Frederick City Council Public Meeting - February 6, 2025

The Frederick City Council held a regular public meeting on February 6, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included approval of minutes, appointments, public comments, a consent agenda, and several public hearing items. Councilmembers were present in person and virtually, with all votes resulting in unanimous approval (5-0 or 4-0).

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes from the January 2, 2025 regular public meeting and four workshops (October 30, November 20, December 3, and December 4, 2024) by votes of 4-0.
• Appointments: Reappointed Jennifer Grove to the Parks and Recreation Commission (term February 7, 2025 – February 6, 2029) and appointed Philip Prestia to the Active Mobility Advisory Committee (term through May 6, 2025, then reappointed to May 6, 2029). Both approved 4-0.
• Consent Agenda Items: Approved unanimously (5-0) the release of sureties for three projects (St. Katharine Drexel Memorial Garden, Worman's Mill Section 7C, and Preserve at Tuscarora Mass Grading), three special ordinances (S-25-01, S-25-02, S-25-03) to amend the FY25 budget for police grants totaling $522,825, and special ordinance S-25-04 for the Airport Festival of Flight event. Also approved four requests to serve alcohol on public property for the Frederick Festival of the Arts, Christ Reformed Evangelical Church picnic, Downtown Frederick Partnership's Lawn Party and Alive @ Five events.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dennis McQuiston (no address given) addressed the council, demanding they stand up against what he described as an unconstitutional federal takeover by Elon Musk and the Trump administration. He claimed Musk illegally gained control of federal data and impounded $6 trillion, calling it a security breach and a constitutional crisis. He urged the council to go to Washington D.C., lobby politicians, and oppose the actions. He did not receive a response from the council, per meeting rules.
• No additional public comments were offered during the first or second public comment periods.

Public Hearing Items

• Downtown Streetscape Project (Items IX.A.1.a & IX.A.1.b): Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development, presented two related items. First, a special ordinance (S-25-05) to amend the FY25 budget to include a $500,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Strategic Demolition Fund. Second, an agreement to piggyback on a Montgomery County contract with RKK Engineers for utility and parking analysis and design work for the Downtown Frederick Streetscape Project, also for $500,000. Both items were approved unanimously (5-0) after public comment was opened and closed.
• Senior Park at Monocacy Village Park (Item IX.A.2): Bob Smith (Parks and Recreation) presented a requisition for $130,000 to SeniorScapes Inc. for construction of a senior park, based on a 2019 MOU. The project was delayed due to funding availability and COVID-19. Construction is expected to begin in late winter/early spring and finish by early summer. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Frederick Festival of the Arts Fee Waiver (Item IX.B.1): Bob Smith presented a request by the Frederick Arts Council to waive fees for the June 7-8, 2025 festival at Carroll Creek Park, including setup on June 6. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended waiving fees for two days (excluding setup). Councilmember Russell noted potential mobility issues due to the event's popularity. The council approved waiver of fees for all three days (5-0), finding a public benefit.
• Parkland Dedication with Forest Conservation Easements (Item IX.B.2): Pam Rapine (Planning) presented a request to accept 1.61 acres of afforestation in a public park within the Bel Aire Planned Neighborhood Development. The development exceeded its required park dedication (4.66 acres vs. 2.52 required) and satisfied afforestation requirements with the inclusion of 1.61 acres in the park. A path system will also be installed. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Annexation Announcement (Item IX.C.1): The council announced receipt of a petition for annexation of the Sage Way property – 24.976 acres, located on the south side of Maryland Route 40, east of I-70. The applicant was directed to prepare a resolution for future introduction.
• Resolution 25-02 – Children's Festival (Item IX.C.2): The council approved a resolution to continue the partnership with Child Care Choices/Frederick County Mental Health Association for the 25th Annual Children's Festival, waiving gymnasium and park rental fees at Baker Park. Approved unanimously (5-0) after a brief procedural pause for public comment (none offered).

Ordinance Introductions

Five ordinances were introduced for first reading; they will be discussed further in committee or committee of the whole:

1. G-25-02: Establishes compensation for the Mayor, City Council President, and Council members for the term beginning December 11, 2025.
2. G-25-03: Amends Land Management Code Section 404, Table 404-1 to add hospitals as a permitted use.
3. G-25-04: Amends Section 404 to add caterer as a permitted use and adds a definition of caterer to Section 1002.
4. G-25-05: Concerns voter qualifications; deletes outdated voter registration provisions from the city code and adds provisions for registration only in city elections, clarifying language.
5. 25-06: Amends parking regulations (Sections 13-26 and 13-28) to require that vehicles with curbs present have all tires on the road surface and to prohibit parking that obstructs pedestrian or vehicle traffic.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items, appointments, and public hearing items were approved unanimously (5-0 or 4-0).
• The council directed staff to bring a full presentation on the Downtown Streetscape Project at a future meeting.
• The Sage Way annexation application will proceed to a future resolution.
• The five introduced ordinances will be scheduled for further deliberation.