Annapolis City Council Special Meeting - February 23, 2026

The Annapolis City Council held a special meeting on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 7 p.m. The meeting included a mayor's update, committee reports, public comments, a public hearing on mooring requirements, a discussion on parking, approval of consent calendar items, and legislative action on two ordinances. Notable decisions included the dissolution and restructuring of the Art and Public Places Commission and the advancement of harbor line adjustments for Hawkins Cove.

Consent Calendar

• Supplemental Appropriation SA 1526: Approved an additional $734 from an Anne Arundel County Senator Amos grant for the fire department.
• Appointment AP 1226: Approved the appointment of Ross Arnett to the Financial Advisory Commission.

Public Comments & Testimony

• FA Brock (1306 President Street, Eastport) expressed support for public water access at Wells Cove and urged the council to revisit a deed of easement. He also voiced support for ordinance 0326 adjusting harbor lines for Hawkins Cove.
• Jess Packler (506 President Street) endorsed Mr. Brock's comments and supported 0326, emphasizing the need for public water access on the Eastport side of Spa Creek. She also testified during the public hearing on 0226, criticizing the mooring ordinance for conflicts with existing city code and alleged harbormaster intentions to reduce transient boater access.
• Mr. Storm (Storm Brothers) criticized the City Dock Resilience Project, alleging that flood mitigation pumps were intentionally shut off, causing 120 instances of street flooding over three years. He questioned the city's FEMA funding and demanded transparency, including the contract with Whiting Turner.
• Mike Tomasini (212 Eastern Avenue, small business owner) supported 0326, arguing that the harbor line change would open possibilities for public water access, especially for children who lack exposure to the water.
• Christina Rich (1237 Youngs Farm Road, Ward 5 Art Commissioner) expressed concern about the lack of communication regarding the Art and Public Places Commission and urged the council to consider artists' voices in the restructuring.
• Janet Neves (105 Eastern Avenue) during the public hearing on 0226, raised concerns that the ordinance's wording could eliminate private moorings by defining all moorings as city-owned, impacting boaters who use private moorings.
• Carrie Crumba Patnod (350 Crownsville, MD) testified that her private mooring in Weems Creek would be rendered obsolete under the proposed ordinance, and she urged the council to reconsider.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Update: Mayor Jared Littman highlighted the final week of Black History Month events, including a history series at Michael Bush Library. He commended city staff: Stephanie Connor (IT) for developing a real-time permit tracking system, and HR and Finance departments for efficient hiring. The mayor announced the new deputy finance director, Karen Ajayi, and upcoming town halls in Wards 5 and 7. He provided updates on the City Dock Resilience Project (construction underway), celebrated Eliza May Robinson's 95th birthday, promoted Restaurant Week, Greenscape, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and reminded about job openings for city manager, city attorney, and finance director.
• Committee Reports:
  • Alderman Savage (Environmental Matters) reported favorable recommendation for R336 (water service agreement), postponed R126 (annual performance standards), and highlighted presentations on urban tree canopy benefits and the MS4 stormwater program, including a move toward equitable non-residential stormwater fee structure.
  • Alderman Chandemeyer (Economic Matters) announced a March 18 meeting with a maritime business presenting on industry incentives.
  • Alderman Smith Brown (Rules & City Government) outlined a March 5 meeting on election reform, including ranked-choice voting, automatic ballots, nonpartisan voting, and non-citizen voting, with representatives from the county and state boards of elections.
  • Alderman Huntley (Finance) noted that the finance committee now receives regular updates on capital projects and sidewalk improvements.
• Public Hearing on 0226 (Mooring Requirements): Deputy City Manager Jackie Gild addressed concerns, clarifying that the ordinance is a technical correction to measure mooring distance from ball to ball, not vessel to structure. She stated that private moorings do not exist in city waters; all moorings are city-owned and leased. She also defended the harbormaster's record on transient boater access and explained that a recommendation to limit winter anchoring (Jan 1 – Mar 15) is for public safety, not to reduce access. Council members requested further clarification on private moorings and referred the matter to the Environmental Matters committee for additional review.
• Discussion on Public Parking (ID 4226): Transportation Director Marcus Moore presented a briefing on parking challenges, inventory (2,500 garage spaces, 4 garages), contractor roles (Premium Parking for downtown, SP Metropolis for other areas), and data on usage. He highlighted programs like park shop and dine, employee discounts, and the free magenta shuttle. Council members raised questions about elevator repairs at Gotts Court and Knighton garages (cost ~$890,000 each), enforcement issues (e.g., snow charging, warning systems), the need for better metrics, and the equity of free parking for residents. Moore committed to providing data and improving communication.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (SA1526 and AP1226).
• Ordinance 426 (Art and Public Places Commission): After a motion to suspend rules (passed 9-0 with one dissenting vote on the suspension), the council adopted the ordinance on first, second, and third readers unanimously (9-0). The commission is temporarily dissolved for six months, with a 90-day report due. The director of planning and zoning will manage the March grant cycle. A task force will be formed to include arts community voices.
• Ordinance 326 (Harbor Lines at Hawkins Cove): Approved on first reader (9-0) and referred to the Board of Port Wardens. Aldermen Savage and Smith Brown were added as co-sponsors.
• Mooring Requirements (0226): Public hearing held; the ordinance was referred to the Environmental Matters committee for further review and clarification on private moorings.
• Parking Discussion: The council directed the transportation director to provide additional data, metrics, and a list of enforcement thresholds, and to explore solutions for elevator repairs, stroller parking, and snow charging issues. A work session with parking contractors was proposed.