City Council

160 Duke Of Gloucester City of Annapolis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Regular Meeting Minutes - Final City Council Monday, December 12, 2022 7:00 PM Mayor John T. Chambers, Jr. City Council Chambers Regular Meeting Call to Order Mayor Buckley called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Invocation Alderwoman Finlayson introduced Ms.Leslie Newman Adams Pastor of Mt Zion United Methodist Church located at 612 Second St, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 to give the Invocation. Pledge of Allegiance Led by Mayor Buckley. Roll Call Tonight's roll call began with Alderman Savidge. Present: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Approval of Agenda Alderman Arnett moved to approve the agenda as amended to postpone the public hearing on O-54-22 Sign Regulations - Shopping Center Sign Requirements until we receive the Planning Commission Findings In addition, to postpone O-38-22 Vehicles And Traffic - Stopping, Standing and Parking - Parking Spaces Reserved on second reader for (60 days). Is there a 2nd. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Ceremonial Items ID-252-22 Annapolis Boat Shows Presents the City With a Check From the Fall Shows Ms. Mary Ewenson representing the Annapolis Boat Shows presented the City with a check in the amount of $580,000.00. City of Annapolis Page 1 Printed on 1/9/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2022 ID-260-22 Honoring Judy & Bob Schwartzberg, owners of The Big Cheese and Sammy's Deli Presented by Mayor Buckley and Alderwoman Tierney. ID-263-22 City Council Citation to "Chick & Ruth's Delly" Presented by Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Pindell Charles and Alderwoman Tierney. PETITIONS, REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS A. Update from the Mayor Mayor Gavin Buckley City Council Remarks 7 p.m. December 12, 2022 City Council You will note that tonight, in these hallowed City Council chambers of Annapolis, home to the United States Naval Academy, I am wearing Army swag. That’s because West Point beat our beloved Navy in the big football game in Philadelphia on Saturday. Last week, confident of a Navy win, I wagered with Salisbury Mayor Jake Day - who is a Major in the Army - that the mayor who lost the bet would spend 15 minutes in the opposing team’s spiritwear at their next City Council meeting. Saturday’s annual Army vs. Navy football matchup was an exciting game that came down to the wire - in DOUBLE overtime! Unfortunately, Army prevailed. In the second half of the game, underdog Navy looked strong, with a 10-7 lead with 3 minutes to the end of regular play. Then, with less than 2 minutes remaining, Army tied up the game. In TWO rounds of overtime, Army finally ended it 20 to 17. The big story of the game was Navy’s Anton Hall, who scored Navy’s longest-ever touchdown drive - 77 yards! - in the third quarter. Then, in the second overtime, a mistake at the goal line set Army up for their winning field goal. It was exciting, then heartbreaking, and now here I sit in Army swag, with my sincerest apologies to Admiral Buck. Major-Mayor Jake Day, if you’re watching I have a message for you: seeing me like this is my Christmas present to you and the residents of the beautiful Eastern Shore city of Salisbury! We take comfort knowing: there’s always next year! Go Navy. Beat Army. [Remove Army swag] == Last Thursday, alongside Annapolis Fire Chief Doug Remaley and his team, I had the privilege of swearing in seven new firefighters. I want to thank these men and women for stepping up to join the City of Annapolis. They are the ones who run toward the danger when we run away. They see our residents and visitors in some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I thank them for their service and I know this is the beginning of long careers here in Annapolis. Congratulations! == Tonight, I believe we have residents from various Housing Authority properties joining us. We welcome you and will listen thoughtfully to any City of Annapolis Page 2 Printed on 1/9/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2022 public testimony you provide. Before that happens, I would like to clarify some points that seem to be frequently misunderstood about the City’s relationship with HACA. Firstly, we do not want to close down public housing or relocate residents. To the contrary, the City is actively working to support HACA - both directly through grants and other funding - and indirectly through the work of numerous staff who are supporting community development and the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. Some of the ways we are providing support is shown in the slide currently on the screen. The City has also been asked to relax or ease our inspections process. But the City is operating under a court order that requires us to treat HACA like every other landlord. This means we must conduct inspections and issue notices when properties are found to be defective. We don’t have a choice about this. Nevertheless, we have worked with HACA to provide some relief on that front as well, by manually changing our process so that we can report on individual properties, rather than whole buildings. And for the record, the City has only collected $3,000 in fines from HACA in the past year. Finally I want to note that the City is being sued by HACA residents under the argument that the City alone - not HACA, not HUD (the federal agency that actually owns the properties) - the City alone is responsible for the poor conditions of public housing in Annapolis. We have responded to this lawsuit by trying to bring all responsible parties to the table. It’s a step we have had to take to protect the interests of all City residents and taxpayers. As part of our response, we outlined numerous steps the court could take to resolve these claims. Unfortunately, only the last step outlined, receivership, has been discussed publicly. All the other remedies we suggested have been overlooked in the public debate. So, let me finish by reiterating, the City of Annapolis is operating under a court order, and we are being sued. These things constrain our actions and decisions. Nevertheless, we are committed to going forward and doing everything possible to accelerate redevelopment for our residents so they can have the quality of life they deserve. ==== This is our last City Council meeting for 2022 and I want to wish all of our residents, all City employees, and my fellow members of the City Council and their families, a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year. As a reminder, City offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. For both holidays, trash and recycling will move forward one day: Monday pickups will be on Tuesday; Tuesday pickups will move to Wednesday. Annapolis Transit will not have services on Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day, but will return to a regular schedule on Monday Jan. 2. Pip Moyer will close at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Both Pip Moyer Rec Center and the Stanton Center will reopen with regular hours on both Monday, Dec. 26 and Monday, Jan. 2. Please check the city website for full details on all City holiday closures. == To ring in 2023, the City of Annapolis will host a family-friendly early New Year’s celebration at City Dock from 4 to 5:30pm with bands and a DJ. The Chesapeake Children’s Museum will also be offering activities and games. At 5:30, we’ll have fireworks over the harbor for families to enjoy. For those of us who can stay up to usher in the New Year at midnight, we’ll have a second round of fireworks over the harbor at 12 p.m. City of Annapolis Page 3 Printed on 1/9/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2022 This may be the last New Year party at City Dock as we know it. As you know, we are halfway through our garage rebuild and once it is completed, we will begin the next phase of infrastructure projects to make our City more resilient and resistant to the damaging effects of flooding. When we are finished, we will have a beautiful new park and City Dock that will be able to ring in future new years for generations to come. == Just before New Year on December 30, our Naptown Anti-dope Movement Health Fair will take place at the Stanton Center from 3 to 6 p.m. We know this can be a difficult time of year for those dealing with substance use disorder, depression, and other mental and physical health issues. We are hosting this event to help you access resources and support in your recovery efforts so that you can start the new year with some help and hope. This event is free and open to the public. Visit the City website and social media pages for further details. == Next Thursday Dec 22 from 5 to 6 p.m, our office of community services will launch “Around Each Corner” the second annual book collection of poems by Annapolis youth. The launch will be at the Michael E. Busch public library on West Street and will be hosted coffee-house style with poetry readings and refreshments. It’s free and open to the public. Let’s celebrate the creativity of our young people who are raising their voices and sharing their creativity. If you can’t make the event, stop by the library and read some of the poems in this book - the Busch library has agreed to add it to the library catalog! == Early this morning I welcomed incoming members of the Maryland General Assembly to Annapolis. They will open their 445th session on January 11. We look forward to being the host city for legislators during session. I want to congratulate the reelection of Annapolis-based state legislators: Sen. Sarah Elfreth, Del. Shaneka Henson and Del. Dana Jones. I also want to alert folks to updated parking information for legislators, their staff, lobbyists and advocates and visitors to Annapolis during session. Please visit AccessAnnapolis.com/MDGA. In the coming weeks, we should have more details on the governor’s inaugural events on Jan. 18 right here in Annapolis. For now, mark the date in your calendar - it promises to be a great day! Thank you and let’s get on with tonight’s meeting. B. Reports by Committee Standing Committee Dates: Housing and Human Welfare Committee Meeting December 19, 2022, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Finance Committee Meeting December 21, 2022, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM C. Comments by the General Public Comments from the general public - Speakers: Jacqueline Wells, 203 Bloomsbury Square, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Samelia Parker, 191 Bettina A. Nick Way, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Godfrey Phelps, 701 Glenwood Street, Apt# 312, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Alice Johnson, 315 Bloomsbury Square, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. City of Annapolis Page 4 Printed on 1/9/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2022 Tanya Watson, 136 Clay Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Veronica Grant, 23 Bates Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Tara Stout, 1118 August Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Curtis "Gunny" Jones, 1400 Bretton View Road, Annapolis Maryland 21409. Chermire Gladden, 1135 Madison Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. CONSENT CALENDAR Approval of the Consent Calendar A motion was made to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried:unanimously Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Approval of Journal of Proceedings CCM Regular Meeting Minutes 11.14.22 A motion was made to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried:unanimously Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett CCM Special Meeting Minutes 11.28.2022 A motion was made to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion carried:unanimously Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett End of Consent Calendar PUBLIC HEARINGS O-33-22 City of Annapolis Public Ethics Law - For the purpose of compliance with the requirements of Subtitle 8 Local Government Provisions of the Public Ethics Law or Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 19A.04; renumbering for current style; and generally relating to ethics requirements for the City of Annapolis. Sponsors: Mayor Buckley and Alderwoman O'Neill Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-33-22 closed. O-40-22 Workforce Housing - For the purpose of the purpose of allowing workforce City of Annapolis Page 5 Printed on 1/9/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2022 housing as a permitted use subject to standards in certain residential, commercial, office and mixed use districts; establishing the standards for workforce housing; and generally related to zoning. Sponsors: Alderman Gay, Alderman Schandelmeier and Alderwoman Tierney O-40-22 - Speakers: Robb Tufts, 1012 Tyler Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Ken Piel, 47 Windwhisper Lane, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Peter Schmitt, 33 Windwhisper Lane, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Duncan Hood, 922 Berwick Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Donna Taylor, 935 Langton Court, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Richard Montawrr, 47 Franklin Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Chelsea Bock, 21 Rockwell Court, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Keith Cyphers, 304 N. Linden Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Quentin Cummings, 5 Enclave Court, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Trudy McFall, 205 Scott Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-40-22 closed. Mayor Buckley accepted into the record the Planning Commission Findings dated December 1, 2022 for O-40-22. Alderman Savidge moved to declare the public hearing on O-40-22 left open until Monday, January 9, 2023. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 6- Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Nay: 3- Mayor Buckley, Alderman Schandelmeier and Alderman Gay O-50-22 Landlord And Tenant Relations - Rent Guidelines - For the purpose of developing rent guidelines; creating a Rent Stabilization Board to create and oversee the guidelines; setting rent increase notice requirements; generally concerning rents and landlord-tenant relations; and removing a misplaced word in Section 18.10 of the Code. Sponsors: Alderman Gay O-50-22 - Speakers: Christopher Ledoux, 215 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403. Laurel Graziana, 1155 Dolfield Boulevard, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117. Trudy McFall, 205 Scott Drive, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-50-22 closed. O-51-22 Floodplain Management - Amending the Floodplain Management Code - For the purpose of improving compliance with the Federal Emergency Management City of Annapolis Page 6 Printed on 1/9/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2022 Agency (FEMA) model floodplain management code; and generally related to floodplain management. Sponsors: Mayor Buckley and Alderwoman Tierney Mayor Buckley declared the public hearing on O-51-22 closed. O-54-22 Sign Regulations - Shopping Center Sign Requirements - For the purpose of expanding sign requirement exceptions regarding front-lit signage for shopping centers in B2 Community Shopping zoning districts; and generally dealing with sign regulations in the City of Annapolis. Sponsors: Alderman Arnett Alderman Arnett moved to postpone the public hearing on O-54-22 Sign Regulations - Shopping Center Sign Requirements until we receive the planning commission findings. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett LEGISLATIVE ACTION A. First Readers O-55-22 Sediment Control Inspections Process, Fees, and Milestone Inspections - For the purpose of adding conditions for reinspection; creating milestone inspections; adjusting buildings and construction fees to pay for inspector positions; updating the format of these sections; and generally related to grading, erosion and sediment control inspections. Sponsors: Alderman Savidge Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-55-22 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Mayor Buckley referred O-55-22 to the Economic Matters Committee. Mayor Buckley referred O-55-22 to the Environmental Matters Committee. O-57-22 Residential District - Code Section Correction - For the purpose of correcting a referral to a section of city code in Title 21 § 40.050(D)(1) and § 50.040 Tablenote 10. Alderman Arnett moved to adopt O-57-22 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. City of Annapolis Page 7 Printed on 1/9/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2022 R-61-22 Annual Meeting and Tourism Industry Reception - For the purpose of identifying the Annual Meeting and Tourism Industry Reception that will be held on January 24, 2023, as a Major Special Event; and waiving certain City of Annapolis fees for services related to that event. Sponsors: Mayor Buckley Alderman Schandelmeier moved to adopt R-61-22 on first reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Schandelmeier - Cosponsor added. B. Second Readers O-31-22 Revenue and Finance - Budget - Annapolis Community Grant Program - For the purpose of requiring that all recipients of City community grant funds have proof of non-profit status; clarifying definitions; adding acceptable proof; expanding requirements for grantees; and generally dealing with community grant allocations. Sponsors: Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Savidge, Alderman Gay, Alderwoman Pindell Charles and Alderman Schandelmeier Alderwoman O'Neill moved to adopt O-31-22 on second reader. Seconded. CARRIED on voice vote. Alderman Schandelmeier moved to adopt O-51-22 on third reader. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett O-38-22 Vehicles and Traffic - Stopping, Standing and Parking - Parking Spaces Reserved - For the purpose of reserving temporary assigned handicapped parking spaces in residential areas for City of Annapolis residents; and generally dealing with handicapped parking. Sponsors: Alderwoman Tierney Alderman Arnett moved to postpone O-38-22 on second reader for (60 days). Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett R-58-22 Amendments to Title 2 of the FY 2023 Fees Schedule - For the purpose of amending Annapolis Police Department fees; and generally related to the FY 2023 fee schedule. Sponsors: Alderwoman Pindell Charles and Alderwoman Tierney Alderwoman Pindell Charles moved to adopt R-28-22 on second reader. City of Annapolis Page 8 Printed on 1/9/2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - Final December 12, 2022 Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Alderman Schandelmeier - Cosponsor added R-59-22 Budget Process Timeline for Fiscal Year 2024 - For the purpose of approving a timeline for the Fiscal Year 2024 budget development and approval process. Sponsors: Mayor Buckley and Alderwoman Tierney Alderman Gay moved to adopt R-59-22 on second reader. Seconded. A roll call vote was taken. The motion CARRIED by the following vote: Aye: 9- Mayor Buckley, Alderwoman Tierney, Alderwoman O'Neill, Alderwoman Pindell Charles, Alderwoman Finlayson, Alderman Schandelmeier, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge and Alderman Arnett Adjournment Upon motion duly made, seconded and adopted, the Special Meeting was adjourned at 9:27 pm. Regina C. Watkins-Eldridge, MMC City Clerk City of Annapolis Page 9 Printed on 1/9/2023