For Immediate Release: Monday, April 24, 2023
The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, April 25 at 1 p.m. and the meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first proclamation, presented by Councilmember Kate Stewart, commemorates the twentieth anniversary of AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center. The second proclamation presentation, led by Councilmember Will Jawando, Councilmember Gabe Albornoz and County Executive Marc Elrich, recognizes Autism Acceptance Month.
More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
Interview: The Council will interview candidates to serve as the Council’s representative on the Board of Investment Trustees for Employee Retirement Plans and the Board of Trustees for the Consolidated Retiree Health Benefits Trust. The first term of Mr. Barry Kaplan expired in March 2023. The Council advertised the vacancy on February 17 and March 6, 2023.
Compensation and Benefits for All Agencies
Review and straw vote expected: The Council will review, and is expected to take straw votes, on compensation and benefits for all agencies. The proposed FY24 compensation cost increases for County government (both FY23 annualized costs of $41.6 million and FY24 enhancements of $51.6 million) are one of the primary building blocks of the recommended budget. Compensation is the first significant decision point for the Council in the FY24 budget process. The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee met on April 14 and April 19 to review compensation and benefits for all agencies and made recommendations for Council consideration that can be viewed on pages 2-3 of the Council staff report.
Collective Bargaining Agreements
Review and vote expected: The Council will review, and is expected to vote on, the collective bargaining agreements with the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 35 and the Municipal and County Government Employees Organization (MCGEO). The Council will review the GO Committee’s recommendation to adopt resolutions approving collective bargaining agreement provisions for FY24. The resolutions can be viewed in the Council staff report as attachments on circle pages 1, 62 and 76.
The Council will hold the following public hearings at 1:30 p.m. Residents can visit the Council website to learn about the multiple ways to provide testimony.
Expedited Bill 19-23, Department of Police - Pension and DSRP Adjustments
Expedited Bill 20-23, OPT/SLT Bargaining Units - Pension and Retirement Adjustments
Expedited Bill 21-23, Fire and Rescue Services - Credited Service For Group G Members
Bill 12-23, Police - Traffic Stops - Limitations (The STEP Act)
Public hearing: At 7 p.m., the Council will hold a public hearing on Bill 12-23, Police - Traffic Stops - Limitations, which is also known as the Safety and Traffic Equity in Policing Act (STEP) Act. This legislation would prohibit a stop for certain traffic offenses by a police officer; prohibit consent searches of a vehicle by a police officer; require the collection of data and information related to traffic stops; and exclude the limitations on traffic stops from collective bargaining. The lead sponsor is Councilmember Jawando. Councilmember Kristin Mink is a cosponsor.
Each item on the Council’s Consent Calendar can be found on the Council agenda for Tuesday, April 25, which is available on the Council website.
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.
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.
Release ID: 23-147