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

Next Council meeting – 4/28/25 (agenda)

This meeting starts at 7pm and will be televised on local cable, YouTube, Facebook, and the City website.  You can submit public testimony at http://www.annapolis.gov/testimony. This will be an in-person meeting.

Public Hearings

• O-10-25 - Annual Budget and Appropriation and Property Tax Levy
• O-11-25 - Arts in Public Places Commission Update and Revisions - For the purpose of moving the Arts in Public Places Commission from Title 6, the revenue and finance Title of the City Code, to Title 2, Chapter 2.48 dealing with boards, commissions, and committees; placing oversight of the Arts in Places Commission under the Planning and Zoning Director instead of the Recreation and Parks Director; and generally dealing with the Arts in Public Places Commission duties and responsibilities.
• R-17-25 - 2025 Transit Development Plan for the City of Annapolis For the purpose of approving the City of Annapolis Transit Development Plan that is updated every five years.
• R-20-25 - FY 2026 Annual Fees Schedule - For the purpose of specifying fees that will be charged for the use of City services for Fiscal Year 2026; and providing an effective date.
• R-21-25 - FY 2026 Fines Schedule - For the purpose of specifying fines that will be charged for Fiscal Year 2026; and providing an effective date.

Legislation being introduced on first reader

There is no legislation being introduced on First Reader.

Legislation on second reader (i.e. final vote)

• R-2-25 – Demonstration Program to Build Green Roofs on City Bus Shelters - For the purpose of requiring the City Manager to establish a demonstration program to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of green roof bus shelters; and to include that project in the Fiscal Year 2026 City budget; and generally related to the establishment of eco-friendly bus shelters. This Resolution basically expresses support for what would ultimately need to be a budget amendment, to install green roofs on a few of our bus shelters to see if it would be worthwhile doing on more of our shelters. We saw this type of technology being utilized on bus stops in Europe. I’m supportive of the Resolution, but will need to see the cost and maintenance details in the budget amendment before supporting it as a Capital Improvement Project.
• R-15-25 - Friendship City Relationship with Frankston, Australia - For the purpose of authorizing a friendship city relationship between Annapolis, Maryland and Frankston, in the State of Victoria, Australia. I am inclined to support this, pending any input from you.
• R-19-25 - Memorial Honoring the Life and Legacy of the Late U.S. Representative Parren J. Mitchell For the purpose of dedicating a memorial at the City of Annapolis Pip Moyer Recreation Center in honor of the late U.S. Representative Parren J. Mitchell (D-MD), the first African-American elected to Congress from Maryland. I hope to have an amendment to introduce that will make the late Representative Mitchell’s ties to Annapolis more prominent. I’ve received such information and have requested it be turned into an amendment. That said, I’m inclined to support this, pending any comments from you.

Community & Political updates

Support our next leaders

Ranked Choice Voting film screening

Ranked Choice Voting Maryland and Veterans for all Voters is holding a film screening of   "Majority Rules", a documentary that dives into the transformative power of ranked-choice voting and election reform. It spotlights Alaska's groundbreaking shift to eliminate traditional party primaries and adopt ranked-choice voting, showcasing how these changes impacted campaigns, elections, and even political alliances. The film explores whether altering the way Americans vote could heal divisions and improve democracy. Directed by AJ Schnack, it features interviews with reform advocates and critics, offering a balanced look at the potential of these innovations.

Busch Annapolis Library - 3 May, 10am-1pm RSVP Here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/veteransforallvotersmaryland/1625430/r/rcvmd

Trailer: https://youtu.be/qtw05u5lw9I

City has begun enforcement of the gas-powered leaf blower ban

Gas-powered leaf blowers are now fully prohibited in the City. Hopefully that will make our community a bit quieter, reduce air pollution, and improve worker health. If you see any violations, please take a picture, get contact information, and email it to [email protected]. We have informational flyers here.

Tyler Avenue Complete Community survey

The Comprehensive Planning team at City of Annapolis Planning & Zoning last month launched an exciting 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. We encourage you to look through previous presentations and to take our survey at the link below. We will be closing survey responses to our community survey by April 30, 2025. If you know anyone that lives near the corridor we encourage sharing the flyer or letting them know about the project.

You can also find more information about the initiative and fill out our community survey at https://www.annapolis.gov/2299/Tyler-Avenue-Complete-Community If you have any questions, please reach out to Casey Ortiz at [email protected]