Full VideoAgenda
College Park City Council
March 2, 2026

14 findings from a single council meeting. Every one timestamped, sourced from the city's own video.

Source: City of College Park Official YouTube · 3.5-hour meeting
Financial Violations
1E
"IT AIN'T ILLEGAL
TO MAKE A
FRIEND RICH."
COUNCIL MEMBER GAY · CLOSING REMARKS
3:26:37
"It Ain't Illegal to Make a Friend Rich"
During closing remarks, Council Member Gay defended enriching personal friends through city business — on camera, after three hours of debating unauthorized spending. He also acknowledged: "We didn't get approval. The job is running."
3:26:37 – 3:27:55
1A
$2,995
PUBLIC FUNDS → PRIVATE FUNERAL
2:09:53

City Paid ~$3,000 for a Private Funeral Using Public Funds

Confirmed illegal by the city attorney on the spot. Buried in a contractual services line item.
2:09:53
1B
$500
GIFT CARDS
NO PUBLIC PURPOSE DOCUMENTED
2:40:24

$500 Gift Cards, Personal Reimbursements on City Accounts

The mayor raised documented concerns about spending with no explanation of public purpose.
2:40:24
1C
$10,000+
NO APPROVAL
EXCEEDED SPENDING AUTHORITY
1:41:58

City Manager Exceeded $10K Spending Authority

Paid an engineering firm without approval, then asked council to ratify after the fact.
1:41:58
$1,034
$1,034.99 Overpayment — Found Through Open Records
A four-figure error caught by citizens, not city auditors.
3:06:18
Power Plays
2A
"NO OTHER PERSON
WHO'S EVER SAT
IN THIS CHAIR..."
2:39:51

Unprecedented Spending Restrictions on Mayor

Rules imposed on one office. No other council member faces the same restrictions.
2:39:51
2C
APPROVE FIRST,
ASK LATER
ADMITTED RECURRING PRACTICE
0:47:23

Contracts Executed Without Prior Approval

The city manager enters contracts, then asks council for retroactive ratification.
0:47:23
2D
3
CITY MANAGERS IN ONE YEAR
0:51:11

City Manager Search — Wrong Firm for the Job

The search firm "does not recruit city managers." Is the process designed to produce a favored candidate?
0:51:11
CONSENT
AGENDA
Consent Agenda Power Struggle
A member tries to pull items for scrutiny. Another blocks it. Motion dies for lack of a second.
0:11:01
Public Testimony
3A
50+ EMPLOYEES.
3 CITY MANAGERS.
"WE HAVE RECEIPTS."
0:46:35

Resident Lays Out Procurement Corruption Pattern

Point by point. No council member rebutted a single claim.
0:46:35
3C
NO ORDINANCE.
BUT THEY
COLLECT FEES.
1:07:01

Seniors: No Short-Term Rental Ordinance, But City Collects Fees

48-year residents testify about Airbnb nuisances. The zoning hearing was pulled from the agenda.
1:07:01
INTEGRITY
Business Owner Demands Transparent Governance Review
"When there's confusion, people question the integrity of the process."
1:01:34
Context
$30M
$30 Million Airport Debt + Active AG Investigation
Mentioned almost as an afterthought. Potentially the city's largest financial liability.
3:22:10
<$20/HR
Staff Working 2–3 Jobs, Can't Afford to Live Here
The employee at the center of the funeral payment: less than $20/hour after 10+ years.
3:18:49