Hey folks! Alderman Brooks here. I hope you had a great 4th of July. Despite the heat, rain, and a broken toe our family managed to enjoy the holiday with friends. A few days later Mayor Littmann, Alderwoman Allsup-Johnson, Alderwoman O’Neil, Annapolis Poet Laureate Jeff Holland, and myself joined others all over Annapolis and the Country to read the Declaration of Independence in unison. It was a great way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States that focused on what unites us all as Americans. 

Before I get into the agenda there are two important things to highlight. The first is the upcoming work on Spa Road. 

Starting on Sunday, July 12, 2026, road reconstruction work will begin on Spa Road (MD 387) between Forest Drive and Hunt Meadow Drive. During this time, one lane will be closed on Spa Road and traffic will be controlled by flagging crews. The intersection of Old Forest Drive and Spa Road will be closed during a portion of this work. Construction is expected to continue 24 hours/day, 7 days a week for approximately two weeks, weather permitting. 

Construction and traffic impacts are expected due to the construction of The Village at Providence Point, which will be located along the west side of Spa Road. Overall improvements include construction of a shared use-path along southbound Spa Road, Forest Drive at Spa Road intersection upgrades, widening and resurfacing of Spa Road to include installation of pavement markings, turn lanes and stormwater/drainage enhancements. Future roadwork may occur during off-peak hours that will require potential lane shifts associated with the project. Please note that this is not a City project. This section of Spa Road is owned by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), and the work is being performed under SHA Access Permit #18-AP-AA-030-25. 

I have attached an image of the grading permit to showcase what the finished project will look like, including the shared use path (I have crudely drawn arrows pointing to it), which is publicly available infrastructure for everyone to use. When completed it will provide a safe way for folks to navigate Spa Road without a car.

Some folks have reached out to the City asking if Annapolis Middle School will open up its parking lot to vehicular traffic as a cut through to Forest Drive. This is not possible. First there is no desire to take on the liability of bringing through traffic across their lot and in such close proximity to the school. Second, the lots do not connect to each other and to Forest Drive. 

I know this is inconvenient, road construction always is, but this is a way to get desperately needed infrastructure improvements paid for by a private entity. We are also conducting the construction when school is out and there is the lightest potential of car volume. The 24 hour construction will also accelerate the timeline to just two weeks. 

The second thing I would like to highlight is Annapolis is currently conducting community meetings highlighting what folks would like to see with our next Police Chief! Our first meeting was on July 9th and very well attended. We will have two more meetings, one July 15th and another on July 16th. We hope you can make one of them to have your voice heard!  

Now onto the agenda! I will be attending the meeting virtually on Monday because I am flying off to Maine to take care of a family member that recently had surgery. So while I won’t be there in person, my oversized head will still be a voice for Ward 5.

CALL TO ORDER

Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance & Roll Call

Approval of Agenda

Ceremonial Items 

ID-143-26 - Arnett-Finlayson Scholarship Recipients

ID-147-26 - Annapolis Police Department Gone Fishing Award in Honor of Lt. Brian Della

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.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

O-14-26 Art in Public Places - Amending Definitions, Duties, and Membership - This legislation reconstructed the Art in Public Places Committee, reducing the membership’s size and putting it more in an advisory role, and placing more authority of the decisions in the hands of the Planning and Zoning Director.

O-16-26 - Forest Conservation - Program Amendments to Conform with State Law - This legislation implements new state requirements regarding forest conservation and protection of the City's tree canopy with local changes to meet Annapolis' needs. 

O-17-26 - Right to Park in Front of Residential Private Driveways - This legislation allows legal occupants to park or let guests park in front of their driveway on the street.

CONSENT CALENDAR 

Journals of Proceedings

CCM 6.1.26 Special Meeting Minutes 6/01/26

CCM 6.8.26 Regular Meeting Minutes 6/8/26

CCM 6.22.26 Special Meeting Minutes 6/22/26

LEGISLATIVE ACTION 

FIRST READERS

Charter Amendment

CA-3-26 - Expanding the Preamble of The Charter of the City of Annapolis - This responds to the Charter Commission recommendation to modernize the City's Charter Preamble. If passed it will include statements of purpose and aspiration regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion; human, civil, and voting rights; environmental stewardship; public safety; municipal operations; the Chesapeake Bay and natural ecosystems; and the impacts of climate change

Ordinances

O-12-26 - Removing Streets from Special Residential Parking District, Number 5 - This removes Forbes Street and Monterey Avenue from District 5 covering West Annapolis from the special residential parking district.

O-15-26 - Cottage Food Businesses as Home Occupations -This implements a new state-allowed home occupation: cottage food businesses. Annapolis residents will be permitted to prepare specific foods—such as breads, cookies, jams, jellies, and hard candy—in their home kitchens for direct sale to consumers. State law caps their sales at $50,000, and they are not required to obtain a health department license or undergo kitchen inspections. Sales are limited to within Maryland. This is legislation I was very excited to introduce. Starting a small business in Annapolis is HARD. The upfront costs box out too many entrepreneurs who want to make a living and add to their community. This legislation will allow home kitchens (that pass safety inspections!) to be used as a small commercial space to lower up front costs and hopefully allow these entrepreneurs to get on their feet and grow their operations! 

Resolution

R-29-26 - Update of Fiscal Year 2027 City Fees - This updates fees for: 1) City-owned parking facilities and certain metered spaces, 2) rental operating licenses for 50 or more units, 3) one mooring field in the City harbor, and 4)  temporary special liquor licenses.

SECOND READERS 

R-21-26 - Designating City Attorney Tony Kupersmith as the City's resident agent, meaning he receives the City's legal notices. - For the purpose of designating a resident agent for service of process under certain circumstances; and matters generally relating thereto. City code requires us to name a specific individual as the resident agent, so anytime we get a new City Attorney we need to update the code. Mr. Kupersmith was confirmed as our new agent so we need to update the code. I will be voting yes. 

ADJOURNMENT

Brooks for Annapolis
https://www.brooksforannapolis.com/