Minutes Kent Narrows Development Foundation Board of Directors Meeting February 25, 2025 For Board Review Board Members Participating Jody Schulz, Chair Joe Pomerantz, Vice Chair Patricia Worns, Secretary Victoria Hoffman, Treasurer Kim Hannon Justin Kiernan Kelly Phipps (via Zoom) Jeff Smith (via Zoom) Absent with Notice Jake Boulay Bill Oertel Jason Ruth Commissioners Liaison Phil Dumenil Patrick McLaughlin Queen Anne's County Staff Steve Chandlee, Director, QAC Parks, Recreation & Public Landings April Plummer, Specialist, QAC Marketing & Destination Development Guests Linda Friday, QAC Chamber of Commerce Matthew Scales, Seafood Marketing, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture Kristin Hanna, Seafood Marketing, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture Shelly Gross Wade, QAC Economic Development Commission Call to Order Chair Jody Schulz called to order the regular meeting of the Kent Narrows Development Foundation at 9:05 a.m. The meeting was conducted in person and via Zoom. Minutes Kent Narrows Development Foundation Board of Directors Meeting February 25, 2025 For Board Review Board Members Participating Jody Schulz, Chair Joe Pomerantz, Vice Chair Patricia Worns, Secretary Victoria Hoffman, Treasurer Kim Hannon Justin Kiernan Kelly Phipps (via Zoom) Jeff Smith (via Zoom) Absent with Notice Jake Boulay Bill Oertel Jason Ruth Commissioners Liaison Phil Dumenil Patrick McLaughlin Queen Anne's County Staff Steve Chandlee, Director, QAC Parks, Recreation & Public Landings April Plummer, Specialist, QAC Marketing & Destination Development Guests Linda Friday, QAC Chamber of Commerce Matthew Scales, Seafood Marketing, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture Kristin Hanna, Seafood Marketing, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture Shelly Gross Wade, QAC Economic Development Commission Call to Order Chair Jody Schulz called to order the regular meeting oft the Kent Narrows Development Foundation at 9:05 a.m. The meeting was conducted in person and via Zoom. December Minutes Justin Kiernan made a motion to accept the KNDF meeting minutes of January 28, 2025. The Board unanimously approved. Financial (Victoria Hoffman) The following balances are from financial reports ending 1/30/2025: Shore United Checking Account, $121,924.08. Funds held QAC 570 Fund, $261,463.00 (interest not yet posted). Funds held in QAC Kent Narrows Fee-in-Lieu (Amenities Fund), $67,191.36 (The credit card was compromised, and a new card was ordered. No funds were lost.) Chesapeake Charities Fund, $7,923.31. Restricted line-item balances: ESHI Grant, $1,500.00; Safety Grant, $96,200. Total Assets $476,683. A subcommittee will be established to look at best ways to spend Chesapeake Charities and Amenities Funds. Public Comment Linda Friday noted there will be a Chamber Expo at the Kent Island VFD on April 2. On May 20, there will be a Chamber Mixer that will be an afternoon cruise around Love Point by Chesapeake Water Tours. Commissioners Report Commissioner Dumenil noted that the State of Maryland has moved up the deadline for the County Budget to be reported to the State. This will affect the dates that the County holds its budget hearings. Commissioner McLaughlin noted that the Commissioners are concerned about SB 931/HB1036 Public Ulilities-Generating Stations-Generating and Siting (Renewable Energy Certainty Act). The proposed legislation alters the factors the Public Service Commission must consider before taking final action on a certificate of public convenience and necessity. It establishes certain requirements for the construction of a certain solar energy generating station or energy storage devices. It requires the Commission to conduct a study to establish a process by which the Commission may establish partnerships between electric companies and electricity suppliers for electricity generation projects. Queen Anne's County and the other 23 Counties that are members of] MACO oppose the legislation. The bill would allow large scale energy projects to supersede 2 local zoning rules, not pay property taxes and reduce farmland throughout the State. It would have a major impact on the farmland on the Eastern Shore. Terry Haseltine from the Maryland Sports Commission will do a presentation at today's Commissioner' S meeting regarding the possibility of doing a feasibility study on sports facilities in the County. Jody asked about the new provider Talkie Wireless and their expansion into the County. Gigi will invite a representative from the organization to make a presentation at a future KNDF meeting. Talkie is running lines through the Kent Narrows and along Rt. 18 through Grasonville to Chester. Economic and Tourism Development Update April Plummer outlined the accomplishments of the 5-member team from Queen Anne's County that attended the Chesapeake Gateways Workshop in Annapolis and Anne Arundel Conference and Visitors Bureau, and other communities around the Bay. Gigi represented KNDF at the workshop. The result was a plan to develop art-related attractions along existing trails. A follow- up meeting coordinated by the County will detail the path forward for the project. Kent Narrows will be a featured destination and a major participant. The geographic scope of the project is from Grasonville to Kent Island. The QAC Tourism group has contracted with Chesapeake Bay Magazine to do a video for the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Kent Narrows. Scheduled promotional nitiatives include two billboards: one each in Cambridge and Salisbury. Meta ads will be running in certain markets that have been identified as favorable through the Placer AI data. A company has been hired that specializes in using Placer AI data to make ads more effective. A test marketing initiative will be run on the Wedding and Boating market segments. A lengthy discussion occurred related to transportation flows for the Boat Show. Additional discussion will be held between the businesses, the County, and the Boat Show producers regarding parking and transportation stops around Kent Narrows. (The County Ride busses cannot be utilized due to restrictions associated with the grant funding.) Parks and Public Landings Steve Chandlee emphasized that the operational proforma for Chesapeake Gateways projects that are developed on Parks-managed land and trails will need to be considered. Twelve boards on the Cross Island Connector Trail are currently being replaced: the trail will be closed periodically for maintenance. A temporary fix for the trail damage from the accident has been done. Materials are on order for the permanent repair. A piling will need to be replaced and a closure will be necessary. No dates have been selected for the closure. 3 The division is asking the Commissioners to fund an assessment of the shoreline erosion issues at Ferry Point Park. A master contract has been let out for grass and weed eradication. They have nine contractors that can be assigned to specific areas throughout the county. Vines are being cleared along the Cross Island Trail. The channel is scheduled for dredging; Steve will check on the dates. It costs over $1 million to dredge. In the past, spoils have gone to Eastern Neck Island and CBEC. Discussion occurred related to the effectiveness of the rock wall at Ferry Point. Presentation: Seafood Marketing Kristin Hannah and Matthew Scales with the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Seafood Marketing Division presented the Maryland's S Best Program, designed to connect consumers with watermen and farms. The program will promote qualified businesses at no charge. Marketing dollars behind the program encourage consumers to consume more local projects. Farmers and seafood restaurants can sign up to be partners in promotional campaigns through social media and media relations, where they can tell consumers the stories behind their food. Several Kent Narrows restaurants are involved in the department' S Shuck and Sip" campaign that features Maryland beer and oysters throughout February. March 21-31 is Oyster Week. The program is highlighting places that recycle shells. The Seafood Eat Food" campaign is running online; the division will work with participating restaurants to offer a points-based reward program for Maryland seafood. Three restaurants in Kent Narrows currently participate. The Department also is promoting locally on-farm-made ice cream though an ice cream trail. There are 12 stops on the trail. There is also an "Eat Like a Marylander" campaign that reached 9.5 million people last year. The department will invest $75,000 in this program. They have dedicated webpages for restaurants that serve local foods. The Department has a local Expo to link restaurants with local food producers. The Expo will be on February 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Annapolis. The Department also has a True-Blue Program to promote Maryland crabmeat. Anything that is labeled True Blue is inspected and tested locally. Department representatives will attend the Seafood North America show in March. They also will be at the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Kent Narrows and are looking for a local chef to do a local seafood cooking demonstration. Director's Report (Gigi Windley) Kent Narrows Special Taxing District Maintenance Update Gigi thanked the County Commissioners for their efforts re: the Wells Cove drainage situation. 4 The graffiti under the bridge was taken care of promptly. Promotion Gigi proposed that KNDF purchase an ad in the May edition (Boat Show Issue) of Prop Talk Magazine. It will be printed March 25; an email link will go out to 30,000. The proposed cost is $1435.00. It will be released just prior the boat show and will be given at the entrance. RESOLUTION Joe Pomerantz made a motion to purchase an ad in the May 2025 Prop Talk Magazine for $1435.00. Pat Worns seconded. The Board agreed. The new travel guide will showcase shopping in the Narrows. The Guide is taking longer to update due to the many changes related to movements of the head boats and charter boats. New Kent Narrows bags were ordered for distribution at upcoming special events. The new promotional rack cards are at the printer. These are requested by and distributed at visitor information and welcome centers throughout the State and region. New Kent Narrows stickers were ordered to use for mailings and special events. MTC Visibility and Tourism Day Kent Narrows participated in MTC's Tourism Day in Annapolis. The Kent Narrows logo was featured with Facebook Posts and on the big screen at the event. Over 200 Travel Industry attendees participated; 11Maryland State Legislators attended. Travel Research/ Placer AI KNDF has run several experimental reports on certain markets and properties. We are in the process of setting up customized shape files for Kent Narrows properties, event areas, and taxing districts. March 22-29 is the Shore Update's S Restaurant Week. Several local restaurants are participating. Chester River Landscaping wants to bid on the mowing contract. Grants The DHCD grant can't be executed due to delays associated with partner agencies. Gigi has contacted the agencies and is working through the remittance process. 5 May 4-10 is National Travel and Tourism Week. The toolbox can be downloaded through the US Travel Association. Gigi provided a summary on what is happening in 2025 and 2026 in Philadelphia. Mega-events are being held there including the FIFA games and MLB events. There will be some spillover effects related to inbound and outbound travel to the area. Business Updates Shore Tackle and Rod has moved to Easton and the building is being redesigned for use as a Welcome area for patrons visiting Fisherman's Village businesses. Kent Island Jewelry has moved to the retail shops at the Boatel. Collaborative Projects Gigi supplied more detail on KNDF's work with the County, the National Parks Service, and other gateway communities on development and expansion of the Chesapeake Gateways and All-American Roads programs. KNDF provided product inventory assistance throughout the months of [GG: which months?]and attended a three-day workshop in Annapolis to further the initiative. Community Outreach Gigi supported the recent Workforce Development initiative that was done in cooperation with QAC Economic Development and Chesapeake College. Gigi served as a subject-matter expert on a workforce development panel for Anne Arundel County High School students. Arranged by the Maryland Tourism Coalition's education committee. Update on Legislation (new to watch, short term lodging) Federal Level S. 314 The Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 prohibits unfair or misleading price advertising for places of short-term lodging and requires accurate price listings that include all mandatory and resort fees. Status: Introduced in Senate (01/29/2025) Senate - 02/05/2025 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. 6 OLD BUSINESS Signature Event Task Force The task force met on April 12 and considered options related to a new signature event to reinforce the Kent Narrows Branding efforts. After reviewing possible dates for conflicts, the following fall weekends look favorable: October 18-19 or October 25-26. Seafood would be a focus. The Taste of Kent Narrows/Taste ofthe Narrows brand is still good, but the event could be reworked to be different than previously. Cooking competitions could be a draw. It would not be a watermen's festival, but the watermen could be included in various aspects of the event. More ideas will be forthcoming. The committee will continue to meet to fine tune the details. NEW BUSINESS Piney Narrows Marina will be featured on the Prop Talk Cover. The Yacht Club is doing a fund raiser for building a new playground. RESOLUTION Jeff Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board agreed. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Georgeanna (Gigi) Windley, Executive Director Kent Narrows Development Foundation Certification: I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the Minutes that were adopted by the Directors ofthis Foundation on March 25, 2025. bsie - X D2 Patricia P. Worns, Secretary, KNDF 7