Council member Stewart Adams said he will resign from the College Park City Council effective Jan. 8, 2025, and the council moved quickly to introduce an amendment to the city charter on how vacancies are filled and to set a special election for District 3.

Adams told colleagues that family medical issues and work obligations led to his decision. “In March of 2024, my family had some difficulties with the pregnancy… In November, I told a few of you on this call, colleagues, that I was gonna resign,” Council member Stewart Adams said.

The resignation prompted two formal actions: the mayor and council introduced a charter resolution that would change the timing and process for filling vacancies, and the City’s Board of Elections Supervisors and council set a special election date and related deadlines for District 3.

Why it matters: The council debated whether vacancies occurring within a defined window before a general election should be filled by appointment or by a special election — a choice that affects cost, staff workload and how quickly a ward gets full-time representation. The council approved an introductory charter amendment as amended, and it approved logistics for a March special election intended to seat a new District 3 member before the city’s April budget work session.

Council and staff described the legal and fiscal timeline. City Attorney Stephanie Anderson told the council that, under state and city rules, a charter amendment would be published and could become effective in March unless petitioned to referendum, and she estimated publication and related costs of roughly $3,500. Anderson also said past special elections cost about $13,600 each in direct expenses, not counting staff time and existing budgets.

Board of Elections supervisors recommended an accelerated mail-ballot process because the special election must occur within 65 days of the vacancy. Susan Henrich, a board supervisor, said the board planned to mail postcards to every household in District 3 with candidate information and to mail ballots to registered voters; ballots could be returned by mail or in a City Hall drop box, and the board proposed one in-person election day at City Hall.

After discussion about transit voter rolls, candidate timelines and convenience for residents, the council approved a motion to follow the board’s recommendations with a modification: staff will mail an application for a ballot to each active District 3 voter and will mail ballots to voters who request them. The council approved holding the special election on March 11, 2025, with in-person voting at City Hall’s community room from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Candidate filing and related deadlines set by the board include a candidate signature deadline of Feb. 5, 2025, and a voter-registration cutoff of Feb. 20, 2025; the board planned a canvass period in mid-March and a swearing-in the week of March 25.

Council debate focused on flexibility. Several members, including Council members Whitney, Mackey and Adams, said the charter amendment should preserve council discretion to choose appointment or special election in some circumstances. Council member Whitney moved an amendment that added an explicit council-option clause; the council voted to introduce the charter resolution as amended for public hearing on Feb. 4, 2025.

The council also thanked city staff, the Department of Public Works and volunteer groups after a recent snow event. Neighbors Helping Neighbors volunteer Aurelius Perez told the council the group serves roughly 60 members who are seniors or people with disabilities and reported that 25 residents were assisted during the recent storm.

Votes at a glance: The meeting recorded these formal outcomes:
- Consent agenda (items including a consulting agreement with LA Perez Consulting LLC, designation of a resident agent, and a stop sign installation): Approved (unanimous voice vote).
- Introduction of charter resolution amending vacancy procedures (introduced as amended to preserve council option on appointment vs. special election timing): Motion introduced as amended; public hearing set for Feb. 4, 2025.
- District 3 special election logistics and mail-ballot application process (modified recommendation): Approved; special election set for March 11, 2025; candidate filing deadline Feb. 5; voter-registration cutoff Feb. 20; in-person voting at City Hall community room 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; swearing-in targeted week of March 25.

What’s next: The charter resolution will be published per state law, and the council will hold a public hearing Feb. 4. The Board of Elections Supervisors will complete candidate packets, mail postcards and begin the application/ballot mailing process once council approval is finalized. The council’s calendar shows the new District 3 member is expected to be seated before the April 4 budget work session.

“It's been an honor,” Adams said of his council service; he asked colleagues and residents to continue the initiatives he listed in his resignation letter. The council concluded its meeting after routine announcements and proclamations.