Annapolis City Council Special Meeting – May 26, 2026: Budget, Governance, and Housing Legislation

The Annapolis City Council held a special meeting on May 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers. Presided over by Acting Mayor Frank Thorp (with Mayor Jared Littmann absent), the council addressed ceremonial proclamations, received updates on city operations, heard public testimony, deliberated on a major governance reform for boards and commissions, closed six public hearings on the FY2027 budget and related items, and advanced several legislative items on first reader. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM.

Ceremonial Items

• ID-129-26 – National Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation: The council presented a proclamation declaring June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Annapolis, encouraging residents to wear orange to raise awareness about gun violence.
• Pride Month Proclamation (ID-130-26) Removed: The council voted unanimously to remove the Pride Month 2026 proclamation from the agenda, rescheduling it for June 8, 2026.

Updates from the Mayor’s Office

Acting Mayor Thorp provided several updates:

• Memorial Day Parade Cancellation: The city canceled the parade due to weather; officials prioritized public safety.
• Public Housing Lawsuit Settlement: The city reached a tentative $15 million settlement in two lawsuits related to public housing. The city’s excess insurance carrier will pay $5 million, and the remaining $10 million will come from city funds. Final approval is pending a federal district court judge.
• Upcoming Events: The sixth edition of the “Around Each Corner” poetry book will be released during Hispanic Heritage Month; submissions due August 17 (poetry) and August 12 (cover art). Juneteenth events are scheduled for June 19–20, including a concert and parade. The next council meeting on June 1 will focus on finalizing the FY2027 budget, with over 120 amendments expected.
• Budget Highlights: The proposed budget includes no property tax increase; some enterprise fees (water/sewer, refuse, stormwater) may rise to match cost increases.

Reports by Committees

• Finance Committee (Alderman Huntley): The committee has collated council members’ prioritized spending requests and will distribute combined results (without individual rankings) by Thursday. The council will vote on budget amendments on June 1.
• Economic Matters Committee (Alderman Schandelmeier): The Seafarers Union has expressed interest in partnering on the maritime apprenticeship program; a tour of their facility in St. Mary’s County is planned for July.
• Environmental Matters Committee (Alderman Savidge): Provided an update on the hybrid passenger ferry pilot project. A $2.975 million federal grant is in place; the RFP must be released by fall to meet an October 2027 federal encumbrance deadline. The committee supports a parallel track: releasing the RFP alongside an operator-focused RFI and a community survey to inform operating cost decisions.

General Public Comments

• Allison Webster-Giddings (1011 Moss Haven Court): Urged the council to perform a full life-cycle business case before investing in the hydroelectric ferry, noting that costs often arise during operations and disposition. Also requested that Moss Haven Court be considered for future street-end improvements to enhance waterway access.
• Laura Sullivan (25 Wagner Street): Expressed disappointment that the rooming house bill (O-11-26) was introduced piecemeal rather than as part of a comprehensive housing strategy. She called for a holistic planning process that includes resident engagement before drafting legislation, particularly during the current moratorium on non-owner-occupied short-term rentals. She suggested requiring owner-occupancy for rooming houses.

Council Discussion: Advisory Boards and Commissions Governance Modernization

Community Engagement Strategist Richards presented a comprehensive reform proposal:

• Current State: 26 boards/commissions with ~200 seats; nearly 50% vacant or soon expiring; six boards not meeting due to lack of quorum; staff and volunteer time totals ~8,300 hours annually.
• Recommendations:
  • Reduce advisory board sizes to 5 members (from current 7–15).
  • Consolidate boards with overlapping missions (e.g., Environmental Commission and Conservancy Board).
  • Enforce term limits and attendance rules (removal after 3 consecutive or 4 annual absences).
  • Standardize meeting duration to 90 minutes; require 50% of meetings in person.
  • Use remote meeting recordings as minutes to reduce staff burden.
  • Quarterly management of appointments, orientations, and training.
• Council Feedback:
  • Alderman Huntley praised the effort but raised concerns about one-size-fits-all board sizes and the need to name standardization.
  • Alderman Savage opposed rigid five-member caps for all boards, citing different missions (e.g., Maritime Advisory Board, Human Relations Commission). He argued against forced term limits for members (as opposed to chairs) and urged reaching out to existing boards before making changes.
  • Alderwoman O’Neill supported term limits/new blood and suggested allowing at-large members from outside city limits to fill expertise gaps.
  • Alderman Smith-Brown emphasized ward diversity on quasi-judicial boards (e.g., Planning Commission) and supported a maximum of nine members for some boards. She advocated for no more than one member per ward on certain boards and proposed ex-officio mentoring roles for outgoing long-serving members.
  • Alderman Schandelmeier echoed the need for better ward balance and noted that affluent wards have historically dominated quasi-judicial committees.
  • Richards indicated that code amendments are being drafted and will be presented for a work session. No formal vote was taken.

Public Hearings

Continued Public Hearings

• O-8-26 – Annual Budget, Appropriation, and Property Tax Levy:
  • Testimony: Frieda K. Wildey (403 Chesapeake Avenue) opposed the diesel-electric hybrid ferry project, arguing that the propulsion system is inefficient (20–22% vs. 35–40% for direct drive), costly to maintain, and lacks resident support. She urged returning the federal grant and redirecting funds to sidewalks. Paul Rankin (408 First Street), President of the Eastport Civic Association, supported infrastructure amendments: $100,000 for waterway improvements, $150,000 for sidewalks, $100,000 for Hawkins Cove improvements, $50,000 for Turner Park, $200,000 for roadways, $150,000 for traffic safety/parking, and increased short-term rental fees and fines. He also endorsed Alderwoman Contee’s amendments for the Eastport Rec Center and Community Gardens.
  • Acting Mayor Thorp accepted into the record a letter from the Planning Commission (dated May 8, 2026, signed by Chair Alex Pline). The public hearing was closed.
• R-10-26 – FY2027 Annual Fees Schedule: No public testimony; hearing closed.
• R-11-26 – FY2027 Fines Schedule: No public testimony; hearing closed.
• R-12-26 – FY2027 Position Classifications and Pay Plan: No public testimony; hearing closed.

New Public Hearings

• O-9-26 – Updating Standing Committees Section of City Code: No public testimony; hearing closed.
• O-10-26 – Reducing Human Relations Commission Membership (from 15 to 9):
  • Testimony: Chuck Hurley (5 Park Place, Ward 1), a 10-year commission member, spoke as an individual. He supported the reduction, noting the commission has never had 15 members and has lacked a quorum for over a year, leaving three serious complaints unaddressed. He thanked the council for the discussion. Hearing closed.

Legislative Actions – First Readers

• O-11-26 – Allowing Long-Term Room Rentals in Private Homes (Rooming Houses):
  • Motion: Alderman Schandelmeier moved adoption; seconded by Alderman Savage.
  • Comment: Alderman Savage said he will offer an amendment to allow provisional approvals pending state information.
  • Vote: Carried on voice vote.
  • Referral: Planning Commission, Economic Matters Committee, and Rules and City Government Committee.
• O-13-26 – Permitting and Zoning – Stadium Accessory Structures:
  • Motion: Alderwoman O’Neill moved adoption; seconded by Alderman Schandelmeier.
  • Amendment: Alderman Schandelmeier added as co-sponsor.
  • Vote: Carried on voice vote.
  • Referral: Planning Commission and Rules and City Government Committee.
• R-17-26 – Fees Related to O-11-26 (Rooming House Operating License):
  • Motion: Alderman Schandelmeier moved adoption; seconded.
  • Vote: Carried on voice vote.
  • Referral: Finance Committee.
• R-18-26 – Human Resources Director – Charles A. Hall, Jr.:
  • Motion: Alderwoman O’Neill moved adoption; seconded.
  • Vote: Carried on voice vote.
  • (No referral listed; resolution to confirm appointment.)

Other Business

• National Night Out (Neighborhood Night Out): Alderwoman O’Neill reminded colleagues that the event occurs on the first Tuesday in August and encouraged community-building activities. Alderman Smith-Brown thanked police officers who cleared a fallen tree on Admiral Drive using their bare hands.

Key Outcomes

• Votes Taken: All legislative items on first reader were adopted unanimously (voice votes).
• Referrals: O-11-26 and O-13-26 were referred to multiple committees; R-17-26 to Finance.
• Public Hearings Closed: Six hearings were closed (O-8-26, R-10-26, R-11-26, R-12-26, O-9-26, O-10-26).
• Next Steps: The council will hold a special budget meeting on June 1 to vote on over 120 amendments and finalize the FY2027 budget. A work session on boards and commissions governance is anticipated. Pride Month proclamation will be rescheduled to June 8. Committees will review referred legislation and report back.