Annapolis City Council Regular Meeting – July 13, 2026

The Annapolis City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 7 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Littman, with all council members present. The agenda was approved unanimously, and the council addressed ceremonial items, received committee and mayoral reports, heard public comments, conducted public hearings, and voted on several legislative items.

Ceremonial Items

• Arnett Finlayson Scholarships: Scholarships were awarded to students including William Lopez Escobar, McKenzie Adams, Kaylee Slade, Kyrie Isaacs, Angel Gray, and Corinne Jenkins. A message from former Alderwoman Finlayson was read.
• APD Gone Fishing Award: Awarded to a child who caught the biggest fish at the APD youth fishing camp, in honor of Lieutenant Brian Della.
• APD Scholarships: Awards presented to several students including Graham Brown, Elise Slade, and others, funded by an anonymous donor in memory of the 2018 Capital Gazette attack victims.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stephen Wadi (Anne Arundel County NAACP) spoke on the police chief selection criteria: transparency, accountability, compassion, experience/education, and commitment to working with the Black community. He called for data on arrests related to mental health, foster care, and reading levels.
• Sven Storm (Storm Brothers business, 50th year) criticized the impact of the Dock Street project on parking, noting reduced spaces and customer loss. He also highlighted sidewalk disrepair.
• Tom Creek (President, Ward 1 Residents Association) expressed concerns about Resolution R29-26 (parking fee increases) without transparent financial analysis. He asked for stakeholder involvement earlier in the process and compliance with the Hillman Garage governing agreement.
• Laura Catherine Bell (207 Hanover Street) questioned the identity and affiliations of the Atlas Group and voiced concerns about historic preservation and parking.

Public Hearings

• Ordinance 014-26 (Art in Public Places): McShane Glover opposed the legislation, arguing that the commission functioned well for 20 years and that reducing membership or shifting authority to the planning director is unwise. Stephen Wadi (NAACP) stressed the need for diverse representation and youth involvement, especially for the city's 250th anniversary. The hearing was closed.
• Ordinance 016-26 (Forest Conservation Program Amendments): No speakers signed up; hearing closed.
• Ordinance 017-26 (Right to Park in Front of Residential Driveways): Ann Gamunder (12 Horn Point Court) opposed, citing negative impacts on Eastport's narrow streets, traffic congestion, and emergency vehicle access. Another resident supported limited exceptions for disabilities. Hearing closed.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Update:
  • Announced one full year with no homicides in Annapolis, crediting police and community outreach.
  • Marked the anniversary of firefighter Alexander C. Johnson's death (July 13, 1958).
  • Reported the retirement of Harbor Master Beth Bellis (10 years of service) and appointment of Deputy Harbor Master Tyler Northfield as acting harbormaster.
  • Invited the public to a virtual session on Main Street program changes (July 16 at 10 a.m.) and to community sessions for police chief search (July 15 and 16).
• Committee Reports:
  • Planning & Zoning: Updates on Bay Village Suites (105 units), Loft City's Eastport Landing, Rocky Gorge, and Thomas Somerville. Streetcar feasibility study for West Street awarded; solar strategy underway.
  • Finance: Meeting July 15 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss supplemental appropriation for parking contractor.
  • Audit: Meeting July 20 at 8 a.m. to review procedures on fraud, waste, and abuse and performance metrics.
  • Environmental Matters: Recommended approval of certain amendments to O-16-26 (forest conservation) with further discussion scheduled for July 23.
• HACA Quarterly Report (Melissa Maddox Evans, Executive Director):
  • Presented HACA 2035 framework to transition from public housing to modern asset management with mixed-income redevelopment.
  • Reported 91.22% occupancy rate (HUD formula) for 554 units; goal of 96% by summer 2027.
  • 48 vacant units under repair; average unit turnover cost $20,000–$30,000 due to age and supply chain issues.
  • Eastport Terrace/Harbor House redevelopment: awaiting Choice Neighborhood grant decision; submitting 9% tax credit application by July 15.
  • Discussed challenges: mold abatement process, rent collection at 69% (down from 74%), and dependency on federal funds ($14–$16 million annually).
  • Council members requested more frequent metrics and sharing of board reports; Evans agreed to notify council when reports are available.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Consent Calendar: The journal of proceedings and minutes (CCM 6-126, 6-826, 6-226) were approved without objection.
• First Reader Votes:
  • Ordinance 012-26 (removing streets from parking district #5) – adopted; referred to Public Safety and Transportation committees.
  • Ordinance 015-26 (cottage food businesses as home occupations) – adopted; referred to Planning Commission and Rules & City Government committees.
  • Resolution R29-26 (update of FY2027 city fees) – adopted; referred to Finance Committee.
• Second Reader Vote:
  • Resolution R21-26 (designating city attorney Anthony P. Cooper Smith as resident agent for service of process) – adopted unanimously.
• Public Hearings Closed: All three public hearings (014-26, 016-26, 017-26) were closed.
• Announcements:
  • Alderwoman O'Neill highlighted successful July 4th events by the Annapolis 250 Commission.
  • Alderman Smith Brown announced the formation of a city council caucus (first in city history).
  • Alderman Thorpe commended Alderwoman Gayesha Kanti for hosting a picnic at Harbor House pool.