For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Also on Sept. 18: Introduction of bills on supplements for nonprofit organizations
providing home accessibility improvements and new home warranties and
building licensing and vote on Bill 10-18 that creates
a Director of County Climate Policy
The Council will meet on Tuesday, September 18 at 9:30 a.m. Individuals interested in attending a Council meeting should confirm the information on the day of the meeting by visiting the Council’s web page or by calling the Council’s Legislative Information Office at 240-777-7832. All meetings are held in the Council Office Building (100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Md) in the third floor hearing room, unless otherwise noted.
Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 18-03, Farm Alcohol Production - Standards
The Council is scheduled to review ZTA 18-03, Farm Alcohol Production - Standards. Council President Hans Riemer and Councilmember Craig Rice are the lead sponsors. Councilmembers George Leventhal, Sidney Katz and Nancy Floreen are cosponsors. The goal of ZTA 18-03 is to allow breweries, cideries and distilleries located in the County’s Agricultural Reserve to supplement their income by allowing additional sales activities. As introduced, ZTA 18-03 would incorporate many of the standards that were applicable to wineries and apply those standards and others to breweries, cideries and distilleries. In addition to the manufacture of alcoholic beverages, ZTA 18-03 would allow tasting rooms, the sale of food (to the extent allowed by the state manufacturing license) and up to nine events a year with 300 or more people. A larger number of events would be allowed only if the use is approved as a conditional use. The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee recommends enactment with amendments.
View the ZTA 18-03 staff report here.
WorkSource Montgomery
The Council is scheduled to have a discussion with WorkSource Montgomery (WSM). This organization is responsible for coordinating public and private-sector policies and programs to connect employers and job seekers. WorkSource Montgomery focuses on understanding targeted and emerging industry demands, creating sustainable workforce solutions and increases the ability of individuals to compete for higher-quality jobs through education. The following individuals will participate in the Council discussion: Ellie Giles, CEO, WSM; Camille McKenzie, American Job Center Manager, WSM; Uma Ahluwalia, Director, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and Robert Green, Director, Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (DOCR). WSM and relevant County departments will provide an overview of all four job centers in the County to provide context for the County’s efforts in the East County.
View the staff report for WorkSource Montgomery here.
Introduction of bills
The Council is scheduled to introduce the following bills:
• Expedited Bill 29-18, Bond Authorization would increase the County’s bond authorization by $155,900,000 in certain public facility categories and reduce bond authorization in certain public facility categories by $14,193,000 because the Department of Finance has determined the authorization is no longer needed. The lead sponsor is Council President Hans Riemer, at the request of the County Executive. View the staff report for Expedited Bill 29-18 here.
• Bill 30-18, Finance – Accessibility Features Supplement – Established would provide a supplement to a non-profit organization for meeting a Level I (visit-ability) or Level II (livability) accessibility standard on a single-family residence. These accessibility improvements include things such as ramps, walk-in showers and larger doorways. Councilmember George Leventhal is the lead sponsor. View the staff report for Bill 30-18 here.
• Bill 31-18, Finance – New Home Warranty and Builder Licensing – Amendments would require new home builders and new home sellers to register with the Office of Consumer Protection, require new home builders and new home sellers to provide buyers with a new home warranty, and require the Office of Consumer Protection to administer and enforce County law related to new home builders and new home sellers. Councilmember Craig Rice is the lead sponsor. View the staff report for Bill 31-18 here.
Council vote scheduled
The Council is scheduled for vote on Bill 10-18.
Bill 10-18, Administration - Director of County Climate Policy – Established
The Council is scheduled to vote on Bill 10-18. Councilmember George Leventhal is the lead sponsor. Council Vice President Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Roger Berliner and Tom Hucker are cosponsors. The goal of the bill is to take a more holistic approach to the County’s climate policy. Bill 10-18 would require the County Executive to designate an employee as Director of County Climate Policy. The Director’s duties would include: advising the Executive, Council and other departments and agencies on the best ways to achieve climate goals; promoting inter-agency coordination; coordinating climate efforts with County agencies and developing public awareness programs; and recommending legislation as needed to achieve climate goals. The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment (T&E) Committee recommends enactment.
View the staff report on Bill 10-18 here.
Public hearings starting at 1:30 p.m.
Bill 28-18, Boards, Committees and Commissions Amendments
Goal: To better align certain boards, committees and commissions with their core mission.
Lead sponsors: Council President Hans Riemer at the request of the County Executive.
Committee meeting: The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee meeting on Bill 28-18 is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.
View the Council staff report here for Bill 28-18 here.
ZTA 18-10, Townhouse Living - Accessibility Tax Credit
Goal: to help make accessibility improvements more affordable.
Lead sponsors: Councilmember Craig Rice
Committee meeting: The PHED Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 20 at 9:30 a.m.
View the Council staff report here for the public hearing on ZTA 18-10 here.
The Council meeting will be televised live by County Cable Montgomery (CCM). The channel can be viewed on Cable Channels 996 (high definition) and 6 (standard definition) on Comcast; Channels 1056 (HD) and 6 (SD) on RCN; and Channel 30 on Verizon.
The Council meeting also will be available live via streaming through the Council web site at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
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Release ID: 18-229