The Katz Update - Fantastic Farm Tours This Weekend!!

July 26, 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.

Latest News from the County Council

At the Tuesday, July 23rd Council Session, the Montgomery County Council:

• Presented a Proclamation recognizing the outstanding work of Michael Bobbitt, Artistic Director at Adventure Theatre.  The long-time, respected leader will leave Adventure Theatre this summer to become Artistic Director of the New Repertory Theatre in Watertown, MA.  
• Approved by a 9-0 vote the Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 19-01, Accessory Residential Uses - Accessory Apartments.  This ZTA is to support county residents who want to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their properties.  An example would be a backyard cottage or in-law basement apartment.  These units are generally more affordable than existing housing stock.  This is not applicable in municipalities with planning authority such as Barnesville, Brookeville, Gaithersburg, Laytonsville, Poolesville, Rockville and Washington Grove.    
• Confirmed the appointment of Berke Attila, the County Executive’s appointee for the Director of the Office of Human Resources.  

Public Safety Committee (PS)

The Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, July 29th at 2 pm.  It will be a joint committee meeting with the Education & Culture Committee.  Both committees will receive an update on school bus safety issues. 

Government Operations Committee (GO)

The GO Committee met on July 25th.  The Committee discussed the Non-Merit Salary Schedule; Expedited Bill 21-19 on Property Tax Credit for Elderly Individuals and Bill 13-19 on County Property - Disposition - Reuse Analysis.  The next GO Committee meeting is scheduled for September 12th.

Katz in the Community

It is my pleasure to attend community events throughout District 3.  Please email me at Councilmember.Katz@montgomerycountymd.gov if you would like to invite me to your next community event!

I had the pleasure of presenting lifeguard Marisa Arnold, a recent Quince Orchard High School graduate, with a Proclamation to recognize her quick actions to save the life of a 4-year old boy at Stonebridge Community Pool in Gaithersburg.  She is a real hometown hero!

Great time at the 24th Annual Community Support Services (CSS) Family Picnic and Olympics.  This terrific organization is committed to providing quality, community-based service to children and adults with autism and other severe developmental disabilities.  It was a fun day for the whole family.  I am pictured with Susan Ingram, Executive Director of CSS.

I had the opportunity to tour Mercy Health Clinic in Gaithersburg and present the Executive Director and Director of Development with a certificate in honor of their recent recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home.  Mercy Health Clinic is a totally free clinic serving the uninsured of our community.  They serve around 2,000 patients annually through the efforts of more than 50 volunteer physicians and over 100 medical and administrative volunteers.

My office held a brown bag lunch discussion with our Summer Fellows and Summer Rise students.  Our Summer Fellows attend colleges from all over the country.  They are working at the County Council to explore their interest in local government and policy.

Also, it is a pleasure getting to know the MCPS Summer Rise students.  They are hard working and want to make a real difference.  Our Summer Rise student is Chade Herring.  Get to know Chade in the section below!

This is a picture of me with Impact Silver Spring members during a recent listening session.  For over 17 years, IMPACT has been building community-based networks, and creating diverse community “spaces” where people and organizations can cross lines of difference and strengthen social connections.

MEET OUR SUMMER RISE STUDENT - CHADE LISA HERRING!! My name is Chade Lisa Herring, I attend Northwood High School as a rising senior.  I am a Summer Rise student at the Montgomery County Council this summer.  Working under Councilmember Sidney Katz, I really enjoy working in the same office as him and his team.   Before I was introduced to work at the Montgomery County Council, a few months ago, I was looking for a job that could benefit and help me in the future.  This would be when I get a job working in a library or even working for the County Council, right after college or during high school.  I was fine with either.  Then one day my grandmother came up to me and told me about this amazing program for people with disabilities called the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation services (DORS).  This program helps people with disabilities go to work and gain independence in the process.  I spoke with a person that works in the program to find a job.  While we were speaking, he asked me what I was interested in, and I said I wanted to be a librarian and/or a journalist.  I also said anything is fine, as long as I received experience.  He said OK and that I would be working for the Montgomery County Council in July.  At first, I was shocked that they picked me out of the waiting list to work for the Montgomery County Council, but I was mostly excited to find a job--finally!  On my first day of work I was a little nervous since it was my first ever job, but the job is so fun, and everyone was so warm that I barely thought about how nervous I was.  Working for the County Council was a really great experience, I made connections with different people that I thought I wouldn’t be able to meet.  I am grateful to to DORS for introducing me to this job.  I was also able to learn what the County Council is all about, what they do, and how they run things.  All you need to succeed in life is determination, courage, and drive and nothing is impossible.

Calling All College Students!

The Katz office is seeking 12 students interested in local government and politics for its 2019 - 2020 Student Advisory Group (SAG).  This group is open to any college student either living in District 3 or attending Montgomery College or the Universities of Shady Grove.  SAG meets once every two months in the evening to advise me about public policies important to our students.  If interested, please email me with student's name and contact info. -  Councilmember.Katz@montgomerycountymd.gov.    

Things To Do in District 3

Friday, July 26, 2019:  Zumba in the Park at the Concert Pavilion (31 South Summit Avenue in Gaithersburg).  Shake it to the Latin rhythms of Zumba, which features interval dance sessions that combine fast and slow rhythms to maximize fat burning.  Learn the Tango and Salsa while you experience an hour of stress relieving fun.  7:00 to 8:00 pm.  For more info. -  Zumba in the Park.

Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, 28, 2019:  2019 Farm Tour & Harvest Sale in Montgomery County.  There will be hay rides, pony rides/petting farms, fresh produce and the chance to meet and learn from our farmers!  Various locations.  For more info. - Farm Tour.

Saturday, July 27, 2019:  Rockville Farmers Market is a grower/producer only market held at the Jury Lot in Rockville (East Jefferson Street and Monroe Street).  Vendors sell fresh fruit, veggies, cheeses, pastries and more.  9:00 am to 1:00 pm.  More info - Rockville Farmers Market.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019:  Yoga in the Park at the Concert Pavilion (31 South Summit Ave. in Gaithersburg).  Bring your mat, towel and water for a relaxing hour of yoga.  7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  More info - Yoga in the Park.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019:  Join the Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee for a casual neighborhood ride for about one-hour.  Meet at Westat Parking Lot (1450 Research Blvd. in Rockville).  6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.  More info. - Bike Ride.

Thursday, August 1, 2019:  Thursday Morning Kids Concerts - African Storytelling at the Concert Pavilion (31 South Summit Ave. in Gaithersburg).  10:30 am to 11:30 am.  More info - Kids Concerts.

Thursday, August 1, 2019:  Fulks Corner Farmers Market (Fulks Corner Ave. in Gaithersburg).  Seasonal fruits and vegetables, baked goods, teas, herb and spice blends, beef, eggs, beef jerky, flowers, and dog treats are for sale.  1:00 pm to 5:30 pm.  More info - Farmers Market.

I am proud to co-sponsor this event with the City of Gaithersburg!

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