September 22, 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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Sept. 23
7 p.m., City Council Regular Meeting, City Council Chambers
Sept. 24
3 - 4:30 p.m.,
Office Hours to talk with Jared, K&B True Value, 912 Forest Drive
Sept. 27
9 - 10 a.m., Office Hours to talk with Jared, K&B True Value, 912 Forest Drive
Oct. 1
3 - 4:30 p.m.,
Office Hours to talk with Jared, K&B True Value, 912 Forest Drive
Oct. 4
9 - 10 a.m., Office Hours to talk with Jared, K&B True Value, 912 Forest Drive
Oct. 8
3 - 4:30 p.m.,
Office Hours to talk with Jared, K&B True Value, 912 Forest Drive
Oct. 11
9 - 10 a.m., Office Hours to talk with Jared, K&B True Value, 912 Forest Drive
Oct. 14
7 p.m., City Council Regular Meeting, City Council Chambers
Oct. 15
3 - 4:30 p.m., Office Hours to talk with Jared, K&B True Value, 912 Forest Drive
Oct. 17
1:30 - 4:30 p.m., City Council Work Session, City Council Chambers
Oct. 25
7:30 a.m., Jared speaking at Almost 7:30 Friday Democratic Breakfast, Eastport Democratic Club, 525 State Street
Oct. 28
7 p.m., City Council Special Meeting, City Council Chambers
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The Council will meet on Monday, September 23, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The agenda is below.
Prior to the meeting, Dr. Wilford Scott will be honored for his years of service to the City of Annapolis.
Two controversial issues will come up on Second Reader for a vote:
- Resolution R-49-12, 2012 City Dock Master Plan
- Ordinance O-7-13, Establishment of a New Zoning District: Waterfront City Dock, Phase One.
Public hearings have already been held on these two pieces of legislation. In addition, the council has received substantial testimony and public and private correspondence. In response, individual council members and stakeholders have been discussing potential amendments to the legislation that would earn the support of the council. At Monday's Council session, I expect the Council to discuss those substantial amendments to R-49-12 and it may vote on those amendments.
I do not expect the Council to vote on the underlying legislation at this session. Instead, I expect the Council to consider, at a subsequent session this term, a version of the legislation that incorporates any amendments adopted at Monday's session. Personally, I support this path and would not vote in favor of this legislation in its current form on Monday.
My position on City Dock is on my website. Click here.
In addition, two public hearings are on matters that may come to a vote on second reader:
- O-36-13 - An Amendment to Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in Fall 2013
- O-38-13 - Amending Ordinance O-30-13, authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Revenue Bonds, to Conform to Final Special Taxing and Tax Increment Financing District Boundaries
Alderman Budge will request an addition to the agenda, requesting a vote on R-36-13 - Authorizing Two Vendors in the Historic District in Conjunction with the Fall Boat Shows. Alderman Budge introduced this resolution at the last council meeting, but it was inadvertently omitted from this meeting's agenda. Due to the time-sensitive nature of the resolution Alderman Budge will move that it be added to the agenda for Second Reader. Anyone wishing to comment on the resolution should make their comments during "Petitions, Reports, and Communications."
The resolution authorizes Uncle Bob's Fudge Kitchen to operate a lemonade stand on the sidewalk in front of its Main Street store during the 2013 Fall Boat Shows. It also authorizes Cub Scout Pack 153 to sell popcorn in the Hopkins Plaza during the Shows. Pending your thoughts and those of my colleagues, I intend to vote in favor of this legislation.
Office Hours
I'm offering office hours, in general, on Tuesdays from 3 - 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9 - 10 a.m. I welcome Annapolis City residents, particularly from Ward 5, and other concerned individuals to stop by K&B True Value during office hours to discuss any issues facing Annapolis. K&B True Value is located at 912 Forest Drive.
Simply check in at the customer service desk, and I will be happy to meet with you. This is a great opportunity for us to learn from each other about the issues facing Annapolis and to have your concerns heard. Stop by!
If you are unable to stop by during regular office hours, then contact me at your convenience (contact info above). For regular updates and changes to the regular weekly office hour schedule, please visit facebook.com/Ward5Alderman.
Stay in Touch
I welcome your feedback and questions, and appreciate your help in reaching other Annapolis (Ward 5 residents in particular) by
to them. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jared Littmann
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis |
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City Council Session Agenda
The Annapolis City Council will meet on Monday, Sept. 23, at 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers. All Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 99 and on Verizon channel 34.
Before the matters below are considered by the Council, you have an opportunity to speak to the Council for three minutes on any topic other than those scheduled for a public hearing (and you can speak to those topics at their respective points in the meeting).
PETITIONS, REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Approval of Journal Proceeding
Reports by Committees
Comments by the Public (no more than 3 minutes per person)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
O-36-13 - An Amendment to Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in Fall 2013
My Comment:
This would add 20 city moorings to the existing boat show lease to allow for the new Fall Brokerage Boat Show to be held in St. Mary's Cove on Spa Creek, Oct. 3-6, simultaneously with the US Powerboat Show. I am one of the sponsors of this legislation.
O-37-13 - Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in Spring 2014
My Comment:
This is in regard to the lease of city property for the Spring 2014 boat shows. I am one of the sponsors of this legislation.
O-23-13 - Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in 2018
My Comment:This is in regard to the lease of city property for the Fall 2018 boat shows. I am one of the sponsors of this legislation.
O-35-13 - Issuance of Bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes
Analysis of Fiscal Impact:
| PROJECT | FISCAL YEAR | BOND FUNDING | | City Dock Infrastructure | 2014 |
$5,150,445
| | Capital Program Land Acq'n | 2013 |
$2,500,000
| | City Dock Infrastructure | 2014 Grant |
$1,500,000
| | Hillman Garage Repl't | 2014 |
$765,190
| | City Dock Infrastructure | 2013 |
$275,000
| | General Sidewalks | 2014 |
$250,000
| | Truxton Swimming Pool | 2014 |
$150,000
| | Wayfinding Signage | 2014 |
$114,500
| | Wayfinding Signage | 2013 |
$40,000
| | Kingsport Park | 2014 |
$10,931
| | Total | |
$10,756,066
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The total bond amount of $11,500,000 includes almost $750,000 for issuance costs and underwriter's fees.
O-38-13 - Amending Ordinance O-30-13, authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Revenue Bonds, to Conform to Final Special Taxing and Tax Increment Financing District Boundaries
My Comment:
The underlying merits of this bond issuance were discussed at the July 22 Council session when the Council unanimously voted in favor of it. This proposed ordinance would correct some technical but important flaws in that legislation.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS - 2nd READER
O-36-13 - An Amendment to Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in Fall 2013
My comments:
See above for a general description of this legislation. This legislation is slated to go directly to a vote after the public hearing, bypassing committee assignments, because of the timing of the affected boat shows, less than two weeks away. I have worked with the City staff and boat show managers to include recycling requirements into the lease. The boat show managers are working with Annapolis Green and Its Red, Right, Recycling campaign to implement and go beyond those recycling requirements.
O-38-13 - Amending Ordinance O-30-13, authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Revenue Bonds, to Conform to Final Special Taxing and Tax Increment Financing District BoundariesMy Comment: I agreed at the time of the vote in July that the underlying bond issuance was good for the City, primarily because it replaced other bonds that were issued at a higher interest rate. The substance of the bonds or the reasoning for them has not changed, and the amendments from this ordinance are necessary to effectuate the bond issuance. I will vote in favor of this legislation.
R-49-12 - 2012 City Dock Master Plan
My Comment:
Please see above for my comments
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. Proposed to be postponed.
My Comment:
Please see above for my comments. At this Council session,I will vote in favor of postponing a vote on the merits of this legislation until the Council considers and makes final decisions on the City Dock Master Plan resolution.
O-51-11Amd. - Use and Redevelopment of Property in C2 Zoning Districts - For the purpose of adding certain provisions governing use and redevelopment of property located in a C2 Zoning District. Proposed to be postponed.and
O-52-11Amd. - Rezoning Parcels [1244] 1247 and 1255, Grid 20, Tax Map 52A - For the purpose of rezoning parcels [1244] 1247 and 1255, Grid 20, Tax Map 52A to C2, "Conservation Business" Zoning District. Proposed to be postponed. My Comments on the two ordinances above: The property owner of 110 Compromise Street, the principal property affected by these ordinances, continues to request that the Council postpone a vote on these ordinances until the other zoning ordinance, O-7-13, is resolved, although this type of legislation will expire at the end of this Council term. Pending arguments to the contrary, I intend to vote in favor of a postponement to a date in October. O-25-13 - Office or Studio of a Professional Person in the C1 (Conservation Residence) Zoning District - For the purpose of eliminating the office or studio of a professional person as a special exception subject to standards in the C1 - Conservation Residence zoning district. My Comment: The C1 residential zone allows for the conversion of a residence into a professional office or studio by special exception, eliminating its use as a residence. This bill eliminates the special exception. This Ordinance does not apply to offices that are part of the home, generally referred to as home offices. The C1 zone covers much of the residential area in the Historic District. No other residential zone in the City allows the conversion of a residence into a professional office. Pending comments to the contrary from you or my colleagues, I intend to support the bill. O-26-13 - Pet Grooming Facilities - For the purpose of separately defining a "pet grooming facility" from a "personal care establishment," and making a "pet grooming facility" a use subject to standards in all zoning districts that currently allow personal care establishments. My Comment:
Currently, there is no distinct use for pet grooming facilities. Such facilities would fall into the category of personal care establishments, which generally refers to people. This ordinance creates the additional use. Pending arguments to the contrary from you or my colleagues, I intend to vote for this legislation.
O-47-11 - Fence Permits - For the purpose of amending the Code of the City of Annapolis with respect to the issuance of fence permits. Editorial note: If you are reading the entire Legislative Packet for this meeting, read the version titled "Office of Law Working Draft for Second Reader," which shows (1) the current Code in effect that O-40-11 (Fence Permits) modified and was adopted at the same Council meeting where O-47-11 was introduced and (2) the recommended amendments since introduction. My Comment:
This legislation applies to new fences; owners of existing fences need not apply for a new permit or conform their fences. One of the primary changes of this legislation is to reduce the default maximum height of front yard fences from 8' to 4'. The director of Planning and Zoning may still approve a fence up to 8' in his discretion. There is a proposed amendment to change the reference from 4' to 6'. The legislation also introduces increased scrutiny of the ratio of solid fence materials to open space. In addition, it would change the responsibility for the review of designs from the department of Neighborhoods and Environmental Programs to the Department of Planning and Zoning. Once the Council picks up this issue (I question whether that will be at Monday's session) I expect substantial discussions with regard to the height issue. I'm reserving judgment on these issues, and welcome your input, but am generally in favor of this legislation.
R-3-13 - Advocating for the City of Annapolis to be Named as the Home for a National Continental Congress Center - For the purpose of expressing the sense of the City Council that the City of Annapolis be named as the home for a National Continental Congress Center.My Comment:
This legislation supports the efforts of citizens who have come together to advocate for this center which would educate people on the historical significance of the Continental Congress and related events prior to our nation's formation under our existing constitution. This legislation does not involve funding or site selection of the center. The Annapolis Heritage Commission gave this legislation an unfavorable review based on its members' belief that the concept of the Center is not sufficiently developed to receive an endorsement. I disagree. While recognizing that the commission makes valid concerns, I think there is time to address those concerns after the Council's vote. Pending further consideration of your views and those of my colleagues, I intend to vote for this legislation.
R-37-13 Waiving a Contractor Parking Fee for the Hammond-Harwood House - For the purpose of waiving a contractor parking fee for the Hammond-Harwood House, a 501c(3) non-profit organization located at Maryland Avenue and King George Street, during roof work on the northeast wing of the historic museum.
My Comment: I intend to move for reconsideration of R-37-13 in accordance with §2.16.170 of the Annapolis City Code. I expect that R-37-13 would still pass on reconsideration, but by 7-2, rather than 8-1. I'm not expecting to change the result, but rather my position on granting waivers in these circumstances. My objection is the failure of the Council to stick to a budget, which I see happening too easily. I should have said so last time but was too slow on the uptake because I had been focused on the fact that it is a relatively small amount to the budget and benefits a sympathetic organization. ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTIONS - 1ST READER My commentary: On 1st reader, the Council votes to introduce 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. In general, I don't offer an opinion on legislation for 1st Reader, preferring to remain open minded through the Public Hearing process. I try to provide explanatory information below when appropriate.
O-33-13 - Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment (Sewer Service) Contract with the Federal Government - For the purpose of approving a new 10-year wastewater conveyance and treatment (sewer service) contract (Contract) with the Federal Government to adjust the rate as provided; and all matters related to said wastewater conveyance and treatment.
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912 Forest Dr., Annapolis, MD
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