Baltimore City Council - Regular Meeting

Invocation

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Approval of the Journal

April 6, 2026

Department of Housing and Community Development – Disposition of Property – Exemption for Property Less Than $25,000

FOR the purpose of exempting dispositions by the Department of Housing and Community Development of property valued at less than $25,000 from requiring approval of the Board of Estimates; and requiring a monthly report by the Department of Housing and Community Development of all dispositions of property worth less than $25,000.

Zoning – Conditional Use – Health Equity Assessment – Data Centers

FOR the purpose of establishing data centers as a conditional use by ordinance; establishing the Health Equity Assessment as an additional requirement for certain conditional uses; requiring a Health Equity Assessment for a data center conditional use; and defining certain terms.

Street Names – Authority to Change Suffix

FOR the purpose of granting to the City Council the authority to change the suffix of a street name.

Zoning – Conditional Use Conversion of a Single-Family Dwelling Unit to 2 Dwelling Units in the R-8 Zoning District – Variance – 812 N Carey Street

FOR the purpose of permitting, subject to certain conditions, the conversion of a single-family dwelling unit to 2 dwelling units in the R-8 Zoning District on the property known as 812 N Carey Street (Block 0089, Lot 057), as outlined in red on the accompanying plat; granting a variance regarding certain bulk regulations (lot size area); and providing for a special effective date.

Rezoning – 901 S Caton Avenue

FOR the purpose of changing the zoning for the property known as 901 S Caton Avenue (Block 2108C, Lot 001), as outlined in red on the accompanying plat, from the OR-2 Zoning District to the C-2 Zoning District; and providing for a special effective date.

Baltimore Harbor – Transfer of Authority to Department of Transportation

FOR the purpose of repealing obsolete provisions of Subtitle 5 {“Harbor”} of the Public Local Laws of Baltimore City and Article 10 {“Harbors, Docks, and Wharves”} of the Baltimore City Code regarding Baltimore Harbor; transferring the authority to regulate Baltimore Harbor from the Department of Housing and Community Development to the Department of Transportation; establishing the Office of the Harbormaster and all attendant authorities and duties under the Department of Transportation; and otherwise relating to the use and management of Baltimore Harbor

Bond Issue – Affordable Housing Loan – $22,000,000

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore (pursuant to General Assembly House Resolution I and Senate Resolution I of 2026 approved by the members of the Maryland General Assembly representing Baltimore City) to create a debt, and to issue and sell, at any time or from time to time and in one or more series its certificates of indebtedness as evidence thereof, and proceeds not exceeding TWENTY TWO Million ($22,000,000.00) from the sale of such certificates of indebtedness to be used for or in connection with planning, developing, executing, and making operative the Affordable Housing program of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, including, but not limited to, the acquisition, by purchase, lease, condemnation or any other legal means, of land or property, or any right, interest, franchise, easement or privilege therein, in the City of Baltimore; the payment of any and all costs and expenses incurred in connection with or incidental to the acquisition and management of said land or property, including any and all rights of interest therein hereinbefore mentioned; the payment of any and all costs and expenses incurred for or in connection with relocating and moving persons or other legal entities displaced by the acquisition of said land or property, or any of the rights or interest therein hereinbefore mentioned, in the City of Baltimore; the development or redevelopment, including, but not limited to, the comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation of, any land or property, or any rights or interests therein hereinbefore mentioned, in the City of Baltimore, and the disposition of land and property for such purposes; costs related to the rehabilitation and new construction of and operation of rental and homeownership developments, such costs to include but not be limited to relocation assistance, rental payment and home purchase assistance, housing counseling and project financing comprised of loans (including forgivable or fully amortizing) or grants or other related activities and buyer education assistance, and activities to support the orderly and sustainable planning, preservation, rehabilitation, and development of economically diverse housing in City neighborhoods; support for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; the elimination of unhealthful, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, lessening density, eliminating obsolete or other uses detrimental to the public welfare or otherwise removing or preventing the spread of blight or deterioration in the City of Baltimore; the demolition, removal, relocation, renovation or alteration of land, buildings, streets, highways, alleys, utilities or services, and other structures or improvements, and for the construction, reconstruction, installation, relocation or repair of buildings, streets, highways, alleys, utilities or services, and other structures or improvements; the payment of any and all costs and expenses incurred for, or in connection with, doing any or all of the things herein mentioned, including, but not limited to, the costs and expenses of securing administrative, appraisal, economic analysis, engineering, planning, designing, architectural, surveying, and other professional services; and for doing any and all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection with or pertaining to any or all of the matters or things hereinbefore mentioned; authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds; authorizing the submission of this Ordinance to the legal voters of the City of Baltimore, for their approval or disapproval, at the General Election to be held in Baltimore City, on Tuesday, the 3rd day of November, 2026; and providing generally for the issuance and sale of such certificates of indebtedness in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and by the municipal agency designated in the annual Ordinance of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.

Bond Issue – School Loan – $60,000,000

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore (pursuant to General Assembly House Resolution II and Senate Resolution II of 2026 approved by the members of the Maryland General Assembly representing Baltimore City) to create a debt, and to issue and sell, at any time or from time to time and in one or more series its certificates of indebtedness as evidence thereof, and proceeds not exceeding SIXTY Million Dollars ($60,000,000.00) from the sale of such certificates of indebtedness to be used for the acquisition, by purchase, lease, condemnation, or any other legal means, of land or property, or any rights therein, in the City of Baltimore, and demolishing, constructing and erecting on said land or property, or on any land or property now or hereafter owned by the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners and/or the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, new school buildings, athletic and other auxiliary facilities including community health and recreation facilities, and for additions and improvements to, or for the modernization of reconstruction of, including the inspection, removal, encapsulation, management, containment and abatement of asbestos from existing facilities, and for equipment for any and all new or existing facilities authorized to be constructed, erected, added, improved, modernized or reconstructed by the provisions hereof; the payment of any and all costs and expenses incurred for or in connection with doing any or all of the things herein mentioned, including, but not limited to, the costs and expenses of securing administrative, appraisal, economic analysis, engineering, planning, designing, architectural, surveying, and other professional services, including, without limitation, services relating to planning for future projects of the same general character which may be constructed out of future loans; and for doing any and all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection with or pertaining to any or all of the matters or things hereinbefore mentioned; authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds; conferring certain powers upon the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners; imposing certain conditions in connection with the expenditure of the proceeds derived from the sale of said certificates of indebtedness; conferring and imposing upon the Board of Finance of Baltimore City certain powers and duties; authorizing the submission of this Ordinance to the legal voters of the City of Baltimore, for their approval or disapproval, at the Election to be held on Tuesday, the 3rd day of November, 2026, and providing for the expenditure of the proceeds of sale of said certificates of indebtedness in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and by the municipal agency designated in the annual Ordinance of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.

Bond Issue – Community and Economic Development Loan – $50,000,000

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore (pursuant to General Assembly House Resolution III and Senate Resolution III of 2026 approved by the members of the Maryland General Assembly representing Baltimore City) to create a debt, and to issue and sell its certificates of indebtedness as evidence thereof, and proceeds not exceeding FIFTY Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) from the sale of such certificates of indebtedness to be used, with or without complementary funding sources, for or in connection with planning, developing, executing, and making operative the community, commercial and industrial economic development programs of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, including, but not limited to, the acquisition, by purchase, lease, condemnation or any other legal means, of land or property, or any right, interest, franchise, easement or privilege therein, in the City of Baltimore; the payment of any and all costs and expenses incurred in connection with or incidental to the acquisition and management of said land or property, including any and all rights or interest therein hereinbefore mentioned; the payment of any and all costs and expenses incurred for or in connection with relocating and moving persons or other legal entities displaced by the acquisition of said land or property, or any of the rights or interest therein hereinbefore mentioned; the development, or redevelopment, including, but not limited to, the comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation of any land or property, or any rights or interests therein hereinbefore mentioned, in the City of Baltimore; and the disposition of land and property for such purposes; the elimination of unhealthful, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, lessening density, eliminating obsolete or other uses detrimental to the public welfare or otherwise removing or preventing the spread of blight or deterioration in the City of Baltimore; building from strength; stabilizing middle neighborhoods, strengthening neighborhood retail corridors, the creation of healthy, sanitary, and safe, and green conditions in the City of Baltimore; the demolition, removal, relocation, renovation or alteration of land, buildings, streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks, utilities or services, parks or other recreational land or facilities, and other structures or improvements and for the construction, reconstruction, installation, relocation or repair of buildings, streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks, utilities or services, parks or other recreational land or facilities, and other structures or improvements; making loans and grants to various projects and programs related to growing businesses in the City; attracting and retaining jobs; providing homeownership incentives and home repair assistance; promoting economic inclusion and facilitating transformational change and achieving whole block outcomes; making loans and grants to various projects and programs related to improving the cultural life and promotion of tourism in Baltimore City; and the lending or granting of funds to any person or other legal entity to be used for or in connection with the rehabilitation, renovation, redevelopment, improvement or construction of buildings and structures to be used or occupied for residential or commercial purposes and the payment of any and all costs and expenses incurred for, or in connection with, doing any or all of the things herein mentioned, including, but not limited to, the costs and expenses of securing administrative, appraisal, economic analysis, engineering, planning, designing, architectural, surveying, and other professional services and for doing any and all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection with or pertaining any or all of the matters or things hereinbefore mentioned; all such land or property shall be acquired, developed, redeveloped, renovated, rehabilitated, altered, improved, held or disposed of, as provided by law; authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds; conferring and imposing upon the Board of Finance of Baltimore City certain powers and duties; authorizing the submission of this Ordinance to the legal voters of the City of Baltimore, for their approval or disapproval, at the General Election to be held in Baltimore City, on Tuesday, the 3rd day of November, 2026; and providing for the expenditure of the proceeds of sale of said certificates of indebtedness in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and by the municipal agency designated in the annual Ordinance of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.

Bond Issue – Public Infrastructure Loan – $148,000,000

FOR the purpose of authorizing the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore (pursuant to General Assembly House Resolution IV and Senate Resolution IV of 2026 approved by the members of the Maryland General Assembly representing Baltimore City) to create a debt, and to issue and sell its certificates of indebtedness as evidence thereof, and proceeds not exceeding ONE HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT Million Dollars ($148,000,000.00) from the sale of such certificates of indebtedness to be used for the development of the public infrastructure owned or controlled by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and the construction and development of streets, bridges, courthouses, city office buildings, police stations, fire stations, solid waste facilities, information technology public park and recreational and related land, property, buildings, structures or facilities including but not limited to, the acquisition by purchase, lease, condemnation or any other legal means, of land or property, or any rights therein, in the City of Baltimore, and constructing and erecting on said land or property, or on any land or property, new buildings, structures, infrastructure and auxiliary facilities; and for the renovation, alteration, construction, reconstruction, installation, improvement and repair of existing infrastructure, buildings, structures or facilities, to be or now being used for or in connection with the operations, functions and activities of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, the demolition, removal, relocation, renovation or alteration of land, buildings, streets, highways, alleys, utilities or services, and other structures or improvements, and for the construction, reconstruction, installation, relocation or repair of buildings, streets, highways, alleys, utilities or services, including information technology infrastructure, and other structures or improvements; for the acquisition and installation of trees or for tree planting programs; and for the acquisition and installation of equipment and fixtures for any and all facilities authorized to be constructed, erected, altered, reconstructed, renovated, reconstructed, installed or improved by the provisions hereof; the payment of any and all costs and expenses incurred for or in connection with doing any or all of the things herein mentioned, including but not limited to, the costs and expenses of securing administrative, appraisal, economic analysis, engineering, planning, designing, architectural, surveying and other professional services; and for doing any and all things necessary, proper or expedient in connection with or pertaining to any or all of the matters or things hereinbefore mentioned; authorizing the issuance of refunding bonds; conferring and imposing upon the Board of Finance of Baltimore City certain powers and duties; authorizing the submission of this Ordinance to the legal voters of the City of Baltimore, for their approval or disapproval, at the General Election to be held in Baltimore City on Tuesday, the 3rd day of November, 2026; and providing for the expenditure of the proceeds of sale of said certificates of indebtedness in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, and by the municipal agency designated in the annual Ordinance of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.

Supplementary State Fund Operating Appropriation – Baltimore City Sheriff's Office – $121,308

FOR the purpose of providing a Supplementary State Fund Operating Appropriation in the amount of $121,308 to the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office – Service 882 (Deputy Sheriff Enforcement), to provide funding for diversion services, treatment access, and overdose response within the Sheriff's Office; and providing for a special effective date.

Supplementary State Fund Operating Appropriation – Baltimore City Sheriff's Office – $100,000

FOR the purpose of providing a Supplementary State Fund Operating Appropriation in the amount of $100,000 to the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office – Service 882 (Deputy Sheriff Enforcement), to provide funding for the establishment of the Neighborhood Services Unit to improve neighborhood safety and cohesion by addressing persistent public nuisances and environmental factors that contribute to crime; and providing for a special effective date.

Supplementary State Fund Operating Appropriation – Baltimore City Sheriff's Office – $74,667

FOR the purpose of providing a Supplementary State Fund Operating Appropriation in the amount of $74,667 to the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office – Service 882 (Deputy Sheriff Enforcement), to provide funding for the establishment, modification, enforcement, and recovery of child support payments from noncustodial parents of children; and providing for a special effective date.

Supplementary Special Revenue Fund Operating Appropriation – Baltimore City Sheriff's Office – $612,096

FOR the purpose of providing a Supplementary Special Revenue Fund Operating Appropriation in the amount of $612,096 to the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office – Service 882 (Deputy Sheriff Enforcement), to provide funding for a wide range of law enforcement needs, including investigations, training, facilities, equipment, travel, and operational costs, as well as awards, memorials, and prevention programs such as drug or gang education; and providing for a special effective date.

Supplementary State Fund Operating Appropriation – Department of Housing and Community Development – $459,169

FOR the purpose of providing a Supplementary State Fund Operating Appropriation in the amount of $459,169 to the Department of Housing and Community Development – Service 738 (Weatherization Services), to provide funding for professional services and in service training for weatherization and energy efficiency services for low income households; and providing for a special effective date.

Baltimore Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights

FOR the purpose of affirming the Baltimore Children's Outdoor Bill of Rights as a guiding framework for City policy, aligning existing City plans related to tree canopy, climate resilience, parks, and public health with equitable access to nature, supporting district level planning efforts, and requesting development of recommendations for ordinances that increase equitable access to nature.

Doulas and Perinatal Care

FOR the purpose of recognizing doulas as essential members of the perinatal care team, calling on the Health Department and City hospitals to increase access to doulas, provide coverage for doulas at a sustainable wage, and invest in a strong and diverse perinatal workforce in local hospitals and clinics.

Consent Calendar

(See Section A at back of Agenda)

Installment Payment Plans – Property Taxes in Arrears – Residential Property

FOR the purpose of authorizing certain property tax arrearages to be paid through an installment payment plan; requiring the Director of Finance to establish an installment payment program; setting eligibility requirements for the program; prohibiting the Director from taking certain action against a person if compliant with a plan; establishing the effect of non-compliance with a plan; specifying the contents of the notice of an offer of a plan; specifying certain terms of the installment payment plan; requiring the publication of certain information on the City Tax Sale Ombudsman’s website; providing for a special effective date; and generally relating to installment payments of certain property taxes in Baltimore City.

Children and Youth Fund – Updates

FOR the purpose of updating the process and procedures by which the Fund may disperse grants; altering the composition of the Board of Directors; requiring a certain report; defining certain terms; and generally relating to the administration of the Children and Youth Fund.

Zoning – Uses – Smoke Shop

FOR the purpose of making smoke shops a conditional use by approval of the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals in all commercial zoning and mixed-use districts; setting use standards for smoke shops; making conforming changes; and defining certain terms.

Accessibility in City Programs, Services, and Activities

FOR the purpose of implementing subtitle A of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and 28 CFR Part 35 {"Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services"}; establishing the mandate that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a City agency, or be subjected to discrimination by a City agency; defining certain terms; establishing a special effective date; and generally relating to the provision of public services to qualified individuals with a disability.

Rezoning – 3009 Greenmount Avenue

FOR the purpose of changing the zoning for the property known as 3009 Greenmount Avenue (Block 4074, Lot 004), as outlined in red on the accompanying plat, from the R-6 Zoning District to the C-2 Zoning District.

Commercial Vehicle Parking

FOR the purpose of amending the definition of "commercial vehicle"; prohibiting commercial vehicles from standing, stopping, or parking on City streets under certain circumstances; defining a certain term; and generally relating to commercial vehicles in the City.

Accessibility in City Programs, Services, and Activities

FOR the purpose of implementing subtitle A of title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and 28 CFR Part 35 {"Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services"}; establishing the mandate that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a City agency, or be subjected to discrimination by a City agency; defining certain terms; establishing a special effective date; and generally relating to the provision of public services to qualified individuals with a disability.

Installment Payment Plans – Property Taxes in Arrears – Residential Property

FOR the purpose of authorizing certain property tax arrearages to be paid through an installment payment plan; requiring the Director of Finance to establish an installment payment program; setting eligibility requirements for the program; prohibiting the Director from taking certain action against a person if compliant with a plan; establishing the effect of non-compliance with a plan; specifying the contents of the notice of an offer of a plan; specifying certain terms of the installment payment plan; requiring the publication of certain information on the City Tax Sale Ombudsman's website; providing for a special effective date; and generally relating to installment payments of certain property taxes in Baltimore City.

Committee Announcements

Announcements

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 11 2026, AT 5:00 P.M.

Adjournment

Thank you all for attending this meeting. Please check the area around your seat to make certain that you have everything that you brought with you. We will be closing the room shortly and ask that everyone exit promptly to the 1st floor main entrance. Thank you for visiting City Hall.