Annapolis City Council Regular Meeting - May 11, 2026

The Annapolis City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:04 PM in the Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers. The meeting included a closed session regarding City Dock litigation, ceremonial recognition of the Fire Department's response to a recent fire, committee reports, extensive public testimony on parking reform and public safety, a presentation from the Resilience Authority, continued public hearings on the FY 2027 budget, and legislative action on several ordinances and a charter amendment. The meeting adjourned at 9:43 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved as amended (removing reappointment AP-20-26 of Thomas Sfakiyanudis to the Planning Commission because he was not yet due for renewal):
  • Special Meeting Minutes of April 7, 2026
  • Regular Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2026
  • Special Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2026
• Fund Transfer FT-11-26: $156,974 from Bonds – Cedar Park Sidewalks project to Bonds-Watershed – Stormwater MS4 Permit Compliance Project due to site limitations during Phase I of the sidewalk project. Approved on voice vote.
• Fund Transfer FT-12-26: $195,000 from Finance Department Salaries and Benefits and $143,000 from Nonallocated Debt Services to Finance Department Contractual Services to cover outstanding consulting expenses for interim finance director services. Approved on voice vote after Alderman Huntley clarified the funds are for Harperview Consulting and acting finance director Joel Blockle.

Ceremonial Items

• ID-80-26: Presentation and recognition of the Annapolis Fire Department's response to the Fast Signs fire. Chief Doug Romaly introduced Battalion Chief Frederick and the first-in engine crew (Lieutenant Collins, Firefighter First Class Peabody, Firefighter Brooks). Approximately 75 firefighters responded in coordination with Anne Arundel County and the U.S. Naval Academy. The business owner presented a thank-you sign to be placed at the Forest Drive Fire Station.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Mooso (1012 Bay Ridge Ave) – Described a problem with his short-term rental license: a compliance company missed the renewal deadline before the moratorium. He asked for a grace period or late fee option. Acting City Manager Jackie Guild and Alderman Thorp indicated they are looking into his case.
• Sveinn Storm (120 Dock St) – Detailed ongoing safety issues at Dock Street bar (Armadillos), including threats to his life, overserved patrons, paramedics afraid to enter, police use of tear gas, and employees needing pepper spray. Requested enforcement action and provided a written complaint. Also mentioned that other downtown businesses share his concerns.
• Jennifer Sowers (69 West St, Level small plates lounge) – Reported a 12% decline in business since the launch of the new parking program and Hillman Garage in June 2023. Criticized contractor (Premium Parking) for delayed data responses and presented a packet with a framework of current parking issues, comparable city analysis, community survey, and crime statistics. Requested stronger oversight.
• Lexi Nideeker (69 West St) – Expressed frustration with parking enforcement, including $300 tickets, towing of an 80-year-old couple from a handicapped spot, and personal safety concerns walking to Park Place garage. Relayed that a city representative told her they “don’t have enough time to care about or look at these things.” Urged action.
• Kara Lynch (employee at Level) – Asked for fair parking, citing broken meters, time limits, lack of grace period, and difficulty renewing parking within 15 minutes. Emphasized burden on workers and visitors.
• Leon Bittan (63 West St, Root Octopus) – Noted customer complaints about confusing parking apps, broken meters, three different apps, and personal towing costs of about $800. Called for reform.
• Denise Robinson (518 Fifth St) – Urged the entire city council to walk together in the Memorial Day Parade to honor Annapolis fallen service members. Provided cards with names of fallen and statistics on medals earned. Expressed disappointment that no council member replied to her email on the topic.
• Jen Herskovitz (28 Market Space) – Shared personal towing experience and an employee telling her “nobody cares where you live.” Argued that aggressive towing and parking enforcement damage Annapolis’s reputation and asked the council to reevaluate city code and contractor relationships.
• DaJuan Gay (409 Hilltop Lane, former alderman) – Raised concerns that funding for the Ross Arnett and Sheila Finlayson scholarships and the $250,000 for first-time homebuyer program (partnering with ACDS) may be suspended or not spent. Requested the council ensure these funds are used and also urged passage of staff support for council.
• Jo Fleming (68 Maryland Ave) – Reported reduced foot traffic on Maryland Avenue due to parking issues; customers rush to leave within seven minutes on meter. Cited three nearby businesses that closed or retired partly due to parking.
• Abigail McBride (215 Main St) – Asked for more coordinated city leadership with parking contractors to harmonize rates, hours, and signage. Noted that the city’s own programs (e.g., Golden Pass for seniors) are not well known.
• Matt Stoller (2010 Harbour Gate Dr) – Employee at Chop Tank. Received three $50 tickets in three weeks while parked on King George Street. Asked for affordable monthly employee parking passes.
• Laura Riggs (Odenton, boat in Eastport) – Customer who spends heavily downtown but now reconsidering visits due to $150 in tickets and $12 parking cost to attend the meeting. Cited inaccessible appeals process and said two-hour parking is insufficient for evening socializing.
• Autumn Letendre (121/161 Main St) – Marine Corps war widow (husband killed in 2006) thanked Denise Robinson for her Memorial Day remarks. Also expressed safety concerns on Dock Street after dark and noted that some residents fraudulently renew resident parking passes using old addresses.
• Tom Krieck (14 Murray Ave) – Provided resident perspective from Ward 1: residents pay 25% of property taxes but have 14% of households, carrying 75% more burden. Advocated for resident-only parking and asked the administration to take a holistic look at parking reform, including the financing structure of Hillman Garage ($45M garage costing $102M with interest). Noted that a Ward 1 email thread had strong support for reform.
• Dan Gallagher (118 Dock St) – Described late-night safety issues on Dock Street (fights, gun incidents) and appreciated increased police presence. As a resident, asked for resident-only parking on surface streets and suggested funneling visitors into garages.
• John Hammond (141 Monticello Ave) – Three points: (1) A streetlight at West and Monticello has been out for three years – it is a city responsibility, not BGE. (2) Fact-checked the city’s April 14 newsletter: assessments rose 24% (8%/year) driving tax increases despite no rate hike; hotel/amusement tax revenue to city is ~80% (not 17%). (3) Parking: Medco’s annual report shows they mistakenly paid a parking tax to the state that should go to the city, and allowance for doubtful accounts grew to $931,000 (FY2025). Also noted the finance committee (which he chaired) refinanced City Dock bonds saving $15M, which could help resolve parking issues.

Discussion Items

• ID-109-26 – Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County FY 2027 Budget Presentation Acting City Manager Jackie Guild introduced Director Matt Fleming, who presented the Authority’s accomplishments. Established in 2021, it is a cross-jurisdictional entity financing climate resilience infrastructure. In three years it has brought in over $50 million (now ~$70M) for projects, with 94 cents of every dollar going on-the-ground. Projects include: Severn River watershed restoration (five-year state grant), stormwater projects at Key Point Giant, Truxton Park, Brewer Hill Cemetery, Merriman Stream, Carrs Beach, Jonas Green Park shoreline, Annapolis Maritime resilience initiative, energy enhancements, and an electric hybrid ferry feasibility study. The Authority has a staff of three, leverages partnerships, and has saved millions in avoided infrastructure costs. Alderman Savage praised the work; Alderman Schandelmeier asked for identification of any city process red tape. Alderman Smith-Brown asked about procurement lessons learned. Alderman Savidge noted the legislation to allow non-resident board members (introduced in county council) and expressed caution about removing all residency requirements. Mayor Littmann clarified that the legislation makes city/county residency a preference. The Authority is overseen by a board of directors (3 appointed by mayor, 9 by county executive). Guild emphasized the Authority acts as an extension of city staff, especially for grant writing.

Committee Reports

• Finance Committee Report (ID-116-26) – Chair Alderman Huntley presented a 33-page report covering the FY 2027 budget. Key points: No property tax rate increase; general fund revenue is $122.6 million, growing due to property assessments and income tax receipts. Council priorities: improved infrastructure, service delivery, youth/community programs, environment/sustainability, and long-term planning. Capital budget recommendations: shift from internal-facing facility upgrades to external-facing improvements (sidewalks, crosswalks). Suggested increasing precision in budgeting, centralizing software costs, and funding AI tools for permit processing and snow removal route planning. Recommended fee/fine changes: increasing the minimum fine for unlicensed short-term rentals to twice the highest advertised nightly rate, and raising registration fees for non-owner-occupied units while lowering them for owner-occupied.
• Rules and City Government Committee (Alderman Smith-Brown) – Reported May 7 meeting: postponed reappointment of Thomas Sfakiyanudis due to tracking discrepancies; postponed items on charter/code publication and oversight of the city firing range. Next meeting June 4, 2026.
• Public Safety Committee (Alderman Savidge) – Meeting scheduled for May 20 canceled due to Blue Angels Day.
• Audit Committee (Alderman Thorpe) – Meeting of May 18 canceled to allow acting city manager and finance director to focus on budget.
• Environmental Matters Committee (Alderman Savidge) – Preview of May 14 meeting: will hear update on electric hybrid ferry proposal and connections to other city projects.

Mayor’s Update

• Condolences for former Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson’s father, Dr. William Finlayson (age 101, physician, civil rights activist).
• Remarks on civility: urged respectful collaboration and highlighted positive work of city staff.
• Market Space: letters sent to five leaseholders about non-renewal of current terms, but outdoor dining will continue; adjustments being worked out.
• Gardening center on Forest Drive: building permit issued May 4 after relocation of utilities; staff helped applicant without a computer.
• Gotts Garage repairs: gutter/drain replacement starts July 2026; elevator replacement begins Sept–Dec 2026.
• Old seafood store on Forest Drive at Tyler Avenue: applicant exploring a concept (7,000–8,000 sq ft marketplace with fresh food, fuel) but no plan submitted yet; public hearings before Planning Commission when submitted.
• Senior parking program: June 1–Aug 31, $20/month for seniors 55+ at metered spaces on Maryland Ave, Main St, and Hillman Garage. Sign-up in City Hall (9am–noon this week).
• Town halls: Ward 4 on May 14 at Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center; another series in fall.
• Commissioning Week (May 22): Blue Angels practice May 19, show May 20. Traffic changes in Eastport.
• Budget: new peak medic unit with six hires, fifth ambulance – 90% offset by billing, plus $294,000 county grant and $1M state grant. City’s cost approximately $100,000.
• Final budget vote scheduled for June 1, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session: Council approved (8-0, Alderman Schandelmeier absent) a closed session at 6:09 PM under General Provisions §3-305(b)(7) and (8) to discuss City Dock litigation. Exited at 7:03 PM, recessed until 7:12 PM.
• Budget Public Hearings Continued: Public hearings on O-8-26 (Annual Budget and Property Tax Levy), R-10-26 (Fees Schedule), R-11-26 (Fines Schedule), and R-12-26 (Position Classifications and Pay Plan) were declared open until Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with no speakers at this meeting.
• First Reader – CA-2-26: Charter Amendment to expand the Board of Supervisors of Elections from three to five members, with provisions for nomination by political parties and self-nomination, and updated vacancy procedures. Adopted on first reader (voice vote) and referred to Rules and City Government Committee. Alderman Huntley added as co-sponsor.
• First Reader – O-9-26: Ordinance updating the Standing Committees section of the City Code to expand Environmental Matters Committee oversight to certain Title 17 and Title 21 provisions, clarify Rules and Economic Matters committee scopes, and establish automatic/discretionary referral procedures. Adopted on first reader (voice vote) and referred to Rules and City Government Committee.
• First Reader – O-10-26: Ordinance reducing the Human Relations Commission membership from 15 to nine members with a transition period for current members. Adopted on first reader (voice vote) and referred to Rules and City Government Committee.
• Second Reader – O-2-26: Mooring Requirements in City Waters ordinance was withdrawn by Alderman Thorp and seconded; motion carried on voice vote.
• Budget Amendment Process: Alderman Huntley announced a new process for budget amendments to be more equitable and efficient; council members asked to review an email on the topic.
• Harbor House Pool: Mayor Littmann, Alderwoman Contee, and Alderwoman O'Neill acknowledged efforts to open the pool this summer; Alderman Thorpe commended their leadership.
• Community Camp Fundraiser: Alderman Thorpe reported that Vic Pasco and a group raised nearly $11,000 (goal $9,000) to send children to Annapolis City camps.