City Council

CITY OF ABERDEEN Council Meeting October 13, 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 Absent: Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley Also Present: Phyllis Grover, Director of Planning and Community Development; Henry Trabert, Chief of Police; Monica Correll, City Clerk C) OPENING PRAYER The opening prayer was given by Pastor Hal Bennett, Grove Presbyterian Church. D) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Montgomery. E) APPROVAL OF MINUTES E.1 September 22, 2025 Council Meeting 2025-09-22 Council Meeting Minutes.pdf A motion was made by Councilman Montgomery and seconded by Councilman Lindecamp to approve the minutes of the September 22, 2025 Council Meeting. The motion carried by a vote of 3 – yes; 0 – no; 1 - absent. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery Nays: None Absent: Councilwoman Ridgley F) STATEMENT OF CLOSED MEETING - None 2025-10-13 Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 G) PRESENTATIONS - None H) PUBLIC HEARINGS - None I) PUBLIC COMMENT Maria Montgomery, 544 Beards Hill Road: Ms. Montgomery asked for a director or representative from Department of Public Works to attend the Council Meeting. She also commented on pedestrian crosswalks and safety. Robert Hartman, 226 Paradise Road: Mr. Hartman commented on safety measures needed on Paradise Road to catch speeders and other illegal activities. William Whittman, 924 Edmund Street: Mr. Whitman asked for action on Edmund Street flooding issues. J) LEGISLATION UNDER CONSIDERATION J.1 Ordinance No. 25-O-14, 18 N. Howard Street Lease and Purchase Option (For Adoption) [3rd meeting] Ordinance No. 25-O-14, 18 N. Howard Street Lease and Purchase Option for Public Hearing.pdf A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilman Montgomery to adopt Ordinance No. 25-O-14, 18 N. Howard Street Lease and Purchase Option. The motion carried by a vote of 3 – yes; 0 – no; 1 - absent. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery Nays: None Absent: Councilwoman Ridgley J.2 Ordinance No. 25-O-15, Prohibition Against Possession of Open Containers and Public Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages (For Introduction) (Sponsors: Councilman Montgomery & Councilwoman Ridgley) [1st meeting] Ordinance No. 25-O-15, Open Containers Draft Ordinance.pdf A motion was made by Councilman Montgomery and seconded by Council President Hiob to introduce Ordinance No. 25-O-15, Prohibition Against Possession of Open Containers and Public Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages. The motion carried by a vote of 3 – yes; 0 – no; 1 - absent. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery Nays: None Absent: Councilwoman Ridgley 2025-10-13 Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 K) PENDING LEGISLATION - None L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None M) NEW BUSINESS M.1 Bid #26-02, Aberdeen Hills Waterline (For Approval) Memorandum to City Council 26-02 Aberdeen Hills Waterline.pdf A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilman Lindecamp to approve award of Bid #26-02, Aberdeen Hills Waterline, to the most qualified bidder, DXI Construction, Inc., located at 260 Hopewell Road, Churchville, Maryland, 21028, in the amount of $1,748,600 from the water fund. The Department requested an additional amount of $900,000, available in the water fund, to cover the lump sum and any unforeseen expenses. The motion carried by a vote of 3 – yes; 0 – no; 1 - absent. Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Lindecamp, Councilman Montgomery Nays: None Absent: Councilwoman Ridgley M.2 Updates to the Council Rules of Procedure Proposed Updates to the Council Rules of Procedure.pdf Councilman Montgomery proposed amendments to include video conferencing for the work sessions. The Mayor asked for time for the necessary technical changes through IT before adoption. M.3 Discussion on Approved Ordinance No. 25-O-11. Ordinance No. 25-O-11, 20 N. Howard Street Property Purchase Adopted and Signed.pdf Mayor McGrady discussed the approved purchase agreement with the Aberdeen Masonic Lodge, 20 Howard Street. The Department of Housing and Community Development would not fund the purchase amount of $357,000 through the strategic demolition money; however, they would fund improvements to the building. He asked the Council to discuss the ability to proceed to settlement using general fund money. No tenant had been lined up yet. Council discussion followed regarding proceeding with execution of the contract. N) UPDATES FROM STAFF Ms. Grover discussed the Planning Commissions pedestrian safety work and that the Development code amendments had been finished. An overview would be provided in the future. A preproposal meeting was scheduled for October 14, 2025 for bidders on the architectural and engineering design services for the Station Square project. 2025-10-13 Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 Chief Trabert extended an invitation for police ride-alongs. O) PUBLIC COMMENT Francis Davidson, FOP Lodge 128, 30 W. Bel Air Avenue, Lodge Secretary: Mr. Davidson commented on a letter to the Council demanding the resignation of Councilman Lindecamp and that allegations of retaliation by them are false. He stated that the Union asked the Council to hold him accountable for his behavior. Robert Hartman, 226 Paradise Road: Mr. Hartman commented on the City's purchase of property and that money was needed in other areas. Steve Horne, 940 Gilbert Road: Mr. Horne discussed the Aberdeen Oktoberfest and the Italian Festival. P) BUSINESS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL (with Liaison Reports) The Council discussed their meetings and activities including the Italian Festival, Military Appreciation Night, a student government round table, Keep Aberdeen Beautiful, police command staff numbers, the Highland Commons project, the Council Rules of Procedure, an Activity Center design memo, the BGE Open House, League of Women Voters candidate forum, Department of Housing and Community Development virtual meeting for public input on housing projection targets for counties and municipalities. The Mayor reported on the Farm Road project, and Swan Meadows project, and use of the stadium by a college draft league team. He received a letter from the State of Maryland about General People's Insurance Council Division helping the interests of Maryland homeowners. Q) ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor made the following announcements: Economic Development Commission, Wed., October 15, Council Chambers, 8:30 a.m. Council Work Session, Monday, October 20, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 6 p.m. Heritage Trust Meeting, Thursday, October 23, Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m. Regular Council Meeting, Monday, October 27, Council Chambers, 7 p.m. Board of Election Meeting, Wednesday, October 29, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 4 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, November 12, Council Chambers, 6 p.m. Elections: Deadline for registering to vote for the Aberdeen Municipal Election is Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Contact Harford County Board of Elections. Aberdeen Municipal Election, Tuesday, November 4, Aberdeen Activity Center, Franklin Street, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Events: Public Safety Appreciation Event/Truck or Treat, Sat. Oct. 25, Festival Park, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 2025-10-13 Council Meeting Page 5 of 5 Christmas Home Decorating Contest, Entries due by Monday, December 1. Festival of Trees, Dec. 5 (4-8 p.m.) & Dec. 6 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) Aberdeen Activity Center. Aberdeen's 48th Christmas Street Celebration, Saturday, December 6, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. R) CLOSED MEETING - None. S) ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. City Clerk