Legislative
Calendar
Wednesday, October 20
10:30 AM – Executive Appointments Committee Hearing (A. Jai Bonner-Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals).
12:55 PM – Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Voting Session (Metropolitan District of Baltimore County-Extension 158).
1:00 PM – Land Use and Transportation Committee Hearing (Required Parking for Bicycles).
RESCHEDULED FROM OCT. 6.
All Hearings in Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall.
Thursday, October 21
10:00 AM – Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee Hearing (Sale of Property-Ivymount Road, 1536 North Caroline Street).
4:00 PM – Urban Affairs and Aging Committee Hearing (Sharp Leadenhall Historic District).
All hearings in Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall.
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Promoting Honesty in Government Lobbying
Dear Baltimoreans,
On Monday, October 18, 2010, I continued my push toward increased transparency in city government with the introduction of my Promoting Honesty in Lobbying bill.
This landmark legislation will strengthen current laws governing lobbying in the city by requiring individuals compensated any dollar amount for lobbying services to register as a legislative and/or executive branch lobbyist. Currently, individuals are only required to  register as lobbyists if they earn $2,500 or more. Registration would also be required of any individual spending 20 percent or more of his or her time over a six-month period on lobbying activities for an employer, client or other person.
My Promoting Honesty in Lobbying bill would not prohibit community leaders from keeping their neighbors informed about important legislation moving through the City Council. Community leaders would have to spend an enormous amount of time (about the equivalent of a part-time job) engaging in lobbying activities before they would be required to register as lobbyists.
I take very seriously my duty to uphold public trust. Baltimoreans have a right to know the ways in which pieces of legislation have been impacted. Shortly after taking office as Council President, I helped pass legislation that tightened the city’s ethics laws. The new ethics legislation helped make government more transparent by expanding and strengthening the ethics board and clarifying the qualifications for ethics board members. And on November 1, 2010, at 5 p.m. the council’s Judiciary and Legislative Investigations committee will convene a hearing on my Transparency and Accountability Bill (TAB). This legislation seeks to explore the possibility of broadcasting proceedings from the Liquor Board, Board of Municipal Zoning Appeals and Board of Estimates, which represent three of the city’s most influential decision-making bodies.
With each piece of legislation I have sought to pull back the screen of secrecy that often shields the legislative process.
My Promoting Honesty in Lobbying bill would help to shine a brighter light on the process of lobbying members of the city’s legislative and executive branches of government. We owe it to our taxpaying citizens to be honest and transparent throughout the entire legislative process.
The Promoting Honesty in Lobbying bill would further strengthen the city’s lobbying rules by requiring the following:
- Identification of the total amount of money spent on all print, audio, visual and electronic publications that expressly encourage others to communicate with one or more public servants.
- Disclosure of the total amount of money spent in connection with professional help drafting an ordinance, resolution, regulation, executive order, amendment, position paper, testimony or similar document. Disclosure of help with advice or strategy, research or investigations.
- Prohibits the creation of fictitious impression of the public’s favorable or unfavorable position on any proposed ordinance, resolution or other action before the City Council, Mayor, Board of Estimates or other city agency. The bill also prohibits any communication from a fictitious person or person who did not grant consent for it to be sent to a councilmember, the Mayor or any other public servant charged with deciding a pending or proposed matter.
- Prohibits a lobbyist from indirectly or directly stating that he or she can control or obtain the vote or other action of a councilmember, the Mayor or any other public servant or the approval or disapproval of any ordinance, resolution or other action.
Bernard C. “Jack” Young
President, Baltimore City Council
Council President's Resolution Calls for Hearing Into BGE's Proposed Rate Increase
City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young on Monday, October 18, 2010, introduced legislation calling for an informational hearing into Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s application for rate increases to electric and gas base rates.
The Council President’s resolution calls for BGE’s President and CEO to address the City Council regarding the company’s application before the Maryland Public Service Commission to revise electric and gas base rates. The Baltimore City Council does not have control over BGE's rates, but as an issue that affects Baltimoreans, the Council President said he wants to investigate the issue.
“I look forward to debating, on the record and at a public hearing, the merits of utility rate increases during what remain very challenging times for Baltimore consumers,” Council President Young said.
The resolution was approved and assigned to the Council’s Judiciary and Legislative Investigations committee. A hearing date will be set in the coming weeks.
Support Transparency and Accountability
On Monday, November 1, 2010, at 5 p.m., the City Council's Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee will hold a hearing to explore the possibility of broadcasting proceedings from the Liquor Board, Board of Municipal Zoning Appeals and Board of Estimates, which  represent three of the city’s most influential decision-making bodies.
Most citizens are kept in the dark about decisions made by these powerful boards – which rule on everything from zoning changes to the awarding of multi-million dollar construction contracts – because they are not currently televised, and the meetings often take place during the day when people are at work.
City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young introduced the Transparency and Accountability Bill (TAB) on September 20, 2010, to determine the feasibility of televising these important proceedings. The hearing is open to the public and will be broadcast on TV25.
Location: Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th Floor, City Hall
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Date: Monday, Nov. 1, 2010
Free Fall Baltimore
The entire month of October
Free Fall Baltimore returns with free arts and culture events, performances, workshops and more throughout the month of October. Bring the whole family to various cultural attractions throughout Baltimore.
For more information or a complete listing of events, call 410-752-8632 or visit www.freefallbaltimore.com.
Mayor's Mobile Clothing Drive
Thursday, October 21 from 8:00 AM-2:00 PM
City Hall, 100 N. Holliday Street
Mayor Rawlings-Blake, in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, is holding a mobile clothing drive to help those experiencing homelessness in our City.
You may donate new and gently used clothing including coats, clothes, hats, shoes, socks and gloves for men, women and children. Because the cold weather will be arriving, blankets and warm clothes, such as coats and sweaters are needed.
On Thursday, you can drop off clothing donations at the collection truck that will be parked at the corner of Gay and Lexington Streets.
For more information, email marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov.
Organizing for Energy Efficiency Workshop
Thursday, October 21 at 7:00 PM
Greater Homewood Community Corporation, 3503 N. Charles Street
The Greater Homewood Neighborhood Leaders Forum presents this chance to organize your neighborhoods to make your homes more energy efficient.
For more information or to RSVP, call 410-261-3625 or email gshardlow@greaterhomewood.org.
Hispanic Health and Wellness Fair
Saturday, October 23 from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
1728 Bank Street
Join the the Office of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Assisi House for free medical screenings.
BARCStoberfest 2010
Saturday, October 23 from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM
Patterson Park
Join the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter for the sixth annual BARCStoberfest! Come strut your mutt to help gather pledges for the shelter – a cruise for two will be awarded to the collector of the most pledges. The festival will also include food, music, pet costume contests, adoptable dogs and cats, local artists and vendors and animal health and wellness experts.
For more information or to register to walk around the park with your pooch, call 410-396-4695 or visit baltimoreanimalshelter.org.
Open Studio Tour
Saturday and Sunday, October 23 and 24 from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street
Through this free, self-guided, two-day tour, you can experience the best of Baltimore's diverse art culture. You'll have the rare chance to step into artists' studios and their worlds during School 33 Art Center's Annual Open Studio Tour. The weekend's events kick off with a Friday evening opening reception and exhibition that you won't want to miss!
For more information, call 410-396-4641 or visit school33.org.
24th Annual Czech and Slovak Festival
Sunday, October 24 from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM
Baltimore 45 Association Hall, 2501 Putty Hill Avenue, Parkville, MD
Czech food catered by Clementine of Harford Road. Featuring: Slavjane Rusyn folk ensemble, children's group from Sokol Washington, Sokol Baltimore gymnasts, Heritage Singers and more. Admission is $5.
For more information, call 410-396-0008.
Science Demonstrations
Sunday, October 24 from 1:30 PM-3:30 PM
Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 3100 Swan Drive in Druid Hill Park
Science fun for the whole family! Join Dr. Alan Stone as he explores and discusses a plant related topic in the sciences. Learn about such varied topics as colors in fall leaves, seed survival and favorite plants throughout history!
For more information, visit panix.com/~czslha/CSHA_Events/Festival.
"How to Preserve a Neighborhood Green Space" Workshop
Tuesday, October 26 from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM
Parks & People Foundation, 800 Wyman Park Drive
In 2009, the Baltimore Board of Estimates passed a policy that allows for the transfer of City-owned land in use as community gardens and other open spaces to qualified land trusts, for $1 per lot. Baltimore Green Space will be hosting a workshop to educate residents about this wonderful opportunity to preserve their urban oases.
For more information or to RSVP, call 443-695-7504 or email info@baltimoregreenspace.org.
Annual Public Forum on Disabilities
Wednesday, October 27 from 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
The League for People with Disabilities, 111 E. Cold Spring Lane
Discuss MTA Mobility Services and door-to-door service updates.
For more information, call 443-984-3170.
Bed Bud Response Meeting
Wednesday, October 27 from 6:30 PM-7:30 PM
Southeast Anchor Branch Pratt Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue
The Baltimore City Health Department will hold a series of free community meetings to provide information on how to combat bed bugs. Specifically, the Health Department will help residents, travelers, students and others learn to avoid, detect, identify and treat bed bugs. The event is free but seating is limited.
For more information visit baltimorebedbugresponse.eventbrite.com.
Pro Bono Day
Saturday, October 30 from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Maryland Legal Aid, 500 E. Lexington Street
The Bar Association of Baltimore City (BABC) is hosting its third Pro Bono Day. Participants can discuss their civil legal issues one on one with volunteer lawyers. The event is free and open to the public. Please bring any relevant documents with you. Registration is not required but is strongly encouraged. For more information or to register, call 410-539-5936 ext. 102 or email probono@baltimorebar.org.
"Village Life Goes on Along Old York Road" Launch
Saturday, October 30 from 12:00 PM-2:30 PM
Waverly Farmers Market, E. 32nd Street and Barclay Street
The Better Waverly Community Organization, Abell Improvement Association and Waverly Main Street invite you to be part of history at this free event celebrating the very long and incredibly rich history of our commercial corridor with the release of this publication made possible by a grant from Baltimore Community Foundation. A historic walking tour begins at 12:00 p.m. and a reception will be held at the end of the tour at 2:00 p.m.
Vendor Development Series for Minority and Women Business Enterprises
Monday, November 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Small Business Resource Center, 1101 E. 33rd Street, Suite C-307
These seminars will expose minority-owned and women-owned businesses to the proper policies, procedures and processes, including the law for conducting business with the City of Baltimore. The seminars cost $25 per class or $100 for the entire series
For more information or to register, call 410-396-3818.
Washington Wizards/Washington Mystics Holiday Hoops Camp
December 28-30
St. Frances Academy, 501 E. Chase Street
Register for a spot in the only authentic NBA and WNBA camp in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Campers receive professional instruction, an official T-shirt and a one free ticket to the Wizards home game on Wednesday, December 29. Register before November 30 o get the early bird price of $170 (regular cost is $185). Boys and girls ages 8-17 are welcome.
For more information or to register, call 202-527-7503 or visit wizardsbasketballcamps.com. |
