Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting - January 4, 2024
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Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting - January 4, 2024
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen convened at 7:00 PM at City Hall on January 4, 2024. The agenda included presentations, public hearings on two items, an appointment, and aldermanic comments. The meeting was broadcast live on Channel 99. Key actions included approval of a revised park design contract and a resolution establishing a fee in lieu of parkland dedication.
Mayor's Comments
- Mayor O'Connor noted the city's preparation for impending winter weather, highlighting that DPW crews had participated in a snow rodeo training event. He expressed hope for low snow accumulation.
Aldermanic Comments
- Alderman Russell recognized January 9 as National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and encouraged residents to show support for law enforcement and all public servants.
- Alderman Kazemchak paid tribute to former Alderman Marsha Hall, who recently passed away, recalling her passion, honesty, and service. He also honored all past city officials who contributed to Frederick.
- Alderman Kazemchak raised concerns about the implementation of the new bag ordinance, noting inconsistent practices at stores and a lack of proactive communication from the city to rental property owners. She urged a robust communications campaign.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during either of the two public comment periods.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing Item 1: Revised Agreement for Hill Street Park and Mullinix Park Design – City Attorney Rachel Monnin presented a revised contract with Macris, Hendricks & Glascock, P.A., incorporating minor changes to indemnification provisions. The amendment supersedes the version approved on December 7, 2023. James Russell, Secretary of Friends of Mullinix Park, spoke in support, requesting stakeholder engagement for improvements to pathways and smaller pavilions. The motion to approve passed 4-0 (Alderman Nash absent).
- Public Hearing Item 2: Fee in Lieu of Parkland Dedication for 25-27 Hamilton Avenue – City Planner Sharon Kim presented a resolution to establish a fee in lieu of on-site parkland dedication for the development at 25-27 Hamilton Avenue. The site is small and constrained by stormwater requirements, and it is located near Grove Park and Sagner Park. Alderman Kazemchak questioned the necessity of using code-permitted options rather than mandatory requirements. Staff explained that on-site parkland was not feasible. The motion to approve passed 3-1, with Alderman Kazemchak voting in opposition.
Appointments
- Education Commission – Chris Foreman was appointed to a three-year term from January 5, 2024, to January 4, 2027. The motion passed 4-0.
Key Outcomes
- Revised Agreement for Hill Street Park and Mullinix Park Design approved (4-0).
- Resolution for fee in lieu of parkland dedication for 25-27 Hamilton Avenue approved (3-1).
- Appointment of Chris Foreman to Education Commission approved (4-0).
No further business was brought before the board, and the meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the mayor and board of Alderman public meeting for the 4th of January. We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the fly in the United States of America. And two publications. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Okay. We have no minutes this evening. Mayor's comments. We're watching uh with some interest, particularly in our DPW operations area, the impending winter weather. Um if we actually get snow, it'll feel like the first time in two years that we will have anything measurable. So I know that uh our crew stay in practice, they do uh uh sort of snow olympic snow rodeo event every fall to just retrain themselves on how to attach the plows to the front of the vehicles and do all the inspections and go through the obstacle course, which is a lot like plowing streets in Frederick when you have to navigate cars and call the sex and whatnot. Uh so we'll we'll be ready if the snow materializes as the weather forecasters are uh projecting. Hopefully, we'll speaking only for myself, uh, land on the low end of whatever the estimates. Those of you that want you know a foot of snow, good for you. Alderman at comments, Alderman Shackleford. No comments, thank you. Alderman Russell. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, since we won't be meeting before January 9th, I just wanted to draw your attention to the fact that that is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Um, you can recognize that and appreciate law enforcement in many different ways, and I'll just suggest some. Uh, you can wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement. You can send a card of support, you can share a story about a positive experience on social media. You can ask your kids uh in the community to write letters of support. And if you have a blue light bulb, you can turn that on, and uh I have mine on all the time. But it's um just uh an appreciation of law enforcement, also just an appreciation of all public servants. We know that our DPW crews may have to be out there in the worst of it. And anybody that does have that um work situation, we appreciate you. So thanks. Thank you. Alderman Kazemchak. Thank you, Mayor. Um I I do uh hope for safe this for our crews as as they are out also. Um I'm sure they will be out. It'll be a question of how much. Um, but I want to talk about something different. As was noted by a number of my colleagues yesterday. A very special previous member of the Board of Alderman passed away after a short illness. She was living in Cam Kansas City, Missouri for the past few years, but she was always involved in the city while she was here. I served with Marsha Hall from 2002 until 2008. 2009, because the timings changed for elections back then. While Marcia showed a very calm demeanor, she was passionate about helping owing the city, and she didn't hesitate to let her voice tell people no when she thought they were being ridiculous. She was kind and true, but you got on her wrong side at your own peril. She rarely raised her voice, but she could make it cut like a knife. Marcia was honest, and she didn't play games like so many in politics do today. I've missed Marcia in years in the years she's not lived in Frederick. We stayed in touch for quite a while. Um, had little contact after COVID. My fault, not hers. Um, you know, COVID affect me in the ways that it has affected a number of people in our community, and that's not necessarily it's not a good thing in my case and and in those of so uh many others. The loss of Marsha Hall has me thinking about all those who literally gave part of their lives so our lives could be better.
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