City of Hyattsville: January - February Employee Newsletter
 A look back at the festive fun at our December holiday party! Thanks to all the team members who contributed to the food, decor, and activities!
Happy New Year Hyattsville. Welcome to 2024! The New Year brings a fresh start and new opportunities and ways to make a difference in our personal and professional lives and our community. 2024 is going to be a busy and exciting year with lots of new initiatives and the final year for projects using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
We're jumping right into the swing of things with City Budget planning for the upcoming Fiscal Year. Department Directors are beginning to draft departmental budgets for FY 25, which runs from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. A full schedule of Council budget meetings is available at hyattsville.org/budget. The final budget will be adopted by Council in June.
The new year has also brought a new wave of COVID-19 and flu to our community. Please take extra precaution to keep yourself and your families healthy. Masks are encouraged in shared work spaces and frequent hand washing is recommended. If you feel sick, please stay home and test yourself if you develop COVID-19 symptoms like fever, cough, and/or congestion. Detailed COVID-19 guidance is below; please contact the Human Resources Team at hr@hyattsville.org with any questions.
Finally, we're having a snowy start to the year! I offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the DPW team for working so hard to keep our roadways and sidewalks clear and buildings operational. I also offer my thanks to the Police officers and dispatchers who as always, continue to keep us safe, rain, shine, and snow. Our Administrative and Finance staff have been in the office to ensure uninterrupted pay and provide front desk service. Thanks to everyone who braved the snow and hazardous conditions to support all of us. Well done.
Be safe and well,
- Tracey
Top 5 things to know, January - February:
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Holiday Closures: City offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, for President's Day
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COVID-19 Guidance: To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses, City staff are encouraged to mask in shared work spaces and wash hands frequently. If you feel sick, please stay home and test yourself if you have symptoms of COVID-19. A limited supply of test kits are available at the City Building front office for staff pick-up. You can also request four free test kits from the federal government at covidtests.gov.
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COVID-19 symptoms include: Cough; Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; Fatigue; Muscle or body aches; Headache; New loss of taste or smell; Sore throat; Congestion or runny nose; Nausea or vomiting; Diarrhea
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If you test positive for COVID-19, you must stay home in quarantine and mask around others for five days. After the fifth day, you may return to work as long as your symptoms have improved and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours. You must continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days. Please note that some people can continue to test positive on a rapid test for months after having COVID-19. You may return to work after five days if you are fever free even if you continue to test positive on a rapid test. Employees can use their earned sick leave and other earned leave for quarantine-related absences.
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If you have been exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, please immediately begin wearing a mask around others for five days. After the fifth day, test yourself for COVID-19, even if you have no symptoms. If you test positive, please follow the guidance above. If you test negative, please continue to wear a mask for an additional five days as a precaution. If at any time during that period you develop symptoms, please test yourself and follow the guidance above.
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Not sure what to do? Check your symptoms and receive quarantine guidance using the U.S. CDC's Isolation and Exposure Calculator.
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Statewide Personnel System (SPS) Portal: The City is now a part of the State of Maryland's Statewide Personnel System! City staff can access their health benefits information through the portal. Please note that all employees will be entered into the system, regardless of if you receive health insurance through the City or not.
Please check your junk or trash folders for an email titled, "New SPS/Workday Account Created." The email will contain your username and a link to create your password. If you click on the password link and it does not work, try the following:
- Click "Forgot your password". A new link will be sent to your email
- Click the link in the email, and it should allow you to create a password. You should be directed to the Workday portal.
- Please select the Personal Information icon and make sure your information is correct.
- For questions, reach out to hr@hyattsville.org or call the Workday Helpdesk at (410) 767-4112. If you do not have a hyattsville.org email address, please contact the Human Resources Team for assistance.
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Government Alliance on Race and Equity: A cohort of City staff just completed a Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) training to help bring an intentional focus on equity to City programming. The cohort consists of Reggie Bagley, Emergency Operations Manager; Priyanka Joshi, DPW Deputy Director of Environmental Operations; Shakira Louimarre, Race & Equity Officer; Laura Reams, Director of Communications and Legislative Services; and Quianna Taylor, Community Services Senior and Wellness Coordinator.
As part of their training, the cohort has been working to address issues of homelessness, loitering, and public intoxication in the City's business districts. They hosted a Community Listening Session in University Town Center in November 2023 and in Queens Chapel Town Center on January 13. Feedback from the sessions will be used to develop a comprehensive and equitable response to the concerns.
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New and Returning Programs: 2024 is off to a great start! Here are a few new City events and some old favorites to look forward to:
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NEW! Community Conversations: The City's Community Services Team and Race & Equity Officer are planning a series of presentations and discussions to explore the rich diversity of our community. Look for the first event, "Finding Home", on February 29!
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HPD Polar Plunge: Cheer for our officers and HPD staff on February 2 as they plunge into the freezing waters of Ocean City to raise money for the Special Olympics of Maryland!
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Wellness Programming: Have a fitness related New Year's Resolution? A reminder that the City offers FREE Zumba from 4-5 p.m. in the City Building Multipurpose Room every Wednesday! Staff are welcome to join the fun. Seated SeniorFit+ exercise classes are also available every Wednesday from 10 - 11 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room.
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Youth Programs: The Community Services Team has a busy winter ahead with youth camps, Night Owls "parent's night out" evenings, teen leadership programs, and Creative Minds/Mentes Creativas toddler and caregiver series. They recently launched the Hyattsville Camp Scholarships program (applications due February 2) and the Higher Education Path Scholarship application will open January 29! Check out all the action at hyattsville.org/youth.
Winter Holiday Observances
January and February are filled with cultural and religious holidays, offering us an opportunity to learn about the traditions that enrich the lives of our colleagues.
Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day - A Call to Unity and Service
January 15th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday recognizing the impactful life and legacy of the esteemed civil rights leader. Dr. King's contributions to the Black American Civil Rights and global peace movements remain deeply influential.
In his vision of the ‘Beloved Community’, Dr. King advocated for a world where all individuals can access resources for their basic needs; discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice are replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of kinship; and international disputes are resolved not through military conflict, but through peaceful diplomacy. As we honor Dr. King's legacy, let’s draw inspiration from his call to create a world where love, trust, and justice are the foundation of our daily interactions.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in many Asian countries and among Asian Americans in the U.S. This year’s Lunar New Year occurs on February 10th, as determined by the lunar calendar.
Asian countries, including China, Korea, Vietnam, and many others, observe Lunar New Year with unique traditions and customs focused on reflecting on the past and welcoming new beginnings. Each culture has its way of celebrating, but common themes include family reunions, feasting, dragon and lion dances, and the giving of red envelopes (hongbao or ang pao) for good luck. 2024 Marks the ‘ Year of the Dragon’ in the Chinese Zodiac tradition.
We wish everyone celebrating a festive start to the New Year! If you'd like to explore more, one of the largest Lunar New Year Celebrations in the region is held in Rockville, Maryland: Lunar New Year | Rockville, MD - Official Website (rockvillemd.gov).
Support for Colleagues during the Lenten Season
Ash Wednesday, which occurs on February 14th this year, marks the beginning of Lent, a period of reflection and renewal for many who practice Christianity. On Ash Wednesday, individuals may attend services where a priest or minister applies ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. This act symbolizes humility and the acknowledgment of our mortality. This day often marks the beginning of a period of fasting or abstaining from specific foods or activities.
For those observing Ash Wednesday and participating in Lent, we extend our support and wish you a Lenten season of peace and mindfulness. Please reach out to your direct supervisor should accommodations be necessary for your Ash Wednesday or Lenten practices.
Black History Month
Each year, during February, Black History Month recognizes the contributions of Black Americans throughout our nation’s history. This year’s national theme is "African Americans and the Arts", which sheds light on the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, and cultural movements.
Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America. Learn more about black history in Maryland: Discover African-American History in Maryland | VisitMaryland.org and stay tuned for more information on how the City of Hyattsville will celebrate Black History Month locally.
Welcome New Colleagues!
Debi Sandlin - Interim Director of Community and Economic Development
We welcome and thank Debi Sandlin for stepping in to serve as the Interim Director of Community and Economic Development. Debi was previously working with the City as an Economic Development Advisor, and is currently helping to rebuild the Department and hire new key positions such as a Housing Manager and Business Coordinator.
Debi has extensive economic development experience. She was the Director of Community & Economic Development in Dumfries, VA and Manassas, VA and CEO/Executive Director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation. Most recently Debi served as the Town Manager of Bladensburg MD, and the Interim Assistant City Manager of Greenbelt.
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Paul Richards - IT Manager
Paul Richards is an IT professional with over 20 years of experience in IT Infrastructure, Helpdesk, and Technical Support for national organizations such as the American Kidney Fund, the American Center for Physics, and a well-known national law firm. He has managed IT support, LAN/WAN operations (including virtualized Windows Servers, Active Directory, and Systems Administration), and managed daily helpdesk operations to ensure efficient resolution of helpdesk tickets with a special focus on customer service. He currently lives in Greenbelt MD, but used to live in Riverdale Park and owned a co-op art business on Baltimore Avenue in Hyattsville called Artists on the Avenue. He is very happy to be part of the Hyattsville team.
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Jeff Ulysse- City Planner
Previously working as a Planner for the Town of Southampton’s Land Management Department, Jeff offers expertise in a number of areas, such as land use evaluation, zoning and site plan review. He also worked as independent permit coordinator providing guidance and support to local developers on a wide array of development projects. He currently lives in Camp Springs, MD and is extremely excited to champion the planning needs and goals of the City.
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Pedro Sandoval - Case Manager
Pedro Sandoval is a new Case Manager with the City's Community Services Department. He's a proud Salvadorean American with over 18 years of experience working with youth and families of all backgrounds. He is passionate about this role and believes that working alongside people and helping them is his calling. He's excited to get to know the rest of the team and invites you to stop by, especially if you want to talk about the #CowboysNation...
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