Mayor Attacks Alderman Israel on Charter Amendment

In another one of her notoriously thin-skinned outbursts, Annapolis Mayor Moyer has attacked Alderman Dick Israel for introducing a charter amendment that would adjust the powers of the mayor and city administrator. CP can only shake his head and sigh as she hammers another nail into her coffin of incivility. She used her bully pulpit to write a news release about this and it is posted on the city web-site as well.

I don't think I'd be out of line to suggest that Alderman Israel is one of the most respected elected officials in recent memory. He is highly regarded for his thoughtfulness and integrity, but the mayor writes, "I am amazed that Alderman Richard Israel, who has spent most of his career as a lawyer in the office of the Attorney General, would begin 2008 with an assault on Representative Government as he does with Charter Amendment CA-01-08."

Without any sense of irony, she also states that "Democracy is a partnership between the people and their elected representatives. Mechanisms fostered by distrust only fan divisiveness."

Oh puhllleeze Mayor Moyer! Can the hyperbole and viciousness. Dick is not assaulting representative government, and stop acting as if it's an attack on you. It's not! The only one who is assaulting anyone here is you and if anyone is assaulting representative government, it is you by your irresponsible and negative attitudes, posturing, unwillingness to listen coupled with a trigger-finger readiness to condemn.

Many of us had certainly hoped that Dick's proposal, which is not perfect by any means, would bring about discussion and evaluation of our charter. As you well know, I testified against it--the only citizen to testify on the bill at all, and I began my testimony by saying how it pained me to come out and oppose Dick, but I felt he was wrong. It is not necessary to accuse him of anything!

Everyone knows that one of Dick's favorite stories is about how he sat down with you and said "Madame Mayor, if two people in a room together always agree, only one of them is doing the thinking." We the citizens of Annapolis know of what he is speaking. Unfortunately when anyone sits down with you, only one is doing the talking and only one is doing the listening--you! My father was in business with a partner for fifty years and they each had a sign at their desks that read, "When two men in business always agree, one of them is not needed." You continue to tell eight Aldermen and 36,000 residents they are not needed.

No Ellen, the only one who is assaulting representative government is you but the fundamental problem is that the office of mayor has way too much power, with little separation of powers that also leaves Aldermen--the direct representatives, with little power.

Readers may see the mayor's comments at

annapolis.gov/headlines.asp?ID=12151

Capital Punishment's First Year: If site visits were money, I'd be rich!

It all started over a year ago when CP began regular postings of news and opinion and other items of interest to Annapolitans. Here was the first post from Monday, January 8:

"Welcome--and just in time for the much heralded arrival of the O'Malley Administration--and goodbye to the four Ehrlich years of, of, oh well....with the exception of the bright spot of the so-called "Flush Tax" I guess the other big thing was slots and more slots. And thankfully, they never came to Maryland. Let's hope they never will.

Annapolis Capital Punishment will be a progressive journal and forum about Annapolis and nearby Anne Arundel County, mainly attending to our local political scene, and hopefully becoming THE place to exchange ideas, opinion and multi-faceted slants about our lives here and the political fortunes of those making our laws, running our daily government and those trying to influence those institutions. AND, it will also be a watchdog intently focused on our number one and uncontested source of local news, The Capital. Not The Evening Capital. The Capital. For better or worse, it is our local daily. Much has been, can be and will be said about our local newspaper. Blog readers who know of the many dozens if not hundreds of letter I have penned over the years, know me as a faithful reader, yet a member of its often loyal opposition. I'll say it here first--I Like The Capital. I just want it to be better--and to be more accountable. 'Nuff said."

I leave it to readers to determine if I have stuck to my original intentions, but CP has become an increasingly influential and respected forum for local issues. Site visits and page views have been steadily rising and this January was our most popular month ever. We have had over 3000 visits and 5000 page views in January, 2008 with a total of over 30,000 page views in our first year. Site views and page visits are going up and up and up. Sort of like housing prices and the Dow Jones averages in reverse.

As a trained journalist, I have tried to adhere to a high standard of reliability, accuracy and accountability. I do not and have never pretended to be a "balanced" or "objective" source of news in the traditional or normative sense. In other words, you know from where I am coming. I just hope that somehow my voice resonates, that it speaks from experience and familiarity and with a high degree of accountability, accuracy and reliability.

I do write about The Capital--and refer to it often as well as The Sun and sometimes The Post. They are the big boys and have the resources to cover plenty of things. On the other hand, I know things, write about things and say things that they either don't know about or will not or cannot write about. A blog has its advantages. Maybe one day they'll actually decide I've written something worthwhile and will post a link to CP in one of their articles or editorials. George Bush may also admit he made a mistake. On the other hand, CP has been interviewed by and quoted in The Capital and The Baltimore Sun. Hey--we even got "huffed" or picked up in The Huffington Report once.

Since CP started, the blogosphere has continue to expand, sometimes for better and sometimes not. CP is frequently featured in FreeStatePolitics and is regularly picked up on LeftyBlogMaryland and BlognetnewsMaryland, which aggregates and rates political blogs in the Old Line State. For many months, CP has almost always been rated among the top twenty most influential political blogs in Maryland (By the way--there are a lot more than 20 such blogs...). CP is the most established and highest-read blog focusing on Annapolis.

CP continues to meet almost every Thursday morning at Ahh, Coffee! in Eastport from 8 to 9 am. and sometimes a bit later if the discussion is as hot as the coffee. All CP readers are invited to pop in any Thursday morning and we hope to see you.

I think if you read CP on a regular basis, you'll find that while I may be caustic, hard-hitting or even "snarky" at times, I try to steer clear of harsh personal attacks which is the norm of many bloggers. I have avoided thus far, making endorsements in any political campaign. I am not so certain whether my opinion matters when it comes to your vote. However, that may change.

While I've taken a strong stance against the actions of our mayor, let us never forget that she is a human being, she cares deeply about our community and I refuse to demonize her, as many have, including bloggers and comment writers to blogs have done. She has made a lot of mistakes and she angers many of us, but she is not a monster. I think she has been a force for good in some areas.

Sometimes I write in the first person. Sometimes CP writes in the third-person. Dunno know why. CP just likes the idea of referring to himself as CP.

As always, CP welcomes your comments. However, anonymous comments are likely to be ignored. If you have something to say, you may say it here, but please be civil. There are ground rules, and if your mother did not explain them to you, it's too late for me to do it. Enjoy our freedoms of expression. Those who hide behind the veil of anonymity are like cockroaches, and only come out in the dark.

Thank you for being a loyal reader of Annapolis Capital Punishment, and please, keep on reading and keep on writing and keep on working to make our city the best city it can be!

Homeless Shelter....More Money, More Money, More Money

It keeps getting worse. The group trying to build an enormously expensive shelter (see previous post "The Government Is Just Made of Money") wants more money and more money from our cash-strapped city government--and that means you and me. CP has already referred you to one article in The Capital and now the Sun covers it at: www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.lighthouse30jan30,0,6482672.story

We have to ask ourselves a bunch of questions: Why are there homeless people? Of course the corollary question is, why do most people have homes? The next question is, why should public tax dollars go to make "permanent" shelters? Another question is why did they originally need $6 million? The next question is why do they now need more-especially as homebuilding and borrowing costs are falling? (The Sun article claims costs have jumped--but construction is waaaay off--which ironically, and admittedly may mean more jobless people. Builders should be lining up ready for work) Another question is don't we already have enough--in fact way more than enough tax-supported public housing? Are the nice brick, waterfront homes at Bloomsbury Square not enough? If it costs millions to build this, how much will it cost to operate? Who will pay for that?

And finally, the really big question which must be asked is this:

IF WE CAN SPEND millions of dollars to build a "shelter" why can't the organization behind this work to eliminate homelessness and instead build community, create jobs and economic and educational opportunity?

By building a "shelter" we are clearly saying there will always be homeless people and we can never solve that problem but we can devote huge resources to give them a bed...
OVER EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS WORTH AS REPORTED!!!!! A public private partnership that can raise millions can also work to create jobs and hope. Otherwise we just get beds.

Annapolis/Eastport Residents Crack Down on Mayor to Crack Down on Crime; Join Alderman Arnett and Neighbors to Walk in Unity to Meeting

A group of concerned residents are stepping up their anti-crime action despite being brushed off and publicly labeled as "rhetorical bomb throwers" by Mayor Ellen Moyer (the former Eastport Alderman and current Eastport resident). The "Eastport Taskforce to Stop Gunfire" group will hold a public meeting on February 7th at 6:30 at the Eastport United Methodist Church to demand action from our elected officials and police department.

Alderman Ross Arnett and CP are encouraging all Eastport residents to walk together to this meeting with their neighbors. Walking shows community solidarity. Walking allows us to look at and listen to our community. Walking allows us time to see, meet and talk with our neighbors. Walking shows that we are not giving up our streets. Walking shows we are serious. Walking together shows a strong and visible message that we are united in our efforts, and united in fighting crime. Walking, as opposed to driving has so many other benefits, but above all, we can take back our streets. This unity will be seen by our elected officials, the news media, other neighbors or anyone else driving by in their cars.

Join with your neighbors. Bring a flashlight or a light a candle in a glass cup or mug. Here is where we will meet:
Join Alderman Ross Arnett and others at the Royal Farms Store to leave at 6:15 to walk down Bay Ridge Avenue.
Meet at the corner of President and Boucher to leave at 6:15 to walk up President Street and down Madison Street.
Meet at the corner of President and Van Buren to leave at 6:15 and walk up President to Madison Street.
Meet at the corner of the post office and Americana Drive and leave at 6:15 to cross Bay Ridge Ave. together.
Meet at the sheltered bus stop on Monroe St. at the side of the Eastport Shopping Center to leave at 6:15.

Meet up in the Church Parking lot at 6:25 and walk in together at 6:30.

PLEASE--walk together with your neighbors. If you must drive, go with neighbors. Together, we will show the criminal elements that we are a united community and we own our streets--not them.
Here is a pdf flyer about the upcoming meeting.
eastport-task-force-to-stop-gunfire.googlegroups.com/web/Flyer.jpg?gda=sjVnrToAAAAmEIXfLP48kSyccewd4doDBx4A8dwtIdZDiDcJxz7RUWG1qiJ7UbTIup-M2XPURDSjNX6v0hj3f6fSr7jx5U5J

CONTACT: stopeastportgunfire@yahoo.com

A Reader Comment

"I'm glad to see you've been posting about the crime on the daily beat report. From here on West Washington, it has been quiet during the day. Probably has a lot to do with the police being on foot patrol which is only happening because of the legislative session. Makes ya wonder huh. Crime goes away during the foot patrols... yet there's no bright light bulb going off in the minds of our city gov't that "HEY! This is actually an idea that works." The citizens know what we need, yet the police dept can't get it to happen." Ellis in Ward Two

When You Go To Work, This Criminal Goes to "Work" Too

CP recently posted about a burglary of one of this neighbors and the below is a follow-up to that story from the Annapolis Police Beat Crime Watch Report. It speaks for itself. Let us hope that
the perpetrator gets to spend a long time now trying to break out of a structure rather than break in. It would seem that this perp is poking around homes to see when people leave for work, Many thanks to the helpful resident and the police:

4. BURGLARY: NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH IS WORKING! Yesterday, we reported
that a home in the 1100 block of Boucher Avenue had been broken into just
after the resident had left it. Further, we said that the victim had
seen a suspicious man loitering in the area as she was leaving, but did
not call us. We stressed the importance of calling in any suspicious
activity. On January 30th at 8:40 AM, a resident of the 1100 block of
Bay Ridge Avenue left his home and also saw a suspicious man loitering in
the area. Mindful of the recent events, instead of leaving for work as
he had planned, he circled around and called the police. While waiting
for the officers, he saw the suspect approach his home suspiciously as
if casing it. The suspect then tried to gain entry by pushing a window
in the back..Being unsuccessful at this, he walked to another side of
the house and began trying to force another window open. The suspect
then noticed the victim watching him and took off running. At this time,
an officer specifically assigned to the area in response to the recent
burglaries arrived . The officer apprehended the suspect after a brief
chase. He was identified as Marvin Johnson, 20, of Hilltop Lane. He was
arrested and charged with Burglary and related offenses. He is currently
being held at the Detention Center in lieu of a $35,000.00 bond.
Investigation into his recent activities is continuing. (08-000602)


If you have information on these or any other crimes, you can call
the Annapolis Police Dept at 410-268-9000. Remember, you do not have to
leave your name.

Today*s Crime Prevention Tip: Be vigilant throughout your community.
Report all suspicious activity to the police as soon as possible. Not
only does this help you, but it helps your neighbors as well.

Contact us by E-Mail at: apdcommunityservices@annapolis.gov


If you have any questions please send them to HDalton@annapolis.gov

Imitation Is The Best Form Of Flattery

CP has been meeting with readers every Thursday at Ahh Coffee! for many months so we are pleased to tell you that Alderman Ross Arnett is now starting a group-think there as well. Good choice Ross. After coffee, don't forget that Eastport Liquors has a wine tasting every Saturday afternoon! And Ross--if you drive the four blocks from your house, rather than walk or ride your bike--you know who you'll be hearing from!!!
(In all fairness, Ross did walke with CP to City Hall for the recent Public Safety Committee meeting)...and now, Ross:

Starting in February, at eleven o'clock the first Saturday of each month I will be at AAH Coffee in the Eastport Shopping Center to meet with anyone who chooses to come by. I will be there to answer your questions and to listen to your ideas. Each month I will also be prepared to speak on a topic.

This month I will start with City Government 101, a comparison of how our city government is structured, contrasted with the federal form of government. I will be as brief or as long as the company permits or tolerates. Topics are open to your suggestions. Next month I will go over the city’s budget process -- unless you beg me to do otherwise.

The frequency of the Saturday meetings will be determined by your desires and my availability. So that’s this Saturday 2 February at AAH Coffee. Hope to see you there.

Ross Arnett, Alderman, Ward 8

More Lovely Gun-Crime Stories from Robinwood

From today's Crime Beat....in which CO also learned that neighbor's home was burgled when his neighbor left for about half an hour! CP has emphasized the part where concerned citizens helped the police, in stark contrast to yesterday's posting where "concerned" neighbors harassed the police. And the beat goes on....

1. ATTEMPTED MURDER ARREST/PRIOR CASE : Back on November 30th of 2007,
a male victim was shot in the legs as he was riding a bicycle in
Robinwood in the 1300 block of Tyler Avenue. For reasons unknown, as the
victim passed two male suspects that were standing in the area, one of
them shot him in the leg. The other suspect had told the first one to
shoot the victim. While the victim was on the ground and trying to get
up to get away, the suspect that had instructed the gunman to shoot the
victim told him repeatedly to shoot him again. He said this while he was
holding the victim down, trying to prevent his escape. The victim did
manage to break free, get up, and run before the gunman could shoot him
again. As he was running, the gunman fired at him once more, striking
him in his other leg. Fortunately, the victim was still able to flee to
safety. After an investigation, 17 year old Demarco Edward Brown, of
1344 Tyler Avenue, was identified as the suspect that had instructed the
gunman to shoot the victim. A warrant was issued for his arrest on
January 24th. After initial attempts to locate him failed, officers made
a concerted effort to locate him on January 29th in the early afternoon
hours. Concerned citizens had informed the police department that he
was still frequenting the Robinwood Community. With the active help of
residents, he was located not too far from where the shooting had
occurred at 1:55 PM. He attempted to evade the officers, but was
cornered and taken into custody without incident. Although he is a
juvenile at 17, he has been charged as an adult with Attempted Murder
and other related offenses. He is currently being held at the Detention
Center in lieu of a one million dollar bond. The investigation is
continuing as to the identity of the gunman. (07-0006640)

CP Readers Weigh in on Election Coverage

..and they are not too pleased. Of course it's easy and fashionable to hate the news media, but their worst attributes come out in an election year, but so do those of the politicians. Our most recent poll asked, "How Would You Describe Overall News Media Coverage Of The Presidential Election Campaign?"

We only had 27 respondents this week, which I suppose is attributable to all eyes being on Florida and South Carolina (they made me watch.....), but of those, 13 or basically half answered that it is "Too focused on meaningless trivia." Five readers said it is "About as fair and balanced as Pravda." Four replied it is "Centrist, bland, boring" while three said it is "Too analytical, not enough basic reporting." Only one reader replied it is "Approaching fairness, accuracy and balance" and finally, one also said "None of the above."

As always, CP cautions readers that there is nothing scientific about this poll. It is about as fair and balanced as is Pravda, but some weeks we have tremendous response, and some weeks, fewer responses. Generally we find that CP readers come from a broad range of perspective on issues. Send your ideas for a poll to foerp@msn.com .

This week's poll is about one of CP's favorite topics--public transportation. We invite you to vote.

The Government Is Just Made of Money

According to today's Capital, the local homeless shelter says it needs more city support to build its new facility. The Capital says, "The city already has committed $400,000 over the next two fiscal years, but Light House officials met with the City Council last night in a special pre-meeting work session to ask the aldermen and Mayor Ellen O. Moyer to double that amount to $800,000 over two years." www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/01_29-46/TOP

Okay. Okay. Yes, there are homeless people and they need shelters. Yes, it is an unfortunate and inexcusable fact of life in one of the richest counties in one of the richest states in the wealthiest country in the world. CP has deplored and continues to deplore the gaping chasm between haves and have-nots in this city, but please--enough is enough.

We already have what is about the highest percentage of people living in public or subsidized housing anywhere in the US. We already built more public housing--beautiful waterfront brick homes to house yet more people living off our tax dollars. Please--though some call me a liberal, leftie, progressive, commie or whatever, we just can't keep spending and spending on social programs. I think we should help, and we are helping--to the tune of $400,000 but enough is enough. Our city is possibly entering a fiscal crisis and has already been generous.

The cost was going to be $6 million but now it's $8.5 million? (Is the mayor and city manager handling the contracts for this as well???)

SURE-WE'LL JUST DIG DEEPER...AND DEEPER....AND WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH I'M FALLING.....

Nobody helps me pay for my home or my utilities or my maintenance and I am getting squeezed from every direction, as are many consumers. Keep taxing me and I may need a homeless shelter.There is a limit! And to my friend and County Councilman Josh Cohen--did you really testify in favor of this? And from your position as a County Councilman? Where do you think we are going to get the money for this? Will you vote for county money for this? Hey wait a minute--that's my money too!!!

Let's Hear It for Our Public Housing Residents

Readers are invited to review the below item from the Annapolis Police Crime Watch Report and draw their own conclusions (editorial note-items in bold are my emphasis):

4.TRAFFIC OFFENSES: On January 28th at 1:56 PM, police received a
lookout for a black Mercury, the occupants of which had been involved in
a possible earlier assault. In the assault, the occupants were alleged
to have threatened the victim with a gun. Officers spotted a similar
vehicle on Forest Drive near Newtowne. The driver refused to stop after
being signaled to do so, and continued onto Newtowne Drive. At Betsy
Court the driver stopped, and he and his two passengers then fled on
foot. The driver was apprehended after an elaborate chase through the
Woodside Gardens Apartments. During the chase, several bystanders
cheered on and otherwise encouraged the suspect in his efforts to avoid
the police. Eventually, he was caught. As he was being led away, the
crowd again cheered for him and exchanged words of encouragement and
criticisms of the police. He was identified as a 17 year old juvenile of
Newtowne Drive. He was charged with Driving Without a License, Fleeing
and Eluding Police, and Disorderly Conduct. No weapons were ever found,
but the investigation is continuing as to the original assault case, and
the identities of the other occupants of the vehicle. The car was
impounded for further investigation. (08-000578)

Let's thank our alert police officers for spotting the car and for apprehending this suspect. CP cannot possibly comment on whether the actions and attitudes of the residents of Woodside Gardens reflect those of many or most residents of public housing communities. How odd that our tax dollars pay the police to protect ourselves and our property while our tax dollars perpetuate segregation, despair and poverty with government owned and subsidized housing which in turn breeds criminals who then threaten us and our property and try to disrupt the police from doing their job. Perhaps this resident and his family should be evicted? Next case your honor!

Last Day to Vote on Your Opinion of Election Media Coverage

Polls close today! Please vote.

How to Get From Annapolis to Baltimore...

Thanks to a resolution pushed by Aldermen Shropshire and Stankivic, Senator John Astle has introduced legislation asking for the state to commit funds to study linking Annapolis and Baltimore by rail as well as some sort of service from Annapolis to Parole. Remember Parole--it's the city that's about to eat Annapolis? It could have been the crowning example of Smart Growth, but instead we get, well, we'll see.

What bothers CP is the fact that this goes on while our city and city leaders continue to ignore the fact that we already have a bus system, a fairly good one in fact for a city this size, but much needs to be done to improve it. In other words, we are ignoring what we own, control and can fairly easily improve while we go to the state to ask for a lot of money to consider doing a really big thing. Consider the fact that P's wife has to commute by car to her job in Baltimore, but we'd all prefer an express commuter bus. However, Governor Ehrlich scrapped that route in a "cost saving" measure. Have our good Aldermen said a word about that? No.

To make matters worse, when Senator Astle introduced the bill on the Senate floor, The Capital quoted him as saying, "Annapolis is really an isolated town...We have no real bus transportation here; we have no rail transportation." An isolated town? No real bus transportation here? CP was instrumental in returning intercity bus service to Annapolis after an 18 year hiatus. For nearly ten years, Annapolis has been served by multiple Greyhound buses every day linking us with Washington, Baltimore and by extension, all of North America. We have city buses linking with light rail and commuter buses serving Washington and a frequent local bus to and from Baltimore. There is no rail, but there was until 1950 when oddly enough, buses took its place along Ritchie Highway. But it is incorrect and really a disservice to say we have no real bus transportation here.

It should be better and we deserve more. I wrote in this regard to Senator Astle and the District 30 delegation, urging them to reinstate commuter service between Baltimore and Annapolis. Certainly if we can spend $600,000 to study rail, we can get some express buses going, and these buses will prove the need for rail.

The Capital did editorialize in favor of the study, but without surprise, The Capital picked up on and repeated Senator Astle's comments by saying, "As the senator points out, the state's capital city is not now served by bus or rail." This is so typical of Capital reporting. It prints something that is wrong. Then it editorializes on it. Then Eric Smith does a cartoon about it. Well, he used to do cartoons. This leaves the less well-informed reader believing, "There is no bus service in Annapolis".

The Capital's columnist Eric Hartley opined as well. At least he was more circumspect when he said, "And beyond the staggering cost, there's another little thing: We don't even have buses.That's not literally true, of course, but compared with some counties of the same size and affluence, Anne Arundel's public transportation is pathetic."

Yes Eric, but are we talking intercity buses, intracity buses, city buses, county buses? In AA County, we have commuter buses, Annapolis bus service, Howard County bus service and MTA service. It's fairly extensive in some areas, but non existent in others. We need to get our definitions correct lest we mislead.

Hartley added, "County Executive John R. Leopold pointed to a study showing only 8 percent of people in the county use public transportation to commute." Well, actually eight percent is not bad, but my point is that when you offer little service, how can people partake? In other words, it's like saying few people go mountain climbing in Florida or nobody takes beach vacations at the North Pole.

Hartley concludes with a reasonable concept. He writes, "So don't hold your breath waiting for that Green Line train to BWI. Especially given the budget realities, we can't just sit and hope for massive rail projects that might never come. We need things that make sense now.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't plan decades ahead; indeed, a lack of vision and imagination from elected officials is one reason sprawl has sprawled so much.

But it's like the old saying: Crawl, walk and then run.

When it comes to public transportation in the county, we're still trying to roll over."

Exactly my point Eric. While Sam and Julie want to talk rail rail and rail, they ignore the bus system that we the people of Annapolis already own and operate and they ignore the relatively easy and inexpensive method to commute to Baltimore--with an express bus! To read the complete columns, visit: www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/readne/2008/01_27-04/COL

Alderman Arnett on Upcoming Council Meeting

The following was sent out by Alderman Ross Arnett to constituents.

Ward 8 Residents

A Special Meeting (i.e., Public Hearing) of the Annapolis City Council will be held on January 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Below is the agenda for the meeting with the sponsor and brief description. I have added comments in italics and underline after a few of the items (NOTE TO CP Readers--some of this formatting was lost in the publishing process...contact Alderman Arnett if you need to see this in its original form)


Note that there will be a legislative portion to the agenda as well. The two items to be taken up are shown at the end of the agenda shown below.


Also, at 6 p.m. there will be a Council Work Session to discuss the Annapolis LightHouse Shelter for the Homeless. The public is invited to attend.


PUBLIC HEARING



O-06-07 Review Time for Legislation [Moyer] – For the purpose of limiting to 180 days the time allowed to the planning process for review of legislation: making the review of all non-planning legislation, including resolutions, by all committees, boards and commissions subject to the current 120 day referral limitation; clarifying that City Council members may submit legislation to the City Council before zoning map amendments and City Code amendments are submitted to the Planning Commission; requiring the review by the Planning Commission of legislation amending Title 20. The primary purpose of this ordinance is to speed legislation through the committee and Commission processes and to Council action. At this point, I am supportive of this ordinance. Too many actions take a year and in some several years to get through the system.



This ordinance also includes a clarification that City Council members may submit legislation to the City Council for zoning map amendments. While I agree that we have this power, what remains unclear is the process of notification of property owners and I will probably submit an amendment to make that notification process clear, i.e., that owners must be notified of any pending action.


O-24-07 Sandwich Board Signs [Moyer] – For the purpose of specifying when and where sandwich board signs are permitted. I need to hear from you on this issue. So far I’ve heard a mixed message, some feeling that these sign are all right, others find them to unsightly and blocking pedestrians.


O-27-05 The Boundaries of the City [Moyer] – For the purpose of including Federal property within the boundaries of the City; and matters generally relating to said City boundary. This Ordinance is an example of the need for O-06-07 in that it was first introduced in 2005. The impact of this Ordinance is to increase the population count for the City and thus our draw on federal and state allocations of dollars and other benefits. I will be watching this to be sure that it doesn’t also bring adverse consequences.


O-56-07 Green Buildings [Moyer] – For the purpose of requiring that certain new construction and major modifications to various buildings and single family homes shall meet certain standards as established by the Green Building Council; defining various terms. As the Ordinance title indicated, this is a requirement for all new construction to meet LEED standards for energy and environmental performance. There will be increases in the cost of building resulting from this legislation, but offsetting energy savings down the road. The overall intent is to help save the environment.


O-57-07 Updating Areas of Committee Responsibilities [Arnett]– For the purpose of deleting Title 19 as a responsibility of the Environmental Matters Committee since Title 19 has been rescinded; to add Title 22 as a responsibility of the Rules and City Government Committee since Title 22 was just recently added to the City Code. This is housekeeping legislation recognizing changes to the City Code.


O-58-07 Lease of City Property: Boat Shows in 2008 through 2012 [Moyer, Shropshire, Israel, Finlayson, Cordle, Arnett, Hoyle]– For the purpose of authorizing a lease of certain municipal property located in the general harbor, Dock Street and Edgewood Road areas to United States Sailboat Show, Inc. and United States Powerboat Boat Show, Inc., bodies corporate, for a certain period of time in October of each of the calendar years of 2008 through 2012 subject to certain terms, provisions and conditions, for the purpose of conducting boat shows; and all matters relating to said lease. As the title indicates, this Ordinance extends the Boat Show leases.



O-60-07 Residence Requirement for Members of Historic Preservation Commission [Israel] – For the purpose of requiring that any entity applying or receiving a grant from the City must demonstrate a match of 50 percent of the amount of which it is requesting by non-governmental sources. Public hearing on O-60-07, Residence Requirement for Members of Historic Preservation Commission, will not be heard tonight since it has not yet gone before the Planning Commission


O-61-07 Grants for City Funding.[Stankivic] – For the purpose of requiring that any entity applying or receiving a grant from the City must demonstrate a match of 50 percent of the amount of which it is requesting by non-government sources. I will await public hearing and committee opinions on this Ordinance, but at this point I don’t favor this action. The City does not have the facilities or the funds to provide a lot of the social services provided by our grantees.



O-62-07 Leasing of City Property – New Year’s Annapolis, Inc.[Moyer] – For the purpose of authorizing the City to lease certain municipal property to New Year’s Annapolis Inc. (NYA) for five New Year’s Eves beginning December 31, 2008; approving the provision of City services to NYA for less than full costs. I really need to hear from you on this one. I’m not sure that I feel it is a City function to provide this service, and we know that the private sector has failed to make this work.


LEGISLATION


O-04-08 1st R. Variances for Subdivisions [Arnett]– For the purpose of moving the authority for granting subdivision variances from the Planning Commission to the Board of Appeals to comply with the Annotated Code of Maryland and a recent court decision. This is a fix to our code in response to a court case finding error in the way we handle lot subdivisions. It had been done by the Planning Commission and the Court found that this function should reside with the Board of Appeals.


R-03-08 2nd R. Civil Service Classification and Compensation [Moyer] – For the purpose of approving Civil Service classifications and compensation as recommended in the March 2005 Classification and Compensation Study (“Study”) commonly referred to as the Hendricks Study. I did not find the Hendricks study to be very professionally competent or helpful. The effect of the study is to raise the pay level for certain employment categories to bring them up to the level of comparable workers in other areas.



BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS


Appointments


Next City Council meetings:

Monday, February 11, 2008, City Council Chamber - 7:30 p.m.

Monday, February 25, 2008, City Council Chamber - 7:00 p.m.


As always, you can call me [410 295-9743] or send an email [EastportRoss@aol.com] if you have questions or concerns.


Ross Arnett, Alderman, Ward 8