City Council Meeting
January 28, 2013
7 p.m.
Public Hearing
O-43-12 Lease of Public Parking to FRESHFARM Markets, Inc.
May 2013 through November 2013 to FRESHFARM Markets, Inc.
This will cost the city $2,500 in potential lost revenue, but it serves a good purpose.
Legislative Actions
CA-1-12 Non-Partisan ElectionsFor the purpose of amending the Charter of the City of Annapolis to provide for non-partisan elections for the offices of Mayor and Aldermen and Alderwomen; filling vacancies in these offices; and removing partisan consideration in the composition and membership of the Board of Supervisors of Elections.
I intend to vote AGAINST this legislation for 3 reasons.
- I haven't been convinced that there is a problem here that needs fixing, only that it is more common in Maryland cities to have nonpartisan elections.
- I've talked with elected officials of other cities that have nonpartisan elections, and they tell me that when they knock on doors during the campaign, the first thing people ask is what party are they in.
- I believe that the political parties serve an important process, and sufficiently allow potential candidates to seek office.
CA-2-12 Municipal Elections Coinciding with State of Maryland Elections in 2018and OnwardFor the purpose of amending the Charter of the City of Annapolis to establish the dates of the primary and general elections to coincide with the State of Maryland in 2018 and extending the length of time in office for the incoming City Council in December 2013 an additional year to December 2018 in order to facilitate this transition period.
This legislation will extend the next term for the mayor and aldermen and aldermwomen by one year, just once, so that the city elections will run along with the state elections. On the positive side, this should save the city some expenses, and should increase the number of people voting in city elections. On the negative side, it makes for a longer ballot on Election Day and potentially lessens the focus on city issues on Election Day if city issues get lost against state issues.
For me, the pros and cons make this a close issue for me, but with the hope that the city will save some expenses, and that voter turnout for the city elections will increase, I intend to vote FOR this legislation.
CA-3-12 City Finance RequirementsFor the purpose of amending the Charter of the City of Annapolis to establish an unrestricted fund balance as part of the annual budget process, authorizing an Audit Committee; and setting a time line for the Finance Director to provide the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to the City Council.
I intend to vote FOR this legislation because it has the potential to have a positive fiscal impact for the city if it improves the credit rating of the city.
I believe this is a non-controversial bill, which is intended to (A) establish an unrestricted fund balance with the goal of securing Triple A bond rating from the credit rating agencies, (B) establish an audit committee for the city council, and (C) set a deadline for the reporting of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
O-26-12 Revisions to the Zoning Map Amendment ProcessFor the purpose of amending Chapter 21.34 (Zoning Map Amendments) of the Annapolis City Code by establishing new procedures for local zoning map amendments, sectional zoning map amendments, and comprehensive zoning map amendments.
This legislation changes and adds methods for changing zoning, going from 1 to 3 types of methods. At a public hearing on this matter, no one spoke to the legislation. There is no expected economic impact.
O-44-12 Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in spring 2013For the purpose of authorizing a lease of certain municipal property located in the areas of Susan B. Campbell Park, Annapolis City Donner Parking Lot, Ego Alley Water Space, and other property and water locations as described in the lease to CRUISERS UNIVERSITY, INC., t/a Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show, for a certain period of time in April 2013, to conduct boat shows.
Provides for the lease of city property for the purposes of hosting the spring boat show. I have proposed an amendment to specify that the vendor will provide the same number of trash and recycling receptacles, and that the vendor will collect the same types of recycling that the city collects in its curbside collection process.
The lease provides for rent to the city for over $12K, but the leasee can deduct from that expenses for repairing the old rec center downtown. In addition, the city is expected to lose revenue from the parking meters, so there may be a net cost to the city.
R-2-13 Support for Angela Wakhweya, M.D. to Continue Her Service as the Anne Arundel County Health OfficerFor the purpose of expressing the sense of the Annapolis City Council to support Angela Wakhweya, M.D. in continuing her service as the Anne Arundel County Health Officer.
This is a resolution proposed by Alderman Kirby with regard to the County health officer and her loss of employment by the County.
I do not believe that the city council is the proper forum to discuss this county employment matter, but would support a resolution that spoke generally against employment discrimination and/or a resolution that expressed appreciation for the work that Dr. Wakhweya has done that has benefited the city.
