For Immediate Release: Friday, October 8, 2021
Committees will discuss short-term housing assistance for human trafficking survivors, the Thrive Montgomery 2050 Draft Plan and Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS)
The Montgomery County Council's Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 11 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss a supplemental appropriation to the FY22 Operating Budget of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in the amount of $300,000 for a grant from the University of Maryland’s Office of Research Administration for short-term housing assistance for human trafficking survivors.
The members of the HHS Committee include Chair and Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmembers Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness & Vulnerable Communities) and Craig Rice.
The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. The 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 members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
The Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive an update on key programs and initiatives at Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS).
The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz, Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz and Council President Tom Hucker.
More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
Review: The HHS Committee will review a supplemental appropriation to the FY22 Operating Budget of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in the amount of $300,000 for a grant from the University of Maryland Office of Research Administration for short-term housing assistance for human trafficking survivors.
This funding will be used to support residents of Montgomery County by providing resources directly to victims of human trafficking and will bolster DHHS’ efforts in administering assistance to victims of human trafficking. It will also support the collection of data that will be critical to developing strategies for ending human trafficking in Montgomery County. The program will be administered by DHHS.
The lead sponsor is Council President Hucker, at the request of the County Executive.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Amanda Harris, chief, Services to End and Prevent Homelessness (SEPH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); Elizabeth Driggers, permanent housing administrator, SEPH, DHHS; Kim Ball, homeless services administrator, SEPH, DHHS; Deborah Lambert, senior fiscal and policy analyst, OMB; Heidi Alvarez, University of Maryland SAFE Center; and Ashley Greene, University of Maryland SAFE Center.
Thrive 2050 - Affordable and Attainable Housing
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, received a briefing from the Planning Department on the plan’s vison, reviewed the first two chapters about compact growth and complete communities, reviewed the fiscal impact statement prepared by the Office of Management and Budget and reviewed the plan’s impact on design, arts and culture and transportation and communication networks.
This Committee meeting will focus on affordable and attainable housing. The chapter on parks and recreation will be covered on Oct. 13. The Committee is scheduled to hold a final meeting to review the plan’s conclusion and introduction on Oct. 18.
For additional background information on Thrive Montgomery 2050 visit Montgomery Planning.
Alcohol and Beverage Services (ABS)
Review: The PS Committee will receive an update on key programs and initiatives at Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS). The Committee will also review relevant spending and performance data.
Those expected to attend and provide information include Kathie Durbin, director, Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS); John Utermohle, Chief of Administrative Services, ABS; Kent Massie, chief of retail operations, ABS; John Zeltner, chief of warehouse, ABS; Melissa Davis, chief of communications, ABS; Courtney Orsini, management and budget specialist, ABS; and Chris Mullin, Manager, 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.
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: 21-394