Minutes Kent Narrows Development Foundation Board of Directors Meeting April 29, 2025 For Board Review Board Members Participating Jody Schulz, Chair Joe Pomerantz, Vice Chair Victoria Hoffman, Treasurer (absent with notice) Patricia Worns, Secretary (via Zoom) Jake Boulay Kim Hannon Justin Kiernan Jason Ruth Kelly Phipps Jeff Smith a Bill Oertel Commissioner Liaison Phil Dumenil Patrick McLaughlin (absent with notice) Queen Anne's County Staff Todd Mohn Mike Watson, Queen Anne's s County Parks, Recreation Guests Peggy Young, Plastic Free QAC Joy Wemmer, Hilton Garden Inn Call to Order Chair Jody Schulz called to order the regular meeting of the Kent Narrows Development Foundation at 9:03 a.m. The meeting was conducted in person and via Zoom. Agenda Additions and Deletions Financial (Gigi Windley for Victoria Hoffman) The following balances are from financial reports ending 3/31/2025: Shore United Checking Account: $68,011.53. Funds held in Kent Narrows Tax QAC 570 Fund, $201,499.82 (Interest not yet posted). Billing Line: Funds held in QAC Kent Narrows Feein Lieu (Amenities Fund), $67,191.36 Chesapeake Charities Fund, $7,923.31. Restricted line-item balances: ESHI Grant, $1,500.00; Safety Grant: closed out. Total Assets: $ 344,626.02 The subcommittee has not met to examine how to spend Chesapeake Funds. Charities and Aménities Public Comment Peggy Young from Plastic Free QAC distributed information on the proposed ban of plastic bags that is before the Commissioners. Single-use plastic single-use significant public cost in disposal and litter carryout bags generate environmental control, as well as contribute to negative impact. Plastic bags never degrade in the environment but bits contaminating the soil and water; pose threats to marine, break down into tiny the human food chain. She urged of bird, and land animals; and enter support County Ordinance An Act use of Plastic Bags in Queen Anne's County. 25-06, Concerning the The act prohibits retail establishments from providing plastic to certain terms, requires a fee of at least 10 cents for each carryout bags customers, defines bag that a retail establishment to paper carryout bag and reusable carryout provides a customer, defines certain and generally prohibits and regulates the use of plastic bags by retail establishments exceptions and penalties, Anne's County. Gigi noted that the Board's further in Queen discussion on the act could occur Agenda item VII. today under Commissioner Report The QAC Commissioners have released their proposed FY 2026 Budget, totaling $209.1 million for operations and $54.6 million in capital investments. No tax increases are proposed. A public information meeting will be held on May 21 at Sudlersville Middle School at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Dumenil reported that the County will hold a town hall meeting on 23 to review the 2025 Ramp Management Program. The US 50/301 Ramp Management April Program will go into effect on Sunday, May 18, and operate Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays (Memorial Day and Labor Day) from 11:00 AM-8:00 PM until Monday, September 8. County Administrator Update Todd Mohn added to Commissioner Dumenil' S comments and underscored the importance of monitoring traffic conditions on the summer and holiday weekends. MDOT can open and close bridge travel lanes according to the volume, sO backups can occur in either direction. He 2 emphasized that travelers and residents may sign up for updates and alerts from the Maryland Transportation Authority. For real-time trafficinformation, call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726). KNDF Board members expressed concern regarding the power failures in the northeast of Kent Narrows that have occurred over the past month. Todd Mohn quadrant up with the Renee Stephens in Delmarva's suggested that Gigi follow- Salisbury Office to determine the status of the situation and plans to avoid such problems in the future. The outages were to businesses and caused closures on a busy Saturday afternoon and costly numerous evening, and at other over the past month. Gigi will document the times, days, and businesses that times pass the information to Delmarva Power. were affected and Economic Development and Tourism Update Gigi Windley said that Heather Tinelli was unavailable to her the Maryland Economic give report as she was attending Development Association event in Cambridge. She also that Rebecca Clark would be leaving her position in Queen Anne's County and has taken reported with the Cecil County Office of Economic Development. a position Planning and Zoning Update The report from Stephanie Jones was reviewed. Staff continues to work on a update to Chapter 14:1, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Act, of the County Code. comprehensive to work with Granicus to develop the roll-out plan related to County Ordinance Staff continues Term Residential Rentals. #24-09, Short- Parks and Recreation Update Mike Watson reported that interviews were being held for the part-time seasonal positions. Most will begin duties Memorial Day weekend. Mike also reviewed the ranger maps for the landscaping/mowing contracts and noted that the that KNDF proposed accurate. This was sO that no conflict with service maps sent were providers occurs. Gigi mentioned that artist Tilghman Hensley of Tilman Hensley Fine Arts and Capt. Tyrone Meredith, owner of the Island Queen Fishing Vessel have developed a concept plan for a new monument that would memorialize the past uses of the Wells Cove landing area. They would like the KNDF to The plan will be presented at a future meeting of the KNDF. Mike Watson confirmed that see it. anything proposed for County owned property would have to go through the County process. Watson confirmed that a meeting with Parks and Public Landing the approval site is schedule for later in the week. regarding proposed Director's Report (Gigi Windley) Businesses Open for the Season The Crab Deck, Big Owl, and Chesapeake Water Tours are open for the season. The Heritage and Visitor Center will be open seven days a week. A new welcome center and Chesapeake shop for Fisherman's S Village will open in the former Shore Tackle and Rod between gift Fisherman's and the Crab Deck. building, 3 The. Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point The Boat Show opened on April 11 and ran through April 13. KNDF and were on the grounds for all three days. The biggest issue worked in the QAC Booth sides of the roadway where "No Parking" appeared to be parking along the signs were ignored. Some entrances to businesses and had to be removed. KNDF assisted vehicles blocked the were light on Friday and Saturday because of the cool with those situations. Crowds Sunday; the weather was nice, and rainy, weather. The busiest day was many attended. The Old Outlets as were the lots under the bridges. parking lot was full that day, On Saturday afternoon, The Narrows Restaurant gave a blue catfish the State Dept of Agriculture. Several businesses from Kent Narrows cooking demonstration for Gigi worked in the QAC booth to promote and info had a presence at the show. provide on Kent Narrows. A Boat Show debriefing meeting will be arranged by Heather Tinelli; KNDF KNDF developed and printed a special one-page map that showed the will be present. the trails, the shuttle route, and the parking lot. It was distributed location of the Boat show, and through the KNDF website. at the show, at local businesses, hotel front desks and welcome Larger, laminated concierge maps were prepared for use by center staff. Other Outreach and Promotion Adi in Prop Talk A 1/3-page ad welcoming Boat Show patrons to Kent Narrows in issue ofl Prop Talk. The cost was $1435.00. The book appeared the May (Boat Show) at the Boat Show. was distributed throughout the region and Progress on Travel Guide The update of the Travel Guide is in its final stages. The new Kent Narrows Rack Cards, in heavy demand by welcome and visitor centers throughout the region, were delivered. 4,000 were printed. Local distribution information is in progress. Mailings and deliveries to the out-of-area Visitors Center will occur the spring. throughout Travel Research/ Placer AI Gigi attended a training session and will begin running analytics on the Boat Show events. and other Kent Narrows District Maintenance An Invitation to Bid was developed for the mowing and landscaping contracts for 2025-26 and posted on the KNDF website. KNDF met with interested vendors during scheduled meetings that included windshield tours of the area. Maps were developed and the Parks pre-bid Department was asked to review them to ensure there are no conflicts in the areas to be Two proposals were received for 2025-26. They will be reviewed by a committee mowed. Jody, Gigi, and Kim. Recommendations will come before the Board for the final vote. comprised of 4 SHA Service As requested by KNDF, SHA swept the 50/301 bridge prior to the Boat Show at Safe Harbor. Pop UpMotoring Events The first pop-up motoring event under the bridge on May 3 caused little notice by KNDF and pre-planning by the Sheriff's Office and Park disruption. The advance event was not disruptive. The event organizer worked Rangers helped to ensure the time that police and rangers would be to communicate to participants ahead of monitoring the area. KNDF will event planned for mid-June. continue to monitor the Legislative Update: MD General Assembly HB0411/SB0764 The bill to make the Orange Crush the State Cocktail was signed by the Governor. The designates that the orange crush cocktail originated in 1995 at the Harborside bill Ocean City, Md. Bar and Grill in The Budget Bill Maryland Tourism Development Board' S budget was decreased by $3 million. SB 427/HB 498 The Governor's Decade Act Bill is part of a comprehensive that includes a reorganization of the Department of approach to economic development economic growth, and FY 2026 economic Commerce, the governor's executive order on growth investments. The DECADE. entirety, failed to pass. The bill would have overhauled the state' S economic Act bill in its framework by restructuring agencies, revising tax credit programs for certain development financial assistance eligibility, and establishing new priorities fori industries, updating industry growth. SB 186/CH0171 Establishes the Invasive Blue Catfish Pilot Program in the Department of Natural curb the spread of the invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its Resources to the Department to expand the use of practices determined to be effective under tributaries the and requires Department is required to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor Program. The General Assembly by December 1, 2025.. This bill was approved by the Governor. and the 171) (Chapter An IT tax will go into effect to help to reduce the State's growing deficit. The tax on data and IT services that is expected to raise nearly $500 million plan includes the billion in new revenues and $2.5 billion in annually, part of the $1 in the fiscal 2026 The spending cuts needed to close a $3 billion gap budget. details are not yet worked out. The following bills appear to be dead: The I-Gaming bill has not moved forward, at least for this year. The bill raises the take for betting by 5%. MTC was opposed to the I-Gaming Bill. sports 5 SB 738 The Maryland General Assembly passed and enacted legislation to support solar development and promote a cleaner energy future the energy Tomorrow. Act,' which aims to incentivize local for state. Key bills include the "Brighter process for solar and solar projects and streamline the permitting energy storage projects. Additionally, there are on establishing uniform standards for solar legislative efforts focused office for energy planning. (HB 1137/SB energy projects HB 1036/931) and creating a state 909). Maryland, along with the facing an energy crisis. Both Todd Mohn and Phil Dumenil broader region, is Solar Farms. The County Commissioners reiterated the Countee's S position on to solar energy facilities are concerned that large-scale conversion of farmland may impact the long-term viability of agriculture in the surrounding region. county and A sustainable agricultural community depends on a critical mass of and essential services such as suppliers, markets, farms farmers to support is transitioned to solar use, the demand for these processors, and storage facilities. As more: farmland enough land is taken out of production, it could create agricultural support services diminishes. If continue farming. serious challenges for those who wish to County Ordinances Ordinance 25-06 was introduced on April 8th. The Public Hearing is The ordinance prohibits retail establishments from scheduled for May 5. defining certain terms; requiring a fee of at least 10 providing plastic carryout bags to customers; reusable cents on each paper carryout bag and carryout bag that a retail establishment provides to a customer; certain exceptions; providing penalties; and generally prohibiting, regulating, and providing plastic bags by retail establishments in Queen Anne's S County, addressing the use of Chapter 13 of the Code of Public Local Law. by adding a new Article VI to The KNDF Board reviewed and discussed the ordinance. While the Foundation did not take formal position, there was considerable discussion, with some opposition to parts of the a ordinance. The primary concern relates to the potential hardship of collecting the mandated 10 cents for business owners. The accounting requirements for tracking and reporting each sold per bag bag presents a significant challenge, particularly for businesses like restaurants. Implementing the necessary changes to existing payment, computer, and staff training systems would substantial logistical adjustments. require The process of tracking bags is considerably different for restaurants compared to stores with single point-of-sale systems. In a restaurant setting, servers would need to manually grocery count and categorize takeout bags for each table and bill. Given that multiple servers may attend to a single table, accurately tracking bag usage, especially during peak hours, would be difficult. Also, consistent enforcement of this effort appears challenging, and the $250 fine seems unduly burdensome, especially for individual servers in restaurants. Toillustrate, if a server 6 inadvertently fails to record the four takeout bags provided to a table of four, could the theoretically face a $1000 fine for this single oversight? restaurant There were also questions raised regarding the seemingly uneven exclusionary applies to certain types of businesses and organizations. language as it In general, it was agreed that reducing the amount of single-use idea. plastic bags used is a good Grants DHCD Grant: The remittance procedure was completed, and the funds were State. This is reflected in these financial returned to the Checking Account. reports. $97,100 was remitted out of the Shore United The MHT Grant is still active and is being reprogramed. The project is should be finished by late summer. It is a heritage trail map for the trails ready to resume and Kent Narrows. and pathways along Administrative Matters Insurance KNDF worked through broker Avon Dixon to renew the Officers and Director' s General Business Liability Insurance. The Executive Committee Insurance and policies. Overall, the increase was about $110 over last year's approved the purchase of the cost for the same coverage. RESOLUTION Kim Hannon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board agreed. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 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 of this Foundation on April 29, 2025. 7 inadvertently fails to record the four takeout bags provided to a table of four, could the restaurant theoretically face a $1000 fine for this single oversight? There were also questions raised regarding the seemingly uneven exclusionary applies to certain types of businesses and organizations. language as it In general, it was agreed that reducing the amount of single-use plastic bags used is idea. a good Grants DHCD Grant: The remittance procedure was completed, and the funds were State. This is reflected in these financial returned to the Checking Account. reports. $97,100 was remitted out of the Shore United The MHT Grant is still active and is being reprogramed. The is should be finished by late summer. It is a heritage trail for project the ready to resume and Kent Narrows. map trails and pathways along Administrative Matters Insurance KNDF worked through broker Avon Dixon to renew the Officers and Director' S General Business Liability Insurance. The Executive Committee Insurance and policies. Overall, the increase was about $110 over last approved the purchase of the year's cost for the same coverage. RESOLUTION Kim Hannon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The Board agreed. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 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 of this Foundation on April 29, 2025. a - De Patricia P. Worns, Secretary, KNDF 7