Council adopts consent agenda, enacts compensation-review commission and votes to meet in executive session

The Prince George's County Council took several formal actions at its March 18, 2025 meeting, adopting the consent agenda, authorizing a letter to state delegation leaders, enacting a compensation-review commission bill and voting to convene an executive session.

Consent agenda: Council member Watson moved to adopt the consent agenda and Council member Olson seconded. The clerk called the roll and the chair announced, "Motion carries 10." The consent agenda included approval of minutes dated March 11, 2025 and routine items on the meeting docket.

Authorization of chair's signature: The council voted to authorize the chair to sign a proposed letter to the Prince George's County state legislative delegation transmitting the council's positions on pending state bills. The motion was moved by Council member Harrison, seconded by Council member Watson; the clerk recorded the roll call and announced the motion carried.

Enactment of CB1 (Compensation Review Commission): After a public hearing the council moved to enact CB1-2025, an act to establish a compensation review commission to study compensation for the county executive and council members and to make recommendations under state and local law. Council member Watson moved to enact; a second was recorded. The clerk called the roll and the chair announced the motion carried.

Amendment to CB2 (watercraft parking): The committee of the whole reported favorably on amendments to CB2-2025, a draft ordinance prohibiting parking of personal watercraft on public streets and establishing fines, impoundment authority and related penalties. Council member Olsen moved amendment 1 and Council member Harrison seconded; the clerk called the roll and the chair announced, "Motion carries 10." Committee materials summarized the proposed ordinance and noted prior coordination with the county executive's office. The committee report described fines and penalties for illegally parking watercraft; the transcript's numeric figures for the fines were not clear in the record provided.

Collective bargaining and benefits measures reported: The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee reported favorably on CB14-2025, the collective-bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local 1619; the committee noted a wage increase of 2.75% effective April 6, 2025, a new minimum salary of $54,000 effective the first full pay period following Oct. 1, 2024, and an estimated fiscal impact of approximately $15,400,000. The Health and Human Services and Public Safety Committee reported favorably, 4–0, on CB7-2025 to require certain fertility benefits for county employees, including IVF and proactive egg-freezing provisions and storage language discussed in committee.

Executive session: The council voted to convene an executive session "to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee, or official," and to consult with counsel concerning pending or potential litigation under the Maryland General Provisions Article cited on the record. Chair Jolene Ivy moved to convene and Council member Hawkins seconded; the clerk called the roll and the chair announced the motion carried 10–0.

Why it matters: The enacted and committee-reported measures — ranging from a compensation-study commission to labor contracts and employee-benefit mandates — set the stage for administrative changes, labor costs and potential future council action. The vote to move into executive session signals ongoing confidential matters relating to ethics determinations and litigation.

What to watch next: Committee reports and introduced resolutions on housing trust funds, PILOT agreements and water and sewer plan amendments were introduced and will proceed to committee for public hearings or further consideration.