May 8

1. Budget: I have spent the last two weeks digging into the Mayor’s budget submission and participating in Finance Committee budget meetings focused on Ward 8 as well as the city as a whole. While we come into the process encumbered by a set of performance metrics that needs to be improved (as we have discussed in this newsletter and are on track to do), I am pleased with the budget submission. As far as Eastport is concerned, the budget supports:

   • Parking/traffic improvements to the roads

   • Sidewalk repairs and filling gaps

   • Refreshing most, if not all, red curbs in Eastport

   • Improvements to the traffic lights at 6th and Chesapeake, as well as 6th and Severn

   • Removal of unnecessary street signs throughout Eastport

   • Signage that provides parking regulations information

   • Development of multi-year plan to remove utility poles from sidewalks

   • Funding to move forward on water access at Hawkins Cove, Wells Cove, Jeremy’s  Way, as well as 4th Street & Chester Ave

   • Design and construction for repairs of Howard Dignan Alley from Bay Ridge Ave to  Chester Ave (2027 and 2028 funds for design and construction)

   • Eastport Choice Neighborhood Initiative

   • Truxtun Park improvements

   
   

2. Parking Enforcement Discussion at Town Hall: The Annapolis City Director of Transportation, Markus Moore, and representatives from Metropolis will brief at about parking enforcement in Eastport at the Town Hall on Monday, May 18, at 7:00pm at the Eastport Volunteer Fire Hall. Please join us.

3. Last City Council Meeting – 4/27/26: Highlight of the meeting was passing the fees for Street Cafes in the Historic District so that they can move forward and introduction of legislation for fee waivers for city support to the residents and/or local causes. Meeting can be viewed here.

4. Next City Council Meeting – 5/11/26: Highlights of the meeting include a presentation by the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County and the continued discussion of the FY2027 budget. As a reminder, the city’s fiscal year goes from July 1 to June 30. The meeting will start at 6:00pm with a proposed closed session. The regular meeting will begin at 7:00pm and the agenda can be downloaded here; you can view the meeting here. Highlights include:

   
   

   CLOSED SESSION

   • Mayor will propose a closed session to discuss City Dock legislation.

   
   

   REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

   City Council Committee Chairs brief results of their committee meetings. Of note, the Finance Committee will report out on our two weeks of budget review.

   
   

   COMMENTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC

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

   
   

   COUNCIL DISCUSSION

   The Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County will make a presentation and discuss FY27 budget needs. The presentation is available here.

   
   

   PUBLIC HEARINGS (Continued testimony on agenda topics is scheduled here – this is your opportunity to testify on what you think is important in the budget)

   • Testimony on the budget – please see below for more info

     • Annual Budget and Appropriation and Property Tax Levy (O-8-26)

     • FY 2027 Annual Fees Schedule (R-10-26)

     • FY 2027 Fines Schedule (R-11-26)

     • FY 2027 Position Classification and Pay Plan (R-12-26)

       
       

5. Eastport Traffic Plan for Blue Angels: The Annapolis Police Department will be implementing the plan to expeditiously move traffic off the peninsula following the Blue Angels performances. Please watch for “No Parking” signs on Severn Ave and Chesapeake Ave. Cars coming into Eastport over the Spa Creek Bridge and cars leaving the Peninsula on Severn Ave will be directed to continue on Severn Ave, right on Washington Street, left on Boucher, left on President Street, right on Tyler Ave to Forest Drive. Cars exiting the peninsula on Chesapeake Ave will be directed to Bay Ridge Ave to Forest Drive. Please obey the police as they direct the traffic.

   
   

6. Golden Pass Parking is Back: The City of Annapolis and Premium Parking are launching a three-month parking program aimed at helping seniors (55+) navigate downtown parking. The program provides two hours of free parking for a full month at metered spaces on Maryland Ave., Main Street, and in the Mills Hillman garage for $20 per month. The program is available June 1 to August 31, 2026.  Sign up online or go to City Hall from 9am to noon the week of May 11-15 to sign up.

   
   

7. Eastporters being Eastporters – Thank you!!!!!:

   • Greenscape: Thank you to the more than 100 Eastporters who turned out to make our neighborhood more beautiful!

   • Send an Eastport Kid to Camp: Well done to Eastporters for raising $10,425 from 55 donors, well exceeding the goal of $9,000. This will send at least 15 Eastport children to at least 3 weeks of camp at the Annapolis Splash Camp.

     
     

8. Upcoming Events (Events in or affecting Eastport)

   May 9 – MRE 0.05k Bridge Run – Crack O’ Noon

   May 11 – City Council Meeting – 7:00pm - agenda can be downloaded here; you can view the meeting here

   May 15 – Almost 7:30 Friday Democratic Breakfast at Eastport Democratic Club – speaker is Jessa Coulter, Executive Director of Annapolis Justice and Immigration Network

   May 11-17 – Bike to Work Week

   May 18 – Eastport Community Farm Ribbon Cutting – 5:00pm – 6:00pm

   May 19 – Blue Angels Flight Rehearsal – 2:00pm

   May 20 – Blue Angels Flight Demonstration – 2:00pm

   May 22 – Almost 7:30 Friday Democratic Breakfast at Eastport Democratic Club –Professor Dan Nataf will discuss Spring Survey Results

   May 25 – Annapolis Memorial Day Parade – 10:00am

   May 26 – City Council Meeting – 7:00pm

   May 29 – Almost 7:30 Friday Democratic Breakfast at Eastport Democratic Club – speaker is Delegate Dana Jones, District 30A