City Council

CITY OF ABERDEEN Council Meeting August 11, 2025 A) CALL TO ORDER Mayor McGrady called the Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. B) ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Patrick McGrady Council President Adam Hiob Councilman Timothy Lindecamp Councilman William Montgomery, III Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley Also Present: Phyllis Grover, Director of Planning and Community Development; Henry Trabert, Chief of Police; Opiribo Jack, Director of Finance; Monica Correll, City Clerk C) OPENING PRAYER The opening prayer was given by Pastor Don Dove, Living Hope Presbyterian Church. D) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Timothy Lindecamp. E) APPROVAL OF MINUTES E.1 July 14, 2025 Council Meeting E.2 July 21, 2025 Work Session E.3 July 28, 2025 Council Meeting 2025-07-14 Council Meeting Minutes.pdf 2025-07-21 Work Session Minutes.pdf 2025-07-28 Council Meeting Minutes.pdf A motion was made by Councilman Lindecamp and seconded by Councilman Montgomery to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2025 Council Meeting, the July 21, 2025 Work Session, and the July 28, 2025 Council Meeting. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley Nays: None 2025-08-11 Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 F) STATEMENT OF CLOSED MEETING - None G) PRESENTATIONS - None H) PUBLIC HEARINGS - None I) PUBLIC COMMENT Robert Hartman, 226 Paradise Road: Mr. Hartman stated that the stormwater drains should be inspected for safety reasons and that cameras are needed near schools to catch speeders. Brandon Russell, 132 Farm Road: Mr. Russell thanked the Council for visiting his neighborhood after the flooding. He discussed stormwater management needs and cleaning out the culvert. Robert Johnson, 130 Farm Road: Mr. Johnson commented about cleaning out a pipe causing the flooding on Farm Road. J) LEGISLATION UNDER CONSIDERATION J.1 Amendments to Ordinance No. 25-O-12, Community Food Distribution Proposed Amendments to Ordinance No. 25-O-12.pdf A motion was made by Councilwoman Ridgley and seconded by Council President Hiob to adopt five amendments to Ordinance No. 25-O-12, Community Food Distribution: Amendment No. 1: On page 2, line 20 of the proposed Ordinance, strike “WITHOUT COST” Amendment No. 2: On page 2, line 29 of the proposed Ordinance, strike “FINANCE DEPARTMENT” and insert “CITY” Amendment No. 3: On page 2, line 35 of the proposed Ordinance, strike “FINANCE DEPARTMENT” and insert “CITY” Amendment No. 4: On page 3, lines 12-14, of the proposed Ordinance, strike “(4) A PARK Amendment No. 5: On page 3, following Paragraph F, of the proposed Ordinance, add the following: “G. A FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT PERMIT SHALL INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT RENTAL AGREEMENT IN A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE CITY THAT ABSOLVES THE CITY OF ANY LIABILITY FROM CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE EVENT.” WILL ABSOLVE THE CITY OF ANY LIABILITY FROM CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE EVENT AND HOLD THE PERMIT HOLDER LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES INCURRED FROM THE EVENT.” The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. 2025-08-11 Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley Nays: None J.2 Ordinance No. 25-O-12, Community Food Distribution (as Amended) (For Adoption) [3rd meeting] Ordinance No. 25-O-12, Community Food Distribution.pdf A motion was made by Councilwoman Ridgley and seconded by Council President Hiob to adopt Ordinance No. 25-O-12, Community Food Distribution as Amended. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley Nays: None K) PENDING LEGISLATION - None L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None M) NEW BUSINESS M.1 Chick-fil-A Preliminary Site Plan and Revised Final Subdivision Plat (For Approval) CFA Aberdeen - Preliminary Site Plan - 2025-08-05.pdf Aberdeen FSU#02928 - Final Subdivision Plat - 2025-08-05.pdf Aberdeen FSU#02928 - Final Subdivision Plat CRL - 2025-08-05.pdf PowerPoint The following representatives were present for the Chick-fil-A preliminary site plan and the revised final subdivision plat: Joseph F. Snee, Jr., Snee, Attorney, Lutche & Helmlinger, P.A.; Megan C. Sheldon, Paralegal; Daniel Haney, Professional Engineer, Bohler Engineering; Michael McFerren, Chick-fil-A Operator/Franchisee; Chad Baker, Restaurant Development, Strategic Reinvestment, Chick-fil-A Inc.; Daniel Hollywood, Restaurant Development, Strategic Reinvestment, Chick-fil-A, Inc. The purpose of the project was to expand the drive-through at the Chick-fil-A located at 1001 Beards Hill Road from one to two lanes, add a 2,000 square foot canopy for the pick-up area, some internal circulation changes, and address stormwater requirements. Property would be deeded over from Holiday Inn Express in the amount of approximately .12 acre to accommodate the improvement. The purpose was to get customers through the queue more quickly. Construction completion was projected for summer, 2026. Some parking spaces would be removed between Chick-fil-A and the Holiday Inn Express. The Planning Commission had recommended approval. Council discussion followed. 2025-08-11 Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilman Lindecamp to approve the Chick-fil-A Preliminary Site Plan and Revised Final Subdivision Plat. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley Nays: None N) UPDATES FROM STAFF Ms. Grover reported on the status of grant awards and development code amendments under review by the Planning Commission and Architectural Review Committee. Chief Trabert reported on increasing speed enforcement starting with the new school year. Mr. Steve Horne, Chair of the Economic Development Commission (EDC), reported on EDC projects and community events in Aberdeen. O) PUBLIC COMMENT Robert Hartman, 226 Paradise Road: Mr. Hartman commented that lack of reflectors on driveway chains was a safety concern and should be addressed. Karen Heavey, 634 W. Bel Air Avenue: Ms. Heavey commented on yard waste pick up. Beth Boyson, 631 Westwood Drive: Ms. Boyson commented on speed limits and cameras needed in certain areas of the City. P) BUSINESS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL (with Liaison Reports) Councilman Lindecamp announced that Aberdeen High School rated as the best attended high school in the county, the most AP tests taken and passed, and highest GPA 9th grade through 12th grade. Councilwoman Ridgley discussed her attendance at the Maryland Municipal League Symposium in Annapolis and information on emergency management plans and natural disaster readiness. She contacted Fanatics Sports about financial support and volunteers for Keep Aberdeen Beautiful. Councilman Montgomery discussed Aberdeen Proving Ground matters, Chamber of Commerce meetings, the activity center, manning and infrastructure assessment, etc. Council President Hiob commented on various projects of the City, development code amendments, fire department updates, the Aberdeen Historical Museum relocation, and preparing requests for the next Maryland General Assembly. Q) ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor made the following announcements: Planning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, August 13, Council Chambers, 6:00 p.m. Aberdeen Police Department Back-To-School Supplies Drive (P.A.C.K.) through August 17. Council Work Session, Monday, August 18, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. Economic Development Commission, Wednesday, August 20, Council Chambers, 8:30 a.m. Regular Council Meeting, Monday, August 25, Council Chambers, 7 p.m. 2025-08-11 Council Meeting Page 5 of 5 Heritage Trust Meeting, Thursday, August 28, Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m. Quarterly Community Meeting, Thursday, September 11, EPICENTER, 21 Aberdeen Shopping Plaza, 7-9 p.m. Candidacy Filing, 2025 Election for 2 Council Seats (4-year terms) - September 2nd-12th. Packets were available at the front desk. Aberdeen Municipal Election, Tuesday, November 4 at Activity Center, Franklin Street, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aberdeen Upcoming Events Aug - Dec.png Keep Aberdeen Beautiful.pdf Mermaid 5K and Bash.png Tea Under the Sea.png R) CLOSED MEETING - None S) ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. City Clerk