Frederick City Council Regular Meeting - April 16, 2026
Frederick City Council Regular Meeting - April 16, 2026
The Frederick City Council held a regular public meeting on April 16, 2026. The meeting opened with a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, followed by unanimous approval of minutes, multiple appointments and reappointments, a consent agenda, a series of three related items for the Lucas Village (Mosaic) redevelopment project, a resolution designating the city as a Bee City USA affiliate, and public comments on various topics including foreign policy and a vacant building issue.
Proclamation – Child Abuse Prevention Month
- Council President Sassartias read a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, signed by all council members.
- Robin Group, director of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County, reported that in the past year the center served approximately 375 children, provided more than 1,900 advocacy encounters, more than 1,000 hours of trauma-focused therapy, and more than 60 pediatric examinations. Additionally, prevention education reached more than 200 children and 100 adults.
Consent Calendar
- April 2, 2026 Regular Public Meeting Minutes – Approved unanimously (7-0).
- Appointments/Reappointments:
- Bethany Lord reappointed to the Personnel Board for a three-year term (April 17, 2026 – April 16, 2029) – Approved 7-0.
- Chris May reappointed to a three-year term (April 17, 2026 – April 16, 2029) – Approved 7-0.
- Marbadi Kamara appointed to the alternate position for a three-year term (April 17, 2026 – April 16, 2029) – Approved 7-0.
- Matt Hewting appointed as a trustee for the C. Burr Arts Trust – Approved 7-0.
- Release of Surety – Approved 7-0.
- Requests to Serve Alcohol on City Property (multiple) – Approved 7-0.
- Special Ordinance S264 – To amend the FY26 budget to accept a grant from the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Oral Health for a replacement benchtop fluoride meter. Councilmember recused herself due to employment with the Maryland Department of Health. Approved with 6 in favor, 1 abstention.
Discussion Items
- Donation Agreement – Lucas Village/Mosaic Redevelopment Project
- The city proposed donating approximately 1.2 acres of land (a triangular parcel at Sagner and Vermont Way) to the Housing Authority of Frederick City for $1, to be used for a new stormwater management facility serving the redevelopment project and surrounding area. The parcel was previously city-owned and functioned informally as a stormwater holding area.
- Councilmember Nash expressed concerns about the city disposing of property without a formal policy, questioning why the city would give away land rather than improving it itself. He acknowledged the property disposition policy may not cover such cases but urged updating it. Other council members noted the project is a LITEC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) development, and the donation helps solve existing drainage issues.
- Approved 6-1 (Councilmember Nash voted against).
- Resolution 267 – Vacation of Street Right-of-Way (Vermont Court and Pennsylvania Avenue)
- To abandon portions of public street right-of-way to allow reconfiguration of streets in the Lucas Village project, improving connectivity by extending Vermont Way and Maryland Avenue. The planning commission recommended approval, and public notice requirements were met.
- Approved unanimously (7-0).
- Resolution 268 – Waiver of Parkland Dedication Requirement (Lucas Village)
- To waive the required 1.5 acres of parkland dedication under Section 608 of the Land Management Code, as the project provides internal amenities (pocket park, art walk, connectivity to adjacent park) and the planning commission and parks and recreation commission both recommended approval.
- Councilmember Nash supported the waiver given the LITEC nature of the project, but asked about mitigation of pedestrian/train track conflicts. Councilmember Taylor noted the project's common spaces and proximity to Carroll Creek Park. Staff noted the project will still pay park facilities impact fees.
- Approved unanimously (7-0).
- Resolution 269 – Designation as a Bee City USA Affiliate
- Sustainability Manager Jenny Willoughby presented the resolution, which formalizes the city's commitment to pollinator-friendly spaces through education, habitat creation, integrated pest management, and community events such as the City Nature Challenge (April 24-27) and a movie night. The city already has a Bee Together Frederick subcommittee of the Sustainability Committee.
- Councilmember Shackford questioned whether the city could establish a community beekeeping area for residents without private yards; Willoughby said it could be explored. Councilmember Nash noted the importance of internal city practices (e.g., pest management).
- Approved unanimously (7-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Grady O'Rear – Thanked the council for the Child Abuse Prevention proclamation and the unanimous passage of the Fairness Act. Urged the council to pass a resolution opposing illegal wars, sanctions, and extrajudicial killings, citing the $8 trillion cost of the post-9/11 war on terror. Mentioned President Eisenhower's warning. Asked the city to use the National League of Cities for advocacy.
- David Azumidiji (speaking for Frederick County NAACP) – Criticized war, police violence, and U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Gaza and Iran. Condemned the killing of civilians and called for change.
- Eric Mousseau – Praised the council for passing the City Values Act (noted as the same session as the Fairness Act). Called on the council to oppose militarism and support anti-war resolutions for Gaza, Ukraine, Congo, Sudan, Iran, and elsewhere. Urged protection of free speech and human rights.
- Joan Jenkins (124 South Carroll Street) – Addressed a vacant building notice issued for a property that suffered a fire but is undergoing renovation with proper permits. She argued the building should not be classified as vacant because work is actively occurring. She also invited the Blue Elephant to rent space at her property. Council staff promised follow-up via the new constituent services coordinator.
- Unnamed speaker – Spoke about child abuse prevention in the context of war trauma experienced by children abroad. Urged the council to pass resolutions opposing illegal wars and sanctions, stating that silence is complicity.
Council Member Comments
- Councilmember Shackford announced that Donna Kasemchak has been hired as Constituent Services Outreach Coordinator.
- Councilmember Nash and Shackford praised the state legislative session's conclusion, specifically the passage of the Community Trust Act.
Key Outcomes
- Appointments and reappointments approved as listed.
- Special Ordinance S264 approved (6-1 abstention).
- Donation agreement for stormwater parcel approved (6-1).
- Resolution 267 (vacation of right-of-way) approved (7-0).
- Resolution 268 (parkland dedication waiver) approved (7-0).
- Resolution 269 (Bee City USA) approved (7-0).
- Council directed staff to follow up on Ms. Jenkins' vacant building concern.
- Next steps for Lucas Village/Mosaic project: proceed with improvement plans, bond financing closing anticipated summer 2026, construction start thereafter, with first residents returning fall 2027.
Meeting Transcript
City Council meeting to order. We will start with the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, come on up. Okay. This is for you. Who's going to receive it when it wants to be in the picture? Right up here. Everybody in the picture. This is our first facility council. Oh, awesome. Okay. There you go. Turn around. Turn around. Look over there. All right. All right. So whereas all children should grow up in environments that are safe, supportive, and caring, and whereas protecting children from abuse and neglect depends on strong partnerships among families, schools, service organizations, law enforcement, and the broader community. And whereas the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County plays a vital role in supporting children and families by providing a coordinated, child centered approach to addressing allegations of abuse while helping to reduce trauma and whereas community awareness and prevention efforts are essential to building a safer, healthier future for every child. Now, therefore, on behalf of the Frederick City Council, I, Sassartias, President of the City Council, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as Child Abuse Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Frederick and call upon all residents to join in efforts to protect children, support families, and promote the well being of our community's youngest members. Signed by all the members of the City Council. Thank you. Yeah, do you want to say a few words? Whoa. Hi, everyone. I'm Robin Group. I'm the director of the Child Advocacy Center here in Frederick County. We appreciate your support. We thank you for this proclamation. And if you're not familiar with us, we work in collaboration with our partners in law enforcement, child protective services, mental health, medical, Frederick Health Hospital, the State's Attorney's Office, in order to provide a collaborative trauma informed response to allegations of child maltreatment. So that each child that comes through our doors is met with compassion, protection, and hope. Last year we served approximately 375 children, and we provided more than 1900 advocacy encounters, more than a thousand hours of trauma focused therapy, more than sixty pediatric examinations. And as you can probably figure out by that, we're a responsive system. So we work with the children and the non-offending family members once allegations have occurred. So these last couple years we've been focusing more on the primary prevention piece and trying to work with children and families in the community to educate on prevention. So last year we were able to provide that knowledge and education to more than 200 children and a hundred adults to help protect them in the community. So we appreciate the community's support. It is a community's job in order to protect children. So we call on everyone during the month of April to go ahead and recognize that child abuse prevention is an important subject for us to be aware of. So thank you very much. Thank you all for being here, and thank you for such a great cause. We appreciate it. Phil in the back. Okay. Let's hold this. Hold up. Here we go.
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