Annapolis City Council Meeting - July 31, 2026

This was the last city council meeting before the August recess, covering ceremonial honors, annexation review, short-term rental enforcement, budget-related fees, and multiple legislative actions including forest conservation code updates and the future of the Arts and Public Places Commission.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments: AP-2226 – Rebecca Britt appointed to the Anne Arundel County Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission.
• Supplemental Appropriations (under $50,000): SA-227 – Grant for Annapolis Police Department from Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leah Weiss (212 South Cherry Grove, Ward 3) – Opposed extending the temporary dissolution of the Arts and Public Places Commission (Ordinance 02226). Argued the commission should be reconvened with a smaller group rather than passing a new, flawed ordinance. She noted a public hearing is required for first-reader ordinances.
• Sven Storm (120 Dock Street) – Spoke generally on the distinction between public servants and politicians, urging council members to reflect on their roles during the recess. No specific agenda item.
• Kathleen Brooks and Staley Ashley (3423 Hidden River View Road; 207 Spring Race Court) – Congratulated Dr. Charlestine Fairley on her retirement.
• John Hammond (141 Monticello Avenue) – Commented on Resolution R29-26 (FY27 city fees), particularly parking fee increases. He questioned the justification, transparency, and noted actual parking revenue exceeded projections. Pointed out two technical errors in the proposed amendment.
• No speakers signed up for the public hearing on Ordinance 01226 (removing streets from Special Residential Parking District #5).

Discussion Items

• Ceremonial Item: City Council citation presented to Dr. Charlestine Fairley, retiring CEO of the Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency, for her work on youth development, economic mobility, workforce development, and re-entry services.
• Mayor's Update:
  • Acknowledged resident appreciation for the Tyler Avenue street safety project.
  • Announced police chief job posting closes August 3; selection committee will evaluate applicants.
  • Released a "Who Was Responsible for What?" guide on rental housing responsibilities.
  • Fire Department whole blood program: paramedics have given six pre-hospital blood transfusions since May 2026; one on July 31 saved a patient with traumatic injury.
  • Knaptown Antidote Movement (NAM) overdose prevention workshop on July 31 at Bay Ridge Gardens.
  • Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week (August 9–15).
• Committee Reports:
  • Audit Committee: FY26 audit on track for December approval compared to April 2026 timeline. Discussed performance metrics and procedures for improper-procedure allegations.
  • Finance Committee held a brief special meeting to move time-sensitive legislation out of committee.
• Preliminary Review of Annexation – Bay Ridge Road (ID 15426):
  • Petitioner GSX Solutions LLC (Alan Hyatt and Hugo De Ciceras) seeks annexation of 5.4 acres (vacant, former CNC Liquors) into the city. Proposed 39 townhomes (down from 49) with 15% moderately priced dwelling units, zoned R3 (density matches county's C1 zoning).
  • City Planning & Zoning Director Chris Jakubia explained the process: council refers petition to departments (police, fire, public works, planning and zoning, finance) and the planning commission for technical review; ultimate vote on annexation resolution.
  • Alderman Savage supported annexation, stressing public access to trails, coordination with county transportation planning, and possible adjustments to density or land use mix. He requested referral to planning commission, transportation board, and relevant departments.
  • Motion to refer passed unanimously.
• Short-Term Rental Report (ID 15826):
  • As of June 2026: 304 licensed short-term rentals; 36 registered for boat show/special events (total 340). Two new enforcement actions; 33 total ongoing enforcement cases.
  • Council members discussed enforcement challenges (serial violators, communication gaps, need for clearer reporting), owner-occupied vs. non-owner-occupied distinctions, and confusion about registration requirements for commissioning week.
  • Mayor noted resource constraints for code enforcement (6,000 housing inspections by ~7 inspectors) and called for a comprehensive discussion after recess.
• Ordinance 02226 – Extension of Temporary Dissolution of Arts and Public Places Commission:
  • Intended to extend the six-month moratorium (from Feb 2026) to allow continued work on restructuring. Originally tied to Ordinance 01426 which is stalled in rules committee.
  • Alderman Huntley opposed, arguing letting the moratorium expire would revert to the original code, which is acceptable after finding that code works better than proposed reforms.
  • Mayor Littman and others argued for finishing the process to avoid legal ambiguity; alderman committed to convening a work group with stakeholders.
  • Adopted on first reader (vote: ayes had noes). Motion to suspend rules for immediate second reader failed (3 ayes, 6 noes). Ordinance set for public hearing in September.
• Ordinance 01626 – Forest Conservation Program Amendments:
  • Conformed city code to state law effective July 1, 2026. Multiple amendments passed:
    • Amendment 2: Restricted committee chairs from requesting referral of legislation already referred to two standing committees (carried but later defeated on roll call).
    • Amendments 3–7, 10, 11: Adjusted appeal processes, notification requirements (struck newspaper publication), sunset provisions, technical corrections, and shortened appeal notice period to 10 days (with friendly amendment to 7 days failed; 10 days kept).
  • Adopted on second and third reader (unanimous).
• Resolution R29-26 – FY27 City Fees Update:
  • Included parking fee increases (e.g., Larkin lot free parking on Sundays extended from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.). Technical correction to charter section reference amended.
  • Discussion: fiscal impact of $62,000 if delayed to September. Budget already assumed these revenues.
  • Adopted on second reader (roll call: 7 ayes, 1 abstention – Alderman Smith Brown).

Key Outcomes

• Annexation petition referred to departments (police, fire, public works, planning and zoning, finance) and planning commission for technical review; no vote on annexation yet.
• Ceremonial citation presented to Dr. Charlestine Fairley.
• Consent calendar approved including appointments and supplemental appropriations.
• Ordinance 02226 (Arts Commission extension) adopted on first reader; public hearing set for September 14, 2026.
• Ordinance 01626 (Forest conservation amendments) adopted on second and third reader, effective immediately.
• Resolution R29-26 (FY27 city fees) adopted on second reader with amendments.
• Charter amendment CA326 (preamble expansion) adopted on first reader, referred to rules committee.
• Ordinance 02126 (Resilience Authority membership changes) adopted on first reader, referred to rules and environmental matters committees.
• Resolution R23-26 (collective bargaining with AFSCME) adopted.
• Resolution R27-26 (FY27 pay plan) adopted, referred to finance committee.
• Supplemental appropriation SA127 (grant) approved.
• Good of the order: Alderwoman O'Neill announced a community meeting on September 2 for proposed WNAV lot development (48 units). Alderman Thorpe noted maritime advisory board secured handicap-accessible boat lift at Crab's facility, now listed on city website.
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:20 PM.