Frederick City Council Meeting - July 2, 2026

On July 2, 2026, at 11:00 AM, the Frederick City Council convened to consider routine approvals, a memorandum of understanding with the Downtown Frederick Partnership, an ordinance on vehicles for hire, and an update to school zone designations. The meeting included public comments on the ethics complaint process and neighborhood rat infestation. Votes were taken on all agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The council unanimously approved the minutes of the June 18, 2026 regular public meeting and closed session.
• Appointment: Rupert Gardner was appointed to the Board of Supervisors of Elections for a term from July 6, 2026 to May 31, 2030, by a unanimous vote (7-0).
• Consent Agenda: Routine items were approved by motion without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathy Anderson (Frederick resident, Fairview Avenue) presented a document titled "One Commission to Authorities" and urged the council to commission an independent review of the ethics complaint process. She stated that the current process, controlled by the legal department under the mayor's direction, produced no records of her complaint proceedings and argued that the council has the authority to reform it.
• Marion Brown (Carroll Park Manor resident) described a rat infestation in her neighborhood, exacerbated by the city's reduction of trash collection from twice a week to once a week. She attributed the reduction to city expansion without corresponding infrastructure funding. She requested restoration of twice-weekly trash pickup and funding for commercial pest control, stating that the problem has persisted for nearly two years and that previous city efforts in other neighborhoods had not achieved lasting results.

Discussion Items

• Memorandum of Understanding with Downtown Frederick Partnership: City Attorney Rachel Gray presented the MOU, which provides $125,000 in annual city support and a 50-50 cost split for holiday lights. Kara Norman, Executive Director of the partnership, answered questions about the arrangement, noting it has been in place for about 25 years and implements the Main Street program. The MOU is non-binding, and a separate lease covers the partnership's building. Councilmember Taylor expressed opposition because the city's Economic Development office does not recognize the Route 40 corridor. The vote was 5-1-1, with Councilmember Taylor voting no and one abstention due to recusal.
• Ordinance G-263 (Vehicles for Hire): Third reading. Councilmember Brem presented amendments reducing fees: the application fee dropped from $2,500 to $50, the biannual renewal from $50 to $25, and the permit transfer fee from $500 to $25. The ordinance also updated assault conviction disqualifications, splitting them into first-degree/felony assault (four-year lookback) and misdemeanor assault (24-month lookback). Fees will be set in a separate fee schedule ordinance. The vote was unanimous (7-0).
• Ordinance G-265 (School Zones): Second reading. Councilmember Hempel Rani updated the list of designated school zones to include new schools (Monocacy Valley Montessori, Yellow Springs Elementary, Classical Charter School) and remove the closed Banner School. The ordinance allows speed camera enforcement within a half-mile radius of listed schools. An amendment to strike the Banner School was adopted. The vote was 5-0-1, with one abstention due to recusal.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes, appointments, and consent agenda.
• Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with Downtown Frederick Partnership (5-1-1).
• Approved Ordinance G-263 on vehicles for hire (7-0).
• Approved Ordinance G-265 on school zones with amendment (5-0-1).
• Public comments were received; no immediate action was taken on the issues raised.