For Immediate Release: Friday, June 5, 2020
The following Committees will meet virtually on Monday, June 8. Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Committee review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Committee agendas can be viewed at:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube (MoCoCouncilMD) and on Facebook Live (MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil) and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on channels 30 (Fios), 1056 (RCN) and 996 (Xfinity)..
Meeting: Planning Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee
Time: 9:30 a.m.
PHED Committee: Councilmembers Hans Riemer, Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando
Topics:
Tenant Support Services - FY20 and FY21 Non-Competitive Contract Recommendations
The PHED Committee will review and consider the Executive's recommendations for contracts that support tenant education and other support services including, but not limited to, on-site legal aid for the eviction process. The Committee will also discuss what additional services and resources may be needed to help tenants who are not able to stay current with their rent because of the economic impacts of the Covid-19 crisis in order to avoid an increase in evictions filed by landlords.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Montgomery County Housing Needs Assessment
The PHED Committee will receive an overview presentation of the Montgomery County Housing Needs Assessment. The Planning Department contracted with HR&A and LSA Planning in the winter of 2019 to complete this study, which is part of the County’s update of its General Plan and Subdivision Staging policy. It also will be used as a basis for ongoing work to increase the amount of housing, and particularly affordable housing, in accordance with the goals adopted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and supported by the Council. Casey Anderson, chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board; Gwen Wright, planning director, Montgomery County Planning Department; and Lisa Govoni, housing policy coordinator, Montgomery County Planning Department are expected to provide information.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Housing Recovery Framework
The PHED Committee will close out its meeting with a discussion of the County’s Housing Recovery Framework. The County has adopted a framework for recovery as government, businesses and the community begin to reopen and return to more regular activities. The County’s recovery effort, in the midst of a global pandemic, will include a community-wide approach for all individuals to thrive and will serve as a national model. The model includes the following components:
Aseem Nigam, director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, is expected to provide information on the Housing Recovery Framework.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Meeting: Education and Culture (E&C) Committee
Time: 1:30 p.m.
E&C Committee: Councilmembers Craig Rice (Chair), Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro
Topic:
Arts and Humanities Operating Support Grants
The E&C Committee will discuss the Arts and Humanities operating support grants. Nationwide and in Montgomery County, the arts and culture sector, which includes organizations and individual artists, has experienced a disproportionate negative economic impact as a result of the Covid-19 global pandemic. The purpose of this discussion is to explore specific arts sector relief programs to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, proactively spur recovery efforts to catalyze the County’s economy.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
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Release ID: 20-245