Hyattsville City Council Meeting - April 22, 2026

The Hyattsville City Council held a virtual regular meeting on April 22, 2026, at 7:05 PM. The primary focus was the presentation of the proposed FY27 budget by department heads, including the Police Department, Community Services, Public Works, and the Capital Improvement Plan. Council heard public comment, discussed budget details, and set the stage for upcoming budget initiatives and a public hearing.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the agenda: Motion by Councilmember Barnes, seconded by Councilmember Strab, passed unanimously with 8 ayes. Mayor Croslin and Councilmember Haba were absent; Councilmember Nisbett arrived later.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Marshall (Ward 4) opposed the proposed $100,000 immigrant resident relief fund, citing a budget deficit, benefit cuts for staff and retirees, and a six-month freeze on vacant positions. He argued the money should pass through a neutral organization if approved.
• Melissa Schweisguth (Ward 5) requested clarity on Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) project prioritization, raised concerns that lease financing creates debt, and expressed support for the immigrant relief fund.
• Mike Bonds (Ward 3) asked for a more digestible budget format and greater transparency regarding which projects are actually fundable through the CIP.
• Scott Wilson (Ward 1) opposed the immigrant relief fund and expressed concerns about the rapid increase in property taxes, noting his tax burden now exceeds his original mortgage payment by 60%.

Discussion Items

• FY27 Budget and Department Presentations (7:20 PM – 9:00 PM):
  • Police Department (Chief Towers): Presented an unchanged 84-FTE org chart, notable achievements (9th CALEA accreditation, 23,000+ calls for service year-to-date, 34 firearm seizures including 2 ghost guns, DARE program with 175 graduates, grant-funded CIT co-responder clinician), and priorities (transition to new headquarters, fleet modernization, hiring a crime analyst, full staffing to 55 sworn officers). Discussed the mandatory mental wellness check-in program (twice yearly, separate from a new state-mandated biennial assessment) and recruitment challenges due to competition from neighboring jurisdictions.
  • Community Services (Director Shephard): Presented an org chart with 13 full-time and 2 part-time employees, accomplishments (food distribution equivalent value of $33,000+ serving 10,632 individuals; 940 frozen meals to seniors; $75,131 in diaper products; 36 events with 170 vendors; 500+ classes/workshops; 305 volunteers providing ~$59,000 in equivalent hours), and priorities (sustain services, develop partnerships, transition programs to new teen center, expand volunteer recruitment). Discussed elimination of the ARPA-funded case manager position (cases now handled by current staff, with a possible motion to restore).
  • Department of Public Works (Acting Director Metzler): Presented achievements (elevator modernization at 4310 Gallatin, alley paving, teen center temporary use permit, park projects), priorities (data-driven decisions, fleet modernization, waste diversion, staff optimization). Discussed the current 3 deployed Throne bathroom units (at Hurick Park, Duck Pond, and 30th Avenue Park), with a fourth proposed in the CIP. Noted difficulty filling mechanic positions and the need to upgrade snow plows.
  • Capital Improvement Plan (Treasurer Brooks & Deputy Budget Director Bosch): Presented a two-tier CIP: Tier 1 ($3.68 million, with identified funding sources) includes $2.6 million for vehicle lease financing and about $1 million cash for other projects (police, DPW, admin). Tier 2 projects (over $15 million) lack identified funding and would be brought forward as grants or other revenue become available. Council questioned lease financing as debt, the budgeting methodology, and the inclusion of contracted employees.

Key Outcomes

• Council directed staff to provide detailed fleet management records, Throne usage data, a comprehensive list of direct assistance programs with total city investment (net of grants), and an accounting of contracted personnel across departments.
• Council discussed a potential budget amendment to restore a case manager position in Community Services, previously cut due to ARPA funding expiration, citing increased resident needs.
• Council debated the appropriate number of Throne bathrooms; currently three, with a fourth proposed. Some members advocated for maintaining or increasing the count (e.g., five), while others were open to the current plan. Further discussion on locations and costing was planned for a future session.
• The mandatory police mental wellness check-in program was discussed; some council members questioned its compulsory nature, while others strongly supported it as a critical tool for officer wellness, community policing, and liability prevention.
• Council requested further information on the lease financing mechanism for vehicle replacements, including the proposed five-year lease-to-own structure and its impact on debt service.
• No formal votes were taken on budget items; the presentation was for information and discussion. Next steps include a Council Budget Initiative meeting on April 27th, a public hearing on May 11th, council amendments on May 20th, and first reading on May 26th.
• The meeting adjourned at 9:53 PM.