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 actions: amendment of the scope of the city’s CDC tax‑sale acquisition/rehab grant program (funded through the Maryland Community Legacy Grant), approval of $23,000 in city funding for an after‑school program at the Parkside Community Center for the 2025–26 school year, and authorization for staff to apply for a Community Forestry Catalyst grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The forestry grant application requests $50,000 with a $10,000 local match from the city’s stormwater protection program; the funds would be used to prepare at least 30 tree pits for future planting.

All motions described above passed by voice vote during the meeting. Where written votes or roll call tallies were not entered in the public record during the session, the council recorded unanimous “aye” responses when members were polled on each motion.

Why it matters: The introduced code amendments would raise maximum penalties for a range of municipal infractions to $5,000, increasing the city's enforcement exposure and potential fines for property‑ and nuisance‑related violations if the ordinances are later adopted. The parking lease secures downtown spaces for a state agency partner in the University District, while the after‑school funding and forestry grant work signal continued municipal investment in youth services and urban canopy improvements.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment: Gordon Pappenberger appointed to the Board of Traffic and Parking (term to expire 2029‑09‑30). Outcome: approved. - Consent agenda: Approved as presented. Outcome: approved. - Ordinance introductions (first reading vote to introduce): Amend Chapter 1, Article 3 (municipal infractions) — increase maximum penalties to $5,000. Outcome: introduced. - Ordinance introductions (first reading vote to introduce): Amend Chapter 64, Article 3 (property maintenance standards) — increase maximum penalties to $5,000. Outcome: introduced. - Ordinance introductions (first reading vote to introduce): Amend Chapter 185 (nuisance abatement) — increase maximum penalties to $5,000. Outcome: introduced. - Ordinance introductions (first reading vote to introduce): Amend Chapter 232 (vacant nonresidential structures) — increase maximum penalties to $5,000. Outcome: introduced. - Ordinance introductions (first reading vote to introduce): Amend Chapter 233/235 (vacant residential structures) — increase maximum penalties to $5,000. Outcome: introduced. - Ordinance introductions (first reading vote to introduce): Add Chapter 234 (vending machines) to regulate vending machines on public sidewalks. Outcome: introduced. - Parking lease: Resolution approved to enter into a parking lease with the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services — seven undesignated spaces in University District parking deck, term 2025‑12‑01 to 2027‑11‑30, $70/month per space, annual $5,880. Outcome: approved. - CDC tax‑sale acquisition/rehab grant: Council authorized staff to amend project scope for the Maryland Community Legacy Grant‑funded program (subject to Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development restrictions and deadlines). Outcome: approved. - After‑school program: Council approved funding of $23,000 for the Parkside Community Center after‑school program for the 2025–26 school year. Outcome: approved. - Community forestry: Council authorized staff to apply for a Chesapeake Bay Trust Community Forestry Catalyst grant requesting $50,000 with a $10,000 local match from the stormwater protection program to prepare at least 30 tree pits. Outcome: approved.

Context and next steps: Most of the code changes were taken up as ordinance introductions, which in Hagerstown means the council voted to have the ordinances read and considered; they must return for subsequent readings or adoption. The parking lease is structured as a two‑year agreement with a renewal option; staff will finalize the lease documents. Grant applications and scope amendments are subject to external funder review and any deadlines imposed by state or trust programs.

Meeting notes: Several agenda items were procedural and passed with little substantive debate. The meeting also included a lengthy public comment period on a range of topics — including housing policy, a proposal to lower the local voting age to 16, traffic and neighborhood safety, downtown promotion and events, homelessness and Narcan access, skate‑park hours, and trash pickup — that the council and staff addressed during council comments or referred to the appropriate departments for follow‑up.

Ending: The council completed its business for the evening after public comment and closed the Sept. 30 regular session.