Frederick City Council Public Meeting - February 20, 2025
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Frederick City Council Public Meeting - February 20, 2025
The Frederick City Council held a regularly scheduled public meeting on February 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda included routine consent items, public hearings on contracts for sidewalk assessment, a catwalk at the Monocacy Basin Water Plant, and paving repairs, as well as second readings of ordinances on legislative redistricting and elected official compensation, and introduction of a tax credit for disabled veterans. Several members of the public spoke during public comment on the Gaza ceasefire and the city's redistricting process. All votes were 5-0 except for one abstention on a budget amendment.
Consent Calendar
- Release of Sureties and Acceptance of Improvements: Approved unanimously (5-0) the release of five performance bonds totaling over $2.4 million for various development projects (Frederick Commerce Center, Kellerton Land Bay B, Tuscarora Creek phases 5C and 6).
- Special Ordinance S-25-06: Approved (4-0-1, with Councilmember McShane abstaining) to amend the FY2025 budget to account for revenue and expenditures from the Town of New Market speed camera program.
- FY2026 Budget Public Hearing Schedule: Approved unanimously (5-0) the schedule for upcoming public hearings on the city's FY2026 budget.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tina (first speaker, no address given): Expressed support for a permanent and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, criticizing the current 42-day temporary ceasefire and the U.S. president's proposal to relocate Palestinians.
- Grady O'Rear (Frederick City resident): Cited UN data reporting 107 Palestinians killed and 47 injured in a six-day period in February 2025, and Brown University's estimate of $17.9 billion in U.S. military aid to Israel since October 2023. Urged the council to support the ceasefire resolution.
- Eric Musa (Trail Avenue resident): Spoke about the Gaza conflict and broader federal issues, urging kindness and community. Supported the local ceasefire resolution.
- Willie Mahone (President of Frederick NAACP, 129 W. Patrick Street): Urged the council to consider alternative redistricting maps from the ACLU that would create two majority-minority districts, stating that the council's process rushed without reviewing those maps.
- Salvey Mortensen (1724 Shookstown Road): Asked the council to more urgently consider endorsing the ceasefire resolution.
Discussion Items
- Sidewalk Assessment and Inventory Contract (RFP 25-Q): Nicole Harshman (DPW Manager) presented a contract with O'Connell & Lawrence, Inc. for $149,517.48 (plus $15,000 contingency, total purchase order $164,517.48) to collect data on sidewalk conditions and create a condition index. Councilmembers asked about timeline (5–6 months, starting late March) and emphasized need for proactive follow-up. Approved 5-0.
- Monocacy Basin Catwalk Contract (IFB 25-8): Robert Rosenberg (Assistant Superintendent of Water Treatment) presented a contract with R.W. Warner, Inc. for $135,975 to fabricate and install a catwalk for cleaning tube settlers. Discussion focused on only one bid being received and an MWBE exemption. Councilmember McShane expressed frustration over limited outreach. Approved 5-0.
- Paving Repair Program Contract (IFB 25-7): Justin Griden (DPW Project Manager) presented a contract with M.T. Laney Company, Inc. for line-item pricing (low bid $146,000 vs. high bid over $1 million). Deputy Director Tracy Coleman noted that the high bid was considered non-responsive. Councilmembers questioned the bid disparity and repeated use of incumbents. Approved 5-0.
- Resolution 25-03 (2025 City Elections): Introduced but not voted on. The resolution would designate early voting dates and one in-person voting location.
- Ordinance G-25-01 (Legislative Districts) – Second Read: Phyllis (City staff) presented the adoption of Map 2 (renamed as the official district map). Councilmember Russell raised a concern about a cul-de-sac off Rock Creek Drive split between Districts 1 and 2. After discussion, the council decided not to adjust the map. Approved 5-0.
- Ordinance G-25-02 (Elected Official Compensation) – Second Read: Katie Barkle (Budget Director) presented compensation recommended by the Compensation Commission: Mayor $131,497, Council President $43,855 (20% differential), Council Members $36,546. Discussion included how amounts were derived based on comparisons to regional cities and city pay grades. Councilmember McShane noted the council raise percentage matched the mayor's. Approved 5-0.
- Ordinance G-25-07 (Disabled Veterans Tax Credit) – Introduction: Councilmember Russell introduced an ordinance to amend the definition of disabled veteran to include those with a 100% non-permanent service-connected disability, per a recent state law change. Referred to committee.
Key Outcomes
- All consent and public hearing items received unanimous approval except Special Ordinance S-25-06 (4-0-1).
- Resolution 25-03 (election dates/voting location) was introduced for further discussion.
- Ordinance G-25-07 (disabled veterans tax credit) introduced and referred to committee.
- Council comments included recognition of Black History Month and encouragement for self-care.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the February twentieth City Council regular public meeting. We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Good evening. You are 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, a general address. To ensure that you have an uninterrupted opportunity to speak, this will be your time. So that means that members of the city council will not be answering any questions nor engage in discussion. We are often willing to answer questions after the meeting, and you can always email us at citycouncil at cityofreck md.gov. Also, if you have written materials to accompany your remarks, we encourage you to email those as well. Those who have signed up will speak first, depending on our agenda. The city council uses rules of procedure, which was most recently passed by resolution twenty-four-twenty-seven, and we have also posted our code of civil civility in this boardroom. Please take note of the exits for your safety and silence all electronic devices. Thank you for being here this evening. So move. Second. We have a first and second. All in favor. It's five zero. So move. Second. We have a first and second. All in favor? That's five zero. Thank you very much. Uh oh, sorry. Sorry, Councilmember. Uh, so four zero. One abstention. Um so we will begin with council comments. Um, I'll start uh down on my left, Councilmember McShane. No, thank you. Councilmember Russell. No, thank you. Council Vice President Shackelfeld. No comments, thank you. And Council President or Council, yeah, whatever. Um and uh for me, I'll reserve mine till the end. Um okay, we'll begin with public comment. Do we have anybody signed up to speak, my dear? Thank you, dear. All right. Um temporary that's 42 days ceasefire has been declared in Gaza. And um with some notable exceptions is being followed. However, I want to also remind you that the Frederick ceasefire now's resolution calls for a permanent and lasting ceasefire. So we're not out of the woods. And neither are the Palestinians who our president has declared uh he is going to move out of Palestine. Uh uh turn their land into a um uh something similar to the French Riviera of Hyatt Vacation Spot. A something similar to the French Riviera of high-end vacation spot to which Palestinians will be banned.
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