City Council Meeting October 26, 2026

The Annapolis City Council met on October 26, 2026. Its main procurement and funding discussion concerned the proposed hybrid-electric passenger ferry. Staff said the city has accepted a $3.5 million Federal Transit Administration grant, comprising $2.975 million in federal funds and a $525,000 local match, and that a vessel design-build RFP for up to two boats is ready to advertise. The grant also includes funding for landing improvements, including $1.7 million identified for that purpose. Staff emphasized that releasing the vessel RFP would not commit the city to a contract; an operator RFP and any eventual contract would come later. Illustrative estimates for a limited three-day service projected $166,000 in annual operating costs, $74,500 in revenue, and a roughly $91,000 annual deficit, but staff said these figures are tentative. The council did not vote on the ferry. Members sought further analysis of costs, alternatives, operations, and landing locations, and requested additional discussion through relevant committees or a work session.

The council approved several other funding-related items, including a state grant for a pre-construction study on the consent calendar, a FEMA grant for the Fire Department, a federal Homeland Security grant for harbor security, and use of surplus funds for capital projects; a fund-transfer item also passed. A fee waiver for a community event featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales was approved, with the stated fee amount around $6,900. Council members called for finance committee review of fee-waiver criteria and amounts. No vendor was selected and no ferry contract was awarded at this meeting.