For Immediate Release: Monday, February 8, 2021
Also on Feb. 9: Council will commemorate Black History Month, introduce a resolution reaffirming Montgomery County’s commitment to combat hate and extremism and vote on Spending Affordability Guidelines for the Fiscal Year 2022 Operating Budget and a zoning measure to increase composting and mulching the Agricultural Reserve
The Council will meet virtually on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. and will begin with a virtual commemoration for Black History Month, which is celebrated nationally every February. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “African American Changemakers who are Leading, Healing and Shaping Montgomery County.” The commemoration will include a video and proclamation presentation. Learn more about the Black History Month commemoration here.
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
Meeting with the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to discuss COVID-19 vaccine allocation, distribution and equity; state and county responsibilities for nursing homes; and coordination of COVID-19 vaccinations for nursing homes and Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) group homes
There is an overwhelming demand across the U.S. and in Montgomery County for the COVID-19 vaccine; however, the supply continues to be extremely limited. Montgomery County's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) received just 4,500 doses from Maryland this week. The state had been receiving more than 10,000 doses daily from the federal government, but this amount is now being increased to 88,000 doses per week. As of Feb. 8, 85,901 Montgomery County residents, or 8.2 percent of the county's population, had received their first dose of the vaccine and 18,393 residents had received their second dose.
While there is short supply, it is critical that certain portions of the population be prioritized. The top priorities have been healthcare and emergency response staff, people in long-term care facilities and DDA group homes and people who are 75 years old or older.
The Maryland vaccination rollout has opened vaccinations to other priority groups which has resulted in many more residents across the state being eligible to receive a vaccination without an adequate supply of vaccines to meet the need. In addition, there is not a clear equity plan from the state regarding the allocation of the vaccine to local jurisdictions. Communities of color who are most impacted by the virus, are not being vaccinated at similar rates as white residents. Moreover, the state registration system is decentralized and is causing confusion among residents.
Inequities are magnified because the online systems for getting an appointment require internet access, computer skills and time to be online. Montgomery County is seeing these disparities in the demographics and areas of the county among those who have signed up in the preregistration system. The Council sent a letter to Governor Hogan on January 28 outlining its concerns, which can be found starting on circle page one of the Council staff report.
The following individuals are expected to attend the Council meeting at 10 a.m. to address the issues raised by Montgomery County leaders: Dr. Jinlene Chan, acting deputy secretary for Public Health Services, MDH; Dr. Mark Martin, deputy director, Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, MDH; and Heather Shek, deputy director, Office of Governmental Affairs, MDH.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Board of Health Regulation to Adopt an Executive Order 19-21AM, COVID-19 - Local Order - Amending and Restating Order dated Dec. 15, 2020
At 11 a.m. the Council will sit as the Board of Health and is scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote on Executive Order 19-21AM. The order would reopen indoor dining at 25 percent capacity, suspend alcohol sales at 10 p.m. for on-site consumption and limit customers to a 90-minute indoor dining period. Additional changes include: updated references and links to the Maryland State of Emergency and Catastrophic Health Emergency renewals and the current State Executive Order; updated links to the American Academy of Pediatrics face-covering exceptions; and removal of the deadline references for letter of approval requests for retail to exceed 150 persons. The proposed effective date is February 14 at 7 a.m.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and County Public Health Planning
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 and vaccination 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. Montgomery County is dependent on the State of Maryland for their supply of the COVID-19 vaccines. DHHS is generally notified each Saturday about the quantity of the vaccine doses it will receive for the following week. County leaders continue to advocate for additional vaccine supply as quickly as possible.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Resolution Reaffirming Montgomery County’s Commitment to Combat Hate and Extremism
The Council will introduce a resolution reaffirming Montgomery County’s commitment to combating hate and extremism. Councilmember Evan Glass is the lead sponsor of this resolution. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors. Montgomery County recognizes the value of cultivating an inclusive, safe, and just society and culture. The events of January 6, 2021 shocked the nation as levels of hate and extremism have reached their highest levels in recent history. With this proclamation, Montgomery County is reaffirming its commitment to root out hatred, political exploitation and mistruths in all political and civil institutions.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Spending Affordability Guidelines for the FY22 Operating Budget
The Council will review the Spending Affordability Guidelines for the County’s Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Operating Budget. The Council introduced the proposed resolution setting the spending affordability guidelines for the FY22 Operating Budget on Jan. 12. The Council held a public hearing on the proposed guidelines on Jan. 26, during which no testimony was received. The deadline for the Council to adopt these guidelines is the second Tuesday of February each year; the deadline this year is Feb. 9. The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Nancy Navarro, made the following recommendations:
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 20-04, Farming Defined - Accessory Mulching and Composting
The Council is scheduled to vote on ZTA 20-04, which would allow an increase in the percentage of off-site material that can be used in accessory composting and mulching uses from 20 to 50 percent. Currently, mulching and composting are allowed as accessory uses to farming, if material trucked from off-site locations is limited to 20 percent. The County generates a tremendous amount of yard and food waste. Recycling that material is preferable to generating waste. The goal of this zoning change is to make it easier for the agricultural industry to use more yard and food waste. Councilmembers Evan Glass, Andrew Friedson, Nancy Navarro, and Craig Rice are the lead sponsors of ZTA 20-04. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Operating Budget, Department of Transportation (DOT) - $30,167,124 for Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Transportation Assistance Grants
The Council President, at the request of the County Executive will introduce a supplemental appropriation of more than $30.1 million for Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) assistance grants. This supplemental appropriation is needed to authorize the expenditure of Federal funds received through the CARES Act. The goal of this appropriation is to provide funds to pay for operating costs of Ride On related to the prevention, preparation and response to COVID-19. The source of these funds is federal aid. A public hearing on this special appropriation will be held on Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Operating Budget, Office of the County Executive - $1,500,0000 for Support for COVID-19 Response - Small Business Rental Assistance
Councilmember Will Jawando will introduce a special appropriation of $1.5 million for small business rental assistance. The funding would support small businesses impacted by COVID-19, specifically by assisting with back rent or current rent payments. A public hearing on this special appropriation will be held on Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Resolution to repeal and replace Resolution No. 16-1570 with respect to the White Flint Sector Plan Implementation Strategy and Infrastructure Improvement List and related amendments to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program
The Council President will introduce the County Executive’s amendment to the current resolution governing the White Flint Special Taxing District and related Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects. The proposed amendments would specify the repayment plan for previously approved funding from the general fund, allow for the Executive to propose a tax rate that is commensurate to the rate required to repay any bonds issued, and generally amends the process for funding CIP projects in White Flint. The approval of the White Flint Special Taxing District waived certain funding sources and replaced it with an ad valorem real property tax, which was capped at 10 percent of the total tax rate for the district. The County has advanced about $45 million for CIP projects in White Flint, which must be repaid in a reasonable timeframe. The public hearing for the resolution and CIP amendments is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services - $31,405,652 for rental and utility assistance.
The Council President, at the request of the County Executive, will introduce a special appropriation of $31.4 million for rental and utility assistance. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe income loss and economic distress for many households in the County. Many households are unable to pay all or part of their rent and monthly utilities. Low and moderate-income households have been disproportionately impacted. Evictions that are a result of lost income due to COVID-19 are on hold both by extension of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Order and the Governor’s Executive Order. As these stays end and the courts reopen, there is the potential for many households to face eviction because they are behind on their rent. Utility companies are expected to phase out their pause on utility shut-offs. Rental assistance is needed to help people with rent arrearages and prevent evictions for those who are not able to enter a repayment plan or work with landlords on other options to avoid eviction. Utility assistance is needed to prevent shut-offs which can result in a home being uninhabitable.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Appointment to Merit System Protection Board
The Council will appoint a new member to the Merit System Protection Board to fill its partial term vacancy until Dec. 31, 2021. This vacancy is meant for a candidate that identifies as Republican. By law, no more than two of the three members of the Merit System Protection Board may be of the same political party. The two existing members identify as Democrat. The interviews for this position were conducted on Feb. 2.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Board of Appeals Candidates
The Council will conduct interviews for the Board of Appeals. The term to be filled is currently held by Katherine Freeman, who will be resigning. Her term expires in Sept. 2021. By law, no more than three members of the board shall be from the same political party. This position can be filled by a Democrat, a Republican, a voter who is unaffiliated with a party, or a voter who is a member of another party officially recognized by the Board of Elections.
In addition to Ms. Freeman (Democrat), current members of the Board include Chair John Pentecost (Democrat), Bruce Goldensohn (Republican), Mary Gonzales (Democrat), and Richard Melnick (Unaffiliated). Members of County Boards, Committees and Commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Charter Review Commission
The Council will conduct interviews for the Charter Review Commission. The term to be filled was held by Courtney Walker (Unaffiliated). The upcoming vacancy was advertised on November 3 and the deadline was extended once until December 23, 2020. Four applications were received, however, two of the applications were from Democrats even though the news release explicitly stated that Democrats were not eligible. The Council has chosen to interview Bernadette Garrett and Ruth Kirinda, who are the two applicants that were qualified.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
The following public hearings will be held at 1:30 p.m.:
Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Capital Budget and amendment to the FY21-26 CIP, Department of Environmental Protection - $93,773 for Stormwater Management Retrofit: Countywide Management
The Council will receive public testimony on a supplemental appropriation of $93,773 to perform stream repair work throughout the County. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY21-26 CIP, Department of Environmental Protection - $67,509 for Facility Planning: Stormwater Management
The Council will receive public testimony on a supplemental appropriation of $67,509 to perform stream inspections throughout the County. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY21 Capital Budget and amendment to the FY21-26 CIP, Department of Environmental Protection - $600,000 for Stormwater Management Facility Major Structural Repair
The Council will receive public testimony on a supplemental appropriation of $600,000 for major structural repair at stormwater management facilities. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Subdivision Regulation Amendment (SRA) 20-02, Subdivision Ordinance - Revisions, Clarifications, and Corrections
The Council will receive public testimony on SRA 20-02, which would clarify language, correct mistakes, and add necessary missing provisions. While most of the proposed changes are minor, several substantive changes are also proposed. Council President Tom Hucker is the lead sponsor, at the request of the Planning Board. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Bill 4-21, Weapons - Protection of Minors and Public Places - Restrictions Against Ghost Guns and Undetectable Guns
The Council will receive public testimony on Bill 4-21, which would do the following: define terms related to firearm laws; restrict the manufacture, possession, use, sale and transfer of ghost guns, undetectable guns and certain other firearms with respect to minors; restrict the manufacture, possession, use, sale and transfer of ghost guns, undetectable guns, and certain other firearms within 100 yards of places of public assembly; and generally amend the law regarding firearms and other weapons. Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz is the lead sponsor. All Councilmembers have cosponsored Council Vice President Albornoz’s bill. The goal of this legislation is to prohibit the use and sale of ghost guns, which pose a significant threat to public safety. The Council staff report can be viewed here.
#NoGhostGunsMoCo and #SafetyMattersInMoCo are being used for this bill on social media.
FY22 Capital Budget and Amendments to FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for County Government, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Revenue Authority, and Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC), and WSSC’s FY22-27 CIP
The Council will receive public testimony on FY22 capital budget and amendments to the FY21-26 CIP for County Government, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Revenue Authority, and Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC), and WSSC’s FY22-26 CIP. There is no Council staff report for this agenda item.
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Release ID: 21-046