For Immediate Release: Friday, October 9, 2020
The following committees will meet virtually on Monday, Oct. 12. Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for committee review can be viewed at: https://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: https://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: Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee
Time: 9:30 a.m.
GO Committee: Councilmembers Nancy Navarro (Chair), Andrew Friedson and Council President Sidney Katz
Topic:
Development Impact Taxes for Schools and Transportation and Recordation Tax Amendments
The GO Committee members will continue their review of development impact taxes for public school improvements and exemptions for transportation and school impact taxes that are associated with the 2020-2024 Subdivision Staging Policy. The committee will discuss impact tax credits for projects providing two- and three-bedroom housing units; the impact tax exemption for projects providing a minimum of 25 percent affordable units; and recommended changes to the recordation tax to provide additional funding for school construction and the County’s Housing Initiative Fund.
The Council staff report can be found here.
Meeting: Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee
Time: 1:30 p.m.
T&E Committee: Council Vice President Tom Hucker (Chair) and Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer
Topic:
Bill 32-20, Solid Waste (Trash) Waste Reduction/Source Reduction and Single-Use Straws - Requirements
The T&E Committee will review Bill 32-20 which would establish a program for ongoing waste reduction in Montgomery County, provide the criteria for waste reduction initiatives and programs and set forth the method by which the program will be established. Bill 32-20 also prohibits the distribution of single-use straws except in certain circumstances, and requires a food services business to post information explaining that plastic straws will no longer be provided, except when necessary to accommodate a medical or disability-related need of a customer. Council President Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor of the bill, at the request of the County Executive.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
#WasteReductionPlan is being used for this bill on social media
Bill 33-20, Solid Waste (Trash) - Food Service Products Packaging Materials – Requirements
The T&E Committee will review Bill 33-20 which would prohibit single-use, polystyrene food service containers including plates and cups, meat and vegetable trays, egg cartons and other products made of polystyrene that are used for selling, providing or serving food or drink. President Sidney Katz is the lead sponsor of the bill, at the request of the County Executive.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
#FoodPackaging is being used for this bill on social media.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES-MS4) Permit
The T&E Committee will close out its meeting with a briefing on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES-MS4) Permit, which requires permittees to develop and implement a comprehensive Storm Water Management Program that must include pollution prevention measures, treatment or removal techniques, monitoring and other appropriate measures to control the quality of storm water discharged into storm drains. On June 29, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) submitted its draft NPDES-MS4 permit for Montgomery County to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The permit would take effect in early 2021, assuming a final determination on the permit is made by the end of the calendar year. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the lead department responsible for coordinating a multi-department/agency effort to meet the NPDES-MS4 permit requirements and will provide a briefing to the T&E Committee on the draft permit. The individuals expected to attend the meeting include the following: Adam Ortiz, director, DEP; Frank Dawson, chief, Watershed Restoration Division, DEP; Amy Stevens, manager, Stormwater Facility Inspection and Maintenance, DEP; and Kate Bennett, senior planning specialist, DEP.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
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Release ID: 20-400