Resilience and sustainability briefing: hybrid ferry approval, leaf-blower rebates, EV charging issues and streetlight study

City resilience and sustainability staff told the Environmental Matters Committee on Dec. 11 that the Federal Transit Administration has approved the city’s request to allow hybrid diesel-electric propulsion for the city’s ferry grant, clearing a path for two ferries with diesel backup and revised RFPs.

Jackie Guile, deputy city manager for resilience and sustainability, and staff explained that the grant originally called for all-electric propulsion but recent federal guidance required applicants to request a propulsion change or risk having grants reconsidered. The city and the county both requested approval to use hybrid diesel-electric systems; staff said the change improves range and operational reliability in rough conditions and the revised RFP must now be reviewed by the Maryland Transit Administration and FTA before contracting.

On the gas-powered leaf blower ban, staff reported the city has reached an agreement with the Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) to administer an electric-blower rebate program and will meet with CBT to finalize rollout timing. Staff also said planning-and-zoning enforcement has received 27 complaints and issued 1 upheld citation in June (another was reconsidered). The city manager approved hiring two temporary enforcement staff for approximately three months to assist enforcement outside normal business hours and on weekends.

Transportation staff provided an update on electric-vehicle charging in Hillman Garage: Level 2 chargers report high uptime, while DC fast chargers have experienced outages that can take weeks to repair; staff are working with the vendor (Premium Parking and charger manufacturers) to add clearer contact information to the chargers and to shorten repair times.

Dylan Cunnings, environmental programs manager, presented a city study assessing converting utility-owned streetlights to city ownership; an initial estimate suggested a roughly $8.5 million cost over 20 years but would yield operational savings and provide flexibility to host pilot technologies (Wi-Fi luminaires and potential camera integration) and enable upgrades.

Staff also gave a brief AMRI (Annapolis Maritime Resilience Initiative) update, saying project teams selected top priority nature-based resilience projects and will issue a joint press release with the resilience authority and communications partner. Public-works staff are advancing Eastport flood mitigation options, including backflow preventers at street ends.

Ending: Staff will proceed with revised ferry procurement steps, finalize CBT rebate agreement and return with implementation timelines for leaf-blower rebates and enforcement staffing; transportation will work with vendors on charger repair procedures and public contact information.