QUEENSTOWN COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETNG June 12,2019  On June 12, 2019 the Commissioners of Queenstown convened a special meeting. President Willis called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. at the Town Office. Present were President Thomas B. Willis, Jr., Commissioner Alton Hardee, Commissioner Hogie Schuster, Town Manager/Clerk Amy Moore, Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan, and Town Engineer Robert  Rauch.  President Willis motioned to close the Special Meeting and enter into Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. to obtain legal advice and discuss potential acquisition of property. Motion seconded  by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay by Commissioner Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay  President Willis motioned to adjourn the Closed Session at 5:53 p.m. Motion seconded PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 19-03 CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:04 P.M. ORDINANCE 19-03 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN TO AMEND THE TOWN'S WATER AND SEWER CHARGES TO INCREASE THE MONTHLY WATER USAGE RATE AND SEWER USAGE RATE BY FIVE PERCENT PER YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE FISCAL YEARS, COMMENCING President Willis reviewed the proposed rate increases, which are slated at 5% over the George Plumbo questioned increasing over next 3 years VS. one time increase. Clerk advised to bring rates up to where they should be, a one-time increase would be at approximately 30-35%. Town didn't want to create a financial hardship on residents. Patricia Bowell - Finance Chair - consumption rates are fixed rates and the water and George Plumbo - questioned if any way to utilize one set ofmembranes at a time to save their life span, costs of cleaning and wear and tear. Commissioners don't believe that can Joe Kelkowski, Aker Rd. = opposes the rate increase. Thinks the Town should find other Commissioner Schuster used his bill as an example: Over the next three years, his bill Peter Robertson, Del Rhodes Ave. - registered professional engineer and has been intimately involved with Queenstown over the years as a former Commissioner as well as prior Town Engineer. Advised wastewater should be 90% oft the water demand. In our case, sewer is 2.2 x's the water demand. This signifies considerable I & I. The Commissioners advised Mr. Robertson that they are aware of the issues, what steps we've taken thus far, and the plans to correct. Mr. Robertson advised while  JULY 1, 2019. AND ENDING JULY 1,2022  next three years. Hearing was opened for public comment:  sewer rates are consumption controlled.  be done, but it is a good question to ask the engineer and/or operators. ways to come up with money as people are on a fixed income. would increase approximately $5. The increase proposed is minimal.    Commissioner and Town Engineer, he was highly against the technology we are using for the WWTP. He believes the membrane technology is not good for a town this size. He relayed this at the time, but the Town didn't listen. He said we will see increases in expenses and operational difficulties. He believes ift the reason for a deficit is because of the costs associated with operating the wastewater plant, then only sewer rates should be increased. He suggested the Town hold a meeting to discuss what issues are going on with the water and sewer. Commissioner Schuster stated this would be a good topic for the next' Town Hall meeting. Mr. Robertson stated that while Town Engineer he freed up Commissioner Hardee advised that cost ofbusiness goes up every day and won't stay the same: for 20 years. The Town is aware that I&Iis our biggest problem and we are aware ofwhat it is costing us. Wel have aj plan inj place to correct and hope to be doing sO in the near future. Mr. Robertson advised that the Town make sure specifications for repairs deal with water running along the outside of the pipes after sleeving is done as water will President Willis motioned to closed the Public Hearing on Ordinance 19-01 and keep the record open for written comment until June 19, 2019. Motion seconded by Commissioner  quite al bit ofI&I.  move to the next available opening.  Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay  PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE 19-02 CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:48 P.M. President Willis reviewed the proposed Ordinance on the General and Water/Sewer Fund budgets, real property tax rate, and personal property tax rate. There is no increase in tax rates proposed for FY2020. The Town will go with the Constant Yield rate as calculated by the State  Dept. of Assessments and Taxation.  There were: no public comments on proposed Ordinance 19-02.  President Willis motioned to closed the Public Hearing on Ordinance 19-02 and keep the record open for written comment until June 19, 2019. Motion seconded by Commissioner  Schuster. Vote: 3-aye, O-nay  There being no further matters to consider, President Willis made ai motion to adjourn the  meeting at 7:03 pm. Motion seconded by Commissioner Hardee. Vote: 3-aye, 0-nay  Respectfully submitted,  Oupclln Amyw. Moore Town Manager/Cletk-Treasurer    TOWN OF QUEENSTOWN  CLOSED MEETING/EXECUTIVE SESSION RECORD  Aj public body that meets in closed session may not discuss or act on any matter not permitted under the Maryland Statute summarized below. The public meeting law does not apply to executive functions, quasi judicial functions, or chance encounters or social  meetings.  (1) DATE. AND TIME OF PROPOSED CLOSED MEETING OR EXECUTIVE  SESSION: Date: (-1-19  Time: 500  (2) LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CLOSING PUBLIC MEETING OR GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION (circle the section oft the law which authorizes the closed Open Meetings Act, Maryland Code Annotated, State Government Article, $10-  session):  508(a), 2004 Repl. Vol. (1) discuss:  () the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom it has  jurisdiction; or individuals;  (ii) any other personnel matter that affects 1 or more specific  (2) protect the privacy or reputation ofindividuals with respect to a matter  that is not related to public business; directly related thereto;  consider the acquisition oft real property for a public purpose and matters  (4) consider ai matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial  organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State;  (5) consider the investment of public funds; (6) consider the marketing of public securities;    consult with counsel to obtain legal advice;  (8) consult with staff, or other individuals about pending or potential  litigation;  (9) conduct collective bargaining negotiations or consider matters that relate (10) discuss public security, ift the public body determines that public  tot the negotiations;  discussion would constitute ai risk to the public or to the public security, (i) the deployment ofi fire and police services and staff; and (ii) the development and implementation of emergency plans; (11) prepare, administer, or grade a scholastic, licensing, or qualifying (12) conduct or discuss an investigative proceeding on actual or possible (13) comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, orj judicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosures about aj particular proceeding  including;  examination; criminal conduct;  or matter; or  (14) before a contract is awarded or bids are opened, discuss ai matter directly related to ai negotiating strategy or the contents ofal bid or proposal, if public discussion or disclosure would adversely impact the ability oft the public body to participate in the competitive bidding or proposal process.  (3) TOWN BOARD, AGENCY, OR COMMISSION PROPOSING CLOSED OR  EXECUTIVE SESSION:  QueensDIw COMMISSVOReS (Name of Board, Agency, Commission, or Committee).  (4) IDENTIFYTOPICIS) PROPOSED FOR DISCUSSION IN CLOSED SESSION:  discuss acquisihon of pwperny for Wsctcx holeK lacchonjMgau advice re. WWTP ClOSROuE Hers ad naguhahons w! GMB, discuss MDE vvolahon and    SelHement Offcr and pokenhal  hdouhy  (5) MEMBERS OF BOARD, AGENCY, COMMISSION, OR COMMITTEE PRESENT AT PUBLIC MEETING AT WHICH CLOSED SESSION  REQUESTED: Name TOM Wulis Hapoie Schuster AAL Hoxdee  Vote on Closure (circle correct vote) foAgainst fo/Against Eg/Against For/Against For/Against 5pM 553  (6) TIME CLOSED SESSION CONVENED:  TIME CLOSED SESSION CONCLUDED: (7) PERSONS PRESENT AT CLOSED SESSION:  TOM WiMis, Hoogu Schuster Al Hardee, AMy Mooye, Lydsy Ryan,  Bolo Rouch    (8) PLACE CLOSED OR EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD:  Queensw Tow OPhce  (9) PURPOSE OF AND TOPICS DISCUSSED AT CLOSED SESSION:  acquisihon OF prperny fur Wtox hower 1o porect negphahon polex ugal advlc ve SeHHLEMENH ofFer by GMB to prokct anbdenhalany: lagal aduide Ve MDE violahon and SHLment  (10) SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TAKEN AT CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY:  respond to SR-HEMAAt offer SUbMAtteCI  by GMB  CERTIFICATE OF PRESIDING OFFICER  Ihereby certify that I am the presiding officer of Queensowm Commisfioneys public board, agency, commission, committee, or other public body of the Town of Queenstown, Maryland. Ifurther certify that by a majority vote on the lath day of dune 2019, the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or commission voted to hold a closed meeting for the purposes, and to discuss the topics, set forth above, and that no other topics were discussed, and that the foregoing is a true record of the closed    meeting described herein. The Clerk or Secretary is directed to maintain this document as a public record oft the Town of Queenstown, and to append the same to the minutes of the next public meeting oft the aforesaid agency, board, committee, or commission.  6-12-19 Date  Signature TOM Wiulis Printed Name Pvesident Title  bplly