Press Releases

Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee and Transportation and Environment Committee hold virtual meetings on April 23

For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 22, 2021

The Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet on Friday, April 23 at 10:30 a.m. to review FY22 Operating Budgets, CIP Amendments and Supplemental Appropriations for affordable housing initiatives and the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA).

The Transportation & Environment (T&E) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to review FY22 Operating Budgets and FY21-26 CIP Amendments for Recycling and Resource Management, Climate Change Planning and the Department of Environment (DEP).

The members of the Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.

The members of the Transportation & Environment (T&E) Committee include Chair and Council President Tom Hucker and Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer.

Housing Initiative Fund (HIF) FY22 Operating Budget, FY21 Designated Reserve for Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund FY21 Supplemental and CIP Amendment and FY22 Approriation, Facility Planning: HCD and Façade Improvements FY22 CIP Amendments and Department of Housing and Community Affairs FY22 Operating Budget

Review: The PHED Committee will continue to review the following FY22 Operating Budget, CIP Amendments and Supplemental Appropriations:

• Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund: The Committee will review the County Executive’s Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund as a part of the original FY21-26 CIP. The fund would be primarily used for short-term financing of up to 36 months with a focus on the purchase and preservation of affordable housing.

The funds would be reserved for projects in partnership with the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The Executive has recommended a FY21 Supplemental Appropriation and FY22 funding.

• Facility Planning: HCD and Façade Improvements: The County Executive recommendation shifts $220,000 in funds for the Countywide Façade Easement Program from FY22 to later years to reflect project delays due to COVID-19. The total $2.906 million in funding for the project remains the same. The project would revitalize commercial areas in the Glenmont and Layhill Shopping Centers, Montgomery Village, Hillandale and the Wheaton Central Business District.

The County Executive also recommends reducing Housing and Community Development (HCD) facility planning studies by $75,000 in FY22.

• Department of Housing and Community Affairs FY22 Operating Budget: The County Executive’s $18.6 million recommended FY22 Operating Budget for the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) is a 1.3 percent change from the FY21 Approved Budget.

Those expected to attend and provide information include: Aseem Nigam, director, Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA); Frank Demarais, deputy director, DHCA; Stephanie Killian, Chief of Housing Division, DHCA; and Pofen Salem, Office of Management and Budget.

FY21-26 CIP Amendment: Recycling and Resource Management

Review: The T&E Committee will review the $20.35 million FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program to update the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) with new equipment. The facility was designed to process 80 tons of commingled materials per day.

The upgrades will substantially increase its processing capacity and is expected to save $1.2 million annually by eliminating the need to send material to out of state facilities.

Those expected to attend and provide information include: Adam Ortiz, director, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Patty Bubar, deputy director, DEP; Willie Wainer, chief, Division of Resource and Recovery Management, DEP; and Rich Harris, fiscal and policy analyst, Office of Management and Budget.

Department of Environmental Protection - Recycling and Resource Management

Review: The Committee will also review the County Executive’s $134 million FY22 Recommended Budget for the Recycling and Resource Management Division (RRM) and FY22 Solid Waste Charges. The recommendation is a two percent increase over the FY21 Approved Budget. The RRM budget is divided into two enterprise funds: collection and disposal that are not tax-supported funds.

The bulk of the costs in the collection fund are for residential refuse collection. Contract cost fluctuations are driving a significant portion of the increase in the disposal fund. Solid waste charges are also proposed to increase for single-family and multi-family homes depending on the service provided.

Those expected to attend and provide information include: Adam Ortiz, director, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Patty Bubar, deputy director, DEP; Willie Wainer, chief, Division of Resource and Recovery Management, DEP; and Rich Harris, fiscal and policy analyst, Office of Management and Budget.

Climate Change Planning NDA

Review: The Committee will review the County Executive’s recommended $650,200 FY22 Climate Change Planning NDA to provide funding for the prioritization of greenhouse gas reduction strategies and the development of an implementation plan to meet the County’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Those expected to attend and provide information include: Adriana Hochberg, assistant chief administrative officer and director of County climate policy; Adam Ortiz, director, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Patty Bubar, deputy director, DEP; Stan Edwards, chief, Division of Energy, Climate, & Compliance, DEP; and Rich Harris, fiscal and policy analyst, Office of Management and Budget.

Operating Budget Consent Items

Department of Environmental Protection General Fund and Water Quality Protection Fund

The T&E Committee will review the County Executive’s $32.9 million FY22 Recommended Budget for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) General Fund and Water Quality Protection Fund.

The mission of DEP is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County’s air, water and land in a sustainable way while fostering smart growth, a thriving economy and healthy communities.

The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review 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, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.

Release ID: 21-174
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Benjamin Sky Brandt 240-777-7884