Your 3/9/26 City Council Agenda
Happy Sunday, Ward One
And happy Annapolis St Patrick’s parade day! You all know the drill about road closures along the parade route, which is from Amos Garrett down West Street, around Church Circle, down Northwest Street, and finishing at St. John’s Street this year. To get up-to-the-minute, event-specific information, you can text PADDY2026 to 38276.
I’ll be walking in the parade with the mayor’s office, because I’m serving as acting mayor today (just until Jared gets back to town at 6 PM). If you see us, please wave “Hi!”
Here are the top 3 things you need to know in Annapolis:
Council will hear public testimony on updated harbor lines for Hawkins Cove.
The short-term rental moratorium is up for final vote, and the results of amendment votes will determine whether it gets my support.
The mayor and I will be hosting a town hall and ward walk on April 7th and April 18th, respectively. Hope you’ll join!
Updates from Harry
Have you heard the great news?
Friday gave us 35.5 million reasons to celebrate as the long-awaited city dock funding from FEMA finally came through—not just the $33 million that we were expecting but also an additional $2.5 million for addressing stormwater infrastructure.
You can watch the full press conference here. I don’t speak, but I make some good faces in the background.
As background, city staff have spent years applying for this Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and completing the myriad requirements, like under the National Environmental Policy Action, National Historic Preservation Act, and more. Unlike projects funded through the Building Resilient infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, such as in Crisfield, the funding was never cancelled by the Trump administration. It was waiting for the sign-off of Secretary Noem, a new requirement she added for all outlays over $100,000.
Finally getting that signature was thanks to a lot of hard work from too many people to name, but our current and past federal delegation, in particular, put countless hours and boundless creativity into finding a solution. It sounds like Congresswoman Elfreth’s collaboration with the Naval Academy was especially impactful.
Every speaker on Friday also made a point of crediting Former Mayor Buckley for his vision that was crucial to this project. I’m reminded of the Oscar Wilde quote he shared at his first inauguration: “Yes, I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.”
With this funding secured, we’ll be able to create a park of national significance. It will stop the flooding, and it will be an activated community gathering place, not just an empty field. We’ll be able to host boat shows, meet friends, and simply enjoy the majesty of the Chesapeake Bay. I was getting more than a little misty-eyed on Friday thinking about taking my kids there one day.
The project will also include a new harbormaster building that showcases the history of the Burtis House and provides space for the public—now that the size has been reduced three times. I was going to write a whole long story about talking to someone this week who works in Pennsylvania government about their beautiful state house, but instead I’ll just leave you with this picture of it and the adage that “We used to build government buildings that we could actually be proud of.”
Many of you have asked for a full accounting of the funding. As Mayor Littmann walked through at the press conference, we have…
$24 million from the Hillman garage concession agreement
$10 million from state funds
$4.8 million in “community-directed spending,” AKA Congressional earmarks
$2 million from Anne Arundel County
$33+2.5 million from FEMA
This council was committed to getting City Dock done, no matter what obstacles get thrown at us. But having this funding in the bank means that we will not have to push back other impactful projects that can improve our quality of life. And staff will not have to spend dozens more hours writing grant applications. It ensures we have more flexibility to best serve Annapolitans.
With construction now getting underway, we’re committed to supporting city dock businesses. Our economic development manager has met repeatedly with business owners to hear their needs and ideas. The magenta shuttle now goes straight to Dock Street. We’ll be installing wayfinding signs once it’s warm enough. And I was just at Bitty and Beau’s on Friday; you should stop by soon too.
Receiving these funds feels like a culmination, but the real work is only just starting. We could call Friday the “beginning of the end” or maybe the “end of the beginning;” I think it was the “end of the middle”. But it was certainly a day to celebrate.
This week and every week, I’m grateful for the honor of representing you and our whole community. Never hesitate to contact me at harry@harrymhuntley.com.
City council agenda
Closed Session
We’ll be talking once again about people suing to stop flood prevention, as well as getting an update on employee contract negotiations.
Call To Order
Mayor Littmann
Moment of Silence
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Littmann
Roll Call
City Clerk Watkins-Eldridge
Approval of Agenda
Ceremonial Items
Update from Mayor
Mayor Littmann
Reports from Committees
Comments by the General Public
Remember, you can come to any city council meeting to tell us about what’s important to you and your neighborhood! Register here or just show up.
Presentation
ID-46-26 Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA)
We’ll receive a presentation from the Housing Authority on their Harbour House/Eastport Terrace Redevelopment and Choice Neighborhood Initiative grant application
Public Hearings
O-3-26 Annapolis Harbor Lines at Hawkins Cove
Since this is in Ward 8, I’ll quote Alderman Thorp’s newsletter directly:
This is part of the process to obtain approval for the Hawkins Cove Restoration project which will provide more water access for our residents. Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires all options for moving forward to be allowable within city code. Currently, the harbor lines prevent the option that extends the pier. This legislation authorizes changing the harbor lines so that the City can move forward on pursuing multiple options on the Hawkins Cove Restoration project.
I think this is pretty uncontroversial, but feel free to surprise me.
Consent Calendar
Note that we’re making appointments to the Board of Supervisors of Elections.
Charter Amendment First Readers
CA-1-26 Updating Requirements for Publication of the Charter and Code of the City of Annapolis
This modernizes a small portion of the charter, just allowing the Charter and Code of the City of Annapolis to be published online, allowing that as an option alongside print publication.
Ordinance First Readers
O-5-26 Reallocation of Unexpended Bond Proceeds
This was going to reallocate some bond funding to the City Dock project to meet a key funding deadline, but with Friday’s announcement that all funding is now secured, this is not necessary and will be removed from the agenda.
Resolution First Readers
R-5-26 Designating Northwest Street as an Honorary Street in Memory of De Lorma "Dee" Goodwyn
This ceremonial legislation will honor a well-loved Annapolitan who recently passed away. I anticipate we will suspend the rules to fully pass this tomorrow, because that’s when Dee’s family can attend.
R-6-26 Authorizing Itinerant Merchant Sales Within the Annapolis Historic District for Approved Special Events During Calendar Year 2026
This is our annual resolution authorizing sales in the historic district, which I sponsor as the Ward One Alderman. This is mostly pared back this year due to City Dock construction, but we did add in two dates for the successful Naptown Flea that was held last fall.
Ordinance Second Readers
O-40-25 Establishing a 12-Month Moratorium on New Short-Term Rental Licenses
As I’ve said a few times now, I think this is mostly unnecessary now that we’ve passed legislation to address the main problem of there being too many STRs on certain streets. The justification for the legislation is to complete a report, but the report required in the base legislation is less comprehensive than the annual report that city staff already complete each year. While I don’t think it does much good, I also don’t think it’s particularly harmful. So, whether I support the final legislation will really depend on the results of the amendment process:
Amendment 5: This changes the moratorium from 12 months to six months. I put it first and out of order because if it passes, it will impact some of the other amendments. Since we already do this report without a moratorium, and it typically comes out around August, six months makes more sense to me. If we do need changes, let’s not wait too so long. I intend to vote for this.
Amendment 1 and 1a: This amendment clarifies how someone proves that their property is owner-occupied. I definitely support the intent of this. The initial amendment seems a little too complicated and onerous, while the substitute amendment 1a, which is meant to be simpler, may have oversimplified. I will most likely defer to staff’s recommendation on which version strikes the right balance.
Amendment 2: This just asks for an interim briefing on the report’s progress halfway through the moratorium. Seems reasonable, so I will support it as long as staff don’t think it will take too much of their time. If the moratorium gets reduced to six months, then we won’t need this amendment.
Amendment 3: This is my amendment to clarify that we already require a yearly report on STRs that is very comprehensive. As written, the underlying legislation doesn’t acknowledge this existing requirement. The report that was initially required only has to include “1) findings and 2) recommended changes,” but this amendment will ensure it includes: “1) A map containing the location of short-term rental property in the City; 2) Statistics on the number of short-term rentals, including new rental permits over the past year, increases or decreases; 3) Analysis of the impact short-term rentals are having on the City; 4) Recommendations on any City Code changes regarding short-term rentals; and 5) Other information the Director deems appropriate to help the City Council set
policy on short-term rentals.” The amendment also makes sure we don’t get two duplicative reports on STRs in the same year.
Amendment 4: This is a great amendment from Alderman Thorp to provide the council with a monthly update on the number of licensed and unlicensed STRs and the enforcement actions against them. What we really need to focus our energy on is improving enforcement. I’m very supportive of this, although I have asked Alderman Thorp to change a “will” to a “might” in the whereas to stick with the goal of keeping all language neutral about whether we’ll need additional legislation. I’ll support.
Amendment 6: This is one of the most essential amendments to me. It fixes the inaccuracies that are throughout the whereases and introduces more neutral language that doesn’t presuppose the results of the study. It also makes a little more clear that this is really just about non-owner-occupied short-term rentals.
I’ve heard from plenty of folks who want a maximalist approach to restricting STRs. I think most people agree that we need a balanced approach that addresses the true issues, such as density, enforcement, and nuisances, in a targeted way. If—through amendments—we can get the legislation to a point where it is more balanced than maximalist, I intend to support it.
O-1-26Property Tax Credits for Child Care Centers, Family Child Care Homes, and Large Family Child Care Homes
I’m excited to support this. The initial fiscal note was high, but staff reexamined how many facilities would be eligible and the sponsor reduced the amount, making it much more manageable.
Resolution Second Readers
R-3-26 Water Service Agreement with North Point Property LLC
Our Director of Public Works testified that this will provide revenue to the city with no additional cost, while also providing a service to some county residents. I intend to support it.
Adjournment
Other news you can use
Irish singer and storyteller Seamus Kennedy will be at St. John’s College today at 3 p.m. as part of a fundraiser benefitting scholarships for students in need.
Stan and Joe’s has live music outside from 4 to 7 today, something called “Sidewalk Soul”. I’m not sure whether that’s a band or a genre, but there’s a good chance I’ll stop by and figure it out.
On Tuesday, HA is hosting a virtual talk on Silversmiths of Annapolis’ Golden Age from 7 to 8:30 PM.
City of Angels opens at Colonial Players on Thursday. They describe it as a “smart and stylish film noir musical” that contains sexual innuendo, infidelity, and strong language. Sounds fun!
Eastport Democratic Club's Green Beer Races will happen next Saturday, March 14, with live music from Dublin 5.
The Paca House has a St. Patrick's Day celebration for kids with a seasonal book, a song, craft and garden scavenger hunt! It’ll be March 14 and March 17, both 10 to 11.
The 4th Annual Annapolis Running Festival will be on March 21st, the Saturday after next. It starts at Navy Stadium and goes down Main, Randall, and King George Streets, but streets downtown will be back open by 8:15.
The mayor is planning town halls in every ward to hear people’s perspective and help everyone get to know city leadership. Ours will be Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30 to 8 at Asbury Methodist Church on West Street.
We’ll also have a “ward walk” with the mayor and me on Saturday, April 18 from 9 to 10 AM, starting at Maryland and Hanover. This will be an opportunity to look at concrete (or brick, as the case may be) issues in the ward. The town halls and walks won’t always be so close together; that’s just how it worked out this time.
Please send me any events or other information you’d like advertised to your neighbors.
Have a great week, everyone!
Harry