Hagerstown Mayor and Council to Convene for Regular Session, Reviewing Numerous City Initiatives and Allocations

The City of Hagerstown Mayor and City Council are scheduled to hold their 38th voting session on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting’s agenda, made available online, outlines a comprehensive list of items for discussion and potential approval, ranging from infrastructure repairs and utility services to agreements with local organizations and funding reallocations. Residents can tune into the televised and recorded proceedings for insights into the city’s governance and operational decisions.

The session will commence with standard procedural elements, including a call to order, invocation, and pledge to the flag. Several administrative announcements are slated for discussion, including updates on the rules of procedure, restrictions on cell phone use during meetings, and protocols for submitting correspondence to elected officials. The council will also review the meeting schedule for the upcoming weeks, noting a work session on June 2nd and June 9th, no meeting scheduled on June 16th due to the MML Summer Conference, a regular session on June 23rd, and no meeting scheduled on June 30th. A dedicated period for citizen comments will be provided, allowing residents to voice their concerns and suggestions on matters pertinent to city business. Following this, the council will review minutes from previous meetings held in April 2026. Those wishing to speak during the regular session are required to pre-register online at www.hagerstownmd.org no later than 24 hours before the meeting’s start, with each speaker allotted three minutes to present their views.

A significant portion of the agenda is dedicated to the Consent Agenda, which encompasses a broad array of proposed expenditures and contractual agreements across various city departments. In Engineering, proposals include concrete repairs at the Sallyport Entrance of the Hagerstown Police Department for $36,000, alley reconstruction for $260,000, and improvements at the Skatepark at Fairgrounds Park for $28,600. The Finance department is set to review a contract for utility bill processing and mailing amounting to $228,000.

Under Human Resources, the council will consider the administration of medical coverage for $286,876 and dental coverage for $45,960, along with the annual premium for stop-loss insurance and city-sponsored life insurance totaling $73,422. Information Technology proposals include telephone line reconciliation for $13,397.50 and network support professional services for $15,000. The Police department’s agenda items include the annual renewal of Flock Safety gunshot detection services for $18,400 and an increase to an existing purchase order for camera system expansion, along with a new camera system expansion for the Arts and Entertainment District, totaling $13,358.68 and $17,785.90 respectively.

The Utilities department has a lengthy list of proposed actions. These include the purchase of LED light fixtures for $210,900, an emergency purchase of distribution transformers for $15,250, and several blanket contracts. These contracts cover vegetation management services for $460,000, substation maintenance for $170,000, linework services for $250,000, electric equipment refurbishment for $135,000, regulatory consulting services for $370,000, electric underground locating services for $60,000, flame retardant clothing for $29,200, productivity software support for $55,176.75, and heavy-duty diesel truck maintenance for $50,000. Additionally, contracts for distribution line transformers and water meters are proposed for $200,000 and $117,308.16 respectively.

Further utility-related items include a camera system upgrade for the R.C. Willson facility for $19,633.15, a final invoice for emergency cleanup related to fluoride remediation for $94,735.62, and transformer oil testing for $10,614.50. Tree removal services are slated for $375,050, and motor replacement for a dump truck is budgeted at $20,906.37. Water pressure zone system modeling is proposed for $34,260, and fire hydrant purchases are included for $89,487.96. The agenda also includes a renewal of the FY27 patching contract for $472,128.00 and chlorinator annual maintenance for $11,732.00.

Beyond the consent agenda, the council will address unfinished business, including the approval of ordinances for zoning map amendments related to Trolley Drive and Corboy Drive, and an amendment for the Evergreen Property. New business items include the approval of resolutions for an operating agreement with the Hagerstown Ice Amateur Athletic Association for 2026-2028, reallocation of funding for summer camp programming, a lease agreement with the Washington County Museum, and an easement agreement with the Hagerstown Housing Authority for the relocation of the RISE Sculpture. The council will also consider amendments to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plans for both FY2020 and FY2024, a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Hagerstown Police Department and Hagerstown Community College Police Department, approval of FY27 inventory procurement funds for the Light Department, and a Bay Restoration Fund Grant for enhanced nutrient removal operations and maintenance. The meeting will conclude with comments from the City Administrator and Mayor & Council before adjournment.

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

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