Annapolis City Council Meeting Summary December 18, 2025
Annapolis City Council Meeting Summary - December 18, 2025
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.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the consent calendar was granted unanimously after a brief discussion regarding the inclusion of appointments under the calendar.
- The Council approved a motion to consolidate the approval of all appointments from AP 126 through AP 826 via a block vote.
- The Council addressed a point of privilege noting Alderman Thor's absence due to a family emergency, though he might join later.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public: No members of the public signed up to speak. The item was declared closed after a brief hesitation where an individual appeared to attempt to speak but did not officially enter the process.
Discussion Items
- Mayor's Report:
- The Mayor acknowledged the recent mass shootings at Brown University and in Australia, expressing solidarity and grief.
- The Mayor confirmed the city has entered mediation in the HACA lawsuit.
- A new position, Deputy Chief of Staff, was proposed to align legislation, priorities, and intergovernmental work.
- Laura Richards was publicly introduced as the new Community Engagement Strategist in the Mayor's office.
- Upcoming events listed included the Military Bowl Parade (December 26), the Military Bowl game (Pitt vs. East Carolina), and New Year's Eve fireworks.
- Legislative Actions (First Reader):
- Ordinance 04025: Established a 12-month moratorium on new short-term rental licenses. The City Attorney clarified this impacts Title 70, not Title 21, so it did not require a Planning Commission referral. It was referred to the Economic Matters Committee.
- Ordinance 04125: Established FY2026 changes in exempt service job classification. Referred to the Rules and City Government Committee.
- Legislative Actions (Second Reader):
- Resolution R4725: Standing committee appointments for the 2026-2030 council term. Passed unanimously on a roll call vote. Alderman Hunt expressed excitement for the new Audit Committee and clarified that serving on both Finance and Audit committees is proper.
- Resolution R4825: Audit committee appointments for the 2026-2030 term. Passed unanimously.
- Resolution R4925: Budget process timeline for fiscal year 2027. An amendment proposed by Alderman Hunt was adopted to formally add a city council work session on January 22, 2026, to discuss budget priorities. Alderman Savage expressed full support for this formalization.
- Good of the Order:
- Alderwoman O'Neill: Thanked Annapolis PD, specifically Officer Jamal Davis, and the nonprofit Iron Star for organizing "Operation Santa," delivering over 350 toys to children in Wards 5 and 7. She noted the positive impact on community relations and upcoming "Cookies with Cops" events.
- Council Members (Mayor/General): Expressed appreciation for city crews for excellent snow removal performance with no complaints, the safety of the Traffic Lights Parade, and apologized for the late start of the meeting which was initially changed from a work session.
Key Outcomes
- Motion Passed: Approval of the agenda was motioned and passed unanimously.
- Motion Passed: The consent calendar was approved unanimously (Mayor Littman, Alderman Hunting, Alderman O'Neill, Alderman Smith Brown, Alderman Sandemeyer, Alderman Sad, Alderman Thor, and Alderman Savage voted Aye).
- Motion Passed: The motion to appoint all members listed for AP 126 through AP 826 carried.
- Ordinance Adopted: Ordinance 04025 establishing a 12-month moratorium on new short-term rental licenses was adopted on first reader (Ayes: Littman, Hunting, O'Neill, Smith Brown, Sandemeyer, Sad, Thor; Abstain: None).
- Ordinance Adopted: Ordinance 04125 regarding FY2026 exempt service job classification changes was adopted on first reader.
- Resolution Adopted: Resolution R4725 regarding standing committee appointments for 2026-2030 was adopted unanimously.
- Resolution Adopted: Resolution R4825 regarding audit committee appointments for 2026-2030 was adopted unanimously.
- Resolution Adopted: Resolution R4925 (Budget process timeline) was adopted on second reader, including the amendment to schedule a January 2026 budget priorities work session (Ayes: Littman, O'Neill, Smith Brown, Alsip Johnson, Sandemeyer, Conte, Savage, Thor).
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.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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