New Carrollton City Council Workshop Meeting - October 21, 2026

The New Carrollton City Council held a hybrid workshop meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM. The meeting included discussion of the upcoming special election, a proposed schedule of fees and fines for FY2027, the FY2027 budget, the Samsara dormancy report, and public comments limited to budget and fees. The council later moved into a legislative session to vote on the budget and fee schedule.

Election Bulletin

• Charles, the election coordinator, reported that the special mayoral election is on track with two certified candidates, a contract with vendor Electech, sample and absentee ballots ready, and eight absentee ballot requests received.
• A candidates' forum is scheduled for October 27, to be conducted by the University of Maryland School of Public Policy; questions will be taken via email and possibly from the floor if time permits.
• The council discussed adding a narrative to the election bulletin explaining why the special election is needed (to fill a vacancy). Councilmember Urbina and Lashley supported inclusion; Councilmember Mills did not see it as necessary. The chair decided to include the narrative in the bulletin.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident from Longbranch Drive expressed concern about large commercial work vehicles parked on the street, noting that code enforcement has repeatedly cited a plumbing truck but the owner continues to park on the street. She urged the council to find a balance and praised the council for paying attention to the budget.
• A resident from Full Sweet Longbranch Drive asked about the status of totaled admin cars, questioned the need for five code enforcement vehicles for only two full-time and two part-time employees, and noted that the budget forecasts $3.1 million from automated enforcement (red light and stop sign cameras) but less than $1 million is allocated for street and sidewalk repairs. She also opposed the $500,000 proposal for street lights without a consultant study.
• A resident on Down the Street called for the city to stop stonewalling and give workers the right to collectively bargain, and supported the street light idea.
• Felicia (Namar) spoke about the rental cost of the multipurpose room, noting that the $125 resident fee does not cover costs like security and overtime, and that recent renovations cost nearly $30,000. She also stated that the administration's tiered building permit fee recommendation originated from Councilmember Malavé's request.
• Laura Urbina (Legation Road) said she has received many tickets in the city and that fines do change behavior (e.g., she hugs the curb to avoid a ticket). She strongly urged the council to budget for street lights, arguing that delays increase costs.

Discussion Items

Schedule of Fees for FY2027 (25 min)

• Councilmember Malavé presented a proposal to overhaul the schedule of fees, fines, and penalties. Key changes included:
  • Eliminating the automatic doubling of traffic fines after 14 days and quadrupling after 30 days; instead, a $50 late fee after 31 days.
  • Reducing the city's administrative flagging fee from $45 to $25.
  • Adding a 35% collection agency fee for accounts over 70 days past due.
  • Lowering fines for parking violations (e.g., parking on sidewalk, over 72 hours) from $65 to $40, and for unsanitary trash bins from $250 to $100.
  • Increasing fines for commercial vehicles on city streets from $100 to $150.
  • The administration proposed a tiered building permit fee based on construction value (replacing a flat $300 fee).
• Debate: Councilmember Lashley supported removing the doubling but disagreed with lowering the unsanitary trash fine, citing health risks (maggots, rodents). Councilmember Urbina opposed lowering parking fines because they disproportionately affect residents (who live in the city) while automated enforcement fines affect non-residents; she also argued that commercial vehicle fines target working-class residents and that the definition of commercial vehicle is unclear. She preferred to first clarify the definition. Chief Alston provided statistics: over 7 years, 4,009 unpaid parking citations, 21,015 unpaid speed camera citations, and 37,217 unpaid red light citations.
• Councilmember Urbina moved to adopt only the first two lines of Malavé's proposal (removing the doubling) and to adopt the rest of the administration's recommendations (including tiered permits and the collection fee). The motion was seconded and passed 3-1 (Rosenberg, Mills, Lashley? Lashley could not vote; voting members were Rosenberg, Mills, Urbina, Malavé; the ayes were 3, nays 1).
• Later in the legislative session, a separate motion to adopt the fee schedule with the specific changes proposed by Malavé (first five lines) was made and passed 4-0.

Presentation of FY2027 Budget as Modified (45 min)

• City Operations Manager Galloway explained that the original budget had a $1.2 million deficit, but through staff reductions and restructuring, it now has a $900,000 surplus. The surplus allows for a 1.5% COLA and 2% merit increase for all non-union employees (retroactive to July 1, 2026), and a reduction in force (RIF) as approved in closed session on October 14.
• The budget is four months late; the county's deadline is October 30. Galloway stressed the need to adopt it to avoid a red letter from the state and to proceed with the audit, which is also overdue. He noted that the city's audit delays could jeopardize future grants (e.g., a $480,000 police grant).
• Councilmember Malavé moved to postpone budget discussion for at least 48 hours, citing that the revised budget book was provided less than 48 hours before the meeting, that she had nine unanswered questions, and that her disability (deafness with cochlear implants) makes it impossible to review new material while listening to discussion. The motion was seconded. Discussion: Councilmembers Rosenberg, Mills, and Urbina opposed postponement, stating they had been briefed in closed session and the budget had been essentially the same since April, with only two changes (COLA/merit and RIF). Acting Mayor Lashley noted that while he understood Malavé's difficulty, the majority rules. The motion failed 3-1 (Malavé in favor, others opposed).
• Councilmember Urbina asked 38 questions about the budget, many of which were answered by the comptroller or chief. She noted a reduction in youth program funding (SYEP and Boys & Girls Club grants nearly halved), and proposed using $500,000 from reserves to fund street light improvements (purchasing and converting 543 street lights to LED, estimating $8,000 monthly savings). She also suggested increasing several line items for building maintenance, training, and field supplies.
• Councilmember Malavé asked for the list of positions and salaries in the RIF and the total compensation costs. Galloway declined to provide the list that evening, stating he serves the full council, not an individual member. Malavé argued she was entitled to answers as part of budget discussion.
• Councilmember Malavé then moved to not approve Councilmember Urbina's recommended increases (including the $500,000 for street lights) because their fiscal impact was unknown. The motion was seconded and passed (apparently without opposition).
• In the legislative session, a motion to adopt the FY2027 budget as presented by Acting Mayor Lashley and amended by Galloway was made by Councilmember Mills. Councilmember Malavé objected, citing the charter requirement for a 4/5 vote to pass an ordinance on introduction (emergency ordinance). The chair ruled that a supermajority of three out of four was sufficient given precedent. Councilmember Urbina moved to amend to include $500,000 for street lights, but the chair indicated he would vote against it. The amendment did not receive a second. The original motion to adopt the budget passed 3-1 (Rosenberg, Mills, Urbina in favor; Malavé opposed).

Samsara Dormancy Report (10 min)

• The report listed vehicles with extended periods of inactivity. Councilmember Urbina noted the report lacked mileage data, which was important for evaluating vehicle usage. Chief Alston explained the reasons for several vehicles: PD 165 (65 days idle) was in a collision; PD 150 (53 days) needs a transmission; CD 138 was deemed unsafe due to steering issues; an animal control vehicle is rarely used; PD 162 needs an engine; and vehicle 307 is in the repair shop. The council agreed to have a new report generated with mileage.

October 14, 2026 Meeting Minutes (10 min)

• The open and closed session minutes from October 14 were distributed to council members for review. The chair noted typos and asked for corrections. The minutes were not voted on during the workshop; they were scheduled for approval in the legislative session but were deferred due to pending changes.

Key Outcomes

• Schedule of Fees for FY2027: Adopted (4-0) with changes: elimination of fine doubling after 14 and 30 days; $50 late fee after 31 days; flagging fee reduced to $25; 35% collection agency fee for accounts over 70 days past due; lower fines for certain parking violations ($40) and unsanitary trash ($100); increased fines for commercial vehicles ($150); tiered building permit fees as proposed by administration.
• FY2027 Budget: Adopted (3-1) as presented by Acting Mayor Lashley and amended by City Operations Manager Galloway. The budget includes a 1.5% COLA and 2% merit increase for non-union employees (retroactive to July 1, 2026) and a reduction in force (specific positions to be provided later). The deficit was turned into a $900,000 surplus. The budget does not include $500,000 for street lights or other increases proposed by Councilmember Urbina.
• Motion to Postpone Budget Discussion: Failed (3-1).
• Motion to Not Approve Urbina's Recommended Increases: Passed (apparently without opposition).
• Closed Session (October 14) Actions: The closed session minutes note that the council approved a Reduction in Force (4-0, Acting Mayor Lashley not voting) and a 1.5% COLA and 2% merit increase (3-1, Councilmember Malavé voting no, Lashley not voting). These actions were not formally voted on in the open meeting but were referenced as having been decided.
• Next Steps: The council will produce a corrected Samsara report with mileage, provide the list of RIF positions and salaries, and continue with the FY2027 audit. The special election and candidates' forum will proceed as scheduled.