Environmental Matters Committee Meeting May 14, 2026

The City of Annapolis Environmental Matters Committee convened on May 14, 2026, to discuss several environmental and urban development initiatives, with a significant focus on procurement and budget matters related to urban forestry and a hybrid electric ferry project. The committee reviewed the urban forestry program's budget, noting a shortfall in requested funds and the need to amend the budget to include a new staff position to support tree planting and maintenance efforts. Additionally, the committee received a detailed presentation on the federally funded diesel hybrid electric ferry pilot project, including its revised budget of approximately $3.5 million, grant timelines, and operational considerations such as routes, docking improvements, and potential fare structures. Discussions included the possibility of issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to better understand operating costs and vendor capabilities, as well as coordination with county studies and community engagement efforts. The meeting also covered other environmental initiatives like energy efficiency upgrades, LED lighting retrofits, and climate action planning, with updates on funding and procurement strategies for these projects. No formal votes on contracts were recorded, but several action items related to budget amendments, RFI issuance, and grant fund utilization were identified.