Hey folks! Alderman Brooks here. Before I get into the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting I wanted to share a few exciting infrastructure projects that we have in and around Ward 5 that will improve our quality of life. As the Public Works director told me we are "getting lots of pedestrian safety money our way.”

First is that the long request sidewalk connecting Spa Road and Forest Drive is finally in the design phase. As you can see below this section of Spa Road is dangerous for folks to walk, forcing many to either cut across private yards or walk in the street, putting themselves at risk for injury from traffic. I have been pushing for this project for a long time and slowly but surely it is moving its way through the process.

Second is the “Truxton Green Network Connector & Hilltop Lane Connector Trail” which is the big formal name for, we are finally getting some better biking protections and connections to Hilltop Lane and Truxton Heights. The neighborhoods around Hilltop Lane have some of the last working class housing in Annapolis and many commute by bike, including some of my neighbors and children trying to get to Annapolis Middle School. An incident that still hurts me is when a constituent of mine was killed in a hit and run while riding his bike home from work. These protections can prevent incidents like that from happening again. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027.

The pedestrian safety projects will continue down Hilltop Lane with planes for a traffic circle or traffic light at the Gemini Road and Hilltop Lane intersection (I’m pushing for a circle because it simultaneously makes things safer, slower, but moves more cars at a steady pace preventing back ups) along with a pedestrian island at the Hilltop Lane and Presidents Street crosswalk. Construction is anticipated to begin in Winter of 2028.

Finally in Truxton Heights we are in the design phase for storm drainage improvements. This area was first built with little concern for stormwater management and flooding is frequent as a result. This impacts the Admiral Farragut apartments and the surrounding areas after severe storms with nuisance foods and erosion. We have completed a concept study and are now designing a project for how to best address these problems.

Next I wanted to share with folks that the city has introduced the “Golden Parking Pass” For just $20 from March 9 to April 6, seniors 62+ can enjoy up to two hours of parking per day on Main Street, Maryland Avenue, and at the Mills Hillman Garage.

This program is designed to make downtown Annapolis more accessible and enjoyable for our senior residents. Simply register your vehicle(s) through the online portal and submit payment. Once approved, your tag will be eligible for the daily two-hour parking benefit throughout the program period. No need to input a code or swipe a card. Drive up, do your downtown shopping and dining, and drive away. Tag readers will know your vehicle is enrolled in the program!

If you want to sign up for the program, you can APPLY HERE or call (410) 216-5620. 

Next the City of Annapolis Office of Community Services and Community Legal Services will be holding a virtual town hall for renters! Join us on Thursday, March 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. to learn about tenants rights and responsibilities, as well as the legal services available to renters. I am grateful for this because all too frequently the city has treated renters as less important, with a former colleague on the council calling the councilmembers who rented “uninvested in the city” during a work session! Renters attending these events not only empowers them on resources available but shows that renters belong here too. You can RSVP HERE.

Finally in non political, just for fun news… IT’S THE ANNAPOLIS FILM FESTIVAL! This year, the annual festival will be held from Thursday, March 26 to Sunday, March 29. Screenings and events will be held at venues throughout Annapolis, including Maryland Hall, St. John’s College, Asbury United Methodist Church, and across the Historic Arts District, with additional festival experiences such as industry panels, filmmaker Q&As, Coffee Talks at RamsHead OnStage, student programs, and late-night parties.

So go watch some movies! It’s been a hard month, we earned it. Tickets are on sale now! You can pick up yours here.

Now onto the agenda!

CALL TO ORDER

Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance & Roll Call

Proposed Closed Session

ID-62-26 A Proposed Closed Session- Discussion Topic: Pending or potential litigation regarding the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA).

At 7:00 PM THE COUNCIL WILL PROCEED TO THE MAIN AGENDA ITEMS

Approval of Agenda

Ceremonial Items

ID-67-27 Earth Month Proclamation for April 2026

PETITIONS, REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS

Update from Mayor and Reports by Committees

Comments be the General Public

A person speaking before the City Council with a petition, report, or communication shall be limited to no more than three minutes. Comments must be limited to things not up for Public Hearing on the agenda.

Council Discussion

ID-63-26 Public Works Director Burr Vogel - Changes in City Capital Improvement Projects this fiscal year - A presentation on what infrastructure projects that were or were not scheduled, and how will that be adjusted this year. 

Consent Calendar

Supplemental Appropriations Under $50,000

SA-14-26 Art In Public Places Commission - Contract Services - AIPPC Fund Balance

SA-16-26 Grants - Anne Arundel County Department of Health - Police Department

SA-18-26 Grant - Maryland Department of Transportation - Transportation Department

Appointments

AP-16-26 Appointment - David W. Beugelmans, ESQ - Recreation Advisory Board

AP-17-26 Appointment - Ms. Teresa Elienberg - Human Relations Commission

End of Consent Calendar

LEGISLATIVE ACTION 

Supplemental Appropriations $50,000 & Above

SA-17-26 Grant - Maryland Department of Transportation - Transportation Department

SA-19-26 Grant - Maryland Department of Transportation - Transportation Department

First Readers Some of these are missing a staff report and by city code cannot be introduced before we have that. There may be postponement due to that.

O-6-26 Oversight of the City’s Firing Range - Currently, only the Mayor has the authority to decide who can use the City's police firing range. This ordinance adds the Police Chief as an approver.

O-7-26 Eliminating the Requirement for Outdoor Dining Patrons to be Seated - This change allows service to patrons not only at outdoor tables, but also at designated standing areas within the approved outdoor dining space. This is lacking a staff report and will likely be postponed one meeting. To get into the merits of this legislation, the previous outdoor dining legislation was to the 4 cosponsors of this legislation overly restrictive and getting into regulations that the city has no business in regulating. 

R-7-26 Support of Maryland General Assembly House Bill 1142 - This resolution expresses the City Council's support for HB 1142, which aims to establish a state task force to evaluate the effects of sharing the Maryland sales tax with municipalities. We will likely suspend the rules and vote to pass this resolution tomorrow night. This asks the state to set up a task force to see the feasability in sharing sales tax revenue with local governments. Since this is just asking for a task force from the state and not leading to local policy change at this time I am supporting both rules suspenion and the resolution while continuing the potential benefits and potential consequences if we choose to implement this policy.

Second Readers

R-1-26 R-1-26 - Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Statement of Performance Standards -- The resolution is the City Council's approval of the performance standards for the City's various departments, as the City Code mandates annually. Sets performance standards for the City’s departments. This is a standard “make government work” type of deal. I’m supporting.

R-4-26 - Extending the Public Paddlecraft Rack Pilot Project -- Last boating season, the City started a pilot project to rent space on a rack for storing kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes in a waterfront public park. The rack wasn't operational until mid-boating season. This resolution would extend the project for another full boating season with some changes, including lower storage rates. This helps get smaller, more obtainable boats on the water. The Maritime Advisory Board recommended this favorably. Seems like a no brainer to me. I’m supporting. 

R-6-26 - Authorizing Itinerant Merchant Sales Within the Annapolis Historic District Approved Special Events During Calendar Year 2026 - The Council must authorize sales by itinerant merchants in the Historic District. This resolution designates the special events for 2026 and permits merchant sales at those events. This lets us have special events with special merchants downtown. I like those, you like those, if we want to have those we have to pass this. I’m supporting.  

ADJOURNMENT