This meeting of the Annapolis City Council convened to approve the agenda and conduct routine business, legislative actions, and public comments. The Mayor acknowledged recent tragic mass shootings and the city's entry into mediation in the HACA lawsuit. New leadership in the Mayor's Office was introduced, including a new Deputy Chief of Staff and a Community Engagement Strategist. Legislative items passed included a short-term rental moratorium, changes to job classifications, and committee appointments for the 2026-2030 term. The Council also adopted an amendment formalizing a budget work session on priorities. Public comments were closed as no speakers signed up. The meeting concluded with remarks recognizing the holiday season, police community outreach efforts, and appreciation for city crews during winter weather events.
Note: The transcript provided contains extensive excerpts from unrelated events, including a groundbreaking for the City Dock project, a dedication ceremony for the Capitol Gazette 5, a new mayor's inauguration, public safety committee meetings regarding fire/police staffing, and a skate park groundbreaking. As these events do not correspond to the December 18, 2025, Council meeting described in the primary portion of the text, they have been excluded from this summary to maintain factual accuracy regarding the specified meeting.
We'll be called to order at two PM. At this time, we'll have a moment of silence to give everyone an opportunity to prepare themselves for the work ahead of us this afternoon. At this time, would everyone willing and able, please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Madam City Clerk, will you please call a roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Littman. Here. Alderman Hunting. Here. Alderwoman O'Neill. President Alderman Smith Brown. Present here. Present. Alderman Sandemeyer. Here, Alderman Sad. Present. Alderman Thor. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. I didn't look at the Thank you. Mrs. Ms. City Attorney, will you please present the next item on the agenda? First item on or the next item on the agenda is approval of the agenda. At the time, I'd entertain a motion to approve the agenda. Is there a second? Seconded. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. None opposed. The motion passes. Ms. City Attorney, would you please present the next item on the agenda? The next item on the agenda is the petitions, reports, and communications, beginning with update from the mayor. Thank you. Good afternoon. I'd like to begin today by acknowledging the tragic mass shootings that happened last weekend, both at Brown University and in Australia. The Bondi Beach incident was at the forefront of everyone's mind as we gathered together last Sunday to light the Minora at City Dock. In a season of light and reflection, it's important to acknowledge that not everyone can celebrate in peace or without fearing harm. To our friends at Brown University in Rhode Island, and on the other side of the globe, we grieve with you and your families, and we send our condolences. Speaking of the law office, while we don't normally comment on pending litigation, opposing counsel confirmed to the media that we have entered into mediation in the HACA lawsuit, which is a normal part of the uh legal process. And I trust that the Office of Law, I trust the Office of Law to represent the city, and I thank them for their hard work. I just returned from Boston where I attended a new mayor's training at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. This program offers leadership training to recently elected mayors from around the country.