There isn’t too much happening at the next Council meeting. The meeting will be focused on public hearings regarding the proposed budget, and then a number of first reader (introductions) votes.

Recap of previous meeting

As a recap of our previous meeting, my Resolution supporting the Penguins swim team passed, with a bit of a struggle. Though I’m happy to report that an agreement has been reached between the Penguins and Recreation & Parks. It’s actually one of the compromises I brought up earlier in the process, but apparently it took a Resolution for it to be considered.

As the newspaper reported, there was a disagreement between the Mayor and I, over rules of procedure. He had called on me (giving me the floor), and I asked the Penguins leadership be brought forward to answer questions, as we just did so with Recreation & Parks. Unfortunately, the Mayor refused to do so. I proceeded to make a motion to “Appeal from decision of Chair” (any decision of the chair can be overruled with a majority vote of Council), as allowed in City Code 2.16.110, which was seconded by Alderman Gay, which means that my motion was valid and needed to be voted on. The Mayor refused to allow a vote on my motion, as required in Robert’s Rules and our City Code. He eventually allowed a Call the Question vote which he used to skirt past my motion, despite me persisting for about 15 minutes or so. Procedurally this is not allowed. Neither our City Clerk nor our City Attorney spoke up during the matter. Our City Attorney, whom is appointed by the Mayor, has now told me they can provide no clarifications on how such a procedure should function or be handled by the Council/Mayor/Chair in the future. I’m exploring other options but this really has exposed a flaw/weakness in our form of local governance, if the Mayor can unilaterally ignore something in our City Code. More on this as I evaluate ways forward.                     

Stay healthy and stay safe,

Rob

Next Council meeting – 5/8/23 (agenda)

This Council meeting is starting 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-14-23 - Annual Budget and Appropriation and Property Tax Levy
• O-17-23 - Administration - Requiring the City Manager to Provide Staffing Impact Statements on Pending Legislation - For the purpose of requiring staffing reports on charter amendments, ordinances, and resolutions that include the impact of the legislation on staffing levels and duties; changing when staff reports regarding legislation must be submitted to the Council; making clarifying changes to the impacted subsections; and generally related to City Council procedure.
• R-21-23 - FY 2024 Fees Schedule - For the purpose of specifying fees that will be charged for the use of City services for Fiscal Year 2024; and providing an effective date.
• R-22-23 - FY 2024 Fines Schedule - For the purpose of specifying fines that will be charged for Fiscal Year 2024; and providing an effective date.
• R-23-23 - FY 2024 Position Classifications and Pay Plan - For the purpose of approving the Fiscal Year 2024 annual position classifications and pay plan; and specifying an effective date.

Legislation being introduced on first reader

• CA-2-23 - Management Information Technology office name change - For the purpose of changing the name of the City of Annapolis "Management Information Technology" (MIT) office to "Office of Integrated Technology Solutions" (OITS); and generally related to the City Manager's duties.
• O-18-23 - Management Information Technology office name change - For the purpose of changing the name of the City of Annapolis "Management Information Technology" (MIT) office to "Office of Integrated Technology Solutions" (OITS); and generally related to the Management Information Technology office.
• O-19-23 - Property tax credits for 9-1-1 Specialists and Public Safety Officers - For the purpose of granting property tax credits and property tax relief allowed by Maryland state law for the City of Annapolis 9-1-1 specialists and public safety officers in the Annapolis Fire Department and Police Department; and generally related to city tax credits.
• O-20-23 - Chesapeake Nautical Cruises, LLC, Lease - For the purpose of authorizing a City of Annapolis pilot lease with Chesapeake Nautical Cruises, LLC, for docking space at City Dock; and generally related to City Dock boat slips and boardwalk. This is another “party boat” that is seeking to secure a “pilot lease” for City Dock. I have concerns about this. I’ll be referring this to our Maritime Advisory Board. We have received a number of random lease requests, ranging from another party boat to a jet boat downtown. For a residential maritime area I’m not sure this is appropriate. How are these leases being reviewed/vetted by staff? Do we have internal rules & procedures governing these leases?
• R-28-23 - Reclassifying the Deputy Director of Emergency Management - For the purpose of approving the reclassification of the Deputy Director of Emergency Management to a Grade 18; and specifying an effective date.

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

There is no legislation up for a second reader/final vote.

Community & Political updates

No updates this week.