City of Frederick Mayor & Board of Aldermen Workshop – August 7, 2024
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City of Frederick Mayor & Board of Aldermen Workshop – August 7, 2024
The workshop on August 7, 2024, at 3:00 PM included two items: proposed revisions to the City's IT policy handbook and a detailed discussion on a proposed rezoning and master plan for the Worman's Mill Court Apartments. No formal votes were taken; the IT policy will be brought back for approval in September, and the rezoning matter will be scheduled for a future public hearing after additional information is provided.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from July 24, 2024, were approved unanimously (4–0–1, with Alderman Shackelford joining via Teams).
Discussion Items
1. Proposed Revisions to the Policies and Procedures Handbook – IT Policy
- Matt Bowman, IT Manager, presented revisions to the employee IT policy aimed at reorganizing, modernizing, and formalizing recent security initiatives. The policy covers approximately 90–95% of the same material as the current version, emphasizing acceptable use, network security, and no expectation of privacy. Staff noted that employees are the first line of defense and that regular training is critical. No public comments were made. The item will return for approval at the first meeting in September.
2. Discussion of Proposed Rezoning and Master Plan for Worman's Mill Court Apartments (Rezone to MU-2, 5,000 sf nonresidential, 315 dwelling units)
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Staff Presentation: Pam (staff) outlined the applicant's request to rezone three parcels (11.74 acres) from General Commercial and Light Industrial to MU-2 (Mixed Use), along with a master plan. Staff recommended denial due to the proposal not meeting the intent of mixed use (reducing nonresidential from 15% to 4.4%), but provided a list of conditions should the Board decide to approve. Key issues included: limited access (only one primary access via Worman's Mill Court; Hum Lane recommended for emergency access only), floodplain and stream buffer setbacks (100-foot required, applicant sought reduction), overhead power lines limiting development, and the need for a shared-use path (Rails with Trails) crossing Maryland Route 26. The Planning Commission had recommended approval (4–1 on the master plan; 5–0 on the rezoning, with two modifications denied).
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Applicant Presentation: Bruce Dean, Faraz Kumsia (Standard Communities), and Chris Mariga presented. Standard Communities, a national affordable housing developer, emphasized the site's challenges (floodplain, power lines, awkward shape) and argued that the only viable use is affordable housing. They noted that the Becker parcel is zoned for residential in the 2020 Comprehensive Plan. They offered to contribute funds equivalent to at-grade trail construction for the shared-use path, and to improve Hum Lane with pedestrian access. They stated that without approval within 30 days, they would lose the property contracts. The applicant requested modifications to reduce nonresidential requirements, adjust setbacks, allow parking in front due to power lines, and permit access via Hum Lane (at least right-in/right-out).
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Board Discussion: Aldermen expressed concerns about:
- Inadequate vehicular access (only one main entrance, emergency-only on Hum Lane).
- The proposed modifications not being sufficiently compensated by the project's affordable housing component.
- The timeline of the shared-use path (no funding for construction, uncertain completion date).
- Floodplain and stream buffer setbacks (staff cited 100 feet; applicant referenced 50 feet).
- Lack of detail on pedestrian connectivity and trail design.
- Alderman Kazemchak noted she had previously listed the property and was familiar with its challenges. Alderman Russell and Nash emphasized the need for trade-offs (compensating features) for modifications. Alderman Shackelford asked about benefits of affordable housing in that location. Alderman McShane supported moving forward, noting that the site's constraints naturally limit uses and that affordable housing is a valuable compensating feature. The mayor suggested scheduling a follow-up workshop on August 21 to allow staff and applicant to provide answers to outstanding questions (e.g., number of MU-2 projects with single access, precise setback requirements, timeline for the trail, and potential additional community benefits). The public hearing could then be set for September 5.
Key Outcomes
- IT Policy: No action taken; will be brought back for approval in September 2024.
- Worman's Mill Rezoning: No vote taken. The Board agreed to hold an additional workshop on August 21, 2024, to address questions raised. Staff and the applicant will provide supplementary information on access, setbacks, trail timeline, and possible proffers. The public hearing is tentatively scheduled for September 5, 2024, subject to the workshop's outcome.
- Elected Officials' Comments: Alderman Nash noted a recent affordable housing conference; Alderman Russell promoted Car-Free Day (September 23); Alderman Shackelford was recovering from surgery; Alderman McShane reported on the Good Jobs Great Cities Academy and National Night Out events.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. Welcome to the Mayor and Board of Alderman workshop for the 7th of August. We begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag in the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. My nation and business of liberty and justice. We have minutes to approve July 24th, 2024. Move for approval. Second. Motion by Aldwam ExemCheck, seconded by Altwoman Nash. All those in favor? That is three in favor in the room. One hand raised online. Alderman Shackelford is joining us via Teams. That is three four four zero. We have two items on our workshop agenda today. Item number one is proposed revisions to the policies and procedures handbook for employees of the city of Frederick concerning IT. Afternoon, Mayor Board, Matt Bowman, Manager of IT. As you said, we are here today for proposed revisions to the use in communications and community systems section of the employee policies and procedures. As part of an ongoing review of our IT policies, it was determined that the policy in the employee handbook required some changes. The current policy and the proposed policy cover around 90% 95% of the same material. They instruct what employees can do on the network, what they shouldn't be doing, and also alert them that there is no expectation of privacy when using our IT network and computer systems. Staff's two main objectives with these revisions were to reorganize and modernize the information in the policy, and also to formalize more recent organizational IT security initiatives that have taken place over the past couple of years. Oh, on that. We have 600 users who are that first line of defense in this network security training is a big part of making sure they're doing their jobs. Where one simple thing can bring down a network and cost the city unfortunately millions of dollars. I don't know if I came up with it or I stole it, is kind of that relating IT security to someone who operates a vehicle for the city. They get in an accident a couple times, you get warned, there's not an issue, right? And if we keep doing those things, uh, do we have a responsibility as a city to kind of have that question of can we do this better? Should we be doing another way? Um again, if if we're having those same issues with employees who are doing certain things that that aren't good on our network, those conversations will start to be had, and this policy will kind of drive that home as well. Um so those are the two big things we're looking at. Um at this point. If you have questions on these proposed revisions, Katie have anything or questions? We'll kind of go from there. Questions for staff. Questions for staff anyone wishes to make public comment. All right, so the goal will be to bring this back before you probably the first meeting of September for approval. Thank you very much. To rezone to MU2 in conjunction with the master plan for the development of up to 5,000 square feet of non-residential and 315 dwelling units. This is a quasi judicial matter, so all persons who wish to give testimony or cross-examine a speaker on this matter must be sworn in. So if you would like to testify or cross-examine a speaker, I would ask you now to stand and raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the responses given in the statements made in this hearing before the mayor and board of all be the whole truth and nothing but the truth? If so, answer I do. Reasonable cross-examination of speakers is permitted. If you wish to cross-examine a speaker, we ask that you make that request prior to or immediately after the speaker has concluded giving testimony. The failure to make a timely request may be deemed a waiver of the right to cross-examine. Questions should be questions, they should not be soliloquies, repetitious questions and examination on a relevant matters should be avoided. We will have an introduction of the case by the mayor, presentation by our city staff. Questions from the board of Alderman, presentation by the applicant. We will take public comment, and then there will be an opportunity for rebuttal if necessary.
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