[PAGE 1]
City of Hyattsville
Hyattsville Municipal Building
4310 Gallatin Street, 3rd Floor
Hyattsville, MD 20781
(301)985-5000
www.hyattsville.org
Summary Regular Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SRPFASBiRQymH7EBXB8pDQ
Monday, March 23, 2026
7:00 PM
Virtual
CITY COUNCIL
Robert S. Croslin, Mayor
Joseph Solomon, Council President, Ward 5
Kareem Redmond, Council Vice President, Ward 3
Joanne Waszczak, Ward 1
Greg Barnes, Ward 1
Danny Schaible, Ward 2
Emily Strab, Ward 2
Gopi Dhokai, Ward 3
Edouard Haba, Ward 4
Michelle Lee, Ward 4
Kelson Nisbett, Ward 5
ADMINISTRATION
Tracey E. Douglas, City Administrator
Nate Groenendyk, City Clerk, 301-985-5001, cityclerk@hyattsville.org
City of Hyattsville Page 1 of 7 Monday, March 23, 2026

[PAGE 2]
City Council Summary Regular Meeting March 23, 2026
Welcome to the City of Hyattsville City Council Meeting!
Your participation at this public meeting is valued and appreciated.
AGENDA/PACKET: The Agenda/Packet is available for review at the Hyattsville Municipal Building and
online at www.hyattsville.org prior to the scheduled meeting (generally available no later than the Friday
prior to the scheduled Monday meeting). Please note, times given for agenda items are estimates only.
Matters other than those indicated on the agenda may also be considered at Council discretion.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT: In compliance with the ADA, if you need special assistance to
participate in this meeting or other services in conjunction with this meeting, please contact the City
Clerk’s Office at (301) 985-5009. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make
reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
AUDIBLE DEVICES: Please ensure all audible devices are turned off or otherwise not audible when the
City Council is in session. Thank you.
PUBLIC INPUT: If you wish to address the Council during the Public Comment period, please use the
"Raise Hand" feature in the virtual meeting interface. Participants may also submit statements
electronically via email to cityclerk@hyattsville.org no later than two (2) hours prior to the start of the
meeting. Submitted electronic statements will be sent to Councilmembers prior to the meeting and will
not be read aloud. All participants shall remain respectful in their contributions and associated functions
of the virtual meeting interface are not intended for public dialogue or discussion.
WAYS TO WATCH THE MEETING LIVE: City Council meetings are broadcast live on cable television channel
71 (Comcast) and channel 12 (Verizon). You may also view meetings live online
at https://hyattsvillemd.portal.civicclerk.com.
REPLAY SCHEDULE: The meetings will be re-broadcast on cable television, channel 71 (Comcast) and
channel 12 (Verizon) daily at 7:00 a.m., 1 p.m., and 8 p.m. Meetings are also able for replay online at
www.hyattsville.org/meetings.
CITY INFORMATION: Sign up to receive text and email notifications about Hyattsville events, government,
police and programs at www.hyattsville.org/list.aspx
INCLEMENT WEATHER: In the event of inclement weather, please call 301-985-5000 to confirm the status
of the Council meeting.
City of Hyattsville Page 2 of 7 Monday, March 23, 2026

[PAGE 3]
City Council Summary Regular Meeting March 23, 2026
Meeting Notice:
The Hyattsville City Council will hold its meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026 remotely via video
conference. The Council meeting will be conducted entirely remotely; there will be no in-person meeting
attendance.
The meeting will be broadcast live on cable television channel 71 (Comcast), channel 12 (Verizon), and
available via live stream at www.hyattsville.org/meetings.
LANGUAGE TRANSLATION AND CLOSED CAPTIONING: The City of Hyattsville offers translation and closed
captioning in over 50 languages for City Council Meetings via the Wordly platform. Follow the directions
below to access the service:
-Go to: https://attend.wordly.ai/join/RAVY-6886
-Ensure the Session ID RAVY-6886 is displayed.
-Select Your Choice of Language and click on the “Attend” button.
-You can now read the captions on your device and/or listen to the translation of the City Council
meeting.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact info@hyattsville.org.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
If you wish to address the Council during the Public Comment period, please use the "Raise Hand"
feature in the virtual meeting interface. Participants may also submit statements electronically via email
to cityclerk@hyattsville.org no later than two (2) hours prior to the start of the meeting. Submitted
electronic statements will be sent to Councilmembers prior to the meeting and included in the official
meeting record. Electronically submitted statements will not be read aloud. All participants shall remain
respectful in their contributions and associated functions of the virtual meeting interface are not
intended for public dialogue or discussion.
Members of the public who wish to comment during the virtual Council meeting must register in advance
using the link below.
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SRPFASBiRQymH7EBXB8pDQ
1. Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM
2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
3. Approval of Agenda Approved, Unanimously.
4. Approval of Minutes Approved, Unanimously.
4.a. 2026-195 Approval of Minutes
I move the Mayor and Council approve the minutes of the following meeting:
City of Hyattsville Page 3 of 7 Monday, March 23, 2026

[PAGE 4]
City Council Summary Regular Meeting March 23, 2026
• February 18, 2026
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: City Clerk
Attachments: Budget Work Session Minutes_February 18 2026
5. Public Comment (7:10 PM - 7:20 PM) Limit 2 minutes per speaker
Public comments submitted electronically can be found at the end of this summary.
6. City Administrator Update (7:20 PM - 7:40 PM)
7. Presentations (7:40 PM - 8:05 PM)
7.a. 2026-187 Dewberry: Hyattsville Data Analytics Project
For Presentation.
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: Administration
Attachments: Dewberry Council Presentation
8. Proclamations Approved, Unanimously.
8.a. 2026-190 Autism Awareness Day
I move that the Mayor and Council adopt a proclamation celebrating April 2, 2026, as
World Autism Awareness Day and April as Autism Acceptance Month in the City of
Hyattsville.
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: City Clerk
Attachments: CM 0323 National Autism Acceptance Month
8.b. 2026-191 National Public Health Week
I move the Mayor and Council adopt the proclamation designating April 6-12, 2026, as
National Public Health Week in the City of Hyattsville.
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: City Clerk
Attachments: CM 0323 Public Health Week 2026
City of Hyattsville Page 4 of 7 Monday, March 23, 2026

[PAGE 5]
City Council Summary Regular Meeting March 23, 2026
9. Appointments Approved, Unanimously.
9.a. 2026-188 Appointment to the Education Advisory Committee
I move the Mayor and Council appoint Danielle Sykes (Ward 5) to the Education Advisory
Committee for a term of two (2) years ending March 23, 2028.
Sponsors: Edouard Haba, Councilmember
Department: City Clerk
Attachments: Sykes Redac Application (1)
10. Consent Items (8:05 p.m. - 8:10 p.m.) Approved, Unanimously.
Items listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine in nature, and are approved in one
motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless the Mayor/Council request
specific items be removed from the Consent agenda for separate action.
10.a. 2026-184 Lower Ward 1 Resiliency Projects Support
I move that the Mayor and Council authorize an expenditure to the Low Impact
Development Center (LIDC) in an amount not to exceed $103,100 for continuing
coordination and project management for the Lower Ward 1 Resiliency Projects under
their existing contract with the City.
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: Department of Public Works
Attachments: LIDC DPW19-011A Lower Ward 1 Resiliency Proposal 02-19-2026
10.b. 2026-194 FY26 Budget Amendment: Special Revenues Funds Appropriation of National
Opiod Settlement Funds
I move that the Mayor and Council amend the FY26 Special Revenues Funds Budget to
appropriate $33,975.64 in National Opioid Settlement Funds. These funds can only be used
to serve the purpose of Opioid Remediation as set forth in the National Opioid Settlement
Agreement and the State of Maryland Opioid Subdivision agreement with local
jurisdictions.
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: Finance
Attachments:
11. Action Items (8:10 p.m. - 9:10 p.m.)
11.a. 2026-183 2026-2031 City of Hyattsville Strategic Plan: Stepping Forward
Approved, Unanimously.
City of Hyattsville Page 5 of 7 Monday, March 23, 2026

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City Council Summary Regular Meeting March 23, 2026
I move the Mayor and City Council adopt the 2026-2031 Hyattsville Strategic Plan titled
"Stepping Forward" as presented, which establishes the City's priorities, goals, and
strategies to guide policy decisions and departmental work plans.
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: Community, Business, and Economic Development
Attachments: HVL-StrategicPlan-2026
11.b. 2026-192 Creation of Hyattsville Common Ownership Community Advisory Committee
Yes:10/ No:0/Abstain:1 The motion carries.
I move the Mayor and Council approve the creation of Hyattsville Common Ownership
Community Advisory Committee in accordance with the associated committee worksheet.
Sponsors: Kareem Redmond, Council Vice President, Joseph Solomon, Council
President, Greg Barnes, Councilmember, Kelson Nisbett,
Councilmember, Danny Schaible, Councilmember, Edouard Haba,
Councilmember
Department: Legislative
Attachments: Hyattsville Common Ownership Community Advisory Committee_Final
11.c. 2026-193 Creation of the CERT Committee Approved, Unanimously.
I move the Mayor and Council approve the creation of the Hyattsville Community Emergency
Response Team Committee in accordance with the associated committee worksheet.
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: Administration
Attachments: CERT Committee Worksheet_Draft
12. Discussion Items (9:10 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.)
12.a. 2026-189 FY27 Budget Discussion
For Discussion.
Sponsors: City Administrator
Department: City Clerk
Attachments:
City of Hyattsville Page 6 of 7 Monday, March 23, 2026

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City Council Summary Regular Meeting March 23, 2026
13. Council Dialogue (9:45 p.m. - 9:55 p.m.)
14. Motion to Adjourn Approved, Unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:34 PM.
Attest: March 24, 2026
City of Hyattsville Page 7 of 7 Monday, March 23, 2026

[PAGE 8]
3/23/26, 10:49 AM Inbox - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
Supporting our neighbors
From AK
Date Mon 3/23/2026 10:48 AM
To
Cc
Dear Council member Barnes,
I am a resident in Ward 1 and I voted for you for city council. I am writing to ask that you support the
motion to allocate 100K, or less than 1/7 of the parking enforcement budget to helping our neighbors.
This direct aid will not only likely go largely back into the Hyattsville economy, it is also a meaningful
statement about the values of our city. Not only that, it will alleviate the burden on folks working to
lessen the impact of the sudden disappearance of people from our community. I am one of the people
trying to send materials to families including two children housed temporarily in a church while their
mom fights to get bond. Please use the power of the council's budget to make a big impact and make
people like me extra proud to call Hyattsville home.
Sincerely,
Allison Kole
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQAPeWQAflrGtJqvvtIC94OT4… 1/1

[PAGE 9]
3/23/26, 1:05 PM Inbox - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
A note from Ward 5 on the budget motion - public comment
From Amelie von Fluegge
Date Mon 3/23/2026 11:52 AM
To
Cc
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I will be watching the budget vote to see if the Council treats a 0.25% allocation for emergency grants as
a priority or a burden. Our neighbors' lives are at stake. We provided $1M during COVID; we should
provide $100k now for the same reason. I expect your support for this motion.
Thank you for your service and for considering this critical matter for our community.
Sincerely,
Amelie V.
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQANxNzp%2B8GP5JvXt%2Bb… 1/1

[PAGE 10]
3/23/26, 10:30 AM Inbox - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
Prove Hyattsville is a place that welcomes and supports neighbors in need - pass the emergency
allocation
From Brenden Sloan
Date Mon 3/23/2026 10:25 AM
To
Cc
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
As you begin drafting the budget, I want to highlight the urgent need for the $100,000
emergency grant funding. In 2020, this city stepped up with $1 million for resident support
during the pandemic. Today, we are losing neighbors to detention at the same rate we lost
people during the deadliest year of COVID, yet we are struggling to provide even 10% of that
support in this new cycle. This is an urgent need unique to Hyattsville, and your vote on this will
help me figure out how I will vote in the next election.
Thank you for your service and for considering this critical matter for our community.
Sincerely,
Brenden Sloan
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQAFZxvU3mcYFNuzNvXDAV7… 1/1

[PAGE 11]
3/23/26, 10:31 AM Inbox - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
Action needed: FY2026 Emergency Support Fund - Public Comment
From Hilary Tone Forslund
Date Mon 3/23/2026 10:27 AM
To
Cc
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
Federal enforcement is ramping up, and Hyattsville is on the front lines. Our budget must reflect this
change. Council Member Haba's emergency funding motion is a direct response to this shift. We spend
seven times this amount on parking enforcement; surely we can find 0.25% of the budget to protect our
neighbors from the unique legal and financial costs of detention. I look forward to seeing the Council's
leadership, and I'll be watching this vote closely.
Thank you for your service and for considering this critical matter for our community.
Sincerely,
Hilary F.
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQAEEPgEe4HWVFg0TePfk9%… 1/1

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3/23/26, 9:03 AM Mail - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
Support for the $100k Emergency Community Fund - Public Comment
From Jennie Reinhardt
Date Sun 3/22/2026 2:42 PM
To
Cc
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing because I want to see a commitment to community stability in the upcoming budget. The
proposed $100,000 fund for neighbors impacted by federal enforcement is a responsible way to address
a crisis unique to Hyattsville. Last year's budget shows that $100k is just one quarter of one percent of
our spending. Given that 31% of our city is foreign-born, this safety net is essential. Your position on this
motion will be a deciding factor for me in the next election.
Thank you for your service! Please support this critical funding for our community.
Sincerely,
Jennie R.
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQANoeeFvIPNJFn0ylLwHYg%… 1/1

[PAGE 13]
3/23/26, 1:07 PM Inbox - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
Action needed: FY2026 Emergency Support Fund - Public Comment
From Lily Murnen
Date Mon 3/23/2026 12:47 PM
To
Cc
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I ask that you support the $100,000 emergency support fund. Losing a breadwinner overnight shouldn't
mean a family ends up on the street. I have watched my neighbors step up and donate thousands of
dollars to support hundreds of families who have had a loved one taken by ICE. And it's still not enough.
$100,000 dollars won't be enough either, but the need is so great that we need all the support available.
I believe this fund is an excellent use of my tax dollars, and I urge you to vote "yes."
Thank you for your service and for considering this critical matter for our community.
Sincerely,
Lily M
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQALbo7OxVy3NFup4hBAcSOr… 1/1

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3/23/26, 9:06 AM Mail - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
Budget priorities for residents on 38th - Public Comment
From Lisa _Elise Walker
Date Mon 3/23/2026 2:50 AM
To
Cc
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
Please include the $100,000 emergency support grants in the budget. We are losing residents to
detention at rates that rival the deadliest year of the pandemic, yet the city is hesitant to provide even
a fraction of the $1M we allocated back then. This fund is a rounding error and it will not negatively
impact other city services. I will be looking for your name on the 'Yes' list when the final vote is cast.
I believe one of our Constitutional Rights is to live without fear of being snatched off the streets or
having masked strangers force their way into our homes and carried away to detention centers. I want
my tax dollars used to protect our citizen’s rights.
Thank you for your service and for considering this critical matter for our community.
Sincerely,
Elise W
--
Elise G. (Lisa) Walker
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQAIbcRxKCWT9BgMFgMwYbA… 1/1

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3/23/26, 5:00 PM Inbox - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
Council item - common ownership committee
From Melissa Schweisguth
Date Mon 3/23/2026 4:55 PM
To
Dear Mayor and council
Thanks for your service to HVL
Regarding the common ownership community advisory committee, I support a working group to
develop policies for Hyattsville’s services and policies for these communities.
However I request consideration of a few changes:
- make this a time limited task force given that the long identified needs relate to policies for providing
city services or tax rebates where the city does not provide the service. This is a defined need that can be
addressed with informed operational policies. The task force should have a year to identify issues and
recommendations for city policies, then sunset.
- limit membership to a reasonable number of residents, rather than one from each COC. A committee
with a member from each COC would be a city supported lobbying group and give these communities
unfair leverage over other types of residents. Other committees have about ten maximum, more than
sufficient for a representative sample. The committee can hold listening sessions, focus groups, surveys
etc., to get exhaustive feedback. It would also make for an unwieldy decision making body and could get
very costly if each member takes the stipend.
- exclude code compliance from consideration. Code can and does enforce city code on private property
if requested. If COCs have additional rules and regulations they should bear the cost of enforcement.
Thanks
Melissa schweisguth
Ward 5
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQAJW69ZKhXFxBr94SFLeOgS… 1/1

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3/23/26, 10:29 AM Inbox - Quianna Taylor - Outlook
Outlook
Budget priorities for residents on Buchanan St, - Public Comment
From Robert Duncan
Date Mon 3/23/2026 10:23 AM
To
Cc
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I'm writing today to urge the Council to include the $100k emergency fund. We spend significantly
more on parking enforcement; surely we can find 0.25% for our neighbors in crisis. Your position on
this motion will be a deciding factor for me in the next election.
Thank you for your service and for considering this critical matter for our community.
Sincerely,
Robert D.
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADljMjA3ZTc5LTBhZTEtNDQ0OS1hNmU1LWZlY2EwYWE2NjA3MwAQANz9HII5ht1HhKcfUMGt19A… 1/1