For Immediate Release: Monday, May 3, 2021
Also on May 4: Vote expected on amendments to the White Flint Special Taxing District and related capital projects and a special appropriation for a Global Pandemic Prevention Center
For Immediate Release: Monday, May 3, 2021
The Council will meet virtually on Tuesday, May 4 at 9 a.m. and begin the meeting with three proclamations. The first recognizes Teacher Appreciation Day and will be presented by Councilmember Friedson and Councilmember Rice. The second recognizes Montgomery County Police Department officers who responded to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 and will be presented by Councilmember Katz. The third celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and will be presented by Council President Hucker and the full Council.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and County Public Health Planning
Update: Sitting as the Board of Health, the Council will receive an update on the County’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery and vaccination efforts.
Those expected to provide information include Dr. Travis Gayles, 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. Join the conversation with #COVID-19
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on an approach to, and financing plan for, the White Flint Special Taxing District, including the issuing of special obligation debt on behalf of the district.
The Government Operations & Fiscal Policy (GO) and Transportation & Environment (T&E) Committees unanimously recommend amending the White Flint West Workaround project to use $15 million in general obligation (G.O.) bond premium in FY21, including the Executive’s recommended expenditure schedule and repayment period from FY33-FY43 for this funding advance.
The committees also recommend amending Resolution 16-1570 to allow the White Flint West Workaround to proceed without interruption. In addition, the County Executive recommended certain fiscal note amendments to the other district CIP projects; however, the joint committees did not support these amendments because the Council has not yet approved a repayment plan.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Mary Beck and Pofen Salem from the Office of Management and Budget.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on a special appropriation of $500,000 to help develop and advocate for a new global Pandemic Prevention Center in the County. The funding will support 20 percent of Connected DMV’s $2.5 million strategy phase. Councilmember Hans Riemer initiated this special appropriation at the Council, which would support a contract with Connected DMV.
County Executive Elrich has negotiated a contract to implement this funding and will continue to partner with the State of Maryland, Connected DMV and other County economic development partners to identify a site in Montgomery County for the center. The Center will identify and launch strategic projects needed to advance pandemic avoidance and preparedness, while providing the necessary collaboration and coordination for updated public health policy, research and discovery, applied technology, trials, manufacturing and distribution for strategic solutions.
Collective Bargaining Agreement with MCVFRA
Introduction and potential vote: A resolution will be introduced and the Council may vote to indicate its intent to approve or reject provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFRA).
Those expected to attend and provide information include Eric Bernard, executive director, MCVFRA and Scott Goldstein, fire chief.
FY22 Property Tax Credit for Income Tax
Public Hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on a resolution to set the FY22 Property Tax Credit for Income Tax. Each year the Council may set a property tax credit to offset a portion of the income tax revenue resulting from a County income tax rate that is greater than 2.6 percent.
This credit is automatically provided to each property that is an owner-occupied dwelling of a homeowner. If approved as proposed, this will provide a $692 property tax credit for each owner-occupied dwelling in the County. The GO Committee is scheduled to review the Income Tax Offset Credit, as well as other property tax rate options, on May 6.
Ashton Village Center Sector Plan
Review: The Ashton Village Center Sector Plan is designed to transform Ashton into a viable and vibrant rural village center. The Council will continue to review recommendations for the plan area including land use, zoning, community design and transportation issues.
The plan area includes 127 acres around the intersection of MD 108, known as Olney Sandy Spring Road, and New Hampshire Ave. (MD 650). The plan envisions the Ashton Village Center as a compact, low-rise, walkable and bikeable rural village with a mix of land uses.
The plan provides zoning and design recommendations intended to allow the density and uses expected for a rural village, while ensuring that new development complements Ashton’s existing commercial center and rural character.
Since two state highways (MD 108 and MD 650) form a crossroads at the core of the Ashton Village Center, this plan also provides transportation recommendations related to vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle mobility in the plan area.
Those expected to provide information include: Planning Board Chair Casey Anderson; Gwen Wright, director, Planning Department; Robert Kronenberg, deputy director, Planning Department; Patrick Butler, Upcounty division chief, Montgomery Planning Department; and Montgomery Planning Department staff.
Introduction: At the request of the County Executive, Council President Hucker will introduce Bill 16-21 Environmental Sustainability - Building Energy Use Benchmarking and Performance Standards – Amendments.
Bill 16-21 would modify the County’s current current environmental benchmarking law to include additional County-owned, commercial and multifamily buildings to the meet long-term energy performance standards.
The legislation would create a 15-voting member Building Performance Improvement Board that will advise the Department of Environmental Protection on implementation of building energy performance standards and establish a Building Performance Improvement Plan (BPIP) process for properties that cannot reasonably meet performance standards. The bill also requires reports to the County Executive and Council on building energy performance for covered buildings.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review 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 and Committee meetings 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, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
Release ID: 21-191