For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 6, 2020
Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee to begin its review of the Economic Development Platform action plan
The following committee meetings are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6. 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 and Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Seventh floor hearing room
GO Committee: Councilmember Nancy Navarro (Chair), Councilmember Andrew Friedson and Council President Sidney Katz
T&E Committee: Council Vice President Tom Hucker (Chair), Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer
Topic:
Poolesville Road Disposition
The GO and T&E Committees will meet jointly to consider the County Executive’s recommendation to transfer ownership of segments of Hughes Road, Westerly Avenue and West Willard Road to the Town of Poolesville. The road segments are located in the town and the town would become responsible for road maintenance. Representatives from the Department of Transportation and the Town of Poolesville are expected to attend.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Meeting: Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Third floor hearing room
GO Committee: Councilmember Nancy Navarro (Chair), Councilmember Andrew Friedson and Council President Sidney Katz
Topics:
Spending Affordability Guidelines for the fiscal year 20201 operating budget
The GO Committee will review the Spending Affordability Guidelines for the fiscal year 2021 operating budget. These guidelines set the parameters for the overall operating budget by setting the ceiling on property tax revenues and the aggregate operating budget and the allocation of the aggregate operating budget. The Council must adopt guidelines for the next operating budget by the second Tuesday in February. Chris Mullin, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and David Platt, Department of Finance, are among those expected to attend the meeting.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Economic Development Platform
The GO Committee will review its action plan for the Council’s Economic Development Platform, which was proposed by Councilmember Nancy Navarro and implemented by the full Council. The Economic Development Platform, which was adopted in November 2019, identifies a thriving and diversified economy, greater innovation, racial equity and social justice, and environmental sustainably as desired outcomes. The goal of this platform is to grow the County’s tax base by creating new, well-paying job opportunities, removing regulatory barriers for new businesses seeking to locate or expand operations in the County, and investing in business development, housing, transportation and workforce development.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Bill 39-19, Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP)
The GO Committee also will review Bill 39-19, the LSBRP and Direct Purchase Enhancement Act. Councilmember Will Jawando is the lead sponsor. Councilmembers Craig Rice, Nancy Navarro, Hans Riemer, Gabe Albornoz and Evan Glass, Council Vice President Tom Hucker and Council President Sidney Katz are cosponsors. Bill 39-19 would amend the Local Small Business Reserve Program to do the following:
The goal of this legislation is to support the backbone of Montgomery County’s economy, locally owned small businesses, by expanding opportunities and access to over one billion dollars in government contracts and purchases.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Meeting: Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Seventh floor hearing room
T&E Committee: Council Vice President Tom Hucker (Chair), Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer
Topics:
Bill 41-19, Tree Canopy Fees
The T&E Committee will review Bill 41-19, which would amend tree canopy fees exemptions to include land disturbances by any public use airport, and generally amend the provisions for tree canopy fee exemptions. Councilmember Craig Rice is the lead sponsor. The goal of this legislation is to assist airport operations by eliminating future tree canopy fees for public airports and refund any fees paid since Jan. 1, 2017.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Supplemental Appropriation and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Amendment - $2,340,000 for Davis Mill Road Emergency Stabilization
The T&E Committee will review a supplemental appropriation and CIP amendment of $2,340,000 for Davis Mill Road Emergency Stabilization. The request is needed to construct a retaining wall, provide stream stabilization and resurface pavement. Wildcat Branch along the north of Davis Mill Road is continuously eroding the roadway embankment and undermining the pavement during each major rain event. The undermining is progressing under the pavement causing pavement failure along the edge of the road. The Department of Transportation is concerned that a significant part of the roadway pavement could slide into the stream during the next major storm event.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Bus Transformation Project
The T&E Committee will receive a briefing on the Washington-area Bus Transformation Project, which has the following objectives:
Under the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s auspices, a regional effort has been underway over the past two years to reimagine bus service in the Washington Metropolitan Area, and to develop an action plan to carry it out.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) Report 2019-17, Trash and Recycling Collection: An Evaluation of Current Policies
The T&E Committee will review OLO Report 2019-17. The County contracts with private haulers to collect recyclables from approximately 212,000 homes in all unincorporated areas of the County. In addition, the County contracts with private haulers to collect trash from approximately 92,000 single-family residences in certain unincorporated areas of the County. OLO reviewed current policies and practices for trash and recycling collection from single-family homes. This report responds to the County Council's request OLO review current County trash and recycling collection policies and practices.
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: 20-038