City of Laurel, Maryland Mayoral Office 100 Days Report to the Community

Key Achievements

• Mayor Sydnor’s 1st Annual Black History Essay Contest for Elementary, Middle and High School Students.
• Panelist for Nonprofit Prince George’s County, Inc. Breakfast with Tiffany – speaking to various nonprofit organizations on how Municipal Government can be a partner.
• Hosted Prince George’s County Council for a tour of the Laurel Multiservice Center for their annual retreat.
• Hosted Ann Arundel County Government officials for a tour of the Laurel Multiservice Center for partnerships in providing transitional housing and wrap around services to the most vulnerable population.

Public Safety Enhancements:

• Introduced new safety initiatives.
  • Laurel Police Department (LPD) deployed a Crime Suppression Initiative and a Holiday Detail to assist Detectives and the Community Action Team to enhance the overall safety of the community.
  • Ordered an indoor drone after a recently managed barricade incident. Anne Arundel County Police Department assisted with this incident, using their indoor drone, and the suspect was safely taken into custody. I felt the need for LPD to have an indoor drone for our Department.

Economic Development:

• Created meaningful jobs.
  • Twenty-nine (29) businesses received their Use and Occupancy permit to open, including CAVA, Wawa, K-Pot, GiGi’s Ice Cream, Bad Decisions Tattoo and Piercing.
  • The Laurel Board of Trade and City of Laurel hosted a Small Business Round Table that brought together various small business owners and City Department Directors.
  • Laurel held its first ever Restaurant Week throughout the City.

Environmental Initiatives:

• Kicked off the first Sustainability Plan.
  • The Development Plan Kick-off started with a meeting on January 18th in our Council Chambers. The introductory meeting was designed to introduce residents and community local interest groups to our vision for the Plan. The focus groups will be meeting throughout the winter months. An outline of the Plan, with community input, will be presented before summer 2024.

Education and Youth Programs:

• Introduced City of Laurel Youth Apprenticeship Program.
  • This program will support after-school activities and Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council. The purpose of this program is to train high school students in the various job fields to prepare them for the workforce and apprenticeship program.

Progress on Campaign Initiatives

1. Leading with Integrity.
   • Held Let’s Talk Town Hall Meeting, listening to residents’ concerns on January 25, 2024. The completed report is currently available on the City web site, www.cityoflaurel.org.
2. Mayor and City Council Retreat.
   • Discussed upcoming FY2025 budget and goals.
   • Leadership training for City Council members and Department Heads.
3. Investing in Crime Prevention.
   • A Townhall Public Safety Summit was conducted by the Laurel Police Chief and was completed.
   • Office of State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County Municipal Retreat - juvenile justice reform, criminal justice reform, restorative justice program and community resources.
4. Engaging our Youth.
   • Created an IT Support Specialist Apprentice position for a high school junior or senior.
   • Continuing the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program.

Training Completed

I have had the opportunity to participate in various conferences, training, and seminars to help refine my skills to give back to the City. Here is what I have participated in so far:

• The United States Conference of Mayors
• The Maryland Municipal Conference of Mayors
• Offices of the State’s Attorney for Prince George County: 2nd Annual Municipal Government Retreat
• U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics: CPI Rent and Owners’ Equivalent Rent Webinar
• National Leagues of Cities (City Congressional Conference)

Looking Ahead

The road ahead is paved with opportunities and challenges. My focus continues to include working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all residents in the City of Laurel. In the coming months, we will be approving the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Also, we are looking forward to the Grand Opening of the Craig A. Moe Multiservice Center in September 2024.

Your feedback is crucial to our success. Please reach out to me via email at laurelmayor@laurel.md.us with any suggestions, concerns, or ideas you have. Together, we can make the City of Laurel a place we are all proud to call home.

Sincerely,

Keith R. Sydnor, USN (RET)
City of Laurel, MD