[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6558082,"mediaKeyId","3276669-97ce4529be5d2f8bcad812fef5b8ca51","parentId",3276669,"title","Organized groups press Annapolis council to shift recreation funds to aftercare and field repairs","audioSeconds",2565,"startMs",1905000,"endMs",4470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3276669-97ce4529be5d2f8bcad812fef5b8ca51&start=1905&end=4470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3276669-97ce4529be5d2f8bcad812fef5b8ca51/thumbnail_1905000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558082/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Organized-groups-press-Annapolis-council-to-shift-recreation-funds-to-aftercare-and-field-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558082-9d30b91060278df7e3715a56b476d266/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178088&Signature=hBTdddnB2Uy-KJao0v39SOjeXkY5NaTD1BxvhmGMug7hWeq4wI5YGzyaOH0ZHDnzgQGjXFYxrIZ-7GkrFXXO2U1hfmdsNxGJYgdKq~fk8w0Nn0kFRYUklRIdcsNviXQXDqps7V6FkBBwbKlPvrpFHVtgpXS~e60~kUDy96t3is8Zk63GBtEoiBZKxO5RbWtz15qE19LkTPjL0mkmAV8zDgq8~eMZ~J1HpzaYIUzmYBhf-pLvx1lpIFKE2lIxC4Di4iz4RSYTkGpab6N0a9PfiyPhv4qmNModJ9NhfZ0YzfTLYIQErgSZXXkJdWm5mFCPglSrIa6jikH~2h1U2ACA-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Annapolis, MD","date","2025-05-09T18:41:35Z","article","Dozens of residents, youth athletes and nonprofit leaders urged the Annapolis City Council on May 12 to redirect parts of the proposed fiscal 2026 parks and recreation budget toward after‑school care, scholarships, transportation and field maintenance rather than new offerings such as a proposed city football program.

The appeal came during the council’s public comment period on the annual budget ordinance (O10/25). Veil Garrity, executive director of Play Annapolis, told the council, “Every child, regardless of background, should have the access to the benefits of sports and recreation, belonging, mentorship, academic success, physical and mental well‑being to name a few,” and asked that “any increase in the latch key budget should go toward offering aftercare at these 3 schools” that currently lack it.

Play Annapolis, which Garrity said represents more than 4,000 youth athletes in partnership with 18 local nonprofits, provided council members a written summary of budget suggestions and repeated findings from a community survey of more than 300 families and 17 organizations. Speakers said the top barriers to participation were cost, poor field conditions and lack of access or transportation. “86% of families from title 1 schools said they would use a scholarship if it were easier to access,” Emily Thomasini, treasurer of Play Annapolis and commissioner of Jellyfish Volleyball, told the council.

Speakers pushed several specific changes. Garrity urged expanding the ARPD (Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department) “latch key” after‑school program, which she said now operates in five elementary schools and excludes three Title I schools that serve the highest numbers of low‑income families. Coaches and program leaders asked the council to prioritize maintenance and activation of city facilities, add field lighting and storage where feasible, and finish or repurpose underused properties including the Weems Whalen field site.

Multiple nonprofit leaders said the department’s plan to set aside $32,000 for a city football program — language that some speakers said had been pulled from the budget — exemplified a choice to create a competing city program instead of supporting existing nonprofit operators. “We need solutions, guys. We don't need competition,” said Stanford Womack, who described running a community sports program for more than 30 years.

Tim DeWitt, technical director and field coordinator for Annapolis Soccer Club, urged the council to approve an artificial turf upgrade at the Weems Whalen project (capital project 40075). “An artificial turf field, if it’s laid out properly ... can accommodate practices for about 10 kids in 1 evening on 1 field,” DeWitt said, arguing turf would allow more hours of play and reduce cancellations in bad weather.

Speakers described specific operational problems they said limit non‑profit capacity: inconsistent permitting decisions, denial of requests to place portable storage or lights at city sites, and a shortage of accessible gym space for youth programs. Jeremiah Batchkin, cofounder of Annapolis PEAK Social, said the city’s field policy changes had reduced local teams and pushed activity into other jurisdictions, with attendant economic losses when adults later patronize businesses elsewhere.

Council members and staff acknowledged the comments and suggested follow‑up. Alderman Finlayson asked that Play Annapolis’ concerns be placed on the Housing and Human Welfare Committee agenda for further review; Acting City Manager Vicky Buckland confirmed that the finance committee’s budget amendments had been collected and that council amendment requests would be processed ahead of the next meeting. Mayor Gavin Buckley later closed the public hearing on the budget.

Speakers who addressed the recreation budget included Play Annapolis leaders, volunteer coaches, youth athletes and representatives of existing city sports organizations. Several speakers asked the council to use existing community grant dollars or to amend the ARPD budget to prioritize scholarship access, transportation, facility activation and maintenance rather than capital projects they considered lower priority.

The council did not make a final funding decision during the May 12 meeting; the budget remained under review with opportunities for amendments. Council members repeatedly noted the public hearing on the budget remained open until the council took final action and said they expected to consider additional amendments in the coming meetings.

For now, the primary outcomes from the May 12 session were public documentation of community priorities, a council referral to a committee for follow‑up, and confirmation from staff that submitted finance committee amendments will be incorporated into materials for upcoming deliberations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting May 12 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of residents, youth athletes and nonprofit leaders urged the Annapolis City Council on May 12 to redirect parts of the proposed fiscal 2026 parks and recreation budget toward after‑school care, scholarships, transportation and field maintenance rather than new offerings such as a proposed city football program.","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},6558077,"Council advances multiple ordinances, adopts green‑roof pilot and withdraws condemnation after sale",330,3012000,3342000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3276669-97ce4529be5d2f8bcad812fef5b8ca51&start=3012&end=3342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3276669-97ce4529be5d2f8bcad812fef5b8ca51/thumbnail_3012000.jpg","/articles/6558077/Annapolis/Anne-Arundel-County/Maryland/Council-advances-multiple-ordinances-adopts-greenroof-pilot-and-withdraws-condemnation-after-sale","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558077-665afc93ae04b8d9f9d0b8e3783f367e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178088&Signature=HNcDXir3fpoCPlssdeNQsQX65~UKPSIQYFvvnsvAVBPi2RC0Vk-V56Eq9MeXI5jLID9IXYtmizvJWoiarI2rXrxIj9Rhlq61K75WnBcdUwTw3hA01p79uR7D9yxS~AaWS0wijLxOZnABuKk72DJWwau2j-XGpAlBnaFYvW2daiQ2xBDE-4HZD2A0awh5v9-mMbEtwID6f6Tc-TEydzc2LhCjxg9B9hDBLXFpHzZPAV8a7xGszoH4B7jnTj1oTlE2o9Xk2wPfG8FK-fxZKtQijyPCR54rfqjBe-txdk-lljtCLGJq8L0c-Nge1sq~NXwZpdt23oJUMlwE2GZ~Dy382g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Annapolis City Council on May 12 conducted a series of procedural and legislative actions: it approved the consent calendar, heard and closed the public hearing on the fiscal 2026 budget (O10/25), advanced several ordinances on first reading (with committee referrals) and adopted a demonstration program to install green roofs on city bus shelters on second reading. The council also withdrew a pending condemnation resolution for 245 West Street after a purchaser executed an agreement to buy the property.

Votes and formal actions

- Consent calendar: The council approved the consent calendar by roll call during the meeting. (Clerk roll call recorded ayes; no defeats recorded in transcript.)

- Public hearing—O10/25 (Annual budget appropriation and property tax levy): The council accepted the Planning Commission’s findings into the record and the mayor declared the public hearing closed for the budget ordinance; final action remains pending as the council continues amendment and adoption procedures.

- First‑reading referrals (motions carried on voice vote; referred to committees as noted):
- O6/25 (clearing snow and ice from city sidewalks) — referred to Environmental Matters Committee.
- O8/25 (Speak Children’s Museum lease renewal through 06/30/2030) — referred to Housing and Human Welfare, Finance, Environmental Matters and Rules and City Government committees.
- O12/25 (prioritizing affordable spending through expansion of Financial Advisory Commission duties) — referred to Finance, Financial Advisory Commission and Economic Matters Committee.
- O13/25 (compensation of mayor, aldermen and city manager) — referred to Finance and Rules and City Government committees.
- O14/25 (implementation of Annapolis Ahead comprehensive plan 2040) — referred to the Planning Commission, Rules and City Government, Environmental Matters and Housing and Human Welfare committees.

- Resolutions and second readings:
- R2/25 (demonstration program to build green roofs on city bus shelters) — adopted on second reading after debate about maintenance and staffing needs; the measure was described in committee as a pilot demonstration with a $5,000 fiscal note and expected to return if additional funds were required for broader rollout.

- Condemnation resolution (R38/24 for 245 West Street): Council members debated keeping the condemnation option active to address long‑term vacancy and potential redevelopment; after staff reported the property had been sold to a local buyer who intends to build housing, the mayor offered a motion to withdraw the condemnation resolution and the council voted to withdraw it.

What council members and staff said

Acting City Manager Vicky Buckland and the city attorney provided procedural guidance on budget amendments and personnel confirmations. Aldermen described the first‑reader ordinances as standard referrals and discussed committee assignments. Several aldermen raised concerns about the green‑roof pilot’s possible staffing implications and maintenance obligations, but supported the demonstration as a small test before any broad investment.

Next steps

Most ordinances introduced on first reading will be examined in the committees assigned and returned to the full council for additional action. The budget ordinance (O10/25) will be the subject of amendment consideration in upcoming sessions; staff confirmed that finance committee amendments had been incorporated into the materials for the council’s deliberations. The green‑roof pilot will proceed as scoped in the demonstration resolution, subject to budgetary review if additional funds or staff time are required.","At its May 12 meeting the Annapolis City Council voted to approve the consent calendar, advanced several ordinances on first reading with committee referrals, adopted a small green‑roof bus‑shelter demonstration on second reading and withdrew a condemnation resolution after the property was reported sold.","actionData","errors"]

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Organized groups press Annapolis council to shift recreation funds to aftercare and field repairs

Council advances multiple ordinances, adopts green‑roof pilot and withdraws condemnation after sale