breaking these salaries out um and
adding expenses
um that way into the um treatment plant
and utility fund. Um but uh thanks for
clearing that up.
>> Julie noted. Thank you. Anybody else got
any questions or comments? Anything
else, Josh?
>> Uh, we do have two other line items.
The, uh, chemicals and then the, uh,
landfill tipping fees. And then getting
into the capital projects. Uh, for
chemicals, I was able to reduce the
budget by about $90,000 this year on
that. We were just over the past couple
years looking at how many deliveries we
needed of chemicals. I was able to
reduce the estimated number of
deliveries for each year. Our usage just
has not been at that level. Uh we've
also had a change with one of our
chemicals which reduced the cost um by
close to 10 cents per pound. Um and each
delivery would get 32,000
and that's when we get almost 10
deliveries a year. So that was a
significant reduction in cost. Um
yeah, that was basically the biggest
part of the cost change was for our
aluminum chloride uh in that process.
[gasps]
Uh for landfill tipping fees, uh that's
going to increase by about 30,000. And
that has to do with just the contract
cost increases and predicted sludge
production through the plant. Um as we
get more flows, we're going to have more
sludge production.
Any
questions regarding the last part of the
operational budget
going into capital projects? Uh didn't
have as many projects this fiscal year.
Uh just
some of these other projects needed a
little bit more time to be able to get
processed into. Uh the headworks
project, we're still working on funding
for that one. So that's been pushed out
to FY28.
Uh for this year, we've got 80,000 for
equipment purchases. That's just been a
recurring line item over the past couple
of years. That's for purchases of pumps,
uh, any other major equipment we need.
Um, building our spare parts inventory.
Uh, every year we're having to buy spare
parts, replacements, re restocking
inventories. Uh, the majority of that
we're finding is our UV components.
Those are fairly expensive when we do
have to get those, but we do need to
retain stock on the shelf for those uh,
during the fiscal year.
Uh we have two projects for um repairing
our basin mixers and our um SPT mixers,
shellfish protection tank mixers. Um
those
are going the plan is to take them, get
them pulled out, send them over to the
motor shop, have them fully rebuilt, and
that will get us extended life on those
uh pieces of equipment. Uh the plan for
the basins is to replace pull six of
them, have them rebuilt, put back in.
That will uh redo half of the mixers we
have, and then [clears throat] probably
next fiscal year, we may try and do the
same thing. Uh depending on what the
rest of them are looking like, uh the
shellfish protection tank mixers is
going to be a larger project. Uh due to
the height of the tank, tank is about 25
ft high. Uh we're going to need to have
a crane set up in uh Jay's lot back
there to be able to get those out of
that tank. have them hauled off to the
uh motor shop, rebuilt, rewound, put
back in there, and we should be able to
get another number of years out of
those.
And then we have a $5,000 for a clean
out aluminum chloride tank. We had a
issue with the last chemical that was
causing a lot of precipitation in the
tanks. Uh one of the reasons what
besides the cost of the chemical, that
was one of the other reasons why we
moved away from that chemical. Um,
that's going to be a onetime project to
get that precipitate out of the bottom
of the tank. Uh, we're going to use a
known uh, septic hauler and should be
able to get that pumped out pretty
easily and then we'll just feed that
back in through the plant.
» Questions?
>> Any questions?
>> I just have a comment. Can we just where
[clears throat] it says build inventory
spare parts, can we just say spare parts
inventory and remove excuse me remove
the build because you've been building
for a while. I think you're just
replenishing now.
>> Yes.
>> Uh so yeah, just for uh naming
convention integrity.
» I have a question that might be more for
um Dan. Like I know we did the enhanced
nutrient removal a while back and I
think we're about to stop paying the
debt service on that in a year or two. I
was wondering why that wasn't in this
budget and why it was in the I think
it's in the um utility fund budget and
not in this budget. I don't know. Maybe
you can get back to me on that one, but
[clears throat] you don't have the
answer.
>> That's where it's always been is all I
know.
>> Yeah, seems like it's a treatment plant
expense, but it's in the utility fund
and not the treatment. I think within
the treatment plant those are called
share with the partners and I think
everyone paid for their own share
separately. So instead of showing it
within the um treatment plant and
>> the cost not being shared whereas
everything within the treatment plant
now is either a fixed or variable cost
that's shared by the partners and it
looks when I did look at it before it
looked like we paid for our share of
those upgrades with the bonds. So
therefore I think that's why it's a
utility fund.
I think there was another one that was
dropping off in a year or two besides
the nutrient removal. Can't remember
what it was though.
>> Yep. There's three bonds and two of them
come off the next three years, I
believe.
>> So, is that why we're targeting the
headworks for around that time when
those drop off we're going to take on
the headworks probably that service?
>> I don't know if that was considered. I
think that's just when they need to be
done [clears throat]
based on need.
>> So, it's good timing then.
>> Yeah.
I never quite understood that
either. If there are improvements to the
treatment plant, why aren't the costs
shared with the partners?
>> I mean, we only have one or two more
years to pay on those, but that's
something that should have been a long
time ago.
>> I'm sure it was agreed to 15 years ago,
whatever the breakdown was. And I I
think everyone was paying their own
chair directly.
All right. That would be a sub that's a substantial
amount.
>> All right. Any other questions?
» All right.
Think we're done with the the budget
discussions. And I think this was very
productive and I thank all of you that
prepared material and I thank the
council for their thoughtful and
uh questions and comments.
It is time to move on to item two uh on
theformational discussion and that is
the election board uh briefing and Randy
Gman um is here to uh bring us up to
date on what's happening with the
election board which is actually quite a
lot.
>> Thank you Randy. Okay. So, you got you
got your read ahead, but I'm going to
start out with uh introducing the uh the
election uh committee. So, so I have uh
Aacia Flores
and and and I have uh Gordon Mat.
And and Chris Martinez.
>> Thank you.
these have worked very hard
>> and Anthony
>> say the other two I'm waiting for my
table there you know so [laughter]
>> so so al also there there are actually
three more people to talk about so but uh Eric Reinhardt Councilman
Reinhardt and and uh Councilman Anthony
Green that was the committee addition to
that we now have a new member uh
Jennifer Bennett which uh you
back here. Okay. So which you appointed
as board of elections uh at your last
meeting. Okay. So I needed a little bit
of space here for all those people. Um
in in case needed if you guys want to
move up a little closer in case you need
to come to the uh microphone.
So, I tried to do this as a as a re read
ahead like you do a lot of your other
things so that you could uh prepare. I'm
not really planning on going through it
as a as a uh a brief. Um let's see if I
figure out how to use this thing. Do I
point it any particular direction? Okay.
So, so uh wanted to you've read it, you
thought about it. I'd kind of like to to
uh you know hear your questions if
there's a particular slide or something
you want me to go into more detail in uh
or a answer more questions. This this
was my attempt to put a whole lot of
information [laughter]
into your heads and and and I I I
probably rewrote this thing about what
15 times Chris or something [laughter]
like that and try to figure out the best
way to present it or to give it to you.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh I I can start. So I [clears throat]
Well, first Randy, thank you very much
for putting this together. We talked
earlier. This is absolutely fantastic.
Um, I will just say that, uh, I concur
with the committee's recommendation. Uh,
I appreciate the the work tied to this.
Um, where we would have a townrun
election with contractor support. Uh, I
know that's what North Beach is doing as
well. I concur with that. I appreciate
that it's on uh, election day, so it
ties when most people are going to be
voting anyways. Um, I am sad.
>> [clears throat]
>> I told you and I I will say this is a
precursor so I'll say it in public uh
where it says Randy May stepback is
listed multiple times throughout this
document. You didn't you did not sneak
that one past me. Um
uh but you did have an ask in here
regarding uh multi-day elections. Uh and
one of the re and and I'm I went back
and forth on this. I googled a whole
bunch like you know and and I think you
could I think there's easily an argument
for both of them. However, this uh
option targets national election day uh
and sticking with that. So, I think
that's what led me into saying and I
would lean into a single election day
because that ties to the ex actual plan
that the committee uh put forward. Uh
and then I will just call out I do
appreciate you answering my question
regarding paper ballots because uh North
Beach is not going to do paper ballots.
However, we have a code requirement to
do both. uh and and Randy just kind of
explained uh maybe some integrity type
things uh and and it just makes logical
sense uh in current state. So I
appreciate it.
>> Thank you.
» That was good.
>> Um since I was on the committee, I'll
pass and then loop back around at the
end um if need be.
Yeah, I just want to echo Jamie and say
that this is very well put together and
you'd already kind of answered my
question about what happens if you step
back and maybe you can just brief
everybody real quick on what does happen
if if we lose our certified um
>> so so when we finish our little thing
here the second part of this is you're
going to appoint Aacia [laughter]
>> as the other board members so we'll have
Jennifer and Aacia who I who over the
next two years, I will train to be able
to run the 2028 election.
>> Okay. Hopefully the machines work out
this next time and we don't get the last
minute uh hiccup.
>> Well, the the the uh the whole thing
about going over this and look looking
at whether we go on their ballot on on
the county's ballot or whether we do it
ourselves. And one of the things that
really went wrong the last time was poll
book availability. Well, part of the
thing the committee did, we looked at,
we looked for what contractors were out
there that provided and what other
municipalities were doing. And we found
out that Alche uh was through through
the Maryland Municipal League. We we got
in contact and we found out that Elect
has actually been supporting 28
different municipalities with election
support. We had a we had a uh Zoom
meeting with them where they went over
and talked about what they could provide
in poll books and stuff. So, there's
actually three companies that I believe
could could support our 2028 election.
Um the the uh ESNS is who we've been
using in the past to get ballots and
stuff. Uh heck, I I can't remember the
other name, but I've got it somewhere in
there. they won the poll book contract
for the uh county and and then elect is
another one and and uh the key thing was
getting poll books that could beworked
that could have the Maryland municipal
uh registry on I'm sorry the the the the
uh the Maryland registry the statewide
registry which is what we're part of. So
the Chesapeake version of that on the
poll book so that we can easily look
them up and that the the the poll books
were all networkked so when you enter
one name in here it automatically go so
nobody could vote twice so you can track
and count them and and also so you could
print a voter authority card. The voter
authority card is very important in that
it's that's what we use to take to the
scanner so that only one ballot, one
voter authority card so we know and
those numbers have to match at the end
of the night. So, so that's kind of
keeping with the integrity and making
sure we are u voters only vote once and
only registered voters vote.
>> Great goal. Um, you guys, it's just
amazing how many people actually were
able to vote despite all the hiccups you
guys had last time. It was a huge
turnout and hopefully we can get even
more at the next election. So, thank
you.
>> Um, great job. Uh, I like um what you've
done here, your ask multiple days. I'm a
no multiple day person. I like election
day and I also think it's a heavy lift
for the town. So, uh, that's my comment
>> and and you know, multiple election
days, we were 5050 split on that. We we
uh we couldn't decide that one ourselves
and and uh we we were not looking to
extend the the November election date.
We were looking at the potential of of
adding maybe a weekn night or a or or a weekend
kind of like the you know uh um the
county does eight days of early voting
and and and uh um the and those are full
13-hour days [laughter]
and I was I I looked at or proposed as
an option of doing a six-hour
week weekday night and a six-h hour
Saturday. Um but but uh I also found
that when I got a a cost estimate from
Altech that it was another $4,200 for
each day that you added. Uh so I I don't
know that it's really important to do
that. We did get 41% the last time. Um,
you know, one of the reasons I I added
it was because if if you look looked at
the uh um
our our election that that multi-day
um
one
So if you if you looked at
the voters the our Chesapeake beach
voters,
70.1%
of them actually voted in the 2024
election for the for the general for the
president for the general election. We
had 41% of those same voters vote in our
election.
But if you look at the election day
absentee ballot, provisional and early
and and early voting breakouts, the
reason they had such a high percentage
is not that they all showed up on
election day. You can see we actually
had more show up on election day to
ours, but it's because they had an early
voting opportunity and a mail-in ballot
opportunity and that's that's how they
got up to 70%.
Do we really need to do that? Like we've
we split 5050 as to whether we we did or
not and and and uh I was one of the vote
one of the ones that voted for it and
I'm kind of leaning against it. So I
don't [laughter] you know it it it's not something that we have to do.
The real decision I I I need from you
going forward is is uh do we hold our
own election and get contractor support
or do we or do we go onto the uh county
ballot? And and uh one of the things I
have I I I recently asked a question to
the uh through the county to the state
uh as as to which which municipalities
are going to go on the county ballot in
their county for the November 2026
election. Zero. [laughter] No. Nobody.
Uh the only ones the only the only
municipality I know that that I'm aware
of that has gone on
the ballot is Baltimore County and they
I guess they've always done that. Uh but
no other municipality does that to my
knowledge.
Uh, one of the things we were able to do
is is in 2023 this the state put out a
requirement pass legislator legislation
so that we so that municipalities had to
submit their election results to to the
uh state and then the state puts them on
a website. Well, all this information
about the other places that voted and uh
you know, so I got you percentage of of
when elections were held that came from
that state site. I can actually go on. I
can't look at 22 because the law wasn't
in effect there. But but you look at 23,
24, 25. And I gave you some examples of
2025
of when they uh one of the other options
we had looked at is we could have rented
equipment from the state and done anou,
but they would have made us change our
election date. So I gave you information
about why we shouldn't do that because
the the five that I looked at, the five
different municipalities, they were
under 12% voter
>> Yeah.
uh on a non on a non-election non county
election day.
>> And I recall you and I talked about this
at some length and and I think that
makes all the sense in the world to
leave it on the same day as the the
general election just to improve the
turnout and and and the percentage of
our voters that actually vote.
>> And I think 41% is really good. you
know, we're we're we're basing that on
active active voters.
>> Uh the county uh the state county, they
clear up and they they they have a uh um
they have different categories of
active, inactive, they'll if someone
doesn't vote or they don't respond to
them when they send correspondents, when
the state sends them correspondents,
they'll move them to the inactive list
and they'll stay there for a while. that
if they don't answer anything for uh a
period of time, they'll take them off
the list. Uh but but uh updating that
Maryland Universal Registration, that's
the term I was looking for earlier, uh
is is uh takes time. Uh we can't do it.
Only the only the state and county can
change that.
Did your committee talk at all about
putting the question to referendum about
how we would vote? Like obviously we
can't do that right now, but um like on
the ballot, a question on the ballot for
how we would do our elections. Did you
all haveation about that at all?
>> I know you said North Beach maybe did.
>> They they they voted to do that. The
town council voted to put that on their
November 2026 ballot. We didn't really
talk about that because our next ballot
is in 2028. So, you would be talking
about a special election,
>> right?
>> Or just a newsletter or something that
goes out and asks for input, you know,
or
» I would be interested because I am for,
you know, the one day of voting. Also,
from a campaign perspective, it's hard
to campaign for multiple days um when
you drag out the election too far
>> and things change.
>> So, so, so I was not I don't think that
we should go to what the county does,
which is
>> prior to election day, they do eight not
eight days of of uh that's a lot,
>> but nothing after the normal election
day. So, that ends it. that that
election day ends it. Okay. What takes
place after that is just the counting of
the absentee ballots, the the the
canvasing of the provisional ballots,
just stuff that takes place. That takes
time to get that done. It takes the
county several a week for absentee, a
week for provisional to to get their
actual numbers.
I was only proposing prior to election
day like the a Saturday before or the or
a Wednesday or something before. Uh
that's what I was thinking about in
multiple elections. And again, I don't
think we have to have that 41% is a
pretty good turnout. I would say if you
wanted to accommodate more people and
you got that feedback from people, if
you kept it close together so that the
people that voted on this day have the
same information as the people that
voted on the other day. I think that's
the problem when they're spread out.
>> If you spread it out too far and and
also the the other thing you don't want
to do is that you would not do is you
wouldn't put out results until after
election day. So, so you wouldn't you
wouldn't be saying how many votes each
candidate got.
I probably wouldn't be able to do that
with the machines anyways.
>> You have a tough job.
>> He's been doing it for a long time, too.
And we appreciate that.
>> I do have a couple uh things now.
>> I was going to call on you before you
interrupted me.
>> Sorry.
>> Get left out. You are you good, Anthony?
>> Okay.
I'm sorry to interrupt.
>> Go ahead. you have something. Go ahead.
>> Okay.
>> Uh, I just wanted to highlight a couple
of things that the committee u looked at
that are I think are important that it
really hadn't been said yet. And one
that's super important I think it was to
our committee was that if we went with a
county or state ballot that uh there's
no there's a law that says that it
cannot be a nonpartisan election. So,
uh, we would have had to had partisan
elections or have a fill out a petition
and get 200 signatures or whatever to
get on a ballot um as a nonpartisan
candidate,
>> 250
>> or 250. So that that was kind of a a a
really big deal to the committee um and
one of the reasons that we made the
decision to uh that we to recommend um
that we go with the town run elections
and I just wanted to make sure everyone
was aware of that point. Um
the committee split 50/50. I am
definitely for a single day election for
multiple reasons that we've already gone
over. Manpower, cost,
different information. Uh, all good
points. Um
I wanted to say that uh
oh regarding the Zoom call um that we
had with Elect was a great call and they
did demos of the equipment and the
process and the pull books and the
machines and everything. And I believe
that that call was recorded. So if
anyone is interested in that information
that type of you know richer information
on machines and and programs and process
and stuff it's it's there and available.
>> Yeah. Do you have an estimate on how
much that might speed up the like
process from last time having those
machines
>> having the pole books?
>> Yeah. Or the upgraded computers that
areworked and all that. Well,
>> like the whole thing, how how much do
you think it'll improve? Cuz I know we
had long lines and people were leaving
and stuff. So, that's what that should
be that's one of your goals, I'm
guessing, is to improve the
>> If I can add it to it took a a minute
and 45 seconds per person to check them
in the the poll book or reg the laptop
that we were using. We had four laptops.
The maximum number that we could get in
a 13-hour day was about 1755.
I think we had like 1693 that we
processed
>> plus about another 100 provisional
people that came through that we had to
rule out for provisional about another
80 I guess.
>> Uh so
>> it doesn't take that long on the poll
book and it and we had to handw write
the the voter authority card. We had to
print that for each voter and and that
that's what took a minute and 45
seconds. The machine will do this. The the reason I wanted to go to
townun
contractor supported is that I could I
found out I could get machines from
probably any one of these three
contractors and there may be more out
there too that we'll you know
investigate in 2020 you know as we get
closer to 2028. Uh but but it's because
that could be done and it'll be fast. Uh
the the county uh uses uh I think six
machines and and um um
they don't they never have lines or you
know you'll always have some lines but
it it won't we can get we can probably
just do four. We could do four or six
and and we'll be fine. It it'll it takes
less than a minute to do that. It's
almost half half the time.
>> Oh, and and I'm probably exaggerating in
the minute.
>> Wow.
>> It probably doesn't take that long.
>> A significant improvement.
>> Dramatic improvement if I'm not mistaken
>> because it the the
I don't remember if I remembered if I
mentioned the printer. Each pole book
has its own printer and and and so
what's your name? What's your what's
your uh date of birth? What's your address? here it is. I got
that person. Print,
get them to look at it, verify their
address, and sign it and and give them a
ballot, and they move on. They go vote.
>> I think the voters will be happy about
that.
>> Yeah. The way we were in 2020.
>> Yeah.
>> And and and similar in 2016, the state
60 days out for 2024. They they they
were supposed to be given to us 60 days
out. They took them away and we didn't
have time to find I didn't find other
ways. I didn't know Elect was out there.
I didn't know other things were out
there at that time.
>> You guys did you guys did great.
>> So, the the committee did that.
>> Other questions or comments?
>> Well, yeah. And also just wanted to say
uh of note that um you know the $16,000
for to run to have this this election
with this equipment and run this way I
think is well worth it. But it's also of
note that they provide a technician on
site,
>> you know, on election day here. So
that's an extra person to make sure
everything's running, make sure the
equipment's, you know, go running
smoothly, an extra person cuz we're, you
know, we we are struggling to uh field
an entire uh board of elections and
everything. So it's nice to have an
extra person there and especially one
who is uh an
>> how the equipment runs.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So I just wanted to make
sure that everyone knew that also.
>> Right. I'm glad you brought that up. I
would I would like be before I move
forward, I I would like to see if there
if any of my uh committee members want
to come up and add something.
>> Actually, I I would appreciate it if
they would.
>> There's your answer.
>> And by by the way, one of your next
items is agenda items is is she's going
to be appointed. So,
>> yes. [laughter]
» Good evening. My name is Aaca Flores. I
am on the election committee and um
hopefully after your vote tonight, we'll
be on the board of elections for the
town of Chesapeake Beach. Um I have had
the pleasure of uh serving with Randy
for about since probably January,
correct? When we started this or maybe a
little bit before that, November.
>> Actually, it was in November.
>> November. Okay. So, uh so yeah, I've learned a lot in the past five
months. Um I um have also been
learning a lot about different processes
for voting in elections and things like
that. And it's been kind of something
that I've been interested in learning
more about election integrity and what
kinds of things we can do to make sure
that we don't have outside interference
in in our processes and things of that
sort. So, I'm hoping that I can learn a
lot more from Randy and be able to serve
on the board to be able to um help with
our
uh keeping our our town uh voting
integrity intact.
>> Appreciate that.
>> Okay. Any questions for me?
>> Yes.
>> And and uh I think that you'll be
introduced at the council meeting at the
next council meeting and then we vote
the following council meeting. Is that
right? Am I wrong? So you guys have the
opportunity to ask questions
>> ask questions at that time
>> so that she can be if you all decide to
appoint her it would be at the upcoming
council meeting on Thursday next week
>> but she's here now if you want to ask
>> I'm here now
>> be a good opportunity and we had some
good conversations so
>> I I don't I don't we talked a lot when I
was campaigning so I'm more than
appreciative of what you're
>> here [laughter]
>> no I I support you 100% more more than
appreciative you stepping up to this I
appreciate a lot.
>> I echoed that sentiment. Uh I do want to
say that um for the council's purposes
and everything understanding we did talk
about during in the committee we talked
about because there are going to be some
changes that need to happen in the in
the code and I don't know if it's
charter and code or or or just one or
the other but um we decided as a count
as a as a committee that we thought the
proper place for that discussion and
fleshing out those types of issues was
in the board of elections, not the
committee. So, this is going to be
something that um any new comm any new
uh um board members will be tackling
>> uh in the near immediately.
>> Yeah.
>> So, I appreciate your
as do I.
>> All right. Thank you.
>> Anyone else?
» [laughter]
>> All right,
>> we good.
>> Anybody else got any questions? Are you
done?
>> I just want to say I know Aaca and her
husband and they're they're good people
and now you got to get Joe to come on a
committee.
» I know.
I'll talk to them.
I'm glad you I'm glad you stepped up.
I'm sure you'll you'll be great on that.
Um
>> yeah, we we all appreciate that.
>> Thank you.
>> It's critically important to our
municipality to have a great board of
elections and everything way above
board, you know. So, uh thank you so
much for stepping up everybody. You too,
my friend.
Oh, I'm I'm uh I'm hearing that we want
to go town run election contractor
support. Was there any
» Okay. And and I and I'm also hearing no
multiple election.
>> I I think that
>> that's necessary.
>> Okay. And and that's something that
could be changed by code at a later
date, but it's not something I will be
that we will be looking at. and the fact
that we're going
>> town run election contractor support.
There are not that many changes to the
code that have to take place.
>> U there there's only a few tweaks that
have to be done. There would have been a
lot more if we went with the uh going on
the county ballot there. We would have
to pretty much rewrite our election
code.
[laughter]
>> I do have one question. Is was there a
law last year that we had to accept
mail-in ballots?
Some reason I remember something around
>> there is there is there is nothing that
I'm aware of that that dictates
the municipalities have to do that.
>> But we did do it, right? Didn't did we
do
>> we have absentee ballots in our code. We don't really call them mailin. They changed the term from absentee to
mailin for for the uh county and state.
>> Okay.
>> Ours is absentee ballots. However,
there's not a big distinction. U the we you don't have to have an excuse for
doing an absentee ballot. You don't have
to be going away or something. Ours
basically allows any registered voter
for Chesapeake Beach to decide to do an
absentee ballot if they want. which is
another reason why having a multiple
election days is not really necessary.
If they want to vote and they can't make
election day, they can still vote by
absentee ballot.
>> Okay, that's that's what I thought. And
the confusion that I had wasn't around
any communication by you, but there were
confusing conversations there
>> that happened. There have been I I think
there there's been talk in legislation
and stuff for the county, state,
federal, but
that doesn't apply to us.
>> Gotcha.
>> Our code applies to us.
>> Understood. Thank you.
>> All right. Well, then if there's no more
questions.
>> So, I'm thinking I have my answer, which
is downrun election and and no multiple
days. I believe that that is what I'm
seeing a bunch of thumbs up here. Thumbs
up. Thumbs up.
>> Yes.
>> Appreciate your time.
>> Well,
>> and I and I I will take one more. I it
was very helpful to to have uh um
Anthony and Eric on on the committee
because it it really when we start
looking at whether we want to go on the
county ballot, the thing I was most
worried about is is uh what happens to
the candidates that we're going to get
because it would most affect them.
>> It it would most affect somebody that
wanted to run and and so it was very
helpful to have their insight.
>> Thank you. and and I do appreciate every
member of the uh committee. They did a
we did a lot of work together
» and I especially appreciate you. I know
how much effort you put into this. So,
thank you.
» You're not moving, are you? You'll still
be around, right? You know, you know the
re the reason I I had to put my name in the uh brief is is because Eric kept
pushing me to do that.
>> Well, yeah, because it is important to
know that he plans to step down and you
know that is a factor in our
decision-making process.
>> It is.
>> You'll still be available for advice,
right?
» There you go.
>> Town council.
>> There you go. Sounds good. Town council,
mayor, town council, mayor, mayor.
So much experience.
All right. Well, thank you. Thank you so
much. Um,
all right. We're moving on to the next
item on the agenda, which is state
highway updates. and uh Dr. Oak Padu is
going to brief us on that.
>> Thank you. Um it's a pretty brief brief.
Um it's we in order for us to officially
um withdraw from the grant that we
currently have. I have to submit a
letter. So this is really letting you
all know that that is what the next step
is for um for the grant that we
currently have. Um the the grant process
is open now for transportation
alternatives. It's open through the end
of April. And so uh the town engineer
and I have a meeting scheduled um for
later this week when he returns um to
work through the application and move
forward and submit.
» Um do we need to know like which
alternative we're thinking about for the
to submit for the grant or
>> Yes. So my understanding from the last
time that we had the large larger
conversation was that everyone seemed to
be largely on board with alternative one
and so that is what we would be moving
forward with. Um the transportation
alternative grant is slightly different
now than it used to be. So before you
would have to apply once for a 30% grant
and then again for 100% grant. They
don't do that now. It's just one 100%
grant which will streamline the process.
Yeah. Um and so they've shared that's
the federal grant. Um and they've also
shared that there may be opportunities
to apply for some state fundings as
well. So um we are looking into that.
>> But we are going to get out of the grant
pipeline and hope that we have a grant.
Is that what we're talking about doing?
we are going to withdraw the from the
grant that we currently have because
that was my understanding of the the
council's will and we will apply for
another grant.
>> No guarantee on another
>> there's there is never a guarantee when
you're applying for grants. So that it's
not like they're saying yes we're going
to earmark these funds for you. Right.
So, so this basically could cost us the
same $68,000
that is currently budgeted,
but we could move forward with the grant
that we have, stay in the grant
pipeline, which might line us up for
the construction grant as well.
And the only risk to that situation is
that we pay exactly what we're saying
we're going to pay anyways. It's it's
just
to me it's really poor decision- making.
It's going to set us back in time.
I think that we do have a 30% design
that is um viable according to the state
um viable according to rightways and
easements
and um takes everybody on a safer route
and eliminates an a situation of
unsafety that will not be eliminated
by going through Woodshshire Avenue. Um,
I would argue that going through
Woodshshire Avenue introduces a whole
lot of foot traffic to a neighborhood
that may not want it. Um, it also takes
people on a path that is not visible by
road or by common traffic. Um, I believe that
there's a reason why SHA rightways along
a roadway exist and why they will build
those connections along those areas. And
I can see where this the whole step
situation by the marsh is um
[clears throat] maybe not ideal, but it
also will be
it's we have a guaranteed
route there and there's no reason why we
couldn't get the same open space grants
that we are unsure whether we can get or
not and add them to the burden in hand
that we have that we just dismissed.
Um, this project has been going on and on and on and what I see is this
council, even though we are funded and
we have the ability to do this project,
sending it back around in a circle and
it really it it's hugely frustrating to
me and it's hugely frustrating to
everybody. Um,
I know you hate being called new, but
you are new. Um, many many people
>> Well, I I don't hate being called new. I
just This is This has already been
litigated like 80 times in this this
like the question is just an update.
This isn't us re redisputing this.
You're you're literally bringing back
the previous work session and the
previous council session. So, I would
ask that we move uh to strike this
conversation and move forward because
this is not a we're not revoting. This
has already been discussed. It's already
been set in stone. You agreed that we
were going to look us.
>> You said we were going to look at
alternatives. You supported
alternatives. Alternatives go. So like
this is ridiculous.
>> One one one person at a time, please.
And um I think that
it's not valuable to spend time to re
reitigate this. This is where we're
headed. Um is there anything else,
Amelia, that you want to add to this?
>> Not for SHA at this time.
>> Okay. You never got approved for the
100% design grant, right? Cuz it was two
separate grants. We got approved for 30%
but not 100%.
>> We we had the approval. So we completed
the 30% which was the feasibility and we
have the the 100% design funds. That's
what was
>> right. But they went over budget and all
that. Okay. Yeah.
>> No, they didn't go over budget.
>> All right. Again,
>> again, we're we are
>> Okay.
>> giving away a grant. We're going to
reapply for the new grant
>> and we will wait for it.
>> That's the plan. Thank you very much.
Let's move on. Um,
next is the um rail trail expansion and
the concept plans and you have do you
have a
>> it's not for the slide is
>> so you you have this
um and
had recent discussions with Similia and
other staff uh regarding this. Um and so
after uh this is really a little hard to
see, but after uh discussing this
um as as you all know, I was I advocated
for the the current rail trail for
decades and finally got done what has
been done to date, which is now over I
don't even remember how long ago it was.
And [clears throat] and I I know I'm
repeating myself, but I'm old, so I'm
allowed to do that. The piece that's
shown in red down here, and I can barely
read it, but it it it's the rest of the
right of way. That was the that was the
big cut in the hill coming down from
Richfield Station. We had approval from
all of the agencies except one to build
that. I think uh that agency recognized
that they made a mistake as soon as I
took them out and showed them the trail,
but those pe that that goes back I think
22 years or something like that. So
they're those same people are no longer
there. So my thought was in discussing
this with uh the engineer and with
Sumeriia
uh it was to
re-energize that bottom part of
Richfield Station and build it around.
Another concept that was presented there
was this additional trail that goes uh
back to the northwest and then loops
around and goes back up into Richfield
Station. So you could actually make a
circle all the way around through
Richfield Station. I'm not opposed to
that, although I think that it's got a
lot of challenges, but I'm not opposed
to doing it. And as far as con
continuing it on the right of way, uh
the once you get to the town limits,
that's not a town issue, but I will be
happy to advocate uh to the county um
and and try to gain support from our
county commissioners to consider uh
conducting or you know, building the
trail further on out. Um, and as you
know, Route 260 where it goes from two
lanes to four lanes is once you're on
the two-lane part, that is the railroad
right away. And there are still several
existing buildings along Route 260 that
were there in the heyday of the railroad
uh back which went out of business in
1935.
So anyway, that's where we stand with
that. And uh Similia, do you want to add
anything to that? Uh the only thing that
else that I would add to it is that
we're in the process I'm expecting to
receive the RFP um by the end of this
week for the rail trail expansion um so
that we can move forward with bidding
it.
>> Council,
>> I have a question.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Um I love this project. Um the glad to
hear it.
>> The uh so I just have one question. the
um in the phase one proposed phase one
here in the diagram.
>> Mhm.
>> It looks as though the um proposed phase
one does stop short of the town limits.
Is there a reason it doesn't go all the
way to the town limit?
>> Yeah. And the reason is because it's
overwater. We're not building a bridge
there. Mhm.
>> And so that would there's be no point in
building a bridge to take you to the
town limits because all you would do
would be to get across the bridge and
you would be at the town limits.
>> Makes sense.
>> And so if we can ever encourage the
county to build it all the way on
further, that's when to build that
bridge.
>> Okay. Makes sense.
>> Other questions, Eric? Um
and so yeah um and so we looked at this
in the budget on uh capital budget
general fund uh line item rail trail
extension construction. We have in there
budgeted
um it looks like a a budget of 2 million
for the entire project over three years.
Is that something we got from Wayne?
And that's
» like a throw up kind of number.
>> I think once we once he's done um with
the design portion, then we'll have a
little bit more
to build. There's some existing tieins
there. Anybody
else? Yes. Question.
>> Um, so just um for the record,
I have no desire to pursue pursue this
project before
um a connection from Chesapeake Village
to town is underway.
Secondly,
there is a 200 acre parcel that is still
in possession of Mr. Repky
um
that he owes to either Richfield Station
or a public entity
or a covenant.
I'm not a huge fan of phase two of this
proposal,
but I additionally have concerns about
um
legalities associated with building on
Mr. Repy's property before he acquiesces
the 200 acre parcel that he
should not be allowed to keep.
So, I would just urge the town to
cross their tees and dot their eyes.
This this really isn't my project
anymore.
Um, of course, I do support a railway
trail expansion, but there are several
things that concern me. And um
again, I I I thank you for the railway
trail that you did build and you have a
vision, but I have very deep concerns
about the 200 acre parcel and the safety
of my neighborhood that supersede my
desire to
» Thank you for your comments. Anybody
else?
>> Yeah, I just wanted to say that I would
like to see the connection from like
right where the blue and the red line
meet. um like the end of the existing
trail uh to connect to Beach Elementary
as part of one of the projects. I think
that was already thought of before. I
just want to voice my support for that
connection.
>> Okay. Anybody else?
>> Not sure. I What can you explain that?
>> Well, maybe not where the you know like
where the trail te's off and you can
either go right or left.
>> It's right where you go left. right
where the sidewalk starts, there's a
clear path to Beach Elementary. I think
there's already a there's already some
kind of concept plan for that
connection.
>> We just have to request property from
the uh the county and they've already
agreed to do that once we're ready for
it.
>> It's just a a boardwalk connection to
the school,
>> but they can do their field trips.
>> Are you speaking about down where the
water well is or are you thinking about
up over the big hill once you go across
the bridge? No, no. Right when you hit
the tea, you can go right to Richfield
Station or left takes you on the trail.
You go left and then right where the
sidewalk starts, there's like a clear
straight path to the school.
>> I'm We would just need to build a
boardwalk
>> real fast. We did a feasibility study
with the walkable communities and then
we actually took out there. So yeah,
line of sight it is, but elevation wise
it's like 70 ft cuz you're at sea level
6t above it at the trail and you're like
plus 75 at the school. So we walked that
actually for feasibility and they didn't
know how to figure that out cuz that
wasn't one of the initial phases. I'm
not saying to exclude it, but the hurdle
was the height difference uh cuz it's
pretty level until you get to the school
and it's
>> it's steep
>> and they abandoned the two trails that
they did have because of they failed on
the hillside. I was going to say I
thought there were some switchbacks in
there or something.
>> They were, but they've been abandoned
for a few years. They used to come down
to the old well site and come through,
but they failed. The slope failed. So,
not saying not pursue it, but that was
the hurdle when we did the initial
feasibility study with a third party and
they just thought it was not possible at
that time. And I think it's safe to say
there's I I I would be willing to bet
you that there's not a single person on
this council that wants to not have as
much walkability as possible within our town. I mean, everybody wants
to do that. It's it's not a matter of
what we want to do. It's a matter of
what we can do and how we get it done
and what's feasible and what's not
feasible. And so this is this piece
that's being proposed here is an easy
win because it was already approved by
21 agencies of the state.
>> And uh I think Wendy's been pulling all
the documentation from the original
uh all of the stuff that we put together
for the state and the joint evaluation
committee that I testified in front of
and all that. So we're gathering all the
information. we'll represent it and and
I I believe that that's doable. Uh not
that we don't want to do anything else.
It's just that this one is probably
doable and gets us to the town limits
and that, you know, hopefully that sets
a pattern for a whole lot more
walkability in the town.
Does anybody else have anything they
want to say about this or questions
about this?
>> I'm just going to push a little bit. Are
you arguing that this is more feasible
>> than a state verified
grant
to connect a neighborhood to town where
it's unsafe?
>> I'm I'm not saying that at all. I'm
saying that this is something that was
approved over 20 years ago and I want to
see it move forward. It has nothing to
do with the other project that we're
talking about
and it's not an eitheror situation as
far as I'm concerned. We we pursue both
of them at the same time. This one I
think we can get done
>> as opposed to the other one.
>> I'm sorry.
>> As opposed to the other one
>> I didn't say. Did you hear me say that?
Those words never left my lips. I said
this one can be done. It was already
approved. That's all I said. I didn't
say anything else. Thank you.
Can we move on to the home occupations
discussion?
>> Sharon.
» Hi.
>> Good evening, sir. Um, so you all have
in front of you and you've introduced
for um approval the um updates to the
home occupations that you requested. Um,
just a reminder, these are a quick fix,
a 90-day fix. They are not how the
planning commission is looking at for a
long-term solution in the the six-month
process of the land use classifications
being updated. Um and so uh if you have
any other questions or concerns, I'm
here to answer them.
>> One, um only one thing for me um one a
where it says and has minimal negative
impact
>> on the neighborhood where the business
is located. I think that is very
subjective. When you say the words
minimal and negative, those are not
definitive things that you can define or
explain and it opens it up to a gray
area to be a person's opinion on what is
minimal and negative. Um, when you go to
J, you have it here where it says uh
establishment of or operation of a home
occupation is harmonious with the
character of neighboring residential
uses and does not create traffic, etc., I think that kind of covers that.
>> So for me to make sure that we have
codes that you can actually enforce and
is not opinionated, I would ask to
remove that verbiage.
But that would be my only um from going
through this. That's the only thing that
I had concern about. I would like for
our codes to be as succinct as possible
so that there's not a lot of questions
or opinions or or push back from people
saying well I didn't have minimal imp
you know it wasn't negative it was
positive impact so that was be my only
thing that I would want to bring up
>> okay
>> good call
>> council anything else
>> agree with
Just [clears throat] just want to make
it as easy as possible. If it's wrong, If it's right, it's right.
>> No opinions, no favoritism, you know.
Just make it simple.
>> And I I'm just
» up here so you get recorded, please.
Nothing in this code is going to
supersede a homeowner association
governing documents that will limit what
kind of businesses or what kind of
occupancy can be in their home. Correct.
>> That's correct.
>> That's my question. Thank you.
>> I'm glad you asked that question.
>> I just wanted to ask a procedural
question. Is is this something that
would need to be brought up for a vote
at the next meeting? Is this something
that can be voted on now?
>> Can can be voted on comments.
>> Yeah, it has to be brought up in the
next meeting.
>> I think we're all in alignment with
>> So, yeah, I think that what's presented
at the meeting
um doesn't have to be this document. It
can be something different. And if we
all agree that we would like a c to see
a certain change, that change can be
made
before before
>> before a regular session.
>> That was my question.
>> So I have a couple questions about this.
[clears throat]
>> Um so this contains two sections and one
of the sections contains home
occupations that are not permitted. And
I did a little research
and I did not find
home occupations that were not permitted
in common code. So I'm I'm curious about
um the section of this code that does
not require a permit.
>> Can you be specific about where a permit
is not required? where it says there's
>> so in the first um
customary home occupation um it has a
long list of things and pay is a zoning
permit is obtained then it has
conditional use in the RV1 RLD RMD R HD
and RPC
um and I don't see that same language in
that um if I were reading the zoning
code. Uh I would assume that I do not
need a permit. So if you are planning on
requiring a permit for
um section two,
>> I would say that we would want to
include that same language that it
requires a permit and requiring a permit
for a home occupation is the common
practice from what I can tell.
Um, so that there's that in general. Um,
additionally,
>> can I add on to that real quick because
it's that is a good call. Is there a
difference because it's a zoning permit
versus home occupation? Is there a
difference between the two? Are they
representing the same phrasing?
>> We kind of weren't sure why that was in
there because everything needs a permit.
Um, we did leave it in there. I will
tell you that the planning commission is
discussing
not requiring a permit for a minor home
occupation which is what is
um comparable to two. And while it isn't
sort of established practice to do that,
it is the more sort of modern new pro
approach to allow these home occupations
you can't even tell are happening to
happen without a permit. And so that's
why that is. So I think that it's worth
a discussion here. might make sense
since this is the shorter term fix to
just add an I that says a zoning permit
is obtained to two and put a pin in that
discussion for when you get the bigger
>> I would I think that's what Lor's
getting I would concur with that too
just for continuity uh as well and then
addressing when when they do the full
table uh review. Thank you.
>> I have three more things.
>> Can I just say one more thing to this
one? Right. So the zoning permit and the
home occupation permit are two
completely different things. So I think
making sure that that's defined and
understood
before moving forward with that verbage
is really really important because you
don't want to get caught out there with
a person having a zone impairment when
they're supposed to have a home
occupation because they are two
different things.
» What's what's the difference then? I
mean, I get it, but like what would be
the difference in the language? Why we
would put one the word zoning versus
home occupation in a home occupation
ordinance?
>> So, again, we were we we did this in one
sitting and the planning commission if
that that's helpful for perspective. Um,
and so it typically a home occupation is
going to want a use permit, which is
still a zoning type of zoning permit,
but it's not the same as the larger
permit.
>> So, I think it might want to just say a
permit is obtained so that the
administration of what the permits look
like has some flexibility to make things
more simple. um
as needed.
» What's the difference between uh 2 E and
2G?
>> 2 and 2 G.
» So
2 E is that you can't sell anything,
right? And to F is that you can't
display anything.
>> Uh G
>> or sorry G. Okay. Oh,
I guess there's really not a difference.
>> Well, if you if you have a hair care
place, you can't sell radios out of it.
So, it's like no commodity, no if you if
you're doing hair in your home, you
can't also sell remote controls. You
know what I mean? So when they're saying
no um article or commodity is offered on
sale on the premises, if you have a a
business, a home business that's
specifically for a specific thing, you
can't also sell other things out of your
home.
>> Wouldn't that be covered under G though?
>> Well, not necessarily because you still
you you still have to say you can't sell
other things except the service that
you're supposed to give. And then when
you get to G, that's like you can't have
a shop set up where you just in there
just selling goods instead of having an
actual service. So it's kind of the
same, but then again, specificity.
Somebody could take one thing and put it
under something different.
>> So it covers all bases.
>> So this says no article or commodity,
>> right?
>> Which does bring me to my second
question.
Um,
do we have a cottage industry law that
would allow somebody to sell their baked
bread, their I mean we're we're
[laughter]
those are the kinds of things
>> needle work in my wife's case
>> different things. Um, so trying to
conflate the two, a home occupation that
should require a permit and business
license and all this other stuff and a
cottage industry
is is a little bit um confusing. So I I
would very be I would be interested to
see the modern code that you're talking
about because I couldn't find any.
So
you're you're talking about what my
reasoning for advising the planning
commission on the permitting is is it's
not based on current a current a
specific current code. It's based on
discussions in the planning practice
about making home occupations more
accessible and best practices for that.
So,
>> I would just be interested to to read
about it to educate myself if you have
something on that from somewhere. Um,
because
to me, we should be permanent in these
home occupations. Um, which brings me to
my third point. Um, permits do a couple
things. They they make sure that you
know what's going into the neighborhoods
where home occupations are allowed.
um they make sure that those uses are
compatible. When you have those things
not permitted, you don't know. Um I know
you had somebody visit the planning
commission that wants to do bun repair.
>> Um
and then we have this definition for an
adult bookstore in our code that we need
to approve as well.
Um,
I think that having
controlled items and substances
be
serviced in commercial zones rather than
residential zones is something that I'm
for and I did bring that up when you
first brought this to us. Um,
I I don't know. I'll just I'll just say
I don't know that I can approve this
based on no permitting or no regulations
related to controlled items and
substances. So,
um
but I would like to know why because
people are going to ask me and if you
get somebody
um that is unhappy with the home
occupation that they're forced to live
by Mhm.
>> I want to be able to answer that
question.
>> So,
>> can I just add real quickly though? So,
like the adult bookstore,
it's already existing in the current
code as written. Um, the real push here
was I guess you a handful of years ago,
it removed the RV1,
RMD, all the people who could have true
traditional to include cottage, right?
cottage still requires permits with home
occupation. Usually the county actually
doesn't require it but the town the town
does. Uh so it there was this change
where it removed it and the quick fix
was why would we not why not just unreal
and nobody can Sarah correct me if I'm
wrong nobody can nobody can explain
why the code was adjusted to remove the
areas where true home occupation would
be. So, we had all this code and then
somebody where you see in section two
where it says conditional use in RV1
that was eliminated and went um it was
converted to NP versus conditional and
the conditional drives that you have to
have a permit uh to do that. So, for
example, because I know you had brought
up like uh like marijuana like sales or
something like that, somebody would
still have to come here and request a
permit and if it doesn't live in the
zoning uh rules that we have, they
wouldn't get permitted for it. Now, if
they go and sell on their own, then then
they have a business that doesn't comply
with with the town code, but but that's
a whole different discussion uh on on
enforcement. Um, but this here is really
just actually enabling the community to
have those home businesses and those
cottage laws. Uh, and then there was
even Dan had even brought up a
discussion. You know, there's a
gentleman, John, right next to you sells
uh his shoes, his Nike shoes and Pokemon
cards and basketball cards all the time.
You know, what about that? It's like a
popup that he does as he see fits. He
puts a table out, puts some cards out
there, people will will stop by. uh that
actually conflicts with the home
occupation, but that's not a home
occupation. That's kind of like a
temporary when you do when your son does
paw paws, you know.
>> Yeah. So, there's there's I I think
there's other aspects of this that would
be addressed through that we were
working with Sarah on addressing through
uh the the land use table and some other
codes in there, but this specific
ordinance is just to add back in the the
zoning areas that were removed. I don't
know. They just magically disappeared a
couple years ago.
>> I don't know how.
>> So, how would
>> And I don't know how either. But this
isn't addressing any of those things
that you just said. [laughter]
>> No, it does. It adds it in section two.
It puts it puts it back in,
>> right? But it removed I remember it was
removed an item 10 that had uh and I
don't have item 10 in front of me.
>> Um Oh my.
>> And the the situation has come up. I
mean you we Chesby Village can't even
ride a bike to town now because of
>> what's item 10 that you're trying to
>> Well, what I'm saying is we are
addressing this code now, right? Um we
were very picky about some other code
that really had no impact. But this code
does have an impact. It is going to put
certain occupations in residential areas
where residential use and the people who
move there for residential use rely on
that zoning. And so um
for me
>> like what though like can give me give
me
>> I would say that that a a person who
repairs firearms right
there are a lot of reasons to repair
firearms firearms and of themselves are
not a bad thing. Um I would prefer that particular type of business though
is in a commercial zone. I might be a
person that lives next to that business
that
um doesn't feel comfortable around guns.
Additionally, you might be there's all
kinds of people who are
associated with guns.
That person that is repairing the guns
might not have control over who is
coming to his business in the
residential area to get their firearm
repaired. I think that
removing
the ability to have controlled items and
substances sold in residential a
neighborhoods or or be associated with a
business in a residential neighborhood
would eliminate most of my concerns
with this
in addition to requiring a permit for a
home occupation.
Um,
>> well, this policy does require a permit.
We can put the language in there
basis for denying
certain things.
>> Well, if it's not allowed in the code if
it's not allowed in the town code, then
you wouldn't be allowed to have a there
is or do we need to adjust? But you
can't you can't have pharmaceuticals in
your like I can't just start making
aspirin in my house and sell it like
that. like it's got to follow state code
for like pharmaceuticals and like the
mar like Maryland's uh like like for
marijuana dispensaries is a very very
strict code. So it's not like you could
just stand up a dispensary in your home
or anything. The gun one is an
interesting one. I I don't know the
answer to that. But like the medical
stuff, marijuana,
>> but we need to know the answer to that.
Well, that but that that
>> the problem is is that if there's a list
somewhere that's already been made with
things that are not allowed, then find a
list. If the list is not there, then
make the list instead of going back and
forth over conjecture with our opinions.
Exactly. So, that's the thing. So, if we
don't already have a list, then let's
stop talking about it and make a list.
>> But doesn't the land use table
>> because we're wasting the time right
now. We have something in front of us
that opens us up to get something done
that was taken away without any purpose.
Now we want to move on to say, "Okay,
well, we got this straight. Let's make a
list of the things that we don't want in
the neighborhoods because we deem them
unsafe." Then make that list and let's
vote on that because right now this is
just the conversation.
>> It does say needs to be harmonious with
the character, but that's open to
>> I might go to the guy that that fixed
guns,
>> I think. So what's the character?
>> I think we just need to be
>> it's subjective and specific.
>> If we deal with subjectivity and
opinion, then what are we going to
actually get to? Because we all can feel
a certain way about something.
>> They tried to accomplish it with two H,
but it just needs to be more specific.
Well, I would say that there is a list
of controlled items and if we said
controlled items
that would
account for most of PE most people's
concerns,
>> we just need to listen. If there's a
list already in place from the smarter
people that was here before us, then
let's go to that list. If that list does
not exist, then let's go ahead and move
forward and then we can get that list in
front of us and we can vote on that when
we're ready.
>> There's code on e-code library that
looks great to me
and it's
>> but is the code on chess. You have an
alternate proposal that is our code.
>> I just wonder why why we are being
so creative. You don't need to be and I'm always going to defer to
protecting
residential use in a residential area.
>> Are you about to say something, Eric?
>> I Yeah, I guess I'm um
so my question is same back to number
two, right? Um, and going back to uh,
Councilman Evans comments about um, E
and G.
>> Mhm.
>> And, um, how they seem to be the same?
They do seem to be the same to me. But
my question really is
uh so are we saying that only services
and not the sale of any physical item
is allowable.
>> So you can't conduct sales on premises.
And this may be those two may just be
sometimes when we do stuff at the
planning commission we'll add stuff in
and then the next time we'll realize
they match up. Um but we like we did
this pretty quickly. Um so we could
probably remove one of those but you can
still sell items just not on premises.
So only via the mail.
>> Okay. So just a really simple question.
Is this
require a permit to have a lemonade
stand?
[laughter]
>> A lemonade stand is not a home
occupation. Um, it's a temporary use.
It's not permitted or not permitted in
your code.
Um, a lemonade stand is technically the
sale of food and beverages, which the
county regulates. Um, so it's a little
more of a complicated question. Uh, and
I don't think that a zoning permit would
be required. There's no zoning authority
over lemonade. So,
>> don't call the county on my
>> No, that this expl this ex exact
question was emailed to Sarah and the
attorney and [clears throat] that is
where we would add in something in
because what we do not want to do I
don't think I don't think anybody in
here wants to be on the news as the town
who shuts down a nine-year-old kid's
lemonade stand like it happened a
handful of years ago. Uh, and so there
was discussions about adding some
language into the zoning ordinance that
addresses that. And that's why I brought
up the example of the gentleman next to
John who sells Pokemon cards,
>> right? And so it, you know, we can't
just say, oh, except for lemonade stand.
It has to be a broader
>> [snorts]
>> uh clause so that because there are
other absurdities that you can come up
with, I'm sure.
>> Well, and the planning commission is
working on that language. We worked on
it a bit. I'm working on it to present
to them again um for April's meeting.
So, they do want to make sure people
kids can sell lemonade or Pokemon cards
or whatever.
>> And I just want to comment that I I
concur with uh um Councilman Green's um
opposition to a a broad controlled
substance clause. I it I'd like to see a
specific list um because and it's the
same thing. I can go to the to the uh to
the situation that we talked about the
last time at the meeting or whatever it
was. I I brought up the idea of someone
who does some uh small batch micro
brewery and sells it to you know a local
establishment
um
through and they can sell it there to
individuals.
um something like that I don't think
should be um banned with some type of
broad controlled substance uh clause
>> you have a micro brewery standing in
front of the house right next to the
lemonade
>> let's progress a big part
>> another county
» all right all right I think that we I
think we talked this out pretty
thoroughly I mean is does anybody else
have any final comments before we
adjourn. Thank you. I don't hear any.
Uh, all right. This your last chance,
Laura. Your last chance. Okay,
everybody. Good. All right. Is there a
Let's see. We're not going to do item
six because Dan's not here.
>> Not here.
>> So, uh, the next item on the agenda is a
motion for adjournment.
>> What took you so long? All in favor say
I. I. I.
>> Thank you very much. Very good meeting.
Uh, I appreciate everybody's input.
We covered a lot of territory and we got
a lot done. Thank you.