Hagerstown Mayor and Council Set Special Session to Discuss PILOT Agreements, Park Grants, and Energy Storage

Residents of Hagerstown are invited to attend a special session of the Mayor and City Council, scheduled for July 14, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting will commence at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located on the second floor at 1 East Franklin Street. The session will cover a range of topics, including the approval of past meeting minutes, amendments to the Forest Conservation Ordinance, and discussions on critical city infrastructure and community development initiatives.

The special session will begin with the approval of minutes from previous meetings held on May 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2026. Following this, the council will consider an ordinance proposing amendments to the Forest Conservation Ordinance, designated as ZT-2026-01. This ordinance amendment is a key item that could impact future development and environmental considerations within the city.

The agenda then transitions into a work session beginning at 2:10 p.m., which will delve into several significant proposals. A primary focus will be the confirmation of an existing Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the Hagerstown Housing Authority. Amanda Gregg, Director of Housing and Community Development, and Sean Griffith, Director of the Hagerstown Housing Authority, are expected to present details on this agreement. A PILOT agreement typically involves a municipality receiving payments from a tax-exempt organization in lieu of property taxes, which can have financial implications for the city’s budget and services. Residents should note how this confirmation might affect the city’s revenue streams.

Following the PILOT discussion, at approximately 2:20 p.m., the council will review a grant request for the fiscal year 2028 Community Parks and Playgrounds Program. This request is for the installation of a shade structure at Wheaton Park. Eric Deike, Director of Public Works, will present the details, outlining the potential benefits and costs associated with this park improvement. Enhancements to public spaces like Wheaton Park can directly impact the quality of life for residents by providing more comfortable and accessible recreational areas.

The work session continues at 2:35 p.m. with a discussion on the development and solicitation of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Battery Energy Storage System. Nathan Fridinger, Deputy Director of Electric Operations, and Jason Bachtell, Electric Engineering Manager, will lead this agenda item. Such systems are crucial for modernizing energy grids and ensuring reliable power supply, particularly in the face of increasing demand and potential for renewable energy integration. The outcome of this discussion could influence the future of Hagerstown’s energy infrastructure and potentially impact utility costs for residents.

At 2:50 p.m., the Mayor and City Council will address the Charter Review Committee, an item led by the Mayor and Council members themselves. This discussion may involve an examination of the city’s foundational governance documents.

The meeting will then move into an open session at 3:00 p.m. for the purpose of voting to close the meeting. Following this vote, the Mayor and Council will convene in an Executive Session, also in the Council Chamber, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Executive sessions are typically held to discuss sensitive matters that are permitted by the Open Meetings Act to be discussed in private. These sessions are closed to the public and the media.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., comments from the City Administrator and the Mayor & Council are scheduled before the meeting is adjourned at roughly 4:40 p.m. All meetings are televised and recorded for public access. The full agenda and meeting packet are available on the City of Hagerstown’s official website at http://www.hagerstownmd.org/government/agenda.

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

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