Frederick City Council Public Meeting - October 2, 2025
Frederick City Council Public Meeting - October 2, 2025
The Frederick City Council held a public meeting on October 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM in City Hall. The meeting included approval of minutes, an appointment, council comments, public comments, consent agenda items, a public hearing on a sound system contract, and a resolution updating small and minority-owned business enterprise programs. All votes were 3-0 in favor.
Consent Calendar
- Release of Sureties: Approved the release of three bonds: $323,614.21 for Cascades Senior Living (Monocacy Manor), $1,719,075.76 for Frederick Commerce Center Lot 3, and $519,320.95 for Frederick Commerce Center Mass Grading Area 3. These were posted to guarantee improvements per public works agreements.
- Grant Agreements for Rental Licensing Funds: Approved agreements with Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County (home repairs program) and Beyond Shelter of Frederick (rental assistance program), funded from Rental Licensing Funds.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ben Maston (Frederick): Criticized the city legal department for processing a Maryland Public Information Act request, claiming the city spent taxpayer resources on a vexatious ruling. He presented a "Dunscap Award" to the legal department and submitted another PIA request.
- B Man Standing (identified as Washington County Commissioner Derek Harvey): Raised two concerns: (1) At an "In the Streets" event, vendors could not give out individually wrapped candy to children without a food vendor's license; (2) The city refused to accept tires and debris pulled from the Monocacy River by Boy Scouts unless the items were cleaned, causing the cleanup effort to be lost. He also criticized city responsiveness to PIA requests and alleged a government employee followed Levi Trumbull into a bathroom and videotaped him at the Weinberg Center, with the city blurring the lobby video.
- David Azion BG (Togo, French-speaking Africa): Spoke about U.S. support for Israel, arguing that tax dollars fund technology killing Palestinian children and that the council has not condemned the Israeli government. He called for an end to arms shipments to Israel and a ceasefire in Palestine. He criticized the term "liberal" and expressed disappointment that Councilmember Shackelfords did not second a resolution supporting Palestine.
Discussion Items
- Council Comments: Councilmember Russell announced that a Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued for the demolition and rebuild of the city skate park, a project shepherded for nearly four years, which will include public art space. Councilmember Kazimczak had no comments.
- Public Hearing – Sound System Contract (Showtime Sound LLC): Greg Davis (Weinberg Center) presented a contract for a new sound system funded by a $200,000 state bond bill and approximately $230,000 from the Weinberg board. Showtime Sound LLC, a small business located in Frederick, was the sole bidder. Councilmember Kazimczak inquired about the number of bidders (one) and the company's demographics (not women- or minority-owned, but with many women employees). After public comment, the council approved the contract 3-0.
- Resolution 25-13 – Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program Changes: Gerard Bowens (Contract Compliance Administrator) summarized changes: addition of a 2% service-disabled veteran-owned small business goal as part of the MWBE program, and modifications to the Small Business Reserve Program for purchases over $50,000 or formal solicitations. Councilmember Russell clarified no changes were made to the MWBE program itself. Councilmember Kazimczak expressed comfort with the changes, noting she had reviewed contracts and that exemptions could be overridden. A public commenter requested that data on diversity within the small business category be captured and shared. The resolution was approved 3-0.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes Approved: September 4, 2025, regular public meeting minutes approved 3-0.
- Appointment: Kevin Meyer appointed as Trustee for the City's Pension and OPEB Trust Funds, replacing Joe Hayer, approved 3-0.
- Consent Agenda: All items (release of sureties and grant agreements) approved 3-0.
- Sound System Contract: Approved contract with Showtime Sound LLC for the Weinberg Center sound system (3-0).
- Resolution 25-13: Approved revised purchasing policies adding 2% service-disabled veteran-owned small business goal and small business reserve changes (3-0).
Meeting Transcript
Call to order the City Council regular public meeting for October 2nd, 2025. Let us stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God. Indivisible. Approval of minutes for September 4th, 2025. Move for approval. Second. It's been motion by Councilmember Kazimczek, seconded by Councilmember Russell. All those in favor. Motion carries three zero. We have one appointment tonight. Approval of the appointment of Kevin Meyer as trustee for the city's pension and opid trust funds as a replacement for Joe Hare. Is there a motion? Move for approval. Second. The motion by Councilmember Kazemchak, seconded by Councilmember Russell. All those in favor. Motion carries three zero. Council comments. Councilmember Russell. I do have a comment. I was excited to find out today from our director of parks and recreation that they request for proposals. So this will be for uh demolition and rebuild of the skate park as a new uh remade amenity with public art space and all kinds of exciting uh things. So it's been a project that we've been trying to shepherd through for almost four years now, and it's exciting to see with community uh engagement that we're moving forward. Exciting news. Councilmember Kazemchak. Thank you. No comments from here. This is an opportunity public comments. This is an opportunity for members of the public to address this council regarding items that may or may not appear on the agenda. Please note speakers to give their name and general address for the record. You're reminded that these proceedings are broadcast on live TV. And you should speak clearly and directly into the microphone. All comments are limited to a total of three minutes per individual. If you wish to ask a question and want to be response, that would become a part of the three-minute limit. And if each speaker, when it's your turn to speak, please be oh, we stated that. To ensure your uninterrupted opportunity to speak, this will be your time so that members meetings, members of the council will not be answering any questions nor engaged in discussions.gov MD.gov. Also, if you have written materials to accompany your remarks, we encourage you to email those as well. Those who signed up will speak first, and depending on our agenda, we may pause and resume general public comment at the end of the agenda. Pursuant to our rules of procedure, conduct of disrupt the meeting or that interferes with the rights of members to the public to attend and observe the meeting is not acceptable. We have also posted our code of civility in this boardroom, which is located to my left and your right. Please take note of the exits for your safety and silence all electronic devices, please. Thank you for taking the time to engage with us and let us begin. Oh, thank you. Thank you, Miss Phyllis. Ben Maston, Frederick. Well, um, I have a document to serve here in a minute. It's a Maryland public information request, but before I do that, I must say I think if I know the city legal department, like I think I know them, I think they're in a celebratory mood today. Uh because the Public Information Act compliance board recently came down with an October 1st, 2025 decision as it relates to a public information request that I filed back in February, ruling that it was something we already all knew, and that was hysterical. That was their ruling.
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