For Immediate Release: Monday, October 12, 2020
Council also will receive an update on COVID-19 public health planning and recovery, review zoning changes for solar collection system use standards in the Agricultural Reserve Zone and present a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The Council will meet virtually on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 9:30 a.m. and will begin with the following proclamation presentations: Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which will be presented by Councilmember Nancy Navarro and County Executive Elrich; Energy Awareness Month, which will be presented by Council President Sidney Katz; and Story Tapestries' 10 year anniversary, which will be presented by Councilmember Evan Glass.
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
Coronavirus Relief Fund
The Council will receive a briefing on the County’s multifaceted approach to providing relief to families, local businesses and others who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Montgomery County has received $183,336,953 from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).
Initially the Council approved special appropriations using the County’s General Fund to address emergency issues associated with the pandemic. Once CRF funding became available, the Council appropriated that funding to repay the General Fund for expenditures allowed under the CARES Act and for all subsequent eligible expenditures.
Since the onset of the pandemic, the Council has approved 31 special appropriations to address the needs of residents and businesses impacted, many of which were eligible for CRF funding. More than $100 million has been appropriated in COVID-19 related special appropriations in this calendar year, with $10 million assumed for municipal and outside agency reimbursements. An additional $82.2 million is expected to be spent in 2020.
Since all funds must be used by Dec. 31, the County continues to track these expenditures to determine if any reallocations or additional appropriations are necessary. The Council also will receive an update on expenditures for the pay differential provided to certain employees, which could use a significant amount of CRF and General Fund dollars. Rich Madaleno, chief administrative officer, and Dr. Earl Stoddard, director, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, will brief the Council.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The Council will sit as the Board of Health to receive an update on the County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery efforts. The Council will be joined by Dr. Travis Gayles, County health officer and chief of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Public Health Services; Dr. Earl Stoddard, director, Office of Emergency management and Homeland Security; and Dr. Raymond Crowel, director, DHHS.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
ZTA 20-01, Solar Collection System – AR Zone Standards
The Council will review Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 20-01, which would revise the solar collection system use standards to allow larger facilities in the Agricultural Reserve (AR) Zone. The goal of this legislation is to increase the ability to produce solar energy in the County. Councilmember Hans Riemer and Council Vice President Tom Hucker are the lead sponsors. The total amount of collection systems on all parcels would be limited to 1,800 acres. Any collector system constructed under the proposed amendment must be designated pollinator-friendly under the Maryland Pollinator-Friendly Designation Program.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Public hearings
All public hearings to be held at 1:30 p.m.
Supplemental Appropriation #2-S21-CMCG-1 to the County Government’s FY21 Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program, Department of Environmental Protection - $4,700,000 for Transfer Station Fire Detection and Suppression System
The Council will receive public testimony on a special appropriation of $4.7 million to the Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Budget and FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for the Department of Environmental Protection. This appropriation would fund fire detection and suppression system improvements at the County’s Solid Waste Transfer Station.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Supplemental Appropriation to MCPS’ FY21 Operating Budget - $374,031 for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund - Innovative Approaches to Connecting with Students Project Grant
The Council will receive public testimony and is scheduled to vote on a supplemental appropriation of $374,031 for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. This supplemental appropriation is needed because Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) received funding from the GEER Fund—Innovative Approaches to Connecting with Students Grant. MCPS plans to use these grant funds to implement professional development to maximize student learning and instructional impact during remote and online instruction. Program participants include district leaders, administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, community partners and family members.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
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Release ID: 20-401