1 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:15,040 Good evening. >> This 33rd regular meeting of the 74th 2 00:00:13,040 --> 00:00:20,320 term of the Baltimore City Council is now called to order. Tonight's 3 00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:27,599 invocation will be provided by the Reverend Dr. Alvin Wyn from Sharp Leen 4 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:31,039 Hall Baptist Church, Pastor Gwyn. The floor is yours. 5 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:40,719 To this distinguished body, let us all pray. 6 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:44,719 Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the privilege of gathering here 7 00:00:42,239 --> 00:00:49,920 tonight to serve the people of the city of Baltimore. 8 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:55,280 We ask for your guidance upon our mayor and this city council. Grant them 9 00:00:52,559 --> 00:01:01,199 clarity of mind, integrity in their deliberations, and the wisdom to act in 10 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:07,040 ways that bring prosperity, peace, and unity to our city. Bless our first 11 00:01:04,159 --> 00:01:13,600 responders, our city staff, and all who work tirelessly to make this a wonderful 12 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:14,880 place to call home. This is our prayer. Amen. 13 00:01:14,479 --> 00:01:19,040 » Amen. >> Amen. 14 00:01:16,479 --> 00:01:25,240 » Thank you, Pastor Wyn. Council member Blard will now lead us in the pledge of 15 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,240 allegiance 16 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:34,799 to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it 17 00:01:31,759 --> 00:01:39,360 stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice 18 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:44,840 for all. >> Thank you all. You You may now be 19 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,840 seated. 20 00:01:52,479 --> 00:02:02,240 Before we proceed, I'm pleased to recognize the Baltimore Maryland alumni 21 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:06,479 chapter of Kappa Alphasai Fraternity Incorporated 22 00:02:03,759 --> 00:02:13,520 and welcome brothers visiting Baltimore as part of Kappa week. For more than a 23 00:02:09,759 --> 00:02:19,360 century, Kappa Aside has exemplified achievement, leadership, scholarship, 24 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:23,360 mentorship, and service. The Baltimore Alumni Chapter continues this legacy 25 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:28,480 through its commitment to our communities and the development of 26 00:02:25,920 --> 00:02:35,360 future leaders through the nationally recognized guild Brightite program. We 27 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:43,920 are also proud to celebrate the road to the 88th grand chapter meeting which 28 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:51,040 Baltimore Baltimore will host in 2017. Colleagues, our city last hosted this 29 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:56,239 convening in 1968. This international gathering will bring 30 00:02:53,360 --> 00:03:03,040 thousands of visitors to our city and showcase Baltimore's rich history, 31 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:07,519 culture, and hospitality. On behalf of the Baltimore City Council, thank you 32 00:03:05,920 --> 00:03:13,680 for your continued service and leadership. We look forward to welcoming 33 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:18,920 you back for the 88th Grand Chapter meeting. 34 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,920 At this time, 35 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:34,480 Thank you. At this time, the chair recognizes Councilman Torrance in his um 36 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:40,159 crimson jacket and white pants looking rather dapper. 37 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:43,920 » Thank you, Madame President. Um I'm honored to stand up. 38 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:47,120 » Okay. Request floor privileges. >> Yes, ma'am. I was going to say a few 39 00:03:45,040 --> 00:03:51,120 words before I request floor privileges. I'm honored to stand as a member of this 40 00:03:48,799 --> 00:03:54,480 council and the latest elected official to serve as a member of Capasai, but 41 00:03:53,360 --> 00:04:00,000 also a member of the Baltimore City Council. Um the predecessor before me on 42 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:05,120 this council was Nathaniel McFaten. Um a gentleman who has led with career 43 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:08,959 carriage for East Baltimore, but also Baltimore. Senator McFaten left the 44 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:13,200 Senate at one of the most highest posters, the Senate prom. He also 45 00:04:11,439 --> 00:04:17,680 chaired the high and most powerful budget and tax committee but also he was 46 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:21,040 a mentor of mine but also someone who signed the letter that allowed me to be 47 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:28,240 a part of this noble body and clan called CAPI fraternity incorporated. Um 48 00:04:24,639 --> 00:04:34,080 I stand today as a member but one who stands on the shoulders of 116 years of 49 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:39,120 brotherhood not only in Baltimore City but internationally. Um, as I shocked my 50 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:45,440 wife a few weeks ago when I showed her videos of our Abu Dhabi alumni chapter. 51 00:04:42,639 --> 00:04:49,280 Um, but I know the rich history. Um, even going back to when our first black 52 00:04:47,280 --> 00:04:54,240 elect officials, which was Carl Stokes, the first African-American mayor elected 53 00:04:51,280 --> 00:04:59,360 in the in this in any city across this country right after the Civil Rights 54 00:04:56,160 --> 00:05:04,479 Act. Um, we are coming back to Baltimore after 1968. We know what happened in 55 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:10,240 1968 in Baltimore City with the riots after the assassination of Martin Luther 56 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:13,919 King. But we come back with a legacy of leading with courage but also leading 57 00:05:12,400 --> 00:05:18,720 with achievement but also leaving something behind. Um this weekend we had 58 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:23,520 a busy week with capital week. We built a playground in six hours um with 59 00:05:21,199 --> 00:05:27,840 brothers and volunteers. Then afterwards decided to do a little fundraising. Um, 60 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:32,240 in addition to that, we have our guide right program, Gayla, this weekend that 61 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:37,520 has been nationally recognized by our grand chapter as a leading example of 62 00:05:34,479 --> 00:05:44,560 how to mentor black men in urban urban environments. Um, I I I there's more I 63 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:49,039 can say. Um, but one of our dearest brothers, George Russell, was the first 64 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:53,680 African-American city solicitor. Um, so when I say we stand on shoulders of 65 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:59,199 giants, we do. Um, one of our good brothers, Howard Tudman's father was one 66 00:05:55,919 --> 00:06:02,800 of our grand pole marks. So, we we have a rich history in Baltimore. Madame Vice 67 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:07,120 President, I'd like to extend floor privileges so that we can honor this 68 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:11,520 capital week, but also recognize that next year over 20,000 brothers and our 69 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:15,440 families will be here to celebrate our organization, but move it forward. And 70 00:06:13,919 --> 00:06:20,160 we're looking at a collective impact of nearly $20 million in the Baltimore 71 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:24,880 economy by us becoming here next year. Let me repeat that. nearly $20 million 72 00:06:22,639 --> 00:06:28,840 economic impact to the city of Baltimore coming back to our city. 73 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:36,479 With that, Madam Chair, despite the alphas in the room, I would like to 74 00:06:33,840 --> 00:06:41,360 extend floor privileges for my brothers to be recognized. 75 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:47,120 » Without objection, floor privileges will be extended and 76 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:50,880 floor privileges are extended. >> Thank you, madam vice president. I also 77 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:55,759 have a resolution. Um, the city council of Baltimore resolution here it be known 78 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:59,759 to all that the Baltimore city council the the city council of Baltimore offers 79 00:06:57,840 --> 00:07:04,319 a sincerest congratulations to the Baltimore Maryland alumni chapter Kappa 80 00:07:02,479 --> 00:07:09,520 Fasai Fraternity Incorporation incorporated um in recognition of your 81 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:12,880 116 years of achievement leadership scholarship service and enduring 82 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:16,800 commitment to uplift communities during the road to the 88th grand chapter 83 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:20,479 meeting in Baltimore. The entire membership extends his best wishes on 84 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:26,400 this memorable occasion and directs this resolution to be presented on this day 85 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:29,520 the 13th of July 2026 signed by President Cohen and Council Member 86 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:35,880 Torrance myself. >> Thank you. Uh you have floor privileges 87 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:35,880 come to come on up. 88 00:07:56,160 --> 00:08:00,360 I'm not going to miss this opportunity. 89 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:08,120 » Odette, get in the picture. 90 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:13,720 You got the jacket. >> Well, I didn't mean to get 91 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:18,800 The clerk will now call the role of the members. 92 00:09:17,839 --> 00:09:20,720 » Parker, >> here. 93 00:09:19,279 --> 00:09:22,080 » McCrae, >> Dorsy, 94 00:09:21,519 --> 00:09:24,399 » yes. >> Conway, 95 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:28,399 » Schlifer, >> Middleton, 96 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:29,600 » yes. Torrance >> here. 97 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:31,120 » Gray >> present. 98 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:33,200 » Bullock. >> Porter. 99 00:09:32,160 --> 00:09:36,160 » Blanchard. >> Jones. 100 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:40,000 » Glover. Ramos >> here. 101 00:09:36,959 --> 00:09:42,720 » And uh President Cohen and uh Councilman Glover are excused absences. Madam 102 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:46,640 Chair, >> thank you. We will now proceed with the 103 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:50,320 adoption of the journals. >> Madam Vice President, the journals for 104 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:54,320 the June 22nd regular meeting and June 24th special meeting are in members 105 00:09:52,560 --> 00:09:59,920 inboxes in the in the desk documents folder. Without objection, the journals 106 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:04,000 will be adopted. Hearing none, the journals are adopted. 107 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:09,680 Bill signed by the mayor can be found on the meeting agenda. We now move to the 108 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:14,959 bills being introduced. City Council Bill 26-0212, 109 00:10:12,399 --> 00:10:18,720 Fair Election Fund Update. for the purpose of updating certain provisions 110 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:23,279 regarding the fair election fund, amending the list of elections eligible 111 00:10:20,720 --> 00:10:27,839 for the fund, clarifying procedures for candidate withdrawal from an election, 112 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:31,519 amending post-election procedures, and generally relating to the fair election 113 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:36,160 fund. Lead sponsor Blanchard, co-sponsors Dorsy, Middleton, Gray, 114 00:10:34,079 --> 00:10:39,839 Bullock, Ramos. >> The chair recognizes council member 115 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:44,480 Blanchard. >> Thank you, Madam Vice President. Public 116 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:50,720 financing is an incredible opportunity to empower grassroots citizens across 117 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:54,959 the city to make their dollars carry further in the campaign process where 118 00:10:52,880 --> 00:11:01,279 $10 can become $100 from a city resident, $25 become $250. It's it's a 119 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:06,240 really wonderful way to to engage uh grassroots everyday Baltimoreans in a 120 00:11:03,279 --> 00:11:10,880 process that we aren't always able uh effectively to do so with the 121 00:11:07,519 --> 00:11:15,760 traditional process. the uh there are several things that need to be adjusted 122 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:19,040 with the system. One, it is a generally a clunky system. 2024 was the first time 123 00:11:17,839 --> 00:11:23,519 we used it. So, we're looking at addressing multiple aspects of that. Uh 124 00:11:21,279 --> 00:11:28,079 two, I have a lot of concerns that there are aspects of the system as it's been 125 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:32,240 written past that make it uh less than useful for incumbents to use. And I 126 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:38,079 think that any system should be as friendly for an incumbent to use uh as 127 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:42,640 as for someone challenging or competing for an open seat. Um and then lastly, 128 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:50,560 there was a loophole exploited uh by a mayoral candidate in the 2024 elections 129 00:11:46,079 --> 00:11:53,839 uh in how money was uh spent and then the candidate ended up endorsing another 130 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:57,279 candidate for mayor and we need to close that loophole so that cannot happen in 131 00:11:55,360 --> 00:12:00,640 the future. And so these are important things. There's also other details in 132 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:04,560 the bill that I'm happy to speak with any members about going forward and I 133 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:06,959 ask for my colleagues approval. Thank you. 134 00:12:05,279 --> 00:12:11,519 » Thank you. This bill has been assigned to the committee on legislative 135 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:20,160 investigations and we have two three co-sponsors 136 00:12:16,399 --> 00:12:24,920 um Council Member Jones, Council Member Porter, and Councilman Conway. 137 00:12:26,399 --> 00:12:33,839 City Council Bill 26-0213 Parking Tax Special Fund for Fair 138 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:37,519 Elections Search Charge for the purpose of imposing a search charge on the 139 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:41,120 city's parking tax directing the proceeds of a search charge to the 140 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:45,680 special fund for fair elections and repealing an obsolete moratorum. Lead 141 00:12:43,519 --> 00:12:49,200 sponsor Blanchard, co-sponsors Dorsy, Gay Ramos. 142 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:53,200 » The chair recognizes council member Blanchard. 143 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:57,600 » Thank you, Madam Vice President. Uh the other portion this second bill also tied 144 00:12:55,360 --> 00:13:01,839 the fair election fund is to ensure that the fund is adequately funded in 2024 145 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:05,040 that had to come from the general fund. Uh there's challenges with 146 00:13:02,959 --> 00:13:09,279 predictability and also means we have to pull from the general fund for something 147 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:13,519 that we know we're going to have to pay into every four years. So, the solution 148 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:18,079 that I'm proposing with this bill, we currently on all of the parking lots and 149 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:22,000 parking garages in the city have a 20% uh parking tax. That is in line with 150 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:25,040 most cities on the east coast. DC, Philly, and New York City are right 151 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:30,399 around that. Pittsburgh actually has a 37.5% 152 00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:37,760 uh parking tax. This would add a sir charge of 0.5% raising it to 20.5%, a 153 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:42,639 less than 1% increase. uh that would raise over $3 million over four years 154 00:13:40,160 --> 00:13:47,360 span uh and ensure that the fund is adequately funded. And so that's for any 155 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:50,320 candidate uh deciding whether or not uh they want to use the fund that is not 156 00:13:48,880 --> 00:13:52,959 something they'll have to worry about. Thank you. 157 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:58,160 » Thank you. This bill has been assigned to the budget and appropriations 158 00:13:54,480 --> 00:14:02,079 committee. City Council Bill 26-0214 study and report licensing and 159 00:13:59,680 --> 00:14:06,240 registration status of nonocc non-owner occupied rental dwelling units for the 160 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:09,360 purpose of requiring the department of housing and community development, the 161 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:13,120 department of planning and the department of finance to submit a report 162 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:18,639 to the mayor and city council that details the licensing and registration 163 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:23,279 status of all known of all nonowner occupied dwelling units in the city. The 164 00:14:21,199 --> 00:14:27,279 number of non-owner occupied dwelling units in the city and east council 165 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:30,959 district. The number of nonowner occupied dwelling units that meet 166 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:34,480 certain requirements of the code. The number of nonowner occupied dwelling 167 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:38,399 units that have been cited for failure to comply with certain requirements of 168 00:14:36,079 --> 00:14:43,040 the code. And the number of non-owner occupied dwelling units that are owned 169 00:14:39,920 --> 00:14:48,560 by city residents. Lead sponsor Glover. Co-sponsors Bullock Blanchard Ramos. 170 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:52,320 This bill has been assigned to the Housing and Community Economic 171 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:58,079 Development Committee, >> City Council Bill 26-0215, 172 00:14:55,600 --> 00:15:02,320 rental dwellings pricing algorithm use disclosure for the purpose of requiring 173 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:05,839 a landlord to disclose certain information regarding rental fees to 174 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:10,079 current and prospective tenants, defining certain terms, establishing 175 00:15:08,079 --> 00:15:13,440 certain penalties, and granting the Department of Housing and Community 176 00:15:11,519 --> 00:15:17,680 Development authority to promulgate certain rules and regulations. Lead 177 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:22,560 sponsor Gray, co-sponsors Dorsy, Middleton, Bullock, Blanchard, Ramos. 178 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:25,560 » The chair recognizes council member Gray. 179 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:32,639 » Thank you, Madam President. Um, colleagues, I rise today to introduce 180 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:38,160 legislation entitled Rental Dwellings pricing algorithmic use disclosure, 181 00:15:35,279 --> 00:15:42,000 which would add a new subtitle 8D to article 13 of the Baltimore City Code. 182 00:15:40,639 --> 00:15:46,000 Across the country and here in Baltimore, a growing number of landlords 183 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:50,880 no longer set rent prices based on their own judgment on their own property. 184 00:15:48,560 --> 00:15:56,000 Instead, they subscribe to pricing algorithmic uh tools and revenue ma 185 00:15:54,160 --> 00:16:00,880 management software that pulls confidential non-public data from 186 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:06,000 competing landlords like actual rents being charged, occupancy rates, lease 187 00:16:03,519 --> 00:16:09,839 dates, and they use this aggregated data to recommend what a tenant should pay 188 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:14,480 and whether a unit should be left vacant altogether to keep prices high across 189 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:18,720 the market. This is not a hypothetical concern. Federal and state enforcement 190 00:16:16,639 --> 00:16:22,639 actions have raised serious questions about whether this practice functions as 191 00:16:20,880 --> 00:16:26,800 a sophisticated form of coordinated price setting, allowing landlords to 192 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:31,120 achieve outcomes that would be illegal if they simply picked up the phone and 193 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:34,959 talked amongst themselves. The result for far too many Baltimore 194 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:39,199 families is rent increases that don't reflect the true condition of the 195 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:43,680 market, the property, or the landlord's cost, but instead reflect a blackbox 196 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:48,160 recommendation shared with every other landlord using the same software. This 197 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:52,959 legislation is deliberately narrow and targeted. It is not it is a disclosure 198 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:57,279 bill. It does not ban pricing algorithms and it does not set it does not set rent 199 00:16:55,199 --> 00:17:01,759 caps or dictate what a landlord may charge. What it does is guarantee that 200 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:06,000 tenants know that when a machine, not a human being, who knows their building 201 00:17:04,079 --> 00:17:10,240 and their history has determined the cost of their rent. Specifically, this 202 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:15,120 bill will require prospective tenants to be told in an every rental listing if a 203 00:17:13,120 --> 00:17:19,360 pricing algorithm was used to set the advertised rent, including the name of 204 00:17:17,120 --> 00:17:23,280 the software and the company behind it. For current tenants, they would receive 205 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:28,480 written in-person notice at least 90 days before a algorith algorithmic uh 206 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:32,480 driven rent increase takes effect, giving them real time to plan, 207 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:36,000 negotiate, or seek other housing. And for existing tenants, as of the 208 00:17:34,160 --> 00:17:39,600 effective date, receive a one-time written disclosure within 30 days, so no 209 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:46,320 one is left in the dark during this transaction. Um civil pen penalties will 210 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:51,120 be up to $1,000 per uh violation per unit per day to give the disclosure 211 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:55,520 requirements and real teeth and enforce in enforcement. Transparency is the 212 00:17:53,520 --> 00:17:59,039 foundation of a fair rental market. Tenants cannot make informed decisions, 213 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:03,520 negotiate in good faith, or hold their landlords accountable if they don't even 214 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:07,440 know that a third-party algorithm built on private data from their landlord's 215 00:18:05,520 --> 00:18:11,520 competitors is driving up what they pay today. This bill puts that information 216 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:15,679 back in attendance hands. Baltimore renters are facing an affordability 217 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:20,000 crisis that deserves to know when technology, not a fair assessment of 218 00:18:17,679 --> 00:18:23,840 their home, is setting the price of or of staying in that home that they love. 219 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:27,120 I respectfully ask my colleagues to support this legislation and I welcome a 220 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:30,640 hearing where we can hear from tenants, housing advocates, and the industry 221 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:38,559 alike. Thank you. >> Thank you. And uh we have Councilwoman 222 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:44,720 Porter to sign on and Councilman Conway. And this bill has been and um Councilman 223 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:48,240 Torrance. This bill has been assigned to housing and and uh economic development 224 00:18:47,360 --> 00:18:53,360 committee. >> City Council Bill 26-0216 225 00:18:51,679 --> 00:18:57,600 vehicle towing from private lots and parking facilities revisions for the 226 00:18:55,760 --> 00:19:01,919 purpose of establishing certain maximum charges for towing services. Specifying 227 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:06,240 certain required information to be included on towing service receipts and 228 00:19:03,919 --> 00:19:11,440 daily logs maintained by each towing service. Specifying certain limitations 229 00:19:08,799 --> 00:19:15,760 on incomplete toes. Requiring that a towing service accept credit cards. 230 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:20,400 Prohibiting certain instances of patrol towing. Baking certain stylistic 231 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:24,559 changes. Conforming, clarifying, and correcting related provisions. And 232 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:28,640 generally related to the regulation of vehicle towing from private lots and 233 00:19:26,480 --> 00:19:35,360 facilities in Baltimore City. Lead sponsor Dorsy, co-sponsors Parker, Gray, 234 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:40,160 Bullock, Blanchard, Ramos. >> The chair recognizes Council Member 235 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:45,480 Dorsy. >> Thank you, uh, Madam President. Um, 236 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:53,039 it should raise a red flag if you hear a business practice described with the 237 00:19:50,559 --> 00:19:56,480 terms involuntary or nonconsentual, 238 00:19:54,880 --> 00:20:00,080 not just business practices, but other things as well. 239 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:05,360 But that's what we're talking about is towing that is non-consensual. Towing 240 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:10,960 that is involuntary. Towing where very often the tow truck driver is sitting 241 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:16,720 waiting to pounce, waiting, watching for you to misstep 242 00:20:13,520 --> 00:20:21,520 and then jump at the first opportunity. Rather than setting saying to you, if 243 00:20:19,679 --> 00:20:26,320 you park your car where you just parked it and you walk off this lot like I see 244 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:32,240 you about to do, I'm going to tow your vehicle. Do what you will. No warning. 245 00:20:29,919 --> 00:20:37,039 No, they wait for you to step out of line and then take that opportunity as 246 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:41,360 quickly as they can. That is happening in Baltimore City somewhere today, right 247 00:20:39,360 --> 00:20:48,000 now. I'm sure of it. That is happening somewhere in Baltimore City tonight. I'm 248 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:55,280 sure of it. It happens all the time. And very frequently, these towers then 249 00:20:50,720 --> 00:21:01,200 charge you money to get your car back in excess of what the state law sets as the 250 00:20:59,360 --> 00:21:08,480 legal maximum. And we have very little uh enforcement 251 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:15,280 uh capability uh to do anything about that in a timely or uh meaningful manner 252 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:19,440 that these towers feel on a day-to-day basis. And a lot of people don't know 253 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:26,240 that they are having their rights violated. Um, and even when they do, you 254 00:21:23,039 --> 00:21:32,000 know, charging $320 when the legal maximum is $280, that's not enough for 255 00:21:29,679 --> 00:21:36,000 one person to say, "I'm so insensed. I'm going to pursue a class action lawsuit 256 00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:41,200 against these towers." It's too small an amount of injustice that's being done to 257 00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:47,360 so many people that it doesn't really rise to the the top for anybody to take 258 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:51,520 serious independent uh private action over it. That's why it's important for 259 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:55,600 us to regulate this and to regulate it stringently and in accordance with best 260 00:21:53,919 --> 00:22:00,000 practices. And that's what the bill that we have here today does. Another thing 261 00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:05,280 that happens very frequently, you may not know that if your car is being towed 262 00:22:02,559 --> 00:22:10,400 from a private lot and you come up to that car and they have not yet left the 263 00:22:07,600 --> 00:22:15,919 lot, even if they've fully put the car up onto the tow truck until they have 264 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:23,120 left that property, you have the right to say stop. I want my car back and pay 265 00:22:19,919 --> 00:22:26,960 them half of what they would charge if you waited until they got it to their 266 00:22:24,799 --> 00:22:33,679 part, their facility, and you can get it right back then and there. Problem is, 267 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:38,320 you might not have $140 cash on hand right then and there. And they don't 268 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:42,960 have to wait for you to get go to an ATM and come back. And they do not take 269 00:22:40,559 --> 00:22:48,559 credit cards. This bill will also require that they take credit cards. Um, 270 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:53,120 this bill will give the Department of Consumer Protections and Business 271 00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:58,240 Licensing better tools to take enforcement action. Just two weeks ago, 272 00:22:55,679 --> 00:23:04,400 one of our colleagues here brought to me an instance of a constituent who had 273 00:23:00,640 --> 00:23:10,640 been charged more than what they knew to be the legal maximum. And it was the 274 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:16,240 same company that that same colleague here had brought me a same exact 275 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:22,640 situation about 3 weeks earlier. The city had told that company, you cannot 276 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:28,880 charge this much money and then 3 weeks later we were getting the same exact 277 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:33,600 complaint about the same company. And we can't do anything to suspend that 278 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:38,159 license right then and there. We have to wait until we hold a hearing with a 279 00:23:35,760 --> 00:23:46,000 board that has still not been stood up as a city. This bill will enable that 280 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:50,080 department director to say, "Look, we clearly documented 281 00:23:48,159 --> 00:23:54,559 that you violated this provision just three 282 00:23:52,720 --> 00:23:58,559 weeks ago and we communicated with you about it and here you are doing it 283 00:23:56,240 --> 00:24:03,919 again. We are suspending your license. We don't have that kind of quick action 284 00:24:00,799 --> 00:24:09,440 power to react today. This bill gives that kind of power. This bill puts us in 285 00:24:06,320 --> 00:24:14,159 line with best practices in how to protect consumers and visitors here in 286 00:24:12,159 --> 00:24:18,159 Baltimore City. I thank everybody who has co-sponsored this bill already. I 287 00:24:16,159 --> 00:24:22,480 welcome other co-sponsors if you will. Thank you, Madam President. 288 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:29,600 » Thank you. And we do have some more co-sponsors. Torrance, Porter, 289 00:24:27,039 --> 00:24:32,720 Conway, Middleton. 290 00:24:31,679 --> 00:24:37,600 » Thank you. >> This bill has been assigned to land use 291 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:43,279 and transportation committee. City Council bill 26-0217 292 00:24:40,799 --> 00:24:46,799 data centers over 5 megawatts megator moratorum 293 00:24:44,880 --> 00:24:51,120 for the purpose of establishing a data center capable of using 5 megawatts or 294 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:59,760 more of electricity as a prohibited use citywide and defining certain terms lead 295 00:24:54,400 --> 00:25:04,320 sponsor Parker co-sponsors Dorsy Ramos >> uh the chairperson recognizes council 296 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:07,760 member Parker >> thank you madam vice president thank you 297 00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:12,640 colleagues I This is a really simple bill. It's taking the bill that we um 298 00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:16,880 just passed and just adjusting the size and the definition of what's qualifies 299 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:21,760 for this moratorum which began here July 1st and runs through next July 1st um 300 00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:27,120 from 10 megawws to down to five just to make sure we're capturing in this case a 301 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:31,039 particular um a particular uh proposal in my district that I wanted to make 302 00:25:28,559 --> 00:25:35,039 sure was included in the moratorum and so that it would be then part of and 303 00:25:33,039 --> 00:25:36,960 subject to the new legislation that we're going to be working on throughout 304 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:40,799 the year and the study that we're going to do. I thought it was important that 305 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:44,960 um that we just put a slight pause there so that it could be part of um the good 306 00:25:43,120 --> 00:25:47,440 work that we're doing. So um would have done this as an amendment to the bill 307 00:25:46,159 --> 00:25:50,640 while it was before us, but that was going to have to go back to planning 308 00:25:48,480 --> 00:25:53,039 commission and significantly delay um the passage of that bill. And it was 309 00:25:52,080 --> 00:25:56,480 really important to the council president, I think, to all of us to make 310 00:25:54,240 --> 00:26:00,000 sure we got that in and through and so came back after the fact. And uh 311 00:25:58,480 --> 00:26:04,880 depending on how long this takes, uh it'll be applicable to 9 months, 8 312 00:26:03,039 --> 00:26:08,480 months, 6 months of the moratorum period until next summer. and then uh by that 313 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:12,720 point in time we'll have uh permanent legislation to to replace it and we'll 314 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:18,640 be off and ready to go. So I appreciate the consideration of my colleagues 315 00:26:15,840 --> 00:26:23,919 » uh Conway as a added sponsor and this bill was 316 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:28,559 also assigned to land use and transportation 317 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:32,960 » city council bill 26-0218 transit oriented development downtown 318 00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:36,480 Baltimore for the purpose of supporting a state transit oriented development 319 00:26:34,799 --> 00:26:41,520 designation for the area surrounding and including the Lexington Market, Charles 320 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:45,919 Center and Shot Tower metro stations. the Mount Vernon Lexington Market, 321 00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:50,559 Baltimore Arena, Convention Center, and Camden Station light rail stations, and 322 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:54,240 the Camden Yards mark station, and providing for a special effective date. 323 00:26:52,559 --> 00:26:58,960 Lead sponsor, council president on behalf of the administration, 324 00:26:55,520 --> 00:27:03,120 co-sponsors, Gray Blanchard. >> This bill has been assigned to land use 325 00:27:00,799 --> 00:27:09,760 and transportation. And um could you add Councilman Parker? 326 00:27:07,039 --> 00:27:14,320 » Absolutely. Thank you, Madam VP. City Council Bill 26-0219, 327 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:18,240 transit oriented development, Rogers Avenue, for the purpose of supporting a 328 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:21,600 state transit oriented development designation for the area surrounding and 329 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:25,520 including the Rogers Avenue Metro Station and providing for a special 330 00:27:23,279 --> 00:27:29,440 effective date. Lead sponsor, council president, on behalf of the 331 00:27:26,559 --> 00:27:32,600 administration, co-sponsor Gray and Parker. 332 00:27:33,279 --> 00:27:42,159 » Co-sponsor. Oh, >> and please add Parker as co-sponsor. 333 00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:47,120 » Okay. Uh, absolutely, Madam VP. Thank you. 334 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:51,200 » Where are we at now? This bill has been assigned and also assigned to land use 335 00:27:49,279 --> 00:27:56,399 and transportation. >> Uh, we will now move to Oh, sorry. 336 00:27:54,080 --> 00:28:01,120 » We will now move We will now move the resolutions of the city council being 337 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:04,120 introduced. City Council Resolution 26-000059Rformational 338 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:09,840 Hearing Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the purpose of requiring the 339 00:28:08,159 --> 00:28:13,200 Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, the Affordable 340 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:17,120 Housing Trust Fund Commission, and inviting relevant stakeholders to appear 341 00:28:15,600 --> 00:28:20,559 before the city council and to provide annual reports on the accomplishments of 342 00:28:19,039 --> 00:28:24,320 the affordable housing trust fund, including units produced and residents 343 00:28:22,159 --> 00:28:28,000 helped, income level of residents served, the required items to be 344 00:28:26,320 --> 00:28:30,399 reported upon that are specified in both the charter amendment that establish 345 00:28:29,039 --> 00:28:33,679 lish the fund in the ordinance that created the funding source and any 346 00:28:32,159 --> 00:28:38,159 additional information that the council may request. Lead sponsor Ramos, 347 00:28:36,399 --> 00:28:41,039 co-sponsors Parker, Grey, Bulock, Blanchard. 348 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:44,159 » The chair recognizes council member Ramos. 349 00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:47,919 » Uh thank you, Madame President, and thank you colleagues. Uh tonight I'm 350 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:53,200 introducing a resolution for a hearing to get updates about the affordable 351 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:57,039 housing trust fund. And uh this, as you all know, is one of the many things that 352 00:28:55,279 --> 00:29:02,159 I worked on prior to becoming a council person. We are celebrating 10 years 353 00:29:00,159 --> 00:29:05,279 since residents and advocates initiated a charter amendment to create the 354 00:29:03,919 --> 00:29:09,840 affordable housing trust fund non-lapsing fund and enabled the city 355 00:29:07,760 --> 00:29:14,640 council to create funding sources to put it into the fund. I'm so proud to have 356 00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:17,600 been one of the lead advocates uh while I was executive director of the 357 00:29:16,240 --> 00:29:21,919 community development network of Maryland uh working on this issue. Uh 358 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:26,480 while it took two additional years to get the funding source, thank you to 359 00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:31,919 Councilman Bulock for that. Um the trust fund has a lot to show already and has 360 00:29:29,279 --> 00:29:35,360 accomplished a lot. Uh as a reminder, the affordable housing trust fund is 361 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:40,399 flexible funding for affordable housing initiatives and the only restriction is 362 00:29:37,919 --> 00:29:46,320 that it has to be used to house or housing services for residents at 50% of 363 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:51,840 AMI and half of the fund has to be used to serve residents at 30% of AMI. These 364 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:56,640 are the residents in Baltimore City who the who are the most cost burden and 365 00:29:53,840 --> 00:30:00,000 unstable in their housing. The affordable housing trust fund is 366 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:05,279 flexible enough where programs can be created to meet the varying needs of 367 00:30:02,960 --> 00:30:08,960 these group of the income levels that I just talked about. For instance, the 368 00:30:07,039 --> 00:30:13,440 trust fund has been used for capital for affordable housing projects, rental 369 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:17,600 subsidies, home repair grants, and so much more. The annual spending plan is 370 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:22,480 approved each year by the affordable housing trust fund commission and all of 371 00:30:19,919 --> 00:30:26,880 the commission meetings are public. Now, the legislation and the charter 372 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:32,080 amendment mandates uh for annual hearings and annual reports. Uh DHCD is 373 00:30:30,159 --> 00:30:36,880 the staff for the affordable housing trust fund. The most recent report 374 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:41,520 that's on the website is from 2022 and the last time we had a hearing was in 375 00:30:38,480 --> 00:30:46,640 2021. So this resolution before us calls for that hearing to get the updates and 376 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:51,440 uh and the accomplishments so far. The intent is to celebrate the successes uh 377 00:30:49,360 --> 00:30:56,159 from the last 10 years and to work together on the future of the fund for 378 00:30:53,440 --> 00:31:00,080 the next 10 years and beyond including adding more funding especially in light 379 00:30:58,000 --> 00:31:02,960 of the changes from the federal funding. I'm looking forward to the hearing and 380 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:09,480 thank you madam president. Thank you colleagues. 381 00:31:04,559 --> 00:31:09,480 » Thank you added sponsors Porter 382 00:31:10,799 --> 00:31:21,039 and Torrance and Jones and Conway and Middleton. 383 00:31:19,279 --> 00:31:25,679 This bill has been assigned to Housing and Community Development Committee. 384 00:31:24,159 --> 00:31:28,679 City Council Resolution 26-000060Rformational 385 00:31:29,360 --> 00:31:34,880 Hearing Cannabis Licenses for the purpose of requiring representatives 386 00:31:33,679 --> 00:31:37,360 from the Baltimore City Health Department, the Department of Planning, 387 00:31:36,320 --> 00:31:40,080 and the Office of the Zing Administrator, and inviting 388 00:31:38,799 --> 00:31:44,000 representatives from the Maryland Cannabis Administration, Maryland Office 389 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:48,480 of Social Equity, and any interested stakeholders to appear before the city 390 00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:52,880 council to discuss one, the approval process for cannabis businesses located 391 00:31:50,480 --> 00:31:55,360 in the city, two, the city's role in compliance 392 00:31:53,760 --> 00:32:00,000 with the requirements for cannabis businesses under state law. And three, 393 00:31:58,000 --> 00:32:03,519 the experience of cannabis businesses operating or seeking to operate in the 394 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:07,760 city, including those that have been granted a social equity license by the 395 00:32:05,360 --> 00:32:12,640 Maryland Cannabis Administration. Lead sponsor Parker, co-sponsors, Gray, 396 00:32:10,559 --> 00:32:17,200 Bulock, Blanchard, Ramos. >> Chair recognizes council member Parker. 397 00:32:15,760 --> 00:32:22,880 » Thank you, Madam Vice President. Thank you, colleagues. Um 398 00:32:19,840 --> 00:32:28,000 this I thisformational hearing um comes about um because of 399 00:32:25,919 --> 00:32:33,840 work we were doing legislatively uh a really simple bill to incorporate um uh 400 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:39,039 cannabis dispensaries as a category in our zoning code and to um and to 401 00:32:36,559 --> 00:32:45,279 essentially echo state law in our zoning code um so that it was in both places. 402 00:32:41,360 --> 00:32:50,559 The state of Maryland, as it has interpreted um state law around 403 00:32:47,840 --> 00:32:54,799 cannabis, has um has asked local jurisdictions um to do that and to play 404 00:32:52,720 --> 00:33:02,880 a certain role in the issuing of licenses specifically around 405 00:32:57,919 --> 00:33:06,799 um reviewing and approving uh locations for dispensaries 406 00:33:05,039 --> 00:33:11,519 uh on the basis of distance from sensitive locations uh churches, 407 00:33:08,799 --> 00:33:14,799 schools, playgrounds, parks, all the um this was something that we thought 408 00:33:13,440 --> 00:33:19,120 was being done at the state level, but it turns out um was was not happening 409 00:33:17,360 --> 00:33:22,720 there and the state attorney general offered an opinion that it was the 410 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:26,000 responsibility of local jurisdictions to apply that part of state law through 411 00:33:24,720 --> 00:33:30,159 their peritting processes and through their zoning. Um whereas before it had 412 00:33:28,320 --> 00:33:37,039 been an invitation, now it's essentially a requirement. As we set about to do 413 00:33:32,720 --> 00:33:41,200 that, um, a number of lences came to us and, um, asking questions or raising 414 00:33:39,440 --> 00:33:46,240 concerns about the, uh, existing process, um, that they are in the middle 415 00:33:43,679 --> 00:33:49,679 of. And so, uh, rather than jumping straight into the legislation that we've 416 00:33:47,679 --> 00:33:52,960 prepared, we wanted to make sure we had this hearing first and to invite the 417 00:33:51,679 --> 00:33:56,000 interested parties from the city side and also our partners from the state to 418 00:33:54,559 --> 00:34:00,240 come and speak about the issue here before our committee. uh as well as to 419 00:33:57,919 --> 00:34:03,760 invite current and prospective lences or other interested community members to 420 00:34:01,679 --> 00:34:06,799 come to speak about to ask their questions to speak about their 421 00:34:04,799 --> 00:34:10,560 experience to identify the gaps that currently exist and and how the city is 422 00:34:08,879 --> 00:34:14,159 approaching this our role within the broader state system and allow that to 423 00:34:12,639 --> 00:34:19,040 inform the legislation that we've prepared. So um this is um a moment to 424 00:34:16,879 --> 00:34:24,000 speak about the issue to hear questions to hear experiences um and then let that 425 00:34:21,599 --> 00:34:26,800 to uh inform the the legislation prior to our submitting it to you all for your 426 00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:31,760 consideration. Thank you. This bill has been assigned 427 00:34:29,839 --> 00:34:37,399 to land use and transportation committee. City Council resolution 428 00:34:34,399 --> 00:34:37,399 26-0061Rformational 429 00:34:37,760 --> 00:34:43,119 hearing impact of brownouts for the purpose of requiring the health 430 00:34:41,839 --> 00:34:46,960 department, the Department of Public Works, and the Office of Emergency 431 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:49,919 Management, and inviting representatives from the Maryland Public Service 432 00:34:48,399 --> 00:34:54,000 Commission, the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, and any interested 433 00:34:51,839 --> 00:34:57,520 energy experts and stakeholders to appear before the city council to 434 00:34:55,520 --> 00:35:01,520 discuss the public health, safety, and economic impact of electrical brownouts 435 00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:05,359 in the city, including an assessment of the city's brownout. out response 436 00:35:03,440 --> 00:35:09,680 preparedness to protect communities burdened by environmental and 437 00:35:06,880 --> 00:35:13,680 infrastructural inequities lead sponsor Porter co-sponsors Gray Bullock 438 00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:18,000 Blanchard Ramos >> chair recognizes council member Porter 439 00:35:16,000 --> 00:35:21,359 thank you madam president colleagues I'm introducing a request for anformational 440 00:35:19,760 --> 00:35:25,040 hearing on the impacts of brownouts here in the city this is a factf finding 441 00:35:23,280 --> 00:35:28,640 hearing and its purpose is to bring the right agencies and stakeholders to the 442 00:35:26,720 --> 00:35:33,599 table so that we fully understand the scope of the problem before us brownouts 443 00:35:31,200 --> 00:35:37,839 are more than just an inconvenience. If you noticed in this most previous storm, 444 00:35:35,760 --> 00:35:41,440 there were thousands of individuals that were without power for a significant 445 00:35:39,520 --> 00:35:44,480 amount of time. They carry real consequences for public health, for 446 00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:48,160 public safety, and for the economic well-being of our residents and 447 00:35:45,839 --> 00:35:52,240 businesses. When power dips, it affects medical equipment, food storage, small 448 00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:56,720 businesses, traffic systems, and the daily lives of people across the city. 449 00:35:54,800 --> 00:35:59,920 As stated, this hearing calls on the health department, the department of 450 00:35:57,839 --> 00:36:05,599 public works, the office of emergency management to appear before us to share 451 00:36:01,839 --> 00:36:10,480 a plan of action on how we are to one understand our our energy grid and where 452 00:36:08,320 --> 00:36:14,640 we are as it relates to brownouts, but also provide us with an opportunity so 453 00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:19,680 that we can hold the proper agencies accountable for our energy grid here in 454 00:36:17,440 --> 00:36:23,200 the city. We want a cleareyed assessment of the city's brown art response and 455 00:36:21,040 --> 00:36:27,760 preparedness. if you had anything to do with again with the last storm, you 456 00:36:24,880 --> 00:36:33,200 understood uh people were people were scrging around for water, for food, for 457 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:37,920 medication and thankful to colleagues like Councilman Jones who quickly 458 00:36:35,119 --> 00:36:41,839 assembled uh more than enough uh preparedness for individuals of his 459 00:36:39,760 --> 00:36:45,359 district. This is an opportunity for the city to have a response to examine 460 00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:49,359 something that we know is going to happen in the very near future. looking 461 00:36:47,280 --> 00:36:52,960 at our environmental infrastructure and our inequities that leave some 462 00:36:50,880 --> 00:36:57,359 communities burdened more than others. I'm asking my colleagues for support 463 00:36:54,800 --> 00:37:00,800 moving this bill to the committee on legislative investigations so that we 464 00:36:58,960 --> 00:37:05,040 can begin this important conversation. Thank you. 465 00:37:02,160 --> 00:37:10,160 » Thank you. Uh preparedness is so important. Please add Middleton 466 00:37:09,119 --> 00:37:13,920 » and Parker >> and Parker 467 00:37:11,440 --> 00:37:20,960 » and Jones >> and Torrance and Conway. 468 00:37:17,839 --> 00:37:25,920 » And this bill has been assigned to um legislative investigations. 469 00:37:24,320 --> 00:37:28,920 City Council resolution 26-0062Rformational 470 00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:34,720 hearing land value tax for the purpose of requiring the department of housing 471 00:37:33,280 --> 00:37:38,800 and community development, the department of finance, the mayor's 472 00:37:36,400 --> 00:37:42,880 office of small and minority business advocacy and development and the 473 00:37:40,960 --> 00:37:45,760 department of planning and inviting lift Baltimore, the Baltimore Development 474 00:37:44,240 --> 00:37:50,160 Corporation, the Maryland's Department of Assessments and Assessments and 475 00:37:47,520 --> 00:37:54,640 Taxation and other relevant stakeholders to a hearing to evaluate the benefits of 476 00:37:52,640 --> 00:37:59,440 implementing a split rate property tax system in Baltimore City, including its 477 00:37:57,599 --> 00:38:03,599 effect on absentee property ownership and speculation, vacant residential and 478 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:08,960 commercial properties, and owner occupant homeowner property taxes and 479 00:38:06,320 --> 00:38:15,440 housing production. Lead sponsors Blanchard, co-sponsors, Gray Bullock. 480 00:38:13,440 --> 00:38:20,160 » The chair recognizes council member Blanchard. 481 00:38:17,359 --> 00:38:24,640 » Thank you, Madam Vice President. Colleagues, we have a very real 482 00:38:22,160 --> 00:38:30,160 challenge with absentee owners in too many of our neighborhoods. We have a 483 00:38:26,560 --> 00:38:33,599 very real challenge with speculators who own property that they hope that their 484 00:38:32,240 --> 00:38:36,640 neighbors in their neighborhood will make their neighborhoods better and then 485 00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:40,480 they can sell it without having done any work on their own at some point in the 486 00:38:38,079 --> 00:38:44,640 future. We have real challenges in all of our commercial corridors with retail 487 00:38:42,240 --> 00:38:48,240 vacancy. Our homeowners pay too much in property taxes. We can't get the 488 00:38:46,320 --> 00:38:52,560 investment needed to save downtown from its current spiral. And of course, we 489 00:38:50,560 --> 00:38:58,640 have the very, very well-known challenge with vacant building notices and vacant 490 00:38:54,480 --> 00:39:05,599 lots. What if we could meaningfully address all of these challenges 491 00:39:02,079 --> 00:39:11,599 without reducing the revenue that the city collects from this each year? Great 492 00:39:08,640 --> 00:39:15,680 news. Got a solution on that. Your property tax bill has two 493 00:39:13,359 --> 00:39:18,960 assessments on it. One is on the land, one is on the improvements. This is for 494 00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:23,760 every property tax bill in the state of Maryland. 495 00:39:21,760 --> 00:39:28,720 If we were allowed by the state of Maryland to decrease the property tax 496 00:39:26,320 --> 00:39:33,760 rates on improvements and increase the property tax rate on RA land, we would 497 00:39:31,280 --> 00:39:38,320 get all the types of benefits that I had mentioned earlier. This is something 498 00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:42,560 that is a growing amount of interest uh on the state level. Delegate Kalin Young 499 00:39:40,800 --> 00:39:47,599 has been a great champion of this. several other uh strong supporters 500 00:39:44,800 --> 00:39:52,720 throughout the uh general assembly. There is a state a funded state study 501 00:39:50,079 --> 00:39:58,720 being done to look at the feasibility of this in the state of Maryland. 502 00:39:55,119 --> 00:40:03,200 Uh and this hearing would delve into what exactly this would look like, what 503 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:08,160 the impacts would be in Baltimore City. Um how it would actually play out, what 504 00:40:06,560 --> 00:40:13,119 we think would happen, how it would be funded, etc. So, been having some great 505 00:40:11,040 --> 00:40:15,920 conversations in the full time I've been in office uh with the mayor's 506 00:40:14,560 --> 00:40:21,920 administration. I think we've got some some interested parties over there. Um 507 00:40:18,800 --> 00:40:26,800 continuing to was good timing with Mako coming today. It definitely had me 508 00:40:23,839 --> 00:40:31,359 thinking about maybe I need to reach out and better connect myself with 509 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:35,440 uh colleagues across the state on on this topic. Um because it is a the state 510 00:40:33,680 --> 00:40:40,320 needs to enable it. But I do think this is something that a couple years down 511 00:40:37,440 --> 00:40:44,880 the road could be a really uh big win for the city. So I encourage all my 512 00:40:42,720 --> 00:40:48,079 colleagues uh to support this informationational hearing and and to 513 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:52,320 learn more about uh this concept. Thank you very much. On that note, add 514 00:40:50,640 --> 00:40:55,960 Middleton. Any other takers 515 00:40:56,800 --> 00:41:04,400 and Porter and this bill has been assigned to 516 00:41:01,760 --> 00:41:08,680 budget and appropriations committee. City Council Resolution 517 00:41:05,680 --> 00:41:08,680 26-000063Rformational 518 00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:14,160 hearing law enforcement memoranda of understanding for the purpose of 519 00:41:12,960 --> 00:41:18,240 requiring the Baltimore Police Department to appear before the city 520 00:41:15,839 --> 00:41:22,400 council to provide one a summary and documentation of all currently active 521 00:41:20,480 --> 00:41:27,200 memoranda of understanding governing mutual aid concurrent jurisdiction 522 00:41:24,800 --> 00:41:31,839 related law enforcement coordination as well as any amendments, renewals or 523 00:41:28,960 --> 00:41:36,480 superseding agreements. Two, a summary and documentation of any supporting 524 00:41:34,640 --> 00:41:40,319 materials the department relies on in managing those agreements, including 525 00:41:38,319 --> 00:41:44,960 implementation schedules and related process updates. And three, a status 526 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:49,119 update on the department's process for reviewing, revising, publishing, and 527 00:41:47,200 --> 00:41:53,440 implementing those agreements. Lead sponsor Torrance, co-sponsors Gray, 528 00:41:51,520 --> 00:41:56,560 Bullock, Blanchard, Ramos. >> The chair recognizes council member 529 00:41:55,839 --> 00:41:59,920 Torrance. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise because 530 00:41:58,560 --> 00:42:06,079 I'm a person who believes in efficiencies and accountability. Um, we 531 00:42:03,440 --> 00:42:09,839 have about 12 police organ 12 police law enforcement agencies outside of BPD in 532 00:42:08,079 --> 00:42:16,000 the city of Baltimore. They each have anou about mutual aid and coordination. 533 00:42:12,720 --> 00:42:21,040 Um, I have been hyperfocused on one agency, but I now have two on my mind 534 00:42:17,839 --> 00:42:27,440 right now. Um, one is the um, city schools police department. Um, we after 535 00:42:24,160 --> 00:42:31,440 the consent decree had to put things in place to do assessments for that agency. 536 00:42:29,440 --> 00:42:35,760 I think it became a best practice that every time that they update the MOU, 537 00:42:33,680 --> 00:42:40,880 they are doing an independent assessment where BPD and them look at how they 538 00:42:38,000 --> 00:42:44,160 currently do enforcement and revise it based off of that to make sure that it's 539 00:42:42,400 --> 00:42:47,200 the best practice. In addition to that, they ensure that they have body warn 540 00:42:45,760 --> 00:42:50,960 cameras, that they are in complian with our consent decree and the best 541 00:42:49,040 --> 00:42:54,960 practices that we have at BPD and they offer them the training as well to 542 00:42:52,640 --> 00:43:01,040 provide those best practices. I'm taken a back because um the Maryland General 543 00:42:58,240 --> 00:43:04,960 Assembly gave the Balma City School Board opportunity where they banned 544 00:43:03,359 --> 00:43:09,440 officers from wearing weapons in schools. Um, the irony is is that at 545 00:43:08,160 --> 00:43:11,839 City College, at University of Baltimore, they're housed in the 546 00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:16,880 building with our Baltimore City Police Department's Academy. Those officers who 547 00:43:14,319 --> 00:43:20,560 are instructors there actually have guns on them at all times. But the school 548 00:43:19,119 --> 00:43:24,560 police officers who are assigned to those buildings cannot wear those same 549 00:43:22,319 --> 00:43:27,680 weapons. Um, when I brought this to the boards here of city schools, he did not 550 00:43:26,079 --> 00:43:31,680 see the irony in that conversation, whether it was violated the spirit of 551 00:43:29,599 --> 00:43:35,359 the law or the spirit of the policy that city schools itself implemented. Um, in 552 00:43:33,920 --> 00:43:40,560 addition to that, there was coordination issues over a year ago with Copen State 553 00:43:38,000 --> 00:43:45,200 University's police force. And then on top of that, we c last year when I 554 00:43:42,640 --> 00:43:49,119 reviewed and had conversations with city schools about the cost of city college 555 00:43:47,119 --> 00:43:54,480 moving to University of Baltimore's campus in their lease agreement, they 556 00:43:53,200 --> 00:43:59,359 identified what the police responsibilities were for the council's 557 00:43:57,520 --> 00:44:03,040 adification. Um, UB no longer has its own police 558 00:44:01,440 --> 00:44:06,560 force. It was the police force from the University of Maryland Baltimore Police 559 00:44:04,480 --> 00:44:11,440 Department. They actually patrol University of Baltimore's campus. At 560 00:44:08,960 --> 00:44:15,520 that time, they had no formal agreement about how that coordination would be. 561 00:44:13,119 --> 00:44:19,359 They merely had three sentences where if a serious law enforcement issue happened 562 00:44:17,440 --> 00:44:23,040 on the campus and the University of Baltimore security or the University of 563 00:44:21,520 --> 00:44:27,440 Maryland, Baltimore's police department responded first that they would inform 564 00:44:24,800 --> 00:44:30,560 the principal. Um, Miss Harkham is retiring. She is not a law enforcement 565 00:44:29,359 --> 00:44:35,040 person. um that is not adequate enough. So now 566 00:44:32,720 --> 00:44:38,040 city schools is entering into a five agencyou 567 00:44:38,400 --> 00:44:45,520 regarding just city college being at um at the University of Baltimore. That is 568 00:44:44,160 --> 00:44:49,520 something that's important because our young people are not adults. Um we have 569 00:44:47,920 --> 00:44:53,040 the clear requirements in terms of sexual assault on campuses. We also have 570 00:44:51,119 --> 00:44:57,119 furer that protects the identity of things that happen to our young people. 571 00:44:54,720 --> 00:45:00,079 If anything happens on that campus, how do you coordinate across two 572 00:44:58,640 --> 00:45:03,839 communications offices? How do you communicate to not only the young people 573 00:45:02,000 --> 00:45:06,640 who visit that campus every day for high school, but the young people who are 574 00:45:05,200 --> 00:45:10,480 there and adults are being there, they're being educated, whether they're 575 00:45:08,560 --> 00:45:15,440 receiving a bachelor's, masters, or law degree at that university. Um, I also 576 00:45:13,760 --> 00:45:19,359 rise because there are friends who have questions about the process for all law 577 00:45:17,680 --> 00:45:24,720 enforcement. When this council had opportunity to comment on the JHSU, we 578 00:45:22,800 --> 00:45:30,319 were given 30 days. So, part of the things that I've put forth in a um 579 00:45:27,520 --> 00:45:35,040 coupled gen coupled legislation that's coming next is establishing anou 580 00:45:32,880 --> 00:45:40,560 process. Um just today in a casual conversation with my colleague from the 581 00:45:37,119 --> 00:45:44,319 third district, I found out that um anou between one of our law enforcement 582 00:45:41,839 --> 00:45:48,160 agencies that patrols our actual streets hasn't been updated in 15 years and it's 583 00:45:45,920 --> 00:45:52,240 a state agency. I think we need consistency. Uh law 584 00:45:50,480 --> 00:45:56,000 enforcement practices change every three years. So the legislation that will be 585 00:45:54,160 --> 00:46:00,079 coming after this will require that we have a process in place and requirements 586 00:45:58,240 --> 00:46:03,200 for it and discussing what mutual aid looks like, what does concurrent 587 00:46:01,440 --> 00:46:06,880 jurisdiction looks like, who leads in evidence collection, just those minor 588 00:46:05,520 --> 00:46:11,119 things so that we know that we have consistency across our agencies. So with 589 00:46:09,119 --> 00:46:16,240 that at you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Ed Middleton, this is another 590 00:46:14,240 --> 00:46:26,599 preparedness um initiative and uh Porter is another 591 00:46:20,800 --> 00:46:26,599 taker. Anyone else to add on? 592 00:46:27,040 --> 00:46:32,760 This bill has been assigned to public to the public safety committee. 593 00:46:33,920 --> 00:46:44,000 The consent calendar was sent to members in boxes in the desk documents folder. 594 00:46:41,359 --> 00:46:48,400 And I will now move it for approval. All those in favor of approving the consent 595 00:46:45,920 --> 00:46:52,880 calendar say I. I. >> Those opposed say nay. The motion 596 00:46:51,119 --> 00:46:58,480 carries and the consent calendar is approved. We will move 597 00:46:56,079 --> 00:47:04,640 to bills on second reader. The chair recognizes council member Dorsy. 598 00:47:02,720 --> 00:47:08,000 » Thank you, Madam President. I move that we read short titles for the remainder 599 00:47:06,319 --> 00:47:13,599 of this evening's meeting. >> Without objection, we will proceed with 600 00:47:10,800 --> 00:47:18,359 reading short titles. We will proceed with reading short 601 00:47:15,359 --> 00:47:18,359 titles. 602 00:47:19,359 --> 00:47:26,240 Tonight we exclusively we exclusively have bills from the land use and 603 00:47:24,640 --> 00:47:31,760 transportation committee. >> City Council bill 26-0150 604 00:47:29,520 --> 00:47:37,200 zoning conditional use retail goods establishment with alcohol with 605 00:47:33,440 --> 00:47:43,040 alcoholic beverage sales variances 600 West North Avenue. 606 00:47:38,800 --> 00:47:46,800 » The chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. >> Thank you. 607 00:47:45,280 --> 00:47:54,079 Um the committee heard this bill 608 00:47:51,200 --> 00:47:59,359 on April 20th. It was voted on July 9th. It was recommended favor as favorable 609 00:47:57,359 --> 00:48:05,359 with amendments. There are committee amendments on my colleagues desk. These 610 00:48:02,880 --> 00:48:10,640 amendments um and I'll note that I believe there's a floor amendment from 611 00:48:07,280 --> 00:48:16,079 the sponsor. Um, these amendments include updates in the 612 00:48:13,200 --> 00:48:23,119 language in the bill to refer to an updated site plan and the removal of an 613 00:48:19,760 --> 00:48:29,200 old plat in favor of an updated site plan. I move the amendments favorably. 614 00:48:27,200 --> 00:48:35,839 » So, um, I think we need to move the finding of facts first. Um, I have that 615 00:48:32,480 --> 00:48:40,160 later in my um in my script here, but I'm happy to move 616 00:48:38,880 --> 00:48:42,160 finding of facts. >> Okay. 617 00:48:40,640 --> 00:48:47,760 » Um, there 618 00:48:44,640 --> 00:48:55,440 are findings of facts that were included in the desk documents. Um, I'll move the 619 00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:59,599 finding of facts, but I have um comments I'd like to make about them. 620 00:48:57,280 --> 00:49:02,400 » Okay. All those in favor of adopting the finding of facts, 621 00:49:00,559 --> 00:49:07,839 » I'd like to make my comments first. Go ahead. Yeah. 622 00:49:03,599 --> 00:49:13,280 » Um, thank you. Um, >> to put it simply, I don't believe that 623 00:49:09,599 --> 00:49:16,960 the finding of facts um from the planning department, planning commission 624 00:49:14,880 --> 00:49:22,960 are an accurate reflection of what was actually presented by the applicant. 625 00:49:19,839 --> 00:49:29,200 um which is pretty much a textbook example of what cannot be used as the 626 00:49:26,000 --> 00:49:33,680 criteria for granting a variance. This bill has two different things in it. 627 00:49:30,880 --> 00:49:38,400 It's a conditional use which is presumed allowable unless there's something um 628 00:49:36,559 --> 00:49:43,440 unique about that property that would make that particular use particularly 629 00:49:41,200 --> 00:49:46,880 detrimental at that property. There's no reason to think that the conditional use 630 00:49:44,960 --> 00:49:51,040 for alcohol sales would be worse here than anywhere else. Fine. But then 631 00:49:49,119 --> 00:49:55,040 there's a variance and the standard is that there's got to be something unique 632 00:49:53,119 --> 00:49:58,160 about that property that makes it so that that property would otherwise be 633 00:49:56,640 --> 00:50:04,400 unusable if the variance weren't granted. And uh 634 00:50:01,839 --> 00:50:10,319 it's specifically the case that the standard cannot be that I just want to 635 00:50:07,680 --> 00:50:15,040 use it for this thing in this way and if I don't get this variance I can't use it 636 00:50:12,079 --> 00:50:19,280 for this thing in this way. um and particularly with respect to creating 637 00:50:17,040 --> 00:50:24,000 some like profitability from the property. Um that there has to be 638 00:50:22,000 --> 00:50:28,800 something more unique than that that makes the property essentially unusable 639 00:50:26,640 --> 00:50:36,800 if not for the variance because something about the standard uh just 640 00:50:33,520 --> 00:50:41,119 really impacts this particular property in a way that doesn't impact other 641 00:50:39,040 --> 00:50:46,160 properties in general. And I think that what we heard was the grocery store 642 00:50:44,319 --> 00:50:52,960 won't come here unless we get the variance. And that's as picture perfect 643 00:50:49,200 --> 00:50:58,400 an example of what cannot be used as the standard for granting a variance. And so 644 00:50:56,480 --> 00:51:03,599 to grant this variance, I think that we just really have to be turning a blind 645 00:51:00,640 --> 00:51:09,680 eye to what the law actually says and either say we don't care what variances 646 00:51:07,040 --> 00:51:14,400 are. We don't care that there are standards for whether or not we grant 647 00:51:12,720 --> 00:51:18,079 them or we just don't care and we're going to do whatever we want to do. And 648 00:51:16,000 --> 00:51:21,760 I think that that's what we have to do in order to be able to grant those 649 00:51:20,079 --> 00:51:26,559 variance and I'm not going to do that. So, uh, I move the findings of fact 650 00:51:25,280 --> 00:51:30,559 nonetheless. >> All those in favor of adopting the 651 00:51:28,160 --> 00:51:35,079 finding of fact say I. I. >> Those opposed say nay. Nay. 652 00:51:35,440 --> 00:51:40,200 Um, we'll take a roll call. 653 00:51:41,040 --> 00:51:48,800 » Just Dorsey and Conway. >> Um, Parker absent from chambers. McCrae, 654 00:51:47,680 --> 00:51:50,559 » yes. >> Dorsy, 655 00:51:49,680 --> 00:51:52,160 » no. >> Conway, 656 00:51:51,280 --> 00:51:55,160 » no. >> Schlifer, 657 00:51:55,599 --> 00:51:58,640 » yes. >> Middleton, 658 00:51:57,839 --> 00:52:02,079 » yes. >> Torrance, 659 00:52:01,200 --> 00:52:04,480 » Gray, >> yes. Bulock. 660 00:52:03,680 --> 00:52:05,920 » Hi, >> Porter. 661 00:52:05,119 --> 00:52:08,319 » Hi, >> Blanchard. 662 00:52:07,280 --> 00:52:10,480 » Hi, >> Jones. 663 00:52:09,200 --> 00:52:12,960 » Hi, >> Ramos. 664 00:52:11,440 --> 00:52:15,960 » Yes. >> Um, 665 00:52:17,599 --> 00:52:26,200 » Madame Vice President, we have 10 in the affirmative and two in the negative with 666 00:52:22,800 --> 00:52:26,200 three absences. 667 00:52:29,119 --> 00:52:33,440 » He's good. >> Yeah, we have 10 in the affirmative and 668 00:52:31,200 --> 00:52:40,079 two in the negative. uh with two absences. 669 00:52:35,119 --> 00:52:45,520 » So the um finding of facts um is approved. 670 00:52:43,040 --> 00:52:49,119 » I'm president. I move the amendments as discussed before. 671 00:52:46,960 --> 00:52:54,319 » Okay. There is a motion on the floor to move uh the committee amendments. My 672 00:52:51,760 --> 00:52:58,960 understanding is that council member Torrance has a floor amendment 673 00:52:56,880 --> 00:53:05,040 that um amends the committee amendments. and 674 00:53:01,200 --> 00:53:11,599 I will recognize him at this time. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I am just 675 00:53:08,000 --> 00:53:15,520 bringing a clarification as um I'll put it this way. Um the floor amendment on 676 00:53:13,839 --> 00:53:19,200 the is on my colleague's desk. This amendment is clarifying the retail and 677 00:53:17,040 --> 00:53:23,280 alcohol beverage sales can take place in the yellow portion of the plat. Um at 678 00:53:22,000 --> 00:53:28,079 this time, manager, I move that amendment as favorable. 679 00:53:25,280 --> 00:53:32,880 » Okay. Before we vote, there is a debate or um is there a debate or discussion on 680 00:53:30,800 --> 00:53:36,079 the floor amendment? >> Oh, even 681 00:53:34,160 --> 00:53:40,480 » all those in favor of adopting this floor amendment say I. 682 00:53:38,240 --> 00:53:45,119 » I. >> All those opposed say nay. The motion 683 00:53:43,520 --> 00:53:51,520 passes and the floor amendment is adopted. Now there is I mean uh now is 684 00:53:49,599 --> 00:53:58,000 there any debate or discussion on the amended committee 685 00:53:53,760 --> 00:54:01,599 amendments? Uh, I have a point of order. Um, 686 00:53:58,640 --> 00:54:06,960 » the chair recognizes um I think Torrance was first. Did you 687 00:54:05,599 --> 00:54:10,640 have something else? >> Yes, madam chair. Um, if we're moving 688 00:54:09,040 --> 00:54:15,800 into debate, I have some clarifying conversations to be said um about legal 689 00:54:12,800 --> 00:54:15,800 standards. 690 00:54:17,839 --> 00:54:25,599 » Okay, Dorsy, you have a point of order. >> Thank you. Um on the 691 00:54:23,760 --> 00:54:30,319 there are two committee amendments and we have three amendments to amend the 692 00:54:28,640 --> 00:54:35,040 committee amendments and then on the back side of this page is an amendment 693 00:54:32,720 --> 00:54:40,400 three that is not an amendment to the amendments but is yet another amendment 694 00:54:38,480 --> 00:54:43,200 to the bill. Do I understand this correctly? 695 00:54:41,599 --> 00:54:47,359 » Yep. They also been clarifying because they removed the plaque and replace the 696 00:54:45,440 --> 00:54:53,119 plaque and it's required by the legal standard to include the plaque to move 697 00:54:49,359 --> 00:54:57,680 it forward. Okay. And so is that >> a substitute to one of the committee 698 00:54:55,760 --> 00:55:02,440 amendments or is that >> it was just clarifying the language 699 00:54:58,880 --> 00:55:02,440 struck by the committee. 700 00:55:03,040 --> 00:55:07,280 » I'm sorry. Can you say that again? Clarifying the language that what? 701 00:55:05,839 --> 00:55:10,880 » Clarifying the amendment that the committee made and plus identifying the 702 00:55:09,200 --> 00:55:15,480 specifics of the plat where the yellow area was because we're required to do 703 00:55:12,480 --> 00:55:15,480 it. 704 00:55:16,240 --> 00:55:22,800 » I go back to approve the amendments. I can move amendment number three if you 705 00:55:21,119 --> 00:55:25,839 would like to. I can move amendment number three individually. 706 00:55:24,480 --> 00:55:29,599 » Okay. I just wanted to make sure it's not in um it's not actually meant to be 707 00:55:28,000 --> 00:55:32,400 a substitute for one of the committee amendments. 708 00:55:30,800 --> 00:55:34,319 » It doesn't read as an amendment to amendment. 709 00:55:32,880 --> 00:55:36,240 » That's fine. I'll move amendment number three. Madam chair. 710 00:55:35,920 --> 00:55:40,319 » Okay. >> Um this amendment clarifies on the 711 00:55:38,160 --> 00:55:44,079 plaque in the actual bill text the actual area 712 00:55:41,520 --> 00:55:49,599 » in yellow. So before we do that, we have to wait until until Chair Dorsy 713 00:55:47,680 --> 00:55:56,720 does a piece, right? >> We voted on the We've voted on three 714 00:55:53,280 --> 00:56:02,480 amendments to the committee amendments and now I move those committee 715 00:55:59,119 --> 00:56:04,880 amendments as amended. >> Yes. 716 00:56:04,319 --> 00:56:10,640 » Yes. >> So all those in favor of adopting the 717 00:56:08,319 --> 00:56:17,920 amendments say I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. The motion 718 00:56:14,160 --> 00:56:24,079 passes and the committee amendments and as amended by the floor amendment 719 00:56:22,559 --> 00:56:29,359 are adop are adopted. >> Great. 720 00:56:25,839 --> 00:56:31,920 » And then I recognize Councilman Torrren. 721 00:56:30,640 --> 00:56:36,559 » Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to move another amendment which clarifies 722 00:56:34,240 --> 00:56:41,359 the conditional use but also identifies the specific area which were required to 723 00:56:38,880 --> 00:56:45,760 because the updated plat was added into the actual into the actual bill after it 724 00:56:44,400 --> 00:56:49,599 was strucken by the committee by mistake. So we now have an updated plat 725 00:56:48,079 --> 00:56:53,920 added back into it with the yellow portion saying that that where the 726 00:56:50,960 --> 00:56:58,079 alcohol beverage sales would be placed. >> So is there any additional discussion on 727 00:56:56,400 --> 00:57:01,680 that? All those in favor of approving this 728 00:57:00,000 --> 00:57:04,640 bill. the amendment to >> I'm approving the amendment to the bill 729 00:57:03,520 --> 00:57:07,680 say I. >> I. 730 00:57:05,280 --> 00:57:11,599 » All those opposed say nay. >> This bill 731 00:57:10,079 --> 00:57:17,920 um >> now the amendment is approved and we'll 732 00:57:14,640 --> 00:57:23,680 recognize Chair Dorsy again. >> Okay. So we have amendments. Um 733 00:57:22,720 --> 00:57:29,920 » and then I come >> I move the bill favorable 734 00:57:26,319 --> 00:57:35,839 as amended. Any additional discussion? Okay. All 735 00:57:33,359 --> 00:57:38,559 those in favor of approving. Oh, Councilman Torren. 736 00:57:36,880 --> 00:57:43,680 » Yes, ma'am. I just want to collect correct the statements of my pred my 737 00:57:41,359 --> 00:57:47,359 colleague. Um, there are only two bodies in this in this city that require for 738 00:57:45,599 --> 00:57:50,799 variances that have be individual factf finders. That is the B the board of 739 00:57:49,280 --> 00:57:54,799 municipal zoning appeals and that's the Baltimore city council. So, by voting 740 00:57:52,799 --> 00:57:58,400 yes, you did identify and agree to the facts of the actual place in there. So 741 00:57:56,640 --> 00:58:02,480 therefore, the standard is there and then the standard is no longer just 742 00:58:00,079 --> 00:58:06,160 financial implications. Um I and I invite my colleagues to take a walk down 743 00:58:04,160 --> 00:58:09,599 West North Avenue with me and see that there are very few locations where you 744 00:58:07,760 --> 00:58:14,079 can actually place a grocery store in West Avenue because of the racial 745 00:58:11,920 --> 00:58:19,920 discrimination and the way that we zone this city. So to say that in and I and I 746 00:58:17,680 --> 00:58:26,880 wholeheartedly say this realistically, we are blind to our in our un how can I 747 00:58:23,359 --> 00:58:33,400 say this unconscious bias related to how we feel in our own individual districts. 748 00:58:29,520 --> 00:58:33,400 I want to be transparent. 749 00:58:34,319 --> 00:58:41,920 Black people deserve grocery stores. We deserve to eat in our 750 00:58:39,200 --> 00:58:46,720 neighborhoods. We deserve amenities. And it was by the zoning code and those who 751 00:58:44,640 --> 00:58:51,839 led this council prior to us that got us in this situation. 752 00:58:48,720 --> 00:58:59,119 And I say that wholeheartedly. Um, and I'm shaking because I am disgusted 753 00:58:55,119 --> 00:59:02,799 because this conversation has led to saying something's illegal when one's 754 00:59:01,280 --> 00:59:08,000 own bill was returned by the circuit court of Baltimore City. 755 00:59:05,440 --> 00:59:12,880 when we are the individual factf finders and I want to say that to this council. 756 00:59:10,000 --> 00:59:17,040 We have land use authority and we are the individual factfinders in our own 757 00:59:14,799 --> 00:59:20,720 votes. So to vote yes on it and then change your vote today is not only 758 00:59:18,319 --> 00:59:26,240 hypocritical but lies within my own consciousness to say morally I won't 759 00:59:23,040 --> 00:59:30,240 call it out as it is. Your bias is leading you and it's not leading with 760 00:59:28,720 --> 00:59:34,799 the heart of the city or the black people who get access to food in a food 761 00:59:32,240 --> 00:59:38,559 desert. And I say this to my neighbors, save a lot is not the only thing that we 762 00:59:36,400 --> 00:59:41,920 should have. We should not have to enter into grocery 763 00:59:40,400 --> 00:59:46,720 stores because we only have one in the neighborhood that's charging $12 just 764 00:59:44,720 --> 00:59:50,559 for coffee creamer that I can go to a white neighborhood and get for $9. 765 00:59:49,359 --> 00:59:54,720 So if you want to have that conversation, let's have it. In addition 766 00:59:53,040 --> 00:59:59,599 to that, one of my colleagues is getting a Trader Joe's, right? The average 767 00:59:57,200 --> 01:00:04,319 income around that Trader Joe's was easy for them to move in. 768 01:00:01,839 --> 01:00:08,880 When we talk about the fact that we had to change and get more people employed 769 01:00:06,400 --> 01:00:12,319 in Pin North to increase the home values in those neighborhoods and black 770 01:00:10,160 --> 01:00:16,559 communities just to attract one grocery store to talk about the lengths we have 771 01:00:15,119 --> 01:00:19,440 to go to get something in a black neighborhood then to vote no because 772 01:00:18,079 --> 01:00:27,359 you're an individual backfiring being cowardice about actual cars and parking. 773 01:00:25,119 --> 01:00:32,480 Let's be transparent. This city is two different ones. There's 774 01:00:29,680 --> 01:00:36,160 a black butterfly. is a white L and the only way that we're changing it in West 775 01:00:34,000 --> 01:00:39,119 Baltimore is by black people leading and black people providing opportunities in 776 01:00:37,680 --> 01:00:46,079 black neighborhoods. And Madam Chair, I sit on that. 777 01:00:42,240 --> 01:00:53,440 Any other discussion, very valid points for to think about. 778 01:00:49,839 --> 01:00:56,799 And now I'll go back. Um all those in favor of approving this bill as amended 779 01:00:55,680 --> 01:01:01,440 say I. >> I. 780 01:00:58,000 --> 01:01:07,280 » Those opposed say nay. Abstain. >> This bill will be printed for third and 781 01:01:03,520 --> 01:01:11,760 one abstension. Uh Conway, make note of that. And this bill will be printed for 782 01:01:10,000 --> 01:01:18,400 third reader. >> Does he like to speak? 783 01:01:14,799 --> 01:01:23,440 » The chair recognizes um Chair Dorsy. >> No, Madam Vice President. 784 01:01:19,520 --> 01:01:26,799 » No. Oh, I'm sorry. Um >> Conway. 785 01:01:25,040 --> 01:01:32,079 » Thank you, Madam Vice President. I appreciate it. But just wanted to take a 786 01:01:28,319 --> 01:01:36,000 moment to explain my vote. Um I uh I share the uh the councilman, the sponsor 787 01:01:34,160 --> 01:01:41,680 of the bill's concern about making sure that we address food deserts. He alluded 788 01:01:37,920 --> 01:01:44,799 to um a labor of love, dare I call it, to get a grocery store, a second grocery 789 01:01:43,680 --> 01:01:49,200 store into my district, but unfortunately um it is not where we need 790 01:01:47,599 --> 01:01:53,680 it. Uh it's actually right is being placed, 791 01:01:51,599 --> 01:01:59,440 you know, a rocks throw from a giant, which is not all that helpful for us. Um 792 01:01:56,559 --> 01:02:03,280 the interesting piece is um I I I think unfortunately I I decided to abstain 793 01:02:01,200 --> 01:02:08,000 from this vote. One because of the the questions about uh whether or not we've 794 01:02:05,520 --> 01:02:11,119 met the findings or facts. Uh but then two the matter of process and a lot of 795 01:02:09,760 --> 01:02:16,559 the things that came up in the midst of the hearing. Um I think um we definitely 796 01:02:14,480 --> 01:02:22,720 need to address food deserts within our city. Uh it is a huge huge huge huge 797 01:02:20,559 --> 01:02:26,960 problem. Uh and one that far too many of our communities um strugg struggle with 798 01:02:24,799 --> 01:02:29,760 and huge swats of my district struggle with it as well. And I think we always 799 01:02:28,400 --> 01:02:34,559 find ourselves bending over over backwards to do so. Um the the the finer 800 01:02:33,040 --> 01:02:38,160 point I want to make here though is we have to make sure that we are continuing 801 01:02:36,000 --> 01:02:43,040 to listen to our communities as we do so and that we try to find nuance in how we 802 01:02:40,799 --> 01:02:46,240 meet their needs. Um, I had some some concerns that, you know, frankly, I am 803 01:02:44,799 --> 01:02:50,480 no expert on this project, so I didn't feel comfortable voting against it. Um, 804 01:02:48,640 --> 01:02:56,640 I I didn't also feel comfortable v voting for it. Um, you know, removing um 805 01:02:53,839 --> 01:03:01,280 a a bus lane, I think, is is a challenge that I wish we would have sorted out in 806 01:02:58,559 --> 01:03:06,480 advance. Um, so, you know, things like that I think, um, that came up in the 807 01:03:04,319 --> 01:03:10,799 hearing I think bring bring me pause and just make me want to pump my brakes a 808 01:03:08,799 --> 01:03:15,920 little bit before I throw my full weight of support behind the bill. Um, that 809 01:03:13,119 --> 01:03:19,680 said, I I appreciate uh the effort of of the councilman. I appreciate the effort 810 01:03:17,680 --> 01:03:22,720 of the chair to make sure that uh we do address the food deserts issue, but I I 811 01:03:21,520 --> 01:03:25,839 think we also want to make sure that we are continuing to listen our communities 812 01:03:24,160 --> 01:03:31,440 and make sure that we meet all of their needs and we don't find ourselves 813 01:03:27,599 --> 01:03:35,839 sacrificing um the um the process that hopefully um can lead us to to more 814 01:03:33,599 --> 01:03:40,079 consensus and and better solutions and not just the one that's uh presented to 815 01:03:37,520 --> 01:03:44,079 us. So, uh, with that, I I abstain and, you know, I appreciate, um, the 816 01:03:42,400 --> 01:03:49,920 continued efforts, I'm sure, by the councilman to address, um, anything that 817 01:03:46,160 --> 01:03:58,079 goes forward in in the district. And uh I just want to add re reaching 818 01:03:53,839 --> 01:04:04,000 staying um up to date and with what's going on in our individual communities, 819 01:04:00,640 --> 01:04:10,079 not just the communities that each one of us serve and represent in our 820 01:04:07,760 --> 01:04:14,960 boundaries of our district, but you know, pay attention of what's going on 821 01:04:12,400 --> 01:04:20,799 around the entire city and the revitalization and the changes that we 822 01:04:17,200 --> 01:04:28,400 continue h to have to make And also um as far as grocery stores, you know, the 823 01:04:24,160 --> 01:04:37,839 city needs to having a grocery store is um a very hard business and we need to 824 01:04:34,079 --> 01:04:43,119 find incentives to help um someone that's interested in owning a 825 01:04:40,960 --> 01:04:49,280 grocery store. trying to find incentives to help them start that store up and 826 01:04:47,039 --> 01:04:52,880 just figuring out ways to do, you know, to build those partnerships because 827 01:04:51,039 --> 01:04:59,359 again, at the end of the day, it's all about partnerships. 828 01:04:55,440 --> 01:05:02,359 And on that note, um I'll turn it >> I'll 829 01:05:02,400 --> 01:05:07,760 um I'll one more thing, Councilman Torrance, and then we'll move on move 830 01:05:06,160 --> 01:05:10,000 forward. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, because we're in 831 01:05:08,880 --> 01:05:14,880 a public sector. I just want to correct the record. We did not remove a bus 832 01:05:11,760 --> 01:05:19,520 lane. There were two lanes. One was a right turn lane and the other was the 833 01:05:16,720 --> 01:05:24,240 bus lane. MCA had to signal over and causing conflicts. There are two right 834 01:05:21,920 --> 01:05:28,240 turn lanes that people were turning at both times from both right turn lanes. 835 01:05:26,240 --> 01:05:31,760 We just got rid of one right turn lane so that we can end the conflict and 836 01:05:29,839 --> 01:05:35,039 we're doing bumpouts at all four corners to make it safe for young people to go 837 01:05:33,280 --> 01:05:38,400 to and from Mount Royal Terrace >> to Mount Royal Elementary Middle School. 838 01:05:36,799 --> 01:05:42,960 We actually met with the community after the hearing at the actual site so they 839 01:05:40,559 --> 01:05:46,480 can actually witness three buses have to signal back over to get into the rest of 840 01:05:44,880 --> 01:05:50,720 West North Avenue. And I just want to say for colleagues, there's a such thing 841 01:05:48,160 --> 01:05:54,640 as Google Maps. It has a layer that you can look at overlaying the city that you 842 01:05:52,799 --> 01:05:58,799 can see both lanes were there and that we are not removing a bus lane. It does 843 01:05:56,799 --> 01:06:03,839 not threaten North Avenue Rising. And I'm just going to say this again because 844 01:06:00,319 --> 01:06:07,839 I just want to be clear. It is the facts were there. the conversations were had. 845 01:06:06,559 --> 01:06:11,760 That's why there was no community opposition at the last hearing. We were 846 01:06:09,680 --> 01:06:16,559 very clear when we met community on site. We in addition to that we also 847 01:06:14,640 --> 01:06:19,119 there were a lot of things that we met with community. I just want to put out 848 01:06:17,839 --> 01:06:24,720 there on the record what where we came with community. We are planting new 849 01:06:22,079 --> 01:06:28,799 trees, preserving oak trees. We're providing 65 parking spots. In addition 850 01:06:27,359 --> 01:06:32,000 to that, we're providing a liquor license for future business to actually 851 01:06:30,400 --> 01:06:35,680 have a restaurant in the neighborhood. Right? It's just not just the wine and 852 01:06:33,599 --> 01:06:39,280 sales. is also retail that's going to be present there as well. In addition to 853 01:06:37,520 --> 01:06:43,599 that, that is coupling with the fact that we are building a new $16 million 854 01:06:41,280 --> 01:06:46,160 building AC down the street, which is going to be the mayor's office of 855 01:06:44,720 --> 01:06:50,480 employment development that I welcome you all to come visit in the fall when 856 01:06:48,400 --> 01:06:53,920 we open it and we actually start using that that actual facility for that 857 01:06:52,559 --> 01:06:58,240 project labor agreement with the Frederick Douglas tunnel. This has been 858 01:06:55,839 --> 01:07:02,400 strategic investment that has been led and had community conversations. to be 859 01:07:00,640 --> 01:07:05,599 to be transparent with you, these community conversations happen with West 860 01:07:03,920 --> 01:07:08,319 North Avenue Development Authority. And I just want to say that like these 861 01:07:06,960 --> 01:07:11,599 aren't things just happening in isolation. This isn't for a developer. 862 01:07:10,319 --> 01:07:15,760 This is what makes sense for the community and the neighborhoods. And 863 01:07:13,119 --> 01:07:23,200 » thank you, Councilman Torrance. I I we all feel your passion and thank you for 864 01:07:19,119 --> 01:07:29,920 having a very um professional discussion and debate. And now we'll end this 865 01:07:26,720 --> 01:07:36,119 discussion and move back to recognizing Chair Dorsy so we can move to the next 866 01:07:33,119 --> 01:07:36,119 piece. 867 01:07:43,200 --> 01:07:51,920 » Um I recognize Councilman uh Torrance to move to third reader. 868 01:07:50,000 --> 01:07:55,280 » Thank you Madam Chair. I would like to at this time, Madame President, vice 869 01:07:54,079 --> 01:07:59,200 vice president, I would like to move the suspend rules for same day advancement 870 01:07:57,119 --> 01:08:05,599 for the bill to move it to third reader. >> Is there any debate or discussion on the 871 01:08:01,359 --> 01:08:11,960 motion for same day advancement >> with the clerk? 872 01:08:08,960 --> 01:08:11,960 » Uh, 873 01:08:16,719 --> 01:08:24,719 okay. Yeah, we have to do that over. Um, basically you want to invoke the city 874 01:08:22,239 --> 01:08:27,759 council rule 121 the same day for advancement 875 01:08:27,279 --> 01:08:33,440 as you just said >> the third reader for city council bill 876 01:08:31,359 --> 01:08:38,640 260150. Thank you parliamentarian for um 877 01:08:35,839 --> 01:08:46,319 catching that. And is there any discussion or to move 878 01:08:43,839 --> 01:08:53,799 um on the motion the same day advancement? 879 01:08:49,199 --> 01:08:53,799 Will the clerk please call the role? 880 01:08:55,040 --> 01:08:58,040 » Parker. 881 01:08:58,640 --> 01:09:05,839 » I >> Okay. Uh McCrae. 882 01:09:03,120 --> 01:09:10,719 » Oh, chambers. Dorsy. >> No. Conway. 883 01:09:09,759 --> 01:09:12,799 » Schlifer. >> Hi. 884 01:09:11,839 --> 01:09:14,799 » Middleton. >> Yes. 885 01:09:13,920 --> 01:09:16,400 » Torrance. >> Hi. 886 01:09:15,600 --> 01:09:18,000 » Gray. >> Hi. 887 01:09:17,359 --> 01:09:19,359 » Bullock. >> Hi. 888 01:09:18,719 --> 01:09:20,880 » Porter. >> Hi. 889 01:09:20,080 --> 01:09:22,319 » Blanchard. >> Hi. 890 01:09:21,600 --> 01:09:24,080 » Jones. >> Hi. 891 01:09:23,199 --> 01:09:27,600 » Ramos. >> Yes. 892 01:09:26,159 --> 01:09:32,400 » Madam vice president. >> 2 three four five six seven eight. 893 01:09:30,480 --> 01:09:35,600 » There are 10 votes in the affirmative. The motion does not have submission 894 01:09:34,239 --> 01:09:41,000 votes. >> Okay. We cannot move this to third 895 01:09:38,000 --> 01:09:41,000 reader. 896 01:09:43,120 --> 01:09:50,759 » City council bill 26-0153 measurement of building height gambo 897 01:09:47,759 --> 01:09:50,759 roofs. 898 01:10:06,159 --> 01:10:13,600 Sorry. Chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. >> I didn't read the next bill number. 899 01:10:13,360 --> 01:10:16,880 » Oh. >> Oh, let me read it again. City Council 900 01:10:15,040 --> 01:10:19,199 Bill 26-0153, measurement of building height gamble 901 01:10:18,320 --> 01:10:22,880 roofs. >> Thank you. This bill was heard on July 902 01:10:21,040 --> 01:10:28,719 2nd. It was recommended as favorable with amendments. There are committee 903 01:10:24,320 --> 01:10:34,960 amendments on my colleagues desk from urgently proposed from Councilman Parker 904 01:10:31,440 --> 01:10:38,800 uh which u reflect recommendations from the planning commission to change the 905 01:10:36,400 --> 01:10:43,600 standards of measurements for roof from the eaves to the peak to the top of the 906 01:10:41,520 --> 01:10:50,040 highest wall plate to the highest point in the roof. Um I move the amendment as 907 01:10:47,040 --> 01:10:50,040 favorable. 908 01:10:50,480 --> 01:10:57,520 Before we vote, is there any debate or discussion on the committee amendment? 909 01:10:55,840 --> 01:11:00,000 All those in favor of adopting the amendment say I. 910 01:10:59,040 --> 01:11:07,239 » I. >> All those opposed say nay. The motion 911 01:11:02,880 --> 01:11:07,239 passes and the amendments are adopted. 912 01:11:07,600 --> 01:11:16,560 » Uh I move the bill favorable as amended. >> Is there any additional debate or 913 01:11:13,920 --> 01:11:20,400 discussion on this bill? All those in favor of approving this 914 01:11:18,719 --> 01:11:23,760 bill say I. >> I. 915 01:11:21,120 --> 01:11:26,880 » All those opposed say nay. This bill will be will be printed for 916 01:11:25,920 --> 01:11:31,920 third reader. >> City council bill 26-0165 917 01:11:29,440 --> 01:11:35,920 sale of property at 220 Guilford Avenue. >> The chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. 918 01:11:34,320 --> 01:11:39,760 » Thank you. This bill was heard on July 9th. It was recommended as favorable. I 919 01:11:37,920 --> 01:11:44,400 move as favorable. >> Is there any additional debate or 920 01:11:41,440 --> 01:11:47,679 discussion on this bill? All those in favor of approving this 921 01:11:46,239 --> 01:11:52,000 bill say I. >> I. 922 01:11:49,360 --> 01:11:56,640 » All those opposed say nay. This bill will be printed for third 923 01:11:54,159 --> 01:11:59,360 reader. The chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. 924 01:11:57,520 --> 01:12:02,880 » Thank you. I move to suspend the rules as necessary to allow for same day 925 01:12:01,679 --> 01:12:05,760 advancement of this bill to third reader. 926 01:12:07,520 --> 01:12:15,520 Um, you invoked the rule 121 >> for same day advancement. 927 01:12:14,960 --> 01:12:19,440 » Yes. >> Okay. Is there any debate or discussion 928 01:12:17,920 --> 01:12:24,239 on the motion of the same day advancement? 929 01:12:21,760 --> 01:12:26,480 Will the clerk please call the role? >> Parker, 930 01:12:26,080 --> 01:12:29,520 » yes. >> McCrae, 931 01:12:28,640 --> 01:12:30,719 » uh, Dorsy, >> yes. 932 01:12:30,080 --> 01:12:33,600 » Conway, >> hi. Schlifer. 933 01:12:33,040 --> 01:12:35,199 » Hi >> Middleton. 934 01:12:34,719 --> 01:12:36,640 » Hi >> Torrance. 935 01:12:36,000 --> 01:12:37,920 » Hi >> Gray. 936 01:12:37,360 --> 01:12:39,040 » Hi >> Bulock. 937 01:12:38,560 --> 01:12:40,080 » Hi >> Porter. 938 01:12:39,600 --> 01:12:41,199 » Hi >> Blanchard. 939 01:12:40,719 --> 01:12:43,199 » Hi >> Jones. 940 01:12:42,080 --> 01:12:46,000 » Hi >> Ramos. 941 01:12:44,320 --> 01:12:51,920 » Yes. >> We have three. That's 12. 942 01:12:49,600 --> 01:12:56,480 » This bill will move to third reader today. 943 01:12:53,520 --> 01:13:02,239 » City council bill 26-0175. Street names authority to change suffix. 944 01:13:00,560 --> 01:13:03,920 Thank you. This bill was heard on July. The 945 01:13:02,320 --> 01:13:07,760 » chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. >> Thank you. This bill was heard on July 946 01:13:05,520 --> 01:13:12,719 2nd. It was recommended as favorable. I move the bill favorable. 947 01:13:09,920 --> 01:13:17,120 » Before we vote, is there any debate or discussion on this bill? 948 01:13:15,520 --> 01:13:19,679 All those in favor of approving this bill say I. 949 01:13:18,400 --> 01:13:26,159 » I. >> All those opposed say nay. This bill 950 01:13:22,800 --> 01:13:30,560 will be printed for third reading. City Council Bill 26-0176, 951 01:13:28,880 --> 01:13:34,239 zoning conditional use conversion of a single family dwelling unit to two 952 01:13:32,000 --> 01:13:39,600 dwelling units in an R8 zoning district variance 812 North Kerry Street. 953 01:13:36,719 --> 01:13:44,239 » The chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. >> Thank you. This bill was heard on July 954 01:13:41,280 --> 01:13:47,760 9th. It was recommended as favorable. There are findings of fact adopted by 955 01:13:46,159 --> 01:13:51,280 the committee included with the materials in my colleagues desk 956 01:13:49,280 --> 01:13:55,679 documents. I move the findings and note that uh it was put on the record that 957 01:13:53,360 --> 01:14:00,239 the variance that was uh noted in the bill uh is obsolete and was not actually 958 01:13:58,719 --> 01:14:03,440 required. So there's no variance necessary with this bill. Uh I move the 959 01:14:02,400 --> 01:14:06,880 finding of facts. >> All those in favor of adopting the 960 01:14:05,120 --> 01:14:10,880 findings of facts say I. >> I. 961 01:14:07,840 --> 01:14:14,000 » Those opposed say nay. The finding of facts are adopted. The chair recognizes 962 01:14:13,120 --> 01:14:19,120 Chair Dorsy. >> Thank you. I move the bill um I move the 963 01:14:16,800 --> 01:14:23,760 bill favorable. Is there any additional debate or discussion on this bill? 964 01:14:22,159 --> 01:14:26,000 All those in favor of approving this bill say I. 965 01:14:25,679 --> 01:14:30,800 » I. >> All those opposed say nay. 966 01:14:29,199 --> 01:14:33,840 This bill will be printed for third reader. The chair recognizes chair 967 01:14:33,040 --> 01:14:38,080 Dorsy. >> Thank you. I move to suspend the rules 968 01:14:36,000 --> 01:14:45,040 for same day advancement of this bill to third reader. 969 01:14:41,280 --> 01:14:50,640 » Uh invoke city council rule 121 same day advancement. Is there any debate or 970 01:14:47,520 --> 01:14:54,280 discussion on the motion of um for the same day advancement? 971 01:14:54,960 --> 01:14:59,920 » Will the clerk please call the role? >> Parker, 972 01:14:59,440 --> 01:15:00,880 » yes. >> Dorsy, 973 01:15:00,480 --> 01:15:01,840 » yes. >> Conway, 974 01:15:01,440 --> 01:15:03,679 » hi. >> Schlifer, 975 01:15:03,040 --> 01:15:05,040 » Middleton, >> yes. 976 01:15:04,080 --> 01:15:06,320 » Torrance, >> hi. 977 01:15:05,520 --> 01:15:07,360 » Gray, >> hi. 978 01:15:06,719 --> 01:15:08,560 » Bulock, >> hi. 979 01:15:07,840 --> 01:15:09,679 » Porter, >> hi. 980 01:15:08,960 --> 01:15:10,719 » Blanchard, >> hi. 981 01:15:10,080 --> 01:15:12,320 » Jones, >> hi. 982 01:15:11,440 --> 01:15:17,199 » Ramos, >> yes. 983 01:15:14,480 --> 01:15:21,520 This bill moves to third reader today. >> City Council Bill 26-0178, 984 01:15:19,840 --> 01:15:26,640 Baltimore Harbor, Transfer of Authority to Department of Transportation. 985 01:15:24,080 --> 01:15:30,960 » Chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. >> Thank you. This bill was heard on July 986 01:15:28,480 --> 01:15:33,920 2nd and voted on July 9th. It is recommended as favorable with 987 01:15:32,480 --> 01:15:38,159 amendments. There are committee amendments on my colleagues desk. These 988 01:15:36,400 --> 01:15:42,400 seven amendments are technical and include they they clarify that an 989 01:15:40,239 --> 01:15:48,400 environmental citation is issued by the environmental control board. Uh insert 990 01:15:45,760 --> 01:15:52,719 the word harbor on page 10. Insert the word piling on page 28. Correct the word 991 01:15:51,199 --> 01:15:57,600 authorizations to authorization. 992 01:15:54,960 --> 01:16:06,880 Change the phrase from warps for private enjoyment to warps. On page 14, change a 993 01:16:02,080 --> 01:16:16,080 drift to a drift allowed to deteriorate. On page 17 and number seven, strike 994 01:16:10,800 --> 01:16:20,960 company or on page 18. I move these amendments as favorable. 995 01:16:18,800 --> 01:16:25,120 » All those in favor of adopting the finding of facts say I. 996 01:16:22,640 --> 01:16:33,440 » Uh the amendments. >> The adopting the amendments say I. I. 997 01:16:29,840 --> 01:16:39,040 » All those opposed say nay. The amendments are adopted. The chair 998 01:16:36,239 --> 01:16:45,840 recognizes Chair Dorsy. >> Uh I move the bill favorable as amended. 999 01:16:43,440 --> 01:16:50,800 » Are there any uh additional debates or discussions in this bill? 1000 01:16:48,640 --> 01:16:53,840 All those in favor of approving the bill as adopted say I. 1001 01:16:53,040 --> 01:16:59,360 » I. >> All those opposed say nay. 1002 01:16:57,199 --> 01:17:04,199 This bill will be printed for third reading. The chair recognizes Chair 1003 01:17:01,199 --> 01:17:04,199 Dorsy. 1004 01:17:05,760 --> 01:17:09,520 » Next bill. >> Oh, 1005 01:17:07,840 --> 01:17:12,560 where are you? >> Here. 1006 01:17:09,840 --> 01:17:19,120 » No. So, hey, I missed. No, I'm going to go back to it. 1007 01:17:14,159 --> 01:17:24,600 » Okay. Chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. >> Oh. Oh, he's got to read the bill. 1008 01:17:21,600 --> 01:17:24,600 Sorry. 1009 01:17:25,760 --> 01:17:33,239 City Council Bill 26-0197 RPP Area 48 Riverside revisions. 1010 01:17:37,040 --> 01:17:44,560 » Uh recognize Chair Dorsy. >> Thank you. This bill was heard on July 1011 01:17:41,840 --> 01:17:48,880 2nd as recommended favorable. I move the bill favorable. 1012 01:17:46,480 --> 01:17:53,679 » Before we vote, are there any debates or discussions on this bill? 1013 01:17:52,000 --> 01:17:56,560 All those in favor of approving this bill say I. 1014 01:17:55,120 --> 01:18:02,000 » I. >> Those opposed say nay. This bill will 1015 01:17:59,840 --> 01:18:06,719 will be printed for third reader. The the chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. 1016 01:18:04,560 --> 01:18:10,640 » I move to suspend the rules to allow for same day advancement of this bill of 1017 01:18:08,239 --> 01:18:15,280 third reader. >> Are there is there any debate or 1018 01:18:12,320 --> 01:18:22,520 discussion on the motion for same day advancement? 1019 01:18:18,000 --> 01:18:22,520 Will the clerk please call the role? 1020 01:18:22,640 --> 01:18:26,159 Parker, >> yes. 1021 01:18:24,239 --> 01:18:27,280 » McCrae, Dorsy, 1022 01:18:26,800 --> 01:18:29,360 » yes. >> Conway, hi. 1023 01:18:28,320 --> 01:18:30,800 » Schlifer, >> Middleton, 1024 01:18:30,400 --> 01:18:32,000 » yes. >> Torrance, 1025 01:18:31,520 --> 01:18:32,960 » hi >> Gray, 1026 01:18:32,480 --> 01:18:33,920 » hi >> Bullock, 1027 01:18:33,520 --> 01:18:34,880 » hi >> Porter, 1028 01:18:34,560 --> 01:18:36,159 » hi >> Blanchard, 1029 01:18:35,679 --> 01:18:37,280 » hi >> Jones, 1030 01:18:36,800 --> 01:18:40,000 » hi >> Ramos, 1031 01:18:38,159 --> 01:18:45,120 » yes. >> This bill moves to third reader 1032 01:18:43,199 --> 01:18:50,719 » today. Circle back to the one that I missed. 1033 01:18:47,840 --> 01:18:54,239 Sorry. I'm gonna do this one. I missed it. I'm 1034 01:18:52,560 --> 01:19:00,560 sorry. Okay. >> City Council Bill 26-0177, 1035 01:18:57,360 --> 01:19:06,480 which I previously missed. Reszoning 901 South Kaitton Avenue. 1036 01:19:02,880 --> 01:19:12,080 » So, Chair Dorsy, recognizing you, one more we missed. 1037 01:19:09,600 --> 01:19:17,679 » Sorry, this is not in my script here. >> 26. Yeah. 0177. 1038 01:19:14,800 --> 01:19:21,360 The reszoning of 901 South. Did >> we miss it? Sorry. 1039 01:19:18,800 --> 01:19:24,760 » South Kaitton Avenue. >> Oh, sorry. 1040 01:19:25,280 --> 01:19:33,920 I see. Okay. Um, this bill was heard July 9th is 1041 01:19:31,440 --> 01:19:38,800 recommended favorable. I move the bill. Oh, there. Oh, there 1042 01:19:36,000 --> 01:19:42,320 finding a fact adopted by the committee included with the materials and desk 1043 01:19:40,400 --> 01:19:46,560 documents. I move the finding. >> All those in favor of adopting the 1044 01:19:44,239 --> 01:19:53,040 finding of facts say I. >> I. Those opposed say nay. The finding of 1045 01:19:50,239 --> 01:19:57,520 facts are adopted. Chair recognizes Chair Dorsy. 1046 01:19:54,480 --> 01:20:02,640 » Thank you. I move the bill favorable. >> Uh are there is there any additional 1047 01:19:59,600 --> 01:20:06,000 debate or discussion on this bill? All those in favor of approving this bill 1048 01:20:04,560 --> 01:20:10,560 say I. >> I. 1049 01:20:06,880 --> 01:20:14,440 » Those opposed say nay. This bill will be printed for third reader. 1050 01:20:15,600 --> 01:20:18,159 » Mhm. >> Do we? 1051 01:20:16,480 --> 01:20:21,840 » Yeah. We recognize 1052 01:20:20,560 --> 01:20:27,040 » to do this. >> Oh, we want to do it the same day. Chair 1053 01:20:24,239 --> 01:20:31,520 recognizes chair Dorsy. >> Thank you. Move to suspend the rules to 1054 01:20:29,840 --> 01:20:35,600 allow for same day advancement to third reader. 1055 01:20:32,880 --> 01:20:41,600 » And uh any debate or discussion on the motion for same day advancement? 1056 01:20:39,520 --> 01:20:43,360 Hearing none, will the clerk please call the role? 1057 01:20:42,239 --> 01:20:44,560 » Parker, >> yes. 1058 01:20:43,760 --> 01:20:45,840 » Dorsy, >> yes. 1059 01:20:44,960 --> 01:20:47,360 » Conway, >> I. Schlifer. 1060 01:20:46,960 --> 01:20:48,400 » Hi, >> Middleton. 1061 01:20:48,000 --> 01:20:49,520 » Hi, >> Torrance. 1062 01:20:49,120 --> 01:20:50,400 » Hi, >> Gray. 1063 01:20:50,000 --> 01:20:51,520 » Hi, >> Bulock. 1064 01:20:51,040 --> 01:20:52,560 » Hi, >> Porter. 1065 01:20:52,159 --> 01:20:53,600 » Hi, >> Blanchard. 1066 01:20:53,199 --> 01:20:54,640 » Hi, >> Jones. 1067 01:20:54,239 --> 01:20:56,480 » Hi, >> Ramos. 1068 01:20:55,520 --> 01:21:04,400 » Yes. >> This bill moves to third reader today. 1069 01:21:01,120 --> 01:21:07,600 We now move to bills on third reader. Will the clerk please read the bills and 1070 01:21:06,480 --> 01:21:14,000 call the role? >> City council bill 26-0165, 1071 01:21:10,800 --> 01:21:17,360 sale of property 220 Guilford Avenue. Parker, Dorsey, Conway, Schlaer, 1072 01:21:15,840 --> 01:21:21,960 Middleton, Torrance, Gay, Bulock, Blanchard, Jones, Glover, Ramos, Cohen. 1073 01:21:22,000 --> 01:21:29,440 And um council members McCrae, Glover, and President Cohen are absent. 1074 01:21:28,000 --> 01:21:34,640 » This bill is approved. >> City Council Bill 26-0176 1075 01:21:32,800 --> 01:21:39,040 zoning conditional use conversion of a single family dwelling to two dwelling 1076 01:21:36,159 --> 01:21:44,080 units in the R8 zoning district variance 812 North Kerry Street. Parker, Dorsy, 1077 01:21:42,159 --> 01:21:51,120 Conway, Schlaer, Middleton, Torrance, Gay, Bulock, Blanchard, Jones, Glover, 1078 01:21:46,480 --> 01:21:55,280 Ramos, Cohen. I'll note, um, McCrae, Ramos, sorry, McCrae, Glover, and Cohen 1079 01:21:53,920 --> 01:22:00,560 as absences. >> This bill was approved. 1080 01:21:57,120 --> 01:22:06,800 » City Council Bill 26-0177, resoning 901 South Kaitton Avenue. 1081 01:22:03,360 --> 01:22:12,080 Parker, McCrae, Dorsy, Conway, Schlifer, Middleton, Torrance, Gray, Bullock, 1082 01:22:09,440 --> 01:22:15,440 Blanchard, Jones, Glover, Ramos, Cohen, and I'll note McCrae, Glover, and Cohen 1083 01:22:14,560 --> 01:22:20,960 as absence. >> This bill is approved. 1084 01:22:17,840 --> 01:22:27,120 City Council Bill 26-0197 RP Area 48 Riverside revisions Parker 1085 01:22:24,320 --> 01:22:32,480 McCrae Dorsy Conway Schlifer Middleton Torrren Gray Bullock Blanchard Jones 1086 01:22:29,520 --> 01:22:36,719 Glover Ramos Cohen will note McCrae Glover and Cohen as absences. This bill 1087 01:22:34,800 --> 01:22:42,159 is approved. We now move to um committee 1088 01:22:40,000 --> 01:22:45,520 announcements. Chairs, when you hear your committee, 1089 01:22:44,000 --> 01:22:51,120 please proceed with your committee announcements and 1090 01:22:48,080 --> 01:22:58,560 uh budget and appropriations. We do not have any announcements. Um 1091 01:22:55,440 --> 01:23:03,679 education, youth, and older adults. Chair Bullock, no announcements. Housing 1092 01:23:01,280 --> 01:23:08,800 and community, housing and economic development. Chair Torrance. 1093 01:23:07,360 --> 01:23:13,679 » Thank you, Madam Vice President. The Housing Economic Development Committee 1094 01:23:10,159 --> 01:23:19,440 will hear Council Bill 260163, Community Health Food Access um act on 1095 01:23:16,800 --> 01:23:23,520 August 18th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the council chambers. And then we will have 1096 01:23:21,840 --> 01:23:26,880 I will announce via the council president's office three other bills 1097 01:23:24,800 --> 01:23:31,360 that will will have hearings of four in August as well. Thank you, Madam Chair. 1098 01:23:28,560 --> 01:23:34,360 » Thank you. Labor and Workforce Chair Jones. 1099 01:23:35,760 --> 01:23:42,600 » No announcements. to land use and transportation. Chair Dorsy. 1100 01:23:43,360 --> 01:23:52,400 » Thank you, Madam President. On September 10th at 9:00 am in the council chambers, 1101 01:23:49,840 --> 01:24:00,880 the committee will continue with its next DOT oversight hearing uh on 1102 01:23:56,880 --> 01:24:03,880 operations um transportation department LO25004. 1103 01:24:05,600 --> 01:24:14,719 On September 17th at 9:00 a.m., 1104 01:24:11,920 --> 01:24:19,440 the committee will hear Council Bill 260195, 1105 01:24:16,719 --> 01:24:23,320 zoning accessory dwelling units. 9:00 a.m. in the council chambers. 1106 01:24:23,840 --> 01:24:33,920 On September 17th, 9:00 a.m. committee will hear council bill 260218, 1107 01:24:31,600 --> 01:24:36,880 transit oriented development, downtown Baltimore. 1108 01:24:37,040 --> 01:24:45,199 On September 17th, the committee will hear Council Bill 260219, 1109 01:24:42,960 --> 01:24:48,199 Transit Oriented Development, Rogers Avenue. 1110 01:24:48,960 --> 01:25:01,600 On September 24th at 9:00 a.m. Committee will hear in the council chambers 250093 1111 01:24:57,360 --> 01:25:06,080 zoning Harford Road Overlay District. On September 24th, 9:00 am in the 1112 01:25:04,239 --> 01:25:12,000 council chambers, the committee will hear council bill 25128, 1113 01:25:09,600 --> 01:25:15,600 zoning conditional use conversion of a single family dwelling unit to three 1114 01:25:13,760 --> 01:25:24,320 dwelling units in the R8 zoning district, 1118 North Kerry Street. 1115 01:25:20,239 --> 01:25:30,639 On September 24th at 9:00 am, committee will hear council bill 260148 1116 01:25:27,280 --> 01:25:36,639 reszoning 205 to 209 East Cold Spring Lane. 1117 01:25:33,440 --> 01:25:43,600 And on September 24th, the committee will hear council at 9:00 a.m. the 1118 01:25:39,120 --> 01:25:50,719 committee will hear 260149 reasonzoning 2441 to 2449 West Baltimore 1119 01:25:47,520 --> 01:25:55,280 Street. Thank you. Thank you. Uh, legislative 1120 01:25:52,719 --> 01:25:58,960 investigations. Chair Schlifer. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. The, uh, 1121 01:25:57,520 --> 01:26:02,639 committee on legislative investigations will hold a hearing on bill number 1122 01:26:00,400 --> 01:26:06,480 26-0193, public nuisance, illegal distribution of 1123 01:26:04,560 --> 01:26:12,719 manufacturer of cannabis or control dangerous substances on September 10th, 1124 01:26:09,040 --> 01:26:16,320 2026 at 3 p.m. Thank you. >> Thank you. Public Health and Environment 1125 01:26:15,280 --> 01:26:19,040 Chair Porter. >> Thank you. Thank you so much, Madam 1126 01:26:17,760 --> 01:26:22,719 Chair. U the public health and environment committee will hold the 1127 01:26:20,239 --> 01:26:28,920 following hearings Wednesday August 19th 2026 beginning at 10:01 resolution 1128 01:26:25,920 --> 01:26:28,920 26-0055Rformational 1129 01:26:29,280 --> 01:26:35,840 hearing sewage backups expedited reimbursement and direct assistance 1130 01:26:32,800 --> 01:26:40,719 program at the request of council member Gray on the second one will be on 1131 01:26:38,560 --> 01:26:46,800 Wednesday September 16th beginning at 10 a.m. Bill number 26-0194, 1132 01:26:44,560 --> 01:26:51,040 municipal identification cards, applications and personal information 1133 01:26:49,120 --> 01:26:57,440 requested by council member Ramos on behalf of the Baltimore City Information 1134 01:26:52,719 --> 01:27:01,600 and Technology Division and LO260049 briefing the Cis Street Task Force at 1135 01:26:59,520 --> 01:27:05,600 the request of council member Ramos in the 14th district. All hearings will be 1136 01:27:03,600 --> 01:27:10,960 held in C council chambers and open to the public. Thank you. 1137 01:27:07,120 --> 01:27:16,800 » Thank you. Public safety chair Conway. No announcements. Uh, charter review 1138 01:27:13,600 --> 01:27:22,480 special committee. No announcements. That was chair Dorsy also. We ma now 1139 01:27:20,800 --> 01:27:27,760 move to regular announcements. Does anyone have any announcements to share? 1140 01:27:25,520 --> 01:27:30,639 Um, >> Porter. 1141 01:27:29,040 --> 01:27:34,159 » Thank you so much, Madam Chair. I just want to colleagues, I just want to 1142 01:27:31,920 --> 01:27:38,320 recognize um Morgan State University Center for R research and excellence in 1143 01:27:36,000 --> 01:27:42,000 wastewaterbased epidemiology. um they developed a really really 1144 01:27:40,159 --> 01:27:47,840 innovative tool that predicts sewer spills um in the city and so they had an 1145 01:27:44,960 --> 01:27:52,159 opportunity um to share with me before um about their uh innovative tool. But 1146 01:27:50,560 --> 01:27:55,040 this is a great opportunity because Councilman Gray this is something that 1147 01:27:53,520 --> 01:27:59,920 you were working on in relation to sewage backups throughout the city. And 1148 01:27:56,880 --> 01:28:03,679 this is a innovative tool right here in the city of Baltimore that can help with 1149 01:28:01,440 --> 01:28:08,080 that predictive um technology for future sewage backups. I just wanted to um 1150 01:28:06,159 --> 01:28:12,000 share this citation with them and so they're here tonight. Just want to 1151 01:28:09,440 --> 01:28:17,880 recognize them, Dr. Zang um and her colleague. And so just wanted to 1152 01:28:13,600 --> 01:28:17,880 recognize them tonight. So 1153 01:28:21,040 --> 01:28:26,719 So I'll read the resolution. The city council of Baltimore be it hereby known 1154 01:28:24,800 --> 01:28:31,360 that all of the city council offices sincerest congratulations to Morgan 1155 01:28:28,719 --> 01:28:35,120 State University center for research excellence in wastewater based tech 1156 01:28:32,960 --> 01:28:38,560 epidemiology in recognition of your development of an innovative tool that 1157 01:28:36,719 --> 01:28:41,920 predicts sewer spills advancing public health protection environmental 1158 01:28:40,239 --> 01:28:45,360 stewardship and infrastructure resilience. The entire membership 1159 01:28:43,600 --> 01:28:49,280 extends best wishes on this memorable occasion and the rest this resolution to 1160 01:28:47,199 --> 01:28:53,840 be presented on the 13th day of July 2026. Signed, President Z Cohen and 1161 01:28:51,920 --> 01:28:58,199 Councilwoman Felicia Ray Louise Porter. Thank you. 1162 01:28:54,880 --> 01:28:58,199 » Thank you. 1163 01:29:00,000 --> 01:29:07,000 Thank you. Any other announcements? Uh, Councilman Bullock. 1164 01:29:09,520 --> 01:29:14,960 » Yes. Uh, thank you, Madam President. Um, also going to follow up from um, Council 1165 01:29:13,679 --> 01:29:18,880 Member Porter because I want to give her some flowers today. Um, one of the 1166 01:29:17,280 --> 01:29:22,880 things I'm I'm very proud of, we had a lot of conversations today around 1167 01:29:20,320 --> 01:29:27,040 grocery stores. And so um, and Mount Clair Junction and the uh, the grand 1168 01:29:25,040 --> 01:29:30,320 reopening of Super Fresh was very proud to stand along with my colleague. One of 1169 01:29:28,800 --> 01:29:34,239 the things we talk about in this council is that um, our district boundaries are 1170 01:29:32,719 --> 01:29:36,800 important, but it's more important about the neighborhoods and the communities 1171 01:29:35,360 --> 01:29:39,760 that we serve. And so we look at a neighborhood like Mount Clair that has 1172 01:29:38,320 --> 01:29:44,239 been challenged as it relates to food access and being able to work with uh uh 1173 01:29:42,480 --> 01:29:47,440 neighborhoods and work with uh private entities to make sure that our our 1174 01:29:45,840 --> 01:29:51,520 people are served is a beautiful thing. And so I think it's a good example of 1175 01:29:49,280 --> 01:29:54,639 how we can be collaborative across district boundaries but also work 1176 01:29:53,199 --> 01:29:59,199 together on these critical issues. So again, thank you council member Porter 1177 01:29:56,239 --> 01:30:03,520 for being a good colleague. >> Another Councilman Councilwoman Porter 1178 01:30:01,920 --> 01:30:06,960 » and I and thank you so much Councilman Bull. Again, I just want to clarify, 1179 01:30:05,040 --> 01:30:11,520 this is the third grocery store that has been in this location. And so, when we 1180 01:30:09,440 --> 01:30:14,880 talk about the incentives that grocery stores need to come in, this is the 1181 01:30:13,280 --> 01:30:19,679 first national retailer that's coming into District 10. And so, grocery stores 1182 01:30:17,360 --> 01:30:23,199 are extremely hard to come by. And so when you have communities that are 1183 01:30:21,440 --> 01:30:28,400 begging for grocery stores, needing grocery stores, we have as a council, we 1184 01:30:25,600 --> 01:30:33,040 have a duty to make sure that we are pulling all of the opportunities for 1185 01:30:31,440 --> 01:30:36,639 grocery stores to come into communities so that we have fresh fruits and 1186 01:30:34,480 --> 01:30:39,840 vegetables. And so this is not only a testament of the work that the community 1187 01:30:38,159 --> 01:30:44,239 is doing, but this is the testament of the rigor and the hard work it actually 1188 01:30:42,400 --> 01:30:48,000 takes to bring a grocery store in. Again, this is the third grocery store 1189 01:30:46,080 --> 01:30:52,000 in the 5 years that I've been serving. This is the first national grocery store 1190 01:30:49,920 --> 01:30:57,480 that we have in this circuit. So, thank you so much, Councilman. 1191 01:30:53,440 --> 01:30:57,480 » Thank Thank you and congratulations 1192 01:30:58,800 --> 01:31:10,639 and um Councilman Gray comment. >> Yep. I just want to acknowledge uh that 1193 01:31:07,440 --> 01:31:16,159 Local Progress uh was in Baltimore this past uh weekend um for their annual 1194 01:31:14,320 --> 01:31:19,360 convening. Uh this is their first time in Baltimore. 1195 01:31:17,440 --> 01:31:23,679 maybe in history. As far as the actual convening, um they've been here for 1196 01:31:21,040 --> 01:31:28,480 other events. Uh it was an amazing time. Uh Local Progress is a grassroot 1197 01:31:25,760 --> 01:31:34,560 organization that really helps um electeds from all across the country. Um 1198 01:31:31,520 --> 01:31:39,520 with uh with legislation, uh with support, with family, um it is uh we had 1199 01:31:37,679 --> 01:31:46,639 a lot of representation. We had the mayor give the opening address. Uh we 1200 01:31:41,520 --> 01:31:54,239 had um we had uh school board member uh Ashley Espazito on a panel along with uh 1201 01:31:50,400 --> 01:31:59,360 council president Z Cohen along with um our comproller Bill Henry. Uh we also 1202 01:31:56,960 --> 01:32:04,719 had a welcoming opening from James and I. Um, but overall I just wanted to let 1203 01:32:01,840 --> 01:32:09,280 everyone know that um, we've been saying that Baltimore is on a renaissance, but 1204 01:32:07,199 --> 01:32:13,760 after this I know that most of people will go around and tell everyone around 1205 01:32:11,120 --> 01:32:18,639 the country that Baltimore is back in a big way. Uh, from the food, from the 1206 01:32:16,000 --> 01:32:24,239 entertainment, from the hospitality, everything that they experienced was uh, 1207 01:32:21,840 --> 01:32:28,480 top tier. And so, um, I just want to give a big shout out to Baltimore, uh, 1208 01:32:26,400 --> 01:32:32,719 for us, for being us, not knowing who they were, but still giving giving them 1209 01:32:30,320 --> 01:32:39,280 the love, the food, the support, uh, the laughs, uh, and the memories, but also 1210 01:32:35,280 --> 01:32:44,560 to let people know, um, that, uh, we see what's going on the federal level. Uh, 1211 01:32:42,719 --> 01:32:50,159 hopefully, God willing, we have two more years of this, but there is a underbelly 1212 01:32:48,320 --> 01:32:55,040 of leadership that is ready, ready to explode. Last year we were in Chicago. 1213 01:32:52,480 --> 01:33:02,159 Uh Councilwoman Border and Councilman uh Torrance Ethan was there as well. Uh and 1214 01:32:58,400 --> 01:33:08,400 in that room I spoke to um a council woman at the time, Janice George, who is 1215 01:33:04,560 --> 01:33:12,400 now the mayor of DC. And so to hear her say at that moment that she was looking 1216 01:33:10,080 --> 01:33:18,320 to run for mayor, and to see where she is now, um progressive politics aren't 1217 01:33:15,600 --> 01:33:22,320 dead, they are here to stay. Um, and I'm just thankful for for programs like 1218 01:33:20,480 --> 01:33:26,960 this, uh, and for grassroot organizations like this that continue to 1219 01:33:24,560 --> 01:33:30,320 feed the next generation of leaders that will actually show up and do what 1220 01:33:29,040 --> 01:33:34,080 they're supposed to do for communities, whether it's Mandomney, whether it's 1221 01:33:31,679 --> 01:33:37,040 George, whether it's Scott. Um, a lot of these folks have come through these 1222 01:33:35,360 --> 01:33:42,480 organizations to make the changes that we need in cities, uh, in counties, 1223 01:33:40,000 --> 01:33:45,280 whether it's rural or urban. Um, a change is coming and I just know they 1224 01:33:44,159 --> 01:33:49,120 had a great time. So, I just want to thank Baltimore and everyone else who 1225 01:33:46,880 --> 01:33:57,080 participated. >> Thank you. Anyone else before I speak 1226 01:33:52,480 --> 01:33:57,080 and Councilman Conway? 1227 01:33:57,120 --> 01:34:04,080 » Thank you, Madam Vice President. I'll be very brief. Um, my colleague pulled the 1228 01:34:01,920 --> 01:34:06,960 hood before I could announce this. U, but, uh, the fourth district will be 1229 01:34:05,520 --> 01:34:09,920 getting a new grocery store as we alluded to earlier. Trader Joe's will be 1230 01:34:08,480 --> 01:34:16,480 coming to the Anelise shopping center off of York Road. Um, since I came in 1231 01:34:13,199 --> 01:34:19,679 office uh in 2020, December, this was one of the highest 1232 01:34:18,159 --> 01:34:24,639 priorities for myself to get an additional grocery store for the fourth 1233 01:34:21,520 --> 01:34:28,639 district. Um, now I I'm I'm incredibly happy about the Trader Joe's coming in. 1234 01:34:26,719 --> 01:34:33,120 Uh, we still have a food desert on the east side of um of York Road that we 1235 01:34:31,440 --> 01:34:36,639 need to address. And so, this is uh this will continue to be an issue that we 1236 01:34:34,639 --> 01:34:40,000 need to resolve. And I agree with my colleagues, we should be doing 1237 01:34:38,159 --> 01:34:43,280 everything at our liberty to make sure that we meet the food needs for the 1238 01:34:41,440 --> 01:34:46,480 folks in our districts. Um, but we should also celebrate those ones when we 1239 01:34:44,719 --> 01:34:50,320 get them. And I hope that every one of my council members here who has a food 1240 01:34:48,080 --> 01:34:55,199 desert in their district um is has the liberty and and um the the joy that I 1241 01:34:53,120 --> 01:34:59,920 have in being able to bring a um grocery store to the district. So um just want 1242 01:34:57,040 --> 01:35:02,560 to, you know, uh lift up that win and uh hopefully we can continue to do great 1243 01:35:01,199 --> 01:35:09,600 work. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then Councilman Torrance, 1244 01:35:07,840 --> 01:35:13,920 » be very brief. I just want to do a shout out to Visit Baltimore who's helped us 1245 01:35:11,440 --> 01:35:19,520 with getting these um conventions. Um just to give you the lens of it, this 1246 01:35:16,639 --> 01:35:25,120 summer we're getting Jack and Jill, the Capitals have come, Delta Sigma Theta is 1247 01:35:22,000 --> 01:35:27,760 coming, and there are other um large entities that are coming here that are 1248 01:35:26,560 --> 01:35:32,719 bringing thousands of people to Baltimore. And that team has I've seen 1249 01:35:30,880 --> 01:35:37,840 what their new pitch stack looks like. It is drastically improved how we're 1250 01:35:35,600 --> 01:35:43,360 attracting people. But I also want to shout out to um the community this 1251 01:35:40,239 --> 01:35:49,600 weekend who came out with us. We built a um playground within six hours. 1252 01:35:46,880 --> 01:35:52,320 Six hours with 90 volunteers from both the Ashburg community and the greater 1253 01:35:50,960 --> 01:35:56,560 Montgomery community as well as the brothers of cap alphasai. So six hours 1254 01:35:54,159 --> 01:36:03,280 be playground alphas. Six hours. >> Thank you so much. So, um I don't know 1255 01:35:59,679 --> 01:36:10,480 if you So, my I have two things. Um a shout out to um Baltimore KOJIC for 1256 01:36:07,040 --> 01:36:15,440 helping to bring the Kod KIC uh faith-based congregation for their 1257 01:36:12,400 --> 01:36:21,760 convention here. It was here at the con uh civic center, I mean convention 1258 01:36:17,760 --> 01:36:29,280 center. over 10,000 people came and filled the hotels, restaurants, just 1259 01:36:25,760 --> 01:36:36,400 poured revenue into our city and really had a wonderful time. The second piece 1260 01:36:34,000 --> 01:36:42,960 is that you notice these wonderful dangling earrings that I I have been 1261 01:36:39,840 --> 01:36:49,520 wearing that um I'm just so proud. I've been getting compliments. I made these. 1262 01:36:46,320 --> 01:36:49,520 So on 1263 01:36:49,679 --> 01:36:59,119 So, um, I'm a member of the Baltimore City Links. A shout out to the Lynx. We 1264 01:36:55,760 --> 01:37:09,520 had a friendship day at the Walters Art Gallery on Thursday and did a tour of um 1265 01:37:05,360 --> 01:37:16,880 uh the Dorian uh Fletcher's um she's a artist that makes jewelry and 1266 01:37:12,800 --> 01:37:22,560 she made jewelry for uh the movie um Wakanda. So, they have right now an 1267 01:37:20,239 --> 01:37:29,199 exhibit that's been going on for a while, but um you know, we have so much 1268 01:37:25,840 --> 01:37:35,280 art and culture and history here. And so, we did the tour and then they do 1269 01:37:32,159 --> 01:37:40,400 have sessions. And this is something I'm saying because families and children can 1270 01:37:38,000 --> 01:37:49,440 can go to this museum. A reminder, the Walters Art Museum is free admission. 1271 01:37:44,719 --> 01:37:55,920 It's um the funding is given from uh the council, Baltimore City, um Howard 1272 01:37:53,119 --> 01:38:06,040 County and also B our neighbors Baltimore County contribute to keep the 1273 01:38:00,320 --> 01:38:06,040 admission free and they have activities. 1274 01:38:07,600 --> 01:38:19,920 You can book a group to do tours. They have a um brooch making session coming 1275 01:38:15,119 --> 01:38:25,280 up. But we after I did we did that um jewelry tour. Of course you have that 1276 01:38:22,719 --> 01:38:30,480 inspiration. So they we were sitting down as a group and they provide all the 1277 01:38:27,440 --> 01:38:35,360 things and you design you know your own jewelry. And of course all of it is 1278 01:38:32,639 --> 01:38:41,520 free. So, if families are looking for something to do, this is um a nice 1279 01:38:38,080 --> 01:38:47,760 museum to uh take your family with or just go in there one day yourself and do 1280 01:38:44,320 --> 01:38:54,239 the tour. They they have um just some great exhibits going on there. And 1281 01:38:51,520 --> 01:39:00,400 lastly, for a moment of silence, I have four names. We lost a DPW worker, 1282 01:38:58,080 --> 01:39:07,280 Courtney Brown. um also a former employee 1283 01:39:04,639 --> 01:39:16,080 from uh the Schaefer administration. Her name was Jacqueline Hardy. 1284 01:39:10,080 --> 01:39:22,800 And we also um lost uh Willie May Lowry, which was the grandmother of um 1285 01:39:19,520 --> 01:39:30,960 Ty and Greg Miller, my chief of staff, Ty, and um a prominent doctor in the 1286 01:39:28,080 --> 01:39:35,679 community. Her name was Marsher Brown Matthews. So, a moment of silence for 1287 01:39:33,840 --> 01:39:38,639 them. And 1288 01:39:37,280 --> 01:39:45,600 the next regular meeting of the Baltimore City Council will be held on 1289 01:39:40,560 --> 01:39:51,199 Monday, September 14th at 5:00 p.m. There being no further business, this 1290 01:39:48,080 --> 01:39:56,679 concludes the 33rd regular meeting of the 74th term of the Baltimore City 1291 01:39:53,679 --> 01:39:56,679 Council.