We are in the final stretch of the Council, with only 4 meetings remaining. Hence, as you’ll see below, there are quite a few of pieces of legislation being introduced.

Ranked Choice voting hearing

We will be having a public hearing on O-35-25, which would change Annapolis elections to Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in 2029. If you support this transition, I encourage you to come out and testify.

RCV is an election method where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. It is utilized in Takoma Park, NYC, Maine, and Alaska. If no candidate wins a majority of first‑choice votes, the lowest‑ranked candidates are eliminated in rounds, and votes are redistributed based on the next preference until one candidate has a majority. I am co-sponsoring this with Alderman Huntley as I’ve long-supported shifting to this type of voting. I believe this voting method will help build unity at a time when this country is incredibly divided, for two main reasons: 1. It ensures that whomever wins, wins with a majority of the vote instead of simply a plurality, and 2. It helps prevent vicious fighting between candidates since they will want their opponent’s supporters to at least vote for them as #2. Furthermore, it helps to remove the ”spoiler” effect because if a candidate receives the least amount of votes, they will lose that round and those who voted for that person as #1 will have their #2 jump up to #1. Here is a good video explaining RCV.

2025 election updates

Door-knocking tomorrow with Mayoral candidate Jared Littman

As you may have seen in my email yesterday, Mayoral candidate Jared Littman and I are door-knocking tomorrow morning in Ward 7, starting at 10AM. If you would like to join us, please RSVP here.

Endorsement

As you could tell from the door-knocking, I fully support Jared Littman for Mayor. I have worked with him during his tenure as an Alderman, prior to my own election, and can attest to his strong integrity and dedication to environmental protection. Throughout my experience in politics, I have encountered many public officials, and he stands out as someone genuinely motivated by public service. I encourage you to consider supporting him in the upcoming Mayoral Primary.

Savidge Yard signs

If you would like a Savidge campaign yard sign in your yard, please let me know and I’ll get one to you soon.

Thank you for a successful fundraiser at Port Annapolis.

For those who were able to join us, thank you for turning out. We enjoyed the port wine and had some lovely conversations. The money raised will help to go towards some mailers that I will be sending out between the primary and general elections.

Legislative action summary from last meeting

• O-9-25 - Expanding Waterfront Uses in R4 General Residence (Zoning) Districts D – APPROVED (I voted “Aye”)
• O-19-25 - Regulation of Tours in Historic Annapolis – POSTPONED (I voted “Aye” on postponement)
• R-30-25 - Five-Year Consolidated Housing and Community Development Strategic Plan – PASSED (I voted “Aye”)
• O-20-25 - Sale of City-Owned Property at 932 Spa Road and 935 Spa Road – APPROVED as amended by Environmental Matters Committee (I voted “Aye”)

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

Next Council meeting – 9/8/25 (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-29-25 - Tyler Avenue Complete Community Overlay District – The ordinance would create a Tyler Avenue Complete Community Overlay District as part of Annapolis’ citywide rezoning to implement the Annapolis Ahead 2040 Comprehensive Plan. It applies to the Tyler Avenue corridor between Forest Drive and Bay Ridge Avenue, aiming to address traffic hazards, vacancies, and underused land by replacing current zoning with tailored rules. These include allowing more housing types, adjusting lot sizes and setbacks, clarifying parking, adding open space requirements for larger projects, and keeping existing height limits to preserve neighborhood character. The intent is to simplify zoning, reduce special exceptions, and give property owners more flexibility while improving streetscapes and community spaces.
• O-30-25 - Business Revitalization District Regulation Change – This would amend the Business Revitalization (BR) zoning district by raising the floor area ratio (FAR) limit from 2.0 to 2.5 so property owners can fully utilize the existing three‑story height allowance. This change is intended to encourage compatible redevelopment in line with neighborhood patterns, supported by a new architectural design standard. The adjustment is expected to spur reinvestment with minimal operational impact on city staff.
• O-32-25 - Lease of City Property - 2031-2036 Fall Boat Shows - O‑32‑25 would authorize new leases with the United States Yacht Shows, Inc. for the annual spring and fall Boat Shows at City Dock from 2031–2036, with an option to extend through 2040. The agreements maintain current rent and fee structures, ensuring these signature events continue while accommodating future City Dock construction impacts.
• O-33-25 - Lease of City Property - Market House - O‑33‑25 would authorize a lease with New Market House, LLC for exclusive operation of the Market House at 25 Market Space from July 1, 2033, to June 30, 2038, with up to three optional five‑year renewals. The lease includes use of adjacent sidewalks, sets minimum and potential performance rent payments, and continues the City’s existing arrangement with the current tenant.
• O-34-25 - FY 2026 Changes in Exempt Service Job Classifications - O‑34‑25 updates the City’s list of exempt service positions by adding the Community Service Coordinator role, which will move to the Mayor’s Office in FY 2026. This change corrects an omission from prior legislation and allows the position to be created and filled as intended.
• O-35-25 - Ranked-Choice Voting in Annapolis City Elections – This would enact Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) for Annapolis elections starting in 2029. RCV is an election method where voters rank candidates in order of preference rather than choosing just one. If no candidate wins a majority of first‑choice votes, the lowest‑ranked candidates are eliminated in rounds, and votes are redistributed based on the next preference until one candidate has a majority. I am co-sponsoring this with Alderman Huntley.
• O-36-25 - Lease of City Property - 2031-2036 Spring Boat Shows - O‑36‑25 would authorize new leases with the United States Yacht Shows, Inc. for the annual fall and spring Boat Shows at City Dock from 2031–2036, with an option to extend through 2040. The leases maintain current rent and fee structures, with few changes due to uncertainties about future City Dock construction impacts.

Legislation being introduced on first reader

• O-37-25 - City Capital Facilities Charges Payment Plan - O‑37‑25 allows developers or property owners building six or fewer dwelling units to defer payment of the City’s $4,900 per‑unit water and sewer capital facilities charges from building permit issuance to the use and occupancy permit stage, with fines for early occupancy. The measure aims to ease upfront costs for small‑scale projects while ensuring the City still collects funds needed for infrastructure to support new growth
• O-38-25 - Exception to the City's Prohibition on Doors or Gates Opening Over Sidewalks - O‑38‑25 would allow the Director of Public Works to grant exceptions to the City’s prohibition on doors or gates opening over sidewalks when they do not pose a hazard. The rationale is to provide flexibility for low‑risk situations where strict enforcement is unnecessary, while maintaining pedestrian safety.
• R-33-25 - Speed Monitoring System Fines – This would update our speed camera fine schedule to graduated fines depending on the speed of the driver.
• R-34-25 - Market Space Interest Charge Waiver - R‑34‑25 waives up to $20,000 in accrued interest on unpaid monthly rent for parking spaces used for outdoor dining on Market Space in downtown Annapolis. The intent is to help participating businesses close out the season’s leases cleanly as the program winds down for upcoming City Dock construction, supporting local economic vitality while transitioning the space.
• R-35-25 - 181 Prince George Street Sidewalk Easement - R‑35‑25 authorizes a waiver of City Code restrictions to allow a trash can enclosure that encroaches onto a public sidewalk, pending required historic and permit approvals. The intent is to provide flexibility for a low‑impact encroachment in a constrained historic district setting while maintaining overall compliance with safety and preservation standards.
• R-36-25 - Fees for Clearing Snow and Ice from City Sidewalks - R‑36‑25 establishes a tiered fee schedule for the City to recover costs when it must clear snow and ice from sidewalks that property owners fail to maintain, as authorized by O‑6‑ The intent is to simplify administration, charge higher fees for longer sidewalk lengths, and ensure the City can offset expenses for deploying staff and equipment while promoting timely compliance by property owners.
• R-38-25 - Re-assigning Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026 Community Grants - R‑38‑25 reallocates the City’s FY2025 and FY2026 community grant funds originally awarded to GVO Sound, LLC, a for‑profit entity, to Superior Future, Inc., an eligible nonprofit partner supporting the same back‑to‑school drive. The intent is to comply with City Code requirements that grants go to nonprofit organizations, allowing the City to proceed with funding the program as intended.
• R-39-25 - Itinerant Merchant Sales in the Historic District for a Flea Market - R‑39‑25 authorizes hawker, peddler, and itinerant merchant sales in the Historic District for a special‑event flea market on October 19, 2025, with the intent of supporting community events and economic activity while maintaining existing permitting requirements.
• R-40-25 - Equitable Public Water Access Plan - R‑40‑25 adopts the City of Annapolis Equitable Public Water Access Plan, which contains 123 recommendations for improving existing public water access points, expanding opportunities, and updating related policies and programs. Developed through extensive community engagement and aligned with the Annapolis Ahead 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the intent is to guide future funding and policy decisions to ensure all residents have fair and increased access to the City’s waterfront resources. You can view the final report here, though I am going to have this referred to Environmental Matters so we can dig into it a bit more.
  1. Here are the Back Creek sites: 
• R-41-25 - 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game - R‑41‑25 designates the 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game on December 27, 2025, as a Major Special Event and waives up to $15,000 in City fees for services such as security, cleanup, and related support. The fiscal impact is a foregone City revenue of $15,000, reflecting the City’s recognition of the event’s significant economic, tourism, and community benefits.

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

• O-12-25 - Prioritizing Affordable Spending Through Expansion of Financial Advisory Commission Duties – This should not be on the agenda as it has not made it through Economic Matters committee yet. I will be trying to remove it from the Council agenda because of this. Also, I need to sit down with the sponsor and discuss potential amendments.
• O-31-25 - Issuance of General Obligation Bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes – This just approves the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund what we passed in the FY26 budget.

Community & Political updates

Board and Commission vacancies

If you are interested in serving on an Annapolis Board or Commission, we have a number of vacancies. They include:

• Affordable Housing & Community Equity Development Commission – 1 vacancy
• Alcoholic Beverage Control Board – 1 vacancy
• Annapolis Conservancy Board – 3 vacancies
• Audit Committee – 2 vacancies
• Building Board of Appeals – 1 vacancy
• Civil Service Board – 2 vacancies
• Commission on Aging – 4 vacancies
• Education Commission – 2 vacancies (1 Ward 4, 1 at‑large)
• Environmental Commission – 1 vacancy
• Heritage Commission – 3 vacancies
• Human Relations Commission – 2 vacancies
• Recreation Advisory Board – 5 vacancies
• Transportation Board – 3 vacancies (Ward 4, Ward 3, 1 at‑large)

To see descriptions, see this website.

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Action Annapolis Mayoral Debate

Annapolis Songwriters Festival’ Returns September 11 to 14, 2025