For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 13, 2019
The following committee meetings are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14. 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 tinyurl.com/CountyCouncilMeetings or by calling the Council’s Communications Office at 240-777-7832.
Meeting: Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Seventh floor hearing room
GO Committee: Council President Nancy Navarro (Chair), Council Vice President Sidney Katz and Councilmember Andrew Friedson
Topic:
Bill 27-19, Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice - Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee - Established
The GO Committee will review Bill 27-19, the Racial Equity and Social Justice Act. This legislation would create a Racial Equity and Social Justice Program for Montgomery County government that would be implemented across county government by a new executive branch Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice. Council President Nancy Navarro is the lead sponsor. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors. Under Bill 27-19, the County Executive would be required to adopt a county-wide racial equity and social justice action plan by regulation. Each County department and office also would be required to develop a racial equity and social justice action plan. In addition, Bill 27- 19 would require that legislation, public policy initiatives and government programs, supported by budget requests, include a racial equity and social justice impact statement. The bill also would establish a Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee that would include members of the public.
Since land use plans and policies are major drivers for shaping communities, Bill 27-19 requires the Montgomery County Planning Board to consider racial equity and social justice issues when preparing master plans that are submitted to the Council. These plans include recommendations for land uses, transportation and public facilities such as schools, libraries, community and recreation centers, parks and fire and police stations.
Formal community conversations on racial equity and social justice, which were co-hosted by Council President Navarro and County Executive Marc Elrich, began in March. These conversations in Silver Spring, Germantown and White Oak, and a youth meeting at Gaithersburg High School, were attended by more than 750 community members. Various community groups also hosted individual meetings at nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, community centers and in private homes. More than 45 individuals, including County residents, heads of County departments and agencies and representatives of nonprofits testified at the Oct. 29 public hearings on Bill 27-19.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Council President Navarro’s comments on the introduction of Bill 27-19 can be viewed here.
Meeting: Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee and Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Third floor conference room
T&E Committee: Councilmembers Tom Hucker (Chair), Evan Glass and Hans Riemer
HHS Committee: Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz (Chair), Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness and Vulnerable Communities) and Craig Rice
Topic:
Accessible transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities
The T&E and HHS Committees will meet jointly to receive a briefing on accessible transportation options for seniors and persons with disabilities in the County and identify service barriers and gaps. Councilmember Glass requested the briefing to discuss comprehensive strategies for transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. Recognizing that Montgomery County's senior population is set to double over the next 20 years, which will increase the demand and utilization of our transportation and healthcare infrastructure, Councilmember Glass has expressed the need for a transportation system that is ADA accessible and provides service to residents with varying physical abilities.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
The Council committee meetings 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 meetings 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: 19-358