Due to Memorial Day, our Council meeting has been moved to Tuesday evening. Before this meeting, we will hold a work session to discuss a proposed $1.5 light-up LED basketball court and $2 million e-sports arena for the Stanton Center. I have a lot of concerns about these proposals and hope to get some answers.

Also of note are that we have a number of pieces of legislation up for a public hearing, including on legislation that would enact the Council-Mayor compensation commission recommendations to increase the Council and Mayor’s pay during the next term. As well as one that deals with fines and requirements to clear snow from sidewalks.

In case you missed it last week, here are some of the amendments I'm planning on moving forward with to the proposed FY26 budget.

• 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. (This has been rolled into one of Alderman Arnett’s amendments)
• 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
• Quick-build road safety improvements
• Tyler Ave speed camera
• Downtown-Eastport traffic circulation study
• Edgewood Rd traffic calming initiative
• Carrs beach annexation support (carry-over from last year)
• Bay Ridge Road diet (Carry-over from last year – though I’ve recently learned a new carry-over amendment may not be needed)
• City-County Forest Drive transit study
• I may propose changes to the proposed Stanton center LED basketball court and e-sports arena – These have a total cost around $3 million dollars, and I have concerns that there are other more urgent needs that need to be met at the Stanton Center. Once I have all the data I may end up re-allocating this money towards things like a repair of the Stanton center roof, extending hours, fixing their kitchen, or maintaining recreational fields.

Legislative action summary from last meeting

• R-2-25 – Demonstration Program to Build Green Roofs on City Bus Shelters – passed (I voted Aye)
• R-24-25 - Confirmation of Human Resources and Integrated Technology Solutions Directors – passed (I voted Aye)

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

Next Council meeting – 5/27/25 (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-6-26 - Clearing Snow and Ice from City Sidewalks For the purpose of clarifying that the City is allowed to clear snow and ice from sidewalks in the City at the expense of the adjacent property owner if the owner fails to do so; requiring the snow removal be the width of the sidewalk or at least four feet wide for wider sidewalks; updating the citation and appeals sections; and generally related to cleaning and clearing of sidewalks.
• O-8-25 - Chesapeake Children's Museum Lease Renewal Through June 30, 2030 For the purpose of authorizing a lease agreement with Chesapeake Children's Museum, Inc., a Maryland corporation, for City property at 25 Silopanna Road in Annapolis commencing on July 1, 2025 and terminating on June 30, 2030.
• O-12-25 - Prioritizing Affordable Spending Through Expansion of Financial Advisory Commission Duties For the purpose of listing the duties of the Financial Advisory Commission; adding "spending affordability" to review the City's finances so that spending levels align with the City's income, and reviewing projected revenue, debt levels, and long-term fiscal outlook; and generally related to the Financial Advisory Commission.
• O-13-25 - Compensation of Mayor, Alderpersons, and City Manager For the purpose of adjusting the compensation and allowances to be paid to the Mayor, Aldermen and Alderwomen for the term of office commencing on the first Monday in December 2025; and for adjusting the compensation to be paid to the City Manager.

Legislation being introduced on first reader

• CA-1-25 - City Council Compensation Commission For the purpose of updating the process for setting the City Council's compensation; removing it from the Council Elections Article of the City Charter and inserting it under The City Council Article; and removing the requirement that the Council's compensation commission sets the City Manager's compensation.
• R-26-25 - FY 2026 Position Classifications and Pay Plan For the purpose of approving the Fiscal Year 2026 annual position classifications and pay plan; and specifying an effective date.

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

• O-1-25 – Expansion of Child Care Options in Annapolis - For the purpose of allowing large family child care homes pending zoning approval; removing City restrictions on hiring home-operated child care service employees who live outside the home; combining sections dealing with child care centers; updating the related City Code sections to align with state child care standards; and address the requirements of Title 21 concerning child care in Annapolis. I’m strongly inclined to support this, pending any input from you.
• R-24-25 - Confirmation of Human Resources and Integrated Technology Solutions Directors For the purpose of confirming the appointment of Patricia Hopkins as Director of Human Resources and Brian Paquin as Director of Integrated Technology Solutions; and consenting to compensate the directors. This fully enacts changes we have made over the past few years to change these offices into full Departments. Pending any comments from you, I’m inclined to support.

Community & Political updates

Georgetown Rd sidewalk work

Please see the link above for details. The City is asking for your cooperation if you live on one of these streets.

Memorial Day in Annapolis: Parade on Monday, May 26

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.