We held an all-day budget meeting this past Monday. At this time we went over all of our Council-amendments to the budget as introduced by the Mayor. you can view the overall list here, though it does not indicate what passed. What I will do is offer you a summary of my amendments. Out of the previous list I've sent you, here are the ones that I moved forward with and successfully got passed:

1. Council implementation position - Created a new Council implementation specialist position that will be located in the City Manager's office and focus on ensuring our legislation is properly implemented by staff, and keep track of code-mandated reporting to the Council. ~$100,000
2. West Street sustainable high value transit study - $100k to partner with the County (and hopefully State) on a feasibility study for installing sustainable and clean high value transit along the West Street corridor, from City Dock to Annapolis Mall, building off of a 2009 study that laid the ground work for our very successful downtown circulator. The goal of this is to determine if we can move in the direction of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) on that corridor, to help us in restorative redevelopment of key areas, increase our housing options, while at the same time addressing the traffic and safety issues along that corridor, spearheading economic development, and enabling pedestrianization of key streets downtown.
3. Bembe Beach sidewalk improvements - I amended the traffic safety CIP to include utilizing that money to install a sidewalk on Bembe Beach Road and to install short-term traffic calming measures on Edgewood Road.
4. Complete streets on Main St - I amended the CIP for the Main Street rebricking to ensure it looks at improving/installing bike lanes and additional street trees.
5. Eastport-Ward 7 circulator - $40k to look at installing a circulator (similar to and connected to the downtown circulator) that would run from Eastport to Ward 7, allowing people to get around this part of our town without a car.
6. Complete Streets CIP - Modified our CIP to allocate funds to supplement other road related CIP projects to ensure they adopt a Complete Streets approach. $525k bond funding
7. Green roof evaluations - Adjusted the facilities CIP to ensure that whenever roof work is being assessed that they also look at installing solar panels and/or a green roof.
8. Wells Cove - Adjusted the Wells Cove CIP to help ensure we maintain and improve this vital public access point for Eastport.
9. Bay Ridge ave bikeway expansion - This CIP text amendment officially implemented an expansion of this bikeway project for Bay Ridge Ave, to include looking at the feasibility of utilizing the old railroad grade from Bay Ridge Ave to Tyler Ave.
10. Carrs Rd annexation support - This $100k will primarily support those of less means to remove their failing septics and connect to our sewer system, assuming the property gets annexed to the City, which is in the work.
11. Stanton Center rehabilitation - Clarified the Stanton Center CIP to ensure that Phase 1 will be focused on resolving the known rehabilitation needs for Stanton Center, such as a new roof and bathrooms, before committing to any upgrade of their gym floor into an LED-floor system.
12. Forest Drive high value transit and TOD study - My colleagues are currently proposing to add density along this corridor. Unfortunately, they are about to commit to such an increase without addressing the long-standing traffic and safety issues we have on Forest Drive. My thinking in securing this $100k, is to do something similar to the West Street effort: develop a plan to add high value transit, transit centers, etc. that will serve to reduce the traffic volume on that road, therefore making its safer. I hope to partner with the County and State on this effort as well

Legislative action summary from last meeting

• O-1-25 – Expansion of Child Care Options in Annapolis – 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 – 6/9/25 (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-9-25 - Expanding Waterfront Uses in R4 General Residence (Zoning) Districts For the purpose of changing the residential table of uses to allow for limited commercial waterfront activities, such as boat rentals, charters, and charter services, in R4 General Residence Districts; and requiring a special exception use reviewed and approved by the city's Board of Appeals. This basically would allow R4 districts on the water to have buildings that support renting out small craft to residents.

Legislation being introduced on first reader

• Nothing is being introduced on First Reader at this meeting.

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

• 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. We voted on amendments to this at the last Council meeting. I’m working on getting staff to upload them individually to our Legistar website so we can see what they are.
• 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. We voted on amendments to this at the last Council meeting. I’m working on getting staff to upload them individually to our Legistar website so we can see what they are. Some of the changes include increasing fines for some violations now that we can go above $1,500 to $5,000 per violation.
• O-10-25 - Annual Budget and Appropriation and Property Tax Levy. This just adopts the proposed FY26 budget as we amended it at the last meeting. There is no tax rate increase, though if your property values have gone up your taxes will also go up. Please see my list of amendments above.
• 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. I’m inclined to support this, pending any input from you. My one major question had to do with allowing new evidence, even though this would change appeals to “on the record”, and per the procedures of the Board of Appeals, the chair can allow new evidence in certain circumstances.
• 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. I’m inclined to support this, pending any comments from you.
• R-12-25 - Street-end Park on Annapolis Street For the purpose of designating certain City of Annapolis-owned property as a street-end park; naming the street-end park at the northwest end of Annapolis Street on Weems Creek the "Annapolis Street Park"; and generally relating to park amenities. I’m inclined to support this, pending any comments from you.
• 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. I’m going to ask for a postponement, as the Transportation Committee has requested a few minor changes.

Community & Political updates

June events

June 7 & 21: Sunrise Paddle by Capital SUP

June 7-8: Secret Garden Tour

June 8: Weird, Wacky, & Unusual History of Annapolis Tour

June 12-15: When Dad Deserves the Best! By Darling Charters

June 13: Yappy Hour Cruise

June 12-15: National Outlet Shopping Day (June 14)

June 14: Loyalist Ladies of Annapolis

June 15:  Father's Day Sails – Schooner Woodwind

June 19-22: Annapolis Juneteenth Parade & Festival

June 19: Celebrate Juneteenth at Hammond-Harwood House

June 19: Juneteenth Celebration Presented By Annapolis Parks & Recreation

June 21: Eco-Tour by Capital SUP

June 21: Solstice Sunset Paddle

June 21: African American Heritage Tour

June 22: Bay Lighthouses Cruise

June 26: I-DAY at U.S. Naval Academy

June 28: Civil War First Maryland Volunteer Infantry Regiment: Living History on Pinkney Street

June 29: Stitch like Jane Austen!

Potential Resilience Projects Identified

For the past six months, the Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative (AMRI) team has been reaching out to area residents and businesses to learn about their experiences with sea level rise, flooding, and shoreline and streambank erosion. We’ve learned of your concerns at community events, open houses, neighborhood meetings, in-depth interviews, and online and in person surveys. We appreciate your time and candor in sharing your experiences.

Your input has helped to identify 39 sites of concern in the Spa Creek and Back Creek watersheds located in and around Eastport. As seen in the map below these sites are located throughout the area, underscoring the need for this kind of resilience work.

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.