City Council

160 Duke Of Gloucester City of Annapolis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Special Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Monday, September 27, 2021 6:30 PM Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers Call to Order Mayor Buckley called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Invocation Given by Alderwoman Tierney. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Mayor Buckley. Roll Call Tonight's roll call began with Alderwoman Tierney. 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 Schandelmeier moved to approve the 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 Proposed Closed Session ID-176-21 Proposed Closed Session of the City Council in accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article, Section 3-305 (b) (7). Closed Session Exception: “to consult with legal counsel to obtain legal advice” Topic: Litigation Update Alderman Schandelmeier moved pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article § 3-305 (b) (7), to go into closed session 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 City of Annapolis Page 1 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 The council entered into the closed session at 6:34 pm. Alderman Paone moved to adjourn the close session. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. The council exited out of closed session at 7:04 pm. Ceremonial Items City Council Citation - #NoDeadBeatz Club Mayor Buckley invited Alderman Gay to present the citation. City Council Citations - Tornado Recovery Mayor Buckley invited Alderwoman Pindell Charles to present the citation. City Council Citations - Maritime Task Force Mayor Buckley invited Alderman Arnett to present the citation. Petitions, Reports and Communications A. Update from the Mayor Mayor Gavin Buckley City Council Remarks September 27, 2021 - 7 p.m. City Council Chambers Good evening. We got word today that Governor Larry Hogan made the request to President Joe Biden for a federal disaster declaration for Annapolis, Anne Arundel and Cecil counties. The Governor asked for this declaration for Hurricane Ida. For Annapolis and Anne Arundel specifically, the funding will help to rebuild after the tornado that touched down on September 1 and was spawned by Ida as she moved through. The funding request will support families in their efforts to rebuild, especially in this community of generational homeowners. I thank the Governor and his team for making the request and I thank our Annapolis Office of Emergency Management for their assistance in compiling the necessary information to support the request. == After tomorrow we will know who got the most votes in the three challenged primary races. Whatever the outcome, I want the public to know what an incredibly brave thing it is to put your name forward to be a candidate for elected office. Regardless of your party, regardless of your political beliefs or background, people run for public office because they have a desire to serve their community. I want to thank all of the candidates for caring enough, for loving Annapolis and their communities enough, to run. One thing we know is that nobody gets into this job for the easy hours or the money! == But, as an elected official, one of the great things that we get to do is to make progress on city projects that benefit our residents. Two recent dedications - the taxi mural on the side of the Annapolis Department of Transportation Building and the playground at Annapolis Walk are two such projects. I was happy to work with Alderwoman Pindell Charles on the Taxi Mural and dedication, which honors our history of taxi drivers in Annapolis. It was a privilege to have Mr. Francis Harris and Mr. Charles Chesterfield Harris, two former taxi drivers now in their 90s, as well as Paulette Gilmer Wilderson and Phyllis “Miss Tee” Redd Adams, on behalf of other drivers at the dedication event. City of Annapolis Page 2 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 You see, after World War 2, many returning African American veterans went to work around Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. They worked at the Naval Academy, Ft. Meade, the old plastic plant in Odenton, Crownsville State Hospital and other locations. Many of those workers from the Greatest Generation sought out secondary part-time employment as taxi drivers, helping residents navigate around the City in the time of not only limited public transportation service, but also limited public accommodations due to segregation. With this mural, we honor and thank the taxi drivers for their service. I also want to acknowledge Future History Now with Jeff Huntington, Julia Gibbs and their team for this beautiful piece of public art as well as the Art in Public Places Commission and all of the patrons and sponsors. Please stop by to see the work in the 300 block of Chinquapin Round Road. == That same night, we headed over to Annapolis Walk with Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson and Rec and Parks Director Archie Trader to cut the ribbon on a brand new playground. This beautiful playground includes swiggle-knots, swoosh slides, climbers, spinners, outdoor musical instruments and is fully ADA compliant. I am sure families are going to love this as a place for kids to play and families to gather. I thank everyone who came out. We had a big crowd on a Monday night! I want to give a shout out to Curtis Spencer for the neighborhood cookout after the ribbon cutting. I’d also like to thank Brian Cahalan from my office who helped with delivery and clean up. It was a good night! == On September 18, the Mayors office softball team participated in the second “celebrity” slow pitch game against the Drug Free All Stars. I probably shouldn’t say this about the Mayor’s office team, but what we lacked in athletic ability, we made up for in fashion sense with our uniforms. We looked really good out there on the field! While we didn’t prevail in the final score, we had a good turnout. The game was followed by a Naptown Anti-dope movement basketball game, a soccer clinic, a resource fair and free food. It was a great way to bring a little fun into our educational effort about substance use and abuse. I want to thank Newton Gentry and Gerard Ferri for their work in bringing this event to Annapolis for the second year and Adetola Ajayi from my office for organizing the team. == This past weekend we had a couple of events at City Dock. First on Saturday, the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival, the 31st annual event which coincided with the 100th birthday of Roots author Alex Haley. There were vendors and food, arts and entertainment and perfect weather. I thank Jan Lee and her team for putting on a great event that celebrates the perseverance, and cultural heritage of Africans, African Americans and Caribbean people of African descent. == On Sunday, we had the EV or Electric Vehicle, showcase. Individual owners, dealers and experts came to show off their vehicles but more importantly answer questions from people curious about electric vehicles. It was called “kick gas” and it kicked off Drive Electric Week. I thank Elvia Thompson and Lynne Forsman for organizing. As many of you know, we are working toward building out the infrastructure around Annapolis to make it possible for more people to own electric vehicles. If we have charging stations and make it convenient, people will repay that effort by driving electric cars, which greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This showcase event has grown over the past few years and connects and influences people to think differently about driving electric. Thank you to all who participated. == Last night we had the last of our City Dock Summer Concert events with City Dock Salsa. There is one more City Dock Concert, at the end of October, but for the most part, the City of Annapolis Page 3 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 series has wrapped up with weekly summer concerts or dance events. I want to thank all of our musicians and dancers and especially Genevieve Torri, our AIPPC chair. So much work goes into organizing and arranging these free events and our residents and businesses get to enjoy the free shows all throughout the summer. == You may have noticed on Main Street our flags from different Latin countries to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. It is truly a beautiful and welcoming site to drive up Main Street through the heart of the historic district, and see the flags of dozens of countries flying. Imagine coming here and seeing the flag of your home country and the pride of having your heritage acknowledged and officially recognized. I want to thank our Department of Public Works for hanging those flags and Laura Gutierrez of my office for arranging to get them flying this month for the second year in a row. == If I could take a moment to brag about Laura, she came here in the middle of the pandemic as our Hispanic Liaison in the mayor’s office and she has done an outstanding job. So much so that she is being recognized for her work by the Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus as a COVID-19 community Hero, specifically their Community Leader Award. The awards event will be on Saturday, Oct. 9 in Germantown. Congratulations to Laura! == Weeping Mothers is an organization providing support and resources for mothers or parents of homicide victims. They are having an event at the American Legion Post on Forest Drive this Saturday starting at 1 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and I would like to thank Tanya Cooper Johnson for bringing this event to Annapolis. == The Annapolis Police Department will be hosting a Faith and Blue event at People’s Park on Sunday, October 10. This event will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. and will be a collaborative effort to build bridges and break biases. It is hosted by clergy from the City of Annapolis, First Net/AT&T and the Motorola Solutions Foundation. For more information, visit faithandblue.org. == Lastly, the Annapolis Boat Show is back this year with the Powerboat show between October 7 and 10 and the Sailboat show between October 14 and 18. This Sunday, Oct. 3, setup for the first show will begin with some road closures in the area of Dock Street and Market Space. Please be extra alert to parking restrictions and changes to traffic patterns. We welcome the return of this show to our City Dock area not only because it is a high-profile event for the City, but also because it is a sign that we are slowly returning our economy and the maritime industry will be one of the engines that will drive the Annapolis recovery. It is why the work of the Maritime Task Force was so important. I know we just gave them all a citation, but I want to again thank them for their work. == Now let’s get on with tonight’s meeting! B. Reports by Committee Standing Committee Dates: Economic Matters Committee September 28, 2021, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Special Rules and City Government Committee Meeting September 30, 2021, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Public Safety Committee October 4, 2021, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Rules and City Government Committee Meeting October 5, 2021, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM City of Annapolis Page 4 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 C. Comments by the General Public PUBLIC TESTIMONY WEB FORM – To view the actual comments, please visit www.annapolis.gov/publictestimony 1. Philip Wasielewski, 422 Saddle Ridge Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. 2. Alex Pline, 305 Monterey Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 3. Tiffany Harvey, 12 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 4. Bevin Buchheister, 5 Wagner Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. GENERAL PUBLIC - IN Person SIGN-UP SHEET: 1. John Antonelli, 1206 Poplar Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 2. John O'Leary, 1201 Cromwell Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 3. Gerard Fields, 936 Yachtsman Way, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 4. Susan Margolis, 113 Conduit Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 5. Sandra Elwood, 1420 Catlyn Place, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 6. Laura Hamby, 7055 Bay Front Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 7. Farinoosh Carrera, 909 Wells Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. 8. Greg Cantori, 105 Eastern Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 9. Keith Cyber, Home Wood Germantown, Maryland Mayor Buckley declared comments from the general public closed. Public Hearings R-26-21 Maritime Task Force “Strategy: Strengthening the Maritime Industry” - For the purpose of adopting the Strategy of the Maritime Task Force. Sponsors: Buckley, Paone, Tierney, Finlayson, Schandelmeier, Gay, Pindell Charles and Savidge Vice Chair of the Planning Commission Walden and Co-Chair of the Annapolis City Dock Action Committee Fogarty were present and answered questions from the council. GENERAL PUBLIC - IN Person SIGN-UP SHEET: Rod Jabin, 7310 Edgewood Rd, Annapolis, MD 21403. Tarrant Lomax, 940 Bay Ridge Ave, Annapolis, MD 21403. Alice Estrada, 25 1/2 Eastern Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Robert Waldman, 1001 Poplar Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. City of Annapolis Page 5 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 Mary Ewenson, 139 Pine Crest Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Michael Tomasini, 212 Eastern Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. David Smith, 1117 Primrose Court, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Rick Nelson, 1/2 S Action Place, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Noah Donaldson, 7041 Bay Front Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Garry Gill, 2328 West Chapel Road, Lutherville, Maryland 21093. Jim Nolan, 55 Arundel Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Mayor Buckley accept into the record the Planning Commission Findings dated September 2, 2021. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on R-26-21 closed. Legislative Action Second Readers R-26-21 Maritime Task Force “Strategy: Strengthening the Maritime Industry” - For the purpose of adopting the Strategy of the Maritime Task Force. Sponsors: Buckley, Paone, Tierney, Finlayson, Schandelmeier, Gay, Pindell Charles and Savidge Alderwoman Tierney moved to adopt R-26-21 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 Gay, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Public Hearings O-22-21 Administrative Hearing Officer By Contract Established - For the purpose of establishing the position of Administrative Hearing Officer by Contract; providing for certain Contractual terms of service and line of authority; providing for certain powers and duties; revising the powers and duties of the Planning Commission; revising the powers and duties of the Board of Appeals;; revising procedures for major site design plan applications, planned developments, special exceptions, variances, and nonconforming uses and structures; providing for appeals; providing that certain catchlines are not law and may not be considered to have been enacted as part of this ordinance; and matters generally relating to the Administrative Hearing Officer position. Sponsors: Arnett Robert "Bob" Waldman, Vice Chair Task Force representing the Planning Commission was present and answered questions from the council. City of Annapolis Page 6 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 GENERAL PUBLIC - IN Person SIGN-UP SHEET: 1. Sandra Elwood, 1420 Catlyn Place, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 2. Gerard Field, 936 Yachtsman Way, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Mayor Buckley accepted into the record the Planning Commission Findings dated September 16 2021. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-22-21 closed. O-25-21 Waterfront Maritime Zoning Districts - Uses - For the purpose of requiring certain annual reporting on maritime and non-maritime uses, providing for certain waterfront access incentives for non-maritime uses, modifying the requirements for certain uses deemed conforming, modifying certain uses for Waterfront Maritime Zoning Districts, allowing uses in certain districts subject to standards, modifying off-street parking requirements for certain uses, adding definitions, and generally relating to uses in Waterfront Maritime Zoning Districts. Sponsors: Buckley, Savidge, Tierney, Finlayson, Pindell Charles, Schandelmeier and Paone GENERAL PUBLIC - IN Person SIGN-UP SHEET: 1. Rod Jabin, 7310 Edgewood Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. 2. Tarrant Lomax, 700 Chester Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. 3. Robert Waldman, 1001 Poplar Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 4. Jon Arason, 707 Glendon Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. 5. Gerard Fields, 936 Yachtsman Way, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. 6. Rick Nelson, 1/2 S Action Place, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 7. William Small, 702 Melrose Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. 8. Cardi Templeton, 222 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. 9. Jim Nolan, 55 Arundel Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Mayor Buckley accepted into the record the Planning Commission Findings dated September 2, 2021. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-25-21 closed. O-34-21 Forest Conservation - Reforestation - For the purpose of requiring reforestation in certain circumstances to maintain the City’s current tree canopy percentage; and generally relating to reforestation requirements. Sponsors: Savidge City of Annapolis Page 7 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 GENERAL PUBLIC - IN Person SIGN-UP SHEET: No speakers. Mayor Buckley accepted into the record the Planning Commission Findings dated September 16, 2021. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-34-21 closed. O-35-21 Acceptable Forms of Signature - For the purpose of authorizing use of automated or computer generated electronic or digital signatures for certain official City documents; authorizing the City Manager to delegate signature authority for certain contracts; providing certain definitions; and generally relating to signatures. Sponsors: Buckley GENERAL PUBLIC - IN Person SIGN-UP SHEET: No Speakers. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-35-21 closed. Legislative Action First Readers R-27-21 Itinerant Merchant Sales in the Historic District - Halloween Celebration - For the purpose of authorizing hawker, peddler, and itinerant merchant sales in the Historic District in conjunction with a certain special event during calendar year 2021. Sponsors: Tierney Alderwoman Tierney moved to adopt R-27-21 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Second Readers O-9-21 Accessory Dwelling Units - For the purpose of establishing accessory dwelling units as an accessory use in certain zoning districts that allow single family dwelling units; establishing the use and bulk requirements for accessory dwelling units; providing an amnesty period; providing a definition; and establishing the procedural requirements for accessory dwelling units. Sponsors: Schandelmeier and Gay Alderman Arnett moved to postpone O-9-21 until Monday, October 11, 2021. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. O-27-21 Cellco Partnership, d/b/a Verizon Wireless - Lease Agreement - For the City of Annapolis Page 8 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 purpose of approving the lease for certain City-owned property within the City of Annapolis between Cellco Partnership, d/b/a Verizon Wireless and the City of Annapolis; and matters generally relating to said Lease Agreement. Sponsors: Buckley Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-27-21 on second reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. City Manager Jarrell and Planning and Zoning Director Dr. Nash were present and answered questions from the council. Alderman Schandelmeier moved to adopt O-27-21 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 Gay, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Nay: 1 - Alderwoman Tierney O-31-21 Issuance of General Obligation Bonds and Bond Anticipation Notes - For the purpose of authorizing and empowering the City of Annapolis (the “City”) to issue and sell, upon its full faith and credit, (i) one or more series of its general obligation bonds in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $36,358,768 (the “Bonds”), pursuant to Sections 19-301 through 19-309, inclusive, of the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, and Article VII, Section 11 of the Charter of the City of Annapolis, as amended (the “Charter”), (ii) one or more series of its general obligation bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance of the Bonds in the maximum aggregate principal amount equal to the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Bonds (the “Notes”), pursuant to Sections 19-211 through 19-221, inclusive, of the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended and the Charter and (iii) one or more series of its general obligation bonds to refund specified bonds previously issued by the City in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed 120% of the principal amount of bonds to be refunded (the “Refunding Bonds”), pursuant to Section 19-207 and Sections 19-301 through 19-309, inclusive, of the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, and the Charter; providing that the Bonds, Notes and Refunding Bonds shall be issued and sold for the public purpose of financing and refinancing certain capital projects of the City as provided in this Ordinance; prescribing the form and tenor of the Bonds, Notes and Refunding Bonds; providing for the method of sale of the Bonds, Notes and Refunding Bonds and other matters relating to the issuance and sale thereof; providing for the disbursement of the proceeds of the Bonds, Notes and Refunding Bonds; covenanting to levy and collect all taxes City of Annapolis Page 9 City Council Special Meeting Minutes - Final September 27, 2021 necessary to provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on the Bonds, Notes and Refunding Bonds; and generally providing for and determining various matters relating to the issuance, sale and delivery of the Bonds, Notes and Refunding Bonds. Sponsors: Buckley Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-31-21 on second reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-31-21 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 Gay, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett R-22-21 South Annapolis Yacht Center - Public Water Access - For the purpose of requiring the Department of Planning and Zoning to hold a public meeting for the general public to be heard on the South Annapolis Yacht Center fence application. Sponsors: Gay, Savidge and Arnett Alderman Arnett moved to postpone R-22-21 on second reader until Monday, October 11, 2021. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Adjournment Upon motion duly made, seconded and adopted, the special meeting was adjourned at 10:17 p.m. Regina C. Watkins-Eldridge, MMC City Clerk City of Annapolis Page 10