City of Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting - March 7, 2024

The City of Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen held a public meeting on March 7, 2024, beginning at 7:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation for Irish Heritage Month, reappointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission, public comments addressing traffic safety and sidewalk repairs, approval of a consent agenda, and a public hearing covering multiple purchases and agreements. Notable discussions focused on Jefferson Street traffic crashes and a deferral agreement for the Maryland Deaf Community Center.

Presentations/Proclamations

• Mayor Michael O'Connor proclaimed March 2024 as Irish American Heritage Month in Frederick, recognizing the contributions of Irish Americans. Kevin Quinn and Bruce Hope of the Ancient Order of Hibernians accepted the proclamation.

Appointments

• The Board unanimously (4-0) reappointed Seth Pollock to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term from March 19, 2024, to March 18, 2027.
• The Board unanimously (4-0) reappointed Joe Baldi to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term from March 19, 2024, to March 18, 2027.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Scott Adkins (resident of South Jefferson Street): Reported a hit-and-run crash on March 6, 2024, that totaled his wife's car and his parents' car, the third vehicle his parents have lost in three years. He urged immediate traffic calming measures and questioned the lack of city traffic cameras on a street with 49 accidents in five years.
• Karen Lazurie (South Jefferson Street resident): Expressed concern after her car was totaled in a previous crash. She now parks blocks away to avoid damage but must cross the dangerous intersection of Jefferson and Patrick with her 17-month-old child. She requested near-term solutions.
• Josh Faust (South Jefferson Street resident): Cited 16 totaled vehicles on a 300-foot block. He criticized the Frederick Police Department for not prioritizing the intersection, noting an officer said it was "not even in our top 10" and that they "don't want to sit their patrol cars in parking lots." He called for funding long-term traffic calming improvements instead of a 9% police budget increase.
• Robert Cambick (South Jefferson Street resident): Emphasized the danger from southbound traffic at the Patrick Street intersection, stating that without both northbound and southbound measures, it is "predictable and inevitable" that a child will be injured.
• Tanya Rabe (property manager, Harwich HOA): Objected to the city's demand that the HOA repair sidewalks within 60 days at its own expense, arguing the city should pay for damage caused by city-owned tree roots. She said the city's contractor began work without proper notice, creating unsafe conditions for pedestrians.
• John Ammerman (Riggs Court resident): Supported Tanya Rabe, stating the HOA was surprised to learn they own the perimeter sidewalks. He complained about a 60-day ultimatum from a city worker and questioned why cities like Walkersville pay for sidewalk repairs while Frederick shifts costs to residents.
• Janine Stewart (parent and community advocate): Encouraged the Board to support House Bill 1257 on restorative practices, praising Frederick's community-building efforts. She invited officials to a future mental health wellness summit.

Consent Calendar

• The Board unanimously (4-0) approved the following grants under the consent agenda:
  1. Approval of a grant agreement with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for a Façade Improvement Grant in the amount of $100,000.
  2. Approval of a grant agreement with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for a Community Legacy Historic Building Improvement Program Grant.
  3. Approval of a First Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with Maryland State Highway Administration for Extension of Funding for the East Street Rails with Trails Phase 2.

Discussion Items

• Purchase: Compost Pilot Marketing – Sustainability Manager Jenny Willoughby presented an agreement with Gavin Communications LLC for up to $63,900 for marketing and outreach for the city's residential compost pilot program, funded by a grant. Alderwoman Kazemchak noted the MWBE exemption form was blank but appreciated the staff's explanation; the contract was approved 4-0.
• Purchase: 40 West Booster Station Design – Project Manager Ron Wingfield presented an agreement with GHD for up to $426,046 (plus purchase order of $466,046) for design services. The approved followed a discussion on MWBE outreach; the contract was approved 4-0.
• Purchase: Linganore Water Treatment Plant Study – Ron Wingfield presented an agreement with WRA for up to $276,796.88 to conduct an engineering alternatives study for retrofit or reconstruction. The contract was approved 4-0.
• Purchase: Traveling Water Screen Repairs – Water Superintendent Craig Lambert sought approval for a Special Ordinance (S-24-07) to use $110,000 from fund balance for repairs to the traveling water screen at the Linganore Water Treatment Plant, and a purchase order to Atlas-SSI, Inc. Mayor O'Connor noted the screen is critical, providing 56% of the city's water supply. The Special Ordinance was approved 4-0, and the purchase order was approved 4-0.
• Agreement: Maryland Deaf Community Center Deferral – Planner Sharon Sarres presented a deferral agreement for frontage improvements at 720 N East Street. The Maryland Deaf Community Center will delay improvements until the city undertakes the East Street redesign or Rails with Trails project, then install enhanced improvements. Laurie Bonheio expressed appreciation. Alderman McShane recused himself due to contractual work. The agreement was approved 3-0.
• Agreement: Golden Mile Alliance MOU – Economic Development's Mary Ford Neal presented a Memorandum of Understanding with the Golden Mile Alliance to provide funding for FY24-FY26 and expand community programming. William Trott, Vice President of the Alliance, thanked the Board. The MOU was approved 4-0.
• Agreement: Shookstown Road Design – Sam Downs from Engineering presented an agreement with Fox & Associates for design services on Shookstown Road between Baughman's Lane and Montevue Lane. The project will bring the street up to current city standards with sidewalks, curbs, and storm drains. An MWBE exemption form was included but blank in the backup; staff clarified it was signed. The agreement was approved 4-0.

Key Outcomes

• All appointments, consent agenda items, purchases, and agreements were approved unanimously (4-0 or 3-0 where applicable).
• The Board directed staff to address concerns raised during public comments about Jefferson Street traffic safety, with short-term engineering solutions already in progress and a community meeting held on February 27, 2024.
• Staff acknowledged a glitch in the Granicus system causing some MWBE forms to appear blank in the app despite being signed; the issue will be investigated.
• Alderman McShane offered a personal tribute to his grandmother, Dolores Johnson, who passed away at age 100, and received condolences from the Board.
• Deputy Director Tracy Coleman thanked city crews for quickly repairing a major water main break on 7th Street, with repaving scheduled for the following day.