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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Land Use, Public Safety, and Community Development Committee Meeting - June 12, 2025

City Council Committee Meetings — Thursday, June 12, 2025

BodyFrederick, Maryland

SessionCity Council Committee Meetings

DateThursday, June 12, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:39:55

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

1:47

Thank you.

1:47

I will try to make sure that everybody can hear me.

1:49

If you can't hear me, would you raise your hand?

1:52

All right, great.

1:53

Um, the first thing we have on our agenda is approval of the minutes from May 22nd, 2025.

1:59

Move for approval.

2:00

I will second all those in favor.

2:02

That is two zero.

2:03

Um wanted to just give some instructions for today.

2:07

We've got um a packed agenda.

2:11

Um so good afternoon and welcome.

2:14

Um later on, you will be asked if you want to give public comment.

2:18

Uh you can please be aware of the following guidelines.

2:22

Um, first of all, I'll say there is a sign-up sheet to my left on the table there.

2:27

You may sign up, you don't have to sign up, but when the time comes for me to ask for public comment, those of you who have signed up will be called first.

2:34

Okay.

2:35

Each speaker will be allotted three minutes.

2:38

When it is your turn to speak, you'll begin by stating your name and general address.

2:42

We don't need your street address.

2:44

And then to be ensure that you have an unrip uninterrupted opportunity to speak.

2:48

This would be your time.

2:49

So that means members of the council will not be answering questions or engaging in discussion with your public comments, but we are willing to answer questions after the meeting.

2:58

We're like if you'd like to email us, you can email us at city council at City of Frederick MD.gov, and that's also on the website.

3:06

Uh, if you have written materials to accompany your remarks, we also encourage you to email those just in case you can't get it all in in your three minutes.

3:14

Um let's see.

3:17

If you have sent in e-comments or emails on your agenda item, you need not get up and speak.

3:24

Those comments are already in the record.

3:26

Uh you certainly are welcome to, but we don't need you to come up and just reiterate the same message uh over and over again.

3:34

We do use rules of procedure, which most recently passed uh by resolution 2427.

3:39

Uh conduct that disrupts the meeting or interferes with the rights of members of the public to attend and observe is not acceptable, and we have posted our code of civility in the boardroom over there on the on the bulletin board.

3:50

So please take note of the exits for your safety, and please silence all of your electronic devices.

3:56

Thank you for taking time to be here and engage with us today.

3:59

And we will begin our workshop agenda with the youth center update.

4:04

Who do we have to do?

4:35

I'm the manager of opportunity and transformation with the office of the mayor, and the youth center is a project that I've been working on for the last couple of years, either with HHS or with the Office of the Mayor.

4:43

Our big reveal, thank you, Andrew.

4:45

These images have been provided in your backup, but we understand it's easier to see blueprints when they're a little bit larger.

4:50

So we wanted to make sure we had a larger um scale for you all.

4:56

Thanks, Erica.

4:57

Um I name is Andrew Welker.

5:00

I work for Oshman properties, but I'm also serve on the advisory board for Oshman Family Foundation's uh community projects uh committee.

5:07

And I have been charged with and happy to assist with design management for this youth center project.

5:15

Um as you might recall, the memorandum of understanding between the city and Oshaman Family Foundations was signed in September of last year.

5:23

Um happy to report that things are running very smoothly as it relates to the the construct and the outline of that memorandum of understanding.

5:31

So today um I wanted to bring you up to speed on what we've accomplished since that MOU was signed, and then give an opportunity for our design team to present to you the uh blocking and space plan concept that we've come up uh with over the past nine months.

5:46

Can you pull the mic just a wee bit closer?

5:48

Sure.

5:50

I also don't like how it echoes just a little bit.

5:53

So I apologize if I stutter, it's usually because I hear myself twice when I'm talking.

5:57

Um so since the MOU was signed, we did conduct um a comprehensive property condition assessment, um, basically asking ourselves whether the building was fit for the intended use as a youth center, and then looked at existing conditions, infrastructure, constraints and opportunities, how we could best utilize the building in a cost-effective way and a meaningful way for the providers that are going to be housed there.

6:23

Uh the building was officially transferred to the city from the county uh in late March.

6:29

Um even going back before the transfer, we held a number of uh stakeholder input sessions.

6:38

The MOU requires that we collaborate with the city.

6:41

Um I believe we've gone uh beyond that, and we formed a facility work group that is uh a combination of uh Oshman Family Foundation, city staff, uh multiple members from the city, um, and then other youth providers uh in our our community, all helped guide the process uh for the stakeholder input sessions.

7:02

Those uh input sessions included visits to other youth centers in the region where we got feedback from uh the Frederick County Youth Council, so members of the youth council from ages 12 to 24, uh provided their feedback and input.

7:19

We had multiple design mini charrettes with that youth council, the 12 to 24 collaborative, which is a a group of um essentially all of the youth uh services providers in Frederick.

7:31

Uh we had dot exercises, surveys, and mini charreds with all of those groups.

7:36

Uh and all of this was synthesized into a plan.

7:40

Um and I'm going to ask Mulker and Hull to come up and walk you through that plan.

7:47

Um we did have to sort through a variety of priorities, want to have's, like to have's, must-haves, um, and then balance all of that with um the expected expenditure for the the project um and then make sure that we maintain as much flexibility in how the building can be used for the multitude of of services that can be provided there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████████████████████████35%

Youth Programs█████████████████████21%

Zoning And Land Use████████████████16%

Parks and Recreation███████████11%

Public Safety█████████9%

Public Engagement█████5%

Procedural███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Land Use, Public Safety, and Community Development Committee Meeting - June 12, 2025

The Land Use, Public Safety, and Community Development Committee of the City of Frederick met on June 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM to discuss three workshop items: an update on the future youth center, a deferral agreement for road construction at Brickworks, and a request for the city to assume ownership and maintenance of the Wormans Mill emergency access road and bridge. The committee also approved the minutes from May 22, 2025. Public comments were heard on the third item.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes (May 22, 2025): Moved and seconded; passed unanimously (2-0).

Youth Center Update

Presentation: Erica (Manager of Opportunity and Transformation) and Andrew Welker (Oshman Properties) presented an update on the youth center project at 300 Scotty's Bus Lane. Since the MOU with Oshman Family Foundation was signed in September 2024, a property condition assessment was completed, the building was transferred from the county in late March, and stakeholder input was gathered from the Frederick County Youth Council (ages 12–24) and the 12–24 Collaborative through surveys, charrettes, and site visits. Robert Asbury and Dan McDougall of Mulker and Hull Architects presented the space plan. The 18,000-square-foot, 1964 warehouse building will be renovated without additions, though a slight expansion along the street under an existing roof is possible. The design includes a gymnasium (with movable seating for gatherings), studios (maker, STEM, arts, entrepreneurial), a cafe/kitchenette, lounge areas, private counseling rooms, and a wellness room. Two entrances with security vestibules are planned. A patio will connect to outdoor space, using the former loading dock. Outdoor campus concept plan by Man Reichel integrates South End Park and the Boys and Girls Club. Timeline: schematic designs complete by September 2025, building completion in late Q1 2028. A site plan and institutional overlay zoning request will be required.
Council Comments: Councilmember expressed excitement and praised the design. Another councilmember noted the women's restroom has only three fixtures (same as men's) and suggested adding one more; designers noted a gender-neutral restroom is also available for overflow. No public comments were made.

Brickworks Deferral Agreement

Presentation: Eric DeVito (General Counsel, Greenberg Gibbons) and Jay Diamond (Director of Development) requested deferral of constructing a portion of Brickwork Street (the comprehensive plan road) through Lot 5. The developer will build the road to the Lot 5 property boundary; the remaining segment (shown in red) will be constructed by NVR when they develop Lot 5. The Lot 5 preliminary plat was approved by the Planning Commission on June 9, 2025. The deferral is needed because the developer cannot bond improvements for a separate developer's parcel within the same subdivision. The road is designed to city standards and will eventually align with Frederick Exchange’s road.
Council Comments: A councilmember expressed concern about timing and past experiences where deferred roads were not built, leaving residents unaware of future plans. They requested that NVR sign an agreement to build the road concurrently. Staff (Gabrielle Collard, Planning) explained that bonding and public works agreements must be in place before lots can be recorded, and that the deferral is primarily about logistical sequencing. The councilmember clarified they want a commitment from NVR, not just bonding. No public comments were made.

Wormans Mill Emergency Access Road and Bridge

Presentation: Tracy Colman (Deputy Director of Public Works) provided background: The road and bridge were required as a condition of the 1999 Planning Commission approval for Wormans Mill PND 92-05R to provide emergency access if the Mill Island bridges were blocked. The condition assigned maintenance to the HOA via a Road Declaration recorded in 2000. However, the HOA (Wormans Mill Conservancy) was not properly assigned maintenance responsibility; the deed transferred parkland north of the creek to the city and open space south to the Conservancy, with the property line running through the bridge. In 2021, when repairs were needed, it became clear the developer had not bonded the road and the HOA had not been aware of the obligation. The HOA collected assessments for repairs but then determined they had no authority to do so, refunded the reserve, and will not assess again. The road and bridge have never been used for emergency access. Staff recommends the city release the lots from the Road Declaration and assume ownership and maintenance.
Public Testimony: Jim Hubbard (Board of Trustees, Wormans Mill Conservancy) stated the road declaration was hidden in closing documents and residents were unaware; the HOA has no authority to assess; the bridge is in a floodplain and seldom usable by modern fire trucks. Catherine Monsour (Mill Island resident) noted the road is overgrown and the bridge is not true emergency access; the city now owns most of it as Wormans Mill Park, so residents should not bear the burden. Phil Birkheimer (President, Conservancy Board) thanked staff and expressed hope the city will take over to end community divisiveness. Dr. Wayne Ledbetter (Mill Island resident) cited universal resident support via e-comments and asked the city to relieve the lien on properties from the declaration; he noted the bridge is used recreationally. Edward Roy Connor (Mill Island resident) emphatically endorsed the city taking over; he stated he was never informed of the obligation at purchase. Heidi Sprout (Mill Island) noted the path is used by residents and others from surrounding neighborhoods. Former Mayor Ron Young said the road is now a walking path and the bridge is unnecessary for emergency access; he supported the city taking over.
Council Discussion: Councilmember expressed support for city takeover but asked about the need to maintain the road as an engineered emergency route versus a footpath. Colman said the road meets fire code (12-foot width is sufficient) and recommended keeping it as-is, noting it is in good repair with minor cracking on abutment wing walls. Estimated future maintenance costs are not yet determined; a reserve study from the HOA projected potential major repairs in 25–40 years, but the bridge is simple and likely repairable by city crews. Regarding the lien, Mr. Via (attorney for the Conservancy) stated the Road Declaration includes a provision that the city can determine the obligation no longer required; once the city does so, the declaration can be vacated and recorded, extinguishing any lien for future purchasers. Mr. Hubbard offered to provide a draft document for the city attorney. The committee agreed to move this item forward to a public hearing.

Key Outcomes

Youth Center Update: No formal action; update received and committee expressed support. Design work continues toward schematic plans by September 2025.
Brickworks Deferral Agreement: No decision; discussion will continue. The councilmember's concern about concurrent construction may be addressed by obtaining a commitment from NVR.
Wormans Mill Emergency Access Road and Bridge: Consensus to advance the request to a public hearing. Staff will prepare necessary documentation including vacation of the Road Declaration and an easement document, with assistance from the Conservancy's attorney. The city will also inspect the bridge and estimate future maintenance costs.

Meeting Transcript

Thank you. I will try to make sure that everybody can hear me. If you can't hear me, would you raise your hand? All right, great. Um, the first thing we have on our agenda is approval of the minutes from May 22nd, 2025. Move for approval. I will second all those in favor. That is two zero. Um wanted to just give some instructions for today. We've got um a packed agenda. Um so good afternoon and welcome. Um later on, you will be asked if you want to give public comment. Uh you can please be aware of the following guidelines. Um, first of all, I'll say there is a sign-up sheet to my left on the table there. You may sign up, you don't have to sign up, but when the time comes for me to ask for public comment, those of you who have signed up will be called first. Okay. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes. When it is your turn to speak, you'll begin by stating your name and general address. We don't need your street address. And then to be ensure that you have an unrip uninterrupted opportunity to speak. This would be your time. So that means members of the council will not be answering questions or engaging in discussion with your public comments, but we are willing to answer questions after the meeting. We're like if you'd like to email us, you can email us at city council at City of Frederick MD.gov, and that's also on the website. Uh, if you have written materials to accompany your remarks, we also encourage you to email those just in case you can't get it all in in your three minutes. Um let's see. If you have sent in e-comments or emails on your agenda item, you need not get up and speak. Those comments are already in the record. Uh you certainly are welcome to, but we don't need you to come up and just reiterate the same message uh over and over again. We do use rules of procedure, which most recently passed uh by resolution 2427. Uh conduct that disrupts the meeting or interferes with the rights of members of the public to attend and observe is not acceptable, and we have posted our code of civility in the boardroom over there on the on the bulletin board. So please take note of the exits for your safety, and please silence all of your electronic devices. Thank you for taking time to be here and engage with us today. And we will begin our workshop agenda with the youth center update. Who do we have to do? I'm the manager of opportunity and transformation with the office of the mayor, and the youth center is a project that I've been working on for the last couple of years, either with HHS or with the Office of the Mayor. Our big reveal, thank you, Andrew. These images have been provided in your backup, but we understand it's easier to see blueprints when they're a little bit larger. So we wanted to make sure we had a larger um scale for you all. Thanks, Erica. Um I name is Andrew Welker. I work for Oshman properties, but I'm also serve on the advisory board for Oshman Family Foundation's uh community projects uh committee. And I have been charged with and happy to assist with design management for this youth center project. Um as you might recall, the memorandum of understanding between the city and Oshaman Family Foundations was signed in September of last year. Um happy to report that things are running very smoothly as it relates to the the construct and the outline of that memorandum of understanding. So today um I wanted to bring you up to speed on what we've accomplished since that MOU was signed, and then give an opportunity for our design team to present to you the uh blocking and space plan concept that we've come up uh with over the past nine months. Can you pull the mic just a wee bit closer? Sure. I also don't like how it echoes just a little bit. So I apologize if I stutter, it's usually because I hear myself twice when I'm talking. Um so since the MOU was signed, we did conduct um a comprehensive property condition assessment, um, basically asking ourselves whether the building was fit for the intended use as a youth center, and then looked at existing conditions, infrastructure, constraints and opportunities, how we could best utilize the building in a cost-effective way and a meaningful way for the providers that are going to be housed there.

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