For Immediate Release: Monday, June 28, 2021
Also on June 29: Council to review ZTA 19-07 which would facilitate the deployment of next-generation wireless infrastructure and receive a briefing on Vision Zero activities aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities
The Council will meet virtually on Tuesday, June 29 at 9 a.m., and the meeting will begin with multiple proclamation presentations. The first Council proclamation was initiated by Councilmember Glass to commemorate Pride Month and will be presented by the full Council and the County Executive. The second remembers John McNamara and recognizes National Gun Violence Awareness Month and will be presented by Council President Hucker and Council Vice President Albornoz. The third honors retiring Regional Services Center Directors Catherine Matthews, Reemberto Rodriguez, and Luisa Montero-Diaz and will be presented by Council President Hucker and Councilmembers Navarro, Rice and the County Executive. The fourth proclamation honors former Takoma Park City Manager Suzanne Ludlow for her years of service and will be presented by Council President Hucker. In the afternoon, a fifth proclamation commemorating Cancer Survivorship Month will be presented by Council Vice President Albornoz.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and County Public Health Planning
Update: Sitting as the Board of Health, the Council will receive an update on the County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery and vaccination efforts.
Those expected to provide information include Dr. Travis Gayles, 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. Join the conversation with #COVID-19
Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 19-07, Telecommunications Towers – Limited Use
Review: The Council will review ZTA 19-07, which would facilitate the deployment of next-generation wireless infrastructure. The new wireless antennas on utility and light poles would offer faster speeds, enhanced reliability and greater capacity.
Councilmember Hans Riemer is the lead sponsor of this ZTA, which would allow certain telecommunications towers as a limited or conditional use in certain residential zones; revise the standards for telecommunications towers allowed as a limited or conditional use; revise the conditional use findings required for the replacement of a pre-existing pole; and amend use requirements to address certain telecommunications towers. Council Vice President Albornoz and Councilmember Rice are cosponsors.
Introduction: The Council is expected to introduce Bill 25-21 and a resolution to consolidate previously authorized notes for sale and issuance as a single issue.
Expedited Bill 25-21 increases the County’s general obligation bond authorization by $452,500,000 in certain public facility categories. A public hearing on the expedited bill is tentatively scheduled for July 13.
The subject resolution consolidates the previously approved bond authorizations and increases the total authorization by the amount approved in Expedited Bill 25-21. The resolution allows the consolidated bond authorization to be issued, sold and delivered from time to time as one or more series of bond anticipation notes.
The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive.
Bill 26-21, Taxation - Payments in Lieu of Taxes - Affordable Housing Amendments
Introduction: Lead sponsors Councilmembers Friedson and Riemer will introduce Bill 26-21, Taxation-Payments in Lieu of Taxes-Affordable Housing-Amendments, to help increase affordable housing in Montgomery County. Bill 26-21 would establish a minimum payment in lieu of taxes for a housing development owned or operated by the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) and for any other housing development with at least 25 percent of the dwelling units built under a government regulation or binding agreement limiting the rent charged for at least 15 years. The Bill would also repeal the annual maximum aggregate amount of all payments in lieu of taxes approved under this law.
Introduction: The Council is expected to introduce a resolution authorizing the Chief of the Division of Transit Services for Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to file a grant application to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) requesting $81,215.50 in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) 5310 funds for the purpose of implementing the COVID-19 Vaccination Transportation Program. This program was established to eliminate the transportation barrier to accessing COVID-19 vaccine healthcare services by targeting and providing free, on-demand taxi transportation to vaccine clinics/sites for older adults and adults with disabilities, who are transportation disadvantaged.
Dan Hibbert, chief, Division of Transit Services, MCDOT is expected to attend. The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker at the request of the County Executive.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a supplemental appropriation of $1,746,190 to the FY21 Operating Budget for Montgomery County Government to fund expenditures associated with FY21 bargaining agreements reached between the County Executive and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFRA). The County Executive’s Office is actively working to maximize federal support for these expenditures.
The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker at the request of the County Executive.
Housing and Metrorail Stations Act - WMATA PILOT - Executive Regulation 6-21
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Executive Regulation 6-21 which would implement Bill 29-20, Taxation – Payments in Lieu of Taxes – WMATA Property – Established. The bill requires the Executive to negotiate a Payment in Lieu of Taxes for a qualifying development on property leased from WMATA at a Metrorail Station in the County.
Councilmembers Riemer and Friedson are the lead sponsors of Bill 29-20, which is also known as the More Housing at Metrorail Stations Act. The goal of the law is to significantly increase the viability of building new housing on Metro station property to increase the County’s housing supply and help spur economic growth.
Declaration of No Further Need - Disposition of 5830 and 5834 Riggs Road, Gaithersburg
Introduction: The Council is expected to introduce a declaration of no further need to dispose of County-owned properties located at 5830 and 5834 Riggs Road in Gaithersburg. Each parcel contains one single-family home.
The disposition is in the form of a long-term lease to the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) which has currently leased both sites since September 2019 and operates an office and homeless shelter. MCCH now seeks to continue its current operations through a long-term lease with an initial term of five years which would be renewable for an additional five years.
Expedited Bill 22-21 - Itinerant food service facilities - Operating time
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on Expedited Bill 22-21 which would amend the Montgomery County Code to conform with Maryland law by allowing itinerant food service facilities to operate for up to 30 days.
Currently, the County Code defines an itinerant food service facility as one that operates for a temporary period at a fixed location, not exceeding 14 days. State law allows a period of not more than 30 consecutive days. The lead sponsor of Bill 22-21 is Councilmember Katz.
Public hearing and vote: The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on Bill 23-21, which would allow for a full upgrade of the existing recycling center complex. This project will update the existing Material Recycling Center (MRF) with state-of-the-art equipment to increase commingled processing capacity to between 200 and 240 tons per day.
This bill is sponsored by Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on a supplemental appropriation of $91,950,000 to the FY21 Operating Budget for Montgomery County Government, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Non-Departmental Account. This appropriation does not increase spending in the County but allows the County to offset a portion of its pandemic-related revenue losses as allowed by ARPA.
Montgomery County is eligible to receive $204 million in ARPA funds, split into two equal tranches. The County received the first tranche of $102 million on June 1, 2021. ARPA allows the funds to be used for the provision of government services to the extent of the reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 public health emergency relative to revenue collected in the most recent full fiscal year prior to the emergency. The County’s Revenue Loss Factor for calendar year 2020 is approximately $189 million.
The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on a $1,815,267 special appropriation for Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) FY21 Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program for the technology modernization project. This E-Rate reimbursement funding will be used to contribute to the Maintenance of Effort goal to provide connectivity to students and families. To date, MCPS has distributed more than 10,000 internet hotspots to families. E-Rate reimbursements will be used to offset some of the costs incurred and will be used to support evolving needs because of the pandemic.
Resolution to Grant a Franchise to New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC to Use Public Right-of-Way
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on a resolution to grant a franchise agreement to New Cingular Wireless PSC, LLC (Cingular), whose manager is AT&T Mobility Corporation, to construct and maintain telecommunications facilities in the public right-of-way.
The proposed franchise agreement is for a 15-year term and the franchise requires New Cingular Wireless to pay the safe harbor annual right-of-way fee permitted by the FCC of $270 per facility. It also reserves the County’s authority to adjust the fee at any time based on a study of the County’s actual costs, or if applicable law permit, to charge a fee that is not cost-based.
The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on a supplemental appropriation to the FY21 Operating Budget of the Department of Finance in the amount of $500,000 for the Economic Development Fund.
This appropriation would provide a financial incentive in the form of a conditional grant to Fox Television Stations, LLC, to facilitate its relocation from the District of Columbia to 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. The relocation will bring 178 jobs to Montgomery County and a capital investment of $32.5 million.
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on a $81,622 FY21 supplemental and FY21-26 CIP amendment for the facility planning storm drains project at the River Falls neighborhood storm drain system. The study will be funded with federal aid via a grant received from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The study will identify potential solutions to address current flood hazards as well as future hazards exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Potential solutions will include green infrastructure practices that would promote infiltration, reduce runoff and provide water quality benefits. This work may potentially be used as a model for the County of how to address flood hazards while also achieving water quality and climate resilience benefits.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Brady Goldsmith, chief of management services, Department of Transportation and Veronica Jaua, fiscal and policy analyst, Office of Management and Budget.
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on a $1,473,388 Special Appropriation to the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, COVID-19 Human Services and Community Assistance Non-Departmental Account (NDA) for Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar.
The Latino community continues to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 both in terms of the health and ongoing economic impacts. This seminal program was spearheaded by Councilmember Navarro and Vice President Albornoz to provide a strategic, culturally competent and community focused approach to public health to contain the spread of COVID-19 in areas of the County hardest hit by the virus.
Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar is working to increase vaccinations and offer education about the vaccine to address misconceptions and answer questions. From May 19 to June 1, 2021, Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar administered 1,341 first doses of vaccine and 1,709 second doses. A total of 1,025 COVID-19 tests were administered at 36 events during this same period. During the same reporting period, the information/help line responded to 443 calls from County residents with 90 percent of callers being primarily Spanish-speakers.
The Executive branch will seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for all pandemic-related expenses including, but not limited to, testing, tracing and vaccinations.
The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote on a $1,783,000 Special Appropriation to the Montgomery County Food Security Fund’s Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget for the COVID-19 Human Services and Community Assistance Non-Departmental Account for COVID-19 Response. The Council has appropriated approximately $23 million since June 2020 for direct food security efforts led by the Food Security Task Force (FSTF).
The Executive branch and the FSTF are developing a post-pandemic transition plan to identify service levels and resource needs for FY22 and beyond. The Executive branch also intends to seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for all pandemic-related food assistance purchases.
The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote: The Council is expected to hold a public hearing and vote a $693,526 Supplemental Appropriation to the FY21 Operating Budget of MCDOT. The Montgomery County Division of Transit Services has been awarded, through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, a $554,821 Federal Transit Administration Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program Grant. The grant will be matched with $138,705 from the Transportation Services Improvement Fund.
The Enhanced Mobility grant provides funds to expand the Division of Transit Services' travel training program. This increase is needed to expand transit travel training for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The grant will fund the purchase of a travel training bus and targeted outreach to seniors and individuals with disabilities to encourage participation in travel training activities.
The travel training program aligns with the County's goal of becoming an age-friendly community that is accessible to all and will directly benefit seniors and individuals with disabilities and lead to the increased use of public transportation.
Briefing: The Council will receive a briefing on Vision Zero which is an effort to reduce the number of traffic-related fatalities in Montgomery County to zero. Vision Zero activities include targeted enforcement of aggressive and distracted driving, educational campaigns to increase driver awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists and working on roadway design to enhance safety.
This comprehensive update, the first since January 28, 2020, was requested by Councilmember Glass. The presentation is expected to include Vision Zero statistics, an overview of recent activities, a review of the Draft 2030 Vision Zero Action Plan and FY22-23 Work Program, an exploration into the Safe Routes to Schools (SRS) Program and a discussion of MCDOT’s work to address concerns raised by the Commission on People with Disabilities about bus stop access when crossing a bike lane.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Wade Holland, Vision Zero coordinator; Erica Rigby, District 3 engineer, State Highway Administration (SHA); Derek Gunn, acting deputy District 3 engineer, SHA; Matt Baker, SHA District 3; Joe Moges, SHA District 3; Hannah Henn, deputy director, Department of Transportation (DOT); Michael Paylor, chief, Division of Traffic Engineering and Operations (DTEO)/DOT; John Hoobler, DTEO/DOT; Duwan Morris, DTEO/DOT; Capt. Jim Brown, director, Traffic Division, Department of Police; Lt. Michael Ruane, traffic division, Department of Police; Todd Watkins, Montgomery County Public Schools; Casey Anderson, chair, Planning Board; Jesse Cohn McGowan, Planning Department; Kristy Daphnis, chair, Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
Expedited Bill 24-21, Bond Authorization – Stormwater management
Introduction: The Council is expected to introduce Expedited Bill 24-21 which would implement the appropriations included in the FY22 Capital Improvements Program for certain stormwater management projects secured by the Water Quality Protection Charge. Expedited Bill 24-21 authorizes the County to issue up to $34.0 million in special limited obligation bonds. A public hearing on the expedited bill is tentatively scheduled for July 13.
The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Expedited Bill 12-21 which would amend the County retirement plans to conform to recent changes in the Internal Revenue Code.
The bill would increase the age for a required minimum distribution of benefits to 72, change the timing for distributions to certain beneficiaries and permit the suspension of a required minimum distribution for 2020 to conform to federal law.
The bill would also clarify the process for sending unclaimed distributions to the State of Maryland and authorize the Board of Investment Trustees to provide for a new investment option for defined benefit contributions that would be based on the investment returns for the defined benefit trust fund returns.
Linda Herman, executive director, County Retirement Plans is expected to attend. This bill was introduced by Council President Hucker at the request of the County Executive.
Expedited Bill 27-21, Wheaton Regional Headquarters – Leases - Approval
Introduction: Council President Hucker, at the request of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) will introduce Expedited Bill 27-21 which would approve a lease between M-NCPPC and the County for space totaling 177,032 square feet in the recently-construction Wheaton Regional Headquarters at 2425 Reedie Drive in Wheaton. The leased premises at the Wheaton Regional Headquarters will be used by various County departments. The Montgomery County Planning Board approved the lease by consent at its Feb. 25 meeting. The initial term of the lease is 40 years, with renewal terms of 10 years up to a total of 99 years. The rent is one dollar per year and a pro rata share of certain operating expenses.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Expedited Bill 13-21 which would expand the authority of DPS to approve permits for private property owners who need to install non-commercial structures that are accessory to a residential use, such as an electric vehicle charging device, private storm drain pipes with access to the public sewer system, roof drains and other non-standard facilities in the County’s rights-of-way.
The permittee would be required to execute a maintenance and liability agreement to hold the County harmless for any risk, danger, injury or damages to private property or of another party. A permittee would be exempt from the current requirement to obtain a franchise approval through the Council.
This bill was introduced by Council President Tom Hucker, at the request of the County Executive.
Expedited Bill 50-20, Landlord-Tenant Relations - Fire Safety - Removal of Mercury Service Regulator
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on 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.
Thrive Montgomery 2050 Planning Board Draft
Public hearing at 7 p.m.: The Council will hold its second public hearing on the Planning Board’s Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan, which is a framework to guide planning for land use, housing, the economy, equity, transportation, parks and open space, the environment, historic resources, urban design and arts and culture over the next three decades.
The recommendations will provide guidance for future master plans, county and state capital improvement processes and other public and private initiatives that influence land use and planning in the county.
The Council 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: 21-270