Minutes Kent Narrows Development Foundation Board of Directors Meeting November 26, 2024 FOR BOARD REVIEW Board Members Participating Jody Schulz, Chair Joel Pomerantz, Vice Chair Patricia Worns, Secretary (absent with notice) Victoria Hoffman, Treasurer (absent with notice) Jake Boulay Kim Hannon Justin Kiernan Kelly Phipps Jeff Smith Absent with Notice Bill Oertel Jason Ruth Commissioner Liaison Phil Dumenil Queen Anne's County Staff April Plummer, QAC Economic and' Tourism Development (Tourism) Guests Bente Cooney, Plastic Free QAC Scott Davies, Narrows Pointe Community Call to Order Chair. Jody Schulz called to order the regular meeting of thel Kent Narrows Development Foundation at 9:02 a.m. The meeting was conducted in person and via Zoom. A moment ofs silence was offered to remember the following people who worked on an ongoing basis with thel Kent Narrows Development Foundation: Vince Leggett, Joanie Sams, and Harry Schreifer. Public Comment Plastic Free QAC Bente Cooney reported that the organization continues toj promote thel Boat Shrink Wrap Recycling Program and the elimination of single-use plastic bags inl local grocery stores. Minutes Joe Pomerantz. made a motion to accept the KNDFn meeting minutes of October 22, 2024. The Board unanimously approved. Financial Report Gigi Windley reported for Victoria Hoffman. Shore United Checking Account: $98,731.00. The following balances are from financial reports ending 10/31/2024: Funds held in] Kent Narrows Tax Billing Line: QAC 570 Fund, $322,809* Funds held in QAC Kent Narrows Fee inl Lieu (Amenities Fund $67,191.) Chesapeake Charities Fund, $7,923.31. (Call Chesapeake Charities) operating support from county. Note: not a transfer from the 570 Fund) Restricted line-item balances: ESHI Grant, $1,500.00; and Safety Grant, $96,200. *(interest not yet posted) (Reflects $92,000 deposit from County to cover. Denison Contracts $42,000 and $40,000 for general $65,000 was withdrawn from the 570 fund and deposited into the KNDF's Checking account. That deposit will be reflected in the December 31 statements. Commissioner Report Thej public hearing on Short-Term Rentals County Ordinance 24-09 will bel held at their meeting later in the day. It is unlikely that the commissioners will vote on it. Thel KNDF's] position remains as thel board has suggested as reported in the April 2024 KNDF Minutes. An amendment has been offered to allow the property manager to be a specified mileage distance from the property. What that looks like will be The 2025 budget process has started. The requests are being developed by various departments. Open Houses for the MDTA's Bay Bridge Crossing (Tier 2 Study) will bei in December. On Saturday, November 23, a contractor working for Delmarva Power at their new substation on Dream Farm (Main Street near Wharf Road) hit both the vacuum sewer main and the water main while digging. discussed. 2 Asar result, all ofK Kent Narrows was temporally out of public water and sewer service. (Properties west, The County responded rapidly and deployed vacuum trucks to provide ear minimal level ofs sewer service. By approximately 3 p.m., water had been restored. At approx. 5:45 p.m., DPW repairs had been completed and crews were still on scene backfilling. The major shutdown was repaired in about four Discussion followed about impacts on businesses. Board members and property owners reported that some service was restored within 901 minutes hour. Some properties had wells that could be utilized as Board members strongly urged that the County set up a direct notification system tol keep businesses informed when serious events like these occur, since social media postings do not provide the level of Commissioner, Dumenil agreed that an effort by the county to improve direct messaging to thel businesses could be developed, and he would help to address this. Board members emphasized that it was important for the restaurants, hotels, and other businesses to know what is happening as quickly as possible sO that Narrows Pointe resident Scott Davies was allowed to comment on the discussion. He suggested that leaders in residential communities such as Narrows Pointe and Oyster Cove also be notified. i.e., Safeway, DiDonato, etc. had very limited sewer service.) hours. backup. detail needed for the businesses to operate though the crisis. alternative services can be arranged. Economic and Tourism Development April Plumber reported that the process and the teams for thel Bayways Destination Assessment have been defined. This is part ofNational Parks Service's Chesapeake Gateways program grant awarded to Visit Annapolis and Anne. Arundel County. This is a follow up to thel Ferry Feasibility Study, which defined certain destinations around the bay as possible ports or stopping places for the proposed passenger: ferry service. Kent Narrows and Matapeake were identified as the Queen Anne's County sites. A Queen Anne's County team has been formed, which includes Gigi, April, Heather, James Wood, and Gail Owings. That team has been working with a facilitator and with teams from other gateway: places around the Bay to gather information that will go into an assessment ofe each area. The team already has attended at training session and has participated in surveys for each area. That data will be aggregated and sent back to the Queen Anne's County team. A detailed and comprehensive assessment for all the amenities that can support the project comes next and will provide the basis for the live planning sessions to be held in Annapolis in late January. Action plans for each area will be the outcome oft the. January sessions. 3 Work on thel MHA grant is underway for the Watermen's exhibit, which will enhance the back room in the Chesapeake Legacy Museum within the CHVC. A deadrise boat will be the centerpiece oft the exhibit. The signage for the front of the Heritage Center is being redesigned. The plan to finalize the NPS signs must be complete by the end of December. NPS has approved frames that will hold the panels. Countywide destination promotion for the next six months is being planned. Ifbusinesses wish to enhançe their reach free promotional opportunities are available through the Maryland Office ofTourism Development. A handout from the office was distributed. The EDC's State oft the County Breakfast has been moved up from January 161 to. January 9 at the Kent Island Resort. Alll KNDF members are invited to attend. EDC will: not be holding the usual December Holiday Breakfast. Parks and Public Landings Gigi Windley read a letter from Berle Eismeier, project manager oft thel Ferry Point Park restoration effort, asking that the Foundation endorse grant requests to fund the project. A draft oft the letter of support was circulated among the board members in advance oft the meeting. The board agreed to support thej project and to forward the final letter to Nichole Carlozo, of Maryland DNR's Chesapeake and Coastal Service. Director's Report (Gigi Windley) Monument Dedication The dedication of the Veteran's Memorial at Wells Cove was held on 11/11/24. The ceremony was well organized and impressive. KNDF was asked toj participate in the ribbon cutting. Gigi thanked Pat Worns and Kim Hannon for representing the Foundation at the event. The ribbon-cutting photo appeared on the front page oft the Bay Times. QACTV filmed the event; it can be viewed on the County's' You Tube Channel. Input Sought for Bay Bridge Crossing Study More details were shared on thel Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Open Houses for the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study: Tier 21 NEPA Study. MDTA will share recommendations to address existing and future transportation issues at Maryland's Bay Bridge andi its approaches along U.S. 50/301, from Anne Arundel County on the Western Shore to Queen Anne's County on thel Eastern Shore.. A virtual open house is scheduled for Wednesday, December 4 (6 p.m.-8 p.m.)h https:!/www. baycrossingstudy.com/magespublic.mectings2024- The live gathering in QAC willl be on Wednesday, December 11, (6p p.m.-8 p.m.) atl Kent Island High School, 900 Love Point Rd., Stevensville. Other meetings are scheduled in Anne. Arundel County. 4 Areal Maintenance Issues Parking Lot] Fire An auto fire occurred in the parking lot ofthe Crab Deck around 5 p.m. Friday, November 22. The vehicle was fully involved. Grasonville VFW responded. Landscaping/ Maintenance Agreements Discussions are occurring to plan for next year'sa agreements. Due to the sensitive nature ofthe contracting and proposal process, the project will be discussed with thel Executive Committee and recommendations will be reported later. Marketing and Promotion 6,000 additional "Wake Up to Kent Narrows" rack cards were printed and are being distributed locally to the Chamber and to nearby Welcome Centers. The cards were: made larger to accommodate added entries. Thel Kent] Narrows website was updated to feature things to dol here ini the winter and to support the Crab Basket Tree Lighting events and vendor fair. Work is continuing the 2025 Kent Narrows travel guide and Gigi was recently granted access to Placer. AI. There is a learning curve involved with running reports and A larger version oft the locator map will include another panel for additional businesses. Gigi will also be website upgrades. customizing screens for our use. exploring ways to have a cartoon map oft the area developed. Queen Anne's County Chamber Directory The Chamber Membership and Directory solicitation has been mailed. KNDF has renewed the membership and will update information. KNDF was notified that for the first time, the Foundation will be charged for the advertorial feature on Kent Narrows. It was previously free. The board agreed to purchase the advertorial feature for $1,095.00. RESOLUTION $1,095.00 Joe Pomerantz made a motion to purchase an advertorial in the 2025 Queen. Anne's County Chamber of Commerce Directory. Kelly Phipps seconded. The. Board agreed to purchase the advertorial, for Capital Region Inbound Visitation KNDF continues efforts to fulfill requests received at the Global Travel Exchange. The design for the CRUSA multi-lingual holiday guide and banner ads was finalized in cooperation with the County. A follow-up meeting took place with Jolanta Coffee, Sr. International. A grant that helps fund the Capital Region'se efforts comes through thel DOC's trade. As at trade specialist, she works with organizations that are involved with the Chesapeake Gateways Project. Destination Development Efforts KNDF: is represented on a team fort the Chesapeake Gateways project. The project team for our area is in the information gathering phase. The team will attend ai three-day conference in Annapolis in January to 5 synthesize the data and to develop aj plan. The accommodations: for this conference will be paid for by the grant that funded this project. County Ordinance No. 24-15 Gigi reported on the status ofthe other county ordinances that affect KNDF: The public hearing on the Ethic's Ordinance was held on 10/22/24. Added tot the ordinance is the following language. "The Commission may assess al late fee of $2 per day, up to a maximum of $250, for late financial disclosure forms, or $10 per day, up to a maximum of $250, for late lobbyist registrations or reports." Closing Right-of-Way on Kent Narrows Way North Kent Narrows, LLC., asked that ai right-of-way on Kent Narrows Way North, containing 6,071 square feet ofl land, be petitioned for closing to allow addition to its abutting property for use as a landscape area. (DiDonato Property/ adjacent to Holiday Inn Express.) Approved on 10/22/24. Conferences and Meetings Conference on Thel Future ofTravel Mobility/ US Travel Gigi attended this one-day conference in Washington, D.C. The CEO of Uber was the keynote speaker. The event featured updates on1 the upcoming FIFA World Cup Soccer Competitions and other mega events like the LA Olympic Games. The FIFA games will affect many cities on the East Coast beginning in. June of202 6. Those closest to our area will bei in Philadelphia and' Washington D.C. Ways to move inbound visitors quickly and securely through multiple ports of entry were demonstrated. Case studies were presented on the cities that are now employing autonomous vehicles. tpswwwineaturoltavelmobilily.com, Maryland Tourism Coalition Gigi attended thel Maryland Tourism Coalition Summit in Harford County, November 6 & 7. Featured presentations included a focus on workforce and economic matters and artificial intelligence. Local Events Watermen's Basket Tree Events KNDF's basket was painted as al result ofl Kim Hannon's efforts.. All baskets are due into the Visitor's Center by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 27. The tree lighting will be on Saturday, December 7, between 6j p.m.-6:30 p.m. The Vendor Fair is from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Crab Deck. Old Business Nominating Committee Chair Jeff Smith reported that the committee reviewed all applications. One new application was received and not acted upon. The applicant had applied to several boards and was Jake Boulay, Victoria Hoffman, Justin Kiernan, Kelly Phipps, and. Joel Pomerantz were: recommended to selected by another board. serve three-year terms on thel KNDF board. 6 Resolution Nominating Committee Chair. Jeff Smith, speaking. for the Committee, moved to nominate Jake Boulay, Victoria Hoffman, Justin. Kiernan, Kelly Phipps, and. Joe Pomerantz to serve three-year terms on the KNDF Board beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December. 31, 2027. All approved the Al letter will go to the Board of County Commissioners to ratify the selection at their December 10 Meeting. Two additional positions will remain open SO1 that others may be considered later. motion. New Businesses Bay Bridge Boat Show the management to facilitate. A discussion occurred about parking for the upcoming boat show in April. KNDF will be working with A discussion occurred re: flooding at the end of Wells Cove Road. Gigi will write a memo on behalfof the board requesting that the County Government focus on remediating the problem Business Round Robin ofa an emergency. Jeff Smith sought clarification on what agencies had emergency access to the fenced off areas in the event Kim Hannon reported that the Sea Glass Festival in St. Michaels willl be held over the weekend. Kent Narrows store is doing well and will remain open. The Sea Glass Festival is November 23 at the Maritime Museum. Jody is looking into ways to improve the Watermen's) Monument area, such as adding a flag, improving the trail, and possibly adding interpretative signs. He asked that Board Members look at the area with that in mind. It might be possible to consult with an architect to get some concept/rendering: designs as a first step. He said that Fisherman's would bei interested in donating a flag and flagpole. Jody reported that D.J. Fasick, of Chesapeake Water Tours, would bei invited to a KNDF: meeting to debriefthel Board on the Tours' first year in Kent Narrows. RESOLUTION Jeff Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board agreed. 7 The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Georgeanna (Gigi) Windley, Executive Director Kent Narrows Development Foundation Certification: Ihereby certify that this is a true and correct copy oft thel Minutes that were adopted by the] Directors of this Foundation on December 17,2024. pan Patricia P. Worns, Secretary, KNDF 8