January 8

Hello Neighbors

1. Priorities: Happy New Year!!! As we start 2026, I am actively engaged in five major priorities:

1. Improving the Parking and Traffic Situation in Eastport

1. Short and Long-Term Sidewalk Improvements for Public Safety

1. Traffic Plan for Major Events

1. Getting the Red Curbs Painted

1. Parking Enforcement

   
   

2. City Council Meeting 12/18/25: City Council took the following actions:

• Approved appointments of Standing Committees and Audit Committee

• Approved Budget Process Timeline for Fiscal Year 2027 with one amendment which was to add a work session on January 22, 2026 to discuss budget priorities.

  
  

3. City Council Meeting 1/12/26: Here is the agenda for the upcoming meeting that can be watched here. Highlights are:

• Public Hearings:

  • Establishing a 12-Month Moratorium on New Short-Term Rental Licenses

    • I am inclined to support the moratorium as we need to fix the rules and enforcement of STRs. I encourage residents who are affected by STRs to testify on Monday.

  • FY 2026 Changes in Exempt Service Job Classification  

• First Readers: The City Council will vote to introduce legislation on:

  • Property Tax - Family Child Care Homes, Large Family Child CareHomes, and Child Care Centers

    • I am excited about this legislation and look forward to hearing more.

• Resolutions: The City Council will vote to approve the following resolutions:

  • Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Statement of Performance Standards  

    • This is an important resolution as it sets the foundation for how we will measure the performance of the city’s plan.  

      
      

4. Safety During Major Events: As Acting Mayor during the holidays, I was in the Annapolis Emergency Operations Center during the Military Bowl Parade and was very impressed at the coordination among the Office of Emergency Management and the Annapolis Police, Fire and Public Works Departments, as well as with public safety assets from other agencies. The investment in this public safety capability is serving the residents well.

5. Forward Brewing Company: The Board of Appeals delayed the hearing on Forward Brewing Company’s request for a special exception for outdoor dining. Testimony will continue at the next meeting on February 3 at 7pm in City Hall.  

6. City Services:

• Traffic Light at Chesapeake and 6th St: Public Works reports that, as you’ve all seen, the light has been fixed!

• Water Main Breaks: Water main breaks are currently increasing as a result of cold weather. To report a water main break, contact the Department of Public Works Utilities at 410-263-7970 during regular City business hours (Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM), or by contacting the Department of Public Works Emergency Line after regular business hours at 410-224-2140. 

• Parking Enforcement: I am working with the city to improve parking enforcement in Eastport. The program will include education and information when the full program begins in the months ahead. In the meantime, please know that the city’s contractor, SP/Metropolis, continues to write tickets for parking violations as they have over the last year.

7. Stay Informed: Here are ways you can stay better informed about road closures, safety tips, special events, anticipated weather events, and emergency alert information in Annapolis: 

• Prepare Me Annapolis App: Residents can download the OEM Prepare Me Annapolis app for free on the App Store or Google Play. This is a push notification app that gives Annapolitans real-time emergency alerts and information throughout the City. 

• Alert Annapolis: Residents can also opt-in to the City’s mass community notification system, known as Alert Annapolis, where you can receive emergency alerts via text message, email, pager, or voicemail (if needed). You can opt-in by texting ANNAPOLIS to 38276 or by signing up for notifications here: alertannapolis.civicready.com.

8. Upcoming events:

• Hawkins Cove: Presentation is included in the agenda for the Environmental Matters Committee meeting at City Hall on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

• Ward 8 Town Hall meeting: I will host our first Ward 8 Town Hall Meeting at 7:00PM on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Eastport Volunteer Fire Hall.

• Eastport Civic Association: ECA will host Mayor Jared Littmann at their General Meeting on February 19, 2026, at the Eastport Volunteer Fire Hall.

All the best, Frank