July 12

Hello Eastport!

1. Last City Council Meeting – 6/22/26: The agenda can be downloaded here and the meeting can be viewed here. Highlights included:

FIRST READERS (Ordinances and Resolutions being introduced)

• Right to Park in Front of Residential Private Driveways (O-17-26): Legislation was introduced that will have a major impact on Eastport as it will allow residents to either park in front of their driveway or authorize, on a case-by-case basis, others to park in front of their driveway. We will be discussing this at our next Town Hall on July 23rd at 7pm at the Eastport Volunteer Firehall. I, along with the entire Council, voted in favor of introducing this legislation to get the conversation going on the pros and the cons. Some of you have already shared thoughts about this proposal. I look forward to hearing more of your feedback.

SECOND READERS (This leads to the final vote on the legislation)

• Finance Director – Karen Ajayi (R-19-26): I am very excited that Karen Ajayi was confirmed. She is on the job and already having an impact.

• Reducing the Human Relations Commission Membership (O-10-26): Legislation passed to reduce the membership from 15 to 9 members to make the Commission more functional. This is part of the Mayor’s laudable effort to streamline the Boards and Commissions.

2. Next City Council Meeting – 7/13/26:

CEREMONIAL ITEMS

• Arnett-Finlayson Scholarship Recipients

• The Annapolis Police Department's annual Gone Fishing Award

COMMENTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC

• All City Council meetings begin with an opportunity for public testimony on any topic you wish.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

• Art in Public Places (O-14-26): Reconstitutes the Art in Public Places Commission (AIPPC).

• Forest Conservation (O-16-26): Implements new state requirements regarding forest conservation and protection of the City’s tree canopy with local changes to meet Annapolis’ needs. For more information on this legislation, the joint meeting of the Environmental Matters Committee and Rules Committee should be available on the Annapolis Boards and Commissions YouTube page in the next day or two.

• Right to Park in Front of Residential Private Driveways (O-17-26): Allows legal occupants to park or let guests park in front of their driveway on the street.

  • AS NOTED ABOVE, THIS LEGISLATION WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT EASTPORT – PLEASE COME TO THE MEETING AND TESTIFY IF YOU HAVE OPINIONS, CONCERNS AND/OR SUPPORT FOR THIS PROPOSAL.

BUSINESS & MISCELLANEOUS

• Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis: HACA will present the agency's quarterly report to the Council.

FIRST READERS (Ordinances and Resolutions being introduced)

• Expanding the Preamble of The Charter of the City of Annapolis (CA-3-26): Responds to the Charter Commission recommendation to modernize the City's Charter Preamble. 

• Removing Streets from Special Residential Parking District, Number 5 (O-12-26): removes Forbes Street and Monterey Avenue from District 5 covering West Annapolis. 

• Cottage Food Businesses as Home Occupations (O-15-26): 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.

• Update of Fiscal Year 2027 City Fees (R-29-26): 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 (This leads to the final vote on the legislation)

• Designating City Attorney Tony Kupersmith as the City’s resident agent (R-21-26): This is routine and means that he receives the City’s legal notices. I intend to vote yes.

3. Help Shape the Search for the new Annapolis Police Chief: The City of Annapolis is committed to conducting a transparent, inclusive, and community informed search for a Police Chief who will lead with integrity, accountability, and a strong commitment to public service.

As such, the City is inviting residents, business owners, employees, and community stakeholders to attend one of three interactive public engagement sessions designed to gather meaningful input on what the public wants to see in the City's next Chief of Police. The three events are at 6:30pm on:

• Thursday, July 9, at Pip Moyer Rec Center (already occurred)

• Wednesday, July 15, at Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis (121 S. Villa Ave)

• Thursday, July 16, at First Baptist Church of Annapolis (31 W. Washington St)

Additionally, a community survey is available here that asks residents to identify the professional experience and public safety priorities you believe should guide the selection of the Police Chief. This feedback will help inform the recruitment and selection process.

There is a lot more information in the City’s press release. Also, the membership of the search committee is available here, and the agenda for their meetings is available here.

4. Fireworks Traffic Clearing: Another round of applause for the Annapolis Police Department who did a tremendous job clearing the traffic from Eastport after the Fourth of July Fireworks. Please email me with any feedback you have on the effort. I will consolidate inputs and pass them to Captain Guy Thacker who we look forward to hosting at our Ward 8 Town Hall in September to review the results of the effort.

5. Enhanced Parking Enforcement in Eastport: As a reminder, please remember and tell your neighbors and visitors that Annapolis has increased enforcement of parking violations in Eastport.

6. Harbormaster Retirement: Harbormaster Beth Bellis has retired, effective July 1, 2026. Currently, Deputy Harbormaster, Tyler Northfield, is acting Harbormaster.  A national search for Harbormaster for the City of Annapolis will begin in late July.

7. 6th Street Water Access into Back Creek: Construction is now anticipated to begin mid-July. The project includes the installation of a fixed pier with a floating dock at the existing bulkhead and is expected to take about two months to complete. Construction will occur between 7:00am and 7:00pm.

8.Upcoming Community Events in Eastport:

• Town Hall: Please join us for the next Town Hall on July 23rd from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the Eastport Volunteer Firehall. Topics include budget/discussion in advance of the Mayor’s Budget Town Hall in October, updates on street end parks and water access, and discussion on authorizing parking at driveway entrances.

• Eastport Blood Drive (Eastporters needed!): Annapolis Fire Department and Eastport Volunteer Fire Department are hosting a blood drive July 26, 10:00am to 4:00pm, at the Eastport Volunteer Firehall located at 914 Bay Ridge Ave. This is a great opportunity to help those in need. If you can donate, please book your appointment here. 

• CPR/Narcan/AED Training: Annapolis Fire Department and Eastport Volunteer Fire Company are proud to offer a free (non-certification) hands on CPR/Narcan/AED training class on August 10th at the Eastport Volunteer Firehall located at 914 Bay Ridge Ave. If interested, please register here.

• Eastport Civic Association Picnic: Spend time with your neighbors and friends at the Eastport Civic Association’s annual picnic on August 18th from 6-8:00pm at the Safe Harbor outdoor pavilion (519 Chester Ave).  Tickets go on sale soon.  Not an ECA Member?  You can join here.

• Comedy Show (fun!): Eastport Volunteer Fire Company is proud to present the first Comedy Show Fundraiser night on Sept. 26th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Eastport Volunteer Firehall. The event is rated PG13 with adult content. Join us in a good laugh for a good cause. Food and beverages, 50/50 raffle, hand carved wooden flag raffle… grab your seat here, space is limited! Let’s sell this out!!!!

All the best,