Hyattsville Mayor Proposing Umbrella Department Including Recreation, Communication

The first Hyattsville City Council meeting includes a motion to discuss the creation of a department of community services, which would combine a number of other departments in order to enhance communication and coordination.

is sponsoring this motion to merge the following departments:

• Arts and Arts Collaborations;

• Cable Operations;

• Communications & Public Relations;

• Parks Operations;

• Recreation Services;

• Senior Services;

• Special Events and Collaborations on Community Events; and

• Volunteer Services.

“These functions have been fragmented and minimally coordinated, with several staff positions reporting directly to the city administrator,” Tartaro’s motion states. “In many cases, working relationships have developed informally and resource sharing has become common. However, we have an opportunity to align our work and better serve our residents through an intentionally coordinated approach.”

Here are some of the reasons for Tartaro’s motion:

Communications Manager Abby Sandel took on the responsibilities of the recreation and arts department when last summer.

The positions of volunteer services coordinator and administrative assistant II for the recreation and arts department are overdue for reclassification.

“While this position is new, the proposal suggests that the communications manager position would not continue, as those duties would be assigned to the new department director,” Tartaro stated in his motion.

See the posted agenda on the city’s website for more details about the meeting agenda. The council meets at 8 p.m. at City Hall.

Editor's Note: In a previous version of this post, we said the meeting started two hours earlier than it's actual start time. We regret this error.