PETITIONS, REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Ceremonial Items
ID-9-15 Swearing in of Departmental Directors Clement (Pete) Gutwald, Planning & Zoning, and Michael Morris, Recreation & Parks
Comment: The Council previously confirmed these appointments made by the mayor.
ID-4-15 Pocket Park - City Council Citations Harvey Blonder, Michael Blonder, Kevin Blonder, Deborah Schwab and Wayne Speight
Comment: This citation is to recognize the collective effort to revitalize a once vacant space on Main Street and making it a pocket park.
ID-6-15 Martha Wood Leadership Award - "Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency"
Comment: This citation is made at the request of HACA in recognition of years of valuable service to the residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis and the community at large.
Petitions, Reports & Communications
ID-5-15 Transition Team Report - Recreation & Parks
Comment: This presentation is part of a series of presentations made by the Transition Team appointed by the mayor in December 2013. This report does not appear to be currently available on the City's website, but that should be corrected shortly.
Comments by the General Public - Early in each Council Meeting there is an opportunity for comments by the General Public. The public may comment on any subject that is not on the agenda for a Public Hearing. Comments during this time are limited to five minutes per person.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
This is your opportunity to state your opinion on how we should vote or amend pending legislation. I generally do not comment on matters up for public hearing; I'd rather learn your thoughts.
R-36-14 Taxi Fees and Charges - For the purpose of increasing the authorized mileage rate charged by taxicabs licensed by the City of Annapolis from $2.00 per mile to $2.50 per mile.
Sponsor: Budge
Comment: I am interested in hearing from the public on whether you think this increase is justified and appropriate. The stated reason given for the increase is that the rate has not changed since 2000, so the cost of rising gas and license fees since then have been borne solely by the taxicab licensees. In addition, the City raised the fee for a taxicab license by 92% last July.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
SECOND READERS
Comment: Typically, I offer an inclination of how I intend to vote on a matter and invite you to state whether you agree or disagree before the vote so that I may consider your point of view.
O-31-14 Technical Corrections to the Zoning Code - For the purpose of amending sections of Title 2, Title 20, and Title 21 to be consistent with the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Sponsor: Budge
Comment: The technical changes are proposed largely to ensure that Title 21 and other sections of the code are compliant with the Land Use Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. The state code requires that zoning actions be "consistent" with the comprehensive plan of the jurisdiction and defines both consistency and the comprehensive plan. Other changes in this ordinance are small corrections in our naming system. There are several miscellaneous code amendments that are correcting previous errors or references that have changed. Amendments are offered by the Planning Commission and the Rules Committee to correct certain omissions. Pending comments to the contrary from you or my colleagues, I intend to support the amended bill.
FIRST READERS
Comment: 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.
O-1-15 Lease of Lease of City Property to George Bowling - For the purpose of approving a lease between the City of Annapolis and George Bowling for the City-owned building located at 270 Defense Highway, Annapolis, Maryland; and all other related matters.
Sponsor: Pantelides
O-3-15 Risk Management Rules and Regulations - For the purpose of
establishing that the City Council may make and adopt written rules and
regulations as necessary in the interest of public safety and risk
management.
Sponsors: Finlayson, Paone and Pindell Charles
BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS
Referral of O-32-14 to the Building Board of Appeals by Mayor Pantelides
UPCOMING EVENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Next Meeting of the City Council - January 26, 2015
