For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 30, 2020
The Council will meet virtually on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council 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 and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on: Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056 and Fios 30.
Council Agenda Items
Briefing from the Board of Elections
Board members and staff from the Montgomery County Board of Elections will brief the Council about ongoing preparations for the Nov. 3 General Election. The briefing will be a wide-ranging discussion covering all aspects of administering and conducting the upcoming election, including public health and safety measures and the safeguards that are in place to ensure the integrity of the election. On September 14, the Council sent a letter to the Montgomery County Board of Elections requesting this briefing to inform the Council and residents about the various steps that have been taken to ensure that every voter will receive a ballot and that each ballot will be properly counted.
The Council staff report can be viewed here. The Council letter can be found on circle 1.
Board of Health Regulation to adopt an Executive Order 117-20, COVID-19 Local Order - Amending and Restating Order dated September 22, 2020
The Council will introduce, hold a public hearing and vote on a resolution and Board of Health regulation that would approve Executive Order No. 117-20, Covid-19 Local Order – Amending and Restating Executive Order dated September 22, 2020. If approved by the Council, Executive Order 117-20 would allow food establishments, restaurants and bars located in Montgomery County to extend on-site alcohol sales and consumption from 10 p.m. until midnight by obtaining a Late-Night Alcohol Sales Program permit.
Executive Order 117-20 provides that food service establishments with no prior history of citations or closings due to violations related to any State of Maryland or local executive order related to COVID-19 may apply for a Late-Night Alcohol Sales Program permit. Food service establishments that receive a Late-Night Alcohol Sales Program permit will be subject to frequent and unscheduled inspections. A food service establishment must do the following to receive a permit:
Food service establishments that violate any of the Late-Night Alcohol Sales Program requirements will be subject to the following: the immediate revocation of the permit; the suspension or revocation of their license to sell alcohol; and/or fines up to $20,000. Moreover, the Late-Night Alcohol Sales Program will be automatically suspended if: the three-day test positivity average in Montgomery County exceeds 3.25 percent; the three-day average of confirmed COVID-19 cases exceeds 100; there is an increased association of indoor and outdoor dining with COVID-19 positive contacts of greater than three percent combined; or more than 10 percent of inspected participants result in findings that warrant a citation, closure or revocation of a permit.
The Council staff report and Executive Order 117-02 can be viewed here.
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