Annapolis City Council Meeting - February 2, 2026
Annapolis City Council Meeting - February 2, 2026
The Annapolis City Council met on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 7:04 PM. The meeting included a recognition ceremony, a detailed update from the Mayor on personnel changes and the winter storm response, public comments on a range of issues, public hearings on a child care tax credit and performance standards, an informational session on the City Dock project, a closed session on litigation, a presentation of the Fire Department's strategic plan, and several routine approvals. Key decisions included the dismissal of the police chief, approval of the consent calendar, and adoption of a resolution on mayoral succession.
Consent Calendar
- Supplemental Appropriation SA1326: A grant for the Harbor Master from the Department of Natural Resources, approved unanimously.
- Acceptance of Annual Reports (ID 2626): Approved.
- Appointment AP1026: Sharon Elliott appointed to the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis, approved unanimously.
- Fund Transfer FT626: Capital Fund Public Works and Capital Reserve, approved unanimously.
- Legislative Action R226: Resolution establishing the order of succession for mayor, adopted unanimously on second reader.
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Richards (120 Duke of Gloucester Street) opposed the Maritime Welcome Center, urging the city to focus on flood control instead of a new building, calling it a "frill and folly."
- Andrew Lyon (2161 Scots Crossing Court) asked the council and mayor to provide financial relief for small businesses impacted by the City Dock project.
- Alan Firth (3 King Charles Place) complained about unplowed streets and trash not being picked up for two weeks.
- John Panalides (1609 Virginia Street) advocated for merging city services (fire, public works, transportation, parks) with the county, arguing that city residents pay 2.5 times more than county residents for the same services.
- Aaron McCobb (1309 Poplar Avenue) shared frustrations with the zoning and Board of Appeals process for a garage ADU, citing inconsistency and lack of transparency. She requested reforms including geographic diversity on the board.
- Greg Thrasher (representing Black Lives Matter) expressed disappointment over the termination of Chief Ed Jackson, calling it inconsistent with the city's commitment to DEI, and demanded clarity on the mayor's posture on DEI.
- Katie McDermott (50 Franklin Street) criticized the scale of the City Dock plan, saying the Bertis House staging "grotesquely injures" the ancestral viewshed, and urged a return to the original affordable plan.
- Stephen Waddy (NAACP, P.O. Box 6210) supported Chief Jackson, citing his accomplishments in diversifying the force and implementing the police accountability act. He called for an equity review of disciplinary actions and a task force for a citywide equity office.
- Janet Norman (1320 Harbor Road) urged the city to proactively clear sidewalks for students walking to Annapolis Middle School (779 students, 25-30% walkers), noting that unsafe sidewalks contribute to high absenteeism and low school ratings.
- Antonia Barry (100 South Cherry Grove Avenue) argued that ordinances should state measurable goals and include time limits, using the child care tax credit as an example.
- Pete Chandlis (121 Prince George Street) seconded opposition to the welcome center, urged relief for Dock Street stores, and suggested residential-only parking on Prince George Street.
Public Hearings
- Ordinance 0126 (Property tax credit for child care centers): One speaker (Aaron McCobb) supported the ordinance. No other speakers. Public hearing closed.
- Resolution 126 (FY2027 annual statement of performance standards): No speakers. Public hearing closed.
Discussion Items
- City Dock Project Presentation: The presentation covered flooding impacts (2024 had 120 flooding events, doubling the previous record; over $125 million in economic costs forecast), the design of the park and flood barriers (elevated land, fixed walls, deployable barriers), and the Maritime Welcome Center (reduced from 8,600 to 7,819 square feet, with basement removed). Council members asked about flood barrier operations, oversight and spending transparency, and paddle craft access. The Harbormaster noted that the plan does not include a paddle craft launch due to safety concerns from increased boat traffic.
- Fire Department Strategic Plan: Chief Doug Romaly and Deputy Chief Matthew Lopez presented a five-year plan with five strategic goals: workforce development, capital improvement, health and safety/wellness, community engagement, and accreditation. Key initiatives include a new mission statement, a peak-time medic unit to address EMS demand, exploration of telemedicine for low-acuity calls, and a potential downtown substation to improve response times. Council discussed ISO rating (Class 1, only three departments in Maryland), electric vehicle transition, PFOS-free equipment, and staffing targets.
Key Outcomes
- Police Chief Dismissal: Mayor Gavin Littman announced the termination of Chief Ed Jackson. Captain Amy McGuez was appointed acting chief. The mayor stated it was part of achieving his administration's goals. Public comments from Black Lives Matter and the NAACP criticized the decision.
- Closed Session: The council voted unanimously (9-0) to enter closed session under Maryland Code §3-305(b)(7) to discuss pending or potential litigation related to the City Dock project.
- Storm Response Review: The mayor acknowledged resident frustrations and detailed the city's response: brine pre-treatment, 12-hour shifts, use of heavy equipment to break up ice, removal of over 3 million pounds of snow/ice per mile, and extended parking at city garages. Residential sidewalk clearing enforcement resumed on February 2.
- Upcoming Town Halls: Ward 7 town hall on February 5 at Annapolis Neck Library, Ward 2 on February 12 at Mary Moss Academy, both at 6:30 PM.
- Audit Committee: Alderman Thorpe reported that the audit committee will meet on February 17 at 8 AM via Zoom.
- Safe Routes to School: A request was made to provide a graphic of designated safe routes to school for residents.
- Basketball Hoop Installation: Alderman O'Neill thanked the council for funding a basketball hoop at Mary Moss Academy, now in daily use.
Meeting Transcript
Meeting of the Annapolis City Council on Monday, February second, twenty twenty-five will be called to order at seven oh four. At this time, we will have a moment of silence so we can all center ourselves for the business ahead. At this time, would everyone willing and able please stand for the pledge of allegiance? One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Madam City Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. I said look. Mayor Littman? Present. Alderman Hatley. Alderman Hatley. Can you hear me? Aldwoman O'Neill. Present. Alderman Smith Brown. Present. Aldwoman Alphabet Johnson. Present. Alderman Chandelmeyer. Present. Aldwin McConti. Present. Almond Savage. Present. Alderman Thor. Present. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. City Attorney will please present the next item on the agenda. Next item on the agenda is the approval of the agenda. At this time, I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda as amended to change the agenda order to move the public hearings after comments from the general public and to move the city doc presentation and the proposed closed session after the public hearings. So we are here today. Let me get a microphone in personal call. We are here today to celebrate a completely selfless, wonderful act by one of our employees who initially did not want to be, didn't want did not want this to be public, wanted just to do it for the sake of doing a good deed for a fellow human being. But this individual donated a portion of her liver. 60% to another firefighter in Maryland to save their lives. And so we wanted it's absolutely my it's absolutely my honor to be able to highlight you and celebrate you for demonstrating the ideals that we all aspire to live up to, and you demonstrate so well on behalf of the entire city government. I'll just read this uh portion if you don't mind a little bit more spotlight. On behalf of the residents of the city of Annapolis, we present the City Council citation in recognition of you, Stacy Holden, a firefighter paramedic with the Annapolis Fire Department and a member of the IAFF local 1926 for your extraordinary act of courage, compassion, and selflessness. When you learned that a fellow Maryland firefighter, Dan Carr, was in urgent need of a liver living liver donor, you stepped forward without hesitation. After months of testing, you were confirmed as a compatible donor and underway underwent a life-saving transplant procedure, giving him the opportunity to uh recover, return to work, and reclaim his life. Your decision reflects the very best traditions of service before self. Your actions embody true brotherhood and sisterhood of the fire service and stand as an enduring example of heroism beyond the call of duty. Presented to Stacey Holden this day, January 26th. Sorry, it hasn't been updated. We were going to do this a couple of a week ago, on behalf of uh myself as mayor and the entire city council. Thank you so much for your service. Okay.
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