May 17, 2014
|
|
|
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis
912 Forest Drive
(office at K&B True Value)
410-268-3939 (office)
443-926-2399 (cell)
|
May 16-23
May 20
MCONNECT informal gathering to learn about energy incentives for small businesses, sponsored by Maryland Clean Energy Center, 5 p.m., Pusser's - details
May 27
Green Drinks Annapolis - Theme: "It's All About Our Rivers, " 5 p.m., Cafe Mezzanotte - details
|
|
|
|
The City Council will meet Monday, May 19, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
At this meeting, the City Council will hold a public hearing where it will invite your input on the budget, including the Finance Committee's report. The Council will likely consider a final vote on the FY 15 Budget on June 16.
News Since the Last Meeting Email
The Council held several public hearings. Because there were a number of civic events that night, those hearings will remain open for written testimony until May 19, 2014.
The Council created an Ad Hoc Committee to study the last City election. The Committee will include five Democrats, five Republicans, and three Independents or people with no party affiliation. If you'd like to be considered for those three positions, send your request, along with your name and perhaps qualifications, to the City Clerk ASAP. If you'd like to be considered for one of the D or R positions, contact those respective central committee chairs.
Prior to that meeting, the Mayor and City Manager provided their suggestions on how to close the $2 million gap that existed without the assumption of furloughs. Those recommendations are helpful and provide meaningful options for the core budget. You can see those recommendations on pages 16-17 of the Finance Committee's report. Click here.
Please refer to those recommendations as part of the package of budget materials that are the subject of the public hearing on May 19.
Those recommendations left unaddressed the $3 million gap in the transportation budget. The Council's Transportation Committee and the City's Transportation Department are working together to come up with their recommendations on how to close that gap. At the May 12 session, many people spoke in favor of not cutting the Circulator system or reducing bus routes. One way or another, the Council has to close the $3 million gap between transportation expenses and revenue. I welcome your further input on how the Council should accomplish that.
Other News
I will not be at that hearing on May 19 due to a business obligation, but I will watch the hearing afterward.
The Blue Angels are coming to Annapolis next week. See the complete commissioning week schedule.
Your Views
I welcome Annapolis City residents, particularly from Ward 5, and other concerned individuals to give me their views on issues or to discuss other concerns in person. Please contact me via email with your views or to set up a time to chat in my office at K&B True Value ( 912 Forest Drive).
Stay in Touch
I welcome your feedback and questions, and appreciate your help in reaching other Annapolis residents by to them. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Jared Littmann
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis
|
|
|
Regular Meeting of the City Council
Agenda
The Annapolis City Council will meet on Monday, May 19, 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
- Reports by Committee
- Petitions (Public Comments) - This is your opportunity to speak to any matter not listed for a public hearing below.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
This is your opportunity to state your opinion on how we should vote or amend pending legislation.
O-18-14 Admission and Amusement Taxes - For the purpose of codifying the City of Annapolis' laws related to the admission and amusement tax authorized by the Tax-General Article, § 4-102(c), of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
My Comment: Between 1982-1985, the City Council levied a 10% admissions and amusement tax and authorized the State of Maryland to collect the tax on behalf of the City, altered the rate of the tax levied for motion picture theaters to 7.5%, and exempted certain activities from the collection of admission and amusement taxes. The Annotated Code of Maryland authorizes municipal corporations to impose an admission and amusement tax if the legislative body of the municipal corporation adopts the tax by resolution or ordinance. Adoption of an ordinance is necessary to modify the City Code. The pending Ordinance moves the authorization for the Admission and Amusement Tax into the Municipal Code and exempts the Arts and Entertainment District as dictated by State law. https://annapolismd.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=1308
O-19-14 Sidewalk Café Hours - For the purpose of permanently codifying the authorization in Ordinance 36-12 that permitted sidewalk cafes to remain open during the normal business hours governing such establishments.
My Comment: Last year, the Council extended the sidewalk café hours from 11 p.m.to 'one-half hour before closing' on a trial basis. Without this pending Ordinance, the hours will revert to 11 p.m. on June 1. After the public hearing portion of this session, the Council will vote on this legislation.
https://annapolismd.legistar.com/gateway.aspx?m=l&id=/matter.aspx?key=1312
LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
O-19-14 Sidewalk Cafe Hours - For the purpose of permanently codifying
the authorization in Ordinance 36-12 that permitted sidewalk cafes to remain open during the normal business hours governing such establishments.
My Comment: I have not heard any negative feedback from this change from City officials or the public. I support the Council voting in favor of this legislation. However, as noted above, I will miss this vote due to a conflicting business obligation.
BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS
Appointments to the Annapolis Environmental Commission: Bevin Buchheister and Paul Murphy
Ms. Buchheister is the Maryland Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and is well-known for her knowledge and passion with regard to the environment. Mr. Murphy is a long-term resident of Annapolis who has been active in advancing alternative energy use and its associated financial benefits. Mr. Murphy has been regularly attending AEC meetings for the past 1.5 years despite not being a member. The Council's Environmental Matters Committee, which I chair, reviewed both applications on Thursday and voted unanimously in support of their nominations. I support the Council voting in favor of these candidates.
|
Want to help me reach more people?
|
|
|
|
|
912 Forest Dr., Annapolis, MD
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
