City Council

160 Duke Of Gloucester City of Annapolis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Special Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Monday, May 24, 2021 7:00 PM Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers Call to Order Mayor Buckley called the Special Meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Invocation Given by Alderwoman Pindell Charles. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Mayor Buckley. Roll Call Tonight's roll call began with Alderman Paone. Present: 9 - Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Paone, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Gay, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Approval of Agenda . Alderman Arnett moved to approve the agenda as amended as AMENDED TO REMOVE R-18-21 The Annapolis Waterfront & Sailing Center on First 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 Gay, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Petitions, Reports and Communications A. Update from the Mayor Mayor Gavin Buckley Mayor’s Remarks - City Council May 24, 2021 - 7 p.m. City Council Chambers Good evening and Happy Commissioning Week! We want to alert residents that there will be some limitations on parking on Wednesday, please be on the lookout for signs. These are mainly on routes where fire apparatus need to get in and out to water access points . Also, the Naval Academy Route 450 Bridge over the Severn River will be closed mid-day on City of Annapolis Page 1 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final May 24, 2021 both Tuesday and Wednesday for the Blue Angels. On Friday, we will welcome Vice President Kamala Harris as commencement speaker. We hosted her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, last week. I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves, but this is a good start to becoming regulars here in our City! We welcome their return visits . Please be alert to your surroundings and give yourself extra time. == On a personal note, watching these young men and women grow and change over the course of four years is something that we here in Annapolis are privileged to witness up close. In 2017, the class of 2021 came for plebe summer, got their haircuts and their uniforms and began their transformation into the officers that they will become on Friday. On behalf of the residents of our City, we congratulate them on their academic achievements and the beginning of their Naval and Marine Corps careers. == On Sunday, please join me at Peace Park on Calvert Street for an event remembering the 100th anniversary of the Greenwood Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This event, known as Black Wall Street, will memorialize the days in 1921 when a white mob destroyed one of the most successful, established and wealthy black business districts in the country. I’ll be there with County Executive Pittman, as well as local black-owned businesses, local artists and musicians. If you want more information or want to get involved, contact Adetola Ajayi in my office at 410-972-6257. == This weekend, I had the honor to attend the dedication for a new mural at Park Place. I joined members of this council, along with Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, Del. Shaneka Henson, County Executive Steuart Pittman and the public to celebrate. The mural, by Comacell Brown and his team is of Carr’s Beach and shows music and musical acts and families at the beach. It also has that Ferris Wheel that I had promised, checking off a campaign pledge. In all seriousness, the mural reminds us of the importance of public art and the importance of remembering our history. I thank those responsible for thinking up and executing on this important work and I invite the public to head over to Taylor Avenue to check it out. == I encourage all of you to see the progress of our Independence Day weekend planning on the city website at www.Annapolis.gov. We have a number of community partners who are rolling out the red - and white and blue - carpet for residents and visitors to celebrate the 245th birthday for America. We want you to make a plan to celebrate. Please get your vaccine. It’s free and available at Pip Moyer on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as daily at Navy Stadium. Second, check out our lineup of events and activities to make a plan for your family. We’ve got a parade, fireworks, music, art and fun for the kids. I will be joined in the parade by Governor Hogan, County Executive Pittman, and Admiral Buck to honor those front line workers who deserve our thanks for working throughout the pandemic. If you are a health worker, grocery, pharmacy, hardware, hospitality, public works, public safety, recreation and parks - any worker who couldn’t dial in to the job, please join us as we march together in the Independence Day parade on July 3. == City of Annapolis Page 2 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final May 24, 2021 Last, Memorial Day is Monday. I invite you to visit the city’s Facebook, Twitter or YouTube page for a video that lists the names of the Annapolis fallen from World War Two, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. I want to thank Annapolis resident Denise Robinson who partnered with our office of communication to create this poignant video. While the City will NOT be hosting its regular parade or ceremony, I hope on Monday you will take some time to think about those men and women from Annapolis, from Anne Arundel County, from Maryland, who have sacrificed for our freedoms. These brave individuals gave their lives. Memorial Day is a day to honor them and their service. We thank them. Let’s carry on with our meeting. B. Reports by Committee Standing Committee Dates: Tue Jun. 1 Rules and City Government Committee Meeting Wed Jun. 2 Finance Committee Meeting C. Comments by the General Public PUBLIC TESTIMONY WEB FORM – To view the actual comments, please visit www.annapolis.gov/publictestimony Mayor: LIVE Testimony: 1. Lanny Hartmann, 7244 Riding Hood Circle, Columbia, Maryland 21045 - EV Charging Station Signs and Ordinance Public Hearings Cont. ID-110-21 CITY OF ANNAPOLIS NOTICE OF A PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The City Council of City of Annapolis proposes to increase real property taxes. 1. For the tax year beginning July 1, 2022, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 1.43%, from $7,190,636,973 to $7,293,446,226. 2. If City of Annapolis maintains the current tax rate of $0.7380 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 1.43 % resulting in $758,732 of new real property tax revenues. 3. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.7276, the constant yield tax rate. 4. The City of Annapolis is considering not reducing its real property tax City of Annapolis Page 3 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final May 24, 2021 rate enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The City of Annapolis proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of $0.7380 per $100 of assessment. This tax rate is 1.43% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $758,732 in additional property tax revenues. A public hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2021, in the Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr, City Council Chambers located at 160 Duke of Gloucester Street, 2nd Floor, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call 410-263-7952 for further information. Please go to the City of Annapolis website at <http://www.annapolis.gov/testimony> for instructions on how to submit written testimony. The Council will accept testimony for seven days following the public hearing. LIVE: Testimony Received: 1. George Michael Gallagher, 1212 Barbud Lane, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. WRITTEN: Testimony Received: 1. Felicia Capezio, 107 S. Cherry Grove Ave, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on ID-110-21 LEFT OPEN UNTIL Monday, June 7, 2021. Public Hearings O-10-21 Annual Budget and Appropriation and Property Tax Levy - For the purpose of adopting the City Budget, comprising the Annual Operating Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, the Capital Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, the Capital Improvement Program for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, June 30, 2024, June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027; appropriating funds for all expenditures for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022; levying and imposing a property tax for the use of the City of Annapolis for the taxable year beginning July 1, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022; and fixing the rate of the City property tax for the taxable year. Sponsors: Buckley WRITTEN: Testimony Received: 1. Michael Pantelides, 15 Enclave Court, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Mayor Buckley accepted into the record the Planning Commission Findings on O-10-21 dated May 20, 2021. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-10-21 closed. O-13-21 Urban Renewal Projects - Repeal - For the purpose of repealing the Annapolis City Code provisions relating to urban renewal projects; providing provisions for the exercise of state law powers relating to development or City of Annapolis Page 4 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final May 24, 2021 redevelopment of certain property, including comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation; requiring the Affordable Housing and Community Equity Development Commission to review certain development projects; providing certain definitions, providing for the application of this Ordinance; providing that existing obligations or contract rights may not be impaired by this Ordinance; and generally relating to the repeal of such provisions. Sponsors: Tierney, Buckley and Pindell Charles Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-13-21 closed. Alderman Gay - Co Sponsorship request for removal. O-15-21 Elections - Independent Expenditure Report - For the purpose of requiring the filing of Independent Expenditure Reports; providing reporting procedures and requirements; adopting state provisions; providing certain definitions; providing penalties; and generally relating to Independent Expenditure Reports. Sponsors: Savidge Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-15-21 closed. Legislative Action First Readers CA-1-21 Office of Community Services - Established - For the purpose of establishing the Office of Community Services; updating the powers and duties of the City Manager, and generally relating to the Office of Community Services. Sponsors: Buckley, Finlayson, Pindell Charles, Tierney, Gay and Arnett Alderman Arnett moved to adopt CA-1-21 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley was referred CA-1-21 to the Finance Committee. Mayor's Buckley referred CA-1-21 to the Housing and Human Welfare Committee. Mayor Buckley referred CA-1-21 to the Public Safety Committee. Mayor Buckley referred CA-1-21 to the Rules & City Government Committee. Alderwoman Finlayson - Cosponsor added Alderwoman Pindell Charles - Cosponsor added Alderwoman Tierney - Cosponsor added Aldermen Gay - Cosponsor added Alderman Arnett - Cosponsor added City of Annapolis Page 5 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final May 24, 2021 O-16-21 Maintaining Chickens - For the purpose of modifying the application and approval procedures for maintaining chickens; providing notice requirements; and generally relating to maintaining chickens. Sponsors: Buckley, Tierney and Gay Alderman Gay moved to adopt O-16-21 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred O-16-21 to the Housing and Human Welfare Committee. O-17-21 Public Services - Water and Sewer - For the purpose of modifying the charges for water service for certain users; modifying the charges for sewer service for certain users; and generally relating to providing water and sewer service. Sponsors: Buckley Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-17-21 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred O-17-21 to the Environmental Matters Committee. O-18-21 Municipal Elections - Canvassing - For the purpose of modifying the day on which the Board of Canvassers shall convene following all municipal elections. Sponsors: Buckley Alderman Schandelmeier moved to adopt O-18-21 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred O-18-21 to the Rules & City Government Committee. O-19-21 Development Application Procedures - For the purpose of providing for community benefit input in the review of proposed development applications. Sponsors: Arnett Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-19-21 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred O-19-21 to the Planning Commission. Mayor Buckley referred O-19-21 to the Rules & City Government Committee. Adjournment Upon motion duly made, seconded and adopted, the meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Regina C. Watkins-Eldridge, MMC City Clerk City of Annapolis Page 6