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

Next Council meeting – 3/10/25 (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-33-24 - Appeals Process for Property Development in Annapolis - For the purpose of eliminating the temporary stop on development, construction or other project work, called a "stay," while a Department of Planning and Zoning or Department of Public Works decision regarding building and construction developments is being challenged in Circuit Court; and generally dealing with the appeals process in Titles 17 and 21 of the City Code. This legislation proposes to clarify that for the impacted Chapters that in the scenario of any appeals to a State Court, a “stay” or “halt” on construction is not automatic. This doesn’t appear to conflict with my recently passed code change regarding Forest Conservation appeals. The legislation also sets a clear timeframe within which the City Board of Appeals must hold a hearing on an appeal—within 45 days of the filing date. This reduces the time and cost.
• R-8-25 - Mayor, Alderperson, and City Manager Compensation. For the purpose of reviewing and accepting the 2025 Salary Review Commission report dated February 4, 2025, which provides recommendations for adjusting the City Council and City Manager salaries for the 2025-2029 term. This legislation is required to be introduced by our Charter. Every 4 years, prior to the next Council term, we compose a Commission that reviews the salaries of the Council and Mayor, and then delivers a report to us with their recommendations. This Resolution simply accepts the report; it does not adopt any salary increases. Such increases, if the Council decides to move forward, must be introduced at a future data via Ordinance. In the Commission’s report you will see they are proposing to increase the Council’s salary to $38,000 by the end of the next term, which would put us closer to what the County Council gets paid. Right now I believe we are making around $20,000. The Commission recommended that the Mayor get paid $120,000, up from the current $90,000.

Legislation being introduced on first reader

• R-5-25 – Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts Fee Waiver - Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts Fee Waiver For the purpose of waiving certain fees for the Maryland Hall for the Creative Art's third phase of its multi-year project to renovate its 93-year-old building and facilities in and around the building. The total fee waiver would be $55,000.

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

• R-10-25 - 2025 Annapolis Film Festival Fee Waiver - For the purpose of identifying the Annapolis Film Festival that will be held on March 27-30, 2025, as a Major Special Event; and waiving charges for certain City of Annapolis costs related to city services for that event. I’m inclined to support this legislation, pending any comments from you.
• R-11-25 - Director of Finance--Brittany Moran For the purpose of expressly confirming the appointment of Brittany Moran as Director of Finance; and consenting to compensate the Finance Director. I’m inclined to support this nomination, pending any comments from you.

Community & Political updates

Annapolis Go app, Transigo, now available on Android

City staff have finally gotten their contractor to make the Transigo app available on Android, so you now have another option to get around town. I don’t think the coverage extends to the entirety of Ward 7, but I will find out at our next Transportation Committee meeting.

Flooding issues on your property or nearby? Read on

The Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis have partnered to address flooding, erosion, and sea level rise in the Back Creek and Spa Creek areas around Eastport with the Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative. To better understand issues residents are facing, they've developed a brief survey to learn how these environmental challenges have affected residents and what, if any, ideas residents might have to help address them. 

Please take five minutes of your time to complete the survey and let your voice be heard. 

Annapolis St. Patrick’s Parade and ‘Shamrock the Dock’ Set for Sunday, March 9