COUNTY COUNCIL OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND Minutes of Legislative Session 2026, Legislative Day No. 1 January 5, 2026 – 7:00 P.M. The County Council meeting was called to order by Chair Hummer at 7:05 P.M. It was opened with the Invocation given by Ms. Rodvien, and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held in the County Council Chambers in Annapolis, Maryland. There were approximately 45 persons in the audience. The following members of the County Council were present: Pete Smith First District Allison Pickard Second District Nathan Volke Third District Julie K. Hummer Fourth District Amanda Fiedler Fifth District Lisa Rodvien Sixth District Shannon Leadbetter Seventh District Meredith Beach, Legislative Counsel, was present. The County Auditor’s Office was represented by Louis Duncan, Executive Manager. ETHICS STATEMENT Kaley Schultze, Administrative Officer, read aloud the Ethics Statement. INVITATION TO AUDIENCE The Chair opened Invitation to Audience. The Administrative Officer stated there were two submissions for Invitation to Audience of written testimony received through the online testimony tool, which were shared with the Council and posted on the County Council website. The following persons spoke at Invitation to Audience: Kyle Nembhard, Glen Burnie Stephanie Kimball, Attorney, on behalf of Linda Scheffy Royster and Steven Scheffy Matt Minahan, Edgewater, on behalf of GAN Michael Brown, Glen Burnie There was no one else present who wished to speak, and the Invitation to Audience was closed. PRELIMINARY MOTION On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Pickard, the Council voted that the partial reading of any bill, resolution, minutes, or amendment constitutes the reading of the whole. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion of Ms. Pickard, seconded by Mr. Smith, the minutes for December 15, 2025, Legislative Day No. 23, were approved. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS BILL NO. 1-26 – AN ORDINANCE concerning: General Development Plan – Region 6 Plan – FOR the purpose of adopting the “Anne Arundel County Region 6 Plan”, as amended by this Ordinance, the region plan for Region Planning Area No. 6, covering Crownsville and parts of Millersville, which includes visions, themes, goals, policies, planned land use maps, and implementation strategies for Region 6; amending “Plan2040”, the County’s General Development Plan, by the “Anne Arundel County Region 6 Plan”, as amended by this Ordinance; and generally relating to the “Anne Arundel County Region 6 Plan”. Introduced by Ms. Hummer, Chair (by request of the County Executive) BILL NO. 2-26 – AN ORDINANCE concerning: Comprehensive Zoning – Region 6 – FOR the purpose of repealing certain comprehensive zoning maps for Region Planning Area No. 6; adopting the Anne Arundel County Digital Zoning Layer for Region Planning Area No. 6, covering Crownsville and parts of Millersville; and generally relating to comprehensive zoning. Introduced by Ms. Hummer, Chair (by request of the County Executive) BILL NO. 3-26 – AN ORDINANCE concerning: General Development Plan – Region 8 Plan – FOR the purpose of adopting the “Anne Arundel County Region 8 Plan”, as amended by this Ordinance, the region plan for Region Planning Area No. 8, covering Davidsonville, Harwood, Lothian, Owensville, Owings, Waysons Corner, and parts of Friendship and Edgewater, which includes visions, themes, goals, policies, planned land use maps, and implementation strategies for Region 8; amending “Plan2040”, the County’s General Development Plan, by the “Anne Arundel County Region 8 Plan”, as amended by this Ordinance; and generally relating to the “Anne Arundel County Region 8 Plan”. Introduced by Ms. Hummer, Chair (by request of the County Executive) BILL NO. 4-26 – AN ORDINANCE concerning: Comprehensive Zoning – Region 8 – FOR the purpose of repealing certain comprehensive zoning maps for Region Planning Area No. 8; adopting the Anne Arundel County Digital Zoning Layer for Region Planning Area No. 8, covering Davidsonville, Harwood, Lothian, Owensville, Owings, Waysons Corner, and parts of Friendship and Edgewater; and generally relating to comprehensive zoning. Introduced by Ms. Hummer, Chair (by request of the County Executive) BILL NO. 5-26 – AN ORDINANCE concerning: Zoning – Moderately Priced Dwelling Units – Density Bonus – Moratorium – FOR the purpose of establishing a temporary moratorium on the requirement for Moderately Priced Dwelling Units and density bonuses for any new development within a certain area; and generally relating to zoning. Introduced by Ms. Fiedler BILL NO. 6-26 – AN ORDINANCE concerning: Zoning – Industrial Districts – Indoor Rifle, Pistol, Skeet, and Archery Ranges – FOR the purpose of allowing an indoor rifle, pistol, skeet, or archery range as a special exception use in W1, W2, and W3 industrial districts; and generally relating to zoning. Introduced by Mr. Volke PUBLIC HEARINGS AND CALL OF BILLS FOR FINAL READING AND/OR VOTE BILL NO. 91-25 (As Amended) The Chair called for Bill No. 91-25, as amended, An Ordinance concerning: Finance, Taxation, and Budget – Real Property Taxes – Clean Energy Loan Program – For the purpose of adding a definition for “environmental remediation project” and “resiliency project”; allowing the Clean Energy Loan Program to be used for refinancing of loans; allowing the Clean Energy Loan Program to be used for water efficiency projects, environmental remediation projects, and resiliency projects; increasing the maximum loan amount to $50,000 setting loan minimums for residential and commercial properties; allowing the Clean Energy Loan Program to be used on any type of property; expanding the qualifying costs and qualifying projects for the Clean Energy Loan Program; and generally related to finance, taxation, and budget; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Ms. Rodvien explained the background and purpose of the bill. Ethan Hunt, Director of Government Relations, was accompanied by Brian Schenck, Financial Services Manager, Kristina Alexander, Director of Operations, Resilience Authority, and Kelly Kenney, Supervising County Attorney. The Administration supports. The Chair called for the public hearing on Bill No. 91-25, as amended. The Administrative Officer stated there was one submission for Bill No. 91-25, as amended, of written testimony received through the online testimony tool, which was shared with the Council and posted on the County Council website. There was no one present who wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. The Chair called for Bill No. 91-25, as amended, An Ordinance concerning: Finance, Taxation, and Budget – Real Property Taxes – Clean Energy Loan Program; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Mr. Volke asked a clarifying question about the Fiscal Note. Mr. Schenck answered. Ms. Fiedler asked about the tax credit positions. Mr. Schenck responded. There was further discussion of the bill. Bill No. 91-25, as amended, was passed by the following roll call: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Ms. Fiedler, Ms. Hummer Nay – Mr. Volke BILL NO. 92-25 (As Amended) The Chair called for Bill No. 92-25, as amended, An Ordinance concerning: Subdivision and Development – Zoning – Cottage Home Development – For the purpose of establishing development requirements for cottage home developments; providing for the site and density requirement for cottage home developments; providing for the infrastructure and amenity requirements for cottage home communities; defining “dwelling unit, cottage home”; providing for parking requirements for cottage home developments; permitting cottage home developments in certain residential districts; and generally relating to subdivision and development and zoning; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Mr. Smith explained the background and purpose of the bill. Ethan Hunt, Director of Government Relations, was accompanied by Lynn Miller, Assistant Planning and Zoning Officer, Erin Karpewicz, CEO, ACDS, Chris Murphy, Engineer Administrator, DPW, Andrew McCarra, Assistant Director Plan Review and Inspections, and Kelly Kenney, Supervising County Attorney. The Administration supports. Mr. Volke asked for information on the timeline and demand for building the developments. Mr. Smith answered. Mr. Volke asked clarifying questions about the developments. Ms. Kenney responded. There was further discussion of the bill. The Chair called for the public hearing on Bill No. 92-25, as amended. The Administrative Officer stated there was one submission for Bill No. 92-25, as amended, of written testimony received through the online testimony tool, which was shared with the Council and posted on the County Council website. The following persons spoke on Bill No. 92-25, as amended: Amy Root, Odenton Michael Brown, Glen Burnie There was no one else present who wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. The Chair called for Bill No. 92-25, as amended, An Ordinance concerning: Subdivision and Development – Zoning – Cottage Home Development; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Amendment No. 2 The Administrative Officer read a brief summary of the amendment: This amendment changes the density permitted in certain zones for cottage home developments and requires access to a principal arterial road for cottage home developments in R1 and R2. Ms. Fiedler explained the amendment. The Administration is comfortable with the amendment. Ms. Pickard shared her thoughts on the amendment. Ms. Fiedler spoke on the amendment. On motion of Ms. Fiedler, seconded by Mr. Smith, Amendment No. 2 was adopted by the following roll call vote: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler, Ms. Hummer Nay – None The Chair stated that Bill No. 92-25, as amended, will be heard at the next Council Meeting on January 20, 2026. BILL NO. 93-25 (As Amended) The Chair called for Bill No. 93-25, as amended, An Ordinance concerning: Zoning – Uses – Dog Day Care and Training Facilities – For the purpose of permitting dog day care and dog training facilities in certain residential districts; permitting dog day care and dog training facilities in commercial districts; permitting dog day care and dog training facilities in certain industrial districts; permitting dog day care and dog training facilities in small business districts; and generally relating to zoning; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Ms. Fiedler explained the background and purpose of the bill. Ethan Hunt, Director of Government Relations, was accompanied by Lynn Miller, Assistant Planning and Zoning Officer, and Kelly Kenney, Supervising County Attorney. The Administration supports. The Chair called for the public hearing on Bill No. 93-25, as amended. The Administrative Officer stated there were two submissions for Bill No. 93-25, as amended, of written testimony received through the online testimony tool, which were shared with the Council and posted on the County Council website. The following persons spoke on Bill No. 93-25, as amended: Samantha Miyamoto, Annapolis, Leash Free Living Phil Hager, Annapolis There was no one else present who wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. The Chair called for Bill No. 93-25, as amended, An Ordinance concerning: Zoning – Uses – Dog Day Care and Training Facilities; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Mr. Volke asked how the facilities will be affected by this bill. Ms. Fiedler answered. Bill No. 93-25, as amended, was passed by the following roll call: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler, Ms. Hummer Nay – None BILL NO. 94-25 The Chair called for Bill No. 94-25, An Ordinance concerning: Public Works – Utilities – Right of Entry – Infrastructure Maintenance Fee – For the purpose of allowing employees of the Department of Public Works and contractors on behalf of the Department entry onto private land in certain situations and to replace water service lines as required by State or federal law; prohibiting persons from hindering, obstructing or refusing right-of-entry to said employees and contractors; changing the name of the “environmental protection fee” to the “infrastructure maintenance fee”; adding compliance with State or federal laws as an authorized use of the infrastructure maintenance fee; and generally relating to public works; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Ethan Hunt, Director of Government Relations, was accompanied by Erin Dey, Assistant Director, DPW, Chris Murphy, Engineer Administrator, DPW, and Kelly Kenney, Supervising County Attorney. Mr. Hunt explained the background and purpose of the bill. Mr. Volke asked clarifying questions. Ms. Dey answered. There was further discussion on the bill. The Chair called for the public hearing on Bill No. 94-25. The Administrative Officer stated there were no submissions of public testimony received ahead of time for Bill No. 94-25. The following persons spoke on Bill No. 94-25: Michael Brown, Glen Burnie Matt Minahan, Edgewater There was no one else present who wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. The Chair called for Bill No. 94-25, An Ordinance concerning: Public Works – Utilities – Right of Entry – Infrastructure Maintenance Fee; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Ms. Fiedler expressed her concern for the bill. Ms. Rodvien spoke on the bill. There was further discussion on the bill. Bill No. 94-25 was passed by the following roll call: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Ms. Hummer Nay – Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler BILL NO. 95-25 The Chair called for Bill No. 95-25, An Ordinance concerning: Payment in Lieu of Taxes – Little Patuxent Family, Gambrills, Maryland – For the purpose of approving exemptions from County real property taxes for a certain property located in Gambrills, Maryland; authorizing the County Executive to enter into a certain agreement for payment of a negotiated amount in lieu of County real property taxes for a certain property located in Gambrills, Maryland; and providing for the time and terms under which the tax exemptions will take effect; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Ethan Hunt, Director of Government Relations, was accompanied by Honora Sutor, Chief Affordable Housing Officer, ACDS, Brian Schenck, Financial Services Manager, Finance Department, and Kelly Kenney, Supervising County Attorney. Mr. Hunt explained the background and purpose of the bill. The Chair called for the public hearing on Bill No. 95-25. The Administrative Officer stated there were no submissions of public testimony received ahead of time for Bill No. 95-25. There was no one present who wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. The Chair called for Bill No. 95-25, An Ordinance concerning: Payment in Lieu of Taxes – Little Patuxent Family, Gambrills, Maryland; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Bill No. 95-25 was passed by the following roll call: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Ms. Hummer Nay – Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler BILL NO. 96-25 The Chair called for Bill No. 96-25, An Ordinance concerning: Finance, Taxation, and Budget – Real Property Taxes – Tax Credits – Public Safety Officer Property Tax Credit – For the purpose of expanding the duration of the property tax credit to Public Safety Officers; and generally relating to finance, taxation, and budget; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Mr. Smith explained the background and purpose of the bill. Ms. Leadbetter spoke on the bill. Ethan Hunt, Director of Government Relations, was accompanied by Brian Schenck, Financial Services Manager, Finance Department, Chris Trumbauer, Budget Officer, and Kelly Kenney, Supervising County Attorney. The Administration is comfortable with the bill. Mr. Volke shared his support of the bill. Ms. Pickard spoke on the bill. There was further discussion on the bill. The Chair called for the public hearing on Bill No. 96-25. The Administrative Officer stated there was one submission for Bill No. 96-25 of written testimony received through the online testimony tool, which was shared with the Council and posted on the County Council website. The following persons spoke on Bill No. 96-25: Jay McCleave, Annapolis, Fraternal Order of Police Mike Shier, Fraternal Order of Police There was no one else present who wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. The Chair called for Bill No. 96-25, An Ordinance concerning: Finance, Taxation, and Budget – Real Property Taxes – Tax Credits – Public Safety Officer Property Tax Credit; and the Administrative Officer read a portion of the title. Ms. Fiedler thanked the public safety officers who came to the meeting and explained her support of the bill. Bill No. 96-25 was passed by the following roll call: Aye – Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler, Ms. Hummer Nay – Ms. Rodvien PUBLIC HEARINGS AND CALL OF RESOLUTIONS FOR FINAL READING AND/OR VOTE RESOLUTION NO. 33-25 The Chair called for Resolution No. 33-25, A Resolution approving the determination as surplus and the terms of a private disposition of certain County-owned property on Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie, Maryland; and the Administrative Officer read the title. Ethan Hunt, Director of Government Relations, was accompanied by Chris Daniels, Real Estate Manager, Marni Watson, Program Specialist, Central Services/Real Estate, and Christine Neiderer, Senior Assistant County Attorney. Mr. Hunt explained the resolution. Ms. Fiedler asked about taxes paid over the years. Ms. Watson answered. Mr. Volke clarified the amount to be reimbursed. Ms. Watson responded. The Chair stated the public hearing was closed for Resolution No. 33-25. Mr. Volke explained his position on the resolution. Resolution No. 33-25 was adopted by the following roll call: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Ms. Hummer Nay – Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler RESOLUTION NO. 34-25 The Chair called for Resolution No. 34-25, A Resolution approving the use of funds from Advance Land Acquisition Capital Project for the purchase of real properties in Edgewater, Maryland, from Glebe Bay, LLP and Ardebella Fox, and in Harmans, Maryland, from Craig A. Mercier; and the Administrative Officer read the title. Ethan Hunt, Director of Government Relations, was accompanied by Chris Daniels, Real Estate Manager, Kyle Ruef, Executive Director of Facilities, BOE, Erik Michelsen, DPW, Chris Trumbauer, Budget Officer, and Christine Neiderer, Senior Assistant County Attorney. Mr. Hunt explained the resolution. Mr. Volke thanked the staff for their work and asked how the Administration dealt with soil contamination. Mr. Michelsen answered. Mr. Volke asked clarifying questions Mr. Michelsen responded. There was further discussion on the resolution. The Chair stated the public hearing was closed for Resolution No. 34-25. Mr. Volke asked to have an amendment created to remove the Harmans, Maryland property from the resolution. Ms. Pickard asked a clarifying question about the timeline for the votes. Ms. Hummer answered. Ms. Fiedler shared her request to have properties presented in separate resolutions in the future. Mr. Trumbauer responded. Amendment No. 1 The Administrative Officer read a brief summary of the amendment: This amendment removes the Harmans, Maryland property from the acquisition. On motion of Mr. Volke, seconded by Ms. Fiedler, Amendment No. 1 was defeated by the following roll call vote: Aye – Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler Nay – Ms. Rodvien, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Ms. Hummer Resolution No. 34-25 was adopted by the following roll call: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Ms. Hummer Nay – Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler RESOLUTION NO. 37-25 The Chair called for Resolution No. 37-25, A Resolution amending portions of Title 2 of the Rules of Procedure of the County Council; and the Administrative Officer read the title. Ms. Hummer explained the resolution. The Chair called for the public hearing on Resolution No. 37-25. The Administrative Officer stated there were no submissions of public testimony received ahead of time for Resolution No. 37-25. There was no one present who wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. The Chair called for Resolution No. 37-25, A Resolution amending portions of Title 2 of the Rules of Procedure of the County Council; and the Administrative Officer read the title. Resolution No. 37-25 was adopted by the following roll call: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler, Ms. Hummer Nay – None MOTION TO HOLD CLOSED SESSION On motion by Ms. Rodvien, seconded by Mr. Smith, the motion to hold a closed session to discuss a personnel matter was adopted by the following roll call vote: Aye – Ms. Rodvien, Ms. Leadbetter, Mr. Smith, Ms. Pickard, Mr. Volke, Ms. Fiedler, Ms. Hummer Nay – None ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Leadbetter, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 P.M. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Anna Macaulay By Anna Macaulay /s/ Kaley Schultze For Kaley Schultze Administrative Officer