Please click here for a complete rundown of tonight's legislative activity at the monthly special city council meeting as provided by Ward 8 Alderman Ross Arnett
The Special Meeting of the Annapolis City Council of the Annapolis will be held on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The public hearing will be followed by a legislative session. All Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 99 and on Verizon channel 34.
O-20-09 Newsracks in the Historic District – For the purpose of regulating the appearance, placement, servicing, and type of newsracks in the Historic District. (As revised on Second Reading)
R-31-09 Amending Fees Schedule for Newsracks - For the purpose of establishing a certificate of compliance fee for newsracks in the Historic District.
O-38-09 Waiver of Fees - For the purpose of permitting the City Council to waive fees of less than $500 for use of City facilities and services by resolution.
O-53-09 Civil Service - For the purposes of clarifying the scope of the civil service by specifying the city administrator as an appointing authority, modifying the duties of the Human Resources Director, and adjusting pay rate step increases in the civil service pay plan.
O-54-09 Exempt Service - For the purposes of reforming the City of Annapolis’ exempt service by implementing “core qualifications”; adopting an open range of basic pay; requiring an annual performance review; abolishing severance pay; and, specifying leave.
O-55-09 City Personnel Leave Policy - For the purposes of revising the City’s leave policy.
O-56-09 Hours of Work - For the purpose of establishing policies and procedures governing hours of work for municipal employees, including a forty-hour work week, defining regular working hours, and permitting a flexible work schedule.
O-58-09 Appointment, Status, and Separation - For the purposes of amending pay after promotion or transfer to be consistent with a revised step structure; and, modifying the responsibility for disciplining members of the exempt service.
O-60-09 Conduct and Qualifications - For the purpose of revising conduct and qualification provisions governing municipal employees.
O-64-09 Building Board of Appeals - For the purpose of codifying the composition and qualification requirements of the City of Annapolis Building Board of Appeals.
R-65-09 Annexation Procedure - For the purpose of authorizing the City of Annapolis to commence annexation of certain properties as authorized by the State of Maryland.
Below is the agenda for the legislative portion of the meeting with a brief description. I have added comments in italics and underline after some of the legislation. I indicate my likely vote with my comments, but send these email blasts out to give you a chance to let me know if you think I’m headed in the correct direction or should change my mind. It is my practice to comment only on legislation that has had a public hearing and has gone through the Council Committee process.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS – 2ND READING
O-20-09 2nd R. Newsracks in the Historic District - For the purpose of regulating the appearance, placement, servicing, and type of newsracks in the Historic District. Travels with R-31-09 I have heard many complaints about these “news” boxes, most of which are advertising magazines. I do not have a problem with “true” newspapers if they are properly regulated, but ad racks strung out all along City streets is a bit too much. However, I understand that there will be legal challenges to our regulations. Never the less, I plan to vote in favor.
R-31-09 2nd R. Amending Fees Schedule for Newsracks - For the purpose of establishing a certificate of compliance fee for newsracks in the Historic District.
Travels with O-20-09 (see above)
O-47-09 2nd R. Regulation of Taxicabs - For the purposes of prohibiting the use of a taxicab’s horn to announce its arrival or departure and specifying taxicab permitting standards. Travels with R-50-09 I understand the intent of this legislation, but I doubt it can be enforced and it is duplicative of existing state law. I am not inclined to add to the volume of City regulations, but solicit your input on this legislation.
R-50-09 2nd R. Amending Fines Schedule for Taxicab Violations - For the purpose of revising the fine for taxicab violations. Travels with O-47-09 (see above)
O-59-09 2nd R. Stormwater Management - For the purpose of revising stormwater management standards in conformity with Maryland State law. This legislation is offered for largely technical purposes to bring the City into conformance with State requirements. I plan to vote in favor.
R-52-09 2nd R. Personnel Rules and Regulations - For the purpose of approving updates to the Personnel Rules and Regulations, as recommended by the City’s Civil Service Board. This legislation encompasses major changes to the City personnel code, much of which I find productive. However, the Rules Committee has not reviewed this resolution and it does need review. In addition, due to the wholesale changes, I believe that this should be held over for the new Mayor and Council. I will move to table.
R-57-09 2nd R. Kids at Hope - For the purpose of declaring the City’s support for the Kids at Hope Program and committing to the principles expressed in this Resolution.
R-58-09 2nd R. Amending Fee Schedule for Emergency Medical Services - For the purposes of revising the fees assessed for emergency medical services for covered and non-covered services. This is on agenda due to procedural requirement – Council enacted companion Ord.11/09/09. I plan to vote in favor.
R-63-09 2nd R. Authorizing Memorandum of Understanding - For the purpose of authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Aerotropolis Renewable Energy Group, for creation of The Annapolis Renewable Energy Park. I have analyzed the Energy Park at length and find it to be beneficial to the City financially and environmentally. The MOU is just the beginning of a process of negotiations. I plan to vote in favor.
R-65-09 2nd R. Annexation Procedure - For the purpose of authorizing the City of Annapolis to commence annexation of certain properties as authorized by the State of Maryland. This is a technical amendment to bring the City into conformance with recently passed state code. I plan to vote in favor.
R-66-09 2nd R. Tolling Zoning and Subdivision Approval Expiration Dates - For the purpose of temporarily tolling expiration dates of zoning approvals granted by the Board of Appeals, the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning, and the Historic Preservation Commission, and approvals granted by the Planning Commission relating to subdivisions. This is another technical amendment required to bring the City into conformance with changes made at the state level. I plan to vote in favor.
R-68-09 2nd R. Short-Term Lease Negotiations - For the purpose of authorizing the Mayor to enter into short-term leases with existing and prospective Market House tenants. The short-term leases for the vendors in the Market House expires on 3 January 2010 and the City has not completed the dialogue with residents concerning its final disposition. This resolution allows the Mayor to execute new short-term leases until a final solution can be determined. I pan to vote in favor.
R-70-09 2nd R. Investigation of Flier - For the purpose of requesting the Board of Supervisors of Elections and the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office to investigate a racist and homophobic flier distributed during the 2009 City of Annapolis General Election. I find that there is sufficient existing law and authority to allow the proper authorities to make any needed investigated without encouragement from the City. I plan to vote in opposition.
R-71-09 2nd R. Public Hearing on Flier - For the purpose of requesting the City of Annapolis Board of Supervisors of Elections to hold a public hearing regarding a recent homophobic and racist flier. I find that there is sufficient existing law and authority to allow the proper authorities to make any needed investigated without encouragement from the City. I plan to vote in opposition.
ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS – 1ST READING
R-72-09 2nd R. Honoring Frank Bradley - For the purpose of honoring Frank Bradley, the City of Annapolis’ very own Old Saint Nick.
BUSINESS AND MISCELLANEOUS
1. Appointments
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL EVENTS:
Regular Meeting, Monday, December 14, 2009, City Council Chamber - 7:30
Special Meeting, Monday, December 28, 2009, City Council Chamber - 7:00 p.m.
Don’t forget – swearing in of Mayor-elect Cohen and City Council will occur 2 p.m., Monday, December 7, 2009, at Maryland Hall.
As always, you can call me [410 295-9743] or send an email [EastportRoss@aol.com] if you have questions or concerns.
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