Wes Decker

The meeting comprised three segments: an Executive Session, a Special Session (86th Voting Session), and a Work Session. The Executive Session discussed the acquisition of real property for public purposes, consultation with counsel, matters concerning business or industrial organization location, and personnel matters, though no formal action was taken. The Special Session resulted in the unanimous approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services for the P.R.O.T.E.C.T Program, which will assign a state employee coordinator to the Police Department at no cost to the City. During the Work Session, a proclamation naming February 2024 as Black History Month was read. Discussions also covered a water system educational video, the conversion of a part-time Police Records Specialist position to full-time (to be placed on the February 27 agenda), and an update on current and pending development activities, including road improvements, downtown projects, commercial/industrial growth, and residential starts. Additionally, the Council discussed proceeding with the annexation of Blaine Properties, LP (A-2023-02), despite prior complications with County Commissioners regarding zoning density and school capacity concerns. An update on various legislative bills from the General Assembly, covering topics like property assessments, police recruitment, worker's compensation, cannabis licensing, and affordable housing, was also presented.

The document details several sessions held by the Mayor and City Council, including a joint meeting with the Board of County Commissioners. Key discussions during the joint meeting focused on collaboration regarding the city's water and wastewater utility projects, including major infrastructure upgrades costing an estimated $150 million, and the structure of emergency services management, specifically regarding collaboration between City and County fire/EMS entities. Additionally, updates were provided on the Hagerstown Fieldhouse, parking deck, police drone program, and cultural trail enhancements. Other agenda items included the approval of an ordinance amending the City Code regarding the Code of Ethics, an update on Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC) programs such as Micah's Backpack and the Refugee Welcome Network, and a recommendation to forgive remaining 2023 lease payments and set 2024 lease payments to zero for the City Park Concession Stand due to operational losses. The Council also authorized staff to reapply for the Public Art Across Maryland (PAAM) grant for a public art proposal titled 'a Storied Playscape' near Park Circle, and reviewed the 2024 City of Hagerstown Sponsorship Packet. An Executive Session was held to discuss the acquisition of real property and personnel matters.

The document details combined Executive Session and Work Session meetings. The Executive Session focused on considering the acquisition of real property for the Hagerstown Fire Department's administrative operations and updating the status of a continuing project, with no formal action taken. The subsequent Work Session involved a preliminary agenda review for the upcoming Regular Session, where citizen comments procedures were announced. The Work Session then addressed several Consent Agenda items spanning Engineering, Fire, Police, Public Works, and Utilities, covering change orders, equipment purchases, and service exceptions. Key discussion topics included the approval process for the P.R.O.T.E.C.T. program Memorandum of Understanding, the annexation of property at 55 Oak Ridge Drive and contiguous rights-of-way, a project update concerning an Invest Hagerstown grant extension for the 51-53 W. Washington Street redevelopment, and a request for an extension for a Water/Wastewater Policy exception for the Patton Hagerstown, LLC industrial warehouse project. The session concluded with a review of a lease holdover extension request for the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR). Additionally, City Administrator comments covered state legislative matters impacting the municipality, and Councilmember comments addressed scheduling discussions regarding hotel inspection statistics and the potential involvement of the City in a new courthouse project.

The combined Executive Session and Work Session covered several significant items. The Executive Session included consultation with legal counsel regarding legal advice for various City boards and commissions, a pending project, and a possible amendment to the Joint Sewer Service Area (JSSA) Agreement. The Work Session featured discussions on a potential merger between the Hagerstown Housing Authority (HHA) and the Washington County Housing Authority (WCHA), with a general consensus to provide a letter of support for continued discussions. Preliminary agenda review included various consent items related to Community Engagement, Engineering, Information Technology, Police, Public Works, and Utilities, scheduled for future approval. Updates were provided on the FY 2025 Downtown Event Grant process, including proposed amendments to funding caps and event location requirements. Approval was sought for the FY 2024 Maryland SOLE Grant application to convert street lighting to LED technology. A detailed update on American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) Allocations reviewed spending percentages, completed projects, and projects pending initiation. Information was presented regarding Annexation A-2023-04 for Heavens Heights Homes, LLC, with consensus to move forward with the petition for the February 27 meeting. A detailed discussion occurred regarding the potential need for a new Circuit Court building, emphasizing the City's role as a cooperative partner in the County's decision-making process. An update on the Transient Housing Licensing Program detailed inspection results, tier determinations, and recommended amendments to regulations, including required staff training and code updates. Finally, staff presented the negotiated twenty-year Lease Agreement for the Hagerstown Field House with Eastern Sports Management (ESM), outlining rent structure, revenue sharing, and maintenance responsibilities, with consensus to place approval on the next agenda.

Key discussions and actions during the session included the appointment of new members to the Public Service Citizen Advisory Committee, involving oaths of office for some appointees. Citizen comments addressed concerns regarding infrastructure, security camera placement, sidewalk congestion, and rising rental costs. The Council unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which covered exemptions for a street festival, various engineering projects like drainage improvements and stormwater retrofits, IT software renewal, police equipment and conference attendance, numerous Public Works contracts for City Hall renovations, trash totes, and utility upgrades, and various agreements for utilities such as vegetation management and water/wastewater maintenance. Unfinished Business involved the approval of an annexation resolution (A-2023-02) for approximately 28.347 acres and the approval of an ordinance for property acquisition related to Pump Station #14. New Business featured the introduction of an ordinance for the conveyance of Pump Station #30 property, the acceptance of a petition, and the approval of an Annexation Plan and Resolution for Annexation Case No. A-2023-04 (approximately 12.08 acres). Resolutions were approved concerning an addendum to the agreement with Sierra Nevada Corporation, enforcement of a lease agreement with DairyOne, and the termination of User Agreements with American Little League and West End Little League, offset by the approval of a new User Agreement with Hub City Little League, Inc. for park facilities. Further actions included approving a lease agreement for the Hagerstown Field House, terminating a purchase agreement for property intended for a fire station, authorizing an agreement with the State Highway Administration for intersection improvements funded by the 'Safe Routes to Schools' program, converting a Records Specialist position from part-time to full-time, and approving the City-Wide Mowing Contract for 2024. Finally, the Council approved the final FY25 and draft FY26/FY27 Pavement Preservation street lists and agreed to provide letters of support for grant applications.