City Council — Aberdeen, MD
Date: 2025-12-15

CITY OF ABERDEEN
 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
 60 North Parke Street
 Aberdeen, MD 21001
 Council Chambers
 December 15, 2025, 7:00 PM

A. CALL TO ORDER

B. ROLL CALL

C. OPENING PRAYER

 C.1 Pastor Don Dove, Living Hope Presbyterian Church
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 D.1 Councilman Darin Wassum
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 E.1 October 13, 2025 Council Meeting

 E.2 October 27, 2025 Council Meeting
F. STATEMENT OF CLOSED MEETING - None

G. PRESENTATIONS

 G.1 FY 2025 Audit Report by Auditors, SB & Company, LLC

 G.2 Christmas Street Presentations - Vickie Horne, Aberdeen Main Street Coordinator
 Christmas Street Winners Presentation List.pdf
H. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None

I. PUBLIC COMMENT - Maximum of 3 minutes per person unless authorized by the Council

J. LEGISLATION UNDER CONSIDERATION

 J.1 Ordinance No. 25-O-16, Development Code Revision (For Introduction) (Sponsors: Council
 President Hiob and Councilman Wassum) [1st meeting]
K. PENDING LEGISLATION - None

L. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 L.1 Council Rules of Procedure
 Proposed Updates to the Council Rules of Procedure.pdf
M. NEW BUSINESS

 M.1 Council Liaison Appointments
 Aberdeen Council Liaison Appointments - Dec. 2025.pdf

 M.2 Final Subdivision Plat revised for 502 Pulaski Highway (For Approval)
 502 Pulaski Highway - Final Plat

 M.3 Preliminary Site Plan for Aberdeen Xchange Lots 2 & 3 (For Approval)
 Aberdeen Xchange Lots 2 & 3 - Preliminary Site 10.28.25.pdf
N. UPDATES FROM STAFF

O. PUBLIC COMMENT - Maximum of 3 minutes per person unless authorized by the Council.

P. BUSINESS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL (with Liaison Reports)

Q. ANNOUNCEMENTS - City Hall Weekly Activity Reports are available on the City website at
www.aberdeenmd.gov. Council Meeting agenda packets and documents are posted on the City's Website under
"Meetings and Legislation".

 Q.1 Economic Development Commission, Wed., Dec. 17, Council Chambers, 8:30 a.m.
 Heritage Trust Meeting, Thursday, Dec. 18, Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m.
 City Hall Closed Thursday, December 25, in observance of Christmas.
 Regular Council Meeting, Monday, January 12, Council Chambers, 7 p.m.
 Planning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, January 14, Council Chambers, 6 p.m.
R. CLOSED MEETING - TBD

S. ADJOURNMENT

Under Md. Code Ann., General Provisions Article §3-305(b), all or any portion of public meetings
are subject to closure.

CITY OF ABERDEEN
 Council Meeting
 December 15, 2025
A) CALL TO ORDER

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

B) ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Patrick McGrady
 Council President Adam Hiob
 Councilman William Montgomery, III
 Councilwoman Tandra Ridgley
 Councilman Darin Wassum

Also Present: Phyllis Grover, Director of Planning and Community Development; Opiribo
 Jack, Director of Finance; Henry Trabert, Chief of Police; 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 Darin Wassum.

E) APPROVAL OF MINUTES

E.1 October 13, 2025 Council Meeting

2025-10-13 Council Meeting Minutes.pdf

E.2 October 27, 2025 Council Meeting

2025-10-27 Council Meeting Minutes.pdf

A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilwoman Ridgley to
approve the minutes of the October 13, 2025 Council Meeting and the October 27, 2025 Council
Meeting. The motion carried by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley,
 Councilman Wassum
Nays: None
2025-12-15 Council Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 5
F) STATEMENT OF CLOSED MEETING - None

G) PRESENTATIONS

G.1 FY 2025 Audit Report by Auditors, SB & Company, LLC

City of Aberdeen Presentation by SB Company - 12-15-25.pptx

Stephen Mackall, CPA, SB Company, LLC, Concurring Partner, summarized the scope of
services, audit approach, assessment of control environment, evaluation of key processes,
financial statement highlights, and required communications. They issued an unmodified opinion
on the financial statements. They discovered no instances of fraud and discovered no material
weakness in internal controls. He reported that they received full cooperation from the City's
management.

G.2 Christmas Street Presentations - Vickie Horne, Aberdeen Main Street Coordinator

Christmas Street Winners Presentation List.pdf

The Mayor and Vickie Horne, Aberdeen Main Street Coordinator, presented the awards to the
2025 48th Christmas Street Parade participants. The Council called a short recess for
the Christmas Street holiday cookie reception.

H) PUBLIC HEARINGS - None

I) PUBLIC COMMENT

Josh Broth, 408 Grasmere Drive: Mr. Broth commented that the middle school traditional
sleighing area has had trees planted on it.

Cliff Okoth, 236 Point To Point Square, Bel Air, MD: Mr. Okoth announced World Financial
Group's commitment to help educate the public on financial health.

Robert Hartman, 226 Paradise Road: Mr. Hartman asked for the State of the City address to be
delivered in January.

J) LEGISLATION UNDER CONSIDERATION

J.1 Ordinance No. 25-O-16, Development Code Revision (For Introduction) (Sponsors:
 Council President Hiob and Councilman Wassum) [1st meeting]

Ordinance No. 25-O-16, Development Code Revision with Exhibits.pdf

A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilman Wassum to
introduce Ordinance No. 25-O-16, Development Code Revision. The motion carried by a vote
of 4 – yes; 0 – no.
2025-12-15 Council Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 5
Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley,
 Councilman Wassum
Nays: None

K) PENDING LEGISLATION - None

L) UNFINISHED BUSINESS

L.1 Council Rules of Procedure

Proposed Updates to the Council Rules of Procedure.pdf

Council President Hiob and Councilman Montgomery explained the changes to the Council
Rules of Procedure: on page 1, under I. Meetings – General Information, A. 2. add following
sentence: All Work Sessions, except when subject to a Closed Meeting, shall utilize video
conferencing platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, with live streaming activation. On page 5,
under VII. Liaisons C., following number 12 add: 13. Heritage Trust.

A motion was made by Councilman Montgomery and seconded by Councilman Wassum to
adopt Council Rules of Procedure amendments. The motion carried by a vote of 0 – yes;
0 – no.

Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley,
 Councilman Wassum
Nays: None

M) NEW BUSINESS

M.1 Council Liaison Appointments

Aberdeen Council Liaison Appointments - Dec. 2025.pdf

Council President Hiob read the following Council liaison appointments for nomination:

Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce: Councilman Montgomery.
Aberdeen Fire Department: Council President Hiob.
Aberdeen Heritage Trust: Councilman Montgomery, Council President Hiob – Alternate.
Aberdeen Historical Museum: Council President Hiob.
Aberdeen Proving Ground: Councilman Montgomery.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford & Cecil Counties Aberdeen Branch: Councilwoman Ridgley.
Economic Development Commission: Councilwoman Ridgley. Mayor McGrady also attends.
Harford County Council: Councilman Montgomery.
Harford County Public Schools: Councilwoman Ridgley.
Maryland General Assembly: Council President Hiob, Councilwoman Ridgley.
Parks & Recreation Board: Councilman Wassum.
Planning Commission: Councilman Wassum, Council President Hiob – Alternate.
2025-12-15 Council Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 5


Council President Hiob nominated the Council liaison appointments. The nomination carried
by a vote of 4 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley,
 Councilman Wassum
Nays: None

M.2 Final Subdivision Plat revised for 502 Pulaski Highway (For Approval)

502 Pulaski Highway - Final Plat

Jeff Mathai, P.E., Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc. and the owner of the property, Basem Atih,
were present. The site was located off of U.S. Route 40 and Beards Hills Road extended. The
Council had approved of the preliminary site plan for the proposed two-story building (3,330
square feet, zoned B3, highway commercial for auto sales) at their December 2024 meeting. The
Planning Commission approved the final subdivision plat at their November, 2025 meeting. A
fence permit was needed and the City would need to approve this. Council discussion followed.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Ridgley and seconded by Councilman Wassum to
approve the final subdivision plat revised for 502 Pulaski Highway. The motion carried by a
vote of 0 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley,
 Councilman Wassum
Nays: None

M.3 Preliminary Site Plan for Aberdeen Xchange Lots 2 & 3 (For Approval)

Aberdeen Xchange Lots 2 & 3 - Preliminary Site 10.28.25.pdf

Tom Miner, professional engineer, Frederick Ward Associates, was present. The Planning
Commission reviewed the plan in November, 2024. The proposed building was 23,000 square
feet with about half of it occupied by Mr. Clean and the rest would be flex space. He discussed
that storm water management was being worked out, the traffic impact study was approved, there
was sufficient water and sewer, it was zoned B3 highway commercial, and the property was 1.8
acres in total. Council discussion followed.

A motion was made by Council President Hiob and seconded by Councilman Montgomery to
approve the preliminary site plan for Aberdeen Xchange Lots 2 & 3. The motion carried by a
vote of 0 – yes; 0 – no.

Ayes: Council President Hiob, Councilman Montgomery, Councilwoman Ridgley,
 Councilman Wassum
Nays: None

N) UPDATES FROM STAFF
2025-12-15 Council Meeting Minutes
Page 5 of 5

Vickie Horne, Main Street Coordinator, reported on the Christmas Street Parade and that the new
parade route was successful.

O) PUBLIC COMMENT

Robert Hartman, 226 Parade Road: Mr. Hartman suggested upgrades to the furniture and
electronics in the upstairs conference room.

Beth Boyson, 631 Westwood Drive: Ms. Boyson thanked Vickie Horne and her associates for
running the parade and Christmas Street events.

Maria Montgomery, 544 Beards Hill Road: Ms. Montgomery asked that a representative for each
department be present on the dais.

P) BUSINESS OF MAYOR AND COUNCIL (with Liaison Reports)

The Council discussed grand openings for new businesses in Aberdeen, holiday
meetings/celebrations, the Christmas Street parade/events, committee activities, financial
reporting, economic development, development code work, pedestrian improvements, Maryland
General Assembly activities, Aberdeen Fire Department updates, County Emergency Shelter
plans, etc. The Mayor announced that he planned to present a two-year plan to the Council.

Q) ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Mayor made the following announcements:

Economic Development Commission, Wed., Dec. 17, Council Chambers, 8:30 a.m.
Heritage Trust Meeting, Thursday, Dec. 18, Council Chambers, 6:30 p.m.
City Hall Closed Thursday, December 25, in observance of Christmas.
Regular Council Meeting, Monday, January 12, Council Chambers, 7 p.m.
Planning Commission Meeting, Wednesday, January 14, Council Chambers, 6 p.m.

R) CLOSED MEETING - None.

S) ADJOURNMENT

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.




 City Clerk