What to Expect from Tonight's Meeting of the Baltimore City Council

What to Expect from Tonight's Meeting of the Baltimore City Council 

A Look Ahead into What to Expect from Tonight's Council Meeting

BALTIMORE, MD (March 9, 2020) – This evening, at the Baltimore City Council’s 4th meeting of the year, Council President Brandon M. Scott’s ordinance requiring the Mayor to have a comprehensive crime plan will return from committee to the City Council. President Scott will also introduce legislation ensuring the Department of Public Works is implementing the Water Accountability and Equity Act, and a resolution standing in solidarity with Baltimore’s immigrant communities.

President Scott’s legislation requiring the City of Baltimore to have a comprehensive plan for reducing crime to bolster BPD’s crime fighting strategy will return to the City Council on 2nd reader.

Last week, “Biennial Comprehensive Crime Reduction Plan” (19-0451) received the unanimous support of the Public Safety Committee with amendments. The Health Commissioner will present a plan to the City Council every other year that details what City agencies are doing to reduce violence and save lives in Baltimore. A progress report would be required in off years and would be published on the City’s website for public comment. See that ordinance here.

The Council President will also call for an informational hearing on the implementation of the Water Accountability Equity Act (20-0205R). The Water Accountability and Equity Act became law in January, and improves the dispute resolution process when an erroneous bill is received and makes water affordable for all Baltimoreans, regardless of income. The affordability guidelines associated with the law must be posted on DPW’s website by April 13. This Council hearing will ensure the administration is on its way to meeting that deadline and sufficiently informing the public of the changes. Read the resolution here.

The Council President will also introduce a resolution opposing the Trump administration’s new “public charge” rule (20-0201R), in solidarity with Baltimore’s immigrant communities. This new rule took effect on February 24, 2020 and seeks to block non-citizens from getting a green card, an extended stay in the United States, or a change of status if they are deemed likely to rely on federal support in the future. Read the resolution here.

The City Council Meeting will be available on CharmTV (Channel 25) and will be livestreamed from Council President Scott’s Facebook page: @CouncilPresBMS.

Find more information and a draft agenda for tonight’s meeting here.