City Council

CITY OF ABERDEEN Council Meeting June 9, 2025 A) CALL TO ORDER The Mayor called the Council meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Council Chambers. B) ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Patrick McGrady Council President Adam Hiob Councilman Timothy Lindecamp Councilman William Montgomery, III Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley Also Present: Phyllis Grover, Director of Planning and Community Development; Parley Hess, Director of Public Works; Henry Trabert, Chief of Police; Opiribo Jack, Director of Finance; Monica Correll, City Clerk C) OPENING PRAYER The opening prayer was given by Elder David Yensan, Grove Presbyterian Church. D) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman William Montgomery, III. E) APPROVAL OF MINUTES E.1 May 12, 2025 Work Session May 12, 2025 Council Meeting May 19, 2025 Council Meeting 2025-05-12, Council Work Session Minutes.pdf 2025-05-12, Council Meeting Minutes.pdf 2025-05-19 Council Meeting Minutes.pdf A motion was made by Councilwoman Ridgley and seconded by Councilman Lindecamp to approve the minutes of the May 12, 2025 Work Session; May 12, 2025 Council Meeting; and the May 19, 2025 Council Meeting. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: None 2025-06-09 Council Meeting Page 2 of 6 F) STATEMENT OF CLOSED MEETING - None G) PRESENTATIONS G.1 Proclamation for Thomas Greer The Mayor read a proclamation for Department of Public Works, Water/Wastewater employee, Thomas Greer, upon his retirement from the City after over 25 years of dedicated public service. G.2 Proclamation for the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday The Mayor read proclamation in recognition of the U.S. Army's 250th birthday to take place on June 14, 2025. G.3 Public Outreach, Baltimore Regional Transportation Board Draft 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program - Keith Kucharek, Senior Transportation Planning, Baltimore Metropolitan Council BRTB PowerPoint.pdf Mr. Keith Kucharek, Senior Transportation Planner with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, discussed the FY 2026-2029 Baltimore Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). He explained that TIP was a federally mandated and included all transportation projects that receive federal funding or are regionally significant. TIP contained about $6.2 billion in road, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian projects focused on operating and maintaining the transportation system. There were 17 projects within Harford County totaling about $33 million including Aberdeen's Transit Oriented Development (TOD), but most funds were for bridge repairs and replacement. Mr. Kucharek asked the public for their input. H) PUBLIC HEARINGS - None I) PUBLIC COMMENT Robert Hartman, 226 Paradise Road: Mr. Hartman commented that team building was needed at City Hall. Maria Montgomery, 544 Beards Hill Road: Ms. Montgomery commented favorably on the Police Department and recommended the use of more than one K-9. J) LEGISLATION UNDER CONSIDERATION J.1 Ordinance No. 25-O-09, Amendment of FY 2025 Budget (2) (For Adoption) [3rd meeting] FY 2025 Budget Amendment - 5-12-25 - Email.pdf Budget Amendment Narrative - Ordinance No 25-O-09 - 5-12-25.pdf Ordinance No. 25-O-09, Amendment of FY 2025 Budget (2).pdf 2025-06-09 Council Meeting Page 3 of 6 A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilman Montgomery to adopt Ordinance No. 25-O-09, Amendment of FY 2025 Budget (2). The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: None J.2 Ordinance No. 25-O-10, TOD Economic Development Incentive Program (For Adoption) [3rd meeting] Ordinance No. 25-O-10, TOD Economic Development Incentive Program.pdf A motion was made by Councilwoman Ridgley and seconded by Council President Hiob to adopt Ordinance No. 25-O-10, TOD Economic Development Incentive Program. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: None J.3 Ordinance No. 25-O-11, 20 N. Howard Street Property Purchase (For Adoption) [3rd meeting] Ordinance No. 25-O-11, 20 N. Howard Street Property Purchase.pdf A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilwoman Ridgley to adopt Ordinance No. 25-O-11, 20 N. Howard Street Property Purchase. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: None J.4 Resolution No. 25-R-01, Memorandum of Understanding Between the State Board of Elections and the City of Aberdeen (Sponsors: Council President Hiob & Councilman Montgomery) (For Introduction and Adoption) Resolution No. 25-R-01, MOU State Board of Elections and COA.pdf A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilman Montgomery to adopt Resolution No. 25-R-01, Memorandum of Understanding Between the State Board of Elections and the City of Aberdeen. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: None 2025-06-09 Council Meeting Page 4 of 6 K) PENDING LEGISLATION - None L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None M) NEW BUSINESS M.1 Appointments to the Board of Elections and Economic Development Commission Mayor McGrady nominated the following reappointments to the Economic Development Commission for a term of 1-year, July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026: Holly Bennett, Terrell Boothe, Beth Boyson, James Branson, Steve Horne, Charles Jacobs, Mark Kegley, Sheryl Davis Kohl, Jerry Lacey, Dan Lambros, Dave Lynch, Kara Macko, Mark Shaver, and Robert Villani. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: None Mayor McGrady nominated the following for reappointments to the Board of Elections for a 4-year term, July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2029: Tim Brooks (as Chair), Angela Johnson, and Mark Schlottman. The motion carried by a vote of 3 – yes; 1 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: Councilman Lindecamp M.2 Goddard School Consolidation Plat (For Review & Approval) 2025.05.28_Goddard Consolidation Plat Signed for CC Review-1.pdf Goddard PowerPoint.pdf Andrew Halter, P.E., Project Manager from Morris Ritchie Associates, Inc., Abingdon, Maryland, presented the Consolidation Plat for the Goddard School of Aberdeen, consisting of 3.4 acres. He noted that they added an underground stormwater management facility, rotated the dumpsters to face Adamson Way, enlarged the parking spaces, and deleted an island in Adamson Way to help with the site line. David O'Brien, owner/developer, was also present. Council discussion followed. A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilwoman Ridgley to approve the Goddard School Consolidation Plat. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: None 2025-06-09 Council Meeting Page 5 of 6 M.3 Preliminary Site Plan for The Reserve at Greenside (A.K.A. The Wetlands Golf Course Site (For Approval) Greenside-PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN_6.04.2025.pdf 6.04.2025_Greenside_Response Letter to City of Aberdeen DPW.pdf 2025-6-3_Reserve at Greenside_Aldino Stepney_Traffic Mitigation.pdf MDOT SHA Comments to Keeley_HA006; Reserve at Greenside - MD 22; 0422.pdf Harford County Ltr on TIS Reserve at Greenside 5-14-2025.pdf 04.07.2025; Response Letter to Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department.pdf Reserve at Greenside HCPS Review Letter.pdf 2025.04.07.21988_Response Letter to City of Aberdeen D. Spiker.pdf Reserve at Greenside_ SHA Response Letter & Revised TIS.pdf The Reserve at Greenside PowerPoint.pdf Representatives for the Reserve at Greenside were present: Jeremy Treadwell, Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc.; Mark Keeley, Traffic Concepts; Sule Qazi, owner/developer. Mr. Treadwell discussed the 882 residential units planned on 198 acres, the project phases, amenities, traffic and traffic calming devices, walking trails, pumping station, open spaces, etc. A signal warrant analysis for Aldino Stepney and Rt. 22 was still in process. Council discussion followed. A motion was made by Councilman Hiob and seconded by Councilman Montgomery to conditionally approve the Preliminary Site Plan for The Reserve at Greenside (A.K.A. The Wetlands Golf Course Site) based on the Council's affirmative vote and support of the roadway network plan to be developed to be presented to the Council before the recording of plats. The motion carried by a vote of 3 – yes; 1 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: Councilman Lindecamp M.4 APD Vehicles for Surplus (For Approval) APD Vehicle Disposal.pdf The Council postponed action to a future meeting. N) UPDATES FROM STAFF Ms. Grover reported on the Planning and Community Development grants, Development Code amendments, and the annual report for the Planning Commission. Vickie Horne, Aberdeen Main Street Coordinator, reported on mandated requirements for Aberdeen Main Street. O) PUBLIC COMMENT - No public comment. P) BUSINESS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL (with Liaison Reports) The Council reported on the Economic Development Commission, the Memorial Day Ceremony, the Army Alliance Dinner, the Aberdeen Historical Museum, Heritage Trust, the Fire 2025-06-09 Council Meeting Page 6 of 6 Department, Aberdeen High School graduation, ribbon cuttings, Aberdeen Proving Ground change of command, and the Army's 250th birthday celebration. They also discussed investing in downtown business infrastructure, Frito Lay closing parts of their operation and layoffs, improvement needed in the outside sound system, a new principal for Aberdeen High School in the next school year, the Swan Meadows plan for the water/sewer project, and school resource officers in Aberdeen schools. Q) ANNOUNCEMENTS Q.1 Planning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, June 11, Council Chambers, 7:00 p.m. Community Meeting, Thursday, June 12, Bernard L. Tobin, Post 128, American Legion, 44 N. Parke Street, 6-8 p.m. Council Work Session, Monday, June 16, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. (cancelled) Economic Development Commission, Wednesday, June 18, Council Chambers, 8:30 a.m. City Hall Closed on Thursday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. Heritage Trust Meeting, Thursday, June 26, Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting, Monday, July 14, Council Chambers, 7 p.m. R) CLOSED MEETING At approximately 8:56 p.m., a motion was made by Mayor McGrady and seconded by Councilman Lindecamp to close the meeting under Statutory Authority to Close Session, Maryland Code Annotated, General Provisions Article, §3-305(b): Citation (1): to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over who this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals. The topic was a personnel matter and the reason for closure was to protect the Council deliberative process. Citation (4): to consider a matter that concerns the proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State, and citation (8): to consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation. The topic under these two citations was the Ripken Stadium arbitration and negotiations and the reason for closure was to protect the Council deliberative process. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley Nays: None S) ADJOURNMENT The meeting was reopened at 9:50 p.m. and with no further business was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. City Clerk