May 9, 2015
Jared S. Littmann
Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis

912 Forest Drive 
(office at K&B True Value)

410-268-3939 (office)
443-926-2399 (cell)


Upcoming Events 
May 9
The Maritime Republic of Eastport .05K Bridge Run
noon - 12:15PM, Eastport Bridge

May 11
City Council Meeting
7PM, Council Chambers

May 12
Green Drinks Annapolis
Theme: Sea Level Rise

5:30-7:30PM, Chart House

May 15
Bike to Work Day
7:30 - 9AM, Hopkins Plaza

May 18
City Council Meeting
7PM, Council Chambers

May 21
Environmental Matters Comm. Meeting
1:30 PM, Council Chambers

May 25
Memorial Day - City Offices Closed
Memorial Day Parade
10AM 
 
For details of City Council events click here.  
 
The City Council will meet Monday at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Among the highlights of the agenda is the Finance Committee's Report on the FY2016 Budget and related legislation.
 

  


Your Views

I welcome Annapolis City residents, particularly those from Ward 5, and other concerned individuals to offer 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
AgendaAgenda
   
The Annapolis City Council will meet on Monday, May 11, at 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers. All Council meetings are available online through live streaming and broadcast on Comcast channels 99 or 100 and on Verizon channel 34. Below is a synopsis of the agenda. You can access the unabridged version here.  

   

CEREMONIAL ITEMS
 

Martha Wood Leadership Award

 

ID-159-15     "Anne Arundel County Literacy Council"

ID-244-15     City Council Citation: Lee Anderson, Patti White & Debra Fortier, Annapolis Film Festival Founders and Festival Directors

 

PETITIONS, REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

  

A. Reports by Committee

  • The next Environmental Matters Committee meeting is scheduled for May 21, from 1:30-3:00 PM. The tentative agenda is to review the
    Forest Conservation Act, O-32-14, and specifically the Planning Commission's recommended version. This tentative plan is based on the expectation that a public hearing on O-32-14 will take place before the full Council at the City Council session on Monday, May 18, beginning at 7 PM.
     

B. Report from the Finance Committee on FY2016 Budget and related legislation

  • Since receiving the Mayor's proposed budget, the Finance Committee has held numerous meeting to hear from the Finance Director and all Department Directors as to the Operating and Capital Budgets, and other related legislation including those for fines and fees. I thank the Finance Committee's members, Alderman Ian Pfeiffer, Chair, and Alderman Arnett and Paone, for their countless hours attending these meetings.
  • The Committee's report summary describes the Council's shift from a line item budget to a programmatic budget - a good summary if you are new to those terms.
  • The Finance Committee is not recommending large scale changes from the Mayor's budget.
  • The most noteworthy recommended amendment is a removal of a $440k General Fund subsidy to the Wastewater fund put in place to combat a dramatic increase in the cost of providing those services. The Committee felt it was better policy to raise the Wastewater fee so that the costs of providing that service match the costs we pay as consumers, while redirecting the saved $440k to initiating a new Capital "pay-go" account for infrastructure needs. I applaud this step.
 

C. Plymyer Report - Phase II

  • The City Attorney engaged Mr. Plymyer, Esq., to conduct a review to determine if the City's implementation of the State's Forest Conservation Act complies with State law.
  • Mr. Plymyer conducted a "Phase I" review which focused solely on whether the City's stated practices complied with State law. He concluded that it does, barely, and recommends that the City adopt its own local program (see note above, Reports by Committee).
  • A "Phase II" review would focus on whether stated practices differ from
    actual practices.
  • The Environmental Matters Committee suggested a number of specific questions and follow up matters necessary to wrap up this investigation.
 

 

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 ON FY2016 ANNUAL BUDGET
AND RELATED LEGISLATION

Understanding the budget sufficiently to make public comments is no easy task. I commend Alderman Joe Budge for his efforts to make the budget documents accessible and understandable. My thinking on the budget is similar to the concerns expressed by the City's Financial Advisory Committee in its letter to the Mayor and Council.

O-14-15     Annual Operating Budget: Fiscal Year 2016  
For the purposes of adopting an operating budget for the City of Annapolis for Fiscal Year 2016; appropriating funds for expenditures for Fiscal Year 2016; defraying all expenses and liabilities of the City of Annapolis and levying same for the purposes specified; specifying certain duties of the Director of Finance; and specifying a rate of interest to be charged upon overdue property taxes.
Sponsor: Pantelides

O-15-15     Capital Budget Fiscal Year 2016  
For the purpose of adopting a capital budget for Fiscal Year 2016; and appropriating funds for expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2016 capital budget.
Sponsor: Pantelides

R-11-15     Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Years 2016 - 2021
- For the purpose of adopting a capital improvement program for Fiscal Years 2016-2021 (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2021).
Sponsor: Pantelides

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-20-15     Fair Housing in the City of Annapolis - For the purpose of adding gender identity to the protected classes set forth in Chapter 11.32 of the Code of the City of Annapolis.

Sponsor: Arnett

 

O-21-15     Nonstandard Vehicles Definition - For the purpose of amending the definition of Nonstandard Vehicles to include all such vehicles including pedicabs and for-hire Segways.

Sponsor: Budge

 

LEGISLATIVE ACTION

  

SECOND READERS 
 

O-10-15     AAMC Lease Agreement for Stanton Center - For the purpose of approving the lease for certain City-owned space in the Stanton Center to Anne Arundel Medical Center; and matters generally relating to said lease.

Sponsor: Pantelides

O-11-15     Annapolis Youth Services Bureau Lease Agreement for Stanton Center - For the purpose of approving the lease for certain City-owned space in the Stanton Center to Annapolis Youth Services Bureau; and matters generally relating to said lease.

Sponsor: Pantelides

O-12-15     We Care Lease Agreement for Stanton Center - For the purpose of approving the lease for certain City-owned space in the Stanton Center to We Care and Friends, Inc.; and matters generally relating to said lease.

Sponsor: Pantelides  

Comment:     These 3 Ordinances memorialize the ongoing relationships between the City and non-profits that operate in the Stanton Center. The leases identify tenant rights and who is responsible for utilities, insurance, repairs, and janitorial service. Each non-profit will lease space within the Center for $1 per year. Pending consideration of issues raised by you, I intend to vote in favor of each of these Ordinances.


 

O-19-15     Maryland Association of Counties Pooled OPEB Trust Fund - For the purpose of authorizing the adoption and establishment of a non-pension post employment benefits trust.

Sponsor: Pantelides  

Comment: This legislation does not create a new benefit for employees or retirees of City employment, but rather authorizes a new vehicle for providing benefits previously established. Specifically, this legislation allows the City to join the "Maryland Association of Counties Pooled OPEB Trust Fund" which will allow it accumulate and invest assets to fund non-pension benefits for retirees of City employment. Pending consideration of issues raised by you, I intend to vote in favor of this Ordinance.

  

R-7-15     City Sponsored Special Events in Fiscal Year 2016 - For the purpose of identifying City Sponsored Special Events and waiving certain related City Fees during Fiscal Year 2016.

Sponsor: Budge 

Comment: This legislation proposes that the following City Sponsored events will receive a waiver of reimbursement of full fees: the MLK, Jr. Parade, the City Fair, the Memorial Day Parade, the Independence Day Parade, the USNA Band Concerts, the Kunta Kinte Festival, the Tug of War, the Grand Illumination, the Lights Parade, and the New Year's Eve Celebration. This will produce a negative fiscal impact to the City as it includes waiving dock, permit, and parking fees, as well as waiving reimbursement of services provided by transportation, police, and fire. As I've noted in previous instances of this type of legislation, I have mixed feelings because of the inherent good these events do for the City and its residents, contrasted with the unfunded expense of public resources, specifically for the public safety employees of the City.

 

 

R-13-15     Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing - For the purpose of adopting an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.

Sponsors: Kirby, Budge and Littmann 

Comment:   The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides significant funding for grants used to promote community development in the City. To ensure eligibility, the City must affirmatively further fair housing. This Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing is a step in the process of meeting that goal. The Analysis notes 4 main impediments, establishes goals to reduce or eliminate them, and suggested activities and strategies that the City should undertake. 

I will vote in favor of this Resolution.

  

R-14-15     Five-Year Consolidated Housing and Community Development Strategic Plan - For the purpose of adopting a Five-Year Consolidated Housing and Community Development Strategic Plan for the period beginning July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2020.

Sponsors: Kirby, Budge and Littmann 

Comment:   HUD provides funding for the City's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. As a requirement for this funding, the City provides this strategic Plan for implementing the City's CDBG program for housing, community, and economic development activities by identifying 6 priorities and subsequent goals and strategies for the next 5 years.

I will vote in favor of this Resolution.

  

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-22-15     Lease of 145 Gorman Street - Amended and Restated Agreement of Lease between KDBA, LLC and the City of Annapolis for the use of non-city-owned property by the City of Annapolis.

Sponsor: Pantelides

 

O-23-15     Modifications to the Tables of Uses for Business and Mixed Use Zoning Districts - For the purpose of adding "Personal Fitness Studios" to the tables of uses; defining "personal fitness studios" and "Physical Health Facilities;" and all other matters generally relating to such uses.

Sponsors: Paone and Pantelides

 

O-25-15     Environmental Commission - For the purpose of establishing a quorum of the Environmental Commission.

Sponsor: Littmann

 

BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS

 

O-32-14 and R-38-14 - Proposed Motion to Postpone pursuant to City Code Section 2.15.090B

 

O-32-14     Forest Conservation Requirements and Standards in the City of Annapolis - For the purpose of adopting requirements and standards for forest conservation in the City of Annapolis; providing forest stand delineation and forest conservation plan requirements; providing exceptions to Chapter 17.13 of the City Code; providing for variance procedures; and all other matters generally relating to forest conservation in the City of Annapolis.

Sponsors: Littmann, Arnett and Pantelides

R-38-14     Forest Conservation Act Fees and Fines - For the purpose of setting fees and fines associated with the City's Forest Conservation Act set forth in Chapter 17.13 of the City Code

Sponsors: Littmann and Arnett

Comment: In November, 2014, the Council introduced these 2 pieces of legislation and referred them to the Planning Commission. For various reasons, the Commission only referred them back to the Council in the last few weeks, which pushes against a 180 day rule deadline; hence, the need for this postponement. The Council is expected to hold a public hearing on both pieces of legislation at its next session, in 1 week on Monday, May 18. Thereafter, it will be referred to Council committees for further consideration, and then back to the full Council for consideration of implementation. 

 

GT-16-15     Transfer From Parking OPS/Overtime Transfer to Parking Ops Supplies - Parking & Transportation

Comment: This is a proposed transfer of $6k to pay for new uniforms for new hires, sign blanks and other needed supplies.

 

GT-17-15     Office of Emergency Management - Contract Services to Salaries

Comment: OEM proposes to use a contractual employee rather than an outside contractor in order to save (and repurpose) between $33k-44k in grant funding.

 

GT-18-15     Department of Public Works - Contract Services to Salaries

Comment: DPW proposes to replace an independent contractor with a contractual employee in order to comply with current State and Federal employment laws.

 

   

ADJOURNMENT 
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