PETITIONS, REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Reports by Committees
My Comment: There are seven standing committees on which three aldermen and alderwomen are assigned. Generally, these committees meet monthly. The chairs of these committees report to the full Council during this segment of the agenda. - Petitions (Public Comments)
My Comment: This is your opportunity to speak to any matter not listed for a public hearing below. The Council has discussed whether these comments should be limited to five minutes, as provided in the code, or if the Council should amend the limit to three minutes, as in recent custom, to keep the meetings from going too late into the evening, which has its own negative affect on transparency. I welcome your input as to your preferences.
PUBLIC HEARING
Note: I generally do not comment on matters up for public hearing - I'd rather learn your thoughts. Comments during Public Hearings are limited to three minutes per person.
O-39-13 Appropriation of Property Tax Revenue Above Estimates to Fund a Cost of Living Adjustment for All City of Annapolis Employees at a Rate of 1% Retroactive to July 1, 2013 and 3% Effective January 1, 2014 and Other Employee Benefits Including Pension and Other Post Employment Benefits. - For the purpose of appropriating property tax revenue above estimates to fund a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all City of Annapolis employees at a rate of 1% retroactive to July 1, 2013 and 3% effective January 1, 2014 and other employee benefits including pension and other post employment benefits (OPEB).
My Comment: See the discussion for this Ordinance under Second Reader below.
R-39-13 Authoring New Year's Eve Vendors in the Historic District - For the purpose of A. L. Goodies General Store at 112 Main Street and Hard Bean Coffee at 36 Market Space to sell non-alcoholic beverages, food and souvenirs from the sidewalk in front of 112 Main Street and 36 Market Space during the City of Annapolis' New Year's Eve celebration on December 31, 2013.
My Comment: See the discussion for this Ordinance under Second Reader below.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
2ND READER - ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION
My Comment: It is somewhat unusual for bills to have a public hearing and vote on the same night, however the intent is to implement O-39-13 in time for Christmas, and R-39-13 applies to New Years. As the next Council meeting is January 13, it is timely to consider these matters now.
O-39-13 Appropriation of Property Tax Revenue Above Estimates to Fund a Cost of Living Adjustment for All City of Annapolis Employees at a Rate of 1% Retroactive to July 1, 2013 and 3% Effective January 1, 2014 and Other Employee Benefits Including Pension and Other Post Employment Benefits - For the purpose of appropriating property tax revenue above estimates to fund a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all City of Annapolis employees at a rate of 1% retroactive to July 1, 2013 and 3% effective January 1, 2014 and other employee benefits including pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB).
Comment: The City agreed to a collective bargaining agreement with its union employees in October 2013 that addressed a significant issue - the City's long term pension and health insurance unfunded and underfunded accounts. The agreement was substantial, fairly considered the impacts to employees, the City government, and the tax base. This legislation proposes to fund the current year of that agreement. This legislation would also apply to non-union employees, which was the intent during the negotiations and is the method the City has used to achieve a level of fairness between union and non-union employees.
Part of the justification for the unions' concession to reduced pension benefits was a Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) at a rate of 1% retroactive to July 1, 2013 and 3% effective January 1, 2014, and other employee benefits including pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB). These increases would result in the appropriation of over $1.3M in property tax revenue above the amount appropriated in the Fiscal year 2014 operating budget approved last June. Conveniently, the anticipated tax revenues from the State are in excess of the budgeted FY 2014 tax revenues by more than the $1.3M expense of this bill. Because the underlying union agreement was already approved, this legislation is justified and appropriate. Pending comments to the contrary from you, I intend to support the bill.
R-39-13 Authorizing New Year's Eve Vendors in the Historic District - For the purpose of authorizing A. L. Goodies General Store and Hard Bean Coffee to sell non-alcoholic beverages, food and souvenirs from the sidewalk in front of 112 Main Street and 36 Market Space during the City of Annapolis' New Year's Eve celebration on December 31.
My Comment: This legislation, introduced by Alderman Budge, would make legal a long-standing existing practice by these two establishments. There is some time sensitivity to this legislation as the Council is not scheduled to meet again until the second week in January.
The Council did receive some testimony in opposition from one other downtown business and I will listen to the public testimony before deciding how to vote, but I am inclined to support the Alderman representing Ward One.
1ST READER - RESOLUTION
R-41-13 Metered Parking Rate - FY 2013 Fee Schedule Revision - For the purpose of reducing the metered parking rate from $2/hour to $1/hour from January 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014 by amending the FY 2013 fee schedule. Unanimous consent requested for both introduction and vote on 12/16/13.
Comment: Although this legislation is offered with the meritorious intent of benefiting both local downtown businesses and residents during the off-season, I have concerns about the continued trend of chipping away in various ways at the City's savings. The Council struggled last June to approve an annual budget that reserved a sufficient amount of savings. The proposed legislation reduces those savings without a corresponding decrease of spending or increase of revenue elsewhere.
The proposed legislation has an expected negative fiscal impact of $135,000. The fiscal impact notes for this legislation proposes options for offsetting that amount, but this legislation does not yet resolve those decisions. Perhaps that can be resolved by amendment before this legislation reaches 2nd Reader (a vote on the substance of the bill).
Despite these objections, on the 1st Reader vote to introduce the bill, I intend to vote in favor. However I intend to object to the request for unanimous consent to subsequently vote on the merits of it. I will also ask for a public hearing to publicly hear the views of interested persons so that I can give further consideration to the concerns outlines above.
