Minutes February 27, 2024  Kent Narrows Development Foundation Board of Directors Meeting  Board Members Participating Jody Schulz, Chair Joe Pomerantz, Vice Chair Patricia Worns, Secretary (via Zoom) Victoria Hoffman, Treasurer Jake Boulay Justin Kiernan Bill Oertel Kelly Phipps Jeff Smith (via Zoom) Absent with Notice Mike Foster Jason Ruth Commissioner Liaison Commissioner Phil Dumenil Commissioner Jim Moran Queen Anne's County Staff Todd Mohn, County Administrator Steve Chandlee, QAC Parks and Recreation  Heather Tinelli, QACI Director of Economic and' Tourism Development  Guests  Linda Friday, QAC Chamber of Commerce Scott Davies, Narrows Pointe Community Shelby Farmer, Fisherman's' Village D.J. Fasick, Coastal Boat Cruises Mark Galasso, Captain Hannah Worsh, Hyatt Place, Kent Narrows Gary Griffiths, Piney Narrows Board Dan Irby, Piney Narrows Board April Plummer, QAC Tourism Development Kirby Schulz, Kent Narrows Rentals Jason Seaman, Captain Mike Watson, QAC Parks Call to Order  Chair. Jody Schulz called to order the regular meeting oft the Kent] Narrows Development Foundation at  9:02 a.m. The meeting was conducted in person and via Zoom.  Public Comment (None)    Minutes RESOLUTION unanimously approved.  Joe Pomerantz made a motion to accept the KNDF meeting minutes of. January 23, 2024. The Board (In thei interest oft time, the order of the agenda was changed to allow the presenters to go first.)  Kent Narrows Tour) Boat and Water Taxi Presentation (DJ Fasick)  DJ Fasick, founder ofC Coastal Cruises and Chesapeake Water Tours, owns and operates Coastal Boat Cruises, providing water-taxi services and sight-seeing tours. His presentation emphasized how Coastal Boat Cruises would benefit Kentl Narrows businesses and community. His company currently has exclusive city/county contracts to work out oft the waterfront in Wilmington, Del., and North East and Chesapeake City in Md. He operates two tour boats in Wilmington. Fully licensed and insured, his companies have served over 18,000 customers. He explained that their emphasis is on safety; vessels are The water taxi can hold 18-20 people and will make it convenient for visitors and residents to travel The commercial vessels are up to coast guard standards the company will select a vessel that will work well for the Kent Narrows area. The captains are: from the area. The company will also provide onboard activities like storytelling tours and pick upa and serve areas that would keep groups int the community longer. The routes would be developed as they go. The company has an established customer base with He demonstrated their website, which has an embedded system for booking and ticketing. Their target customers are: mainly families and leisure groups, but they can also serve the wedding markets. The season could run. April-October. (AlI boats are kept in Rock Hall: for the off season.). Hel has ai tour boat ready to move to Kent Narrows. After that operation is established here, they would eventually expand to To get started, with the water tour experience, they will need approval tol load and unload at the County- owned bulkheads and the Chesapeake Heritage and' Visitors Center. Once the tour boat operation is established, the water taxi service would follow. It was noted that many tour itineraries and materials used for narration and talking points are outlined on the Stories of Kent Narrows website. A centrally located information kiosk and ticket office will be needed. Steve Chandlee stated that an arrangement could be made with the Parks and Public Landings Division to use the docking areas. Four public tours a day would be offered on Saturdays and Sundays. During the week, cruises could be available for bus groups andj private events. Later in the day, they would run a public afternoon/sunset As smaller, 18-20 passenger vessel would be best for this areai for a water taxi service. DJ will map out a route, working with the locations/businesses that would like to participate. Seasonal ticket sales are opened each, year by) March and private events are booked year-round; many event-based cruises can be booked a year in advance. Finding the place to load and unload is critical. All locations are on ai floating dock with a ramp and can handle motorcoach pick up and drop off. The next step is to: see ift there isa designated space for docking, loading and unloading. Customer parking must be considered.  Coast Guard inspected, and all crews are licensed, and safety trained.  between the various restaurants and businesses.  the group tour industry.  include a water taxi service.  cruise. They would begin with cruises open to the public Thursday-Sunday.  2    Board Members commented that the Coastal Boat operations would be great assets to thel Kent Narrows community, providing another draw to the area. It isi in line with the objectives set forth within the Kent Narrows Community Plan and will enhance the amenities needed to support both visitors and residents. It  would also enhance the local economy. DNRI Fishing Regulations  Presentation: Captain Jason Seaman: Charter Boat Captain Jason Seaman, owner of the charter boat, The Marylander, and Maryland Fishing and] Hunting, LLC, works mainly out of Kentmoor Marina but also serves Kent Narrows. Hei is the current vice president oft the Maryland Charter Boat Association. He briefed thel Board on the pending DNR fishing regulations, and he projected that the negative impacts to our local businesses will continue to unfold systemically throughout the community. The Atlantic States Commission regulates inshore fishing for migratory species from Maine to. Florida. The Commission voted in. January to curtail recreational and commercial catches of striped bass (rockfish). Under the rules, scheduled to take effect on May 1, the allowable daily catch ofr recreational anglers including those whoj pay toi fish from charter boats - - would drop from two fish to one. Commercial fishers who harvest striped bass for sale face a 7% reduction in their annual catch quota. The Charter Fishing organizations contend that the vote to change from two fish to one fish without any prior notice or The new curbs adopted in. January 2024 came in response to ai rise in recreational harvest in 2022 that scientists and policy makers said jeopardized efforts to restore the species' abundance by 2030. The commission took an initial emergency action in 2023, imposing a 31-inch limit on all recreational catches, The new curbs also came after five years of poor reproduction detected in Maryland waters and below- average reproduction in Virginia. (The Chesapeake waters are the primary spawning and nursery grounds Seaman stated that the harvest reductions have been difficult for Maryland's charter boat captains. A 17% decline ini their striped bass catch last year from their 2021 level was reported and Seaman warned that their businesses would decline drastically iftheir clients could no longer bring home two fish a day. The Maryland Charter Boat Association has called on Maryland fisheries regulators to defy the Atlantic States Commission's order. Maryland DNR officials contend that the refusal to comply could resulti in an Maryland DNR recently took beyond the ASMF's directive to curtail recreational fishing for striped bass during the spring spawning season and said it intends to impose further limits for this summer, when hot In ai related matter, the Charter Boat Association and the Delmarva Fisheries Association have questioned the way the surveys that predict the growth rate oft the fishery are conducted. There are almost 401 miles of open water from the Choptank River into Rock Hall that are not being surveyed. That is all the tributaries surrounding this area. Senator Bailey has put forth al bill to add additional collection sites in this 40-mile area. Another bill was jointly filed by. Jay Jacobs to expand the scope of the annual young-of-the-year juvenile survey ofs striped bass or rockfish by requiring the Department ofNatural Resources to conduct the survey at sampling sites in the central: region oft thel Maryland waters oft the Chesapeake Bay in addition to sampling sites in the northern and southern regions ofthe Maryland waters oft the Chesapeake Bay; and establishing certain requirements for the central region sampling sites.  consideration of procedural rules ofi its own rules.  while iti mulled further conservation measures.  for Atlantic striped bass.)  imposition ofai federal fishing moratorium in Maryland.  weather increases the risk ofi fish dying even ifreleased after being hooked.  3    Seamen contends that the harvest limits will have far-reaching effects on the local economy, especially on the small businesses here in] Kent Narrows that are dependent on the visitor spending generated by fishing and related activities. The direct impacts on jobs and spending will filter through to other economic sectors, because the leakage associated with the spending in this sector is relatively low. Since he started his business in 2018, he has lost 49 days and they may lose another 70 due to the proposed cut. The Hes suggested that the changes will: force the captains to move their boats to other parts oft the Bay because they will have to adapt to catching other species and will have to find other uses for their boats -  smaller slot limit or days in the summertime affects commerce.  including looking for other business-like leisure tours. Any support that the KNDF can give would be appreciated.  Financial Report (Victoria Hoffman)  The following balances are from financial reports ending 1/31/2024:  Shore United Checking Account: $108,184.50; the balance in the QAC5701 Fund is 249,394.79; and there is7,923.31 in the Chesapeake Charities Fund. Total assets are $432,693.96. Restricted funds balances: QACLand Maintenance is 22,572.00; Amenities Fund is 67,191.36; ESHI grant is $1500; and Safety  Grant is $96,200.  Commissioner's Report (Jim Moran)  Commissioner Moran reported that they continue to follow the bills int the Maryland General Assembly which affect Queen Anne's County. This includes the bills that were listed on the KNDF director's report. He discussed the traffic management plan for the upcoming peak seasons. The County willl hold a Town Hall meeting regarding the US 50/301 Ramp Management Pilot Program on Kent Island. The event will be an opportunity for residents to listen, learn and discuss the exit ramp closure program that was implemented ini fall of2023, the results of1 the study and the county's proposal for the 2024 summer season. The Town Hall willl begin at 6:301 PM with a self-guided presentation: regarding the program including results of the study and next steps. Ai formal presentation willl begin at 7:00 PM: followed by an opportunity for residents toj provide feedback. He noted that consideration of closing thel Kent Narrows exits will not be considered at this time. 85% of the backups, back up only to Castle Marina Road. The event will bel held at Bayside Elementary School in Stevensville. The goal is to keep the side roads as clear as possible during peak traffic times and tol keep thru traffic on Rt. 50 which willl be quicker. Saturday ist tricky because the traffic is heavy both ways. The decking on the two-lane eastbound bridge is projected to begin next month, that work will happen mainly at night, but is still may slow the pace of  daytime traffic.  County Administrator Report(Todd: Mohn)  Todd Mohn mentioned that the County made a drone video capture oft the damage that was done to the jetty on the south end ofK Kent Narrows. Several oft the 3X# blocks were dislocated. The County is working to get Waterway Improvement Funds to repair the damage. The KNDF asked ifbetter lighting of the. Jetty could be a part oft the improvements. Mohn and Steve Chandlee agreed to investigate that since it  isas safety issue.  Economic and' Tourism Development (April Plummer)  4    April Plummer gave the report on behalf oft the Tourism Division. A stakeholder survey went out to the KNDF and other key stakeholders from the consulting firm that is doing thel EDA funded passenger ferry study. Each oft the five counties were given 24 stakeholders to respond to the survey. The KNDF and the Tourism Division met to discuss the STR reports. It was determined that the division would pursue purchasing Placer AI to use as al basis for travel and tourism related research and hold back on STR since that data may be obtained from existing sources. The KNDF will wrote a letter ofs support for the division toj purchase the software, The division joined Team Maryland, a sports focused organization that will provide a study for Queen Anne's County to determine what types of Sports Tourism would be beneficial to the County. The organization also located and communicates RFPS for sporting related events to its members. The study willl begin int the spring of 2024. The Bay Bridge Boat Show will be April 12-14. The Chesapeake Bay Motoring Festival is June 8-9. Drink Maryland is in Centerville on. June 15th. The Bay Paddle is July 20. Thel hotel tax for the calendar year was 1.1 million in 2023. In 2022 visitors spent 1681 million which was up 79 % over the previous year. The division purchased ad space in Chesapeake Bay Magazine and produced a short video featuring boat to table seafood at Harris Seafood and at] Harris Crab House. Recently sent out ai magazine topper they put together in the state that links to a video that will: feature some destinations in Kent Narrows. The new visitors guide will be shipped in April.  Parks and Public Landings (Steve Chandlee)  The proposed pedestrian bicycle master plan is completed, it will go before the Commissioners for approval. Starting ai rec center feasibility study to see where in the county ifwill be best served. Redoing the 1812 memorial signs they will be done later in the Spring. Work on the extension oft thel Kent Island South' Trail. A brochure on summer: programs is out. They arej planning the. July 4th event at the CHVC and Ferry Point Park and are talking with' WCEI to do at two-hour broadcast the day oft the event. Heather Tinelli added that the tourism office willl have a Cross Island Trail map as part of the Visitor Guide. They  are looking at a dedication event for the CHVC project in late April  Director's Report (Gigi Windley)  A memo was sent to the Commissioners from the KNDF Board that addresses the following:  Enhancing the public access to the water from Kent Narrows by water taxi and tour boats; Parking improvements; Short term rental identification, registration, assessment; contacting Coast Guard and Army Corp officials and Waterway Improvement Fund representatives to request repairs to the damaged. jetty wall; Identify ways for KNDF to work with the County to enhance and access better real-time travel research to support more informed decision making. A memo is being prepared for the County regarding the outcomes of our meeting with Denison. Ity will include thei recommendations from the horticulturist for maintaining the lawn areas and shrubs at the A memo was written to the County regarding springtime maintenance issues which includes:  CHVC.  A request for more dog waste stations because there is an increasing amount of dog waste left on the ground at] Kent Narrows. KNDF requested at least two more stations. One at the Watermen's Monument and one at the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center, along the Piney Narrows Landscaping issues that need immediate attention. The Crepe Myrtle plants along the Cross Island' Trail that runs adjacent to thel Kent Narrows Drawbridge need immediate attention. All  roadside.  5    trees across from thel Boatel are affected with scale (white dots) and sooty mold disease. Ideally the trees should be treated, trimmed, thinned out, and shaped every: year as aj preventive measure The green cover to the conduit located in the grassy corner ofl Piney Narrows Road and the westerly approach tol Rt. 301/50 is damaged. Its should be covered immediately and replaced asap. The green and white parking signs need to be replaced. They are: faded and old. Locations: in front oft thel Best Western on Main Street and on Piney Narrows Road, leading to Rt 18, next to The sign at the Kent Narrows boat ramp has Shore Tackle and Rod listed as a place to purchase Gigi thanked the County for placing the new. Nol Parking signs along Piney Narrows Road.  Thisi is a safety issue.  the small parking lot.  licenses. They no longer sell them and have requested name removal.  The following SHA maintenance requests were submitted this month:  Thel Kent Narrows Watermen" 's Memorial Bridge sign on the drawbridge must be repaired or Replace the marina icon sign (blue anchor) on Piney Narrows Road inbound ramp at exit 42 Add to existing sign: al blue anchor sign or arrow pointing toward Safel Harbor Marina. Location  replaced. West.  is at the foot of] Kent Narrows Way facing the end oft the exit ramp. Reported two lights out at the same intersection.  Board Orientation: Thel KNDF board orientation PowerPoint was updated, and updated notebooks are being put together for onboarding. Gigi met with Bill Oertel for board orientation. Landscaping Contracts: KNDF met with the representative from Denison and explained what needs for 2025 and the balance of2024. He took measurements of the CHVC site and examined other areas that will need attention. A more detailed list ofitems will be provided in as separate report. Abandoned Boat Update: The boat and trailer that were sitting int the small parking lot on Piney Narrows Road under the west side oft the bridge were removed. The County Roads department did the removal; the  boat has not been claimed. KNDF Promotional Efforts  Thel Kent Island Rotary plans toj publish their Outdoor Guide again this year. The press run is 5,000 and the guide is expected to be out by May. Iti is mainly distributed through local businesses. Last year, the Gigi attended the Great American Outdoor Show. Kent Narrows Day at thel Maryland Fish and Hunt Booth was on Monday, Feb 5. KNDF provided fishing info push cards, travel guide, rack cards and QAC  KNDF bought % page ad. Cost is $500, with full page at $900.  Travel Guides and outdoor info.  6    Gigi distributed sponsor/vendor forms fort the Great American Motoring Festival and ad reservation forms  fort the Rotary Outdoor Guide. RESOLUTION  Jody Schulz made a motion to purchase a W page adi in the Rotary's Outdoor Guide at the cost of $500. Al Kent Narrows scene was featured on the cover of APG's Spring edition of Wedding Trends magazine. Threet thousand Travel Guides were delivered and posted on our website. They are being circulated to visitors, vendors, and other key locations. The text, photos, and the map were updated to reflect the recent Fishergate updated the fishing push card int time for the Harrisburg Show. KNDF: ran only enough for the AI meeting was held with Heather Tinelli and April Plumber to discuss sharing accommodations: tax reporting, and to discuss how the County and KNDF will work together to utilize data generated by Placer. It was decided that the STR subscription was not needed, as the County will be doing more to generate more regular accommodations related reports including tax revenue trends, average daily rates, revenue per available room, and other supply and demand data. Iti is believed that the data can be obtained from that which thel hotels and the county collects. It was determined that Placer A.I. was of value to both organizations. Heather will arrange for KNDF tol have access to the software and training and be able to run reports, if, the County funds their budget request for the software. KNDF will write al letter of Several businesses from Kent Narrows sponsored the Kennard Gala and Luncheon that was hosted by the Kennard Alumni Association at the Kennard African American Cultural Center. (Best Western, Harris Crab House, Fisherman's Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Thel Narrows, and Bridges restaurants). Many ofthe people, places, and boats int thel Kent Narrows are featured in the documentary. Gigi attended the Kennard Gala and Luncheon event, which featured a screening of Water's Edge: Black Captains ofthe Chesapeake al Maryland Public Television Documentary. Captain Meredith and Vera Meredith served on a Q&A The St. Michaels Concours d'Elegance on Chesapeake Bay that was held at the Kent Island Yacht Club in September 2023 has received the highest award in motoring excellence as the recipient of the Concours Achievement oft the Year Award. The award is part of the inaugural The Concours Year Awards, recognizing the achievements oft the entrants and the organizers of leading events. The award comes from Hothouse Media, a boutique publishing house focusing on curating content within the classic and prestige car community, including The Concours Year in the United Kingdom. The selection ofaward recipients was led by International Chief. Judge Advisory Group Chief. Judge Chris Kramer. The St. Michaels The Great Wedding Give Away will bel held at thel Hyatt Place in Kentl Narrows on Sunday, April 7, from 1p pm- 4 p.m. The winner of the 50-word essay contest will win a complete wedding for 100 guests. Prize donors from Kent Narrows include Hyatt Place, Hyatt Place Kent Narrows and Marina, The Crab Deck/ Fisherman's Inn, Swan Cove Spa, and Big Owl Tiki Bar. The media partner is radio station Z104.3  The Board unanimously approved.  Kent Narrows wedding venues and businesses were featured in the magazine. changes here. KNDF: is working on a major update for the boating season. show, since the new regs and info on trophy season were: not yet finalized.  support. Ifiti is not funded, KNDF can revisit its own subscription later.  panel after the meeting. Commissioner. Jim Moran was also in attendance.  Concours donated over $30,000 to local causes as a result oft this event.  in Baltimore.  7    Thel Kent Island (Wooden Boat) Race 2024 is planned for. July 13, and will be held at the Kent Island Yacht Club: from 8 a.m.- 5j p.m. It is sponsored by the Cocktail Class Wooden Boat Racing Association (CCWBRA) and is open only to CCWBRA members. To register al boat, contact: secretay@cowbra.com  OLD BUSINESS  Nominating Committee Report  Joel Pomerantzi reported that the committee reviewed two applications and recommends Kim Hannon the owner of Ophiuroidea "The O" as al board member to serve: a three-year term.. Joe thanked Bill Oertel and  Kelly Phipps for serving on the committee.  Resolution  Nominating Committee Chair Joe Pomerantz, speaking for the Committee, moved to nominate Kim Hannon to serve ai three-year term on the KNDF Board beginning March 12, 2024, and ending The Board also approved a draft oft the 2024 KNDF priorities letter that will be sent to the County.  December. 31, 2026. All approved the motion.  NEW BUSINESS Business Round Robin  The Crab Deck is having al Brew Fest on April 6.  The Kent Narrows Boat EXPO will be held for three weekends in April. Iti is Knot 10's show and the boats will be located at Safe Harbor South and at the docks in front ofthe Crab Deck and Hyatt Place. A discussion was regarding the possibility of! having a' Watermen's Event at the Yacht Club. The Watermen's Association will need to determine the feasibility oftheir participation Joe Pomerantz made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board agreed. The meeting adjourned at 11:04 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Georgeanna (Gigi) Windley, Executive Director Kent Narrows Development Foundation this Foundation on March 26,2024. adszo  RESOLUTION  Certification:  Ihereby.certify that thisi isa ai true: and correct copy oft thel Minutes that were adopted by thel Directors of  Patricia P. Worns, Secretary, KNDF  8