Hyattsville City Council Regular Meeting - December 15, 2025

The Hyattsville City Council held a virtual regular meeting on Monday, December 15, 2025, beginning at 7:00 PM (called to order at 7:04 PM) and adjourning at 9:54 PM. Mayor Robert S. Croslin presided. The agenda was amended to add Emergency Ordinance 2025-05 on temporary housing for displaced tenants. Councilmember Edouard Haba arrived at 9:27 PM and was absent for votes before that time.

Call to Order, Agenda, and Minutes

• The Council approved a motion to add Emergency Ordinance 2025-05 to the agenda, approved the amended agenda, and then approved minutes from the November 3, 2025 Council Meeting, November 8, 2025 Council Work Session, and November 17, 2025 Council Meeting. These votes were unanimous with Councilmember Haba absent.
• Mayor Croslin also led a moment of silence for victims of violence at Bondi Beach in Australia and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Public Comments & Testimony

• There was no public comment.

City Administrator Update

• City Administrator Tracey Douglas reported on recent city activities, including three new businesses (Saxera, Fireplace Records, and Buddha Customs Art Studio), the new Ward 3 residential parking zone 5, and Eric's Law driver's license butterfly icon for people with special needs.
• Transportation Manager Taylor Robey and Deputy DPW Director Hal Metzler provided updates on State Highway Administration and Prince George's County projects, including MD 410 pedestrian safety improvements, the MD 208/Hamilton Street transfer, planned signalization at Charles Armentrout and Route 1, Ager Road and Nicholson signal work, and Safe Streets for All projects on Adelphi and Bellcrest Roads.
• Staff updated the teen center (temporary use and occupancy expected early January after food safety permit) and 3505 Hamilton Street (large punch list, elevator reinspection pending).
• Other updates included Shop with a Cop (over $9,000 in donations and more than 60 children served), CERT senior fire safety and File of Life kits, implicit bias workshops, holiday tree lighting, calls from Santa to 75 families, youth content creation classes, caregiver support groups, and Battle of the Lights voting December 22-31.

Presentation: Financial Feasibility for Affordable Rental Housing Preservation

• Economic Development Director Jeff Ulysse and Housing Manager David Cristeal introduced Anita Morrison, principal and co-founder of Partners for Economic Solutions (PES), who presented findings from a Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments-funded feasibility study.
• The study examined four older apartment communities totaling approximately 1,100 units: Kirkwood (661 units), North Point (235), Landon Courts (116), and Madison Park (91). The goal was to identify ways to secure long-term affordability commitments in exchange for financing upgrades.
• PES found significant financial gaps for renovation. For example, the Kirkwood first-phase renovation gap was $6.2 million, or about $28,000 per affordable unit; Landon Courts had a gap of about $51,000 per affordable unit. County PILOTs reduced gaps by about $6,000-$13,000 per unit, and city tax abatements by about $5,000-$10,000 per unit.
• A hypothetical new-construction scenario on vacant land at Kirkwood with 250 units and 30% affordable units had a $59 million gap, or about $766,000 per affordable unit. Morrison said local market rents and current high interest rates make it difficult to close gaps, and recommended increased federal and state support, city budget contributions, and philanthropic investment.
• Councilmembers asked how disrepair became so extensive and what may happen to the properties; Morrison said some may remain affordable, while others could eventually be redeveloped at market rates if rents rise. No action was taken; the item was for presentation.

Proclamation and Consent Calendar

• The Council adopted Proclamation 2026-125 recognizing December 21, 2025 as National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day. The vote was unanimous with Councilmember Haba absent.
• The Council approved the consent agenda, which included: (1) renewal of the MOU among Hyattsville, Brentwood, and Mount Rainier for the Joint CIT Mobile Crisis Program; (2) authorization of $6,500 for FY26 Thrive Grant awards and reallocation of the remaining $1,000 to the Health, Wellness, and Recreation Advisory Committee speaker series; and (3) adoption of Resolution 2025-07 establishing historic preservation as a city priority. The vote was unanimous with Councilmember Haba absent.

Action Item: Emergency Ordinance 2025-05 - Temporary Housing for Displaced Tenants

• The Council approved, with Councilmember Haba absent, a motion to suspend City Charter Section C-2(9) to allow consideration of the emergency ordinance. The vote was 10-0.
• The Council then adopted Emergency Ordinance 2025-05, amending Chapter 96 of the Hyattsville Code. The ordinance requires landlords of tenants displaced by substandard conditions to arrange temporary housing, cover costs not paid by renters insurance, reimburse the city for relocation costs if incurred, and immediately offer reoccupancy once the unit is habitable. If a unit remains uninhabitable after 30 days, the landlord must return the security deposit plus interest, pay two months' rent, cover relocation and storage costs, and allow lease termination without penalty. The vote was 10-0 with Councilmember Haba absent.
• During discussion, staff and code officials clarified that heat must be maintained at a minimum of 70 degrees throughout the dwelling; air conditioning must be operable if provided. Councilmembers discussed per diem and comparable housing standards, distance limits, landlord appeals, and enforcement through emergency orders. Staff said outreach to landlords and tenant rights materials would follow.

Action Items: Police Contracts, DPW Equipment, and West Hyattsville Phase 2

• Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions: The Council authorized the City Administrator to enter an agreement with Accurint/Lexis Nexis for database access. Chief Jarod Towers confirmed the contract now includes breach-of-confidentiality and termination provisions requested by Council on November 3. The vote was 10-0 with Councilmember Haba absent.
• LeadsOnline: The Council authorized a three-year Subscription Services Agreement with LeadsOnline not to exceed $24,412.24, funded by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy Gun Reduction Grant. Chief Towers explained LeadsOnline tracks pawned and scrapped property, and NightHawk analyzes digital evidence. The vote was 10-0 with Councilmember Haba absent.
• FY26 DPW Capital Budget Amendment: The Council amended the FY26 capital budget and authorized the Treasurer to adjust appropriations not to exceed $95,000 to purchase snow and street maintenance equipment from Autrusa, funded from cash reserves. The vote was 10-0 with Councilmember Haba absent.
• DSP-20053-02 West Hyattsville Phase 2: The Council authorized the Mayor to submit formal correspondence to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission conveying the city's official position as outlined in the December 9, 2025 staff report. The proposed project includes about 4.9 acres, 342 units, an integrated parking structure with 379 spaces and 8 EV charging stations, 20 bicycle spaces, stormwater management, and a promenade to West Hyattsville Metro.
• City Planner Chloe Kauffman and Director Ulysse presented staff analysis. The applicant (Gilbane) requested modifications, including eliminating ground-floor retail and using a single-use resident parking garage. Staff did not support eliminating retail and recommended including retail space, extending the connector trail, adding wayfinding, city bicycle racks, updated traffic analysis, and pursuing affordable housing financing.
• Planning Committee comments supported density and traffic monitoring and recommended connecting roads between Kirkwood and Riverfront. Police comments recommended secure parking, surveillance, and building access for officers.
• Council discussion covered retail leasing (applicant's attorney said a market study found only 1,000-2,500 square feet of retail supportable), the status of the Nicholson Street connection to Kirkwood, parking concerns, possible affordable units, and impact fees. Applicant's attorney stated no impact fee waiver had been requested for this project.
• Councilmember Haba asked whether the equity officer had reviewed the project and expressed concern about the lack of affordable units; staff noted no inclusionary zoning tool exists and no equity review had been performed. Councilmember Schaible moved to add a recommendation that Gilbane connect Nicholson Street to the Kirkwood apartment complex; the motion received no second.
• The final motion passed 8-1-2: Ayes - Waszczak, Barnes, Schaible, Strab, Redmond, Lee, Haba, and Dhokai; Nay - Nisbett; Abstentions - Mayor Croslin and Council President Solomon.

Council Dialogue

• Councilmembers exchanged holiday greetings and thanked staff. Councilmember Schaible also mentioned that he, Councilmember Waszczak, and others were drafting a letter to the Prince George's County Council about safety recommendations for Ager Road, following a national pedestrian-bike safety remembrance event.

Key Outcomes

• Approved amended agenda and prior meeting minutes.
• Adopted National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day proclamation.
• Approved consent agenda: Joint CIT Mobile Crisis Program MOU renewal, FY26 Thrive Grant disbursement with $1,000 reallocation, and Resolution 2025-07 on historic preservation.
• Suspended Charter C-2(9) and adopted Emergency Ordinance 2025-05 on temporary housing for displaced tenants.
• Authorized Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions agreement.
• Authorized LeadsOnline subscription agreement for three years, not to exceed $24,412.24.
• Amended FY26 DPW capital budget and authorized up to $95,000 for Autrusa snow and street maintenance equipment.
• Authorized submission of West Hyattsville Phase 2 DSP-20053-02 correspondence to M-NCPPC with the city's position; the motion passed 8-1-2.