Hyattsville · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hyattsville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
$600,000 Police Communication Encryption Grant
The council will consider accepting a $600,000 state grant to fund encrypted police radio communications — a public-safety technology upgrade that comes to the city at no local cost.
Ranked choice voting and Flock cameras (resident petitions)
Multiple residents urged the Council to implement ranked choice voting for the May 2027 election and to direct the Board of Supervisors of Elections to bring an implementation plan by November 2. A presentation is tentatively scheduled for October.
Late-Night Noise and Gunfire Near Burlington Road
Residents near Burlington Road and Buchanan Street described months of pre-dawn loud music and, recently, dozens of gunshots tied to car rallies centered in Edmonston. Hyattsville police say they lack jurisdiction in Edmonston and are coordinating with Edmonston, Bladensburg, Prince George's County and Colmar Manor on a joint response.
FY27 Legislative Priorities
The city is lining up bond-bill asks for the Maryland General Assembly: temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness, city building renovations, the environmental depot, Hamilton Street corridor improvements and a recreation storage facility. The Council will rank the five before November 16.
Immigrant Emergency Relief Services Contract
A budget initiative to create a $100,000 immigrant resident relief fund drew split public testimony — two speakers opposed it citing the budget deficit, one supported it, and councilmembers discussed how it fits among existing direct-assistance programs. Councilmember Haba's initiative will be taken up with budget amendments.
Possible forensic audit of multi-year financial management
A resident asked the Council to formally reprimand the City Administrator over bonuses and audit problems, and the administrator delivered a lengthy defense covering audit restatements, bonus policy and her own compensation. Councilmember Schaible demanded open discussion but was cut off by the Mayor, with the matter sent to closed session.
Potential Litigation — Hyattsville Spirits & Grill
The council plans two closed sessions, including one to get legal advice about potential or pending litigation involving Hyattsville Spirits & Grill — a local business matter being handled out of public view.
Elected officials' compensation review
City elected officials must file annual financial disclosures under state ethics rules. Ward 4's Edouard Haba filed cleanly, but Ward 5's Kelson Nisbett has issues with his form that the Clerk's Office will chase down — worth watching in case an amended filing is needed.
Automated License Plate Reader technology
A large bloc of residents urged the Council to cancel the Flock ALPR contract, citing privacy risks, data sharing with ICE, and lawsuit exposure in other cities. The Police and Public Safety Committee will make a recommendation to the Council in early 2027.
Automated Stop-Sign Camera Enforcement Program
The city is rolling out automated stop-sign cameras to slow speeding, and the task force worries the cameras could be placed disproportionately in lower-income neighborhoods or communities of color. They want a city presentation on how camera sites are chosen before the program advances.
FY24 Financial Statements Review
The FY24 audit restated the city's general fund reserve from $24.5 million to about $7 million, revealing years of budget stress. The treasurer resigned, and residents are demanding a forensic audit, faster catch-up on FY25/FY26 audits, and a plan to protect the city's credit rating.
Unresolved FY23 audit recommendations
The treasurer responded to all ten Audit Committee recommendations — including raising the capitalization threshold to $10,000, shortening month-end close, and adding financial-condition indicators to audit reports — and said the long-delayed FY24 audit should be filed in about three weeks, with the ARPA single audit close behind.
Finance staffing vacancies and aging accounting software
The city is pulling the plug on its long-troubled ERP software contract and plans a new RFP by the end of March, looking at platforms like Tyler's cloud system and OpenGov with AI capability. The broken system risked payroll errors and forced staff through cumbersome multi-screen workflows — expect a lessons-learned document before any new vendor contract comes to council.
Accessibility and disability inclusion
A Ward 5 resident with spina bifida asked for a disability advisory committee, an updated ADA transition plan and a public accessibility tracker, noting only 48% of residents are satisfied with park accessibility. Nisbett confirmed a task force structure is already in the works.
42nd Avenue sidewalk after child's injury
Five days before the meeting, a 12-year-old wheelchair user was struck by a distracted driver near her home on 42nd Avenue between Decatur and Crittenden — a block with no sidewalk. Waszczak and Strab pledged to push to expedite the sidewalk, though right-of-way limits make it complex.
Letter to Prince George's County on ADUs and tenant safety
Prince George's County is authorizing accessory dwelling units, and the council discussed where they'll go and what fire-safety rules will apply. The task force was asked to review the county's ADU policy with an equity lens — the Equity Plan's housing section already references ADUs.
Bird City designation
Hyattsville could become the first Bird City in Prince George's County, gaining recognition, toolkits, and grant opportunities for its bird conservation work. The path requires a $200 fee, ten documented actions, a council resolution, and a World Migratory Bird Day event by May 2027. The city already does 15 of the 70 recommended actions.
Traffic Calming and Streets Projects Update
Public Works presented speed humps for Lancer, Longfellow, Stanford, and the 4000 block of Nicholson, plus longer-term work at 42nd/Kennedy and 43rd/Oglethorpe. The proposed Nicholson Street connection drew resident opposition over emergency access, traffic, and parking.
Riverfront Street Takeover and Ward 4 Road Repairs
A resident says the neighborhood has paid full property taxes for six years while maintaining its own streets, snow removal, and trash — and the city's takeover has been pushed off another two years.
City Administrator Contract Extension
The audit restatement, $20 million discrepancy between reported and actual fund reserves, and whether to terminate or retain City Administrator Tracy Douglas dominated the night. Most speakers backed Douglas through her planned June 2027 retirement; a few demanded a forensic audit and stronger accountability. The council also moved forward the executive search RFP for her successor.
Kennedy Street Project contract change
The Council added about $123,000 to three maintenance contracts — tree work, stormwater/bioswale upkeep, and lawn mowing — to cover more work than originally budgeted.
Driskell Community Center renovation
Roof and HVAC repairs totaling up to $160,000 were proposed at the Driskell Park Recreation Center, which hosts community programs and recreation for Hyattsville residents.
Council survey on service costs and workload
The committee is building a survey to find out whether low pay keeps people from serving, and how many hours council work really takes. The survey needs to be finalized at next week's meeting so respondents have time to complete it.