Press Releases

Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee and Education and Culture Committee hold virtual meetings on June 21

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 18, 2021

The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet on Monday, June 21 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss replacing mercury service regulators to improve fire safety in buildings, broadcasting Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) meetings, and Montgomery County's minority business engagement strategies.

The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.

The Education and Culture (E&C) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to discuss COVID-19 relief funding for both Montgomery College and MCPS' two-and-a-half-year plan as well as operations for the summer and fall.

The members of the E&C Committee include Chair Craig Rice and Councilmembers Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro.

Expedited Bill 50-20, Landlord-Tenant Relations – Fire Safety - Removal of Mercury Service Regulators

Review: The PHED Committee will review Expedited Bill 50-20, which would require landlords to schedule the immediate replacement of indoor mercury service regulators and provide certain notices to tenants.

The purpose of the legislation is to facilitate the replacement of indoor mercury service regulators with safer, more modern regulators. Indoor mercury service regulators have contributed to fatal building fires. Replacement these regulators would improve fire safety and reduce mercury in the environment.

The lead sponsor of the bill is Council President Hucker. Councilmember Riemer, Council Vice President Albornoz, Councilmembers Navarro, Katz, Rice and Jawando are cosponsors.

Those expected to attend and provide information include Aseem Nigam, director, Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA); Dan McHugh, manager III, DHCA; Christopher Anderson, division chief, DHCA and Lisa Brennan, associate county attorney, Office of the County Attorney.

Bill 11-21, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation – Bylaws – Live Video Streaming of Open Meetings

Review: The PHED Committee will also review Bill 11-21, which would require MCEDC to adopt bylaws requiring the live streaming of certain meetings and archiving certain videos.

The purpose of the bill is to increase the public transparency and accessibility of MCEDC meetings. Under this bill, MCEDC would remain subject to the State’s Open Meetings Act (OMA). However, in addition to following the OMA, MCEDC generally would be required to broadcast its meetings through live streaming and archive the meeting videos in a manner that is accessible to the public.

The lead sponsor of the bill is Councilmember Glass. Council President Hucker, Vice President Albornoz, Councilmembers Jawando, Katz, Navarro and Rice are cosponsors.

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) – Minority Business Engagement Strategy

Discussion: The PHED Committee will also discuss Montgomery County's minority business engagement strategy with MCEDC representatives and other partners. Given the County’s focus on racial equity and social justice, the committee requested this briefing to better understand how MCEDC is engaging with the County’s minority business community.

MCEDC supports Montgomery County industry growth and diversification, fosters entrepreneurial activity and new business formation and responds to the needs of targeted and emerging County industries.

Those expected to attend and provide information include Jerome Fletcher, assistant chief administrative officer, Office of the County Executive; Ben Wu, CEO, MCEDC; Bill Tompkins, executive vice president and COO, MCEDC; Brad Steward, senior vice president of business development, MCEDC; Daniel Parra, director of business diversity and inclusion, MCEDC; Cherri Branson, vice president, Montgomery County NAACP; and Eric Bailey, chair, Coalition for Equitable Representation in Government 2.0 (CERG 2.0).

Montgomery College COVID-19 Relief Funding Update

Discussion: The E&C Committee will receive a briefing on the utilization of COVID-19 relief funding for Montgomery College. At this time, Montgomery College is expected to distribute a total of $44,796,371 in direct student aid and utilize $33,858,680 in institutional costs needed to adapt to the pandemic.

Those expected to attend and provide information include Montgomery College representatives Susan Madden, chief government relations officer; Dr. Sanjay Rai, senior vice president for academic affairs; Liz Greaney, chief of the business and financial strategy office; David Sears, senior vice president for advancement and community engagement; and Rose Garvin Aquilino, associate senior vice president for advancement and community engagement.

Montgomery County Public Schools’ 2.5-Year Plan and Summer/Fall Operations Update

Discussion: The E&C Committee will also receive a briefing on MCPS' new two-and-a-half-year plan. The plan and discussion will focus on mitigating learning disruptions across schools, poverty impacted schools, digital learning and well-being support. The plan serves as the foundation for the FY22 budget and MCPS' goals for the upcoming and future school years and programming. MCPS will also discuss their summer programming and fall operations status.

Those expected to attend and provide information from MCPS include Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, acting superintendent of schools; Linda E. Ferrell, acting chief of staff; Derek E. Turner, chief of engagement, innovation, and technology; James N. D’Andrea, incoming chief of staff; Dr. Helen A. Nixon, associate superintendent of human resources and development; Niki Hazel, associate superintendent of curriculum and instructional programs; Ruschelle Reuben, associate superintendent of student and family support and engagement; Thomas P. Klausing, executive director, Office of Finance; and Ivon Alfonso-Windsor, supervisor, Budget Unit, Office of Finance.

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.

The virtual Council and Committee meetings 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: 21-260
Media Contact: Sonya Healy 240-777-7926, Benjamin Sky Brandt 240-777-7884