Council Faces Admin Pay Raises, Proclamations

Pay Raises for Public Works Head, Treasurer

The Hyattsville City Council will vote on pay raises for two employees tonight. 

City Treasurer Elaine Stookey's pay could be increased from to $111,500 in order to keep her pay on par with treasurers at other cities. 

The idea to raise Stookey's pay came out of the hiring process to select . During that time, the city reviewed the salaries of all its contract employees and found that Stookey was being paid less than she might make elsewhere. 

Once hired, Vermillion agreed with that assessment and suggested that Stookey's pay be increased soon. 

Also, , could see a $3,000 per month salary increase as a result of her new position. McTague's salary increase would be in addition to her roughly $42,000 annual salary earned in her previous position as an administrative assistant to City Clerk Doug Barber.

McTague became the acting head of public works on March 17 after former public works head . 

Proclamations Galore

The Hyattsville City Council faces a hefty consent agenda when it meets tonight, including five proclamation measures. Everything from trees to police to public works stand to be honored if the measures pass.

gets a nod with a proclamation recognizing National Police Week, beginning on May 13. The week honors police who have given the last full measure to protect their community. Hyattsville has seen one officer die in the line of duty, when Private Robert J. King was killed while pursuing a fleeing suspect in 1984.

There's also a proclamation for National Public Works Week, which begins on May 20. The celebration is designed to "raise the public's awareness of public works issues and to increase confidence in public works employees." 

Those with historic structures may also receive the grace of City Council if a proclamation recognizing May 2012 as National Preservation Month passes. Fitting then, that the annual Historic Hyattsville House Tour falls on May 20 this year. 

There's a proclamation for National Volunteer Week, which begins on April 15. 

Another proclamation declares April 27 National Arbor Day in the City of Hyattsville. 

City Clerk Doug Barber could have his day too, if the City Council approves a proclamation for National Clerks Week. Beginning on April 29, the week honors the "oldest public servants in local government".

Capital Improvements Plan, Procurement Guidelines

The City Council will also be briefed on a revised 20-year capital improvements plan, which lays out a plan to maintain, build and repair the city's major infrastructure elements for the next two decades. 

Councilmembers will also get their first look at a draft procurement policy which creates a regulatory structure for purchases which don't need council approval. 

Of interest to Public Information Act junkies are the documents which the draft policy requires be filed and archived for many purchases.