Land Use, Public Safety, and Community Development Committee Meeting - March 27, 2025
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Land Use, Public Safety, and Community Development Committee Meeting - March 27, 2025
Note on time discrepancy: The agenda lists the meeting at 1:00 P.M., but the provided metadata indicates the meeting took place at 18:15 UTC (approximately 2:15 P.M. Eastern). The summary below uses the date and time from the metadata as instructed.
The meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes of the February 27, 2025 meeting (the agenda stated February 13, 2025) were approved 2-0 with Council Member McShane absent. Two workshop items were discussed: the Program Year 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan, and an initial discussion on city predevelopment rodent abatement policies.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes for February 27, 2025 (agenda listed February 13, 2025) was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously with one absent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Charles Jenkins spoke in support of the CDBG grant for SOR’s Springbank property renovation. He stated the project will renovate a carriage house to house Frederick Health’s durable medical equipment, serve seniors (especially those indigent), and house 7–10 nonprofit tenants. He noted a $700,000 capital grant from the state and emphasized that no similar resource exists in Frederick County. He expressed full support for Rebecca Gramling’s work.
- Jim Smersall (downtown Frederick resident) generally supported the CDBG program but cautioned that organizations must verify that services go to low‑ and moderate‑income city residents. He noted that “presumed benefit” groups (e.g., frail elderly, homeless) still require income verification for some activities. He also commented on the rodent abatement discussion, suggesting a public awareness campaign might be as effective as an ordinance and warning against stigmatizing areas.
Discussion Items
1. CDBG Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan
Rebecca Gramling (CDBG Manager) presented the draft five‑year consolidated plan (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) and the PY 2025 Annual Action Plan. She outlined the needs assessment process, which included five public meetings (Dec. 10, 11, 17, 19) and a survey. The most common identified problem was housing affordability. The city expects a CDBG award of $435,469 plus an estimated $220,000 in program income, for a total of $655,469. The ad hoc committee recommended funding seven applications:
- $99,667 to LARSH for ADA accessibility renovations of affordable housing units.
- $275,292 to SOR to renovate a former bank into a senior resource center.
- $20,000 to Andrea’s House to expand a playroom into a daycare.
- $5,000 to Advocates for Homeless Families for case management.
- $29,500 to DHHS for housing first case management for chronically homeless and disabled individuals.
A substantial amendment to the PY 2019 Annual Action Plan was also discussed, reprogramming $108,241 in COVID funds: $20,000 to DHHS for health clinic vaccines, $30,000 to Advocates for Homeless Families for emergency rental assistance, and $58,241 to Beyond Shelter for emergency rental assistance. Council Member expressed concern that the funds (originally from FY 2020) had not been spent for five years, but acknowledged not wanting to return money to the federal government and indicated he would not vote against it.
The citizen participation plan amendment was also presented, updating language, outlining accessibility plans, and defining the substantial amendment process.
Council Members asked about means testing and how the city ensures funds serve only city residents. Staff answered that all funded programs must comply with HUD requirements and that reporting tracks residency. Council requested written details for future backup documents. The plan will be considered for approval at the April 17, 2025 city council meeting.
2. Initial Discussion on City Predevelopment Rodent Abatement Policies
Council President Nash introduced research compiled about a year ago, noting concerns from South Carroll neighbors and the effects of warmer winters. She presented examples from other cities (e.g., Philadelphia’s four‑page ordinance requiring a rodent control management plan before demolition, rehab, or new construction). The discussion focused on whether to develop a similar ordinance for Frederick. Two council members expressed different views: one was interested in moving forward with a pre‑development plan, particularly for vacant properties; the other wanted evidence that new construction has caused rat problems before supporting legislation. No consensus was reached. Nash noted that any elected official can introduce an ordinance if they choose.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved: February 27, 2025 (2‑0).
- CDBG Consolidated Plan and related items: Moved forward to the April 17, 2025 city council meeting for a vote. Staff will provide additional written details on means testing and residency requirements.
- Rodent abatement: No committee decision was made. Further discussion may occur if a specific ordinance is introduced by an individual council member.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. I'm called to order the land use public safety and community development committee meeting for March 27th, and we will begin with a Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance by the United States of America. Liberty and Justice for all thank you. I will just take a moment and say Tuesday was Maryland Day. I've worn the most Maryland thing I have. We have now approval of minutes for February 27, 2025. And I'll second that. All in favor. That's two zero with Alderman, I mean Council Member McShane not present. We have today on our workshop two items. The first is a discussion and public comment on the program year 2025-29 five-year consolidated plan and community development block grant annual action plan. And I will welcome staff up. Please introduce yourselves so the audience knows who you are and uh let's hear what you have. Okay. Good afternoon. My name is Rebecca Gramling. I manage the community development block grant under the Department of Housing and Human Services. Sorry, I always mix that up with health and human services. Um I am here today to present on the consolidated plan. So I just want to note that this is a draft plan. Um based on this discussion, there are changes that can be made. It has not yet been submitted. Um our purpose here today is to present information concerning the five-year consolidated plan and annual action plan to the committee for discussion. The community development block grant is awarded to the City of Frederick each program year as an entitlement community to address a wide range of community development needs. Notice was posted in the Frederick News Post on the city's website and on the Department of Housing and Human Services social media pages, including Facebook and Instagram. Notices were also placed at the Department of Housing and Human Services and City Hall. Serves as a strategic framework for implementing the city's federal program focusing on community development, housing and economic development initiatives that benefit low and moderate income residents, covering the period from July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2029. The consolidated plan includes a needs assessment, which is an evaluation of housing and community development needs based on demographic and housing market data, strategic implementation, strategies to address identified needs in housing and community development, and the annual action plan, which is a detailed outline of how the city intends to use CDBG funds during the upcoming fiscal year. In order to obtain a thorough needs assessment, the Department of Housing and Human Services held a series of public meetings on December 10th, 11th, 17th, and 19th for a total of five meetings to receive public comment on the needs of the City of Frederick from residents and staff. Comments offered continued support for the programs and emphasized the need to nurture partnerships to achieve greater outcomes. In addition, a survey was developed and sent out via email to community partners, placed in the Frederick News post, included on the city's website in multiple languages, and emphasized at public meetings. Finally, a variety of population, income, and housing statistics were analyzed and combined with the aforementioned sources to best determine strategic implementation. The most common problem identified throughout all of the data was housing affordability, which I'm sure does not come as a surprise. Informed by research, data analysis, and public input. Creating new affordable housing opportunities, preserving the existing housing stock, enhancing access to social services. As part of the consolidated plan, the city has also prepared a program year 2025 annual action plan. Last year the city received an award of 435,469. This amount was used to calculate proposed awards. Within this plan, an additional estimated 220,000 dollars of program income will be allocated for an estimated total of $655,000, $469. The annual action plan describes activities the city will undertake to utilize the award and program income. On the dates previously mentioned, public meetings were held to solicit projects from community members and organizations. The ad hoc committee was convened on January 22nd, 2025. It consisted of five community members, with four having been a part of the committee in prior years. We did receive seven applications, all of which the committee recommended funding. And the funding determinations include $99,667 for LARSH Renovation of Affordable Housing Units to implement ADA accessibility. 275,292 to SOR to renovate and convert a former bank into a resource center for seniors. $20,000 to Andrea's house to renovate and expand an existing playroom into a daycare facility. $5,000 to advocates for homeless families to provide case management services for homeless individuals and households. $29,500 to DHHS's housing first case management for chronically homeless and disabled individuals.
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