The Katz Update

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May 17, 2019

I am honored to represent District 3 on the Montgomery County Council.  I serve as Chair of the Public Safety Committee and as a member of the Government Operations Committee.


Council News

At this week's Council Sessions:

  • I presented a proclamation recognizing Gun Violence Awareness Day to the organization "Moms Demand Action."  You can watch the presentation here.

  • Worksessions were held on the FY20 operating budget and FY19-24 Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) for the Department of Health and Human Services, Early Care and Education Services, Office of Management and Budget, Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools, Community Grants, FY20 Transportation fees, and property tax options.
  • The Council reached a preliminary agreement on the County's $5.8 billion FY20 operating and capital budget.  The budget is scheduled to be approved by the Council on May 23.  For the press release, please click here.

 

Katz in the Community

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I had a great time at the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL) 6th Annual Grown-Up Spelling Bee.  Five teams competed for prizes and bragging rights.  The event raised money to expand the reach of the 60+ MCAEL funded English proficiency organizations around the County.  

Thank you to MCAEL for all you do for our County!

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I was delighted to celebrate a ribbon-cutting and grand opening for Madison House Autism Foundation in Gaithersburg.  This outstanding organization supports adults with autism as well as their families.

At age 21, federally mandated services for children with autism ends.  Those over 21 with autism face many challenges as they navigate adulthood.  The Madison House is working to address those challenges by helping adults with autism find jobs, live independently, feel connected to their communities and become participating members of society. 

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It was great to be at MHP Beall’s Grant Apartments in Rockville to learn about Montgomery County's new program for those seeking to save money on energy costs.  The new program is tailored for low-income families.  Residents received shower heads, LED bulbs and free energy testing in their apartment if they currently pay an electric bill in MD.  Residents were also able to schedule a no-cost Quick Home Energy Check Up through their electric provider.

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In response to concerns from residents, the County activated its newest high intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) beacon on Aspen Hill Road between Georgia and Connecticut Avenues. I was pleased to attend the kick-off to the activation.  These effective signals will help with pedestrian safety as we increase the walkability of our communities.

 

Things To Do in District 3

Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Gaithersburg City Hall, located at 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD  20877.  The Gaithersburg Book Festival is a celebration of the written word and its power to enrich the human experience. The festival's mission is to foster an interest in reading, writing and literary conversation.  Funded in part by generous sponsors and supported by the City of Gaithersburg, the Festival offers programming for all ages and is free to everyone.  More information - Gaithersburg Book Festival

Wednesday, May 22, starting at 7:15 p.m., at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, located at 506 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD  20877.  Gaithersburg City's Cultural Arts Advisory Committee invites individual artists and art groups to attend a brainstorming Arts Enterprise Tool Kit Meeting.  The committee is developing a program to help artists develop business skills for professional development and economic stability through training, mentoring, connections and resources.  The meeting will include presentations by art entrepreneurs, members of SCORE (a nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring services to prospective and established small business owners) & others.  More information and RSVP - Arts Enterprise Tool Kit Meeting

Saturday, May 25 and Sunday May 26, from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m., at the Rockville Town Center.  Join the City of Rockville for its Hometown Holidays Music Festival over the Memorial Day weekend.  There will be four stages of entertainment with more than 25 performances.  The event offers kid's amusements and entertainment, the Rockville "beach" and the Taste of Rockville.  The event benefits Community Reach of Montgomery County (formerly Community Ministries of Rockville) and Rockville Chamber of Commerce.  For more information - Hometown Holidays Music Festival

Saturday, May 25, starting at 11 a.m., at Bohrer Park, located at 512 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD  20877.  Join Flags For Our Heroes in celebration of the heroes, living and deceased, in a touching tribute to the people who mean the most to us.  Each Memorial Day weekend since 2014, Gaithersburg's Bohrer Park is transformed into a Field of Honor where 750 eight-foot high American flags are flown to celebrate our heroes.  Each flag honors a person who has made a difference in someone's life.  The flags will be removed at the closing ceremony on Monday, May 27, at 4 p.m.  More information - Flags For Our Heroes

Wednesday, May 29, from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., at the Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center, located at 13850 Travilah Road, Rockville, MD  20850.  Join me and representatives from the Montgomery County Police Department for a Public Safety Community Conversation.  This is a great opportunity to discuss issues brought to our attention by the local community.  RSVP welcome but not required, please email laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov

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4business

County Executive Marc Elrich and Council Vice President Sidney Katz are embarking on a multi-pronged joint initiative: 4Business – Benchmarking to Be the Best for Business. The objective is to engage the local business community in a grassroots campaign to assist businesses to locate, grow and prosper in Montgomery County.

Listening sessions have been scheduled across the County to receive input from businesses about what they need to succeed, and to give them an opportunity to share their experiences in locating and growing their businesses in Montgomery County. The County is seeking feedback on what will help businesses to be more successful.  The first phase of 4Business is focused on the regulatory climate, including codes, the permitting process, licensing, inspections, and other issues. 

The County has received good feedback at the first four listening sessions.  The schedule for the remaining two sessions:  

  • Wednesday, May 22, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring.
  • Monday, June 10, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown.

For those who cannot attend the hearings, please email comments and feedback to 4Business@montgomerycountymd.gov.   

More information - 4Business

 

Please Send Us Your Thoughts, Concerns and News!

We want to hear from you about your achievements, celebrations, issues and ideas.  Email: Councilmember.Katz@montgomerycountymd.gov 

 

More Ways to Connect With Us (Please tell your friends and neighbors as well)!

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Councilmember.Katz@montgomerycountymd.gov
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Katz/

(240) 777-7906

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