As you may have noticed in The Capital, at our last meeting we passed R-61-20 , the short-term rental license moratorium (for non-owner-occupied units), but it was amended to only last for 3 months. I’m also pleased to say that we passed R-17-20 , the annual performance standards, with my proposed amendments to create standards for our environmental programs.

Our next meeting will consist primary of public hearings on a few pieces of legislation. Read on to see if there is anything you would like to testify on.

I’m hoping to schedule a virtual town hall meeting for Ward 7 residents sometime in late February. I will see if we can get the Mayor and a representative from either the County Health Department or the City’s Emergency Management Department to participate as well. Once I get some dates from them, I’ll send out an invitation.

Stay healthy and stay safe,

 Rob

Next Special Council meeting – 1/25/21 (agenda)

This Council meeting is starting at 7pm and will be televised on local cable, Facebook, and the City website (www.annapolis.gov). Due to COVID-19, our meetings are now being held virtually. http://www.youtube.com/CityofAnnapolis http://www.facebook.com/CityofAnnapolis

Anyone needing reasonable accommodation to be able to participate in a public meeting held by the City of Annapolis should contact Regina Watkins-Eldridge at 410.263.7942, by MD Relay (711), or by email at [email protected] at least five days prior to the meeting date to request assistance.

If you would like to submit or give public testimony, you can do so at http://www.annapolis.gov/testimony.

Public hearings

• O-49-20 – Drug-Loitering Free Zones - Repeal - For the purpose of repealing certain provisions of the Annapolis City Code concerning loitering in Drug-Loitering Free Zones. Our Office of Law has told us that these zones, which allow the police to take enforcement action on people standing around who are potentially part of a drug operation, are unconstitutional. This legislation would repeal the code that allows these zones to be created. I signed on as a co-sponsor.
• O-50-20 - Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit - For the purpose of updating certain occupancy periods of Moderately Priced Dwelling Units; eliminating variations on defined terms; providing supplemental regulatory authority to the Director of Planning and Zoning; and generally relating to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This is corrective legislation and not substantive. It simply addresses sections of Chapter 20.30 that were inadvertently not a part of O-21-19 (also titled “Moderately Priced Dwelling Units”). The following inconsistencies are corrected: Updating the occupancy period from 10 years to thirty years in several sections of Chapter 20.30 · Updating the renaming of the "Affordable Housing Trust Fund" · Streamlining inconsistent language
• O-51-20 - Emancipation Day - For the purpose of designating "Emancipation Day" as a City holiday to be observed on November 1st of each year. The direct fiscal impacts of making this a City holiday would be approximately $11,400.
• R-1-21 - Condemning the Attack on the U.S. Capitol Building - For the purpose of condemning the violent attempt on January 6, 2021, to overturn a free and fair election by domestic terrorists at the urging of President Donald Trump; condemning the unsubstantiated allegations of President Donald Trump and other political figures that incited the riot which led to the death of five people, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick; offering our condolences to the family of Officer Sicknick; proclaiming that our democracy is resilient to such violent acts of domestic terrorism.

Legislation being introduced on First Reader

There is no legislation being introduced on first reader at this meeting.

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

We will likely be adding a legislative action section to this agenda so we can vote on R-1-21. I am appalled at the insurrection that we witnessed and hope that justice is sought for all that fomented or aided such a violent action. An attack on our democracy is an attack on all of us. The fact that this attack was based on absolute, proven lies, perpetuated by a sitting president, makes it even worse.

Updates

COVID vaccine registration

Upcoming COVID testing

Anne Arundel County residents can get tested at no cost. No symptoms or doctor’s note required. If you develop symptoms, it is recommended to get tested within 48 hours. Appointments are preferred. For an appointment, call the COVID-19 Health Line at 410-222-7256. 

The Health Department is regularly holding testing sites at 1 Harry S Truman Parkway on Monday - Friday from 9:00am - Noon,

Walk-ins Tuesdays from 6:00pm - 8:00pm and Saturdays from 10:00am - 11:30am.

For a full schedule of testing in Anne Arundel County next week, click HERE.

Annapolis Greenscape – April 24th

Celebrating 29 years of beautification in the City

(Annapolis, MD, January 8, 2021) — Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley and the City of Annapolis invite you to help make Maryland’s capital city a beautiful place during 2021. This year’s GreenScape will take place on Saturday, April 24.

GreenScape is a volunteer effort that encourages individuals and organizations to plant and maintain native flower and vegetable gardens in public spaces throughout the City of Annapolis. The City provides plant materials, mulch, and yard waste bags, and in turn, members of the community volunteer to make a difference in Annapolis.

Organizational meetings will be held virtually in 2021 as this year's program is different from years past. Meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on both Wednesday, February 3 and Wednesday, March 3. It is requested that all volunteers attend both meetings because important up-to-date information will be shared about GreenScape during each session. Please check the GreenScape web page and the Annapolis Recreation and Parks Facebook and Twitter accounts to find a direct link to the virtual meetings a few days prior to each scheduled meeting.

You can download the GreenScape 2021 order form starting Wednesday, February 3 at www.annapolis.gov/GreenScape. Complete the form and email it to Marisa Wittlinger at [email protected] before Wednesday, March 3. For more information, please visit www.annapolis.gov/GreenScape.