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Record of Proceedings

Prince George's County Council Legislative Session - May 26, 2026

County Council & Boards — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
BodyPrince Georges County, Maryland
SessionCounty Council & Boards
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:14:53

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:29

Madam Clerk, can I please have a call?

0:32

A roll call.

0:35

Good morning.

0:36

Uh Chair Oyeha.

0:38

Here.

0:39

Mr.

0:39

Adams.

0:40

Happy to be present.

0:41

Miss Adam Stafford.

0:43

Present.

0:44

Mr.

0:44

Danoga.

0:45

Present.

0:45

Miss Fisher.

0:47

Present.

0:48

Mr.

0:48

Harrison.

0:49

Good morning, President.

0:50

Miss Hunter.

0:51

Present.

0:51

Ms.

0:52

Ivy.

0:52

Here.

0:52

Vice Chair Olson.

0:54

Here.

0:54

Nine members.

0:55

President Roll Call.

0:57

Thank you.

0:58

Now we'll have invocation.

0:59

Welcome to the front for special intentions.

1:03

I do have one.

1:04

I just want to do a prayer of thanks and for I mentioned maybe a month ago that my cousin was shot in the neck and chest, but he is doing well.

1:18

And I'm just thankful to God for that.

1:21

And uh Councilmember Fisher.

1:24

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair Colleagues.

1:26

Some of you may have heard of this passing, and Madam Chair, we got to honor Miss Rita Butler at our women's event recently.

1:35

My neighbor, my soror, my mentor, Miss Rita Butler passed away uh this last week.

1:41

Uh her services tomorrow.

1:43

She was such a pillar uh for the Louisdale community.

1:47

Um she has been so involved in our county, her sorority, and uh she will be greatly greatly missed.

1:56

Thank you for that.

1:57

Any other special intentions?

1:59

Seeing none, pass it to you.

2:03

Let us pray.

2:05

Father God, we just thank you, Lord, for who you are.

2:08

We praise your holy and wonderful name.

2:10

We come to you humbly this morning, and we lift up Father God, the family of Rita Butler.

2:17

We pray, Father God, that you would be with the family, that you would come for them, that you would strengthen them as only you can.

2:24

We pray, Father God, for the cousins' recovery, that you would continue your healing power and spirit upon them.

2:32

We thank you, Lord, for this day that you made.

2:58

For you, we thank you, Lord, that you are a God that can do all things.

3:03

We ask, Lord, that you would just continue to be with us each and every day.

3:07

God, our hearts against anything that's not of you, strengthen us in our mind, soul, and spirit.

3:13

And we pray, Father God, that you will have your way this day.

3:17

In Jesus' name, amen.

3:20

Amen.

3:21

Thank you for that.

3:22

Uh next we'll have the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sholson.

3:50

Next, we'll have requests from the general public to speak.

3:54

We have Sherman Hardy.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████37%
Veteran Business Opportunities███████████████████19%
Public Works███████████████15%
Public Safety█████████9%
Immigration And Education████4%
Zoning And Land Use███3%
Affordable Housing███3%
Workforce Development███3%
Public Health██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Prince George's County Council Legislative Session - May 26, 2026

The Prince George's County Council convened on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 10:20 a.m. (Legislative Day No. 18) in the Council Hearing Room, with a recess from 11:13 a.m. to 2:41 p.m. for a Committee of the Whole session. The meeting adjourned at 2:58 p.m. Nine members were present at roll call; Council Members Burroughs and Blegay were absent for the morning session, with Blegay arriving at 2:41 p.m. The council enacted two bills, adopted two resolutions, introduced multiple bills and resolutions, and handled routine consent items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: Minutes from May 11, 2026 (6 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and May 12, 2026 (10 a.m.) were approved unanimously.
  • First Reading of Bills (Presentation):
    • CB-047-2026: Development Standards – Off-Street Parking and Loading (sponsors Olson and Oriadha) – referred to PHED.
    • CB-048-2026: Prohibited Home Business (sponsor Dernoga) – referred to TIEE.
    • CB-049-2026: Supplementary Appropriations (by request of County Executive) – referred to GOFP.
    • CB-050-2026: Destination Prince George’s (by request of County Executive) – referred to GOFP.
    • CB-051-2026 through CB-055-2026: Bond bills for Community College (up to $67,306,000), Public Works & Transportation (up to $140,089,000), County Buildings (up to $117,848,000), Library Facilities (up to $33,656,000), and Public Safety Facilities (up to $53,503,000) – all referred to Committee of the Whole.
    • CB-056-2026: Executive Order No. 13-2026 (transfer of Enforcement Division to Office of Homeland Security) – referred to Committee of the Whole.
  • Introduction of Resolutions:
    • CR-042-2026: PILOT Agreement for Herman Apartments (sponsor Harrison) – referred to C.O.W.
    • CR-043-2026: HITF allocation of $2,500,000 to Holly Place (sponsors Harrison, Fisher, Oriadha, Adams) – referred to C.O.W.
    • CR-044-2026: PILOT for Holly Place (sponsors Harrison, Hunter, Adams, Fisher, Oriadha) – referred to C.O.W.
    • CR-045-2026: HITF allocation of $2,500,000 to Herman Apartments (sponsors Harrison, Hunter, Adams, Fisher, Dernoga) – referred to C.O.W.
    • CR-046-2026: FY2027 Federal/State Transportation Grant Authorization (sponsors Harrison, Hunter, Adams, Dernoga, Olson) – referred to TIEE.
    • CR-053-2026 through CR-057-2026: Charter amendments regarding referendum exemption, redistricting, collective bargaining, procurement, and repeal of at-large council members (various sponsors) – all referred to C.O.W.
  • Motion to Adopt Consent Agenda: Carried 9-0 (Blegay and Burroughs absent).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Comment (General): Sherman Hardy signed up to address the Council, but no testimony was recorded in the minutes or transcript.
  • Public Hearing – CB-021-2026 (Community Resources Information): No speakers signed up. The public hearing was held and the bill was enacted (9-0).
  • Public Hearing – CB-024-2026 (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Act): Six speakers testified in favor:
    • Beverly Simmons (founder, Praying for Pennies): Stated the bill would help her establish a consignment shop; noted the bill does not apply to nonprofits but would assist veterans.
    • Henry Turner (former chair of Veterans Commission): Emphasized the county’s large veteran population and potential revenue; called the bill “the right thing.”
    • Rodney Norwood (retired Navy veteran, local business owner): Expressed strong support, stating the 51% preference would level the playing field for disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
    • Glenn Bydume (CEO, Diverse Solutions Associates): Noted the bill’s timeliness after Memorial Day; praised veterans’ work ethic.
    • Wonzie Gardner (retired Air Force colonel, former federal executive): Said the bill would be “exponential” for veterans and the county; urged passage.
    • Lawrence Shaw (100% disabled veteran): Called the bill “overdue” and urged expeditious passage to attract businesses. The public hearing was held, and the bill was enacted (9-0).
  • Public Hearing – CR-036-2026 (Contract Approvals): No speakers signed up. The public hearing was held, and Draft 2 of the resolution was adopted (10-0, Blegay absent).

Discussion Items

  • Committee Reports:
    • Sandra Eubanks (GOFP Director) reported on CR-036-2026 from the Committee of the Whole (May 5, 2026): The committee voted 6-0 with no recommendation due to concerns about TBD vendors and limited review time; Draft 2 clarified that contracts with designated vendors are approved, while TBD contracts are approved in concept and must return to the council.
    • Dr. Arun Puracken (EWD Director) reported on CR-033-2026 (Quantum Science Workforce Development) from the EWD Committee (May 11, 2026): The committee voted 3-0 favorably with amendments, adding a whereas clause about the Capital of Quantum Initiative. The resolution supports workforce development in quantum science.
    • Kathy Canning (Legislative Attorney) provided verbal reports on bond bills CB-051 through CB-055 from the Committee of the Whole, detailing project counts and compliance with state law (SB29). All bond bills will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
    • Rana Hightower (PHED Director) reported on CB-031-2026 (Detention Centers) from the PHED Committee (April 22, 2026): The committee voted 5-0 favorably with amendments; the bill prohibits building permits for privately owned civil immigration detention centers.
    • Nathaniel Tutt (PSHHS Director) reported on CB-038-2026 (Impersonation of Utility Companies) from the PSHHS Committee (May 14, 2026): The committee voted 3-0 favorably; penalties range from $2,000 to $5,000 and up to 60 days confinement.
  • Second Reading of Bills (Introduction):
    • CB-030-2026 (Charter amendment on at-large members) was removed from the agenda.
    • CB-031-2026 (Detention Centers) was introduced with additional sponsors (Blegay, Oriadha, Olson, Dernoga, Hunter).
    • CB-037-2026 (Apprenticeship Incentive Program) was removed from the agenda.
    • CB-038-2026 (Impersonation of Utility Companies) was introduced via an additions package (motion carried 6-0, with five absent); sponsors Fisher, Oriadha, Olson, Dernoga, Hunter.
    • Bond bills CB-051 through CB-055 were introduced as noted.
  • Briefing: The Fiscal Impact Analysis Study Briefing (Chad Williams, M-NCPPC) was rescheduled to a later date.

Key Outcomes

  • Bills Enacted:
    • CB-021-2026 (Community Resources Information on ambulances) – enacted 9-0.
    • CB-024-2026 (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Act) – enacted 9-0.
  • Resolutions Adopted:
    • CR-036-2026 (Contract Approvals) – Draft 2 adopted 10-0.
    • CR-033-2026 (Quantum Science Workforce Development) – Draft 2 substituted and adopted 10-0.
  • Bills Introduced (Second Reading): CB-031-2026, CB-038-2026, CB-051-2026, CB-052-2026, CB-053-2026, CB-054-2026, CB-055-2026.
  • Items Removed from Agenda: CB-030-2026 and CB-037-2026.
  • Future Meetings: Council Budget Adoption on May 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.; TIEE Committee on May 28 at 10:00 a.m.; GOFP Committee on May 28 at 1:30 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Madam Clerk, can I please have a call? A roll call. Good morning. Uh Chair Oyeha. Here. Mr. Adams. Happy to be present. Miss Adam Stafford. Present. Mr. Danoga. Present. Miss Fisher. Present. Mr. Harrison. Good morning, President. Miss Hunter. Present. Ms. Ivy. Here. Vice Chair Olson. Here. Nine members. President Roll Call. Thank you. Now we'll have invocation. Welcome to the front for special intentions. I do have one. I just want to do a prayer of thanks and for I mentioned maybe a month ago that my cousin was shot in the neck and chest, but he is doing well. And I'm just thankful to God for that. And uh Councilmember Fisher. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair Colleagues. Some of you may have heard of this passing, and Madam Chair, we got to honor Miss Rita Butler at our women's event recently. My neighbor, my soror, my mentor, Miss Rita Butler passed away uh this last week. Uh her services tomorrow. She was such a pillar uh for the Louisdale community. Um she has been so involved in our county, her sorority, and uh she will be greatly greatly missed. Thank you for that. Any other special intentions? Seeing none, pass it to you. Let us pray. Father God, we just thank you, Lord, for who you are. We praise your holy and wonderful name. We come to you humbly this morning, and we lift up Father God, the family of Rita Butler. We pray, Father God, that you would be with the family, that you would come for them, that you would strengthen them as only you can. We pray, Father God, for the cousins' recovery, that you would continue your healing power and spirit upon them. We thank you, Lord, for this day that you made.

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