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Washington City Council moves public comment, hears parks budget concerns and tables several items
Summary
Council unanimously moved public comment to follow community reports, heard that Parks & Recreation is operating over budget, approved adding a URA appointment to the agenda, and tabled proposed decorum/ethics amendments and a Good Friday holiday proposal for further review.
The Washington City Council met on April 13 at the Edward B. Pope Conference Center and took several procedural and policy actions while hearing public concerns.
Early in the meeting the council voted 6-0 to permanently move the Public Input portion of future agendas to follow Community Board and Authority Reports. The agenda, which included adding an appointment to the Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) Board, was then approved as amended.
During public comment, Doug Abramson spoke about the city's Code of Ethics; Jacqueline Smith, an Orchard Street resident, raised concerns about the city water system and said it has affected her health; Archie Acree urged council members to serve all residents, and Adrienne Williams, representing UCAP and a coalition group, requested permission to host a Juneteenth event at Reese Booker Park on June 21, 2026.
Under old business, Ms. Angie Novelli presented an ethics complaint that the council did not advance after a motion to consider it failed for lack of a second. In new business, the council tabled proposed amendments to decorum and ethics ordinances to allow for a comprehensive review with public input. A separate proposal to designate Good Friday as a paid city holiday was tabled by unanimous consent before a vote.
City Manager Long reported the Parks and Recreation Department is operating significantly over budget, that Carter & Sloope is developing a 10-year capital improvement plan for the water system, and that the city has applied for a $750,000 grant from Senator Warnock's office to support housing initiatives. Mayor Bruce Bailey said he would distribute application materials for the Family Connection board and requested the appointment of Mr. Dominique Williams to the URA Board.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous voice vote to adjourn.
What's next: council members and staff flagged several follow-ups, including a comprehensive ethics ordinance review, publication of derelict-property implementation guidance, and administrative steps to address Parks & Recreation budget pressures.
