Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting - August 3, 2023

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen held a public meeting on August 3, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered approvals of minutes, consent agenda items, and four public hearing items, including a School Resource Officer MOU, a bicycle lane design MOU, a design agreement for East Street Rails with Trails, and a series of agreements for the Maryland ANEM solar energy program. All votes were unanimous (5-0).

Consent Calendar

• Release of Sureties and Acceptance of Public Improvements (5 items): Approved 5-0. Included release of sureties for Waverley View Investors, Bloomfields, Nicodemus Farm, and a cash surety for 617 Magnolia Avenue.
• Lease Amendment: Approved 5-0. Administrative adjustment to a lease for 106 Commerce Street with the National Park Service – Historic Preservation Training Center.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during either of the two public comment periods.

Discussion Items

• School Resource Officer Program MOU: Sgt. Rebecca Carrado presented the renewal of the MOU with Frederick County Public Schools. Aldermen expressed support for the program, noting the value of SROs in schools. Approved 5-0.
• 7th Street Protected Bicycle Lane Design MOU: David Edmondson presented the MOU with MDOT SHA for 80% grant-funded design of a two-way bikeway along 7th Street from Fort Detrick to East Street. Discussion included public outreach to residents and businesses, design flexibility (shared use path, raised bike way, etc.), and potential benefits for ambulance access. Alderman Kazemchak emphasized neighborhood engagement. Approved 5-0.
• East Street Rails with Trails Phase II Design Agreement: David Edmondson presented the $246,931.41 agreement with Wallace Montgomery & Associates. The project runs from 8th Street to near MD 26. Grant funding covers design and construction. Alderman Russell requested future procurement reports include scoring criteria and points. Approved 5-0.
• Maryland ANEM Program Agreements with Ameresco: Keisha Brown (Purchasing Manager) presented three sets of agreements (subleases, license agreements, and credit purchase agreements) for three sites: 0 Mount Zion Road, 0 Cooper's Lane, and 0 Pee Wee Road (Swanton, MD). Alderman Shackelford raised concerns about blank exhibits (legal descriptions) in the sublease and license agreements. Ameresco representatives explained that the exhibits would be filled in after the master lease is finalized. The council agreed to approve the form of the subleases and license agreements, and to approve the three credit purchase agreements individually, with the condition that the mayor ensures the final documents correspond to the identified sites. All five motions passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: July 6, 2023 regular public meeting minutes approved 5-0.
• Consent Agenda: All items approved 5-0.
• Public Hearing Items:
  1. School Resource Officer MOU – approved 5-0.
  2. 7th Street Bicycle Lane Design MOU – approved 5-0.
  3. East Street Rails with Trails Phase II Design Agreement – approved 5-0.
  4. ANEM Program Agreements: Approved form of subleases and license agreements, and approved three credit purchase agreements individually (all 5-0). Mayor authorized to sign final documents once exhibits are complete.
• Aldermanic Comments: Alderwoman Nash updated on Charter Review Commission preliminary recommendations; she intends to pursue a resolution to review parkland dedication and pause applications during review. Mayor O’Connor announced Maryland State Police 50th anniversary celebration at Frederick Municipal Airport on August 5, 2023, 9 AM – 2 PM.
• Meeting Adjourned without further public comment.