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Record of Proceedings

Annapolis City Council Meeting: State of the City and Budget Adoption - April 13, 2026

City Council — Monday, April 13, 2026
BodyAnnapolis, Maryland
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:32:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Meeting of the Annapolis City Council on Monday, April 13th, 2026 will be called to order at 7 p.m.

0:07

At this time, we will have a moment of silence to prepare ourselves for the business ahead.

0:19

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

0:29

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States.

0:35

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:42

Madam City Clerk, would you please call the roll?

0:45

Yes, sir.

0:46

One second.

0:49

Mayor Littman.

0:50

President.

0:51

Alderman Huntley.

0:55

Alder Woman O'Neill.

0:57

Alderman Smith Brown.

0:59

Alderwoman Alsiff Johnson.

1:01

Correct.

1:02

Alderman Shanna Meyer.

1:03

Present.

1:04

Aldwami Conte.

1:05

Alderman Savage.

1:07

President.

1:07

Alderman Thorn.

1:08

President.

1:09

Thank you.

1:10

Thank you.

1:10

Mr.

1:11

City Attorney, please call the next item on the agenda.

1:13

Next item on the agenda is the state of the city address presented by you.

1:16

Mayor Littman.

1:19

He made it.

1:22

We're trying out a new microphone system today, so hope it works for everyone.

1:26

Good evening, and thank you so much for being here.

1:29

For this, my first state of the city, I want to start by talking about both the residents we serve and the dedicated staff who show up every day to keep the city moving forward.

1:41

Municipal government works best when it functions in the background of people's lives.

1:48

That means the trash is collected on time, the ambulance shows up when the family member is in need, and safe, clean, and delicious water comes out of your tap when you turn on the faucet.

1:59

Nearly all of those things are powered by people.

2:02

And tonight I'm proud to introduce a budget that helps us work towards that goal.

2:08

The headline fund the budget is clear.

2:10

We have balanced the budget, and we have done so without raising the property tax rate.

2:18

Thank you.

2:22

That is fiscal discipline and action and links to commitment I made during the campaign to make sure that Annapolis works.

2:31

But as as I've spent four months in office, I've continued to ask a question I know many residents ask.

2:38

Is Annapolis always working the way it should?

2:41

I asked myself that question.

2:43

And I ask it even though I know there's not a simple yes or yes or no answer.

2:47

For within that question is the expectation that residents and businesses set for us.

2:59

When you apply for something, it moves.

3:02

When you need help, you get it.

3:04

It sounds basic, but it matters.

3:07

And it starts with people.

3:09

People are what bind us together as an Annapolis community, and recognizing the work that happens in this community is important during a time of seeing seeming division.

3:20

We may hear a lot about what divides us, but on the ground in Annapolis, let's take the time to talk about what unites us.

3:28

I am pleased to announce that the state of the city of Annapolis is working to serve our residents respectfully, transparently, and with consistency and purpose.

3:39

Whether you're calling in with a question, applying for a permit, interacting with one of our employees in the field, we expect city staff to recognize that every interaction matters.

3:52

If you're a custom if you are having a customer service challenge, I'm about to share an email address that will help you get to our ombudsman who can help you resolve it.

4:01

It's Ombudsman at Annapolis.gov that's spelled OMBUDS M A N at Annapolis.gov.

4:11

Over these last over these past four months, we have worked to enhance the customer experience so that Annapolis city government shows up for residents, businesses, and visitors.

4:22

And tonight I want to show you what that looks like in practice, because we aren't just a collection of departments.

4:27

We are here to serve the community in a way that is fast and predictable, but also values-driven.

4:34

It starts with the culture of customer service.

4:37

During January snow and ice storm, we saw that in real time.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████26%
Personnel Matters██████████████14%
Fiscal Sustainability██████████10%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Economic Development████████8%
Parking Management████████8%
Public Safety██████6%
Environmental Protection███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Annapolis City Council Meeting: State of the City and Budget Adoption - April 13, 2026

The Annapolis City Council met on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. for a regular meeting. Mayor Gavin Littman delivered the State of the City address, highlighting fiscal discipline, customer service improvements, public safety investments, and capital projects. The council adopted a balanced budget without raising the property tax rate, confirmed new city manager Yolanda Lewis and city attorney Anthony Cooper Smith, and passed several ordinances, including a property tax credit for child care centers and amendments to harbor lines.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent calendar was approved as amended. Items included journals of proceedings (CCM 3926, CCM 32326), fund transfer FT 726 ($25,000 from enterprise funds to standard specs project), and council acceptance of the FY 2026 audit report (ID 7026).
  • Fund transfer FT 1026 (debt service to mayor's salaries, $36,300) was removed by Alderman Savage for discussion, then approved separately. Alderman Savage explained the transfer was for an already-authorized position.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Chris Bird (2 Silapano Road) asked about parking discounts for city residents and beautification help on Spa Road. Mayor Littman explained the existing two-hour free parking program in city garages and announced a relaunch of the Golden Pass pilot for seniors (age 62+, $20/month for unlimited two-hour daily parking) starting May 1 for three months. The mayor advised Mr. Bird to contact the ombudsman (ombudsman@annapolis.gov) for beautification assistance, noting Spa Road is a state road.
  • Diane Gentilette (137 Stilly Way, Parks High Preserve) reported that her neighborhood has not been turned over to the city despite being on a city road, so residents lack services like snow plowing and trash removal. She said the developer and city recently posted no-parking signs, leaving only 39 parking spots for 130 homes, with no spaces for residents, contractors, or family visitors. She asked why the city approved a site plan with insufficient parking and requested a pause on new development until parking is addressed. The mayor and Alderman Savage offered to connect her with the ombudsman and provide assistance.

Discussion Items

  • State of the City Address (Mayor Littman): The mayor presented a balanced budget for FY 2027 without raising the property tax rate. Key points:
    • Customer service improvements: permit turnaround reduced from 15 to 5–10 business days; new ombudsman email launched.
    • Public safety: Fire department response times exceed national standards; no fatalities in 2025; budget includes a peak medic unit, six new hires, a fifth ambulance, and $2 million for fire station upgrades. Police: cold case unit prosecuted a 1989 murder; three of four 2025 homicides resulted in charges; motor vehicle crashes down 9%; 29 new employees (including 17 sworn officers and a K9) added.
    • Overdoses down 55% (second lowest in 10 years).
    • City Dock project: $35.5 million FEMA grant secured; climate action plan advancing.
    • Capital projects detailed by ward, including Ward 1 (water/sewer infrastructure), Ward 2 (Robert East Park, $500,000 added), Ward 3 (sidewalk improvements), Ward 4 (Annapolis Walk multi-sport courts), Ward 5 (Spa Road sidewalks), Ward 6 (Bay Ridge Ave repairs, traffic/pedestrian safety), Ward 7 (Carrs Beach public access, speed cameras on Edgewood Road).
    • Proposed consolidated government center on Spa Road for future consideration.
    • Budget does not fund a cost-of-living allowance (COLA) but fully funds merit increases; union negotiations ongoing.
  • Committee Reports:
    • Public Safety (Alderwoman O'Neill): Next meeting April 22; noted fire department cadet graduation and police retirement/promotion ceremony.
    • Environmental Matters (Alderman Savage): Rescheduled meeting to April 16 for update on Morning Ball legislation and resilience/sustainability.
    • Audit Committee (Alderman Thorpe): Approved FY 2025 audit with unmodified clean opinion; single audit also clean.
    • Rules and City Government (Alderman Smith Brown): Committee recommended favorable as amended for O-26 (property tax credit for child care centers); heard from two daycare providers (Diego, Jennings Janik Smith) who supported the legislation.
  • Legislative Actions:
    • First Reader: Budget ordinance 0826, fee schedules (R1026, R1126), position classification (R1226), fee waivers (R826), and grant application (R926) all passed on first reader and referred to committees. R926 (MTA grant) was passed on second reader after suspending rules to meet a deadline.
    • Resolutions: R1326 (compensation of acting city manager Victoria Buckland) passed on first and second reader. R1426 (confirmation of Anthony Cooper Smith as city attorney) and R1526 (confirmation of Yolanda Lewis as city manager) both passed on first and second reader after suspending rules, with roll call votes (all ayes).
    • Second/Third Reader:
      • Ordinance 126 (Property tax credit for child care centers): Amended to scale credit from $10,000 to $4,000 (Amendment 1), require annual reporting by city manager (Amendment 2), and extend credit to landlords leasing to licensed child care operators (Amendment 3). Adopted on third reader with roll call (all ayes).
      • Ordinance 326 (Annapolis Harbor Lines at Hawkins Cove): Amended to move the harbor line inward to align with potential MDE recommendations. Adopted on third reader with roll call (all ayes).

Key Outcomes

  • Budget Adoption: The FY 2027 budget (ordinance 0826) was introduced on first reader and referred to the planning commission, finance committee, and financial advisory commission. A work session on the budget is scheduled for April 16, 2026.
  • New Appointments: Yolanda Lewis was confirmed as city manager, and Anthony Cooper Smith was confirmed as city attorney, both effective immediately.
  • Child Care Tax Credit: Ordinance 126 passed, providing a property tax credit of up to $4,000 for child care centers, family child care homes, and large family child care homes, including lessees, with annual reporting requirements.
  • Harbor Lines: Ordinance 326 amended harbor lines at Hawkins Cove, approved on third reader.
  • Public Parking: The mayor announced a three-month extension of the Golden Pass pilot for seniors starting May 1, 2026, offering unlimited two-hour daily parking for $20 per month.
  • Next Steps: The Finance Committee will hold budget hearings starting the week of April 20, and the council will continue committee meetings as scheduled.

Meeting Transcript

Meeting of the Annapolis City Council on Monday, April 13th, 2026 will be called to order at 7 p.m. At this time, we will have a moment of silence to prepare ourselves for the business ahead. At this time, would everyone willing and able please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madam City Clerk, would you please call the roll? Yes, sir. One second. Mayor Littman. President. Alderman Huntley. Alder Woman O'Neill. Alderman Smith Brown. Alderwoman Alsiff Johnson. Correct. Alderman Shanna Meyer. Present. Aldwami Conte. Alderman Savage. President. Alderman Thorn. President. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. City Attorney, please call the next item on the agenda. Next item on the agenda is the state of the city address presented by you. Mayor Littman. He made it. We're trying out a new microphone system today, so hope it works for everyone. Good evening, and thank you so much for being here. For this, my first state of the city, I want to start by talking about both the residents we serve and the dedicated staff who show up every day to keep the city moving forward. Municipal government works best when it functions in the background of people's lives. That means the trash is collected on time, the ambulance shows up when the family member is in need, and safe, clean, and delicious water comes out of your tap when you turn on the faucet. Nearly all of those things are powered by people. And tonight I'm proud to introduce a budget that helps us work towards that goal. The headline fund the budget is clear. We have balanced the budget, and we have done so without raising the property tax rate. Thank you. That is fiscal discipline and action and links to commitment I made during the campaign to make sure that Annapolis works. But as as I've spent four months in office, I've continued to ask a question I know many residents ask. Is Annapolis always working the way it should? I asked myself that question. And I ask it even though I know there's not a simple yes or yes or no answer. For within that question is the expectation that residents and businesses set for us. When you apply for something, it moves. When you need help, you get it. It sounds basic, but it matters. And it starts with people. People are what bind us together as an Annapolis community, and recognizing the work that happens in this community is important during a time of seeing seeming division.

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