For Immediate Release: Monday, May 10, 2021
Also on May 11: Council to hold a public hearing on the Working Families Income Supplement tax credit and interview Planning Board Commissioner Tina Patterson
The Council will meet on Tuesday, May 11 at 9 a.m. and begin the meeting with three proclamations. The first recognizes ALS Awareness Month and will be presented by Councilmember Rice, Councilmember Katz and County Executive Elrich. The second recognizes National Tourism Week and will be presented by Council President Hucker. The third recognizes the Councilmember for a Day winner and will be presented by Councilmember Rice.
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
Introduction: The Council will introduce a proposed amendment to the County’s Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority (NMWDA) to provide technical, engineering, operations, procurement and marketing assistance in connection with the County’s solid waste facilities and programs.
The amendment would extend the term of the IGA from June 30, 2021 to June 30, 2026. If approved, it would provide for the completion of the Gude Landfill remediation project and replacement of the fire detection and suppression system at the Transfer Station and update the general terms and conditions of the County contract and the Consumer Price Index series that is used for applying contract rate increases.
Resolution to approve FY22 System Development Charge
Introduction: The Council will introduce a resolution to approve the FY22 System Development Charge (SDC), which is paid by new development to cover the impact it has on WSSC Water infrastructure. Each year, both Montgomery and Prince George's Counties must approve an annual SDC and the maximum allowable charge.
WSSC Water proposed several actions as part of the FY22 Operating Budget review process regarding FY22 SDC charges including, keeping SDC rates for FY22 at current FY21 levels and raising the maximum allowable rate by 1.6 percent, as allowed under state law, to give WSSC Water and the counties flexibility to raise rates in the future to cover gaps in growth funding versus growth expenditures.
Introduction and vote expected: The Council will introduce and is expected to vote on a resolution that would allow the Office of the County Executive to increase the value of an existing contract with National Lead for America, Inc. (LFA).
LFA is a paid fellowship for outstanding leaders ages 21 to 30 to work on challenges facing local governments. The amendment would raise the contract value from $60,000 to $90,922 so that the County may engage with two LFA fellows.
Introduction and vote expected: The Council will introduce and is expected to vote on an amendment to Resolution 19-611, which would allow $600,000 in funding to support Educational Equity and Enrichment Hubs (Equity Hubs), extend the time frame for use of the funding, support childcare when MCPS is not in session, provide flexibility in the tuition rate to be applied, provide sufficient funding to administer the remaining funds and extend the reporting timeline.
In September 2020, the Council adopted Resolution 19-611 which appropriated $7,687,000 to the FY21 Operating Budget of the Early Care and Education NDA. The funding provided for grants to school-age childcare providers to open licensed childcare programs in public school buildings and tuition for childcare for low-income children and costs to administer the grant and tuition program.
The amendment to the resolution provides funding for care through the Equity Hubs through the end of the school year and supports childcare for school-based children after the end of the school year.
Councilmember Navarro spearheaded the County's Early Care and Education Initiative and partnered with Council Vice President Albornoz and Councilmember Rice to initiate enhanced funding for the Educational Equity and Enrichment Hubs throughout the pandemic which has been supported by the full Council.
Introduction: The Council will introduce a $3,826,998 special appropriation, as transmitted by County Executive Elrich, to implement additional funding for the Restaurant Relief Grant Program. This program is funded through a state grant as part of the Relief Act of 2021. The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation will implement the program for Montgomery County. The purpose of the funding is to promote and stabilize Montgomery County’s restaurant industry. A public hearing is scheduled for May 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Introduction: The Council will introduce $1,826,521 in special appropriations to the FY21 Operating Budget of the Office of the County Executive which would provide additional funding for the County’s Hotel Relief Grant Program and a new Online Sales Grant Program.
The Relief Act of 2021 includes more than $1 billion in tax relief and economic stimulus for struggling families and small businesses who are suffering as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Act includes Lodging and Accommodations COVID-19 RELIEF Grants of $10 million. Montgomery County’s allotment for this program totals $1,739,544 to promote and encourage stabilization within the hospitality industry.
This Act also includes the Online Sales and Telework Assistance COVID-19 RELIEF Grants of $500,000. Montgomery County’s allotment for this program totals $86,977 to assist businesses in setting up an online sales framework and offering employees telework opportunities. A public hearing is scheduled for May 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Expedited Bill 14-21, Finance - Working Families Income Supplement - Amendments
Public Hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on Expedited Bill 14-21, which would expand eligibility for the Working Families Income Supplement (WIFS) tax credit. Under current law, to claim WIFS, a resident must be eligible and qualify for both the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
In March, the Maryland General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 218 - Child Tax Credit and Expansion of the Earned Income Credit (EIC). The emergency bill expanded eligibility requirements of the State and local EITC, allowing additional taxpayers to claim the tax credits without the federal requirement to have a social security number.
Bill 14-21 would allow a resident who qualifies for either the federal or state Earned Income Credit (EIC) to be eligible for the County's WIFS tax credit. This bill will expand the eligibility for residents who have Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers and qualify for the state EIC.
Montgomery County is the only county in Maryland that offers a local income tax credit for its residents with a 100 percent match of the state EIC for the applicable tax year.
The lead sponsors are Council Vice President Albornoz and Councilmembers Navarro and Katz. Council President Hucker and Councilmembers Friedson, Rice, Glass and Jawando are cosponsors.
Interview—Montgomery County Planning Board
The Council will interview Commissioner Tina Patterson, whose first term on the Montgomery County Planning Board ends on June 14. Members of the Planning Board serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on ZTA 20-08, which would add definitions for a Senior Care Community and a Continuing Care Retirement Community to the Zoning Ordinance to allow for flexibility in senior living unit types while also requiring assisted living services.
Presently, independent living units and residential care facilities in a multi-unit building are approved as a conditional use. ZTA 20-08 would establish the circumstances under which independent living units would be permitted within the Residential Care Facility use and would also clarify the definition of a Continuing Care Retirement Community.
Council President Hucker is the lead sponsor, at the request of the Planning Board.
Update: The Council will receive an update on the Committees’ recommendations on the FY22 operating budget as the full Council begins its review of the operating budget.
Libraries FY21-26 CIP Amendments
Review: The Council will review the five projects within the FY21-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Amendments for Montgomery County Libraries. These include the Library Refurbishment level of effort (LOE) project, which provides a structured process to modernize all 21 library branches over 20 years; the Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center project; the Clarksburg Library project; the Noyes Library for Young Children project; and the 21st Century Library Enhancements Level of Effort project, which keeps technology current and updates technology support systems.
Those expected to attend include and provide information include Anita Vasello, director, Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL); James Donaldson, assistant director, MCPL; Steve Kapani, business office manager, MCPL; Angelisa Hawes, assistant director facilities and ADA, MCPL; and Deborah Lambert, senior fiscal and policy analyst, OMB.
Public Arts Trust FY21-26 CIP Amendments
Introduction: The Council will review the annual request for funds for the Public Arts Trust. The purpose of the trust, which was created in 1995, is to incorporate art into public facilities and sponsor privately funded temporary or permanent displays of art on public property.
The County Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) administers the trust in consultation with the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Suzan Jenkins, chief executive officer, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and Anita Aryeetey, fiscal and policy analyst, OMB.
Cost Sharing: MCG FY21-26 CIP Amendments
This project provides funds for the development of non-governmental projects in conjunction with public agencies or the private sector. County participation leverages private and other public funds for these facilities.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Rafael Murphy, fiscal and policy analyst, OMB and Anita Aryeetey, fiscal and policy analyst, OMB.
The Council will review the Community Grants NDA, which provides one-time grants directly to organizations in the community. These community organizations are critical to an effective network of services and are often able to provide these services in a more cost-effective, culturally appropriate and flexible way than County Government. They are also able to leverage community resources that may be unavailable to the County Government.
Many of the FY22 Community Grants are recommended to be renewed at the same level as FY21 at a total of $9,644,887. These organizations leverage federal, state and private funding or improve the quality of life for County residents.
In addition, $711,500 in funding for 23 community grants funded in the FY21 budget have moved into the base budgets of departments. The funding for those grants can be now found within those departments' budgets.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Rafael Murphy, fiscal & policy analyst, Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The Council 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: 21-200