Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting – September 15, 2022
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Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting – September 15, 2022
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Frederick, Maryland, held a public meeting on September 15, 2022, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for Ostomy Awareness Day, approval of consent agenda items, four public hearing items, an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission, and aldermanic comments including a personal disclosure from Alderwoman Nash regarding an ethics commission finding.
Presentations & Proclamations
- Ostomy Awareness Day, October 1, 2022: Mayor O'Connor read a proclamation recognizing the date. Patrick McKinney, president of the Frederick Area Support Group, noted that approximately one million Americans have an ostomy, with 100,000 new procedures annually. The group, one of four in Maryland, serves about 150 people each year through donations and supports the region including parts of Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Members Mora Fitzpatrick (wound ostomy nurse) and Robin Edwards also attended.
Consent Calendar
- Extension of Agreement: Approved an amendment to the MOU with MDOT SHA for 100% design of the Golden Mile Multimodal Access Plan, extending the timeline to August 24, 2024. (Vote: 4-0)
- Grant: Accepted a FY2023 Internet Crimes Against Children grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control Prevention, Youth and Victim Services in the amount of $40,824. (Vote: 4-0)
- Special Ordinance: Approved a budget amendment to include revenue and expenditures for the ICAC grant. (Vote: 4-0)
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made during either of the two public comment periods. A few emails were received but no e-comments on the agenda.
Discussion Items
- Compost Pilot Program Change Order: Jenny Willoughby, Manager of Sustainability, presented a change order to the Key City Compost agreement to include NACs 3 and 8 for continued pilot program data collection. Approved 4-0.
- Building Height Increase in PB Zoning District: Gabrielle Collard, Division Manager of Current Planning, presented an ordinance to amend Section 405 of the Land Management Code, increasing the maximum building height in the Professional Business (PB) district from 45 to 60 feet. The Planning Commission recommended approval on July 12, 2022. Staff supported the correction of a 2012 mapping error. Approved 4-0.
- State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Grant for Maryland Deaf Community Center: Mark DiCampo, Director of Strategic Planning and Executive Projects, presented a $500,000 grant agreement funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. Lori Bonhango, Vice President of MDCC, expressed gratitude and noted the center is working with architects and engineers, with an anticipated opening in early 2024. Alderwoman Kazemchak commended the advocacy. Approved 4-0.
- Airport – Relocate Taxiway Project Phase III: Andrew Moore, Airport Manager, presented three related items for the relocation of Taxiway Alpha Phase III. The project is funded 90% federal, 5% state, and 5% local (split 2.5% city and 2.5% county). The Airport Commission recommended approval.
- a. FAA Airport Improvement Grant: $5,476,556.25. Approved 4-0.
- b. Task Order #5 with Delta Airport Consultants: $570,000 for construction observation services. Approved 4-0.
- c. Contract with C. William Hetzer, Inc.: $5,500,062.50 for construction. Approved 4-0.
Appointments
- Historic Preservation Commission: Paul Fitzgerald was appointed for a term expiring January 17, 2025. Approved 4-0.
Aldermanic Comments
- Alderwoman Nash: Announced that she received a finding from the City Ethics Commission after a complaint filed by the Frederick County Executive. She stated she believed she acted within ethics guidance but the commission disagreed. She expressed regret and said she is considering an appeal. The announcement was made publicly for transparency.
- Other Comments: Alderwoman Ash praised Alderman Russell’s transit work; Alderman Russell promoted Car Free Day on September 22; Alderwoman Kazemchak encouraged citizens to apply for city commissions; Alderman Shackelford thanked staff for the successful Celebrate Frederick event.
Key Outcomes
- All votes on consent agenda items, public hearing items, and the appointment were unanimous (4-0). Alderman McShane was absent.
- The building height ordinance, compost program change order, deaf center grant, and airport project approvals were finalized.
- Alderwoman Nash’s ethics disclosure is pending further action (appeal process).
- The next regular public meeting was not announced, but the meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the mayor and board of alderman public meeting for the 15th of September. We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. For which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We have a presentation this evening, a proclamation. So I'll ask the board to join me down on the floor, and we're gonna try and line up from uh this side of uh Alderman Russell's name tag here just to stay out of the shot of the interpreter. I have to go this room for the name. So if you are here this evening for the ostomy awareness day proclamation, I would ask you to come forward at this time. Okay. Whoever's gonna receive this can stand next to me. Is that gonna be I think it's me? Okay, very good. So this is a proclamation for ostomy awareness day, October 1st, 2022. Whereas an ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening in the abdomen that allows for the removal of bodily waste when a person has lost the normal function of digestive or urinary systems due to birth defects, forms of cancer, and other medical conditions. Whereas approximately one million Americans have an ostomy with approximately 100,000 new procedures performed each year. Whereas largely through the efforts of the United Ostomy Association of America and its over 300 affiliated support groups, Americans needing these surgeries are becoming more aware of the opportunities for education, mutual aid, advocacy, and support. Now, therefore, I Michael O'Connor, mayor of the City of Frederick, do hereby proclaim October 1st, 2022 is ostomy awareness day. I assume. Thank you. So my name is Patrick McKinney, and I am the president of the Frederick Area Support Group. My name is Mora Fitzpatrick. I'm a wound ostomy nurse and provide support for ostomits in our community. And I'm Robin Edwards. Is there anything else that you want to add that the public ought to be aware of? Thank you for this time. Every third year is the World Ostomy Awareness Day as well. Um the Frederick Group is a small but mighty one. Our our group is one of four in the state of Maryland. We not only represent Frederick City and Frederick County, but we also represent the region with uh patients and members in our Virginia, West Virginia regions, and some in Pennsylvania as well. We've had great support from the Frederick Health Hospital with our ostomy awareness or our Phoenix Ostomy group closet for those who are either uninsured or underinsured through donations from the community, from our members and what have you. We're able to support approximately 150 people each year. That's been a growth out of our group probably since 2020. Our small group was formed in 2016 by our past president, Miss Gene Barrett, and we continue on today. And we thank you again for your support. Thank you very much. We're honored to have you here today and happy to support you. Thank you so much for all you do for our community. We appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. We have minutes to approve August 18th, 2022 regular public meeting. Move for approval. Second. Motion by Alder Woman Kazemchak, seconded by Alderman Shackleford. All those in favor. That is 4-0. Alderman McShane is away this evening. Approval of minutes, August 22nd, 2022 closed session.
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