Monday’s meeting will be starting with a closed session on the lawsuit that has been filed against the City, in a seeming attempt to stop our efforts to protect it from climate change. I don’t know much about it at the moment, and we’ll see what I can disclose after our closed meeting. Slightly more on this below.

I am going to try to manually add three pieces of legislation to the agenda that are not on the final posted agenda. O-29-24 (Title 17 fence code update), O-30-24 (Title 21 fence code update), and O-36-23 (Forest Conservation loophole closure). You can get more information on all of these below. I have to manually add them to the agenda via a motion to amend the agenda because, while I had requested they be on the final agenda they were removed without my permission, so now I have to add them back on manually. Code requires they should have been on this agenda given where they are in the process, so they were removed in violation of our code. Regardless, that’s why you don’t see them on the final posted agenda.

As a reminder, I have scheduled a town hall meeting at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library for 6-7:30pm on Monday, December 16^th (I apologize for the earlier time, but it appears the library has changed their hours slightly)

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

Next Council meeting – 11/12/24 (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.

Special note

This meeting is starting with a closed session at 6pm. We will be discussing the lawsuit against the City regarding our efforts to protect downtown from sea level rise. Closed sessions are closed to the public and are allowed per the Maryland Open Meetings Act to discuss legal matters.  So with this closed session we may start the meeting a little earlier or later than 7pm, depending on how the conversation goes.

Public Hearings

• No legislation is up for a public hearing.

Legislation being introduced on first reader

• CA-2-24 - FY 2025 City of Annapolis Departmental Reorganization - For the purpose of recreating the Department of Human Resources; creating the Department of Integrated Technology Solutions; reassigning certain duties; and all matters generally related to such departmental reorganization.
• O-28-24 - Police Department -- Property and Contraband Disposal - For the purpose of clarifying that Annapolis will follow state rules on the disposal of abandoned vehicles and generally dealing with property and contraband disposal. I’m going to see if I can amend this in the future to required that instead of auctioning off confiscated bikes, they be given to local kids in need. Not sure if State law would allow this but I’m going to look into it.
• O-31-24 - Mobile Food Service Vendors' Signage - For the purpose of establishing sign requirements for Mobile Food Service Vendors, known as food trucks; and generally dealing with Peddlers, Hawkers and Itinerant Merchants operating restrictions. This is legislation I am introducing, because, on my early morning (and dark) bike ride to work, I have noticed that at least one food truck has a flashing sign that stays on all night. Generally we do not allow such signs in the City; however, since this is a sign on a food truck it never triggered the permitting requirements as a ground-based sign would. Hence, new code is needed to have the adhere to the same restrictions and permitting process as normal signs. Personally, I find these flashing signs distracting and I don’t want them to proliferate all the way down Forest Drive. This is on First Reader so I’ll inform you when the public hearing is, but feel free to send me comments in the meantime.
• O-32-24 - Fire Sprinkler System Requirement Clarification - For the purpose of clarifying that the fire sprinkler systems requirements of ? 17.20.120(A) and when the requirement goes into effect; updating subsections B through D to comply with current national standards; reformatting the section; and generally dealing with City fire sprinkler requirements. I’ll support this on first reader but I do have concerns. Our current code requires that all commercial buildings downtown have to have sprinklers. Apparently our Fire Department has been interpreting this to mean that all non-single family home residential properties, which would include multi-family housing and mixed use, also have to add sprinklers, when that is not what our code says. Our code only says commercial properties. So that’s one question: have they been applying our code correctly. The other question is if the new legislation, which would change it to apply to all non-single family residential properties downtown, is really needed. I understand the safety issue, but such a requirement would also add quite a cost to redeveloping or renovating historical and non-historical properties and as we seek to add more mixed use downtown. With a Fire Department that has super fast response times and a very high rating, is it really needed to add/expand this sprinkler requirement when the costs of housing have gone up so much? I’m not so sure.
• O-34-24 - FY 2025 Changes in Exempt Service Job Classifications - For the purpose of updating the classification grades for City employees in exempt service positions; and generally related to City employee salaries for exempt service positions.
• O-29-24 - Fence Permit Requirements Related to Buildings and Construction Standards in Title 17 - For the purpose of requiring a completed application and permit issued before removing fences of a certain size; requiring plans to show the location of trees of a certain size; and clarifies when a stop-work order will be issues; reformatting these sections to current Code style; and generally related for fence requirements in Title 17. In light of some recent issues that were brought to my attention with fence permitting and approvals, I have introduced two pieces of legislation. This one clarifies our code to correct issues that frankly shouldn’t need correcting, to address the following: States that no fence over 400’ long should be removed or demolished without a permit, and 2. That existing trees over 5”  in dbh need to be shown on the permit application, and 3. That applications that do not meet these requirements shall not be considered or approved by the Department, (Yes, I’m even now surprised that I have to even type out #3 as it really shouldn’t’ need to be stated...), and 4. Applicants shall be notified by staff of any appeals filed to their fence permit application, and 5. That the Board of Appeals should handle any appeals on a case-by-case basis and the plainly written meaning and intention of the code shall be adhered to, and that if they need clarifications they should contact the Council, the actual policy-makers, instead of simply ignoring our code.
• O-30-24 - Fence Permit Requirements Related to Use and Development Standards in the City Zoning Code Title 21 - For the purpose of creating additional standards related to home fencing along forests and open spaces; clarifying undue obstructions related to fencing; stating Council preference for extra consideration regarding fences on an up-slope; and generally related to fence regulation in Title 21. This is the second piece of legislation I am introducing to tweak our fence code, as I stated above this is in response to some issues with permitting and approval that were brought to my attention. This particular piece would adjust Title 21 that has code that talks about how fences cannot “unduly” obstruct light and air. It further clarifies this section of code, given that our Building Board of Appeals was confused by it an rather than ask for clarification basically just ignored the code (yes, that’s another issue I may resolve via re-confirmation or not of existing board members, or further training/guidance from our law office. <sigh> there is seemingly no end of issues to resolve…). In any case, what this legislation would do is further define “undue obstructions” by prohibiting fences with less than two inches gap between boards from being installed along areas that are backed on one side, the applicant’s side, by forests or open space that does not have homes located within 50’ of the fence. It also lists potential obstructions that could include (but doesn’t necessarily prohibit) fences over 4’ tall that to include no lattice beyond that 4’, or that have gaps smaller than two inches, that are proposed to be located within 10’ of a neighbor’s windows or that are backing undeveloped areas. And lastly, it includes in the “unduly” description fences that are located on up-slopes behind homes given that the elevation creates even more of an obstruction, and states that fences should be modified to address this issue, especially when there are no homes on the applicant’s side of the fence. In essence, this clarifies what should be common sense, which I would argue should have been clear with even the original language: privacy fences should not be allowed to be installed when an applicant has no inherent interest or need for privacy, such as when the applicant has no home but only forest they are trying to ensure has privacy (why anyone would need a forest to have privacy is beyond me… especially when it impacts other neighbors who do have homes on the other side). Not to mention the wildlife issue with that… Regardless, if this passes on first reader it will work through the process, so I’ll inform you of any public hearings if you want to chime in.
• R-51-24 - 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game - For the purpose of identifying the Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game that will be held on December 28, 2024, as a Major Special Event; and waiving charges for specific City of Annapolis costs related to city
• R-52-24 - 25-year Alex Haley Memorial Celebration - For the purpose of identifying the "25-year Alex Haley Memorial Celebration" that will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, as a Major Special Event; and waiving charges for certain City of Annapolis costs related to city services for that event.
• R-53-24 - FY 2025 Changes to Executive Pay Ranges - For the purpose of updating the Fiscal Year 2025 annual position classifications and grades; and specifying an effective date.
• R-54-24 - FY 2025 Changes in the Position Classifications and Pay Plan - For the purpose of updating the Fiscal Year 2025 annual position classifications and grades; and specifying an effective date.

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

• O-33-23 - Expiration of Special Exceptions to City Zoning Requirements - For the purpose of making the deadline for builders to utilize their special exception to City zoning requirements from one year to two years; making the issuance of a grading or building permit as the point when the special exception is "established"; adds requirements on when special exceptions expire; and generally related to the expiration of special exceptions. My understanding, based on the staff report from P&Z, is that this legislation seeks to “prevent unnecessary project delays due to rigid deadlines while at the same time encourage developers to remain timely on their approved projects.” I’m inclined to support this, but not strongly. I do have a lot of concerns with the amendment offered, which has a number of run-on sentences and would seem to make this retroactive to any special exceptions since 2020. Not sure what the implications of this would be.
• O-20-24 - Elections - Surplus Funds and Reporting Deadlines - For the purpose of updating candidate reporting deadline requirements and penalties for municipal elections; moving fees from the City Code to the annual Fees Schedule; and generally related to failure to file required campaign and election reports. I intend to support, pending any comments from you.
• R-43-24 - Fees Schedule Updated for Title 4 - Elections - For the purpose of establishing fees required by the adoption of ordinances updating Title 4 - Elections. I intend to support, pending any comments from you.
• R-50-24 - 2025 Salary Review Commission Members - For the purpose of approving members of the Salary Review Commission established by Resolution 42-24 on September 27, 2024. I am strongly inclined to support this charter-required commission, pending any comments from you.
• O-26-23 - Forest Conservation Plan Appeals - For the purpose of closing a loophole in the Forest Conservation Plan provisions of the City Code concerning forest clearing; changing the Forest Conservation Plan appeals body from the Building Board of Appeals to the Board of Appeals; and generally related to the Maryland Forest Conservation Act and Planned Unit Development regulations. This is my legislation that seeks to do two things: 1. Remove a loophole from our Forest Conservation Act that exempted older planned developments, and 2. Prevent forests/trees from being irreversibly cleared while an appeal is pending. Obviously, I’m strongly inclined to support, but if you have any concerns or comments, please let me know.

Community & Political updates

Grand Illumination, December 1^st 3pm, to 6pm on Market Space

Free to the public. Come out for an afternoon and evening of free entertainment, Santa and the Christmas Tree Lighting. 

All of Market Space will be closed to vehicles for this event. Cornhill and Fleet Streets will be restricted to  residents living on those streets during the event.

Midnight Madness December 5 and 12  from 4pm to Midnight and December 19  from 4 pm to 11pm

Free to the public. Come out and enjoy a beautifully decorated downtown, with entertainment along the streets and sidewalks throughout downtown, as shops and restaurants are open late along West Street, Church Circle, Main Street, Market Space, Dock Street, Francis Street, State Circle, and Maryland Ave for you to enjoy doing all of your holiday shopping.

Annapolis Holiday Market December 12 from 4pm to 10pm, 13&14 from 11am to 9pm and 15 from 11am to 5pm

Free to the public. Come out and enjoy a festive holiday market located between the Harbormasters office and Susan Cambell Park. Afterwards be sure to check out all the great shops, restaurants and activities throughput downtown Annapolis. Dock Street parking lot will be closed days of this event between the Harbormaster and the Park.

Holiday Parking recommendations for downtown events

Hillman Parking Garage offers first hour free during the holiday season using the ParkMobile app

Calvert Street Garage is free weekdays starting at 6pm and all day on weekends

Whitmore Garage is just $1.25 an hour before 4pm and only $2 for all evening after 4pm

Free Circulator shuttle rides are available from parking garages along West Street

City Residents can request from Premium Parking for 2-hour free parking daily for Hillman Parking Garage and  for the other city owned parking garages city residents can request 2-hour free daily parking from Annapolis Parking. If you have not already applied for your free 2-hour city resident parking, please apply for it now. More information on parking and the circulator shuttle is at www.annapolisparking.com

Youth poetry book

“Around Each Corner,” a youth poetry book created to share the voices of our city’s youth. Submission will be accepted until November the 15th. More information here: https://www.annapolis.gov/1965/Youth-Poetry