Frederick City Council Public Meeting - September 18, 2025
Frederick City Council Public Meeting - September 18, 2025
The Frederick City Council held its regular public meeting on September 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included a UN Peace Day proclamation, certification of primary election results, public comments, a consent agenda, and several public hearing items covering water infrastructure, trail design, airport projects, a ground lease, a Memorandum of Understanding, collective bargaining legislation, and a historic preservation overlay. The meeting concluded with additional public comments and council announcements.
Consent Calendar
- Approval to Serve Alcohol in City Parks: Approved a request to serve beer only at the Fall Festival on the Creek. (Vote: 5-0)
- Special Ordinances: Approved Special Ordinance S-25-18 to amend the FY 2026 budget to include revenue and expenditures for a Preservation Maryland Grant. (Vote: 5-0)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christian Gobel (AFSCME Council 3): Spoke in support of the collective bargaining ordinance (G-25-08) with proposed amendments, including a neutral third-party election administrator, specific timelines (90 days from valid petition), and language changes to ensure a strong duty to bargain (changing "may" to "shall" and adding "wages, hours").
- Tina Meadows O'Rear: Addressed the violence in Gaza and urged the council to recognize the suffering of Muslim citizens and take action beyond celebrating peace.
- Grady O'Rear: Criticized U.S. military spending, noting Frederick's share of over $480 million annually versus a $238 million city budget, and called for a ceasefire resolution.
- Fatima Kareem: Expressed strong opposition to U.S. complicity in what she described as genocide in Gaza, quoting Senator Bernie Sanders, and urged the council to take a stand.
- Christina Martinkosky (Planning Department): Presented the Historic Preservation Commission's application for a historic preservation overlay at 27 Franklin Street (St. Timothy's Chapel). Noted unanimous support from HPC and Planning Commission.
- Sean Hughes (Attorney for property owner): Stated the property owner does not oppose the overlay but asked for timely approvals to allow renovations and future expansion.
- Peter Brem (District 3 resident): Endorsed the historic overlay, calling the building architecturally significant.
- Heather Goddard (NAC representative): Conveyed unanimous support from NAC 12 and praised staff work.
- Luis Serrano (Pastor and property owner): Expressed frustration that the building was not flagged as historic earlier despite prior inquiries, and noted the renovation work could not have been done under historic rules. Asked for a use and occupancy permit.
Discussion Items
- Water Valve Bolt Replacement Contract: Approved a $450,042.25 contract with Mid Atlantic Utilities for bolt replacement in Tuscarora Knolls. Staff noted the bolts corroded due to non-stainless steel installation (1993-2000). (Vote: 5-0)
- Water Meter System Agreement with Sensus USA: Approved a software services agreement and a $7,000,000 purchase order with LB Water Services for modern meters. The in-house installation will take 24 months and includes a 15-year warranty and real-time leak detection. (Vote: 5-0)
- Rock Creek Trail Conceptual Design: Approved a $150,000 agreement with Woodvalley Community Strategies (RFP 25-N) for ADA-compliant shared-use path design within city-owned land, including a walking workshop with stakeholders. (Vote: 5-0)
- Airport Projects:
- Task Order 2 with Delta Airport Consultants for a master plan update (FAA grant).
- Task Order 1 with Delta and a construction contract with Conewago Enterprises for the South Corporate Apron (grant related).
- Special Ordinance S-25-19 for a budget amendment covering FAA grant, pay-go, and county matching funds. All three items approved. (Votes: 5-0 each, with task orders combined in one motion)
- High Flying Hangar Ground Lease: Approved a ground lease for Hangar Club LLC to construct 80 hangar units at Frederick Airport. (Vote: 5-0)
- Memorandum of Understanding with East Frederick Rising: Approved the MOU after legal review and Government Operations Committee discussion. (Vote: 5-0)
- Collective Bargaining Ordinance (G-25-08): Extensive debate centered on the definition of bargaining units (two general, one supervisory, with "community of interest"), lack of election timelines, and the use of "may" vs "shall" in negotiating language. Councilmember Kazemchak expressed concerns about leaving some employees out. Councilmember McShane moved to table the ordinance for further review, which was seconded and passed 5-0.
- Historic Preservation Overlay for St. Timothy's Chapel (G-22-23): After sworn testimony and public comment, council members expressed support. Councilmember Nash moved for approval with findings of fact (significance to city history, association with significant persons, architectural distinctiveness, and integrity). (Vote: 5-0)
Key Outcomes
- Approved Contracts and Agreements: Water valve bolt replacement ($450,042.25), water meter system ($7,000,000), Rock Creek Trail design ($150,000), Delta Airport task orders, Conewago construction contract, High Flying Hangar ground lease, and MOU with East Frederick Rising. All approved unanimously (5-0).
- Tabled Collective Bargaining Ordinance: The ordinance (G-25-08) was tabled by a 5-0 vote for further discussion on unit definitions, election processes, and bargaining language.
- Adopted Historic Preservation Overlay: Ordinance G-22-23 was approved 5-0, applying a historic preservation overlay to St. Timothy's Chapel at 27 Franklin Street, with findings that the site meets designation criteria.
- UN Peace Day Proclamation: Issued for September 21, 2025.
- Primary Election Results Entered: The September 9, 2025 Democratic primary results were certified and entered into the minutes.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, and welcome to the September 18th City Council regular public meeting. We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members, we have a proclamation if you'd like to join us on the flip side. Thank you as always to the mayor's team for helping us put these together. Recognizing United Nations International Day of Peace, which is September 21st, 2025. The International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on September 21st is established by the United Nations General Assembly in nineteen eighty-one. And whereas this day is devoted to strengthening the ideas of peace, both within all within and among all nations and peoples, and to promoting nonviolence, justice, and equality for all. And whereas Frederick's strategic plan community twenty thirty envisions a city that is equitable, inclusive, and thriving with a commitment to sustainable development, social well-being, and civic engagement, values that align with the United Nations mission to build a culture of peace through understanding peace and justice. And whereas the observance of Peace Day in Frederick affirms our shared vision of a world at peace and fosters cooperation between individuals, organizations, and communities, encouraging acts of kindness, dialogue, and unity. And whereas the City Council encourages residents, schools, places of worship, and community organizations to commemorate peace day through activities and such as community service, cultural exhibits, movements of reflection, bell ringing, and sharing the university message, universal message, peace is our path forward. Now, therefore, we, the City Council, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim September twenty-first, twenty twenty-five as international day of peace in the city of Frederick, and encourage all residents to join in recognizing the importance of peace and taking steps towards a more just and harmonious world. Would you like to introduce yourself and who you're representing? Sure. Good evening. I'm Reverend Doug Jones. I'm representing the Key City Rotary Club here this evening. Good evening, everyone. My name is Judah Shawul, and I'm representing the Youth Council of Frederick. Thank you very much. And would it be okay if we gave this to you to share with them? I think that's appropriate. Thank you. Thank you for coming. Yeah. Thank you very much. Additionally, Council members, I have an item here to read from our charter. The results of the City of Frederick 2025 Democratic Primary Election have been certified by the Board of Supervisors of Elections pursuant to Article 5, Section 19 of the City of Frederick Charter. The City Council hereby enters the results of the final canvas of the September 9th, 2025 primary election into the minutes. The results are as follows for Mayor Michael O'Connor, City at Large, Libby Taylor, DearChackleford, City Council District 1, Katie Nash, City Council District 2, Cesar Diaz, City Council District 3, Peter Brem, City City Council District 4, Scott Lasher, City Council District 5, Sarah Hemp Bilrani. Pursuant to Article 5, Section 6 of the City of Frederick Charter. No Republican primary was held as there were no contested Republican races. All Republican candidates will advance to the general election. We have approval of minutes August 21st, 2025. So move. Second. First and second. All in favor. That's 5-0. Thank you very much. Council comments. No comments at this time. Councilman? I I would just like to say a quick congratulation to those who made it through the primary. It is great to see some of your faces here tonight. Some have been here a couple of times before, many times for a number of you. But congratulations. I the city will be in great hands. Councilmember? Councilmember. Nothing for me either.
openpublica.com