First of all, I wanted to thank all of you that were able to join me at my re-election campaign kick-off. We probably had between 70 to 100 people join us throughout the evening. I am incredibly fortunate to have such kind-hearted and thoughtful supporters, and I enjoyed the opportunity to chat with you about the future of Ward 7. If you missed my remarks, you can view them on Facebook. And as always, I could use your financial support as we gear up re-election campaign.

And to my Eastport friends, I hear you loud and clear. And in light of my analysis and comments below on O-14-25, I will work to take a more transit-first approach to addressing parking and Traffic issues in the City, to at least get that planned out more properly before we start making too many drastic changes to density or parking. To that end, I will be requesting funding to look at extending the downtown circulator bus to Eastport, and potentially create an Eastport circulator that would connect Ward 7 to Eastport and downtown in a much more convenient and predictable manner.

As you may know, we are right in the middle of our budget season. Much to my colleagues chagrin, I will be putting forward dozens of budget amendments; some substantial some minor, but all working towards my vision for an Annapolis with sustainable mobility options. Here are some highlights:

• Create a Legislative implementation auditor
• Regional electric transportation system feasibility study in partnership with the County, focusing on West st (building off of a 2009 Study for West St)
• Bembe Beach sidewalk extension
• Deployable safety bollards downtown to enable safe pedestrianization of Main st & West st.
• Bay Ridge Rd-Ave-Eastport circulator shuttle study
• Numerous txt amendments to our CIP road projects to ensure they take a Complete Streets approach.
• CIP Complete streets supplemental funding project.
• Downtown outreach for economic vitalization through pedestrianization
• Bike parking infrastructure installation in City Garages
• Quick-build road safety improvements
• Old Fourth Ward and inner West Street Restorative Development
• Tyler Ave speed camera
• Council project manager
• Downtown-Eastport traffic circulation study
• Edgewood Rd traffic calming initiative
• Fare-free transit
• Mini-roundabout CIP addition
• Carrs beach annexation support (carry-over from last year)
• Bay Ridge Road diet (Carry-over from last year)
• Rec & Parks eco training
• City-County Forest Drive transit study
• And a few more that are still being finalized…

Also, note below a discussion about O-14-25, which seeks to increase density along Forest Dr. and other corridors for Planned Unit Developments. This is a Density-Driven Development approach, which I disagree with as it perpetuates traffic and parking impacts without a solution. I am much more of a supporter of Transit Oriented/Driven Development, which uses transit to fund and drive development, which also offsets and improves traffic and parking impacts at the same time (not to mention the environmental benefit to getting people out of cars). 

Lastly, here is a video put together by the Mayor called “8 Years 8 Wards”.

Legislative action summary from last meeting

R-2-25 – Demonstration Program to Build Green Roofs on City Bus Shelters – Postponed (I voted Aye)

R-15-25 - Friendship City Relationship with Frankston – Adopted (I voted Aye)

R-19-25 - Memorial Honoring the Life and Legacy of the Late U.S. Representative Parren J. Mitchell – Adopted (I voted Aye and amended it)

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

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

I have a number of important Ward 7 updates for you. First of all, the Department of Planning & Zoning has launched a new neighborhood zoning initiative called Tyler Avenue Complete Community. The initiative is focusing on improvements to the Tyler Avenue corridor including a safer streetscape, new housing options, expanded tree canopy, and community spaces. 

Also, for those who live on Back Creek, the Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative is having two public meetings in Eastport to get project ideas.

As far as Monday’s meeting, there is no legislation up for a public hearing, but we will be having a final vote on legislation dealing with the class & compensation for City employees.

Legislative action summary from last meeting

• R-10-25 – 2025 Annapolis Film Festival Fee Waier – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• R-11-25 – Dir3ector of Finance – appointment of Brittany Moran (I vote Aye)

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

Happy St Patrick’s day! I hope everyone enjoys the parade this Sunday and has a safe weekend.

At this upcoming Monday’s Council meeting there will be public hearings on some proposed legislation that would alter the appeals process for property development in Annapolis, and on the 2025 Salary Reivew Commission’s recommendations for adjustments to the Mayor and Council’s compensation. In addition, there are two final votes: one on waiving fees for the 2025 Annapolis Film Festival and another on confirming a new Director of Finance.

Legislative action summary from last meeting

• CA-2-24 -Turned HR and IT into full Departments per the Charter -  Adopted (I voted No)
• O-2-25 – WRNR radio tower lease with the City – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• O-23-24 – Expanded radius at which we can select towing companies – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• O-32-24 – Fire sprinkler downtown requirements – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• O-34-24 – FY2025 changes to exempt employee job classification – Postponed
• R-1-25 – Thompson street park naming – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• R-2-25 – Demo project for green roofs on bus shelters – Referred to committee
• R-6-25 – Boat show non-profit vendors – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• R-7-25 – Itinerant merchant sales in historic district – Adopted (I voted Aye)
• R-53-24 – FY25 executive pay scale – Postponed
• R-54-24 – FY25 changes to position classification & pay scale – Postponed

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

First of all, here is an update on some legislation that passed at our previous meeting on February 10^th.

Passed legislation

O-28-24 - Police Department -- Property and Contraband Disposal

O-29-24 - Fence Permit Requirements Related to Buildings and Construction Standards in Title 17 (my legislation)

Monday’s meeting

At this upcoming Monday’s meeting there will be a public hearing on some proposed speed camera legislation, which may be of interest to you. We will also be officially receiving a report from the salary review commission that details their recommendations to increase the Alderpersons/Mayoral pay. Also note the survey link below from the Resilience Authority. They are looking for properties with flooding issues that they may work on resolving for you, so please take time to fill out the survey if this applies to you. Lastly, note the County will be holding an upcoming “safe routes to transit” event.

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

First of all, an update on some legislation that passed at our previous meeting.

Passed legislation

O-31-24 – Mobile Food Service Vendors’ Signage (my legislation)

O-35-24 - Fair Cannabis Employment Practices (my legislation)

R-3-25 - City Dock Resiliency Project (I co-sponsored)

Monday’s meeting

As far as Monday’s meeting, there is no legislation up for a public hearing. Though we are introducing some legislation that would authorize the installation on speed cameras, and a demonstration project to install green roofs on some of our bus stops. We are also having final votes on legislation including O-28-24 that would require that APD donate confiscated bikes to non-profits to serve local residents in need.

Fence updates

I know this is of special interest to some of you. O-29-24, which is part 1 of my two-part legislative package updating our fence code (in response to an issue that popped up in my neck of the Ward), is up for a final vote. There are a number of amendments that I detail below. Also, its sister legislation O-30-24 has made it through the planning Commission with a favorable recommendation and will be coming back to the Council in February and March.

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

I have a number of events to update you on that have a particular relevance and importance to Ward 7. But before I get to those, I have a few updates on Monday’s City Council meeting. Of particular note is that we will be holding a final vote on three pieces of legislation:  First is O-31-24, which is my legislation that would create sign regulations for food trucks, so that we don’t have a proliferation of bright, blinking signs on the food trucks on Forest Drive. Second is O-35-24, which is my Fair Cannabis Employment Practices legislation that would protect employees rights to utilize cannabis while off-duty by prohibiting testing for cannabis on current or potential employees. Lastly is R-3-25, which is an expression of the Council’s support of the City Dock resilience project. You can get more information on all of these below.

If you see any sidewalks that still have snow on them, please report them to the City at https://www.annapolis.gov/2025/Report-an-Issue. As a reminder, adjacent property owners are required to remove the snow in front of their houses. The City can issue fines for not doing this. They may also do the work themselves and then charge the homeowner. This has become a very important issue to me given that our kids need to be able to walk and ride their bikes safely to school. In addition, I was quite shocked the other day when I saw a resident pushing another resident on a wheel chair in the middle of Forest Drive because that particular section of sidewalk is still covered with snow, despite the fact that County Code says it should be cleared within 6 hours of the storm event. I’ve passed this along to the County so I hope they get to this soon before someone is killed.

We are asking for Community Input for the Carr's Beach project. There are a number of events going on from January 30^th to February 1^st in an effort to gather such input. Please see below for details.

We are also looking for project ideas, on public or private land, to address any flooding/sea level rise issues in the Back Creek watershed (i.e. Ward 7). There is a new initiative called the Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative (AMRI) that is a partnership between Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and the Resilience Authority. Please see below for more information.

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

First of all, Happy New Year! I hope everyone stayed safe during the previous snowstorm and found some time to enjoy the beauty and peace provided by a nice snowfall. I did, as I took it as an opportunity to travel this weekend on a father-son ski trip; hence my delay in getting this out. I apologize for the delay but I do need to prioritize family and didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

Snow response

This was the City’s largest snowstorm in eight years. Dedicated Public Works crews were operating on twelve-hours shifts throughout the week to clear our 275 miles of streets and spread over 600,000 pounds of salt. In addition, Public Works staff had to quickly and efficiently address a few water main breaks that popped up due to sustained temperatures below freezing. I understand that some of your streets remain icy. The challenge the City had was that with the cold temperatures continuing after the snowfall, the salt was not able to accelerate the ice’s melting, and plows are not easily able to remove ice. It’s best to apply salt prior to the snowfall, but in this case they did that but the snow quickly overwhelmed our initial efforts. All that said, no snow response is perfect. If you have any issues in the future, the best way to report issues is at https://www.annapolis.gov/2025/Report-an-Issue

If you see any sidewalks that are not cleared of snow, please report them via that link as well. Sidewalks in both the City and County are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to clear. If you report them to the City or County they should then be sending enforcement notices to the property owners.

Previous Ward 7 Town Hall on YouTube

If you were unable to attend our last Ward 7 town Hall this past December, you can view it here. The Mayor and I presented on our local takeaways from our work study visits to Europe. I enjoyed chatting with everyone and am looking forward to applying these lessons to improve your lives and our City.

Other items

I discuss other items below, including a public hearing on our seasonal outdoor dining Ordinance, support our City Dock resilience efforts with R-3-25, and a Resolution that would establish a task force to look at our houseboat code.

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

First of all, since we are getting closer to December 16^th, I wanted to remind you that we are having a Ward 7 Town Hall that day at 6:00pm at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck library. I’ll be presenting on local lessons drawn from our work-study to Sweden that was on Sustainable Transportation in particular. The Mayor may be joining us as well. After this the meeting will be opened up into a general Q&A Town Hall. I could really use help distributing flyers, so if you have the time and inclination to leave them on the doors of your neighbor’s houses, please let me know and I’ll ensure you get some flyers to distribute. Ideally I’d like to get them out this weekend or early next week so people have ample notification of the meeting.

In other news for Monday, we will be voting on a Resolution that would delay the enforcement of our gas-powered leaf blower ban. I want to be clear: this is not a step back from that ban. It’s clear that this is the direction the public wants to go. What this is, is an effort to respond to some concerns we have heard about the financial transition to electric equipment, so we are working on securing funds and setting up a program to administer a voucher or rebate program to assist residents and local landscaping companies.  But we need time to get this set up. So the ban will still go into effect January 1^st but the enforcement, as far as fines, will be delayed. If you do notice violations, please take pictures of the company or individual in question, email them to [email protected] and City staff will reach out to them to help educate them about the law and our transition assistance program.

Also, my Fair Cannabis Employment Ordinance is up for public hearing. More information on that below. Lastly, my legislation that would prohibit new drive-thrus will be up for a final vote. I’ve posted closing comments on that below, but suffice it to say that my intention is to build a more sustainable, safe, and accessible community for all. I’ll explain more below. 

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob