[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6571233,"mediaKeyId","3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df","parentId",3086036,"title","Council members debate adding a second council associate and how council staffing should work","audioSeconds",1282,"startMs",1690000,"endMs",2972000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df&start=1690&end=2972","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df/thumbnail_1690000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6571233/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Council-members-debate-adding-a-second-council-associate-and-how-council-staffing-should-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571233-a3fa2de311c14e9f4838e03531f8a18d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143009&Signature=KjwIeYJ6dR8187IE3UXd~hb2-CHUEOcEku0YZJrqZPKer7z7E7Rax9v5pLuVmYOOJ~l3jis5OkPtuMG1mjcOUQl9CPRn4vV4PWlOg2PJOcCD6icbA~cXMCVajE~za-3G3o7FTPE~KbQTJQsvMmOPa0SdQ4uCxrxCDqsKLNz2z4O7W9yeG0DN7q~x-hMLh18kNm5h4SDwTid8AugrrziXtP5iV0RRw2eFMIZ1ev2FzbknHUHGhvRgZinrpeHgL3DjTG2lNZKcqCISYgdsp37nm~D480qcDXfhUHRdF~xw-PaVJ9V6GF0~qg2RvNn~J8QYkn6cec3K9XYKB2s3pP1Row__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-04-22T17:15:25.663Z","article","Council members on the Finance Committee on April 22 debated whether the council needs a second council associate, what tasks the role should perform and how council-facing staffing should interact with the mayor's office, the city manager and Office of Community Services.

Alderman O'Neil said the council had previously requested an additional council associate to support legislative work and follow-through: \"What I'm looking for is someone to help keep track of implementation of legislation,\" she said. Other council members said they were unsure whether the current associate's workload had been fully used and asked for a review of the original job description and recent practice.

Several members, including Miss Watkins Eldridge and Alderman Arnett, said clearer guidance is needed on the associate's duties. Watkins Eldridge said the current associate has been given extra tasks to fill workload but that some committee requests have not been channeled through the associate. Arnett recommended the council meet with Human Resources to align expectations and job descriptions.

Budget staff and the city clerk's office said the presentation may have included a title or position line that made it appear the mayor's office or law department were adding an extra FTE; budget manager Jake Trudeau agreed to correct an intern line that appeared inconsistently in department summaries. Committee members asked HR and the mayor's office to provide an organizational chart and to circulate the job description used when the current associate was hired.

Ending: The committee asked staff to provide the job description used in hiring the existing city council associate, an organizational chart for the mayor's office and for the Office of Community Services, and recommended a follow-up discussion with HR to finalize whether an additional associate is needed and, if so, what duties the new position should have.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Committee Meeting April 22 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members on the Finance Committee on April 22 debated whether the council needs a second council associate, what tasks the role should perform and how council-facing staffing should interact with the mayor's office, the city manager and Office of Community Services.","taxTitle","Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland","taxId",59348,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6571243,"Mayor's office highlights Annapolis United, anti-overdose outreach and Hispanic liaison work; PEG funding and state grants noted",103,412000,515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df&start=412&end=515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df/thumbnail_412000.jpg","/articles/6571243/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Mayors-office-highlights-Annapolis-United-anti-overdose-outreach-and-Hispanic-liaison-work-PEG-funding-and-state-grants-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571243-365b2f06f39de5ac7f92a1cbce83725d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143009&Signature=mLr3eGVdBlJFnn2NleOEwrYrTnBA7SR-Lhk3LXAamNsJQypRcoCkiiF~rFcGCZCC1A5vpzYsZY6c0TzsVrBQ1RtMpBhW1NCsK5oLxOBI16kIUnxbNSLBpJ6bue7YLtxfALMmrZFp-VsgpWzw0SmbxYW6P7H~YE1lDIauj8M3P-Kn1kQw2X5IaNUn1lNZ1Ta2p5Ge1hwB-u5ZvoG29hqNSyUC5O7LoFSqBdXepxjmJj6~kGA0PL5w6kdiO3w9IyiuJuBi~-0aMCdbTk7nt8tp58fqXqOHoFmVZHEUQApXjqVXZsEhGBfkNQIqwvWn5MA7OOJuuDve-2mcDSAY9M08DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kate Pettit, chief of staff in the Mayor's Office, told the Finance Committee on April 22 that the mayor's FY2026 budget emphasizes community outreach programs and continuity for a range of initiatives the office manages, including Annapolis United and the NAPTOWN anti-dope movement.

Pettit said the Mayor's Office has one new budget line — $2,000 for annual training for boards and commissions — and highlighted two larger recurring items: $70,000 for community initiatives (primarily African American liaison events and related outreach) and $221,000 for Annapolis United, a cross-departmental program that funds neighborhood violence-prevention efforts, youth outreach and career programming.

\"We think overall we are positioned well to meet the challenges ahead and that's largely due to 2 things,\" Pettit said, describing changes in internal coordination and recent part-time hires that have boosted capacity. She told the committee the office is working on transition planning ahead of the mayoral election in November.

Pettit noted Annapolis United funds a suite of programs including a neighborhood violence-intervention model (No Harm/Cure Violence-style programming), college-and-career field trips for high-school students, mentoring and an entrepreneurship pilot. She said the mayor's office had run three expungement clinics in partnership with Community Legal Services, with roughly 300 attendees across the three events.

On broader funding, Pettit said the administration secured state budget items that will arrive in FY2026, citing roughly $500,000 to continue a repairs-and-maintenance grant for the Housing Authority and state support for upgrades to Lower Bates Field to build a 90-foot baseball diamond. She also noted other state funding and referenced a $339,000 contract with Make Your Mark Media for the city's PEG studio operations and streaming services.

Committee members asked about data and program outcomes. Pettit and staff said attendance and referral figures are tracked: the expungement clinics drew about 300 participants, the mayor's youth college trips averaged about 27 students each with more than 70 students participating so far, and the youth mentoring and outreach work reported improved academic engagement for students in program reporting (Pettit cited figures supplied by a school counselor: about 85% reported better academic performance and 72% reported improved attendance).

The committee also discussed the placement of state and federal lobbyists (currently run through the city manager's office) and Pettit said a city-manager–based lobbyist model can work if the lobbyist has direct lines to the mayor and council. Pettit said recent federal engagement has been promising, including meetings with senior HUD officials who expressed willingness to \"cut through red tape\" on priorities the city raised.

Pettit described staffing changes in the mayor's office: Rocio Ramirez Smith was named Hispanic liaison; Martina Flores Guillen recently joined as office manager; and Ismenia Bolivar remains the Hispanic outreach navigator focused on field work. Pettit and liaison staff said the liaison roles combine program leadership and on-the-ground navigation, with the navigator delivering direct assistance and the administrator coordinating larger events and partnerships.

Ending: Pettit said the mayor's office would share program data and organizational charts with the committee on request and committed to follow up on several items, including detailed breakdowns of Annapolis United and No Harm spending, attendance data, and clarity about how part‑time program positions are funded.","Kate Pettit, chief of staff in the Mayor's Office, told the Finance Committee on April 22 that the mayor's FY2026 budget emphasizes community outreach programs and continuity for a range of initiatives the office manages, including Annapolis United and the NAPTOWN anti-dope movement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6571247,"City Attorney warns election costs rising; office says workload remains 'responsive' as hires, interns added",72,453000,525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df&start=453&end=525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df/thumbnail_453000.jpg","/articles/6571247/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/City-Attorney-warns-election-costs-rising-office-says-workload-remains-responsive-as-hires-interns-added","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571247-0991ad8076698dd6949df0f4ff207b33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143009&Signature=DewlVWsvcHq7GjcWR3NQHruJjb1U09gOAwGzp9LR4Ezs1pVsPi06gpRUzBz-vQrW7-8E9RFN~PBnnv0ACNbccumtvqYcbf8cxsWMxYYs5YCp0TmHLITj9kfRkca5SBVYSx1UpkSa7Qz10P0qjCG8CZyhmefBPPUhtsbczcCidSTIoEW9EdEfKZ5H4SIpW4BVLlFmZ2qeFGx3Lo4bbYnjyBr~vAfrX0sXod0-J26lntml~8ab2RAHBRwzqjunf4jOqr-2SS~39sWVvEnqChI14XuhcN59ZsmXQllpOsYPChylS9JvTrQDxAfdguH9vOxfpgMwVbLl3r7exCX6qFdRCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Annapolis Finance Committee heard a presentation from City Attorney Mike Lyles on April 22, 2025, who said the Office of Law is operating on a $2.8 million budget and warned that new county and state charges for elections could increase local costs to about $200,000.

Lyles said the $200,000 figure is an estimate. \"What they provided us so far is in the neighborhood of about $150,000 of costs to them county and state election officials so we enhanced that as an estimate to 200,000,\" Lyles said. He added the office cannot say the number with \"any degree of certainty\" until final invoices are received.

The attorney's office reported that about 75% of its budget is salary and wages, with roughly $170,000 set aside for contract legal services. Lyles described the office's workload as primarily reactive: \"A law office really is responsive more so than it is proactive,\" he said, noting benchmarks such as a 30-day target to draft legislation and statutory timelines for MPIA responses.

The presentation covered recent staffing moves. Lyles said the newly hired attorney, Bianca Smith, brings roughly seven years' experience and will cost less than her predecessor because the predecessor had accrued merit increases; Lyles said this saved about $40,000 compared with the prior incumbent. He also described the office's summer internship program: \"We hire college students and law students to provide additional administrative support during the summer,\" with interns paid about $20–$25 per hour for roughly 20 hours weekly (about $6,000 per intern over three months).

Committee members pressed Lyles and budget manager Jake Trudeau for detail on what drove the department's personnel numbers in the budget book — including how titles changed after the class-and-comp study and whether certain temporary or contract positions should appear as FTEs. Trudeau acknowledged the presentation included an intern line that may have been inconsistent with other departments and said staff would correct it.

Members also debated the city attorney's reporting relationship. Committee members asked whether the city attorney should report to the city manager rather than sit in the mayor's office. Lyles replied that, while the city's charter provides for day-to-day supervision by the mayor, \"our allegiance is to the city council and the taxpayers through the city council,\" and that the office would continue to operate nonpolitically regardless of where it sits.

The committee did not take a formal vote on departmental staffing at the hearing; managers said they would supply follow-up documentation to explain title changes and staffing-line treatments in the budget book.

Ending: The committee asked the Office of Law to provide a written breakdown reconciling the budget book titles with the class-and-comp study and to clarify whether the intern line should remain in the department summary. Lyles and Trudeau agreed to return with the requested details.","City Attorney Mike Lyles told the Finance Committee the Office of Law's FY2026 budget totals about $2.8 million and that election-related costs could rise to roughly $200,000, an uncertain estimate. Lyles described staffing changes, summer interns, and defended the office's nonpolitical role amid questions about reporting lines.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6571238,"HR outlines class-and-comp implementation, NEOGOV rollout and summer internship plans",394,10386000,10780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df&start=10386&end=10780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3086036-02dde87e665c5c21c179517bcd0257df/thumbnail_10386000.jpg","/articles/6571238/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/HR-outlines-class-and-comp-implementation-NEOGOV-rollout-and-summer-internship-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6571238-44a46da83f130dac7f295d33f7ac5c2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143009&Signature=G~TMD3GfA64JP0Az5En5H7OOPu-rnZhlnBnFf~fohQh1I6CcDXGXdEeTCRZLEM36C2URY1lTAQonRXE2eoZ0AaKLPf2StdCJJEU06W4VgoiNImMLSLhcws8yZFTEidqPa-RM1vQDypgEDjw4LaGg9o~8iqkHyNvyGRLs~9IiqpY5fQq4z6~EXXV5vvfr0ZmZ3JrNxh1b~v02u1X5azGSv3cdNFNb8cCvDWo~FyrgKNE1EofgAjW0VwWL1CvRaAXKX9Uk39UdWju0JT4yMXyDWbup5TAEQUsHBIzOP3K2cVoxQ0j4izuaWvkmkq3lfA~lc9990MxhcKLss4UxPZq1yA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Human Resources manager (presented as Miss Hopkins) briefed the Finance Committee on April 22 on the city's implementation of a comprehensive class-and-compensation study and related human-resources initiatives, including NEOGOV modules, career-ladder planning and summer youth employment.

Hopkins told the committee the completed class-and-comp study required extensive position-title and grade updates and a forward-looking approach to converting employment-agreement positions over the next five years. She said the city has built a framework for career ladders and will work with departments to finalize criteria for promotion pathways.

On technology, Hopkins said the city is implementing NEOGOV modules to modernize recruitment and records: applicant tracking and attract modules to broaden candidate outreach, TestingGenius for targeted assessments, and a planned HRIS payroll integration. \"Let's get people out of handling paper. Let's get people just approving and really focus on the intellectual work and be able to move things forward more quickly,\" Hopkins said, describing the goal of electronic personnel files and integrated performance-review records.

Hopkins described the summer youth internship program as continuing in FY26: departmental placements will be coordinated with Recreation & Parks and HR, pay rates are set at $15 per hour for the youth program and $17 for departmental placements, and payroll will route through HR. She said HR will publish the notice on NEOGOV and urged council members who want an intern to send a clear description of duties so HR can match candidates and maintain a structured interview process.

On benefits and other programs, Hopkins said the city will fund a tuition-reimbursement pool (previously approved) and will finalize the program guide and application process this year. The department also said it has implemented changes related to controlled-substance screening and will issue a memo about the new screening policy.

Ending: Hopkins said HR will continue to refine performance measures and to work with departments to finalize job descriptions and career-ladder criteria. She agreed to circulate the summer-internship announcement and to provide follow-up documentation on NEOGOV rollout timelines and the tuition-reimbursement schedule.","Human Resources manager presented implementation steps for the recently adopted class-and-comp study, described phases of the NEOGOV applicant-tracking and HRIS rollout, and confirmed continuation of the summer youth internship program and a tuition‑reimbursement pilot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council members debate adding a second council associate and how council staffing should work

Mayor's office highlights Annapolis United, anti-overdose outreach and Hispanic liaison work; PEG funding and state grants noted

City Attorney warns election costs rising; office says workload remains 'responsive' as hires, interns added

HR outlines class-and-comp implementation, NEOGOV rollout and summer internship plans