For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 6, 2021
The joint Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) and Education & Culture (E&C) Committee will meet on Friday, May 7 at 10:15 a.m. to review FY22 funding for school-based programs within the Department of Recreation.
The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
The members of the E&C Committee include Chair Craig Rice and Councilmembers Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro.
The Transportation & Environment (T&E) Committee will meet at at 1:30 p.m. to review the FY22 Operating Budget and FY21-26 CIP Amendments for the DOT Mass Transit Fund, DOT General Fund and Parking Districts.
The members of the T&E Committee include Chair and Council President Tom Hucker and Councilmembers Evan Glass and Hans Riemer.
Recreation – School Based Items
Review: The joint PHED and E&C Committee will continue to review the County Executive’s $46.5 million recommended FY22 Department of Recreation budget, which is consistent with the FY21 Approved Budget.
Key discussion points are expected to include the need to provide additional summer camp options and senior programming using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, a proposed one-time reduction of $520,000 for seasonal staff due to the delayed opening of facilities resulting from the COVID pandemic and school-based recreation programming.
The Department of Recreation provides high-quality, diverse and accessible programs, services and facilities that enhance the quality of life for residents in Montgomery County.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Robin Riley, director, Montgomery County Department of Recreation (MCRD); Adriane Clutter, division chief, Programs, MCRD; Traci Anderson, division chief, Business Operations, MCRD; Charlotte Keys, administrative specialist, MCRD; Anita Aryeetey, senior fiscal and policy analyst, OMB; Essie McGuire, associate superintendent of operations, MCPS; and Scott Murphy, director, Department of College and Career Readiness and Districtwide Programs, MCPS.
DOT Mass Transit Fund and CIP Amendments
Review: The T&E Committee will review the recommended budget for the Department of Transportation (DOT) Mass Transit Fund and the related Capital Improvements Program (CIP) amendments. The total $146 million Recommended FY22 Operating Budget for DOT represents a 2.1% reduction from the FY21 Approved Budget.
The recommended budget was revised by the County Executive in April after the County received approximately $33,475,000 in additional funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The recommendation includes three notable additions when compared to the prior year: negotiated compensation increases; $300,000 for a triennial survey of transit riders required by the Maryland Transit Administration; and $70,000 for ridesharing marketing and outreach in the White Oak Transportation Management District. The recommended budget includes extending the Ride On fare holiday until the end of September which will cost approximately $4.2 million.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Christopher Conklin, director, DOT; Emil Wolanin, deputy director, DOT; Hannah Henn, deputy director for transportation policy, DOT; Dan Hibbert, chief, Division of Transit Services; Brady Goldsmith, chief, Management Services, DOT; Jamie Cooke, deputy director, Department of General Services (DGS); Derrick Harrigan, Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
DOT General Fund and CIP Amendments (follow -up)
Review: The Committee will review increasing funding for the Safe Routes to School Program by $150,000 in the recommended DOT Operating Budget and increasing the Pedestrian Safety Program CIP project by $200,000, as proposed by Councilmember Jawando. The funding would help alleviate a backlog of schools that are awaiting a needs assessment to qualify for these projects.
Councilmember Jawando also recommends increasing funding for Facility Planning-Transportation for a new sidewalk along Norwood Road between Norbeck Road and New Hampshire Avenue in Cloverly, which passes in front of Blake High School. Councilmember Jawando also recommends additional funds for DOT to study where sidewalks are needed to provide safe and walkable access to schools and to make funding for sidewalks that are associated with school access a higher priority within DOT.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Christopher Conklin, director, DOT; Emil Wolanin, deputy director, DOT; Hannah Henn, deputy director for transportation policy, DOT; Tim Cupples, chief, Division of Transportation Engineering, DOT; Brady Goldsmith, chief, Management Services, DOT; and Derrick Harrigan, Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Parking Lot Districts and CIP Amendments (follow-up)
Review: The T&E Committee will continue to review the FY22 Recommended Budget for the Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton Parking Lot Districts (PLDs) and the related Capital Improvements Program (CIP) amendments. The Committee is expected to focus its discussion on alternative recommendations that would allow all three PLDs to maintain a positive fund balance in FY22 without increasing rates.
The County Executive’s originally recommended a budget decrease of $3.4 million, or 12.3 percent compared to the prior budget year for the PLDs. Significant changes to the budget within the recommendation include an increase in general administration costs and a decrease in parking operations. The Executive also proposed amendments to four CIP projects within the PLDs and facility renovations in each of the three PLDs.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Christopher Conklin, director, Department of Transportation (DOT); Emil Wolanin, deputy director, DOT; Jose Thomanna, division chief, Division of Parking Management, DOT; Brady Goldsmith, chief of management services of Director's Office, DOT; Alex Kinyenje, financial management section chief of Division of Parking Management, DOT; and Taman Morris, fiscal and policy analyst, Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
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: 21-195