Annapolis Rules and City Government Committee Meeting – September 3, 2026
Annapolis Rules and City Government Committee Meeting – September 3, 2026
The Rules and City Government Committee met on September 3, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The meeting focused on two legislative items: O-9-26 (updating standing committees) and O-14-26 (Art in Public Places). The committee heard a presentation on the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and spent the majority of the meeting deliberating on a comprehensive substitute amendment (Amendment 11) for O-14-26. The committee ultimately voted to withdraw Amendments 1–10 and to favorably recommend Amendment 11 and the legislation as amended to the full City Council.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition, and Dr. Andrew York, executive director of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, presented an update on the board's progress. DeMarco highlighted that 43% of people cannot afford needed drugs and that high drug costs contribute to 25–33% of health insurance premiums. He thanked the council for past endorsements and noted that Governor Wes Moore’s support had enabled the board to move forward after delays under the previous administration.
- Members of the arts community, including Cynthia Reuter (legislative and policy analyst) and the Director of Planning and Zoning, provided technical input during the discussion of O-14-26. Several speakers emphasized the need to restore authority to the Art in Public Places Commission and to ensure timely payments to artists.
Discussion Items
- O-9-26 – Updating Standing Committees: This legislation was listed on the agenda but no discussion or action was recorded in the transcript. The committee did not appear to take it up during the meeting.
- O-14-26 – Art in Public Places: The committee considered a substitute amendment (Amendment 11) consolidating 10 prior amendments. Key changes included: shifting authority from the Planning and Zoning Director back to the commission; updating definitions to be more inclusive of various art forms and mediums; dedicating hotel tax revenue to the art fund; requiring the finance director to report fund status by October 1; establishing a procedure for the city manager, finance department, and office of law to review projects costing $50,000 or more; and setting membership at nine members with staggered three-year terms, including a preference for one member from each ward and one at-large member with professional art expertise. The committee debated the appeals process and large expenditure review, ultimately removing the proposed appeals mechanism and replacing the Rules and City Government Committee role with a report to the full council. The commission was given authority to establish procedures rather than merely recommend them.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to withdraw Amendments 1–10 (all previous amendments to O-14-26) was seconded and passed with one abstention (Alderman Shannon).
- Motion to give a favorable recommendation to Amendment 11 (the substitute amendment) was seconded and passed with one abstention (Alderman Shannon).
- Motion to recommend the legislation as amended (O-14-26 with Amendment 11) to the full council at the next meeting was seconded and passed with one abstention (Alderman Shannon).
- The committee adjourned after the vote.
No action was taken on O-9-26 during this meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Department of Emergency Management is to proactively reduce these disaster risk and reliably manage consequences through collaborative work with Maryland's communities and partners. In Maryland, emergency management is a system of systems. We cannot do it alone. And it's only through that system of systems that we do it. Of everyone coming together. So the investment today comes a result of years of partnership and collaboration with the residents, business owners, and governments at every level. And I have to say we've been talking about it started in 2019. It was a discussion of flooding back into the 1700s for Ellicott City. And when it comes time for a model, this will not only be a model, but there's another really really good model in Frederick City that started with Agnes. And it took 20 years to build, and about three or four years ago, there was a flooding event and it worked. So we know that this funding will bring a significant return on investment for every dollar invested, as I mentioned, we'll save six in re disaster recovery. And while the dollars matter, what really matters is our community and our survivors. She could not be here. So let's give them both a round of applause. So we're happy to answer any questions. And if not, we do have a check, cash it fast. Can you respond to the letter that you sent to the Trump administration regarding the Legion L? I'm sorry, I couldn't do that. Can you respond to the um the letter you sent to the Trump administration relative to the Legionella? Oh, can we talk to you after about? I'm happy to do one-on-one or whatever. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Any other questions? Okay. Time for the real thing. Check. All right. Shall we uh Senator Caesar? Yes, of course. I also want to call out Lieutenant General Superintendent of the Naval Academy, uh Mike Bork Schulte, uh, who was incredibly helpful and just want to acknowledge his things and his efforts as well. Why don't you get in the middle here? Hola, soy Capitán Zapata of the Court of Bomberos here of the city of Annapolis. In this semester, we're talking about the prevention of incendies in the cousin. The incendiary in casa is the use of the cocina. The cause of the principal of incentives in the cocina is false of supervision. Put number one. When we're cousining, use a related alarm automatically. Put number two. If you're cousining with aceite or mantea and food, put the tapa over the sartén and number three. And point number one. Hi, I'm Megan. I'm here at City Hall to talk to you about the Golden Pass. If you're 55 and older, the Golden Pass is a great opportunity for you. For just 20 a month, you can park for up to two hours a day on Maryland Avenue, Main Street, or the Mills Home and Garage without using a promo code, the pay machine, or even an app. Just park and walk away. All week this week, May 11th through the 15th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. I'm here if you have any questions.
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