Submitted by: Joseph Solomon
Submitting Department: Legislative
Agenda Section: Discussion
Item Title:
title
Participatory Budgeting
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move that the Mayor and Council authorize the City Attorney to prepare a participatory budget (PB) ordinance in accordance with the following guidelines:
• Permitting voting on the priority and spending limits for non-critical City infrastructure projects at council direction
• Permitting the allocation of up 25K per ward in the City of Hyattsville for implementation of Ward specific community projects.
o Ward Requirements (for council members):
§ Quarterly Community Meetings
§ Discussion/Introduction of Project within community
o Projects Cannot:
§ Cover scope of other departments or potential department budgets
• Schedule:
o Summer - Idea collection meeting(s)
o Fall - Proposal development
o Spring - Civic Participation/Voting
• Rules:
o Each ward will collect project ideas, either through formal meetings, or a public collection process.
o Any member of a ward in the City can participate in the process for the Ward in which they live.
o The City will assist by providing a general information meeting to: give process overview, list of funded projects, status of projects, equity goals and objectives.
• Voting
o Residents can vote for projects in the ward in which the live
o Eligible Hyattsville voters shall be Eligible PB voters.
• PB Committee
o Similar to BOE, to study and provide recommendations with each voting cycle
• PB funds can be used for small-medium sized physical infrastructure projects that benefit the general public and have a lifespan of at least 5 years.
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Summary Background:
See motion above.
Next Steps:
Council discussion.
Fiscal Impact:
TBD
City Administrator Comments:
For discussion. If approved, the staff will have additional discussions with the motion maker to further develop the vision. Most ward recommendations that are not part of the City’s Action Ready Plans, or in the budget process will have to come back to staff for project/proposal development, coordination, and implementation. Recommend this process initiative start in 2025 following the ARPA process which will be a heavy lift for staff throughout 2024. This may also require additional staffing in the Finance Department or Public Works.
Community Engagement:
TBD
Strategic Goals:
Goal 3 - Promote a Safe and Vibrant Community
Legal Review Required?
Pending