Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting - January 5, 2023
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Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting – January 5, 2023
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen held a public meeting on January 5, 2023, at 7:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the December 1, 2022 minutes (4-0), and a report of a closed session held on December 15, 2022. Mayor O’Connor and all aldermen except Alderwoman Kazemchak (absent) were present. The board conducted five public hearings on items including a security camera policy, a memorandum of understanding with the Downtown Frederick Partnership, a parking fee amendment for the Fire in Ice event, a rezoning, and a master plan approval. No public comments were offered during either of the two public comment periods.
Consent Calendar
- No consent agenda was presented; all items were heard as separate public hearings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during either public comment session.
Discussion Items
1. Security Camera Policy (Resolution)
Nathan Hupp, Security and Emergency Preparedness Administrator, presented the citywide security camera policy, which establishes standards and oversight for internal and public security cameras, including a protection of privacy and civil liberties statement updated to align with the city’s discrimination policy. Alderman Shackelford praised the work. The resolution was approved 4-0.
2. Memorandum of Understanding with Downtown Frederick Partnership
Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development, presented the MOU, which formalizes the city’s partnership with the designated Main Street organization. Key financial points include city general financial support of $101,311 in FY24, $106,377 in FY25, and $11,696 in FY26, subject to annual budget appropriations. The MOU also covers cost-sharing for the Downtown Frederick Ambassador Program, which provides cleaning and hospitality services. Kara Norman, Executive Director of the partnership, expressed gratitude and highlighted the program’s impact. In 2022, ambassadors removed 655 biohazards, cleaned 9,400 block faces, removed 700 cigarette butts and 1,000 stickers, filled 314 dog bag dispensers, completed nearly 1,000 business contacts, and provided hospitality assistance to almost 1,200 people. The program costs approximately $345,000 annually, with the city covering roughly 50%. Alderman Nash raised concerns about the mechanism of raising parking fees for events. The MOU was approved 4-0.
3. Ordinance to Amend Parking Fee for Fire in Ice Event
Richard Griffin explained that the popular winter event generates significant pedestrian and vehicle traffic, requiring safety measures (shuttles, barricades, flaggers) costing the partnership an estimated $18,000. The city currently charges a $6 flat parking fee ($5 to city, $1 to partnership). The proposal increases the fee to $10 ($6 to city, $4 to partnership) to offset costs and encourage use of free shuttles. In FY20, the event generated $2,765 for the partnership; in 2022, about $3,800. If the same number of vehicles park, the new fee could generate about $13,000. Alderman Nash questioned the precedent of using parking revenue for an independent organization’s event, but Mayor O’Connor supported the approach as an enterprise fund solution that avoids general fund spending. The ordinance was approved 4-0.
4. Ordinance to Rezone 5.37 Acres at 1724 N. Market Street (MU-2 Floating Zone)
Staff reported that at the December 1, 2022 hearing, the board imposed eight conditions for rezoning from Neighborhood Commercial to Mixed-Use (MU-2). The applicant (SCG Development Partners/New Harbor Development) accepted all conditions on December 7, 2022. David Severin, applicant’s representative, requested approval. The board could not modify conditions without restarting the process. A motion to approve the rezoning, finding compliance with all applicable criteria, passed 4-0.
5. Master Plan for Madison on North Market (60 Multifamily Units, 4,000 sq ft Nonresidential)
Pam Rapper (Planning) presented the master plan, which is required for the floating zone. The Planning Commission recommended approval with two modifications. David Severin concurred. The board approved the resolution (PC22-168MU) including conditions such as vicinity map scale adjustments and corrections to notes. The vote was 4-0.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved: December 1, 2022 minutes (4-0).
- Closed meeting report: Noted actions on a personnel board recommendation and appointment of Rachel Nesson as City Attorney.
- Security Camera Policy: Resolution adopted 4-0.
- Downtown Frederick Partnership MOU: Approved 4-0.
- Fire in Ice Parking Fee: Ordinance to amend FY23 fee schedule approved 4-0.
- Rezoning: Ordinance to rezone 5.37 acres to MU-2 approved 4-0.
- Master Plan: Resolution approving Madison on North Market master plan approved 4-0.
- Next meeting: Public hearing scheduled for January 19, 2023; no workshop on January 11 or 18 due to Maryland General Assembly opening and Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the mayor and board of alderman public meeting for the 5th of January. We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge all these to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic stands. Underground indivisible liberty and justice for all the minutes to approve December 1st, 2022 public meeting. So move. Alderwoman Kazemchak is not here. Someone else is gonna have to make motions in seconds. Alderman Russell got it. Alderman Shackelford makes the motion second by Alderman Russell. All those in favor. That is 4-0. Alderwoman Kazemchak is not with us this evening. Um had previously indicated she would not be in attendance tonight. I have a report of a closed meeting to read. This is Mayor and Board of Alderman closed session summary Thursday, December 15th, 2022 at 5 30 p.m. On a motion made by Alderwoman Kazemchak and seconded by Alderwoman Nash, the board voted 5 to 0 to convene in closed session for the purpose of discussing the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, performance evaluation of an appointee employee or official over whom it has jurisdiction pursuant to Section 3-305 B1I of the general provisions of Article Maryland annotated code. Present were Mayor Michael O'Connor and Alderwoman Katie Nash, Alderman Kelly Russell, Alderman Derek Shackford, Alderwoman Donna Kazemchak, and Alderman Ben McShane. Item one, others present with Rachel Nesson, Acting City Attorney, Phyllis Hayes, City Clerk, and Karen Paulson, Director of Human Resources. The topic for discussion was final determination regarding a personnel board recommendation. On a motion made by Alderman McShane and seconded by Alderman Kazemchak, the board voted five to zero to uphold the recommendation of the personnel board. Item two, others present included Phyllis Hain City Clerk and Karen Paulson, Director of Human Resources. Rachel Nesson, acting city attorney, left the room and rejoined the meeting at 6 23 p.m. On a motion made by Alderwoman Nash and seconded by Alderwoman McKazemchak. The board voted 5-0 to appoint Rachel Nesson to the position of city attorney at the specified salary. The meeting was adjourned at 7 06 p.m. Respectfully submitted Phyllis Hayne City Clerk. Mayor's comments. Comments. No comments, thank you. Alderman Russell. Yes, first of all, congratulations. Uh City Attorney Nesson. And secondly, I wanted to uh note that January 9th is National Law Enforcement Officers Appreciation Day. So on Monday, January 9th, if you see one, appreciate them. Thank you. Thank you. Alderwoman Nash. Yeah, I think I wanted to just um give voice to uh an important but uh sombering holiday tomorrow and uh just express my gratitude that we have such a functional democracy here and uh hopefully we'll see it in action this evening. Thank you. Thank you. Alderman Shackelford. Yes, my comments tonight are more universal in tone. Um sports has had a way of universally bringing us together and create lasting partnerships and relationships and as a former athlete coach and even a parent. Umar Hanlin story the other night resonated with me in a world sometimes where news could be continuous and divisive. It's great to hear some good news today. Thank you. We offer two opportunities for public comments at our meeting as 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, reminding that the proceedings are being telecast and recorded. So you speak clearly into the microphone.
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