City Council

160 Duke Of Gloucester City of Annapolis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Special Minutes - Final City Council Monday, June 22, 2020 7:00 PM Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers Virtual Meeting A virtual meeting is when people, regardless of their location, use video and audio to link up online. Virtual Meetings allow people to share information and data in real-time without being physically located together. Call to Order Mayor Buckley called the Special Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Invocation Given by Alderman Savidge. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Mayor Buckley. Roll Call Tonight's roll call began with Alderman Rodriguez. Present: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Approval of Agenda Alderman Paone moved to approve the AGENDA as AMENDED to ADD CA -2- 20 City of Annapolis Primary Election Date on first reader and; to REMOVE R-31-20 Hiring Freeze on second reader FROM TONIGHT’S AGENDA.. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Petitions, Reports and Communications A. Update from the Mayor Good evening! We have finished the budget and again, I want to thank everyone for participating in that process. This is a difficult time for our City and our ability to navigate many competing demands and come out the other side is a testament to the collaborative spirit of residents, city staff, department directors, the finance office, the city manager and City of Annapolis Page 1 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 the council. We have a few items on the agenda tonight that I’d like to comment on before we get started. It is a presidential election year and we have a new set of challenges because it doesn’t look like coronavirus is going away anytime soon, certainly not by General Election Day in November. For our residents, they will be expecting us to get it right in order to protect the public health. For us as a City, it is a dry run for our own elections in 2021. I want us to be mindful of this and to think not only about election integrity but also convenience and how we ensure and encourage participation by all voters. Tonight on the docket we also have the confirmation of Michael Johnson to be our new director of the Department of Public Works. Some of you councilmembers took the time to meet with Michael and get to know him and I thank you for that engagement. Michael is coming here in a busy time with the City Dock plan, the take down and rebuild of Hillman Garage, the Department of Public Works building on Hudson Street. It’s an exciting time with lots of projects, but we know that he is up to this challenge! I would like to thank acting Director Marcia Patrick who has done a tremendous job navigating the DPW ship through this period. When David Jarrell left DPW to become City Manager, we had no idea that a pandemic was on the horizon. Marcia, your service to the city is recognized and appreciated. Later this week we have a Town Hall hosted by alderwoman Finlayson on the topic “where do we go from here?” which will tackle race equity issues. I will be a participant and Sheila, perhaps in a bit you can tell us a little more about that. Finally tonight, this coming Sunday is the two-year anniversary of the mass shooting at the Capital Gazette that took the lives of Rebecca Smith, Wendi Winters, Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen and John McNamara. Their loss and that horrific event continue to be a painful memory for our city. This year, we are having a virtual symposium to remember our friends who were lost and to continue the conversation. The event is called “local matters… remembering” and it will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 26 and go until noon. It will be a discussion about the state of the newspaper business, local and community news and include Keynote Speaker Penny Abernathy of UNC Hussman School of Journalism, an introduction by Lucy Dalglish, and a lively panel discussion to include Rick Hutzell of the Capital, County Executive Steuart Pittman, Martin Kaiser of Capital News Service, Carl Snowden of the Caucus of African American Leaders and amy Mitchell of the Pew Research Center. It’s free and open to the public and we encourage you to share the feed on your own pages. That will be on Facebook and Youtube Live channels for the City of Annapolis. 10:30 a.m. Friday. In addition, I want us to continue to think about and fight the scourge of gun violence. Unfortunately, as we have seen in the past week with a number of shootings in the county, we are seeing resurgence. I respectfully ask our people to put down their weapons and find a better way to resolve differences. Last year on the one-year anniversary, we hosted a gun summit on the campus of St. John’s College where we talked about strategies to address gun violence. The County hosted a gun violence task force whose report recently came out and I would encourage everyone to read that report and ask state and federal lawmakers to help us address this issue. At the local level, it is very difficult to fix, even though we are the ones who are left dealing with the consequences. In the past year in Annapolis we have lost a number of people: Last June, we lost Montre “Tre da Kid” Seay. In July, Elijah Wilson. In October we lost Tierra Taylor. In December, Sandy Campos. In March, we lost Leslie Saunders; And last month Collin Flannigan. All the unfortunate victims of gun violence. If we could now, I would like us to take a moment of silence for the five lost in the capital gazette shooting and for the others lost in our city over the past year to gun violence. [moment of silence] Thank you. Let’s continue on with our meeting. City of Annapolis Page 2 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 B. Reports by Committee Standing Committee Meeting Dates: 7/1/2020 Finance Committee When: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM C. Public Testimony can be viewed by selecting the following link: https://www.annapolis.gov/1680/Public-Testimony Written Testimony - General Comments from the following persons: Manon Schladen, 303 Washington Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 – O-26-20 Charles Parker, 141 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 – OpenData Use Consent Calendar Approval of the Consent Calendar A motion was made by Alderman Arnett to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried:unanimously Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Legislative Actions First Readers O-24-20 Deadline for Absentee Ballots - For the purpose of changing the deadline for the timeliness of absentee ballots for City of Annapolis elections. Sponsors: Buckley Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Mayor Buckley referred O-24-20 to the Rules & City Government Committee. O-26-20 Rent Increases During State of Emergency - Prohibited - For the purpose of prohibiting certain rent increases during a State of Emergency; and generally related to the rent increase prohibition. Sponsors: Savidge, Gay and Tierney Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Mayor Buckley referred O-26-20 to the Housing and Human Welfare Committee. O-27-20 Other Excluded Service Employees - For the purpose of providing policies and practices concerning other excluded service employees, including full-time, temporary, and grant-funded employees; providing definitions; City of Annapolis Page 3 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 and generally relating to contractual employees. Sponsors: Buckley Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Mayor Buckley referred O-27-20 to the Rules & City Government Committee. Business and Miscellaneous ID-181-20 Renewal Towing Licenses - Top Notch Towing & Transport, LLC A motion was made by Alderman Arnett to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried:unanimously Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay ID-182-20 Renewal Towing Licenses - JP Towing Service, LLC A motion was made by Alderman Arnett to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried:unanimously Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay End of Consent Calendar Public Hearings Cont. O-15-20 Waterfront Mixed Maritime District - For the purpose of allowing professional offices in the WMM zoning district in accordance with certain standards; amending certain parking standards; and making stylistic changes.. Sponsors: Arnett No one from the public submitted written testimony in favor of or in opposition to the ordinance. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-15-20 closed. O-20-20 Deputy City Manager for Resilience and Sustainability - For the purpose of establishing the position of Deputy City Manager for Resilience and Sustainability; providing for certain terms of employment and compensation; clarifying duties and responsibilities; transferring certain environmental programs and activities, and generally related to establishing the Deputy City Manager for Resilience and Sustainability position. Sponsors: Buckley, Savidge, Rodriguez, Pindell Charles and Arnett City of Annapolis Page 4 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 City Manager Jarrell was present and answered questions from the council. No one from the public submitted written testimony in favor of or in opposition to the ordinance Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-20-20 closed. CA-1-20 Deputy City Manager for Resilience and Sustainability - For the purpose of establishing the position of Deputy City Manager for Resilience and Sustainability; defining qualifications and responsibilities, providing for certain terms of employment and compensation, providing for a line of authority, updating the powers and duties of the City Manager, and generally related to the Deputy City Manager. Sponsors: Buckley, Savidge, Rodriguez, Pindell Charles and Arnett No one from the public submitted written testimony in favor of or in opposition to the charter amendment. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on CA-1-20 closed. Public Hearings O-21-20 The Conveyance of City-owned property - For the purpose of approving the conveyance of certain City-owned property to 113 CATHEDRAL STREET, LLC; expressly authorizing said conveyance to be made at private sale and not at public auction; expressly finding that the City-owned land to be conveyed is not needed for public use; and generally relating to said conveyance. Sponsors: Buckley No one from the public submitted written testimony in favor of or in opposition to the ordinance. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-21-20 closed. O-22-20 The Conveyance of City-owned property - For the purpose of approving the conveyance of certain City-owned property to Kathleen L. Woelfel, Carol L. Thames and Sandra M. Woelfel, Co-Trustees of the Survivor’s Trust created under the Woelfel Living Trust; expressly authorizing said conveyance to be made at private sale and not at public auction; expressly finding that the City-owned land to be conveyed is not needed for public use; and generally relating to said conveyance. Sponsors: Buckley No one from the public submitted written testimony in favor of or in opposition to City of Annapolis Page 5 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 the ordinance Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-22-20 closed. For the record: Alderwoman Tierney requested an email from Pete McDevitt dated Mon, June 22, 2020 at 3:35 PM - Subject: Re: Monday Virtual City Council Meeting - June 22, 2020 To; Alderwoman Elly Tierney be added to O-22-20. O-23-20 Payment for City Services -- For the purpose of establishing a fine for dishonored checks and other written instruments; establishing a convenience fee related to accepting payment over the phone or online; and establishing a penalty for late payment of sewer service bills. Sponsors: Buckley No one from the public submitted written testimony in favor of or in opposition to the ordinance Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-23-20 closed. Legislative Action First Readers R-37-20 Director of Public Works - Michael Johnson, P.E. - For the purpose of expressly confirming the appointment of Michael Johnson as the Director of Public Works; and consenting to compensate the Director. Sponsors: Buckley City Manager Jarrell and Michael Johnson candidate for the Director of Public Works position were present and answered questions from the council. Alderman Paone moved to adopt R-37-20 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Paone moved to motion to suspend the rules to allow passage of resolution at the meeting of its introduction. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderwoman Tierney moved to adopt R-37-20 on second reader. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay R-38-20 Position Classifications and Pay Plan - For the purpose of approving the FY 2021 position classifications and pay plan; and specifying an effective date. Sponsors: Buckley City of Annapolis Page 6 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 City Manager Jarrell, Finance Director Dickinson and Human Resources Manager Hopkins were present and answered questions from council. Alderwoman Tierney moved to adopt R-38-20 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderwoman Finlayson moved to suspend the rules to allow passage of resolution at the meeting of its introduction. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Alderwoman Tierney moved to adopt R-38-20 on second reader. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Second Readers O-5-20 City Council Meetings - Order of Business - For the purpose of modifying the order of business for regular and special meetings of the City Council. Sponsors: Savidge and Pindell Charles Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-5-20 on second reader. Seconded. City Attorney Lyles was present and gave a brief presentation on the proposed amendments. Alderman Savidge moved to amend O-5-20 as follows: Amendment #1: On page 2, in line 5, strike “Order of business” and substitute “AGENDA” On page 2, in line 32 strike “ORDER OF BUSINESS” and substitute “AGENDA” Amendment #2: On page 2, in lines 13 through 20 and lines 25 through 30 strike the number assigned to each Agenda item. Amendment #3: On page 1, after line 31 insert “2.16.045” and on page 2, after line 34 insert “Section 2.16.045 - Suspending order of business AGENDA. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-5-20 as amended on second reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-5-20 on third reader. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Mayor Buckley, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett City of Annapolis Page 7 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 Nay: 2 - Alderwoman Tierney and Alderman Gay O-11-19 R2-NC District - Demolitions - For the purpose of requiring a structural analysis prior to demolition of a residential structure or building in the R2-NC, Single-Family Residential Neighborhood Conservation District; requiring execution of a contract between the city and a structural engineer prior to demolition; and generally relating to the demolition of a residential structure or building in the R2-NC District. Sponsors: Arnett Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-11-19 on second reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt on third reader. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Mayor Buckley, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Nay: 1 - Alderwoman Tierney O-19-19 Adequate Public Facilities - Auto transportation facilities - For the purpose of clarifying the circumstances that would require a traffic impact analysis for a proposed project; clarifying the standards to be used to determine adequacy; and generally relating to the adequacy of auto transportation facilities. Sponsors: Arnett, Savidge and Gay Alderman Arnett moved to adopt on second reader. Seconded. Alderman Arnett moved to amend O-19-19 as follows: To replace and substitute with O-19-19 Arnett Amendment Redline Version Dated 6.9.2020, and to refer O-19-19 Arnett Amendment Redline Version Dated 6.9.2020 to the Planning Commission. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Arnett moved that O-19-19 Arnett Amendment Redline Version Dated 6.9.2020 referred to the Planning Commission is a substantive amendment; and a Public Hearing shall be held by the City Council once the Planning Commission has provided the City Council with Findings. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderwoman Pindell Charles stated on page 3, in line 27 the word proposed is not spelled correctly. Legislative Action - First Reader Added at the Approval of the Agenda CA-2-20 City of Annapolis Primary Election Date - For the purpose of modifying the date of the Primary Election for City of Annapolis elections. Sponsors: Savidge City of Annapolis Page 8 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 Alderman Arnett moved to adopt CA-2-20 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred CA-2-20 to the Board of Supervisors of Elections. Mayor Buckley referred CA-2-20 to the Rules & City Government Committee. Legislative Actions - Removed from Consent Calendar First Reader O-25-20 Conveyance of City-Owned Rights-of-Way at Newtowne 20 - For the purpose of approving the conveyance of City-owned rights-of-way within the Newtowne 20 neighborhood; expressly authorizing said conveyance to be made at private sale and not at public auction; expressly finding that the City-owned land to be conveyed is not needed for public use; and matters generally relating to said conveyance. Sponsors: Buckley and Finlayson City Manager Jarrell and Planning and Zoning Director Nash were present and answered questions from the council. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-25-20 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred O-25-20 to the Housing and Human Welfare Committee. Mayor Buckley referred O-25-20 to the Rules & City Government Committee. R-34-20 Community Development Block Grant Program - 2020 Amended Citizen Participation Plan - For the purpose of adopting an Amended Citizen Participation Plan as it relates to the administration of the Community Planning and Development programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sponsors: Buckley Alderman Gay moved to adopt R-34-20 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred R-34-20 to Public Hearing. Planning and Zoning Director Nash was present and answered questions from the council. Mayor Buckley referred to the Rules & City Government Committee. R-35-20 2021 Election - For the purpose of authorizing the City of Annapolis to contract with the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections to administer the City of Annapolis Primary and General Elections that will take place on September 21, 2021 and November 2, 2021, respectively; and City of Annapolis Page 9 City Council Special Minutes - Final June 22, 2020 providing for the option of voting by mail as may be mutually agreed to by the City of Annapolis Board of Supervisors of Elections and the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections. Sponsors: Buckley Alderman Arnett moved to adopt R-35-20 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred R-35-20 to the Rules & City Government Committee. Mayor Buckley referred R-35-20 to the Housing and Human Welfare Committee. Second Reader O-19-20 City Council Public Hearings - For the purpose of clarifying the rules of procedure concerning the scheduling of public hearings before the City Council. Sponsors: Buckley, Arnett and Pindell Charles Alderman Savidge moved to adopt O-19-20 on second reader. Seconded. Alderman Savidge moved to amend O-19-20 as follows: Amendment #1: On page 1, in line 41 add "Not later than the next Special City Council Meeting. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-19-20 as amended on second reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-19-20 on third reader. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Rodriguez, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Arnett and Alderman Gay Alderman Arnett - Cosponsor Added. Alderwoman Pindell Charles - Cosponsor Added. Adjournment Upon motion duly made, seconded and adopted, the meeting was adjourned at 9:59 p.m. Regina C. Watkins-Eldridge, MMC City Clerk City of Annapolis Page 10