[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6563062,"mediaKeyId","3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749","parentId",3235917,"title","Resilience Authority and city staff outline 38 candidate Eastport flood mitigation sites; 10 to be prioritized for design","audioSeconds",261,"startMs",4603000,"endMs",4864000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749&start=4603&end=4864","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749/thumbnail_4603000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6563062/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Resilience-Authority-and-city-staff-outline-38-candidate-Eastport-flood-mitigation-sites-10-to-be-prioritized-for-design","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563062-baaac6c5cc51a515247df05a430c128f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223905&Signature=KNZlPAnBIlzV5VnhX6oGpu3K6cUuEtsx6zIAVokbEHWpgOlxoonJt7ige0OgsxLQ~5nliY-aZ8Jax9tk~UvIPNZbG1ce72~HS-c7Fj9tO3u~eXSQ25EkYloWNLf7yOgdxyiNqzkFlpq54HmcFxW2Tb1mYfQK2Tc3W3lsb7QPGjVA-gK~w36liu8IIh5Ln9lKZyevQ7dYk6husyaG1z7BmUacfunO7FXhA9rnby4OcWGW~sIY6ZHcG5-mkS1c4wrXcbRzRB93mPdr3Ak5sl5mRhFVe7rc9SKjisZLEwltsCWOrJgO6~czmLmfVLftcJQL14SV6DMfH1ZsHLp3I57iFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-05-09T09:41:16Z","article","The Environmental Matters Committee received an update on the Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative (AMRI) and Eastport flood mitigation work on May 8 from the Resilience Authority and city staff.

Gabe Coie, director of programs for the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, said outreach and desktop assessments identified roughly 38 sites where nature‑based solutions could reduce runoff and tidal impacts in Wards 6, 7 and 8. \"From that experience, we were able to put together this list of roughly 38 project sites, where nature based solutions could be viable,\" Coie said. The Authority and partners developed a prioritization metric that weighs resilience impacts, green‑infrastructure network potential, feasibility and social impact.

Coie said the Authority plans to refine that list to about 10 priority sites and produce 10% concept plans for each. He said the group submitted a pre‑proposal for Phase 2 funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) to take selected projects through final design and permitting; a full proposal would be due mid‑July if invited.

Jasmine Wilding, program manager in Public Works overseeing the Eastport flood mitigation capital project, said the city is also completing hydraulic and drainage modeling of Eastport and is coordinating federal and state grant work (FEMA and other funding sources) with the Authority’s outreach and concept work. Wilding said the city has roughly $300,000 of remaining FEMA/local funds to advance modeling and early design and that the modeling will help produce benefit‑cost information needed to pursue construction grants.

Wilding described a stakeholder meeting planned for early July to share prioritized concepts. She said the project team expects a full AMRI master plan with the prioritized concepts by late summer or early fall and that design/permitting funding decisions for selected projects would rely on NFWF and other grant prospects.

Why it matters: Eastport experiences recurrent nuisance and tidal flooding; the combined Authority/city approach uses community outreach, nature‑based options and targeted modeling to identify projects that could be advanced for construction funding.

(Reporting: Gabe Coie, Resilience Authority; Jasmine Wilding, City of Annapolis Public Works.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Environmental Matters Committee May 8 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Resilience Authority and city staff told the Environmental Matters Committee they have identified roughly 38 candidate nature‑based flood mitigation sites in Eastport and plan to prioritize 10 for schematic design and permitting, pending grant funding.","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},6563066,"City staff propose new nonresidential stormwater fee structure and credit program; committee briefed on revenue and implementation plan",1804,6506000,8310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749&start=6506&end=8310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749/thumbnail_6506000.jpg","/articles/6563066/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/City-staff-propose-new-nonresidential-stormwater-fee-structure-and-credit-program-committee-briefed-on-revenue-and-implementation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563066-48d5eeafb2c84b495df39fcc8c4cbba0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223905&Signature=chqRfyQZbXkiw7mdJ-G6q1AVxObM34AWtJ9almhJqNrhjwxAKBiUovQdlpk9DFvdJuS97h3fV4K8eyTGmfb0HJHKNlDmqwBAoyOgfVIkwI17O7OiFEEsj91XwySuGQdJAAtD0we2ENciJsLPpT6l~HVeVAg7UnrOnd~FQJbqcaGbRZ-E0YGQmZd~SZIPJ0MWDqYUHD1xC~51GA5KiOQ4jLbXuiKIBhnMgRDWxRM9VHlyHiQxdb6DlScG8MMImv6IG5r0JjBXuYnE9qcsfcijsl-c9Wpny1Jj8-9NZGBoQmFDvMyksMqKhZ4usS4tBoCRpLaC8PgUUTVwuRpizwOSog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Public Works staff and consultant Stantec briefed the Environmental Matters Committee on May 8 about a proposed change to the city’s stormwater fee structure and a complementary credit program.

Mike Rosberg, stormwater program manager, explained staff are proposing to convert nonresidential billing from the city’s current tiered categories to an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) approach tied to measured impervious area. \"What was presented to the finance committee last week was a 15% increase in the stormwater fees, and so that's what's being recommended,\" Rosberg said. Under the ERU model one ERU equals 2,100 square feet of impervious surface; the staff example showed a parcel with 21,000 square feet of impervious area would be billed as 10 ERUs.

Rosberg and Stantec projected that moving to ERU‑based billing for nonresidential properties would increase nonresidential revenue from about $900,000 (FY25) to roughly $1.4 million before credits — an incremental $400,000 — while residential revenue would remain unchanged under the recommended FY26 rates. The staff presentation noted that if property owners qualify for credits (see below), that additional revenue would be reduced.

Anne Roterer, stormwater engineer, and Dave Heider (Stantec) laid out a proposed credit program intended to incentivize on‑site stormwater management and good housekeeping. The plan limits total credits to a 50% maximum per parcel (a cap allowed by law) and recommends making nonresidential parcels the initial focus. Qualifying activities would include state‑approved on‑site best management practices (BMPs) in good maintenance condition, and an alternative compliance pathway targeted at religious and 501(c)(3) organizations that would emphasize outreach, tree planting and green‑care pledges as creditable activities.

Staff noted several operational and administrative considerations: implementing ERU billing will require updated GIS calculations and an appeals process (property owners may contest measured impervious area), the city needs to conduct outreach to large nonresidential property owners, and any credits must be verified via inspections on a tri‑annual cycle. Rosberg said the city currently has a small, existing credit program but very low participation; the staff proposal aims to simplify and relaunch it.

Budget and timeline: the staff proposal assumes adoption of a 15% fee increase for FY26 beginning July 1; staff propose a phased rollout for the nonresidential ERU change with a window to apply for credits so property owners are not immediately penalized. Finance staff are coordinating with Public Works on revenue projections. The proposed calendar would allow nonresidential owners to apply for credits during a six‑month transition prior to a January 1 effective date for the new billing structure.

Why it matters: the proposed change shifts more of the stormwater billing to measured impervious area for nonresidential properties and includes incentives for on‑site stormwater management. Committee members asked for further outreach and discussed whether additional residential tiers might create greater equity.

(Reporting: presentation by Mike Rosberg, stormwater program manager, Anne Roterer, stormwater engineer, and Dave Heider, Stantec.)","Public Works and Stantec presented a recommended switch to an ERU‑based stormwater fee for nonresidential parcels, a FY26 15% fee increase and a credit program that would rebate up to 50% for qualifying on‑site stormwater practices.",{"_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},6563071,"Annapolis transportation director outlines 5-year transit development plan, pilots and county coordination",4080,367000,4447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749&start=367&end=4447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749/thumbnail_367000.jpg","/articles/6563071/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Annapolis-transportation-director-outlines-5-year-transit-development-plan-pilots-and-county-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563071-842ef40d62ea7b7d4fca36ebc093aa91/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223905&Signature=Q~eu8QGwg1HOzsKKL9AvOxGZHTCn3vCsX83dDZFwmLKc~8u220mFjrP7dPIxhSjbaHVq6FYcRNHiKnTXACXN0w0YBDuN15IFSMDfOjt-N~gg7TtDHPupuMycNGmkgWYGbX1oh9aF41Tn2GPk1PTqS-IvqiyIevSIxhTyOVgT2wiQfFgfAzlcAFc0BBC~ZTxzIfvbf2hYxEfmbyvRMQjF4k~VWZlmGZLLlxU98Sj94oIogorv4B12owZPtOVAtWQhy7KLLMu6A-YZe2pxn30L3ni2EBnSHYaOAZK5Z0h5tTKRK~JKCOcMoVdBsNvow7uLIp5xBOud3zUgUwdlzU1V0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Annapolis Environmental Matters Committee on May 8 heard an overview of the city’s Transit Development Plan (TDP) from Marcus Moore, director of Transportation and Parking, including details on a two‑year pilot for a microtransit on‑demand service branded GoTime, proposals to redraw route zones and suggestions to better coordinate with Anne Arundel County and the Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA).

Moore said the TDP is a required short‑range, five‑year “road map” that helps the city qualify for grant funds and plan service changes. \"This particular plan is done every 5 years for our funding sources for, it's like a road map to take a look at where we are and where we like to go,\" Moore said. He noted the city began piloting GoTime July 15 of last year and described early performance: \"In the first few months, it equaled the service. And right now, it's, you know, single digits more than what we were carrying before.\"

The plan’s technical team and Moore recommended looking at headways (the time for a route to complete a loop), target service frequencies under 30 minutes where feasible, and reconfiguring fixed routes (brown, green and red) plus a potential new \"blue\" route to create better spines for microtransit zones. Moore said microtransit aims to shorten travel times on long low‑frequency legs — for example cutting an Eastport trip that took an hour and 20 minutes on the purple route to roughly half that time when served by on‑demand vehicles.

Committee members pressed two overarching policy questions: whether Annapolis should work toward a single regional system rather than parallel city and county systems, and how the TDP should be tied to the city’s Comprehensive Plan (2040). Alderman Arnett asked how the TDP integrates with the comprehensive plan; Moore replied the TDP is grant‑funded and short range while the comprehensive plan is city funded and longer term, and both should be coordinated. Alderman Eduardo and others argued the city should treat transit as an essential municipal service and align funding and planning across departments.

Moore outlined likely budget implications if the city were to pursue fare‑free service or expand fixed routes: while fares alone may account for $320,000–$330,000 in passenger revenue, organizational-paid fares (agreements where agencies purchase passes) and county subsidies add to the total. He said some organizational fares (e.g., state Department of General Services) amount to roughly $265,000 and that eliminating fares would remove that revenue unless replaced by other funding arrangements.

Committee discussion covered operational details of GoTime (vehicles are city‑marked cutaway buses, accessible, typically 8–15 seats), zones planned for the pilot, and the tradeoffs between larger fixed routes and on‑demand services that feed spines. Multiple members asked for better outreach and real‑time vehicle tracking: Moore said the city is working to expand AVL (automatic vehicle location) across its fleet so riders can get near‑real‑time arrival information similar to ride‑hail apps.

Outcome and next steps: committee members did not take a formal vote to approve the TDP. The chair and director agreed to hold no action at this meeting and to add the item to the next committee/Transportation Committee agenda so planning staff can share the presentation deck, financial tables and any revisions requested by the Transportation Committee. Moore said planners (KFH) will finalize answers to outstanding questions and the city will circulate an abridged highlights deck to council members.

Why it matters: the TDP shapes where transit service will be put and how the city competes for state and federal grants. Committee members repeatedly raised funding and land‑use integration concerns — specifically, whether zoning and development decisions should precede or follow major transit investments.

The committee asked staff to circulate the presentation and the TDP highlights to all councilmembers and recommended additional joint work sessions with Planning, Finance and the Transportation Committee to discuss funding, zoning links and regional coordination.

(Reporting: presentation and discussion by Marcus Moore, director of Transportation and Parking; questions and comments from Alderman Arnett, Alderman Savage, Alderman Finlayson and other committee members.)","Marcus Moore, director of Transportation and Parking, presented the city’s five‑year Transit Development Plan to the Environmental Matters Committee on May 8, highlighting a two‑year microtransit pilot called GoTime and proposed route and zone changes while urging better coordination with Anne Arundel County and MDOT MTA.",{"_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},6563059,"Design teams present draft vision for Kahrs (Cars) Beach: larger sandy beach, vegetated headlands and upland stormwater relief",417,5684000,6101000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749&start=5684&end=6101","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749/thumbnail_5684000.jpg","/articles/6563059/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Design-teams-present-draft-vision-for-Kahrs-Cars-Beach-larger-sandy-beach-vegetated-headlands-and-upland-stormwater-relief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563059-ca24046adc12880f89ed198a9b048b34/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223905&Signature=OdffCMgYuGxcYOeDCIK-2ntMGPdpwG718zGpzlChJhHZloX~GTJBYJavUaAjbQDRWPi9bcz9-lZdp17KHge2fok4xGZtYCjOL6YY2~LoioeydwpF21AwN1PASpK4e20cg7r974buUZ~q5jRnA-wRfRFN7K8dD1EAQvNpcxwDu1m3f0ulEzKt38BBVExhB1cqVBIwcmi9vr3DZluZGaKfgnSwUJ~OY0~ETmQAY6j6qc0FcZaLJ2TbTvOZN5-RXZBvjVNbAcwtw6zuw61NY9HGSjSi7YJjFmioqNaJDzEBBOfy8TbEcEFFwuG2EqkkCvEQELOp2qH0cErw-yIGKLiDRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff and consultants updated the committee on design and resilience planning for Kahrs (also referred to in materials as Cars) Beach on May 8, describing a concept that raises beach elevation, builds vegetated headlands and relocates exposed sewer infrastructure to address rapid erosion.

The presentation noted the beach has lost approximately 93 feet since 1932, with nearly 60 feet of that erosion occurring since 1994; project staff described an exposed sewer manhole on the shoreline as a key driver of urgency. Consultants described a proposed profile of vegetated dunes (approximate crest Elevation 7) and an overall beach built up to about Elevation 5, plus a gradual 10:1 slope to make wading and swimming more accessible and stable during tidal events. The design includes a kayak launch, seating areas, headlands for fishing, and stormwater conveyance features to capture upland runoff.

Project staff said they have initiated early regulatory coordination, including a meeting with the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Shoreline Protection Review Team and critical area staff. The project team expects 60% shoreline design deliverables in the next week and two park concept alternatives from the park planning contract by mid‑May; staff plan to present follow‑up materials to the committee in June.

The team also described partnerships for programming and legacy interpretation: Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation has a National Park Service grant and is planning curriculum and interpretive programming tied to the site’s cultural history.

Why it matters: Kahrs Beach is an eroding public shoreline with recreational and cultural value; the design aims to restore recreational beach uses while adding nature‑based protection and stormwater management to make the site resilient for several decades.

(Reporting: Jasmine Wilding and project consultants; Parks & Recreation referenced for program coordination.)","Design teams showed a concept to enlarge and stabilize Kahrs (Cars) Beach with sandy accretion, vegetated headlands, a kayak launch and stormwater conveyance, while relocating exposed sewer infrastructure to reduce erosion and allow safe swimming.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6563054,"Votes at a glance: Environmental Matters Committee — May 8, 2025",8593,321000,8914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749&start=321&end=8914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3235917-dfb6b1758da9dada5a58bc2b9ecfd749/thumbnail_321000.jpg","/articles/6563054/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Votes-at-a-glance-Environmental-Matters-Committee-May-8-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563054-914571152e4a667c894960d99c064887/orig.mp4?Expires=1775223905&Signature=itDh-Nf5brhD56E3Do7AHyOpDmkrzZs4jAw-egup2NP3EBu8P5a44jbyXcEhAOkWIYoBr-RDZXqe8SLfPbrlrJa29sWg-Re1R4DGOwfxHEGr8Z1-sg47etfkDwOKYqFVxLvd5llpG8Px~8SQ6SPGQkSndQBcXxfbzb6cGxhg4UO34rCEMK3pTMPpNAwzUlU0IdixhmSyllL0HaaYHEQvg3avzAHtQuoQO~50KTy1RPJY1fAtGcuAI1zR8dDYrMxxRERJbROjt8hWB3vlXNPGv~q7-BpLk9UFUbGawyoDHQkZwyAC-9Y7tZb~-yD6QoCmEaUqFWoPHreqc1PASdSLKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This summary lists formal voice votes and recorded actions from the Annapolis Environmental Matters Committee meeting on May 8, 2025:

- Agenda approval (procedural): Motion to approve the meeting agenda was moved and seconded; committee voice vote \"Aye\" — result: motion carries.

- Minutes approval (procedural): Motion to approve minutes from the April 10 meeting was moved and seconded; committee voice vote \"Aye\" — result: motion carries.

- O01/25 — Expansion of childcare options (legislative referral): Committee recorded a favorable recommendation by voice vote. The motion was moved during the meeting, committee members voted \"Aye\" and the recommendation was forwarded accordingly. (The transcript records a voice vote but does not record roll‑call tallies or named mover/second.)

Items from the meeting that did not result in committee votes or formal approvals at this session:

- Transit Development Plan (TDP) — staff presentation; committee agreed to take no action at this meeting and directed staff to circulate materials and return after Transportation Committee review.

- Stormwater fee structure and credit program — staff presentation; no adoption at this meeting (staff will coordinate with Finance and return with implementation materials).

- Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative / Eastport and Kahrs Beach design updates — informational briefings; no committee action recorded.

Sources: committee transcript, May 8, 2025 Environmental Matters Committee meeting.","Committee recorded voice approvals for procedural items and one favorable recommendation on a childcare expansion item during the May 8 meeting. No formal votes were taken on the Transit Development Plan, stormwater fee structure or Eastport resilience projects at this meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resilience Authority and city staff outline 38 candidate Eastport flood mitigation sites; 10 to be prioritized for design

City staff propose new nonresidential stormwater fee structure and credit program; committee briefed on revenue and implementation plan

Annapolis transportation director outlines 5-year transit development plan, pilots and county coordination

Design teams present draft vision for Kahrs (Cars) Beach: larger sandy beach, vegetated headlands and upland stormwater relief

Votes at a glance: Environmental Matters Committee — May 8, 2025