July 13, 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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The City Council will meet Monday, July 14, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
News Since the Last Meeting Email
- The City Council approved the Capital Budget on June 23. Against my vote, the budget included more bonds (debt).
- Also on June 23, the City's Dept. of Neighborhoods and Env. Programs (DNEP) issued approvals in the Rocky Gorge development under the FCA and for a tree variance. DNEP will provide another update on this project to the Environmental Matters Committee (EMC) on July 17.
- On June 25, the Crystal Spring developers submitted an updated Preliminary Forest Conservation Plan (if using this link, scroll down). DNEP will update the EMC on this development also on July 17.
- The City's Dept. of Planning & Zoning (DPZ) is reviewing an application for a Residential Planned Development of 28 units on Milkshake Lane (if using link, scroll way down; however the most recent documents are not posted yet).
- On July 1, DNEP provided comments to the Thomas Woods developers.
- The July 17 EMC meeting will resume the discussion from the June 19 meeting with more updates and Q&A about these and other developments.
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
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Regular Meeting of the City Council
Agenda
The Annapolis City Council will meet on Monday, July 14, 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.
Martha Wood Leadership Award presented to the Beautification Committee of Bloomsbury Square
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-15-14 Bulk Regulations for Educational Institutions - For the purpose of amending the bulk regulations for educational institutions to allow for a flexible design-oriented approach to the development or redevelopment of schools.
My Comments: The legislation would remove zoning specifications for "Educational Institutions" from the City Code and allow them to be developed as "Bulk Regulations" through the site design plan review, planned development, or special exception processes. The purpose of those changes are to allow flexibility in meeting State standards related to classroom size, recreation space, and other amenities. The legislation has no fiscal impact.
This legislation is also on the agenda under 2nd Reader - see below. O-22-14 Special Residential Parking District 1 - State Circle - For the purpose of authorizing a resident who occupies a dwelling unit in a building located on State Circle to be eligible for a permit in special residential parking district No. 1; and all other matters related to special residential parking district No. 1.
My Comments: This legislation is fairly narrowly tailored for some residents in Ward 1. It has no impact on Ward 5 residents. This legislation may have some negligible positive fiscal impact as it will allow residents on State Circle to purchase a special residential parking permit.
This legislation is also on the agenda under 2nd Reader - see below.
O-23-14 Financial Disclosure for Employees and Appointed Officials - For the purpose of requiring certain City of Annapolis employees and appointed officials to file a financial disclosure statement with the Ethics Commission 15 days after commencing employment or service pursuant to their appointment; requiring employees or appointed officials who provide advice or counsel to the City on acquisitions or public policy matters to file a financial disclosure statement with the Ethics Commission; and making the changes necessary to the City Code in order to comply with the State of Maryland ethics requirements.
My Comments: I am a co-sponsor of this legislation with Alderwomen Finlayson and Pindell-Charles. Currently, certain City employees and appointed officials must file an annual financial disclosure statement each January 31 in pursuit of maintaining high ethical standards. This legislation would require those employees and officials hired during the year to file the statement within 15 days of their employment. This legislation should produce no significant fiscal impact.R-22-14 Waiver of Commercial Mooring Permit Fees for Annapolis Community Boating - For the purpose of waiving the commercial mooring permit fees ($1,920 per commercial mooring permit per year in fiscal year 2015) for Annapolis Community Boating, a local 501(c)(3) organization.
My Comments: Annapolis Community Boating is a non-profit organization that provides, among other contributions, youth programming activities in the City. It is requesting a waiver for the fees for the use of 2 commercial moorings near the Ellen Moyer Nature Park Boating Center, for a total of $3,840, for one year.
This legislation is also on the agenda under 2nd Reader - see below.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
O-2-14 Water Service to the Chesapeake Harbour Subdivision - For purpose of authorizing and approving an agreement regarding the provision of water service to the Chesapeake Harbour Subdivision. My Comments: This Ordinance was referred to the Environmental Matters Committee for review. Due to time spent on the budget and the review of recent filings by significant developments, the committee did not yet address this legislation. Therefore, I will ask the Council to postpone consideration of this legislation for 2 weeks so that the committee can review this legislation on Thursday, July 17.
O-06-14 Seasonal Outdoor Sales - For the purpose of amending the zoning code to address seasonal outdoor sales.
My Comments: Currently, seasonal outdoor sales - like the one at the Eastport Shopping Center - are only permitted with a stretch of interpretation of the zoning code. Alderman Arnett is introducing this legislation to create a new category within which these types of establishments would be properly categorized. This legislation would produce no significant fiscal impact.
I intend to offer an amendment to this Ordinance. Where it requires refuse removal and refuse containers, I suggest that recycling containers and removal also be provided. With that amendment, unless you or my colleagues offer opposing views to consider, I intend to vote in favor of this legislation.
O-10-14 Legal Counsel to Board of Supervisors of Elections - For the purpose of authorizing the Board of Supervisors of Elections to engage outside legal counsel during specified periods of time in the municipal election cycle.
My Comments: Currently, when the Board of Supervisors of Elections has a legal question or issue, they must rely on the advice of the then-current City Attorney. If or when the then-current mayor or alderpersons are involved in any way in the legal question, this scenario could lead to an actual or perceived conflict of interest for the City Attorney. This legislation would allow the Board to seek outside legal counsel. This legislation could have a negative fiscal impact if the outside legal counsel is hired.
Unless you or my colleagues offer opposing views to consider, I intend to vote in favor of this legislation.
O-13-14 Repeal of Police Residency Requirement - For the purpose of repealing the requirement that sworn employees of the Police Department reside within a thirty-mile road radius from the City line.
My Comments: Currently, the City Code requires police officers to reside within 30 road-miles from the City. Reportedly, this requirement has not been enforced in many years, prior to the current police chief or the current administration. The Mayor is sponsoring this legislation and the police support this change, arguing that it does not create a public safety issue and enables the City to be a preferred employer. I'm undecided on this legislation, but leaning in favor. While I'd prefer police officers and employees to live in the City, that is not on the table; they are already allowed to live within 30 miles of the City. The existing code should be either enforced or changed. The question for me is whether eliminating this requirement would create a public safety issue. However, if it hasn't been enforced, and there have not been instances where it has been an issue, perhaps it is better to change the Code. Employee morale is important, and after the recent cut-backs to the department, I'd prefer to do something perceived as a benefit by the officers. I welcome your further feedback. O-15-14 Bulk Regulations for Educational Institutions - For the purpose of amending the bulk regulations for educational institutions to allow for a flexible design-oriented approach to the development or redevelopment of schools.
My Comments: See my comments above for a description of this legislation. I'm undecided on this legislation, but leaning against. If zoning changes are required to meet new State standards, I'd prefer that the zoning code be amended, rather than leave it to regulations that are not subject to the same scrutiny. I welcome your further feedback. O-22-14 Special Residential Parking District 1 - State Circle - For the purpose of authorizing a resident who occupies a dwelling unit in a building located on State Circle to be eligible for a permit in special residential parking district No. 1; and all other matters related to special residential parking district No. 1.
My Comments: See my comments above for a description of this legislation. Unless you or my colleagues offer opposing views to consider, I intend to vote in favor of this legislation.
R-4-14 Amendment to the Capital Improvement Program: FY 2014 to FY 2019 Concerning the Annapolis Police Department Indoor Firing Range - For the purposes 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 Comments: The current range is shut down due to safety reasons. Repairs are estimated to cost $500k. The state government included a grant to the City for $250k in matching funds towards a new police firing range. During a previous Council hearing in April, the police provided convincing testimony why alternatives such as sharing other jurisdictions' firing ranges were either not practical or more expensive.
This Resolution may have been rendered moot by the project's inclusion in the FY15 Capital budget. If it is not withdrawn as unnecessary and unless you or my colleagues offer opposing views to consider, I intend to vote in favor of this legislation.
R-22-14 Waiver of Commercial Mooring Permit Fees for Annapolis Community Boating - For the purpose of waiving the commercial mooring permit fees ($1,920 per commercial mooring permit per year in fiscal year 2015) for Annapolis Community Boating, a local 501(c)(3) organization. My Comments: For a description of this legislation, please see my comments above. I am inclined to vote against this legislation. I agree that it serves a useful purpose and is a relatively small amount of money in the big picture. However, coming out of the budget process, I am disappointed and concerned about the amount of money this administration and Council has reserved for savings. I do not intend to vote in favor of further reducing revenues or increasing expenses without pressing reasons for doing so.
First Readers
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:
R-24-14 Special Event Applications - For the purpose of authorizing City Council approval of selected special events per R-14-12, implementing a moratorium on administrative approvals for events at City Dock; designating specific dates for the sale of merchandise in the Historic District in conjunction with only the approved special events; waiving City fees for Eastport Yacht Club 32nd Annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade and the Annapolis Jaycees Grand Illumination; waiving parking fees for the Maritime Republic of Eastport Tug of War; and the reimbursement of full fees to the City for the cost associated with the other approved events.
R-25-14 The Approval of a Community Legacy and/or a Strategic Demolition and Smart Growth Impact Fund Application (Bowman Building) - For the purpose of approving the application and receipt of financing for Community Legacy Projects and/or Strategic Demolition and Smart Growth Impact Fund projects in the City of Annapolis for the Bowman Building Redevelopment, to be financed either directly by the Department of Housing and Community Development (the Department) of the State of Maryland, or through other departments or agencies of the State of Maryland.
R-26-14 The Approval of a Community Legacy and/or a Strategic Demolition and Smart Growth Impact Fund Application (Newtowne Twenty) - For the purpose of approving the application and receipt of financing for Community Legacy Projects(s) and/or Strategic Demolition and Smart Growth Impact Fund project(s) in the City of Annapolis for the Newtowne Twenty Redevelopment project, to be financed either directly by the Department of Housing and Community Development (the Department) of the State of Maryland, or through other departments or agencies of the State of Maryland.
BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS
ID-213-14 Review of Towing License
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