Hyattsville City Council Regular Meeting - November 3, 2025

The Hyattsville City Council met virtually on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:00 PM; the meeting was called to order at 7:03 PM and adjourned at 9:43 PM. The agenda was approved after an amendment clarifying that Juan Pablo Madrid, the Code Compliance Committee appointee, resides in Ward 4. Council heard public comment, received departmental updates, adopted three proclamations, approved appointments and consent items, and acted on two law-enforcement technology contracts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Erin Hogeboom (Ward 2), speaking as a member of the Friends of Greenwood board, expressed concerns that newly installed stanchions near the Greenwood School/old Kaiser building have negatively affected parents and students, and requested collaboration on a better solution.
• Melissa Schweisguth (Ward 5) expressed full support for stop sign cameras but asked the Council not to approve the JENOPTIK contract without a publicly available contract and cost details, calling the proposed revenue split an incentive to issue more tickets.
• Tatjana Hrubik Vulanovic (Ward 5) raised financial transparency concerns, stating that multiple financial reports have not been published on the City website, the Quarter 1 report and Capital Improvement Plan do not match, and the City Treasurer has not fulfilled commitments.
• Daniel Hunt (Ward 4) advised that the federal government is seeking office space in Hyattsville, and said he is concerned ICE may be preparing to set up operations that could increase ICE raids; he urged the City to protect residents' civil rights.
• Daniel Broder (Ward 2) supported the data-protection provisions in the Accurint/Lexis Nexis agreement, asked for a termination clause if data is shared with ICE, echoed concerns about voting on the stop sign camera contract before public review, and supported ranked choice voting.

City Administrator Update

• Staff highlighted resources for federal workers affected by the government shutdown, including a $62 million state grant for SNAP benefits and local/nonprofit assistance.
• Drug Take Back Day collected 112 pounds of unused/expired medications.
• Economic Development Week included a business roundtable and visits to local businesses; seven-year anniversaries were noted for Sam Froid, Streetcar 82, and Meatworks.
• A proposed affordable housing project at First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville would deliver 124 units (50 family, 70 senior, 36 permanent supportive housing), but did not receive low-income housing tax credits; the City will continue working with the developer on funding pathways.
• A proposed Business Improvement District in Ward 3 did not gather the required 51% property-owner support; 32 parcels were in the proposed boundary. Staff said conversations will continue through alternative approaches.
• The teen center, public safety building, and newly opened environmental depot (accepting batteries, electronics, clothing, styrofoam, and related items) are in various stages of completion/operation.
• The City was awarded over $150,000 toward the Hyattsville Climate Action Plan; UMD students are conducting door-to-door surveys, with adoption targeted for late next summer.
• Council members requested follow-up updates on the Portland Loo at Heurich Park, an overflowing clothing bin near Kaiser, the traffic light at Nicholson Street and Ager Road, the West Hyattsville traffic plan, and opening Nicholson Street near Riverfront.

Proclamations

• 2026-94: Native American Heritage Month (November 2025) - adopted unanimously.
• 2026-95: Veterans Day (November 11, 2025) - adopted unanimously.
• 2026-96: Municipal Government Works Month (November 2025) - adopted unanimously.

Appointments

• 2026-91: Alexander Houck (Ward 3) appointed to the Planning Committee; Todd Dengel (Ward 2) and Maureen Foster (Ward 2) reappointed, terms ending November 3, 2027 - approved unanimously.
• 2026-97: Juan Pablo Madrid (Ward 4) appointed to the Code Compliance Advisory Committee, term ending November 3, 2027 - approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• 2026-92: Authorized $93.31 in Ward 3 discretionary funds to Council Vice President Redmond as reimbursement for refreshments for a Teen Action Group meeting at the Hyattsville Branch Library - approved unanimously.
• 2026-93: Accepted Audit Committee recommendations on the FY23 Audit and directed the City Treasurer to present a corrective action plan in January 2026 - approved unanimously.

Action Items

Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions Agreement (9.a)

Chief Towers and Lexis Nexis CEO Haywood Talcove presented the Accurint/Virtual Crime Center agreement. Staff described contract amendments limiting data sharing to CAD/RMS data, prohibiting third-party or DHS/ICE access unless required by law/court order, and requiring notification of data requests. Councilmember Waszczak moved to send the contract to the City Attorney to add a clause covering breach of confidentiality and the City's right to terminate for material breach. The motion passed 6-4-1 (AYE: Waszczak, Solomon, Schaible, Redmond, Haba, Lee; NAY: Barnes, Strab, Nisbett, Dhokai; ABSTAIN: Mayor Croslin). The original contract-approval motion was not voted on because contract language will return to Council after legal review. (Note: The agenda lists this item without a resolution number; the minutes identify it as 2026-131.)

Contract Award: Stop Sign Cameras (9.b)

Chief Towers presented the RFP process that selected JENOPTIK Smart Mobility Solutions, LLC for a three-year Automated Stop Sign Enforcement Program. The proposal has no upfront costs and a 65/35 revenue split. JENOPTIK representative Katherine Nash answered questions on pricing, camera locations, data retention, and warning periods. Councilmembers discussed school-zone-only placement, a citation warning period, data security, enforcement thresholds, and community feedback. Councilmember Schaible said he would not support the program without a threshold aligned with speed camera practices. A motion by Council President Solomon, seconded by Councilmember Strab, was amended to authorize the City Administrator to negotiate a three-year contract subject to review and approval by the Mayor, City Council, and City Attorney for legal sufficiency. The amended motion passed unanimously (11-0).

Council Dialogue

• Councilmember Haba reminded colleagues of the November 13 PG County Councilmember buddy meeting in Morningside.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved as amended (unanimous).
• Three proclamations adopted (unanimous).
• Planning Committee and Code Compliance Committee appointments approved (unanimous).
• Consent items approved (unanimous).
• Lexis Nexis agreement sent back to the City Attorney to add breach/termination language; final contract to return to Council (6-4-1).
• JENOPTIK stop sign camera contract award approved, with negotiation authority for a three-year contract subject to Mayor, Council, and City Attorney review (unanimous).
• Council requested follow-up reports at the next meeting on the Portland Loo, clothing bin, Nicholson Street/Ager Road traffic light, West Hyattsville Traffic Plan, and Nicholson Street opening.
• Meeting adjourned at 9:43 PM.