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Council
President's Update: Oct. 19, 2020
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10/19/2020
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Council
meeting on Oct. 20
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10/19/2020
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Council
to review 2020-2024 Subdivision Staging Policy and conduct public
hearings on legislation to strengthen ethics law and require racial
equity and social justice impact statements for zoning changes, at
virtual meeting on Oct. 20
Council also will recognize Councilmember for a Day
applicants, review the process for amending the Master Plan for Historic
Preservation, receive an update on COVID-19 public health planning and
recovery, vote on waste reduction bills and appoint new member to the
Board of Appeals
The Council will meet virtually on Tuesday, Oct.
20 at 9 a.m. and will begin with the following presentations:
Council President Sidney Katz will present a joint proclamation with
County Executive Elrich for Domestic Violence Awareness Month; Councilmember
Gabe Albornoz will present a proclamation to recognize National
Disability Employment Awareness Month; and Councilmember Craig Rice will
spotlight this year's Councilmember for a Day applicants with a video
presentation.
Council staff reports and additional
information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time.
The current Council agendas can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer
and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently
no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council
meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and
on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on:
Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056 and Fios 30.
Council Agenda Items
2020-2024 Subdivision Staging Policy
The Council will begin its review the County’s 2020-2024
Subdivision Staging Policy, which is one of the many ways that
policymakers maintain and enhance Montgomery County's outstanding quality
of life. The Subdivision Staging Policy is based on having sufficient
infrastructure to support new development. It includes criteria and
guidance for the administration of Montgomery County’s Adequate Public
Facility Ordinance (APFO), which matches the timing of private
development with the availability of public infrastructure. Every four
years, recommendations for policy updates reflecting current growth
patterns start with the Montgomery Planning Department, before being
reviewed and approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board and the
Council.
At Tuesday's meeting, the Council
will begin addressing recommendations from the Government Operations and
Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee and the Planning, Housing and Economic
Development (PHED) Committee regarding school-related issues that
directly affect both the Subdivision Staging Policy and the impact tax law.
Companion legislation (Bill 37-20, Bill 38-20 and Bill 39-20) are needed
to implement many of the Subdivision Staging Policy recommendations. The
Council staff report includes a 15-page chart comparing the current
Subdivision Staging Policy provisions with the Planning Board's
recommendations and recommendations from the GO and PHED Committees for
the numerous decision that must be made by the Council.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
Bill 37-20, Subdivision – Preliminary Plan – Adequate
Public Facilities – Amendments
The Council will review Bill 37-20, which would require an
applicant requesting an extension of an adequate public facilities
determination to provide a new determination of school adequacy for any
remaining unbuilt units under the school test in effect at the time of
the Planning Board’s review. Council President Sidney Katz is the lead
sponsor, at the request of the County Executive.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
#ValidityPeriod is being used for
this bill on social media.
Bill 38-20, Taxation – Development Impact Taxes for
Transportation and Public School Improvements – Amendments
The Council will review Bill 38-20, which would amend
transportation and school impact tax district designations and the impact
tax rates that apply in these districts. Bill 38-20 also would modify the
applicability of development impact tax exemptions for certain uses and
in certain locations, and generally amend the law governing
transportation and school development impact taxes. Council President
Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor, at the request of the Planning Board.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
#ImpactTax is being used for this
bill on social media
Expedited Bill 39-20, Taxation - Recordation Tax –
Amendments
The Council will review Expedited Bill 39-20, which would
increase the rate of the recordation tax levied under state law for
certain transactions involving the transfer of property and would
establish a partial exemption from the recordation tax for a first-time
home buyer. Moreover, Bill 39-20 would amend the allocation of revenue
received from the recordation tax to capital improvements for schools and
to the Montgomery Housing Initiative Fund. Council President Sidney Katz
is the lead sponsor, at the request of the Planning Board.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
#RecordationTax is being used for
this bill on social media
Appointment to the Board of Appeals
The Council will appoint a new member to the Board of
Appeals and designate a chairperson. The Council determines the length of
time a member may serve as chair. The Council establishes the chair’s
compensation, which is adjusted annually each December to reflect 50
percent of the change in the Washington Area Consumer Price Index. By
law, no more than three members of the Board of Appeals shall be from the
same political party. This position can be filled by a Democrat, a
Republican, a voter who is unaffiliated with a party or a voter who is a
member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections.
Current members of the Board of Appeals include Chair John Pentecost
(Democrat), Katherine Freeman (Democrat), Bruce Goldensohn (Republican),
Mary Gonzales (Democrat), and Richard Melnick (Unaffiliated).
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
Process for Amending the Master Plan for Historic
Preservation
The Council will review the process for amending the Master
Plan for Historic Preservation, which is the County’s preservation
planning document and includes the list of all officially designated
historic sites and districts. The amendment for the Mesrobian House was
prepared at the request of the heirs of Mihran Mesrobian (owners of the
property until 2020) and with the support of the present property owners.
On July 23, 2020, the Planning Board held a public hearing, work session
and voted on the subject plan. As a result, the Board listed the property
in the Locational Atlas and Index of Historic Sites and recommends
amending the Master Plan for Historic Preservation to list the subject
property as a Master Plan Historic Site. A public hearing is scheduled
for 1:30 p.m.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and County Public Health
Planning
The Council will sit as the Board of Health to receive an
update on the County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its
recovery efforts. The Council will be joined by Dr. Travis Gayles, County
health officer and chief of the Department of Health and Human Services’
(DHHS) Public Health Services; Dr. Earl Stoddard, director, Office of
Emergency management and Homeland Security; and Dr. Raymond Crowel,
director, DHHS.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
Coronavirus Relief Fund
As follow up to the Council’s Oct. 13 meeting requested by
Councilmember Nancy Navarro and supported by the full Council about the
Coronavirus Relief Fund, the Council will now receive a weekly status
report on appropriations and expenditures from the fund by executive
branch staff. Since all funds must be used by Dec. 31, 2020, it is
important to track the County’s use of the funds and whether any
reallocations or additional appropriations are necessary. Rich Madaleno,
chief administrative officer, and Dr. Earl Stoddard, director, Office of
Emergency Management and Homeland Security, will brief the Council.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
The Council
will vote on the following bills:
Expedited Bill 16-19, Special Capital Improvements Project
– Gude Landfill Remediation
The Council is scheduled to vote on Expedited Bill 16-19
following the public hearing at 1:30 p.m. Bill 16-19 would authorize the
planning, design and construction of the Gude Landfill Remediation
project. The County Charter and County Code require that certain capital
improvement projects be individually authorized by law, if the locally
funded cost is projected to exceed the special projects legislation
threshold. The threshold is $17.5 million in fiscal year 2021 dollars. As
part of the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program, the Gude Landfill
Remediation project was approved with an updated total project cost
estimate of $61.7 million and a revised construction schedule, with
construction to begin in FY22 and to conclude in FY27. Council staff
recommends approval of the bill as introduced.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
Bill 32-20, Solid Waste (Trash) – Waste Reduction/Source
Reduction and Single-Use Straws – Requirements
The Council is scheduled to vote on Bill 32-20, which
would do the following: establish a program for waste reduction in
Montgomery County; provide criteria for waste reduction initiatives and
programs; set forth the method by which the program is established;
prohibit the distribution of single-use straws except in certain
circumstances; and post information that plastic straws will no longer be
provided to a customer, except when necessary to accommodate a medical or
disability-related need. Council President Sidney Katz is the lead
sponsor of the bill, at the request of the County Executive. The
Transportation and Environment Committee recommends approval with
amendments.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here
#WasteReductionPlan is being used
for this bill on social media.
Bill 33-20, Solid Waste (Trash) – Food Service Products
Packaging Materials – Requirements
The Council is scheduled to vote on Bill 33-20, which
would prohibit single-use polystyrene food containers including plates
and cups, meat and vegetable trays, egg cartons and other products made
of polystyrene that are used for selling, providing or serving food or
drink. Council President Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor of the bill, at
the request of the County Executive. The T&E Committee recommends
approval with technical amendments.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
#FoodPackaging is being used for
this bill on social media.
The following public hearings will be held at 1:30 p.m.:
Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21
Operating Budget, Department of Environmental Protection - $372,079 for
Naval Support Activity -Bethesda - Military Installation Resiliency
Review Grant
The Council will receive public testimony on a
supplemental appropriation of $372,079 to the Department of Environmental
Protection’s FY21 Operating Budget to fund a climate planning resiliency
study for Naval Support Activity (NSA) – Bethesda, which is home to the
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Uniformed Services
University. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Public Accountability and County Transparency Act (Bill
42-20, Ethics - Public Accountability and Transparency – Amendments)
The Council will receive public testimony on Bill 42-20,
which would, among other things, require the County Executive to disclose
a proposed employment contract with an appointee to a non-merit position
and any employment contract with an employee currently serving in a
non-merit position to the Council. Councilmember Andrew Friedson is the
lead sponsor. Councilmember Craig Rice, Council President Sidney Katz and
Councilmembers Evan Glass, Nancy Navarro and Council Vice President
Hucker are cosponsors. The goal of this legislation is to increase public
accountability and County transparency. The Public Accountability and
County Transparency Act also would do the following:
- include the sale or
promotion of certain intellectual property by a public employee as
other employment;
- prohibit a public
employee who has received compensation from an individual or
organization in the previous 12 months from participating in a
procurement with that individual or organization;
- require a public employee
who participates in a procurement process with an individual or
organization seeking to do business with the County, which
compensated the public employee for services performed more than 12
months before the participation began, to disclose the prior
relationship to the procurement director;
- require an elected
official or non-merit employee to disclose, with some exceptions,
the source of each fee greater than $1,000 received for services in
a financial disclosure statement; and
- prohibit the chief
administrative officer from engaging in other employment.
A GO Committee meeting on Bill
42-20 is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 23. The Council staff report can
be viewed here.
#PACTAct is being used for this
bill on social media.
Bill 43-20, Non-merit Employees - Merit System Employees -
Severance Pay - Limited
The Council will receive public testimony on Bill 43-20,
which would prohibit severance pay for a County employee unless
authorized by law and prohibit severance pay for certain employees who
violate the Ethics Law. Councilmember Andrew Friedson is the lead
sponsor. Councilmember Craig Rice, Council President Sidney Katz and
Councilmembers Evan Glass, Nancy Navarro and Council Vice President
Hucker are cosponsors. The goal of this legislation is to improve
transparency in employee compensation. A GO Committee meeting on Bill
43-20 is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 23. The Council staff report
can be viewed here.
#SeveringSeverance is being used
for this bill on social media.
Bill 44-20, Racial Equity and Social Justice - Impact
Statement - Advisory Committee - Amendments
The Council will receive public testimony on Bill 44-20,
which would require the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) to submit a
racial equity and social justice impact statement for each zoning text
amendment. Councilmember Nancy Navarro is the lead sponsor. All other
Councilmembers are cosponsors. Bill 44-20 also would add two additional
public members to the Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee
and authorize the County Executive to establish one or more task forces
to study and make recommendations on specified racial equity and social
justice issues.
In November 2019, the Council
unanimously approved the Racial Equity and Social Justice Act after
conducting numerous community conversations and reviewing the analysis of
the Council’s Office of Legislative Oversight. This seminal legislation
was spearheaded by Councilmember Navarro.
The Racial Equity and Social
Justice Act created an official program for Montgomery County government,
under the oversight of the newly created Office of Racial Equity and
Social Justice. It requires each County department and office to develop
a racial equity and social justice action plan, and requires that
legislation, public policy initiatives and government programs, supported
by budget requests, include a racial equity and social justice impact
statement. It also established a Racial Equity and Social Justice
Advisory Committee.
Finally, it required the
Montgomery County Planning Board to consider racial equity and social
justice issues when preparing master plans for submission to the Council.
These plans include recommendations for land uses, transportation and
public facilities such as schools, libraries, community and recreation
centers, parks and fire and police stations. A GO Committee meeting on
Bill 44-20 is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 18.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
#EquityMattersInMoCo and
#LandUseEquity are being used for this bill on social media.
###
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The
Office of Community Partnerships is Hiring!
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10/20/2020
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Transportation
and Environment Committee holds virtual meeting on Oct. 21
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10/20/2020
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Transportation
and Environment Committee holds virtual meeting on Oct. 21
The following committee will meet
virtually on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Council staff reports
and additional information on items scheduled for committee review can be
viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The committee meeting schedule may change from time to
time. The current committee agendas can be viewed at:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer
and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently
no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council
meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube
(MoCoCouncilMD) and on Facebook Live (MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil) and can
be watched on County Cable Montgomery on channels 30 (Fios), 1056 (RCN)
and 996 (Xfinity).
Meeting: Transportation and Environment (T&E)
Committee
Time:
9:30 a.m.
T&E
Committee: Council Vice President Tom Hucker (Chair) and
Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer
Topic:
Supplemental Appropriation #2-S21-CMCG-1 to the County
Government’s FY21 Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY21-26 Capital
Improvements Program, Department of Environmental Protection - $4,700,000
for Transfer Station Fire Detection and Suppression System
The T&E Committee will review a supplemental
appropriation of $4.7 million to the Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Budget and
FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP). This appropriation would fund fire detection
and suppression system improvements at the County’s Solid Waste Transfer
Station.
According to DEP, the transfer
station experiences approximately 16 fires on average per year. The most
common fires are associated with batteries in the tipping floor and pit
areas. The current fire detection and suppression system is more than 30
years old and cannot provide sufficient water capacity or pressure. The
outdated system also cannot provide the non-water-based suppression that
is needed for many fires that occur. Water trucks and portable fire
extinguishers are needed to supplement the current system. Moreover, the
existing detection system is not fully functional, and the fire alarms in
the administrative buildings only work intermittently.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
# # #
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[CMS
Users] - Tuesday Tip - October 2020 broken link report // Content +
Coffee on 10/30/2020
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10/20/2020
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Hi, CMS Community ~
October 2020
Broken Link Report
The October 2020 Broken Link Report (available in
Sharepoint and the Web Content CoP Team) is ready for you.
Please take a look, fix what you're
able, and lean on us when you have questions.
If you have a link in the
"broken" column that starts with "cmsinternet...",
that's a quick fix. Trim out the "cmsinternet.mcgov.org", and
you'll be set.
Content + Coffee
Join me for web chat and a cuppa'
morning goodness. (I've got some new beans from Mayorga...)
"Share a (content)
thing", or... chat about the Plain Language Summit (free! registration is open!)
Be well, and be awesome!
--Susanne
Susanne Wiggins
Senior Information Technology Specialist
Web and Mobile Applications Team, Department of Technology Services
susanne.wiggins@montgomerycountymd.gov
240-777-2993
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Following
the Science, Saving Lives
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10/21/2020
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Committee
meetings on Oct. 22
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10/21/2020
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Planning,
Housing and Economic Development Committee and Joint Government
Operations and Fiscal Policy and Planning, Housing and Economic
Development Committee hold virtual meetings on Oct. 22
The following committees will meet
virtually on Thursday, Oct. 22. Council staff reports
and additional information on items scheduled for committee review can be
viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The committee meeting schedule may change from time to
time. The current committee agendas can be viewed at:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer and Chief of Public
Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently no public access to
the Council Office Building. The virtual Council meeting will be streamed
live on the Council’s web page via YouTube (MoCoCouncilMD) and on
Facebook Live (MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil) and can be watched on County
Cable Montgomery on channels 30 (Fios), 1056 (RCN) and 996 (Xfinity).
Meeting:
Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee
Time:
9:30 a.m.
PHED
Committee: Councilmembers Hans Riemer (Chair), Andrew Friedson
(Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
Topic:
2020-2024
Subdivision Staging Policy - transportation issues
The PHED Committee will continue its review of
transportation issues related to the County’s 2020-2024 Subdivision
Staging Policy. The County’s 2020-2024 Subdivision Staging Policy is
based on having sufficient infrastructure to support new development. A
finding of Adequate Public Facilities requires forecasting travel demand
generated by proposed development and comparing it to the capacity of
existing and programmed roads and transit. The committee will discuss the
Motor Vehicle System Adequacy Test mitigation priorities and the
Pedestrian System Adequacy Test, which is based on an evaluation of
Pedestrian Level of Comfort (PLOC), street lighting and compliance with
the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Meeting:
Joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee and
Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee
Time:
1:30 p.m.
GO Committee:
Councilmembers Nancy Navarro (Chair) and Andrew Friedson and Council
President Sidney Katz
PHED
Committee: Councilmembers Hans Riemer (Chair), Andrew Friedson
(Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
Topic:
Wheaton
Revitalization
The GO and PHED Committees will meet jointly to discuss
the Wheaton Revitalization Project. The committee will review issues
raised by the community that certain elements of the revitalization
project remain incomplete or are inconsistent with the community’s
expectations. Some of these issues include: the level of County
investment in the town plaza; pedestrian safety and traffic flow; annual
maintenance and program funding; retail and day care in the government
office building; and communication with community members about the
multiple agencies and government offices now operating in Wheaton.
The government office building’s development and
construction were overseen by Montgomery County’s Department of
Transportation. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission is the first occupant and building owner of the office
building.
Montgomery County’s Small business
Assistance Program, which was created to provide technical and financial
assistance to qualified downtown Wheaton businesses during the three-year
Wheaton Revitalization has distributed more than $1.1 million to 25
businesses.
Since 2009 Councilmember Nancy
Navarro, who is the district Councilmember for Wheaton, has advocated and
secured funding for the Wheaton Revitalization Project, with support from
her Council colleagues. She also was the lead sponsor of the bill to
create the Small Business Assistance Program.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
#
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Montgomery
Council Seeks Applicants for County Commission on Redistricting
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10/22/2020
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Montgomery
Council Seeks Applicants for County Commission on Redistricting
Deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 22, 2020—The
Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants for the County’s
11-member Commission on Redistricting. The positions must be filled by
February 1, 2021. The deadline to apply for consideration is 5 p.m. on
Monday, October 26, 2020.
The Montgomery County Charter
currently states that the County shall be divided into five Council
districts for the purpose of nominating and electing five members of the
Council. Each district shall be compact in form and be composed of
adjoining territory. The ballot questions in the upcoming election could
change the number of Council districts. The new districts will be in
effect for the 2022 Council election.
The Charter also requires that the
Council shall appoint a Commission on Redistricting. The Commission shall
be composed of 11 registered voters who reside in the County. The
Commission shall include at least one but no more than four members of
each political party which polled at least 15 percent of the total vote
cast for all candidates for the Council in the last preceding regular
election. As a result of the 2018 General Election, there are two parties
recognized by the State of Maryland: the Democratic Party and the
Republican Party. At least one member of the Commission shall reside in
each Council district. The commission shall, at its first meeting, select
one of its members to serve as its chair. No person who holds any elected
office shall be eligible for appointment to the Commission.
By November 15, 2021, the
Commission shall present a plan of Council districts, together with a
report explaining the plan to the Council. Within 30 days after receiving
the plan, the Council shall hold a public hearing on it. If within 90
days after presentation of the Commission’s plan no other law
re-establishing the boundaries of the Council districts has been enacted,
then the plan, as submitted, shall become law.
Letters expressing interest, along
with a resume no longer than four pages in length, in a position on the
Commission on Redistricting must be emailed to
County.Council@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov or received in the Office of the
Montgomery County Council, 100 Maryland Avenue, 4th Floor, Rockville, MD
20850, no later than 5 p.m., Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. It is the Council’s
policy not to consider applications received after the deadline.
# # #
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Council
to host virtual Youth Town Hall meeting with Montgomery County Board of
Education President Shebra Evans and Student Member of the Board Nick
Asante on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
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10/22/2020
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Council
to host virtual Youth Town Hall meeting with Montgomery County
Board of Education President Shebra Evans and Student
Member of the Board Nick Asante on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
Students are encouraged to sign up to participate on Zoom
or tune in on County Cable Montgomery, YouTube and Facebook
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 22, 2020—The
Montgomery County Council will host a virtual Youth Town Hall meeting on
Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. with Montgomery County School Board President Shebra
Evans and Student Member of the Board of Education Nick Asante to learn
more about the issues currently impacting young people across the County.
The virtual Youth Town Hall also will include information about some of
the resources available for young people focused on mental health and
wellness, activities beyond the virtual classroom, food assistance and
other services.
“We want to hear directly from our
students about the issues they are grappling with during these
challenging times,” said Council President Sidney Katz. “The Council and
the Montgomery County Board of Education are fully committed to the
health and welfare of all of our students. We understand that our young
people have faced many challenges this year. With little advance warning,
our students had to adapt to distance learning and have endured major
disruptions to their social lives and home lives. We are eager to hear
directly from our young people and to use their input to help craft
policies to meet the evolving needs of our students.”
“I’m so pleased to support and
participate in this Council Youth Town Hall. In a time when we must
physically distance, it is great that we are able to virtually come
together to support students and their families,” said Board of Education
President Shebra Evans. “I hear every day about the anxiety our children
experience because of the pandemic, and we all must do our best to lift
up everyone in this unique time. Montgomery County Public Schools, the
Board of Education and our county partners need to come together with
purpose and commitment for our kids.”
“Student voices need to be heard
so that the community can fully understand how deeply youth have been
impacted by COVID-19. Many of my student colleagues didn’t know how
important access to resources was until they needed it,” said Student
Member of the Board Nick Asante. “Mental health, wellness and, for some,
food and other basic resources became new necessities. At this moment, so
many months into the pandemic, the needs of those in crisis has only
deepened. I must say, this event is so necessary, right now.”
Also joining the virtual meeting
via Zoom will be Kathy Boland, pathways resource specialist with the
Montgomery County Collaboration Council; Elijah Davis, recreation
specialist from Montgomery Recreation; Allie Sklarew, AmeriCorps VISTA,
program assistant, Montgomery County Food Council; Lex Morgan, youth
development specialist, Wheaton High School Wellness Center and, and a
representative from the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human
Services.
The virtual Youth Town Hall will
be conducted through a Zoom webinar and will be streamed live on the
Council’s web page via YouTube (MoCoCouncilMD) and on Facebook Live
(MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil) and can also be watched on County Cable
Montgomery on channels 30 (Fios), 1056 (RCN) and 996 (Xfinity).
Montgomery County Public Schools
students need to register to receive their student-service learning
hours. Please go here to register. Students who attend private school
or home school please register here.
#
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Flu
shots, food assistance and mental health during the holiday season are
focus of “En SintonÃa con el Concejo”, today at 2 p.m. on Radio America
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10/23/2020
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Flu
shots, food assistance and
mental health
during the holiday season
are focus of “En
SintonÃa con el Concejo”,
today at 2 p.m. on
Radio America
ROCKVILLE, Md.,
Oct. 23, 2020—Dr. Luis Aguirre of the Latino Health Initiative; Grace
Rivera-Oven, co-founder of the Upcounty Consolidation Hub at BlackRock
and board member for BlackRock Center for the Arts; Brian Navez,
community leader; and Viviana Azar, supervisory therapist with the
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, will be the
featured guests on this week’s En SintonÃa con El Concejo del Condado
de Montgomery (In Tune with the Montgomery County Council), airing
today at 2 p.m. on Radio America (WILC 900AM).
Dr. Aguirre
will discuss the importance of getting a flu shot, and will share
information about the differences between the flu and COVID-19. Free flu
vaccinations are available throughout
the County. Flu season usually peaks between December and February,
and this year it is more important than usual for residents to take
precautions to avoid risking their health and the health of vulnerable
family members, and to avoid putting extra strain on medical facilities.
Ms. Rivera-Oven
and Mr. Navez will discuss Countywide food distribution centers,
including a newly opened hub in Layhill where culturally appropriate food
will be distributed every Thursday.
Finally, Ms.
Azar will discuss the importance of attending to one’s mental health
during the holiday season, which can be a stressful and busy time. She
will also discuss mental health resources available to residents of
Montgomery County, as well as managing mental health issues specifically
related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Montgomery
County Council and Radio America have entered a partnership that
provides the Latino community with key information on issues and
programs. The partnership also provides a forum for residents to express
views and ask questions. The partnership includes the weekly one-hour
show each Friday on the Washington metropolitan area’s most popular
Spanish language station. Lilian Mass is the show’s host.
Each week, the
show features guests talking about important issues before the Council
and provides information about programs offered by the County to help
residents.
Vacunas contra
la influenza, asistencia alimentaria
y salud mental durante dÃas festivos
serán el enfoque de
“En SintonÃa con el Concejo del Condado”,
hoy a las 2 p.m. por Radio América
ROCKVILLE,
Maryland, 23 de octubre de 2020— El Dr. Luis Aguirre, representante de la Iniciativa
Latina de Salud (Latino Health Initiative); Grace Rivera-Oven,
cofundadora del Centro de Consolidación Upcounty (Upcounty Consolidation
Hub) en BlackRock y miembro de la junta del Centro para los Artes
BlackRock (BlackRock Center for the Arts); Brian Navez, lÃder
comunitario; y Viviana Azar, terapeuta supervisora del Departamento de
Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Montgomery, serán los invitados
de En SintonÃa con el Concejo del Condado en Montgomery, hoy a las 2 p.m.
en Radio América (WILC 900AM).
El Dr. Aguirre discutirá la
importancia de vacunarse contra la gripe y compartirá información sobre
las diferencias entre la gripe y el COVID-19. Vacunas contra la
influenza están disponibles gratuitamente en todo el Condado. La
temporada de gripe generalmente alcanza su punto máximo entre diciembre y
febrero, y este año es más importante de lo habitual que los residentes
tomen precauciones para evitar poner en riesgo su salud y la salud de los
miembros vulnerables de la familia, y para evitar ejercer una presión
adicional sobre las instalaciones médicas.
Grace Rivera-Oven
y Brian Navez hablarán sobre los centros de distribución de
alimentos del Condado, incluyendo un centro recién inaugurado
en Layhill donde se distribuirán alimentos culturalmente apropiados todos
los jueves.
Finalmente, Viviana Azar
discutirá la importancia de cuidar la salud mental durante la
temporada festiva ya que podrÃa resultar difÃcil debido a todos
los eventos suscitados durante el año. También hablará sobre los
recursos de salud mental disponibles para los residentes del Condado
de Montgomery, asà como sobre el manejo de problemas de salud mental
relacionados especÃficamente con la pandemia de COVID-19.
El Concejo del Condado de Montgomery
y Radio América se han asociado para proporcionar a la comunidad Latina
información clave sobre temas que le conciernen. Esta colaboración
ha dado fruto a un programa semanal de una hora todos los viernes,
denominado “En SintonÃa con el Concejo” donde los residentes
pueden expresar sus opiniones y hacer preguntas, por medio de la estación
de habla hispana más popular del área metropolitana de Washington D.C.
Lilian Mass es la anfitriona de dicha entrega.
En este programa
semanal, se discuten asuntos importantes ante el Concejo, se proporciona
información sobre los recursos disponibles en el Condado y se fomenta la
educación cÃvica de la comunidad.
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Montgomery
County Councilmember Craig Rice Co-Chairs National Broadband Task Force
to Bridge the Digital Divide
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10/23/2020
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Montgomery
County Councilmember Craig Rice
Co-Chairs National Broadband Task Force
to Bridge the Digital Divide
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 23, 2020 – National
Association of Counties (NACo) President Gary Moore announced the
formation of a broadband task force with Montgomery County Councilmember
Craig Rice appointed as co-chair. The task force, which is comprised of
nearly three dozen county government officials from across America, will
study the lack of reliable broadband with a particular focus on the challenges
facing underserved communities.
A report,
titled Understanding the True State of Connectivity in America,
released by NACo and partner organizations earlier this year, found that
nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of U.S. counties experience the internet
at speeds below minimum standards set by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), with that number even higher in rural America, where 77
percent of counties operate below the FCC standard.
“With the
COVID-19 pandemic affecting families and businesses, the need for
reliable high-speed internet is more acute than ever,” said Councilmember
Rice. He noted that many people are attending school and working from
home. Individuals and families are relying on the internet for remote
health care and conducting transactions through e-commerce. “These are
issues we are striving to overcome in Montgomery County, where we
currently estimate 40,000 households do not have broadband. Elevating
this conversation to a national task force will ensure innovative
solutions are shared and implemented.”
Local
governments often face state-imposed limitations to expanding access to
broadband connectivity. In 22 states, local governments are restricted
from making investments in broadband infrastructure networks. NACo is
working to pass federal legislation that would remove those barriers and
expand broadband access.
Lack of
reliable broadband is a major barrier to socioeconomic opportunity,
education, health and overall quality of life. Without
access to high-speed internet, many rural communities – and even pockets
in urban areas – are isolated and left behind. . The Montgomery County Office
of Broadband Programs estimates 362 properties within the Agricultural
Reserve lack broadband access. A 2018 study conducted by Microsoft
concluded that 19 million rural Americans do not use broadband, largely
due to a lack of access. For these small communities, broadband can serve
as a lifeline, connecting students to online degrees and connecting sick
patients to medical consultation that is locally unavailable
High-speed
internet is also consistently identified as a top challenge facing small
businesses in rural America and stifles entrepreneurship by limiting the
ability of individuals to take on independent work. In this economy,
broadband is critical to building resilient and future ready communities.
See the full
list of broadband task force members here.
To explore all of NACo’s broadband resources, visit www.naco.org/broadband.
View Understanding the True
State of Connectivity in America, here.
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Council
Announces Additional Stakeholder Engagement for Community Solar in the
Agricultural Reserve Zone
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10/23/2020
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Council
Announces Additional Stakeholder Engagement for Community Solar in the
Agricultural Reserve Zone
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 23, 2020—The
Montgomery County Council released a plan for additional stakeholder
engagement on a zoning proposal, ZTA 20-01, Solar Collection System
– AR Zone Standards, that removes the prohibition on community solar on
1,800 of the more than 90,000 acres of land in the Agricultural Reserve.
On October 13, the Montgomery
County Council held a worksession to review recommendations from the
joint Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) Committee and
Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee on ZTA 20-01. This
zoning change had a public hearing on March 3, 2020 and three joint PHED
and T&E Committee meetings before full Council consideration.
After discussion, the Council
reached a consensus on conducting additional stakeholder engagement
before bringing ZTA 20-01 back to the joint PHED and T&E Committee
for consideration of any amendments and then to the full Council for
final action in January 2021.
To that end, Council President
Katz and PHED Chair Riemer will lead a series of stakeholder meetings
this fall, beginning in early November. The first session will be a
virtual town hall meeting, led by Council President Katz and PHED Chair
Riemer, where stakeholders will be given the opportunity to share their
views on solar in the Agricultural Reserve and suggest amendments to ZTA
20-01. The virtual town hall will be on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. Further details
on the town hall meeting will be forthcoming.
It is then anticipated that a
workgroup consisting of individuals representing stakeholders will be
formed. Assisted by Council staff, meetings of the stakeholder workgroup
will occur in November (and December, if necessary) to discuss in greater
detail the issues surrounding solar on farmland and proposals to amend
ZTA 20-01. Stakeholders and Councilmembers are asked to submit amendments
in writing to Council staff, so that proposed amendments can be organized
and posted online. The town hall meeting and subsequent stakeholder
workgroup meetings will all be held virtually, and will be open to the
public.
Council staff will prepare a
summary of the stakeholder meetings for the joint PHED and T&E
Committee, including all amendments received by the stakeholder
workgroup. The Joint Committee will carefully consider the record of the
stakeholder sessions, and will then vote on any amendments proposed by
committee members in early January 2021.
The joint PHED and T&E
Committee recommendations will be sent to the full Council for final
action. The Council will vote on any additional amendments that
Councilmembers may propose before taking final action on ZTA 20-01 in
January 2021.
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Council’s
Transportation and Environment Committee reviews I-270/I-495 Managed
Lanes Study Draft Environmental Impact Statement
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10/23/2020
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Council’s
Transportation and Environment Committee reviews I-270/I-495 Managed
Lanes Study Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Committee
will review elements of a joint Council- and County Executive-supported
Preferred Alternative to Maryland Department of Transportation and State
Highway Administration’s proposal
ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 23,
2020 – On Monday, Oct. 26 at 2:30 p.m. the Council’s Transportation and
Environment (T&E) Committee will meet to review the I-270/I-495
Managed Lanes Study Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The
T&E Committee, which is chaired by Council Vice President Tom Hucker
and includes Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer, will review
deficiencies identified in the DEIS by Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) staff and will discuss key elements of developing
a joint Council- and County Executive-supported preferred alternative to
present to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and State
Highway Administration (SHA).
The DEIS includes
traffic, environmental, engineering and financial analyses of the Build
Alternatives and the No Build Alternative. The DEIS process provides an
opportunity for residents, interest groups and other agencies to review
and provide comments on the proposed federal action and the adverse and
beneficial environmental impacts and proposed mitigation for unavoidable
impacts.
Council Vice President
Tom Hucker said: “The Purple Line is over two years behind schedule and
nearly $1 billion over budget. Clearly, taxpayers cannot trust MDOT to
manage a far larger and more complicated Beltway widening. And the
reduced congestion due to COVID has eliminated the very feeble case for
that project. Fortunately, Montgomery County will work with our top
transportation planners to put forth a more effective and less costly
alternative plan to reduce congestion, and the State should embrace that
instead.”
Councilmember Evan Glass
said: “The state has shown a lack of transparency since the
beginning of this process. I appreciate that the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission has been diligently asking the
questions that our constituents want answered. Now the Council will
continue the in-depth analysis and request answers about this deeply
impactful project.”
Councilmember Hans
Riemer said: “From the time this project was announced, I have focused on
two things - keeping the project inside the existing right-of-way and
providing transit, including a connection between Montgomery County and
the Dulles Corridor. Those goals continue to guide me.”
In Aug. and early Sept.,
MDOT and SHA held several virtual public hearings and two in-person
hearings, one of which was in Montgomery County. The testimony received
was overwhelmingly in favor of the No Build Alternative. The relatively
few comments in support of a build option preferred Alternative 9, which
would add two toll lanes in each direction on the Beltway and one lane in
each direction, as well as redesignating the existing HOV lanes, as toll
lanes on I-270 up to I-370.
Since SHA was not able
to share the testimony quickly, the Council and County Executive asked
the public who were testifying or corresponding with the State of
Maryland about the DEIS to forward a copy of their testimony or
correspondence to the County. The County received 87 pieces of testimony
and correspondence on the site, largely mirroring the feedback from the
hearings.
Some of the deficiencies
in the DEIS identified by the staff of the bi-county M-NCPPC include
construing the purpose and need of the project too narrowly; inadequate
definition of limits of disturbance, especially pertaining to aquatic
impacts; insufficient compliance with the National Historic Preservation
Act; insufficient evaluation of social equity and environmental justice
implications of the alternatives; evaluation of stormwater management
that ignores runoff from existing roadways; and inadequate consideration
of the financial viability to complete this project, even without a State
government subsidy.
The T&E
Committee also will review aspects of the County Preferred Alternative, including
the No Build Alternative, elements of transportation system management
and Alternative 9, which includes the addition of two managed lanes in
each direction on the Beltway between Virginia and the I-270 West Spur.
The Council staff
report can be viewed here.
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Education
and Culture Committee and Transportation and Environment Committee hold
virtual meetings on Oct. 26
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10/23/2020
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Education
and Culture Committee and Transportation and Environment Committee hold
virtual meetings on Oct. 26
The following committees will meet
virtually on Monday, Oct. 26. Council staff reports and
additional information on items scheduled for committee review can be
viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The committee meeting schedule may change from time to
time. The current committee agendas can be viewed at:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer
and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently
no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council
meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube (MoCoCouncilMD)
and on Facebook Live (MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil) and can be watched on
County Cable Montgomery on channels 30 (Fios), 1056 (RCN) and 996
(Xfinity).
Meeting: Education and Culture (E&C) Committee
Time:
9 a.m.
E&C
Committee: Councilmembers Craig Rice (Chair), Will Jawando (Lead
for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro.
Topic:
Funding Options for the MCPS Board of Education FY21
Supplemental Appropriations and Amendment Requests for the FY21-26 CIP:
South Lake Elementary School- Major Capital Projects Elementary and
Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Mechanical Systems
Replacement
The E&C Committee will meet to receive an update on
funding options for the Montgomery County Board of Education’s Fiscal
Year 2021 (FY21) request for two supplemental appropriations and
amendments to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program for Montgomery
County Public Schools (MCPS). These requests include appropriations to
accelerate construction of South Lake Elementary School into FY21 and
move the completion date from Sept. 2024 to Sept. 2023, and provide
additional funding in FY21 to address air quality concerns related to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
Meeting: Transportation and Environment (T&E)
Committee
Time:
2:30 p.m.
T&E
Committee: Council Vice President Tom Hucker (Chair) and
Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer
Topic:
I-270 and I-495 Managed Lanes Study Draft Environmental
Impact Statement
The T&E Committee will meet to review the I-270 and
I-495 Managed Lanes Study Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
The committee will review deficiencies identified in the DEIS by
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) staff
and will discuss key elements of developing a joint Council and County
Executive preferred alternative to present to the Maryland Department of
Transportation (MDOT) and State Highway Administration (SHA).
The DEIS includes traffic,
environmental, engineering and financial analyses of the build
alternatives and the no build alternative. The DEIS process provides an
opportunity for residents, interest groups and other agencies to review
and provide comments on the proposed federal action including the adverse
and beneficial environmental impacts and proposed mitigation for
unavoidable impacts. The County received 87 pieces of testimony and
correspondence on the site, largely mirroring the feedback from the
hearings.
Some of the deficiencies in the
DEIS identified by M-NCPPC staff include: construing the purpose and need
of the project too narrowly; the inadequate definition of limits of
disturbance, especially pertaining to aquatic impacts; insufficient
compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act; insufficient
evaluation of social equity and environmental justice implications of the
alternatives; evaluation of stormwater management that ignores runoff
from existing roadways; and inadequate consideration of the financial
viability to complete this project.
The Council staff report can be
viewed here.
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