In case you missed it, you can view the State of the City address that the Mayor gave. It was a good highlight of the past 8 years that many of us have worked together with this administration.

I also wanted to highlight an event I am co-sponsoring on May 1^st at 6pm in West Annapolis (see below for the flyer). It’s an opportunity to support two of our next leaders that are campaigning to get on or return to the City Council: Aldermanic candidates Harry Huntley (Ward 1) and Keanuu Smith-Brown (Ward 3). If I’m fortunate enough to be re-elected myself, I look forward to working with these two gentlemen.

I will work on getting you a summary of the FY26 City budget as I learn more about it and we conclude our hearings with the Departments and Finance Department. But here is some information from our Public Information Office. I’d like to call out a few things:

• There is no proposed increase in the tax rate. Any increase you may see on your taxes would be due to any increase in property value.
• $1.3 million in continuing funding for remediation of the athletic fields at Weems Whalen fields.
• $93,250 in capital expenditures for a pedestrian activated crosswalk on Bembe Beach Road
• New and continuing funding for improvements at City parks including Waterworks ($336,000); Wells Cove ($105,000); Annapolis Gateway Park ($1M); and Conduit Street ($368,500).

As I indicated in my last email to you, I am running for re-election, and my kick-off event will be on May 6^th at 6pm at the Annapolis Sailing School. Can’t beat the location! And you can’t beat the Bosa Nova music by the talented Jonathan Stone. I would be honored to serve you again and have a lot planned to continue building a stronger Ward 7 and beyond. I hope I can count on your support. If you can attend, please RSVP here so we can better determine how much food and drink to get.

On the Council front, this week we have five items up for public hearings: O-10-25 (budget appropriation and tax levy), O-11-25 (AIPPC related), R-17-25 (Transportation Development Plan), R-20-25 (FY26 fee schedule), and R-21-25 (FY26 fine schedule).

Legislative action summary from last meeting

• O-5-25 - Speed Monitoring Cameras – Passed with proposed amendment - (I voted Aye, and I’m a co-sponsor)
• O-10-24 - Outdoor Dining Requirements in Annapolis – Passed with many amendments - (I voted Aye, and I’m a co-sponsor)
• O-23-24 - Parking and Towing Regulations – Passed with proposed amendment

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

This is proving to be quite a busy spring. Tonight, we have the State of the City address by the Mayor. There is a reception at 6pm that you are welcome to attend at City Hall, in honor of this being our last State of the City together as this Council-Mayoral team. The FY26 City budget will also be presented to the City Council.

That said, this hopefully will NOT be my final State of the City Address. I am running for re-election, and my kick-off event will be on May 6^th at 6pm at the Annapolis Sailing School. Can’t beat the location! And you can’t beat the Bosa Nova music by the talented Jonathan Stone. I don’t have an RSVP link set up yet, but email me if you want to attend and I’ll get that to you when it’s ready. I would be honored to serve you again and have a lot planned to continue building a stronger Ward 7 and beyond. I hope I can count on your support.

Back to Council business, we have two items up for a public hearing: part two of my fence reform effort with O-30-24, and O-10-25 that seeks to expand child care options. We also have final votes on O-5-25 (authorizing installation of new speed cameras – I am a co-sponsor), O-10-24 (seasonal outdoor dining – I am a co-sponsor), and O-23-24 (Parking and towing regs).

Legislative action summary from last meeting

• R-38-25 – Condemnation and Possession of Real Property at 245 West Street – Postponed (I voted for postponement)
• R-53-24 – FY 2025 Changes to Executive Pay Ranges – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• R-54-25 – FY 2025 Changes in the Position Classifications and Pay Plan – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• R-8-25 – Mayor, Alderperson, and City Manager Compensation – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• R-9-25 – Annapolis City Council Support for Maryland House Bill 226/Senate Bill 569 (2025) – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• O-34-24 – FY 2025 Changes in Exempt Service Job Classifications – Adopted (I voted Aye)

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob