# City Council Hearing: Committee on Legislative Investigations; October 8, 2026

At the City Council Committee on Legislative Investigations hearing on October 8, 2026, the committee considered EA26-029, the nomination of acting Planning Director Ren Suard to lead Baltimore’s Department of Planning. Suard described priorities including turning adopted neighborhood plans into deliverable projects, modernizing planning processes, strengthening community participation, and coordinating the department’s work with DHCD as the agencies study a potential merger. She also said the department should use AI to support staff rather than replace their work, and discussed developing an internship pipeline that includes local universities.

Discussion focused on stewardship of the city’s capital improvement program and billions of dollars in city planning and investment, including targeted investment in historically disinvested neighborhoods, reviewing roughly 720 properties considered for state Baltimore vacant-reinvestment funding, and coordinating street resurfacing with water-main replacement to avoid duplicated work. Suard emphasized leveraging state and federal funding and involving communities before redevelopment decisions. No contract awards, bids, vendor selections, or specific spending approvals were identified. Council members moved and seconded the nomination; it passed with three votes in favor and two members absent, and will advance to the full Council.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Sources
- [City Council Hearing: Committee on Legislative Investigations; October 8, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfU6LSBdJT0) - CharmTV Citizens' Hub