Mayor and City Council

CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON MINUTES COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024 7:02 p.m. – 9:29 p.m. PRESENT: Chair Briana Urbina, Councilmembers Lincoln Lashley, David Lai, and Duane Rosenberg, Administrative Assistant, Kaitlyn Schisler, City Clerk, Ashli Pressey, City Administrator Maisha Williams, and Mayor Katrina Dodro. ABSENT: Councilmember Ryan Hussey Chair Briana Urbina opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Quick recap The All-Resident Voting Public Hearing addressed a proposed charter amendment in New Carrollton, Maryland, to allow all residents to vote in local elections. Key points included the significant contribution of all residents, who constitute 39% of the population and pay $779 million in taxes. The resolution aims to enhance inclusivity and civic participation. Opponents cited concerns about the urgency and potential impact on community cohesion. Supporters highlighted the historical context of voting rights and the benefits of inclusivity. The councilmembers debated the merits of council-led decisions versus referendums, emphasizing the need for representative governance and community input. The meeting discussed the implications of allowing all residents, regardless of citizenship, to vote in local elections. Speaker 3 emphasized the benefits of inclusive voting, noting initial challenges due to a lack of knowledge. Speaker 4 argued that long-term residents who contribute to the community should have a voice, criticizing the 30-day residency requirement as exclusionary. Councilmembers debated the merits of a referendum, with some leaning towards supporting referendum and others expressing concerns about voter turnout in referendum. The meeting concluded with a call for fairness and justice, urging against creating different classes of citizens based on residency status. Next steps • Publish a fair summary of the charter amendment resolution in the newspaper for 40 days following passage. • Send information about the charter amendment resolution to the Department of Legislative Services, including the text of the resolution, the date of any referendum election, the number of votes cast, and the effective date. • Allocate resources for language access, such as hiring staff and providing translation services for council meetings, documents, and town hall events. Follow-Up Actions: o Ensure continued community engagement through accessible town hall events. o Address community concerns regarding inclusivity and voting requirements in follow-up sessions. Meeting Details 1. Technical Issues: The meeting began with audio issues, causing delays. These were resolved after multiple notifications from attendees. o Speakers Commenting on Technical Issues:  Mark Varner: "I think it is someone in the room."  Cynthia Poles-Suite: "Maisha, please let them know there is an echo and now the audio is gone."  Deni Taveras: "No audio, please correct."  Resolution: Audio was restored, confirmed by Car Waugh and Makiyah Potts. 2. Key Discussion Points: o Speaker 3: Emphasized the benefits of inclusive voting but acknowledged challenges due to initial knowledge gaps. o Speaker 4: Criticized the 30-day residency requirement as exclusionary, arguing for long- term residents' voting rights. o Council Debate:  Some councilmembers leaned towards inclusivity through a referendum. While others supported legislative action  Concerns raised about voter turnout and issue complexity. o Conclusion: A call for fairness and justice, avoiding different classes of residents based on status. 3. Public Comment Sign-Up: Public comments were made during the allocated time. Next Council meeting is December 16, 2024. Respectfully submitted by Ashli Pressey, City Clerk