Minutes  Kent Narrows Development Foundation Board of Directors Meeting August 27,2024  Board Members Participating Jody Schulz, Chair (via Zoom) Joe Pomerantz, Vice Chair Victoria Hoffman, Treasurer Patricia Worns, Secretary Jake Boulay Justin Kiernan Kim Hannon Bill Oertel Kelly Phipps Jason Ruth Jeff Smith Absent with Notice (All participating) Commissioner Liaison Commissioner Phil Dumenil Queen Anne's County Staff  Steve Chandlee, Queen Anne's County Parks and Recreation Todd Mohn, Queen Anne's County Administrator Heather Tinelli, QAC Economic and Tourism Development  Guests  Bente Cooney, Plastic Free QAC Scott Davies, Narrows Pointe Community Marc Lacoste, Best Western Hotel Kirby Schulz, Kent Narrows Rentals  Linda Friday, Queen Anne's County Chamber ofCommerce    Call to Order  Chair Jody Schulz called to order the regular meeting ofthe Kent Narrows Development Foundation at 9:00 a.m. The meeting was conducted in person and via  Zoom.  Public Comment  Queen Anne's County Chamber of Commerce  Linda Friday reported that the Chamber will hold a mixer at Harris Crab House on  September 25. Minutes  Pat Worns made a motion to accept the KNDF meeting minutes ofJuly 24, 2024. The  Board unanimously approved.  Financial Report (Gigi Windley for Victoria Hoffman)  The following balances are from financial reports ending 6/30/2024: Shore United Checking Account: $34,052.37; QAC570 Fund, $257,425.56*; Amenities Fund, $67,191.36; Chesapeake Charities Fund, $7,923.31. Total assets are $366,592.60.  Restricted funds balances: ESHI Grant, $1,500.00; and Safety Grant, $96,200. (June interest not yet posted)  Gigi noted that the Foundation's accounting firm ASG is limiting their office operations in Centreville as staff will be working out oft the Preston, Md. office. The Centreville office will still be available for prescheduled client meetings, but the drop box that the Foundation currently utilizes to drop off hard copies will no longer be  available.  Commissioner Report  Todd Mohn (for Commissioner Dumenil)  The Rt 50/301 ramp pilot program that went into effect to help to keep local roads clear from Bay Bridge beach traffic will conclude after Labor Day weekend. Overall, there were improvements because ofthis year's program. The SHA and the County will review this season's program and continue to make improvements as needed. A new bridge span is far into the future, sO efforts to manage the seasonal The County received a copy of the KNDF memo sent to SHA regarding highway and bridge maintenance issues and has endorsed the requests articulated in the memo.  traffic congestion will continue.  2    Todd Mohn mentioned that MDOT is in a funding pinch, which means that needed projects will be delivered. through a more incremental approach rather than comprehensively. System preservation along the Chesapeake Bay. The feasibility study was conducted by a consultant team led by Cambridge Systematics, Inc., and was federally funded through the Economic Development Administration. Heather Tinelli reported that the Ferry Feasibility Study was completed in August and results were released at the recent Maryland Association of Counties' annual meeting. The study indicates that aj passenger. Ferry System would have an economic impact of 14 million dollars annually on the host Counties, but it would have to be subsidized. The best way for it to be supported is through a public private partnership She noted that Anne Arundel, Calvert, Queen Anne's, Somerset, and St. Mary's counties supported the study financially and were part ofthe consortium. The study was funded by a matching grant awarded to Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's American Rescue Plan: Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation Program. Kent Narrows was ranked highly as a potential Ferry port in the study. The  arrangement.  Consortium will continue to meet to determine the next steps. Link to Chesapeake Bay Ferry Study Home Page:  itps/www.visitannapolsormedialm-teasiblitv-suudy-consortium)  Parks and Public Landings  Steve Chandlee reported that the county signed the contract for the 2025 fireworks at The grant request for the Ferry Point Shoreline Repair was not funded; the County will adjust the application and try again for the next round of funding. The seawall jetty on the south side ofKent Narrows was further damaged by tropical storm Debby. The county has drone footage of the damage. James Wood is working with DNR to determine the best path forward in repairing it. Funding is available for QAC has sent out a Request for Proposals of Invasive Vegetation Control on Park Lands. A pre-proposal meeting will be held on September 11 at 1:00. Two areas in Kent Narrows will be a covered in the RFP. They are Ferry Point Park and the Cross The ribbon cutting at the Skate Park on the western side of Kent Island at Cockney  Kent Narrows. The date is July 2, with a July 3 rain date.  the repair.  Island Connector Trail from Kent Narrows to Grasonville.  Lane will take place in October.  3    Director's Report (Gigi Windley)  A memo was sent to District Two SHA regarding several issues that needed attention. 1)The embankment on the south side of the Rt.18 Kent Narrows Watermen's Memorial Drawbridge needs immediate attention. Attached are photos oft the sand that poured out ofthe bridge embankment after the storm last month. 2) The "Jake Brake" signs to be placed along US 50/301 and on its approaches have 3)A new issue recently arose regarding a blue service locator sign which was placed overhead on US 50/301,just before the Grasonville Exit 43 A. The sign indicates that gas is available at that exit. The gas is available at Exit 44 at the 7-11 on Chester 4) KNDF reminded SHA that the 50/301 Bridge over Kent Narrows still has an issue with litter and debris, both on the bridge and in the drains at the westbound exit. It needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Also, more should be done to let people know  been ordered  River Beach Road. The sign has been moved.  that there is a fine for littering.  Status: See SHA's reply*. The bridge was cleaned. KNDF asked for the sign to be turned to face traffic.  5. Sign on Rt 18 re: $1,500 penalty for littering was not placed SO drivers can see it.  Status: This was done.  *On August 16, KNDF received a response from Justin Smith of SHA.  As a result of KNDF's intervention, the Kent Narrows Bridge was cleaned and will be The Centreville SHA crews were out on the Kent Narrows Bridge from 12 a.m. thru 8 a.m. Multiple lane closures were set up on both eastbound and westbound sides. The drains were opened and cleaned, and dirt and debris was removed from the grates. Cleaning was performed simultaneously in both directions with two crews working; the operation was completed by 6:30 a.m. SHA sent several photos of the  swept quarterly.  work.  Storm Damage  Tropical Storm Debby caused businesses to close on Friday, August 9; most reopened the following day. The intersection of Wells Cove Road and Rt 18 did not drain as quickly as it normally does after a storm. This was reported to the County. The Dennison crews postponed their work because of disruption from the remnants of the storm. Jody is having a conversation with Denison related to a possible one-off  contract for the southeast hillside.  4    Gigi attended the Maryland Tourism Coalition's annual gathering that is held in conjunction with the MACO (Maryland Association of Counties) Conference; she also attended U.S Travel's ESTO Cares event and associated meetings with past and current State Travel and Tourism Directors. The event was in Columbus. Kent Narrows visitor guides were delivered to Md. visitor and welcome centers along the KNDF paid the Workers Compensation Insurance. The policy year is 9/1-8/31/25. The county will include KNDF in the public announcements for new board members. Two positions are available on the KNDF board.  way.  PROMOTION  April Plummer with QAC is negotiating an arrangement for an ad buy in the 2025 Capital Region USA's integrated media package. The cost for a quarter page is A draft ofthe "Wake Up to Kent Narrows" rack card was shared with the board. Gigi photos. Two printing bids were received, and the board discussed and decided on a The cards will be distributed at the CHVC and the Bay Country Welcome Center on 50/301 as well as through the Chamber. We will also use customized promotional packets at community outreach events. A companion piece will be designed as a few pages on the KNDF Web Site, and a blog post will go out along with an email blast.  $3,499. Gigi noted that the cost for the ad buy has increased.  thanked all who supplied information and  quantity of 5000 for $610.  Media Relations  KNDF worked with the Md Office ofTourism and QAC to assist in hosting a writer The Great Chesapeake Bay Guide, published by the State ofN Md., was printed and made public online. Kent Narrows is a featured place on the regional map. Marc Galasso, with his boat Tuna the Tide, is prominently featured in the guide as a Charter Captain and a Chesapeake Storyteller. This was as a direct result of] KNDF's work Gigi attended the introductory session that was arranged by the County for Placer AI.  from Good Housekeeping Magazine.  with the Maryland Office ofTourism Development.  A training session will follow; the date has not yet been established.  5    Events  Our welcome letter for the Concours d'Elegance program booklet was reviewed. A A billboard for the event will be up through September at the junction of 404 and 50. KNDF provided technical assistance related to billboard messaging and design. KNDF attended the Basket Tree and Vendor Fair Planning meeting. KNDF updated our website with event information. The lighting and vendor fair is December 7. Hours for the vendor fair have been extended, with the event starting earlier in the day. KNDF will handle the printed program and provide promotional assistance on  half-page ad for Kent Narrows is also planned. The cost is $750.  our website and social media pages.  RESOLUTION  Victoria Hoffman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board agreed.  The meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.  Respectfully submitted,  Georgeanna (Gigi) Windley, Executive Director Kent Narrows Development Foundation  Certification:  Ihereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the Minutes that were adopted by  the Directors ofthis Foundation on August 27, 2024.  Patricia P. Worns, Secretary, KNDF  6