Hagerstown City Council to Convene for Regular Session with Key Decisions on Development, Infrastructure, and Public Safety

The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council will hold their 35th Voting Session on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting’s agenda includes a series of significant decisions impacting the city’s development, infrastructure, public safety, and community programs. Residents can expect discussions on zoning map amendments, annexation plans, various infrastructure projects, and the approval of new grant programs and contracts.

The session will begin with the call to order by Mayor William B. McIntire, followed by an invocation and the Pledge to the Flag. Several announcements are scheduled, including updates on the Rules of Procedure, which will be effective November 18, 2025, and a reminder regarding the restricted use of cell phones during meetings. The council will also review correspondence protocols for distribution to elected officials, ensuring all materials are provided to the City Clerk for the official record. A detailed meeting schedule for May 2026 will also be presented, including work sessions, a public hearing on the FY27 Property Tax Rate, FY27 Budget, and Water and Wastewater Rates, and subsequent regular sessions.

A key item on the agenda is the appointment to the Planning Commission, with Frederick A. Nugent nominated for a term expiring May 1, 2031. The council will also recognize students from Paramount Elementary School who participated in the Maryland Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest.

The meeting will include a dedicated period for Citizen Comments, which has been revised to allow 30 minutes for comments germane to City of Hagerstown business. Interested residents must pre-register on the City’s website, http://www.hagerstownmd.org, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting to ensure their opportunity to speak. Each speaker will be allotted three minutes. The council will also review minutes from previous meetings held in March 2026.

A substantial portion of the meeting will be dedicated to the Consent Agenda, which includes various administrative and operational approvals. These include open container exemptions and road closures for events on June 5 and June 27, 2026. Significant financial proposals for departmental needs are also on the consent agenda, such as the purchase of PPE gear extractors and dryers for the Fire Department at a cost of $47,897.26. The Technology and Support Services division is seeking approval for a Microsoft 365 license conversion ($167,484.80), consulting services for a new ERP system ($35,150.00), an Intellitime Gemini interface change order ($11,699.00), GIS managed cloud services implementation ($90,000.00), GIS crime scene dashboarding implementation ($26,780.00), and a cybersecurity audit and Intune implementation ($47,500.00).

Several infrastructure and public works projects are also slated for review and approval under the consent agenda. These include Northern Avenue curb and sidewalk improvements ($164,846.00), neighborhood park development at Antietam Creek Stream Access ($342,913.00), the purchase of new surveying equipment ($37,728.86), construction of the Hamilton Run Pedestrian Bridge ($295,990.00), golf cart path construction ($151,650.00), reinstallation of the RISE Sculpture near the Hagerstown Cultural Trail ($29,250.00), and stage construction at Wheaton Park ($259,422.00). The Police Department is seeking approval for the purchase of a patrol and narcotic detection canine at $15,000.00. Additionally, various utility-related contracts are proposed, including consulting services for cost of service and retail rates ($100,000.00) and wholesale power and energy market monitoring ($50,000.00), distribution line transformers ($163,316.00), vegetation management ($75,000.00), and HVAC system replacement for utilities ($43,625.00). A water and wastewater rate model update is also on the agenda for $24,850.00.

Under New Business, the council will consider the introduction of ordinances for zoning map amendments concerning Trolley Drive and Corboy Drive (ZM-2026-01) and the Evergreen Property (ZM-2026-02). Plans and resolutions for the annexation of Cline Farm (A-2026-01) will also be addressed. Further resolutions include the acceptance of Trolley Drive and Corboy Drive, a national settlement agreement with six remnant defendants, and an easement agreement with Bowen Investing, LLC for a wall mural, rescinding a prior agreement. A memorandum of understanding with the Hub City Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Inc. for Locomotive 202 is also to be approved.

The council will vote on an on-call plumbing services contract for the upcoming fiscal year, running from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Approval of the guidelines and application form for the Bright Start – Childcare Grant Program is also scheduled. This program, funded by $250,000 in State Community Legacy funding, aims to support new or expanded childcare services within the City’s Sustainable Communities Area through a 1:1 matching grant. The meeting agenda also includes a proposal to suspend the acceptance of new property renovation applications for the Partners in Economic Progress (PEP) Program, while continuing benefits for those already qualified and under agreement. Lastly, the council will address the approval of a letter of clarification for Lorich Zoning (ZM-2025-02) and an application for Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Direct Funding for uncommitted FY 2026 funds.

The meeting will conclude with comments from the City Administrator and Mayor and Council members, followed by adjournment.

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from the City of Hagerstown.

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