Press Releases

Council to receive update on COVID-19 vaccinations, vote on bills to establish a Revenue Estimating Group & expand accountability/eligibility for small business innovation grants, zoning changes for surface parking in residential zones on Mar 16

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 15, 2021

The joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy and Transportation and Environment Committee will meet virtually at 3 p.m. to consider repealing and replacing the resolution governing the White Flint Special Taxing District

The Council will meet virtually on Tuesday, March 16 at 9 a.m. and will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first proclamation recognizes the Vaccine Hunters and will be presented by Councilmember Hans Riemer. The second proclamation, presented by Councilmember Andrew Friedson, celebrates Bethesda’s 150th Birthday.

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.

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and County Public Health Planning

At 9:35 a.m. 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 and vaccination 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. Montgomery County is dependent on the State of Maryland for its supply of the COVID-19 vaccines. County leaders continue to advocate for additional vaccine supply as quickly as possible as well as a mass vaccination location in Montgomery County.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Bill 6-21, Finance - Revenue Estimating Group - Established

The Council is scheduled to vote on Bill 6-21 which would establish a Revenue Estimating Group to review and forecast County revenues and provide for membership and duties of the group. Councilmember Andrew Friedson is the author and lead sponsor of the bill and Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee Chair and Councilmember Nancy Navarro and Councilmember Sidney Katz are cosponsors. The group would consist of staff members from the Department of Finance, the Office of Management and Budget, Council central staff, the Office of Legislative Oversight and the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer. The group would be required to report its revenue projections to the County Executive and the Council on a quarterly basis because accurate revenue estimates establish the foundation on which budgets are built. This legislation is based on a similar group formed to provide revenue forecasts for the State of Maryland, which is called the Consensus Revenue Monitoring and Forecasting Group. The GO Committee recommends enactment with amendments.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Zoning Text Amendment 20-06, Surface Parking - Residential Zones

The Council is scheduled to vote on Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 20-06, which is sponsored by Council President Tom Hucker and Councilmember Riemer and cosponsored by Councilmember Friedson. The proposed amendment to the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance would allow the Planning Board approval of a site plan to supersede a special exception for surface parking in a residential zone at the option of the site plan applicant. The PHED Committee recommends approval with amendments. The first amendment proposed would allow site plan approval to supersede a previously approved Special Exception. The second amendment would change the words “parking setbacks” in lines 28-29 to “parking layout.” These amendments would still ensure that the ZTA does not change the underlying zoning.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services - $508,853 for Medication Assisted Treatment Program (Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration Grant)

Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive, will introduce this supplemental appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 operating budget for the Medical Assisted Treatment Program. This funding will be used for screening, examination, behavioral health treatment and medication assisted treatment for residents. The County Government departments and agencies involved with this grant include the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Correction and Rehabilitation and Sheriff’s Office. The appropriation will be reviewed by at a joint Public Safety and Health & Human Services Committee meeting on March 17, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. A public hearing and action are scheduled for March 23, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service - $2,041,846 for FY21 Senator Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund (State 508) Grant

Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive, will introduce this supplemental appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 operating budget to fund the acquisition of apparatus and capital equipment as well as facility renovations. Funding will be provided by the FY21 Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance (State 508) Grant Funds and interest earned. A public hearing and considered action are tentatively scheduled for April 6, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY21-26 Capital Improvement Program, Department of General Services (DGS) - $92,000 for Council Office Building Renovations

The Council will vote on a supplemental appropriation of $92,000 for Council Office Building renovations to accommodate two additional Councilmembers, following the recent amendment of the County Charter as approved by County voters in the 2020 general election. The two additional Councilmembers will begin their terms in Dec. 2022.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Amendment to Resolution 19-590, COVID-19 Human Services and Community Assistance Non-Departmental Account (NDA); Support for COVID-19 Response - Youth Sports Initiative

The Council will introduce and vote on an Amendment to Resolution 19-590. Increasing the availability of youth sports services and supporting youth sports organizations is important to provide positive, structured activities for children who would otherwise lack access to these services that support their healthy development. In Sept. 2020, the Council adopted Resolution 19-590 which appropriated $550,000 in grant funding to administer the initiative to the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families. This amendment allows for a grant award of up to $15,000 to be made to youth sports organizations for services offered in calendar year 2021. The Council originally approved the special appropriation with the understanding that services supported by federal CARES Act funding needed to be delivered before Dec. 31, 2020. Since the approval, the period for using CARES Act funding was extended through 2021. This amendment also allows the Collaboration Council to more fully expend the funding targeted for youth sports services.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Supplemental Appropriation to Montgomery County Public Schools’ FY21 Capital Budget - $5,000,000 for Relocatable Classrooms

On March 11, 2021, the Council received a recommendation from the County Executive to approve an FY21 supplemental request from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) for $5 million for the lease, purchase, movement, and rehabilitation of relocatable classrooms needed for the 2021-22 school year. A public hearing and action are scheduled for March 23 at 1:30 p.m.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Bill 37-19, Economic Development Fund - Use of Fund and Remedies for Noncompliance

The Council is scheduled to vote on Bill 37-19 which would require recipients of Economic Development Fund assistance to agree to certain terms and conditions regarding the use and repayment of the assistance. Councilmember Evan Glass is the lead sponsor and Councilmembers Riemer and Jawando are cosponsors. Bill 37-19 also would do the following:

• alter eligibility requirements for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grants;
• require the repayment to the County of Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grants in certain circumstances;
• impose remedies related to the provision of false or fraudulent applications and the use of Fund assistance for unauthorized purposes; and
• generally amend the law related to the Economic Development Fund. The goal of this legislation is to increase accountability in the use of grant funds and to expand eligibility for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology transfer Matching Grant

The goal of this legislation is to increase accountability in the use of grant funds and to expand eligibility for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology transfer Matching Grant Program. The Committee recommends enactment with amendments.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

The Council will introduce the following items:

Expedited Bill 12-21, Personnel - Employees’ Retirement System - Retirement Savings Plan - Group Trust - Amendments

Expedited Bill 12-21 will be introduced by Council President Hucker at the request of the County Executive. This bill would amend County retirement plans to conform to recent changes in the Internal Revenue Code. Among other changes, Expedited Bill 12-21 would increase the age for a required minimum distribution of benefits from 70.5 years to 72 years, change the timing for distributions to certain beneficiaries, and permit the suspension of a minimum distribution for 2020 to conform to federal law.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Bill 13-21, Streets and Roads - Permit to Obstruct Public Rights-of-Way and Franchising – Amendments

Bill 13-21 will be introduced by Council President Tom Hucker, at the request of the County Executive. This bill would expand the authority of the Department of Permitting Services to issue permits for right-of-way occupations and clarify the exemption of franchise requirements. A public hearing is scheduled for April 6, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Additions to the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings’ Comprehensive Fee Schedule

Council President Tom Hucker will introduce the proposed amended fee at the request of the Hearing Examiner. The District Council adopted ZTA 20-01 which will become effective on March 15. The ZTA allows for Solar Collection Systems as a conditional use in the Agricultural Reserve (AR) Zone. The proposed amended fee schedule adds an application fee for Solar Collection Systems of $8,200. In consultation with the Planning Department, which receives 25 percent of the fee, the fee proposed is modeled after the existing application fee for “Agricultural Processing”. A public hearing is scheduled for April 6 at 1:30 pm.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

The following public hearings will be held at 1:30 p.m.:

Expedited Bill 8-21, Administration - Department of Technology Services - Renamed

The Council will receive public testimony on Expedited Bill 8-21, which would change the name of the Department of Technology Services to the Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions. The bill was introduced by Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive. A GO Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for a future date.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

#EnterpriseBusinessSolutions is being used for this bill on social media.

Bill 9-21, Streets and Roads - Sidewalk Snow Removal - Amendments

The Council will receive public testimony on Bill 9-21,which would define certain terms relating to sidewalks, establish an exception to the requirements for removal of snow and ice on private property and require removal of snow and ice by the County from certain sidewalks and paths. The bill is sponsored by Councilmember Evan Glass and is cosponsored by Councilmembers Riemer and Katz, Council President Hucker and Councilmember Navarro. A T&E Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for a future date.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

#snowremoval is being used for this bill on social media.

Adoption of the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan 2020-2029

The Council will receive public testimony on the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan 2020 – 2029 at the request of the County Executive. Pursuant to Sections 9-503 and 9-515 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the governing body of each County is required to adopt and submit to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) a ten-year plan dealing with solid waste disposal systems, solid waste acceptance facilities, and the systematic collection and disposal of solid waste. In addition, each County must review its solid waste management plan at least every three years. A T&E Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 22.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Declaration of No Further Need - Disposition of Halpine View Real Property

The Council will receive public testimony on a Declaration of No Further Need for the Halpine View Real Property, which is located along Twinbrook Parkway in Rockville, Maryland. The County Executive has proposed transferring the County-owned property (originally acquired in 1964) totaling 1.99 acres along Twinbrook Parkway in Rockville (known as the “Aspen Hill Extension” and also referred to as the “Halpine View Real Property”) to a private developer, Halpine Park LLC, for the purposes of constructing housing, including affordable housing. A joint Government Operation and Fiscal Policy and Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 25, 2021. A public hearing is scheduled for March 16.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Transfer of Unexpended Project Balance within the FY21 Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY21-26 CIP, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) - $3,182,226 to MCPS Local Unliquidated Surplus

The Council will receive public testimony and consider action on an amendment to the MCPS FY21-26 CIP Current Revitalization/Expansion project and a related transfer within the FY21 Capital Budget to the MCPS Local Unliquidated Surplus Account.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Transfer of Unexpended Project Balance within the FY21 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY21-26 CIP, MCPS - $3,182,226 to Gaithersburg Cluster Elementary School #8

The Council will receive public testimony and consider action on an amendment to the MCPS FY21-26 CIP Gaithersburg Cluster Elementary School #8 project and a related transfer within the FY21 Capital Budget from the MCPS Local Unliquidated Surplus Account. The new school addresses overutilization at the elementary school level in the Gaithersburg Cluster.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Operating Budget, Department of Police, Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, Sheriff’s Office, and the State’s Attorney’s Office - $264,568 for Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention, (GOCCP) Bureau of Justice Assistance, (BJA) Byrne Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Grant Funding (Source of Funds: Federal Aid)

The Council will receive public testimony and consider action on a supplemental appropriation which will fund the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) in the amount of $210,000, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in the amount of $22,948, the Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $12,260, and the State’s Attorney’s Office in the amount of $19,360. The Executive’s memorandum notes that this appropriation is needed because the public safety agencies were awarded funding from the GOCCP Byrne Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Grant program. This appropriation will fund upgrades to the technological capabilities of MCPD, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Sheriff’s Office, and the State’s Attorney’s Office. The source of funds is federal aid.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Capital Budget and amendment to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program, Department of Transportation (DOT) - $472,000 for Intelligent Transit System

The Council will receive public testimony and consider action on this supplemental appropriation to the County’s FY21 Capital Budget and an amendment to the Capital Improvements Program. These funds would acquire software that would process data collected from automatic passenger counters to analyze ridership trends, evaluate routes and implement service decisions to optimize service and reduce expenses. The funds would also acquire software that would enable Ride On drivers to use their County ID to sign in and out of work. Bus operators will be able to view their work assignment, vehicle assignment, dispatch messages and relevant traffic detour information. The source of these funds are state aid. The Council’s public hearing and action are scheduled for March 16, 2021.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) and Transportation and Environment Committee (T&E)
GO: Councilmembers Nancy Navarro (Chair), Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz
T&E: Council President Tom Hucker (Chair) and Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer
3 p.m. (or after the Council meeting concludes)

Resolution to repeal and replace Resolution No. 16-1570 The joint GO and T&E Committee will hold a joint meeting at 3 p.m. to discuss a resolution to repeal and replace Resolution No. 16-1570 with respect to the White Flint Sector Plan Implementation Strategy and Infrastructure Improvement List and related amendments to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program.

The County Executive recommends that the Council amend the current resolution governing the White Flint Special Taxing District and related Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects. The proposed amendments would specify the repayment plan for previously approved funding from the General Fund, allow for the County Executive to propose a tax rate that is commensurate to the rate required to repay any bonds issued, and generally amends the process for funding CIP projects in White Flint.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Release ID: 21-101
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Juan Jovel 240-777-7931