On the Council Agenda for July 11:
Bill: 05-0042R Convention Center Hotel Advisory Committee Resolution
Sponsor: Councilman Keiffer Mitchell (D-11th)
Resolution to convene an independent committee to evaluate the proposed city-owned convention center hotel. Most Council members didn’t bother to show up to vote on the resolution.
Public Interest Grade: A for effort on Mitchell’s part, D for the rest of the no-show council.
Bill: 5-0220 Zoning, Substance Abuse Centers
Sponsor: City Council President Sheila Dixon, at the request of Mayor Martin O’Malley
Second attempt by the O’Malley administration to make it easier for substance-abuse treatment centers to open in the city, this time by changing their zoning classifications to preclude city-council oversight.
Public Interest Grade: D. Seems to us that the city is already packed with treatment centers that do not receive enough oversight from regulatory agencies.
Bill: 05-0069 Kids! Read Away Your Library Fines
Sponsor: Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke (D-14th)
Asks the Enoch Pratt Library to investigate the possibility of allowing students to “read away” their library fines.
Public Interest Grade: A. Maybe Baltimore really can become the City That Reads.
City Council Fact of the Week:
The only two in-boxes in the City Council chambers’ mailroom that are not reserved for city officials or agencies are claimed by the Property Owners Association of Baltimore and the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors. The Office of City Council Services could not explain to us why these two groups enjoy this little postal perk.
City Council Quote of the Week:
“The Baltimore City Council is no longer a rubber stamp for the administration. We’re relevant!”
—Councilman Keiffer Mitchell (D-11th)
on the council’s grilling of boosters for the proposed convention center hotel
Next City Council meeting: Aug. 15
