City Council Public Meeting - August 1, 2024
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City Council Public Meeting - August 1, 2024
The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Frederick, Maryland, met on August 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the June 6, 2024 minutes (motion by Alderwoman Nash, second by Alderman McCzemchek; passed 4-0, with Alderman McShane initially absent). The meeting featured extensive public comment on a proposed ceasefire resolution regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, followed by a public hearing on two contracts: school crossing guard services and HVAC maintenance at the Talley Recreation Center.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tina Meadows O'Rear urged the council to sponsor the "Frederick Cease Fire Now" resolution, citing the arrest of protesters and calling for an arms embargo. She stated that silence is complicity in genocidal acts.
- Willie Mahone, president of the local NAACP, expressed full support for the resolution on behalf of the organization after detailed discussions. He drew parallels between the Palestinian experience and African American history, citing settler colonialism, lack of due process, and destruction of communities.
- James P. Wagner analogized the proposed resolution to the city’s 2022 resolution on nuclear disarmament (Resolution 22-14), arguing that the city has previously taken stands on federal policy and that the widening war poses a threat to municipalities.
- Yusuf, a 10-year-old resident, spoke about children in Gaza suffering, losing limbs, and missing school. He stated that U.S. weapons are being used in the conflict and urged the council to endorse a ceasefire.
- Sultan Monsour, a Palestinian American, detailed casualties (40,000 killed, half children), destruction of homes, and the use of U.S. tax dollars. He asked which side of history the council would be on.
- Kais Minubi, a U.S. Army veteran, asked the council to support the ceasefire, citing his personal experience with war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- Courtney Carter, retired Hood College professor, emphasized that abandoning international law and allowing the killing of civilians would lead to a loss of U.S. global standing. She urged the council to be on the right side of history.
- Zachary, a young speaker, recited a poem calling for a ceasefire and peace.
- Al Peterson, a Frederick resident and grandson of a U.S. Army captain, urged the council to act, stating that the pen is mightier than the bullet and that the city’s resolution would amplify pressure on federal representatives.
- Tasneem, a mother and educator who recently returned from Palestine, pleaded with the council to endorse the resolution for the sake of children watching, asking what they would have done during past atrocities.
No council action was taken on the ceasefire resolution; it was brought forward only during public comment.
Public Hearing: School Crossing Guard Contract
- Item X.A.1: Approval of a contract with All County Management Services (ACMS) for school crossing guards for the upcoming school year, expanding from 11 to 13 locations. Lt. Corbett of the police department presented, noting the vendor has been used since 2017 with good results. The contract piggybacks on Frederick County’s contract; the city’s rate is $28.86/hour. Alderman Russell raised concerns about potential wage disparities between city and county crossing guards, stating she had asked this question for three years. She requested information on county wages. After discussion, the motion to approve (moved by Alderman Russell, seconded by Alderman McShane) passed 4-1, with Alderman McCzemchek opposed.
Public Hearing: HVAC Maintenance at Talley Recreation Center
- Item X.A.2: Approval of a 4-year agreement with McClure Company for HVAC maintenance at the Talley Recreation Center. Sean Poulin, Superintendent of Recreation, noted the system has 30 individual units. No public comment. Motion to approve (moved by Alderman McCzemchek, seconded by Alderman McShane) passed unanimously (5-0).
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved: June 6, 2024, meeting minutes approved 4-0 (Alderman McShane absent at time of vote).
- School crossing guard contract: Approved 4-1. Alderman Russell’s request for county wage comparability data was noted; staff promised to provide it.
- HVAC maintenance contract: Approved 5-0.
- No action on ceasefire resolution: The council did not sponsor or vote on the proposed resolution, despite multiple public speakers urging them to do so.
- The meeting adjourned after alderwoman comments with no further business.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the mayor and board of Alderman meeting for the first day of August. We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. We have minutes to approve June 6th, 2024 public meeting. Second. Motion by Alderwoman Nash, second by Alder McZemchek. All those in favor, that is 4 0. Albert McShane is not present. In uh Annapolis today, Alderwoman Nash and I, and a number of members of our staff were at an all-day housing symposium as the state is rolling out new rules with regards to how to incentivize more moderately priced and workforce housing. A lot of good panels, a lot of good information, a lot of good takeaways. But it was a good day. So to be continued. Ditto, I will say that uh the mayor rightly pointed out I had my airport commission meeting tonight. Usually they aren't the same night as our hearing, so I just wanted to make note that during that commission meeting, members of the commission praise city staff over and over again for their proactive approach. And so I'm looking forward to when they're here, and we can we can thank them, but I just wanted to relay that um they're doing a great job, and the commission members really notice it tonight. So thank you very much. Thank you. Alderman Shackelford. No comments, thank you. Alderman McShane. No, thank you. Alderman McCazemchek. Alderman Russell. We are on to public comments. It is an opportunity for members of the public to address the mayor and board about any item, whether it is on this evening's agenda or not. Speakers are asked to give their name and a general address for the record, reminded that the proceedings are being telecast and recorded. You should speak clearly into the microphone at the podium. Comments are limited to a total of five minutes per individual. We will take those who have signed up first, and then we will open it up to anyone else who wishes to make public comment at that time. We did receive one public comment through the online public comment portal, which I would just remind the public is another way to have your comments included on the record. Tina Meadows O'Rear. Good evening. Some of our members and a number of supporters, uh, are here. Um are going to testify, and some are here to listen, learn, and support. Um board of sorry, council. And so I'm not going to read that again, but I do want to remind you that you've received it. And we are here to garner your support. Uh we're looking for one or more sponsors uh for that resolution. Um here to seek the support of leaders who are brave. Frederick citizens are threatened by a war in the Middle East that could each easily turn into a regional and even worldwide conflict. It is critical that you broaden your perspective beyond your local blinders. You have a responsibility to protect all citizens of our community, including minority groups, people of color, those with language differences. I don't know if you have already read about this, but over 400 protesters from Jewish Voice for Peace, including more than a dozen rabbis, were arrested at peaceful sit-in at the Canon House office building rotunda this past weekend during Netanyahu's visit to Congress. They wore shirts that said, not in our name, and other garments that said Jews say stop arming Israel. To help differentiate this cause, I urge you to listen carefully to Stephanie Fox, executive director of Jewish Voice for Peace. Stephanie stated this past week, quote, for nine months we've watched in horror as the Israeli government has carried out a genocide, armed and funded by U.S. She called for an immediate arms embargo. Jane Hirschman, daughter of Holocaust survivors and member, uh member of Jewish Voice for Peace said, quote, the Israeli government is using U.S. funding and weapons to slaughter and starve Palestinians in Gaza.
openpublica.com