Hey folks! Alderman Brooks here. I sat in a 14 hour budget hearing so you don’t have to. Here are some of my highlights.

1) A balanced budget with no tax rate increases!

2) Fines for unsafe traffic violations increased to try and encourage better behavior. These fines are easy to avoid if you’re a safe driver, just follow the rules of the road.

3) We are funding an additional medic unit with help from Anne Arundel County. This has been a priority for our fire department for years and after approaching the county for assistance we finally can move forward on it.

 4) We are launching a pilot program to initiate a bus route down Forest Drive to Annapolis High School during school commuting times. Our city buses currently do not service Annapolis High School and the school buses do not run when students participate in after school activities. This pilot will help us serve students and parents who need help getting to school when they cannot catch the traditional school bus but cannot get a ride in the car. This was the initiative of Alderman Rob Savidge and other members of the Transportation Committee. I was very proud to help get this over the line.

 5) We have more funding for after school care provided by the City of Annapolis!

 6) We are continuing the Maritime Apprenticeship Program. The maritime industry is essential to Annapolis’ future, but career paths in the industry require education and training that can dissuade many from seeking these opportunities. Last year we initiated the Maritime Apprenticeship Program to help local residents get started down this career path. Demand is so high for these jobs that folks who move through the program are nearly guaranteed employment and jobs paying in the 6 figures (man I am in the wrong career) are possible in relatively short times. This is the most innovative jobs program in Maryland and I am so proud it is continuing. 

As I said this was a 14 hour hearing with many things discussed, but the above six highlights were my top priorities that I wanted to share. We will be voting on the final budget tomorrow.

Before I get into the agenda, Maryland’s primary is June 23rd. Just 16 days away. It’s essential that you make a plan to vote. Whether it’s by mail, through a drop box, early in person, or on election day; you need to know where your polling place is, what time you plan on getting there, and how you will get there. 

If you want to request mail in ballot you can DO SO HERE. Note the deadline is Tuesday June 16th. If you want to vote early in person, polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM from June 11th to June 18th. Annapolis’ location is the Pip Moyer Rec Center, 273 Hilltop Ln. If you are not an Annapolis resident you can FIND YOUR EARLY VOTING LOCATION HERE. Finally if you want to vote on Election Day, June 23rd, polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Your polling location can be FOUND HERE. I again want to stress the importance of making a plan to vote. Know who you want to support, where you are going, what time you are going, and how you are going to get there.

I also want to share who I support in the upcoming Primary. There are a lot of great candidates putting their names on the ballot this cycle, and I can say only good things about so many of them, but elections come down to one choice and these are who I am voting for in the Democratic Primary. These are endorsements where there is an actual primary. There are many other races on your ballot and some are unopposed until the General Election. 

Congress: Sarah Elfreth. Congresswoman Elfreth continues to represent Annapolis and the surrounding areas with passion and heart. This is such a no brainer, she deserves another term fighting for us.

Governor & Lt. Governor: Wes Moore & Aruna Miller. The Governor’s housing packages alone have earned my support. He is a hard worker who cares for Marylanders. 

House of Delegates, District 30A: Dana Jones & Dylan Behler. Dana and Dylan are true partners in government. So many times when an issue comes up for a constituent that is bigger than what I can address at the city level, Dana and Dylan are an easy phone call or email away. Their offices are responsive and get things done! Dana Jones’ leadership on making childcare more affordable and Dylan Behler’s leadership on housing affordability show how they’re each committed to supporting our working families and making life a little bit easier for Marylanders and Annapolitans.

County Executive: Allison Pickard. This was a HARD choice. Each of these candidates brings so much to the table. Pete Smith’s dedication to service and leadership is inspiring. His career in the Marine Corp taught him that problems need to be solved, not ignored. James Kitchen’s work in the County Executive’s office has been fantastic. For me this came down to the nuances of who can tackle our housing crises the most effectively. This is a complex issue that requires understanding around land use, financing, and transportation. I have seen Allison understand these through her work on the County Council and I believe she is the best candidate.

State’s Attorney: Anne Colt Leitess. Anne is another great partner to the City of Annapolis. When my constituent Zarko Peruza was killed in a hit and run coming back from work, Anne ensured that his killer faced justice. When I was Acting Mayor and had to respond to a homicide in the Safeway parking lot, Anne reached out to me to check up on the situation and offer resources. She is a fighter and I am proud to have her back.

County Council: Gavin Buckley. This was another HARD one because there are two fantastic candidates to consider. First I am going to stress that I cannot say enough good things about Joe Toolan. I’ve seen Joe’s leadership in the environmental community and Annapolis Pride first hand. Annapolis is a better place because Joe lives here. I am endorsing Gavin though because with a very new County Council his experience in government will help Dsitrict 6 take a leading voice the important issues coming before the body. As Annapolis looks to partner with the county on essential projects for our shared benefit, this experience will be essential. Gavin’s work as Mayor was groundbreaking. His vision on City Dock turned it from an issue of constant debate and discussion to something that will become a park that will be the new anchor of Annapolis. He knows how to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. 

Judge of the Orphans’ Court: Loni Moyer, Matt O’Connell, Stacey Scott. I have personally known Loni for over a decade. She is dedicated to helping our community become a better place. She’s a hard worker and I know can fill this role well. Matt and Stacey I’ve only gotten to know recently, but I’m impressed by their intelligence and dedication. They’re great additions to this position. This is an office that has been in the news for all of the wrong reasons recently and much of it can be placed on incumbent judge Marc Knapp. Marc’s temperament, behavior, and lack of ethics recently got him removed from the office by the Maryland Supreme Court. Do not allow him back in office.

As I said earlier, being a candidate is hard and I have only good things to say about most (that’s a key work given the prior paragraph huh) of the folks on the ballot. Ultimately, no matter who you support, it is important to make sure you go and vote!

Now onto the agenda! 

CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 PM

Moment of Silence, Pledge of Allegiance & Roll Call

Proposed Closed Session - Pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions, Section 3-305(b)(1) and (9). Discussion: 1) the appointment of the Finance Director and 2) an update on collective bargaining negotiations.

AT 7 P.M., THE COUNCIL WILL PROCEED TO THE MAIN AGENDA ITEMS

Approval of Agenda

Ceremonial Items 

ID-128-26 Citation: Officer First Class John Murphy, Annapolis Police Department Recruitment Officer

ID-130-26 Proclamation: Pride Month 2026

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

CA-2-26 Expanding the Board of the Supervisors of Elections Membership - For the purpose of expanding the Board of Supervisors of Elections from three members to five members; stating how nominees would be selected by political party nomination and self-nomination; changing when the City Council appoints members; adding steps for filling vacancies; and generally related to the nomination and appointment of members of the Board of Supervisors of Elections. - This legislation will expand the Board of Supervisors of Elections from its current 3 members to 5. It will also extend at least one of those extra membership positions to an unaffiliated or third party voter. The intent is to expand representation on the board to more individuals as unaffiliated voters become a larger demographic.

CONSENT CALENDAR 

Journals of Proceedings

CCM 5.11.26 Regular Meeting Minutes 5/11/26

CCM 5.21.26 Regular Meeting Minutes 5/21/26

CCM 5.26.26 Regular Meeting Minutes 5/26/26

Supplemental Spending $50,000 or Less

SA-21-26 Fire - Grant - This supplemental appropriation adds an additional $21,378.50 to the FY26 Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MEMSS) grant for defibrillators. Allowing the Fire Department to purchase another LP35 unit and continue the replacement of obsolete units. The City has a required match of $21, 378.50which will be paid out of the Fire Department Capital Outlay expense account.

BUSINESS & MISCELLANEOUS

Supplemental Spending More Than $50,000

SA-22-26 Planning & Zoning - Capital - This supplemental allocation  appropriates $683,200 US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration SS4A (FY24) Grant Funding and $159,700 from the Capital Reserve Fund to the City of Annapolis - Safe Streets & Roads Project.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION 

FIRST READERS

O-14-26  Art in Public Places - Amending Definitions, Duties, and Membership Suggests several changes, including reducing the commission's size and revising its duties. The Council disbanded the commission on February 23, 2026 and gave itself six months to replace the Commission.  

R-19-27 - Confirmation of Finance Director Karen Ajayi Along with HR we have been missing a finance director for MONTHS. Karen Ajayi has been serving as the City’s Deputy Finance Director since February and has already established many policies updating our finance department. I’m excited to support her.

SECOND READERS 

R-18-26 Human Resources Director - Charles A. Hall, Jr. - Confirmation of Charles Hall Jr as our new Human Resources Director. - We haven’t had an HR director in MONTHS. I’m excited to support Mr. Hall as we go through the process to confirm him. 

BUDGET-RELATED SECOND READERS

I normally try to share my opinions on each piece of legislation individually but these are all interconnected. The City Council spent 14 hours reviewing the budget together on Monday June 1st. It is a good budget and I highlighted some of my favorite parts in the opening paragraphs of this newsletter. I will be supporting each ordinance and resolution.

O-8-26 Annual Budget and Appropriation and Property Tax Levy - This ordinance includes the Annual Operating Budget for the new fiscal year starting July 1, the Capital Budget, the Capital Improvement program, appropriates money for all City spending over the next fiscal year, and levies the City's property taxes for FY 2027.

-Operating Budget: The list of all the regular day-to-day city expenses. 

-Capital Budget: Expected long-term spending (e.g., building construction, machinery replacement). 

-Capital Improvement Program: Expected future capital projects. 

-Appropriations: Council approval to spend the money allocated in the budget.

-Property Tax Levy: The City's income source.

R-10-26 - Annual Fees Schedule - The list of all the City's fees and the corresponding sections of the Code requiring each fee.

R-11-26 - Annual Fines Schedule - The list of the City's fines and the corresponding sections of the Code.

R-12-26 - Position Classification and Play Plan - The list of all the City's jobs, their pay rank, and the actual salary for each position.

ADJOURNMENT