For Immediate Release: Monday, May 2, 2022
Also on May 3: Review and vote expected on a $789,000 special appropriation to support minority, female and disabled-owned (MFD) businesses in the County; vote to establish a new contract with the Montgomery County Food Council to design strategies to end childhood hunger in the County
The Council will meet on Tuesday, May 3 at 9 a.m. The meeting will begin with two proclamations. The first, presented by Councilmember Jawando, will recognize National Physical Education and Sport Week. The second proclamation, which will be presented by Council President Albornoz and the full Council, is part of the Council’s commemoration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which will begin at approximately 9:15 a.m. The theme of this year’s commemoration is, “Advancing Asian American and Pacific Islander Leaders Through Collaboration in the Arts,” and includes a video segment showcasing many artists and their achievements.
More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan
Review: The Council will continue its review the Planning Board Draft of the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan, which makes recommendations within the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan area for land use and zoning, housing, economic development, urban design, transportation, parks and public spaces, environmental resiliency, community facilities and historic resources.
The Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) Committee held multiple meetings to review and make recommendations to the Council on the plan. At a meeting held on March 7, the Committee discussed the introduction to the plan, the eight districts that make up the plan area and recommendations on housing. At a meeting held on March 28, the PHED Committee discussed recommendations for parks, trails, and public spaces, transportation, school infrastructure and the Executive’s Fiscal Impact Statement. At a meeting held on April 4, the Committee discussed recommendations for land use, zoning, economic growth and urban design. At a meeting held on April 20, the Committee addressed implementation elements and follow-up items including an assessment of market rate affordable multifamily housing. The full Council reviewed the plan at a meeting held on April 26 and the PHED Committee held another worksession on April 27.
Review and vote expected: The Council is expected to review and vote on a $789,000 special appropriation to the FY22 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government on the Incubator Programs Economic Development Partnership Non-departmental Account (NDA). The special appropriation, sponsored by Councilmembers Riemer and Jawando. Councilmembers Friedson, Rice, Navarro, Hucker, Katz and Council President Albornoz are cosponsors. The appropriation provides funding for a set of initiatives to support minority, female and disabled-owned (MFD) businesses in the County. The appropriation includes seven specific funding initiatives. Councilmembers Friedson, Rice, Navarro, Hucker and Katz and Council President Albornoz are cosponsors.
Consent Calendar Highlights
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on an amendment to an FY22 operating budget resolution to authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish a new contract with the Montgomery County Food Council to design strategies to end childhood hunger in the County in the amount of $100,000. The organization has played a unique role in supporting and coordinating food security efforts in the County and has extensive expertise around food insecurity to develop strategies around ending childhood hunger.
Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on an amendment to an FY22 operating budget resolution to authorize DHHS to increase the amount of the contract with Asian American LEAD Leadership, Empowerment and Development for Youth and Family, Inc. (AALEAD). The organization supports Asian Pacific American youth who are low-income with educational empowerment, identity development and leadership opportunities through afterschool, summer and mentoring programs. The request for additional funding of $32,010 will provide for a mental health convening. The convening will consist of multiple workshops, educational training and activities targeting Asian American youth and their mental health.
Additional Consent Calendar Items
Office of Legislative Oversight Report 2022-6: Inventory of Services to Victims of Power Based Violence in Montgomery County —The Council will acknowledge receipt of a report released by the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO) on an inventory of government and nonprofit services to victims of power-based violence in Montgomery County.
Resolution in support of financial assistance to Aronson, LLC through the Maryland Economic Development Authority Administration Fund $50,000 — The Council is expected to vote on a resolution in support of providing $50,000 in financial assistance to Aronson, LLC through the Maryland Economic Development Authority Administration Fund (MEDAAF). The County must endorse the MEDAAF loan in a formal resolution, as required by the Economic Development Article §5-319(d) of the Maryland Code. The MEDAAF loan is part of a negotiated financial assistance package for the business’s retention in the County.
Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, Department of Recreation, Youth Development - $250,000 for After School Youth Support and Engagement Hubs; and Amendment to FY22 Operating Budget Resolution 19-872 Section G, FY22 Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Contract Award Status: Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families — The joint Planning Housing and Economic Development (PHED) and Education and Culture (E&C) Committee will introduce a $250,000 special appropriation to the FY22 operating budget for after school youth support and engagement hubs and an amendment to an FY22 operating budget resolution for the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families. A public hearing and vote are scheduled for May 17.
Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Operating Budget, Office of Community Use of Public Facilities, Facility Fee Assistance Program - $125,000 for Youth Out-of-School-Time Initiative — The joint PHED and E&C Committee will introduce a $125,000 special appropriation to the FY22 operating budget for a youth out-of-school-time (OST) initiative. A public hearing and vote are scheduled for May 17.
Extension of Appointment - Acting Director, Department of Environmental Protection, Adriana Hochberg, until October 31, 2022 — The Council will introduce and vote on the extension until October 31, 2022, of the appointment of Adriana Hochberg to acting director of the Department of Environmental Protection. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive. The staff report will be available by Tuesday.
Public Hearings
Unless otherwise indicated, the Council will hold public hearings beginning at 1:30 p.m. Residents continue to have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville for many public hearings.
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a $75,000 supplemental appropriation, which would provide relief to taxi operators in the County to help ensure the stability of the Medicaid and Call-N-Ride programs. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a supplemental appropriation for the Individuals with Disabilities Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Service Plan Grant. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a more than $2.3 million supplemental appropriation that MCPS will use to enhance the services offered to non-native English-speaking students. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a more than $6.9 million supplemental appropriation that MCPS will utilize to enhance the services offered to special education students enrolled in the Montgomery Virtual Academy. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a $623,924 supplemental appropriation that MCPS will use to enhance the services offered to preschool students with disabilities. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a $1.2 million special appropriation to DHHS for Adult Medical Day Care (AMDC) COVID-19 assistance. AMDC providers were required to close their facilities from March 2020 to March 2021 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. One-time support is needed for these providers and can be provided using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). During this time, reimbursement and revenues were substantially reduced and these providers incurred additional costs for modifications to facilities and vehicles and the purchase of personal protective equipment.
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and vote on a $112,000 special appropriation to the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted children and their families through disruption of educational programs, lost family income due to job loss or reduced work opportunities and the reduced availability of dependable childcare to support parents’ work prospects. This appropriation supports efforts to develop OST programming that supports learning and responds to the needs of children and families.
Proposed Closed Session
Review: The Council is expected to hold a closed session to interview for the Hearing Examiner position. The legal basis for the closed session is to discuss the to discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation or performance evaluation of an appointee, employee or official over whom it has jurisdiction, pursuant to Maryland Code, General Provisions Article, Section 3-305(b)(1)(i).
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: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Council returned to in-person meetings on March 15; residents continue to have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville for many public hearings.
The Council is recommending that residents, who choose to attend in-person Council meetings, get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. If this is not possible, virtual participation is encouraged.
Council and committee meetings are 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: 22-188