Feb. 11, 2013
|
|
|
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis
912 Forest Drive
(office at K&B True Value) 
410-268-3939 (office)
443-926-2399 (cell)
|
Upcoming Events:
Feb. 11, 2013 7 p.m., Regular Council Session (P)
Feb. 19, 2013
4 p.m., Environmental Matters Committee (P). Come hear update from the Dept. of Neighborhood & Environmental Programs (DNEP), Planning & Zoning, and the Annapolis Environmental Commission (AEC)
Feb. 21, 2013 1:30 p.m., City Council Work Session
Feb. 25, 2013
7 p.m., Special Council Session (P)
|
|
|
Since my last email to you, two weeks ago, I've been working on building momentum for two code changes. For both, I would appreciate your support by your forwarding this email to other interested Annapolitans (and asking them to join my email mailing list), and by letting your Alderman or Alderwoman, and the Mayor, know how you feel.
The first code change relates to public schools and is to require that the City make certain findings about the estimated effects of a proposed development to the public schools. This requires a change to the Adequate Facilities portion of the City code. The findings would include: how many school-age children are expected to live in the proposed development, what schools they would attend if they went to public schools, and what the capacity is of those schools to accept those students. It strikes me as wiser to address those issues before a development is approved, rather than years later when the effects are felt. Please let me and the other City Council members know if this is an important issue to you.
The second change would keep the City from approving applications for new developments that fall under the auspices of the Forest Conservation Act until the City Council has a chance to consider, amend, and vote on the recommendations of the Forest Conservation Act working group. That working group was established last June to consider the recommendations by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources that the City improve its system for approving certain developments. That working group is close to making its formal recommendations, and it makes sense to me to apply those standards at the earliest date possible. Again, I ask for your help in building support for this amendment by letting me and the other City Council members know if this is an important issue to you.
In the last two weeks I've also been studying proposed changes to the zoning of the Chandler (formerly Fawcett's) property, reading the proposals from the City Dock Commission, hearing from applicants for Community Development Block Grants, and reaching out to the City's public safety officers to build those relationships so that I can address related concerns of yours as they arise.
Sincerely, Jared Littmann Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis |
|
|
|
Regarding the Council Session
tonight, Feb. 11, 2013
The Regular Meeting of the Annapolis City Council will be held tonight, Monday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers. All Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 99 and on Verizon channel 34.
I. Public Hearing
O-1-13 Technical Corrections to the Annapolis City Code - Exempt Service.
The public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes which are described as technical in nature. The changes are intended to update the code that reflects current practices.
II. Second Reader
Below are the items on the Second Reader or the voting part of the legislative agenda for the meeting. Each ordinance or resolution has a brief description, followed by my comments and voting inclination. But please, take this opportunity to let me know if you think I'm headed in the correct direction or should change my mind.
A. CA-2-12 Municipal Elections Coinciding with State of Maryland Elections in 2018 and Onward.
This vote was postponed at the last Council session. This ordinance would move the date of the next City election after the one in 2013 to match the date for the next gubernatorial election. This would have the effect of making the next term 5, instead of 4, years for the mayor and City Council members elected in 2013 as a one-time change. The suggested benefit is to improve voter turn-out and to save expenses. For the City of Annapolis, voter turnout in 2009 (City only) was 35%, which was considered high for an off-year election, compared to 50.1% for the 2010 gubernatorial election and 53% for the 2006 gubernatorial election. For comparison's sake, the 2012 presidential election had a 52.8% turnout.
A concern is that the change would diminish focus on City issues. The Council's vote will likely be postponed once more until the City's Office of Law can confirm that the State would allow the City election on the State ballot. Another option suggested is to move the elections to coincide with presidential, rather than gubernatorial, elections. I am interested in hearing whether you think this would be a good change. Pending consideration of your thoughts on the matter and the issues raised during the Council session, I am leaning toward voting FOR this change to use the gubernatorial election dates.
B. CA-3-12 City Finance Requirements.
This is another holdover issue from our last Council session, and it is likely to be postponed again while the Finance and Rules Committees work out some acceptable language. This is what I wrote in a previous email about this Charter Amendment: 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.
C. O-26-12 Revisions to the Zoning Map Amendment Process.
This is another holdover issue from our last Council session, which gave time for the Rules Committee to consider alternative language to accomplish these stated goals. It appears that the language issue has been resolved, so this ordinance will be up for a vote. Pending consideration of your thoughts on the matter and the issues raised during the Council session, I am leaning toward voting FOR this amendment. This is what I wrote in a previous email about this ordinance: 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.
D. O-42-12 Residency of Certain Department Directors.
This ordinance would change the residency requirement from a 15- to 50-mile radius from the City boundaries for three City department directors: Chief, Police Department; Chief, Fire Department; and Director of Public Works. All three of the current directors (or chiefs) currently meet the 15-mile requirement. I'm sensitive to the perception that the directors should demonstrate their investment in their community by living near it, and to be available during an emergency. On the other hand, this change may widen the pool of potential candidates for future openings in these positions. Further, with modern communication abilities, their actual performance may not be affected by their proximity to the City. As with other issues, I welcome your thoughts on this topic and to hear the points raised during the Council session, and have not yet decided how I am going to vote.
E. R-1-13 Filing of Grant Application with the Mass Transit Administration.
This ordinance expresses the endorsement of the City Council to file an application to the State that complies with federal civil rights requirements in order to receive federal highway funds for mass transit projects. Receiving the funds would require the City to contribute a local portion toward the project. If awarded, this grant can be expected to provide funding for about 20% of the FY2013 eligible operating costs of the Annapolis Department of Transportation, $416,000 in ADA operating assistance and $882,625 in operating assistance. Additionally, the City can expect a grant for about 90% of the Department of Transportation's eligible capital costs, amounting to about $645,000 for the same period. As with other issues, I welcome your thoughts on this topic. Pending your thoughts to the contrary changing my mind, I intend to vote FOR this resolution with the hopes of bringing additional funds to the City.
III. First Reader
These are ordinances and resolutions introduced to the City Council for the first time. If they pass first reader, they would likely be sent to a Council committee for review and scheduled for a public hearing. I welcome your thoughts on First Reader topics.
A. R-3-13 Advocating for the City of Annapolis to be Named as the Home for a National Continental Congress Center.
The National Continental Congress Center is dedicated to bringing to the public all of the stories of the Nation's formative years (1774-1789) and the documents and conventions such as the Articles of Confederation, the Treaty of Paris and its Proclamation, and the 1786 Convention, that took place before the Constitution, but were critical to the founding of this republic.
B. R-7-13 Wayfinding and Signage Master Plan - For the purpose of adopting the Draft Wayfinding and Signage Master Plan as an addendum to the 2009 Annapolis Comprehensive Plan.
One of the goals of the 2009 Annapolis Comprehensive Plan was to improve circulation, accessibility, and mobility in the City by focusing on travel demand management. One component of a travel demand management program is marketing materials that inform people about travel choices.
Better wayfinding has long been a key recommendation made by many groups who look at parking and transportation in Annapolis. There have been previous efforts to improve wayfinding in the City; however, this is the first time that there has been a broad perspective that includes many different technologies and a comprehensive framework of analysis. The proposed wayfinding system will: 1) help the City be flexible in adapting to emerging wayfinding technologies; 2) aid in the creation of a cohesive program of placemaking and wayfinding that identifies gateways, cultural districts, City landmarks, and public services; and 3) influences travel behavior and promotes multi-modal travel options.
The presentation of the plan can be reviewed by clicking here.
C. R-8-13 Expressing Support for House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 244 - Refillable Container Alcoholic Beverage License in the City of Annapolis.
This resolution is being introduced for the first time and would likely be sent to a Council committee for review and scheduled for a public hearing. The proposed resolution would express the Annapolis City Council's support of House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 244 before the General Assembly regarding an alcoholic beverage license component for refillable containers for holders of Class A (package goods) and Class D (taverns) alcoholic beverage licenses.
|
Want to help me reach more people?
|
|
|
|
|
912 Forest Dr., Annapolis, MD
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
