Finance Committee Standing Committee Meeting - September 3, 2025
Finance Committee Standing Committee Meeting – September 3, 2025
The Finance Committee of the Annapolis City Council met on September 3, 2025, at 10:35 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. Present were Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderwoman O'Neill, and Alderman Huntley. The committee considered four supplemental appropriations, two pieces of legislation, and a finance department update. The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Agenda and Minutes: The agenda and the July 16, 2025 meeting minutes were approved by voice vote without dissent.
Discussion Items
- Supplemental Appropriation SA-3-26 (APD Grant): Captain Miguez presented a $9,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Crime & Policy to fund overtime for officers in communities experiencing gun violence. The grant funds approximately 20 hours for a supervisor and 103 hours for an officer. The committee voted unanimously to recommend favorable approval.
- Supplemental Appropriation SA-4-26 (Capital Reserve – DOT Roof Replacement): Director of Finance Moran explained that $405,000 is needed from the Capital Reserve to replace a double-counted grant for a transportation roof project. The committee expressed concern about reducing the reserve to approximately $600,000. Alderwoman O'Neill requested an analysis of CIP projects that could be deferred to replenish the reserve. The motion carried on a voice vote (Finlayson and O'Neill in favor; Huntley opposed). The finance department will provide options at the next meeting.
- Supplemental Appropriation SA-5-26 (Fire Department Cadet Program): Chief Remaley and Administrative Specialist Coughlin presented a $? grant (estimated $40,000 from Mayor's Office and City Manager) for 10 paid interns (ages 18-25) to be trained as firefighter EMTs. The program is a first-of-its-kind partnership in Maryland. The committee voted unanimously to recommend favorable approval.
- Supplemental Appropriation SA-6-26 (City Council – Museum Grant): Director Moran explained the $10,000 transfer from the Reserve for One-Time Uses to support a youth trip to Senegal via the Maryland Banneker Douglas Tubman Museum. Alderman Huntley opposed, citing the reserve would drop to $36,000 and questioning the use of funds. Alderwoman Finlayson and O'Neill supported it as leveraging other funding. The motion passed 2-1 (Finlayson and O'Neill in favor; Huntley opposed).
- Ordinance O-12-25 (Financial Advisory Commission Expansion): Sponsor Alderman Arnett withdrew the ordinance; the committee took no action.
- Ordinance O-31-25 (General Obligation Bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes): Director Moran presented the ordinance authorizing up to $73,561,499 in bonds and notes to fund capital projects approved in FY22–FY26. Discussion focused on the gap between the authorization and the actual anticipated issuance (approximately $36 million), the use of bond anticipation notes (BANs) for short-term debt, and the need for realistic project timelines. Alderwoman O'Neill requested a detailed analysis of project completion rates and alignment with the Capital Improvement Plan. Director Vogel noted historical spending of about 50-70% of appropriated amounts within three years. The committee voted favorably on a voice vote.
- Finance Department Update: Director Moran provided a written update on staffing needs, noting ongoing efforts to identify the best structure for a deputy position and to improve efficiency through IT integration. No action was taken.
Key Outcomes
- SA-3-26: Recommended favorably (unanimous).
- SA-4-26: Recommended favorably (voice vote; Huntley opposed). Finance department to bring options for replenishing Capital Reserve at next meeting.
- SA-5-26: Recommended favorably (unanimous).
- SA-6-26: Recommended favorably (2–1 vote; Huntley opposed).
- O-12-25: No action (withdrawn).
- O-31-25: Recommended favorably (voice vote). Staff to provide reconciliation of City Dock bond funding with CIP before final council approval.
- Next Steps: The committee will meet again on September 17, 2025, to consider options for replenishing the Capital Reserve and review the bond funding details.
Meeting Transcript
This meeting of the finance standing committee is called to order at 1035 a.m. on September 3rd, 2025. Thanks everybody for being here with us today. It's been a nice August recess, I hope for everyone. I know you you got to beat the Heat Auto Woman Finn Lyson. And you were up in the Great North. And Milwaukee. My dad's 101st birthday. Awesome. And the flooding of the city of Milwaukee, which made ours look like a drop in the bucket, literally. Oh, well, if that's that city is still recovering, and there are literally thousands of people who lost their home. Oh my god. Because the floodwaters washed out their foundations completely. Wow. You know, my dad's basement got probably three or four inches of water, but saturated throughout, and it's now gutted and has to be rebuilt. So an ours is a minor case compared to all of the tragedy in the city. And I'm surprised it was national news, but anyway, my dad had a wonderful 100 first birthday. So that's all good. Happy birthday to him. Let's start with our roll call. Alder Roman Finlayson. Present. Alder Woman O'Neal. Present. And Alderman Huntley is here at this point. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? Mr. Cheryl move approval of the agenda is written. Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. And then is there a motion to approve the minutes from July 16th? The very last time we met. Move approval of minutes 1725. Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Excellent. Okay. Looks like we got a couple of grants to approve. You know how much I love money from other people. Uh from other entities besides city taxpayers. Let me be clear. So uh starting with SA 326. We have this is a grant to APD. Uh Captain Miguez, you're here, right? Yeah. Good to see you. It's been a while for everybody. It feels like a homecoming.
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