Prior to the start of the Council’s 2026 legislative session, Council Members are set to gather in College Park for a two-day retreat on Thursday, January 15 and Friday, January 16 to come together as a Council, discuss best practices, and set their legislative agenda for the upcoming session. The retreat will take place from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM each day at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, 7777 Baltimore Ave., College Park, MD 20740.
“As we prepare to embark on what will be a very busy, but rewarding legislative session, this retreat is an important opportunity for all 11 of our members to come together, regroup, share ideas, and begin laying out our priorities for the months ahead,” said Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7). “I’m excited to see the promising concepts my colleagues will put forth and I’m ready to lead the effort to put those proposals into practice.”
On Thursday, Council Members will discuss the state of the county and its financial outlook, economic development, and housing. Council Members will have a lunch meeting with representatives from DC and Montgomery County Councils.
On Friday, Council Members will discuss development and zoning before breaking into committee groups to discuss legislative priorities and later taking part in training exercises. The Council will host several state and federal leaders for lunch, including Congressman Steny Hoyer and Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk.
Over the course of both days, Council Members will be briefed by members of the County Executive’s leadership team, including Angela Fair, the Director of the Office of Management & Budget; Michael Johnson, the Director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation; and Deputy Chief Administrative Officers Kevin Stephen (Technology and Environment), Tracy M. Benjamin, Esq. (Economic Development), and Brian Wilbon (Health, Human Services & Education).
The full agenda is available here: Thursday | Friday
The Council Retreat is open to the public and coverage by members of the media is invited.