Quick Guide To Hyattsville City Council Terminology

Tonight’s Hyattsville City Council meeting agenda includes motions to offer $6,000 bonuses each to staffers Julia McTague and Abby Sandel for additional work beyond the scope of their primary positions.

McTague, an administrative aide, also has been overseeing some public works projects. Sandel, the city’s communications manager, has been doubling as acting director of recreation since July .

Over the past few months, the City Council has used some terminology that might not be familiar to all Patch readers. The Council uses Roberts Rules of Order to govern most of its procedures.

Here are some of the most common terms used by Hyattsville’s officials:

Term

Definition

How Used / Example

Friendly Amendment

Change to a motion.

The original motion maker agrees with suggested changes and the amended motion is voted on without a separate vote to approve amendment.

Point of Order

Something has been done incorrectly.

To enforce meeting rules.

Recognized

Chairman permits someone to speak.

Mayor Marc Tartaro acknowledges that a councilmember would like to speak.

Motion

To introduce a new piece of business or propose a decision or action, a motion must be made by a group member.

Council members write motions and send them to City Clerk Douglas Barber for inclusion on the agenda.

Closed Session

The council meets in a non-public setting to discuss information the public is not privy to.

The Council needs to discuss a personnel matter.

Discussion Item

A topic the council would like to talk about in a public venue.

The Council isn’t sure how it wants to proceed with the International Festival

Consent Agenda

Agenda items that are routine, require no debate and are agreed upon before the public meeting.

Approval of McTague’s and Sandel’s bonuses.