Baltimore meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Council committees focus on public health, student safety in late July sessions

Baltimore City Council committees spent the final weeks of July on oversight topics ranging from opioid fund spending to the impact of federal immigration enforcement on students, though most sessions produced no formal decisions.

Education committee hears testimony on immigration enforcement impact

The Education, Youth, and Older Adults Committee held an informational hearing on July 23 regarding file 25-0042R, which concerns the impact of federal immigration enforcement on city students. According to official minutes, the meeting served as a forum for representatives from city agencies and stakeholders to discuss the issue. No policy decisions were recorded.

Opioid Restitution Fund hearing recessed

The Public Health & Environment Committee convened on July 29 for a reconvening hearing on LO25-0022, covering oversight of the Opioid Restitution Funds. The hearing was recessed without any decisions recorded, meaning the matter remains open for a future session.

Recovery home oversight and tree conservation on the agenda

On July 22, the Public Health & Environment Committee was scheduled to hold a public hearing on LO25-0024, regarding the regulation and safety of substance abuse clinics and recovery homes. The committee was also set to review file 26-0161, amendments to Article 7 of the Baltimore City Code covering forest and tree conservation, intended to update city laws to meet new state requirements. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so no outcomes are available.

Public Safety Committee cancels drug market oversight hearing

The Public Safety Committee canceled its July 21 hearing on LO25-0005, an oversight hearing on open-air drug markets. The committee had been scheduled to review Police Department and Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety initiatives related to combating open-air drug markets. The hearing will be rescheduled, and no policy decisions or contracts were discussed.

Coming up

August 5 — Public Health & Environment Committee: A reconvening hearing on LO25-0007 will evaluate the city's behavioral health response capacity. Discussions are expected to focus on Baltimore City Health Department staffing levels, data reporting, and how city-funded entities are aligned. This meeting is open to the public and may be of interest to residents concerned about mental health and addiction services in the city.

Baltimore committee advances rezoning, property sale, and harbor oversight changes; council eyes FY 2027 budget

A Baltimore City Council committee recommended five ordinances favorably to the full council this past week, covering rezoning decisions, a city land sale, and a shift in harbor regulatory oversight. The votes move local zoning changes and property transfers one step closer to final approval.

Land Use & Transportation Committee advances five items

On July 9, the Land Use & Transportation Committee voted to recommend five ordinances favorably to the full City Council and canceled one hearing.

The recommended items:

• **Rezoning at 901 S Caton Avenue** from OR-2 to C-2 — voted 4 yes, 2 absent.
• **Variance for two dwelling units at 812 N Carey Street** — voted 5 yes, 2 absent.
• **Sale of city property at 220 Guilford Avenue** — voted 4 yes, 2 absent.
• **Conditional use and variances for a retail establishment with alcohol at 600 West North Ave** — voted 5 yes, 2 absent.
• **Transferring Baltimore Harbor regulatory authority** from the Department of Housing to the Department of Transportation — voted 4 yes, 2 absent.

The committee also canceled the public hearing for Land Use Docket 25-0128, pending rescheduling.

These are recommendations only; the full City Council will have final say.

City Council takes up FY 2027 budget, tax rates, and charter amendments

The Baltimore City Council's July 13 agenda included the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and a property tax ordinance. The council is also considering several charter amendments for voter approval, including one to create a Department of Water and Wastewater and another to reform procurement and budget processes.

Additional items on the agenda: a bill imposing a parking tax surcharge for the Fair Election Fund, proposed legislation on rental housing, vehicle towing, and data centers, and an informational hearing on the impact of electrical brownouts. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Public Safety Committee examines missing persons protocols

On July 14, the Public Safety Committee scheduled an informational hearing on missing persons policies and procedures (Item 25-0022R). Representatives from the Baltimore City Police Department, the State's Attorney, Maryland DJS, Maryland DHS, and the advocacy group Black and Missing were slated to brief council members. The committee also planned to request five years of data on missing persons cases, plus staffing and turnover rates for the Missing Persons Unit and district offices. Minutes have not yet been published.

Labor & Workforce Committee discusses museum employee retirement

On July 8, the Labor & Workforce Committee met to consider ordinance 26-0211, which concerns making certain employees of the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum eligible for membership in the Employees' Retirement System. Official minutes record no substantive decisions from this meeting.

Public Health & Environment Committee hearing canceled

A July 8 Public Health & Environment Committee hearing on psychiatric rehabilitation programs (LO25-0023) was canceled and will be rescheduled. The item would have examined the accessibility, effectiveness, and regulatory oversight of psychiatric rehabilitation programs in Baltimore City.

Coming up

• **July 21** — Public Safety Committee: A scheduled oversight hearing on open-air drug markets (LO25-0005) has been canceled and will be rescheduled. No policy decisions or contracts will be discussed.
• **July 22** — Public Health & Environment Committee: Public hearing on oversight of recovery homes and substance abuse clinics (LO25-0024), plus review of amendments to Article 7 of the Baltimore City Code regarding forest and tree conservation (26-0161) to meet new state requirements.
• **July 29** — Public Health & Environment Committee: Reconvening hearing on Opioid Restitution Fund oversight (LO25-0022), examining how funds are allocated and whether they support evidence-based strategies for vulnerable populations.

Land Use Committee Advances Zoning Changes, Property Sale, and Harbor Authority Transfer to Full Council

The Land Use & Transportation Committee recommended five ordinances to the full City Council on July 9, including rezoning decisions, a property sale at 220 Guilford Avenue, and the transfer of Baltimore Harbor regulatory authority to the Department of Transportation.

Zoning and Property Decisions (July 9)

The committee voted 4 yes to 2 absent to recommend rezoning 901 S Caton Avenue from OR-2 to C-2. It also recommended a variance for two dwelling units at 812 N Carey Street (5 yes, 2 absent) and the sale of city-owned property at 220 Guilford Avenue (4 yes, 2 absent).

A conditional use and variances for a retail establishment with alcohol sales at 600 West North Ave passed 5 yes to 2 absent. The harbor authority transfer (ordinance 26-0178), which shifts regulatory oversight from housing to transportation departments, passed 4 yes to 2 absent. This item had been recessed from the committee's July 2 meeting.

The committee also canceled a public hearing for Land Use Docket 25-0128, pending rescheduling.

Parking Permits and Street Names (July 2)

Earlier in the week, the same committee recommended three ordinances favorably to the full Council, all by 5-0-2 votes with two members out of chamber:

• RPP Area 48 revisions (26-0197), increasing church parking permits and hours in the Riverside area.
• Street name suffix authority (26-0175), granting the Council power to alter street name suffixes.
• Building height measurement for gambrel roofs (26-0153), recommended favorably with amendment.

Labor Committee Discusses Museum Retirement Eligibility

The Labor & Workforce Committee met July 8 to consider ordinance 26-0211, which would make certain employees of the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum eligible for membership in the Employees' Retirement System. No substantive decisions were recorded.

Public Health Hearings: One Held, One Cancelled

The Public Health & Environment Committee held a public hearing July 1 (LO25-0022) on the oversight, allocation, and impact of Baltimore's opioid restitution funds. Minutes have not yet been published.

A July 8 hearing on psychiatric rehabilitation programs (LO25-0023) was cancelled and will be rescheduled. That hearing was intended to examine accessibility, effectiveness, and regulatory oversight of mental health services.

Coming Up

• **July 14 — Public Safety Committee:** Informational hearing on missing persons policies and procedures (Item 25-0022R). The committee will request five years of Baltimore City Police Department missing persons case data and review staffing and turnover rates for the Missing Persons Unit and district offices. Briefings are expected from the State's Attorney, Maryland DJS, Maryland DHS, and Black and Missing.
• **July 21 — Public Safety Committee:** A scheduled oversight hearing on open-air drug markets (LO25-0005) has been canceled and will be rescheduled.
• **July 22 — Public Health & Environment Committee:** Public hearing on oversight of recovery homes and substance abuse clinics (LO25-0024), plus amendments to Article 7 of the Baltimore City Code regarding forest and tree conservation (26-0161) to meet new state requirements.

Baltimore City Council agendas target data center moratorium, $2.5M homeless funding, and FY 2027 budget

The Baltimore City Council's June 22 and June 24 agendas included votes on a citywide data center moratorium, $2.5 million in supplementary homeless services funding, and the fiscal year 2027 budget. However, minutes from those meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

City Council agendas

The June 22 City Council agenda listed several consequential items: increasing the homestead property tax credit for the taxable year starting July 2026, banning private detention centers, prohibiting data centers citywide, and approving $2.5 million in supplementary funding for homeless rental assistance and case management. The agenda also included rezoning 4308-4312 Hayward Avenue to TOD-1 and 3605 Hickory Avenue to IMU-1, closing portions of Remington Avenue and Falls Road, and selling former public property.

The June 24 agenda focused on fiscal year 2027 finances and a structural change to city government. Items included a charter amendment to establish a Department of Water and Wastewater, the annual property tax for fiscal year 2027, the operating budget for the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, and the ordinance of estimates for all city agencies.

Because both meetings are listed as "agenda only" with minutes not yet published, it is not possible to confirm which items passed, failed, or were delayed.

Committee hearings

The Public Health & Environment Committee held public hearings on June 24 and July 1 on LO25-0022, which concerns oversight of the Opioid Restitution Fund. The agenda states the goal is to evaluate whether opioid restitution money supports evidence-based strategies for vulnerable residents. No other substantive items were on the July 1 agenda.

The Land Use & Transportation Committee met July 2 to discuss transferring authority to regulate Baltimore Harbor from the Housing department to Transportation, establishing the Office of the Harbormaster, amending building height measurement calculations for gambrel roofs, increasing parking permit allotment and hours for churches in RPP Area 48 (Riverside), and authority to change street name suffixes.

Coming up

• **July 8 — Public Health & Environment Committee:** A hearing on psychiatric rehabilitation programs (LO25-0023) was cancelled and will be rescheduled. The item would have examined accessibility, effectiveness, and regulatory oversight of mental health services.
• **July 8 — Labor & Workforce Committee:** Public hearing on Ordinance 26-0211, which would extend Employees' Retirement System eligibility to select staff at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum. The measure requires an actuarial study on financial impact. Hearing is at City Hall Room 408.
• **July 9 — Land Use & Transportation Committee:** Public hearings on rezoning 901 S Caton Avenue from OR-2 to C-2, converting 1118 N Carey Street to three dwelling units, converting 812 N Carey Street to two dwelling units with a lot-size variance, and a retail goods establishment with alcohol sales at 600 W North Avenue.
• **July 14 — Public Safety Committee:** Informational hearing on missing persons policies and procedures (Item 25-0022R). The committee will request five years of Baltimore City Police Department missing persons case data and review staffing and turnover rates for the Missing Persons Unit and district offices. Briefings are expected from the State's Attorney, Maryland DJS, Maryland DHS, and Black and Missing.

Council Advances FY2027 Budget, Considers Data Center Ban and Homeless Aid

The Baltimore City Council took initial steps on a slate of major financial and land-use items in recent weeks, including the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, a $2.5 million homeless services package, and a citywide moratorium on data centers. Multiple committee hearings also reviewed opioid restitution oversight and parking permit adjustments, while upcoming agendas set the stage for museum worker pensions and missing persons policy briefings.

Budget and Organizational Votes

At its June 24 meeting, the City Council considered several foundational fiscal measures. Among them: the annual property tax ordinance for FY 2027, the operating budget for the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, and the overall Ordinance of Estimates covering appropriations for all city agencies. A charter amendment to establish a dedicated Department of Water and Wastewater was also on the docket. No minutes were yet available, and outcomes of the votes have not been published.

Zoning, Bans and Tax Credits

On June 22, the council weighed a series of legislative and land-use actions. The agenda included an increase to the homestead property tax credit for the taxable year beginning July 2026, a ban on private detention centers, and a prohibition on data centers citywide. Members were also set to approve $2.5 million in supplementary state funding for homeless rental assistance and case management. Additionally, the body considered rezoning 4308–4312 Hayward Avenue to TOD-1 and 3605 Hickory Avenue to IMU-1, along with the closure of portions of Remington Avenue and Falls Road, and the sale of former public property. Meeting minutes have not yet been released.

Opioid Fund Oversight

The Public Health & Environment Committee held hearings on June 24 and July 1 to examine oversight of Baltimore’s opioid restitution fund. Council members assessed whether money is supporting effective, evidence-based strategies for vulnerable populations. The sessions centered on item LO25-0022 and did not include other substantive policy or budget items. Minutes remain pending.

Land Use Changes

On July 2, the Land Use & Transportation Committee discussed a proposal to transfer authority to regulate Baltimore Harbor from the Department of Housing to the Department of Transportation, including the establishment of an Office of the Harbormaster. Other items on the agenda included increasing church parking permit allotments and hours in Residential Permit Parking Area 48 (Riverside), amending building height measurement calculations for gambrel roofs, and granting authority to change street name suffixes. No votes were reported.

Coming Up

• **July 8** – The Public Health & Environment Committee cancelled a hearing on psychiatric rehabilitation programs (LO25-0023) and will reschedule. The same day, the Labor & Workforce Committee will hold a public hearing on Ordinance 26-0211, which would extend Employees’ Retirement System membership to select staff at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum, along with a mandate for an actuarial study.
• **July 9** – The Land Use & Transportation Committee will hold public hearings on rezoning 901 S Caton Ave from OR-2 to C-2, two single-family home conversions at 1118 N Carey St and 812 N Carey St, and a retail goods establishment with alcohol sales at 600 W North Ave.
• **July 14** – The Public Safety Committee will conduct an informational hearing on missing persons policies and procedures, requesting five years of case data, staffing levels, and turnover rates from the police department. Briefings are expected from the State’s Attorney, the Maryland Departments of Juvenile Services and Human Services, and the Black and Missing Foundation.