For Immediate Release: Monday, October 2, 2023
The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. and will begin with three proclamation presentations. The first, presented by Councilmember Sidney Katz and County Executive Marc Elrich will recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The second, presented by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz will recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The third, presented by Councilmember Kate Stewart will recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
At approximately 12 p.m. the Council will host its tenth annual Hispanic Heritage Month commemoration, led by Council Vice President Andrew Friedson, Councilmember Albornoz and Councilmember Natali Fani-González. The theme of this year’s event is Nosotros: The Rise of Latino Influence in the United States.
More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
Bi-Annual Update from the Health Officer
At 9:50 a.m., the Council will sit as the Board of Health to receive its bi-annual update from Chief Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Dr. Davis will be joined by Sean O’Donnell, program administrator of public health emergency preparedness and response, to provide the Council, sitting as the Board of Health, with an update on public health issues in Montgomery County. Dr. Christopher Rogers, acting chief of Public Health Services, will provide an overview of the Healthy Montgomery Community Health Needs Assessment.
At 11 a.m., the Council will meet to review state legislative proposals in advance of the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session. The Council will review state legislation proposed by the Executive branch that focuses on changes to state law that will advance the County's health, transportation and public safety goals.
Proposed Closed Session
Executive Director Recruitment Committee
At 2 p.m., the ad hoc Executive Director Recruitment Committee intends to meet in closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation or performance evaluation of appointees, employees or officials over whom it has jurisdiction, under Maryland Code, General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(1)(i); and to discuss, before a contract is awarded, a matter directly related to a negotiating strategy or the contents of a bid or proposal under Maryland Code, General Provisions Article §3-305(b)(14). The topics will be the appointment of an employee over whom the Council has jurisdiction and the consideration of bid proposals for professional services before a contract is made.
The purpose of this ad hoc Council committee is to evaluate the role and responsibilities of the Council's executive director position and make decisions about the recruitment process. The work of this temporary committee coincides with Council Executive Director Marlene Michaelson's decision to leave her post in February 2024.
Each item on the Council’s Consent Calendar can be found on the Council agenda for Tuesday, Oct. 3, which is available on the Council website.
Introduction: The Council will introduce a more than $14.8 million supplemental appropriation to the FY24 Capital Budget and an amendment to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses and Fueling Site. Appropriation for this project will fund a new hydrogen fuel production and fueling station.
This project would implement green hydrogen technology in transit for the first time in Maryland. The new hydrogen fuel production and fueling station would operate at the County's existing David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center in Gaithersburg. It would power the County's first 13 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, which will be procured as part of this project.
The more than $14.8 million in federal aid will be provided from a Low or No Emission Grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The County's matching funds would be provided with funds already programmed and appropriated in the Ride On bus fleet project, which is described in an associated CIP amendment also to be introduced on the Council’s Oct. 3 agenda.
A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 17.
Introduction: The Council will introduce a $350,000 supplemental appropriation to the FY24 Operating Budget for the Drone as First Responder Pilot Program within the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). The department is examining the use of drone technology to prevent and respond to crime in a more efficient manner. The pilot programs is needed to better understand its potential impact on public safety. This one-time appropriation would fund an unmanned aircraft system pilot program in the Silver Spring and Wheaton police districts.
A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 17.
The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. View the current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review on the Council website.
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: 23-318