[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6612996,"mediaKeyId","2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3","parentId",2878829,"title","Committee reviews revised pay rules and personnel regulations; members ask for clarifications and safeguards","audioSeconds",1510,"startMs",5490000,"endMs",7000000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3&start=5490&end=7000","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3/thumbnail_5490000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612996/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Committee-reviews-revised-pay-rules-and-personnel-regulations-members-ask-for-clarifications-and-safeguards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612996-51bb534080127f3cc207c389ffe0a128/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153369&Signature=gf3EuEED~~uUBAtj3vVkGTJCxEI88yOOf4nrg32omgT23w9W54txuLdRjDZZmQpMZ7jpgVM614bvhfeMDpf2HB9V-Rd9xC-BwEBe~hLOAymAcqkY1j4M7xoM9e5iQXpfP3OOxLQzLCQPuz4v7rU93NgP3wdrkQwA399a-BZG4evRzQhHKCbiT2~degxlE1ll0mDgJ3vIGKcKzNjpIOFDVF9~7TaUEitk6gsud~Qij3~~FonERFd8E9nYkneR4VQu-RktgYJllCZOJYJLEz84l8vZiKGVULJrAMQAETzBIpJ5CkHJUD0ok2Dk69Ywg1c2aZxTCg36h5GeOvJctz0HHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-04-04T21:16:33.683Z","article","Human Resources Manager Tricia Hopkins and Assistant City Manager Vicky Buckland presented the first installment of revised personnel rules and pay procedures to the Rules and Government Committee, describing changes intended to implement the city's recent classification and compensation study and to modernize pay administration.

Hopkins told the committee the draft pay rules add tools the city lacked: written guidance for promotion increases, a defined approach to internal pay equity adjustments, and formal language for acting out-of-class pay, recruitment/retention bonuses and the mechanics of placing employees on updated salary scales. \"We have incorporated in this many of the recommendations and conference that's occurred with city management around the classification compensation study by the consultants,\" Hopkins said.

Why it matters: The changes affect how employees move through pay scales and how the city resolves pay compression, equity gaps and promotion calculations. Committee members pressed for supporting math and for clarity about appeal and grievance options. Several members said employees must have a clear, independent recourse if they believe a promotional or pay decision was handled unfairly.

Key points of concern: Alderman Arnett requested the underlying math that yields the proposed step and grade differentials (the draft uses a 7.5% difference between grades and specified step movements), and other members asked how promotion increases would interact with overtime eligibility and the city's step structure. One committee member who identified as a city employee expressed concern that the council and staff not remove independent appeal channels; the committee discussed referencing existing civil service appeal rights and where grievances would appear in the revised procedures.

Process and timeline: Under city code the rules become effective 45 days after they are transmitted to council unless council adopts a resolution to disapprove; staff said they intended to follow the required review timeline and to return successive sections of the personnel regulations in the same standard format. Committee members asked staff to provide missing definition material and to clarify where employees should turn with grievances and appeals.

Ending: Staff will return with clarified documents and requested supporting calculations; the committee did not object to continuing the phased rollout but asked for clearer language on appeal rights, internal-review mechanisms and safeguards against favoritism or improper hiring.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rules and City Government Meeting April 4 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Human Resources presented updated pay rules tied to a recent classification and compensation study; aldermen sought clarifications on promotion math, appeal paths and safeguards against favoritism before the rules take effect.","taxTitle","Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",59348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613001,"Work group urges changes to maritime zoning to aid small marinas; committee requests broader review",0,5480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3&start=5480&end=5480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3/thumbnail_5480000.jpg","/articles/6613001/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Work-group-urges-changes-to-maritime-zoning-to-aid-small-marinas-committee-requests-broader-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613001-0233bcda999c72ec16417b52436060d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153369&Signature=BkLmnejUtsu02dj0OFnvf4c4a1TIfIWXGOhijtadEHl8QgVbdCywyjiRJXoyL7QkMCPngbeQSBcDujTJgM3bhQAoUh6bqu~e-gXAr8F00HdgyePUCAg7jMJnk11By10rTkj~9q2Ij4ijn5EdiSkGs~H8UwgB8NcIm6wdwS7fc7dFEIHnKGCnUzxh9LpyTki0hN7MHXFw0U18umB~CSu7cS9b2db3Swi~WLPyu6WuLs2xBitN9ALyGLcjL5SI7bNRZ~UcKLgfwMbkfFa6sDX68D-ZoxF2ul4~juDpDldpXR49FO2clDNPS-eEojff1lfF1a2MVU9vTdye4Cf2peqyCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of an Annapolis Small Maritime Business Workgroup presented findings to the Rules and Government Committee and urged adjustments to O25.1 (the 2021 maritime ordinance) to better accommodate small maritime businesses, particularly parcels in the WME zone that the work group said were effectively excluded by size-based triggers in the 2021 rules.

Hope Stewart, the city's small minority business enterprise liaison in the Department of Planning and Zoning, and Seth Lehner, a Hornpoint Harbor representative, summarized the work group's three months of meetings and five recommendations. Lehner said, \"The businesses that were impacted the most by this ordinance were the small marinas in the WME zone,\" and the group proposed lowering certain square-foot thresholds and offering alternative incentives to the current $200,000 flat payment and 50-space parking triggers.

Why it matters: The 2021 ordinance created conversion \"triggers\" allowing maritime parcels to convert a limited share of their square footage to general business use only if they met specific thresholds (for example, minimum on-land storage square footage or a large on-site parking requirement). Work group members said many small parcels do not meet those thresholds and therefore cannot take advantage of limited conversions that would enable new marine-support businesses or modest dining uses.

Recommendations: The work group proposed lower, more realistic thresholds (for example reducing a 20,000-square-foot \"working yard\" trigger to 5,000 square feet of open space suitable for commercial maritime activity and permitting a smaller jib/mobile crane), alternative approaches to the fixed $200,000 payment (such as revenue-based contributions or smaller-scale infrastructure obligations), and clearer definitions of reasonable public access, water taxi landings and small-scale dining. The package the work group presented would allow some WME parcels to convert up to 35% of their existing square footage to general business uses if they met a combination of adjusted triggers and incentives.

Committee response and next steps: Committee members said the proposal requires more analysis of impacts on parking, traffic and neighbors in Ward 8 (the area most affected). Alderman Ross and others emphasized the need to protect maritime activity and waterfront access as the committee considers changes. The committee requested the work group present its report to the full council in a work session so councilmembers from other committees and the full body can weigh trade-offs and regional impacts. The committee did not adopt immediate code changes; staff said they will schedule a council work session and return with more detailed cost and impact analyses.

Ending: The work group delivered a targeted set of options intended to make the 2021 maritime ordinance more usable for smaller parcels; the committee asked for broader council-level review before any ordinance amendment.","A work group convened by planning and zoning recommended amendments to the 2021 maritime ordinance (O25.1) to expand how small marinas in the WME zone can convert limited space to general business use and suggested incentivized alternatives to inflexible parking and flat fees.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613006,"City planning staff outline Tyler Avenue \"complete community\" rezoning and outreach plan",1046,2683000,3729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3&start=2683&end=3729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3/thumbnail_2683000.jpg","/articles/6613006/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/City-planning-staff-outline-Tyler-Avenue-complete-community-rezoning-and-outreach-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613006-2f476f760173aedde41b7c145936151d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153369&Signature=ho9bWChENd~ZC5Jcx0Z~LE0yvPxlwPKSkgddaZ9pE8Crqn8S47SpZkerde0AOxxQ8qAlvl4iCZtxrfEc4Yr4zakYCeYWxgdgIulbdZexwPGSNb3bUqDCWXxb7A7Wqb2UfLgytmNfNrYMyO9SFRBax~teL4rH~0aryx4o~uTLhgwncd~F8MG1SDlDLSxuS6wYS4ZM6-EsFCts3gmGoyrG78IX38jp8wRnKr~~N7xUUJ7CA0vPP~vfTHtCwyaL77~1x7YuqWJw1CnpvcPLkAbsFH5cP64hEDV8dh0R6REEqfwXBKQ5uBEsx3uhzBQ-zX32KOgGmh~H2BVrnEO5R9NvLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff presented the Tyler Avenue Complete Community project to the Rules and Government Committee, describing a phased comprehensive rezoning work program that staff expects to advance over several years and by phases. Eric Lesinski, chief of comprehensive planning, told the committee the rezoning effort was \"triggered by the adoption of the comprehensive plan,\" which the council approved last summer and which sets implementation goals that zoning can accomplish.

The Tyler Avenue initiative focuses on a corridor of deep, underutilized lots largely in Ward 6 (with small portions in Wards 7 and 8). Lesinski described the corridor as having low housing density relative to current zoning: \"We're at 2.2 units per acre for this Tyler Avenue corridor, which is just a quarter of what that zoning currently allows,\" he said, noting the area is close to schools, parks and retail.

Why it matters: Staff said the corridor's lot patterns and existing infrastructure make it a logical candidate for an overlay district to achieve public-realm improvements and to allow carefully designed, modest-density housing types commonly called \"missing middle\" housing (duplexes, triplexes, small multiplexes, cottage courts). The goal is to balance safety, tree planting, walkability and a wider set of housing choices while protecting neighborhood character.

Community input and next steps: Staff reported a robust outreach program, including a well-attended public meeting at Tyler Heights Elementary and follow-up events tailored to Spanish-speaking residents. Early survey results emphasized streetscape safety, more trees, and better public space. Staff described short-term capital demonstration projects (for example traffic calming along Hilltop Lane) and longer-term zoning standards that would require improved street frontage and reduce situations where fences abut sidewalks.

Housing approach: Lesinski and staff presented options that would allow a range of smaller-scale housing types appropriate to the neighborhood's scale, and discussed possible incentives such as altering the MPDU (Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit) requirements within the overlay to increase the share of required affordable units for new development in the area. Lesinski cautioned zoning changes alone do not guarantee development or affordability but can enable different outcomes.

Questions from the committee: Committee members praised the outreach and asked staff to coordinate on financing challenges for small-scale projects, impact-fee flexibility, and capital investments for sidewalks, trees and alley/access infrastructure. Alderman Arnett and others urged attention to traffic and parking management as housing options expand.

Next steps: Staff said they will return in about a month with draft zoning recommendations for the Tyler Avenue overlay after continuing community engagement and technical analysis. The committee encouraged staff to pursue short-term streetscape demonstrations while drafting more detailed overlay language for council consideration.","Planning staff presented a Tyler Avenue complete community rezoning project that would use an overlay district to improve streetscape safety, expand tree canopy and allow'missing-middle housing types; staff seeks further community input and will return draft zoning recommendations.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6613010,"Rules committee backs changes to appeals process for property development with limited amendment",931,129000,1060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3&start=129&end=1060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2878829-0a1f439d2c3fff380d792604944638a3/thumbnail_129000.jpg","/articles/6613010/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Rules-committee-backs-changes-to-appeals-process-for-property-development-with-limited-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6613010-2e6b81efa222efe551156da6abbacdf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153369&Signature=EmgPYUyqY4-Npdg8ehCsKlyp5xB-KsYbxrX54Cx7Zi9dBcyukL6N3GVZSYhjr-vtIiK~UXYqmi9SncbME9qRy6AFHM8MtowBwGVY~PkeauuBRfkBGgiX4hOpfF7hgQgs6m4lYnSl2Mq5Y7XGGwx1D2sMcoe9mfdWIVGLb7xGEUyuCLhE5rRvzPiq8aNlbYxlmnLusgqgb5KdY8FHbGGdJ9Sdvkj1Y2inEc9-hhuE-1b~nZpI~JNnZg3rB~r2WEecdYR~~hvRPnBQ7VEqxEg-OPQF-SB46Kzs7TbxnFZFCoHuL6ClO87MNxzXyWEyVdkyb76TFniU3pJ5lMPgUcpvpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rules and Government Committee voted to give a favorable recommendation, as amended, to O 03/2024, an ordinance sponsored by Alderman Gay and co-sponsored by other councilmembers that would change the city's appeals process for property development decisions to reduce delay caused by repetitive or nuisance litigation.

The measure aims to curb tactics that can hold projects up, sponsors said. Alderman Shanimire said the ordinance \"takes the teeth out of nuisance suits that just add time cost and can kill good projects through pointless litigation.\" The committee discussed multiple technical edits and two recommendations from the Board of Appeals to adjust timing in the proposed code language.

Why it matters: The ordinance addresses a recurring concern from developers and some council members that protracted appeals and repeated filings can stall housing and infrastructure projects. Supporters framed the changes as procedural safeguards to improve predictability; opponents said changes would not affect circuit-court litigation and could miss the larger causes of delay.

Key details: Committee members debated a provision that would require notice of an appeal be provided to the director of planning and zoning five days before the appeal is filed with the circuit court; the Office of Law and the planning director told the committee the notice requirement is procedural and would not strip appellants of court rights. Jessica Carace, an attorney in the Office of Law, explained the difference between a stop-work order and an automatic stay from the code: \"A stop work order is different than a stay,\" Carace said. \"A stop work order would be issued typically by the Department of Planning and Zoning; a stay is not actually, like, a concrete piece of paper that was issued.\"

The Board of Appeals asked two main changes: (1) the 45-day deadline for the board to issue a decision should run from the date the director designates the record; and (2) the board should have 40 days from the last hearing to reach and announce its decision. The committee accepted an amendment inserting the Board of Appeals' request that the 45-day clock run from the date the director designates the record, but members discussed safeguards where the record remains in dispute. The city attorney said the board may need an internal rule limiting back-and-forth over the record so that appeals do not stall indefinitely.

Dissent and limits: At least one committee member announced a vote against the favorable recommendation, arguing the ordinance \"is barking up the wrong tree\" and that most delay occurs earlier in the permitting process or in circuit court where the city has no control. That member said the legislation represented \"one bite\" of a larger problem and preferred broader reforms to the permitting system.

Outcome and next steps: The committee voted to recommend O 03/2024 favorably as amended. Committee members directed staff to incorporate the Board of Appeals language (45 days from designation of the record; 40 days from last hearing for deliberations) and to return final drafting for council introduction. The committee also received and discussed comments from the Planning Commission and deferred any Planning Commission-suggested changes that would expand stays beyond the scope of this ordinance.

Ending note: The committee framed the ordinance as a procedural improvement aimed at cutting avoidable project delays, while several members said further work will be needed across city permitting processes to address longer-term sources of delay.","The Annapolis Rules and Government Committee voted to recommend favorably, as amended, an ordinance (O 03/2024) intended to limit delay from nuisance appeals but accepted a Board of Appeals amendment to start appeal deadlines from when the record is designated.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews revised pay rules and personnel regulations; members ask for clarifications and safeguards

Work group urges changes to maritime zoning to aid small marinas; committee requests broader review

City planning staff outline Tyler Avenue "complete community" rezoning and outreach plan

Rules committee backs changes to appeals process for property development with limited amendment