PUBLIC HEARINGS

O-4-13           Establishing Chapter 14.18 of the City Code on Special Events - For the purpose of establishing Chapter 14.18 of the City Code regarding the process for authorizing special events within the City of Annapolis; requiring a permit and permit fee for special events; providing parameters for approving a special event permit; authorizing exemptions for a special event permit and permit fee; establishing conditions for special events at City Dock; and for all other purposes related to special events.

 Comment:  This would establish a new process for how the City will permit and approve special events, with special provisions for events on City Dock.

O-10-13           Compensation of Mayor, Aldermen/Alderwomen, and City Manager - For the purpose of specifying compensation and allowances to be paid to the Mayor and Aldermen/Alderwomen for the term of office commencing on the first Monday in December, 2013; and for specifying compensation and allowances to be paid to the City Manager.

Comment: The City Council appointed the Council Compensation Commission in October, 2012 (As an aside, I'm not fond of the Council appointing a Commission to study its own salaries, though I don't know of a better process.). The Commission provided a report containing recommendations on compensation for the Mayor, Aldermen/Alderwomen, and the City Manager. The proposed resolution would provide for consideration, and the City Charter's required public hearing, of the recommendations of the Council Compensation Commission.

(1) Keep the Mayor's salary at $98,000 per year.

(2) Increase the Aldermen's compensation by $900 to $13,500 per year.

(3) The City Manager's Executive Pay Plan should include:

            (a) Base Salary ranging from $120,000 to $180,000 per year (currently
                 $145,000);

            (b) Benefits: health care and retirement plan, and a City vehicle ($6,000);

            (c) Severance pay of three months' salary (currently six months).

If all of the recommendations are adopted, and assuming the City Manager salary is at the top of the play plan, then the negative fiscal impact will be $10,271 in year one. 

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.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION

RESOLUTION - 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.

Comment: This Charter Amendment is intended to move the City elections to coincide with Maryland general elections, rather than occur in off-years. The reasons in favor of this change are (1) increasing voter turnout for City elections and (2) reducing the expenses of City elections. There is substantial evidence supporting these arguments: generally only 20-35% of registered voters participate in our off-year City elections, while 50% or more participate in presidential or gubernatorial general elections. Generally speaking, I believe that greater participation in elections is a good thing, as the results better reflect the will of the population. In addition, the Mayor has budgeted $237,945 for the City elections this fall and those costs would be greatly reduced if the City piggybacked onto the presidential or gubernatorial elections and their equipment.

Previously, I told you about two concerns in making this change: (1) it will lead to voting by less informed voters who are more inclined to vote along party lines and (2) the messages of City candidates may get lost among the "bigger" elections.

An additional concern also came to mind. History shows that City Council members often resign before their four-year term is up. When this occurs with more than 15 months before the next election, a special election is held. Those elections have even worse attendance than the regular elections, and are costly. I fear that if there is a five-year term beginning in 2013, the chances of needing one or more special elections are high. That issue is not addressed in the proposed Ordinance.

If there is a change, I agree that the City elections should coincide with the gubernatorial elections, in order to avoid the complication of matching primary dates with the presidential elections (currently, February). In addition, I do not see any merit in having a one-year term in order to coincide with the 2014 gubernatorial elections, as it would be too difficult for city staff to make any real planning decisions when political decisions could be reversed so quickly.

This is a difficult decision for me, as I believe that both sides' arguments have merit. Preliminarily, I intend to propose that the above-referenced 15-month standard be increased by 12 months, to 27 months, for only the 2013 term, to minimize the need for a special election. On the substance of the matter, I am leaning slightly toward voting for this change because of the likely increase in voter turnout and the eventual real cost savings. However, this is an issue for which I especially look forward to hearing your views and those of my colleagues prior to the vote, which may solidify or change my decision.

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.

Comment:  This matter is only on the agenda because it was previously postponed. My understanding is that the legislation is still being discussed and the vote will be postponed again. 

RESOLUTION - 1ST READER

My commentary: on 1st reader, the council votes to introduce these ordinances and resolutions 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, unless those rules are waived by unanimous vote.  

O-7-13          Establishment of a New Zoning District: Waterfront City Dock, Phase One - For the purpose of implementing Phase One of the recommendations of the City Dock Master Plan by establishing a new zoning district - the Waterfront City Dock Zone.

O-22-13         Heritage Commission - For the purpose of changing the name of the City of Annapolis' Historical Markers Commission to the Heritage Commission in order to better reflect the Commission's duties and responsibilities.

Comment: The proposed ordinance is for a name change only.

O-23-13           Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in 2018 - For the purpose of
authorizing a lease of certain municipal property located in the general harbor, Dock Street and Edgewood Road areas to United States Sailboat Shows, Inc. and United States Powerboat Shows, Inc., for a certain period of time in October 2018, to conduct boat shows. Available Monday, May 13.

Comment: Not yet available to Council.

R-24-13           City of Annapolis Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan - For the purpose of adopting the City of Annapolis Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, as required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to maintain eligibility for disaster funding for large scale emergencies and disasters.   

R-25-13            National Preservation Month 2013 - For the purpose of proclaiming May 2013 as National Preservation Month in the City of Annapolis.  

BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS

1. Approval of City Council Standing Committees: Not yet available to Council.
2. Memorandum from City Clerk regarding City Council legislative business: Not yet available to Council.