For Immediate Release: Monday, February 4, 2019
The following committee meetings are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 4. Individuals interested in attending a committee meeting should confirm the information on the day of the meeting by visiting the Council’s web page at https://tinyurl.com/CountyCouncilMeetings or by calling the Council’s Legislative Information Office at 240-777-7931. All meetings are held in the Council Office Building (100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, Md.), unless otherwise noted.
Meeting: Health & Human Services (HHS) Committee
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Seventh floor hearing room
HHS Committee: Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz (chair), Evan Glass (lead for homelessness and vulnerable communities) and Craig Rice
Topics:
Bill 35-18, Health and Sanitation – Smoking – Outdoor Service Areas
The HHS Committee will review Bill 35-18, Health and Sanitation – Smoking – Outdoor Service Areas. Council Vice President Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor. Councilmembers Craig Rice and Hans Riemer and former Councilmember Marc Elrich are cosponsors. Bill 35-18 and the Board of Health regulation would prohibit smoking in certain outdoor serving areas, such as patios, decks and porches, which are under the control of eating or drinking establishments. The goal of this bill is to protect the health of residents.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Resolution to adopt Bill 35-18, Health and Sanitation – Smoking – Outdoor Service Areas, as a Board of Health Regulation
The HHS Committee will review a resolution to adopt Bill 35-18 as a Board of Health regulation.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
“A Food Secure Montgomery – A 5 Year Strategic Plan” and Foodstat
The HHS Committee will receive a briefing and update on the “A Food Secure Montgomery Plan,” which was completed in response to a bill passed by the Council. The plan describes the following as the components of food security and says that for an individual to be food secure, the conditions must all be respected simultaneously:
•availability of food in sufficient quantity and of an appropriate nature and quality;
•access to acquire food needed for a nutritionally adequate diet, including the ability to afford nutritious food;
•consumption of food uninhibited by health or hygiene problems (safe drinking water, sanitation or medical services, etc.); and
•stability of access to food, i.e. the assurance of access by people to food even in the face of natural or economic shocks.
Those expected to attend include the following: Dr. Travis Gayles, County Health Officer; Jackie DeCarlo, executive director of Manna Food Center; and Heather Bruskin, executive director of the Montgomery County Food Council.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Briefing from Dr. Travis Gayles, Public Health Officer
The HHS Committee will close out its meeting with a briefing from Dr. Travis Gayles, the County’s Public Health Officer. Dr. Gayles will brief the Committee on the report, "Health in Montgomery County 2008-2016" and on the "Zip Code Ranking Project." The executive summary can be found in circle pages 2-7 of the Council staff report and provides summary data on demographics, birth rates, leading causes of death, maternal and infant health, chronic disease, infectious disease, behavioral health and injury.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Meeting: Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Third floor conference room
PHED Committee: Councilmembers Hans Riemer (chair), Andrew Friedson (lead for parks) and Will Jawando
Topics:
ZTA 18-14, Farm Alcohol Production – Residential Zones
The PHED Committee will review ZTA 18-14, Farm Alcohol Production – Residential Zones. Councilmembers Hans Riemer and Craig Rice are lead sponsors. ZTA 18-14 would amend the recently approved provisions for farm alcohol production. ZTA 18-14 would allow tasting rooms in the RE-1 and RE-2 zones (residential estate zones, which consist of large lot residential uses) if: 1) the site is at least 25 acres in size; and 2) the site is in category six of the Ten-Year Water Supply and Comprehensive Sewerage Plan. Category six of the plan requires the use of a septic rather than a sewerage system. These conditions would be in addition to all other conditions applicable to accessory farm alcohol production. The goal of this zoning proposal is to expand opportunities in the agricultural and rural zones to have tasting rooms.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Small-Scale Manufacturing
The PHED Committee will close out its meeting with a discussion of small-scale manufacturing in the County. Ilana Preuss, founder and CEO of Recast City, LLC, and others will give a briefing on small-scale manufacturing in the County (see circle pages 1-13 of the Council staff report for more details). The information was produced at the request of Councilmember Hans Riemer to get a better understanding of the small-scale manufacturing sector and its needs in the County. Following the briefing, the committee will discuss ways to cultivate the sector’s growth with Ms. Preuss and staff from multiple agencies. A full list of those expected to attend can be found on page 1 of the staff report.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Meeting: Public Safety (PS) Committee
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Seventh floor hearing room
PS Committee: Council Vice President Sidney Katz (chair) and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Tom Hucker
Topic:
Maryland Electronic Courts
The PS Committee will receive an update on Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC). The Circuit Court is in the process of converting, migrating, and testing vast amounts of case data to the new statewide Maryland Electronic Courts case management system. The process is complex, requires significant staff time above regular duties and requires additional contractual help.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
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