Virtual Town Hall Meeting from Thursday, January 18, 2018
County Executive Good afternoon! Thank you for joining us today. If you haven't seen my statement on the recent decision by Amazon, you can read it here.
Let's get started, shall we?
Darren Fewick from
Silver Spring
Dear Mr. Leggett. First, congratulations on the news about Amazon. Second, what is the county doing to ensure that Montgomery is a safe haven for our brothers and sisters from other countries fleeing, for example, persecution given Trump's efforts to break up families, detain people and forcibly displace them?
County Executive Thank you for your question. We're delighted with Amazon's decision to include us in their list of finalist for their second headquarters. Since I was elected in 2006, I have been a leader in the County and in the Nation to provide opportunities for immigrants. Montgomery County's policies promote opportunities and safety for all immigrants.
Since elected I have expanded educational, workforce-development, health, language, and other basic services to help new Americans prepare for their lives here. I have made it clear to the Federal Government that our resources will not be used to carry out the responsibilities of Federal Immigration Authorities.
Tens of thousands of immigrants live and work in our County and contribute significantly to our economy and our quality of life. Montgomery County's reputation as inclusive and respectful is one of my greatest sources of pride.
Kevin from
Up County
With the news today that Montgomery County is one of the 20 locations being eyed by Amazon to establish a second location, why do you think MoCo would make a good fit for Amazon?
County Executive Thank you for your question. I am extremely pleased and proud that Amazon selected Montgomery County, Md. to enter into future discussions regarding locating their second headquarters. As the only County in the country on the short list, having the ability to move forward for further consideration is a real honor.
I believe our initial proposal made an extremely strong case for Montgomery County as a great place to do business, and I look forward to working with Amazon to bring jobs and investment to the County.
Our overall quality of life, workforce, infrastructure, educational resources, among some of the reasons why we are so highly considered for the second Amazon headquarters.
James from
Up County
Ride On bus made a decision to stop running bus service for Clarksburg to the Marc station with very little notice. This has a severe impact for commuters who need more mass transit options not less in our growing part of Montgomery County.
County Executive Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, the ridership for this route was very limited; and we just could not justify the expense. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation to see if there is a way we can resume services.
David from
Up County
As I sit in traffic on 270, I was wondering if a little bit more room on the shoulder lane could be used as a bus only lane to encourage public bus ridership. This would move cars off 270 in a hurry and at lower cost than adding a full all traffic lane similar to Virginia.
County Executive Thank you for your question. I-270 is a State road.
You may know that Maryland is proposing the addition of $7.6 billion in toll lanes along the entire Maryland portion of the Capital Beltway and the length of Interstate 270 by 2025.The State has not promised that HOV users would ride free as they do in Virginia, but that free rides for cars with at least three people is being discussed both for transportation purposes and the simplicity of similar rules across the region. I don’t believe adding bus lanes are part of his proposal. In response, Virginia now plans to extend both of its existing 495 Express Lanes to the Legion Bridge to provide a continuous trip around the Beltway. The Virginia extension is estimated to cost about $500 million that could be split between the private toll operators and state funding.
Robert from
Up County
Fairfax County Firefighters are required to take an annual Work Performance Evaluation to ensure they are ready to perform firefighting duties. Half of the Montgomery County employees making more than $200,000 per year worked for the Department of Fire & Rescue Services, yet for all that income they are not required to pass an annual Work Performance Evaluation. Why is it that Montgomery County Firefighters do not have the same annual Work Performance Evaluation requirement as Fairfax County?
County Executive Thank you for your question. I’m not familiar with Fairfax County requirements; but I know that all our firefighters have to pass an annual physical exam and stress test in keeping with the national Fire Protection guidelines. Those firefighters earning the amount you mentioned are there, of course, because of overtime hours. While we seek to fill public-safety overtime needs at the lowest cost possible, having individuals do overtime costs County taxpayers less than hiring additional personnel, given benefit costs.
James from
Up County
When could we expect more parking at the Boyd’s Marc station? I would like to use the station but have anxiety to use it as it only has about 20 parking spaces. In the fastest growing part of Montgomery County, 20 spaces doesn’t seem nearly enough and discourages use of mass transit. Thank you.
County Executive Thank you for your question. I agree there needs to be more parking in that area; and we will continue to review the situation to determine the best way forward.
Sandra from
Silver Spring
I understand some counties such as PG, Baltimore and others have a line item in the budget for legal support for immigrants in jeopardy for deportation. I also have heard that these county grants are being matched by the Verli Institute, enabling some immigrants to obtain legal services. Is this already in the coming year's budget? If so how much is it and how does it compare with other counties. If not, can we add that? We are in a crisis year with TPS and DACA statuses and I think it would be meaningful to take those steps and/or others that can make legal services possible to more of our immigrant community members.
County Executive Thank you for your question. When I was elected I began a community services grant program to support nonprofit organizations providing essential safety net services. Through this program we have provided more than $40 million to local nonprofits. A great portion of these grants are awarded to organizations which serve our large immigrant population. They provide a wide range of services including legal aid services. In recent years I have increased the number of grants and funding for legal assistance to immigrants. I don't know the exact amount of money we provide for legal services however I am certain it is more than $300,000. Since the threat to immigrants has increased during the last year, I am certain that we will continue to support these efforts and if possible expand our support.
Abire Lekezime from
Silver Spring
I have been a county resident since 2005 and have been seeking a career opportunity with the county for a while, but it seems like it's almost impossible to get an interview unless one has connections that already work for the county. Are there any specific county career fairs where one can meet hiring managers instead of submitting online applications?
Thank you,
County Executive Thank you for your question – and your interest in working for the County. You do not have to be "connected" to gain employment. We have a very fair employment process that ranks applicants; and those that are in the "Highly Qualified" list are called in for interviews. Montgomery County positions are highly sought after. Any one recruitment may receive 200 to 300 applications.
To be fair and equitable, all applicants are asked to complete the online application process. At this point in time, we do not offer career fairs where job seekers can meet hiring managers. However, sponsoring career fairs is an excellent suggestion for the Office of Human Resources to consider in the future. I will pass this along to the department's Director.
Rajan from
Up County
Dear Ike,
I have been a resident of the county for 20 years and lived in Clarksburg area for 12 years. I feel a sense of neglect by the county when allocating funds and transportation improvements to the Clarksburg and in general up county area. Having 3 at-large members from the same vicinity of down county does not help. M-83 has been shot down, No expansion of 355 past Ridge Road, MD-27 to I-70 expansion has been removed from Masterplan, no funds for Clarksburg library, delay in allocation of funds to recreational center, site selection for firestation is pushed several times. While the county spends millions of dollars on down county projects, SS transit center ($150 m), additional money for Purple line ($100 M), purchase of site for a park in Bethesda ($15 m), renovation of SS, Gaithersburg library ($$$) and it goes on. Can this neglect be corrected before you leave the office next year???
County Executive Thank you for your question. I understand your frustration and concerns. I have provided significant funds for a number of capital projects in the Clarksburg area and will continue to support these projects. I have recommendedthe Clarksburg Fire Station construction to begin in 2019. This is a $30-million project that I recognize is needed to serve the Clarksburg community.
I have been working to find a site for a Clarksburg library, even for a temporary site, and this effort has been unsuccessful. In 2010, against my advice, the County Council eliminated a development district for Clarksburg, which would have provided significant, non-taxpayer funding for many of the facilities needed in Clarksburg. Unfortunately, the elimination of this funding source, then required the Clarksburg community needs to have to compete with other community needs throughout the County. Given the need to constrain our capital budget, as our debt service payments become increasingly difficult, this competition becomes more difficult.
Regarding many of the projects that you mentioned in other parts of the County, please keep in mind those communities have waited in line far longer than Clarksburg for completion of their projects. I will continue to move forward on a number of recommendations for County projects and programs in the Clarksburg area.
Tony from
Up County
are we supposed to be hearing something? Nothing is happening
County Executive You should be seeing my responses.
Deb Lundin from
Bethesda-Chevy Chase
Why do ex-husband's retain rights to choose doctors for ex-wife after permanently abandoning a marriage, and why are women not allowed to report battery to the police?
County Executive Thank you for your question.
Under the law, any citizen has a right to report a crime to police. Please check with the office of the State's Attorney. The State's Attorney's office has a number of methods and procedures to help victims of domestic abuse / violence. They will also advise you whether or not the actions you describe constitute a criminal offence (battery) and whether charges should be filed.
Lisa from
Mid County
The FCC has never studied the health effects of RF radiation — the kind that is emitted from cell towers — on children. Yet, the County continues to allow cell facilities on school grounds and near homes where children live, sleep and play. Other communities, like Gaithersburg (which has it's own zoning code) are taking action to protect children. You are not. Please explain why you are not willing to write setback ordinances into the Mont. Co. ZTA that protect our most vulnerable populations.
County Executive Thank you for your question. In the United States, the FCC adopted safety guidelines for evaluating Radio
Frequency (RF) environmental exposure in 1996. These guidelines have not been updated since then. That is why in January, 2017, I not only wrote the FCC Commissioners asking that they update these standards so that our residents can have confidence that cell towers and small antennas in our community are safe, but I met with Chairman Ajit Pai of the FCC to personally ask him to make this a priority.
We are currently writing a Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) to regulate where cell towers and small antennas can be located. We held four public meetings and have taken all comments received into consideration as we revised the draft ZTA, including the comments we received about setbacks. We hope to have the revised ZTA to the Council in the near future. At that time, the public will have yet another opportunity for input.
Christopher Routson from
Rockville
Mr. Leggett I noticed you are proposing an increase in the minimum wage. My question is could that increase be applied to people under eighteen? I've been working at my job for almost a year and in that time minimum wage has increased twice. Both times my wage did not go up and the reasoning being it is legal to pay people under eighteen years of age 80% of minimum wage. Due to that, I've been working at $8.40 an hour while people older then me working the same job are making minimum wage. Is there anything you can do to make the minimum wage the same for everybody? Is there anything I can do?
County Executive Thank you for your question. I appreciate your frustration regarding the fact that you continue to be paid lower than the minimum wage. However, there are many reasons for the lower minimum wage for those under 18. It actually provides an incentive for employers to offer opportunities to those who are under 18 and allows them an entree into the workforce. If the minimum wage for those under 18 were higher, employers would be far less likely to hire youth. While it is frustrating, it is in the overall best interests of the youth in our County to get the work experience and have a job, rather than being totally idle with no job.
Kevin from
Silver Spring
Years ago the county rid itself of unsightly billboards. Now the landscape is littered with signs stuck in the ground advertising carpet cleaning, travel, house buying etc. Why are the existing laws not enforced? Wouldn't fining the violators add to county revenue? These signs create traffic and safety hazards and need to be gone. Thank you.
County Executive Thank you for your question.
County sign laws are enforced on a complaint-received basis. In 2017 the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) handled 274 service requests for illegal signs. As a result, DPS removed approximately 1,500 illegal signs. The department issues warnings and citations for the illegal signs where the business can be identified. Unfortunately, paper signs are inexpensive and easy to obtain. Therefore, they continue to proliferate. If you see an area with these signs, please contact 311 to enter a service request, or you can file one directly on the DPS website at http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/online/eComplaint.aspx.
DPS will follow-up on the complaint.
County Executive Thank you for joining us today. I look forward to answering more of your questions next time. Again, if you haven't seen my statement on the Amazon decision, you may read it here.
http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=21764
