Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen Public Meeting - May 2, 2024

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Frederick, Maryland held a public meeting on May 2, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of routine administrative items, appointments, and substantive public hearing items including affordable housing developments, police mental health services, and policy updates. Key decisions included approval of funding for the Junction and Madison affordable housing projects, a mental health app for the police department, and amendments to property tax credit ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Minutes from April 4, 2024, approved unanimously (5-0).
• Appointments: Unanimous reappointments to the Sustainability Committee (Will Cotton, Katie Grogan, Natasha Browne), Planning Commission (Dorothy Menelas), Personnel Board (Michael Bernard), and Community Action Board (Kenneth Allread).
• Consent Agenda Items: All routine items under Consent Agenda were approved unanimously, including:
  • Release of sureties for Canterbury Station Phase 3 and Nicodemus Property (Category A)
  • Acceptance of deed for Canterbury Station Dog Park (Category B)
  • Alcohol on public property permits for Gran Fondo Maryland, Key City Foundation Octoberfest 5K, and Maryland Craft Beer Festival (Category C)
  • Special ordinances D2 (Maryland State Arts Council grant for Weinberg Center) and E1, E2 (Waterway Improvement Fund grant extension and HUD Continuum of Care planning grant) approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• First Public Comment Period: No speakers.
• Second Public Comment Period: CJ Tyree (Taft Mills Group, developer of The Junction) thanked the board and staff for their work on the project, noting the urgency of meeting a May 15 submission deadline to Wells Fargo and a planned July 10 closing. He also praised city planning and engineering staff for their assistance.

Discussion Items

• Special Ordinance D1 (Maryland Department of Health Grant): Alderman Kazemchak raised questions about the administration of the health center and the medical director position. Ashley Waters (HHS) confirmed the grant supports the school-based health center at Hillcrest, and that a full-time medical director position had recently closed with applicants. Alderman noted the need for cost-per-person data. Motion to approve passed 5-0.
• Special Ordinance D3 & Grant E3 (Community Bridge Mural): Alderman Shackelford expressed concern that the city had not fulfilled a prior agreement to spend $50,000 annually on the mural since its 1998 acquisition, estimating a cumulative shortfall of about $1 million. Bob Smith (Parks and Recreation) noted that the $50,000 had not been consistently budgeted, but a CIP was created in FY24. The board approved both the budget amendment (D3) and grant acceptance (E3) unanimously, with Alderman Shackelford noting the city owes the project.
• Purchase Agreement A1 (MagnusWorx Mental Health App for Police): Corporal Mike Runwell and Corporal Grunwell presented the app, funded by a DOJ COPS grant. The app provides wellness resources, analytics, and family/spouse access. Alderman Kazemchak raised a concern about spiritual wellness language; staff clarified it is optional and includes meditation. The contract is for three years with a termination clause. Approved 5-0.
• Contract A2 (SB & Company Auditing): Piggybacking on Frederick County's contract. Discussed MWBE form submission issues. Approved 5-0.
• Agreement B2 (Mitigation Agreement for Oxford Monocacy): Approved 5-0 without discussion.
• Agreement B3 (MOU with Maryland School for Deaf for SRO): Lieutenant Corbett presented the fifth year of the MOU; Officer Maggie Lee and therapy dog Fred are integral. Approved 5-0.
• Agreement B4 (MOU with Frederick County for Housing Needs Assessment): Ruth Waxter (Housing) described the $100,000 city contribution for a three-phase assessment. Alderman Kazemchak read a letter from community groups requesting specific items be included in the RFP. After discussion, the mayor agreed to discuss with the county executive. Approved 5-0.
• Agreement B5 & B6 (Madison on North Market Housing): $800,000 MPDU fund grant to Housing Authority for 60 units at 60% AMI. Alderman Russell noted the location and partnership with YMCA for Head Start. Approved 5-0.
• Agreement B7, B8, B11 (The Junction Housing): $2 million city contribution to county's deferred loan program for 179 units at 60% AMI. Alderman Shackelford opposed the MOU (B8) and the PILOT agreement (B11), citing the high per-unit cost and concern that the rents ($1,550 for 1BR, $1,850 for 2BR, $2,100 for 3BR) are not affordable for the lowest-income residents. Alderman Russell also opposed the PILOT. The MOU passed 4-1, the PILOT 3-2. The MPDU agreements (B9) and PILOT policy revision (B10) passed unanimously.
• Resolution C1 (Parkland Fee in Lieu for The Woods): $12,650 fee for an 11-unit townhouse development. Approved 5-0.
• Resolution C2 (Employee Compensation Policy): Three changes: increasing salary offer threshold to 25%, adding hiring bonus authority for HR Director (removed by amendment), and reducing out-of-title pay eligibility from 90 to 30 days. Alderman Kazemchak and Alderman Shackelford expressed concern about the lack of parameters for hiring bonuses. The board voted to remove the hiring bonus paragraph entirely, then approved the rest 5-0.
• Ordinances (First Read):
  • G-24-04 (Stormwater Management and Illicit Discharge): Approved 5-0.
  • G-24-05 (Elderly and Uniformed Service Members Property Tax Credit): Approved 5-0.
  • G-24-06 (Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit): Corrected a typo from 25% to 50% disability rating. Approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Appointments: All six appointments approved unanimously.
• Mental Health App: Contract with MagnusWorx for FPD mental health app approved (5-0).
• Housing Projects:
  • Madison on North Market: $800,000 grant approved (5-0).
  • The Junction: $2 million contribution to county deferred loan program approved (4-1); PILOT agreement approved (3-2); MPDU agreements approved (5-0).
• Housing Needs Assessment: MOU with county approved (5-0).
• Employee Compensation Policy: Approved with removal of hiring bonus section (5-0).
• Tax Credit Ordinances: Both elderly/uniformed and disabled veterans tax credit amendments approved (5-0).
• Postponed Item: The fee waiver request for Deaf Pickleball tournament was postponed to the next business meeting due to a sign language interpreter glitch.