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On the Surprise $1 million Line Item in the FY27 Budget

At tonight’s Council Work Session, I shared concerns about a new $1 million line item that was a complete surprise to Council when we discovered it barely six days ago – below is a text version for those interested to read, and the video version can be watched, along with the subsequent Council and Mayor discussion, at this timestamp in the meeting video.

I want to take a moment to speak to one of the elephants in the room …

There’s a fully new, $1 million budget line item, that was a complete surprise to Council and that we only saw for the first time the end of last week (barely 6 days ago at this point).

Nowhere has the Mayor previously made a case for this $1 million program to residents; Nowhere was Council even let know it was coming, much less their input sought; It doesn’t even appear in the three-page cover letter of the budget.

We’re talking about the 4th biggest expenditure line in this budget, and one that’s entirely new out of left field (the others being standard expected ones like Finance Dept comp/Police comp, our annual Pension funding contribution, & Red Light ticket costs).

It’s fully 2% of our $50 million budget, all by itself – It would represent the largest single grant our City has ever issued – And it also represents a significant shift in our City’s financial model.

To me, this is not how we do things in Laurel – And while I’m reasonably confident it isn’t the case, I can’t help from feeling like it’s coming in a back door, trying to fly under the radar.

And there’s a lot to discuss about this one line alone – It essentially ties back to $1 million in interest income the City smartly earned on COVID funds that we now have free and clear to direct however we see fit.

To me, one of the smart questions we should be asking is: how do we best use this $1 million? Why have we decided against investing in our infrastructure? Whether it be Main Street enhancements we say we never have the money for, or handicap adaptations for Gude Park. Whether it be a COLA increase for Police or City retirees we say we haven’t been able to afford, or fixing the our City’s historic Foundry Building that’s falling apart and provides an irreplaceable touchstone to Laurel’s beginnings in the 1800s. Whether it’s paying down our own debt and saving future interest costs, and the list goes on …

At the end of the day, these are the residents of Laurel’s funds, and the people and their representatives should have been invited to the table to talk about how to best direct it – Done right, that conversation should have been much farther along at this point, but as it is, it hasn’t even been started until now.

There’s also questions in my mind for how the Mayor proposes to use the funds, as a temporary 12-month rent subsidy program where 100 people will get $9,000 over a year to subsidize their rent, after which the money is gone. Housing affordability is certainly an issue, but it’s not clear to me that this is the most effective solution for the investment. Council first received a rough sketch of the program docs after close of business Friday - to my reading, there’s some good things in there, like financial literacy education. But the qualification criteria is still in flux, I’m seeing a 20%+ cost to administer (which is above average), and I’m trying to clarify how we’re accomplishing the long-term ability to sustain housing after the program ends for the people we’re purporting to support; whether that’s actually being accomplished by the time the $1 million is spent.

Not to mention we’d be outside our wheelhouse – These types of programs have not been the purview of municipalities of our size: we help where and in the ways we can to support our vibrant network of non-profits and other organizations, but the purview of municipal government is to pave the streets, pick up the trash, maintain our parks, and keep our residents safe. We’re out of our lane when we start going deep into social services, which is the purview of County, State, & Federal programs.

And we’d be moving into the area of duplicating taxpayer resources inefficiently by re-creating the wheel that already exists. For comparison, PG County has a $5.4 billion budget and roughly $200 million of that goes to social services - that’s four times our entire budget, on the social services piece alone for PG. Maryland has a $67 billion budget and roughly $10 billion of that goes to social services. The U.S. has a $7.4 trillion budget with somewhere around $55-70 billion going to social services in the state of Maryland alone. Taxpayers fund these programs already, we lobby to bring these resources to Laurel (e.g., with the help of our District 21 delegation, $91 million this past session to our district), and I suggest we’d be remiss to try to change ourselves into covering something our real estate taxes were never intended to cover and our budget wasn’t intended to support.

In closing, I ask us as a City to pause, back up a step, and do this the right way together – Rather than barrel this through from out of left field.

It needs to be given the appropriate air, and our already compressed 24-day timetable for budget approval is not the time to be bringing this up for the first time.

My recommendation is to bank this money for a conversation this summer, and to address all of the regular budget items as usual in this process so we can keep the lights on – Anything other than that is, I believe, a disservice to this body and to the people of Laurel.

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Check out "I❤️Laurel" Weekly e-Newsletter

Launched last fall, many folks are already enjoying the weekly e-letter from “I❤️Laurel” to help keep them stay connected to what’s happening around town, highlights of upcoming events, and community notes – If you haven’t already, I encourage to you to check it out.

The e-letter is the effort of Mike Mondy, Laurel small business owner and community supporter, and is billed as, “Your guide to Laurel, MD. Events, local news and community updates — delivered to your inbox every week. Keeping Laurel connected."

Examples from this week’s edition include:

  • Ways to get a piece of Preakness fever as our town builds to the event-of-a-lifetime here in town;

  • Highlights of this past weekend’s Main Street Festival put on by the Laurel Board of Trade;

  • A blockchain career conference coming to south Laurel in July;

  • And an *assortment of neat events like Secretariat Movie Night, Mother’s Day Yoga Retreat, Laurel Spartans Singers Concert, and more.

Thank you Mike for this helpful and uplifting resource that richly contributes to the fabric of the Laurel community – And I join you in saying “I❤️Laurel”. 😀

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Info for City Council Work Session - 6 May 2026

May is “budget month” for the City so this month’s Work Session is almost exclusively the budget. Be sure to read my separate blog post with my initial highlights & a link to the FY 2027 Budget, and don’t forget that a Special Budget Work Session occurred on May 4 which contains the first briefings from Department Heads.

See the City of Laurel’s meeting page for the official record, and if any agenda item holds interest for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as your voice helps me shape legislation and decisions.

Watch live online via LaurelTV or the MyLaurel app, or on your TV via Comcast Channel 996 (HD)/ 71 (SD) or Verizon FiOS Channel 12. (Note: Work Sessions don’t generally have a Public Hearing component, but you can still send me your thoughts as they are always helpful as I approach the meeting.)

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order - Brencis D. Smith, Council President

  2. Bid Recommendation- Microsoft Data Governance Implementation- Department of Information Technology

  3. Ordinance No. 2055- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Adopting the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and to Levy Property Taxes; and to Authorize the Collection of Such Taxes

  4. Adjournment

Auto-generated description: Official seal and logo of the City of Laurel, Maryland, featuring a coat of arms and the city's name.
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LARS Appreciation // Dernoga - District 21 Md. Recap // Police Awards Ceremony - Highlights & Pics

»LARS Volunteer Appreciation Day« It was a pleasure to join with PG County Councilmember Jolene Ivey and members of the Laurel City Council on April 18 to recognize and personally thank the volunteers of the Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services (LARS). These individuals step forward every day and week to help our neighbors around town, whether delivering groceries, connecting them with helpful resources, helping with the balcony garden project, providing clothing, and more. Thank you Laurelites for your caring that translates into actions which make a difference in the lives of so many.

(Photo: LARS)

»CM Dernoga/ District 21 Md. Legislative Recap« That following Wednesday I helped represent Laurel at the PG District 1 Community Conversation hosted by PG County Councilmember Tom Dernoga where our state delegation from District 21 shared a recap of key outcomes from the 2026 Maryland Legislative Session ended the prior week. District 21 has a strong team including Speaker of the House Josalene Pena-Melnyk, Senator Jim Rosapepe, Delegate Ben Barnes, and Delegate Mary Lehman. Some of the topics covered included utility rebates, supported funds for CMIT, women’s health support, protections for foster children, and resolving questions around street maintenance when there’s multiple jurisdictions. Thank you CM Dernoga for hosting and for all of our District 21 representatives for your hard work figuring out the best path forward for Maryland and especially for your love of Laurel.

»Laurel Police Awards Ceremony« This past week I joined the Laurel Police Department for their awards ceremony during which officers, teams, and staff were recognized for their strong work protecting Laurel over this past year. To me, it’s important to be present to let them know we care and appreciate what they do for and the harm they stand in the way of to protect our elders, couples, families, small businesses, and more around town. Cases cited included those involving drugs, weapons, property damage/ theft, multi-jurisdiction coordination, evidence collection, months and months of work, quick thinking. As the Chief put it, our officers are called upon as rescuers and defenders. Hats off to all who were recognized and those that go unnoticed: thank you for your efforts to make and keep Laurel safe.

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Info for Special Budget Work Session - 4 May 2026

The City budget season is here and kicks off next Monday at a Special Budget Work Session starting at 6 p.m. via virtual meeting. See my separate blog post providing initial highlights of the FY27 budget as well as link to download a copy for your own reference. And don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or comments for me to incorporate into conversations on Council!

See the City of Laurel’s meeting page for the official record, and if any agenda item holds interest for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as your voice helps me shape legislation and decisions.

Watch live online via LaurelTV or the MyLaurel app, or on your TV via Comcast Channel 996 (HD)/ 71 (SD) or Verizon FiOS Channel 12. (Note: Work Sessions don’t generally have a Public Hearing component, but you can still send me your thoughts as they are always helpful as I approach the meeting.)

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order - Brencis D. Smith, Council President

  2. Ordinance No. 2055- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Adopting the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and to Levy Property Taxes; and to Authorize the Collection of Such Taxes

  3. Adjournment

Auto-generated description: Official seal and logo of the City of Laurel, Maryland, featuring a coat of arms and the city's name.
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Proposed FY 2027 Laurel City Budget is Now Available

A number of residents have been asking me about the FY 2027 Budget and I’ve had to mention I didn’t have a copy as yet – But I’m happy to report it was published yesterday and is now available! A shortened version can be found in the Agenda Packet for next Monday’s Special Work Session and the full proposed budget can be found on the City Budget webpage.

I and other Councilmembers have started to pour through the document (our copy includes around 250 pages+), but wanted to provide some quick first highlights for you, with more to come in the weeks ahead. (Note: You can also watch my recent Council Connections interview for a simple breakdown of the City budget components so you’ll have a big picture framework.)

  • The Operating budget is $50 million and there is no increase in property tax rates.

  • A big ticket item: Revenues include $1.1 million in one-time interest income the City earned on federal dollars from COVID funds, and the Mayor has proposed directing $1 million of it to a one-time rent subsidy program with the remaining $100k towards Laurel non-profit support.

  • There’s also around $600k in significant IT upgrades to support City functions.

  • The Police budget reflects the terms of newly executed union contract, signed at the April 27 Mayor & City Council Meeting

  • Many residents have reached out about the funding line for The Laurel Independent paper – You’ll find that on page 35 of the agenda packet referenced by line code “10-5-270-52061” at $30k.

The City Council will be discussing the budget during Work Sessions next Monday and Wednesday, and please reach out to me if you have any questions or comments as I’d like to incorporate into the City’s conversation.

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Info for City Council Meeting - 27 Apr 2026

See the City of Laurel’s meeting page for the official record, and if any agenda item holds interest for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as your voice helps me shape legislation and decisions.

Join in-person, watch live online via LaurelTV or the MyLaurel app, or on your TV via Comcast Channel 996 (HD)/ 71 (SD) or Verizon FiOS Channel 12.

And if you’d like to register to speak, simply sign-up when you arrive in person or reach out to the City Clerk’s office. (See my post for how to share your voice at Council Meetings.)

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order - Council President Brencis D. Smith

  2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America Led by Keith R. Sydnor, Mayor

  3. Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, City Clerk

  4. Approval of Minutes: March 23, 2026- Special Work Session; March 23, 2026- Regular Meeting; April 1, 2026- Work Session; April 13, 2026- Regular Meeting

  5. Report of the Mayor and City Council

  6. Mayoral Reappointments: Sabrina Jones, Education Advisory Committee, 04/27/2026-04/27/2028; Anthony Taylor, Environmental Affairs Committee, 04/27/2026-04/27/2028

  7. General Public Hearing

  8. Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Resolution No. 2-2026- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Adopt the City of Laurel Bikeway Master Plan

  9. Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Resolution No. 4-2026- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Purpose of Approving an Agreement Between the City of Laurel and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 11

  10. Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2054- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Amending and Renumbering Former Section 18-181.1 “Trimming of Hedges, Shrubs, and Trees” to Section 18-181.3 and Renumbering Former Section 18-181.2 “Snow and Ice Removal” to Section 18-181.4, and Renumbering Former Section 18-181.3 “Prohibited Disposal of Refuse on Property of Another Without Consent” to Section 18-181.5 of the Laurel City Code to Permit Intentional Native Plantings, Pollinator Gardens, and other Managed Landscapes as an Exemption from the Weed Height Requirement, and to Update Requirements for the Trimming and Maintenance of Hedges, Shrubs, and Trees along Streets and Sidewalks to Ensure Pedestrian Access, Visibility, and Public Safety and Providing an Effective Date

  11. Adjournment

Auto-generated description: Official seal and logo of the City of Laurel, Maryland, featuring a coat of arms and the city's name.
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How to Participate in Laurel Preakness 151!

It’s less than a month away! – The famous Preakness Stakes will be run on Sunday, May 16, and for the first time (and perhaps last), it’ll be held at our very own Laurel Park!

This really does mark a historic occasion, and while Laurel Park is technically just outside our City’s incorporated limits, the racetrack has been long been a part of Laurel’s identity through the years.

Folks reached out to ask me how they might take part in the festivities and create some special memories, as well as what City programs are available, so I wanted to put together a rundown of ideas and resources for you:

  • The official website of the Preakness Festival has a lot of great information, including how to buy tickets and the many neat events happening in the weeks leading up to Race Day itself.

  • One great example is Maryland Horse Farm Tours – A fun, FREE day on Sunday, May 10 for families to connect with horses in the horse farms around Maryland where racehorses are grown and to learn about Maryland’s unique equine history.

  • A great opportunity to get a free introduction to the basics of horse racing and to see the races up close and personal is at the Voices of Laurel “Day at the Races” event this Saturday April 25 from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are FREE but RSVP requested to get a head count. Look for the Voices of Laurel reserved tent setup right next to the track itself, and two special races will take place between 1:45 p.- 3 p.m. for the VoL team.

  • And for those curious history buffs out there, the Voices of Laurel crew also put together a great history of Laurel Park over time, as well as coverage of what’s next for the racetrack after the Preakness is run this year.

  • The City of Laurel is running it’s “Saddle Up, Laurel!" promotional campaign for our town’s small businesses to highlight what makes them special, encouraging them to decorate their storefront, providing promotional posters, encouraging race-themed specials & events, and featuring them throughout City communications. Check out the campaign page linked above and reach out directly to “ecd AT laurel.md.us” for information on how to get involved!

  • Keen observers may also have seen the horse racing graphics installed by DPW along Main Street – there’s two locations: one near the City parking lot close to Route 1, and the other near the Laurel Mill Playhouse closer to Route 216. (see picture below)

  • Another City-sponsored event: Come out for Movie Night at the McCullough Field/ Sturgis-Moore area on Tue, May 12 at 8 p.m. to watch Secretariat, the acclaimed 2010 movie telling the 1973 story of the ninth horse to win the Triple Crown and who still holds the fastest time records in all three races.

There is more out there, but hopefully this gets you off-and-running to your own Preakness celebration and don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or the City team for any questions!

Auto-generated description: Jockeys race horses on a dirt track in front of a grandstand, with text below promoting Saddle Up Laurel! as a proud supporter.
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*Tonight* CM Dernoga hosts Md. Legislative Update with District 21

Tonight, April 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center on Contee, PG County Councilman Tom Dernoga will host representatives from our District 21 State Delegation to provide highlights and recap of the recently concluded Maryland Legislative Session.

Our District 21 representatives Senator Jim Rosapepe, Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Delegate Ben Barnes, and Delegate Mary Lehman will present an end-of-session update on the 2026 Legislative Session in Annapolis, followed by a moderated discussion on legislative priorities, local concerns, and available resources. PG Councilmember Wanika Fisher, Chair of the County General Assembly Committee, will also present a County Council committee report.

Doors open at 6 p.m. to allow time for mingling, the main program starts at 6:30 p.m., and should conclude around 7:30 p.m.

I and other members of the Laurel City Council will also be there, so it’ll be a unique opportunity to meet and connect with City, County, and State representatives all in one place at the same time.

You can register online, check out the below flyer for additional detail (en español), just let me know if you have any questions, and’ll hope to see you there!

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On Council’s Role & Ability to Discuss Items for Vote

During last week’s Council Meeting, it was asserted that Council was barred from discussing a particular agenda item up for vote.

I stated at the time, and want to take a moment to re-emphasize here: The very reason for the existence of Council is to discuss, then vote on items.

This is based on our American system of self-governance: Legislative bodies, like City Council, are the forums in which we as a people directly, and through our elected representatives, consider, discuss, exchange ideas, share points of view, think through alternatives, and arrive at sufficient consensus to move forward as a community.

By contrast, to suggest that a community’s designated forum is not permitted to even discuss what they’re voting on, is, to me, to miss the mark of our democratic process. One could even say it violates the intent of the Maryland Open Meetings Act our proceedings are subordinate to – The act that requires discussions of our Council body to be held in public view and at a meeting available to the public.

This ability to talk with each other and thereby govern our lives in common, is a precious treasure, not guaranteed throughout so many parts of the world.

Thankfully in the end, after the raising of the parliamentary procedure question, Council did discuss the item, with members respectfully sharing their viewpoints with each other, followed by the normal next step of a motion to vote.

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My Committee will be at Laurel Volunteer Fair *tomorrow*, Apr 18

Stop on by the table for the Citizens Advisory Committee for Senior Residents & Persons with Disabilities at tomorrow’s Laurel Volunteer Fair – The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 18 in the gym side of the Multiservice Center and will also feature so many of the great organizations and City volunteer opportunities we have around town.

(Note: The City is also hosting community resource fair and grocery give-away on the Human Services side of the Multiservice Center, so be sure to look for the door based on which (or both) events you’re going to.)

The CAC for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities will have handouts listing City services available to member groups – And we’ll also have feedback forms where respondents can let the City know how it’s doing in being accessible and serving member groups. (All of these should be available digitally soon on our Committee page, but in the meantime, please feel free to email me directly if you’d like a copy or have some feedback for the Committee.)

Thank you to all residents who volunteer to help make Laurel what it is – whether it’s with your church choir, a youth sports coach, with one of our non-profits around town (like Laurel for the Patuxent, LARS, Laurel Historical Society, Women’s Club of Laurel, and more), on a City Committee/ Commission, or more. 🙌

The strength of Laurel is in our people and their connections to others – you are what makes community! 🙂

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Black History Celebration // PAX River Cleanup --Highlights & Pics

»Laurel Black History Month Celebration«

It was a true treasure to gather with residents and special guests from around town to celebrate Black History Month with the City on February 22. We heard from speakers who shared the story of their journey and to spread the message of expression and success in spite of obstacles and adversity, music in the persons of vocalists and a traditional African drummer, excerpts from a documentary fo when slavery first came to American shores, plus major milestones and heroes shared by young people gathered. I could not help but be impressed by their public speaking prowess and courage (at that age I was so shy I could barely even tell anyone my name). :) It was an encouraging and inspirational event and thank you to all who gathered and made the event such a great success!

Auto-generated description: A person is speaking at a lectern to an audience in a conference room, with people seated and screens displaying the number 1619.

(Picture: City of Laurel)

»Patuxent River Cleanup«

I was buried working on taxes April 4, but super proud that my kiddos joined with our neighbors and went to to participate in the Patuxent River Cleanup. It’s a great time of year before all the spring growth bursts forth to collect up the trash that’s accumulated over the winter months and clear the way for a beautiful spring. And although I was holed away working furiously in the office, after the April 15 deadline I was able to go for a walk along Riverfront Park and the area was glistening in the spring sun, not a piece of trash in sight. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to lend a hand - it’s all of us together taking pride in our community and caring for its natural beauty that makes Laurel a great place to live!

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New Bikeway Master Plan for Laurel!

Council is expecting to vote on the City’s new Bikeway Master Plan at its April 27 Council Meeting – A very exciting step forward to enhance routes around town for residents on two wheels. 🚵

Having a good bicycle infrastructure for our town limits traffic congestion, promotes healthy living, and makes everyday travel safer and more accessible for residents of all ages – whether going to work, seeing a movie, or just out for a ride around our lake or along the river.

It also enhances our town’s attractiveness to residents and businesses by creating a place that’s more vibrant, connected, and natural – all things that make Laurel a good place to live, work, and play. 🙂

The plan was first created in 2009 and last revised 2016, and the updates identify a few new north-south and east-west routes for people to get around town. The map below shows the existing routes in solid lines, and the proposed new routes in dashed lines.

A related note for those interested: When talking about bike travel, it’s important to distinguish different types of ‘lanes’ (and also important as car drivers to know):

  • Hiker/ biker path – This is a separate path that is distinct from, but often runs parallel to, a road. An example is what you see on Van Dusen Road near the hospital.

  • Striped bike lane – This is a lane on the road but exclusively for bikes. An example is what you see on part of Fourth Street as you move from 198 towards Main. Separate bike lanes can also be ‘protected’, meaning dividers such as polls or walls. For example, this month Council is also voting on design plans for a protected bike lane on Cherry Lane.

  • Shared bike/ parking lane – This is where a road may have a wide shoulder/ parking area that can also easily be used for bicycles to move through. You’re generally not going to see it where lots of cars park, but where parked cars are few and far between (like along Brooklyn Bridge Road).

  • Shared lane – In this scenario, bikes and cars share the same lane. And on designated roads, you’ll see the cycling icons painted onto the road’s surface. Cyclists should generally keep to the right of the lane to allow safe passing, but can move to the center of the lane when needed for safety and where they should not be passed.

Checkout the proposed Bikeway Master Plan here for more information – And if you’re interested to link up with other passionate residents helping create an easily livable, walkable, cyclable, and fun ways to get around town, please consider joining the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (just let me know if interested!).

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On the Appointment Process for the Redistricting Committee

During this evening’s regular Council Meeting, I raised a ‘Point of Order’ and also shared reflections on the appointment process for the Redistricting Committee. As a help to clarify the themes discussed, I wanted to share the below:

  • First, I want to thank the Mayor and President for their selection of all high caliber individuals with strong knowledge of the City who I know beyond a doubt would serve professionally, impartially, and do a great job in service of our City.

  • I want also to acknowledge the observations and concerns of my Ward 2 colleagues that, of the five member Committee formed to evaluate moving our City’s Ward boundaries, only one lives in Ward 2. It is my belief this was simply by coincidence in the process conducted in good faith for fulfilling the membership requirements of the Committee’s organizing resolution.

  • From the perspective of the question, “How do we best represent the City in the redistricting process?", I see my colleagues' point and agree that, even if only from the point of view of assuring residents that their voice is being heard, it makes a difference to have a Committee where Ward 2 has more than one member at the table.

  • Note: This is not a requirement of the Committee’s organizing resolution, but I don’t want this to be a circumstance where we’ve fulfilled the ‘letter of the law’ without having fulfilled the ‘spirit of the law’, especially when a question of Representation, so foundational to our ordered democratic society, is the question.

  • Part of our duty as members of Council is the confirmation process, and while I always give deference to the appointer’s prerogative in their selection of appointees, I believe it’s a reasonable exercise of our Council duty to ask consideration that a 5-member Ward Re-districting Committee have more than one member from Ward 2.

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250th Sighting! - Main Street Decal!

As I was out-and-about this morning, came across a cool sight –> A shiny new decal on Main Street as part of our nation’s 250th birthday celebration this year! 🥳

Fun facts:

  • PNC Bank in the background of the first picture was originally Citizens National Bank, and was built in 1890! – it holds the honor of being the first national bank in Prince Georges County. It has a storied history, including surviving the Great Depression, an infamous bank robbery, and visits by U.S. Presidents.

  • And coincidentally, Ragamuffins Coffee House in the background of the second picture is celebrating its 9th birthday this week (complete with balloons inside). 🎈

To me, it’s a great example of both the deep history and fresh additions that make all parts of Laurel a wonderful place to be.

Keep your eyes out for more 250th celebration highlights around town – And if you’re feeling inspired to join in the City’s preparations and celebrations, give me shout and I’d love to connect with our 4th of July Committee who’ve been stirring up great ideas and energies for our town!

(Old Citizens National Bank built in 1890 in the background)

Auto-generated description: A 250th anniversary emblem is painted on a street with parked cars and buildings on either side.

(New Ragamuffins Coffee House opened in 2017 in the background)

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PG District 1 Candidate Forum in Laurel next Thu, Apr 16

The three PG County District 1 candidates are coming to Laurel next Thursday, April 16 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for a Candidate Forum and it’ll be a great opportunity for you to meet and hear them share their thoughts and ideas to help inform your vote.

The event is hosted by The Laurel Independent and will take place at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club located at 701 Montgomery Street. Admission is free, but online registration is encouraged to help event planners adequately accommodate attendees.

A few helpful background facts:

  • The City of Laurel is contained entirely within Prince Georges County, and the City’s residents are represented at the County level as part of its “District 1”.

  • The three candidates are Michelle Garcia, Martin Mitchell, and Darwin Romero. You can read some about them in the Independent’s recent article.

  • Votes will be cast in Primary Election on June 23 (so only a couple months away). All three candidates are affiliated with the Democratic party, so the Primary Election will effectively determine the results of the General Election on November 3.

  • The Primary Election will also include candidates for State and Federal (but not City, which takes place on odd-numbered years).

  • More on elections, including how to register to vote and sample ballots (once released), can be found on the Maryland Board of Elections and Prince Georges Board of Elections.

So register online and join with neighbors to meet and discuss who will next represent our County District for the next four years.

Auto-generated description: An event invitation features three individuals, Martin Mitchell, Michelle García, and Darwin Romero, encouraging attendance for a Prince George's County Council District 1 Candidate Forum.
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Info for City Council Meeting - 13 Apr 2026

See the City of Laurel’s meeting page for the official record, and if any agenda item holds interest for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as your voice helps me shape legislation and decisions.

Watch live online via LaurelTV or the MyLaurel app, or on your TV via Comcast Channel 996 (HD)/ 71 (SD) or Verizon FiOS Channel 12.

And if you’d like to register to speak for the regular Council Meeting, you can sign-up by reaching out to the City Clerk’s office by 2 p.m. of the meeting day. (See my post for how to share your voice at Council Meetings.)

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order - Council President Brencis D. Smith

  2. Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, Clerk

  3. Report of the Mayor and City Council

  4. Appointments: Redistricting and Ward Boundary Advisory Committee: The Honorable Fred Smalls, Chair (Ward 2), 04/13/2026; Calvin Burns, Vice Chair (Ward 1), 04/13/2026; The Honorable G. Rick Wilson, Planning Commission Representative, 04/13/2026; Bill Wellford, Board of Election Supervisor Representative, 04/13/2026; Gabrielle Whitfield, At-Large Representative, 04/13/2026; Dr. Atokatha Ashmond Brew (Ward 1), 04/13/2026; Naima Carma (Ward 2), 04/13/2026; Committee Advisors (Ex-Officio members), Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, City Clerk

  5. General Public Hearing

  6. Bid Recommendation- Department of Public Works- LA 26-002- Van Dusen Road Improvement Project Phase 3 (from north side of Route 198 to Old Sandy Spring Road)

  7. Approval Request- Department of Public Works- Cherry Lane Bikeway 65% Design Grant

  8. Introduction and First Public Hearing on Resolution No. 2-2026- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Adopt the City of Laurel Bikeway Master Plan

  9. Introduction and First Public Hearing on Resolution No. 4-2026- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Purpose of Approving an Agreement Between the City of Laurel and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 11

  10. Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2054- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Amending and Renumbering Former Section 18-181.1 “Trimming of Hedges, Shrubs, and Trees” to Section 18-181.3 and Renumbering Former Section 18-181.2 “Snow and Ice Removal” to Section 18-181.4, and Renumbering Former Section 18-181.3 “Prohibited Disposal of Refuse on Property of Another Without Consent” to Section 18-181.5 of the Laurel City Code to Permit Intentional Native Plantings, Pollinator Gardens, and other Managed Landscapes as an Exemption from the Weed Height Requirement, and to Update Requirements for the Trimming and Maintenance of Hedges, Shrubs, and Trees along Streets and Sidewalks to Ensure Pedestrian Access, Visibility, and Public Safety and Providing an Effective Date

  11. Adjournment

Auto-generated description: Official seal and logo of the City of Laurel, Maryland, featuring a coat of arms and the city's name.
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Join the Parade or Volunteer with the Main Street Festival on May 2!

One of the great spring highlights in the City of Laurel is the annual Main Street Festival hosted by the Laurel Board of Trade! – normally the Saturday of Mother’s Day Weekend, this year the event will take place on Saturday, May 2, with the Parade at 9 a.m. and family fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a Main Street bursting with people and life!

The people of Laurel really make the Main Street Festival sparkle, and I encourage you to not only come on down to see the action and have fun, but also consider participating in a variety of ways:

  • The parade which kicks-off the day’s celebration is a great opportunity to highlight the many wonderful groups, organizations, churches, associations, and more that make Laurel a vibrant place to live – If you haven’t already, consider submitting an online parade application and help showcase your group to our town so we can see you! (Due no later than April 23.)

  • Perhaps you’ve enjoyed many Main Street Festivals before and want to go behind-the-scenes to experience in a new way plus help create the experience for others – Come on out as a volunteer to help with or Kid Zone, be general task runner, and/or setup/ breakdown. Simply choose times you’re available in the online application and turn it into a double-header of having fun and helping make fun for others! (Due no later than April 20, -AND- there’s an exclusive volunteer t-shirt and ‘thank you’ dinner for all helpers!)

  • And what would Main Street Festival be without it’s vendors? Whether it’s food, crafts, games, churches, businesses, recreational groups, non-profits, or more, thousands walk the streets this day that you can connect with, share, and build community. You can find out more for all the different categories of vendors from the Main Street Festival page, including discounts for merchants located on Main Street. (Due no later than April 17.)

So no matter how you slice it, it’s gonna be fun and you’re gonna want to be there and be a part! 🙂

Auto-generated description: A colorful parade with participants marching down the street is announced for May 2, 2026, at the 45th Main Street Festival.
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*Today* - Laurel Farmer's Market Kicks-off Season!

It’s back! – Today, Thursday, April 2 marks the official kick-off of the Laurel Farmer’s Market for the 2026 season!

Come on down to the Quill Lot at 378 Main Street each Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (weather permitting) from April 2 to October 29 to enjoy being outdoors, meeting neighbors, and picking up a variety of goods, such as:

  • Fresh fruits & vegetables and more from Zahradka Family Farm, Bella Vita Farm, Lavander Farm, and more

  • Tasty foods & beverages from Sunshine Creamery, Ali Damra’s Middle Eastern Food, BK Juices, and more

  • Baked goods & pastries from Cake’D By Niqua, Stone Hearth Bakery, Gingersnap Jess Cookies, and more

  • Great products from Krafty Kre8tions, Coco & Soy Candle Co., Olive Oil 4 Life, and more

For additional details, check out:

So you definitely want to make this part of your weekly routine – I know I’ve regularly picked up what my wife calls the ‘best tomatoes’ there, I see folks sitting at the picnic benches enjoying treats they purchased and talking with neighbors, and there’s often music to relax a moment and enjoy the passage of time. 🙂

Come on out and see you there!

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Info for City Council Work Session - 1 Apr 2026

See the City of Laurel’s meeting page for the official record, and if any agenda item holds interest for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as your voice helps me shape legislation and decisions.

Watch live online via LaurelTV or the MyLaurel app, or on your TV via Comcast Channel 996 (HD)/ 71 (SD) or Verizon FiOS Channel 12. (Note: Work Sessions don’t generally have a Public Hearing component, but you can still send me your thoughts as they are always helpful as I approach the meeting.)

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order - Brencis D. Smith, Council President

  2. Bid Recommendation- Department of Public Works- LA 26-002- Van Dusen Road Improvement Project Phase 3 (from north side of Route 198 to Old Sandy Spring Road)

  3. Approval Request- Department of Public Works- Cherry Lane Bikeway 65% Design Grant

  4. Resolution No. 2-2026- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Adopt the City of Laurel Bikeway Master Plan

  5. Resolution No. 4-2026- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Purpose of Approving an Agreement Between the City of Laurel and the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 11

  6. Ordinance No. 2054- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, Amending Chapter 18, Article XI Division 2 “Accumulations and Obnoxious Conditions, Etc.” Renumbering and Renaming of Sections 18-181.1 Through Section 18-181.3, and Subsequent Addition of New Sections 18-181.4 and Section 18-181.5 of the Laurel City Code to Permit Intentional Native Plantings, Pollinator Gardens, and Other Managed Landscapes as an Exemption From the Weed Height Requirement, and to Update Requirements for the Trimming and Maintenance of Hedges, Shrubs, and Trees Along Streets and Sidewalks to Ensure Pedestrian Access, Visibility, and Public Safety and Providing an Effective Date

  7. Adjournment

Auto-generated description: Official seal and logo of the City of Laurel, Maryland, featuring a coat of arms and the city's name.