Friends,
This week the Montgomery County Council voted to enact Bill 41-21, Elections Council Districts – Boundaries. This bill is the enabling legislation that revises the boundaries of Council districts. The new boundaries create seven districts as required by the County Charter which was amended by voters in the 2020 general election.
The new requirement for seven districts applies to the 2022 elections, and the Council will consist of eleven members in total in December 2022. Seven district Councilmembers will be elected by registered voters who live in each district and four at-large members will be elected by all voters across the County.
The new map represents the increased population and rich diversity of Montgomery County. To view the boundaries of the new council districts, click here.
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COUNCIL NEWS
At the County Council this week -
- I was honored to be joined by County Executive Elrich and Councilmember Hucker to issue a proclamation recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection.
- The Council presented two other proclamations: (1) Recognizing the work of Jayne Park, Executive Director of Impact Silver Spring; and (2) Recognizing Rosa Parks. View all proclamations here.
- The Council held the election of new officers for a one-year term starting on December 7th, 2021. Councilmember Gabe Albornoz was elected President of the County Council and Councilmember Evan Glass was elected Vice President. I wish much luck to both of my outstanding colleagues.
- The Council, sitting as the Board of Health, received updates from County government and Montgomery County Public Schools regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Health Planning. View the staff report here.
PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEES
I am proud to be the Chair of the Public Safety (PS) Committee and a member of the Government Operations (GO) Committee.
- The PS Committee received a briefing: Crime Statistics Update and Violent Crime Trends. View staff report here.
- The GO Committee met jointly with the Transportation & Environment Committee and voted unanimously in favor of amended Bill 44-21, Montgomery County Green Bank – Funding – Fuel Tax Revenue. I am a co-sponsor of this legislation which would mandate that the Council appropriate 10% of the fuel-energy tax revenue to the County Green Bank each year.
- The GO Committee voted unanimously in favor of Bill 32-21, Personnel – Employee Settlement Agreements with No-Rehire Clause - Prohibited. This purpose of the bill includes prohibiting county employee settlement agreements from including a “no-rehire” clause.
*All committee worksessions are available to view on YouTube - click here.
KATZ IN THE COMMUNITY
World AIDS Day Solidarity Breakfast
I attended the World AIDS Day Solidarity for Health Equity Breakfast. The event was filled with community leaders and advocates who are working tirelessly to end the HIV epidemic. The event is part of the County’s push to end its HIV epidemic by 2030. Here I am pictured showing my support by getting tested for HIV.
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Clarksburg Fire Station Groundbreaking
As Chair of the Public Safety Committee, I was honored to attend the long awaited groundbreaking for the new Clarksburg Fire Station #35. This station will provide enhanced services to the growing population in Clarksburg. Thank you to my Council colleagues, as well as our executive branch partners, and especially to our first responders.
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DISTRICT 3 HISTORICAL NOTE
General Edward Braddock Marker
201 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg
General Edward Braddock in April 1755, accompanied by Governor Horatio Sharpe of Maryland, traveled this road in a coach and six horses, on his way to Frederick, Maryland to meet Benjamin Franklin and George Washington to arrange for teams for the Fort Duquesne expedition.
The Braddock expedition, also called Braddock's campaign or, more commonly, Braddock's Defeat, was a failed British military expedition which attempted to capture the French Fort Duquesne (modern-day downtown Pittsburgh) in the summer of 1755 during the French and Indian War. It was defeated at the Battle of the Monongahela on July 9, and the survivors retreated. The expedition takes its name from General Edward Braddock, who led the British forces.
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COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS!!
Winter Chorus Concert
Friday, December 10, at 7:30 pm
Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church at 610 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg
The Gaithersburg Chorus will be performing two holiday concerts as they return to live, in-person performances. Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Holiday Street Fest & Fireworks!
Saturday, December 11, from 2:00-7:00 pm
Rio at 209 Boardwalk Place, Gaithersburg
Live Music, Cheers Station, Ice Carving Demo, S’mores Lounge, Photo Ops & More! Firework show will be visible throughout the lakefront and last approximately five minutes. Don't miss this exciting event!
Community Safety and How to Better Protect Yourself and Neighbors - Virtual
Monday, December 13, from 7:00-8:00 pm
Corporal Tibbs from the Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) presents ways to improve community safety and other tips from the RCPD!
Introduction to Entrepreneurship - Virtual
Wednesday, December 17, from 10:00-11:30 am
Becoming a successful entrepreneur requires hard work and thorough planning. Learn how-to skills from the Maryland Women's Business Center.
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POLICE ADVISORY COMMISSION
The County Council is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Policing Advisory Commission (PAC) - PAC website. The position is open to all members of the public and applications are due by December 17, 2021 by 5 pm.
Applicants should submit a letter of interest with a resume, no more than four pages in length, to Council President Gabe Albornoz and send an email to: County.Council@montgomerycountymd.gov or by mail to Montgomery County Council, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850.
For more information, please contact Carlos Camacho -
Carlos.Camacho@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.
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