ID-56-15 City Council Citation - Marcia Patrick, Acting Director of the Public Works Department
ID-59-15 Preservation of Annapolis Historic Signs on West Street - Donation of $1,500 and Challenge by the Inner West Street Association, Inc.
Petitions, Reports & Communications
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.
O-1-15 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
Comment: Mr. Bowling is an employee of the City Water Department who is on call after hours and weekends for issues that may arise at the adjacent City Water Treatment Facility.
O-2-15 Lease of City Dock Space to Chesapeake Marine Tours - For the purpose of authorizing for fiscal year 2021 the lease of certain municipal property
located at the City Dock to Chesapeake Marine Tours, Inc. for the docking and mooring of certain boats.
Sponsors: Pantelides, Arnett, Budge, Littmann, Pfeiffer, Finlayson and Paone
Comment: The estimated annual revenue is $55k.
O-4-15 Building Permits - For the purpose of removing the Five Hundred Dollar construction project value requirement for the issuance of certain permits.
Sponsor: Pantelides
Comment: This legislation would produce a minimal fiscal impact as permits will still be required as established by the building and residential code. The intent of this legislation is to ensure that citizens who wish to undertake non-structural renovations on residential properties will be less encumbered in the permitting process.
O-5-15 Floodplain Management in the City of Annapolis - For the purpose of amending certain sections of Chapter 17.11 of the Annapolis City Code to comply with updates to new Flood Insurance Rate Maps delineated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and all other matters generally relating to floodplain management in the City of Annapolis.
Sponsor: Pantelides
Comment: The new Flood Insurance Rate map goes into effect on 2/18/15.
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: O-31-14 makes numerous changes that are all technical in nature-largely to ensure that Title 21 and other sections of the code are compliant with changes the State has made to 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. Tolling expired in July 2014, so any references to tolling have been removed. Also, the notification requirements have been updated to be consistent with one another.
Pending consideration of issues raised by you or my colleagues, I intend to vote for this legislation with offered amendments.
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.
R-2-15 Alcoholic Beverages - Election Days - For the purpose of expressing the sense of the City Council concerning a proposed amendment to Article 2B, Section 11-401(b) of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Sponsors: Budge, Pfeiffer and Finlayson
Comment: Maryland law currently requires licensed establishments to close on Election Days, unless the establishment serves food. This means that retailers of alcoholic beverages and the one Annapolis Tavern must remain closed while the polls are open. Early voting laws greatly impact the establishments that are required to stay closed while the polls are open. Therefore, the purpose of R-2-15 is to evidence the Annapolis City Council's support of Senator Astle's SB 89, which will permit all licensed establishments and retailers of alcohol in Annapolis to remain open during Elections.
The sponsors of this legislation intend to ask the Council to suspend the rules for public hearings so that the Council can vote not only on introduction but passage of this legislation at Monday's Council session. Even for legislation like this that sounds logical to me, I am generally against suspending those rules, because I miss the opportunity to hear from those that may raise new points or unintended consequences. However, I will consider the reasoning offered by Council members. Considering that this legislation may go directly to a vote, I welcome your comment.
R-3-15 The Parking Authorities Act - For the purpose of respectfully requesting that the Maryland General Assembly amend Section 18-103 of the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland so that the Parking Authorities Act shall be applicable to the City of Annapolis.
Sponsors: Pantelides
Comment: Currently, the State allows only Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County to establish a Parking Authority. This legislation asks the State to add Annapolis to that list.
The sponsors of this legislation intend to ask the Council to suspend the rules for public hearings. I am not inclined to suspend the rules, but will consider the reasoning offered by Council members. Considering that this legislation may go directly to a vote, I welcome your comment.
R-4-15 The Annotated Code of Maryland Public Utilities Article Definitions of Taxicab and Provision of Taxicab Services - For the purpose of respectfully requesting that the Maryland General Assembly amend Sections 1-101 and 10-101 of the Public Utilities Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to incorporate the use of a software application, digital wireless network or digital telecommunications capable device in the context of regulating the provision of taxicab services in the City of Annapolis.
Sponsors: Pantelides and Budge
Comment: This legislation concerns the City's regulation of taxicabs and Uber. The City currently regulates taxicabs for the purpose of ensuring the general health and safety of the public using those vehicles. Uber contests the City's right to regulate vehicles operated by Uber drivers. This legislation seeks an amendment to State law to make more clear that the City has a right to regulate those vehicles.
The sponsors of this legislation intend to ask the Council to suspend the rules for public hearings. I do not intend to agree to suspend the rules for this legislation, but I will consider any reasoning offered by Council members at the meeting. Considering that this legislation may go directly to a vote, I welcome your comment.
O-6-15 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES - Doors, Entrances & Exits - For the purpose of removing the requirement that all licensed establishments must keep their doors, entrances and exits closed at all times pursuant to Chapter 7.12 of the Annapolis City Code.
Sponsors: Budge
BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS
GT-12-15 Public Works/Water Supply - Salaries to Contractual Services
Comment: Budget transfer of $5k from Salaries to Contract Services for the Water Treatment Plant. This transfer is to pay for a temporary employee that has been engaged to cover the work previously done by a temporarily injured permanent City employee.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
(no action needed)
ID-63-15 Combined Annual Reports from the Boards and Commissions 2014
UPCOMING EVENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Next Meeting of the City Council - Feb. 23
