Takoma Park public meetings in 2025

Ethics Commission

The Takoma Park Ethics Commission will consider adopting the minutes from its August 26, 2025 meeting. It will vote to adopt a revised financial disclosure form for commissioners. Commissioners will elect officers for the 2026 term. The meeting will also include any other business or announcements before adjourning.

• Adopt minutes of August 26, 2025
• Adopt revised financial disclosure form
• Elect officers for 2026
• Other business/announcements

Youth Council

The Takoma Park Youth Council will review progress on its toy drive and confirm approved donation locations. Council members will finalize project ideas, form committees, and create presentation slides. They will also select nonprofits for City TV interviews and decide when to invite the City Manager. Finally, the agenda for the next meeting will be approved.

• Toy drive feedback and approval of donation box locations
• Finalize youth council projects and assign committees
• Create and present slideshow pitches for projects
• Identify 2–3 nonprofits for City TV interviews
• Decide timing for inviting the City Manager to a meeting

Board of Elections

The Takoma Park Board of Elections will review and adopt a financial reporting template, discuss the scope of work for an election‑procedures contractor, and develop recommendations on election timing and structure. It will also consider a plan to protect non‑citizen voters and the timing of the nominating caucus. Additional updates include complaint handling, vendor outreach, and budget planning for FY27.

• Finalize FY27 budget recommendations for City Council
• Adopt financial reporting spreadsheet template
• Review and revise scope of work for election‑procedures contractor
• Discuss protection of non‑citizen voters
• Develop framework for off‑year vs. even‑year election timing

The board approved sending a vendor inquiry email to identify a mail‑in ballot processing system. It also approved offering the new financial reporting tool as optional for candidates. The board postponed discussion of changing the nominating caucus timing until the January meeting and set the Clear Ballot demo for January 22 or 29. Additionally, the board confirmed the regular meeting schedule and continued board member recruitment.

• Approved vendor inquiry email for mail‑in ballot processing system
• Approved optional use of new financial reporting tool for candidates
• Tabled detailed discussion on nominating caucus timing until January meeting
• Set Clear Ballot demo for January 22 or 29
• Continued monthly meeting schedule on second Thursday at 7:30 PM, except January
• Adjourned meeting

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council will meet in an administrative function session on December 10, 2025 at 6:30 pm to discuss the City Manager’s evaluation. This session is closed to the public. After the closed session, the Mayor and Council will reconvene at 7:30 pm in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium for the regular council meeting.

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council meeting includes presentations of the Housing and Community Development and Arts and Humanities annual reports. The council will vote on a resolution adopting FY 2027 budget priorities and on a resolution setting the winter recess dates from December 11, 2025 to January 13, 2026. An administrative session will be held to evaluate the City Manager, which is closed to the public.

• Presentation of Housing and Community Development Annual Report
• Presentation of Arts and Humanities Committee Annual Report
• Resolution adopting FY 2027 budget priorities
• Resolution providing for City Council winter recess (Dec 11, 2025 – Jan 13, 2026)
• Closed‑session evaluation of the City Manager

Youth Council

The Takoma Park Youth Council will meet to discuss the status of their toy drive and other ongoing projects. The body will review donation box locations and election results.

• Election results
• Toy drive donation box locations and progress
• Youth Council project updates

City Council

The joint meeting will include public comments from District 20 residents, a presentation of Takoma Park’s legislative priorities, and delegation remarks. The regular City Council work session will review the Council Budget Priorities document. No specific actions or votes are listed in the agenda.

• Public comments from District 20 residents (up to 30 minutes total)
• Presentation of Takoma Park Legislative Priorities (PDF)
• Council Budget Priorities review (PDF, 60 minutes)
• Report out from closed session of November 13, 2025
• Changes to the agenda / agenda scheduling update

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council will meet in an administrative function session on December 1, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. The session is closed to the public. Council members will review the City Manager’s evaluation.

• Review of City Manager’s evaluation (closed session)

Youth Council

The Takoma Park Youth Council will discuss a partnership with Public Works on a new Multifamily Food Waste Collection pilot program. They will also hear from Communications about the Youth Resources webpage and plan a joint toy drive with the Police Department. Candidate presentations for council officer roles will be heard, and the council will consider logistics for the July 4, 2026 parade.

• Collaboration with Public Works on Multifamily Food Waste Collection Pilot Program
• Discussion of Youth Resources webpage with Communications
• Partnering with Police Department on annual Toy Drive (bin locations, poster, Instagram post)
• Presentations from candidates for Social Media Coordinator, City Council Liaison, Neighborhood Schools Liaison, Community Impact Chair and Co‑Chair positions
• Planning discussion for July 4, 2026 parade (truck availability)

City Council

The City Council will hold a voting session on contracts for a rent stabilization study and the use of unassigned reserves for immigrant support services. The meeting also includes presentations on financial forecasts, budget survey results, and New Ave Bikeways.

• Second Reading Ordinance awarding a contract for a Rent Stabilization Study
• Second Reading Ordinance approving use of unassigned reserves for Immigrant Support Services
• Resolution adopting 2026 Legislative Priorities
• New Ave Bikeways update presentation
• Financial Forecast preliminary results presentation

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council will meet in an administrative function session at 6:00 pm to discuss the City Manager’s evaluation. This session is closed to the public. Afterward, the Mayor and Council will reconvene at 7:30 pm in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium for the regular council meeting.

• Closed‑session review of the City Manager’s evaluation

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council will vote to convene a closed session at 7:00 PM on November 13, 2025. The session is to hear an update from the attorney conducting the audit related to Cooper v. City of Takoma Park. Under Maryland Code, the Council will discuss personnel matters affecting specific individuals and consult legal counsel about the audit, and will not reconvene in public afterward.

• Vote to convene closed session for audit update (Cooper v. City of Takoma Park)
• Discussion of personnel matters affecting specific individuals
• Legal counsel consultation regarding the audit

Board of Elections

The Takoma Park Board of Elections will review FY27 budget planning, including a proposed election specialist position for the 2026 election cycle. It will receive updates on vendor and equipment options for mail‑in ballot tracking. Additional items include the contractor scope of work and financial reporting form updates.

• Review and discuss draft scope of work for election contractor (item 7)
• Update on financial reporting forms and online PDF/CSV export workflow (item 8)
• Discussion of mail‑in ballot tracking solutions to replace or supplement poll pads (item 11)
• FY27 budget planning, including election specialist position for 2026 election (item 12)
• Off‑Year vs. Even‑Year elections framework development and metrics research (item 10)

The Board of Elections approved the agenda for the November 13 meeting and ratified the October meeting minutes. No other formal motions were adopted; the board assigned several follow‑up actions on complaint procedures, a consultant scope, vendor outreach, and budget planning. Discussion continued on election timing and related budget implications.

• Agenda approved
• October meeting minutes approved

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council will consider several ordinances, including a first‑reading ordinance to award a contract for a rent‑stabilization study and another to use unassigned reserves for immigrant support services. The council will also vote on purchasing and installing a replacement council dais. Presentations will cover the FY25 financial report and audit, the police employees’ retirement plan actuarial valuation, and FY27 budget projections.

• First‑reading ordinance awarding a contract for a rent‑stabilization study
• First‑reading ordinance approving use of unassigned reserves to fund immigrant support services
• Single‑reading ordinance approving purchase, installation, and service of a replacement council dais
• Presentation of the FY25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Audit
• Presentation of the Police Employees’ Retirement Plan actuarial valuation

Grants Review Committee

The Grants Review Committee will meet on November 12, 2025 at 4:00 pm via video call. The committee will review the City Council’s FY25 grants report and the latest quarterly and bridge‑grant reports from grantees. Members will discuss funding priorities, possible FY26 budget advocacy, and the upcoming FY26 grant cycle calendar.

• Review City Council presentation of FY25 grants report
• Discuss funding priorities and recent Council feedback
• Consider FY26 budget advocacy and potential grantee testimony
• Review FY25 quarterly and bridge‑grant reports
• Review schedule for FY26 grant funding cycle

Tree Commission

The Takoma Park Tree Commission will consider approval of the August meeting minutes, receive public comments, and hear a report from the Urban Forest Manager on permits, planting, pruning, drought, pests, and the status of appeals. The commission may also address any other items before adjourning.

• Approval of August meeting minutes
• Public comments from residents
• Report on urban forest activities and appeal status
• Discussion of any other items

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council will present the first‑quarter financial report and hold a voting session on a second‑reading ordinance that changes the city code regarding the use of the city seal or logo. In the work session, council members will discuss a contract for a rent‑stabilization study, immigrant support services, and options to address the noise ordinance. An amendment to expand the homeowner property tax credit program is also on the agenda but has been moved to the January meeting.

• Second Reading Ordinance Amending the Takoma Park Code Regarding Use of the City Seal or Logo
• Contract for Rent Stabilization Study
• Immigrant Support Services
• Options to Address the Requirements of the Noise Ordinance
• Amending the Takoma Park Code to Expand the Homeowner Property Tax Credit Program (moved to January)

Sustainable Maryland Committee (Green Team)

The Sustainable Maryland Committee will approve the October meeting minutes, elect officers, and review the City Climate Plan, including possible new working groups and a Net Zero goal. It will receive updates on electric‑vehicle charging infrastructure and police vehicle electrification, and plan content and requests for the January 7 update to City Council. The meeting will also consider future presentations on sustainable banking, balcony solar, networked geothermal, and a flood study.

• Approval of October meeting minutes
• Officer elections for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
• Review of City Climate Plan with potential formation of working groups and Net Zero goal discussion
• Update on charging infrastructure and police vehicles
• Planning content and asks for the January 7 Committee update to City Council

The committee approved the October meeting minutes. New officers were elected: Melissa Klein as Chair, Emanuel Wagner as Vice Chair, and Kathleen Gundry as Secretary. The committee created a subcommittee to review and propose updates to the city’s green purchasing guidance, with members including Emanuel, Kathleen, and others. Council members voted to support hybrid vehicle purchases for police cruisers.

• Approved October meeting minutes
• Elected Melissa Klein as Chair
• Elected Emanuel Wagner as Vice Chair
• Elected Kathleen Gundry as Secretary
• Formed subcommittee to update green purchasing guidance (members: Emanuel, Kathleen, Janetc.)
• Council voted to support hybrid vehicle purchases for police cruisers (vote tally not recorded)

Youth Council

The Youth Council is meeting to introduce members and establish the year's operational timeline. The body will discuss leadership positions and determine a meeting schedule for the remainder of the year.

• Discussion of timeline to vote for Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary
• Vote on meeting dates for the rest of the year
• Planning for a partnership with the Police Department for the annual Toy Drive

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council will hold a voting session that includes a resolution calling for a fun and safe community event on October 31, 2025, and a first‑reading ordinance to amend the city code on the use of the city seal or logo. After the voting items, the council will hear a General Assembly update and discuss legislative priorities, followed by a work session on a Community Connectors model. Public comments on voting items can be submitted via Zoom.

• Resolution calling for a fun and safe October 31, 2025 community event
• First‑reading ordinance amending the Takoma Park Code regarding use of the city seal or logo
• General Assembly update and discussion of legislative priorities
• Development and implementation of a Community Connectors model

City Council

The City Council will meet to hear presentations from the Council Compensation Committee and the Board of Elections. The meeting also includes a proclamation for Economic Development Week and the adoption of previous minutes.

• Council Compensation Committee Interim Report
• Board of Elections 2024 Election Report
• Proclamation of Economic Development Week

Recreation and Community Engagement Committee

The Recreation and Community Engagement Committee will discuss updates on the International Day Celebration, including a possible partnership with WAU. It will review the planning handbook and cost estimates (~$12,000 total, $4‑6 per runner for timing, $10‑ish for shirts) for the Takoma Park 5K race. The board will also consider outreach methods such as ward surveys and park listening sessions, and will hold elections for chair, vice chair, and secretary.

• Investigate partnership with WAU for International Day Celebration
• Review Takoma Park 5K race planning handbook and cost estimates (~$12k total)
• Discuss outreach to community via ward surveys and park listening sessions
• Election of committee officers: chair, vice chair, secretary
• Action items follow‑up: contact WAU, Jay/Howard, determine middle school rental cost

City Council

The council will first vote to convene a closed session for legal briefing on collective bargaining. In the open session, members will appoint David Alberto Fernandez as the city Poet Laureate and consider several single‑reading ordinances to procure two public works vehicles, a leaf vacuum, and a contract with Obvio, Inc. for stop‑sign cameras. Additional items include a grant report presentation, a code amendment on the city seal or logo, and discussion of noise‑ordinance options.

• Resolution appointing David Alberto Fernandez as Poet Laureate
• Single Reading Ordinance approving procurement of two public works vehicles
• Single Reading Ordinance approving procurement of a leaf vacuum
• Single Reading Ordinance authorizing agreement with Obvio, Inc. for stop‑sign cameras
• Code Amendment – Use of City Seal or Logo

City Council

The council will hold a voting session to consider several ordinances, including a second‑reading ordinance to approve Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment No. 2. It will also consider single‑reading ordinances to purchase police vehicles and two security‑camera trailers, and resolutions appointing members to the Youth Council and designating a resident agent for service of process. In the work session, staff will present procurements for two public works vehicles, a leaf vacuum, a contract for stop‑sign cameras, and options to address noise complaints.

• Second‑reading ordinance approving FY26 Budget Amendment No. 2
• Single‑reading ordinance approving purchase of police vehicles
• Single‑reading ordinance approving purchase of two security‑camera trailers
• Procurement presentation for two public works vehicles
• Contract presentation for stop‑sign cameras

Board of Elections

The Takoma Park Board of Elections will receive updates on corrected financial reports, contractor hiring scope, off-year election considerations, vendor and equipment options, and the complaint handling procedure. No formal decisions are listed on the agenda; the meeting appears focused on informational updates and scheduling the next meeting.

• Update on posting corrected financial reports from the last election to the website
• Update on drafting a scope of work to hire a contractor
• Update on exploring moving to off-year elections and potential impact
• Update on exploring vendor and equipment options to improve elections
• Update on the complaint handling procedure

The Board of Elections approved its agenda and the August meeting minutes. Ben Bellows was appointed minute keeper using an AI transcription tool. The Board scheduled the next meeting for November 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM and deferred the complaint‑handling procedure to the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at about 9:15 PM.

• Ben Bellows appointed minute keeper (approved)
• Agenda approved
• August minutes approved
• November 20, 2025 meeting scheduled at 7:30 PM (approved)
• Complaint handling procedure deferred to next meeting (approved)
• Draft scope of work to be circulated for review (action)
• Meeting adjourned (approved)

Sustainable Maryland Committee (Green Team)

The Sustainable Maryland Committee is meeting to discuss its 2025-26 Action Plan and plan for November officer elections. The group will also review outreach for the Takoma Park Street Festival and National Energy Awareness Month.

• Planning for November officer elections
• Review of 2025-26 Action Plan
• Outreach planning for Takoma Park Street Festival
• Staff updates on grants and a December flood study presentation

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council will hold a closed session at 6:30 PM to receive legal advice on the Purdue Pharma and secondary manufacturers opioid litigation settlements. In the open session, council members will discuss a design update for the Metropolitan Branch Trail and vote on several items, including a contract for electric‑vehicle chargers, a FY26 budget amendment, an aging‑in‑place contract with the Village of Takoma Park, and resolutions to authorize execution of the national opioid settlement agreements. Additional work‑session items include the purchase of a police security‑camera trailer, three hybrid police patrol vehicles, and recommendations for youth council appointments.

• Resolution authorizing City Manager to execute Purdue Pharma opioid settlement agreement
• Resolution authorizing City Manager to execute secondary manufacturers opioid settlement agreement
• Ordinance awarding contract for EV chargers
• First Reading Ordinance approving FY26 Budget Amendment No. 2
• Second Reading Ordinance approving Aging in Place contract with the Village of Takoma Park

Police Employees' Retirement Plan Committee

The Police Employees’ Retirement Plan Committee will meet to approve the minutes from the March 11, 2025 meeting, hear a quarterly investment review presented by Alton Fryer, and discuss an actuarial valuation presented by Jordan McClane and Tom Vicente. The committee will also confirm the date for its next meeting on Tuesday, December 3, 2025. No other decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Approval of March 11, 2025 meeting minutes
• Quarterly investment review presented by Alton Fryer
• Actuarial valuation presentation by Jordan McClane and Tom Vicente
• Confirmation of next meeting date: Tuesday, December 3, 2025

Arts & Humanities Committee

The Arts & Humanities Committee will consider a recommendation for the city’s Poet Laureate and hold a vote on the appointment. It will also elect a new chair and vice‑chair. Additional agenda items include discussion of community art permit guidelines, mapping of public art sites, and planning a film screening.

• Poet Laureate Recommendation and Vote
• Election of New Chair and Vice-Chair
• Community Art Permit Rubric Guidelines
• Public Art Site Mapping
• Film Screening Call

Council Compensation Committee (2025)

The Council Compensation Committee will review survey results about member demographics and time commitments, compare Takoma Park’s data with other municipalities, discuss the findings, and consider next steps. No formal decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Review Survey Results
• Demographics (Franca)
• Time Commitment Survey (Kim)
• Municipality Comparison (Nancy)
• Discussion of Results

Emergency Preparedness Committee

The Emergency Preparedness Committee will meet to discuss updates from state and local agencies, plan for a PEPCO Grant Resilience Hub, and conduct severe weather tabletop exercises for public works, police, and recreation.

• Discussion of PEPCO Grant/Resilience Hub project planning and roles
• Severe Weather Tabletop Exercise for PW/PD/Rec
• State, County, and Local updates
• Meeting held in person at Hydrangea Room and virtually via Zoom
• Next meeting scheduled for October 23, 2025

City Council

The City Council will hold a voting session to consider a contract with the Village of Takoma Park and the FY27 budget schedule. The work session includes discussions on a budget amendment and EV chargers.

• First Reading Ordinance for Aging in Place Contract with the Village of Takoma Park
• Resolution Adopting the FY27 Budget Schedule
• FY26 Budget Amendment No. 2
• Contract for EV Chargers
• Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation

Council Compensation Committee (2025)

The Council Compensation Committee will hold a meeting to receive status updates on assignments, compile data, review the project timeline and deliverables, and discuss next steps. No decisions or votes are indicated in the agenda.

• Call to Order
• Status Updates on Assignments
• Compilation of Data
• Review of Project Timeline and Deliverables
• Discussion of Next Steps

Sustainable Maryland Committee (Green Team)

The Sustainable Maryland Committee will review its content calendar, plan outreach for the Takoma Park Street Festival, and discuss a 2025-26 action plan. The meeting also includes updates on a food waste grant and balcony solar.

• Review of 2025-26 Action Plan
• Content calendar and article assignments
• Fall outreach planning (Street Festival, Energy Awareness Month)
• Food Waste Grant Update
• Balcony Solar Discussion

The Sustainable Maryland Committee approved the minutes from its July 28 meeting. No other formal actions were taken; the rest of the session covered grant updates, outreach planning, staff projects, and upcoming events.

• Approved July 28 meeting minutes

Police Chief's Advisory Board

The Police Chief's Advisory Board will meet to review updates on red light cameras and security at Walgreens. The board will also discuss department outreach programs and changes to the budget timeline.

• Red light camera update
• Walgreens security update
• Lateral hiring bonus update
• Department outreach programs
• Budget timeline change

City Council

The Takoma Park City Council work session on September 10, 2025 includes public comments, mayor and city manager remarks, and two agenda items. Council members will hear a presentation on the Aging in Place contract with the Village of Takoma Park. They will also review the FY 2027 budget schedule. Several proclamations for September are noted for the record.

• Aging in Place contract with the Village of Takoma Park
• FY 2027 budget schedule review
• Proclamation of September as Emergency Preparedness Month
• Proclamation of September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
• Proclamation of Welcoming Week (Sept. 12-21, 2025)

Grants Review Committee

The committee is meeting to clarify internal roles and review a draft council slideshow and public report. Members will also discuss inviting Council members to a future meeting and designate presenters for the October 15 Council meeting.

• Selection of new Co-Chair, Secretary, and Community Connections Liaison
• Discussion of draft council slideshow and public report
• Planning for October 8 GRC meeting Q&A with Council members
• Designation of presenters for the October 15 Council Meeting

Ethics Commission

The Ethics Commission will adopt minutes from June 2025 and review proposed changes to the ethics code and administrative procedures, including a new oath for complaint forms and possible internal regulations. The meeting will be held virtually.

• Adoption of June 17, 2025 minutes
• Review of proposed changes to Ethics Code
• Review of proposed changes to Administrative Procedures
• Addition of oath to Complaint Form
• Discussion of possible 'Internal Regulations'

Council Compensation Committee (2025)

The committee is meeting to establish a regular meeting schedule and review historical context for their project. Members will also outline project phases, deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities.

• Determination of regular meeting day and time
• Review of historical context relevant to the project
• Planning of project phases and deliverables

Council Compensation Committee (2025)

The Council Compensation Committee will meet to establish its meeting schedule and location, with a deadline to submit an interim report on October 8, 2025, and a final report due November 12, 2025. The meeting will include standard housekeeping items and an open discussion.

• Interim Report Due: October 8, 2025
• Final Report Due: November 12, 2025
• Meeting Schedule and Location to be determined
• Open Discussion session planned

Sustainable Maryland Committee (Green Team)

The Sustainable Maryland Committee established a quorum, approved the previous meeting minutes, and introduced three new members. Members reported on upcoming webinars, the FY 24‑26 Green Team Action Plan, and several staff updates including a new intern and upcoming community events. The committee provided status updates on the city’s solar project, a $230 K grant program, and a pending $50 K food‑waste pilot, but no formal actions or votes were recorded.

Board of Elections

The Board of Elections unanimously approved the meeting agenda. The June meeting minutes were approved by a majority vote. Other items such as financial report corrections, election report assistance, and committee proposals were discussed but no formal votes were taken.

• Agenda approved unanimously (motion by Joe Goldman)
• June minutes approved by majority (motion by Ben Bellows)

Board of Elections

The Board of Elections formally agreed that Takoma Park will continue holding mail‑in elections. It directed staff to post corrected financial reports on the city website and to define the scope for a consultant to document election procedures. The Board also committed to keep discussing moving municipal elections to odd‑numbered years and the possibility of contracting election work to vendors.

• Agreed to continue mail‑in elections
• Directed staff to post corrected financial reports on the website
• Will assist Clerk Jessie Carpenter in defining scope for an election‑process consultant
• Will keep discussing moving municipal elections to odd‑numbered years
• Will discuss contracting election work to vendors

Ethics Commission

The Takoma Park Ethics Commission adopted the March 27, 2025 minutes unanimously. It approved draft amendments to the city ethics code and directed them to the City Attorney and then the State Ethics Commission. Commissioners voted unanimously to retain the current officers. The next meeting was scheduled for June 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

• Adopted March 27, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved draft ethics code amendments for City Attorney review (unanimous)
• Retained current officers (unanimous)
• Set next meeting for June 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. (unanimous)
• Freeman to continue revising the financial disclosure form (unanimous)

Sustainable Maryland Committee (Green Team)

The committee established a quorum and approved the prior meeting’s minutes. It reviewed ongoing sustainability projects, upcoming events, and staff updates, but no additional actions were formally approved or denied.

• Approved meeting minutes

Sustainable Maryland Committee (Green Team)

The committee met virtually on April 7, 2025, took quorum, introduced a new member, and received staff updates on food‑waste initiatives, public‑education communications, upcoming Earth Day and Earth Month events, and a Green Homes & Businesses grant opening in May. The minutes do not record any motions, approvals, or vote tallies. Consequently, no substantive decisions were made at this meeting.

Ethics Commission

The commission adopted the September 19, 2024 minutes by unanimous vote. Siddharth “Sid” Ramalingam was sworn in as a new member from Ward 1. The commission set the next meeting for May 22, 2025 at 7 p.m. and adjourned by unanimous vote.

• Adopted September 19, 2024 minutes (unanimous)
• Sworn in new member Siddharth “Sid” Ramalingam
• Scheduled next meeting for May 22, 2025 at 7 p.m.
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)