The regular meeting of the Annapolis City Council on Monday, January 12th, 2026 will be called to order at 7 p.m.

At this time, we'll have a moment of silence so everyone could prepare themselves for the work ahead of us.

At this time, would everyone willing and able please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God into business with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

Madam City Clerk, would you please call the roll?

Yes, sir.

Mayor Littman.

Present.

Alderman Huntley.

Here.

Alderwoman O'Neill present.

Alderman Smith Brown.

Present.

Alderwoman Alph Johnson.

Present.

Alderman Shadelmeyer.

President.

Alderwoman Conte.

President Alderman Savage.

Present.

Alderman Thorpe.

Present.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Miss City Attorney, would you please present the next item on the agenda?

Next item on the agenda is approval of the agenda.

Thank you.

At this time, I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda.

So moved.

Thank you, uh Alderwoman O'Neill.

Is there a second?

Thank you, Alderman Alderman Chandelmeyer.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

Ms.

City Attorney, would you please call the next item on the agenda?

Next item on the agenda is petitions, reports, and communications, beginning with the update from the mayor.

Thank you.

All right.

Good evening and welcome everybody to the first city council meeting of the new year.

I hope that everyone had a restful holiday.

On Wednesday, the Maryland General Assembly will open for the 447th legislative session.

For the next 90 days, legislators, this their staff, constituents, and advocates will be in Annapolis to do the important work of state government.

The session is also a boost to downtown businesses during an otherwise quiet time of year.

Let's remind ourselves to have a little grace for the out-of-towners who don't who aren't familiar with our roads and traffic patterns.

And for all of you visiting Maryland's capital city, welcome.

Also in downtown, construction at City Dock will bring changes to traffic flow and parking starting Monday, January 19th.

These changes will absolutely be inconvenient, but they are necessary.

This will be a challenge for the businesses in the immediate area.

We acknowledge the challenge and are working to provide support to help visitors get from the Mills Hillman Garage for parking and then to maintain foot traffic along Dock Street with enhanced signage and advertising campaign.

Moving forward with this project, we recognize there was not enough notice provided to residents and businesses.

We are working with economic development and the businesses themselves to maintain a higher level of two-way communication going forward.com and use the search keyword Harbormaster.

First, it's important for all of us to recognize how demanding the work is for firefighters and paramedics, especially when all units are in service.

Public safety is a shared goal of this administration, the department, and fire union.

How resources are used, including staffing and deployment, are matters subject to collective bargaining agreements addressed through union negotiations, which are ongoing at this time.

These negotiations are not public-facing conversations, but I assure you that these issues are being discussed.

My hope is that they will be addressed to a mutual satisfaction.

I should note that the fire department staff, along with all of city staff, have been invited to participate in ongoing roundtable discussions so that we can hear their concerns, issues, and proposed solutions.

This effort is meant to be collaborative.

Moving forward, the topic will ultimately come before this body as part of our budget deliberations for fiscal year 2027.

That will happen in the months ahead.

I look forward to a robust conversation with the city council.

I, like you are concerned about ensuring that we are using our resources wisely and to provide for your safety.

And I'm pleased to report that the Annapolis Fire maintains the highest ISO ratings, which is a uniform measure of a community's fire protection standards.

Our information technology office sent around praise last week because Annapolis Fire is the first department in the city to complete the transition of PDF documents into fully ADA accessible and compliant web pages.

This work not only improves compliance, it makes public safety information easier for all residents to find, read, and use.

During the campaign, one of the things we promised residents and businesses was our desire to deliver a higher level of service.

Being in office has reinforced something that was already clear during the campaign, that capacity challenges for city staff are a constant constraint on our ability to deliver services.

At our last meeting, we introduced legislation to add a deputy chief of staff position to the mayor's office.

That request is a direct extension of our platform to improve responsiveness and also invest in senior level coordination and accountability to ensure the city delivers on both the promises and execution of that work.

And I thank you in advance to your support and consideration.

We have, I get asked for jobs frequently and for and board positions.

We have both many job vacancies and open positions on volunteer boards and commissions.

If you're interested in working for the city or volunteering, please check out our jobs board at AnnapolisGot.gov and use the search keyword jobs.

If you would like to use your own subject matter expertise to help Annapolis, please volunteer to serve on an Annapolis board or commission.

Please go to Annapolis.gov and use the keyword search, boards and commissions volunteer to be considered.

We thank you in advance for being willing to help your community.

Last week we learned that Dick Franio, a personal friend and business colleague, had entered into agreement for his restaurant to be acquired.

That information ignited a vigorous online discussion over the weekend.

For tonight, I just want to simply congratulate Dick on a very successful run as a restauranturer, a philanthropist, and a business owner in our community.

His success has been rooted not only in hard work, but also in a commitment to sharing that success with the Annapolis community.

Dick has shared that he will continue to run the restaurant through a transition period.

I hope you will all join me in wishing him the very best in his retirement.

He's earned it.

A reminder that city offices are closed next Monday, January 19th, in observance of the Dr.

Martin Luther King Junior holiday.

Transit will operate on a Sunday schedule while refuse and recycling will not be affected.

Pitt Moyer will operate on regular hours, and the Stanton Center will be closed.

And lastly, I just want to share a few nuggets of Annapolis Works good stories.

First is the responsiveness of Annapolis public safety.

We've had some challenges with a signal in Eastport at 6th Street and Chesapeake, and over the weekend it went out again.

And thanks to Alderman Thorpe alerting other individuals, police and OAM worked to ensure that we had traffic control coverage for this morning's school drop-off while DPW continues to work on a permanent solution.

Thank you for bringing it to our attention.

Another Esport issue was a resident who had a permitting challenge with their contractor set to work begin work today.

On Friday, Alderman Thorpe reached out to Director Jacobia to help resolve the issue.

The director worked over the weekend with his team to resolve the issue, and this morning the permit was issued so that the contractor could begin work on time.

And lastly, I'd like to share an email that Alderman Huntley and I received.

Dear Mayor and Alderman, a brief note of commendation.

We have an historic home with a marker and are subject to HPC guidelines.

The writer goes on to say that the home needs a new gutter and changes to roof slates.

They submitted the permit request through the online portal, and he said that after the filing, he received a call from Liz Beckley in planning and zoning.

She said additional paperwork was needed.

The writer continued, she just called again to let me know that they approved the permit.

This was good customer service, and I appreciate it.

I was concerned that the slate spec would be found unsatisfactory and would require a more expensive alternative.

This turned out to be incorrect, and I appreciate historic preservation division's assistance.

To the extent that city policy policymakers want this area to continue to have a genuine character and not exist as an Aratz facade of short-term rentals.

I think John Tower and his staff are trying to do that.

Keep it up.

Madam City Attorney, will you please present the next item on the agenda?

Next item on the agenda is reports by committees.

Thank you.

Are there uh any sorry?

Are there any uh council members that wish to make a uh uh committee report?

Alderman Savage.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh so at the last environment matters committee meeting, we actually continued uh we didn't have legislation to hear.

Um we will at our next meeting, but we continue to tradition that the mayor actually started 12 or so years ago by having various topics and informational sessions at the at the committee meeting.

And so if people I'm I'll only give a few details, but if you want to view some of the updates, I would encourage you to um check the record uh and you can also watch the video on YouTube.

Um but the first item we got an update on was Hawkins Cove Restoration Project.

That is progressing nicely.

Um that is right near the Hacker building, and so the one component of that will be shoreline restoration as well as dredging along and a uh extension of the pier.

Because right now you see there used to be a pier and it goes out into a mud flat.

Um so this is going to be one of the key water access points for the Eastport Terrace um community, and um, and uh yeah, I think it's gonna be an enormous asset.

And however, I think uh we don't quite have money lined up for the dredging yet.

They have submitted an application for some money to support that.

Um, and the other part of the project is a pedestrian cyclist boardwalk that is going to connect um recall the name of that street there that comes down Madison connects Madison along over to Truxton Park and Spock Cub apartments, and that is sorely needed um mid shipmen run that route.

I used to commute and you have to go down into a steep ravine, uh, climb over some concrete.

It's not a very safe um trail.

So this will be if we can find the money for that uh trail expansion, I think it'll be a great asset for the community.

Um we also receive updates from plan of zoning on development projects of note.

Again, I think this is from uh Alderman Smith Brown's ward, but uh Somerville Road, there's a lot that is actually split.

The county city line goes right down the middle of the lot, oddly enough, but um there's a proposal to to split that and develop the city lot, redevelop the city lot.

Um we received an update on resilience and sustainability from our all from uh uh deputy city manager guiled, and uh of note in there, she highlighted how we're they're working on a proposal to purchase our street lights um from BGE so that we have more control over them and can install LEDs.

Um, and I think perhaps in the future move towards having some dark skies capabilities as far as being able to dim and uh the lights when we need to.

Uh, she also gave an update on our carbon footprint.

So again, more details.

I'm happy to talk to you after the meeting.

And lastly, our next meeting will be on February 12th, 3 p.m.

We are, I think we will have some legislation on there.

Um, but also I'm gonna be getting an update from public works on the stormwater fee, watershed restoration fund and incentive program they're working on for that.

And I thought that'd be important to get before our budget because that will be coming up along with our other utility fee conversations.

And couple with that will be an update on our tree canopy discussions, uh, tree canopy goals, since that is also part of our watershed restoration fund at this point.

Um, so I will I look forward to reporting on that the next uh at the February meeting, I should say.

Thank you.

Any questions for Alderman Savage?

Okay.

Any other committee reports?

Okay.

Seeing none, I'll move on to the next uh business.

Madam City Attorney.

Next item on the agenda is comments by the general public.

Thank you.

During comments for uh for the general public, uh, we will be uh calling individuals one at a time.

I just want to clarify this is not yet the public hearing on the two pieces of legislation that are specifically up for a public hearing.

So if you're here for those two items, this is not that.

This is just comments for the general public on anything else but those two things.

The first person uh that I will call up, I'll call I'll name the first three people to come in order.

First is Patty Templeton, followed by Samantha Wilkerson, followed by Tony Prepping.

Oh Patty Templeton, I am sorry, uh for Rockwell Court, Annapolis, Maryland, 243.

But I am the general manager of Biddy and Bose at 124 Dock Street, and that is why I'm here tonight.

Just I know you expressed it in your opening um remarks about everything you guys are trying to do for the businesses on City Dock as far as when this project first started about signage and everything else that was supposed to help guide people down to the dock street, which was back, I guess right after Boat Show when everything started.

Still no signage, nothing really has changed much.

Um I mean, Eric is reached out with us, he's new.

He's trying his best, but pretty much it's it's a dead zone down there.

And it's I feel sorry.

I mean, I could get another job with when we close, but I'm concerned about our team members.

And if most of you guys know our team members all have intellectual disabilities, they have enough challenges and to lose a job, it would just be heartbreaking to me, as well as them.

So I really hope that we can work this out so that the businesses don't die down there.

One, as of you know, just last week did shut down, so one's gone, and there's not a whole lot left.

So I do really hope that you guys can work on something so that we do survive.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Tupleton.

Samantha Wilkerson, hi, I'm Samantha Wilkerson, um, 10 Sandstone Court, Annapolis, Maryland.

Um, my mother, Kate Wilkerson, and I own and operate the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery at 110 Dock St.

Speaker, please.

My mother, Kate Wilkerson, and I own and operate the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery at 110 Dock Street.

I'm here to talk about how the City Dock project is affecting us.

Um the gallery opened 47 years ago in its current spot on Dock Street, and so far it's not looking like the gallery will make it to the end of this project.

Uh, we were told in May of 2025 that we wouldn't lose Upper Dock Street parking until September 2026.

Not ideal, but it still gave us some time.

And now we're being told that we will actually be losing that in the next few weeks and will inevitably be losing even more revenue.

Uh the first stage of construction started in 2025, and businesses along Dock Street immediately suffered.

We were also told the project would be completed in May of 2027.

From what I've seen, that deadline has changed to 2028.

Uh, when asked in May of 2025, what part of the project budget was going towards keeping these businesses open?

We were told there was none uh because they didn't anticipate us losing revenue, which makes no sense because by taking away so much parking and by putting up fencing, you're taking away foot traffic.

We were given a timeline and told that this wouldn't negatively affect our businesses, both of which have not been true.

Um people park at Hillman and look down Main Street and think there's nothing here because it's all construction.

If you look at comments on social media posts um from Ion Annapolis or downtown Annapolis partnership, you'll see many users complaining about the parking situation, saying things like Hillman payment methods aren't easy for seniors to navigate, they don't understand the apps, and the consensus being that apps are inconsistent and an unnecessary hassle, forcing Annapolis residents to not come downtown at all, let alone down to Dock Street.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, visitors receive two hours of free parking along Dock Street and only one hour of free parking in Hillman Garage.

It's unfortunate that due to this project alone, Annapolis Marine Art Gallery, a business that has thrived on City Dock for 47 years, might be forced to close down.

So I'm just here to put my voice out there and hope that the city hears us and what they're doing to Doctor Treat businesses and hope that that change helps us.

Thank you, Ms.

Wilkerson.

Ms.

Pratt.

Good evening, Mayor Lippmann and Council Persons.

I'll be here to talk.

My name is Tony Strong Pratt, and I'll have a 32 Juliana Circle East.

Thank you.

Workforce leadership disparities and the impact on minority women in Annapolis.

Despite Annapolis's rich diversity, significant racial and gender disparities persist within managerial and supervisory roles across both public and private sector employment.

While black and other minority residents collectively compromise a substantial portion of the city's population, leadership and decision making positions do not reflect this demographic reality.

Available workforce data from Anorona County and Baltimore, Columbia, Towson Metropolitan Region widely accepted proximities due to the absence of city-specific occupational data indicate that approximately 67 to 70 percent of managerial and supervisory positions are held by non by white non-Hispanic individuals, while black professionals account for only 18 to 21 percent of these roles.

This imbalancing especially pronounced when compared to City of Annapolis population, which is approximately 41% black.

The underrepresentation of minority leadership is not merely statistical.

It has real and lasting implications for workplace culture, policy development, and equitable access to advancement.

Minority women experience the compound effects of these disparities at particularly alarming rates.

In addition to being unrepresented in leadership positions, minority women in Annapolis face disproportionate barriers to career longevity and advancement, even when they possess tenure, institutional knowledge, and demonstrate demonstrated performance.

Patterns reserved across local institutions and sectors reveal that minority women with seniority are more frequently subject to termination, forced separation, or constructive discharge, while their white counterparts in similar roles and with compared tenure are often more often afforded pathways to retirement, phase exit, or internal assignments.

These disparities raise several equity concerns, particularly as termination not only disrupts economic stability, but also deprives minority women of earned benefits, retirement security, and professional legacy.

The loss of senior minority women from the workforce further perpetuates leadership homogeneity, erodes mentorship pipelines for emerging professionals, and reinforces systematic inequities that have long excluded women of color from sustained leadership roles.

The cumulative impact of these extends beyond individual employees.

They weaken organizational trust, undermine stated commitments to diversity and equity and inclusion, and negatively affect service and delivery in the city that depends on culturally competent leadership.

When minority women are systematically removed from leadership, trajectories rather than supported through equitable retention and secession planning, institutions lose invaluable insight, continuity and community credibility.

True equity in Annapolis workforce requires more than recruitment initiative.

It demands accountability and retention, promotion and separation practices institutions must crucially examine.

Ms.

Pratt, if you can wrap up, please.

What you say?

If you can wrap up, please.

I was wrapping up.

Okay.

Examine termination patterns, ensure equitable performance evaluation standards, and establish transparency pathways that allow all employees, particularly minority women with tenure, to exit the workplace with dignity, security, and recognition of their service.

You will hear some letters from anonymous city employees who have issues with disparities and discrimination.

Thank you, Ms.

Pratt.

The next three speakers are William Pratt, Stephen Wadi, and Renetra Anderson.

Mr.

Pratt.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council.

Um, my name is William Pratt.

I live at 32 Juliana Circle East.

Thank you.

Um I'll be reading a letter from uh city employee.

I'm a current employee of the city of Annapolis.

I'm a city employee and have firsthand knowledge of discriminatory treatment that occurred within the public works department involving a qualified black employee who was denied a position for which he was clearly qualified.

At the time of the events described herein.

A vacancy existed within the public works department for HVAC technician position.

The black male employee in question met all state qualifications for the position and possessed the required professional license necessary to perform the duties of the role.

I am aware that his license was valid at the time of the application and remains valid to this day as of January 12th, 2026.

Despite his qualifications and valid licensure, he was denied the position.

During this period, the director of public works, a white male, expressed interest in having a personal friend of his who is also a white male placed in the position.

I am aware of the public works director communicated with the city's director of human resources, Tricia Hopkins, and falsely represented that the qualified black employee license was invalid.

Subsequently, the qualified black employee personally presented proof of his valid license to the director of human resources.

Despite this verification, the absence of any evidence showing the license wasn't valid, the city took no correspond to corrective action.

The black employee was still denied the HVAC technician position, and no documentation or proof was ever produced to support the claim that his license was invalid.

Instead, the city of Annapolis hired a white male who was a personal friend of the public works director.

This individual did not possess qualifications equivalent to the black employee at that time of high.

As a result of being denied the HVAC technician position, the qualified black employee was placed in a lower classification and required to work several grades below his professional qualifications.

As of today, January 12, 2026, approximately five years later, the qualified black employee remains employed by the city of Annapolis in the position of a maintenance technician.

Despite being fully qualified and licensed to work at HVAC technician, to my knowledge, no corrective action, investigation, or remediation has been undertaken by the city regarding this matter.

Based on what I personally observe and am aware of, this situation reflects discriminatory treatment based on the race and favoritism resulting in his continued utilization of professional harm and qualified black employee.

I provide the statement, I provide the statement truthfully and to the best of my knowledge, understanding that it may be used in administrative, legal, and investigatory perceived.

Thank you, Mr.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Pratt.

Mr.

Wadi.

Can you please start with your name and address?

Hello, my name is Stephen Wade.

Uh I live in 7968 Heatherman's Drive, Severn, Maryland.

I'm here on behalf of the NAACP.

I'm the president of the Andaronda County NAACP.

The NAACP's labor and industry committee is charged in our bylaws to work to eliminate discriminatory employment practices in industry and government.

In November 2025, we received a series of complaints from City of Annapolis employees regarding what they described as racially motivated actions to humiliate, harass, intimidate, retaliate against, and ultimately fire a number of black employees.

Although we are not at liberty to reveal names or job positions, we do take these complaints very seriously.

Black labor has been under attack at the federal, state, and local level, and the NAACP is hyper vigilant in our desire to protect the economic and financial foundations of our community here in Annapolis.

Although we hear about many concerns from the political enemies of the current Trump administration, the one strain that of violence that stretches through all of their rhetoric is anti-blackness.

MAGA began their project to reshape the federal government by attacking the so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and creating workplaces hostile to black workers.

And they haven't stopped.

What people of goodwill don't want to see is the delegitimacy of our local government with those same MAGA anti-blackness ideas under a mayoral administration that won because of the black vote.

We see in the news a nationwide search to fill an acting finance director, uh, acting city attorney, a dep a director of HR, and a new deputy chief of staff, as you all have legislation tonight.

We hope to see these positions filled with black employees.

Over the past year, countless rank and file employees have courageously reported harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and hostile workplace uh conditions uh to senior leadership.

These were not isolated anecdotes of minor misunderstandings.

They revealed a persistent, widespread and escalating pattern of misconduct throughout multiple city departments.

Prior city aldermen have been made aware of these concerns.

One explicitly labeled the behavior as harassment.

Yet, even though the city under the prior administration was aware of concerns of discrimination and abuse of employees by department heads, there has been no meaningful oversight, no structural intervention, and no accountability.

Instead of following established procedures designed to provide fair and impartial investigations of employees' complaints to ensure integrity, it is alleged in the complaint we received that outside law firms that predominantly defend employees were used to uh defend the city.

Meanwhile, rank and file employees, especially black employees, have made their position unmistakably clear.

They no longer trust the Office of Law, the acting city manager, or the director of human resources.

Given the pattern of conduct that distrust is not only understandable, it is justified.

To remedy this breach, Mayor Lipman must rebuild trust through structural change, genuine oversight, and transparent accountability.

Therefore, we call for immediate action, a full stay of all personnel actions within the last six months involving black employees pending independent review, appointment of a certified external EEO investigator chosen with community stakeholder participation, a comprehensive review of department head conduct, including retaliation, policy violations, confidentiality breaches, and discriminatory behavior, and an imposition of clear enforceable accountability mechanisms for leadership.

Mr.

Thank you, or enabled misconduct, uh including corrective measures, discipline, or removal.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Bonnie.

Ms.

Henderson.

Hello, Mr.

Mayor and City Council members.

My name is Renetra Anderson.

I live at 51 Clay Street.

I will be reading two anonymous letters to whom it may concern.

I am a former employee of the city of Annapolis and a professional black woman with a bachelor's degree in accounting and over 20 years of accounting experience.

I am writing to formally raise serious concerns regarding discrimination, favoritism, and hiring and placement in a hostile work environment that ultimately forced my departure from employment with the city of Annapolis.

During my tenure, the reassignment of an accountant position to an unqualified white male who was a personal acquaintance of the former assistant director Julie Donley raises significant concerns of discriminatory favoritism.

This decision occurred within a leadership structure consisting of individuals who had prior personal and professional relationships with Anorona County, including the former director, Jody Dockerson, current HR director Trisha Hawkins and Acting Finance Director Jacob Trudel.

These relationships give the appearance at minimum of biased decision making.

At the time of my hiring, I was explicitly promised eligibility for remote work after six months of employment.

This promise was later denied without justification, while a white employee with personal ties to leadership was granted work remote, was granted remote work immediately up on hire.

Additionally, I was assigned duties outside of my job classification and had agreed upon benefits revoked, further demonstrating inconsistent and unequal treatment.

I was also denied positions that were promised to me and reassigned to complete significant backlog work from other employees without explanation.

Ultimately, the promise role was awarded to a white male with no accounting experience or background in the field.

As a result of these actions, I was forced to leave my position and secure alternative employment, causing substantial financial hardship.

These concerns reflect a pattern of discriminatory practices and retaliation that warrant immediate review and corrective action.

This statement is submitted in good faith and in the hope that meaningful changes will occur to prevent similar treatment of future employees.

Respectfully anonymous writer, to whom it may concern.

I am writing to outline several workplace practices that raise concerns regarding fairness, professionalism, and adherence to established standards.

My intent in sharing this information is to bring awareness to matters that may warrant review and consideration rather than to submit a formal complaint.

This letter is being submitted anonymously due to concerns about potential reprisal for raising these issues.

Over time, I have observed practices that may be perceived as unfair or discriminatory in hiring and advancement, particularly where positions appear to be filled without transparent or competitive processes.

Such practices can undermine confidence in equal opportunity principles and negatively affect employee morale.

Additionally, there have been instances suggesting nepotism or preferential treatment where personal relationships appear to influence employment decisions, workplace expectations, or accountability.

These perceptions, whether intended or not, contribute to concerns about equity and consistency in management practices.

I have also observed bullying or intimidating behavior within the workplace, including conduct that may discourage open and open communication or the expression of deferring viewpoints.

This type of environment can be counterproductive to collaboration, employee engagement, and personal growth.

Another concern involves the thought failure to complete annual performance evaluations and wrap up, please.

In some cases at all, the absence of regular documented employment reviews limits opportunities for constructive feedback, professional development, and clear performance expectations, and may influence employees.

Ms.

Anderson, if you could wrap up, please ability to progress fairly within the organization.

In addition, there appear to be inconsistencies in training provided to employees, including a lack of standardized onboarding, ongoing professional development, or role-specific instructions.

Thank you for your testimony.

Alrighty.

The next speaker is Mr.

Storm.

And after that is Shantae Brown and Destiny Dale.

Can you please start with your name and address?

Oh, my name is Fade Storm.

My address is 120 Doc Street, as well as my business, 130 Doc Street.

Thank you.

For as long as that will last.

Anyway, um I have a small mission in the northeast part of El Salvador in a very private poverty stricken area.

Um we provide food, we provide clothing, we provide clean water, we provide medicine.

And before we meet with these people, my crew and I use that phrase.

When we go into their home, we look at their situation and we evaluate it, and then we make promises to those people and we hold to them.

His name was Don Pedro.

I should tell you that half of the people that we serve are ancianos, they're old people like me, 70 years and above, and single moms that have been abandoned.

The promises that we make are important.

It's important to their very survival.

He was blind and he used to rub my arm because it's hairy, and he would say to me, I know that at least I'm never gonna die of starvation because we always fed him.

Downtown Annapolis, we were made a bunch of promises.

As I own a business that has been there for over 49 years, and it looks like it may not be there for its 50th year.

I have already laid off an employee, I've cut everybody's hours, and we were made promises, and none of them yet that I can think of has been kept.

The parking was supposed to solve everything.

We're going to increase the parking at Hill Hillman Garage, and everyone will go there.

When you took the first section of parking, that was about 20% of the parking.

Interestingly enough, my business dropped 17.8%, and everybody else said theirs was around 20%.

Now we've taken all of it down there, except for the remaining portion that they're planning on taking soon.

And our businesses have dropped by 50%.

It's not sustainable.

It is very difficult to lay employees off that need that income to pay their rent, to pay their insurance, to buy books, to pay their tuition in community college.

It's hard to do.

Thank you, Mr.

Storm.

Next speaker is Ms.

Brown.

Hello, my name is Shantae Brown, and I'm reading one of the letters from the city employees.

Please start with your address.

We heard your name, not 227 Crow Drive.

Thank you.

I have been an employee of the city for many years.

Over time, leadership has changed as expected.

However, the current state of the organization is the is the most concern.

I have experienced.

If employees with sufficient tensure and financial stability could lead, many would have many would and many already have.

Exit interviews appear ineffective, and it may be beneficial to revisit feedback from recent retirements to better understand ongoing issues that have that have become normalized.

These issues include include favoritism and hiring practice, particularly involving friends and family, and increasing reliance on contracted workers.

While some individuals may be qualified for for their roles, this is not consistently the case.

Employees without personal connection often experience inequity treatment, including limited promotion opportunities, pay pay disc parties, and poor overall treatment.

The human resources department has not functional as a reliable or imperable resource.

My own attempts to seek assistance through HR were unsuccessful.

Employees with connections are at are advised on which reports to file and whom and whom to contact, while others are told that directors have broad discretion and literal oversight.

As a result, as a result, inappropriate behavior towards employees often goes unaddressed.

Although there has been HR staff members who genuinely attempted to do their jobs, they are in fear of no longer being with the city.

Currently, there is currently there is no safe or neutral avenue for employees to seek assistance without fear of retaliation, including unwarrant write-ups, false or excretion, discrimination, blacklisting, or being denied advancement opportunities.

If the city truly value loyal, dedicated employees, senior leadership must take a serious and honest look at the culture of favoritism and unchecked authority.

Power continues to be passed down without accountability.

Destiny Dale, um, 1387 Tyler Avenue.

I'm reading an anonymous letter for an Annapolis employee.

I am writing to express serious concerns regarding discriminatory practices, mismanagement, and the failure of employee protection within the net uh city of Annapolis.

These concerns stem from repeated experiences, observed patterns involving senior personal personnel who are entrusted with leadership and employee welfare in particular.

I am deeply troubled by the actions and inactions of individuals in position of authority who, rather than supporting employees, appear to have contributed to the marginalization of employees of color.

Hold on.

Employees seeking assistance are instead met with uh processes that feel punitive, opaque, and rooted and outdated policies that do not reflect modern labor standards of equity principles.

This has created an environment where employees feel discouraged from speaking up and fearful of retaliation.

Additionally, I have personally observed situation involving city manager where employees of color were subjected to treatment that felt disproported uh disproportionate, demeaning and unjustified in one such instance.

An employee was placed on leave without pay under circumstances that were uh neither clearly explained nor supported by transparent documentation.

During this time, leadership presents appeared passive, raising serious concerns about accountability and equal application of policy.

Conversely, there have been perceptions that white employees facing serious issues were offered discretion and protection, not extended to others.

These errors create financial stress and instability, yet responsibility is frequently deflected rather than addressed when payroll issues persist without correction, trust in the system errors, um, and the burden unfairly falls on those already marginalized taken together.

These patterns suggest sympathetic failures with upper management that harm employees, ultimately failed to residents of Annapolis who expect integrity, fairness, professionalism from the city uh uh government.

The city of Annapolis cannot claim to value diversity, equity, and inclusion while allowing employees to experience exclusion, equity in equity, and silence.

Employees deserve fairness, residents deserve better.

I can accountability must begin now.

Thank you so much, Ms.

Asia Hicks, please.

Asia Hicks.

Sorry.

All right.

Uh then Andrew Elishaney.

Forgive me for if I don't get the last name right.

Thank you.

Uh Andrew Aylesbury, 147 Prince George Street.

I'm also joined here by my parents, Rob and Libby Aylesbury.

Um, I debated about doing this with the discussion on the moratorium, but I think the point is actually a broader one.

Um my parents and I, we own a short-term rental in Ward 1, uh, a property that we've invested thousands of dollars and many, many hours into making a very nice home that we also use on a part-time basis.

Um, I share this background with you not to make this about myself, even though that would be very tempting to do, but actually, I want to talk to you about why the short-term uh rental legislation that's on the docket for tonight, and that was that which was also passed in October is actually um unwise for the city as a whole and not just for myself.

Um and it's unwise for a few reasons.

Um, the first of which is that it's worth admitting that I think Annapolis is really an in uh a visitor driven economy.

Um I have done a couple of back of the envelope calculations myself and found that for every single resident in the city of Annapolis, there's actually about 75 visitors per year.

That is a number which exceeds Washington, DC, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, and even New Orleans, which I understand is part of the um benchmarking that was done to decide on the 10% block face uh legislation from October.

Um the second piece of this is that as a result of having so many visitors, short-term rentals are actually a huge part of what drives the economy of Annapolis and a really important economic value generator.

I find it serendipitous that you heard three people here tonight talking about their economic woes for their businesses.

Um short-term rentals are a vital part of the people that walk on their doors.

Uh to put a finer point on this, though, however, uh, I was a little shocked by the fact that when the legislation that was passed in October was presented, there was no economic impact analysis.

Uh when I read it, it said we were not able to do this too much variability, can't be done.

So I've tried to do what the city would not do uh and calculated it myself with a couple of napkin math tricks here.

So for each short-term rental, there's an 8% occupancy tax, which goes directly to the city.

Um if you have some basic assumptions about how much short-term rentals generate, and I can share numbers afterwards if people want to check my math.

Uh, that equates to around two to three million dollars per year in revenue that goes directly to the city.

Let's put that in context.

It's about two percent of Annapolis's annual uh budget, uh, and a lot more of just the general fund if that's what you're focusing on.

But that's really only the beginning, right?

So six eight percent directly to cities or six percent sales and use tax, which goes to the state, there's uh the licensing fees, and probably most importantly, there's all the visitors who come to Annapolis and spend money at these businesses that the people were just talking about.

Um, if you take some again, very basic benchmarking math here.

Those people who come and stay at short-term rentals every single year generate about 80 to 130 million dollars worth of business for Annapolis businesses.

Now I've heard it described that one of the reasons why to be against short-term rentals is that's an affordability issue.

What good is affording a house if you don't have a juice rap test?

What good is house if you don't if you can't afford a job?

So, respectfully, uh members of the council, I'll end here with a saying from a very wise politician.

It's about the economy, stupid.

If you're gonna drive down short-term rentals, you're gonna take away from the Annapolis economy.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who would like to speak during the general comment period?

Please approach now.

And again, this is not regarding the short-term moratorium uh legislation.

Yes.

Good evening, Mayor Littman and Council.

Thank you.

I'm Ashley Chapin.

I'm not an Annapolis resident, but I'm here tonight as a representative of ranked choice voting Maryland.

We have appreciated the communication our organization has had with this body.

I'm sorry, can you start with your address, please?

Name and address.

I I don't live in Annapolis.

That's okay.

Can you still keep your address?

My address is 628 Irving Street Northwest Washington, D.C.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh we have a so rank choice voting Maryland.

We have appreciated the communication our organization has had with this body towards the establishment of legislation that would establish ranked choice voting elections in Annapolis.

And there are continuing conversations at the state level to support that goal with enabling legislation from the Maryland General Assembly.

And I am extending here today the invitation for this body to continue to use ranked choice voting Maryland as a resource as this legislation comes up in the coming year.

And for those uh attendees in attendance who aren't aware, ranked choice voting Maryland is a nonprofit organization with the goal of improving Maryland's elections at the city, county, and state level via ranked choice voting, which simply allows voters to rank candidates in order preference, which eliminates the spoiler effect, allows voters to more accurately reflect their political support for candidates, and results in more representative governments.

Because the date is 123.

Um it will be at Paul, Paul's Homewood Cafe on January 23rd at 5 to 6 30 p.m.

And this event will be on our website, RCVMD.org.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you for visiting Annapolis.

Are there any other uh anyone present who would like to speak during the general comment period?

Randy Runchkin.

Sorry.

Apologize, I didn't get to sign in, I was running late.

Um, I am Randy Sadlick.

I am 127 Sumner Road.

I come here on behalf of the Big Cheese family.

We have been in Annapolis for 32 years.

Our family has been born and raised here.

I was born in the hospital right up the street.

Um I will not cry.

Um what's happening to Annapolis is just sad.

It's just sad.

Um, as you heard we were made promises.

I spoke to you in the shop some months ago, and you said, you know, this is the parking issue is not gonna affect you.

And I said, yeah, it's going to, if you kind of remember the conversation, it's okay.

Um but I'm not coming to you as just my family, but the big family we have here.

We all work together side by side.

We reach out, we've just bonded.

Um, I I can't tell you the amount of families that we have come to know and call us, you know, their families as well.

Um, the biggest problem that we've encountered as of late now is we have commissioning week coming up.

I've already had four people cancel their catering orders because they cannot they can't fathom where they're gonna be able to park to pick items up, etc.

Trying to reassure them has been really tough.

Um, the other thing I'm gonna ask is I know that Patty and people on Doc Street were met with um and produced a list of questions that they're waiting to be answered.

Um please remember us on Randall Street.

Please remember the BMBs and the restaurants on Prince George Street.

So we are privy to some of this communication.

Um everything we're getting is kind of you know, the backhanded information that we're having to ask for.

So I would appreciate that.

Um as I said, please, you know, support us, visit us, check on us, see how we're doing, see what you can do to help us.

We'd really appreciate it.

Thanks.

Thank you for testimony.

Hello, Phil Atetto, 1800 Poplar Avenue.

No honeymoon period for this and uh for this uh city council.

I'm here as a member of the NAACP to testify to urge you to be swift and resolute in writing the wrongs of the previous administration of the treatment and processes regarding black city employees.

Others from the community have gone all over all the technical points and details.

I'm here to make a moral appeal as a citizen who, like many others, desperately wants to have my faith in our governments restored.

Over the years, as I've learned more and more about the malfeasance and government at all levels.

I hope that local government that is closest to the people and hopefully the most accountable will be the place to carry the torch of democracy.

However, all these instances described tonight show how far we have to go living up to our ideals of equality, equity, and fairness.

With all the blatant illegal actions perpetrated by the federal government in DC and deliberate denial to follow protocols, this is the time we need our local governments to be exemplary and following and respecting protocol to show people what good, fair, and transparent governance looks like.

Failure to do so will hasten the further decline of public trust in our governments and at all at all levels and continue the destruction of our institutions.

I hope that you are able to have the courage and the clarity to meet this moment.

Since I have a little extra time and I have to go, I'd like to respond to our friend who just spoke about short-term rentals.

As as as much as possible, money is not the goal of the as much money as possible is not the goal of the average resident and doesn't measure the quality of life of residents nor a vibrant community.

A friend went to Venice several years ago and commented how there's no Venetians there, it's all tourists.

I don't think that's the vision for our town, and I hope that you keep that in mind.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else present who would like to speak?

Okay, seeing no motion in chambers.

I declare comments by the general public closed.

Ms.

City Attorney, would you please present the next item on the agenda?

The next item on the agenda is approaching.

Oh sorry.

Yes, someone else approaching.

Thank you.

Please start with your name and address.

I live at 23 Bay Street.

And bear with me, please.

There might be a second.

Okay.

Today I stand before you as a constituent award to a direct descendant of the old folk, a historic black community whose stability I am fiercely committed to protecting.

Our community was open when our community was open to business opportunities.

We expect the empowerment and growth for long standing residents, not for outside investors to turn our blocks into tourist commodities.

We are a neighborhood of families, not a hotel district for foot tours or short-term stage.

Currently, unlike short-term rentals, uh open defiance of our laws.

These are municipal infractions.

I'm calling for the full enforcement of 200 per day fines, the collection of all old 7% hotel occupancy taxes, and the permanent remotion of license for those who have skirted the law.

They are profiting by circumventing our regulations that they must face the consequences.

We want Airbnbs out of our residential community, but we also want a plan for what comes next.

I propose a two-pillar community restoration model for properties that had been operating illegally.

Let's convert these investor-owned units into rent to own opportunities for war two residents.

This turns the transit business into a family legacy.

Let's use a portion of a of these homes as a resource herb hub for our neighbors facing homeless.

We have homeless camps all around the city that we have all these unlicensed Airbnb.

We envision a structure 18-month program with job training and a path to independence.

Anyhow, I did um email the city clerk a summary of what I was saying.

And I have comment questions I thought you may um ask and answers.

Thank you.

Thank you for testimony.

Thank you.

Is there anyone else for the general comments?

Again, this is not for comment on public on uh short-term rentals.

No, this is I would like to make a comment.

I said it's not about Airbnb.

Then come on up.

This is your time.

Okay.

Um my name is Louisa Gerlando.

I live on 81 Charles Street.

Um I live right off of Cathedral as the first cross street.

The intersection of Cathedral and South Street is a danger zone.

Um I was T-boned.

My car was totaled.

After that happened, I asked them to put up better signage.

They put up a stop sign.

The problem is the street goes downhill as it approaches Cathedral Street, and the police vans park illegally.

There's always one that's parked past that.

The people coming down the street cannot see the stop sign.

Just last week I was walking up Cathedral Street to go to my job at the visitor center, and I nearly got killed, and the car coming down the street.

I screamed at the driver to stop.

Something has got to be done to improve the visibility.

Maybe the stop sign has to be higher.

But every we all, all the cars gliding on Cathedral Street now sort of go five miles an hour past that intersection because we're terrified.

So really, I'd love to see I don't I don't want to be T-boned again.

Can't afford to buy another car.

Okay.

Thank you for your testimony.

Okay.

Okay.

Is there anyone else present who would like to speak for the general comment period?

Brooke just to clarification.

Could you please repeat the intersection?

Pardon.

Intersection of Cathedral and South Street.

Thank you.

Cathedral as you're going up towards West Street.

That the courthouse is right there.

So the police park and they park.

There's a you can I'm not supposed to park past the sign, but they park the thing they have.

And you can't see the design.

Thank you.

Anyone else?

Okay.

Seeing no motion again in chambers, I declare comments by the public, uh general public close.

Ms.

City Attorney, will you please present the next item on the agenda?

The next item on the agenda is the approval of the consent calendar.

Items on the consent calendar include journals of proceedings, CCM 12, 8, 25 regular meeting minutes in CCM 128-25 special meeting minutes.

That's the end of the consent calendar.

Thank you.

Is there any objection to the consent calendar?

I would entertain a motion to approve the consent calendar.

So moved.

Thank you, Alderman Shandemeyer.

Is there a second?

Thank you, Alderman O'Neil.

Although I'm sorry.

Um Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Yes, sir.

Um Mayor Littman.

Uh yes, I.

Alderman Smith Brown.

Yes, I.

Alder Alderwomen's.

Um Johnson.

So accepted.

Um I didn't hear your answer, I'm sorry.

I'm agreeable.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Um Alderman Shandemeyer.

Aye.

Alderman McConty.

Aye.

Always Savage.

Aye.

Alderman Thorpe.

Aye.

Alderman Huntley.

Aye.

And Aldwoman O'D.

Aye.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The city attorney, please present the next item on the agenda.

Next item on the agenda is public hearings beginning with ordinance 4025 establishing a 12-month moratorium on short-term rental licenses.

On new short-term rental licenses.

Thank you.

I'm now going to invite those who have signed up to speak on the uh sign-up sheet and ask that you start with your name and address.

The first three speakers are Andrew Alice Berry, perhaps.

Thank you.

Kate McDermott and Veronica Grant.

Good evening, uh Mayor Littman.

Thank you.

Um, and good evening, members of the city council.

Katie McDermott, 50 Franklin Street, Annapolis.

Um I testified today and urge unanimous approval of the moratorium by every single city council member.

And I think that it's in the public interest, and it will enhance the credibility of any STR regulation or enforcement that ultimately occurs.

I perceive, and yes, I'm a lawyer, but I perceive no legal impediment to this moratorium.

It's not unconstitutional, it's not deficient in any way.

And much of what it's trying to achieve was not done before, and it's unfortunate.

And this is an opportunity for a really new beginning in regulating our housing options and dealing with what is a really big problem, STRs.

When I had my little summer adventure campaigning, the first question I got asked is how can a private equity at a state buy four homes in Murray Hill?

I don't know.

But I've been researching it, and I want to put on the table a question that I think really ought to be grappled with, which is once Annapolis decided that STRs were hotel enough to get a tax, an occupancy tax, there's no residential use.

And I'd like to understand the legal basis for allowing any STR in any area that zone residential.

I don't think there's a legal basis for it.

So I think you should really start thinking about why owner-occupied has not been defined in the current legislation, because that could be a protection for STRs, particularly some of the folks that live here.

But right now I see grave deficiency legally in our S TR regulatory framework.

And I also see holes in our legal approach to STRs and not just enforcement.

So this is not an idle egotistical effort.

And it shouldn't be approached that way on the moratorium either.

I'm disappointed that our Ward 1 alderman has not been more forceful and representing our ward and at least allowing a moratorium to go forward and allow this incredibly incredibly important comprehensive assessment to occur.

It's in the public interest and has an enormous public benefit.

And I compliment Alderman O'Neill for having the courage to do it, and for Mayor Littman for having the courage to proceed.

And for those of you that are willing to grapple with this issue and not be satisfied with a deal that was made in the dark and an election year.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Veronica Grant, who will be followed by Norma Malayo and you have to help me here.

Uh major something M.

But the next one is Veronica Grant.

She already speaks.

Thank you.

I bought my house six years ago when my daughter entered the Naval Academy.

I fell in love with Annapolis.

Um I knew I wanted to invest here.

Um I knew I wanted to be close to my daughter and all her friends.

And through the six years I've been here, I feel like I've become part of the community.

Yes, I'm making this about me because it's about my house.

Um, and I don't think you hear enough stories like mine.

Um my husband still works in New York.

It's where we were born and raised, where we we raised our kids.

So my license might still say New York, but I am in Annapolis two weeks out of every month.

I have six sponsor kids, and I have promised them that it will be in my house two weeks every month.

Um looking at the STR that you have set up, okay, moratorium, fine.

Let's take some time to think about that.

But what defines the owner occupied, or even if that's gonna be including anything going forward, that concerns me because if I can't rent my house, I can't afford my house.

I can't afford to be here, can't afford to be part of this city that I'm coming to love that I can't be in permanently, talk to my husband about that yet.

So I would love to remain in my house.

I would love to still be part of this community.

I've made friends with everyone in my neighborhood.

I play Annapolis with the Annapolis pickleball club when I'm here.

Um I would really like you guys to not look at the blanket situation, but maybe look at stories like mine, because I pay the taxes, I uh get the inspection every year.

I have not had one complaint on my house.

Okay, I am providing a service, for instance, a few months ago, I was able to rent my house to a parent who needed a home because her midshipman was having surgery.

Couldn't stay in a hotel because she wants to make sure she can cook for him and had ice and everything like that.

She needed a house to rent.

Sometimes it's not a hotel.

Sometimes it's got to be a house.

I've had people stay in my house, come into town with grandma and a few cousins, they want to bring their dog, and yes, they have midshipment at the academy, and before you know it, they've brought three friends over and they're having a barbecue in my yard.

Can't do that at a hotel.

You can do it at house.

I'm proud to provide that service to the naval community.

So I'm not gonna take up three minutes.

I just wanted to share my story about my involvement with the STR.

I want to stay in Annapolis.

I want to eventually get my license switched over here and be able to vote for all you nice people.

Um, but please consider a story like mine that I think I I I am part of the community, and my STR is giving something to the community as well.

That I think I I I am part of the community, and my STR is present giving something to the community as well.

So thanks again.

Thank you for the testing.

I can't read the next name.

It's the person who lives at 58 Modern Place.

Yeah, yeah, it's terrible.

I think I was supposed to be a doctor with my shorthand, but um here I am.

So uh please start with the it's Megan Moore 58 Madison Place.

So if you want to crack that off on handwriting.

So um uh city council and Mayor Lipman, uh, thank you for the opportunity to speak.

Um I recognize how many voices you're hearing um with some really really serious issues tonight.

So uh so I'll be really brief.

Um I've been a resident of the city of Annapolis for 50 years and a local property owner and short-term rental manager since 2010.

Um if the moratorium moves forward, uh, I strongly urge you to ensure that those of us directly impacted um are meaningfully included in the discussions ahead.

I bring 15 years of firsthand experience, reliable data, and a deep commitment to this community.

I am confident that by working collaboratively, we can develop a fair, effective and sustainable solution to this complex issue, one that serves both our city and our residents.

Um I've met with some of you personally.

Um I'm also I wanted to wait for the holidays to happen, but I'm gonna email each one of you.

I have an office downtown.

I'm an open book.

I would love to meet with any of you if you have any questions.

You'll have my personal email.

Um, you know, I just I I want this to be a discussion.

I think I think I think we could all work together and be a little bit better.

So thank you.

Thanks.

Robert, sorry.

Oh, that's one.

All right, thanks.

You have to help in New York.

Good evening, Mayor Lipman and uh and members of the council, especially uh our new members.

I'm uh Robert McKenna from 207 Avenue.

Um I've been a uh a resident of Annapolis for most of the last uh 22 years.

Um I have been an operator along with my wife uh Dr.

Sorice of uh an owner-occupied SDR, uh fully licensed since 2017, but my history with short-term rentals in Annapolis goes back much further.

In 1968, my family was living overseas, and we spent a month out here in Annapolis uh renting a house out by Key School.

So uh there's an extraordinarily long history of short-term rentals in this town, going back several hundred years.

Um in 2019, all the stakeholders in this town came together to come up with a set of rules.

And uh, you know, if you were here six years ago, um some of those meetings were fairly contentious.

And you know, we found a way to kind of balance all the stakeholders together.

You know, the hotels who didn't want to be competing against folks on an uneven fitting.

Um, the needs of the city to not be inundated with corporate ownership.

Um, and the needs of both the local and sometimes part-time resident uh homeowners uh to have an avenue to lease their houses out to make some revenue so that they could uh they could hold on to those properties.

Putting in a short term or a 12-month moratorium kind of flies in the face of all the progress we made six years ago.

Um and it it really comes down, I think a question of trust, which I think is kind of been a little lacking in this meeting tonight.

Um so I would I would urge the council to vote against putting in a 12-month moratorium.

Um I would also urge the council in the city to absolutely do a study and make sure that we are enforcing the rules that we all agreed to.

It's pretty simple.

You know, I don't want folks that are renting their places out who haven't been going through the inspection process.

You know, it's it's a pain to do.

Um, and you gotta write the check.

And every month you gotta go deal with the city and make sure you report your stuff in.

So um, again, I would urge you to I'd urge you to vote no.

Um, but I absolutely urge you to make sure that everybody's following the rules.

All right.

Thank you.

Thanks.

The next three speakers are Paul Elder, George Maylor Miller, and Tom Berger.

Paul.

Good evening.

Uh, thank you, Mayor Littman, Council members.

My name is Paul Elder.

I live at 77 Shipwright Street with my bride Dorothy.

Um, since people have brought up Annapolis history, my wife's great great great-great-great uncle was Thomas Stone, which is part of one of the pictures you have downstairs.

We've lived here.

Well, I tell people we weren't born here, but we got here as quickly as I could.

And we lived on have lived on Shipwright Street for four a little over 40 years.

And seen numerous changes occur in those years.

All my children went to Green Street Elementary School and then matriculated on.

Currently, the situation is I am in speaking in favor of the ordinance embargo or what do you call it?

The uh moratorium on 04025.

Through the years, the entire character of Annapolis has changed.

It used to be a place where people own businesses downtown and live downtown.

I was on the Ward 1 sector study, and we came to some very uh strong consensus that we had to put a moratorium on two on uh bars that were open past midnight.

But that was quickly thrown under the bus.

And now the highest and best uses of a lot of properties downtown is for a bar and a restaurant.

I've also served on the Board One Sector study, and I've also served on the uh fire safety commission that was established uh under Mayor Hopkins.

VBRs have changed their character of our neighborhoods.

My neighbor sold his house.

He had a young family that were uh stationed at the Naval Academy and were going to retire here, and they had children, but they were outbid by a VBRO uh contestant in the in the in the process.

So we now have a VBR next door.

In addition to that VBRO, we have five additional VBROs on Shipwright Street, and the area that that covers is from Revel Street down to Spa Creek.

If you look at it, there's approximately 12 houses in there.

Five residences, five houses around, you know, five EBROs and uh only 12 residences.

The visitors frequently are very uh pleasant, but they park their oversized vehicles and take up valuable parking spots, and the city's parking authority seems to have little ability to mind that issue.

It's a real problem.

Additionally, BBROs are businesses, and their properties are businesses, and they can be depreciated over time, where a resident can't really appreciate.

Is that my warning sign?

It is a good idea.

I'm sorry, residents cannot appreciate the fact that their property values go up because of what the VBRO did, and those properties should not be used as comparables when calculating taxes.

Um happy new year.

Thank you for your testimony.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity.

George Miller, I live at 604 Taylor Avenue, right across from Navy's football stadium.

I was born in Annapolis in 1950 in Eastport.

Um my family property, which my wife and I have, and we have a separate house which we short-term rental has been in the family for many, many years.

Um as a public educator, which I was before I retired, I'm not rich.

And the extra money from the STR is appreciated, and I certainly don't want to get rid of family property.

Uh we sponsor eight midshipmen.

We're very involved in the community.

I moved away 40 years and had the opportunity to come back to Annapolis, which I love.

The moratorium issue, which you're discussing, there's all kinds of sizes you've heard tonight.

I'll just say I think the moratorium or whatever you do is important because I think what you're doing now is good intentioned, but is broken.

One of the few things that we've had issues with is simply trying to get help with the licenses.

People cannot keep up and cannot respond.

That's a problem.

And if you're adding more things and you can't take care of what you have, you have a bigger problem.

So what is your overall goal?

Is it to reduce STRs totally?

I know some people are over indulge with them, and just too many in that area.

Umnapolis does need and does use them.

What is your plan to accommodate these people that come in?

I don't know.

I think those are questions that you need to ask as you go through this.

It's a viable part of our community.

It's something that we do for a lot of fun and meet good people, and I think a lot of people do, and there are a lot of people that use that money just to make sure they have their home.

So a moratorium may be good if you're working towards an end goal or don't know what your end goal is.

I certainly hope it's to include STRs in the big picture for the city of Annapolis.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Tom Berger, followed by Susan Jorgensen and Paul Thorr.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh counsel.

My name is Tom Berger.

I live almost immediately next door at 170 Duke, and my wife and I operate for the last 20 years the Georgian House bed and breakfast, not a short-term rental.

Um we operate under the city regulations, uh, that bed and breakfast must be owner occupied.

Uh for debate this evening already, and I'm not going to uh try to uh comment on that, other than I read that as owner occupied as a we live there.

Okay.

Full-time.

All right.

We may not be there all the time, but we live there full-time.

Okay.

Earlier, someone commented on financial uh elements.

I would say that for us over the last 10 years, we have remitted to the city uh approximately 23,000 of hotel tax.

Okay.

In addition, our various licenses average $2,500 a year.

Okay.

And as homeowners, as residential homeowners, our property taxes are north of $15,000 a year in the city of Annapolis.

I want to focus briefly on a more subjective element surrounding the issue of what are affectionately known as short-term rentals.

The original intent was slightly alluded to earlier of companies like Airbnb was for homeowners to take advantage of, quote, unused space, to be able to rent out a bedroom.

Okay, open their homes to individuals for a fee.

Of course, what we now face are the unintended consequences of such an idea with people realizing they could either use their entire house to earn income without living there, or perhaps more importantly, convert apartment complexes and other facilities into nothing more than overnight rentals.

I had more remarks, but I'm going to stop it there.

I think the moratorium is a very important idea.

It's not stopping anybody.

Okay.

I agree totally with Katie.

I don't know the legal ramifications of everything that she spoke to, but I think our current regulatory environment needs a hard look, a good thoughtful look, which was not the case in everything that came up to it originally.

Too many things, too many emotions running rampant, too many ideas that were not founded in fact.

So I strongly encourage you to take the moratorium, use that time to give thought to how we can have solid set of regulations, and perhaps most importantly, as somebody else also mentioned, enforce those regulations to the benefit of everybody here.

Thanks very much.

Thank you.

Susan Jorgensen, followed by Paul Thorr and Susan Wheatley.

Well, good evening, everybody.

My name is Susan Jorgensen.

I've at 39 Murray Avenue, downtown Annapolis.

I've been living in my home for 34 years, and I've been using as a short-term rental for Airbnb since I think 2017.

But I live in my home and I rent out just rooms in my home.

One of my issues is that I live on a street that has restricted parking, so you have to have a pass to park there.

But I live real close to the to the night and garage, so that's where my people park, which works for me.

I have an objection to the fact that if you rent your home out for the entire year, which I do, although I probably only rent it certain months of the year, I have to pay uh a fee of 400.

However, if I only was renting it out for the boat show or for or for excuse me, commissioning week, then there's no $400 fee for those people doing that.

Which I think is really an objective to me.

I don't see how that works out.

They can rent their whole house or thousands of dollars for that week and benefit from the fact that they're not paying tax on it, they're not paying the fee on it, and they're getting away with getting lots of money coming in for boat show and for commissioning week.

I object to the fact that some of these these um the people who are purchasing a lot of these homes in Annapolis, a lot of them are graduates of the academy, and they're taking an advantage to try and keep a home here.

But in some cases, then the houses next door to me is empty.

The house on the other side of me is empty because people are not really living there.

Houses across the street from me are also open for people to purchase or to use at the short-term rental.

Anyway, I think the whole thing also is a problem with not everybody who does this in the city of Annapolis is a license.

So they get away with doing this without having to pay any of the fees at all.

I just think everything needs to be tightened up quite a bit.

Maybe the moratorium you'll have, maybe just making sure that whoever purchases property in here maintains the fact that this is a community and you should be part of the community.

Thank you for your help.

Thank you.

Paul Ford, then Susan Wheatley, and Adriana, no last name.

Paul 491 Balcher Avenue, longtime resident, civic activist, person very much engaged in city affairs.

One thing I can tell you for sure about this city or any historic place, the most radical thing you can ever do is keep things just the way they are.

The tourism visitor in impact of this city, it's here.

Deal with it.

I feel like it's deja vu all over again, but with a lot of different faces.

You have my blessing and my best wishes to do the work for ourselves, for our community, for the city.

It's hard work.

This is a complicated city, always has been, full of disputes.

If you have the willingness and the strength of mind and the conviction to help all of us here, strike a balance.

Try to listen to and understand everyone's concerns.

I'm an STR owner.

I'm a big, big fan of STRs.

But I understand the concerns of many of you here.

I get it.

You don't want them taking over your blocks.

You don't like the negative impacts they have.

Deal with it.

We'll deal with you too.

And this body will deal with it too.

So if the moratorium gives you the opportunity to do it, do it.

If it's just to have a moratorium, you're wasting our time.

I've had long times testifying here over many years.

I had a long conversation with Ms.

O'Neill once.

I had a long conversation with the mayor when he was running last fall.

And this morning, I had the pleasure and the honor of having Alderman Frankthorpe as a guest in my home with about 15 people.

He openly and willingly talked with us, and he listened, and he cares.

And he grew up on my street, and he went to the Naval Academy.

And he also knows that in the Navy, when there's a mishap, that's a Navy word for scrolling up.

They say we have a stand down, right?

And they stop and they figure out what they've got to do.

So if the moratorium allows you to do it, do it.

Otherwise, you're wasting our time.

So I urge you all to balance everyone's concerns and interest and understand them and learn them.

It's complicated, whether it's parking or garbage or noise or what have you.

But in general, in very, very general terms, we as STV our owners are your neighbors.

We live here, we care for the city, we care for you, we're working hard to do the best we can, and it's important, and we benefit this city.

Yeah, a lot of money.

But it's way more than that if you look at it economically.

This is a tourism town.

I urge you all.

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for your testimony.

Yes, I'm Susan Wheatley, and I live at 159 Monticello Avenue.

I am here in support of the moratorium.

Um Annapolis is not a resort town.

It's a hometown.

Since 1976, this has been my home.

I raised my children here, hosted our very large family on many occasions, holidays, and extended visits.

My fun, my son's first jobs were here.

They swam in the rivers, they learned to be boaters, they learned to eat and cook crabs and oysters.

They went to our public elementary, middle, and high schools.

We all invested deeply in life here as a family, supporting local businesses.

We bought our cars from the Clacking family.

We shop at grouse, we eat at locally owned restaurants, we shop at the best little hardware store in Annapolis.

And you know, we shop Annapolis pottery for gifts.

We want to support our local businesses.

That's what it means to be a community.

So what do residents do?

The tourists, I'm not talking about owners, I'm talking about the people rolling in and rolling out, rolling in, rolling out.

What do they do?

Uh and what do residents do that tourists don't do?

They do lots, but let me just focus on one thing in particular.

We volunteer.

We volunteer at Maryland Hall with the ballet opera, the symphony.

We volunteer for the Annapolis Film Festival and other special events.

We volunteer at the Annapolis Elementary School, Eastport Elementary School, Bates Middle, Annapolis High School.

We volunteer at our local churches and synagogues.

We volunteer for the homeless at the Lighthouse Shelter.

We volunteer with my organization, Save Our Trees.

We volunteer at the Maritime Museum, food banks, and the distribution of food locally.

We volunteer at the Stanton Center, Salvation Army, the Wellness House for cancer patients and survivors and their families as well.

We volunteer at hospitals at the SPCA, community action agency, the oyster recovery programs, Alliance for the Chesapeake, Meals on Wheels, the Lutheran Mission.

And let us not forget the residents who open their homes as sponsor families to our Naval Academy midshipmen and midship women.

This is an Annapolis tradition, bringing them into our community.

I could go on for pages.

And I have to ask all the money that comes in from the short-term rentals.

What would you have to pay for those hours of service to your community?

At the first council meeting of this new administration, I heard all about the tax revenues that STRs generate and how my home values will go down if they go away.

Personally, I don't like it.

It doesn't feel honest and true.

Residents do what need to be done and tourist tour.

Lastly, I would just like to suggest that you all read the book The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs.

It is a phenomenal book on how to build a city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Adriana, and then followed by Carl Larkin and Lori Sullivan.

Hello, my name is Adriana.

I'm from 1205 Cedar Park Road.

I am here tonight to respectfully oppose the proposed 12-month moratorium on new short-term rental licenses.

It pauses opportunity for new responsible residents and small property owners without clear evidence that the resolve of a 12-month moratorium will resolve the concerns being raised.

For many Annapolis homeowners, short-term rentals are not a speculative investment.

They're a way to manage rising property tax costs, insurance maintenance costs, and to remain in the city that they love.

A moratorium disproportionately impacts these residents while favoring those who already have licenses.

A pause creates also creates uncertainty.

It discourages new responsible participation and risks pushing licensing, pushing rental outside the licensing process, making regulation and enforcement more difficult, not easier.

Please choose a path that balances new neighborhood concerns, economic vitality, and fairness for all residents.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Larkin, followed by Lori Sullivan, followed by Sean Deegan.

Deagnan Mayor and City Council members.

My name is Carl Larkin.

I live in 154 Prince George Street.

I want to start by thanking you for recognizing the harm that owner unoccupied short-term rentals have made to residents like mine, and for repository moratorium to develop and understand what exactly happens and exist in these residents.

You've heard much on that already.

Without the moratorium, I to fully understand that what already exists and affects our residents.

Your ward could soon experience what experienced in my street, which somewhat resembles Main Street.

Between Green Street and Grossman Street, there are 12 businesses and few residents.

On a similar block on my street, there are 12 unoccupied short-term rentals and three residents.

And those residents here to support what goes on in the city in terms of business and volunteer activities seven days a week.

The visitors are here to short term to visit the businesses two days a week.

So that you can balance your economics in that those ways too.

So without a moratorium to understand the extent and effect of short-term rentals, a street on your board could soon look like my street and experience the same disappointing absence of neighbors.

I strongly encourage you to vote yes in support of the 12 months moratorium.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Lori Sullivan, Sean, followed by Sean Deegan, followed by James Durden.

Good evening.

I'm Glory Sullivan from 25 Wagner Street, which is uh right by St.

John's College and the Naval Academy as you're headed out of town.

Um I want to thank you all for your leadership, especially Alderman Woman O'Neill and Mayor Littman.

Um I cannot thank you enough for your leadership here.

I am uh urging everyone to support this moratorium.

Um this issue is not an abstract policy, but the lived experience of the people who still call this city a home.

When we bought our house in 2003, our neighborhood was stable and deeply connected.

Most neighbors had lived here for decades.

We shared porches, watched each other's pets, watered plants, shoveled snowy stairs and parking spaces, brought meals when someone was sick.

We cared about one another.

That sense of community lasted well into the last decade, and short-term rentals really took off on an apple in full swing in about 2016, and everything changed.

We still refer to the houses by the names of the people who once lived there, Louie and Regina's house, the Townsends, the Pfeiffers, because those names mattered to us.

Today, most of those people are gone, and in their place is a constant churn, rolling suitcases, unfamiliar faces, cleaning crews, resetting houses between one group and the next party weekend.

That's the rhythm of our street now.

This loss is not abstract.

My children have been screamed at by intoxicated adults partying on a nearby porch in the middle of a Saturday afternoon, just steps from our home.

They felt unsafe, and it's happened more than once.

There are also real infrastructure consequences.

In the winter, when many short-term rentals sit empty, there isn't enough water moving through the sewer line.

Solids back up and sewer gas fills the downstairs of our home several times every winter.

That's not normal, and it's not safe.

At the last council meeting, a speaker argued that families who buy second homes and rent them short term are doing Annapolis a favor because they visit occasionally and spend money here.

And we honor the service of those Naval Academy families doing that.

And visitors are welcome.

But visiting periodically is not the same as living here.

Spending money a few weekends a year is not the same as sustaining a community.

Full-time residents support local businesses year round.

We volunteer, we support schools, serve in civic organizations, we stabilize neighborhoods.

Through though well-meaning, the STR legislation passed by the last council does not alleviate conditions in neighborhoods where the highest concentrations of short-term rentals exist.

The block based cap largely locks in existing saturation.

And if your streets already overrun like mine is, very little's gonna change in the near.

What neighborhoods are in need of is long-term residents and long-term renters who can be good neighbors and help stabilize communities.

Annapolis has been a hometown first for over 300 years.

It should remain a home for people who volunteer, who contribute and do the everyday work that helps keep this community strong.

That's why this temporary moratorium matters.

It gives the city time to pause to assess real impacts and build a better framework, one that protects neighborhoods and residents.

So please, I do urge you to support this moratorium and help us keep Annapolis a home first.

Thank you very, very much.

And I just want to add most people I know are not opposed to owner-occupied SCRs.

It's the absentee owner uh situation that's really destroying our our neighborhoods, and that's where we need your most help.

Thank you, Ms.

Thank you.

Good evening, council.

Um, we manage uh 75 STRs, 45 of which are in city limits.

Sorry, Sean Degnan, ITRIP, Annapolis, uh 69 Franklin Street.

Thank you.

We managed 75 STRs, 45 of which are in city limits, they're all licensed.

Um I was at Captain Paul's today with we had the uh very productive and lively discussion with Alderman Thorpe today.

Um two themes came up a lot enforcement of illegal STRs and the grandfathering of the existing licensees.

Um, and to the extent that the moratorium would be used to discuss um possibly looking at the grandfathering issue again.

You know, that that amendment in October was slipped in at the last minute and voted on that that evening uh with no public commentary at all.

And so if if the moratorium goes through, I just encourage you all to please look at that again because these people have played by the rules, they've paid their taxes, they've done all the inspections, they've reported their their bookings.

Um the current licensees have done everything right, and uh let's avoid the taking of their right to make rental income.

That's what those were the rules and the laws that were set up when they bought these these homes.

And um so it if you know, is I would uh ask you to use that time to to find and shut down the illegal STRs.

Certainly we have to enforce the rules that already exist, but please revisit the lottery system that would remove grandfather of existing licensees.

Thanks.

Thank you.

And last on the list is James Durden.

Derien, thank you.

Yeah, 182 Prince George Street.

Um you guys don't know how important this is to me.

Um, that I'm missing my steelers right now.

It's also hard to believe that here I am again asking the council to take into account uh what's happening to our or what's happened to our neighborhoods.

Um Ms.

Wheatley and Miss Sullivan captured it beautifully.

You know, we happened to move here as a family because we wanted to live here and be part of this community.

And the Annapolis that was there embraced us.

We had a special needs son, uh very temperamental uh daughter about to hit puberty.

Uh we've made wonderful friends.

Uh and and have gotten involved and given back.

Uh philanthropy, uh volunteering, all the stuff that um isn't in that cocktail napkin figuring.

Um even in the 11 years we've been here, it's changed.

We were one of six families with children.

There's now one.

They've been replaced by part-time owners uh with two or three other residents, so this is a sort of a base camp.

Or they uh are STR owners.

And most of the time they're very nice people that come to visit, and I'm not oblivious to the impact, the financial impact.

Um, but they're not neighbors.

They come and they go.

They don't do all of that stuff.

And I agree with some of my neighbors that uh why but but who, you know, it's a moratorium.

I don't understand why they're opposed to a moratorium since they have theirs uh purchased and licensed.

Um we this moratorium gives everybody an opportunity to figure out what is the impact and what are we about?

We should know the costs, total costs, environmental cost, cars, uh pollution.

We should know the impact on our on our on our public institutions.

You guys are gonna need that extra money from the higher assessments because instead of volunteers, you're gonna need more subsidies.

Um I think a moratorium is a fantastic idea.

Get the facts, get the big picture, make some good decisions.

I will once one last thing.

Um uh I'm off script now.

Uh please, please help my alderman Harry Huntley get answers from the city government on how to remove the illegal structure at 182 Prince George Street.

Simple little things, but you know, when you can't get an answer uh and you're a you're an elected alderman, uh imagine what a citizens face.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Is there anyone present who would like to speak on 04025 who is not signed up?

Uh please approach first come.

Good evening.

My name is Sandra Solomon.

I live at 123 Eastern Avenue, and I am for the moratorium because the house right next door to me has been operating for three years with no license.

None.

So I jumped for joy the day I saw someone putting this big yellow sign up that said, illegal to be used as a B and B.

Less, and there are two of them in my block.

Less than two hours later, the sign said, do not remove.

And they took it down and they continued renting.

There are seven houses in our block.

Of the seven houses, three of us have been in them 80 plus years.

New people move in, we introduce ourselves, and they become a part of our block.

You know, we shovel snow.

I'm too old to shovel snow now, so I bake while they shovel the snow.

You know, when the two of you were campaigning, I said, thank God, maybe we're gonna get some honesty.

Because don't put in a law that you can't enforce.

Now that sign said do not remove, and there was supposed to be all the stuff about what was going to happen.

Nothing happened.

There's the one is still operating.

So the moratorium, I hope, will give you a chance to get rid of the illegal and keep the ratio that you say you're going to do per blah.

We're already over the ratio.

Seven family houses, and we've got two already.

Don't destroy the few neighborhoods you still have left.

Three generations of my family I can trace, lived in that house.

I'm not going any place.

I'm 85, and I'm here till I go home.

But I'll tell you for those of you, the weapon that you have against anything that's illegal.

You pick up the phone, you call the non police number, and you give your name, address, and telephone number, and you tell them what's going on, and you say, and when the officer settles that situation, I want to talk to him.

Because if we keep closing our eyes to the illegal, we won't have anything left.

That's evident right now in Washington.

So roll a backbone and protect what's illegal.

So that those of us that want to be legal and peaceful can still call it home because I'm not leaving.

And I've already told my son, you ever sell this house, I'll come back and haunt you.

Okay, so the moratorium gets us time to get the situation straightened out.

So if we just keep letting the illegal happen, it's gonna keep going on.

I'm not against anything you do to your property as long as it doesn't affect my rights and my property.

And as for the people that have the S, you know.

I don't care what you do, but I do care what you do when it affects me.

And our mayor and my alderman, you know.

I call and I show up.

And I'm gonna keep showing up.

So to all of you, we need that moratorium to keep this a town.

Yes, you know, Mayberry.

No, I don't want it to be made bear.

I want it to be the nice pro that I was born into.

Okay.

Love the Naval Academy.

My son graduated from the academy.

I love this town, and I'm not going anywhere.

I'm just gonna keep showing up.

Thank you, Miss Solomon.

Max Gross, 215 Taylor Avenue.

Really wish I would have gone before her.

I'm speaking tonight on behalf of Andorra County Association of Realtors.

Uh, I am opposed to the moratorium.

Uh my association would tell me that the line is private property rights.

You buy a property, you should be able to do what you want with it.

I don't think that's gonna be very effective in this room tonight.

Um I want you all to know that uh I grew up in what is now ward three.

I live in what is now Ward 1, but four years ago it was Ward 2.

My parents moved from Ward 4 when they got pregnant with me.

Uh we've been here a while.

I have the exact same conversations around my dinner table that we're having in this room tonight.

I am not beyond understanding anyone's issues here.

Um, what I will say is that I don't understand what a moratorium accomplishes.

Tomorrow, moratorium that goes into effect.

Do you suddenly have the resources to enforce the laws?

Do you suddenly have the resources to stop unlicensed STRs from opening up?

When the official market shuts down, the black market doesn't stop.

And by the city's own records, about 50% of the operating STRs in Annapolis are unlicensed.

What happens with the moratorium is that people feel like you're doing something because you plan to, and I believe that sincerely, this was a huge campaign issue.

I've heard you all speak about it.

You want to do something, but the moratorium doesn't do anything.

It's the same situation.

It preserves the status quo for a year while you figure it out.

And you know what?

You can figure out these issues while the status quo exists.

In fact, we should probably let the bill that just passed last year, last couple months ago.

We should probably let it go into effect for a little while and see what happens.

If we want to study what happens, if we want to study of what the impacts of these policies are, we need to look at this policy under the new status quo.

So I greatly appreciate the engagement on this issue.

I look forward to continuing to work with every one of you on what the final solution and what the balance is.

I just don't understand why an oratorium does anything more than feel good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Brampson?

Name in address, please.

Ben Bramson to Maryland Avenue.

I am thankful I wasn't the person to go immediately after her as well.

So thank you for taking that.

I didn't intend to speak today, so I don't have anything prepared.

I apologize if I fumbled through it a little bit, but as people talked, I have felt inspired.

Um it kind of seems like there's been two sides that have been talking, and we kind of are focusing on two different things.

Those that are opposed are focusing a lot on the amount of money that comes into the city through short-term rentals.

And I'm sure those numbers are correct.

One thing that I do want to point out is that you know who else spends money in Annapolis?

People that live in Annapolis.

Um I spend a lot of time at the Brown Mustache on Maryland Avenue.

Here, I've even bought you a coffee there before.

And unfortunately for me, they told me that they've actually been able to track how much I've spent there.

And uh it's uh it's a lot of money, $10,000 I have spent in coffees at the Brown mustache.

Uh I am well on my way of putting Joel and Colleen, one of their children, called Joel and Colleen bunkers' children through college at this point.

So we also spend money in Annapolis as well.

Um the other kind of side that has been talked about is those that are in favor of it talking about community, talking about our neighborhoods.

I agree with all of those things as well.

Um, one thing that I want to point out that hasn't really been talked about is that as it is right now, people cannot afford to live in Annapolis.

Annapolis is too expensive to live in.

Uh I have a friend who works on Maryland Avenue that is trying to find a place close to where they work, and they can't find it because there's nothing under $1,800 for rent for a single unit here for a one bedroom apartment.

Um, it is too expensive to be able to live here as it is.

And for every home that is being used as an STR, that is a home that could be used for somebody who wants to live here, for somebody who wants to start to build a life in Annapolis or build a family in Annapolis.

And um, I don't envy you on how we take care of this, but uh I think we also need to make sure it's acknowledged that excessive STRs are directly affecting those who are already trying to afford to live here, for those who are struggling to afford to live here.

And not only is it going to be more difficult for people to find housing here, uh, it's going to start to push those out that are already kind of on the edge with what they can afford to live here as well.

So I think that's something that's very important that also needs to be taken into consideration.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name's Eric Shea, 117 Conduit Street.

Uh, my family's been in Annapolis and Anaroma County for over 100 years.

Um I own uh short-term rental on Conduit Street.

It used to be my primary residence.

I was a primary resident down there in Ward 1 in 2019 when we went through this last time.

I fully understand both sides.

Um if the moratorium gives us a year to figure out a best the best path forward, then maybe that's the best approach.

But the legislation that was passed without proper comment last year is the wrong direction.

Um everybody said, you know, the city by the city's own omission, 50% of the STRs are illegal.

Um if we're trying to reduce STRs, why don't we go after the why don't we start there with that 50% or at least get 40% of those to come to put the target on the first to make this first step, the first target to be the people that have been following the rules, having the inspections done, and paying taxes for years is it's just it's just backwards.

And um, I think the count this new council should take a second look at that and try to find uh an approach that's that's more fair and encourages people to do the right thing.

Um that's really all I have to say.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

Okay.

Hi, I'm uh Louisa Gerlando again, live at 81 Charles Street.

I've lived in Annapolis for 21 years.

When I first moved there, we had block parties.

I had neighbors on a Halloween.

We sat out on our porches, drank a glass of wine.

I think there is a need for short-term rentals.

I just don't want that many of them.

And if you're buying an investment, you can always do a long-term rental.

I've had two long-term rentals next door to me for the entire 21 years I've lived there.

Some have lived there for a year.

The ones next door to me now have lived there for five years.

The one on the other side of me, four years.

Long-term rentals are fine.

We do each other favors, we take each other's mail, we bring in the Amazon packages.

So if you're looking for an investment, long term rentals are good.

I just don't like the fact that I have people that I don't have neighbors anymore.

And Annapolis has changed too.

I used to buy my shoes here.

I used to buy my clothes downtown.

Sometimes I didn't move my car for a week.

It's getting harder.

It's getting harder.

It's like Annapolis is turning into Disneyland.

Aren't these houses cute?

It's a shame nobody lives in them.

So anyway, please consider the moratorium.

Think of that's time to consider.

I'm not saying there shouldn't be short-term rentals.

They fulfill a need for families coming to visit.

They fulfill a need if you want to stay here for two weeks or a month.

I myself have run into short-term rental for a month.

Made a lot of sense.

If I'm going someplace for a few days, I do a hotel.

So anyway, thank you for your consideration.

Thank you.

I was gonna get that for you.

Hi, Winchip Wheatley, 159 Monticello Avenue.

Just very quickly, I want to express my support for the moratorium.

It seems to me that despite your very difficult task here to balance these competing interests.

The moratorium seems to be the best among so many other poor choices that you have to make.

Doing nothing is not an acceptable option.

And I know that I can't I can't say things better than uh what other people have already said, but I just wanted to make sure that you know that I do support the moratorium, not because it's perfect, but because it's doing something.

And speaking of doing something, I do ask you to find find a way to take care of the 49% of the folks who aren't in compliance with your requirements.

And with that, I yield the rest of my time to Mrs.

Wheatley.

Thank you, Mr.

Creek.

Uh Tom Creek, 14 Murray Avenue.

I guess I get the back cleanup today.

Um look, first of all, I want to applaud Jared and Carmer for bringing this up.

You could have avoided the issue for a period of time and had a lot shorter meeting tonight.

So I applaud you for bringing this up and trying to attack this issue.

It's very important.

Um I took some notes as people were talking, and I think it's really important to talk about some of the subjects that were brought up here.

First of all, I'm totally in support of the moratorium.

Okay, it's necessary.

It's necessary, and what would really I feel real comfortable in in Jared's newsletter this morning, you said something about it about being data driven for a solution.

And I think that's really important to take the emotions out and put the data in.

I think you know that that's that's really you know, good point moving forward.

And I I tell some of the people in here that asked the question of why moratorium.

And I two points.

Um, to Max's point about why moratorium.

Um, because it is gonna be data-driven.

It's not gonna be emotions driven.

It's gonna be based upon what we should do, based upon getting results from a number.

And I think that's important.

And the other part is I think that that we have to give the new administration a chance.

We're not it's not the old administration, it's not what it's been for the last eight years.

Give the new administration a chance to make a change.

Um, you know, I don't know what the right number of short-term rentals is.

It could be zero.

Um, I point over to Filloria over there, or it could be 3100.

Um, I don't think it's either of those, by the way.

I think it's somewhere in between, it's probably a reasonable number.

And I think that's up to you to decide what that number comes back.

But data-driven perspective.

I would suggest also to look at look at the occupancy tax.

I know I'm gonna get killed by some people here, but I haven't short-term rentals, everybody knows.

Um, look at the occupancy tax as a method to give an incentive to long-term rentals.

Okay, if you have a long-term rental, you don't pay oxby tax, you don't pay sales tax.

So, in essence, right now, I could take 40% less a gross revenue and break even.

So, start thinking about that.

And that doesn't count cleaning and everything else that you have to do with a short-term rental.

So there's some incentives for a business perspective that's sitting in your hands right now.

Um I guess my other point, my last point, and I'll leave it alone here is somebody made a point about involving your stakeholders.

And that's why I would really suggest you do involve the stakeholders.

A lot of stakeholders here, a lot of smart people that understand this business, understand, and it is a business.

It's not kidding each other, it's a business.

A lot of people understand this business.

They understand how to market this without using Airbnb and verbo, which is the only ones that require permits, by the way.

Okay, at least from my knowledge, I'm sure some people can educate me on that too.

But I think you know, we have an op you have an opportunity to reset this whole agenda and move forward.

Put past the moratorium.

Let's all breathe, take a breath.

So emotional issues, pass the moratorium, take a breath, move forward in a data drive what the solution could be.

So I really get applauded you taking that step.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Any other speakers?

Go ahead.

My name is Dave Simmonson.

Uh I live at 105 Ryan Court.

That's in Chestertown.

And you wonder why I'm here.

I'm here because my first job out of high school, I worked at the courthouse in 1971 when I finished law school.

We moved here.

I clerked for a judge in 79.

I think I lived in Anneapolis at least 20 years.

All three children were born in the old hospital.

My kids went to school here.

My kids come to my Airbnb when they come to town.

I'm staying in my Airbnb.

What's important about the moratorium, and I'm here in favor of the moratorium, is so that we can take a breath and take a look at how best to approach the problem.

Because, for example, my Airbnb is in a three-unit townhouse at the top of Cathedral Street.

It's not a residentially zoned district.

So we don't hear about the problems of people who live on a residential street and they don't know their neighbors because they don't have neighbors except visitors.

One of the problems with the bill that I see is it didn't create a commission to look into this.

If that's implicit, good.

Don't do the moratorium just to kick it down the road of a year.

If you're going to do the moratorium, then take that year to look into it.

Make distinctions between the zones where the permits are going so that you can get it right the first time or the second time, or at least the next time.

Thanks.

Okay.

Anyone else in the audience wish to speak on 04025?

Seeing no motion in chambers, I declare the public comment period uh concluded.

Uh before we take the next matter on the agenda, let's take a 10-minute recess and resume at 9 15.

Thank you.

All right.

The next item on the agenda is a public hearing on ordinance 4125, fiscal year 2026, changes in the exempt service job classification.

Thank you.

Uh we will first call the people who have signed up on the list.

And that is limited to Ashley Champett.

Please come up and speak if you like, if you are still in the room.

Okay.

Is there anybody who is not signed up but would like to speak to ordinance, uh proposed ordinance 04125?

Okay.

Seeing none, I declare the public meeting, the public hearing on 04125 closed.

Ms.

City Attorney, will you please present the next item on the agenda?

Next item on the agenda is legislative actions on first readers beginning with ordinance 126 property tax child care centers filed family child care center homes and large family child care homes.

Very good.

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adopt 0126 on first reader?

So moved.

Thank you, Alderman Chandelmeyer.

Is there a second?

Second.

Daesha, thank you for the second.

Sorry, I had to thank somebody.

Um I refer 0126 to the well, let's see.

We have a couple proposed.

Uh is there anyone who would like to propose a committee to um assign.

I I move that it be referred to the finance committee.

Excuse me, made a second.

I was thinking I apologize, I was reading the uh line wrong.

This is assigned to finance and the rules and city government committee.

Yes.

That is done byte code uh for the two committees.

Um I forgot to do the all in favor, excuse me.

Uh all in favor um on the motion that's been proposed to adopt 0126 on first reader.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

I thank you.

Apologize for the oversight.

Any opposed?

Not hearing any.

Um I refer 0126 to finance committee and to the rules and city government committee.

Anything further on 0126?

Alderwoman O'Neill.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Can I be added as a co-sponsor?

Of course.

Thank you.

Anything else on 0126?

Thank you.

Uh Ms.

City Attorney will please present the next item on the agenda.

The next item on the agenda is a resolution 126 fiscal year 2027 annual statement of performance standards.

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adopt R126 on first reader?

So moved.

Thank you, Alderman Shandemeyer.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you.

Uh Alderman Smith Brown.

Um is there I'm sorry, all in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Okay, thank you.

Yes, Alderman Savage.

I would like to ask is this get referred to environmental matters committee?

Because we um a couple years ago did draft up some performance standards, so I'd like to dig those up and see if we can incorporate those.

So a year a couple years ago, environmental matters did work on some performance standards.

And I'd like to dig those up and look to possibly include those in the new ones.

Okay.

Um any objection to being assigned to rule uh environmental as the one committee.

Okay.

Um happy to assign uh R126 to the environmental committee.

Thank you.

Okay.

Anything else on R126?

Thank you.

Ms.

City Attorney would please present the next item on the agenda.

The next item on the agenda is resolution 226 establishing the order of succession for mayor.

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adopt R226 on first reader?

Thank you, Alderman Thorpe.

Any second?

Second.

Thank you, Alderman Chandelmeyer.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

The ayes have it.

And Ms.

City Attorney would please present the next item on the agenda.

Next item on the agenda is resolution 326 water service agreement with North Point Property LLC.

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adopt R 326 on first reader?

So moved.

Thank you, Alderwoman O'Neill.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you, Alderman Chandelmeyer.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

The motion passes.

I refer R uh 326 to the Finance Committee and to Environmental Matters.

Alderman Savage.

Mr.

Mayor, sorry.

I on R 126.

Sorry, I'm looking up.

I thought I had in my notes that that might need a public hearing per code.

Somebody no.

It's not required, it can be if someone requests one.

I thought specific to the performance standards.

No.

I didn't see anything in the code that that required it.

Okay.

Are you requesting one?

Okay.

Uh so we're on R 326.

I've referred it to finance and to environmental matters.

Uh sorry, Miss Buckland, would you like to?

Sorry, I I didn't catch where um was R226 referred.

It was referred to.

Yeah, it wasn't referred to.

Any committee?

No.

No.

Okay.

Uh so we're on R 326.

It's been referred.

Anything further on R 326?

Thank you.

Uh Ms.

City Attorney, will you please present the next item on the agenda?

Next item on the agenda is legislative action on second reader.

Uh this one is for reconsideration beginning with resolution R 4725, the standing committee appointments for the 2026-2030 council term.

Thank you.

And I'll ask for a motion to reconsider R 4725.

So moved.

Thank you, Alderman Chandelmeyer.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you, Alderwoman O'Neill.

Is there a motion to adopt R 4725 on second reader?

So moved.

Thank you, Alderwoman O'Neill.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you, Alderman Thorpe.

Is there a motion to amend R 4725 on second reader?

Point of order.

Wouldn't we need to move amendment one?

Is that the proper process?

Yes, that we have the proposed amendment.

Thank you.

R 4725 amendment number one.

Is there a motion to amend R 4725 on second reader with R 4725 amendment one?

Uh I'd like to make a motion to move amendment one.

Thank you.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you, Alderwoman O'Neil.

And now I think I finally get to say.

Is there uh no?

I still have to go to adopt.

Is there a motion to adopt R 4725 as amended on second reader?

So moved.

Second.

Thank you.

And Madam City Clerk, will you please call the roll?

Yes, sir.

Mayor Littman.

Aye.

Alderman Smith Brown.

Aye.

Alderwoman Alcep Johnson.

Aye.

Alder Miss Allemaier.

Aye.

Alderman McConti?

Aye.

Alderman Savage.

Aye.

Alderman Thorpe.

Aye.

Alderman Hatley.

Aye.

And Alderwoman O'Neill.

Aye.

Thank you.

That um resolution pays.

Thank you.

Miss City Attorney, will you please present the next item on the agenda?

Yes, before I get to that, I have been politely corrected by Alderman Savage that um R 126 does need to go for a public hearing.

Okay.

It was R1, right?

Yes.

Okay.

The next item on the agenda is resolution R 4825.

Did we just do that one?

Uh yeah, we're on 4825.

Okay.

47 and 48 confuses.

Standing committee appointments for the 2026 to 2030 council term.

Thank you.

Is also reconciliation.

Before we move on, is there anything procedurally that we need to do to add a public hearing for R1 26?

Very good.

Thank you.

Okay.

Is there a motion to reconsider resolution 4825?

So moved.

Thank you, Alderman Chandelmeyer.

Is there a second?

Thank you, Alderman Huntley.

Is there a motion to adopt resolution 4825 on second reader?

So moved.

Oh that's not an end here.

All those in favor of the motion to reconsider R 4825.

Say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

Now we're ready for a motion to adopt R 41, sorry, R 4825 on second reader.

So move.

Isn't there an amendment?

Um that's the next step.

First, I have first we have to reconsider, then adopt, then proposed amendment, then amend, and then adopt.

I'll leave it to you, Mr.

Mayor.

So move it.

And I leave it to our our city clerk to tell me what to do.

He's doing a great job.

Uh was that Alderman Chandelmeyer?

Is that her?

Thank you.

Was there a second?

Yes.

Second.

Thank you, Alderwoman O'Neil.

And I believe now we're at the uh now we're at the proposed amendment.

We have an amendment uh R 4825, amendment number one.

Is there a motion to amend R 4825 on second reader?

So moved.

Thank you, Alderman Chandelmeyer.

Is there a second?

Second.

Thank you, Alderman.

Alderman Smith Brown.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Any opposed?

Thank you.

Is there a motion to adopt R 4825 as amended on second reader?

So moved.

Thank you, Alderwoman O'Neill.

Is there a second?

Thank you, Alderman Thorpe.

Madam City Clerk, would you please call the roll?

Yes, sir.

Mayor Littman.

Aye.

Alderman Smith Brown.

Aye.

Alderwoman Alsip Johnson.

Aye.

Alderman Shannemeyer.

Aye.

Alderwoman Conte.

Aye.

Alderman Savage.

Aye.

Alderman Thorpe.

Aye.

Alderman Huntley.

Aye.

And Alderwoman O'Neill.

Aye.

And that passes.

Thank you.

That'll teach us to never make a mistake again on legislation.

Madam City Attorney, will you please present the next item on the agenda?

The agenda is completed.

Okay.

Is there anything else for the good of the order?

Alderman Savage.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

So may not want to do this now, but at some point I'd like to have a I think it'd be good for us to have a conversation about work session priorities and how to determine those.

Um because we do have a number of topics that are in the queue.

And um I argue there are some that may be more pressing than others.

In particular, um, in light of all the testimony, uh there is a request and an offer from Planet Zoning to give a presentation on uh the enforcement program, what kind of resources may or may not be needed, and so um I think that may take precedence over some of the other uh priority over some of the other topics, but we don't really have a good mechanism to have a dialogue at the moment.

Um we have a work session next week, I believe, for budget goals and process, as well as the fire strategic plan.

Um I do have some concerns about trying to put too much into one work session.

We over the years have had it often happen where we run out of time and we just end up shorting shortening the uh conversation as a result, which prevents us from really having good dialogue.

Um and uh I can't remember the finance chair may I remember how long it took us to have a conversation last year on that budget goals and processes, but um I would offer I would just I just throw out their possibility of dedicating our entire work session on that and then again just what kind of process you might want to follow for prioritizing.

Gotcha.

So we have the agenda for next week.

It has two items on it.

It's uh top heavy for the budget discussion.

I have no doubt that one hour and fifteen minutes, nor two hours, nor three hours, nor four hours is sufficient time for as much as we want to say about budget goals.

And that meeting next week doesn't have to be the final work session we have on it.

Um I have no doubt that when we get to the end of our uh time limit, we'll have more to say, and we could uh schedule more time on it.

It's certainly the budget's a priority for all of us, and we'll give it more time.

Um as far as the priorities, that's what you have in administration for.

We we have a long list of requests from the administration from council members, and we are trying to accommodate all the requests, trying to balance the uh the length of time needed for each of those discussions, the uh and the priorities and the timing for each of those.

I think we're very much looking at the need to go to twice a month work sessions to give more time to all those uh worthy topics.

They're all they all have varying uh work sessions.

I know we have uh P and Z in February already scheduled or draft scheduled, if you will.

I think it's the same one that you uh were mentioning, but I wouldn't swear to it because I don't have it in front of me.

Um but I I could easily see uh like I said, having an additional time for the budget discussion um in February as well, because we want in January won't be enough time for it.

And and just as a preview, so we have an hour and 15.

I'm budgeting uh the expectation that we'll each that the eight of you will each have a chance to present two items.

And we'll I want to go in order so that if we take the total time and about it at eight and we go one at a time, then the last person that speaks is going to be at the very end in rush, especially if we go over.

So I'm gonna be going down the line in order one through eight um to give your first priority, a couple minutes to present it, get some questions, and then go uh eight through one to do a second priority.

And at best, I think that's all we're gonna have the time for in an hour and fifteen minutes.

And so that's come come with your best two.

Um as you preview asked, send your priorities to Mr.

Huntley, Alderman Huntley, excuse me, Alderman Huntley, and uh Alderman Huntley, if you can collate and share that as quickly as possible when you get that.

Yeah, and I was uh planning to send out an email to everybody, but I'll take the opportunity to say I'm asking if you can all submit those to me by this Thursday.

So we have a week to get it together, give it to the administration, make sure we can have a productive discussion.

Great.

Close the business this Thursday, please.

Thank you.

Anything else for the good of the order?

Okay.

All right.

I think that concludes it.

There being no other items on the agenda, I would entertain a motion to adjourn.

So moved.

Second, thank you, Alderwoman O'Neill.

I heard second uh from Alderman uh Shandelmeyer.

All those in favor to adjourn adjourn, please say aye.

Aye.

Thank you.

This meeting is adjourned.

Hello and Abelers, it's me, Gavin Buckley here, and we are about to start the blues soccer season at the end of this month.

I can't wait to be out there with you.

The atmosphere is electric.

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, this year we bring it in a women's team, so go blues, kill it this season.

I'm sorry, how are you?

My name is Rosie Smith.

I work for the City of Annapolis and the Hispanic Liaison, so I'm gonna do some quick translation.

We're not gonna do the translating throughout.

I just want to give a welcome to everyone that is in here, and just make it a little easier in Spanish if you don't want.

Y eso es lo que este plan quiere hacer traer seguridad atlas para que todos podemos usarlas.

Oh, hay tres objetivos, you want to have esos three objectives in the hojas that are más bonitas.

No solo chiquitas or grandes, que sean differentos.

Lo que vamos a hacer ahora va a ser dividirnos in groups de trabajo.

Era la introduction, pero basicamente lo que está pasando.

Algunas de las preguntas que se hizo fue, bueno, dos preguntas.

Fue que si es que va a haber más, donde va a haber más tres.

O qué calles está arcando este solo Bay Ridge and Forest Drive.

Vamos a hacer allá los groups.

Gracias, gracias por su atención.

It was cars beach.

Stevie Wonder.

Jimmy Hendrix.

This was a place where 70,000 who come from New York, from the Carolinas to Annapolis.

You know, we talk about our history alone in Annapolis, but we only talk about one history.

And this amazing piece of history that happened for three decades is gonna be here for the next generation to learn about a We need to pay homage to our history and our ancestors.

You know, this is bringing home back to us.

You remember the carousel, you remember the fan stand.

So this is bringing that dream to a reality.

What we say at Cars Beach is a perfect example of that.

It's the state, it's the citizens that all come together.

It's very much a team effort.

And that tonight goes on perpetually.

We are here in Annapolis Day celebrating the boy who harnessed the win.

A guy who overcame adversity.

A young brown board from project.

And I'm celebrating for not just me for many others that have came out of situations of adversity.

This is where it all started.

This is where I used to work.

Maybe 10 years ago.

This was my station.

Teach me how to scale.

Teach me how to be the work on to all of the others as well.

Being raised in with the culture of women of hairdressers that I was had that I looked up to growing, I was heavily equipped.

I used to sit in hair salons and watch the ladies work, and I really learned a lot about being a hairstylist through my mentors in front of me.

I mean I have clients like Rihanna, Nikki Minaj, Kelly Rowland, Yarishini.

I like glamorous hair, I like confidence.

I told myself that I could dream and I told myself that I could in a situation where I was I wasn't supposed to.

And so me standing here today is a huge honor because when I started my journey, I had no idea that this could be.

But I kept going and I kept doing.

On behalf of the city of Annapolis, we present you with the keys to the city.

I honestly want to say thank you so much.

Listen, I'll be working really, really hard, and I love what I do.

I love Annapolis.

I want to be able to create space for younger individuals to be empowered, to be uplifted to find mentorship and to really strategize ways to really uplift.

And so I'm gonna start a nonprofit here in Annapolis.

I'm gonna pick up with all of my mentors, and we are gonna come with something spectacular.

It means more to me than the accolade.

It's really about the honor for me.

It's really I'm really honored and grateful.

And that's what it means to me.

It's really I have a lot of humility for what my ancestors gave away for the Welcoming you all to the groundbreaking for City Doc.

And here's our mayor, Gavin Buckley.

What a beautiful day.

Um it's hard to imagine that a week ago this was covered in water.

Um so welcome everybody.

Uh today marks a hugely important milestone in the story of Annapolis.

For the past year, we've been publicly committed to starting the City Dock project following the fall boat show.

That is what we're doing here today as the active phases of work now commence.

We saw again last week how urgent the problem downtown flooding has become.

We cannot wait any longer.

The economic and community heart of Annapolis is at risk.

Today we take the important step of breaking ground, and in the coming days and weeks, you will see the newly stabilized Bertus house moved and site work for archaeology and new foundations get underway.

As you all know, resilience infrastructure carries a hefty price, which is not only an issue for Annapolis, but other waterfront communities.

While we wait for federal fund signing off at the key FEMA grant, we continue to move forward responsibly by adjusting our timeline and value engineering design elements in order to keep our commitment to get this project started.

Our future depends on it.

So a little bit about this project.

It's been five plus years in planning.

Hundreds of meetings.

We're turning a problem of flooding into an opportunity.

We're not just building walls, we are place making.

When completed, this project won't just deliver protection, it will deliver a vibrant community space that makes our waterfront and downtown welcoming and accessible to all our residents, where we can all gather to enjoy green space, water views, and where all stories are told and celebrated.

Others today will talk about resilience.

But before I hand it over to some of those people, I want to just say a big thank you.

My mom always told me you never do anything on your own, and you have to thank the people, and you have to be grateful.

So I'm so grateful to the Annapolis City Council, and I'm going to call them all out.

Uh, starting with Ellie Tierrany, Harry Huntley, Kamara O'Neal, Rhonda Pindell Charles, Sheila Finlayson, Brooke Shandelmud, Juan Gay, Rob Savage, and Ross Arnett.

And of course, federally, County.

Can we plan for that?

And of course, uh our elected officials that do such a great job for Maryland.

Senator Chris Van Holland.

And uh Senator Ben Cardin.

Representative Sarah Elfrith, states, uh, State Senator Shanika Henson, Dana Jones, Dylan Baylor, County Executive Pittman and Councilwoman Lisa Rodby.

Uh the city dock team, Arlene Fogerty, Acting City Manager Victoria Buckland, DPW Director Burr Vogel and his team, OEM Director Kevin Simmons and his team for responding to ongoing flooding challenges at the site.

Round of applause for those guys.

And of course, our world-class design team, Bryce Turner, Chris Holler, and all the team at BC Architects, our internationally renowned landscape architect Scott Reichel, James Sink and the designers at Meehan Rykel.

And Drew Lewis and Travis Legion for their amazing crew.

Thank you guys for letting me go up the top of that crane when we built the garage.

And thank you for letting me drive this.

And I promise I won't hit the Bertus House.

So to Travis, Ryan, Joe, Maddie, Gary, and Whiting Turner, a big round of applause to you guys.

Carlos Brown, Rob Thuma, and WSP team.

Rodney Moss, Jeremy Henry, Ivan Dooland and Hunt and Boyd Waterson.

I'd also like to thank former city manager Theresa Sutherland and David Gerrell, who were instrumental in leading the early phases of this project, and to the many staff who have played a role in getting us here today.

I appreciate you all.

Thank you for putting up with me for eight years.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Gavin.

And as Mayor Buckley said, this great city of Annapolis is so much a part of the Maryland story and our country's story, and we tell all parts of it.

I am today reminded as I look up the hill at the state capitol that that is the place where General George Washington resigned as commission to the Continental Congress, a very important symbolic moment in American history that we don't want too much power concentrated in one person.

And this city has so many important stories to tell.

And this groundbreaking is part of that history and that story.

And it's an honor to be here on this special occasion.

I do want to acknowledge the fact that none of us would be here today if it wasn't for the determination, the persistence, and the vision of Mayor Gavin Buckley.

Thank you.

Thank you, Gabby.

I think we've all learned along the way you can't say no to Mayor Buckley.

And I do want to give a big shout out, as he did, uh, to all the members of the city council here in Annapolis, who have been great partners in this endeavor.

So thank all of you as part of that.

Now, not that we needed reminding, but just last week we got a reminder of why this project is so important and so urgent, as we saw flooding close down many parts of City Doc and shops around us.

And this city dock, of course, is really at the heart of so much that happens in the city, especially when it comes to commerce, when it comes to the restaurants, when it comes to the small businesses, when it comes to tourism.

This is a place where people come from all over the world to this spot.

And we need to make sure that we have a sustainable plan to make sure that it remains part of the lifeblood of our commerce and this uh great city.

And that, of course, is what this is all about, because many of us and probably all of us here, uh, at least standing up here, have been talking to shop owners over the years about how they literally have to close down their operations uh when you have this ongoing flooding.

And when you've got a problem that you know about and you know it's getting worse, you need to take action.

And that is why we are all here.

And while Mayor Buckley was the quarterback here, uh he was able to engage so many partners.

I also want to thank County Executive Pittman for all the work he's done here, and and the county council working with um the county executive.

I can't tell you how many times that I've been here uh with Stuart and the mayor, and of course, somebody who was a great leader in the state senate representing this district, and now my partner in Congress and the House of Representatives, Sarah Alfred, thank you for all that you did and are doing, and the entire delegation, uh the entire delegation to the General Assembly from this legislative district, to the council members, to everybody gathered here.

This really was a work of love from everybody who's engaged in recognizing the importance of this project to the future of this great city so we can continue to tell uh those important stories.

At the federal level, um, and thank you for mentioning uh Senator Cardin.

At the federal level over a period of years, uh Senator Carden and former Congressman John Sarvanes uh and I work to secure 12 million dollars uh for this project.

That 12 million dollars is in the bank and it's being used.

As the mayor mentioned, we are still working on the major FEMA grant, and we will make sure that we continue to persist in that effort.

And I will close with that.

Uh, we all know that uh Mayor Buckley will be passing the baton soon uh to a new mayor.

I guess tomorrow is election day.

He'll be passing that baton to a new mayor.

But I know I speak for all of us in saying that we know that he won't be far from this project.

We'll continue to have him fully engaged, but all of us have that responsibility uh for carrying that baton to see this project through, uh, both for all the all the shop owners and all the small businesses, but really for the good of this great city of Annapolis, which has been so much of our history, and we're gonna hear from Chris Haley about that history.

Uh, and it is important that we be able to tell that story uh for future generations, and that means making sure we deal with this clear and present danger of rising water and flooding.

Thank you all for being part of passing that baton to the next generation and leaving the city in good shape.

Uh now it's my great honor uh to introduce my partner who not only was here for us as she was our senator uh in the state of Maryland, but has gone on to do great things and is going to be doing great things for us in Washington, D.C.

Uh Congresswoman Sarah Elfrith, thank you for being here.

I know you're so busy, and uh this means so much to us that you will be here.

Luckily, you just live around the corner.

So this new park is gonna be an amazing new thing for you to visit.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, uh, Mr.

Mayor, and of course, Senator Van Holland and I will be a whole lot busier when we uh at last reach a bipartisan budget deal and reopen this government.

So looking forward to those that day.

Um, in the meantime, I'm so grateful to be here.

This is a long time coming.

Um, it's something that the mayor campaigned on, it's something that I campaigned on in 2017 and my partners up here.

And this is truly what it means to be Team Maryland.

Senator Van Holland and I talk about that all the time, and this is the perfect example.

This project would not be possible were it not for the strong and consistent and determined partnership of the mayor and the city council at the city local level, at the county executive and councilman Rodvian at the county level, the state delegation first led by Mike Bush.

This is how long the state funding has been coming to this project since when Mike first championed this in the 2018 FY 2020 budget.

And then we have as a team consistently, and I'm joined by Delegate Jones and Delegate Baylor and a representative from Senator Henson's office, delivered 18.6 million dollars in state funds over the course of the last seven and eight years to see this happen.

And as Senator Van Holland said, another 12 million because of the work of the federal delegation to see this thing come to fruition finally.

I don't need to tell everybody the urgency of this moment.

We just saw it again last week with rising seas.

But it's also a complicated project because of physically where we sit and all of the long and storied history of things that occurred here.

Senator Van Holland mentioned the fact that we were the U.S.

Capitol for a brief moment.

The fact that we are also have the honor of being uh a UNESCO site of remembrance and heritage because the Atlantic slave trade occurred right here, and we have to tell that story with respect and reverence and diligence.

We also have to tell the story of working Americans, working Annapolitans.

And that's why I have been particularly dogged about the preservation of the Bertus House because this man and this family who lived here, they didn't sign the Declaration of Independence, they didn't, they weren't at the State House, they didn't do you know publicly big things, but they were the embodiment of what it meant to be a working Annapolton, somebody who relied on their uh on their own, we put food on the table by working the water and by being that regular everyday Annapoton.

And that story deserves to be told loudly and proudly as we preserve the Bertus House and make it a centerpiece of this beautiful project.

I'll just end by saying we we all know the urgency of now.

We all know the grave public safety challenges if we don't address the flooding.

The fact that Esport is cut off quite regularly from the rest of Annapolis, the fact that our small businesses have had to close probably once a once a year for a few days and at least a few times a year because of this flooding.

It has hurt our economy, it has hurt our ability to respond to our constituents.

This project, and this is just day one of a long and arduous journey.

Mr.

Mayor, I'm sure you're glad your part in this is over.

But the next mayor has a huge responsibility and obligation to see that this is done correctly.

And I'll just end by saying that we cannot hold back the tide.

We know that climate change is real.

We know that the seas are rising.

Our obligation as elected officials and your obligation as engaged members of this community is to make sure that we are prepared for the next storm, that we can address that sea level rise responsibly, that we can be there for our neighbors when they most need it, and that work begins today.

So congratulations to absolutely everyone involved.

As you can see, this is a team effort, and it wouldn't be possible without all the funds that uh our state has delivered for the state capital.

So I'd like to just bring up um uh Shanika Hansen, our senator is uh in court, I'm told, so can't be here today.

Um, Dylan Baylor, please come forward, and Dana Jones.

Good morning, everyone.

I'm delegate Dana Jones representing District 30A, that is uh Annapolis as well as the surrounding Anne Arundel County area.

I'm proud to be here today.

This is a long time coming.

Um, though I wish we weren't reminded just last week why this project is so desperately needed.

As many of you know, just last week, our existing city dock flooded once again with flood waters reaching over four feet.

Annapolis was not struck by a tropical storm last week.

You didn't miss an alert on your phone.

There wasn't once in a generation storm surge last week.

The sun was out, but I had to tell constituents and remind them yet again that streets downtown were in fact closed.

But it's a sunny day, often they'll say.

We know in Annapolis that the sun being out doesn't stop the flood from the waters from coming on to City Dock and affecting so many of our small businesses.

This flooding event officially placed in the top 10 high water moments in the history of our city and severely impacted the 16 small businesses along Dock Street and halted traffic on compromise as it often does for more than a day.

I've been proud to pass along with uh then state senator uh Sarah Alfred as appropriators.

We were so proud to do so much in order to bring this project to fruition.

Over 18 million in funding that has been vital to get this project where it is today because it's important.

It's important for our city's resiliency and for the environmental situation that we find ourselves in, right?

So I want to thank Mayor Buckley, the City Dock Action Committee, this the city council, the county council, uh, everyone are from our federal, state, local, and uh partners in this.

I know that the construction ahead is gonna require some patience from all of our residents and our businesses, but the long-term protection that this project provides will be worth our patience.

I strongly believe that this project will be a critical environmental resilient resiliency and economic benefit to Annapolis, and I can't wait to exchange this shovel for a pair of scissors at the ribbon cutting.

Thank you so much.

And also get out of these rubber boots.

Thanks so much, everyone.

I appreciate you.

All right.

He knows how much this waterfront means to us, how much being a real sailing capital uh means to Annapolis and a part of our identity.

No further ado, county executive Stuart Pittman.

So when I drove up here, I noticed that down at the end by the Alex Haley Memorial was a group of about 60 or 70 students.

I think they were here on a school trip from somewhere, and they were sitting and having their lunch.

And it reminded me why this project is so important.

Um this is a beautiful space.

It has the potential to be an amazingly beautiful space.

Um but the restaurants with the views, particularly Chop Tanks, got the best one, I think, over on the roof over there, um, ain't cheap.

And when young people want to experience the history of this place, the community in this place, the connection to the water in this place, um, we need to welcome them.

And we need to have a facility that is public, truly public, a place where people can have community meetings right here in the gem.

The gem, not just of Annapolis, but really the gem of Anorundal County.

And I have felt strongly about this from the beginning.

I mean, I I was a kid who used to come from you know Southern Anna Rundle County off the farm, and it was a huge treat to get to come into Annapolis and hang out on the dock and eat an ice cream cone and do all those good things.

And this is this is what we have to we have to welcome people to do this.

And they come from all over the world.

They come during the boat show, they come from everywhere, but they come from Anna Ronaldo County as well.

And our resilience authority, the Annapolis and Annoronal Resilience Authority are working together on this project to address the flooding.

But I was also approached by Councilwoman Rodvian, who represents this district during this last budget cycle.

And we had a conversation about, I had a same conversation with the mayor, um, about the value of the welcome center is a part of this project.

And we decided that it was such a benefit to the 600,000 residents of the county that we need to invest as well.

We can't just leave it to the city to fund this.

This is for all, this is for everybody.

And so that part of this project is one that I'm particularly excited about.

And and I just want to thank everybody for pushing on through.

The last thing I'll say is I remember in 2019, I was elected at the end of 2018.

I was a newbie, and this guy, Gavin Buckley, who I was kind of following in his footsteps, it was a year after he gotten elected.

He hosted this thing down here where they had these tables with maps of of City Dock, and they had these little blocks, and they asked residents to come in and move the blocks around and try to create vision what could be here.

And I don't remember where I put my blocks, but I think when I saw the pictures, I thought, well, that's where I would have put my blocks.

The community engagement that that this process has employed inspired me, and I thought that's what I'm gonna do as county executive, and we're never gonna have opposition to any of the great parks we build in the county.

And and um we still had opposition, and it's normal, it's normal for people to come together, they come to an agreement, they get started, and then some other people realize oh, this is really happening, and then they engage, and then there's a whole nother round of community engagement and sometimes opposition.

But this is the time for action.

People are so tired of government talking about doing stuff and never getting it done.

And so I'm glad to see these whiting turner hats here, and I'm glad that the day before the election, where the voters I I hope are gonna decide they want to elect candidates who want to move forward on this project.

It's a little late to stop it, but I hear there's some who want to stop it.

Um, Harry Huntley represents the district here, and and um and and our our I I hope our next mayor as well will uh move this project forward.

I know that they will, and we as a county will be on board.

So thank you all.

All right, like I said, nothing happens uh without partnerships.

Um, and uh what's been so special about this project and why it's gonna be studied uh from around the country is not only how we came together to design uh a public space with a community that stops flooding, but also how we funded it.

And it wouldn't have been possible without leveraging uh the city's most valuable asset, which is uh Hillman Park and Garage, which currently has a hundred and sixty extra spaces, solar powered, um, has a bench space on the roof and on the ground floor, and has 125% stormwater catchment.

Uh that was done through a partnership.

Uh and uh the head of that is Ivan Doolin.

So I'd like him to come up and speak to you a little bit about it on that, and I want to thank him for this partnership.

And uh you remember that garage, no one thought we could get it built in a year.

Uh we delivered it on time and under budget uh in the middle of the historic district.

So it's a hell of a feat.

Uh, we have the same challenge here delivering this park or enough of this park before the next boat show.

So, Ivan, please come forward.

Thank you.

Uh thank you.

Uh thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

First and first and foremost, I I just have to echo uh what's been said.

This has been uh project that's uh uh long time coming.

Uh but uh consistently from day one, uh there's been fantastic cooperation uh between us in the private sector and and the city.

And I'm I'm honored to stand here uh on behalf of the Annapolis Mobility and Resiliency Consortium and represent uh the private uh the private sector uh and what we collectively with the city uh were able to achieve first on Hillman as a facilitating uh facilitating project for this uh the most important project, which is to safeguard uh the city of Annapolis and uh its historic district.

Uh I think as we look uh a couple of years into the future, where we're standing now uh will be a very different experience.

And the what people will say probably is why didn't this happen sooner?

Uh one of the things uh that will take place here over the coming years is a transformation not just of an area uh of a city uh but uh how that city interacts uh with the uh with the water and the broader community.

Uh we are working hard to both with the city staff, local businesses, uh, and residents to minimize the disruption as we move forward to the extent we can.

The mayor's already mentioned uh the importance of the boat show, and one of the one of the challenges uh that we have taken into account together with the city is how to work around a uh integral part of the cityscape here in Annapolis to deliver this uh important project.

The other thing I want to mention is this is a project of national significance.

The amount of times uh traveling around the country uh talking to other public uh public entities, the interest that this project uh uh garners is not to be underestimated.

Uh the hope is that this will turn into uh a uh a bit of a lead for how uh these projects can be moved forward in the future, and that would not uh be possible without the uh city's leadership and commitment.

Uh and as I close out just quickly to again emphasize I'm I'm standing here on behalf of a very large team consisting of multiple uh multiple companies, multiple interest groups that have come together in partnership uh with the city, and we are proud to be a part of this very important project.

So thank you all.

As you can hear, we're in an active construction site.

Um we do we'll we'll pause for a second now because uh first of all want to recognize uh Angel Olson Brooks team who are here with us today.

I did not get a chance to thank our amazing Senator.

And then uh uh our federal partners have to uh get back to work.

So um uh uh Senator uh sorry, Congresswoman Elfreth.

Um please would you come over here so we can take a photo with you before you have to move on?

Is that right or not?

Yeah, is that okay?

Three, two, one.

Amen.

And I want to bring in our city council real quick and then we'll go back to our speaker.

So mayor you say everybody else hand off your hard ass.

Yeah, we're gonna have to do that.

Yeah, you can see that one.

Thank you, everybody.

Thank you for that.

And uh let's hear it um for uh our congresswoman and senator.

Sorry.

No worries, thank you.

Okay, uh, next up, um uh next to the Bertus House, the beautifully restored Virtus House will be the new harbor master's office.

Uh the main tenant, and the main function of that is to put our harbor master on the harbor.

Um but on the ground floor we'll have uh a brand new amazing visitor center, and I'd like to bring up Kristen Pronus, the head of our visitor center, an amazing leader that uh is taking this city and county to new places.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

So, to be fair, I always get nervous when Gavin introduces me.

That went well, so thank you.

It is an absolute pleasure to be here this afternoon for this groundbreaking.

Um, it's really a project that reflects who we are as a community, but also who we want to be and who we need to be.

And I'm excited about that.

Um, I represent the more than seven million visitors that come to Annapolis and Anne Randall County.

Those visitors spend 4.3 billion dollars in our community talking about business that is impacted by flood waters and of course this project.

But they also support 19,000 local jobs in Anne Randall County.

So this hospitality and tourism industry is a huge economic driver for us, and we're thrilled to have an even better footprint down at City Dock.

Um, beyond those numbers, though, projects like this really remind us that tourism is about people and about relationships.

It's about how they experience a place, how they connect with it, and how that place makes them feel.

I don't know about you, but I don't feel great standing in a parking lot.

I feel pretty good standing in a park, though.

So City Doc has always been the front door of the Chesapeake Bay.

It's where first impressions are made, it's where stories are told, it's where visitors discover Annapolis for the first time, and our residents get to know it all over again.

When visitors come here, they don't just experience the water or the architecture, they feel the energy of our city and they meet the residents of our city.

They know that they're alive, they're connected, and it's welcoming.

It's where it's what great placemaking is all about.

It's creating spaces that bring people together that support local business and celebrate all of us.

This revitalized City Doc and the Waterfront Welcome Center will serve as more than just a starting point for visitors and for all of us getting to know our town.

It'll be a beacon of hospitality, a space that invites discovery, supports our community, and tells the ongoing story of Annapolis.

This city is rooted in history, but it's not stuck in the past.

We know when we invest in the visitor experience, the quality of life for our residents improves.

Congratulations to everyone who got us to this point.

We look forward to all the help in those future months.

We are really proud to be the partner that's going to welcome visitors here, welcome our residents here, and really call this home.

So thank you very much.

All right, next up uh is uh Chris Haley, uh, who's led our cultural heritage team uh and is going to be very much part of the stories that we tell.

And we need to tell all our history here, our good and our bad history because it's part of who we are and it's how we learn.

It's my honor to introduce Chris Haley.

I'm free.

Those are two words that all of us, regardless of our differences, have in common.

And from the day we were born, we always had those two words in common.

I'm free.

When we think about City Dock, when we think about its history, when we think about its legacy, when we think about the statue by Eagle Alley.

We know that there was a time when people who worked this dock could not say those two words.

They could think about them, they could dream about them.

They could imagine what would that be if I was free.

But they could never say it.

I'm thanking all the people involved in this effort, Mayor Buckley, Aileen Fogarty, and all the production teams, the landscaping teams, and all the many people who are part of this to help us build a park that's going to be an honor of those persons whose descendants can now say I'm free.

And believe it or not, those are not my prepared remarks.

Anyway, okay.

It's been a minute.

As the artist Lizo said a few million dollar hits ago, it's about damn time.

Hello, Annapolis.

Today we break ground on a new city dock for Maryland's capital, this city on the Severn.

I remember one of the first times we met, maybe five or so years ago in the Pip Moyer Center.

Hundreds of passionate, invested and concerned citizens to bond over ideas, strategies, and dreams of improving our jewel.

We met several additional times with more hope, more thoughts, more frustrations, but more dedication to get this done.

Now, we are more than on our way.

We are traveling.

We are traveling today to our past to grab the sights, the sounds, and the smells of thousands of local businesses and their guests chatting at the counter, of restaurateurs and diners salivating over menu items.

Oystermen and their customers arguing on prices.

Parents and children, fishing, biking, playing fetch with their pets.

We are breaking ground today to recall the sounds of a diverse community.

White, black, Greek, Jewish, indigenous, straight, gay, native-born or immigrant, who contributed their laughter and their tears to the history that floats in the air above our heads and settles in the ground beneath our feet.

Today, when we hear that shovel pound upon the ground, accomplishment, pride, legacy, and excitement will echo throughout this dock in appreciation of all those who work to get us here, and in anticipation of untold others who will one day take for granted what a beautiful sight they'll see.

Again, I am so glad and fortunate to be a part of this effort.

Thanks again to Mayor Buckley, Eileen Fogerty, and all you heroes who helped make this dream of a reimagined city dock happen.

It's about damn time.

Now let's break graph.

So we got a few more shovel events to do, but I just want you to imagine uh where you're standing today, uh, but it's four or five feet higher.

And I want you to imagine that there is grass under your feet, not tarmac under your feet.

And I want you to imagine the sounds of kids uh running through a fountain, having a great time in the middle of the summer, or maybe the sounds of a concert looking out onto the water.

Or one of my favorites is a thing we're gonna do called uh cinema under the stars.

You'll be able to bring a lawn chair to this waterfront, sit on the grass, look up at the stage, and see a great movie, and it won't cost you any money.

So we try to make a public space for everyone because good community space builds good community.

And this park that is gonna be uh uh a thing that holds back the flooding uh is gonna be a park of national significance, and it wouldn't have happened without every single person and many people who are not here today, anyone that I forgot to thank, thank you.

Please come with me to do a few more shovel events, and then uh we'll uh we'll wrap up the show.

Thank you so much, thank you.

All right, big picture, picture on three to one, you ready?

Three, two, one more, three, two, one, city staff, and I can ID whoever we need.

Travis, your team next.

I think I'm gonna go.

I know I can even there, right?

First that yeah, one, two, three, four, two shovels.

So hold on, are you coming being this one for travel?

Okay.

Three.

I was trying to uh hit the ice cream.

White turner!

Come on now.

Dave, great!

Dave White and Turner, we need you.

Everyone have comfort.

We need one more shovel.

Great job, Joe.

Right, right, right, right.

It took me three years to make one shot.

I had one.

Every day from me telling you how we need it after three years.

That's good.

She didn't retire to the end of the day.

There was a gap.

Three.

Hello everyone.

Wanna welcome you to this rededication event here today for the Mills Hillman Garage.

Uh, I'm John Tower.

But I just want to say that recently the city received the mayor of Frankston, Australia.

He gave us a photograph of his historic harbor.

And then when he unwrapped our photograph, I was quite surprised to see that the photograph that was chosen was a view up Main Street of the old Amo station at the bottom of the street.

Now why is that relevant?

And I thought, oh my God, because those bathrooms were segregated.

And that was what Annapolis was for a very long time.

Of course, that's gone.

But the fact that they were segregated really, I think should be remembered.

And I just want to say, I think what we're doing today is we are desegregating this garage here.

So without further ado, the mayor.

Thank you so much, everybody.

It's uh uh uh I'm so excited that we could uh do this before I leave.

In two weeks, it's been an amazing uh uh the the experience of a lifetime to be in charge of this city and hopefully uh redirect it.

Um I've learned so much uh in these eight years.

Uh I know a lot more now than I do, and I want to thank a lot of the people that are in this audience have taught me um so much.

So good afternoon.

Uh thank you for joining us for this important moment in Annapolis's history.

Uh today, uh, as we rededicate our newly rebuilt garage, we honor not only a piece of infrastructure that is vital uh to the civic and commercial life of our city, but a lifetime legacy of service and courage and community lead uh leadership will be recognized.

For decades, this garage has carried the name of Noah Hillman, who served both the city and the county as an attorney and elected official.

Now this garage uh continues to honor his service and legacy.

Um but today we add another name, Walter S.

Mills, another great Annapolitan whose life tells a story of perseverance and progress.

Mr.

Mills was an educator, a principal, a community organizer, and a tireless champion for fairness.

For 46 years, he led parole elementary school, shaping generations in the parole community.

But his impact has reached far beyond the classroom.

In 1939, Mr.

Mills stood up for justice when he became the plaintiff in a landmark equal pay lawsuit against the Annerondal County Board of Education.

Represented by a young Thoroughgood Marshal, Mills helped secure equal pay for black teachers and principals.

This action not only changed lives here in Anarondo County, but it contributed to a broader fight for civil rights in Maryland and across the South.

Mr.

Mills was not only a leader in civil rights, he was a civic leader who worked his entire life to better his community.

Aside from his work in education, he helped found the parole health centre, expanding access to health services for families.

He was a leader in his church and in the long movement towards equality, dignity for all.

Today, as Annapolis has chosen to honor Walter Mills by adding his name to this facility, we want to ensure that every person who visits downtown sees this sign and learns a little bit more about a man who made Annapolis more just more just, more compassionate, and also more inclusive.

So the Mills family, thank you for sharing his legacy with this city.

May this rededication help carry his story forward for generations to come.

Thank you so much.

And now one of my favorite new people, uh, not new anymore, right?

It's been here for a long time, but obviously uh a person that has brought amazing change to this city.

Um I'm honored that you could be here today, and I think it's very relevant that uh this was a struggle with the Board of Education, and today uh your leadership is second to none.

So uh uh we have uh Dr.

Bedell here.

Please come forward and say a few words.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Buckley.

Uh, you continue to inspire me um with all of the actions you've done during your two terms here, uh, really representing Annapolis, but representing Anna Rondo County as a whole.

Uh I told the mayor, I don't have any talking points, and um I think it's intentional not to have any talking points because what's important for me as the first African American male superintendent in the history of this school district is to have to look back to what happened back in the 1930s.

And I could tell you there was no space for people like myself, and when we talk about Principal Mills to even be in a seat to have the opportunity to help shape an entire county through education.

And it was his advocacy back then that ultimately helped to provide fair and equitable opportunity so I can stand before you all today.

I'm proud to sit here and tell you that as superintendent, my goal will continue to be to carry on his legacy.

Um, and and it's it's important, not that he was just an educator, um a civil rights icon, but I want to think about his body of work over those 46 years, touching thousands and thousands of children's and helping to shape those kids to ultimately leave Anna Rundle County and to go have a global impact.

That's the work that this man did.

And as family members who are here today, we have an educator, right?

This uh one of his uh niece, right?

Granddaughter, but she is a teacher over at Eastport Elementary, and I have to say this I'm proud of the work.

Eastport Elementary just moved to becoming a four-star school under great educators like you and the foundation that this wonderful educator has established.

So here's my promise to you all as I step away from the podium.

I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure that history doesn't get covered up.

I'm gonna do everything in my power to make sure that our kids understand how we got to where we are and how we work together to move to where we want to get to.

And it isn't by omitting things that have happened.

This is powerful.

I don't know that I've seen this in any city that I've lived in where you have a garage named after opposing counsel and the individual who was fighting for fair, equitable pay for educators of color.

And so I honestly, this this is different, and it's something that I think needs to be shared around this state, not just local, not just locally, but around this state.

And like I said, I'll do my part to do what I can to help promote this major moment.

Thank you, Mr.

Snowden, County Council members, uh, everybody else who's out here, family members and staffers.

Thank you all for making this a reality today, and we will enjoy this moving forward.

Mr.

Snowden, would you like to come up and say a few words?

A few.

Thank you so much.

Let me just actually, Dr.

Bedell, you said it all.

You captured, in my opinion, the legacy of Mr.

Mills.

I think other than Dr.

Larry Blum, who's with us, I think I stand to be corrected, but I think we're the only two that actually knew both Noah Hillman and Mr.

Mills.

Oh, Reggie, you knew him.

And so I think it's fair to say that this is for you, Mr.

Mayor, a way of bringing this community together.

One of the things, his name is Buck Gavin Buckley, but it should really be Gavin Inclusion Buckley.

He's one of the few mayors that have really worked to make sure that all Annapolitans are represented.

And this particular memorial is important because of that.

What a way on a cold day like this to end this administration.

But you started off saying something.

But you started off saying something, and I want to conclude with this.

You started off with this two words, one Annapolis.

And you have done more as mayor to make that a reality than any mayor that we've had.

And I'm just honored to be a part of this moment.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor, for what you've done.

And as you have said all over and over again, you can't do it by yourself.

So I want to also take this moment to recognize Sheila Finnlace, who is a great educator, who will be retiring, but has left a great legacy as well.

Thank you so much.

So I'd like to welcome Valerie Cooper.

Huh.

She is the daughter of Walter Mills.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Oh, sorry, sorry.

Did I miss one?

Oh, okay, fine.

Well, come on up.

But sorry, Mr.

Miller.

No problem.

No problem.

I'm just honored to be here.

Um good afternoon, everyone.

And thank you for your patience in sitting through this program, which is an extremely important program, even though it's a little chilly.

Let me just take a few moments to tell you who I am.

Um Rick Bellamy, I'm originally from Chicago.

I moved to Annapolis in December of 2018.

And I was involved in government there.

So I contacted the mayor's office, and I had coffee with the mayor.

And it was one of the best coffee dates I had in my life.

Hearing his story in this and what he had accomplished here in Annapolis, just with such an important aspect of my coming to this town and getting involved in and as a result, he appointed me to the planning commission.

Um I attended an event uh a few years ago, and uh recommended by a friend of mine who's an attorney in Annapolis, Pajet Parker, and he had asked me had I met Carl Snowden.

I said, no, I hadn't at the time.

And little did I know I would meet this man who has had such an impact on civil and human rights, the city and the county and the state of Maryland, Mr.

Snowden is an honor to know you and to have come to appreciate all the wonderful work you've done over the years.

Uh to the elected officials uh uh city.

Um it's it's an honor to see you here, uh Mr.

Sutton uh Superintendent Beddell.

Both of you and the mayor laid out underpinning uh how the significance of this event and what Principal Mills did 1939.

Think about that.

And then state of the country then, a separate but equal doctrine was in place, Plessy versus Ferguson.

And then his case led the way for future cases that led to Brown versus Board of Education, which celebrated his 70th anniversary last year.

Now, I'm gonna just share a few thoughts with you about that called one of the most important Supreme Court cases in this country's history.

Brown versus Board of Education was decided May 17th, 1954.

And it involved the states of Kansas, South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, and later Washington, D.C.

And it considered the doctrine separate but equal.

And it segregation was upheld in all the cases of Delaware.

The state of Delaware, the black family who brought the lawsuit won in the lower court, but the state appealed that decision because uh they just did not want to see the school system uh integrated.

The DC case was decided not under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, Equal Protection Clause, but by the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment, because BC was not a state, but all case other cases went to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court rule in the nine zero decision.