October 13, 2024 Newsletter
Happy Sunday, Ward One!
This weekend seems perfectly brisk and sunny! I hope all of you have the opportunity to get outside to sail, check out the sailboat show, or just enjoy a walk around the neighborhood. Thursday morning, I was asked to open up the Sailboat Show and welcome thousands of visitors to our city, which you can see a video of here. I love Annapolis traditions like this that make our city so vibrant…even if they can make parking a little trickier.
Updates from Harry
One of my top tasks the past few weeks has been reviewing the city’s Capital and Operating Budgets. These hefty books lay out how Annapolis is spending about $250 million in Fiscal Year 2025 (which runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025). As chair of the finance committee, I will be taking the lead on shaping and passing our next budget, the process for which begins in the spring. My background developing innovative ways to improve government efficiency is already proving useful here. Throughout the process, I will have in mind a refrain from Governor Moore: “Budgets are moral documents.”
Beyond that, it’s been my pleasure to meet with so many of you who have done so much to make our city wonderful and have ideas for enhancing it even further. Thanks in particular to the Maryland Avenue/State Circle Business Association, Downtown Annapolis Partnership, Save our Trees, and more for letting me join your meetings to introduce myself and hear about your great work. If you’d like me to attend a meeting of your organization or want to gather a group of neighbors to discuss local issues, please send me an email.
Thank you all so much for the honor of representing you! This week, I’m introducing my first poll. Never hesitate to contact me at aldhuntley@annapolis.gov.
City council agenda
Call To Order
Mayor Buckley
Invocation
Alderman Huntley
I’ll be reading a portion of a favorite poem of mine by Wendell Berry
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Buckley
Roll Call
City Clerk Watkins-Eldridge
Approval of Agenda
Ceremonial
ID-153-24 Proclamation - Suicide Prevention Month (Oct. 14)
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 9.9.24 Regular Meeting Minutes
CCM 9.23.24 Special Meeting Minutes
Appointments/Re-Appointments
AP-35-24 Re-Appointment - Ms. Frieda Wildey - Maritime Advisory Board
AP-36-24 Re-Appointment - Mr. Michael Tomasini - Maritime Advisory Board
AP-37-24 Re-Appointment - Mr. Scott Allan - Maritime Advisory Board
AP-38-24 Re-Appointment - Mr. Tarrant H. Lomax - Maritime Advisory Board
AP-41-24 Re-Appointment - Mr. Robert Worden - Heritage Commission
AP-42-24 Re-Appointment - Ms. Alma Cropper - Heritage Commission
AP-43-24 Re-Appointment - Mr. Todd Powell - Heritage Commission
AP-44-24 Re-Appointment - Mr. Robert Hruby - Building Board of Appeals
AP-45-24 Re-Appointment - Mr. John Jay Schwarz - Building Board of Appeals
AP-46-24 Re-Appointment - Mr. Dick Peterson - Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
AP-52-24 Appointment - Ms. Susy Smith - Recreation Advisory Board
AP-54-24 Appointment - Mr. Liam Mercer - Board of Supervisors of Elections
Ordinance First Readers
O-10-24 Outdoor Dining Requirements in Annapolis
This bill will establish a permanent system to allow outdoor dining throughout the city. While I commend Alderman Arnett for tackling a longstanding point of discussion, I have quite a few significant, specific concerns about this bill. Broadly, I think it creates too much red tape for applicants and it provides far too short of a seasonal window for our main type of outdoor dining. Many of your favorite outdoor spots would have to close for more than half the year! I have communicated these concerns to Alderman Arnett and am looking for a time to sit down and discuss them with him. Please contact me if you have suggestions to improve this bill or would like to see the amendments I’ve begun drafting.
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.
Resolution First Readers
R-46-24 Task Force to Study Residential Marine Vessels
There was previously a bill to regulate residential marine vessels (aka house boats) that ignited some controversy. In lieu of that, the council is hoping to establish a task force that can better balance various needs.
R-48-24 Restaurant Parking Lot Usage Pilot Program Extension for Outdoor Dining
This will extend current outdoor dining rules for a year or until the council passes an ordinance (like the one above) to write permanent rules.
Ordinance Second Readers
O-13-24 Planning and Zoning - Expanding Daycare Act -
This bill from Alderman Schandelmeier would allow daycares in most zoning districts. Given the shortage of childcare, I am strongly supportive of this bill but would welcome suggestions to improve it. I also hope some of you might come to talk about how this would make your lives easier.
O-17-24 Elections - Definitions-
This and the other elections bills impact the 2025 municipal elections, not the November national elections. This bill updates definitions in the City's Elections Title to match the state definitions.
O-18-24 Elections - Mail-in Voting -
This and the other elections bills impact the 2025 municipal elections, not the November national elections. This bill changes the "Absentee Voting" section of the City Code to "Mail-in Voting" to meet state requirements.
O-19-24 Elections - Ballot Questions -
This and the other elections bills impact the 2025 municipal elections, not the November national elections. This bill contains clarifying updates recommended by the city Board of Supervisors of Elections that will make it more possible for voters to petition for referenda.
O-20-24 Elections - Surplus Funds and Reporting Deadlines -
This and the other elections bills impact the 2025 municipal elections, not the November national elections. This bill allows unspent candidate funds to be donated to nonprofits (not just political parties) and updates some deadlines.
O-26-24 City of Annapolis Purchasing and Procurement - For the purpose of
updating the procurement chapter of the City Code; increasing micro purchase and small procurement limits; clarifying language; copyediting and format changes; and generally dealing with Title 6 purchasing and procurement rules.
Resolutions Second Reader
R-14-24 City of Annapolis Plastic Bag Reduction Act Fines -
The Plastic Bag Reduction Act has already gone into effect. This bill just sets the fees for it to be exactly in line with the fees the county has set. County staff inform us that they have had 100% voluntary compliance and have not had to issue any fees.
R-38-24 Condemnation and Possession of Real Property at 245 West Street
Who hates having an abandoned gas station on the way into our neighborhood? I know I do! So, we’re doing something about it. This bill would allow the city to condemn the property and begin the process of redeveloping it. My position is that the bill should keep the door open to a variety of land uses since we do not yet have full information on the property’s condition, and I’m working on an amendment with Alderman Savidge to do that. But we will move quickly and decisively to ensure this doesn’t stay an abandoned gas station! This bill was on second reader at our last meeting and pulled for unclear reasons, but now we’re moving forward with it again.
R-45-24 Procurement Fees Related to §6.08.330 -
This makes procurement fees set like the rest of our fees by adding them into the annual Fees Schedule.
Adjournment
Other news you can use
Blowfish Poke will be opening in the location of the old Moe’s, 122 Dock Street. They hope to open in November.
The Anne Arundel Community Action Agency is looking for insights regarding the needs of low-income residents. Fill out their survey here.
The Anne Arundel County Affordable Housing Symposium will be held October 29th at the Crowne Plaza. More information here.
The Salary Review Commission for the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager needs applicants. If you’re interested, contact me or boards@annapolis.gov
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=65ffb3022a
