Frederick City Council Public Meeting - October 20, 2022
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Frederick City Council Public Meeting - October 20, 2022
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen held a public meeting on October 20, 2022, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included approval of minutes, a consent agenda with grants and budget amendments, public hearings on a concrete repair contract and a bronze statue installation, an appointment to the Planning Commission, and public comments from candidates and a resident on urban planning issues.
Consent Calendar
- Category A – Grant: Unanimously approved a $115,000 Federal Aviation Administration grant to update air traffic control tower equipment, authorizing the Mayor to sign documents.
- Category B – Special Ordinances (3 items): Unanimously approved amendments to the FY2023 budget for:
- $115,000 from the FAA grant.
- A U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (amount not specified in transcript).
- An additional $214,681 for the Community Services Block Grant.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Megan LaRue (Frederick resident) announced her candidacy for Clerk of the Circuit Court, noting her 15 years of court experience and current role as a victim advocate.
- Marvin Schwab announced his candidacy for Judge of the Orphan's Court, emphasizing his independent decision-making and business background.
- Chris Manners (Democratic candidate for Register of Wills) introduced himself as the chief deputy register of wills and an attorney, highlighting his 13 years of service.
- Vladimir Tolski (Frederick resident) spoke in both public comment periods. He expressed concerns about:
- Urban design and human self-domestication, comparing current development to Dr. John B. Calhoun's mouse experiments.
- Inadequate pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, saying the city waits for accidents before making changes.
- Zoning rules that he argued force car dependency and over-policing.
- Public restrooms at parks (e.g., Baker Park) being closed while lights are on, and the lack of facilities discouraging park use.
- The new downtown shuttle duplicating existing transit services.
- Barriers to civic participation for low-income residents.
Discussion Items
- Contract for Concrete Repairs (IFB 23-2): Superintendent Mike Winpigler presented a $1,293,661.25 contract with HMF Paving Contractors, Inc. for citywide curb, gutter, sidewalk, and ADA repairs. Several aldermen questioned why only one bid was received; staff explained the spotty, small-scale nature of the work deters some contractors and noted that rising material costs mean fewer linear feet will be completed compared to the previous contract. The contract was approved 5-0.
- Lefty Kreh Bronze Statue at Culler Lake: Bob Smith (Parks and Recreation) and Andy Mecklenberg (Friends of Lefty Kreh) presented an agreement to install a bronze statue of the late fly-fishing legend Bernard “Lefty” Kreh at the northeast corner of Culler Lake. The project has raised over 70% of funds and received positive recommendations from the Public Art and Parks & Recreation Commissions. Aldermen praised the effort, noting Kreh's local significance. The agreement was approved 5-0.
- Planning Commission Appointment: April Lee was appointed to the alternate position, term expiring May 6, 2026. Approved 5-0. Alderwoman Ash thanked the Lee family for their community contributions.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved (4-0, Alderman McShane absent) for the September 15, 2022 regular public meeting.
- Consent agenda items (grants and budget amendments) approved unanimously (5-0).
- Concrete repair contract with HMF Paving approved unanimously (5-0).
- Bronze statue agreement with Friends of Lefty Kreh approved unanimously (5-0).
- April Lee appointed to the Planning Commission unanimously (5-0).
- No other business was brought forward; the meeting adjourned.
Alderwoman Comments
- Alderman Russell reported that the Metropolitan Washington region exceeded its 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal of 20% below 2005 levels, despite population growth, due to cleaner electricity and reduced driving.
- Alderwoman Ash noted the Frederick Cadets' undefeated football season.
- Alderwoman Kazemchak reminded residents about the city's leaf collection program and encouraged mulching leaves in place to avoid stormwater issues.
Meeting Transcript
October, we begin with a pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We have minutes to approve September 15th, 2022 regular public meeting. Move for approval. Second. Motion by Altman Exem check, second by Alderman Shackleford. All those in favor. That is 4-0, with Alderman McShane not present. Mayor's comments. Aldermanic business and comments. Alderman Shackleford. No comments, thank you. Thank you, Alderwoman Kazemchak. Alderman Russell. I do in fact have some comments. I have some really great news for the region to share. We had the Transportation Planning Board meeting this uh Wednesday, and the Transportation Planning Board and the region had passed some climate change uh goals to be achieved by 2020. And we received news at our meeting that the primary results reveal revealed that the region not only met but surpassed its climate goal to reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. So despite an estimated 20 percent population between uh 2005 and 2020, reductions were achieved through a cleaner electrical grid, decreased driving, and decreased commercial energy intensity. So it was uh unexpected news that the region would do better than we thought. Um, and so we're we're well on our way to hopefully meeting uh our next set of goals. But it was uh news that I thought was worthy to share that uh the Metropolitan Washington region has exceeded its greenhouse gas reduction goals. Thank you. Thank you, Alderwoman Ash. Um my news is a little less consequential, but I just wanted to point out that the uh Frederick Cadets are undefeated so far in their football season, and I'm very excited about that in my household. So thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Thank you. Alderman McShane. No, thank you. We have two opportunities for public comment at our meetings. It's an opportunity to address the mayor and board on any item, whether it is on this evening's agenda or not. We ask speakers to give their name and a general address for the record and remind you that these proceedings are being telecast and streamed. So please speak clearly into the microphone. Comments are limited to a total of five minutes per person. You also have the opportunity to make e-comments on any of our agenda items prior to the meeting as well. We do have some individuals who have signed up for public comment, and we will begin with Megan LaRue. Thank you, Mayor O'Connell. I just wanted to come out to I'm Megan LaRue, and I am a resident of Frederick City. And I just wanted to come out to the mayor and council and let you know that I'm running for clerk of the circuit court. Uh currently I am working for Hartley House as a victim uh advocate of survivors of domestic violence, but I do have over close to 15 years working in the court system, and I just wanted to come out and address you and any of the public that might be here. And we are coming to you as like a courthouse slate. So I have we have a couple other candidates here, and we are going to go down to Bushwallers afterwards if anybody wanted to come by, if anybody had any questions, or just wanted to have a meet and greet. And that's it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Next on our public comment list is Marvin Schwab. Good evening, and thank you for having me here to share.
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