Annapolis City Council Special Meeting - June 22, 2026

The Annapolis City Council held a special meeting on June 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting included a ceremonial item for the city's 250th anniversary, a presentation from the Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) program, the mayor's update on various city matters, committee reports, public comments, a public hearing on the Art in Public Places Commission ordinance, fund transfers, supplemental appropriations, and multiple legislative actions on second and first readings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Mark Margules (113 Conduit Street) spoke against Ordinance O-12-26 (Bedrooms for the People), arguing it constitutes government overreach by requiring a $125 license fee and home inspection for homeowners renting a room. She stated enforcement would be selective and burdensome.
• Sven Storm (owner of Storm Brothers Ice Cream) complained that the City Dock construction project by Whiting Turner has worsened flooding at his store, contrary to promises. He also raised concerns about parking shortages in the historic district, alleging that premium parking enforcement is ineffective, and requested dedicated resident parking on Prince George Street.

Ceremonial Item: Annapolis 250th Anniversary

• The city's poet laureate, Jeff Holland, introduced a poetry reading event "Poets Afloat for Annapolis 250" scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at City Dock. Poems were read by poet Laley McNair Bactiar and Janice Booth, focusing on Annapolis history, including Lafayette, the Liberty Tree, and the 1774 tea burning.

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) Annual Report

• Paul Bollinger, President and CEO of CRAB, presented the annual report. He highlighted that CRAB has a 20-year lease with the city at $1 per year and operates a fully accessible adaptive boating center. In the last year, CRAB served 1,755 guests (62% with disabilities), had 137 active volunteers donating over 5,000 hours, and hosted 158 on-water events. The organization is seeking to serve 2,000 guests in 2026. CRAB's summer camp with the police department lost city funding; Alderman Savage expressed hope to find a solution. CRAB is pursuing a $60,000 living shoreline restoration project. Council members praised the program.

Mayor's Update

• Mayor Littman thanked staff for successful Juneteenth celebrations (Carr's Beach, parade, festival). He reminded residents of the primary election on June 23 (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.). He reported on a pre-application workshop for a proposed boutique hotel at City Dock (Latitude 38 space) by property owner Harvey Blonder; no formal plan is before the council. He announced the 4th of July/Annapolis 250 celebration weekend, including a Hamilton movie screening on July 3 and fireworks on July 4. He noted creation of a search committee for a new police chief. He also reported a traffic fatality on Forest Drive and a pedestrian incident, urging road safety. He addressed a social media post by the Annapolis Police Department regarding ICE activity, stating the post was made for transparency, not to express support or opposition.

Committee Reports

• Alderman Thorpe (Audit Committee): Meeting on Wednesday at 8 a.m. to discuss the audit engagement letter for FY26, a performance metrics plan, and creating processes for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Alderman Savage (Environmental Matters Committee): Heard a presentation from Spa Creek Conservancy on water quality testing; water is cleaner than many think, with bacteria issues only after heavy rain or in shallow areas. The committee also discussed the Forest Conservation Act changes (O-16-26).
• Alderwoman O'Neill (Public Safety Committee): Received updates from fire and police departments on summer safety plans, including camps, re-entry program, and internal affairs. A re-entry program participant shared his story.

Public Hearings

• Ordinance O-14-26 (Art in Public Places Commission) was opened for public hearing. Three speakers (Leah Weiss, Alison Harbaugh, Darren Gilliam) opposed the ordinance, arguing it strips the commission of decision-making power, contradicts state law on hotel tax funding, reduces membership from nine to five, and gives too much authority to the planning director. They requested the public comment period remain open. The council voted to hold the public hearing over to the next meeting on July 13.

Business & Miscellaneous Items

• Fund Transfer FT-13-26 was approved (voice vote, all in favor) to cover year-end cleanup. Alderman Huntley and Thorpe noted the finance committee's work to reduce future variances.
• Supplemental Appropriation SA-23-26 (parking and transportation) was approved, subject to final reconciliation of invoices. Alderman Savage stated the need to ensure the amount is appropriate.

Legislative Actions – Second Readings

• Resolution R-19-26 (Finance Director Karen Ajay) was adopted unanimously (roll call vote, all aye). The council congratulated Ms. Ajay and thanked acting finance director Joel Flachgill.
• Charter Amendment CA-1-26 (updating publication requirements for city charter and code) was amended (Alderman Savage's amendment requiring a printed copy available in the law office). The amended version was adopted on third reader unanimously.
• Ordinance O-6-26 (oversight of city's firing range) was adopted on second and third reader unanimously.
• Ordinance O-10-26 (reducing Human Relations Commission membership) was adopted on second and third reader unanimously.

Legislative Actions – First Readers

• Ordinance O-16-26 (Forest Conservation Program amendments to conform with state law) was adopted on first reader and referred to the Rules and City Government and Environmental Matters committees. Discussion included the need to meet a July 1 state deadline and potential amendments to ensure new standards apply to projects submitted before final passage.
• Ordinance O-17-26 (right to park in front of residential private driveways) was adopted on first reader. Council members expressed support for the intent but noted concerns about implementation and enforcement; Alderman Smith Brown is working on amendments with stakeholders.
• Resolution R-21-26 (designating City Attorney Anthony P. Cooper Smith as resident agent for service of process) was adopted on first reader by voice vote. Discussion noted a future code amendment to make the designation automatic.

Key Outcomes

• Approved FT-13-26 and SA-23-26.
• Adopted R-19-26, CA-1-26 (as amended), O-6-26, O-10-26 on third reader unanimously.
• Adopted O-16-26, O-17-26, and R-21-26 on first reader.
• Held public hearing on O-14-26 over to July 13.
• Referred O-16-26 to committee for further work.