Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting – April 18, 2024
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Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting – April 18, 2024
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen held a public meeting on April 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included approval of minutes, an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission, public comments, and unanimous approval of several contracts and a resolution. A proclamation for International Dark Sky Week was deferred due to the absence of the recipients.
Public Comments & Testimony
- One speaker, a resident, expressed strong support for the Lucas Village Project, describing it as a good long-term planning effort that would integrate affordable homes into an affluent and up-and-coming neighborhood. The speaker urged the board to avoid repeating past social injustices and to fully support the project.
Discussion Items
- Approval of Minutes (March 21, 2024; March 27, 2024 Closed Session; April 4, 2024 Closed Session): All three sets of minutes were approved unanimously (5-0).
- Appointment to Historic Preservation Commission: Alyssa Fortune was appointed for a three-year term from June 3, 2024, to June 2, 2027 (5-0).
- Police Promotion Consultant Services (RFP 25-A): Approval of a contract with Emergency Services Consulting International to provide promotion process consulting for ranks of Corporal, Sergeant, and Lieutenant. The contract is a renewal with an incumbent selected via RFP. Noted as a self-certified SBE. Approved 5-0.
- Psychological Services for Police Department (RFP 25-B): Approval of a contract with Atlantic Occupsych to provide pre-employment and biennial mental health services for Frederick Police Department. Also a renewal after RFP. Approved 5-0.
- Pool Management Services (RFP 24-Q): Approval of a three-year agreement with Pool Management Inc. for management of Edward P. Thomas Jr. and William R. Diggs Memorial Swimming Pools. During discussion, Alderwoman Ash questioned the search for SBE/MWBE firms; staff explained it was an RFP process and further review was needed. Approved 5-0.
- Mitigation Agreement for Summervale (Summers Farm): Approval of a mitigation agreement with Summers Family, LLLP and D.R. Horton, Inc. for roads related to the annexed development. The property was annexed in 2009, master plan approved 2019. Approved 5-0.
- Resolution 24-04 – Code of Civility Update: Approval of an updated Code of Civility to replace attachment one in the Rules of Procedure. Presented by Alderman Russell; adopted unanimously 5-0.
Key Outcomes
- All votes this evening were unanimous (5-0) across minutes, appointment, three purchase contracts, one mitigation agreement, and one resolution.
- The proclamation for International Dark Sky Week was deferred to a future meeting when recipients can attend.
- The board noted upcoming events: Bike to Work Day (May 17) and a briefing for the Month of the Young Child (April 19).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the mayor and board of Alderman Public Meeting for the 18th of April. We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Which stands one nation under God, indivisible with every justice for all. We have a proclamation this evening, but the individuals to accept that I do not see in the room yet. So when they arrive, we will interrupt or push to a future agenda when they can be in attendance. We have minutes to approve March 21st regular public meeting. So move second. Motion by Alderman Shacklford, second by Alderwoman Kazemchak, all those in favor. March 27th, 2024, closed session. So moved. Motion by Alderman Shackleford, second by Alderwoman Kazemchak, all those in favor. That is 5-0. April 4th, 2024, closed session. So moved. Motion by Alderman Shackelford, second by Alderwoman Kazemchak, all those in favor. 5-0, thank you very much. We do have an appointment this evening. This is an appointment of Alyssa Fortune to a three-year term on the Historic Preservation Commission, June 3rd, 2024 to June 2nd, 2027. So moved. Second. Motion by Alderman Shackelford, second by Albert Russell. All those in favor. That is 5-0. Thank you very much. I will only call everyone's attention to a briefing that we'll be doing tomorrow afternoon in recognition of the month of the young child. That will be happening tomorrow afternoon 4 30 ish. But can start to arrive at 4 o'clock. Aldermanic business and comments. Alderwoman Ash. Thank you, Mayor. Alderman Russell. Yes, thank you, Mayor. A few things. And it's uh a ceremony where they uh recognize uh first responders, public service, firefighters, police, communications, uh, some volunteers. Really packed room there at the Brunswick Fire Hall, and so I just wanted to lift them up and appreciate uh the work of all of our um public safety people. Um also wanted to mention, of course, that Bike to Work Day is coming up on May 17th. You can register at Bike2Work Metro DC.org. And if you do so, you get a bright orange t-shirt. And then lastly, I wanted to mention that um you know we are members of the transportation planning board with COG. Uh I go to the meetings monthly, and not everybody really knows what we do down there. It's a lot of stuff, but one of the cool things that they do that I think it makes sense to let people know about is uh a program called the TLC program or transportation land use connections. It's a grant program that jurisdictions can apply for for projects to uh to better connect uh land use and and people. And on Wednesday, we voted to approve 100,000 to the Southern East Street redesign program for 30 percent design. Uh and I would just uh kudos to staff that worked on that grant application, and it's always exciting to see Frederick uh bringing money in from grants. Thank you. Thank you, Alderman Shackelford. No comments, thank you. Alderman Kazemchak. Yes, mine's a little more personal.
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