Hagerstown City Council to Review Rezoning, Public Works Upgrades, and Police Technology

The Hagerstown City Council is set to convene for its 32nd voting session on February 24, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting agenda, as released by the City of Hagerstown, outlines a series of significant items for consideration, including public hearings on rezoning applications, approval of various public works and utility projects, and updates to police technology. Residents can follow the proceedings live as meetings are televised and recorded.

The council will begin its session with the standard order of business, including a call to order, invocation, and the Pledge to the Flag. Several announcements are scheduled, including information regarding the rules of procedure, restrictions on cell phone use during meetings, and guidelines for submitting correspondence to elected officials. The meeting schedule for upcoming sessions, including the State of the City address on March 3, 2026, and subsequent work sessions, will also be reviewed.

A substantial portion of the meeting will be dedicated to public input. Thirty minutes are allocated for citizen comments on matters pertinent to Hagerstown’s business. Following this, the council will hold public hearings for two rezoning applications: one for Trolley Drive/Emmert Road (ZM-2026-01) and another for the Evergreen Property on Eastern Boulevard (ZM-2026-02). Those wishing to speak during the public hearings are required to sign in at City Hall before the session commences and will be given three minutes to present their views. For regular sessions, individuals must pre-register on the City’s website at least twenty-four hours in advance.

The consent agenda presents a range of items for approval, encompassing financial commitments across various city departments. In Administration, a change order for a cable franchise contract with River Oaks Communications Corporation, valued at $20,000, is on the table. The Community Engagement section includes a request for open container exemptions for 2026.

The Police department’s agenda includes expenditures for 250th badges from Maryland Police Supply for $12,458.25, a renewal of the Flock Safety Platform from Flock Group, Inc. for $15,000, and monthly charges for red light camera services from American Traffic Solutions totaling $210,000. These investments in police equipment and technology underscore the city’s commitment to public safety and traffic enforcement.

Public Works items include a proposal for a non-alcoholic beer garden at the City Park Fall Fest. The Utilities department has several significant proposed expenditures aimed at enhancing water and wastewater infrastructure. These include a camera system upgrade for the R.C. Willson WTP from Glessner Technologies for $19,633.15, cold mix for street repairs from New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. for $25,120.00, and a water pump station cybersecurity upgrade from EAI Security Systems, Inc. for $53,798.94. A substantial item for fluoride remediation at the R.C. Willson WTP from Clean Harbors is listed at $192,829.91. The purchase of meter transceiver units from LB Water Service, Inc. for $510,000 signifies a significant investment in the water system’s metering technology.

For wastewater services, the council will consider engineering design services for an environmental laboratory from Buchart Horn for $177,600.00. Additionally, a wastewater treatment plant rebuild mixer project with AR&E, Inc. is estimated at $11,144.59. Cybersecurity improvements for the wastewater system from AutomaTech Inc. are projected at $157,974.48, while electrical upgrades for the wastewater treatment plant from Diamond Electric will cost $43,218.00. Finally, phone system improvements for wastewater operations from Glessner Technologies are budgeted at $11,377.90. These proposed utility expenditures are crucial for maintaining and upgrading essential services for Hagerstown residents.

Under New Business, the council will review resolutions related to license agreements for photo murals, dedication of alleys, and right-of-way usage. They will also consider a resolution for a monument sign at Kilpatrick Woods. Decisions will be made regarding the re-installation of a traffic beacon at E. Baltimore Street and Mill Street, adding a property at 441 S. Potomac Street to the City’s Competitive Negotiated Sale process, and approving city-wide mowing and dumpster contracts. The meeting is expected to conclude with comments from the City Administrator and Mayor & Council members before adjournment.

Residents are encouraged to review the full agenda and meeting packet, which is available on the City of Hagerstown’s website at http://www.hagerstownmd.org/government/agenda.

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

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