March 11, 2013
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Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis
912 Forest Drive
(office at K&B True Value) 
410-268-3939 (office)
443-926-2399 (cell)
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March 11
7 p.m., Regular Council Session (P)
March 16-17
City of Annapolis Rain Barrel, Compost Bin, and Toter Sale
March 18
7 p.m., Special Council Session (P) March 20
First Day of Spring
March 21-24
Annapolis Film Festival March 22-24Maryland Day March 25 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., City Council Work Session April 20
GreenScape
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This session of the City Council will largely consist of the Mayor delivering his State of the City Address and a presentation and introduction of the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.
Below are the legislative actions that will be before the Council, with my notes on issues that are up for a vote, including a statement on how I am, at this time, intending to vote. This is your opportunity to let me know how you feel about these issues, and your support or disagreement with my positions, with your reasons.
Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in giving back to the community without making a huge time commitment? Please consider volunteering for one of Annapolis' Boards or Committees to address an issue you care about. You can read about current vacancies in Boards of Committees that address issues such art, education, and the environment here. In addition, the Annapolis Democratic Central Committee has a few openings, including the Ward 5 representative. My understanding is that the ADCC meets about once per month. Contact Kitty Higgins at the ADCC if you are interested.
An Update on the Crystal Spring Project
Many Annapolis residents have expressed their appreciation for the concept of giving this project a proper review, and not just a rubber stamp, though a few individuals have been confused about where I stand on the project. I have not stated an opinion in favor of or against this project. Instead, I am concerned that this project is being supported by so many individuals, including many City leaders, before all of the relevant and necessary studies have been done. Once the developer submits the necessary permit application (which has not been done yet because the project is in a preliminary state) then the City's staff will (or should) conduct relevant and important studies on impact to traffic, the overall City economy, water, sewer, police, fire, environment, and schools, after which we can all form our opinions. The answers simply don't exist yet to basic questions about these issues.
In the meantime, I have presented two pieces of legislation, neither of which will be on tomorrow's City Council agenda because they are still being reviewed by the City Attorney (this is not meant to disparage the City Attorney; in fact, I think that office needs another attorney to help relieve its workload).The first would require the City to make basic determinations about proposed developments with respect to schools, such as determining how many school-age children are expected to be in a development, which schools they will attend, and a finding about the capacity of those schools to accommodate those children. As drafted, these determinations won't work as an automatic stop to development; they would simply add relevant information that should be considered in the decision-making process.
The second piece of legislation has to do with the existing City work group making recommendations to the City for its implementation of the state Forest Conservation Act. The legislation would ensure that large developments, including Crystal Spring, would be subject to the City Council's actions on those recommendations.
Neither of these pieces of legislation, on a practical level, would slow the process down for developers at all. What they would do is ensure that the City is applying a consistent set of complete and relevant permit criteria to all proposed developments.
Sincerely,
Jared Littmann
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis |
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Legislative Actions
City Council Session
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Regular Meeting of the Annapolis City Council will be held Monday, March 11, at 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers. All Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 99 and on Verizon channel 34.
Charter Amendment and Ordinances - 2nd Reader CA-2-12 Municipal Elections Coinciding with State of Maryland Elections in 2018 and Onward - For 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. Proposed to be postponed.
My commentary: The City has made a request for its elections to be added to the state ballot, and the recommendation is to wait for a response before taking action on this charter amendment.
O-28-12 Amending the Procedures for the Sale and Rental of Moderately Priced Dwelling Units - For the purpose of amending the procedures for the sale and rental of moderately priced dwelling units. Proposed to be postponed.
My commentary: This city's staff is expected to request more time to study this ordinance before the City Council takes action on it.
R-8-13 Expressing Support for House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 244 - Refillable Container Alcoholic Beverage License in the City of Annapolis - For the purpose of expressing 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.
My commentary: For an explanation of what this is about, please read this article from The Capital. The underlying state legislation is intended to benefit micro-brew enthusiasts, and has some environmental reuse benefits. Pending any issues you'd like me to consider and any discussion of this issue at the Council session, I intend to vote for the resolution.
R-9-13 Municipal Elections Coinciding with State of Maryland Elections - For the purpose of expressing the sense of the Annapolis City Council that the City elections for Mayor, Aldermen and Alderwomen, and City Central Committees should be adjusted to coincide with State gubernatorial elections, and that the City should request that the State authorize, by executive or legislative action as appropriate, inclusion of the City elections on the same ballot used for State of Maryland gubernatorial elections.
My commentary: This resolution was drafted to support Charter Amendment
CA-2-12, discussed above, and the City's efforts to get the City's election on the state ballot in 2018. This resolution would result in a one-time change making the next term for mayor and City Council 5 years, in an effort to reduce the costs of elections and to increase turnout. Pending any issues you'd like me to consider and any discussion of this issue at the Council session, I intend to vote for the resolution.
Ordinances and Resolutions - 1st Reader
On 1st reader, these ordinances and resolutions are introduced to the City Council. If introduced, they will be sent to the appropriate committee(s) for review, and will be subject to public hearings before a vote on whether to adopt or approve them at a later date.
O-8-13 Annual Operating Budget: FY 2014 - For the purposes of adopting an operating budget for the City of Annapolis for the Fiscal Year 2014; appropriating funds for expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2014; defraying all expenses and liabilities of the City of Annapolis and levying same for the purposes specified; specifying certain duties of the Director of Finance; and, specifying a rate of interest to be charged upon overdue property taxes.
O-9-13 Capital Improvement Budget: FY 2014 - For the purpose of adopting a capital improvement budget for the Fiscal Year 2014.
R-12-13 Capital Improvement Program: FY 2014 to FY 2019 - For the purposes of adopting a capital improvement program for the six-year period from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2019.
R-13-13 FY 2014 Fees Schedule Effective July 1, 2013 - For the purpose of specifying fees that will be charged for the use of City services for FY 2014.
R-14-13 FY 2014 Fines Schedule Effective July 1, 2013 - For the purpose of specifying fines that will be charged for FY 2014. R-15-13 Position Classifications and Pay Plan - For the purpose of approving the FY 2014 position classification and pay plan effective July 1, 2013.
O-11-13 Parking Permits for Contractors and Transporters of Merchandise and Materials - For the purpose of removing the distinction between contractor or merchandise/material transporter use of metered or un-metered parking spaces in determining the calculation of fees.
O-12-13 Authorizing an Application Fee and Permit Fee for a Tree Removal Permit - For the purpose of authorizing the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs to collect an application fee and permit fee for a tree removal permit.
O-13-13 Authorizing a Fee for a Hearing Before the Board of Port Wardens - For the purpose of authorizing a fee for a hearing before the Board of Port Wardens.
O-14-13 Clarification of the Utility Contractor Inspection Fee - For the purpose of clarifying the utility contractor inspection fee by deleting Section 16.04.030 of the Annapolis City Code and revising Section 16.04.060 in order to ensure objective and detailed inspection of any improvements and facilities, including water and sewer pipes and appurtenances, storm drainage systems, curbs, gutters and pavement within easements or rights-of-way; and authorizing an inspection fee that varies by the value of the construction to be performed.
O-15-13 Clarifying the Fee-in-Lieu for Trees in Development Areas - For the purpose of clarifying the fee-in-lieu for trees in development areas by addressing the contraction between Section 17.09.070 (C) of the Annapolis City Code and the fee schedule.
O-16-13 Authorizing Local Businesses to be Eligible for a Capital Facilities Payment Plan - For the purpose of authorizing local businesses to be eligible for a capital facilities payment plan.
R-16-13 Extension of Deadline for Submission of Proposed Union Agreements - For the purpose of postponing until after Monday, March 11, 2013, the submission to the Mayor of proposed memoranda of understanding between employee organizations and the City.
R-17-13 A Revision to the Capital Improvement Budget and Program
(Parking Meter Upgrade): FY 2013 to FY 2018 - For the purposes of revising the capital improvement budget for the Fiscal Year 2013 and the capital improvement program (parking meter upgrade) for the six-year period from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2018.
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Upcoming City Council Events
Special Meeting: Monday, March 18, 7 p.m., City Council Chambers Work Session: Thursday, March 21, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., City Council Chambers Environmental Matters Committee: Thursday, March 21, 4:30-5:30 p.m., City Council Chambers
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