Mayor and City Council

MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON MAY 19, 2025 Present were Councilmembers Briana Urbina, Lincoln Lashley (arrived late), David Lai and Duane H. Rosenberg; Mayor Katrina Dodro, City Administrative Officer Maisha Williams, Police Chief David Rice, DPW Director Brice Boyd, Community Engagement Officer Araceli Guzman (virtually), and City Clerk Kaitlyn Schisler; City Attorney Jason DeLoach, Chief of West Lanham Vol. Fire Dept William Smith. I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Council Chair Urbina in the Municipal Center, Room 230. II. Public Comments The following members of the public made comment: ●​ Agnelli Sybel expressed concern that the public had limited time to review the final language of six proposed amendments to the city charter. ●​ Richard Potts supported Ms. Sybel’s comments. ●​ Marilyn Padmore urged the Council to withhold a vote on charter amendment Resolution 25-20, which revises the mayor's duties. ●​ Mayor Katrina Dodro gave a public comment defending the charter resolutions. ●​ Phelecia Nembhard asked the Council to ensure that future decisions benefit the entire city and are not tailored for a particular individual. ●​ Briana Urbina shared reflections on her commitment to serving on the Council despite challenges, emphasizing faith and dedication to all residents, regardless of who they voted for. ●​ Councilmember Lai reflected on his term ending, stressing the importance of resident voting amid low turnout, and calling for continued community unity and engagement, while rejecting fear and exclusion to build an inclusive city. III. Council Announcements Councilmembers Lai, Lashley, Urbina and Rosenberg gave announcements about upcoming events. IV. Presentation of Check to West Lanham Hills Vol Fire Dept A check was presented to the Chief of West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department. V. Public Hearing on Schedule of Fees​ A public hearing on the FY26 Schedule of Fees was held. The following members of the public made comment: ●​ Roy Miller expressed concern that the new bulk trash fees might lead to increased illegal dumping in the county, which is already facing litter issues ●​ Agnelli Sybel inquired whether the schedule of fees document was distributed when the public hearing was announced and noted a significant increase in the single-family trash fee. ●​ Jim Wildoner raised concerns about the city's current lack of requirement for inspections of rental rooms within owner-occupied houses, citing safety concerns and practices in other cities.  ● Cynthia Poles-Suite asked for clarification on whether speeding tickets or red-light camera fees were compared with other cities. VI. Resolution 25-30, A Resolution Granting One Year Extension of Partial Real Property Tax for Certain Annexed Properties for FY26 The Council had the first reading of Resolution 25-30, A Resolution Granting One Year Extension of Partial Real Property Tax for Certain Annexed Properties for FY26. The Council had no questions and it was placed on the consent agenda. VII. Resolution 25-29, Establishing a Senior Resource Committee Araceli Guzman proposed a Resolution Establishing a Senior Resource Committee to amplify senior residents' voices, building on the Senior Fridays program. Council members supported the idea, recognizing its potential for engagement and addressing aging-in-place needs. VIII. April Meeting Minutes Minutes from April were presented for Council review. IX. Camera Coverage Councilmember Rosenberg raised a question about the camera coverage in the Council chamber and what steps would need to be taken to get 360 degree coverage. X. Motion to Adjourn Councilmember Lai moved to Adjourn the Council Workshop Meeting. Council Member Lashley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m. MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING CITY OF NEW CARROLLTON MAY 19, 2025 Present were Councilmembers Briana Urbina, Lincoln Lashley, David Lai and Duane H. Rosenberg; Mayor Katrina Dodro, City Administrative Officer Maisha Williams, Police Chief David Rice, and City Clerk Kaitlyn Schisler; City Attorney Jason DeLoach. I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 8:14 p.m. by Council Chair Urbina in the Municipal Center, Room 230. II. Consent Agenda Chair Urbina moved that the Council of the City of New Carrollton adopt Resolution 25-10, A Resolution Granting One Year Extension of Partial Real Property Tax for Certain Annexed Properties for FY26. Councilmember Lai seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously (4-0-0). III. Non Consent Agenda a. Resolution 25-29, Establishing a Senior Resource Committee i. Chair Urbina moved that the Council of the City of New Carrollton adopt Resolution 25-20, A Resolution Establishing a Senior Resource Committee. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Lashley. The motion passed  unanimously (4-0-0). b. Election Results-2025 i. Councilmember Lai moved that the City Council accept the results of the City of New Carrollton Municipal General Election held on Monday, May 5, 2025, as delivered by Charles Davis, Chairman of the Board of Elections. The motion was seconded by Chair Urbina. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). c. Charter Amendment Legislation i. The Council discussed Resolution 25-20, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-3 “Government of the City” To Revise Duties & Responsibilities of Mayor. Councilmember Rosenberg voiced opposition to voting on the legislation. City Attorney DeLoach clarified references to CAO in the legislation. 1. Councilmember Lashley moved that the City Council of the City of New Carrollton approve Resolution 25-20, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-3 “Government of the City” To Revise Duties & Responsibilities of Mayor. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rosenberg. The motion passed (3-1-0). ii. The Council discussed Resolution 25-22, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-7 “Elections” To Remove Provisions Regarding Staggered Elections. 1. Chair Urbina moved that the City Council of the City of New Carrollton approve Resolution 25-22, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-7 “Elections” To Remove Provisions Regarding Staggered Elections. Councilmember Lai seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). iii. The Council discussed Resolution 25-23, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-8 “Council Meetings” To Address Council Meetings on Holidays. 1. Councilmember Lai moved that the City Council of the City of New Carrollton approve Resolution 25-23, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-8 “Council Meetings” To Address Council Meetings on Holidays. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Rosenberg. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). iv. The Council discussed Resolution 25-24, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-9 “Treasurer’s and City Administrative Officer’s Duties” To Abolish Positions of Treasurer and City Administrative Officer. 1. Councilmember Rosenberg moved that the City Council of the City of New Carrollton approve Resolution 25-24, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-9 “Treasurer’s and City Administrative Officer’s Duties” To Abolish Positions of Treasurer and City Administrative Officer. Chair Urbina seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). v. The Council discussed Resolution 25-25, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-10 “General Powers of Council” to Remove Provisions Regarding Vetoes.  1. Councilmember Rosenberg moved that the City Council of the City of New Carrollton approve Resolution 25-25, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-10 “General Powers of Council” to Remove Provisions Regarding Vetoes. The motion was seconded by Chair Urbina. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). vi. The Council discussed Resolution 25-26, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-20 “Recall of Elected Officials” To Modify Percentage Threshold for Valid Petition To Recall Elected Officials. 1. Council Chair Urbina moved that the City Council of the City of New Carrollton approve Resolution 25-26, Amending The Charter of the City of New Carrollton, §C-20 “Recall of Elected Officials” To Modify Percentage Threshold for Valid Petition To Recall Elected Officials. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Lai. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). III. Motion to Adjourn-Move into Closed Meeting Chair Urbina moved that the Council of the City of New Carrollton adjourn into a Closed Meeting, in accordance with the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, §3-305 (b) (1). To discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals. Councilmember Lai seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously (4-0-0). The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kaitlyn Schisler City Clerk Note: These minutes are a summary of the actions taken by the City Council and do not include all details of the discussions. Please refer to the official meeting video for a complete record.