Press Releases

Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee and joint Health and Human Services and Education and Culture Committee hold virtual meetings on March 24

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 23, 2021

The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 24 at 9:30 a.m. and the joint Health & Human Services/Education & Culture (HHS/E&C) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m.

The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Committee schedule including all Council staff reports can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL

Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee

Committee members: Councilmembers Hans Riemer (Chair), Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando

9:30 a.m.

County’s Federal Engagement Strategy on Economic Development

The PHED Committee will receive a briefing from Biohealth Innovation (BHI) and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) about each organization’s strategy to engage federal laboratories to promote economic development in the County and Maryland. Those expected to provide information include Rich Bendis, BHI, Brian Darmody, Association of University Research Parks, Ben Wu, MCEDC, Brad Steward, MCEDC, Christy Blake, MCEDC, and Phil Singerman, MCEDC.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Special Appropriation - $1,500,000 for Support for COVID-19 Response - Small Business Rental Assistance

The Committee will review and make a recommendation on the special appropriation introduced by Councilmember Jawando to assist small businesses impacted by the pandemic by providing grants to assist with back rent or current rent payments. Those expected to provide information include Jerome Fletcher, Office of the County Executive, Taggart Hutchinson, Office of the County Attorney, Marla Bilonick, executive director, Latino Economic Development Center.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

Joint Health & Human Services (HHS) Committee and Education & Culture (E&C) Committee

HHS Committee members: Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz (Chair) and Councilmembers Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness & Vulnerable Communities) and Craig Rice
E&C Committee members: Councilmembers Craig Rice (Chair), Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro

1:30 p.m.

Strategic planning for school-based mental health and support services

The joint HHS and E&C Committee will receive information from the Department of Health Human Services (DHHS) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) about efforts to provide mental health and support services to schools during the pandemic and discuss criteria and options for future expansion of these services. Those expected to provide information include JoAnn Barnes, Children Youth and Family Services, DHHS; Rolando Santiago, Behavioral Health and Crisis Services, DHHS: Monica Martin, Child and Adolescent School and Community-Based Services, DHHS; Kirsten Anderson, Linkages to Learning, DHHS; Ruschelle Reuben, Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement, MCPS; and Karen Stratman, MCPS.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

HHS CIP Amendment Review

The joint Committee will review a proposed amendment to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for the School-Based Health and Linkages to Learning Centers project in the capital budget of DHHS. Those expected to provide information include JoAnn Barnes, DHHS; Lindsay Lucas, Office of Management and Budget; Greg Ossont, Department of General Services; and Seth Adams, MCPS.

The Council staff report can be viewed here.

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, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.

Release ID: 21-121
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Juan Jovel 240-777-7931