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Hagerstown council approves multiple code changes, agreements and funding items
Summary
The Hagerstown mayor and city council approved a package of ordinance amendments, agreements and funding items Oct. 28, including increased municipal infraction penalties, a vending‑machine regulation chapter, parking maintenance and park user agreements, several easement actions, and holiday parking authorization.
The Hagerstown mayor and city council on Oct. 28 approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and agreements during the regular session. Most votes were taken without extended debate and passed by voice vote.
Key actions approved or introduced:
- Ordinance amendments increasing maximum penalties for municipal infraction citations (Chapter 1, Article 3). Motion approved.
- Ordinance amendments to property maintenance standards (Chapter 64, Article 3) increasing municipal infraction penalties to as much as $5,000. Motion approved.
- Ordinance amendments to nuisance abatement (Chapter 185) raising maximum municipal infraction penalties. Motion approved.
- Ordinances addressing vacant nonresidential (Chapter 232) and vacant residential (Chapter 233) structures, increasing penalties. Motions approved.
- Addition of Chapter 234 to regulate vending machines on public sidewalks (placement, number, maintenance). Motion approved.
- Ordinance to authorize purchase of an easement at 703–705 Mount Etna Road was tabled to Nov. 18 at the request of the mover.
- Introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 60‑17 (speed monitoring systems in school zones) to align the city fine schedule with state law; introduced and advanced for later consideration.
- Resolution approving a three‑year user agreement with the Hagerstown Area Police Athletic League for use of Fairgrounds Park facilities (01/01/2026–12/31/2028); city will charge no rent and pay utilities except for natural gas and telephone. Motion approved.
- Two‑year equipment maintenance and software support agreement with HUB Parking Technology USA Inc. for downtown parking facilities (term beginning 08/01/2025) was approved. Year 1 annual fee $21,834.84; year 2 stated at roughly $22,000 with a possible one‑year extension.
- Council accepted a permanent water easement and maintenance agreement from LP1 LLC for property near Makers Drive and Breckenridge Drive. Motion approved.
- Council adopted a resolution amending an annexation petition (case AD‑2007‑06) to delay construction of a public street and increase the number of dwelling units permitted prior to that street from 100 to 206. Motion approved.
- Council approved free holiday parking in downtown parking decks and the Hub City Garage on specified weekends between Nov. 28 and Dec. 28, 2025, with paid parking resuming Monday mornings. Motion approved.
- Council authorized a $5,000 contribution from the general fund toward hiring a community coalition lobbyist (John Bavaza, Maneth Canning & Associates) with other partners pledged; motion approved.
Provenance: ordinance and code amendment motions (00:29:59–00:33:08); easement tabling (00:33:54–00:34:11); PAL user agreement (00:35:03); HUB Parking agreement (00:35:52); LP1 easement acceptance (00:37:08); Haven Road annexation resolution (00:38:03); holiday parking (00:38:59); lobbyist funding (00:39:52).
