February 23, 2025 Newsletter
Happy Sunday, Ward One
There’s a pretty good chance I’ve knocked on your door since you read my last email. In just the past two weeks, I’ve covered most of the consistent voters northeast of Cathedral Street. You also may have gotten a letter in the mail from introducing myself. And if that’s why you’re reading this newsletter today, welcome!
It’s so important to me that residents know who their representation is, how to get in touch with city government, and that I am working to “make it happen” when you share a concern with me. Recently, that’s meant a lot of making sure our crosswalks are safe, and there’s more work to do on that front.
Here are the top 3 things you need to know in Annapolis:
This week I was interviewed on the Eye on Annapolis podcast, talking about my background, my values, and my thoughts on the current administration.
Thursday is a public hearing before the Historic Preservation Commission on the second phase of the city dock project.
Updates from Harry
Buckle up! This is a longer update than normal because I’m talking about one of my greatest passions: the environment.
After working on farms, most of my career has been in agricultural and environmental policy. Before even considering any kind of career, I was advocating for the Red Knot (a tiny shorebird) to be listed as an endangered species while still in elementary school. I have such a love of niche environmental interests that before joining the city council, I would regularly give talks to local garden clubs about the nuances of soil classifications, the importance of soil conservation, and national programs that support it.
Now, in my day job at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center, I help governments develop faster, cheaper, more effective ways to pay farmers who demonstrate quantifiable improvements to the Chesapeake Bay and other landscapes. I’m grateful that my job allows me to be on the cutting-edge of environmental initiatives–navigating how to reconfigure procurement contracts to pay for results, structuring crediting schemes to make increasing biodiversity profitable for farmers and green businesses, and identifying technology upgrades governments can make to facilitate environmental markets. In this role, I’ve developed language for the US Senate’s Farm Bill, helped write and pass bills with then-Senator Elfreth to increase private investment in Bay restoration, and consulted on the creation of multi-million-dollar programs all over the country.
And I should mention that my wife also works on environmental policy. She coordinates state-level Chesapeake Bay policy for 300+ nonprofits. This means conversations over the dinner table turn to stormwater with surprising regularity (Although, wastewater has been banned as a dinner topic.).
Making Annapolis greener means having smarter land use. It includes further decreasing the reliance on cars, a significant source of air and water pollution. One of my goals is to make it possible for more families to get by with just one car–not because they’re being penalized but because if one parent has to drive to the grocery store, the other is able to walk the kids to the playground around the corner. Safe and well-maintained sidewalks, public transit, and—where appropriate—bike lanes are all important parts of this vision.
Let’s be clear that this vision also includes the preservation and enhancement of green space. In city government, fiscally responsible land use policy can enhance the tax base to fund parks that strengthen our communities. That’s why the very first resolution I introduced was to designate the end of Thompson Street as a park so it can get the maintenance our residents deserve.
And we need strong environmental standards like Annapolis’ pioneering Forest Conservation Act–which I was recently the deciding vote to close a loophole on. I will not ever weaken our standards for clean air, water, and parks. Period.
I am excited about bringing environmental innovation and a focus on cost-effectiveness from my day job to Annapolis government. I wake up every day with the same passion for the environment as that kid who handmade a “Friends of the Red Knot” t-shirt and convinced people to write post cards to the US Secretary of Interior. Now on the council, I have the power and responsibility to harness that passion to preserve and restore the environment for all of us.
This week and every week, I’m grateful for the honor of representing you and our whole community. Never hesitate to contact me at harry@harrymhuntley.com.
City council agenda
Call To Order
Mayor Buckley
Invocation
Mayor Buckley
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Buckley
Roll Call
City Clerk Watkins-Eldridge
Approval of Agenda
Ceremonial Items
ID-14-25 Citation: Annapolis Santa Run
ID-15-25 Citation: Zia Boccaccio of Alpaca International
ID-45-25 Citation: Bowie State Entrepreneurship Innovation Center
Update from Mayor
Mayor Buckley
Reports by Standing Committees
Comments by the General Public
Remember, you can come to any city council meeting to tell us about what’s important to you and your neighborhood!
Appointments/Re-Appointments
AP-1-25 Appointment - Ms. Rebecca Britt - Civil Service Board
AP-2-25 Appointment - Mr. Clinton E. Ramsden - Board of Appeals
AP-5-25 Appointment - Ms. Brittany E. Moran CPA - Finance Director
Annual Reports
ID-48-25 Acceptance of Annual Reports Required by the City Charter
Supplemental Appropriations Under $50,000
FT-7-25 General/Affordable Housing Trust - Transfer - Office of Community Services/Department of Planning & Zoning
Supplemental Appropriations $50,000 & Above
SA-26-25 Capital Fund - Department of Public Works - Donation from Barish Foundation for skate park
SA-27-25 General Fund - Planning & Zoning - Maritime Workforce Development
Public Hearings
O-5-25 Speed Monitoring Cameras
This enabling legislation brings Annapolis in line with state law to give us more authority over where we put speed cameras. By better enforcing laws already on the books, we can all be safer. I'm hopeful this legislation will make it possible for a speed camera to be installed on Duke of Gloucester Street, as many of you have requested.
Resolution First Readers
R-8-25 Mayor, Alderperson, and City Manager Compensation
As required by the charter, the council commissioned a group of citizens to review the salaries of aldermen, the mayor, and the city manager. You can see the results of that Commission here. The city manager salary recommendation is in line with the Classification and Compensation study that examined the pay for that position across other jurisdictions. The recommendation for the mayor also seems fairly modest to me relative what a person competent enough to be mayor could command in the private sector. But I do not support raising the city council's salaries beyond a cost of living adjustment. This is what I told the Commission, and it continues to be my position. I physically cannot work any harder for you, no matter how much more I'm paid. I would much rather any funds that could go towards raising the council's pay be spent on additional staff that would allow me to be more responsive to your concerns and to conduct more vigorous oversight and follow-through of legislation. I think also that taking this from a 30+ hour a week job down to a 15-20 hour a week job (via staff support) would expand the pool of people willing to run for the council and ultimately lead to us all having better representation.
R-9-25 Annapolis City Council Support for Maryland House Bill 226/Senate Bill 569
HB226 gives Anne Arundel County more flexibility in how it meets its required number of instructional hours. Essentially, this will let the school system have kids in school for the same amount of time but do fewer half days, which can be disruptive to kids learning and parents working. I will likely vote for this because the state bill seems good but do want to check with the sponsor on why she thinks the council's voice will make a difference here.
R-10-25 2025 Annapolis Film Festival Fee Waiver
This waives $2500 worth of fees for the Film Festival.
Charter Amendment Second Readers
CA-2-24 FY 2025 City of Annapolis Departmental Reorganization
This formalizes Human Resources and Integrated Technology Solutions as independent departments.
Ordinance Second Readers
O-2-25 WRNR Radio Tower Lease Agreement
The proposed lease with WRNR would allow the existing radio tower to be used while making clear that the City is providing the tower in “as-is” condition. The lease therefore does not force the City’s hand with respect to downstream costs. The revenue from the lease is modest.
O-23-24 Parking and Towing Regulations
The purpose of this bill is to make it easier to tow derelict trucks and motorhomes. Currently the city can only use towing contractors with an office within one mile of the city, and if no company who satisfies that requirement is willing to tow a truck, then it cannot be towed. This will clean that up.
O-32-24 Fire Sprinkler System Requirement Clarification
This is a cleanup bill to bring our requirements for sprinklers on Main Street in line with the original intentions of a bill passed a few years ago. I was skeptical of it but am satisfied by the due diligence of the Economic Matters Committee that it will not seriously adversely affect synamically preserving these properties.
O-34-24 FY 2025 Changes in Exempt Service Job Classifications
This follows recommendations from our Classification and Compensation Study to put all department directors into a single pay band. I don't think this is a good idea, because everyone agrees that these positions won't actually be paid the same.
Resolution Second Readers
R-1-25 Thompson Street Park
My first primary sponsored bill will designate the end of Thompson Street as a street-end park so it can be maintained. The property is already owned by the city but because it's not technically a park, it doesn't get maintenance resources.
R-2-25 Demonstration Program to Build Green Roofs on City Bus Shelters
This resolution requires the City Manager to establish a demonstration program to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of green roof bus shelters and to include them in the FY2026 City budget. I like green roofs as much as the next guy--probably a lot more, considering my horticulture background. But this is the kind of thing that I want to rebalance our city budget away from; we need to focus more on maintaining our sidewalks and less on (admittedly, very cool-sounding!) new projects like bus stop green roofs. So, I have a high bar for supporting this resolution.
R-6-25 Non-Profit Vendors During Fall 2025 Boat Shows
This yearly resolution authorizes a few nonprofits to fundraise during the boat show. Let me know ASAP if you have a nonprofit that would like to be aprt of this.
R-7-25 Itinerant Merchant Sales in the Historic District During Calendar Year 2025
Authorization for some of our wonderful events like Shamrock the Dock. This does not waive fees.
R-53-24 FY 2025 Changes to Executive Pay Ranges
This will update the pay scale for our department directors and other leaders. It puts all department directors and chiefs (ie police, fire, and emergency management) in the same pay range, which I'm skeptical of. I voted against this in committee and have really mixed feelings about it. Paying competitive wages to get the best leaders is smart, but by putting all the directors in one salary band, the upper end is way too high for some and lower end is laughably low for others. The council giving up the control of setting different types of directors' pay at different rates based on what it would cost to replace them is something I don't really want to give up.
R-54-24 FY 2025 Changes in the Position Classifications and Pay Plan
This follows recommendations from our Classification and Compensation Study to update the grades of some positions.
Adjournment
Other news you can use
Naptown Vinyl and Vintage Market is happening at Maryland Hall right now. 11-4 Sunday, you can browse records while checking out some local food trucks.
All week is Annapolis Restaurant Week. You can see specials for dozens of Annapolis restaurants, like Cafe Normandie’s $23 three-course lunch deal.
Monday noon to six, Alpaca International on Main Street will have live alpacas to celebrate their twentieth anniversary.
Save Our Trees is having a community forum on Monday 5:30-8:30 with Annapolis’ Urban Forester and other local experts. I’ll be there for the first half.
Thursday evening, the Historic Preservation Commission will meet to consider the site plan for the second phase the city dock project, creating the waterfront welcome center and Vince Leggett Park. You can submit public testimony at this link.
Secret Spot Pizza is coming soon to Market House. They’ll be open Wednesday through Sunday, including late nights on Friday and Saturday.
You can report all sorts of Public Works needs at the Report an Issue portal. I especially encourage you to do this when you see places in the ward that you see need sidewalk repairs.
Please send me any events or other information you’d like advertised to your neighbors.
Have a great week, everyone!
Harry
Source: https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?u=92cd145597ae97327ab17fc38&id=694aac89b5
