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Yesterday, the Council introduced a $5,050,000 appropriation for a Tourism Stabilization Grant Program. I was pleased to work with the Executive Branch, Visit Montgomery, and the County’s Hospitality, Entertainment, Recreation and Culture Economic Working Group on this important proposal. Like so many sectors in our local economy, the hospitality sector has been hit extremely hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/Center Employment Statistics, Montgomery and Frederick Counties experienced a 44 percent decline in leisure and hospitality jobs from April 2019 to April 2020, compared to an 11 percent employment decline in all job losses during the same period. Hotel occupancy has been cut in half.
The primary purpose of this grant program is to support the recovery of our local tourism industry, particularly the anchor institutions that attract significant numbers of visitors to our county and enhance the quality of life for county residents by providing leisure and entertainment opportunities. A smaller, but important element of this program is aimed at instilling public confidence in the health and safety standards being employed by our hospitality partners. In addition to $5 million in grants, $50,000 will fund a cleaning, disinfection, and infectious disease prevention best practices accreditation program which will be administered by the Conference and Visitor’s Bureau of Montgomery County, MD, Inc.
The Tourism Stabilization Grant Program is the latest of more than a dozen county grant programs providing relief to county businesses since the start of the pandemic. Over $70 million has been appropriated for these purposes, nearly 40 percent of the County’s total CARES Act allocation.
Next week's election will be incredibly consequential not just for the future of our nation, but for the future of our county.
On the ballot are County Board of Education seats and ballot questions that will shape whether we can build the type of community that adequately funds schools, transportation, and everyday basic services while encouraging economic growth. Make sure to make your voice heard.
For those who aren't voting by mail, Early Voting centers around the County are now open from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM through November 2. Check here for locations and current wait times. Get the mobile app so you can check for your closest voting center and wait times via Google Play or the App Store. Or just text "EV" and your zip code to 77788. (Example: EV 20814).
If you plan to vote in-person on Election Day, please know your regular polling place may not be open this year. All elections administrators in the State are using larger in-person Election Day polling locations to allow for safe, socially-distanced voting. Here are the Election Day voting centers in Montgomery County: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/VotingServices/vote-centers-2020.html
A registered voter in the County can vote at any location.
Yesterday, Councilmembers Glass, Navarro, Rice, and I introduced a measure that will encourage more on-farm composting and mulching in the Agricultural Reserve. ZTA 20-04 will increase the percentage of off-site materials farmers may use for the production and manufacturing of compost and mulch from 20 percent to 50 percent.
While Montgomery County has made great strides in the recycling of plastic, glass, and paper products, we still lack the infrastructure needed to commercially compost the 147,000 tons of food waste per year generated. While Department of Environmental Protection Director Ortiz and his team continue to plan for this badly needed infrastructure, maximizing the potential of on-farm composting is an important step we can take now to reduce our organic waste stream and address an important recommendation of the 2018 Strategic Plan to Advance Composting, Compost Use, and Food Scraps Diversion in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County has always been at the forefront of environmental stewardship and this measure takes us one step closer to our waste-reduction goals while enhancing the economic viability of our county’s farms. It’s a win-win for our farms, our families, and our environment.
As we all await the Board of Education's November 10th meeting, where the Board will be presented an update on reopening plans at 1:20 PM, the Council approved another funding request for MCPS.
The Council passed $864,029 last week to increase somatic and mental Health services at Gaithersburg, Highland, New Hampshire Estates, Sargent
Shriver, South Lake, and Wheaton Woods Elementary Schools. Of that funding, $307,356 would be used for three School Community Health Nurses and $556,673 for contractual mental health services.
This is in addition to the $24.7 million in CARES Act funding MCPS received in June and the roughly $34.4 million in CARES Act funding that the State recently disbursed to our school system.
The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants for the County’s 11-member Commission on Redistricting. The Commission must include at least one but no more than four members of each political party which polled at least 15 percent of the total vote cast for all candidates for the Council in the last preceding regular election and at least one member of the Commission shall reside in each Council district. The deadline to apply for consideration is 5:00 PM on Monday, November 9th.
The Montgomery County Charter currently states that the County shall be divided into five Council districts for the purpose of nominating and electing five members of the Council. The ballot questions in the upcoming election could change the number of Council districts. The Charter also requires that the Council shall appoint a Commission on Redistricting. By November 15, 2021, the Commission shall present a plan of Council districts, together with a report explaining the plan to the Council.
Letters expressing interest, along with a resume no longer than four pages in length, in a position on the Commission on Redistricting must be emailed to County.Council@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov or received in the Office of the Montgomery County Council, 100 Maryland Avenue, 4th Floor, Rockville, MD 20850.
MCPS
- MCPS is providing meals at these sites for students. Meals will be provided at MCPS sites from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at school sites and from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM at bus distribution sites. Meals will be provided four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Libraries
- Library branch book drops are open and contactless holds pick up service has resumed.
COVID-19 Renter Relief Act
- The Council passed the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, which became effective April 24, 2020 and prohibits landlords from increasing existing tenants’ rent by more than 2.6% after April 24th and during the COVID-19 catastrophic health emergency. FAQs are online.
How You Can Help
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Volunteer Opportunities: The County has compiled a list on how you can to help. If you are a medical or public health professional willing to assist, the state has a site for specialized volunteers.
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Give Locally: The Greater Washington Community Foundation has a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to bolster nonprofits working to help low-income hourly workers, gig workers, small business owners, families in need of childcare services, homeless individuals and many more who will continue to be severely impacted during this public health emergency. In particular, the County is looking for private matching funds for food security under the Food Security Fund.
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Support Neighborhood Restaurants: Please support local employers by getting take out or delivery. Search the Visit Montgomery list here.
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Donate Blood: American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Sign up for an appointment now.
If You Need Support
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Domestic Violence: There is support available during this time and all services are free of charge. If you know someone that may need help, the County has a guide on how best to assist them.
- Contact the Family Justice Center by calling 240-773-0444 or emailing safe@montgomerycountymd.gov
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline (24 hours) can be reached at 800-799-7233
- There are many organizations available to assist including:
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Internet: Low income families and older adults can get Home Internet Access for as little as $9.95 per month. Click here for additional information.
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Food Assistance: Call 311 and you will be connected to our new food call center or you can look at Montgomery County Food Council's Resource Directory, which includes information on the location, hours, and eligibility guidelines of more than 100 sites where residents can access food and benefits application assistance.
- Poolesville Grocery Distribution Service: Orders can be placed online by visiting www.mysaval.store/ Order on Tuesdays before 4:00PM and pickup Thursdays between 2:00-3:30PM at the United Methodist Church in Poolesville. Drivers are asked to remain in their cars as orders will be loaded into the backs of vehicles. If you have any questions please call John at 443-896-7244.
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Taxi Delivery: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced that it has partnered with local taxi companies during the COVID-19 health crisis to initiate a new program available to participants in the Call-n-Ride program to use taxis for delivery of essential goods from grocery stores, food banks and restaurants. This program is for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities.
- For Individuals with Disabilities: The State and other partners are collaborating to supplement existing programs for people with disabilities who may be experiencing food insecurity during this pandemic. To connect with these feeding opportunities, constituents should call 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 call specialist will connect the caller to a variety of statewide program options.
- My Groceries To Go! for Seniors: Montgomery County applicants are required to provide supporting documentation to prove income eligibility. Participants receive get eight pounds of free, fresh produce every month. Please call the Grocery Plus main line at 202-921-7471 or email mg2g@capitalareafoodbank.org for more information. The Capital Area Food Bank's website on this program is here.
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Senior Nutrition Program: Frozen meal packs are available to seniors through the County’s Senior Nutrition Program. Partners and volunteers are operating “grab and go” locations and are making a limited number of home deliveries to the County’s senior population. To be eligible, most people must be 60 years of age or older. Spouses of participants or a person with a disability living with a participant, are also eligible. To register for the meal program contact the Senior Center closest to you. D1 Locations:
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Health Care: If you do not have insurance and want to get health insurance through the state marketplace, Maryland has a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment period if you have recently lost your job. You can compare prices and possibly receive financial help in order to afford coverage. Apply by December 15th.
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Unemployment Claims: You can start your claim online or by phone.
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Housing Issues: If you are behind on your rent, please click here. If you are facing eviction, please contact our office at 240-777-7828 or dial 311.
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Seniors: You can sign up now for a new free program called Senior Call Check by calling toll-free to 866-502-0560 or by registering online. Under the program, participants receive an automated call every day. If the participant does not answer, they will be called two additional times in the same day. If those calls go unanswered, an alternate person, selected by the participant, will be notified in order for them to check in on the participant.
*Additional resources listed at InfoMontgomery
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