City Council Meeting

Carrying signs declaring "Graziano must go," about 20 leaders of city public housing residents stormed into the City Council meeting last night demanding that its members hear their complaints about Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano. The residents' protest temporarily stopped proceedings as council members scrambled to quiet them, and council President Sheila Dixon thumped her gavel, ordering them to leave. Two security guards were called to usher them to a room outside the council chambers.

Annapolis officials plan to introduce a resolution at Monday night's city council meeting that would require council approval for special events at City Dock, following complaints from downtown business owners. Annapolis Mayor Joshua J. Cohen, Aldermen Richard E. Israel and Ross H. Arnett III, all Democrats, have sponsored the resolution. The issue came up last summer when a group of downtown business owners criticized the city for not better policing the festivals that take place in the city's historic district.

"It (Baltimore) is still one of the most dangerous cities in America. We've got a long way to go, and we're not going to get there for a couple of years." - Police Commissioner Edward T. Norris at a City Council meeting May 15

Mayor Craig Moe will recognize those individually owned or family owned businesses that have operated in Laurel for more than 20 years at the Jan. 23 City Council meeting. In a statement, Moe said "locally owned and operated businesses … are integral to the creation and maintenance of Laurel's sense of community," and that city records indicate some of these businesses have been operating for more than 50 years, and several have been in business for 75 years. Moe intends the recognition to be a continuing program as other businesses achieve the 20-year milestone.

Mayor Craig Moe will recognize those individually owned or family owned businesses that have operated in Laurel for more than 20 years at the Jan. 23 City Council meeting. In a statement, Moe said "locally owned and operated businesses … are integral to the creation and maintenance of Laurel's sense of community," and that city records indicate some of these businesses have been operating for more than 50 years, and several have been in business for 75 years. Moe intends the recognition to be a continuing program as other businesses achieve the 20-year milestone.

I've learned the identity of the dedicated public servant who tried to stop a Baltimore Sun reporter from filming the Kiefaber Kerfuffle that erupted at a City Council meeting Monday night. It was Marguerite Murray, a legislative policy analyst with the city's Office of Council Services, who held a piece of paper and a binder in front of reporter Erica Green's cell phone camera.  Does obstructing a reporter's view of a public meeting, even a public meeting being disrupted by an agitated ex-theater owner , constitute "council services"?

Employees of the city of Annapolis called to active military duty would receive a supplementary salary and continued benefits under a measure to be introduced at today's city council meeting. The legislation, sponsored by Mayor Dean L. Johnson, would prevent about 16 city employees who are members of the military reserves or National Guard from losing income and benefits if they are called to active duty as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. "We are trying to support our armed service, our country and our employees," said Kimla T. Milburn, the city's human resources director.

WESTMINSTER - Members of the city's FallFest Committee presented checks to each of the benefiting charities from this year's event at Monday night's City Council meeting.Representatives from the Boy Scouts, Junction and Family and Children's Services were all present to receive their $3,500 checks.Carol Donovan, head of the city's recreation department, said the festival raised $14,900 this year. Of the remaining money, $400 was donated to Carroll County Food Sunday, $2,000 will be used to upgrade electricity and $2,000 was kept to begin planning for next year.

Mayor Ellen O. Moyer's budget proposal for Annapolis' Capital Improvement Program estimates that more than $230 million will be spent in the next six years on city developments. The proposal, introduced Monday at the city council meeting, includes increases of more than $10 million since last year. It has a renewed emphasis on building and road construction. This year, Eastport Fire Station will receive more than $6 million for improvements, and City Hall will obtain $1 million for restoration.

Annapolis officials plan to introduce a resolution at Monday night's city council meeting that would require council approval for special events at City Dock, following complaints from downtown business owners. Annapolis Mayor Joshua J. Cohen, Aldermen Richard E. Israel and Ross H. Arnett III, all Democrats, have sponsored the resolution. The issue came up last summer when a group of downtown business owners criticized the city for not better policing the festivals that take place in the city's historic district.

I've learned the identity of the dedicated public servant who tried to stop a Baltimore Sun reporter from filming the Kiefaber Kerfuffle that erupted at a City Council meeting Monday night. It was Marguerite Murray, a legislative policy analyst with the city's Office of Council Services, who held a piece of paper and a binder in front of reporter Erica Green's cell phone camera.  Does obstructing a reporter's view of a public meeting, even a public meeting being disrupted by an agitated ex-theater owner , constitute "council services"?

Former Senator Theatre owner Tom Kiefaber disrupted a City Council meeting Monday night, bounding up to the dais as the council was about to take a final vote to designate the interior of the theater a historic landmark. "Right when it [the bill] came up ... he rushed the dais," Councilman Bobby Curran said. "He called it a banana republic. '[Abell Foundation President] Bob Embry controls the City Council.'" City Council President Jack Young cut off the microphone Kiefaber had commandeered and called a recess.

The Baltimore City Council has rescheduled its next meeting from Dec. 3 to Dec. 10 in order to comply with the city's charter. The charter states that the council must "meet annually on the next Thursday after the first Monday in December." The meeting will be held at 5 p.m.

The city of Annapolis is "on solid financial footing," but a half-million-dollar decrease in next year's operating budget will require the city to do more with less, Mayor Ellen O. Moyer said in her annual State of the City address. In the speech, delivered at Monday's city council meeting, Moyer also discussed the city's support for its businesses, emphasis on public information, volunteers, environmental efforts, grants and transportation. "This administration has been financially prudent, while at the same time moving forward to meet the public needs of a new century," Moyer said.

Mayor Ellen O. Moyer's budget proposal for Annapolis' Capital Improvement Program estimates that more than $230 million will be spent in the next six years on city developments. The proposal, introduced Monday at the city council meeting, includes increases of more than $10 million since last year. It has a renewed emphasis on building and road construction. This year, Eastport Fire Station will receive more than $6 million for improvements, and City Hall will obtain $1 million for restoration.

After weeks of exploring the sale of Ripken Stadium, the mayor of Aberdeen said he believes a restructuring of the original agreements between the city and Cal Ripken Jr. may be the more likely remedy to stem the city's losses. Separately, a developer who owns land adjacent to the stadium has contacted the city about its plans for the parcel -- ones that include a discount retailer and appear inconsistent with the city's original specifications for the project. Expected to pump tax revenue into the city's coffers and offset the stadium's losses, the project's delay has been blamed for Aberdeen's financial woes.

Last night's Baltimore City Council meeting was punctuated by an angry outburst from the president of a group that's pushing for a publicly owned, non-profit insurance cooperative for city drivers.Police were called to restore order and A. Robert Kaufman, president of the City Wide Insurance Coalition, was ejected from the meeting.The incident occurred as a beaming Councilman Melvin A. Stukes, D-6th, explained how he and other council members had devised a way for donors to make tax-deductible contributions to raise $60,000 needed for a study of the alternative insurance company for city drivers.

A top Baltimore police official yesterday disputed accusations made by a city councilman that officers are being forced to make more arrests as part of a department-wide arrest quota system. "The department does not operate under an arrest quota system," Deputy Commissioner Marcus Brown wrote in a letter to City Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr. "It operates under a crime reduction system." Harris sent a memo late last month to Brown, alleging that officers have complained to him that they "are being forced to increase arrests versus focusing on the quality of arrest."

A top Baltimore police official yesterday disputed accusations made by a city councilman that officers are being forced to make more arrests as part of a department-wide arrest quota system. "The department does not operate under an arrest quota system," Deputy Commissioner Marcus Brown wrote in a letter to City Councilman Kenneth N. Harris Sr. "It operates under a crime reduction system." Harris sent a memo late last month to Brown, alleging that officers have complained to him that they "are being forced to increase arrests versus focusing on the quality of arrest."

About 80 protesters - some wearing surgical masks and waving rubber rats - gathered outside the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse yesterday to protest foul odors, rodent infestation and other problems in the buildings housing the city Circuit Court. Employees and union leaders, flanked by City Councilwoman Belinda Conaway and Del. Ruth M. Kirk, a Baltimore Democrat, demanded a new courthouse be built to replace the Mitchell courthouse and nearby Courthouse East. They complain that the buildings have caused skin rashes; eye, ear and sinus infections; asthma - even cancer.