New Carrollton Council Meeting on Mayor Forfeiture of Office - Sept 9, 2026

The New Carrollton City Council held a special hybrid meeting on September 9, 2026, to discuss and vote on the forfeiture of Mayor Phelecia Nembhard's office under Charter Section C-20. The council alleged that the Mayor violated a unanimous hiring freeze resolution (Resolution 26-03) by reinstating two former employees on August 25th.

Discussion Items

• Council President Dwyan provided a background briefing, explaining that the Mayor's notification of reinstatement violated the council's express resolution, triggering Charter C-20 provisions regarding violation of express prohibition and misconduct in office.
• Councilmember Lincoln expressed regret but stated his oath of office compelled him to support forfeiture, asserting the Mayor broke the law and violated the city charter.
• Councilmember Cynthia questioned the strength of the evidence and whether reinstatement constituted a new hire, noting that one reinstated employee was receiving a $186,000 salary without working. She defended the Mayor's long-term contributions to the city over 26 years.
• Councilmember Brianna presented a detailed evidentiary case, citing emails, contracts, and advice from the city attorney. She argued the Mayor's actions went beyond a simple disagreement after professional staff refused to comply due to legal concerns, and she concluded that the charter standard for forfeiture was met.
• Councilmember Akelli argued the charter violation was clear and that the distinction between reinstatement and hiring was irrelevant to the violation of the freeze.
• Councilmember Dwyan supported forfeiture, outlining the financial burden: the two positions carried a combined salary and benefits cost of approximately $375,000, representing roughly 5% of the city's property tax revenue.
• Mayor Nembhard presented a vigorous defense, arguing "reinstatement is not a rehire" and that she acted within her executive authority as the chief executive officer. She accused the council of acting as "the judge, the jury, and the executioner" and of pursuing a political vendetta. She made counter-accusations of ethical violations and misconduct against specific council members, including alleged attempts to hire relatives and misuse of city employees for private tasks.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The overwhelming majority of public speakers voiced strong support for Mayor Nembhard.
• Darlene Ward condemned the council's actions as a "witch hunt," called for the removal of council members Dwayne Rosenberg and Brianna, and accused the council of corruption.
• Carly Ta Wall, a 30-year resident, confirmed they had gathered a petition with 143 signatures in support of the Mayor.
• Cassandra Donlin, CEO of the Prince George's County Boys and Girls Club, personally thanked the Mayor for helping establish the New Carrollton branch of the club.
• Over a dozen other residents praised the Mayor's community involvement, integrity, servant leadership, and responsiveness to neighborhood issues like parking, potholes, and public safety.
• One long-time resident defended the council's fiscal oversight role, citing three employee raises in the past year and high property taxes, arguing the council was right to scrutinize spending.

Key Outcomes

• The council voted 4 to 1 to approve a motion under Charter C20, subsections E2 (violation of an express prohibition of the charter) and E5 (misconduct in office), finding that Mayor Phelecia Nembhard had forfeited her office. The motion was revised from the agenda to explicitly cite the two subsections.
• Councilmember Lincoln assumed the responsibilities of Mayor Pro Tem effective immediately to ensure continuity of government.
• The council announced a special election must be held within 65 days (targeting mid-November 2026) to fill the vacant mayor position.
• Councilmember Brianna declared that the Mayor was ineligible to run in the special election, a statement Mayor Nembhard openly disputed.
• The meeting concluded in a tense atmosphere, with the Mayor and several council members exchanging serious personal and procedural accusations regarding past conduct.