Frederick City Council Public Meeting - January 2, 2025
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Frederick City Council Public Meeting - January 2, 2025
The Frederick City Council held a regular public meeting on January 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, an appointment to the Fair Housing Commission, extensive public comment on several topics, a donation agreement for a new library, introduction of a legislative districting ordinance, and discussion of proposed standing committees.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) Opposition: Steve Brown (Frederick resident) opposed RCV, arguing it complicates elections and reduces transparency. Fred Propheter cited studies from Maine and Alaska showing increased ballot errors and delays. Kat Harper noted 60-80% opposition in recent state referendums. Willie Mahone expressed support for RCV, saying it expands democracy.
- Ceasefire Resolution in Gaza: Multiple speakers urged the council to pass a local ceasefire resolution. Zoe Dell (Jewish resident) cited humanitarian concerns and called for action. Arian referenced Eisenhower and MLK. Salvey Mortensen noted $17.9 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel (Oct 2023-Oct 2024). Tess, Yusuf, Hebametwelli, and others voiced support. Willie Mahone read from MLK’s writings and announced a rally on February 2, 2025, at 2 PM at Winchester Hall.
- Non-Citizen Voting Opposition: Jay Kaminsky argued the council’s decision to allow non-citizen voting was made with insufficient public notice; he cited a successful petition drive. Ralph Siegrist, Shelley Alloy, Jennifer Charlton, and Kate Sullivan criticized the decision as unconstitutional and urged a referendum. Councilmember Kassem responded that the issue was discussed for 18 months and that city residents had ample opportunity to comment.
- Mayor’s Statements on Vulnerable Communities: Ed Mooney (New Market resident) applauded Mayor O’Connor’s support for LGBTQ+ students and education policies, noting 60% of votes in the recent Board of Education election favored pro-443 candidates (70% within city limits). He criticized ties between campaign staff and an SPLC-recognized anti-LGBTQ hate group.
- Immigrant Defense Fund: Kaiser Sosa opposed the mayor’s proposed fund, calling it a political stunt and arguing it wastes taxpayer money. Ben spoke in favor, stating immigrants deserve protection.
- Other Topics: John Milk spoke against abortion pills. Sam Rosenblum offered a prayer for IDF. Several speakers criticized illegal immigration and expressed concerns about public safety.
Discussion Items
- Donation Agreement for West Side Library (IX.B.1): The city proposes donating a parcel of land (currently a park) to Frederick County for construction of a public library. Key points debated:
- Reversionary clause: City would reclaim property if library development not commenced within six years or closed within five.
- Ball field replacement: Section 13 required the city to replace an existing unused baseball field at West Side Regional Park. Councilmember Russell and Councilmember Nash objected, arguing the field is obsolete and the provision gives the county input on city CIP. Councilmember Nash moved to strike Section 13.B (baseball field).
- Timeline: Councilmember O’Connor wanted a two-year ground-breaking deadline; Councilmember Nash proposed changing the reversionary clause from six to three years to ensure urgency. County representatives confirmed they plan to start construction by winter 2027 and have full funding in CIP.
- Introduction of Ordinance G-25-01 (Legislative Districts): The council introduced an ordinance establishing five legislative districts for the 2025 city election, in accordance with charter amendments passed September 2024.
- Discussion of Proposed Legislative Standing Committees: The council president proposed three committees: Land Use; Public Safety; Community Development, Housing, Health & Education; and Government Operations. Councilmember Russell raised concerns about workload balance and lack of reference to strategic plans, but indicated willingness to serve. The proposal was discussed but no vote taken.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Minutes of December 5, 2024 (unanimous).
- Appointment of Stephanie Kelley to the Fair Housing Commission for a three-year term (January 3, 2025 – January 2, 2028) (unanimous).
- Donation Agreement Approved with Amendments (4-0): Section 13.B (baseball field) was struck; Section 15 reversionary timeline changed from six years to three years from the deed date. The agreement authorizes the mayor to execute the deed, with settlement anticipated January 9, 2025.
- Ordinance G-25-01 Introduced (first reading). A public hearing will be scheduled.
- Legislative Standing Committees: Discussion held; no formal action taken. Council president will refine proposal based on input.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the January 2nd, 2025 City Council regular public meeting. We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. So good evening again. You are all welcome to tonight's regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Frederick City Council. If you wish to offer public comment, please be aware of the following guidelines. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes to share their comments. When it is your turn to speak, please begin by stating your name and if applicable, your general address to ensure you have an uninterrupted opportunity to speak. This will be your time. So that means that the members of the council will not be answering any questions or engaged in discussion. We are willing often to answer questions, and certainly you can email us at city council at City of Frederick MD.gov. Also, if you have written materials to accompany your remarks, we encourage you to email those as well. Those of us who have signed up will speak first. And depending on our agenda, we may pause and resume general public comment at the end of the agenda. Excuse me. The City Council uses rules of procedure, which were most recently passed by resolution 24-27, and we have posted our code of civility in this boardroom. Please take note of the exits for your safety and silence all electronic devices. Thank you for taking the time to engage with us. Let's begin. Approval of the minutes from December 5th, 2024. Move for approval. Second. We have a first and second. All in favor. Four. Thank you very much. Uh this evening we have an appointment, appointment to the Fair Housing Commission, appointment of Stephanie Kelly to a three-year term of January 3rd, 2025 to January 2nd, 2028. So moved. Second. Thank you. All in favor. We will begin with public comment. Sorry, both. Thank you. Our first signed up individual is Steve Brown. Okay, as you stated, my name is Steve Brown, and I reside at 2906 Eton Square. Okay, this is ranked choice voting comments. Uh, what do all of us want regarding elections? That they be free, fair, and transparent or FFT. Ranked choice voting does not promote free, fair and transparent elections. Here are multiple reasons why. One, you cannot vote against a candidate. You have to rank candidates that you may never in your whole freaking life consider voting for. By including the candidate in the ranking, you have voted for the candidate. Number two, extreme candidates can win. Large vote disparities and initial voting outcomes can be overcome, and a candidate that a majority of voters do not or will never support can win. Number three, moderates get squeezed out. Vote gets divided up between extreme factions. Number four, ballot exhaustion. If a voter doesn't rank all the candidates because the voter never ranked all the candidates, that voter's ballot becomes exhausted and will be thrown out in later round.
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