Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Anne Arundel County Council held a legislative session in Annapolis, Maryland. The evening included a moment of silence for Rev. Jesse Jackson, councilmember remarks condemning a racist incident against a campaign volunteer, routine budget bills, a vote on cottage-home development, amendments to the sign code, amendments to the Region 6 plan and zoning, and first-reading action on battery-energy-storage and police-accountability-board bills. Most remaining bills were held to the March 2, 2026 legislative session. Note: the transcript's opening line says the session was called to order on February 17, 2026, while the meeting record date for this summary is February 18, 2026.
The February 17th, 2026 legislative session of the Anne Rundle County Council is called to order. Please ensure all phones and electronic devices are set to silent. Ms. Pickard will now lead us in the invocation and pledge of allegiance. Please rise. Good evening. Today we pause to honor the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson, a tireless champion for civil rights, human dignity, and justice. Through courage, faith, and unwavering commitment, he helped bend the moral arc of our nation towards equality and inspired generations to stand up, speak out, and serve others. As we flect as we reflect on his contributions and the lives he touched, let us commit ourselves to carrying forward the values he lived by, compassion, justice, and unity. I now ask that we observe a moment of silence in his memory. Thank you. And the pledge. One nation, under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. Yes, may I make a quick statement? Yes. Ms. Robby. Thank you. I'd like to just make a brief statement about an incident that took place on one of our uh colleagues' campaigns this weekend. Um I'm guessing that many of you in the audience here have indeed had folks knock on your door because you're active and you're regular voters and you show up at the polls. Um, in order to make our campaigns run, all of us have lots and lots of volunteers that helped knock doors. And over the weekend, um, an African American volunteer for Pete Smith's campaign knocked on a door and was greeted by awful, awful racist epithets, language threats. And thankfully, they were able to identify the person and the police were contacted. Um, but I just want to um just take a moment to stand up together or at least in our minds uh bring our thoughts together that we all condemn that kind of behavior. And if you just would even nod your head in any way to say that you condemn that kind of behavior, I think it would mean a lot. Um as you as we go into the campaign season, you're likely to get campaign um volunteers coming to knock on your door. And um, it may not be at a time that you want to talk to anyone, but just remember they are volunteers and they're serving a really critical part of our democratic process by helping get the message out of our candidates. So I I know actually I know many of the folks in the room, and I'm confident that everyone in here would treat those door knockers with kindness. But um, if you have conversations with neighbors or other folks, just remind them those are volunteers and they're trying to make sure that our democracy functions. So I thank you guys for you know taking that nod with me and condemning that kind of behavior. So thank you. So, madam secretary, please read the ethics statement. The ethics commission has asked that I advise you that under certain circumstances, members of the public may qualify as lobbyists when they testify before the county council. If so, the law requires that certain information be filed with the ethics commission. The chair of the ethics commission has asked that those who wish to testify in any form review the general information on lobbying sheet located on the ethics website under forms and publications. If there are any questions about lobbying requirements, please contact the ethics commission at 410-222-4412. Okay, before we open our discussions and public hearings, I would like to remind everyone in attendance, whether testifying or as a member of the audience, that we must maintain decorum at all times within these chambers. Please understand that individual conversations in the audience are very disruptive to the proceedings, and I would kindly ask you to step out of the chambers if a side discussion is necessary. We will now open our invitation to the audience. This is an opportunity to speak briefly on any subject not included in the printed agenda. Madam Secretary, did we receive any testimony through the online testimony tool?