February 8, 2014
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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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Feb. 10
7 p.m., Regular Meeting of the City Council, Council Chambers
Feb. 11
Feb. 13 Feb. 24 7 p.m., Special Meeting of the City Council, Council Chambers Feb. 24 - March 2
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The City Council will meet on Monday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
Updates Since the Last Blast
At the last Council session on Jan. 27, the Council voted to introduce a resolution that would create a committee to explore purchasing the 110 Compromise Street property (formerly known as the Fawcett's property). This resolution was not on the agenda, but the Council voted to amend the agenda to consider it. There will be a public hearing and committee consideration, so you will have opportunities to voice your thoughts on the resolution.
The purpose of the committee, if formed, would be to determine if the purchase price would make it feasible to give the City some options, like temporary additional parking during the necessary reconstruction of the Hillman garage and to reconfigure the area including the adjacent 2 city owned lots before the sale of all or a portion of the property to a developer.
The committee may determine that the asking price is too high, that other costs involved are too high, that the funding is not available, and many other possibilities.
Other bits of news
- For Hunt Meadow residents: (a) In response to a complaint from a resident about speeding in the neighborhood, Annapolis police will step up patrols and consider whether additional measures are necessary; and (b) at the Homeowners Association meeting on 2/18/14 at 6:30 PM at AMS, the Annapolis police will discuss concerns about neighborhood crime.
- The PMRC (rec center) now requires government / school issued photo ID for patrons.
- The city conducts E-Cycling, which is the recycling of electronic equipment. Bring your computers, monitors, TVs, and other electronic devices to the Public Works Spa Road facility (M-F between 8 - 2).
Office Hours
I offer 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 (912 Forest Dr.) during office hours to discuss any issues facing Annapolis.
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 office hour schedule, please visit me on Facebook.
Stay in Touch
I welcome your feedback and questions, and appreciate your help in reaching other Annapolis (Ward 5 in particular) residents by to them. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jared Littmann
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis
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Regular Meeting of the City Council
Agenda
The Annapolis City Council will meet on Monday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers. All Council meetings are available online through live streaming and broadcast on Comcast channel 99 and on Verizon channel 34. Below is a synopsis of the agenda. You can access the unabridged version here.
PETITIONS, REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
The Environmental Matters Committee, which I chair, will meet on February 13, 2014, at 3 P.M. This is a week earlier than the normally scheduled time. Once posted, you'll be able to view the agenda here.
- Petitions (Public Comments)
This is your opportunity to speak to any matter not listed for a public hearing below.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
PUBLIC HEARINGS
No bills are scheduled for a Public Hearing.
2ND READER - ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION
Bills on 2nd Reader are up for discussion and vote. There are no bills scheduled for 2nd Reader, but the sponsor of R-2-14 (discussed below) reportedly may ask the Council to go right to 2nd Reader after 1st Reader, which may only be done with the unanimous consent of the Council.
1ST READER - ORDINANCE AND RESOLUTION
First Reader is a bill's formal introduction to the Council for consideration. Generally, I will vote in favor of a bill on First Reader, even if I disagree with it, so that the bill may be heard and discussed by the Council and the public. The following bills are being introduced on First Reader:
O-5-14 Amendment to Lease Agreement: Cellular Antenna Janwal Water Tank - For the purpose of approving an amendment to the lease of certain city-owned property to New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC.
My Comment: New Cingular Wireless currently leases from the City a portion of the property located at 206 Janwal Street. This Ordinance proposes to allow New Cingular Wireless to purchase, install and maintain a generator at this same site, which would supposedly improve their communications technology. Pursuant to the amendment, the City would be authorized to use a portion of the energy from the generator for its own purposes without any costs or expenses.
I have some questions about the details of this arrangement, but will support this Ordinance on 1st Reader so that we can further consider it.
R-2-14 Support for House Bill 493 and Senate Bill 488 for a Local Bond Bill on the Annapolis Police Department Indoor Range - For the purpose the purpose of expressing the Annapolis City Council's support of House Bill 493 and Senate Bill 488 for a local bond bill in the amount of $250k for the Annapolis Police Department indoor range with a local match of $250k from the City of Annapolis.
My Comment: The Annapolis Police Department has an indoor firing range in the basement of the Taylor Avenue station dating to 1972. The range has badly deteriorated to a point where it is unsafe; fired rounds ricochet and the ventilation system no longer properly directs or contains contaminants like lead and carbon monoxide, so the Annapolis Police Department closed the range in August 2013. Since then, the APD has utilized a range at the U.S. Naval Academy to train and qualify officers, free of charge based on temporary agreements. However, the Naval Academy will reportedly impose this year new fees and charges.
Senator Astle and Speaker Busch have introduced companion bills into the State General Assembly to grant the City of Annapolis $250k towards the renovation of the APD indoor firing range. The grant would require a match of identical funds from the City. R-2-14 expresses the City's support for these bills.
I have some questions about the financing, but will support this Resolution on 1st Reader so that we can further consider it.
The sponsors of this Resolution will reportedly ask for the Council's unanimous consent to vote on the merits of this Resolution (2nd Reader), presumably because of the timing of the local bond bill. I am leery of spending $250k outside of the normal budget process because it means even less savings; the Resolution does not provide for an offset of reduced spending elsewhere or an increase in revenue in any way. I have not yet heard from the police about the degree of their need or from the Finance Director about the avoided costs from new fees and charges from the U.S. Naval Academy. I welcome your input on these issues as I weigh these factors.
R-4-14 Amendment to the Capital Improvement Program: FY 2014 to FY 2019 Concerning the Annapolis Police Department Indoor Firing Range - For the purpose of adopting an amendment to the capital improvement program for the six-year period from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2019 concerning the Annapolis Police Department indoor firing range.
My Comment: This Resolution is a companion bill to R-2-14. The formal method for allocating the City's funds (again, $250k) for the Annapolis Police Department indoor firing range is by amending the Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) legislation to include this project.
I have some questions about the financing, but will support this Resolution on 1st Reader so that we can further consider it.
R-6-14 Filing of Grant Application with the Maryland Transit Administration - For the purpose of the purpose of authorizing the filing of an application with the Maryland Transit Administration of the Maryland Department of Transportation for grants under the Federal Transit Act for a total amount of over $1.4M ($1.2M for transit operations and $162k capital grant for transit vehicle maintenance).
My Comment: I will support this Resolution on 1st Reader so that we can further consider it.
R-7-14 Approval of Job Description: Planning Director - For the purpose of approving the job description for the Planning Director position.
My Comment: Pursuant to the City Code, job descriptions for the City Manager and Department Directors shall be reviewed by the Director of Human Resources and City Manager then submitted to the City Council for approval. The Director of HR and Acting City Manager have updated the job description for the Planning Director and now submit it to the City Council for approval.
My Comment: I will support this Resolution on 1st Reader so that we can further consider it.
BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS
1. Finance Department, GT-12-14
My Comment: The Finance Department is seeking a General Transfer (GT) from the contingency fund in the amount of $8,361 for the purpose of replacing the vault door in the Finance Office. The combination on the current vault door is cracked and hard to read, and it has also begun to stick. In order to avoid being locked out of the vault, a new door is required. The current balance in the Contingency Fund is $400k. I will vote for this transfer.
2. Mayor's Office, GT-13-14
My Comment: By contract, the former City Manager is due a severance payment for 6 months of pay. The mayor is asking for a General Transfer of $150k from the Contingency Fund (balance noted above). Six months of severance for the City Manager does not equate to $150k, so this transfer must be addressing other issues. I look forward to learning what they are.
3. Metered Parking Rates, GT-14-14
My Comment: With a 6-3 vote (I was in the minority), the Council reduced the downtown parking meters for 2.5 months from $2 to $1. This is projected to result in a reduction of $112,500 in City revenues. This General Transfer within Transportation seeks to recognize that reduction. In light of the Council's previous vote, this transfer is inevitable, though I remain concerned about the Council's repeated dipping into savings.
4. Training & Education, GT-15-14
My Comment: The City of Annapolis receives grants from the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA). A requirement of those grants is that the City's Department of Transportation spend at least 1% of grant funds (equates to just over $15k) on training. This General Transfer transfers, from within the Transportation budget, almost $8,800 for training. Because these expenses are worthwhile and required as a condition of grants the City is fortunate to receive, I will vote for this transfer.
5. Pumpout Boat, GT-16-14
My Comment: This General Transfer funds the repair and maintenance of a City Pumpout Boat, and is funded from within the Harbormaster's grant funding. I will vote for this transfer.
6. Appointments to Education Commission
My Comment: Department Heads and members of the City's Boards and Commissions are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Typically the Council will move consideration of appointments to early in the Agenda (right after Petitions, Reports & Communications) so the appointees don't have to wait through all other Council business.
The proposed appointments to the Education Commission are for Pastor Sheryl Menendez (Ward 5) and Mr. Kim Sharps (Ward 6). The Housing and Human Welfare Committee, of which I am a member, interviewed the appointees earlier this week. Both are accomplished education professionals with years of service to our community. Pending comments to the contrary from you I intend to confirm these appointments.
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL EVENTS Work Session
Thursday, February 13 at 7 pm: John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers Special Meeting
Monday, February 24 at 7 pm: John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers
You are able to access the posted legislative packets here from the City website.
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912 Forest Dr., Annapolis, MD
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