Hagerstown council introduces multiple code amendments raising infraction penalties, approves parking lease and youth, forestry funding

Hagerstown — The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council on Sept. 30 voted to introduce several ordinances that would raise maximum municipal infraction penalties to $5,000 across multiple code sections, approved a two‑year parking lease with the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services and authorized grant activity and program funding affecting downtown parking, youth services and urban forestry.

The ordinance introductions would amend city code provisions including municipal infractions, property maintenance standards, nuisance abatement and rules on vacant residential and nonresidential structures. Council members also introduced a new chapter to regulate the number, placement, use and maintenance of vending machines on public sidewalks.

The changes, introduced by motion during the meeting, are at the “introduction” stage; the council voted to introduce each ordinance and did not adopt final ordinance text at the Sept. 30 session. The measures will return for additional consideration and formal adoption in a later meeting.

In other formal actions the council approved a resolution to lease seven undesignated parking spaces in the University District parking deck at 25 North Potomac Street to the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services. The lease term begins Dec. 1, 2025, and runs through Nov. 30, 2027, with a possible renewal; the monthly rate is $70 per space, producing an annual rental total of $5,880.

Council members also authorized several program and grant…