Frederick City Council Public Meeting – June 6, 2024
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Frederick City Council Public Meeting – June 6, 2024
The Frederick Mayor and Board of Aldermen held a public meeting on June 6, 2024, beginning at 7:00 PM. The meeting included presentations, approval of minutes, appointments, a consent agenda, and a public hearing covering multiple purchases, agreements, resolutions, and ordinances. All votes were 4-0, with Alderman McKazemchek absent.
Presentations & Proclamations
- If I Were Mayor Essay Contest: Tao Tao Yang, a fourth grader at The Banner School, presented his essay on creating a "Zen Garden" park. He was recognized as a semifinalist among 1,300 entries statewide.
- Pride Month Proclamation: The Mayor read a proclamation declaring June 2024 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Frederick, commemorating the Stonewall riots and affirming the city's commitment to equity and respect.
Consent Calendar
- Release of Sureties: Three bonds were released: (1) $87,472.13 for Redeemed Christian Church of God; (2) $128,731.00 for Day Development (Tuscarora Creek Phase 4); (3) $154,571.50 for Day Development (Tuscarora Creek Phase 5A). Approved 4-0.
- Grant Acceptance: Accepted a $30,912 Housing Counseling Program grant from HUD. Approved 4-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Vicky Understein (East Church Homeowners Association and East Frederick Rising) commented on the St. John Properties easement agreement, urging that park funds not be diverted and requesting a crosswalk and pathway connectivity improvements.
- Heather Goddard (East Frederick Rising President) voiced support for the East 5th Street extension ordinance, praising the city's efforts to improve connectivity and relieve congestion in East Frederick.
Discussion Items
- Pavement Marking Contract: Awarded to Alpha Space Control for $200,000 (year one). City staff noted it supports long-line striping and ADA improvements.
- Talley Recreation Center Roof Unit: Approved an amendment with McClure Company ($79,797) to replace a failing rooftop unit; staff emphasized proactive replacement to avoid cooling outages.
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineering: Approved an agreement with Whitman, Requardt and Associates ($75,836.17) to study high-flow events and system upgrades.
- Stormwater Easement with St. John Properties: Approved granting a 9.8-acre easement for East Park stormwater management on Renn Quarter parkland. In exchange, the developer will acquire and convey an adjacent parcel to the city, construct a $200,000 parking lot, and contribute $90,000 toward park improvements. Public comment raised concerns about preserving park funding and ensuring safe pedestrian access.
- Lucas Village Redevelopment Funding: Approved a $1 million grant agreement with the Housing Authority of Frederick, plus a budget amendment to use MPDU funds. Alderman Russell noted the project will replace 88 dilapidated public housing units with 220 units, and all existing residents will receive vouchers with a right to return. He emphasized that a reversion clause protects city funds if the project stalls.
- Bird City Maryland Resolution: Approved Resolution 24-08 to pursue recognition; staff highlighted partnerships, habitat improvements, and mental health benefits. An upcoming public event will unveil the city's official bird.
- National Park Service Training Center: Approved Resolution 24-09 supporting relocation of the Historic Preservation Training Center to Westside Regional Park. The resolution includes land sale terms and $750,000–$1.4 million in park amenities.
- Active Mobility Advisory Committee: Approved Ordinance G-24-10 creating a new committee to replace the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, broadening its scope to all non-motorized modes and emphasizing equity. Alderman Russell sponsored the change after months of committee work.
- East 5th Street Extension Right-of-Way: Approved Ordinance G-24-11 to acquire 4,991 sq ft at 603 East Church Street for extending East 5th Street through the County Lane corridor; staff noted construction may begin the first week of July.
Key Outcomes
- All nine action items received unanimous 4-0 approval, with Alderman McKazemchek absent.
- Next steps: The city will proceed with contracting, easement negotiations, and capital projects as outlined. The Active Mobility Advisory Committee will be formally established, and the Lucas Village grant agreement will move forward pending any further conditions from the Housing Authority.
Meeting Transcript
We have two special presentations this evening, and I'm going to start with a young man who was recently recognized by the Maryland Mayor's Association, which is a part of the Maryland Municipal League, which each year sponsors an If I Were Mayor contest. And this young man, Mr. Tao Tao Yang, was one of the semifinalists. There were only about twenty semifinalists from across the state out of thirteen hundred essays submitted by fourth graders in elementary schools across the state of Maryland. And so we're delighted that we have Mr. Yang here, who is a fourth grader at the Banner School, and I would like to ask you to come forward. Please come around. If I were mayor, we're going to give you a chance to sit in the big chair. So he's going to present his essay on if I were mayor. So prepare for some really good ideas. If I were mayor, I would propose a project called Zen Garden. It's a park where you can care for plants, relax, exercise, and enjoy the beauty of nature. Zen Garden promotes leadership by encouraging people to work together to create and maintain the community space. Kids can help too. Seeing their impact on the city will make them feel like a hero. Zen Garden has three areas. One has picnic tables and benches that are surrounded by trees. Next to it is a huge pond. Then there is a field with flowers and grass. For this project, I would seek advice from gardeners, and I would also contact the Department of Planning and the Department of Parks and Recreation. The garden is good for mental health because you can breathe. Enjoy the sunshine and naturally calm down. This project also gives animals a natural habitat. So if I were a mayor, I would work with everyone to build a space where kids and adults can work together and play together. So for helping me write my essay. Tao Tao wrote his own essay. Next, we are going to issue a proclamation for Pride Month. Because of some of the logistical challenges with this, uh, rather than everybody come forward at this time and we're standing back here and then nobody can see the proclamation actually being proclaimed. We're going to read the proclamation from here and then invite everybody forward, do a formal presentation to Chris, I assume that I'll presenting to you or to whomever is here to accept it, and then whoever wishes to take a picture of the group will be able to do so. This is a proclamation for LGBTQ plus Pride Month, June 2024. Whereas Pride Month is celebrated nationwide each year in the month of June. And whereas this month was chosen to commemorate the riots that took place at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, New York on June twenty eighth, nineteen sixty-nine, which is often viewed as the birth of the modern LGBTQ plus rights movement. Whereas the City of Frederick supports the LGBTQ plus community and honors their many contributions to the health of the city and remains committed to treating all people with fairness and respect. Oh, sorry, this thing. I thought it's just reaching for some clear. Reach out and we'll connect you. So much joy. We have minutes to approve May 2nd, 2024. Move for approval. Second. Motion by Alderman McShane, seconded by Alderman Shackleford. All those in favor. That is four zero with Alderman McKazemchek not present. We have an appointment this evening to the Education Commission, reappointment of Tiana Maskoy for a three-year term of June 7th, 2024 to June 6th of 2027. Move for approval. Oh, second. Motion by Alderman McShane, seconded by Alderman Shackelford. All those in favor. That is four zero. Thank you very much.
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