Town Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everybody. Like to call to order the uh public hearings scheduled for 6:15 p.m. We have uh two ordinances that are um being introduced. Okay. Ordinance 0-25-17, an ordinance of the town council of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, amending the annual budget for the general fund of the town of Chesake Beach for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30th, 2026 to allocate funding for the expenditure of funds for construction of a water park. Uh, and we can start with that. Just going to just

I just I I guess I just have a procedural question maybe more for Alyssa. Um so this is an introduction. Okay. And we don't need No, we're better. Okay. Because there So it was introduced last. Okay. I'm done.

Thank you. That was that was easy. Anybody have any comments, questions? Anybody have anybody anything they want to say about this? Okay. So then we're also going to have uh introduce we're going to vote on ordinance 0-25-18 an ordinance of the town council of Ches Beach, Maryland, amending the annual budget for the water park fund of the town of Ches Beach for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30th, 2026 to remove funding for construction of a water park. Okay, any comments? Any questions? This is a fast set of public hearings. Uh and we will and and we will uh adjourn until we start the actual public meeting at 6:30 then.

Mayor. Okay. Mayor get a motion to Oh, is there a motion to adjurnn? Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? I I opposed. Eyes have it. Thank you. Thank you, Sharon. Keep me straight. That's your job. lyrics. You missed the earrings. Hey, Debbie.

like to call to order the uh town council meeting for November 20th, 2025. Uh and note that all of the council members are present are present. Uh if we could stand for the pledge of allegiance, uh our town administrator is going to lead us. We're going to make a couple of minor uh changes to the agenda. Uh under petitions and communications, we are going to uh ask Pastor uh Glenn uh Swanson to be uh recognized uh right ahead of um the town administrator report. And um Okay. All right. And so let's move forward. Um, at this time, um, uh, is I I'd take a motion to approve the agenda.

Um, motion. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I. I. Okay. That's the opportunity for public comment on any item on the agenda. Is there anybody in the uh audience that would like to make a public comment on any item in the agenda? hearing none. Um, so um I entertain a motion for approval of the minutes of the October 16th uh 2025 public hearings. Motion to approve. Second. Second. All in favor? I. I.

Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the O minutes of the October? Amend. Okay. Is there a second? second.

Um, under see here, Roman numeral 8 number E. U, we flew through these votes, which I do appreciate the speed that we went through all these votes. Um, but, um, and it was a a mass vote. All in favor say I. And that was it. Uh, I did not say I and I meant to abstain. and have time to break the record. Um, reached out to Sharon immediately after the meeting. Um, but, uh, she said she had to record it this way and that I could make a motion to amend. So in the uh again that's Roman numeral 8 letter E the voting count uh for the sustainable Maryland uh certificate cert certification program. I'd like the record to read uh Councilman Reinhardt abstained. Oh and it does. I withdraw my motion. There we go.

And thank you for the clarification. Okay. Thank you, Sharon, for making that correction after our conversation. I did not think you were going to do that. Okay. Uh, all right. So, did we vote on that? Okay. Let's take a vote. All in favor? Approval say I opposed. The eyes have it. Um, that was this, right? Okay. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the November 12th, 2025 work session? Motion. Is there a second? Second it.

Any amendments or anything else? Okay. All in favor of approval say I. I.

All opposed. They're hearing none. All right. At this time, um, we're going to deviate a little bit from the printed agenda. Um, we have been working, um, sorry. Um, we have been working uh diligently all week to support uh the families um that were made homeless uh by the fire at the courtyards for Fishing Creek at Fishing Creek. And um I want to recognize that the town staff has done a magnificent job. Um and I am very grateful for everybody's uh support and participation. And um and in addition uh we've had a great partnership with um Bayside Baptist Church and Pastor Glenn Swanson. Uh um he he was out there with us the whole time uh and and made available to these people that were rendered homeless all kinds of assistance um as did a lot of other organizations. But but we I just wanted to recognize uh Pastor Glenn. So sir, if you would please come to the podium and give us a few comments, we would appreciate it.

In fact, you want to if you want to open us up with a prayer, I think we would welcome that as well.

I'd be honored to, especially on a week like this, uh we need to be in prayer. So if uh um thank you for giving me that opportunity. So why don't we we can bow our heads and pray. And Lord Jesus, we uh come before you today and this evening and we are grateful for you and your mercy and your grace and your provision. Uh thank you for you being the creator of all things. Thank you Lord for this town of Chesapeake Beach. Thank you for this wonderful mayor uh town council staff. Uh Lord we're thankful and grateful for our first responders. Um Lord, we especially see this week as they uh they just jumped right into action and uh did a fantastic job with as they always do with uh serving those who need need help. So, thank you. Thank you for our fire department. Thank you for our police departments, our um paramedics and uh everybody in between. Lord, we're so grateful for them. Thank you for the families uh Lord uh that they uh they have as well and just bless them. But Lord, our hearts are heavy uh because of this tragedy this week. Um uh our hearts think about these families at Fishing Creek. 25 folks um 17 adults, eight children. Lord, we uh we know Monday morning was a tough day. Um last time we stood in this room, we were um having folks come in and they were in pajamas and some with no shoes and no coats. But Lord, in the matter of hours, uh this town came through and provided uh so much. We had people bringing food and water and coffee and clothing and uh going and providing shelter. And Lord, it was just so great that we can see a see a town come together such as this for such a time as this. Lord, I've had

many people say if we can only do this every day and uh we know this world and this culture is tough and there's division all around us and it's a shame that tragedy has to bring us together. But Lord, we just pray our hearts will be changed and transformed by what happened this week that uh this town would come closer together, the citizens would come closer together and not just be when tragedy happens but every single day. So Lord, bless um bless these families, be with those uh that have faithfully served and been behind the scenes. Uh so many people to name. Lord, I know the top priority is getting them housing. So Lord, I pray that that will be available to them soon. Um thank you for those that are just uh working with them and feeding and housing them right at this very moment. Lord, we know that your word says that you're close to the brokenhearted. So thank you. And I pray that you're with these families, these men, women, and children. Uh Lord, it's tough when you lose possessions. I know that's hard, but I'm thankful there was no life lost. Uh we are so grateful for that. I know there were a couple injuries and folks had to go to the hospital, but Lord, we uh are grateful that there was um no serious injuries, that people are alive and we can love on them. So, thank you for the motto we have at Bayside Baptist to love God, love people. help us to love people like you loved us and uh bless them. Lord, at the same time, also know there's another tragedy this week uh with um Lonnie Johnson, this boat bo fisherman near and dear to this community. Pray for his family. Pray for the Department of Natural Resources as they continue searching for um for him and just uh Lord, just bring closure as soon as possible in that case. I pray. So again, thank you for your gracious blessings uh this Thanksgiving and holiday season. We have much to be thankful for. So uh

continue beyond this town and this leadership. And thank you for um just Lord just showing your love and grace and mercy. So thank you for this time in Jesus name. I pray these things. Amen and amen. Thank you. Amen.

Almost preached a sermon there. So but no, thank you. Thank you uh mayor and and uh town council. Um, I wear a wear a wristband that we give to a lot of people uh at our church as they come in. It's the AC. It's it says dig. We call it the dig bracelet. Dig g as an acriman acronym that says does it glorify God? And uh our heart and my heart always is right out of 1 Corinthians 10:31. Whatever you say, whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. So that's always my heart and that's the heart of our church and I know really that's the heart of this town. Do it for the glory of the Lord and I I hope these uh citizens have seen that. I know they I know they have. Um I just been gracious. We got a lot of volunteers at church. So thank you for the opportunity to serve and we are here for you. Um our church at Bayside through all things good good bad. We're here to pray for you guys. We're here to help wherever need it and uh count it an honor just be a partnership with you guys. So, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Thanks, Past. Yes, you Glenn. Yeah, thank you. Thanks for being here.

Yes, sir. I do also want to say, if I can report um Samilia, that uh we are raising funds for the the fire victims uh through the church. And uh as of this evening when I came over, there was about $20,000 that has been raised through the through the funding. So, I just want to let you guys know that blessing. Uh we've been receiving some gift cards, uh food assistance, whatever we can do to help the fire victims. Uh we're here. We have a Thanksgiving uh um meal on Saturday at 12:00 up at our church. This is something we do yearly. We we have a weekly food pantry as you guys know. Uh you know, part of our mission is feeding the hungry here in our community. And uh that has been increasing obviously with the government shutdown and the benefits uh that has over the last four weeks more than almost doubled our numbers. Last week we had about 75 to 80 families. This is before the tragedy and uh we're thankful that we have partners in the community collecting food and we can have that weekly food pantry as well. But we're inviting the families if they're able to come up to join us uh Saturday 12:00 for a Thanksgiving meal as well. Obviously, you guys are always welcome to come anytime and love to love to see you, but uh but that's something that's coming in the immediate future. And then also the church will come alongside and help with Christmas gifts and holiday gifts. And brother Anthony, thank you for your your help with things as well. And brother John, all all you guys, all the council folks just seeing you all throughout the week and Similia just working with you has just been a blessing. So thank you all. So that's

Thank you, pastor. Appreciate you being here today. side that this is a blessing during this time. You guys have been awesome. Thank Thank you. Thank Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate you being here. All right, it's time for the town administrator's report. You follow that up, would you? I'll

try going to stick to the the script. Actually, I'm going to uh deter away from the script just briefly to update the town on the work that's happening behind the scenes as it pertains to the the fire at Fishing Creek. Um we are well aware that this is not the first time that this has happened. We are very thankful that no lives were lost this time. Um, however, the town is aware of um concerns and have been working closely with the county um to figure out how we can uh make the necessary changes from the standpoint of the town um when it comes to a privately owned housing development. Um but it is um top of our mind. It's the top of our list. It's something that we really do prioritize. Um from the county's perspective, their priority, as Pastor Glenn said, is to find housing. And so that is what the top priority is but close behind will be addressing this so that this does not happen again. Um outside of that what I wanted to bring attention to is that we have three vacancies on um the on our boards andor commission. So one vacancy for our tree board um one on the board of port wardens and one for the board of appeals. So if it's something that you're interested in um I invite you to apply. Um these are appointed positions but you can submit a application which will be reviewed and um you taken into consideration but I uh implore people that if you want to know how you can help in the long term when it comes to keeping our community strong and close um it is serving. So these are great opportunities to serve and I look forward to seeing applications that are submitted. Aside from that, I am happy to take any questions as it pertains to the submitted submitted town administrator report.

Yeah, I just want to give praise that to the staff for getting the uh block s over at Richfield done. I saw people were really happy about getting that road finally paved. Eric's awesome. Big win.

I'll follow up on that. Yeah. Um, I talked to some of those families personally and I did reach out to the mayor and um, Smelia and told them there's a real buzz going on over there and people were really really excited. So, you know, that's something that uh, the mayor and Smelia were very intricate intricral in getting done. And so, great job both of you. Uh that's something that's again remember 13 years I believe it's been so and and and and uh and that's done something that something that couldn't get done for 13 years is done

well and thank you for that comment Eric and I know you live right around the block from there so it's very familiar to you and it's been you know what what I've done and what the staff has done is to re-engage with a developer who basically had walked away from the previous administration. Uh, and we've been working hard to get done, you know, make sure that he's doing what he is supposed to do, that we're doing what we're supposed to do, and he is moving it forward. And, um, it's a, in my mind, a whole lot better position to be in than what has occurred in the past. So, um, and and you since you've got feet on the ground there, you keep us informed of anything that you're aware of, too. But, um, we do have a good dialogue with, uh, with Mike Repy now and and I working hard to maintain that because I figure that's how we're going to get things done there.

Thank you for your comment, though. I truly appreciate that. Yes. Just just to follow up on that kind of with the Richfield uh theme, uh the traffic light, it says um we're going to review the report results and meet with SHA. So, they actually did send us the report. It'll be easier to review the report when they actually send it. They have not sent it yet. They didn't send it yet. Have not seen it. Have you

I know they they found some issues like with the timing and the the lights shining and stuff, but Okay. Samilia. Um I' for the town I'd like to kind of even though it's part of the economic development committee report I'd just like to highlight that um the rental program and rental licensing is in a review and this is we are proactively not reactively we're in in start with that. So there is uh a lot more work that's put the plan still in place, but it's moving forward with a little bit more urgency to uh kind of have the direction in place. Um and I have uh two of the residents from the subcommittee sitting here today, Sher Henley and Deborah Buckingham. So we are

we are putting we're it's something that we have already been taking serious but uh we're going to put a little bit of work in before Christmas maybe.

So the idea thank you for bringing that up. So the idea is that um it's a subcommittee so that we can get insight in from um landlords and tenants to make sure that we are addressing the rental program in a way that is making sure that all parties involved are protected and looked after. So part of what we'll be doing ahead of the holidays is putting together objectives for that subcommittee um and a clear idea of what the plan and outcomes are supposed to be. So, uh there will be more to come on that but we are working on that.

It it is and I and I I will also maybe give a little bit more detail but I would encourage anybody to submit tickets to the info at Chesapeake Beach. Um that's when we speak of accountability and transparency that program with through Zenesk is that for the town. So it's like did you see that email? Well, this has a tracking system and uh I would encourage anyone to send that through there and that's info@chesapemd.gov. Yes. Thank you.

I have a couple questions on another 13-year-old project. Um we all know what that is. The Ches Village sidewalk. Yeah. Oh, really? I did get an update from you on November 9th. Has the update changed?

So yes. So on November 9th, we were still waiting for the CAD files um which contained the information needed for the survey that had already been done in that area. Um, and the reason why we needed that was because the selected group by SHA um was charging an exorbitant what we believe to be an exorbitant amount for that to be done and we already have those files. So we um needed to get approval from SHA that we could submit previously done surveys in order to have that price removed out of the total charge that they would have been giving to the town. and we needed to reach out to BAI which was the group that did the survey so we could get the CAD files to share. So we have been able to receive those CAD files. We have uploaded them to the appropriate portal through SHA so that the um selected group will have access to them and sent them to them directly. So, um, as of this morning, SHA has confirmed receipt and, um, they have shared with us that they should have an updated price proposal to the town by the end of November.

That's fantastic. So, then would you foresee that we would be approving a contract in December? I would have our town engineer um look at the price proposal and if he is aligned with it and sees no other further issues, we would be able to move forward. I think you've got he's got a comment. Yeah. Yeah. Once we receive the proposal, we'll review it. We have to confirm that we are comfortable with it and it meets the project goals and it meets the project budget and then once we are comfortable with it, we would bring it to you for approval and then SHA would actually issue the contract. They're an SHA contract. So for expectation management, is there any reason why you would not bring it to us?

I think we I think we are bringing it to you because you have you are funding a portion of it, but the remainder of it is SHA. So SA actually issues the contract is my point, right? No, I would you you said if you were comfortable with it, you would bring it to us. Um but you now have said you are bringing it to us. Correct. If I'm not comfortable with it, it's going to go back to them to be repriced because there is a set budget and a and a set number that we're allowed to work up to in that contract. It also has to meet the contract requirements once we review it. If we're comfortable with they met those requirements, we'll bring it to you. You will see it at some point. It may not be in next by the end of November. Depends on what they send back to us. Okay.

Hey, hey, Wayne. How are you? Good. Uh so in your experience uh you were feeling like there's we're making momentum there. We are. That sounds good. All right. Thank you. Yeah. I I was just going to comment for expectation management. I mean we're coming into Thanksgiving and then the next council meeting a few weeks. I don't expect it December. I would probably further out. We've been told we'll see the the draft of of the proposal by end of November. As soon as we see it, we'll review it. If it meets expectations, we'll bring it to you. You guys think you'll be able to turn it that fast? Yeah. Okay.

And and I do hope so. That is another 13-year project. It is crucial to the safety of an entire neighborhood. We all want to get that done. All right. Thank you, Silia, for the report. Let's move to the town treasures report. Dan,

thank you, mayor. Um, I'll just be brief. Uh, you have copy of the report in your packets. Uh the only item that I wanted to comment on was the audit. Uh fiscical year 25 audit uh was submitted on time to the state. Uh the town received a clean unqualified opinion. Uh and copies of that report have been provided to the council electronically and hard copies and a copy has also been posted on the town's website. So, if anyone has any questions uh on the report, please feel free to reach out to me and you know, I'll try to get the answers back to you as quickly as possible. Uh other than that, that's about all I got. Anybody got any questions for the treasur?

Um yeah, just one question. the um on the expenditures report over 10,000 the uh Mid-Atlantic Asphalt Incorporated for 191,23374 for the tennis courts. Is that the uh full price of that project or is that a portion? That was a portion of it. That was a portion of it. Well, wasn't much more than that. Um believe it was 250 or something. Okay. Uh we so significantly less than what we budgeted for that budgeted 300.

We actually have a bond bill for 500,000 uh that was to help fund that project. Um we are uh when I came on that had not been submitted to the state for approval. So we're in the process of doing that. And as part of that process I've included additional tennis/pickleball courts at Kellum's Field in the proposal. So that hopefully if they approve it that way any funds that are left over can be rolled over and you have up to seven years to use the funds from the date they were awarded. So we've got plenty of time to do that. Great. All right. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay.

Question. Um and I don't have any questions about your report, but I might next meeting. Okay. Um, but is do we still pay a street sweeper or somebody to to clean up trash? Um, I'm not familiar with that. I've not seen that. That doesn't mean we don't. Okay. Thank you. I can check and get back to you on that. I would like to know because I'm I'm hearing from the community that we need that contract back. So, okay. Anybody else? All right, let's move on. Next is public works. Jay,

I'm I'm here. Nothing. Uh been a busy week. It's been a busy week, but I'll uh take any questions if you have any. And I appreciate the comment about Richfield Station. It's been a while coming. I went out there today. Um the developer worked with a known contractor that town's engaged with many times and did a great job. and all of our utilities that have been out there 13 years exposed. We confirmed everything works. And as we all know, that's the beginning of block s. So now the hopefully it'll be finished out. Um but we'll see. But we'll we'll take what we got. Long time coming. You just paved my road as well. So that's a win.

All right. Um, I just wanted to say, um, Jay, last time you mentioned that, uh, you have been keeping up with the leaves and I just wanted to let you know that the other night at my committee meeting, that was a resounding comment by everybody. They said, you know, leaves look great. So, I appreciate that and I will pass that on to staff. Yes, please do. Okay. Anybody else for public parks? All right, let's move on to the wastewater treatment plant. I'm always going to call it that, Josh.

That's why I still call it myself. Um, good evening. Uh, this month we went through and did our regular PMCS work through our asset management program. Through that work for the month, we completed 90 work orders and 100 122 uh procedures. Um, we had our quarterly cleaning our UV banks. Uh, continue to have no major issues with those. Uh, they're working in good order. uh routine replacement of a number of electrical components on there and a couple of bulbs and sleeves on them. Uh we had started our seasonal inspections for our closing out our exhaust fans for the year. It's end of the summertime so we don't need the fans to cool the buildings down and doing our seasonal cleaning and inspection of all of our unit heaters for all the buildings. Make sure they don't freeze up. Uh we have been in communication with Zero Draft LLC regarding the site lights project. Uh they have a scheduled date for December 8th to start doing the installation of the uh replacement of the lights in the plant.

And that work is expected to be completed probably by the end of that week on uh December 12th. And we did have our bids received for aation basin piping remaining project. And that is something that you all be up for voting on this evening to award a contract. questions. Thank you. Any questions? Um yeah, just ask it now instead of later. Um for the contract. Um what is it here? Cleaning, preparation, painting in the amount of 66 900. Um did we do multiple bids for that?

Yes, we did. We received uh two bids and a third bid was third bid was uh declined due to a lack of a bid bond. Okay. And the award is based on reputation or price or uh price and reputation. Uh the contractor that the we're recommending award for has a long line of history of this type of work. uh didn't see any issue through review of some of the references and what they had proposed. Were they the lowest bidder uh for the bids that we are looking the two that were uh reason you know acceptable? Yes sir. Okay. Thanks.

Other questions? Hi Josh. Um with our shelf shellfish protection tanks. Yes sir. Um so we have two rain events. Yes. uh off hand, do you kind of recall how many times we've had that, how many months we have two or many times we utilize that per year?

Uh generally throughout the year, any rainfall that's exceeding one inch, we're probably going to have to use our uh shellfish tank. Uh the first rain event we had also included a title inundation event also. So that did we did see some increase in flows that could be correlated to the tide level. Um but generally if we do have a significant rainfall we do wind up seeing an issue from INI. Did uh how did the flow report come from the uh other partners that on the second rain event? Was that increased? So with uh the county

we yeah we did see that issue with them and uh I'm working to get it all that data back to them to show them hey here's what occurred here's where the rainfall was here's how the flows responded. um just as information that maybe they aren't seeing it or maybe not analyzing it that way. And I've been doing this for a number of years now through all of our rain events. And I've got a question for you as well. I mean, I know that Anna Rundle has been working on their flow. Have we seen improvements?

It's hard to say at this point. Um the second rain event that did not seem to be as significant, but each rain event's going to be a little bit different. It all depends has is the ground saturated due to a prior rain or a couple other rain events has or has it been extremely dry? If it's extremely dry, we usually don't see an issue. If it's been a rain event within the past week or so, you will see that flows increase. So there there's a number of factors that come into play on it. Um, I'm going to be reaching out to them to give them that that information and just some feedback to them and then see what they have in relation to how they are on the project. They should have just started uh sometimes sometime in October. So, they're probably about a month in on the project.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong though. I I I seem to recall in one of your previous reports that there had been a rainfall and that you felt like there was an improvement in their flow. Am I incorrect on that? I would have to look back at the reports. Um, like I say, it's all dependent on the individual events, the severity of the how intense the rainfall was. Uh, these last two rainfalls were more intense as opposed I think the one that I'd seen not as much of a problem was more of a sustained rain. Okay. And may have been during a period of time where it had been extremely dry. So, where the water may not have perked into the ground, may have more just runoff. Right. Well, if you could, you know, keep us informed as

and really whether whether you know, you need us to reach out to Anonda County or something. You know, let's let's make sure that we get this squared away because I know that that was the flows that were coming from there were incredibly large compared to their normal flow. Yes, sir. And so, uh, and and I I there's a whole potential a lot of different reasons for that, but let it keep us informed. It could be attached to the surge you said, but I I also did see North Beach had put a bunch of announcements. the town of North Beach put in a bunch of announcements about uh discussing making sure there was no uh that type of issue in their town. So,

well, and yeah, I'm aware of that. Yeah, I'm aware of that. They've been working hard with us. Thank you. And I was just going to ask when you're doing these LED upgrades, if you could check with the vendor to see if they can get us like rebates through BGE or whatever for the uh replacing the fluorescent with LED. The rebate is actually being applied to the cost of the project. Okay, good. We've already reached out to them and gotten that information sorted out. All right. Awesome. Thanks. That's good. That means we don't have to spend it in the first place. There you go. There you go. All right. Any other questions? Thank you. Thank you for your report. Time for the town engineers report. It's been you've been a little bored around the town, huh?

It's been a little busy. Um, you have my report. I'm happy to answer questions, but if there's something you'd like me to highlight, I'm happy to highlight it as well. the Seagate meeting. Yep. The good news is MD has signed a has assigned a reviewer. I put her name at the bottom of my report. Um, we're working on a meeting in first part of December. Thank you. Yeah. Anybody have any other questions uh based on Lane's report? You're getting off easy. Oh, okay. All right. I I just heard Laura. This is an easy one. Um, are there remaining punch list items on the tennis courts or is that No, there are. There are.

Yeah, that's they're not on the courts themselves. It's on a parking lot. Okay. Do you want to elaborate or you don't have to? It's just engineer stuff. Happy to. It's uh there's the Coward County Public Schools has some questions about the paving that was done out there at this point in the year. We'll be fixing it in the spring if if it is to be fixed. We're just kind of monitoring at this point and we've held back funds for that to fix it if we need to. Um, do you know what the problem is or did they identify a I know what the problems are. They're instead of having one clean joint where they cut the asphalt, there's three and that's their concern.

Okay. Okay. And and the contractors bonded so they would have to fix it. Yes. And we've held the cost of the entire parking lot back from them. We've not paid them for it for that reason. Okay. Well, thank you for staying on top of that. You're welcome. One question. Go ahead. Um, Water Park, uh, currently working with Shel and town attorney to negotiate the contract. Any details on that? We'll discuss that in close session. We're ongoing negotiations. All right. Thanks. Thank you. It is time for Lieutenant Phillips. How are you, sir? Welcome this evening.

Yes, thank you. Um, you'll have the report uh 229 calls for service that were selfinitiated along with uh the 897 selfinitiated calls. The 229 were actually calls for service from citizens and other uh means. Um, any questions on any of the report that you all have? Not having had a chance to glance at any highlights that you bring to our attention?

I look through it. There's um some thefts and frauds um traffic related. There was a couple DUIs um uh CDS arrest, some assaults. Nothing stands out. Uh 9th, huh? the 9th. October 9th. That seems interesting. Decent exposure. No. Yeah. Be more specific. The 109 260 and G Street.

Oh, concealed medication. Yeah. Yes. Yes. Any other question? Yeah, I see a woman uh called 911 multiple times. Do you have a number? Like how many times was she calling 911? Like that's uh pretty big deal, right?

Yeah, it I tell you I've seen it multiple times. It's usually some reason that and we stop, but it's the abuse of the 911 system. Um they uh I've seen it throughout my career and it just I don't know I remember there was one time there's a there was a guy used to call the sheriff's office multiple times in the middle of the night like every night like 2 a.m. just it's uh All right. Okay. Unexplained. So Well, thank you, Lieutenant. Anything else? No. Okay. Tell your father I said hi when you see him. Definitely. Thank you.

Okay. North Beach Volunteer Fire Department report. Welcome. Yes, sir. Greetings from uh Chief Stanton and President G and Vice President Scott Kaiser. Uh I trust Did you get the uh up the stats that were usually emailed? Yes, this one. Good.

There was a technical glitch last month and uh our uh fire prevention Bethany Higs has worked it out. She said she got everything out. So that's good to see. Um been real busy these past week. Um we had uh started uh all day Saturday. We had the firehouse turned into the command post for the search for the missing fisherman. So we had uh a lot of community support, a lot of private boats came out and helped along with the uh public safety boats from all around the state. to uh do the searching. They had to call it off and then Sunday and Monday ran into some weather. So, they've uh picked it back up on a much smaller scale, but even as of today, they're still down there. Department of Natural Resources using it to uh work on some of the grid searches and everything. So, we're still working on that. uh prior to the big fire here Monday, Sunday evening, we had a we didn't, but we we responded on a pretty substantial house fire down a deal. So, uh, right when we were getting done with that and everything, our congag conglaguation kicked off here Monday, which, uh, you know, knock on wood, nobody was seriously hurt or fatal on that cuz that was had the potential to be very, very ugly. U, we had units from Calvert, just about everybody from Calvert County, Prince George's County, Anona County. Uh thing that kind of really amazed me and I've been doing this for almost 40 years now was that this this happened on a Monday. You know during the day most people having to work in uh North Beach just just our firehouse. We drumed up

almost 40 personnel show up. Uh I mean people staying home from work coming in. Uh we had a couple of our high school cadets called their parents. Mom, can I come home from school? they really need me down there. So, uh, just the amazing amount that, you know, it's an all volunteer system, so we don't have any paid people just hanging out doing their job. It's everybody giving up all their time. And to see 40 people show up for one incident like that was just amazing. Um, we're still working with uh the fire marshall on, you know, wrapping that whole thing up. Uh the we have a couple uh fundraisers going on that we would love any any and all support. They're having one at the firehouse. Our ladies auxiliary is having one Saturday from 9:00 to 3. It's a holiday extravaganza. All kinds of crafts and that kind of stuff. Food on the premises. And then for our cadet program, we have the uh real only up and thrive thriving cadet program in the county, which is basically kids 12 to 16 year old. Uh they're doing a couple fundraisers. The first one is Monday evening in Dunkerk at the Chipotle from 4 to 8. You I'm sorry, I said Monday, Saturday evening at the uh Chipotle Dunkerk 4 to 8. You all love Chipotle food. Come on by, get some food. just mentioned that you're there for the North Beach Cadet fundraiser or if you do online, there's a code you can use. It's all been on our Facebook page. Uh and then we'll be having another one December 4th at the Mod Pizza up in Dunkirk. So, we push all that out on our social media stuff. So, anybody keep an eye out it and please share. We love to see our stuff get shared through the community. And I believe our ladies auxiliary right now has a picture drive going on throughout the community where

they go doortodoor uh trying to del solicit uh donations and you get some pictures get the opportunity to get a picture taken down at the firehouse for that. And then we've uh got all our Santa runs planned out. So we'll be posting all that on social media probably within the next week or so. We'll get all the uh streets where we'll be out when we'll be out. Uh it's going to be a very uh emotional time for us during the Santa run because the gentleman that has uh played the Grinch, Mr. Brent Loveless, passed away this year. And uh so it was something that was near and dear to his heart. And uh he did the Grinch his brother was Santa Claus. And we're happy to say his son, he has an adult son who is going to take over his uh tradition and he will be the Grinch. So, we will have the Grinch and Santa out to see everybody on the uh Santa runs. I think that is about it. Any questions for anyone or

how's the Christmas trees when you getting them this year? Christmas trees, I believe. So, okay. Um I know they had talked about it. Um, I don't know if they have locked in anything or not, but if we do get the Christmas trees, it will be posted put up on the social media, but I think they're planning on it, but I haven't heard a def definitive answer on that yet. So, I know that have to check with pricing and all that kind of stuff. So, and more and more people are going away from the real trees in their houses. So,

looks like you guys been busy in the community with all the events. That's awesome. Just want to praise that and encourage you to keep doing that kind of stuff because it's really important to tie in the community with you guys. Thank you.

With uh your with the incident in Fishing Creek, will you guys coordinate with like emergency services to make sure that access to if another building had been there and how would you have access that? I know we having the ability to have the vehicles, the fire trucks, multiple fire trucks uh on each of the sides help, but I saw and thought about if it was been a back unit, how would we have accessed that? Is there a plan?

We probably would have set up pretty much the same way and just had to work with what we had. I know with this particular one and the one that we had, I think it's six years ago over there, the uh we were able to utilize the the hydrants, which is great to have the hydrants there. And we were also able to take one of our second engines and go around into the uh creek area and draft water. So, we didn't have any water issues. And that's I mean, we were able to get back there with no problem. and we were able to get the two tower trucks on the sides with no problem. So, yeah, we just have to deal with it however however we deal with it yet.

And if there's anything we can do to help, we we greatly appreciate everyone that showed up. Thank you very very much. Yeah. And I I will I will say also that uh my great nephew is volunteer Steven Flowers. Yes. is my great nephew and um um I'm I I saw him the day of the fire there. He was there participating. He's a professional firefighter in Prince George's County. Um I believe he just came off his 24-hour shift and was on his way home. Yes. When the call came out. I believe that is the case.

Yes. And uh but uh you know the residents of the town, the citizens of the town can be very proud of of what we have in the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department, which by the way is in Chesapeake Beach, even though it's called the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department. And it has been every the 40 years I've lived here, it's always been in Ches Peak Beach. It started the original firehouse is at the was in North Beach at the museum. Yes, I And then when it it moved to its current location. Right. Right. Right. Right. Which is now the museum and for a while was the library and then became other things. So Right.

But uh yeah. So and having had a house fire myself in 2005 and how I wasn't home. My wife my wife and I were an hour and a half away. But uh um you know I it was devastating. We were out of our home for a year um while it was being rebuilt. But um it's a tremendous service that you all as volunteers provide to the citizens in this area and the town and in the in the region and we're very grateful and the town is very grateful. And to that end um every year the town makes a donation uh to the funding of the volunteer fire department and we're going to do that tonight. So, if you would stand right there, we are presenting $50,000. Got it.

Got it. Looks great. And so this looks good. Very very appreciated. Very much appreciate. Well, and we appreciate what you do. I obviously personally have a relationship and I'm very happy that we're here to support you. Keep up the good work and let us know what else we can do. Okay. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Before you go, sir, I I have two questions for you before you go. Real simple. Um, just clarification for the Mod Pizza um fundraiser. Yes. For the Chipotle one, you gave a time frame 4 to 8. Is there a time frame for the Mod Pizza one? Mod Pizza will be all day. Okay.

Yeah. any any of the proceeds for Mod Pizza during the day. If you mention the fundraiser, then they'll do a portion to the cadetses. Okay. And then the other question is, um, the new Grinch, is his first name Jason? I do not know that. I I met him the uh other night when we went to Mr. Loveless's funeral, but I do not know his name. Big big big No, this guy's This guy's short. Okay, that's that's enough. All right, thank you. All righty, anybody? Thank you very much for being here. All right, time for the mayor's report.

Um, this is really I I wrote this today. Um, and this is really mostly about um what happened here at uh Fishing Creek. So, I'm just going to read what I wrote.

I'm sorry. Thank you. This lady keeps me straight. I was on the back page. It would have been quick. All right. Well, clearly the fire uh at Courtyards Fishing Creek is on everyone's minds this evening and I want to bring to your attention uh some of the incredible outpouring of support from the citizens of Chesapeake Beach and surrounding areas that occurred since this devastating fire this past Monday. And what you are looking at is some photos that I collected um that shows what happened. And so the upper left hand photo there is a drone shot after the fire was over. Um, and you can see that all the roof is gone and the building is is really almost utterly destroyed. Um, the picture in the center was sent to us by the Abner family and that was a picture of what it looked like from over at Abner's crab house up over there. Uh the young man down uh left, second from the left on the bottom, that's my great nephew uh Stephen Flowers who was there uh fighting the uh the fire after I guess a 24-hour shift. So as a in his professional firefighters job. And the other pictures are a little hard to see because they're small, but you can tell the devastation there. And uh we ha I have a video u that I shot from the tot lot the new tot lot uh as this was going on. And so this is that video and this gives you an idea of the scope of this and how I mean I think this last a couple of minutes and in that period of time I mean you could see

a lot of additional destruction in the fire breaking out. And I will say that Jay and I have had a chance to talk brainstorm a little bit after this and um and have some ideas of how in the future when things are built that it won't you wouldn't have the problems that you see here. And I guess the biggest problem Jay is that the entire attic structure is enclosed and there's no way to get to it. Is that correct? It's one of the things I mean there's a lot of details as an older structure and codes are different today but um I don't want to get into too many details but I second fire been there firsthand watch everything transpire do think there's some uh things when they move forward I have some ideas I'm not the code we're not the code we're not the fire marshals but seeing two things happen twice I've got some things I want to share with them and uh and I'm sure and I've spoken with Chief chief now and the old chief Chris Mills, they're aware of some things, too. I don't care who's involved with what, we can always do better. So, I I think that the first person that noticed the fire was Zachary Hansen. And I believe Are are you Zachary? Zachary is here. And thank you for waiting. I know that you really were even a little reluctant to be here. Um, and you work at Roland's uh uh grocery store as I understand. And and and this man right here, if you would stand up, sir, if this man is a true hero and deserves recognition for saving the lives of many people because he went around and banged on the doors and said, "The place is on fire. Get out." So, please welcome uh Zachary. And if you would come forward,

I have a little certificate of appreciation for you. very grateful not there to save people. So thank you very much. You want to say anything? You don't have to.

I appreciate y'all. Well, we appreciate you and go for some temporary work that y'all said that I will have a picture of the council. Can council in

stand in the back and still be seated. The fire the fire representative can Yes. I came to direct Okay, we'll see you in the store. This man save lives. You know this is amazing.

Take care. Thank you for patience and being

right. All right. Next item on the mayor's report. It was already mentioned. Uh after what is it 13 years, we now have Crest View and Clear Spring and Ridgefield Station paid and strike. I think that deserves applause. This is just this is just we are working hard to to with the developer to get things finished up there and this has been a this particular properties right here has been a problem for a long time. It's over 10 years and so it's great to see things getting done. So, um, and we had other certificates for the people that, uh, part that helped with the fire, but I don't know that they are here tonight. It's the Yeah, the rod and reels that in addition to this gentleman that was there and and was lifesaving, excuse me,

the um the rod and reel has um security vehicles that they go to their various properties and and uh the marina right there which is right next to courtyards is theirs. And uh you see them with their very bright flashing yellow lights driving around occasionally and um so their two employees were also u managed to be on site. So we will take these certificates to the rod and reel and give them uh to their to them. Um, and in addition to that, um, uh, Mary Lam and Wesley Donovan, uh, are the owners of the Broad and Real now. Um and they uh graciously have been providing hotel rooms for the people that were made homeless by that fire at no charge to them to these people. Um and uh Silia and I had a chance to do a little bit of visiting over there today. Uh most of them I guess were out at work. Uh but we did see a few of the people and we had a chance to talk to Mary and they the rod and reel was very reluctant to even make it public that they were doing this and um but I said you know the citizens of the town need to know that you support the town and so that's why I convinced Mary uh that we needed to recognize what they are doing to support the citizens of the town.

So, I think we should give the rod and reel a cl of applause, too. There's actually a representative from the rod and reel and Oh, well, come on up here. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. No, no, no. Well, thanks for doing that.

Hi, my name is Amber. Um, I have worked at the resort for 12 years now. Okay. Um, and prior to the fire, we actually decided that one of us would come to these meetings. But, um, yes, I have worked very closely with Mary Lam for those 12 years, and she does like to keep things quiet and just do it out of the kindness of our hearts. But I do think the community should know that um, they care very much about the community and those families. And it's not just, you know, them, but the whole um Broaden Rail Resort team, and I'm sure Mary would love me to say that, but even our um tenants from Skills to Serenity have stepped in to supply some snacks and things like that. So, it's been great the community feeling and helping those families and we'll keep doing that as much as we can. Well, some can just pass along that I think I speak for the entire council uh in in saying that that we as the town government are very very grateful for their the graciousness of the owners and all the staff there at the rod and reel. And if if you stop and think about it, going from that disaster that you just saw on the screen with the fires and people losing everything that they have to having a very nice hotel room at the Rod and Reel and I think they're providing them with food and everything. Um that's pretty amazing and that is wonderful.

Absolutely. And so, uh, I I just, you know, it makes me love my small town that I've lived in for 40 years now. I mean, it's just, uh, heartwarming to see this sort of thing happening.

Mayor, if I have, it's it's about when it happens and such a tragic event. We we all brought everybody here and I mean Anthony gets shoes and a shirt out like it was it was a hard event and Mary was here and where would people go was removed. She said everyone has a place to stay. No one has to worry about where do I go? And I think inside of the hardest time for most people inside of something so tragic to know that they didn't have to worry about tonight that the that response was was so appreciated and we would very much extend award. Thank you. and and uh uh appreciate y'all looking out for our residents in their hard time.

Absolutely. Thank you. And and and I appreciate you busting my door down and waking me up. Well, you know, we all got to show up sometimes. We were sound asleep. Five minutes. Five minutes. I mean, I called him and you know, his phone's not on till after seven. So, I knocked on his door, rang his doorbell. Five minutes him and his wife were out there and weren't weren't too well-dressed. Well, you know, it didn't matter. I don't think anybody was that, but but five minutes, you know, and I wanted to just say thank you. Thank you to everybody that showed up. It was uh it was a hard tragic event, a terrible event, but it wasn't a tragic event. And

nobody was harmed. Nobody was harmed. And it could have been so much worse. And I mean, just in an instant, it could have been. You could see from that video that we had up there that it didn't take long for the whole thing to go up in flames. So, um, this was Ches Beach at its best. We have a great town. We have a great town. Yeah. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Um, just one little uh point of pride that I want to add just so everyone's aware. um when things like this happen, disasters like this happen, there's such a multile level um coordinated effort that has to take place um in order to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible once disaster strikes. And so I just want to make sure that the council is aware that I spoke with um the the person who was running the command center essentially. And he made the comment just anecdotally that the last time this happened, it took them 5 days to get the information that we were able to compile and organize in one day. So that's something that's really important to know that we have at every level, the business owners, council members, town staff, the emergency services, fire department, everyone work together so well in order to be able to be responsive to the families who um were victims of this. So that's just important to know. And I I spoke to some of the uh those affected that morning and they said um one of the major reasons they moved here was for the community and I think this event solidified that. It's just it was awesome to see the response by the town like council showing up and all kinds of businesses like people were pitching in and stuff was happening like two hours after the event. It was just it

Yeah. And and I guess we'd be remiss if we didn't mention that Gary Luckett right here at Traders. Uh I mean within minutes I called him and I told him what happened and I said, "I've got people here that are basically refugees from the fire. Can you make breakfast?" And he says, "I've only got three people here." Well, he ended up in the kitchen himself and and traders provided breakfast for everybody and took it to the the community center. So, nobody went hungry. Um, and this went on all day as I recall. And so, the community came together. They started, we started out by bringing them to this building because we had access to this building. The community center wasn't open when the fire started. So, um, and then very quickly, you know, the Red Cross came in. Uh, who was who else was with us besides the Red Cross

over crisis? The crisis community. Okay. Well, and it was it it was a number of agencies and and they all coordinated, but the the Red Cross ended up taking charge.

Yeah. and uh and we were at the community center for for quite a while, but we started out right in this room where you are with those people and they weren't even dressed. I mean, it was early in the morning. They were still in their pajamas and but thankfully they all made it and they were all here and so all right well we can it's a okay it's a long list so we'll we'll move on. All right, let's move on. That's the end of the mayor's report. All right. Next, we're under we're up to resolutions and ordinances. Uh we're going to vote on ordinance 0-25-17, an ordinance of the town council of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, amending the annual budget for the general fund of the town of Chesake Beach for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 30th, 2026 to allocate funding for an expenditure of funds for construction of a water park. Is there a motion for approval? Motion. Is there a second?

Second. Discussion. Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Duly noted. One opposition. One in opposition. The motion passes. Next is vote on ordinance 0-25-18, an ordinance of the town council of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, amending the annual budget for the water park fund of the town of Chesake Beach for the fiscal year July 1, 2025 to June 20th, June 30th, 2026 to remove funding for construction of a water park. Motion. Is there a second? Second.

Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. opposed abstensions. The eyes have it. Thank you, Eric. Thank you, mayor. You like Absolutely. Absolutely. You like the remove funding part.

I'm sorry. Remove funding. Refer to Dan on that one. For that second ordinance, for the second ordinance, it's taking the money that was previously allocated in the water park budget, taking it out of there, and moving it into the general fund so that the full project will be funded from the general fund versus the waterpark fund. Right. We forgot. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for the clarification, sir.

All right. Report of officers, boards, and committees. The planning and zoning commission. We have a written report. Uh any anybody have any comments or questions or to say anything about this written report? Is there anything you want to add? Okay. All right. Have a question. All right. What would that be? Uh you all had a meeting last night,

correct? The planning and zoning commission met last night. So um did you just want to brief us on that and tell us when we'll be receiving things from that meeting and are any of them urgent for the people involved?

So the planning commission had a visit from critical area commission to start going over coastal resiliency. Um they did have a request from the public about the land use table changes which is something that they're already looking at. Um and so they decided to include the use that was requested um in the RV1 zone. That's all part of the land use table changes that they're working on to get over to you. Um the plan is to try to do do this in pieces. Normally, you would want to do it all together, but there are some things that are causing problems for folks with more immediacy. So, we're probably going to give you one land use table to solve some of those easier to solve problems and then tackle some of the harder to solve problems just to make it um better for people who are applying for permits sooner. Um, hi. How are you today?

Uh, with the, uh, with the, uh, lady that spoke in regards to, uh, wanting to put a Pilates in and the purchase up there, uh, will you have a recommendation? Are you able to approve that or we're moving forward with that?

Yes. So, um the planning and zoning commission reviewed the request and um that was actually something we were talking about already was that there's some uses permitted in the RV1 that it's like why is this use permitted and this use not permitted? And so they had that discussion. They incorporated I think five new items into the RV1 as conditional uses um to recommend to you, but they are still working on some other aspects. um they want to get to some stuff with group homes and home occupations definitely before they send it to you. Um there are other things that they need to look at that are going to take longer, but we really want to try to solve some of the smaller, simpler problems first so that it is easier for residents and businesses.

Is there uh any recommendation or thing with that? I think that's been something sort of hanging up um regards to this uh gentleman's spot for a bit. So the when the planning and zoning commission is done with their review of all the different categories, then they will recommend over to you the changes and I believe that that they're going to recommend some smaller changes sooner.

Okay. and then tackle some of the more complicated items. So, you will see you will see more than one revision to the land use table this year. Um, and it's just about prioritizing not holding up things like home occupations because we have to talk about ADUs. Is that making sense? Yes. Yes, it is. Thank you. get all your meeting last night. So, we won't be getting and and is the business owner going to be impacted by that very much or have

So, the business owner is aware that the use doesn't exist and there's no guarantee, right, that you all will approve it. Um, I did tell her it could take three to six months. I don't think it will take that long, but I don't want to give people a short window and not meet it. I'd rather give them a longer window. So, she is aware of that. Yeah. Thank you for that.

I have a question on that. Um, so as far as allowable businesses in town, is the structure right now a blanket prohibition then a list of allowances? I think too like we we do have a a whole section on the land use table uh later on that we'll just to to make the motion on this but yeah I just wanted to call that out though. Okay.

So each in the land use table you have have uses that are allowed and then you have your zoning districts and different zoning districts have different things that are or aren't allowed. Um the specific zoning districts that we're most focused on right now are the RV1 and the RV2. Um they you used to have just one RV zone, now you have two RV zones and um the split in the way the zoning was done created a few complications and um the fix to those complications um was done at the council level, not through the planning and zoning level. And so it never got referred back to look at it comprehensively and that's what we're doing now. Does that answer the question?

No. But that's okay. I don't I don't uh we don't have to pursue it right now. Okay. So if it went if it didn't go through, can we just get like reverse it then? Like if you saying it didn't go through planning and zoning and now it is,

why wouldn't we just fix that? So, it's it's better to let planning and zoning because they're familiar with the zoning ordinance and the comprehensive plan to review the zoning and make a recommendation. And this is why is the changes that are confusing us came from the council without a recommendation from planning and zoning as far as I can tell. And so the council doesn't doesn't always know to look at at everything and look at all the different pieces of it. And that's what planning and zoning does. And so that's what I think happened to create the confusion. So it is best to let them look at it comprehensively and bring it forward to you and then you can look at it comprehensively. I think the council looked at pieces based on a request.

So if Any other questions?

Thank you. Moving along. Board of appeals had no hearing, so I'm assuming there's nothing from the board of appeals. Chesapeake Beach Oyster Cultivation Society. Is anybody here from the Jay? Anything you want to add? I will add that I ate lunch today with John Bacon. And uh I learned something else about when he was seven years old, he used to raise popcorn. And it was interesting back then they had popcorn that was white, blue, and red. And he enlightened me that they ate that two to three times a week for years. I

just figured I'd share that with you. I don't know how I would have been able to finish the day without knowing that. Thanks Jay. Seabbox Chespig Beach Oyster Cultivation Society. Anybody? And we we have the written report, right? Um I don't think we want to read the whole thing. Does anybody have any questions or comments on this? Jay, is there anything you want to say about it? Not about the report. It's kind of dormant right now. Field trips are over. Okay. And that I'm assuming the field trips went well. And how many how many uh kids did we have come through there roughly?

I would let Sue the the lead of that answer that. I don't know off hand, but I do know it's every fifth grader in Calvert County. Said,00. 1100. Oh, okay. 1100. Okay, great. Oh, yeah. It's right there in the in the report. Okay. Economic development.

All right. Um Yes. So, u wrote a report up here. Uh I guess as it's with the other one, I'll just go ahead and read it for everyone. Uh as part of our ongoing work in economic development, we open up a broad request for the public input into two areas that directly affect our residents. Our rental housing market and our local business community, the rental program and rental licensing. We would call for public suggestions. We have started forming a rental program review subcommittee as we discussed earlier. And uh I would like to have anyone that wants to provide information to submit that to info@ chesape beachmd.gov and the subject line economic development and uh it will be prioritized and submitted through staff. um make sure that whoever needs to see it um will see it and I look forward to hearing from people. Thank you.

Any other questions or comments? I just think it's great that you're starting this up. I think it's uh important more now than ever uh after what's going on over there and just I know we have some uh residents over there that might be interested in in joining. Yep. Right. How many do you have so far? Six. Six. myself, Anthony, uh, Cheryl Henley, Deborah Buckingham, um, Bonnie of Burus, and Wesley Donovan. All right. Excellent. That's good. Thank you. I'd just like to comment on the, uh, I appreciate your font size selection. Awesome.

So, you could take your glasses off. Yeah. Well, almost. for his thank you Daniel small. Thanks Dan. All right, election committee Randy, welcome. Thank you for being here tonight. And I know I know you've got a lot to talk about, don't you?

I'm going to keep it very short. Just a couple of comments. I want I just want to say that we we did meet uh the election committee met on the 21st of October. uh great attitudes, lots of questions. Uh we've set up a RFI u uh log uh on our on the share drive so that we can uh kind of keep track of all the questions and answers and comments that we are that we are getting as we're going out and and trying to gather information. Uh we've we've been getting great support from uh the county elections, from the Maryland Municipal League, and several of uh election support um contractors have given us information about the kind of things that are out there, kind of things that are available. Uh I also remembered a uh uh a Maryland uh state site from their election board which has the elections from 23, 24, and 2025. all the elections that have occurred for all the municipalities. So, it gives us it gives us a database to go look at and see how they've held their elections and how they're holding their 2025 elections. Gives us more information kind of equipment and things that they're using. Um the the committee is still motivated and still working hard and our next meeting is on the 2nd of December.

Well,

anything to add, Eric? Um no you pretty much covered it and we are um also the one other thing I'll just add is we are we are as a committee um discussing broader we're trying to nail down broader issues and rank them so that we can f put put our time and focus into what we feel are the most important aspects of of this decision. And Randy and I have had numerous conversations about the the next election. And um I'm going to share that you and I have discussed having you attend the Maryland Municipal League convention next summer uh so that you can uh the the vendors of various election tools will will be there exhibiting and that will that and the reason that I'm encouraging Randy to go is so that he can get eyes on to all of the technologies that are available. and and that will and also to attend classes with the league. So, we want to get them a full registration. Um, but that will give us a much better feel, give you a much better feel for for what's available that and we don't want to have to invent the wheel ourselves. And I I I love to share with regard to elections that when when I first moved to town, all of the voter registrations were on index cards in the box. That's how it was. So, uh, but that's been 40 years ago. But, uh, thank you for your hard work and your diligence and and and I and I I really appreciate it.

Thank you. Just to be clear, Randy, um, next meeting date is December 1st or December 2nd. Tuesday, I believe it's December 2nd. Right. Well, you put on my paperwork December 1st. Did you not want me to be there? I think that I had uh messed up. I saw that today that I I had uh I re I rewatched the tape and I saw that it was Tuesday, December 2nd and uh I think what I wrote on my calendar first was that we were looking at the first week in December and I messed it up. Gotcha. I changed the schedule. Thank you.

But but the other thing since the mayor mentioned the uh uh Maryland municipal league. So for those of the council members that are going to that I I want you to and I only right now there's only one election support contractor that's going to be there tech but uh so write down booth number 611. I I think it would be a good idea for since you're if you're there to go look at the type of equipment that is available there. There are uh 28 of the municipalities that are part of the the uh Maryland municipal league that use this one company in some sort or another and and they're going to be there. So, and I've seen a lot of successful in in looking at the results, I've seen a lot of successful elections that they have done. So, so I uh say, "Hey, that would be something for you to check out because, you know, next year

uh or the year after we're, you know, after the 2026 election, you know, we're we're going to come and and talk about what options we want to go." So, u since you're going there in June, if you are attending, um pay attention to that so you go get firsthand and go ask any questions that you want. I look forward to visiting that booth with you. That sounds good. Thanks, Randy. Sure. All right. Next is the green team. Uh Lori, can you report on that?

Um I I can report. Um that the green team always provides a very good report. Their next event of course is the holiday light up the town. Um we'll be painting oysters with uh children. I think they informed me that Jay drilled quite a few holes and some oysters. Um, and that's going to be a great event. Other than that, they're working on some grants and some further out planning. Um, and I just like to reiterate what a value they are to our town. Absolutely. Constantly doing things for us. I'm paying oyster

and and they are selfinitiated and and self-driven. Um, so I don't want to take credit for the green team because it's it's led by Melanie Crowder. Understood. So that you're a member. So and you're here. Yes. Yes. So thank you Melanie. Thank you Melanie. Okay. Uh Kellum's re No. Yes. Kellum's revitalization.

Yeah. Um so uh real quick I met with um Wayne and his staff, Jenny and and Simon and the mayor uh on Tuesday this week to start talking about getting the drawings uh crafted up for Kellums. Uh so we're seeing some good progress there. As soon as that uh comes out, we'll share it with uh the council and the community. Um and really just trying to drive forward. The goal is to action on that plan in in 2025. And and I talked to uh Lori um was it yesterday or the day before? Uh this week I talked to Lori about uh you know a partnership with walkability community with regards to the walking path. So, um she's she's going to help us out there think through what that does or what that looks like. Um so excited. Uh we're talking about uh in 2026 um uh a stage theater, maybe the walking path and and really like some of the entrance and and cleaning up the building as as phase one and then getting into the larger projects uh uh in phase two uh pending uh approval and concurrence from the the council. So that's all I have. Anything else? Okay. Um, next, Twin Beach Community Health Coalition. Anthony,

no report for this month. Was brief. I appreciate that, but I know that you're doing good work. Walkability committee. Okay. Mine mine's not real brief. Um, really,

we have most most of our projects are with the town. Um, we have a railway trail RFP that is currently with the town. Um, I'd like to reiterate that the walkable community advisory group is advising a design build uh contract. So, I I know we had a meeting on the 9th and there might be some recalibration or or some exchange of vision with town staff and the mayor. Um, so I would appreciate if we can do that soon. Um, if we do get the contract in place as it was intended, I think that it would be very easy to take that contractor and incorporate Jaime's Kellum's field plans into a overall holistic design for our network. So, um, just some food for thought, but

I'll actually, um, have Wayne speak to that a little bit. Sure. So, thank you for saying the stuff over you, send over. Um, Jenny and I have gone through it. She's creating a plan. We'll be back in touch with you. Like to sit with all of you once we've kind of gotten that our hands around that what you're looking for. Um, and just make sure we encaps we capture the vision, if you will, then we'll bring you a plan. Uh, I would expect that be sometime in December. We'll have that for you.

Okay. Thank you very much. I appreciate your your review and input for sure. Um it's really just that the community has been through so many designs and no builds. Um and then also that the recommendation from all the trail organizations is design build so that the person that designs it has some knowledge when they go to build it. Um that's the reason for our recommendations. So

understood. And I'll just add to it that um when we met with Jenny because Jenny's also we we talked to her about Kellums, we shared the the thoughts behind placemaking and so she has that and she'll work with Wayne to help us build out um the specifications that are needed for our RFPs. And so I think it's important to note that because it does bring a level of continuity to the way that we're approaching um how we even prepare the RFP documents to go out for bid. So we're aligned in the the approach.

Outstanding. That's that's great. Um and so I'll just go quickly through we have a um we talked about the Chespake Village sidewalk. We also have a number of studies that SHA has agreed to undertake for safety. Um all of those projects are projects that cannot get done without SHA's cooperation. So we have to wait the 120 days. We have to find out what they say and we have to um then work with them on solutions. So those are longer term projects, but we are working them in parallel to the railway trail RFP. And then the final thing that um well it's not with town anymore. It came back to the walkable community advisory group was the bike slow policy. Um I will say that um the committee has decided to bring that back to the drawing board. What was provided wasn't really our intent. Um so I think maybe we could look at some code from some of your towns that you work for, Alyssa. um or some other towns that might more reflect what we were looking for and then we'll go from there.

And the municipal should be available to provide assistance as well. That's a great idea. Thank you so much. Anybody got any questions? Thank you. Um, next the water park committee. You speaking to that? Yep. You guys have the report from last month. Uh, we just met tonight actually right before the meeting. Um, we've been working with the vendor Splashtacular on the slides.

Uh, the spray ground. I sent the most uh recent update to the spray ground to some of the council and they seem to have good feedback and the uh committee had good feedback on the spray ground. Um, and we're also working on a movie screen to have like a a dive in movie nights to to put on the wall on the slide tower. So, got a couple exciting projects going on. First, we need to get the contract signed. So, right. Um, that's it. All right. Anybody got any questions for John? All right. Next is unfinished business, but I see nothing on the agenda for unfinished business there. We didn't add anything to that, right? Yeah.

All right. So, new business. Um, item one, town council to consider awarding a contract to old line construction in the amount of $37,2527 to install a new fire hydrant at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Jay, do you want to speak to this, please? Sure. And thank you. And I don't know, they are still here. So, we've met over there a few times and they actually post fire like that they have to hydrostatic test all of their hoses which I don't want to speak for them but I just know was thousands of feet of hose and they had to actually I saw a lot of that I believe yesterday right they were all over

so in that in the in your packet you should see the picture of the existing fire hydrant this was this month um just on a high tide on

so long story short since I started here in 2006 this this would be the fifth time we'd address this haj. I think the plan is no longer fix it. We we've got a proposal here to move it west um which will take it out. If you're familiar with the the fire department, there's their sign out front that hydrants located kind of there on the lower end of the parking lot. Floods and due to saltwater infiltration, it's just not lasting and it's obviously the most used fire hydrant town. So, this funding is currently in our waterline and repair budget, but due to the amount has to come in front of the council, but I will pre-warn you that that's half my budget, so there's a chance at the end of the year I'm over budget due to other things, but I I don't think we have a choice anymore to go back and fix it. So, this will take care of it once and for all. We're moving this hydrant. It's 110 total feet. It'll be relocated on the northeast uh island of that building in a green space and we're going to pour a slab and basically we're going to do all the work. The uh I I say we this contractor is install it, pave the parking lot where we have to cut it. We may have to move one utility that uh lights up that sign, a piece of electric, and hopefully it'll be done once and for all. And the, you know, the lifetime of a hydrant is a lot longer than the few years it's been lasting where it's at. and I'll take any questions or just trying to give you the this honestly looking back and I'll keep the track and we'll note it. It would be great to have some kind of coastal resiliency grant or something related because you can see obviously in this picture and I've honestly been working on can we get there? Can we do this? But that time has passed. I'm not saying we can't go back to it but it's time to take action and move it.

Is there a motion for approval? Motion to approve. Is there a second? Is there a comment question? Yeah. Go ahead. Just making sure we're going to be doing all of that. There's nothing that they fire department's going to do. If there's a utility or light needs to be do, we're taking care of all that. We're not leaving anything left for them to do. Correct. Correct. It's going to take their participation um in working with But I'm providing the private locates. We have the equipment to do that to try to find where their sign is fed electrically. Um, and the town is paying for the contractor to do all the work turnkey. It'll be operational when they're done. We'll just let them know, hey guys, we'll be in your way. That's it.

Yeah. And it and it's probably a three to four day project, weather permitting. So, um, I've met with the post chief, the current chief staff. Uh, we walked it all. We coordinated it, scratched our heads. Where's the best place? This also gives us 6ft elevation change. So this won't be a problem even in the you know predicted 50-year sea level rise. Not saying the fire department will still be there then but it's up there and the fire that's what y'all are expecting. Correct. Oh yeah.

All right. I just Yeah. I just want to I just want to put into the public record that due diligence was done here. Three quotes were provided to council for review. It's in the budget. Um and the more comprehensive uh scope of work that I think we're looking to do is the one we're selecting and this is the uh the lowest uh proposal submitted for that scope. Correct. Correct. Yep. Just wanted to put that in the public record for for everybody. So, thank I I appreciate that. All right. Any other questions or comments? All right. All in favor say I. I. I.

Oppos. The eyes have it. All right. Next. Town council to consider awarding a contract to Minowan Industrial LLC in the amount of $66,900 for aation, piping, cleaning, preparation, and painting at the Chesapeake Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. Um, oh, I messed that up. Um, is there a motion for approval? Move to approve. Is there a second? Second. Do you want to explain anything? Has any questions? I can any further questions from earlier? Okay. Any any any questions? All right. All in favor say I.

Opposed? The eyes have it. You did a good job with your explanation there. All right. Uh, item three under new business, town council recommendation for land use timelines for planning and zoning. And Jamie, I believe that you want to

um Yes. And thanks to Sarah, she definitely uh was starting to field some of the questions um earlier. So, in the work session, I brought up uh wanting to make a motion tonight. So, I will do that here in uh in just a second. But um uh I wanted to call out that uh the purpose for this motion is really just tied back to land use table like Sarah was pointing out and some of the questions and Eric actually to like some of your questions is um I think that the in the past uh we've tried to prevent certain things in the town from coming and and because of that we've overindexed uh significantly and become extremely restrictive uh in what is allowed and not allowed in the town. um to the extent that that very simple things uh should be allowed. Um so in and so in my motion um I'm going to call out um explicitly uh tied to ADUs because there is a Maryland state law that's requiring us to do a review uh by the end of this year. Um however uh I think we should be reviewing that uh at a more expedited rate. Um so I'm going to I'm going to put a time box on that or a recommended time box on that. Same with uh short-term rentals because I think that uh is a question that we're often getting. Um and then the last one is going to be homebased businesses and cottages. Uh so I the motion that I'm going to read out here in a second uh and I apologize for not having it written out for you all, but the motion I'll read out here in a second um really is saying is asking uh planning and zoning because by law we need to allow them an opportunity to provide a recommendation to the council before the council can act on anything. Um but uh asking them to holistically review the entire uh land use table um because I think it needs to be modernized. I think it needs to be up to speed with uh where we are in 2025. Um but at the same time putting some prioritization uh on ADUs because of the state law uh short-term rentals and then the home like the homebased business one is a really easy

uh like lowhanging fruit that's uh pretty straightforward. Um, and I've tracked some of the conversation that's gone around uh regarding uh the fears of, you know, group homes being started or, you know, marijuana dispensaries and and I think if you read anything about the the state, uh, there's some pretty like straightforward restrictions on what is a homebased business and, you know, there's some parking conversations like you usually a homebased business are the occupants of the home. Uh, it's not like you're going to have uh, you know, people running in and out. It's not a convenience store. uh and you're not going to be selling uh uh brownies uh special brownies uh out of your house. So, um

yeah, maybe. But so, with that said, um does anybody have any questions before I make my motion uh refer this?

One question. Um this this I read through the state law and and there's there's a couple problems I have with it. um based on the size of ADUs and and what might be provided and it's it's basically says you have to allow it but it doesn't really indicate lot sizes and things like that. So I think it's going to be a little bit of a challenge of planning and zoning to protect people with the conditions that they might come up with for these ADUs. Um, so again, I'll encourage everybody not to rush so that we can protect people um and get things zoned correctly. And um I think the parking study as well is something that we should consider because people are always um having problems with parking. Yeah,

we we need to we need to accommodate people, but we don't need to make people uncomfortable unnecessarily.

Yeah. All I'm going to say there's a Maryland state law that we got to follow by one October. So what what I'm proposing is just we're asking planning the referrals to planning and zoning to prioritize it and then time box the discussion so that the council has a reasonable amount of time to discuss because your point right the current uh town code allows 650 ft for an ADU. Uh you know we are lower and we talked about this in the working session. You know North Beach is uh 800 I think the county is is 900,000 somewhere around there. Yeah. Uh so you know what is realistic? what do we want to you know I don't know the right answer to that that's that's why we want to refer this over to them to get a recommendation and then uh talking with Sarah there definitely has to be a conversation around parking but I I do think because we would be changing the code we need to allow us the proper time to uh follow our uh legislative guidelines uh but making sure that we're not getting it very last minute and we're rushing uh to to do that. So, this is why I want to I kind of want I just want to time box it. And then um to be really frank and honest, uh we have the ability after we've uh referred this to planning and zoning, uh you know, the state law says we have to give them an opportunity to recommend, but after that, we have the ability to start actioning as we see fit. Uh so, I'm trying to play uh in the law space. I'm trying to do what's right for the town, but I don't want to be constrained to an 18 month process on some of this. You know, this isn't rocket science. We have we have neighbors that we can look to uh and figure this out. Adus are are challenging.

Well, I appreciate I appreciate it. 6 months is uh you know, that's about as lengthy as time we can do so we can stay in state law. I mean, 6 months that puts me about June is what I'm looking at it by the time we get that. Uh like I said, I very grateful for uh community members willing to join and help in this discussion. It's uh uh it's a it's a total effort here. And uh it it does seem apparently rushed, but I believe our job of a government is to stay in governance and make sure we're following the law also. And the state law requires something. We're going to stay lawful. And I think that's a commitment to move forward.

I like lawful. I just Yeah, I appreciate uh the proactivity there and the thought process behind it. Uh I would just ask Sarah like are there any logistical issues with expediting this? Um are there any requirements that planning and zoning has coming up that they need to fulfill um prior to this or

so planning and zoning tries to have like a big project and then they will also handle like smaller projects at the same time. So coastal resiliency is going to take longer as we handle these other projects with regard to ADUs. It's something that they know they need to look at. Now, you don't necessarily have to change anything in your zoning code about ADUs except that you have to provide a waiver process for the parking requirement and a parking study if you're going to maintain the parking requirement. Um, so it is a the way the law is, it's a little more comprehensive than just having to change the size, but that's one thing to consider. So, that's what they'll that's the piece they'll consider. I would I would just say um you know one thing that we should try to do I don't know that we're capable of doing it but one thing that we should try to do is give planning and zoning an overarching monolithic vision that they can they can refer to while they're doing a holistic review to keep tethered to something that the council can actually pass.

So I would say that's your comprehensive plan. Your comprehensive plan is the town's overarching vision and all zoning has to be consistent with the comprehensive plan. But in this review, in this holistic review, we there's obviously an agenda that with certain changes want to be m that we want to see certain changes. I'm just saying that that vision be clearly uh enunciated for you so that this work is not just spinning your wheels. We should provide a recommendation to them so they can provide a recommendation.

Correct. Because because the idea is that the reason that I think that we're going to have this motion is because we're looking for certain changes. I mean, that's fair to say, right? So, and if that if that's loosening certain prohibitions on home businesses or whatever it is, there's some type of overarching vision that the council has that is that is triggering this motion and we just need to be clear on what that is. And I was just going to say so yes and if the vision conflicts with the comprehensive plan by law the comp the the zoning has to be consistent with comprehensive plan. So meeting your your vision. Yes. And as long where it dovetales with the comprehensive plan. If your vision and the comprehensive plan differ dramatically then that is going to be where the problem is because we cannot have zoning that is inconsistent with the

agreed still the vision needs to be there so that we can get to that point.

I just want to set expectations. So, I'll chime in just to say part of what I am preparing for the council and we've talked a little bit about it is to have more clarity on what your cohesive vision is as a body because the comprehensive plan is the framework from which you get to play within. Right? The comprehensive plan sets the framework. There's already a vision. There's already a mission for the town. But what you as lawmakers get to do is figure out what is important to you and how to align that with the framework that already exists. So it is forthcoming but the idea is you can what I hear you saying is that it would be great to communicate with planning and zoning. What I hear say is that well technically they already have an idea in the direction of what they're moving in and what's missing is you for you all to say and this is how we want to see the comprehensive plan accomplished through the lens of our vision as elected officials. And so part of what we will be doing like over between now and the new year is helping solidify that so that you will be able to more clearly communicate what your goals and visions are.

Yes. No, I understand. But I think what one of the problems we're having here is that the vision of the comprehensive plan is not our vision because we didn't do we didn't pass that comprehensive plan.

So where we're at here is a little bit of a a sticky situation where there's things that we would like to see done. We need to communicate as a monolithic vision what those things are at least overarching in a in a in a you know 30,000 foot view and you know yeah we're battling with that. We're going to be battling with that idea of what previous councils wanted and passed in a comprehensive plan and maybe what we want and trying to find that happy medium or where we can exist there. And so, Eric, I would remind you that the comprehensive plan took in an immense amount of public opinion. Um, it was vetted over several years. And I'd also remind uh a couple of you that that this is an entire council and some of us get information very last minute. So these ideas that you have, I know I would appreciate you sharing them with me and understanding what your vision is that may conflict with the comprehensive plan. But I do think that assuming that six council people who haven't done the same public outreach that the planning commission and the previous council did do during comprehensive planning is just a little bit arrogant. So, I I think that if we are making drastic changes to something that was publicly vetted over a period of years that we should do the same due diligence and find out what our citizens want. Can

I'd like to I'd like to I'd like to again bring up the info because as we clarify the public comment and the public outreach having the public speak but whether you choose to listen to the public that has spoken to form your plan I think that's again where our Zenesk provides a transparent and accountability to our public. With all due respect, can we get back to the motion that we were talking about so that we can get this wrapped up?

Yeah. Um I I do I'm going to answer your question though. Uh I I as I've laid out in the last handful of meetings, I've been bringing up land use table now for almost a year uh and in this this piece. So it's not new to anybody and I campaigned on this uh because we talked about it before I even ran uh is the comprehensive one. you brought up a great point because one piece that I have a a question is is if we do see a differentiating position uh against the comprehensive plan. I don't know the answer on how we address that. Uh so I'll talk with you offline what that looks like. Um but I will say that the land use table is designed based off the comprehensive plan and I will firmly commit that our land use table is over restrictive and not modernized. So I would agree with that.

So so yes. So concur that we want perspectives and inputs, but I I would say that whatever and I've read the land use table. It's like a, you know, it's a thousand pages long. I think it's like 350, but um you know, it's a very dense document. Um how we got to that exact land use table, I don't know. Uh nor do I.

Yeah. So I So I'll make my motion now and then we can you guys feel free to tweak it however you see fit. Uh and then we can vote on it and and move forward. So uh and again so uh I make a motion that the town council formally refer the land use table including the conditions and standards for conditional and special exemption uses sections 290-10 290-11 and attachment one of the town code and any other applicable code or policy to the planning and zoning commission for a comprehensive and holistic review and recommendation. This review should include the full table and the council requests that planning and zoning set and provide a clear timeline within this budget year for the review while prioritizing the focused areas uh detailed below. Number one, accessory dwelling units, ADUs within 6 months, short-term rentals within 6 months, homebased and cottage businesses within 90 days.

Is there a second to that motion? I'll second that. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Uh, we've already discussed it at length. Well, this is the first time we just heard it. So, I do have one question. No. Um, so, but my question is still is you're asking for a review. It's focusing on these areas, but there's no real direction that we're going to supply as far as what goals we're looking for. Yeah. I mean my yeah I would ask you my goal is make it less restrictive and modernize it so that right so that's you know I think maybe we should plug that in somewhere as far as you know some type of goals that we're looking for the rails

right so the reason that the planning and zoning commission is looking at the land use table is because I've identified that there are some areas where again I think changes got made without going through planning and zoning and it's become inconsistent with a comprehensive plan and so That's what we're looking at. The goal could simply thing to look at make it consistent with the comprehensive plan or or could there could be some other underlying motivations that you know we want to

Yeah. I mean when I hear holistic I'm hearing uh like a maybe in in matching with our neighboring towns and and communities. So, it's like if the ability to have the same policy that's set within Calvary County and North Beach as far as auxiliary dwelling units, that's a way for us to holistically not just look at ourselves, but the community so we're not having to figure out what rules are where. I think I spoke with uh Sarah and it seems that we'll probably give listen into the public the planning and zoning meetings and and work together alongside each other.

I guess one other question I have is listen is there is there a motion needed for this review to take place? I'm not quite following why we have a motion. I'm I'm making a referral for the council to refer this to the planning and zoning like an official referral to the planning and zoning that is in your code. So that you it has to be referred to you in order for you to look at it. So amendments in the zoning article amendments can come from the planning and zoning commission. They can come from a public petition or they can come from the council referring it to planning and zoning. So that's what um Councilman Schles is doing is that piece

we can't act if we haven't this again the state law requires or that we allow planning and zoning an opportunity to provide a recommendation. So we could talk all day blue in the face but we still would have to follow that requirement. Uh so by referring it to in an official capacity we have now will have satisfied that requirement. Yeah, short due diligence. Due diligence. And I can add that. I can add in uh I I started typing. I said our at the end of the first paragraph I could write our goal is to make our land use table less restrictive, less complex complex and uh more modern while safeguarding the community.

So, do we strike the motions that we just did and do this all over again with the new verbiage? Because we need to figure out what's the change. The motto amend. It's up to you guys. I don't care. I wrote my motion. So you guys want to amend it, you amend it. We all I think as long as Sarah has the goal in mind, like she can take it back to the planning and zoning committee. Move to amend as announced second. Go. Let's do it. All right. Motion to approve. All in favor? All in favor? I. There we go. Eyes pass. The amendment. That's the amendment. Now is a motion to approve amended.

Yeah. No, no, that was the amendment. Move to approve the amended motion. Second. All in favor say I. I. Okay. I'll send you that. Thank you all very much. Thank you. All right. It is time in the agenda for public comment. Is there anybody in the public that wants to come forward? Please do. Cheryl. Hi, Cheryl. Hi. Hi. Give us your name. Cheryl Henley, 419 15th Street, 4037 First Street, Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Thank you.

Um, I just came to say first, I commend the town and everybody for that great response uh to the fire. I don't remember it happening last time, so I'm I'm very happy with all that was done. The second thing is I've had um some dealings with the town um public works with Fran uh different staff and I just came out to say it was just outstanding and I especially want to thank um Jay for all the efforts that he did to assist me and I know he didn't do it just for me that they do it for all the citizens. So I just want to say well done and thank you.

Well thank you very much for your comments. And Cheryl, u I did uh actually after we spoke yesterday send an info ticket u to follow up that and I believe your situation had actually triggered a resolve. Yeah. Yes. Uh thank you Mr. Dunn. How are you, sir? I'm doing well. How are you all? Uh Kelvin Dunn. Uh, I live at 39 39 I can't even remember my address.

3935 Gordon Sten Avenue, Courtyards of Fishing Creek. Been there since 2014. Uh, yes, I was here uh 2019 when the fire that first fire happened. Uh, thank you first of all to everyone uh from EMS, firefighters, uh, everybody that pitched in uh, from the first one to the second one. Uh, I just want to thank each and everyone. Uh, my biggest thing is, uh, I'm seeking accountability. Uh, I've been living there since 2014. I've, this is probably my third, uh, property management that I've been dealing with, but this one has been, uh, a little rougher than any of them. Uh, there's no accountability as far as to get things repaired, get things done. Uh, I've expressed to them things. Uh, I have like, uh, GFI plugs. If you all are familiar with GFI plugs, I have GFI plugs in my apartment. That sparks. That's not good. I brought that to the attention of uh, the property management. I brought that to the attention of Southern Maryland Tri County, who uh, I was informed by the CEO, Michael Young, is the landlord uh, of that particular area. and I'm trying to get things done and hold them accountable because I didn't want to see this happen again and I definitely don't want to see it happen anymore. But my biggest concern is trying to get ears and eyes to come out and physically I will walk with you and point out things that I have pointed out to this property management um that just is going to be issues and I guarantee you that it's going to be some bigger issues if not dealt with. Um Jay, you're familiar with a lot of things that that have transpired and gone on. Um Mr. Mayor, I brought things to you. uh personally

that I've been encountered with with these people, but there needs to be some accountability and that is my biggest thing is I want to bring accountability uh and some some other issues I have as far as with housing and whatnot that I like to discuss with anybody that's uh open and available. Uh so, and I got questions as well that I like to get some answers to, but mainly I want some accountability brought to this area because enough is enough for me. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Don. Yes, sir. Your name?

Good evening. Uh, my name is Matthew McRoberts. I live at 3906 Third Street in North Beach, Maryland. Um, I feel a little awkward after the outpouring of support and what I've seen here. Um, so understand that what I'm about to say is is a little awkward for me. Uh, I'm here today to ask Chesapeake Beach to rescend the closure of Bayfront Park to residents only. Um, it's unconstitutional. Um, it's a direct violation of and I have a written statement that's been submitted. It's a direct violation of Warren v. Fairfax County in the fourth circuit court. Uh, public parks are held in public trust. And in Warren versus Fairfax County, the court held that public parks are traditional public forms regardless of their intended use and government may not restrict access to such forms based on residency. And Bayfront Park is legally designated as a public park in town code 196-10. The town closed the park under 196-6. And again, the town's actions violate our constitutional rights as found in Warren versus Fairfax County. I have a family history of Waterman in in Maryland. I'm a 20-year military veteran. I have two children in the county school systems here. Unfortunately, North Beach doesn't have a natural beachfront that I can go teach them about our community. I'm an avid outdoorsman. I would love to take my daughters to to Bayfront Park and teach them about the nature and the and and the history that we have here. I can't because Chesapeake Beach has a sign that says, "I'm trespassing and I'll be issued a criminal citation if I go there." It's unacceptable. We have a closed community between the two towns. I'd like to see it opened back up. I I get that it's a limited resource. Crowded people.

Unconstitutional is unconstitutional. Fourth Circuit Court ruling. Uh I'm available to have a conversation with anybody. Um I'd love to talk about it. I don't want to be confrontational about it. I I think there's a way to work around it and make it accessible to everybody. And thank you for your time. Well, thank you. And I and and I guess the only thing I can say in response to that is that I fundamentally agree with you. Uh but the previous administration put a referendum out to the public to the citizens the voting citizens of the town and that referendum said no.

It's only going to be open to the citizens. And I don't know legally what we can do. But I will say this, we will. Unless that meant shut up, Bruce. Did that mean shut up, Bruce? Okay. I thought that might have meant shut up, Bruce. But we'll Okay. But we understand it's a legal matter and the things I have said institute certain things from a legal standpoint. Um, right. and and and all I can say is that I feel like this administration is hamstrung by what the previous administration did

and uh I don't know if we can do anything but we'll look at it again pose this as a response if the town voted to close Bayfront Park to African-Americans would that be tolerated it's a violation of constitution utional rights. I'd love to debate Warren versus Fairfax. I know. I I understand. You might. Thank you for your public comment. Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate your comment and I sympathize with you. Anybody else? Yes, ma'am.

If you give We get If you give us your name, please. Adrien Foot.

Okay. and I reside here at Fishing Creek or Courtyards at Fishing Creek 3925 building. I am and have had experience as a property manager before. I have been a resident here in Chesapeake Beach now only for about two years. I came moved here in 2023. I used to be in Prince Frederick and due to some unfortunate circumstances, health, COVID, all kinds of things, I lost my home. um have had multiple medical issues and so on and so forth. I don't want to bore you with, but I would like to say first and foremost, just like everyone else has, that I'd like to thank everyone who participated in coming to my neighborhood and helping to take care of my community members and neighbors because without each and every one of you, there was no way that anyone was walking out of there alive. the gentleman that you awarded the certificate to, Zachary. I'm very grateful to him, but there was another young man who lives in the property. I don't think he lives there legally, but he also went through and knocked on every single door and I had to make sure that he got checked out um because he was exposed to a lot of the smoke and so on and so forth trying to get people out. Anyhow, above that, I'd also like to state my concerns with the fact that we don't have more of our community members, neighbors here tonight to be able to thank and also discuss some of these things with you. And I think that a lot of that has to do with education. Um, we're dealing with a lot of different um cultural differences in the community, whether it's socioeconomical, um, generational or what have you. Some people I've heard are um in fear of coming to voice their concerns with regard to the management company. I personally have not experienced very many issues with the management company.

I have done property management before as I mentioned before and I have don't see them as a huge threat as Mr. Dunn has um kind of expressed a little bit. I do though see that they have changed the culture of the management which in the past from my understanding has been a little lackluster. Um they didn't necessarily enforce a lot of codes, regulations, that kind of thing. So a lot of residents kind of got used to not necessarily making a phone call to call in a ticket for something that needed to be repaired. there were concerns and I've heard and I've walked the properties because I am disabled. So, I do stay at home now and I walk my dogs through that property and I do see a lot of things that can be fixed. Um, so I have emailed because I like to do everything in writing. Word of mouth is not good enough for me. I like to do things in in writing so that we have a paper trail to follow. And I'm finding that management isn't also um always very readily available to respond, nor do they respond in an adequate time in my opinion. Um as Mr. Dunn and I had discussed um prior to coming to this meeting, there are some electrical boxes that are on the backs of each of the apartment buildings. I live in the very last apartment building on the property, so right in the cove of the town homes. and a couple of the electric boxes have fallen off a couple times while I've been in residence here. That's a problem. They've had it. They've gotten it fixed. I don't know if it's up to code or not. I do know though, however, that I have mentioned several things that I have already found that are not up to code that are safety concerns, such as um in the 3945 building, which is the building just next to the one that um was ablaze, there are some steps right near the ramp, that are not up to code, and I have tripped on them a few

times. I do have some walking disabilities also um as have some of my uh relatives because my son and his fiance and their now daughter live in that building. So I do frequent that building from time to time. These are just a few of the things and I'm not going to be make this very lengthy. I do think that you guys should have somebody cook some food for these meetings and I would be willing to do that for you um because I'm very hungry and I'd like to get home and I'm sure you are. Great idea.

Yes. Uh, my mother is of Trinidadian descent. My father is German Irish. So, I have an array of all kinds of food for you. Yeah. And I'm happy to do so for you in the next time. I do though plan on making my presence known more often since I know that I can walk here and hopefully not fall on my face as I have in the past due to my disabilities. Um, I would really encourage and like to speak with each and every one of you as to finding a way for me to be able to help the community as well. Um, my background is also medical. I worked at Calvert Memorial Hospital for 20 years um until I then went over to Southern Maryland Hospital and worked in their operating room department for several years, a couple years and then incurred my first concussion ever in my life. Um, so that kind of started the the spiral of my um health concerns, but I'm more than able capable to do some things and cooking is one of them. I will do that for you. Um, aside from that,

aside from that, anything that I can do to help uh in the communication of efforts to try and help the community uh Fishing Creek and Ches Peak um as a as a broader um um form of trying to help. I would love to do that. I was the mother of the neighborhood that I came from in Prince Frederick. So, the children, the local children in the neighborhood all know me as mom. Mama A. Feel free to call me that if you want to. I don't care. But, um, to my grandchildren, I am Gigi. I have two boys and now another little girl as a grandchild. I want to help. I need to know how I can help. I've never been involved in town politics or anything like that. So, please do feel free to call on me. on behalf of the other residents who did not come to speak, but who I think are in their minds feel like they may be um in fear of retaliation from management. They do need some abilities, capabilities, education, something to be able to help them to voice their concerns. So, anything that you guys can offer that we can help facilitate, I am more than happy to do that as well. Well, thank you very much for coming forward. I truly appreciate it. And if you would give your contact information to Wendy Patton in the back of the room, um I would like to meet with you as soon as possible uh and with some of the uh town staff members and uh let's discuss this further. I appreciate your offer. I think it's very generous and I think it's very helpful. And Mr. Dunn and I know each other quite well. Um, and Wendy uh spends a has spent a fair bit of time with the Dunn family. We'd like to do what we can to make improvements

there. Uh, I I think I mentioned before that my wife was the property manager there for several years, about seven years as I recall. Uh, and it wasn't then like it is now, but it also the management was different, the ownership was different. Um, and when that entire complex was built, um, now I just drew a blank on his name, but he's a pastor down in the in, uh, in in in the southern part of the county now, but, uh, Tri County Community Action, uh, committee or whatever it's called, was um, the builder and it was with the best of intentions and he worked with the former Gerald, former mayor Gerald Donovan um, to provide that uh housing because there was a complete and total lack of affordable housing. And so that's how it got there, it's been decades ago. I don't remember exactly when. Um, and then between that and and being involved in that when it was first built and then having my wife work there for seven years, uh, as property manager, um, I I know what it can be like and based on what I've seen recently, uh, I, um, and that the second building that that I think that you're in, uh, that step

um, that's what put this bandage on my hand. I was walking up that step the other day and the extra height the ten the 10 inch. Yeah. I didn't realize that and I just hit it and I went right down. So I know exactly what you're talking about. So we need to do what we can within you know what what we need to do what we can. We need to make it better. And um you know I've got a staff and a council sitting here with me that are all about serving the citizens of the town. and the folks that live there are good citizens of the town. So, I want to work with you. I I I would love to meet with you soon. Okay. And we can arrange that anytime.

I'm more than happy to do so. I don't work. I'm disabled. So, again, throw this out there, but I just want to be able to know let you know that I am more than willing. So, anything I can do. Thank you. Appreciate that. Thank you so much for your time.

And don't don't go away. I think there's another question. into um the item you're speaking to of like about people being afraid and and myself and Miss Buckingham has spoken many times and I've spoken to Sumeia regards to finding a way within our role as a government, a local government to making sure that we stay within our lane, but also that we adopt something that's truly there and in the way it's supposed to be. So, it's it's not disregarded and it's not reactive. It was already many many hours of discussions before this week. It's it's not there's no placating. It's a it's a true desire to have it done,

not just for today, but for the future. And I'm glad I'm really glad that you stepped forward today, both of you. I mean, Mr. Dund and I know each other reasonably well, but uh I'm glad to meet you and I'm I'm glad you're here and I look forward to having some time with you. I look forward to speaking with each and every one of you if I can and and hopefully filling your bellies and then, you know, helping to be a vessel for communication at at at the very least. Thank you. So, anything that I can do, thank you so much and um yeah, anything. Thank you for speaking up. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Adrian. All right. Is there anything else in the lightning round? Anybody else? Or I mean, is anybody else in public comment? Oh, we have three three or four. We have four public comments that have been submitted. And um frankly, they're quite long. So, I think I'm just going to read I'm sorry.

Summarize. I well I think I'm just going to read who they who who sent them uh where they live and their subject line so that and and I believe that council members all have copies of these. So the first one is from Bill Novak. Uh he lives at 65 Northwest Drive in Huntington, Maryland. And the subject line was simply uh upcoming hearing. And I think it refers to access to Bayfront Park. Right. The second one is from Car Carmen Nol at 3912 uh Ches Peak Avenue and Ches Peak Beach. And this is petition to restore Randles Cliff resident access to Bayfront Park and Browny's Beach. Uh the third one is from Jerry Williams uh at 4200 Ches Peak Avenue um with a Chesapeake Beach address, but it's in Randall's Cliff, so it's out of the town limits. Uh the subject is public comment submission for November 20th town council meeting to be read and recorded. Um and this is essentially the same topic. And I believe council you you all have copies of all of these. Uh the last one is from uh Jerry Williams um who lives in Randle's Cliff. Um the subject is people are dying to go to Brownies and so uh and it's about the stairs uh going down. So those four uh public comments have been received and distributed to the council. Um, and it is now time for the lightning round. Let's start with you, sir.

I have no comment for lightning round. All right, Laura. Uh, I I was going to use my lightning round this evening to share a story about the 200 acre forest interior bird dwelling habitat fits protected property that is also plotted as Richfield Station open space. But in light of an eventful week and this evening's closed session, I will save my story for later and hope that it has a very positive ending to it.

Me too. Um, that's that's good news. Um, and we're also going into close session about the water park this evening. It's on our agenda and um I do hope that we have a water park and um not just a story about a water park. I'm excited to have a water park. So, I'm I'm excited to hear about that. I think we're all on the same page.

That's great, too. Um, and I'd like to express my sympathies to those families and individuals who were displaced due to this recent fires and thank community leaders and residents for mobilizing to provide relief. Uh, there will probably be some additional help needed once these people are settled. So, I'll be reaching out. I think I I got the tail end. Thank you, John, for calling me. I got the tail end. I got to thank a lot of people for what they did on that day, but um I know there's work to do and um I'm happy to help with the follow on.

Appreciate that. Oh, and I also want to thank all the communicators of our town and that includes like my HOA admins Amy Everett and Jennifer Tyler and then all the people that just um communicate voluntarily from time to time to inform people. It's very helpful. I was at work when the fire happened and it was very easy for me to go on my Facebook page and look and and see that somebody had taken up some responsibility and that things were happening for my and same um you know your page John is very informative and and and the town's always on top of things but those type of people don't usually get like volunteer awards or or things like that but they are we all know who they are so so we all appreciate them by ourselves, but um I just wanted to acknowledge what a service that communicating is.

Right. Yeah, I echo our comments about the the fire. Um it was an amazing response by the community and staff and just uh very impressive and um I'm looking forward to light up the town on the 30th. That's always a fun event. Um I saw some of the lights uh the other night. I was excited. Um, and about the some of the public comments about Bayfront Park, um, I'm hoping we can revisit that down the road and see what our options are. Um, hope that we can at least have a conversation and not just say that we can't do it, but maybe find some options for us to talk about in the future. That's it.

Thank you, Eric.

Lighting lightning comments tonight. This year, I'm most thankful to get a that I get to work alongside a town mayor, council, and staff who show up. When we faced the recent fire, our town stood together with our neighbors. And it's in the hard moment that challenge us and test us that we really get to see who we are both personally and as a community. Our citizens, neighboring communities, businesses, town staff, and elected leaders all showed by their actions how great Chesapeake Beach truly is. I am grateful to be a part of the town and to stand alongside everyone who calls it home. Thank you and have a happy Thanksgiving.

And I appreciate what you just said, but please don't wake me up like that again. Hope I never have to. I hope you never have to. Um, okay. Okay. So, I just got two comments real quick. So, thank you very much for coming. Uh I hope we can break the barrier down with um concerns about being able to come and uh speak to us. So, uh I will would love to give you my my information as well. Um I don't believe in uh participating in nonsense. So, more than happy to advocate with you. Uh and then the second thing I want to thank the staff. Uh we are getting out of here before 9:00 with a pretty hefty agenda. Thank you for briefing by exception. We as a council should be reading this stuff in advance. You don't have to read it to us at a council meeting. So, thank you very much.

Of course, we're getting out of here before 9:00, but we do have a closed session coming up, but they don't have to deal with

they don't have to be here. All right. And I just want to comment um that this meeting concludes one complete year for this council. And I am so proud to be serving with these six council members. This is by far the best council I have ever worked with in my entire career. I worked I was I served for 28 years before and I have never had a council as thoughtful as insightful and as hardworking as this one. I want to stand and give them my applause. Please join me.

Thank you, council. Jamie gets squeamish around that kind of love. Look at his face. I know it. Jamie, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you. Your wife next to you. No, you can. We can be thanked when the water park's open, Kell open, the walkability is fixed, and all the other problems that we have.

We can be thankful that we're making great progress in this first year. So, at any rate, uh this is at this time we need to go into a close session. Um and um and now I we're going to need a motion to close the regular meeting under the statutory authority of Maryland annotated code pursuant to general provisions article uh 3-305B subsection 7 to consult with council to obtain legal advice relating to the FIDS protective covenant agreement and discuss finalization of the water park contract negotiations. Um, the following staff members will join the council in the closed session. Uh, that would be Sumeilia Okody, the town administrator, uh, Jay Barry, public works, Sharon H, town clerk, uh, Wayne, uh, Sarah, uh, Marilyn. Is is Marilyn still here?

Yeah, she's in the conference room. Oh, she's already in the conference room. Uh, and then of course our attorney. So, is there a motion to go into close session? Okay, we have a motion. We have a second. Second. All right, we have a motion to second. All in favor say I. I opposed. The eyes have it. Thank you all for being here. This was a lengthy but good council meeting. Yeah, we're going to take we're going to take a five minute break and then we will convene shortly after 9:00. Thank you all for being here for a very important meeting.