Hagerstown City Council to Tackle Pedestrian Safety, Infrastructure, and Community Events in February Meetings

The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council have scheduled multiple public meetings in February 2026 to address a range of city operations, from pedestrian safety initiatives and infrastructure upgrades to community events and public hearings. Residents can engage with these discussions through televised meetings or by attending in person, with specific guidelines for public comment outlined for each session. The agendas for both an Executive and Work Session on February 17th and a Regular Session on February 24th reveal a busy month for the council as they plan for the city’s future.

The Executive and Work Session, slated for February 17, 2026, will commence with an open session at 3:00 p.m. for the sole purpose of voting to enter into an executive session, permitted by the Open Meetings Act for specific discussions. Following this, from 4:00 p.m. onwards in the Council Chamber, the council will engage in a work session covering a variety of topics. Early in the session, a request for a non-alcoholic beer garden at the City Park Fall Fest for 2026 will be presented by the Recreation Supervisor. The council will also discuss the ICE facility in Washington County.

Later in the work session, preliminary agenda reviews will take place, followed by an update on the Choice Implementation Grant. Several infrastructure and public works items are also scheduled. The City Engineer is set to present on the Route 40 Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and the results of the 2025 Pavement Condition Survey. Additionally, the council will consider the acceptance of two alleyways, #4-59 and #4-76, for dedication. License agreements for Alley #2-35 and the Kilpatrick Woods Monument Sign will also be on the agenda. Further agenda items include the potential removal of the Mill Street Traffic Beacon. The work session is expected to conclude with comments from the City Administrator and Mayor & Council before adjournment around 6:10 p.m.

The following week, on February 24, 2026, the council will convene for their Regular Session, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. This session will include standard proceedings such as the Call to Order, Invocation, and Pledge to the Flag. Announcements will cover procedural rules, restrictions on cell phone use during meetings, correspondence guidelines for elected officials, and the schedule for upcoming meetings in March. March 3rd will feature the State of the City address at 7:00 a.m. and a Work Session at 4:00 p.m. Several other work sessions are scheduled throughout March, with the next Regular Session on March 24th.

The meeting will also include recognition of City of Hagerstown retirees and a dedicated period for citizen comments, with 30 minutes allocated for discussions germane to city business. Pre-registration is required for individuals wishing to speak during the Regular Session, with a deadline of 24 hours prior to the meeting. Speakers are limited to three minutes. Two public hearings are also scheduled, concerning rezoning applications for Trolley Drive/Emmert Road and the Evergreen Property on Eastern Boulevard. Testimony for public hearings can be provided in person, and sign-in is required prior to the hearing, with each speaker also limited to three minutes.

A significant portion of the Regular Session will be dedicated to reviewing and voting on items under the Consent Agenda. This agenda includes a $20,000 change order for the Cable Franchise Contract with River Oaks Communications Corporation. In the Police department, approvals are sought for ammunition from The Gun Shop ($22,522.87), 250th badges from Maryland Police Supply ($12,458.25), the Flock Safety Platform renewal ($15,000), and monthly red light camera charges from American Traffic Solutions ($210,000).

The Utilities department’s consent agenda is extensive, reflecting ongoing infrastructure investments. For Water systems, proposed expenditures include a camera system upgrade at R.C. Willson WTP ($19,633.15), cold mix for street repairs ($25,120.00), a water pump station cyber security upgrade ($53,798.94), fluoride remediation at R.C. Willson WTP ($192,829.91), and the purchase of meter transceiver units ($510,000.00). For Wastewater systems, the agenda includes engineering design services for an environmental laboratory ($177,600.00), a wastewater treatment plant mixer replacement ($11,144.59), cybersecurity improvements ($157,974.48), electrical upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant ($43,218.00), and phone system improvements ($11,377.90).

Under New Business, the council will consider approving resolutions for a license agreement with 2023 Summit, LLC for mural installations, and the acceptance of dedication for Alley #4-76 and a portion of Alley #4-59. A license agreement with MAGIS Properties, LLC for right-of-way in Alley #2-35 is also on the agenda. The council will vote on whether to not re-install a traffic beacon at E. Baltimore Street and Mill Street, and on adding the 441 S. Potomac Street property to the City’s Competitive Negotiated Sale process. Finally, approvals for a City-Wide Mowing Contract and a City-Wide Dumpster Contract are also listed. The session will conclude with comments from the City Administrator and Mayor & Council before adjournment.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown.

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