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Hagerstown council approves contracts, grants and ordinances; tables Pangborn fishing ban
Summary
At its Feb. 25 regular session the Hagerstown Mayor and City Council approved multiple consent items, contracts and grant awards, introduced three code ordinances and approved personnel and procurement actions; a proposed ban on fishing at Pangborn Park was tabled for later consideration.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council approved a series of consent items, contract awards, grant acceptances and introductory ordinances during its Feb. 25 regular meeting, including a labor contract, strategic plan and multiple street‑acceptance resolutions. Council members also tabled a separate motion to ban fishing at Pangborn Park after extensive public comment (see separate coverage).
Key actions approved by the council (motions seconded and passed unless noted):
- Appointments: Larry Baer and Hope Klein were appointed to the Board of Zoning Appeals; terms will expire Aug. 27, 2027 (Baer) and Feb. 25, 2028 (Klein).
- Minutes and consent agenda: The council approved minutes for prior meetings and adopted the consent agenda as presented.
- Introductions (ordinance first reading): The council introduced an ordinance to repeal and reenact Chapter 140 (Land Management Code) as version 3.12; introduced an ordinance to amend Chapter 64 (Building Construction) Article 3 to codify property‑maintenance standards including unused/abandoned pools; and introduced an ordinance to repeal and reenact Chapter 2-24 (Tax Sale Property Repurpose Program) with clarifying amendments to nonprofit definitions, withholding properties from tax sale and related end‑user eligibility rules. All three introductions were seconded and the motions to introduce passed.
- Resolutions and acceptances: The council approved resolutions to accept a perpetual drainage easement adjacent to Paul Smith Boulevard; accept portions of Paul Smith Boulevard and Edgewood Drive and the entirety of Lois Harrison Boulevard into the city street system (effective immediately); and accept Pelican Street (Burrhontas Village development) into the city street system (effective immediately).
- Contracts and procurements: The council authorized a contract with UP Development Planning LLC (dba Urban Partners) for a 10‑year downtown plan implementation strategy ($196,264); renewed the citywide mowing contract for 2025 ($290,492.16); authorized BFI Waste Services LLC dba Republic Services of Hagerstown as dumpster service contractor ($85,500); and approved other routine procurement items listed on the consent agenda.
- Grants and donations: The council accepted a Coverdell grant totaling $44,000 to purchase equipment for the Western Maryland Regional Crime Lab; accepted an Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant totaling $29,200 to purchase license‑plate‑reader software and overtime for community resource officers; and approved a $5,000 donation to the police auxiliary unit from HPD’s operating budget.
- Labor and planning: The council approved the AFSCME Local 0373 labor contract effective July 7, 2025–June 30, 2028; and approved the Mayor and City Council Strategic Plan for 2024–2028.
- Ceremonial and community items: The council approved a ceremonial sister‑city flag design by a local arts student and recognized multiple community organizations and volunteers in proclamations.
Several items were discussed briefly by council members during the consent and deliberation periods, including an $86,000 change order for the Hub City parking deck project (staff said it is covered by project contingency) and the timing of further consideration of Pangborn Park. Where the transcript recorded no roll‑call tally, the record shows the motions were seconded and the mayor called for general assent, recorded as “Aye” and “Motion passes.”
