Friday, April 26, 2013
Councilman Bill Henry said he is introducing the legislation at the behest of the Loch Raven Improvement Association.
A bill will be introduced on Monday that would raise the fine for posting illegal signs in Baltimore. Councilman Bill Henry, who represents the York Road corridor, said he was sponsoring the bill, which would increase the penalty for posting a sign illegally from $200 to $500, at the behest of the Loch Raven Improvement Association. "The Loch Raven Improvement Association is also particularly protective of the expanse of median in the middle of Loch Raven Boulevard where people put up more traditional yard signs," Henry said. He said the community feels that heavier fines may be a deterrent to businesses placing signs in prohibited places, such as streetlights and medians. Although he said many businesses place the signs without knowing …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
The tax is almost identical to what was previously proposed by Councilman Bill Henry, who represents the York Road corridor.
A city council committee is set to give a hearing to a proposed billboard tax that could mean $1 million in revenue for Baltimore. At 10 a.m., Thursday at City Hall, the Baltimore City Council’s Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the tax. The idea of taxing billboards is not new, Councilman Bill Henry has proposed the tax twice before, but it’s the first time the expected revenue from the tax has been included in a proposed budget, indicating Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s support. In February, Henry said his proposal, which would have charged a tax of $5 per 10 square foot for outdoor advertising and larger than 10 feet and $15 per square foot for electronic advertising, was defeated …
Monday, April 22, 2013
Patch asks readers to share their opinions on the news impacting North Baltimore.
Proposals for two new taxes and keeping another rate from being reduced are scheduled to go before the Baltimore City Council Monday. The proposals include charging a 25-cents a trip excise on cab fares, a tax on billboard ads and maintaining the parking tax at it’s current 20 percent rate. The proposals were all included in the city’s 10-year financial plan and in Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s proposed budget. What do you think of the proposals? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Monday, March 11, 2013
It's your turn to share your thoughts on topics in the news.
The Baltimore City Council is scheduled to vote for the final time Monday on a bill that would allow agencies selling tickets, such as Ticketmaster, to charge unlimited fees, but prohibits individuals from selling tickets for more than 50 cents above face value. What do you think about the city limiting “scalping” but allowing agencies to to charge unlimited fees? Tell us in the comments.
Monday, February 4, 2013
A bill being introduced to the Baltimore City Council would prevent city employees from taking home vehicles if they live 25 miles outside the city.
A proposed ordinance would prevent city employees from taking home city owned vehicles to a residence more than 25 miles outside of Baltimore. Councilman William Cole IV is the lead sponsor of the bill that will be introduced to the Baltimore City Council on Monday. City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young is listed as a co-sponsor. Cole said he has been working on the issue for years, going back to 2008 when he addressed the problem of city police cars being taken far outside the city with former Mayor Sheila Dixon’s administration. He said initially the number of cars being taken home to places as far away as Deleware declined, but has started to creep back up. "It’s not a new issue. It’s something I’ve been looking at for a while…
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Councilwoman Rochelle "Rikki" Spector introduced the bill on Monday.
Councilwoman Rochelle "Rikki" Spector introduced legislation aimed at stifling panhandlers in the city. Spector’s bill would prevent anyone from soliciting while standing in a lane divider, roadway or shoulder. The legislation was assigned to the Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee. The bill was introduced Monday night at during the City Council meeting and is co-sponsored by Councilman Edward Reisinger, Councilman William “Pete” Welch and Councilman James Kraft. Spector represents the Mount Washington and Poplar Hill neighborhoods in North Baltimore. She was not available for comment following the council meeting.
Friday, January 18, 2013
The winning high school students could win a day shadowing Councilman Nick Mosby.
Councilman Nick Mosby, who represents parts of Hampden, is hosting a poetry contest asking high school age residents for submissions on African American history. The top three poems will be shared in Mosby’s SEVENth District Magazine and the first place winner earns a chance to shadow the councilman for a day at City Hall, according to an email. The winners will be announced at their schools on March 1. Poems should focus on an African American who has influenced you, a moment in African American history that has impacted the poet’s life or a conversation with a historical African American figure. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 22 and should be emailed to Candance Green, a communications and media aide, at candance.greene@…
Monday, January 7, 2013
Review all the resolutions, bill and hearings before the Baltimore City Council this week.
City Council committees will be holding hearings this week reviewing ordinances and resolutions aimed at addressing a variety of issues from city auditing practices to the Vacants to Value Initiative. The times and dates for these events are reported on the City Council’s legislative calendar and are subject to change.
Friday, December 7, 2012
The City Council passed a resolution calling on its General Assembly delegation to create legislation changing state law to increase access to payment in lieu of taxes.
The City Council wants state lawmakers to change the law to allow smaller developments outside of designated urban renewal zones access to special tax incentives. Payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, allows the city to reduce real estate taxes on a project for a period of time, and accept a negotiated payment instead, making development in the city more attractive. These incentives have been criticized as a handout to developers to encourage building in all ready thriving parts of the city, such as Harbor East. But on Thursday the council passed a resolution calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation allowing the city to grant the incentives to smaller neighborhood based projects. Currently, to qualify for a payment in lieu of taxes…
Monday, November 19, 2012
The bill would require red light and speed camera violations to be reported four times a year to the city council and mayor’s office.
The bill would require violations of speed and red light cameras by school vehicles to be reported four times a year. Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke has introduced legislation that would allow the city to track speed and red light camera violations by school vehicles. The ordinance will be introduced during the city council hearing scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, according to the agenda posted online. According to an introductory copy of the bill, it would require the Department of Transportation, with assistance from the Department of Finance, to report citations and warnings for school vehicles to the council and mayor’s office four times each fiscal year. Sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Contact editor …
Sean Tully
10:45 am on Sunday, April 28, 2013
I don't need government to manage illegal signs, at least not in my neighborhood. When a sign goes up it comes down soon after I see it. more ›