Public Meetings - Annapolis, Maryland

The Annapolis City Council held a work session on January 22, 2026, to discuss budget priorities for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The meeting was led by Mayor Jared Littmann and included presentations from Acting Finance Director/Budget Manager Jake Trudeau, along with extensive discussion among council members about their individual priorities, infrastructure needs, process improvements, and the overall budget timeline. Discussion Items - Budget Timeline Overview: Jake Trudeau outlined the budget process timeline: departments submitted requests in December 2024; January 2025 is for department meetings and scrubbing submissions; February and March are for finalizing numbers and preparing budget books; the mayor will present the budget in April (first council meeting of April, April 13th); May will feature Finance Committee deliberations; and the budget will be voted on in June. - Council Member Priorities: Each alderman/ alderwoman presented two or three top priorities for the FY27 budget: - Alderman Thorpe (Ward 8): Traffic and parking projects in Eastport (implementing 2016 traffic and 2018 parking studies); walkability improvements including completing sidewalk network, removing utility poles from sidewalks, and improving four water access points (Hawkins Cove, Jeremy's Way, Severn Avenue Park, Bill Jones Alley); and recognition of the economic impact of the maritime industry. - Alderman Savage: Overhaul of the Watershed Restoration Fund (stormwater fee) to base residential fees on actual impervious surface area; sustainable mobility including pedestrian safety, bike lanes, speed cameras, fare-free transit, and creating a regional transportation authority; and improvements in project and policy implementation tracking and procurement practices. - Alderman Huntley: Infrastructure improvements (with clear performance metrics from DPW on whether the city is keeping up) and a property tax rate cut (not a cut in spending, but lowering the rate so that increased property assessments do not lead to a proportional revenue increase; overall city revenue would still rise). - Alderman Smith-Brown: Infrastructure (street lighting in underserved communities like Parole Heights, Bywater, Forest Villa, Admiral Oaks; intelligent traffic systems on West Street, Forest Drive, Old Solomon’s Island Road; traffic calming on Chinquapin Round Road and Dorsey Heights; sidewalks, crosswalks, flood mitigation); public safety (increased foot patrols in Federal Town, Evolution Peters Way, Greenbrier, Oxford Landing, public housing communities; partnerships with schools and community organizations for wraparound services, mentorships, internships); and support for recreation, after-school programs, summer programs, and addressing homelessness and crime. - Alderwoman Allsup-Johnson: Senior concerns (curb painting, crosswalk markings, speed bump repairs); increased lighting throughout communities; locks on playground and basketball court gates to deter nighttime activity; and a youth mentorship program. - Alderman Schandelmeier (presented by Mayor Littmann as proxy): $50,000 to continue the Maritime Apprenticeship Program; $50,000 for the Children and Family Success Grant (child care assistance); and funding for a peak-time medic unit within the fire department to reduce cross-staffing. - Alderwoman Contee: Support for HECA (Health, Education, and Community Action?) through stipend initiatives for recreation, homework help, nutrition; homelessness support with wraparound services (hotel stays, food); support for existing organizations providing services; and correcting the signage at the Eastport Recreation Center to reflect the proper name (Rosalie E. Mitchell Community Center). - Alderwoman O'Neill: Creation of a long-term maintenance plan for capital improvement projects (parks, buildings like the Sand Center, City Dock) with an attached budget; reform of the community grants program to better evaluate effectiveness, consolidate funding reporting, reduce overlap, and focus on outcomes. - Deeper Discussions on Key Topics: - Smart Traffic Signals/Lighting: Council discussed smart traffic signals (including a $600,000 Safe Streets for All grant project using Maya Vision AI-based detection) and the option for the city to own and manage its own street lights. DPW Director Burr Vogel noted the cost of adding a new light fixture is about $2,000. A study was funded last year ($10,000) to assess potential savings from city ownership; a more detailed analysis would cost around $100,000. Converting to LED and managing lights could yield long-term savings and allow dimming/control. - Homelessness: The council explored how the city could increase involvement in homelessness services, which are primarily county-led. Acting City Manager noted that the city cannot replace the county’s continuum of care but could advocate for reducing barriers to housing (e.g., criminal record rules) and provide additional support through the Office of Community Services (currently a manager, two social workers, a coordinator, and two part-time staff). Discussion highlighted the need for more staffing in community services to address rental assistance and wraparound support. - Input-Output Measurement & Grants Reform: Alderman Thorpe and others emphasized tying budget requests to performance metrics (e.g., sidewalk square footage replaced, permit processing times). The Audit Committee is working on reviewing “product of the plan” to track implementation. Alderwoman O'Neill called for a full review of the community grants program, noting that some organizations receive funding from multiple sources without consolidated reporting. She suggested possibly reducing the number of grantees to fully fund those selected, and using a task force (authorized in 2024 but never convened) to study improvements. - Customer Service: Mayor Littmann listed three IT priorities: improving the iWork system (citizen problem reporting), creating a customer relationship management (CRM) system for personalized interactions, and streamlining permitting. He also noted that additional staff may be needed to support council member responsiveness. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the session was a discussion to guide budget development. - The mayor will present the FY27 budget on April 13, 2026 (the first council meeting in April). - Council members will continue to refine their priorities and plan to bring forward specific funding requests during the Finance Committee deliberations in May. - Several council members committed to working with staff on implementation tracking, grants reform, and performance metric improvements.

The Finance Committee of the Annapolis City Council met on January 21, 2026, at 10:59 AM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Alderman Huntley and concluded at 11:36 AM. All three members (Alderman Huntley, Alderwoman O'Neill, and Alderman Thorp) were present. The committee considered a water service agreement, received updates on CIP projects and the Finance Department, and approved prior minutes. No public comments were recorded. Note: The raw transcript provided with the agenda and minutes appears to be from a different meeting (a community planning session for the Tyler Avenue Complete Community project) and does not correspond to the Finance Committee meeting summarized here. This summary is based solely on the agenda and approved minutes. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (FC 1.7.26): The minutes from the January 7, 2026, regular meeting were approved by voice vote on a motion from Alderman Thorp, seconded. Discussion Items - R-3-26 Water Service Agreement with North Point Property LLC: The committee reviewed a resolution authorizing a water service agreement to extend City water service to 1053 Chesapeake Harbour Road, owned by North Point Property LLC. Acting City Manager Buckland, Assistant City Attorney Leonard, and Public Works Director Vogel answered questions. Alderwoman O'Neill moved to recommend the resolution favorably. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. - ID-30-26 CIP Projects Update: Public Works Director Vogel presented the update. Alderman Huntley moved to postpone this item to the next meeting on February 4, 2026. The motion carried. - ID-7-26 Finance Department Update: Acting City Manager Buckland and Acting Finance Director Trudeau provided an update. No specific action was taken. Key Outcomes - Approved: Minutes of the January 7, 2026, committee meeting. - Recommended Favorably: Resolution R-3-26 (Water Service Agreement with North Point Property LLC) will be forwarded to the full City Council. - Postponed: The CIP Projects Update (ID-30-26) was postponed to the February 4, 2026, meeting. - Adjourned: The meeting adjourned at 11:36 AM.

The Public Safety Committee of the Annapolis City Council met on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 4:46 PM to 6:19 PM in Council Chambers. Alderwoman O'Neill was elected chair, and the committee received updates from the Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, and Police Department, covering operational goals, staffing, funding challenges, and upcoming snowstorm preparations. Consent Calendar - No consent calendar items were presented. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public provided testimony. Only council members and invited officials spoke. Discussion Items Annapolis Fire Department (AFD) Update - Chief Remaley and Deputy Chief Powell presented the department's new five-year strategic plan and mission statement. AFD is one of only three ISO Class One departments in Maryland (388 in the U.S.) and operates with a $27 million budget, 93% of which is salaries and benefits. - The department has 144 full-time staff (137 uniformed, 7 civilian) and responds to over 13,000 calls annually, 75% of which are emergency medical services (EMS). Minimum daily staffing is 25 firefighters plus one investigator. - Chief Remaley discussed the tension between national NFPA standards (recommending 4-person suppression crews) and current 3-person staffing due to budget constraints. He noted the department meets NFPA standards through an exception by sending multiple units. A peak-time EMS medic unit, currently run by a ladder crew, is needed and may eventually require a 24-hour unit. Future hiring and shift schedules are being evaluated. - Alderman Smith-Brown asked about mutual aid imbalances and division between leadership and the union. Chief Remaley described automatic aid agreements and stated that the department delivers prompt service regardless of jurisdiction, and that the strategic plan (developed by an outside vendor) aims to unify goals. - Chief Powell's retirement on February 1, 2026, was announced. Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Update - Director Simmons reported that OEM is fully staffed with seven personnel for the first time in years, enabling catch-up on planning. Key planning priorities: update the Emergency Operations Plan (multi-year), Continuity of Operations Plan (short-term), and Continuity of Government Plan (short-term, including succession and backup facilities such as Pitt Moyer and 2644 Riva Road). - Training priorities include emergency management training for city departments, EOC operations, and call center volunteer training. OEM lost 50% of staff earlier and is rebuilding the call center volunteer pool. - Funding crisis: OEM received no Homeland Security/FEMA preparedness grants in fiscal 2025, marking the first time in 15 years. A $1 million earmark for Annapolis from regional grants is tied up in litigation and likely lost. OEM is financially stable only through fall 2026. The City will need to consider alternative investments. - Director Simmons detailed that vulnerability outreach for the coming snowstorm (90% chance 6 inches, 55% chance 12 inches) includes a special assistance roster, coordination with shelters, and connections with Naval Academy midshipmen for snow shoveling. - He encouraged use of the Prepare Me Annapolis app for real-time alerts. - Alderman Thorp requested information flow to the council for public messaging, and Simmons confirmed a media briefing on January 22 at 1:30 PM. Annapolis Police Department (APD) Update - Chief Jackson reported that APD achieved full compliance with all 49 CALEA standards in its two-year remote web-based review, after prior non-compliance issues. The department's 2026 goals are based on a five-year strategic plan focusing on four core areas: community engagement, operations/public safety, investigations/support, and professional standards. - APD's ICE policy: officers do not enforce federal immigration law, will only act with a criminal warrant (not an immigration warrant), and will not ask about immigration status. The policy is being updated to remove any dispatcher involvement in contacting ICE. A written summary will be provided to the committee. - Crime statistics (homicides): 2022: 1, 2023: 9 (including 3 from the Paddington Place mass shooting), 2024: 3, 2025: 4 (three on streets, one inside a dwelling). Most homicides were interpersonal; deployments prevented retaliatory violence. The department considers Annapolis safe for walking and dining. - Patrol staffing: After a hiring surge, APD now has 8 officers in field training (completing first week of February), bringing patrol to full staffing for the first time. The department has 125 sworn positions with 7 vacancies remaining. A recruitment video is being used. - Technology priorities: an open portal for reporting environmental deficiencies (e.g., street lights) and a drone program. A civilian drone coordinator position is being hired; county drones are currently relied on but response times are a challenge. - Homelessness: Chief Jackson and Captain Thacker described a delicate approach, working with OEM and social services. They cannot act unless trespassing on private property with a complainant. Many homeless individuals with mental illness reject help. - Council presence at meetings: Chief Jackson confirmed that moving forward, one officer will be stationed inside the Council chamber and one at the metal detector downstairs, as requested by Alderwoman O'Neill. Key Outcomes - Alderwoman O'Neill was elected chair of the Public Safety Committee (unanimous voice vote). - The committee received detailed updates on each department and discussed specific operational challenges and funding needs. - OEM's loss of federal grant funding was highlighted, with a request for future city investment. The committee acknowledged the financial constraints. - The committee will receive a written copy of APD's ICE policy. - Alderwoman O'Neill plans to schedule individual visits to police and fire stations (to avoid quorum issues) for deeper understanding of operations. - The meeting adjourned at 6:19 PM.

The Housing and Human Welfare Committee of the Annapolis City Council met on January 20, 2026, at 4:49 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting covered an election of the committee chair, an appointment to the Housing Authority, a briefing on the Bloomsbury Square rehabilitation, an update from the Affordable Housing and Community Equity Development Commission, and a status update on Woodside Gardens. The meeting adjourned at 6:13 PM. Consent Calendar - The agenda was approved unanimously on a voice vote. - Alderwoman O'Neill nominated Alderwoman Contee as chair of the Housing and Human Welfare Committee. The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. - The committee favorably recommended the appointment of Ms. Sharon Elliot to the Housing Authority (AP-10-26). The motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. Discussion Items - Bloomsbury Square Rehab Briefing (ID-18-26): Housing Authority CEO/Director Melissa Maddox-Evans presented plans to convert the 51-unit property from public housing to project-based vouchers under the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. The moderate rehabilitation will include interior upgrades (countertops, cabinetry, flooring, bathroom fixtures), structural work (windows, brickwork, erosion control, tree work), and playground improvements. The county has committed $1 million in HOME funding. The project will use 4% tax credits awarded in 2025, with a target financial closing by November 2026, though delays could push it to early 2027. Renovations are expected to start in spring 2027, with each unit taking 6–8 weeks; about 10 families at a time will be relocated. Residents have the right to return under federal law, and the authority is conducting surveys and individual counseling to address eligibility, income qualification, and disability accommodations. Maddox-Evans noted that Congress is projected to cut the public housing operating budget by 14% while increasing voucher funding by 9%, making RAD conversions more attractive. She also addressed concerns about office hours and walk-in availability, noting that some offices have reduced hours due to safety incidents. - Affordable Housing and Community Equity Development Commission Update (ID-29-26): Acting Chair Teri Bond was absent; member Patrick Sheridan provided an update. The six-member commission assists the committee by reviewing proposed legislation, commenting on CDBG funding awards, and researching affordable housing trends. Sheridan highlighted potential work on workforce housing legislation (Bill 40-22, last considered in 2022) to create incentives for housing affordable to households earning 60–100% of median income, focusing on infill duplexes and triplexes. The commission also plans to support educational outreach on affordable housing benefits and help implement the city's comprehensive plan. Sheridan noted his role as vice chair of the Housing Authority board of commissioners, serving as a liaison. - Woodside Gardens Update (ID-22-26): Fairstead Senior Regional Manager Kenneth Hart and Regional Manager Diane Rampersaud reported that most issues raised at previous town halls have been resolved, except one. The 130-unit property has nine vacancies, with applications pending. Hart stated that a dedicated recertification specialist has been hired to handle income recertifications, and the property maintains a partnership with the Annapolis Police Department and on-site security. In response to alderwomen's questions, Hart explained that mold and pest infestations are addressed through timely remediation and a rotating pest control program; bed bug issues are handled by specialists. He also stated that residents are not allowed to sit on building entry steps per house rules, but can use other amenities such as playgrounds, a garden, basketball courts, and a community room. Regarding large retroactive rent adjustments from late income recertifications, Hart said the new dedicated specialist and a document receipt process should reduce errors and miscommunications. Key Outcomes - Elections: Alderwoman Contee was elected chair of the Housing and Human Welfare Committee for the term. - Appointments: The committee recommended approval of Ms. Sharon Elliot to the Housing Authority (AP-10-26), pending full council approval. - No formal votes on the Bloomsbury Square, Affordable Housing Commission, or Woodside Gardens items; those were informational briefings and discussions. - The committee will follow up on the workforce housing legislation (Bill 40-22) and ADU proposals through the Affordable Housing Commission. - Residents with concerns about Woodside Gardens can contact Fairstead’s regional managers; the committee encouraged direct resident engagement with management to address ongoing issues.

The Transportation Committee of the Annapolis City Council held a regular meeting on January 14, 2026, at 4:00 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Alderwoman Allsup-Johnson at 4:02 PM. Roll call showed three members present: Alderwoman Allsup-Johnson, Alderman Schandelmeier, and Alderman Savidge. The agenda was approved on a voice vote. Alderwoman Allsup-Johnson was elected chair of the committee for the term. The meeting adjourned at 5:17 PM. Discussion Items - Speed Camera Program (ID-10-26): Captain Thacker, Sergeant Wayne, Captain Miguez, and Patrol Officer Wang from the Annapolis Police Department presented. They discussed the existing contract with Red Speed, potential new camera locations (West Street near library, Tyler Avenue near Stephanie Lane, Edgewood Road near Breakwater Drive, and Duke of Gloucester Street near St. Mary's), and ongoing data studies. The contract, originally from 2013, is being renegotiated with the city law office. The contractor requires a minimum number of violations to justify investment, which may limit placement. Three of the four proposed locations are city streets; West Street is a state highway requiring MDOT permits. Alderman Savidge requested a summary of the existing contract from the city law office. The discussion was continued to the February 11, 2026 meeting. - Transportation Department Update (ID-11-26): Director Marcus Moore reported that electric vehicle charging infrastructure installation began after Christmas, with city work finishing in March and BGE substation work by mid-June. An RFP for a new e-bike/scooter vendor is expected within 30 days, aiming for spring implementation. Regarding the Hillman Garage and City Dock construction, about 55–65 additional parking spaces will be lost. A pilot shuttle service (electric cart) was proposed but met skepticism from Alderman Savidge, who suggested alternative investments like bike lanes. Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) updates: The city is seeking to piggyback on a Howard County contract via St. Mary’s County, with a determination expected by late February. AVL would enable real-time bus tracking via the Transit app and automated announcements. On parking, Alderman Schandelmeier pressed for drive-in/drive-out functionality at Hillman Garage; Director Moore promised an update with the garage contractor at the next meeting. - Transportation Board Update (ID-12-26): Chair Tara Ashmore reported the board is focused on buses, bikes, and parking. Upcoming recommendations include optimizing reserved parking spaces at Hillman Garage and improving signage for EV charging stations. She offered to analyze the speed camera contract if provided with the 2013 agreement and monthly/annual reports. Based on a similar Bladensburg contract, she estimated Red Speed receives 33% of revenues, and the city would need $540,000 in annual revenue from four new cameras to cover three additional officers' salaries and benefits. She also noted the state fine schedule and suggested layering accident heat maps for camera placement. Alderman Savidge noted the city may need to consider total program costs vs. safety fund contributions. Key Outcomes - Alderwoman Allsup-Johnson was elected chair of the Transportation Committee. - Speed camera program discussion will continue at the next meeting on February 11, 2026, with a request for the city law office to provide a contract summary. - The Transportation Department will provide an update on Hillman Garage drive-in/drive-out parking at the February meeting, with a representative from the garage contractor. - AVL piggybacking on the Howard County contract is pending; an update is expected at the next meeting. - The Transportation Board will submit recommendations on Hillman Garage reserved parking and EV signage. - The committee agreed to obtain the Red Speed contract and reports to enable financial analysis. - The meeting adjourned at 5:17 PM.

The regular meeting of the Annapolis City Council was called to order on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The session featured the Mayor's opening address concerning the start of the legislative session and City Dock construction challenges, followed by extensive public commentary and formal public hearings regarding short-term rental (STR) regulations. Key agenda items included the approval of the consent calendar, legislative actions on new ordinances, and significant committee appointments. Consent Calendar - Approval of the journals of proceedings and minutes for the regular meeting on December 8, 2025, and the special meeting on December 8, 2025, was unanimously approved. Public Comments & Testimony - City Dock Construction Impact: Speakers represented a strong consensus of opposition to the current city management of the City Dock project. Patty Templeton and Samantha Wilkerson (Annapolis Marine Art Gallery) expressed that the City's failure to provide promised signage, the early loss of parking, and inaccurate timeline predictions (from 2027 to 2028) have devastated foot traffic and revenue, threatening the closure of long-standing businesses. Storm (El Salvador mission owner) and Randy Sadlick (Big Cheese family) echoed these sentiments, stating that broken promises regarding parking and foot traffic have caused severe financial hardship, forcing layoffs and cancellations of orders. - Workplace Discrimination and Hostility: Multiple speakers, including Tony Prepping (via letters), William Pratt, Stephen Wade (President of the Anne Arundel County NAACP), Renetra Anderson, Shantae Brown, and Destiny Dale, expressed severe concern and opposition to alleged racial discrimination and favoritism within city departments, specifically Public Works and HR. They presented anecdotes and anonymous accounts of qualified Black employees being denied licenses or promotions in favor of unqualified white friends of department heads, while facing retaliation, false documentation of license validity, and a lack of transparent HR processes. The speakers called for independent investigations and accountability mechanisms. - Short-Term Rental (STR) Moratorium: - Proponents: Katie McDermott, George Miller, Susan Wheatley, Lori Sullivan, James Durden, Max Gross (rebutting), and others expressed full support for the 12-month moratorium. They argued the current regulatory framework is broken, citing the displacement of long-term residents, the loss of community character, the creation of "hotel districts" in residential zones, and the prevalence of illegal, unlicensed units (citing city data suggesting 50% are unlicensed). They emphasized that the moratorium is necessary to gather data, enforce existing laws, and prevent the conversion of family homes into investment properties. - Opponents: Robert McKenna, Paul Elder, Adriana, Carl Larkin (rebutting), and others expressed opposition or concern regarding a blanket moratorium. They argued that owner-occupied STRs are vital for economic survival for retirees and service members, that the moratorium penalizes compliant taxpayers while the black market continues, and that it creates economic instability without addressing the root cause of illegal operations. They advocated for strict enforcement of current rules and a study that includes existing licensees. - Short-Term Rental Enforcement: A constituent from Ward 2 expressed strong support for the enforcement of fines and license revocations for unlicensed units and proposed a "two-pillar community restoration model" to convert illegal units into rent-to-own opportunities for residents. - Other Public Concerns: Asia Hicks and others discussed Ranked Choice Voting. Andrew Eishaney (short-term rental host) expressed opposition to the moratorium based on an economic analysis claiming STRs generate significant tax revenue and foot traffic for downtown businesses. Phil Atetto expressed support for addressing historical injustices in hiring processes. Discussion Items - Ordinance 4025 (STR Moratorium): A public hearing was held on the first read of the ordinance establishing a 12-month moratorium on new STR licenses. The discussion centered on the definition of "owner-occupied," the economic impact on small business owners versus the preservation of residential neighborhoods, and the challenge of enforcing rules against illegal operators. The consensus among proponents was that the current system favors absentee landlords and corporate entities, while opponents argued it harms property rights and the economic engine of the city. - Ordinance 4125 (Service Job Classification): A public hearing was held on changes to exempt service job classifications for FY2026. No speakers were present during the limited comment period, and the hearing was closed. - Legislative Actions: - Ordinance 0126: Adopted on first reader regarding property tax exemptions for child care centers; referred to the Finance and Rules/City Government committees. - Resolution 126: Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 annual statement of performance standards. Initially referred to Environmental Matters, then corrected by Alderman Savage to require a public hearing due to code requirements. - Resolution 226: Adopted on first reader establishing the order of succession for the Mayor. - Resolution 326: Adopted on first reader regarding a water service agreement with North Point Property LLC; referred to Finance and Environmental Matters committees. - Committee Appointments: Reconsideration and adoption of Resolution 4725 and 4825 (Standing Committee Appointments for the 2026-2030 term) occurred on second reading. Amendments were proposed and adopted; both resolutions were ultimately passed unanimously. Alderman Savage requested a work session on prioritizing committee schedules, specifically regarding a proposed presentation by Planning and Zoning on enforcement resources. Key Outcomes - Ordinance 4025: The public hearing concluded with the matter referred for further deliberation; the final vote is not recorded in this transcript segment as the meeting adjourned after legislative actions. - Committee Appointments: Resolutions 4725 and 4825 (Committee Appointments) were adopted with amendments after a motion to reconsider and a roll call vote where all members present (Mayor Littman, Aldermen/Alderwomen Huntley, O'Neill, Savage, Smith Brown, Thorpe, Shadelmeyer, and Johnson) voted in the affirmative. - Legislative Referrals: - Ordinance 0126: Referred to Finance and Rules/City Government. - Resolution 126: Scheduled for a public hearing before committee referral. - Resolution 326: Referred to Finance and Environmental Matters. - Work Session Planning: Alderman Savage and Mayor Littman agreed to dedicate upcoming work sessions to budget goals and the Planning Department's enforcement proposal, with requests for priorities due by the following Thursday.

The Environmental Matters Committee convened on January 8, 2026, to review critical infrastructure and environmental projects, including the Hawkins Cove restoration, urban development updates, and citywide resilience initiatives. The meeting addressed significant funding gaps, permit challenges, and recent public engagement efforts regarding brownfield cleanup and leaf blower enforcement. Consent Calendar - The agenda was approved as introduced with a unanimous motion (all ayes). Public Comments & Testimony Note: No formal public comment period occurred; community feedback was presented by staff regarding recent meetings. - Alderman Savage questioned the timing of notification regarding a Spa Road community meeting held the previous night, noting a two-day notice was insufficient for new council members and requesting future inclusion in public notices. - Alderman Huntley raised concerns regarding the ratio of design funding versus construction funding on the Hawkins Cove project, suggesting the city explore standard designs to reduce administrative costs on future projects. - Jackie Guy (Deputy City Manager) acknowledged the design intensity of the Hawkins Cove project due to its extensive history, iterations, and specific grant requirements, noting the project has evolved significantly from its original 130,000-dollar proposal. Discussion Items Hawkins Cove Restoration & Truxton Network Connector - Hawkins Cove Restoration: Staff presented the project involving shoreline restoration (removing bulkhead, installing living shoreline), pier replacement/extension, a regenerative step-pool stormwater system, and a pier floating dock. The project is estimated at $1.9–2.1 million, with only $974,000 allocated; a gap of approximately $1 million remains, with the Resilience Authority and Severn Whole Watershed Partnership being pursued as funding sources. - Truxton Green Network Connector: A separate trail component formalizing an informal path through conservation easements to connect Hawkins Cove to Truxton Park, with construction targeted for summer 2026. - Technical Details: Discussion covered the stone toe for the living shoreline (intended as a temporary marker for plant establishment), dredging requirements for navigable channels, and MS4 credits derived from living shoreline and stormwater components rather than impervious area reduction. Development & Planning Updates (Mr. Meekins) - AutoZone (1942 West Street): Demolition underway; planning commission approved. Alderman Savage expressed concern over the auto-centric nature of the development but acknowledged the mitigation for trail access and buffering. - Parole Place (Forest Drive/Old Solomon's Island Rd): Planned unit development approved; subdivision plat recorded. The project includes workforce housing apartments above retail. - West Village (161 West Street): Mixed-use structure approved following Planning Commission review; awaiting updated grading permit. - Thomas Somerville Site (2349 Solomon's Island Rd): New proposal to redevelop across the city-county boundary, moving operations to the city side. Staff noted potential for improved bicycle/pedestrian connectivity. - Eastport Landing: Clarified that the site design plan expired as the building permit was not obtained by the deadline, effectively removing the project from the active list. Spa Road Brownfield Cleanup - Status: A community meeting was held on January 7, 2026, hosted by the Resilience Authority. The site, formerly an incinerator/dump, requires remediation. The city submitted an EPA grant application on January 28, 2026. A website (sparoRoadProperty.com) was established for public information and tracking. Resilience and Sustainability Highlights - Building Energy Performance Standards (BERPS): A $3 million DOE grant was terminated by the new administration. The city is currently appealing the decision and has recovered invoices through October. - LED Street Lights: A completed study suggests the city could save millions over 20 years by purchasing and maintaining street lights from BGE; results to be shared with Council shortly, pending city manager approval. - Climate Action Plan: The GHG inventory and draft plan are nearing completion for an April rollout, aiming for 60% reduction by 2031. Preliminary data suggests the transportation sector is now a top emitter, though fleet electrification data is still maturing. - Electric Fleets: Plans to install EV charging infrastructure at the Police Department and pursue a fleet assessment to guide future electrification. - Electric Trolley Feasibility: An RFP is being finalized for a feasibility study on an electric trolley connecting City Dock to downtown hotels, funded by city, county, and Denker Foundation funds. - Ferry Project: A hybrid ferry grant was amended to meet federal priorities; the city will pursue the hybrid option for flexibility and robustness. - Severn Whole Watershed Partnership: A $2.25 million state grant received for restoration and outreach; city projects are expected to be the primary recipients. - Electric Leaf Blower Ban: The rebate program (100 for residents, 1,500 for commercial) has processed 163 rebates with 53,000 remaining. Staff are considering adding a full-time enforcement position funded by unused city manager budget funds. Key Outcomes - Motion Carried: Agenda approval. - Decision: The Hawkins Cove project remains a top priority but requires an additional $1 million in funding to proceed beyond design; the Truxton Network Connector is scheduled for summer 2026 construction. - Action Item: Staff to follow up on the funding source for the dedicated leaf blower enforcement position (City Manager's budget vs. Planning & Zoning base budget) and share the LED street light savings study with the Council. - Referral: The committee is requested to monitor the EPA grant application for the Spa Road site and ensure future community meeting notices include all council members.

The Finance Standing Committee convened on January 7, 2026, to oversee budget revisions, discuss the annual budget process, and review financial department updates under the new council administration. Key agenda items included reallocating funds from the Waterworks Building project to the Chesapeake Children's Museum for ADA compliance, accepting new grant revenue, and establishing stricter performance metrics for future budget cycles. Consent Calendar - The committee unanimously approved the agenda with the addition of Supplemental Appropriation (SA) 1326. - Harry Huntley was elected as the Chair of the Committee by unanimous vote. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments or testimony from the public were recorded during this session. Discussion Items - FD 626: Capital Fund Appropriation (Waterworks Building to Children's Museum) - The committee discussed moving $52,500 from the Waterworks Building project to the Chesapeake Children's Museum to fund ADA-compliant parking and walking paths. - Alder O'Neill expressed full comfort with moving the forward but sought clarity on why the Waterworks project had stalled, noting that only $3,000 of the $73,500 appropriated had been spent. - Acting Finance Director Jake (Trudeau) and Darren Johnson explained that the Waterworks project is in a preliminary planning phase due to jurisdictional complexities (Andover County permitting), reservoir issues, and a need for stakeholder alignment following an administration change. - Alder Thorpe expressed strong concern regarding the urgency of executing projects, stating a clear position against spending funds on projects that appear inactive and advocating for a cycle where the budget serves as a binding plan for the Audit Committee. - Alder Huntley (Chair) supported the motion but emphasized the need for written clarifications regarding the status of the Waterworks project and the specific timeline for the Children's Museum project. - The committee agreed that funds remaining in the Waterworks Building construction portion (approx. $70,000) should potentially be redirected to design or planning rather than construction. - SA 1326: Grant Acceptance - Alderman O'Neill expressed full support for accepting the grant, noting the value of receiving funds with no city match required. - The committee voted unanimously for a favorable recommendation. - Budget Process Discussion - Alder Huntley stated a clear priority for the committee: strict alignment between department funding requests and specific performance metrics, with a stated intent to require departments to return if metrics are not provided. - Alder Thorpe reinforced the need for a trade-off mindset, urging council members to consider the full financial picture and prioritize collectively rather than procedurally. - City Manager and Acting Finance Director discussed streamlining the amendment process, suggesting pre-meetings between council members and staff to hash out amendments before committee debates to increase efficiency. - Alder O'Neill suggested a "draft system" for funding priorities to better visualize trade-offs across the entire budget. - Finance Department Update (ID 726) - Acting Finance Director Trudeau reported on hiring efforts, noting vacancies in the Finance Director, Deputy Director, and Cashier positions, with the Director role paused due to the open City Manager position. - A request was made regarding the deadline for quarterly financial statements. Alder O'Neill expressed a need for a more realistic timeline to ensure data quality and analysis depth. - The committee discussed the possibility of extending the statutory deadline for quarterly reports (currently 15 days) to 30 days to allow for more meaningful analysis. - Alder Thorpe inquired about monthly updates on revenue status to maintain visibility between quarterly briefings. Key Outcomes - Motion Carried: Approved a favorable recommendation for FD 626 (Capital Fund Transfer) with an understanding that remaining Waterworks funds would be evaluated for reallocation to design/planning. - Motion Carried: Approved a favorable recommendation for SA 1326 (Grant Acceptance). - Procedural Agreement: The Finance Committee will coordinate with the Audit Committee to review performance metrics, with the Audit Committee taking the lead on governance evaluation. - Future Action: Staff to explore drafting an ordinance to extend the quarterly financial statement reporting deadline from 15 days to 30 days to allow for comprehensive analysis. - Future Action: Staff to investigate the feasibility of providing high-level monthly revenue status updates between quarterly briefings.

The Economic Matters Committee convened on January 7, 2026, to approve the agenda, elect Alderman Chandelmeyer as Chair, and review two primary business items. The meeting featured an economic development update from Manager Adam Stroud regarding recent business permitting data and expansion figures, followed by a detailed report from City Doc management regarding the planned construction fencing on Dock Street and strategies to maintain business viability during the project. Consent Calendar - The committee unanimously approved the meeting agenda. Election of Chair - Alderman Chandelmeyer was nominated and elected as the Chair of the Economic Matters Committee without opposition. Economic Development Update - Speaker: Adam Stroud, Economic Development Manager. - Topic: Updated breakdown of city businesses based on permitting data from 2023 to 2025. - Key Data Points: - In December, the city reported 2 new businesses and 7 business relocations/expansions/changes of ownership, resulting in 26 new full-time and 16 new part-time employees. - A specific employer (Black Market Bakers) expanded operations, adding 40 new full-time employees, noted as the second largest growth event of the year. - An anomaly in September showed 200 part-time employees added due to a change in ownership of a large employer, which Stroud clarified was not actual new employment. - Ward Six recorded only one permitted entity (a Head Start program) over the three-year period. - Ward One has the largest total permitting square footage, while Ward Three has the largest average square footage per entity. - 80% of permitted entities in the last three years fall within the service sector, aligning with broader U.S. economic trends. - Positions and Concerns Raised: - Alderman Savage: Expressed interest in the "midnight madness" event and asked if the office conducts interviews with businesses that close to understand reasons for attrition. Stroud noted the city lacks a real-time mechanism to know when a business closes and typically learns of closures after the fact, especially for corporate entities. - Alderman Savage: Requested clarification on the office's role as an advocate for businesses facing permit delays. Stroud confirmed the office acts as an internal liaison to facilitate complex permitting processes but emphasized that delays often stem from code complexities rather than staff inaction. - Alderman Johnson: Concerned that special exception processes and arbitrary guidelines favored large out-of-town entities (citing the Atlas Restaurant Group) over local "mom and pop" shops. Johnson expressed a position that current processes may harm small local business owners who lack the resources of larger chains. - Alderman Johnson: Expressed confusion over the rapid closure of businesses, citing anecdotal experiences of shops closing overnight. - Stroud's Response: Stated that business closures are usually multi-faceted, often stemming from cash flow issues, debt, or mismanagement. He emphasized the office's commitment to a "clinician's approach" for small businesses, offering individualized support to prevent attrition before it happens. City Dock Construction Update - Speaker: Representative from the Office of the City Manager/City Dock. - Topic: Update on construction fencing expansion for the City Dock project. - Key Facts: - Construction fencing will expand from Craig Street down Dock Street by approximately 50 parking spaces, creating a materials laydown area. - Dock Street will effectively become a one-way street (westbound) for the duration of Phase One, scheduled to end in Summer 2027. - Approximately 12 to 14 parking spaces will remain accessible. - The initial fence expansion was originally scheduled for January 4th but has been extended by two weeks to allow for communication planning. - Mitigation Strategies: - In-person meetings were held with Dock Street businesses to document concerns, primarily regarding foot traffic loss and parking availability. - A dedicated messaging campaign is being deployed starting January 19th, including sandwich boards at Randall and Dock Street, QR codes on construction fences linking to project details, and wayfinding signage directing visitors to the Hillman Garage. - Public Works is committed to restriping parking for head-in parking and restricting parallel parking to align with the new one-way flow. - Discussion and Positions: - Alderman Savage: Proposed a position to pedestrianize both Dock and Craig Streets to create outdoor dining and gathering spaces, arguing that most businesses are restaurants that may not need the parking and that the garage was built to offload this traffic. Savage suggested the long construction timeline (until Summer 2027) offers an opportunity to experiment with this concept. - City Dock Representative: Responded that feedback from businesses was universal regarding the loss of parking, with many believing they needed the spots for customers and employees. The representative noted that while the proposal was interesting, the current construction plan is in motion and the immediate priority is mitigating the current disruption. - Committee Consensus: Alderman Savage indicated he would discuss the pedestrianization proposal with the City Manager and Ward One colleague to gauge feasibility. Good of the Order - Maritime Apprenticeship: Committee members confirmed that the maritime apprenticeship program has already selected an apprentice who is currently moving through the program. - Adjournment: Alderman Chandelmeyer moved to adjourn, and the motion was passed unanimously with all members agreeing to continue the committee's work from the previous term.