City Council

160 Duke Of Gloucester City of Annapolis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Regular Minutes - Final City Council Monday, March 10, 2014 7:00 PM Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers Call to Order Mayor Pantelides called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:13 p.m. Invocation Alderman Littmann Pledge of Allegiance Lead by Mayor Pantelides Roll Call City Clerk Watkins-Eldridge Present: 9- Mayor Pantelides, Alderman Budge, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Littmann, Alderman Kirby, Alderman Pfeiffer and Alderman Arnett State of the City Address Good evening, I come to you tonight to say there is a change taking place in Annapolis . Not radical change, but concise, methodical, deliberate change that will benefit the citizens of Annapolis. I came into office three months and 7 days ago. I met with each department director and discussed my vision for Annapolis over the next four years . While we will change the way we do business in City government, my promise to you is… we will create change by providing essential, critical city services, update crumbling infrastructure… both brick and mortar as well as critical technological infrastructure, be available and accessible, be transparent and create a budget that lives within our means…. without raising taxes! This budget is a coordinated effort to do what is best for the City, and I will work side-by-side with the Alderpersons throughout the budget process to ensure unnecessary spending stops and critical services continue. The Alderpersons and I have made it clear that we CAN work together , and will work together, not only on this budget but on future legislation benefiting the citizens of Annapolis. This budget is about making the tough decisions to ensure our fiscal house is in order and that we are not living above our means or our income. Like all of you, sitting at your kitchen table or in your home office, you strive to balance your family’s needs with the family’s income… all the while , looking toward the future, knowing you must put money aside for your future. My proposed FY 2015 budget does the same thing. Our long-term goals are to continue to fund unprecedented agreements between city government and our four unions. The City of Annapolis Page 1 Printed on 4/8/2014 City Council Regular Minutes - Final March 10, 2014 results of Interest Based Bargaining, or IBB as it is known, address long-term, unfunded liabilities and insure the integrity of our Public Safety retirement plan and previously unfunded health care. We finally fund a critical need that has been long overlooked and neglected for years , but it does have a budgetary impact of $2 million with an additional fiscal impact of 2.1 million in FY 16 and 2.3 million in FY 17. I am trying to pay our bills, offer the citizens high quality service they demand and deserve, while addressing long-term liabilities, which is increasing my budget by more than $2 million this year. That along with increased costs of health insurance of $340,000, increased debt service totaling $2 million, increased workers compensation claims of more than $403,000, and a million dollar decrease in reimbursements from the enterprise fund, have combined to increased our budget by $8.3 million. Simply said… If I don’t add a single new item to the budget, the FY15 operating budget will be $ 8.3 million LARGER than last years $95.6 million. That is an 8.7 % increase…. without a single enhancement, addition or hire. Let me say this one more time… if I do not make one change to this budget…. I will be proposing a budget $8.3 million above last year’s budget… one that grew in the Cohen Administration from $80.1 million dollars in 2011 to more than $103.9 million…. If I do nothing! I asked each department director to go through their budgets and find ways to show a 10% budget reduction in their individual departments. While I know this level of cuts would not be sustainable… it was an intellectual exercise that was needed to offer options. For example: Cutting 10% off the top of the police department, or to make it personal – laying off 17 police officers…still increases the police department budget by $363,000. For the record, my proposed budget does not cut any of our sworn public safety employees, as we depend on these outstanding men and women daily to keep our families, our businesses and our homes safe from fire, crime and medical emergencies. Would Police Chief Pristoop, Fire Chief Stokes and the men and women of our police and fire departments please stand up and be recognized I am also investing in the safety of our Police Department, by funding matching funds to build a new Firing Range. The current range has been condemned and bullets were ricocheting back on the officers. The City will commit $250 thousand and I am optimistic the state will grant us the additional $250 thousand to complete the $500,000 project. Through the 10% cut exercise… we also identified departmental inefficiencies and the burden of increased workers compensation claims, costing the city $1.1 million. We will be conducting an independent management review to evaluate our procedures and processes to make recommendations to reduce these costs. In order to balance this budget, we must cut at least $ 7.3 million dollars. This is why I have had to come to the difficult decision of proposing furloughs. Like in the past, we will go back into negotiations with our city’s 4 unions to achieve $1.8 million dollars in salary cost savings. While making the decision to implement furloughs is always difficult, it was a much more complex and emotional task to recommend laying off 13 employees and to cut 20 vacant positions. While we are addressing, head-on, the heavy burden of long-term liabilities and overspending …..It is important to point out that we also discovered: 1) Significant cost savings though unfilled vacancies. By leaving these positions unfilled, we saved an additional $883,000 dollars. 2) We are reducing overtime, creating a cost savings of $230,000 a year. Change includes being able to realize our strengths and our weakness. The recent citizen survey was an eye-opener because according to the summary… people like our employees, they like our services, but they don’t like City government as a whole. As City of Annapolis Page 2 Printed on 4/8/2014 City Council Regular Minutes - Final March 10, 2014 elected officials, we need to do a better job. I am working toward that goal through a number of initiatives: 1) My open door policy – where residents can come in the first Tuesday of each month and talk about questions and concerns. I have really enjoyed this process, because not only am I able to be face-to-face with constituents, but because often times the people coming in are offering me ideas on new programs or projects. This open door policy has brought in everyone from business owners to retired residents, and each one is an opportunity for me to learn more about my home town, while understanding the needs of the people that I was elected to serve. 2) Constituent outreach – With my small, but incredibly knowledgeable and professional staff, this administration will utilize these individuals as representatives of this administration as they attend civic, faith-based, non-profit and organizational meetings around the city. They will be available for meetings with the public and work as liaisons with the various departments to help resolve concerns that citizens may have. 3) The City has implemented a new system that makes transparency in government more…well… transparent and accessible. Anyone with an internet connection can watch government meetings live on a computer or mobile device. Users will also be able to access archived meeting videos along with relevant supporting materials, including staff reports, meeting agendas and minutes. Additionally the content will be keyword searchable, making the process of finding information much easier. All meeting videos will be time-stamped to allow viewers to skip directly to the agenda item of interest. 4) The language bank – while this is not new, it has been out of commission for many years. This is a list of 61 residents that speak 23 different languages, ranging from Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese and Italian. They offer their services to the City, to organizations, and to individuals that may need help understanding a form or application. Heidi Zech was the creator of the Language bank years ago. She has been working with members of my staff to get it up and running again with the goal of being online by the end of April. Speaking of April…..I hope you are all enjoying the spring-like temperatures today in Annapolis! Just last Monday the City was closed due to a winter storm! Yes, our Emergency Operations Center activated… and our Public Works department deployed 13 crews, working 12 hour shifts to dig us out and keep Annapolis residents safe . I had the opportunity to ride around with them and witnessed first hand the harsh conditions they endure with no thanks, or pat on the back… so…. Would DPW director David Jarrell and all DPW employees in our audience tonight, please stand so we can all thank you for your hard work and commitment to our city. One of my priorities is Economic Development. My administration values the hard work of the Annapolis Economic Development Corporation and I look forward to the opportunities presented by the AEDC to support our strong business climate . My other priority is to protect the historic charm of downtown Annapolis , while addressing long overdue infrastructure issues such as the new Water Treatment Plant and the Bulkhead Replacement. • This budget includes funding for a cultural landscape survey to preserve the historic charm, which was recommended by HPC. • The bulkhead replacement project is funded in the amount of $6.5 million for design and construction this fiscal year. It includes $5 million of City CIP funding and a $1.5 million Federal grant. The replacement of will stretch around Ego Alley (along Dock, Main and Compromise Streets) to the southeast corner of Donner parking lot. The work will take place during the winter months, between the 2015 Fall Boat Show and the 2016 Spring Boat Show. • As part of my commitment to address infrastructure needs we will continue to invest $2 million to annual roadway paving programs and $600 thousand to sidewalk repair. • In addition, we will continue to replace our old water and sewer pipes by investing $1.9 million in our water distribution system and an addition $2.4 million for our sewer City of Annapolis Page 3 Printed on 4/8/2014 City Council Regular Minutes - Final March 10, 2014 collection system. While these are the brick and mortar challenges, we also need to address critical technological infrastructure that includes upgrading our email and increasing the storage capacity of our online documents. The City of Annapolis is moving to the Internet "cloud" based Google e-mail and associated Google Docs applications. As you all know, the environment is a priority and one that campaigned on. It is my goal to ensure the city is spending its stormwater fund in the most responsible way, to help reduce the pollution that is discharged into the bay. Better said… I will see that the money allocated from the stormwater utility fee ... will be used for stream restoration and other worthy restoration projects. In an effort to maintain and improve our credit objectives, this budget is responsible and resourceful. Therefore, the following are some of the highlight from my proposed FY15 budget: This is a proposed $96.6 million dollar operating budget and a $15.8 million capital budget. Key Goals of the operating budget include: • Funds our commitment to IBB to address long-term unfunded liabilities, and ensure the integrity of our public safety retirement plan, as well as the previously unfunded retiree health care obligation. • Provides critical services to our citizens with no tax increase • Allocating $1 million to the fund balance, upping the total to nearly $20 million The budget also: • Leaves numerous positions vacant, saving the city more than $800,000 • Requires no short-term borrowing • Includes $7.3 million in cuts The Capital budget includes: • The Police Department Firing Range – need to ensure the protection of our police officers during training procedures. The current range has been condemned and bullets were ricocheting back on the officers. The City will commit $250 thousand and are optimistic a state bond bill grant of $250 will be realized for a total budget of $500,000. • A $4 million commitment to rebuild the condemned maintenance facility on Spa Road • A $2 million commitment to annual roadway paving program and $600 thousand to sidewalk repair. • Replace our old water and sewer pipes by investing $1.9 million in our water distribution system and an addition $2.4 million for our sewer collection system. This is a responsible budget! I have set the stage and laid the groundwork for future changes. This is the first step in a long journey that I look forward to taking as a city, always mindful that I will work closely with the City Council as my shipmates and use our citizens input is my compass. I thank you all for this opportunity to make this good city GREAT … so let’s busy charting our future course. Approval of Agenda Alderman Fred Paone moved to approve as amended to include the Re-Appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Approval of Journal of Proceedings Alderman Littmann requested the record reflect his abstaining from the vote on the approval of the Journal of Proceeding for the Special Meeting on February 24, 2014. City of Annapolis Page 4 Printed on 4/8/2014 City Council Regular Minutes - Final March 10, 2014 Alderman Budge moved to approve the Regular and Special Meeting Minutes for February. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. CC021014 Approval of the Minutes of Regular Meeting CC022414 Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting Martha Wood Leadership Award Mayor Pantelides invited Alderman Paone to present to New Creations Deliverance Ministries the City Council Citation in recognition of being honored by the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis as the Forty-Second recipient of the prestigious Martha Wood Leadership Award. Present: Pastor Charles E. Carroll and Darlene Carroll representing New Creations Deliverance Ministries Ms. Mary Ellen Turner, Chair of the Martha Wood Leadership Award Committee Mr. Vincent Leggett, Executive Director, Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis City Council Citation Mayor Pantelides invited Alderwoman Finlayson to present to Mr . Robert Giffen representing Masque Farm on behalf of the citizens of the City of Annapolis a City Council Citation in recognition of his generous and selfless act of donating more than 300 gorgeous Christmas Trees to be distributed throught the City . Business and Miscellaneous ID-128-14 Approval of Re-Appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission Alderman Arnett moved to approve the Mayor's Re-Appointment of Kim Finch and Patricia Zeno to the Historic Preservation Commission. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Petitions, Reports and Communications A. Reports by Committee B. Comments by the General Public Honorable Classie G. Hoyle, Former Alderwoman Ward 3, 2089 Forest Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 asked the Mayor and City Council to look into the disappearance of the African American Representation in the Community , and spoke on the exempt positions in the city government previously filled by African Americans . Doug Smith, 5 Revell Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 spoke on the Start the Adventure in Reading "STAIR" and 2nd and 3rd graders who need help with reading. Linda Barber, 611 Truxton Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21409 Executive Director spoke in favor of the "STAIR" program. City of Annapolis Page 5 Printed on 4/8/2014 City Council Regular Minutes - Final March 10, 2014 Pat Zeno, 57 Cornhill Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 thanked the City Council for her reappointment to the Historic Preservation Commission and spoke on traffic down town on the weekends. Robert Clark, 9 South Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 spoke in support of R-7-14 and the proposed amendment from the Rules and City Government Committee. Robert Eades, 35 Pleasant Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 spoke on the diversity in the City, firing of African Americans in the City positions and the appointments to the HACA Board. Anthony Spencer, 8 Streamwood Court, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 spoke on returning phone calls and requested a meeting with the Mayor. Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun representing Mount Olive A.M.E. Church 2 Hicks Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 spoke in support of the Mayor, spoke on concerns regarding the make up of the participants in the Swearing In Ceremony of the Elected Officials, and the accomplishments of the Transportation Director Newell . Eleanor Melograna, 12 Chelsea Court, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 spoke on a proposed cell phone tower to be placed in her neighborhood, and the negative impact on future home values. Carroll Spriggs, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 1926, and Ricky Truitt, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400, spoke on the furloughs and the latest round of collective bargaining with the city. Mayor Pantelides declared petition, reports and communication closed. Legislative Action A. Second Readers R-7-14 Approval of Job Description: Planning Director - For the purpose of approving the job description for the Planning Director position. Sponsors: Pantelides Human Resources Director Rensted gave a brief presentation on the resolution and answered questions from Council. Acting City Manager Burke was also present and answered questions from Council. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt on second reader. Seconded. Amendment # 1 DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: 3RD sentence The Planning Director guides the City Council in establishing legislative policy affecting all aspects of municipal government related to development, historic preservation, City of Annapolis Page 6 Printed on 4/8/2014 City Council Regular Minutes - Final March 10, 2014 TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, economic vitality, community development and housing planning. Alderman Arnett moved to amend R-7-14as follows. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Amendment # 2 EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative only) Plans for the physical development, redevelopment and growth of the City TO INCLUDE ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION; Alderman Arnett moved to amend R-7-14 as follows. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Amendment # 3 To delete "Historic District Commission" and Insert "Historic Preservation Commission" Alderman Budge moved to amend R-7-14 as follows. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt R-7-14 as amended. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9- Mayor Pantelides, Alderman Budge, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Littmann, Alderman Kirby, Alderman Pfeiffer and Alderman Arnett B. First Readers Alderman Littmann requested all budget related legislation referred to the Financial Advisory Commission be returned to the council no later than May 12, 2014. O-8-14 Annual Operating Budget: Fiscal Year 2015 - For the purposes of adopting an operating budget for the City of Annapolis for Fiscal Year 2015; appropriating funds for expenditures for Fiscal Year 2015; defraying all expenses and liabilities of the City of Annapolis and levying same for the purposes specified; specifying certain duties of the Director of Finance; and specifying a rate of interest to be charged upon overdue property taxes. Sponsors: Pantelides Mayor referred to Finance Committee and the Financial Advisory Commission . Alderman Pfeiffer moved to adopt O-8-14 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. O-9-14 Capital Budget Fiscal Year 2015 - For the purpose of adopting a capital budget for Fiscal Year 2015; and appropriating funds for expenditures for the Fiscal Year 2015 capital budget. City of Annapolis Page 7 Printed on 4/8/2014 City Council Regular Minutes - Final March 10, 2014 Sponsors: Pantelides Mayor Pantelides referred to the Finance Committee, Financial Advisory and Planning Commissions. Alderman Pfeiffer moved to adopt O-9-14 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. R-10-14 FY 2015 Fees Schedule Effective July 1, 2014 - For the purpose of specifying fees that will be charged for the use of City services for FY 2015. Sponsors: Pantelides Mayor Pantelides referred to the Finance Committee, Financial Advisory. Alderman Pfeiffer moved to adopt R-10-14 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. R-11-14 Position Classifications and Pay Plan - For the purpose of approving the FY 2015 position classification and pay plan effective July 1, 2014. Sponsors: Pantelides Mayor Pantelides referred to the Finance and Rules and City Government Committees and the Financial Advisory Commission. Alderman Pfeiffer moved to adopt R-11-14 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. R-12-14 Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Years 2015 - 2020 - For the purpose of adopting a capital improvement program for Fiscal Years 2015-2020 (July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2020). Sponsors: Pantelides Mayor Pantelides referred to the Finance Committee, Financial Advisory and Planning Commissions. Alderman Pfeiffer moved to adopt R-12-14 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Business and Miscellaneous ID-116-14 Regional Transit Transportation Director Newell was present and answered questions from Council . Mr. John Powell, Howard County Transportation Director gave a brief presentation and answered questions from Council. No action taken. GT-17-14 Public Works - Snow and Ice removal costs. Finance Director Miller gave a brief presentation on the budget revision request and answered questions on Council. The Finance Committee reported favorable on the budget revision request. City of Annapolis Page 8 Printed on 4/8/2014 City Council Regular Minutes - Final March 10, 2014 Alderman Arnett moved to approve budget revision request GT-17-14. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. GT-18-14 Public Works/Water Supply - Salary Transfer Finance Director Miller gave a brief presentation on the budget revision request and answered questions from Council. The Finance Committee reported favorable on the budget revision request. Alderman Arnett moved to approve budget revision request GT-18-14. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Adjournment Upon motion duly made, seconded and adopted, the meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m. Regina C. Watkins-Eldridge, MMC City Clerk City of Annapolis Page 9 Printed on 4/8/2014