Council meetings
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Call to Order - Kyla M. Clark, Council President
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Ordinance No. 2051- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Provide an Effective Date
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Resolution No. 9-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Approving and Authorizing the Purchase of 114 and 122 Lafayette Avenue, Laurel, Maryland 20707, for the Purpose of Acquiring Real Property for City Operations
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Call to Order - Council President Kyla M. Clark
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Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, Clerk
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Approval of Minutes: September 22, 2025 Regular Meeting; September 22, 2025 Closed Session; October 1, 2025 Work Session; October 15, 2025 Regular Meeting; October 15, 2025 Closed Session
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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Mayoral Reappointments: Jennifer Shannon, Arts Council, 10/27/25-10/27/27; Don Gavelek, Public Safety and Transportation Committee, 10/27/25-10/2727
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General Public Hearing
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2046- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Modify the Operation of the City of Laurel Employees Retirement Plan to Document a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Retirees of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2014.
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2047- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Modify the Operation of the City of Laurel Police Retirement Plan to Document a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Retirees of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2014.
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2048- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and to Provide an Effective Date.
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2049- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Provide an Effective Date.
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Bid Recommendation- IT- LPD Dispatch Furniture Replacement
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2051- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Provide an Effective Date
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Resolution No. 9-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Approving and Authorizing the Purchase of 114 and 122 Lafayette Avenue, Laurel, Maryland 20707, for the Purpose of Acquiring Real Property for City Operations
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Adjournment
- There can only be one tourist home per street, and
- The rental period must be for three days or more
- There is no limit on the number of tourist homes
- There is no minimum number of days for the rental period
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Call to Order - Council President Kyla M. Clark
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, Clerk
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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Mayoral Appointments/Reappointments: Lakisha Muhammad, Historic District Commission, 10/15/25-10/15/28; Abisola Ude, Education Advisory Committee, 10/15/25-10/15/27; Ed Rowe, Public Safety and Transportation Committee, 10/15/25-10/15/27; Diane Van Hassel, No-Kill Community Animal Shelter CAC, 10/15/25-10/15/27; Maria Gonzales Jackson, Education Advisory Committee, 10/15/25-10/15/27
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General Public Hearing
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Bid Recommendation- BAPS- Employee Insurance
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Bid Recommendation- IT- LPD Dispatch Furniture Replacement
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2046- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Modify the Operation of the City of Laurel Employees Retirement Plan to Document a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Retirees of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2014.
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2047- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Modify the Operation of the City of Laurel Police Retirement Plan to Document a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Retirees of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2014.
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2048- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and to Provide an Effective Date.
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2049- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Provide an Effective Date.
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Possible Adjournment to Closed Session Under the Open Meetings Act General Provisions Section 3-305 (b) (3) to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto in order to protect the Mayor and City Council’s bargaining power and Section 3-305 (b) (7) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice regarding the potential purchase of real property.
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Adjournment
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Fines for juveniles of $250 + 10 service hours for First Offense; $500 + 25 service hours for Second Offense; and $1,000 + 40 service hours for Third Offense
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Parental fine of $250 for Second Offense of their child; $500 for Third Offense of their child; $1,000 for Fourth and subsequent Offenses by their child
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Removing reference to parental accountability for their child during school hours.
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Enabling the Mayor to modify the curfew under emergency powers.
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Parental civil liability up to $10,000 for damages caused by their children in connection with curfew violation.
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Call to Order - Kyla M. Clark, Council President
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Bid Recommendation- IT- LPD Dispatch Furniture Replacement
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Bid Recommendation- BAPS- Employee Insurance
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Ordinance No. 2045- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend Laurel City Code Article V. “Curfew; Parental Responsibility”, Section 9-60 “Definitions”; Section 9-61 “Unlawful Conduct”, Section 9-62 “Defenses”, Section 9-63 “Enforcement and Penalties” and Providing an Effective Date. -
Ordinance No. 2046- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Modify the Operation of the City of Laurel Employees Retirement Plan to Document a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Retirees of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2014.
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Ordinance No. 2047- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Modify the Operation of the City of Laurel Police Retirement Plan to Document a Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Retirees of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2014.
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Ordinance No. 2048- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and to Provide an Effective Date.
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Ordinance No. 2049- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Provide an Effective Date.
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Ordinance No. 2050- (Text Amendment No. 269)- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend the Unified Land Development Code, Chapter 20, “Land Development and Subdivision Regulations,” Section 20-6.13, “Table of Residential Uses,” and Section 20-22.73, “Body Art Establishments”.
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Adjournment
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Already existing Ethics rules prevent Councilmembers from endorsing political candidates, since our roles are non-partisan. So this policy reiterates that social media posts should not contain any endorsements either.
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Also, existing Ethics rules prevent a Councilmember from promoting their own campaign when they’re acting in their official capacity. So this policy reiterates that a Councilmember can’t promote or link to their own campaign from their Councilmember social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
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Another relates to a U.S. Supreme Court case last year which formally established that official elected official social media pages are considered a ‘public forum’, and therefore comments cannot be unreasonably blocked or moderated. (Reasonable restrictions are permitted around things like profanity, threats, spamming, overrun, etc.)
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A fourth, is that existing Open Meetings laws prevent a quorum of Councilmembers (3 or more) from debating policy decisions under consideration outside of an appropriately published public meeting. So in social media world, this means that there can’t be a comment thread where more than two Councilmembers are sharing an exchange discussing what decision to make.
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One last highlight is that Councilmembers, as the City’s Legislative Branch, are appropriately considered distinct from the City’s Executive Branch. As a result, the Executive Branch can support Councilmembers in the fulfillment of their official duties online, but does not hold responsibility to govern as they do for City Departments and other City social media pages. It is empowered to act to the degree needed to enforce applicable laws or protect City’s legal interests, intellectual property, or public reputation.
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Call to Order - Council President Kyla M. Clark
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Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America- Keith R. Sydnor, Mayor
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, Clerk
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Approval of Minutes: July 28, 2025 Closed Session; September 3, 2025 Regular Meeting; September 8, 2025 Regular Meeting
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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Appointments; Stephen Slaughter, Public Safety and Transportation Committee, 09/22/2025-09/22/2027; Gail Heath, Ethics Commission, 09/22/2025-09/22/2028; Connor Johnson, Public Safety and Transportation Committee, 09/22/2025-09/22/2027; Reappointments: Roy M. Smith, II, Public Safety and Transportation Committee, 09/22/2025-09/22/2027
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General Public Hearing
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2043- (Text Amendment No. 267)- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend the Unified Land Development Code, Chapter 20, “Land Development and Subdivision Regulations,” Section 20-22.50, “Interim Limited Retail Uses and Providing an Effective Date.”
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Resolution No. 8-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Purpose of Approving Procedures on Social Media Use for the Laurel City Council.
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Possible Adjournment to Closed Session Under the Open Meetings Act General Provisions Section 3-305 (b) (3) to consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and matters directly related thereto in order to protect the Mayor and City Council’s bargaining power and Section 3-305 (b) (7) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice regarding the potential purchase of real property.
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Adjournment
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Call to Order - Council President Kyla M. Clark
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, Clerk
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Approval of Minutes: July 28, 2025 Regular Meeting
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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Mayoral Reappointments: Marcio Da Silva, Multicultural Advisory Committee, 09/08/2025-09/08/2028; Danielle Delgado, Multicultural Advisory Committee, 09/08/2025-09/08/2028; Ebony Lockwood, Multicultural Advisory Committee, 09/08/2025-09/08/2028; Jaya Persaud, Multicultural Advisory Committee, 09/08/2025-09/08/2028; Joanne Ricketts, Multicultural Advisory Committee, 09/08/2025-09/08/2028; Arthur Thompson, Multicultural Advisory Committee, 09/08/2025-09/08/2028
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General Public Hearing
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Bid Recommendation- LPD- Purchase of Tasers
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Bid Recommendation- LPD- Handgun Replacements
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Bid Recommendation- DPW- Snowden Place, Ward Street, and Northview Court Road Improvements
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2025-2030 Open Ended Architectural and Engineering (A&E) Services Contract Recommendation
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2043- (Text Amendment No. 267)- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend the Unified Land Development Code, Chapter 20, “Land Development and Subdivision Regulations,” Section 20-22.50, “Interim Limited Retail Uses and Providing an Effective Date.”
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2044- (Text Amendment No. 268)- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend the Unified Land Development Code, Chapter 20, “Land Development and Subdivision Regulations,” Article 1, “Zoning,” Division 2, “Administration and Enforcement,” to Add Section 20-3.7, “Validation of a Permit or License Issued in Error.”
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Resolution No. 8-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Purpose of Approving Procedures on Social Media Use for the Laurel City Council.
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Adjournment
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Call to Order - Kyla M. Clark, Council President
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Bid Recommendation- LPD- Purchase of Tasers
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Bid Recommendation- LPD- Handgun Replacements
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Bid Recommendation- DPW- Snowden Place, Ward Street, and Northview Court Road Improvements
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2025-2030 Open Ended Architectural and Engineering (A&E) Services Contract Recommendation
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Ordinance No. 2043- (Text Amendment No. 267)- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend the Unified Land Development Code, Chapter 20, “Land Development and Subdivision Regulations,” Section 20-22.50, “Interim Limited Retail Uses and Providing an Effective Date.”
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Ordinance No. 2044- (Text Amendment No. 268)- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend the Unified Land Development Code, Chapter 20, “Land Development and Subdivision Regulations,” Article 1, “Zoning,” Division 2, “Administration and Enforcement,” to Add Section 20-3.7, “Validation of a Permit or License Issued in Error.”
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Resolution No. 8-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Purpose of Approving Procedures on Social Media Use for the Laurel City Council.
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Call to Order - Council President Kyla M. Clark
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Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America - Keith R. Sydnor, Mayor
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, Clerk
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Approval of Minutes: July 2, 2025 Work Session; July 14, 2025 Special Work Session; July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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Mayoral Appointment: Adina Reno, Bicycle and Pedestrian CAC, 07/28/2025-07/28/2028
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General Public Hearing
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Resolution No. 7-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, Expressing Support for Woodland Job Corps Center and Urging Continued Federal Funding for the Job Corps Program
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2037- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend Laurel City Code, Chapter 7 “Garbage, Waste, Weeds, Recycling, Etc.,” Section 7-35 “Organics Composting Program”, Section 7-36 “Public Education and Enforcement,” Section 7-37 “Inspections and Investigations by City,” and Section 7-38 “Penalties,” and Adding Section 7-37.1 Notice of Violation and Providing for an Effective Date.
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2042- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and to Provide an Effective Date
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Bid Recommendation- Pipe Repairs- Van Dusen Road Dam- Department of Public Works
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Possible Adjournment to Closed Session. The Authority for this Closed Session is contained in the Open Meetings Act General Provisions Section 3-305 (b) (7) to consult with counsel to obtain legal advice and Section 3-305 (b) (13) to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicially imposed requirement that prevents public disclosures about a particular proceeding or matter regarding an internal operational policy.
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Adjournment
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Call to Order – Kyla M. Clark, President
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Ordinance No. 2042- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and to Provide an Effective Date
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Bid Recommendation- Pipe Repairs- Van Dusen Road Dam- Department of Public Works
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Adjournment
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Call to Order - Council President Kyla M. Clark
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, CMC, Clerk
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Approval of Minutes: May 28, 2025 Special Work Session; May 28, 2025 Regular Meeting; June 4, 2025 Work Session; June 9, 2025 Regular Meeting
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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Mayoral Reappointments: Eileen Collins, Youth Services Commission, 07/14/2025-07/14/2028; Joseph DiGiovanni, Tree Board, 07/14/2025-07/14/2027; Ayele Negussie, Education Advisory Committee, 07/14/2025-07/14/2027; Toi Davis, Education Advisory Committee, 07/14/2025-07/14/2027
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General Public Hearing
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Bid Recommendation- LA 25-010- Eighth Street Improvement Project- Department of Public Works
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Bid Recommendation- LA 25-011 Carriage Hill Drive and Carriage Hill Lane Improvement Project- Department of Public Works
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Resolution No. 6-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Adopting the 2025 City of Laurel Sustainability Plan
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Resolution No. 7-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, Expressing Support for Woodland Job Corps Center and Urging Continued Federal Funding for the Job Corps Program
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2037- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend Laurel City Code, Chapter 7 “Garbage, Waste, Weeds, Recycling, Etc.,” Sections 7-36. Public Education and Enforcement, Section 7-38. Penalties and Adding Section 7-37.1 Notice of Violation and Providing for an Effective Date
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2042- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and to Provide an Effective Date
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Mayoral Appointment- Nekesa Matlock, Deputy City Administrator
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Adjournment
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Call to Order – Kyla M. Clark, President
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Bid Recommendation- LA 25-010- Eighth Street Improvement Project- Department of Public Works
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Bid Recommendation- LA 25-011 Carriage Hill Drive and Carriage Hill Lane Improvement Project- Department of Public Works
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Resolution No. 7-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, Expressing Support for Woodland Job Corps Center and Urging Continued Federal Funding for the Job Corps Program
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Ordinance No. 2037- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend Laurel City Code, Chapter 7 “Garbage, Waste, Weeds, Recycling, Etc.,” Sections 7-36. Public Education and Enforcement, Section 7-38. Penalties and Adding Section 7-37.1 Notice of Violation and Providing for an Effective Date
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Adjournment
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Call to Order – Kyla M. Clark, President
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, Clerk
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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Mayoral Appointment: Gabriella Alonso Arts Council 06/09/2025-06/09/2028
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2038 - An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend Chapter 6 regarding City Elections
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Resolution No. 6-2025- A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Adopting the 2025 City of Laurel Sustainability Plan
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Bid Recommendation- Van Dusen Road Improvement Project- Phase 3 Engineering Services- Department of Public Works
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Bid Recommendation- LA 25-009- Stanley Place Road Improvement Project- Department of Public Works
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Bid Recommendation- Purchase of Ammunition- Laurel Police Department
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Adjournment
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Call to Order – Kyla M. Clark, President
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Resolution No. 6-2025 - A Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Adopting the 2025 City of Laurel Sustainability Plan
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Bid Recommendation - Van Dusen Road Improvement Project- Phase 3 Engineering Services- Department of Public Works
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Bid Recommendation - LA 25-009- Stanley Place Road Improvement Project- Department of Public Works
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Bid Recommendation - Purchase of Ammunition- Laurel Police Department
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Adjournment
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Call to Order - Kyla M. Clark, President
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Ordinance No. 2038- An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend Chapter 6 regarding City Elections
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Adjournment
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Call to Order - Council President Kyla M. Clark
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Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America - Keith R. Sydnor, Mayor
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, MMC, Clerk
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Approval of Minutes: April 28, 2025- Special Work Session; April 28, 2025- Regular Meeting; April 28, 2025- Closed Session; May 1, 2025- Budget Work Session; May 7, 2025- Work Session; May 12, 2025- Budget Work Session; May 12, 2025- Regular Meeting
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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General Public Hearing
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(If advanced) Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2038 - An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland to Amend Chapter 6 regarding City Elections
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2041 - An Ordinance Adopting the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Levy Property Taxes; and to Authorize the Collection of Such Taxes
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Adjournment
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Call to Order - Kyla M. Clark, President
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Ordinance No. 2041- An Ordinance Adopting the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Levy Property Taxes; and to Authorize the Collection of Such Taxes
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Adjournment
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Call to Order - Council President Kyla M. Clark
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Roll Call - Sara A. Green, CPM, CMC, Clerk
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Approval of Minutes: April 28, 2025- Special Work Session Minutes; May 1, 2025- Budget Work Session Minutes; May 7, 2025- Work Session Minutes
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Report of the Mayor and City Council
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Mayoral Appointment: The Honorable Michael R. Leszcz, Board of Pension Trustees, 05/12/25-05/12/29
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General Public Hearing
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Bid Recommendation- LA25-008- Independence Day Fireworks- 2025- Laurel 4th of July Committee
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Bid Recommendation- Replacement of Granville Gude Park Lake Fountains- Department of Parks and Recreation
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Bid Recommendation- Van Dusen Road Improvement Project- Phase 1 Engineering Services- Department of Public Works
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Bid Recommendation- Van Dusen Road Improvement Project- Phase 2 Engineering Services- Department of Public Works
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Fleet Acquisition- Grapple Truck- Department of Public Works
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Second Public Hearing with Possible Action on Charter Resolution No. 181- A Charter Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland Amending, Rearranging and Renumbering Article 600 to 617 related to Elections
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Introduction and First Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2041- An Ordinance Adopting the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Levy Property Taxes; and to Authorize the Collection of Such Taxes
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Adjournment
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Call to Order – Kyla M. Clark, President
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Bid Recommendation- LA25-008- Independence Day Fireworks- 2025- Laurel 4th of July Committee
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Bid Recommendation- Replacement of Granville Gude Park Lake Fountains- Department of Parks and Recreation
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Bid Recommendation- Van Dusen Road Improvement Project- Phase 1 Engineering Services - Department of Public Works
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Bid Recommendation- Van Dusen Road Improvement Project- Phase 2 Engineering Services - Department of Public Works
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Fleet Acquisition- Grapple Truck- Department of Public Works
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Ordinance No. 2041- An Ordinance Adopting the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and to Levy Property Taxes; and to Authorize the Collection of Such Taxes
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Adjournment
Info for Special Work Session - 27 Oct 2025
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 generally don’t have a Public Hearing component, but you can still send me your thoughts as they are always helpful as I approach the meeting.)
AGENDA
Info for City Council Meeting - 27 Oct 2025
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
Laurel Elections Candidate Forum *this* Wed, Oct 22 hosted by LBOT
We’re essentially two weeks away from the 2025 Laurel General Elections and here’s a perfect way to get familiar with and hear from the candidates running for office —>
The Laurel Board of Trade (LBOT) will be hosting their Candidates Forum this Wednesday, October 22 from 6 - 9 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Laurel Municipal Center.
You can come in-person; watch live online via LaurelTV or the MyLaurel app, or watch live on your TV via Comcast Channel 996 (HD)/ 71 (SD) or Verizon FiOS Channel 12.
LBOT is also collecting questions to distill down into the list posed to candidates over the course of the evening — So if you have any questions you’d like to see asked, they’ve asked if you can submit them via ‘direct message’ on their Facebook page.
More details below and hope you can make it!
Seeking Your Input into AirBnB Rental Law for Laurel
During Council’s Work Session held October 1, there was an update proposed to Laurel’s Code for “tourist homes” – these are essentially short-term rentals often facilitated via platforms like AirBnB, VRBO, and the like.
Right now, Laurel’s Code reads that:
The change proposed is that:
Following the Work Session, the Ordinance was temporarily removed from the legislative calendar to allow more time for review and conversation – And I’d like to ask you, the residents of Laurel, to reach out to me with any feedback or thoughts you have on the topic so it can be incorporated into the conversation.
Thank you as your input is critical toward helping shape legislation for our City!
(Note: A proposed change was also to disallow tourist homes in multi-family units, like apartments.)
Info for City Council Meeting - 15 Oct 2025
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, 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
Significant Proposed Changes to City’s Youth Curfew Law
At this Wednesday’s Work Session, Council will be presented a proposal for potentially significant changes to the City’s youth curfew laws.
The proposed Ordinance 2045 can be read in its entirety as part of the packet for the Oct 1 Work Session, but provisions include:
Please reach out to me with any thoughts, suggestions, and observations, as your voice helps me shape legislation and decisions.
And you can watch the meeting either live or recorded using the links provided in my post with the meeting info.
(UPDATE: This agenda item has been removed from the Oct 1 Work Session agenda to allow additional time for consideration - Please use the link above to send me your thoughts to incorporate.)
Info for City Council Work Session - 1 Oct 2025
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
(UPDATE 30 Sep 2025: Agenda Item 4 on updates to the youth curfew laws has been removed to allow additional time for consideration - See my related post for additional details.)
Vote on Monday on Social Media Policy for Council
At the Council Meeting Monday, we’ll be voting on the adoption of a Social Media Policy for City Council — It’s the first such policy specifically for Council and has the potential to provide important guidance to Councilmembers now and into the future.
Worked on collaboratively over the last seven months, most of the content is a consolidation of existing laws, just addressed to their particular applications in the social media space. For example:
You can read the full policy as part of the meeting packet for the September 22 Council meeting and please feel free to reach out to me with any comments, suggestions, or questions as well!
At the end of the day, the theme of the document is to aid Councilmembers in understanding how the standing laws bear on their conduct in the social media space so we can uphold the standards that we’re all pledged to and reflect due professionalism in the business of the Council.
(UDPATE: The Council did pass this policy at its Sep 22 meeting, and you can watch a video of my brief comments made during the session.)
Info for City Council Meeting - 22 Sep 2025
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
Info for City Council Meeting - 8 Sep 2025
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, 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
Info for City Council Work Session - 3 Sep 2025
Council is back from its August recess and kicks-off the fall with our first Work Session next Wednesday, Sep 3.
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
Info for City Council Meeting - 28 Jul 2025
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
Info for Special Work Session & City Council Meeting - 14 Jul 2025
Monday, July 14 is a double-header for Council, containing (a) Special Work Session at 5:30 p.m. (for a budget and bid item), plus (b) the regularly scheduled Council Meeting at 6 p.m. As per pattern for 2nd Monday of the month meetings, both will be held virtually.
Note that there’s no “public hearing” (i.e., public comment) component to the Work Session, but there is to the regular Council Meeting. (See my recent post for how to share your voice at Council Meetings.) And I’ve provided both meeting agendas below separately, so you’ll be able to tell what is happening in which meeting. To sign up to speak, be sure to email the Clerk no later than 2 p.m. the day of the meeting at “clerk AT laurel.md.us”.
As usual, 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.
AGENDA - SPECIAL WORK SESSION
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
My Proposed Updates to Compost Ordinance Enforcement Provisions
In a previous post, I shared that in 2023, the then-sitting Council adopted a mandatory composting program for the City with the goals of creating a healthier environment and saving the City money on tipping fees.
I also mentioned that this month, the current Council is considering updates to the Ordinance during its meetings. The edits cover a few different topic areas, and as part of the updates, I was interested to revisit the enforcement approach described in the original Ordinance to ensure it was balanced.
My goal was that with the City adopting this program, the enforcement provisions should be no more expansive than those already followed by our Code Enforcement team - A big first step being: always begin with a notice (and not a penalty). This allows for building awareness, conversations, and is a much more human/ personal first step when compared with the existing Ordinance provision allowing to jump straight to penalties without any requirement for notice.
The other key piece for me is that, especially in light of the new trash truck equipment Council approved last fall, any inspections can occur curb-side during trash collection and there’s no need to enter a resident’s yard, deck, fence, etc. For me, this comes from a principle that residents should have a reasonable expectation for peaceful enjoyment of their property that should only be overridden by an adequately serious circumstance, like a ‘life safety’ concern. To me, composting does not rise to this level, and practically speaking, it’s more effectively and efficiently accomplished through the simpler means.
As always, your voice helps me shape legislation and make decisions, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any thoughts or ideas. And composting is a relatively new program for the City, so please also feel free to ask questions, seek answers, gather information, and provide feedback to the City team as they rollout the program - they are looking to facilitate and help.
UPDATE: This legislation passed by unanimous vote at the 28 Jul 2025 Council Meeting.
Info for City Council Work Session - 2 Jul 2025
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
Info for City Council Meeting - 6 Jun 2025
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, simply reach out to the City Clerk’s office.
AGENDA
Info for City Council Work Session - 4 Jun 2025
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
Info for Special Work Session & City Council Meeting - 28 May 2025
Wednesday, May 28 is another double-header for Council, containing both (a) another Work Session at 5 p.m. (to continue working on the election law re-write), plus (b) the regularly scheduled Council Meeting at 6 p.m. Both will be held in-person at the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building at 8103 Sandy Spring Road.
Note that there’s no “public hearing” (i.e., public comment) component to the Work Session, but there is to the regular Council Meeting. Also, I’ve provided both meeting agendas below separately, so you’ll be able to tell what is happening in which meeting. To sign up to speak, you contact the Clerk in advance at [email protected], and since the meeting is in person, you can also add your name to the sign-up sheet upon arrival.
As usual, 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.
AGENDA - ELECTION LAW WORK SESSION
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Info for Budget Work Session & City Council Meeting - 12 May 2025
Monday, May 12 is another double-header for Council, containing both (a) another Work Session at 5 p.m. (to continue working on the budget), plus (b) the regularly scheduled Council Meeting at 6 p.m.
Note that there’s no “public hearing” (i.e., public comment) component to the Work Session, but there is to the regular Council Meeting. Also, I’ve provided both meeting agendas below separately, so you’ll be able to tell what is happening in which meeting. To sign up to speak, contact the Clerk at [email protected] no later than 2:00 pm the day of the meeting.
As usual, 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.
AGENDA - BUDGET WORK SESSION
AGENDA - CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Info for City Council Work Session - 7 May 2025
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