For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
The joint Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) and Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss Bill 39-21, Taxation – Public Safety Officers – Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialists – Property Tax Credit.
The members of the GO Committee include Chair Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz.
The members of the PS Committee include Chair Katz, Council President Gabe Albornoz and Councilmember Tom Hucker.
The Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to discuss Bill 13-22, Buildings – Comprehensive Building Decarbonization. In addition, the committee will receive its second update from the County Executive’s office on the pole attachment license agreement.
The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
Review: The joint GO and PS Committee will review Bill 39-21, Taxation – Public Safety Officers – Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialists – Property Tax Credit, which would provide a property tax credit for public safety officers and public safety emergency communications specialists employed by the County.
The purpose of the bill is to increase the number of County employees occupying public safety positions who reside in the County and help recruit and retain public safety employees. If approved, Bill 39-21 would establish a maximum $2,500 County property tax credit for full-time sworn police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and public safety emergency communications specialists employed by the County.
The lead sponsors are Councilmembers Hucker and Council President Albornoz. Council Vice President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Navarro, Katz, Friedson, Jawando, and Craig Rice are cosponsors.
Bill 13-22, Buildings – Comprehensive Building Decarbonization
Review: The PHED Committee will review Bill 13-22, Buildings – Comprehensive Building Decarbonization, which would require the County Executive to issue all-electric building standards for new construction, major renovations and additions by Jan. 1, 2024.
All-electric building standards will help the County to achieve its zero-greenhouse gas emissions goal by ensuring future construction is electrified. Exemptions would be provided for emergency backup systems and certain uses such as manufacturing, crematories, life sciences and commercial kitchens. In addition, income restricted housing and schools will have an extended timeline.
Update: The PHED Committee will receive its second update from the County Executive’s office on the pole attachment license agreement. The master licensing agreements provide a process and fee structure for carriers to attach 5G wireless equipment to County-owned infrastructure. The agreement will help to facilitate the deployment of wireless communications equipment, while preserving the County’s authority in design, placement and operation of these wireless facilities. The committee received its first update on Oct. 17. Previously, the Council approved Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 18-02, which allows the deployment of 5G infrastructure in commercial areas; ZTA 19-07, which allows deployment of 5G infrastructure in residential areas; and ZTA 22-01, which facilitates the deployment of antennas on existing structures.
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 recommends that residents, who choose to attend in-person Council or committee 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.