For Immediate Release: Friday, September 17, 2021
The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet virtually on Monday, Sept. 20 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The morning meeting is being conducted to review Bill 30-21 Landlord-Tenant Relations - Restrictions During Emergencies - Extended Limitations Against Rent Increases and Late Fees. At 1:30 p.m. the committee will begin its fourth meeting on the Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan and will focus on compact growth and complete communities. The PHED Committee will also discuss an executive regulation about new and existing building construction using criteria for energy efficiency, conservation and indoor environmental quality, in addition to other standards. The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
The Public Safety Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to review Expedited Bill 34-20, Police Disciplinary Procedures - Police Labor Relations - Duty to Bargain - Amendments. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz, Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz and Council President Tom Hucker.
Additional information about each meeting can be found below.
Review: The PHED Committee will meet to review Bill 30-21 which would prohibit fees for late rent payments during certain emergencies; extend the time after an emergency when rent increases must not exceed certain guidelines; and amend the law regarding rents and fees for rental housing and landlord-tenant relations. The lead sponsor of Bill 30-21 is Councilmember Jawando.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Councilmember Jawando introduced, and the Council enacted, Bill 18-20, Landlord-Tenant Relations-Rent Stabilizations During Emergencies, to protect renters in the County from destabilizing rent increases. This law is tied to Gov. Hogan’s March 5, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency and will expire 90 days after the emergency declaration ended on Aug. 15. Therefore, under the current County law, the rent stabilization would expire on Nov. 15, 2021.
Bill 30-21 would prohibit a landlord from charging a fee for nonpayment or late payment of rent during an emergency or within one year after the expiration of the emergency. It would also prohibit rent adjustments during the emergency and within one year after the expiration of the emergency.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Aseem Nigam, director, Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA); Frank Demarais, deputy director, DHCA; Rosie McCray-Moody, manager, DHCA.
Review: The PHED Committee will continue its review of the Planning Board’s Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan which is a framework to guide planning for land use, housing, the economy, equity, transportation, parks and open space, the environment, historic resources, urban design and arts and culture over the next three decades.
The recommendations will provide guidance for future master plans, county and state capital improvement processes and other public and private initiatives that influence land use and planning in Montgomery County. At previous meetings, the Committee reviewed the introductory section of the Plan and received a briefing from the Planning Department on the Plan’s vison. The committee meeting will focus on the first two chapters of the plan about compact growth and complete communities.
For additional background information on Thrive Montgomery 2050 visit Montgomery Planning. The next PHED Committee meeting on the Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan is tentatively scheduled for September 27.
Executive Regulation 12-20, Adoption of the 2018 International Green Construction Code
Review: The PHED Committee will also review Executive Regulation 12-20, Adoption of the 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC). The IgCC includes measures that result in better indoor environments and a lower impact on natural resources.
The building sector comprises 50 percent of the County’s community-wide greenhouse gas emissions. Improving the efficiency of new and existing buildings is a critical step that the County seeks to take to meet its emissions reduction goals. The 2018 IgCC applies to certain new buildings and additions to existing buildings of more than 5,000 square feet. It includes solar photovoltaic options, energy modeling options and building design improvements.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Rick Merck, division chief, Commercial Building Construction, Department of Permitting Services (DPS) and Bryan Bomer, sustainability, energy, and mechanical manager, Commercial Building Construction, DPS.
Review: The PS Committee will discuss Expedited Bill 34-20, Police - Disciplinary Procedures - Police Labor Relations - Duty to Bargain - Amendments, which would amend the disciplinary procedures for County police officers by requiring the use of a traditional hearing board under the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights.
The bill would also require two additional voting public members on a hearing board in a case originating from a complaint alleging an excessive use of force and authorize the chief of police to issue a final order on employee discipline based on the recommendations of a hearing board. In addition, the bill would exclude collective bargaining over the composition of a police hearing board, the right of the chief of police to make a final decision on discipline and the right of the chief to issue a directive or administrative order implementing an employer right.
The lead sponsors of the bill are Councilmembers Riemer and Rice. Councilmembers Jawando and Navarro are cosponsors.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Willie Parker-Loan, assistant chief of police, Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD); Darren Francke, assistant chief of police, MCPD; Dr. Earl Stoddard, assistant chief administrative officer, Office of the County Executive; Ed Lattner, division chief, County Attorney’s Office; Torrie Cooke, president, Fraternal Order of Police; and Lee Holland vice president, Fraternal Order of Police.
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.
The Council and Committees are meeting via Zoom this fall because of ongoing construction and technology upgrades in the Council's Hearing Room and the inability to conduct meetings in a socially distant way in other areas of the Council Office Building with television broadcast capacity. Councilmembers will continue to hold meetings in their offices by appointment.
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: 21-358