Council President's Update: Oct. 19, 2020

Sidney Katz Banner

Dear Resident,

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and at tomorrow’s Council meeting, I will present a proclamation highlighting the need for greater awareness about this issue. Unfortunately, local and national public health officials are in agreement that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk and severity of domestic abuse.

Montgomery County has many resources available for victims of domestic abuse. The Family Justice Center provides coordinated advocacy, government, legal and social services for victims of domestic violence. The organization also offers many resources for child abuse and elder abuse. Anyone experiencing domestic abuse is eligible to receive these services. You can contact the Family Justice Center at 240-773-0444.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the Domestic Violence Unit at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 240-777-7016. The Montgomery County Police Department also has a Domestic Abuse Unit which can be reached at 240-773-5050. (For emergencies, call 911.) The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Abused Persons Program provides crisis services and ongoing counseling, shelter, support and advocacy services to victims of partner-related domestic abuse. Residents in need may also access services via the County’s Crisis Center, which can be reached 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 240-777-4000.

Here is an informative video from the Family Justice Center which discusses the resources available and how individuals can seek help. “A Closer Look: Domestic Violence,” produced by Susan Kenedy also provides resources and personal stories from those who are survivors of domestic violence. We all must work together to help stamp out domestic violence in our community.

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Student Advisory Group

Last week my third Student Advisory Group held its first meeting of the 2020-2021 school year. This group is composed of students from Montgomery College and the Universities of Shady Grove. There are currently 18 students in the 2020-2021 class. I’m honored to be able to assemble this group, which aims to engage and excite local college students about the work of the Montgomery County Council. The students’ role is to advise me on issues important to them. In our first meeting we got to know each other and were able to discuss important issues including COVID-19, policing, racial equity, traffic congestion, climate change and more.

I look forward to our ongoing work throughout the year. 

Make Your Voting Plan Today

Have you made your plan to vote?  If not, I encourage you to do so today. As you may know, voting by mail for the 2020 presidential election is fully underway and ballot drop boxes are in place across our community. Early voting will start on Oct. 26 at 7 a.m. at 11 early voting centers across Montgomery County.

If you would like to vote by mail, don’t delay because the deadline to request your mail-in ballot is tomorrow. In Montgomery County, we have been encouraging community members to vote by mail and the response has been tremendous.

You can find more information about voting by-mail, absentee voting, early voting and much more by visiting the Montgomery County Board of Elections website. You can also find out information on the candidates and the ballot questions by visiting the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County at www.lwvmocomd.org and reviewing their Voters’ Guide.  Your participation in the democratic process is essential.

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Testing for COVID-19

Here in Montgomery County, we offer free COVID-19 testing to all residents who want to be tested for any reason. Residents are strongly encouraged to schedule testing appointments; however, walk-ins are also permitted. See the full list of testing options on the County’s Department of Health and Human Services webpage here. This week, free testing sites are available in locations throughout the County. For more information about how to get tested for COVID-19, and to see a full schedule of free testing, click here.

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Council Action

Public Accountability and County Transparency Act

The Council will receive public testimony on Bill 42-20, which would, among other things, require the County Executive to disclose a proposed employment contract with an appointee to a non-merit position and any employment contract with an employee currently serving in a non-merit position to the Council. Councilmember Andrew Friedson is the lead sponsor. I am a cosponsor along with Councilmembers Craig Rice, Evan Glass, Nancy Navarro and Council Vice President Hucker. The goal of this legislation is to increase public accountability and County transparency. You can read more here.

Bill 43-20, Non-Merit Employees - Merit System Employees - Severance Pay – Limited

The Council will receive public testimony on Bill 43-20, which would prohibit severance pay for a County employee, unless authorized by law, and prohibit severance pay for certain employees who violate the Ethics Law. Councilmember Andrew Friedson is the lead sponsor of this bill. I am a cosponsor along with Councilmembers Craig Rice, Evan Glass, Nancy Navarro and Council Vice President Hucker. The goal of this legislation is to improve transparency in employee compensation. You can read more here.

Racial Equity and Social Justice

On Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., the Council will receive public testimony on Bill 44-20, which would require racial equity and social justice impact statements for each zoning text amendment. Councilmember Nancy Navarro is the lead sponsor of this bill, which is an outgrowth of the Racial Equity and Social Justice Act that was spearheaded by Councilmember Navarro and approved by the full Council in Nov. 2019. In addition to applying a racial equity lens to County zoning issues, Bill 44-20 would add two additional public members to the Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee and authorize the County Executive to establish one or more task forces to study and make recommendations on specified racial equity and social justice issues. You can read more here.

Subdivision Staging Policy

Following Tuesday’s public hearings, the Council will begin its review of committee recommendations on the County’s 2020-2024 Subdivision Staging Policy, which is one of the many ways that the County supports the excellent quality of life for its residents. The Subdivision Staging Policy is based on having sufficient infrastructure to support new development. It includes criteria and guidance for the administration of Montgomery County’s Adequate Public Facility Ordinance, which matches the timing of private development with the availability of public infrastructure. Every four years, recommendations for policy updates reflecting current growth patterns start with the Montgomery Planning Department, before being reviewed and approved by the Montgomery County Planning Board and the Council. You can read more here.

As always, you can read this week’s Council Coming Attractions and our Council and Committee agendas to see everything that’s coming up. I also urge you to watch our virtual meetings, which are live streamed here and on our YouTube channel. You can also tune in on County Cable Montgomery: Xfinity/RCN Channel 6 or in HD on 996/1065 or Fios Channel 30.

Business Briefing

Save the date! On Nov. 5 at 12:30 p.m., I will be joined by Ash Shetty, director of the Montgomery County Office of Procurement, and Grace Denno, division chief, Division of Business Relations, Montgomery County Office of Procurement, to discuss the County’s procurement process and how it has been altered to promote partnership with local businesses.

Residents can submit their questions for the business briefing ahead of time by e-mailing Councilmember.Katz@MontgomeryCountyMD.Gov and are also able to submit questions in the Zoom chat during the question and answer portion of the briefing. Those wishing to participate in the briefing must register ahead of time by emailing Councilmember.Katz@MontgomeryCountyMD.Gov. You will receive the Zoom call information by email when you register.

Youth Town Hall

The Council and Nick Asante, student member of the Montgomery County Board of Education, will cohost a virtual youth town hall on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The meeting will include a discussion and question and answer periods focused on mental health and wellness, activities outside the virtual classroom and food security and other assistance. Representatives from the Montgomery County Collaboration Council, Montgomery Recreation, the Montgomery County Food Council and the Department of Health and Human Services will also participate to provide information on available resources for young people. The town hall meeting will take place on the online communications platform Zoom. Montgomery County Public School students can register here. Private school or home school students who wish to participate can register by e-mailing Mirchaye.Sahlu@montgomerycountymd.gov. The meeting will be live steamed on the Council’s YouTube and Facebook pages and will air on County Cable Montgomery.

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Thank you for reading. Please stay safe and continue to look out for one another.

Sincerely,

Council President Sidney Katz