Also on May 19: Council vote on Montgomery County Planning Board appointment |
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The Council will meet on Thursday, May 19 at 9 a.m. to take straw votes on the operating and capital budgets and reconcile the Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The meeting will also include two proclamations. The first will be presented by Councilmember Jawando to recognize the retirement of Kim Jones, the executive director of the the Nonprofit Village. The second will be presented at 1 p.m. by Council President Albornoz and County Executive Elrich to recognize Older Americans Month. More detail on each agenda item is provided below. |
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Montgomery County Planning Board Appointment Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to appoint Montgomery County Planning Board candidate Carol Rubin, who was previously appointed to the Planning Board in Oct. 2021 for a partial term which is scheduled to end on June 14, 2022. On Feb. 25, 2022, the Council advertised the vacancy for a full-term which ends June 2026. Ms. Rubin re-applied for the full-term vacancy. Staff from the Office of the County Attorney conducted Ms. Rubin’s financial disclosure interviews and determined that there are no conflicts. The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. Planning Board members also serve as commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed. In addition to Ms. Rubin (Democrat), current Board members are Chair Casey Anderson (Democrat), Gerald Cichy (Republican), Tina Patterson (Unaffiliated) and Partap Verma (Democrat). Resolution to approve FY23 Transportation Fees, Charges and Fares Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to set FY23 transportation fees, charges and fares. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (DOT) conducted a Fare Equity Study for Ride On. Based on information from this study, the County Executive is recommending reintroducing the basic Ride On fare at $1, which is half the pre-pandemic fare. Express routes that charged $4.25 before the fare holiday would also have their fares reduced to one dollar. The monthly pass charge would be reduced from $45 to $22.50. If approved, the new fare structure would go into effect in July 2022, when the fare holiday is set to expire. The Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee recommends approval. The Council staff report will be available on May 19. Resolution to establish FY23 Solid Waste Service Charges Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to approve FY23 solid waste charges. The County Executive’s recommended charges vary depending on the services provided. For single-family residential property owners, the charges will increase between 12.8 and 20.2 percent. Multi-family property owners will see increases ranging from two to 3.1 percent. Non-residential customers will see increases of 3.1 percent. Tipping fees charged at the Shady Grove Transfer Station are recommended to remain unchanged from FY22 levels. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive. The T&E Committee recommends approval. Resolution to establish FY23 Water Quality Protection Charge Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to approve the FY23 Water Quality Protection Charge equivalent residential unit (ERU) rate for FY23. The County Executive recommends an ERU rate of $119.50, which is an increase of $6 or 5.3 percent from the FY22 approved rate of $113.50. This proposed resolution is consistent with the County Executive’s FY23 Recommended Operating Budget. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive. The T&E Committee recommends approval. Resolution to approve the FY23 WSSC System Development Charge Introduce, suspension of rules and vote expected: The Council is expected to introduce, suspend the rules of procedure and vote to approve the FY23 System Development Charge (SDC). The SDC is paid by new development to cover the impact it has on WSSC Water infrastructure. Each year, both Montgomery and Prince George's Counties must approve an annual SDC and the maximum allowable charge. The T&E Committee recommended approval. Resolution to approve Executive Regulation 6-22, Systems Benefit Charges - Residential Waste Estimates Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on Executive Regulation 6-22 which established the estimated amount of solid waste generated per dwelling unit, considering the size of each single-family and each multi-family unit in a building. Estimates of per household solid waste generation are necessary to calculate the single-family residential and multi-family residential base and incremental system benefit charges. The systems benefit charges assumed in the FY23 Recommended Budget for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Recycling and Resource Management Division (RRMD) in the Council’s preliminary approval of the FY23 Recycling and Resource Management on May 12 are based on an estimated annual generation of 1.8690 tons of solid waste per single-family residence and 0.8684 tons of solid waste per multi-family residence. Resolution to approve FY23 Annual Transportation Plan Grant Application Request for Operating and Capital Funding Assistance Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to approve the FY23 annual Transportation Plan grant application. On an annual basis, DOT submits the Annual Transportation Plan grant application to the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to fund Section 5307 Capital and Operating Assistance, Section 5309 (federal) Capital Assistance, Section 5311 Operating Assistance (rural routes 76 and 90), Statewide Special Transportation Assistance Program (Call-n-Ride Program) and Large Urban Operating Assistance Program. |
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FY23 Operating Budget and FY23-28 CIP |
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Community Grants NDA Review: The Council will review the Community Grants Non-departmental Account (NDA), which provides one-time grants directly to organizations in the community. The FY23 total recommended budget for this NDA is more than $10.3 million, which is an increase of $644,498 from the FY22 approved budget. Community organizations are critical to an effective network of services and are often able to provide these services in a more cost-effective, culturally appropriate and flexible way than County Government. They are also able to leverage community resources that may be unavailable to the County Government. Montgomery County Green Bank NDA Review: The Council will review the FY23 Operating Budget for the Montgomery County Green Bank NDA. The recommended FY23 budget for this NDA is more than $18.6 million. This NDA was created in FY23 after the Council adopted Bill 44-21, which created an annual funding mechanism for the Montgomery County Green Bank. The Green Bank was designated by the Council to leverage public and private investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the County. The joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) and T&E Committee reviewed this NDA at a meeting held on May 5 and recommends approval of this budget. Operating Budget and Capital Budget Wrap-Up and Reconciliation Review: The Council is expected to reach a preliminary agreement on the County’s $6.3 billion FY23 Operating Budget, the FY23 Capital Budget and the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program. The Council staff reports with additional details will be available on Tuesday, May 19. |
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Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association, International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1664 - $26,965 for FY22 General Wage Adjustment Introduction: The Council will introduce a $26,965 supplemental appropriation, which would fund the FY22 collective bargaining agreement with the Montgomery County Career Firefighters Association IAFF Local 1664. The agreement included a provision that if the consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area for the 12-month period ending March 2022 exceeded 1.5 percent, then a supplemental appropriation would be transmitted to increase the general wage adjustment from 1.5 percent up to a maximum of 2.25 percent, effective the pay period beginning June 19, 2022. As of March 2022, the CPI-U for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area was 7.3 percent. A public hearing and vote are tentatively scheduled for June 14, 2022. Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Capital Budget, and Amendment to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service - $534,000 for Heart Monitor/Defibrillator Replacement Introduction: The Council will introduce a $534,000 supplemental appropriation, which would fund the replacement of 81 aging heart monitors and defibrillators that are approaching the end of their useful life assigned to Montgomery County fire and rescue units and training facilities. The recommended amendment leverages significant non-County sources of funds provided through the Emergency Service Transporter Supplemental Payment Program. A public hearing and vote are tentatively scheduled for June 14, 2022. Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Public Schools, $1,452,023 for School Safety Grant Program Introduction: The Council will introduce a more than $1.4 million supplemental appropriation for the School Safety Supplemental Grant. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will utilize the funds to purchase automated external defibrillators, closed circuit video systems for elementary schools, two-way radios and equipment to assist deaf and hard of hearing students during an emergency. The supplemental appropriation is needed to improve the safety and emergency preparedness of students at the County’s public schools. The Board of Education requested the appropriation on April 6, and the County Executive recommended the appropriation on May 11. A public hearing and vote are tentatively scheduled for June 14, 2022. Resolution to Amend Council Resolution No. 19-1233 and Amendment to FY22 Operating Budget Resolution 19-872, Section G, FY22 Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Award Status - Minority, Female, and Disabled Owned Support Programs Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to amend Council Resolution No. 19-1233, which was adopted on May 3, 2022, by the Council to fund a set of initiatives to support minority, female and disabled-owned businesses in the County. This resolution will amend the resolution to accurately reflect the incorporated name of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce as the Black Chamber of Commerce of Maryland. In addition, the Black Chamber of Commerce of Maryland will implement the $173,000 for leadership and stakeholder engagement, community engagement forums, Black business training and technical assistance, a community online information portal and a community engagement assessment and environmental scan. Amendment to the FY21-26 CIP and Supplemental Appropriation #22-72 to the FY22 Capital Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Environmental Protection - $1,300,000 for Flood Control Study (No. 802202) Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a $1.3 million amendment to the FY21-26 CIP and supplemental appropriation for the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to fund a new flood control study project. This study will provide for the development of a comprehensive flood management strategy and watershed by watershed plans to build resiliency and improve public safety. The study is needed because flooding in the County is expected to increase in the future due to the effects of climate change. The Council staff report will be available on May 19. Amendment to the FY21-26 CIP and Supplemental Appropriation #22-74 to the FY22 Capital Budget, Montgomery County Government Department of Housing and Community Affairs - $40,000,000 for Preservation of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Fund (No. 762201) Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a $40 million amendment to the FY21-26 CIP and supplemental appropriation for the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) to establish a new fund in the CIP to support acquisitions and preservation of current naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH). This project provides funding to preserve current NOAHs in areas at risk of rent escalation to higher market rents, including the Purple Line Corridor and other County transit corridors. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive. |
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Unless otherwise indicated, the Council will hold public hearings beginning at 1:30 p.m. Residents continue to have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville for many public hearings. Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, Department of Recreation, Youth Development - $250,000 for After School Youth Support and Engagement Hubs; and Amendment to FY22 Operating Budget Resolution 19-872 Section G, FY22 Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Contract Award Status: Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families Public hearing and vote: The Council will hold a public hearing, and is expected to vote, on a $250,000 special appropriation to the FY22 operating budget for after school youth support and engagement hubs and an amendment to an FY22 operating budget resolution for the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families. The lead sponsor is the joint Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) and Education & Culture (E&C) Committee. Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, Office of Community Use of Public Facilities, Facility Fee Assistance Program - $125,000 for Youth Out-of-School Time Initiative Public hearing and vote: The Council will hold a public hearing, and is expected to vote, on a $125,000 special appropriation to the FY22 operating budget for a youth out-of-school time (OST) initiative. This special appropriation will provide funds for the Office of Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) Facility Fee Assistance Program, which supports OST services that primarily serve low-income youth. The lead sponsor is the joint PHED and E&C Committee. Youth from low-income families face significant challenges as a result of the economic impacts from the pandemic and social isolation arising from the need to prevent the spread of the virus. Distance learning in public schools and limited opportunities to congregate safely with peers due to COVID-19 prevention measures have increased feelings of alienation and isolation among young people and impacted engagement of students in school. Because of the need for structured, positive OST activities and youth sports activities by vulnerable County youth, the Council appropriated $500,000 in federal grant funding to the CUPF to be disseminated through a Facility Fee Assistance Program to reduce fees for field and building use for youth sports and OST programs that primarily serve low-income youth and are free to participants or charge a nominal fee. This funding supported access to public facilities for youth activities that increased the level of OST services in targeted communities. This funding lapsed on Dec. 31, 2021, and CUPF representatives indicated that an additional $125,000 would be needed to provide a consistent level of public facility access for youth activities through the remainder of FY22. Special Appropriation #22-86 to the Fiscal Year 2022 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Health and Human Services, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development – Emergency Rental Assistance Program, $8,800,000 Public hearing and vote: The Council will hold a public hearing, and is expected to vote, on an $8.8 million special appropriation for the County’s emergency rental assistance program, which continues the County’s ability to implement the federal emergency rental assistance program and provide rental and utility assistance to households facing economic hardship as a result of the pandemic. Previously, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was awarded more than $28 million from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s emergency rental assistance program and the state has now awarded an additional $8.8 million for this purpose. Special Appropriation #22-85 to the Fiscal Year 2022 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Health and Human Services, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development – Emergency Rental Assistance Program, $6,488,000 (Source of Funds: State Grant) Public hearing and vote: The Council will hold a public hearing, and is expected to vote, on a $6.4 million special appropriation for the emergency rental assistance program. DHHS was awarded this funding as a sub-grantee from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to reduce the negative impact of COVID-19 by providing rental and utility assistance to households facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, WorkSource Montgomery Non-Departmental Account, $3,000,000 for COVID-19 Workforce Support Programs; and Amendment to the FY22 Operating Budget Resolution 19-872, Section G, FY22 Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Contract Award Status: WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. Public hearing and vote: The Council will hold a public hearing, and is expected to vote, on a $3 million special appropriation for COVID-19 workforce support programs, which would provide funding for WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. to implement recovery programs for the County’s businesses and residents. The Council reviewed proposed funding options for the remaining $27.5 million in unallocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding on April 19, 2022. WorkSource Montgomery previously received ARPA funding allocated to the state of Maryland and is currently implementing recovery programs. This appropriation will augment these programs in FY22 and beyond. Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, Office of the County Executive, $4,690,000 for COVID-19 Business Rental Assistance and Hotel Relief Programs; and Amendment to FY22 Operating Budget Resolution 19-872, Section G, FY22 Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Contract Award Status: Latino Economic Development Corporation of Washington, D.C. Public hearing and vote: The Council will hold a public hearing, and is expected to vote, on a $4.69 million special appropriation for COVID-19 business rental assistance and hotel relief programs. Two million dollars would be allocated to the small business rental assistance program to provide funding for previously awarded but unfunded businesses and for new businesses to apply and receive a grant. This program will use the criteria approved in Council Resolution No. 19-782 and be administered by the Latino Economic Development Center. An additional $2.69 million would be allocated to the hotel relief program to provide new funding for accommodation providers. This program will use the criteria approved in Council Resolution No. 19-718. Updates from County Government - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and 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. The Council staff report will be available by Tuesday, May 19. |
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Resolution to extend time for Council Action on the Thrive Montgomery 2050 Plan from May 19, 2022, to July 18, 2022 Vote expected on resolution to extend time only: The Council is expected to vote on a resolution to extend time for the Council to review and act on the Thrive Montgomery 2050 Plan from May 19 to July 18, 2022. The Thrive Montgomery 2050 Plan contains the text and supporting maps for a comprehensive amendment to current the General Plan for the County. It sets a vision for the county and encompasses broad, county-wide policy recommendations for land use, zoning, housing, the economy, equity, transportation, parks and open space, the environment and historic resources. The Thrive Montgomery 2050 Planning Board Draft was transmitted to the Council on April 13, 2021. Two public hearings were held on June 17 and June 29, 2021. Then, the PHED Committee held nine meetings to review the draft plan. The Committee completed its review on Oct. 25, incorporating its recommended changes into a PHED Committee Draft Plan. The PHED Committee’s draft will be the basis for Council review and discussion. Before beginning its work, the Council held two listening sessions with close to 150 speakers and the five Regional Service Center Advisory Boards hosted discussions about Thrive at their January meetings. The Council will discuss the next steps for the PHED Committee’s Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan including the racial equity and social justice review. The Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) recommends conducting a chapter-by-chapter, in-depth review of the policies and practices recommended using best practices for developing racially and socially equitable policies, as well as a new chapter that describes the historical and current drivers of racial and social inequities in land use, housing and transportation. |
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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 Council returned to in-person meetings on March 15; residents continue to have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville for many public hearings. The Council is recommending that residents, who choose to attend in-person Council meetings, get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. If this is not possible, virtual participation is encouraged. Council and committee meetings are 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. | | | | | |
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