Mike Kelly on Baltimore Metropolitan Council

What if the most impactful work shaping your daily life never makes the news? We sit down with Mike Kelly, executive director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), to reveal how a small regional team coordinates transportation, housing, workforce, and climate resilience across Central Maryland—and why that matters for every commute, job search, and neighborhood.Mike breaks down the inner workings of the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization and how it helps local governments program their share of federal transportation dollars. We trace the ripple effects from bike infrastructure to bus service, highways, and freight, then zoom out to the council’s broader portfolio: fair housing plans and regional vouchers, a 30-year building permits database used to track development, and a collaborative purchasing program that has saved jurisdictions more than $340 million on electricity while opening doors to renewable energy. We also get into climate resilience, air quality, and reservoir health—areas where regional coordination turns siloed efforts into measurable progress.The conversation shifts to Chesapeake Connect, the council’s immersive learning trip that brings together county executives, agency heads, CEOs, foundations, and community leaders to study another city’s wins and missteps. From Nashville’s growth pains to Philadelphia’s neighborhood rebuilding, Mike shares candid lessons that help our region avoid familiar pitfalls. We also spotlight the Chesapeake Leadership Academy, a new cohort for rising local government professionals who learn directly from CAOs, police chiefs, planners, and communicators about leading through complexity.Threading it all together is BMC’s quiet superpower: nonpartisan convening. In a region where large counties often have the scale to go it alone, the council creates the space to align on issues that cross borders—public transportation, affordable housing, workforce pipelines, clean energy, and climate resilience. It’s practical, data-driven, and built on relationships that continue long after the bus rides end.Subscribe, share with a friend, and tell us: what regional challenge should we tackle next?If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Land use isn’t abstract policy—it’s the shape of your morning, your rent, and your kid’s walk to school. We sit down with Deputy CAO Janssen Evelyn to go inside the decisions that turn a 200‑page plan into the street under your feet: who builds, what gets built, and how we protect nature while making room for the people who keep our county running.We unpack the real work behind Plan 2040 and why equity isn’t a slogan here—it’s baked into housing and transportation choices. Janssen shares how “eat the frog” conversations move projects forward across planning, zoning, inspections, and community groups. We talk about the hard pivot from car‑only standards to a multimodal, safety‑first update of Adequate Public Facilities (APF): sidewalks, wider shared‑use paths, safer crossings, and transit connections where they matter most. From Riva Road signal fixes to future‑proofing growth areas, we look at how smarter design can reduce congestion and give residents real options beyond another solo drive.Housing affordability takes center stage: how the county went from stalled efforts to required on‑site units for rentals and ownership, why some developers rushed to file before the deadline, and how ADUs deliver gentle, incremental supply without changing the feel of neighborhoods. We revisit sprawl’s costly lessons in places like Two Rivers and talk about what placemaking looks like when commercial and residential actually connect. Throughout, Janssen explains the balance of leverage and listening—meeting with MBIA, NAIOP, environmental advocates, and neighborhood coalitions—to surface pain points without losing the core goals: fix outdated traffic rules and build communities that are livable, fair, and green.If you care about safer streets, lower housing costs, and a county that grows without losing what makes it special, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with the one change you want to see in your neighborhood. Your ideas shape what gets built next.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

What would you do if your day in immigration court came without a lawyer?County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Annapolis Immigration Justice Network (AIJN) Executive Director, Jessa Coulter, to explore how a lean, local model of legal aid helps immigrant families secure due process, stability, and a real shot at a future.Jessa traces AIJN’s roots from a 2017 volunteer effort to a focused countywide network that funds low-bono attorneys. You’ll learn why immigration courts lack public defenders, how a $3,000 legal retainer can change a case's trajectory, and how AIJN achieves a 96% favorable outcome rate by staying laser-focused on legal representation.Together, they unpack powerful stories—from stabilizing a 16-year-old trafficking survivor to reuniting a mother released from out-of-state detention—showing how legal help and local compassion intersect when the stakes are highest.This conversation offers valuable insight into how local action can solve national challenges, emphasizing due process, family unity, and practical solutions that benefit our entire community.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Ever wanted to ask a question to the County Executive about your local government? For this episode, County Executive Pittman held live “office hours,” pulled from call-ins, emails, and street interviews at River Days, and tackled big topics: how we fund public safety, where affordable homes will come from, why some projects move and others stall, and how you can steer decisions that touch your street.We start with the nuts and bolts of safety. From contract funding for officers to technology that matters on the ground, we break down how the Real Time Information Center links body cams, drones, and the police helicopter to officers in the field. We share what’s working in violence prevention through Cure Violence Global, how reentry reduces repeat harm, and where capital dollars improve stations, training, and response. Then we get honest about housing affordability. Hear how inclusionary requirements now guarantee affordable units in new subdivisions, why accessory dwelling units can add discreet supply without subsidy, and how Crownsville’s redevelopment could blend transitional housing, affordable rental, and on-site health services.Infrastructure and growth take center stage as we map out major capital projects: new schools, parks, trails, bridges, firehouses, libraries, and resilience work across the county. We explain how Plan 2040 and nine regional plans aim to put development where infrastructure already exists, why the Land Use Navigator and public campaign finance raise the bar on transparency, and what “smart growth” means in practice. We also unpack hot topics like red light and speed cameras—how to request them, how sites are chosen by data—and the long-running Chesapeake Terrace rubble landfill fight, with the latest legal status and what could come next.Climate goals anchor the forward look: 100 percent renewable energy for county operations by 2030, an electric fleet on a clear timeline, and a Resilience Authority building for rising risks. For seniors and caregivers, we highlight the housing resource portal that consolidates programs and options near Annapolis. And if you want a say, we point you to Engage Arundel, budget town halls, and simple steps to mobilize with your HOA or local nonprofit so your voice moves policy, not just comments.Subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor who cares about roads, housing, or safety, and send us your toughest question for the next office hours. If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Did you know that in Anne Arundel County, a third of its residents are living paycheck to paycheck? In this eye-opening conversation, County Executive Pittman sits down with Dr. Pam Brown, Executive Director of the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, to discuss her new "Poverty Amidst Plenty" report and the solutions that give hope.Dr. Brown's unique perspective, shaped by a childhood in a poor urban neighborhood in England, drives her innovative approach. She explains the work of the Partnership's teams, which literally gather every relevant human service agency at the table for a single family to provide a "hand-up," not a handout.The conversation goes deep into the economics of poverty, challenging traditional thinking with her concept of "wrong pockets." She reveals how investing in people and communities through programs like the pilot in Brooklyn Park provides a massive return on investment, a powerful message she has even taken to the Federal Reserve of New York.Whether you're a policymaker, a community advocate, or simply someone who believes in the power of a helping hand, this conversation offers a masterclass in how compassion, data, and community-driven organizing can solve our most difficult problems. Listen and discover how making people healthy and self-sufficient benefits our entire county.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Ever wondered what happens when your food leaves the farm? Kevin Atticks, Maryland's Secretary of Agriculture, takes us behind the scenes of our food system with a fresh perspective that might change how you think about farming forever.Unlike his predecessors who typically came from traditional farming backgrounds, Atticks brings expertise in value-added agriculture—helping farmers transform their raw products into profitable goods like locally-distilled whiskey or farm-fresh ice cream. This innovative approach could be the key to saving Maryland's family farms for generations to come.The conversation reveals surprising connections between agriculture and everyday life. Did you know the Department of Agriculture regulates everything from gas pumps to grocery store scales? Or that we're now "four generations away from knowing a farmer"—creating a dangerous knowledge gap about where our food comes from?Atticks shares compelling visions for reconnecting communities with agriculture through innovative education programs where students help process local food for school lunches. He details plans for a Regional Agricultural Center in Anne Arundel County that could provide centralized processing facilities—allowing more farmers to create value-added products without navigating complex regulations individually.Modern farmers face unprecedented challenges: market uncertainties from shifting trade policies, competition for land from solar developers, and regulatory hurdles that can make innovation nearly impossible. But his practical solutions offer hope through creativity and collaboration.Whether you're a farmer seeking new revenue streams, a policy maker concerned about food security, or simply someone who enjoys knowing where your food comes from, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of Maryland agriculture. Listen and discover how supporting local food systems benefits everyone—from field to table.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Modern libraries have transformed far beyond their traditional role as book repositories, evolving into dynamic community hubs that serve diverse needs. During his conversation with County Executive Steuart Pittman, Skip Auld, CEO of Anne Arundel County Public Libraries, shares his 50-year perspective on this evolution.The Anne Arundel library system now offers a "library of things" - fishing poles, museum passes, and sewing machines alongside books, e-books, and audiobooks. Their 16 branches plus mobile outreach vehicles function as vital community centers where people gather, study, meet, and participate in programming that draws hundreds of thousands of attendees annually. The Discoveries Library at Westfield Annapolis Mall exemplifies this innovative approach, drawing visitors from across Maryland with its specialized programming.During challenging times, these libraries have proven themselves essential. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they distributed masks, test kits, and gun locks as part of broader public health initiatives. When faced with book-banning movements, the Board of Trustees boldly declared the system a "book sanctuary," affirming their commitment to intellectual freedom and diverse materials.The future looks bright with several new branches in development. A state-of-the-art Glen Burnie Library will include a cultural resources lab and local history center. A unique partnership with the YMCA will create a new library in Millersville, while plans for a permanent Mountain Road branch are underway. These expansions reflect the county's recognition of libraries as essential community assets.Behind these services stand approximately 470 dedicated staff members who select materials, develop programming, and ensure libraries remain responsive to community needs. Their kindergarten readiness initiatives are particularly impactful, helping prepare children for school success in partnership with public and private educational institutions.Whether you're seeking knowledge, community connection, or practical resources, today's libraries stand ready to serve. If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

In this conversation, the Annapolis-born muralist Comacell Brown speaks with County Executive Steuart Pittman on how his artistic journey evolved from painting t-shirts in middle school to creating large-scale public art throughout Anne Arundel County and beyond.Brown takes us behind the scenes of the stunning Arundel Center mural, where he collaborated with fellow artist Cindy Fletcher Holden to transform a four-story "Great White Wall" into an interactive celebration of county life. The project's innovative augmented reality component brings elements of the mural to life through smartphone technology, complete with ambient sounds of birds chirping and Blue Angels flying overhead.What makes Brown's approach unique is his commitment to community involvement. Rather than imposing his vision, he conducts "jam sessions" where residents and stakeholders contribute ideas that shape his designs. This collaborative process creates unexpected connections: "Even when I leave, you'll see community members that maybe have lived next door to each other for years and never spoken. And then we get out on an art project, and you all are assisting and helping each other paint a straight line, and now you're talking every day."As creative director for Tunnel Vision and through his work with the Chase Your Dreams Initiative, Brown extends his artistic impact by engaging youth in basketball court renovation projects. These transformative experiences show troubled kids that "they just needed something to keep them active and show them a real role model."Brown's passion for community-building through art offers a powerful reminder that public spaces matter. Whether it's a basketball court in Meade Village or a downtown gathering place, art creates environments where diverse community members connect across generational, economic, and cultural divides. His closing advice to parents of artistic children resonates with anyone who believes in nurturing creative potential: "If you see them drawing, if they're one of the ones getting in trouble in school because they're always drawing – there's a silver lining in that artwork."Ready to see your community through an artist's eyes? Listen now and share this episode with someone who believes in the power of public art to transform neighborhoods and lives.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joins County Executive Steuart Pittman for a candid conversation about Baltimore's remarkable public safety turnaround. The city is experiencing its lowest homicide rate in 50 years through a comprehensive public health approach to violence prevention. With $50 million invested in community violence intervention programs, Baltimore has expanded from four to ten Safe Streets sites where credible messengers – often those who previously participated in street life – intervene in conflicts before they escalate."When the community steps up to do it in a different way, some folks push back," Mayor Scott notes, addressing the resistance he's faced from traditional power brokers. Despite this opposition, his administration has implemented innovative strategies, including hospital-based violence response teams and a focused deterrence model that combines support services with accountability.The conversation reveals how prevention plays an equally crucial role. Under Scott's leadership, Baltimore has increased its Recreation and Parks budget by 40%, investing $200 million in capital projects, including new pools and recreation centers with extended hours. This summer alone, 12,000 students participated in learning programs while 8,500 young people secured employment through YouthWorks.Mayor Scott also addresses Baltimore's structural challenges, particularly its limited tax base with 25% of property being tax-exempt due to hospitals, universities, and government buildings. His administration has reduced vacant properties from 16,000 to 12,000 through innovative financing approaches, with a $3 billion plan to eliminate vacancies entirely.Ultimately, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott's journey from Park Heights to City Hall represents a profound shift in leadership – one where lived experience meets 18 years of government service to create transformative change. More importantly, his leadership proves that when core cities thrive, entire regions benefit. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in governance, violence prevention, and equitable community development.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV

Housing is at a crisis point in Maryland, with a shortage of nearly 100,000 units driving up costs and leaving communities struggling. In this eye-opening conversation, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Maryland Housing Secretary Jake Day to unpack not just the problems, but the potential solutions.Secretary Day brings a fascinating background to his role—from small-town Eastern Shore kid to Salisbury mayor to state cabinet secretary. His journey through architecture school, military service, and local government has shaped his perspective on how housing connects to every aspect of community well-being. "I never sought to become the housing mayor," Day explains, "but it became a thing that happened" as he witnessed firsthand how the pandemic accelerated existing housing challenges.What makes this conversation particularly valuable is the candid discussion of policy approaches. Day outlines his "three-legged stool" framework—increasing housing supply through reduced regulations, ensuring affordability through targeted interventions, and implementing renter protections for vulnerable populations. Beyond policy mechanics, the conversation delves into the philosophy of community building. Day reflects on his early work with a land conservation organization, where he learned that thriving towns need both environmental protection and smart development. This balanced approach, respecting local character while acknowledging the urgent need for more housing, offers a distinctly "Maryland solution" to a problem facing communities nationwide.Whether you're a policy wonk, a community advocate, or simply someone concerned about housing affordability, this episode provides valuable insights into one of the most pressing challenges facing our communities today. How can we build more housing without sacrificing the character that makes our neighborhoods special? The answers might surprise you.If you like the stories and insights in Pittman and Friends, be sure to follow the County Executive on social media and sign up for his Weekly Letter using the links below. Weekly Letter: https://www.aacounty.org/county-executive/steuart-pittman/pittmans-pen/weekly-letterFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACoExecX (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AACoExecInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/AACoExec/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArundelTV