Frederick City Council Public Meeting - December 15, 2022
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Frederick City Council Public Meeting – December 15, 2022
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen held a public meeting on December 15, 2022, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included a public comment period, consideration of eight public hearing items, two appointments, and remarks from aldermen and the mayor. All votes were unanimous unless noted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tommy Davis (6728 Hemlock Point Road, New Market, MD) spoke for approximately 10 minutes about the danger of unsecured switch boxes for solar and HVAC systems. He detailed his advocacy resulting in a 2019 Maryland law, a 2020 National Electrical Code change, and a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report. He urged the board to inform constituents about the hazard and provided the report number (2021-07-29-1-ABCA33963). No other public comment was offered.
Discussion Items and Key Outcomes
Item 1 – Crack Sealing Machine Purchase
Staff requested approval to purchase a replacement crack sealing machine for $73,075.50. The current machine is deadlined. Motion carried 5-0.
Item 2 – Air Traffic Control Tower Equipment
Approval of a purchase order to Wolen, LLC for $154,200 for new radios and equipment at Frederick Municipal Airport’s Federal Contract Tower. A $115,000 competitive grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill covers part of the cost; the net cost to the airport is $39,200. Motion carried 5-0.
Item 3 – Water Valve Bolt Replacement
Contract with Mid Atlantic Utilities, Inc. for $225,000 to replace valve bolts in the Dearbought community. Motion carried 5-0.
Item 4 – Parking Lot Lease Amendment with FCPS
Amendment to extend the lease of the city-owned lot at 100 E. All Saints Street (future police headquarters site) for FCPS employee parking through November 30, 2023, at the current rent of $5,405.58/month. Construction on the police headquarters is scheduled to start December 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
Item 5 – Police Headquarters Canopy and Solar Array (Additive Alternate 02)
Two actions: (a) Special ordinance to amend the FY2023 budget by $1,680,000 in additional debt revenue and expenditures for the project; (b) Change order to the design-build contract with Waynesboro Construction, increasing the contract from $19,816,478 to $21,496,478, to include a canopy structure and solar array over the parking lot, EV charging stations, and sustainability features. Staff discussed potential grant funding. Both motions carried 5-0.
Item 6 – Renn Property Mitigation Agreement Amendment
First Amendment to the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) mitigation agreement for the Renn Property mixed-use development, to delay delivery of two road improvement conditions (items 7, 13, 14) from the first occupancy to the 132nd dwelling unit in a future phase. The amendment was continued from December 1, 2022. Staff and the applicant (Brian Morris of Matten Companies) presented a map showing that the improvements (widening of Monocacy Boulevard) align better with other ongoing corridor projects. Alderman Nash expressed concerns about delaying infrastructure but ultimately supported based on trust in staff. Motion carried 5-0.
Item 7 – Cigna Retiree Medicare Advantage Plan
Approval of a contract with Cigna for a Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage for eligible retirees. Cigna was selected via RFP as the lowest-cost bid with enhanced benefits. Motion carried 5-0.
Item 8 – Rental Licensing Maintenance Standards Ordinance
Ordinance to adopt minimum maintenance standards for rental housing units, as required by the residential rental licensing ordinance enacted August 4, 2022. City Attorney Rachel Nesson presented a minor correction to the text. After discussion, the motion carried 4-0-1 (Alderman Russell abstained).
Appointments
- Alison Rizzo appointed to Neighborhood Advisory Council 4 for a two-year term (Dec. 16, 2022 – Dec. 15, 2024). Approved 5-0.
- Gayle Petersen appointed to Neighborhood Advisory Council 6 for a two-year term (Dec. 16, 2022 – Dec. 15, 2024). Approved 5-0.
Other Business
Aldermen offered holiday greetings and appreciation for city staff. Mayor O’Connor recognized the Department of Public Works crew for quickly repairing a water main break on North Market Street hours before the Chris Kringle procession, ensuring the parade could proceed. He read a poem celebrating the crew’s efforts.
No additional public comments were made. The meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the mayor and board of alderman public meeting for the 15th of December. We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America. One nation indivisible with liberty justice for the I apologize for the delay in getting the meeting started. That is unusual, but appreciate your indulgence as sometimes the work that we do isn't always uh predictable and doesn't always follow the clock. But we do the best we can. Move for approval. Second. Motion by Ottawa McSem check, second by Altamont Shackleford. All those in favor. That is 5-0. Thank you very much. Um Mayor's comments. I will hold my comments until the end of the meeting. I do have some things that I would like to say, but I'm gonna tease you and we'll we'll get to it at the end. Um Aldermanic business and comments. Alderman Shackleford. No comments, thank you. Alder Woman Ash. Just wanted to uh acknowledge all those that will be working this holiday season, but also my colleague to my right, who uh this is your busy season, and um just go with God, Pastor. Go with God. So Alderman Russell. I forgot my glasses, I'll be right back. Alder Woman Kazemchak. Alderman McShane. Okay. We offer two opportunities for public comments at our meeting. It's an opportunity to address the mayor and board about any item, whether it is on this evening's agenda or not. Speakers are asked to give their name and a general address for the record, and reminded that the proceedings are broadcast and being recorded. Comments are limited to five minutes per individual. And you may also use the e-comment feature that is available with our agendas through the city's website to make comments on any of our agenda items as well. We have one individual who has signed up for general public comment. Uh, that is Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis and I spoke uh a few moments ago. Please come to the podium. We're going to give him a little bit of extra time as an accommodation. And we'll set the timer for 10 minutes. You've indicated you don't think you'll need that, but we don't want you to feel rushed. Um neurological disability. Similar to parks. Under stress. Can you hit the button? I suffer from neurological disabilities similar to parks and that when under stress, I get very, very nervous. I also suffered or survived a stroke back in May. Then I'm partially blind. Um I've got my testimony in bull print, but I need you to understand. Some of some of you all know me from speaking here before about these switch boxes that have been around for a century. If you wouldn't put your hand in one of these, why would we allow a child to do it?
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