Hyattsville City Council Regular Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Hyattsville City Council met virtually on Monday, November 17, 2025. Mayor Robert S. Croslin called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM, and all 11 councilmembers were present. The council approved the agenda and prior minutes, heard two public comments, received updates from the City Administrator and Department of Public Works, adopted two proclamations, approved three appointments and two consent items, held council dialogue, and adjourned at 8:25 PM. All formal votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda as amended by adding the appointment of Colin Hendy (Ward 3) to the Educational Facilities Task Force. The minutes later spell the name "Hendry," while the attachment and transcript use "Hendy."
• Approved the minutes of October 6, 2025, and October 20, 2025.
• Adopted a proclamation recognizing November 29, 2025, as Small Business Saturday.
• Adopted a proclamation recognizing November 17-25, 2025, as American Education Week.
• Reappointed Daniel Amador (Ward 5) to the Racial Equity Task Force for a two-year term ending November 17, 2027.
• Reappointed Thaddeus Waterman (Ward 5) to the Hyattsville Environment Committee for a two-year term ending November 17, 2027.
• Appointed Colin Hendy/Hendry (Ward 3) to the Educational Facilities Task Force for a two-year term ending November 17, 2027.
• Adopted the Race and Equity Task Force Equity Vision Statement.
• Authorized a $461.67 disbursement of Ward 4 discretionary funds to Councilmember Michelle Lee as reimbursement for refreshments and supplies for the Ward 4 Fall Community Event. The agenda and minutes date the event to October 4, 2025, while the transcript reads "October 4th, 2024."

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melissa Schweisguth (Ward 5) thanked staff for the pet costume contest gift basket and urged the council to ensure traffic calming projects include safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure, bike lanes, and sidewalk improvements for all users.
• Dan Broder (Ward 2) asked the council to keep Hyattsville affordable, equitable, and accessible, and encouraged the council to advance ranked-choice voting and zero-waste legislation in the coming year.

City Administrator Update

• City Administrator Tracey Douglas congratulated the Hyattsville Police Department on receiving CALEA accreditation, describing it as the gold standard for law enforcement. She noted the department met more than 460 standards and that this was the third accreditation during her tenure.
• Douglas reviewed volunteer opportunities for Thanksgiving: prepared meal deliveries for older adults on Thursday from 11 AM to 1 PM, basket packing and delivery to schools on Friday from 10 AM to 2:30 PM, plus evening volunteer slots on December 2 and December 8.
• Jeff Ulysse, Director of Community, Business, and Economic Development, presented the Hyattsville Open Rewards program, launched in partnership with Blue Dot Technologies. It is free for participating businesses; customers use the Blue Dot app to earn and redeem rewards when shopping at Hyattsville businesses. The program is planned to launch on Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2025, and will operate year-round.
• Councilmembers asked about app availability, business participation, and reward mechanics; Ulysse confirmed the app works on iPhone and Android and that businesses do not need to sign up. Councilmembers also thanked DPW for recent neighborhood work, including Gaines Alley, and thanked staff for handling a traffic issue at a daycare on Toledo Road.

Streets Projects Presentation

• Director of Public Works Lesley Riddle, Deputy Director Hal Metzler, and Transportation Manager Taylor Robey presented updates on major street projects.
• Lancer Drive/Longfellow Street: Two community petitions prompted a traffic calming study for cut-through traffic and speeding between Queens Chapel Road and 36th Avenue. Initial concepts included chicanes, curb extensions, and high-visibility crosswalks; a parking study was completed. A community meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2025, at 6:30 PM, with a recommended design expected in spring 2026 and construction funding proposed for FY27.
• Driskell Park Intersection Study: The five-way intersection analysis prioritized pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle safety. Existing conditions and three design alternatives have been developed; property acquisition and park entrance changes remain under review. More community feedback will be gathered before a council presentation.
• Oliver Green Alley: The green alley project, located along the Hyattsville/Riverdale Park boundary, received a Chesapeake Bay Trust Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns grant for concept design. Conceptual design is complete; property owner outreach continues. A community meeting is planned for early 2026, with a council update in spring 2026.
• West Hyattsville Roads Projects: Staff presented the phased approach, with 10 original phases, one removed because it was not city right-of-way, and the West Hyattsville Green Alley added. Completed work includes phase one street reconstruction, Nicholson Street pedestrian safety improvements, intersection safety improvements near an elementary school, and mill-and-overlay resurfacing coordinated with Washington Gas.
• Jamestown Road: Based on a 2018 transportation study recommendation, the city is designing a bike boulevard between Ager Road and 35th Avenue, with green street and stormwater elements. Short- and long-term concepts will be presented at community meetings on December 2, 2025, and in January 2026. Staff acknowledged the originally listed January 18, 2026 date was a Sunday and said it would be corrected. Council updates and FY27 construction funding are anticipated in spring 2026.
• West Hyattsville Green Alley: This ARPA-supported project has received about $143,000 for concept and stormwater design. Staff are coordinating with Prince George's County on drainage work and planning short-term storm drain repairs, traffic calming on 31st Avenue, and placemaking improvements.
• Council discussion included lower Ward 1 sidewalk and stormwater projects, the Hamilton Street transfer from the Maryland Department of Transportation, and EPA review of stormwater projects. Councilmember Haba requested that future community meetings be held on the west side and offered a pre-meeting briefing; Councilmember Lee requested a virtual option; staff agreed to adjust. Councilmember Schaible raised concerns about the Driskell roundabout design, noting the bus route has changed and that residents reacted negatively to removing stop signs; he asked staff to consider a roundabout with stop signs. Councilmember Nisbett suggested asking Google to de-prioritize Lancer Drive for cut-through routing. DPW staff said they would inspect cracked concrete on Madison Street and Maryhurst and follow up on other concerns. Council President Solomon praised the DPW team, stated the council refused to cut DPW's budget this cycle, and thanked staff and contractors.

Key Outcomes

• The council unanimously approved the amended agenda, minutes, proclamations, appointments, consent items, and adjournment, with no nays or abstentions recorded.
• The council adopted two proclamations and three appointments and approved the equity vision statement and the Ward 4 discretionary fund reimbursement.
• Next steps include DPW continuing community engagement, correcting the January meeting date, considering relocation and virtual access for meetings, providing advance briefings to councilmembers, and presenting recommended designs and funding requests to council in spring 2026.