February 9, 2025 Newsletter
Happy Sunday, Ward One!
I spent much of yesterday—along with friends and volunteers—knocking on your doors to introduce myself and hear from you directly. Issues residents talked to me about included housing affordability, getting city dock done, and the slow pace of permits for home improvements. Expect to see me at your door sometime very soon—even if it’s sleeting.
One person whose door we knocked on did say that she wishes I would send out email updates like my predecessor did, and we had to tell her that I do! So we were sure to get her signed up (Sally, hope you’re reading this), and I hope you all will continue to spread the word about my newsletter by forwarding it using the button below.
Here are the top 3 things you need to know in Annapolis:
I’m endorsing Jared Littmann for Mayor.
Alds. Schandelmeier, Savidge, and I are bringing forward an ordinance that will give the city more authority over installing speed cameras to keep our streets safe.
Sign up for free plants and other materials to beautify your neighborhood on April 26th.
Updates from Harry
“Sometimes, there's a man, well, he's the man for his time and place.”
-Sam Elliott in The Big Lebowski
This unlikely quote from a favorite movie is my way of telling you that I’m endorsing Jared Littmann for Mayor of Annapolis. Jared is exactly the right person for this moment in our city’s history.
He’s an implementer with an impressive track record of listening to diverse voices, uniting them around a shared vision, and executing in a precise, efficient way. This time of mistrust in government nationally and when we are executing on so many visionary projects locally, is precisely when we need leaders who will make government responsive and customer-focused.
For those of you who don’t know him, Jared has spent the past almost two decades running our local hardware store, served as Ward 5 alderman from 2013 to 2017, and is an active community member from planting flowers to coaching little league. I particularly appreciate Jared’s background as both an environmental engineer and environmental lawyer.
While I have much respect for his opponent, Jared is the candidate whose priorities are most aligned with my own. He will focus on commonsense good governance and environmental sustainability. Together, we’ll work to ensure city government is strategically “data-driven and heart-led,” as Governor Moore likes to say.
I hope you’ll take a moment to learn more about Jared by visiting his campaign’s website jaredforannapolis.com and ultimately join me in supporting him to be our next mayor. If you want to attend our next joint door-knocking, please sign up at HarryMHuntley.com/support.
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
Aldermen Arnett
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Buckley
Roll Call
City Clerk Watkins-Eldridge
Approval of Agenda
Ceremonial Items
ID-14-25 Citation: Annapolis Santa Run
I'm really excited for this one! I participated in the Santa Run this year to get toys to needy kids and requested this citation for our hard-working firefighters who volunteer to make this happen. It was postponed from our last agenda due to illness.
ID-31-25 Proclamation: Mentoring Month & Mentor Citations
ID-32-25 Citation: Annapolis Police Athletic League
Update from Mayor
Mayor Buckley
Reports by 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!
Approval of Journal Proceedings
CCM 1.13.25 Regular Meeting Minutes
CCM 1.27.25 Special Meeting Minutes
Appointments/Re-Appointments
AP-55-24 Arts in Public Places Commission - Mr. Jon Arason
Ordinance First Readers
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.
O-7-25 City Docking for Dinghies and Other Small Vessels
This ordinance will make some helpful clean-ups to our code around dinghies and street-end parks. But it also increases the size and power allowed for dinghies at street-end parks, which I'm skeptical of. I will likely vote to introduce it on first reader, so we can explore how to create a compromise that updates our code while ensuring our street-end parks remain accessible to all.
Resolution First Readers
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.
R-7-25 Itinerant Merchant Sales in the Historic District During Calendar Year 2025
This yearly resolution allows for some events that we have each year. It does not waive fees, just allows the events.
Ordinance Second Readers
O-28-24 Police Department – Property and Contraband Disposal
This ordinance will bring Annapolis into compliance with a new state law around how seized vehicles are disposed of by the Police Department. Ald Savidge has a great amendment to also allow bikes to be donated to nonprofits.
O-29-24 Fence Permit Requirements
This legislation requires a permit for the demolition of large fences. It is meant to be for commercial or large residential properties, not individual homes. It also better protects trees during this process by defining what size of tree actually need to be mapped. Ald Savidge has really put in the work on this to find consensus between protecting the environment and not wanting to create undue burden, and I intend to vote for it barring any unforeseen red flags.
Adjournment
Other news you can use
Join us today 3-5 pm for a “friendly phonebank,” where we’ll call our friends who live in Ward One and put together my welcome letter to the Ward.
Greenscape 2025 is set for April 26th. This annual event funds plants for volunteers to beautify their communities. Attend an organizational meeting on March 5 and submit your plant order form.
Now is the slowest time of year for many of our small businesses. Consider stopping by somewhere that you might normally only check out in the summer, such as Pearl’s Thursday night karaoke
There are plenty of romantic Valentine’s Day options in downtown Annapolis. If you’re still scrambling for plans, check out this list from the Downtown Annapolis Partnership.
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=ded9a527fc
