Dec. 2, 2015
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Alderman, Ward 5, Annapolis
912 Forest Drive
(office at K&B True Value)
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Upcoming Events
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The City Council will meet Monday night at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. More information is below.
My analysis of the agenda is below. Unfortunately, I will miss this meeting due to an unavoidable work conflict. Accordingly, I share some thoughts on the pending issues, but not an indication of how I intend to vote.
Updates Since the Last Meeting 1. I am seeking a Legislative Intern for Hispanic / Latino Issues with hopes of bridging a gap between City government and this community. Please forward information about this opportunity to anyone that might be interested, and contact me with any questions. 3. The BGE gas line work under Forest Drive near Hilltop and Spa Road , which has involved loud work at night, is almost done.
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
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Regular Meeting of the City Council
Agenda
The Annapolis City Council will meet on Monday, Dec. 7, 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
PRESENTATION
Chief Pristoop to present Citizen's Award to Mr. Paul Jantzen.
PETITIONS, REPORTS AND 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
O-53-15 City Council Consent Calendar - For the purpose of amending the Rules of Procedure to permit certain agenda items to be voted upon as a single group under a Consent Calendar category of the City Council Meeting Agenda.
Sponsor: Budge
O-40-15 Waterfront Maritime Conservation District - For the purpose of amending Retail Use, the Standards for Uses Subject to Standards and Parking Requirements in the WMC Zoning District.
Sponsors: Pantelides, Budge and Pindell Charles
Comment: The underlying legislation seeks to establish that maritime use must occupy 40% of the gross floor area on the lot, and allows the remaining area for uses including retail and / or a restaurant. In addition, it permits rooftop dining in this zone and reduces the parking requirements among other changes. Proposed amendments to this legislation would (1) ensure that the number of dock slips are not reduced, (2) permit maritime retail in the WMC while retaining closer scrutiny on non-maritime retail, (3) limit outdoor and rooftop dining to end at midnight, rather than 2 AM, (4) eliminate any music from rooftop dining, and (5) disallow sidewalk cafes on Compromise Street until those sidewalks are widened.
The amended legislation is a good compromise between those interested in seeing the building at 110 Compromise Street (formerly known as the Faucett's building) put back into useful service, and those interested in preserving the maritime nature of City Dock. I will be pleased to see this property used and part of a revitalization effort.
My main concerns are (1) that this legislation not be used as justification for diminishing maritime zoning elsewhere, (2) that this legislation does not further the goals of the City Dock Master Plan (although it isn't inconsistent with it either), and (3) the risk that the legislation negatively impacts partners of the City, such as the Boat Shows, for which the City receives lease payments of approximately $500k per year.
O-48-15 Agreement of Purchase and Sale - For the purpose of approving the purchase and sale of property located at 9 St. Mary's Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401; and matters generally relating to said sale.
Sponsor: Pantelides
Comment: The City Council previously voted, over my "no" vote, to sell this property to O2 Holdings, LLC, also known as O2/Lafayette. This pending legislation effectuates that sale. The buyers will give the City $1.525M once the sale is complete, which may not occur for up to 2 years, allowing time for development applications, closing on the property, and the commencement of development on the property (except for a $50k deposit which must be paid now).
My main concern regarding this legislation, beyond my preference for a different purchaser, is that the money not be used for operating or recurring expenses, and instead be used towards debt repayment or to pay down other existing obligations, such as the pension liability. There already is a bond fund to which these proceeds will be directed, although the specifics need updating. Because the City won't get these funds for some time, there is time to address this issue.
O-51-15 Issuance of Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds - For the purpose of authorizing and empowering the City of Annapolis (the "City") to issue and sell water and sewer revenue bonds for $44.5M
Sponsor: Pantelides
Comment: I support the underlying intent of this legislation - to issue bonds supported by the fees associated with public utilities, rather than general obligation bonds which are supported by taxes. However, I prefer to approve - at the same time - corresponding legislation that reduces the City's general obligation bond limit so that the City does not have the ability to borrow even more money with this new found authority to issue revenue bonds. Although I have already requested that the corresponding legislation be drafted, it is not ready for introduction. Because that legislation does not have to happen simultaneously, I intend to introduce it once it is prepared.
R-28-15 Maryland Emergency Management Assistance Compact - For the purpose of respectfully requesting that the Maryland General Assembly amend the Maryland Emergency Management Assistance Compact to add the City of Annapolis as a listed jurisdiction in Section 14-801(e) of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
R-29-15 Municipal Regulation, Taxation and Disposition of Vacant and Blighted Buildings - For the purpose of respectfully requesting that the Maryland General Assemble amend the Local Government and the Tax - Property Articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland to authorize municipalities organized under Article XI-E of the Maryland Constitution, including Annapolis, to address public hearth and safety issues associated with vacant and blighted buildings.
R-30-15 City Dock Flood Mitigation - For the purpose of respectfully requesting that the State of Maryland provide assistance to the City of Annapolis to provide for the funding of the design phase of the City Dock Flood Mitigation Project.
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