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Record of Proceedings

Frederick City Council Public Meeting - July 17, 2025

City Council — Thursday, July 17, 2025
BodyFrederick, Maryland
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, July 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:47:23

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:40

Good evening and welcome to the July 17th City Council regular public meeting.

0:44

We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:09

Okay, we begin tonight with some approvals of minutes.

1:14

May 15th, regular public meeting.

1:17

So moved.

1:17

Second.

1:18

First and second all in favor.

1:19

It's 4-0.

1:20

June 5th, regular public meeting.

1:22

So moved.

1:23

Second.

1:23

First and second, all in favor.

1:24

It's 4-0.

1:26

June 12th, closed session.

1:27

So move.

1:28

First.

1:28

Second.

1:29

First and second all in favor.

1:30

That's 4-0.

1:32

Thank you very much.

1:32

We also have some appointments this evening.

1:34

We have the historic preservation commission appointment of Carol Kelly to complete a term expiring June 2nd, 2027.

1:41

So moved.

1:42

Second.

1:43

First and second all in favor.

1:45

It's 4-0.

1:46

Appointment of Jonathan Levins for a three-year term from July 18th, 2025 to July 17, 2028.

1:53

So moved.

1:54

Second.

1:54

First and second, all in favor.

1:55

It's 4-0.

1:56

Public art commission appointment of Ryan Sparado for a three-year term from July 18th, 2025 to July 17, 2028.

2:03

So moved.

2:04

Second.

2:04

First and second, all in favor.

2:06

That's four zero.

2:07

Thank you very much.

2:09

We're up here for council business and comments.

2:11

Um starting from my right.

2:13

No comments, thank you.

2:14

No, thank you.

2:15

Councilman.

2:16

None for me either.

2:18

We will go to public comments.

2:30

So just a reminder, we're gonna take those who signed up first, and then we'll go to general public comment for those, and we have quite the list this evening.

2:37

So I will read the first three names, and then I'll keep I'll keep reading so that you know that your time is coming up.

2:43

The first three are Natasha Ahmed.

2:47

Um Tina Meadows Air, and then Grady Ariar.

2:52

Those are the first three.

2:55

Okay, my name is Natasha.

2:56

I live here in Frederick.

2:59

The bombs, the screams, the blood, the kidnappings, the tears, the stories, the reports, the images.

3:07

They just increase my fears.

3:09

So I stop it.

3:11

I ignore it, I turn it off.

3:14

They say ignorance is bliss.

3:16

Well, I'll be dumb at all costs.

3:18

I'm not watching, I'm not listening, I will not pay attention.

3:22

Oh, yeah, did I mention?

3:24

I'm in Frederick in Maryland in the U.S.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use████████████████████████24%
Parks and Recreation███████████████15%
Technology and Innovation████████8%
Environmental Protection███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
International Relations██████6%
Public Engagement██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Ethics Complaints███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Frederick City Council Public Meeting - July 17, 2025

The City Council held its regular public meeting on July 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The agenda included routine approvals, public hearings on software purchases and employee benefits, agreements for public art and the Brickworks development, and the introduction of an annexation amendment for the Gateway property. Public comment featured extensive testimony on a proposed ceasefire resolution, criticism of the city legal department, an ethics complaint against the mayor, and strong opposition and some support for the proposed cricket stadium at the Gateway site.

Consent Calendar

  • Release of Sureties: The council approved four bond releases and one cash surety release for various projects (Monocacy Park, 216 East Patrick Street, Starbucks at College Park Plaza, Freedom Court Storage Facility). The motion passed 3–0.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ceasefire Resolution: Natasha Ahmed urged the council to use its power to demand a ceasefire in Palestine. Tina Meadows O'Rear and Grady O'Rear read from a proposed resolution calling for an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire, an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, and recognition of Palestinian rights. Grady O'Rear cited statistics: over 800 Palestinians killed in food lines, 17,000 children killed since October 2023.
  • Legal Department Criticism: Derek Harvey (Smithsburg) accused City Attorney Michael Fry of denying public records requests based on viewpoint, calling for his termination. He also referenced a police officer arrested for child pornography.
  • Ethics Complaint: Kathy Anderson (Fairview Avenue) stated she filed an ethics complaint against Mayor O'Connor for using a city-produced video on his campaign site with a donation link. She said the ethics commission dismissed the complaint despite confirming the video was created using city resources, and she asked the council to enforce the ethics code.
  • Gateway / Cricket Stadium Opposition: Multiple speakers (Rodney Marts, Nancy O'Donnell, Peter Brennan, Roberta Huber, Alan Schaefer, Catherine Florence, Darlene Balderson, Ron Beattie, Jeff Bainbridge, Robert Wisner, Ben Van Bloom) opposed the proposed cricket stadium. Concerns included: flight safety (30–40 planes per hour over the site), traffic congestion (two-lane roads, insufficient parking, need for 200+ buses), floodplain development, noise and light pollution, and inadequate public process. Speakers noted that the FAA obstruction study was not yet fully public and urged the council to slow down or reject the annexation amendment.
  • Support for Stadium: Vinegupta (South Clifton) expressed strong support, citing economic development, job creation, and community gathering. He said cricket season is short and the venue would bring vibrancy.
  • Process Concerns: Several speakers noted the rapid timeline from planning commission to council, questioned the lack of public notice for a parks commission meeting, and called for deferring the decision until after the election.

Discussion Items

  • OpenGov Budgeting and Procurement Software (IX.A.1): Matt Bowman (IT Manager) presented the acquisition of OpenGov applications from SHI at total costs of $104,210.67 (budgeting), $55,237.33 (procurement), and $115,873.49 (implementation). He explained the new system would replace the manual line-item budget, improve forecasting, dashboards for the public, and MWBE reporting. The software is expected to be ready for the next budget cycle. Approved 4–0.
  • Employee Assistance Program Agreement (IX.A.2): Karen Paulson (HR Director) presented an agreement with BHS to provide confidential counseling, work-life support, and referrals to city employees and their household members. The two-year contract costs $20,344.80 annually, funded in FY26. Approved 4–0.
  • Public Art Donation at 7th Street Fountain Park (IX.B.1): Layla Jadala (Arts & Culture Manager) presented the donation of a new public artwork for the renovated park. Nicole Harshman (DPW) reported that the fountain renovation will proceed in two phases, with phase one (historic fountain rehab) expected to begin in September. The council noted safety concerns about open grates in the fountain area. Approved 4–0.
  • Brickworks Parkland Dedication with Forest Conservation (IX.B.2): Pam Rebert (Planning) and the applicant (Greenberg Gibbons) presented a request to dedicate 6.9 acres of parkland (west of East Street) that includes 3.62 acres of forest conservation (afforestation and retention). The parkland is adjacent to Harmon Park. The total parkland required for the development is 14.46 acres; so far 9.9 acres have been provided. Council discussion focused on the usefulness of a small portion under power lines and the fact that most decisions are made by the planning commission. The motion passed 3–1 (Council Member Kelly opposed).
  • Brickworks Street Deferral Agreement (IX.B.3): Pam Rebert presented an agreement to defer construction of a portion of Brickwork Street through Lot 5. The applicant (Eric DeVito) explained that the townhome builder for Lot 5 will construct the road, but if they fail to do so within five years, the master developer will complete it. The road is a stub that will connect later to adjacent properties. Greenberg Gibbons presented renderings of the overall mixed-use development. Approved 4–0.
  • Introduction of Gateway Annexation Amendment (IX.C.1): Council President read the resolution title: a resolution to amend Resolution 09-23, which annexed 52 acres at the eastern boundary (the Gateway property). The amendment modifies terms regarding public recreation land and a monetary contribution for regional road improvements. Per the city attorney, this was an introduction only—no debate or public comment—and the matter was referred to committee. The council reminded the public of ex parte communication rules for quasi-judicial matters.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar (release of sureties) approved 3–0.
  • OpenGov software acquisition approved 4–0.
  • Employee Assistance Program agreement approved 4–0.
  • Public art donation agreement approved 4–0.
  • Brickworks parkland dedication with forest conservation approved 3–1.
  • Brickworks street deferral agreement approved 4–0.
  • Gateway annexation resolution was introduced and referred to committee; no vote taken.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the July 17th City Council regular public meeting. We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay, we begin tonight with some approvals of minutes. May 15th, regular public meeting. So moved. Second. First and second all in favor. It's 4-0. June 5th, regular public meeting. So moved. Second. First and second, all in favor. It's 4-0. June 12th, closed session. So move. First. Second. First and second all in favor. That's 4-0. Thank you very much. We also have some appointments this evening. We have the historic preservation commission appointment of Carol Kelly to complete a term expiring June 2nd, 2027. So moved. Second. First and second all in favor. It's 4-0. Appointment of Jonathan Levins for a three-year term from July 18th, 2025 to July 17, 2028. So moved. Second. First and second, all in favor. It's 4-0. Public art commission appointment of Ryan Sparado for a three-year term from July 18th, 2025 to July 17, 2028. So moved. Second. First and second, all in favor. That's four zero. Thank you very much. We're up here for council business and comments. Um starting from my right. No comments, thank you. No, thank you. Councilman. None for me either. We will go to public comments. So just a reminder, we're gonna take those who signed up first, and then we'll go to general public comment for those, and we have quite the list this evening. So I will read the first three names, and then I'll keep I'll keep reading so that you know that your time is coming up. The first three are Natasha Ahmed. Um Tina Meadows Air, and then Grady Ariar. Those are the first three. Okay, my name is Natasha.

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