Residents press council on federal funding uncertainty, affirm LGBTQIA+ support and ask about derelict 'Au Petite' building

Several city residents used the meeting’s public‑comment period to raise broad concerns about changes at the federal level, to promote a local LGBTQIA+ fundraiser and to press for action on a deteriorating downtown building.

Kelly Mears, of 58 Linden Street, told the council she was worried about recent federal actions that could disrupt grant streams and government information access, and urged municipal steps to protect vulnerable local programs. "We can create our own reinstatements of what matters to Frostburg and Frostburg voters and Frostburg citizens, at the municipal level," Mears said, citing recent local activities at Frostburg State University and elsewhere as models for resolutions or local protections.

Mears invited council members to attend a "winter formal dance party" fundraiser at City Place that supports a youth queer prom and encouraged council visibility and municipal policies that affirm transgender residents and others in the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Carol Smith, of 250 Armstrong Avenue, asked the council for a clear plan for the property known in the transcript as "Au Petite," calling it an "eyesore" and saying it is dark, gutted inside and a safety concern. A city official responded that staff has been working with the property owner but that structural stabilization costs are high; officials said demolition appears likely in the long term because restoring the building to safe, walkable condition would be cost‑prohibitive — the speaker cited structural costs on the order of about $1 million and said the interior has been largely gutted.

Council members and staff said they will continue to coordinate with partners and that more information will be provided as options and funding paths are evaluated. No formal action was taken during public comment.