Eric Williams

The committee held a public hearing regarding the Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act. The proposed legislation includes updates to licensing provisions for rental dwellings, the establishment of penalties, requirements for filing information with registration statements, and the creation of a registry for rental inspectors. Additionally, the act outlines regulations regarding non-discrimination based on immigration status, grounds for license revocation, and the establishment of a process for rental dwelling receivership. The hearing was recessed with a voting session to be scheduled at a later date.

The committee held a public hearing to discuss the B'more Healthy Babies Strategy and the 5-year strategic refresh for maternal health in Baltimore City. Additionally, the committee considered proposed amendments to the city code regarding natural resources, specifically forest and tree conservation, to ensure compliance with new state requirements.

The committee held a briefing regarding the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to call for quarterly financial oversight hearings. The discussion focused on the management, disbursement, and status of $641 million in federal funding from the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds provided to the City of Baltimore.

The committee held public hearings to discuss several proposed Charter amendments. The items addressed included procurement reform, reforms related to the budget, veto processes, and the Board of Estimates, as well as provisions concerning minor privileges. Favorable recommendations were issued for the procurement, budget, and minor privilege amendments to be submitted to the City Council. The committee took no vote on the proposal to repeal term limits for elected officials.

The committee discussed several ongoing initiatives, including safe routes to school near Edgewood Elementary School, bike master plan overlays for upcoming resurfacing projects, and the design of bike-friendly speed humps. A project spotlight was presented regarding pedestrian safety improvements and traffic calming measures, such as crosswalk upgrades and intersection bump-outs, near Patterson Park. Additionally, coordination between the Department of Transportation and the fire department was addressed regarding the approval process and notification for new traffic calming installations.