Annapolis after-action review of severe winter storm urges clearer sidewalk policy, more call‑center capacity

Kevin Simmons, the city’s emergency manager, presented the Office of Emergency Management’s after-action review of a recent prolonged winter storm, describing the review method (surveys, EOC workshop) and a set of strengths and areas for improvement.

Simmons told council the city’s emergency operations center sustained 24/7 coverage over multiple operational periods, used hotels to house essential personnel, coordinated with state resources and the National Guard, and operated an eight-day continuous warming center. “We made decisions as we need to make decisions based on the best available information at the time,” he said.

The after-action identified operational successes and several needed improvements: the report recommended increasing continuous staffing hours for snow operations, adding snow‑disposal sites for high-accumulation events, improving snow-cloud tracking tools to better support tactical decisions, expanding call‑center and PIO depth and formally designating an incident commander under an emergency declaration.

Council members asked about fiscal and operational implications. Alderman O'Neil asked whether the city overspent the snow account; City Manager (responding in the session) and Director Buckland said the city began the year with roughly $50,000 in the dedicated snow account and that this storm required substantially more overtime and contractor support than in prior years. Simmons noted the event's duration and compounding conditions increased costs and staffing needs.

Communication and customer service were prominent topics. The city’s public-information officer, Mitchell Stephenson, said staff issued an initial all-call alert at the storm’s start and produced about 10 press releases over the event; he and Simmons acknowledged the PIO had insufficient relief during the incident and that additional trained public-information staff are needed.

Operational data provided during the session included nearly 800 calls taken through the EOC and call-center operation during the event, roughly 150–200 warnings issued for sidewalk noncompliance, and fewer than 100 actual fines after follow-up checks. Council members urged clearer public-facing priorities (for example, a published map of 'safe routes to school') and a policy framework that explains when warnings escalate to fines so residents have predictable expectations.

Council discussion also covered coordination with county agencies about sidewalks adjacent to county-owned roads and how the city might address private roads without associations. Officials said interjurisdictional clarifications and possible memoranda of understanding should be pursued.

The mayor requested a prioritized list separating improvements that the city can do with existing capacity from those that require additional funding or legislative change. Simmons agreed to deliver prioritized actions, and staff signaled plans to revise the snow-emergency plan, increase training for call takers and identify measures to expand contractor availability for future events.

The work session ended with council thanks to staff for round‑the‑clock efforts and an agreement to return with prioritized, costed next steps; there was no formal vote taken.