On the agenda: La Plata Town Council — License Plate Reader (Dec 17)

Town Council
Regular Meeting
December 17, 2024, 6:00 PM
Agenda
1.

Call to Order
1.1. Call to Order
Attendees, please use meeting courtesy. Virtual attendees are asked to mute microphones when
joining the meeting. Participants may be muted by the Town Clerk and meetings will be recorded.
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the public has the right to view/listen to the discussion
only. At their discretion, the Town Council may allow participants to voice questions or provide
comments on the topics under discussion. Written comments may be submitted via email
to [email protected]. Individuals wishing to address the Town Council may sign up in
advance on the Town's website (Public Communications) or on the meeting sign-up sheet.
Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device.
Join the Meeting
Meeting ID: 239 407 032 347
Passcode: vEFjZB
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1.2. Roll Call
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance
1.4. Approval of the Meeting Agenda

2.

Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approval of minutes from Regular Meeting and Closed Session on December 10, 2024.

3.

Petitions, Communications, Appearances and Public Comment
3.1. Public Comment
3.2. Department Updates
3.2. Finance (Larsen)
3.2. Human Resources (Kennedy)

Page 1 of 41

3.2. Inspections and Permits (Mosrie)
3.2. La Plata Police Department (Schinner)
3.2. Legislative Services (Phipps)
3.2. Planning (Craze)
3.2. Public Works (Wood)
4.

Matters of Council Discussion
4.1. Pension Plan Update (Kennedy)

5.

New Business
5.1. Reports from the Mayor and Town Council

6.

Adjourn
6.1. Adjournment

Page 2 of 41

TOWN OF LA PLATA
Town Council Minutes
December 10, 2024, 6:00 PM
Regular Meeting
PRESENT:

Mayor Jeannine James
Councilman, Ward I David Winkler
Councilman, Ward II Matthew Trollinger
Councilwoman, Ward III Evalyne Bryant-Ward
Councilman, Ward IV David Jenkins

ABSENT:
TOWN STAFF:

Michelle Miner, Assistant Town Manager
Karina Larsen, Town Treasurer
Aaron Mosrie, Director of Inspections
Kelly Phipps, Director of Legislative Services and Interim Town Clerk
Martha Tennison, Accounts Manager

GUESTS:

See Roster

1.

Call to Order
1.1. Call to Order
Attendees, please use meeting courtesy. Virtual attendees are asked to mute microphones when
joining the meeting. Participants may be muted by the Town Clerk and meetings will be recorded.
In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the public has the right to view/listen to the discussion
only. At their discretion, the Town Council may allow participants to voice questions or provide
comments on the topics under discussion. Written comments may be submitted via email
to [email protected]. Individuals wishing to address the Town Council may sign up in
advance on the Town's website (Public Communications) or on the meeting sign-up sheet.
Join on your computer, mobile app, or room device.
Join the Meeting
Meeting ID: 239 407 032 347
Passcode: vEFjZB
Download Teams | Join on the web
In accordance with the Code of Maryland, General Provisions, Section 3-302 (Open Meetings Act),
notice is hereby given that a portion of this meeting will be held in closed session.
Mayor James called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
1.2. Roll Call
The Interim Town Clerk conducted Roll Call.
Page 3 of 41

Councilman Winkler joined the meeting virtually and was present until 7:24 PM.
1.3. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor James led all assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.4. Approval of the Meeting Agenda
Councilwoman, Ward III Bryant-Ward moved to approve the agenda as presented.
Moved By: Evalyne Bryant-Ward, seconded by David Jenkins.
Passed Unanimously
2.

Approval of Minutes
2.1. Approval of minutes from Regular Meeting and Closed Session on November 12, 2024.

3.

Petitions, Communications, Appearances and Public Comment
3.1. Public Comment
Kenny Yekstat spoke on the subject of the National Community Survey results.
Molly Pinkas spoke on the subject of D.R. Horton sediment & erosion environmental noncompliance.
3.2. Expense Report: Budget vs Actual as of September 30, 2024 (Larsen)
The Town Treasurer answered questions from the Town Council.

4.

Matters of Council Discussion
4.1. American Rescue Plan Act Budget Amendment (Larsen)
The Town Treasurer answered questions from the Town Council. The Town Council reached a
consensus to proceed with legislation.
4.2. 2025 Town Council Meeting Schedules (Larsen/Phipps)
The Town Treasurer and Interim Town Clerk answered questions from the Town Council. The Town
Council reached a consensus to proceed with legislation adopting the schedules as presented, with the
understanding that additional Special Meetings could be scheduled if necessary.
4.3. Tourism Zones Ordinance (Phipps)
The Interim Town Clerk answered questions from the Town Council. The Town Council advised that the
proposed legislation should contain more specific language on incentives offered to qualifying
businesses, and declined to proceed with legislation.
4.4. Board, Commission, and Committee Vacancies (Miner)
The Assistant Town Manager presented three candidates for the Finance Committee and one for the
Ethics Commission. Councilman Winkler was not present to vote.
Finance Committee Candidates:
• Michael Gahan
Page 4 of 41

• Joseph Norris
• Kathy Brandt
Ethics Commission Candidate:
• Patrick McCormick
Voting
Councilman, Ward II Trollinger moved to appoint Michael Gahan, Joseph Norris, and Kathy Brandt to
the Finance Committee.
Moved By: Matthew Trollinger, seconded by Evalyne Bryant-Ward.
Passed Unanimously
Councilman, Ward II Trollinger moved to appoint Patrick McCormick to the Ethics Commission.
Moved By: Matthew Trollinger, seconded by Evalyne Bryant-Ward.
Passed Unanimously
5.

Legislation
5.1. Resolution 24-27 La Plata Town Council 2025 Meeting Schedules (For Introduction and
Consideration of Adoption)
A RESOLUTION concerning
La Plata Town Council 2025 Meeting Schedules
FOR the purpose of maintaining regulated and publicly accessible schedules of Town Council
Meetings; and all matters generally relating thereto.
Councilman Winkler was not present for this vote.
Mayor James moved to adopt Resolution 24-27 as presented.
Moved By: Jeannine James, seconded by Matthew Trollinger.
Passed Unanimously
5.2. Ordinance 24-18 Amendment to Town of La Plata Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Plan/Budget -- 2023
Series Bonds (2nd Reading; For Consideration of Adoption)
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Amendment to Town of La Plata Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Plan/Budget – 2023 Series Bonds
FOR the purpose of amending the Town of La Plata Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Financial
Plan/Budget to reflect the activities of the 2023 Series Bonds; and all matters generally relating
thereto.
Councilman Winkler was not present for this vote.
Page 5 of 41

Councilman, Ward IV Jenkins moved to adopt Ordinance 24-18 as presented.
Moved By: David Jenkins, seconded by Matthew Trollinger.
Passed Unanimously
5.3. Emergency Ordinance 24-19 Town of La Plata ARPA Spending Plan, Fourth Amendment (For
Introduction and Consideration of Adoption)
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE concerning
Town of La Plata ARPA Spending Plan, Fourth Amendment
FOR the purpose of amending the Town of La Plata American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Spending
Plan; and all matters generally relating thereto.
Councilman Winkler was not present for this vote.
Councilman, Ward IV Jenkins moved to adopt Emergency Ordinance 24-19 as presented.
Moved By: David Jenkins, seconded by Matthew Trollinger.
Passed Unanimously
5.4. Ordinance 24-20 Tourism Zones (1st Reading; For Introduction)
AN ORDINANCE concerning
Tourism Zones
FOR the purpose of establishing Tourism Zones in the Town of La Plata, as authorized by
Maryland Code, Local Government Section 18-401, and to define the administration of a program of
incentives to “qualified tourism businesses” located within such Tourism Zones to encourage
growth and expansion of tourism-related businesses in the Town of La Plata; and all matters
generally relating thereto.
Ordinance 24-20 was not introduced.
6.

New Business
6.1. Reports from the Mayor and Town Council
• Ward 1: Councilman Winkler was not present to report.
• Ward 2: Councilman Trollinger reported on the following:
o Keep La Plata Beautiful (Beautification Commission) is changing the regular meeting
time to 3:00 PM on 4th Mondays to better accommodate member work schedules.
o The 2025 community litter cleanup schedule will be available shortly; the monthly
cleanups begin again in March 2025.
o There is a vacancy on the Beautification Commission.
• Ward 3: Councilwoman Bryant-Ward reported on the following:
o The Planning Commission met on Dec. 3 and considered a parking waiver for the Charles
County Public Library. The Commission requested additional information from the
Town's Contract Planner before rendering a decision.
• Ward 4: Councilman Jenkins reported on the following:
Page 6 of 41

o Mary Winkler's term on the Parks and Recreation Commission has expired, leaving a
vacancy.
• Mayor: Mayor James reported on the following/had no report:
o The next Town event is the Old Tyme Holiday Gathering and tree-lighting
o Residents should visit the town website to answer questions regarding loose leaf
collection
o Other upcoming Town events are Breakfast with Santa and the 2024 Light Up La Plata
contest

7.

Motion for a Closed Session
7.1. Statutory Authority to Close Session: § 3-305(b)(15)(iii) deployments or implementation of critical
infrastructure
Topic: Information Technology
Councilman Winkler was not present for this vote.
Councilwoman, Ward III Bryant-Ward moved to enter Closed Session under Statutory Authority § 3305(b)(15)(iii), Topic: Information Technology.
Moved By: Evalyne Bryant-Ward, seconded by David Jenkins.
Passed Unanimously

8.

Adjourn
8.1. Adjournment
Mayor James adjourned the meeting at 7:06 PM.
Submitted by:
_____________________________________
Kelly G. Phipps, Interim Town Clerk

Page 7 of 41

Page 8 of 41

Page 9 of 41

Monthly Treasurer Report

For Fiscal Year 2025 Through October 30, 2024

Page 10 of 41

Total cash inflows for October 2024 was $6,631,826

Total cash outflow for October 2024 was $1,805,851
Page 11 of 41

Bank & Investment Accounts as of October 31, 2024
Investment Account Balance

Checking Account Activity
Balance at 10/01/2024
Credits
Cash/Check Deposits
Credit Card Trans Deposits
Taxes Collected
Intra-Gov't & Grants Deposits
Other Deposits
Interest from MBS
Transfer from ICS

$1,750,360.00

$1,875,563.45
$568,644.81
$3,904,033.81
$517.33
$14,425.00
$44,329.53
$464,899.46
$6,872,413.39

WesBanco Investment Account (ICS)
Balance at 10/01/2024
In from Checking Account
Interest
Out to Checking Account

Balance at 10/31/2024

$29,453,054.13
$4,890,039.40
$118,995.70
-$464,899.46

$33,997,189.77

Mulit-Ban Securities, Inc.
Money Market
Certificates of Deposit
Balance at 10/31/2024

$727,867.44
$9,057,206.62
$9,785,074.06

PNC MLGIP - General Account

Debits
Payroll (Salary/Taxes/Benefits)
Vendor Check Payments
Vendor ACH Payments
Other Outflows
Returned Checks
Transfer to ICS

Balance at 10/31/2024

$657,640.40
$436,718.57
$796,355.02
$0.00
$0.00
$4,890,039.40
$6,780,753.39
$1,842,020.00

Balance at 10/01/2024
Interest
Balance at 10/31/2024

$4,123,350.87
$17,143.81
$4,140,494.68

PNC MLGIP - Vehicle Repl
Balance at 10/01/2024
Interest
Balance at 10/31/2024

$1,012,599.87
$4,210.12
$1,016,809.99

Page 12 of 41

General Fund
YTD General Fund Percentage of Expenditures By Category

SALARY & WAGES
FRINGE BENEFITS
15.63%

CONTRACTING SERVICES
36.45%

11.11%

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
1.54%

OTHER EXPENDITURES
10.49%

CAPITAL OUTLAY
24.79%

Total Expenditures through October 31, 2024 are $4,885,469 or 31.4% of FY2025 Budget
Page 13 of 41

Fiscal Year to Date Notes:

General Fund Expenditures for October by
Department

Bond interest was paid for the 2023A series in the amount of $485,809 through
the Administration department.

$600,000

FY24 October variance in Streets is due to paving done in December and June
compared to FY25 in October

$500,000
$400,000

October Parks variance is due to the construction of Tilghman Lake Dam

$300,000
$200,000

General Fund YTD Expenditures at October 31st by
Department

$100,000
$0

October 2023

October 2024

$1,800,000
$1,600,000
$1,400,000
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
$0

FY2024

FY2025

Page 14 of 41

FY2025 YTD General Government Expenditures

FY2025 YTD Public Safety Expenditures
$21,421

$10,098
$3,01
$529,522

$510,616

$481,122

$37,787

$953,217
$2,57

SALARY & WAGES
$122,362

$307,764

FRINGE BENEFITS

$331,567

FY2025 YTD Parks & Recreation/Events Expenditures
$8,08

CONTRACTING SERVICES

FY2025 YTD Public Works Expenditures

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
$10,598

$238,210

$59,621

OTHER EXPENDITURES
CAPITAL OUTLAY
$13,445

$68,985
$602,598

$183,416

$26,588

$214,913

$132

Page 15 of 41

General Fund Expenditures

October 2023
SALARY & WAGES
FRINGE BENEFITS

CONTRACTING SERVICES
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
OTHER EXPENDITURES

CAPITAL OUTLAY
RESERVES

Total Expenditures

October 2024

FY2024

Year to Date
FY2025
Variance

Variance %

$416,181
$117,931
$534,112

$405,275
$112,190
$517,465

$1,713,656
$521,277
$2,234,933

$1,780,570
$512,555
$2,293,126

$66,915
-$8,722
$58,193

2.60%

$178,729
$46,984
$20,790
$246,503

$275,331
$12,985
$10,412
$298,728

$1,211,249
$165,525
$87,406
$1,464,180

$1,211,018
$75,035
$542,767
$1,828,820

-$231
-$90,490
$455,360
$364,639

24.90%

$51,574
$0
$51,574

$563,726
$0
$563,726

$231,113
$0
$231,113

$763,524
$0
$763,524

$532,411
$0
$532,411

230.37%

$832,189

$1,379,920

$3,930,226

$4,885,469

$955,243

24.31%

SERVICES Category includes:
OTHER SERVICES
- ADS & NOTICES
- BANK CHARGES
- POSTAGE / DELIVERY
- PRINTING / REPRODUCTION SERVICES
INSURANCE
LICENSES/USER FEES
MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS
RENTS

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- ARCH/ENG/PLANNER
- ATTORNEY
- AUDITOR
- CONTRACTOR
- FCILITY OPERATIONS
- INSPECTION SVCS
- IT SUPPORT
TELEPHONE/COMMUNICATIONS

UTILITES

Page 16 of 41

General Fund YTD Revenue

Fiscal Year Month Notes:
Investment revenue accounts for the majority in miscellaneous.

$7,000,000

The Town received $3,649,063 in real property tax this month.

$6,000,000
$5,000,000

General Fund October 2024 Revenue

$4,000,000
$3,000,000

3.5%

6.0%

$2,000,000
$1,000,000
$0
FY2024

FY2025

TAX REVENUE

OTHER - PERMITS, SERVICES, & FEES

INTAR-GOVERNMENTAL

MISCELLANEOUS

90.6%

TAX REVENUE

OTHER - PERMITS, SERVICES, & FEES

MISCELLANEOUS

Revenue through October 31, 2024 is $6,574,691

Page 17 of 41

Enterprise Funds
Enterprise Funds Expense as of October 31st
$2,000,000
$1,800,000
$1,600,000
$1,400,000
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
$0
SANITATION

SEWER
FY2024

WATER

STORMWATER

FY2025

Page 18 of 41

Sanitation Fund Expense By Category

October 2023
SALARY & WAGES
FRINGE BENEFITS

CONTRACTING SERVICES
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
OTHER EXPENDITURES

CAPITAL OUTLAY
TRANSFERS

Total Expenditures

October 2024

FY2024

Year to Date
FY2025
Variance

Variance %

$17,736
$8,193
$25,929

$34,446
$16,526
$50,972

$93,240
$51,518
$144,758

$137,069
$72,264
$209,332

$43,828
$20,745
$64,574

44.61%

$58,738
$15,759
$0
$74,497

$106,007
$871
$0
$106,878

$266,053
$19,323
$0
$285,376

$280,261
$14,401
$0
$294,662

$14,208
-$4,923
$0
$9,286

3.25%

$22,870
$0
$22,870

$0
$0
$0

$54,225
$0
$54,225

$11,792
$0
$11,792

-$42,433
$0
-$42,433

-78.25%

$123,296

$157,850

$484,360

$515,786

$31,426

6.49%

FY2025 YTD
2.79%

SALARY & WAGES
26.57%

FRINGE BENEFITS
54.34%
14.01%

CONTRACTING SERVICES
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS

Page 19 of 41

Sewer Fund Expense By Category

October 2023
SALARY & WAGES
FRINGE BENEFITS

CONTRACTING SERVICES
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
OTHER EXPENDITURES

CAPITAL OUTLAY
TRANSFERS & DEBT PAYMENT

Total Expenditures

October 2024

FY2024

Year to Date
FY2025
Variance

Variance %

$47,045
$17,067
$64,112

$51,145
$15,234
$66,379

$180,130
$77,737
$257,867

$203,846
$71,321
$275,167

$23,716
-$6,416
$17,300

6.71%

$78,879
$30,480
$0
$109,359

$95,976
$55,272
$0
$151,248

$422,570
$161,427
$29,857
$613,854

$435,888
$205,362
$28,075
$669,325

$13,318
$43,936
-$1,782
$55,471

9.04%

$130,881
$0
$130,881

$115,482
$0
$115,482

$860,999
$0
$860,999

$347,120
$0
$347,120

-$513,879
$0
-$513,879

-59.68%

$304,352

$333,110

$1,732,720

$1,291,612

-$441,108

-25.46%

FY2025 YTD
26.87%

15.78%
5.52%

SALARY & WAGES
FRINGE BENEFITS

15.90%

CONTRACTING SERVICES
33.75%

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
CAPITAL OUTLAY
Page 20 of 41

Water Fund Expense By Category

October 2023

SALARY & WAGES
FRINGE BENEFITS

CONTRACTING SERVICES
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
OTHER EXPENDITURES

CAPITAL OUTLAY
TRANSFERS & DEBT PAYMENT

Total Expenditures

October 2024

Year to Date
FY2025
Variance

FY2024

Variance %

$12,702
$5,050
$17,752

$11,472
$4,236
$15,708

$50,583
$24,311
$74,895

$53,972
$20,064
$74,036

$3,388
-$4,247
-$859

-1.15%

$24,342
$15,411
$267
$40,020

$36,597
$13,113
$25
$49,734

$207,328
$37,678
$8,098
$253,104

$282,379
$43,395
$5,223
$330,997

$75,051
$5,717
-$2,876
$77,892

30.77%

$0
$0
$0

$1,526
$0
$1,526

$0
$0
$0

$1,526
$0
$1,526

$1,526
$0
$1,526

0.0%

$57,772

$66,969

$327,999

$406,559

$78,560

23.95%

1.28%

10.67%

FY2025 YTD
13.28%

4.94%

SALARY & WAGES
FRINGE BENEFITS

69.46%

CONTRACTING SERVICES

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
OTHER EXPENDITURES
Page 21 of 41

Stormwater Fund Expense By Category

October 2023
SALARY & WAGES
FRINGE BENEFITS

CONTRACTING SERVICES
SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
OTHER EXPENDITURES

CAPITAL OUTLAY
TRANSFERS

Total Expenditures

October 2024

FY2024

Year to Date
FY2025
Variance

Variance %

$10,530
$2,434
$12,964

$10,771
$2,464
$13,235

$42,006
$12,268
$54,274

$43,084
$11,532
$54,616

$1,078
-$736
$342

0.63%

$5,569
$27,955
$0
$33,524

$9,712
$578
$0
$10,290

$59,763
$30,452
$1,750
$91,965

$58,611
$7,159
$1,239
$67,009

-$1,152
-$23,293
-$511
-$24,956

-27.14%

$8,282
$0
$8,282

$5,551
$0
$5,551

$36,381
$0
$36,381

$45,266
$0
$45,266

$8,886
$0
$8,886

-19.63%

$54,770

$29,076

$182,620

$166,892

-$15,728

-8.61%

FY2025 YTD
SALARY & WAGES

27.12%

25.82%

FRINGE BENEFITS
0.74%

6.91%

CONTRACTING SERVICES

4.29%

35.12%

SUPPLIES & MATERIALS
OTHER EXPENDITURES
CAPITAL OUTLAY

Page 22 of 41

YTD Enterprise Fund Revenues
3,500,000

3,000,000

2,500,000

2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

0
FY2024

FY2025

SANITATION FUND

FY2024

FY2025

FY2024

SEWER FUND
SERVICE CHARGES

FY2025

WATER FUND
OTHER REVENUES

FY2024

FY2025

STORM WATER FUND

MAJ FAC FEE

Page 23 of 41

FY 2025 Budget vs Actual YTD
FY2025 Budget vs YTD Expenditures
$18,000,000
$16,000,000
$14,000,000
$12,000,000
$10,000,000
$8,000,000
$6,000,000
$4,000,000

$2,000,000
$0

FY2025 Budget

Total Exp at 10/31/2024

Total Expenditures through October 31, 2024 is $7,266,317 or 18.8% of FY2025 Budge
Page 24 of 41

Department

FY2025 Budget

Total Exp at
10/31/2024

Budget Remaining

Percent
Remaining

LEGISLATIVE

$472,662

$149,581

$323,081

68.35%

ELECTIONS

$29,540

$0

$29,540

100.00%

FINANCE

$1,081,585

$289,108

$792,477

73.27%

HR/PERSONNEL

$308,710

$68,912

$239,798

77.68%

PLANNING-ZONING

$619,606

$141,205

$478,401

77.21%

ADMINISTRATION

$1,261,898

$649,982

$611,916

48.49%

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

$341,878

$144,155

$197,723

57.83%

GENERAL SERVICES

$183,005

$63,798

$119,207

65.14%

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

$4,298,884

$1,506,742

$2,792,142

64.95%

POLICE

$5,239,738

$1,404,595

$3,835,143

73.19%

INSPECTIONS & ENFORCEMENT

$571,705

$393,803

$177,902

31.12%

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

$9,000

$5,931

$3,069

34.10%

$5,820,443

$1,804,329

$4,016,114

69.00%

PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION

$649,715

$220,292

$429,423

66.09%

FACILITIES MAINT & OPERATIONS

$664,757

$144,035

$520,722

78.33%

FLEET MAINTENANCE

$255,372

$38,558

$216,814

84.90%

STREETS & STORMWAYS

$1,534,964

$748,541

$786,423

51.23%

PUBLIC WORKS & MAINTENANCE

$3,104,808

$1,151,426

$1,953,382

62.91%

PARKS & RECREATION-GENERAL

$1,979,682

$297,783

$1,681,899

84.96%

$365,443

$125,189

$240,254

65.74%

PARKS & RECREATION/EVENTS

$2,345,125

$422,972

$1,922,153

81.96%

Total General Fund

$15,569,260

$4,885,469

$10,683,791

68.62%

SANITATION

$2,154,009

$515,786

$1,638,223

76.05%

COLLECTION & CONVEYANCE

$4,279,693

$544,926

$3,734,767

87.27%

TREATMENT & DISPOSAL

$11,548,413

$746,686

$10,801,727

93.53%

SEWER TOTAL

$15,828,106

$1,291,612

$14,536,494

91.84%

DISTRIBUTION

$2,302,065

$240,711

$2,061,354

89.54%

$564,110

$165,847

$398,263

70.60%

WATER TOTAL

$2,866,175

$406,559

$2,459,616

85.82%

STORMWATER

$2,185,274

$166,892

$2,018,382

92.36%

$38,602,824

$7,266,317

$31,336,507

PUBLIC SAFETY

COMMUNITY PROMOTION

PRODUCTION & STORAGE

Total Town Wide

81.18%

Page 25 of 41

Operating YTD Budget Allocation vs YTD Expenditures
$1,800,000
$1,600,000
$1,400,000
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
$0

YTD Operating Budget Allocation

YTD Operating Expenditures

The YTD Budget Allocation is for four months to represent 07/01/24 – 10/31/24, dividing the total FY budget over 12 months.

Page 26 of 41

ARPA Project Expense Report as of October 31, 2024

Project Number

Project Name

ARPA-01

ARPA Consulting Services

ARPA-02

Single Audit

ARPA-03

Total Budget

Total Activity

Budget Remaining

58,950

58,950

0

0

0

0

Pumping Stations - Various Upgrades

189,609

189,609

0

ARPA-04

Vactor Truck and Jetter

559,035

559,035

0

ARPA-05

Interconnection - Tilghman Lake & Rosewick Rd

45,240

45,240

0

ARPA-06

GIS Hardware Upgrades

5,388

5,388

0

ARPA-07

MS4 Compliance/Stormwater Upgrades

312,584

312,584

0

ARPA-08

Water Modeling

11,490

11,490

0

ARPA-09

TruNarc Testing

16,701

16,701

0

ARPA-10

Fixed Security Video System

0

0

0

ARPA-11

Mobile Video Trailers

143,890

143,890

0

ARPA-12

License Plate Readers

0

0

0

ARPA-13

Drones

25,445

25,445

0

ARPA-14

Civil Disturbance Gear (SERT)

117,815

117,815

0

ARPA-15

Polaris UTV

38,217

38,217

0

ARPA-16

Shot Spotters

0

0

0

ARPA-17

Information Technology

90,747

90,747

0

ARPA-18

Wills Park - Trail and Amphitheater

0

0

0

ARPA-19

Salary Adjustments - 65 Percentile (1)

149,224

149,224

0

ARPA-20

Charles Street - Revitalization and Refacing (1)

0

0

0

ARPA-21

Town Website Enhancements

53,904

53,904

0

ARPA-22

Town Police Station

1,610,000

1,610,000

0

ARPA-23

Fire Museum - Renovation and Updates

27,385

27,385

0

ARPA-24

Keep La Plata Beautiful - Funding

5,268

5,268

0

ARPA-25

Maryland Market Money Program - Funding

855

855

0

ARPA-26

Maryland Market Money Program - 2 Deputy Managers

15,270

15,270

0

ARPA-27

Dorchester Community Center - Phase 1 and 2 (1)

0

0

0

ARPA-28

Police Body Cameras (2)

40,000

40,000

0

ARPA-29

F-550 Crane Truck

202,636

202,636

0

ARPA-30

FY24 Town Staff Salaries & Benefits

5,274,937

5,274,937

0

ARPA-31

FY24 Stormwater Operating

23,084

23,084

0

ARPA-32

FY25 Town Staff Salaries

471,964

471,964

0

9,489,638

9,489,637

0

Page 27 of 41

Finance Department Updates
• The audit is on going and finance staff is completing requests as it is received. However, to ensure adequate time for
review and preparation of the Management & Discussion Analysis we have submitted an extension request to the state
through January 31, 2025. The state granted the extension.
• Tyler Technologies and IT staff is working together on the applications needed for Account Payable Automation.
• The finance department is currently interviewing applications for the Procurement and Asset Manager position and
the Billing Coordinator (Utilities) position.
• Department budget worksheets are currently being revised to encourage more detail and justification for each
expenditure account.

Page 28 of 41

HR Department Update - December 2024
Talent Management
Town Hall
•

•

•

Procurement & Asset Manager
o 1 resignation
o Position reworked and posted internally.
o Interviews 12/09, 2 candidates
Billing Coordinator
o Retirement pending 01/03
o Interviews 12/10-12/11, 48 applications, 1 internal
o Extended offer on 12/12
Town Clerk
o On track to start 01/02, relocating to area 12/27

Public Works / WWTP
•

•

•

PW Tech II
o 1 Resignation
o Posted externally
o Interviews 12/13, 68 applications
P/T Custodian
o Termination due to performance
o New hire started 11/20
WWTP Operator in Training
o Two vacancies due to termination and resignation
o 83 applications
o Extended offer to two candidates, target 12/30 start date

Police
•

Two interviews on 11/21, pending final decision
Miscellaneous

•
•
•
•
•
•

Met with Paylocity to incorporate Market Pay interface to benchmark across multiple job titles,
markets, and industries.
Exploring HSA integration with Paylocity for next open enrollment
Elected to SHRM Patuxent River Basin chapter board
Invited to speak at the 2025 ADA National Symposium (June 2025, Atlanta)
Enrolled at GMU for employment law certification (March-June 2025)
Recertified as PSHRA-SCP

Page 29 of 41

TOWN OF LA PLATA
305 Queen Anne Street
Post Office Box 2268
La Plata, Maryland 20646
MEMORANDUM
To:

Mayor & Council

From:

Aaron Mosrie, Director of Inspections

Subject:

Code Enforcement Updates – November

Date:

December 13, 2024

•

245 Permit applications processed (Planning Department)

•

Inspections completed (Planchek)
o Electrical inspections: 189
o Mechanical inspections: 48
o Plumbing inspections: 87
o Water/Sewer inspections: 37
o Other Building-related inspections: 292

•

Code Enforcement has seen an increase in graffiti in the month of November. Code
Enforcement will continue to work with property owners to ensure quick removal. All
occurrences will be reported to law enforcement.

•

La Plata Volunteer Fire Department has requested code review pertaining to the burning of
refuse, yard waste and other debris. Both Code Enforcement and the Fire Department have
experienced an increase in complaints regarding this activity. Code Enforcement will
evaluate the current code regarding nuisance activities and open-air burning. Proposed
revisions will be submitted to the Town Council for review.

•

November brings an increase in peddlers, solicitors, and panhandlers to the town around
the holiday season. Code Enforcement has been vigilantly enforcing the town’s ordinances
pertaining to these activities. With the assistance of law enforcement, we continue to
minimize the negative impact on the community.

Page 30 of 41

La Plata Police Department
La Plata, Maryland

Monthly Council Report
Monthly Statistics for November/December 2024:
Crime & Calls for Service:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Officers responded to 1,442 calls for service in November. This is a YTD increase of
7.9% over 2023.
On November 1, 2024, Damion Anqwan Wilson was sentenced to 20-years in prison for
a first-degree assault that occurred in La Plata. LPPD officers pursued Wilson on foot
after the assault and recovered a firearm.
On November 2, 2024, officers responded to the possible arson of a motor vehicle on
Caroline Drive.
On November 2, 2024, officers assisted the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department by
attempting to end a pursuit with stop sticks. The pursuit was related to a shooting in St.
Mary’s County.
On November 17, 2024, officers responded to a construction site burglary on Washington
Avenue. The suspect’s fled in a large truck. Appliances stolen from the construction site
were recovered.
On December 3, 2024, LPPD officers deployed stop sticks to end a pursuit of a robbery
suspect from King George, Virginia. The suspect vehicle was involved in a collision on
Crain Highway at Charles Street. MSP/IID is investigating the collision.
On December 4, 2024, officers responded to a fatal motor vehicle collision occurred on
Rosewick Road at Rosewick Crossing. LPPD’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is
investigating the collision.
On December 6, 2024, officers responded to a fatal pedestrian collision in the 6400 block
of Crain Highway. LPPD’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the collision.

Community Policing:
•

•

Members of the La Plata Police Department joined members of the Maryland State Police
– La Plata Barrack, Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland Transportation Authority
Police Department, Maryland Natural Resources Police Department, and the State Fire
Marshal’s Office in collecting approximately 40,000 pounds of food as part of No
Hunger November. MSP-La Plata Barrack led the effort.
Officer Mary Chaney joined other law enforcement officers from around the country and
beyond at the Law Enforcement Torch Run International Conference in San Antonio.
Officer Chaney not only was a representative of the La Plata Police Department, but also
an ambassador for Special Olympics, Maryland.

A Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency
Page 31 of 41

•
•

Members of LPPD, the American Legion Riders – La Plata, FGS, and residents collected
several hundred new unwrapped gifts for local children and youth. All the gifts will be
given to local children.
Members of LPPD aided in the town’s Salute to Veterans Parade and the Old Tyme
Holiday Gathering.

Key Training Classes:
•
•
•
•

LPPD’s completed its two days of fall in-service training. Topics included Legal
Updates, Firearms Classroom, Pepperball Launcher Refresher, CPR/AED, Search
Warrant Refresher, Active Threats, and Drug Investigation Refresher.
Officer Mary Chaney completed the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene
Processing training.
Corporal Kalen Kerere completed the Baltimore County Police Department’s Crash II
Investigations training.
Sergeant Thompson, Sergeant Fields, & Acting Sergeant Tommy Johnston completed
Officer Safety and Tactical Awareness Training hosted by the Cheverly Police
Department.

Upcoming Events:
•
•

The Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge is January 31, 2025 – Join Our Team!!!
Charles County Night to Shine is February 7, 2025

A Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency
Page 32 of 41

TOWN OF LA PLATA
305 Queen Anne Street
Post Office Box 2268
La Plata, Maryland 20646

MEMORANDUM
To:

Michelle Miner, Assistant Town Manager

From: Kelly Phipps, Legislative Services
Subject: Department Highlights – November - December 2024
Date: 12/13/2024
Please see below the significant activities of the Legislative Department for the period of
November - December 2024.
•

•

•

Legislation
o Ordinances
▪ 24-18: Amendment to Town of La Plata Fiscal Year 2024 Financial
Plan/Budget – 2023 Series Bonds; Effective date: 12/26/2024
▪ 24-19 (Emergency): Town of La Plata ARPA Spending Plan, Fourth
Amendment; Effective date: 12/10/2024
o Resolutions
▪ 24-23: Water Meter Setter Purchase (11/12/2024)
▪ 24-24: Willow Lane Pump Station Maintenance (11/12/2024)
▪ 24-25: Code Enforcement Vehicle Purchase (11/12/2024)
▪ 24-26: Tilghman Lake Settling Basins (11/12/2024)
▪ 24-27: La Plata Town Council 2025 Meeting Schedules (12/10/2024)
Public Information Act Requests
o FIN11062024-1028: Abbas Khan, Inovo AI Solutions LLC; Vendor and
purchasing information for period of 07/01/2020 to current; Closed 11/7/2024
o LPPD11152024-0738: Christopher Barnes; List of arrests 01/2021 – current, date
body cameras implemented, make/model of body-worn cameras currently utilized;
Closed 12/6/2024
o FIN11272024-1059: Justin Cunningham, Zipbuffalo; Vendor and purchasing
information for period of 01/01/2022 – current; Closed 12/3/2024
o HR12082024-1334: Bradley Ford, Ford Records Requests; Roster of current
employees and various employee data as of 11/1/2024; Closed 12/12/2024
o HR12082024-1314: Bradley Ford, Ford Records Requests; Current employment
contract(s) for each city official, appointed official, and/or department head; Closed
12/13/2024
Awards & Recognition
o Town Seals (1): Joson Fine Jewelry & Home Boutique 20th Anniversary

Page 33 of 41

•
•

(11/21/2024)
o Proclamations (3): Municipal government Works Month; Operation Green Light;
Small Business Saturday
Training/Conferences
o Maryland Municipal League Fall Conference
o LEAD Maryland Seminar 5 (Lower Eastern Shore)
Boards and Commissions
o Vacancies
▪ Beautification Commission/Keep La Plata Beautiful (1 vacancy)
▪ Board of Appeals (Alternate members)
▪ Design Review Board (Alternate) (1 vacancy)
▪ Parks & Recreation Commission (1 vacancy)
o Beautification Commission/Keep La Plata Beautiful
▪ Community cleanup: Kent Ave. corridor 12/03/2024
▪ Creative Crosswalks: Coordination meeting with Public Works

Page 34 of 41

Planning Department
October – December, 2024

•

Review Library parking waiver request. Prepared report. Presented to Planning
Commission. Prepared for January PC meeting.

•

Review Special Exception for Pinegrove. Prepared report. Presented to Board of
Appeals. Prepared for January BoA meeting.

•

Drafted outline for APFO. Drafted preliminary guidelines for traffic.

•

Reviewed Rosewick scoping proposal.

•

Trained and set-up on Municity.

•

Review LaGrange. Requested traffic impact study.

•

Responded to multiple inquiries from resident re. clearing on his property in Agricopia.

•

Received plans for St. Marys Villa.

•

Reviewed annexation restrictions draft ordinance.

Page 35 of 41

Department of PW Project Highlights

Oct 17 – Dec 11, 2024

4 major water leaks
•
•
•
•

Glen Albin Rd
301 S in front of Marie’s Diner
301 S near Benny’s
Rt 6 and Quailwood Pkwy

LCRR
•

430 Customer Notifications sent out prior to Nov 15th compliance deadline.
o Slow response rate thus far with only 4 survey submissions and 5 additional
customers contacting to request further information and field inspections.
o Next up deliverables
▪ Due October 2027 - All unknown services lines must be identified.
▪ Beginning in Jan 2025 – All testing for all schools and daycare facilities
must be completed within 5 years.
▪ Utility Line Replacement and Risk Mitigation plan to be developed /
implemented prior to Oct 2027 deadline.

WaterCad
•

Pulling commercial consumption data from Sentryx. Once complete, data will be
imported onto a polygon layer within our GIS water map application, example
represented in graphic below. Account consumption data housed behind the scenes.
Next project status meeting scheduled for Jan 13.

Page 36 of 41

AMI / Water Meter System – Data collection rate holding at 91.4%
Stormwater
•

•
•
•
•

Stormwater Priority List (no particular order): North Oak to Social Services Drainage
(~800LF), 1404 &1343 Redwood Cir, 1327 Redwood, 1006/1008 Norfolk (pending HOA
dedication), 1033 Wiltshire/1028 Suffolk (pending HOA dedication), 405 Patuxent Ct
Tilghman Lake Dam Rehabilitation – Riser completed. Dam Safety inspection scheduled
12/11/2024. Backfilling and grading in progress.
Tilghman Lake Sediment Settling Basins – pre-construction meeting pending.
Drury Dr – Pipe under Drury Dr replaced and sinkhole filled.
NPDES
o Annual required NPDES Progress Report submitted and accepted by MDE.
o Quailwood Pkwy – Easements pending. Bid documentation being prepared.
o Redwood Lake – Permits received. Bid documentation being prepared.
o Agricopia Sec 1 Pond – Dam Breach Analysis underway.
o Caroline Drive South & Morris Dr East – design under development.

WWTP
•
•

MOD 4 currently offline for maintenance and repairs. Should be finished week of Dec
16th. MOD 2 to be brought offline afterwards for maintenance and repairs.
Site work and grading for new WWTP Tertiary Clarifier was completed inhouse.

WTP
•

MDE inspection of wells and towers in town. Minor deficiencies have already been
addressed.

Collections
•
•

Kline’s finished cleaning the Willow Lane Pump station. 125 tons of trash and
F.O.G(fats, oil, and grease) were removed.
Mary Ball pump station temporary bypass has concluded. Waiting on delivery of new
controls and electronic equipment to finish station upgrade.

Page 37 of 41

TOWN OF LA PLATA
Department of Human Resources
December Pension Update
To:
From:
Date:

Mayor and Council
Monica L. Kennedy, Director of Human Resources
December 17, 2024

On November 12, 2024, the Council requested to meet with the potential pension vendors
to clarify the details provided in my previous update. Due to the upcoming holiday season,
the vendors were unable to meet with Council until after the New Year.
In the meantime, each vendor agreed to provide a SOW for review. We request that the
Council provide Human Resources with any questions not answered in the SOW by
January 10th, allowing the vendors time to prepare and have the answers ready when they
come to the meeting.
The summaries do not include the costs of fully funding the plan or the ongoing
contributions the Town will be responsible for making for each covered employee.
USI Summary
Plan Design Project ($45,000 total)
$25,000 – Actuarial
$20,000 – Legal documents

Annual Maintenance ($37,000 minimum)
$20,000 – Actuarial
$17,000 – Administration fees
$12,000 Portal
$5,000 Service center
Ad hoc – Legal documents (as needed)
Ad hoc – Postage, address or death searches

AmRET Summary
Not available at the time of publication.

Page 38 of 41

USI Consulting Group
95 Glastonbury Boulevard
Suite 102
Glastonbury, CT 06033

December 10, 2024
Ms. Monica Kennedy
Director of Human Resources
Town of La Plata, Maryland
305 Queen Anne Street
P.O. Box 2268
La Plata, MD 20646
Re: Town of La Plata Defined Benefit Plan Design
Dear Monica:
USI Consulting Group (USICG) is pleased to provide this Statement of Work (SOW) proposal for the plan design and
plan document draft of a new defined benefit plan for Police Officers and Public Works Employees.
Defined Benefit Plan Design Project
1. Actuarial Consulting Services include:
 Clarify and agree on the overall goals of the proposed new defined benefit plan
 Work with the Town of La Plata to determine the appropriate level of benefits
 Finalize the components of the plan designs that best meet the agreed upon goals
 Provide feedback on potential administrative challenges with carrying out the plan provisions including the
coordination of benefits with the State Plan
 Work with the Town of La Plata to determine the various methods and assumptions needed for valuation
 Program our valuation system to determine the estimated funding costs of the new plan
 Provide the estimated balance sheet impact for start-up year of plan
 Calculate and provide the estimated Actuarially Determined Employer Contribution for start-up year
2. Legal Document Services include:
 Draft Plan Document integrated with the State Plan including
o Adding or removing employees by title or role
o Addressing employee transfer situation from a covered group to a noncovered group and vice versa
o Determining if/how past service (and/or buy-back service) is allowed/allocated between the new
plan and existing state pension plan
o Working with Town of La Plata to address how the plan benefits and retirement options will wrap
around the existing state pension benefits and provisions
o Addressing how benefits may or may not change if the state pension changes
o Determining if assumptions must change for the new plan if mandated by law for the state plan
 Draft Summary Plan Description for distributions to plan participants
 Draft any required resolutions
 Prepare IRS determination letter application for submission because of the unusual nature of the plan
 Draft Trust Document
Your dedicated partner for retirement plan solutions | [email protected] | 860.633.5283 | usicg.com

Page 39 of 41

Defined Benefit Plan Design Project Fees:
Actuarial: $25,000
Legal Documents: $20,000

Annual Maintenance Fees:
1. Actuarial Valuation Services include:
 Annual valuation to determine the Actuarially Determined Employer Contribution (ADEC), including:
o Accumulate, reconcile and maintain a comprehensive participant database
o Identification of possible changes in plan provisions, actuarial methods, accounting methods, etc.
o Review of the funding progress of the plan.
o Determine the accrued liability
o Determine the actuarial value of assets
o Respond to routine auditor questions
o Note that a valuation can be completed every other year to reduce fees. In this situation, the
valuation will project the ADEC for two years.
 Annual year-end disclosure report as required by GASB 67/68
 Preparation of benefit statements for Active participants in conjunction with the valuation
 Calculation of retirement benefits on an ad hoc basis (for separate fee)
2. Legal Document Services are generally on an ad hoc basis when needed.
3. Benefit Administration Services:
 PensionEdge portal (online services)
o Interactive and informational website
o Provide the ability to estimate and project retirement benefits for plan participants
o Provide electronic personalized statements for all active plan participants
o Maintain forms and administrative documents
o Annual terminated vested death audit
o Provide ability to request final benefit calculations
o View related plan information
 Service Center
o Answer participant questions
o Audit submitted forms and supporting documentation
o Correspond with participant until forms are complete and in good order
o Assist in the set-up of surviving spouse upon death of retiree
o Retiree death audit review
o Mailing of elections packages
Annual Maintenance Fees:
Actuarial: $20,000 (benefit calculations would be $500 per calculation including forms package)
Legal Documents: Ad hoc when needed
Benefit Administration: $12,000 for the PensionEdge portal, $5,000 for the Service Center plus postage, address
searches (if needed) and death searches

Summary
The pricing noted in this SOW includes the cost of time and materials. It does not include postage when needed. The
fees outlined in this pricing schedule are subject to change if the scope materially changes or if
Your dedicated partner for retirement plan solutions | 860.633.5283 | usicg.com | Page 2

Page 40 of 41

additional/unexpected efforts or services are required. Please note that we did not include any custodial fees which
will vary depending on who you select as the custodian.
It is understood and agreed that USICG and its consultants will render its services in a consulting capacity only and
will not act as a fiduciary of the plan, nor render any legal, accounting, or tax advice to the Plan sponsor.
To engage USICG to perform the above services, please sign this SOW as acknowledgement and return it to our office
by email to [email protected]. We will then countersign the statement for execution. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact me at (860) 368-2985. Thank you.

Defined Benefit Plan Design Project
Please check all that apply:
[ ] Actuarial Consulting Services
[ ] Legal Document Services
Annual Maintenance Fees
Please check all that apply:
[ ] Actuarial Valuation Services
[ ] Legal Document Services (ad hoc only)
[ ] Benefit Administration Services (portal)
[ ] Benefit Administration Services (service center)

Accepted by:

Authorized by:

Town of La Plata, Maryland

USI CONSULTING GROUP

By: ___________________________________

By: __________________ ______________

(Signature)

(Signature)

Name: ________________________________

Name: ______________________________

Title: _______________________ __________

Title: _______________________ ________

Date: _________________________________

Date: _______________________________

Your dedicated partner for retirement plan solutions | 860.633.5283 | usicg.com | Page 3

Page 41 of 41