Upcoming Town Hall Meetings

Thank you to everyone who attended our Town Hall in Ward 8 last Thursday. Alderman Frank Thorp and I were incredibly grateful to have more than 100 residents join us at the Eastport Fire Station. Attendees were able to meet City directors and learn how City government works for them. To any residents, Ward 8 or otherwise, who weren’t able to join us last Thursday, you can watch the recording here.

Next up, we’ll be visiting Ward 5 at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. You can join Ald. Brooks Schandelmeier and I at the Pip Moyer Rec Center, where you can meet with and ask questions of me, the council, and department directors. If you plan on attending, please register here.

A week later, Ald. Keanuú Smith-Brown and I will be at Mt. Olive Community Center, for the Ward 3 Town Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10. If you plan on attending, please register here.

We will be holding two Town Halls in each ward over the next year. That’s 16 total, which means there will be plenty of opportunities to participate.

If you want to know when we’ll be in your ward, see this page for a list of all the currently scheduled Town Halls.

Update on the Status of the Art in Public Places Commission

On Monday night, the City Council passed Ordinance 4-26, "Temporary Dissolution and Restructuring of the City of Annapolis Arts in Public Places Commission." This ordinance begins the process of restructuring the Arts in Public Places Commission (AiPPC) and its duties. This legislation was introduced by Alderwoman Karma O'Neill and I co-sponsored it.

The City Council has determined that restructuring the AiPPC would better serve the interests of the City and enhance the effectiveness of the public art program. A temporary dissolution is necessary to allow for comprehensive review, reorganization, and establishment of a new commission structure with improved processes and procedures.

Under this ordinance, the AiPPC will be temporarily disabled and its duties transferred to the Department of Planning & Zoning. There will not be a lapse in the City's art fund. A committee led by April Nyman, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, will review applications for public art grants. All existing contracts, agreements, and obligations of the AiPPC shall remain in full force and effect.

I am acutely aware that public art is a crucial part of our City's culture, and the AiPPC is a key partner in bringing the creativity of Annapolis artists to life. This restructuring is necessary to make the AiPPC more efficient and effective, and the City will continue to support the art community during the temporary dissolution.

If you're a resident of Annapolis who is interested in joining the AiPPC, fill out the application here.

Dock Street Stops for the Magenta Shuttle

Starting Monday, March 2, the downtown Magenta Shuttle route will be extended to include a Dock Street/United States Naval Academy stop, making it even easier to access downtown destinations and the Naval Academy campus.

Riders can catch the Magenta Shuttle from any of the City’s parking garages (Park Place, Knighton, Gotts, and Mills Hillman) and enjoy a convenient, complimentary ride. Whether you’re heading to a meeting, dining out, shopping, or visiting the Yard, the expanded route offers a smoother connection between parking and your final destination.



This enhancement reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to supporting downtown vitality and ensuring businesses remain accessible and welcoming throughout the City Dock construction period. By parking once and hopping on the Magenta Shuttle, residents and visitors alike can help keep Dock Street and surrounding businesses vibrant while enjoying a more convenient trip into the heart of Annapolis.

City Dock Construction

Construction work on the Annapolis City Dock Resiliency Project is officially underway, with heavy equipment making its way into and out of the job site on Dock Street between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. each weekday.

As with any construction project, the work, while temporary in nature, can be messy and disruptive. The project is progressing in order to advance flood mitigation efforts that will protect our historic downtown in the long-term.

Throughout the project lifespan, which was initiated in 2019, the City has worked on both short- and long-term solutions to downtown flooding from sunny day, storm-related, and stormwater events.

Also in 2019, the City installed backflow preventers and temporary pumps in the storm drains on Dock Street, which have significantly reduced nuisance flooding for several years. These systems were designed as interim measures, and further expanding them would not provide a dependable long-term solution. For that reason, the City is focused on delivering the permanent flood protection infrastructure now under construction through the City Dock Resiliency Project.

Downtown Annapolis is the economic and historic heart of our City. Protecting the businesses, residents, and public spaces from increasingly frequent and severe tidal flooding has been, and continues to be, the reason for this infrastructure project, one of the largest such investments in the City’s history.

As anyone who has endured a kitchen renovation knows, construction projects can be trying, and this massive project is no exception. We thank the public for their patience as we execute on the flood protection that the downtown waterfront area has long deserved. 

We ask residents and visitors to continue patronizing businesses on Dock Street during construction. They are open and ready to serve you.

Happy 95th Birthday to Elizamae Robinson

I want to take a moment to honor a living legend in Annapolis, and someone who I’m lucky enough to consider a friend. I’m talking about the one and only Elizamae Robinson, who is celebrating her 95th birthday today.

Elizamae has left an indelible mark on the Annapolis community by blending activism with art. A fearless leader and mentor, she organized the longest rent strike in Anne Arundel County history. She also uplifts her community through creativity, capturing the past and present with her powerful poetry.

In recognition of her decades of important work, Elizamae has received numerous honors. The community center at Wilbourn Estates in Ward 4 is named in her honor, and she has been honored numerous times by the City, the most recent being for her work to support the Parren J. Mitchell memorial at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center.

Despite the praise and accolades, Elizamae remains humble and gracious. When I interviewed her last year for Naptown Scoop, she said she was just thankful to have been blessed with a long life and the ability to help people.

Today, we recognize both her long life and the many ways she’s helped Annapolis over the last 95 years. I hope you’ll all join me in wishing Elizamae Robinson a very happy 95th birthday.

Restaurant Week Continues Until March 1

Restaurant Week has begun in Annapolis! If you’re looking for an opportunity to check out the many great restaurants that Annapolis has to offer, now’s your chance. Scores of participating restaurants will be offering prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner until March 1. This is a great opportunity for residents to explore new restaurants and help support local businesses, who always struggle during the colder months. All the information you need can be found at AnnapolisRestaurantWeek.com. Happy dining!

St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 8

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 8! Proceeds will benefit local charities, including Warrior Events.

Note that the parade will have a new route this year, starting on West Street at Amos Garrett Blvd. From there, the parade will make its way toward downtown on West Street, traveling around Church Circle before continuing down Northwest Street to Calvert to St. John’s Street.

Residents should expect rolling road closures and parking restrictions along the parade route from approximately 1 to 3 PM. Please follow police direction and posted “no parking” signage.

We hope you all enjoy the 14th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade! If you’re celebrating with alcohol, please drink responsibly and utilize designated drivers, taxis, or rideshare. 

We’d like to give a shout out to Naptown Events for producing the parade and sponsoring the Hooley at Naval Academy Alumni Center on March 7. For more information on the parade and Hooley, visit www.stpatricksweekend.com.

Greenscape Planning Meeting

Annapolis Greenscape is coming up on April 25! This annual event seeks to beautify our city by planting and maintaining flower and vegetable gardens in public spaces throughout the City.

If you want to help plan the 34th annual Greenscape, you can come to our organizational meeting next Wednesday, March 4. It’ll be at 6 PM at Pip Moyer Rec Center.

If you plan on attending Greenscape on April 25, make sure you fill out the order form for plant materials and submit it by March 4. You can find all the information you need at this page.

New Deputy Director of Finance

I’d like to recognize the new Deputy Director of the Finance Department, Karen Ajayi!

Dep. Director Ajayi brings decades of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and tax specialist, including public-sector experience with Anne Arundel County. She holds a masters from Old Dominion University and a BA in accounting from Clark Atlanta University. 

Welcome, Deputy Director Ajayi!

Appreciating City Staff

As mayor, I believe it’s important to support and uplift City staff. I’d like to highlight two recent accomplishments by City staffers that demonstrate outstanding service.

The first is the Planning & Zoning Department’s creation of a real-time system for managing and tracking permit applications. The mastermind of this system is Stephanie Conner, an analyst in the City’s Information Technology Systems (ITS) Department.

Stephanie joined City government in 2007, and was quickly promoted to IT Analyst after only two years. She took on a new challenge in 2021, when the City began implementing a new permitting and licensing system. Stephanie took the lead on the project, oversaw the implementation, and has continued to diligently develop the system ever since. 

Throughout numerous code and fee changes, she has masterfully adapted the system, consistently assisting both staff and the public with any issues that arise, often working long hours to do so.

I want to commend Stephanie Conner for her hard work and dedication. Over the past two years, the City has reduced the average working days on a residential permit from 19 to 11, and since January 1, that average has gone down to 5.6 working days; the important work of public servants like Stephanie is a major reason for that improvement.

I also want to commend the Human Resources and Finance Department for their efficiency in creating a new job posting for the City. Christopher Jakubiak, Director of Planning & Zoning, had requested the creation of a new position to improve and enforce the City's zoning code.

After the Mayor and City Council approved the new position, titled "Zoning Administrator," Human Resources and Finance worked quickly to authorize recruitment. Director Jakubiak has voiced his appreciation for how quickly he will be able to fill this important position, and I want to echo that appreciation.

As a small business owner, I know that employees make the business. Our City government is incredibly lucky to have so many dedicated and passionate public servants. City employees work hard every day to deliver tangible results for Annapolis residents, and I want to commend and appreciate them whenever I can.

Accepting Applications for

Finance Director, City Manager, and City Attorney Positions

Reminder that the City of Annapolis is accepting applications for the positions of Finance Director, City Manager, and City Attorney. Politically engaged professionals looking to make a difference in their local community are encouraged to apply.

The Finance Director is responsible for the City’s financial management, including budget and strategic planning, accounting, auditing, pension administration, capital planning, debt and cash management, and risk management. The Director advises administrative officials on the financial condition of the City and ensures all fiscal operations align with municipal goals. If you’re interested, you can apply here.

The ideal candidate for the City Manager position is an experienced public-sector leader who can lead others and work closely with the Mayor. While the Mayor is elected citywide and serves as the City’s chief elected official, the City Manager functions as the chief administrative officer and organizational leader. Success in this structure requires a disciplined partnership between the Mayor and City Manager, clear role alignment, and consistent communication with the City Council. If you’re interested, you can apply here.

The City Attorney serves as the Departmental Director of the Office of Law and reports directly to the Mayor. This senior leadership role acts as the Chief Legal Advisor for the City of Annapolis and General Counsel for the Mayor and City Manager. The position manages a full range of professional and administrative legal services, providing vital guidance to the City Council, department heads, boards, and commissions to ensure all municipal operations comply with federal, state, and local laws. If you’re interested, you can apply here.

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