A resolution proposed Monday night mandates the city inspect and license public housing properties under the Annapolis rental code in light of a lawsuit accusing city officials of discriminating against residents.
The resolution makes no changes to city code, but rather uses existing law to justify the inspections as legal and necessary to “ensure that (Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis) properties are held to the same safety, sanitary, and habitable standards found throughout the City.”
Nearly 30 residents of public housing in Annapolis sued the city in federal court two weeks ago, claiming the city and housing authority discriminated against primarily black residents by failing to provide safe and sanitary living conditions.
Annapolis attorney Joe Donahue, representing the residents, alleges in the suit Mayor Gavin Buckley and HACA Chief Executive Officer Beverly Wilbourn conspired to discontinue inspecting and licensing the 790 units, ending an inspection policy that began under former Mayor Michael Pantelides.
Pantelides began inspections in May 2016. City employees found 2,498 violations, and scheduled follow-up inspections, but some were delayed. Pantelides testified before City Council on Monday, urging the city to reinstate inspections.
He said he’s refrained from public criticism of the Buckley administration, but came forward because “lives are at stake,” he said.
Pantelides asked Buckley why he stopped the inspections. Buckley said they stopped under Pantelides. In a conversation after his testimony, Pantelides maintained he did not cancel the program.
Pantelides said he asked the city if he would be provided legal representation, should he be called to testify. He said he has not gotten a response.
The city has not yet been served the lawsuit, said city spokeswoman Mitchelle Stephenson. The mayor and council met in a closed meeting last week to discuss it.
There is an $80,000 grant to the housing authority proposed in Buckley’s fiscal 2020 budget for inspections, to be recouped by an $80,000 payment in lieu of taxes for Annapolis Gardens and Obery Court.
Past proposals to inspect housing authority units have been controversial, as many of the properties are so dilapidated they would likely fail. Residents, in the lawsuit and elsewhere, complain of mold-related illnesses. The 2016 inspections found many of the units do not have sufficient smoke detectors — and when smoke detectors were present, they were not hard-wired as city and state laws mandate.
Alderman Marc Rodriguez, the lead sponsor of the resolution, rejects the narrative that inspections would ultimately doom the housing and send residents looking for new homes.
“A policy where we don’t inspect and don’t license because the housing wouldn’t pass is not a policy I personally tolerate or accept because in the meantime you’re essentially being OK with people living in conditions that are just not OK.”
Rodriguez said he and former Alderwoman Shaneka Henson had talks with Wilbourn before the lawsuit about potential inspections. He favors a plan between the city and housing authority that prioritizes deficiencies that could be life threatening, like mold or inadequate smoke detectors.
The resolution has five co-sponsors, including Rodriguez, and will likely pass. It passed on first reader Monday night.
Rodriguez said he believes there is support within the administration and HACA.
Chesapeake Recreational Accessible Boating Center
The City Council on Monday passed a resolution supporting city ownership of the Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating’s adaptive boating center.
CRAB gives people with disabilities, veterans and at-risk youth sailing opportunities on the Chesapeake Bay. CRAB hopes for a city-county-state partnership to create a boating center and expand its programs.
Sailing in CRAB is free for individuals, said Executive Director Paul Bollinger. The organization has operated for 28 years.
The state has pledged $1 million and the county has proposed another $1.3 million, but does not want to own the marina. Mayor Gavin Buckley’s budget proposes $250,000 of Open Space money toward the project, but only if another entity owns it.
Several CRAB volunteers and board members, as well as residents who have been on the water with the nonprofit, testified to their positive experiences on the water and teaching sailing.
Others from the rowing community spoke in favor of water access for a variety of recreational activities, including rowing and stand-up paddle boarding as well as sailing.
In a staff report, City Manager Teresa Sutherland recommended against the resolution, as the city “has no expertise in such matters.”
The yes-vote does not mean the city now owns the marina. Rather, it gives the city the go-ahead to ask the Department of Natural Resources to use Open Space funds. DNR could either approve or deny the use of the funds.
Bollinger said he hopes the city can pitch in more than $250,000, as the organization will likely use the $1 million state contribution for development.
Other business
The City Council passed a law allowing businesses to put freestanding signs outside businesses and authorizing a community event commemorating the Capital Gazette shooting.
