Annapolis City Council Meeting - June 8, 2026
Annapolis City Council Meeting - June 8, 2026
The Annapolis City Council met on June 8, 2026, to handle ceremonial items, receive updates from the mayor, approve the FY2027 budget, appoint the human resources director, and address public comments. The meeting included a closed session for personnel and collective bargaining discussions. Key outcomes included unanimous passage of the budget and several resolutions.
Consent Calendar
- Approved consent calendar including journal proceedings, regular meeting minutes (CCM 5-11-26), special meeting minutes (CCM 5-21-26 and CCM 5-26-26), and supplemental appropriation for a fire grant (S 22-26).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sven Storm (120 & 130 Dock Street) expressed strong support for Mayor Littman's efforts on FEMA funding, public housing equity, and police responsiveness. He requested addressing public bathroom conditions at City Dock and parking enforcement on Prince George Street, noting that his store still floods due to filters left in storm drains by contractors.
- Wendy Hallett (311 Chesapeake Avenue, Ward 8) asked for repainting of street parking brackets in Eastport to improve efficiency, as cars often park inefficiently, wasting space. She requested a low-cost fix with paint markings.
- No public speakers for the public hearing on Charter Amendment CA-226 (expanding Board of Supervisors of Elections).
Discussion Items
- Mayor's Update: Mayor Littman highlighted the collaborative FY27 budget process and an op-ed in the Capital Gazette. He announced two new "Trending Topics" posts: one on the Stanton Center renovation (planning and design starting summer 2026) and one on a proposed $15 million settlement resolving HACA public housing lawsuits. He recognized emergency management staff awards (M.K. Seborowski as Maryland Emergency Manager of the Year; David Mendel for the City Dock Project mitigation award). Event announcements included a National Eucharist Procession (June 10), the Golden Pass parking program, Juneteenth celebrations (June 19-20), and Pride month (parade in October). He also nominated Charles Hall for Human Resources Director and Karen Ajay for Finance Director.
- Committee Reports:
- Environmental Matters (Alderman Savage): Upcoming meeting (June 11) will feature a Spa Creek Conservancy water quality report and a briefing on state forest conservation act changes.
- Rules and City Government (Alderman Smith-Brown): Recommended favorably three items: updating publication requirements for the City Charter and Code (with an amendment for paper copies), updating oversight of the city firing range (allowing police chief to designate access), and reducing the Human Relations Commission membership (sponsored by Alderwoman Conte).
- Public Safety (Alderwoman O'Neill): Next meeting (June 17) will cover summer safety plans from three public safety departments and an update on the reentry program.
- First Reader Items:
- Ordinance O-14-26 (Art in Public Places) adopted and referred to Rules and City Government Committee.
- Resolution R-19-26 (Finance Director Karen Ajay) – motion to suspend rules withdrawn after discussion; will be heard on second reader at next meeting.
- Second Reader Items:
- Resolution R-18-26 (Human Resources Director Charles Hall) adopted unanimously.
- Resolution R-10-26 (Fee Schedule) adopted as amended unanimously.
- Resolution R-11-26 (FY2027 Fines Schedule) adopted as amended unanimously after clarification that the short-term rental licensing fee increase applies only to renewals during the moratorium, not new licenses.
- Resolution R-12-26 (FY2027 Position Classifications and Pay Plan) adopted unanimously.
- Budget Adoption:
- Ordinance O-08-26 (Annual Budget and Appropriation and Property Tax Levy) – amendment LB1 (balancing amendment) added. Adopted on second and third reader unanimously. Council members praised the collaborative process.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approval of FY2027 budget and property tax levy.
- Confirmation of Charles Hall as Human Resources Director.
- Adoption of updated fee schedule, fines schedule, and position classifications/pay plan.
- Finance director nomination (Karen Ajay) advanced to second reader.
- Committee recommendations forwarded for future council action.
- Next finance committee meeting rescheduled to June 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
See funding awarded and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Team who adeptly shepherding this project through many stages of approval. Now I'm going to go off script for a second because there were two words that were mentioned here today. Resilience and modeling. And emergency management's responsibilities, although many times at the back end of the crowd, just kind of watching and making sure everybody's safe, but it's before, during, and after. At this time, would everyone willing and able, please stand for the pledge of allegiance? Adam City Clerk, will you please call the roll? Yes, sir. Mayor Whittman. Present. Alderman Huntley. Alderwoman O'Neill. Present. Alderman Smith Brown. Alderwoman Oslip Johnson. Present. Alderman Shandemeyer. Alderwoman Conte. Present. Alderman Savage. Present. Alderman Thorpe. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. City Attorney, please present the next item on the agenda. Next, the next item on the agenda is business and miscellaneous beginning with ID one thirty-five twenty six, a proposed closed session. Pursuant to the annotated code of Maryland general provisions articles section three three oh five view one and nine. The discussion topics are the appointment of the finance director and an update on collective bargaining negotiations. Thank you. At the time I'm going into change a motion to move pursuant to sections three-three or five B1 and nine to go into closed session. So, in Thorpe, is there a second? Thank you. Mayor Littman. Aye. Alderman Smith Brown. Aye. Alderman McConty. Aye. Ald Miss Abbott. Aye. Alderman Thorpe. Aye. Alderman Huntley. Aye. Alderman O'Neill. Thank you. Thank you. Motion passes. We're now in closed session.
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