|
Unless otherwise indicated, the Council will hold public hearings beginning at 1:30 p.m. Residents continue to have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville for many public hearings.
Bill 13-22, Buildings – Comprehensive Building Decarbonization
Public hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on Bill 13-22, Buildings – Comprehensive Building Decarbonization, which would require the County Executive to issue all-electric building standards for new construction, major renovations and additions by Jan. 1, 2024.
All-electric building standards will help the County achieve its zero-greenhouse gas emissions goal by ensuring future construction is electrified. Exemptions would be provided for emergency backup systems and certain uses such as manufacturing, crematories, life sciences and commercial kitchens. In addition, income restricted housing and schools will have an extended timeline. The lead sponsor is Councilmember Riemer. Councilmember Jawando is a cosponsor.
Bill 17-22, Public Ethics Law – Amendments
Public hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on Bill 17-22, Public Ethics Law – Amendments. The bill would define terms under the Public Ethics Law, alter ethics requirements related to procurement, prohibit retaliation against an individual for communicating with the Ethics Commission or participating in an investigation of a potential ethics violation and alter the required contents of financial disclosure statements.
The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the Ethics Commission.
ZTA 22-04, Commercial Uses – Light Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor)
Public hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on ZTA 22-04, Commercial Uses – Light Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor). The ZTA would allow Light Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor) in the Neighborhood Retail (NR) Zone as a limited use. A limited use was chosen because indoor sales and rentals are a less intensive use than outdoor sales and rentals. Light Vehicle Sales and Rental (Indoor) in the Neighborhood Retail (NR) Zone would be subject to the limited use provisions of Section 3.5.12.B.2.a.
Councilmembers Navarro, Riemer and Glass are lead sponsors.
ZTA 22-05, Signs
Public hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on ZTA 22-05, Signs, which is a rewrite of the sign provisions of the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance. Changes to the signs provision of the ordinance including removing certain definitions; removing the prohibition on off-site signs; adding provisions for signs in the public right-of-way; adding provisions for temporary signs; and other revisions meant to streamline this section.
The intent of this rewrite is to streamline regulations related to business development and growth in the County consistent with the Speed-to-Market Initiative; preserve the value of property and strengthen community ambiance and character; and promote the compatibility of signs with the surrounding land uses.
The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.
ZTA 22-06, Exemptions – Historic Resources – Allowed Uses
Public hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on ZTA 22-06, Exemptions – Historic Resources – Allowed Uses. On Jan. 18, 2022, this Council passed ZTA 21-06, which allowed certain uses on properties limited in development by a density transfer.
ZTA 22-06 will expand on ZTA 21-06 by allowing those uses on historic sites or resources that have an arterial or higher roadway. ZTA 22-06 will also add eating and drinking establishments to the list of allowed uses. Site plan approval as well as approval by the Historic Preservation Commission will still be required.
The lead sponsor is Councilmember Rice. Councilmembers Navarro, Katz and Friedson are cosponsors.
ZTA 22-07, Residential Multi-Use Low Density, R-30 – Optional Method Development
Public hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on ZTA 22-07, Residential Multi-Unit Low Density, R-30 – Optional Method Development, which would amend the optional method development standards in the R-30 zone for apartment buildings that provide at least 30 percent MPDUs. It will also add standards for common open space under optional method development.
Councilmembers Friedson, Navarro and Katz are lead sponsors. Councilmembers Jawando, Hucker, Riemer, Council President Albornoz and Council Vice President Glass are cosponsors.
Amendments to the FY23-28 Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Capital Improvements Program (CIP) - Elm Street Urban Park and Little Bennett Regional Park Day Use Area
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on the FY23-28 Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) CIP for two ongoing projects: Elm Street Urban Park and Little Bennett Regional Park Day Use Area. Both projects were inadvertently omitted from the Council’s M-NCPPC FY23-28 CIP approval resolution. Both projects were recommended for approval by the PHED Committee at its March 5 meeting and were later supported by the full Council at its discussion of the M-NCPPC CIP on April 5.
Supplemental Appropriation #23-4 to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services, $316,840 for Extended IFSP Infants & Toddlers Grant
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a $316,840 supplemental appropriation for DHHS and the Extended IFSP Infants and Toddlers Grant. The grant will increase family engagement to improve the kindergarten school readiness outcomes of participating three- to five-year-old children. The funds will be used to educate early intervention providers about typical preschool development and age and child-appropriate activities to use with children and families. In addition, the grant will help providers develop and implement learning group interventions.
Supplemental Appropriation #23-1 to the FY23 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government Department of Health and Human Services Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment for Montgomery County Emergency Departments, $785,400
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a $785,400 supplemental appropriation for DHHS to support substance use disorder screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment services at two Adventist Healthcare, Inc. hospitals. The services will include universal screening for all patients who enter the emergency department, opioid survivors’ outreach for patients who have recently experienced an overdose, hospital-based buprenorphine induction for emergency room patients and the linkage to continued medication assisted treatment services upon discharge.
Supplemental Appropriation #23-2 to the FY23 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government Department of Health and Human Services National Suicide Prevention Hotline Transition to 988 Lifeline Call Center Grant, $517,608
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a $517,608 supplemental appropriation for DHHS to fund the Montgomery County Crisis Hotline and Online Emotional Support text and chat services in the transition of the National Suicide Prevention Hotline transition to the 988 Lifeline Call Center. The funds will support operational and administrative costs related to supplying Lifeline and 988 hotline services and additional technology and equipment expenses.
Supplemental Appropriation #23-3 to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services Therapeutic Nursery Program, $213,872
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a $213,872 supplemental appropriation for DHHS to fund a full-day Therapeutic Nursery Program provided by the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children, Inc. The funding is needed to cover administrative, transportation and educational services and therapeutic support for preschool children.
Supplemental Appropriation #23-8 to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Emergency Service Transporter Supplemental Payment Program, $557,000
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a $557,000 supplemental appropriation for DHHS to fund the Emergency Service Transporter Supplemental Payment Program, which provides supplemental payments to qualified entities supplying emergency ambulance transportation services to Medicaid recipients through an amendment to the state’s Medicaid plan. Reimbursements through this program are entirely federally funded and significantly increase reimbursement for Medicaid transports.
Supplemental Appropriation #23-10 to the FY23 Operating Budget, Montgomery College ignITe Hub, $260,000
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a $260,000 supplemental appropriation to the FY23 Operating Budget for the ignITe Hub at Montgomery College. The ignITe Hub opened in May 2022 as an outgrowth of the Montgomery Can Code Program to expand ongoing efforts with Apple to grow economic opportunities in the County.
Expedited Bill 21-22, Weapons - Firearms in or Near Places of Public Assembly
Public hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on Expedited Bill 21-22, which would prohibit the possession of firearms in or near places of public assembly, with certain exemptions. In addition, the bill would remove an exemption that allows individuals with certain handgun permits to possess handguns within 100 yards of a place of public assembly.
In the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision of New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen, Supertintendent of new York State Police, the Supreme Court overturned a requirement of New York’s handgun carry law. The New York law had required an applicant for a handgun carry license to show proper cause for the license, and the Supreme Court held that the requirement violated the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms. The Court explained, however, that longstanding laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places such as schools and government buildings are constitutionally permissible.
Like New York, Maryland has a proper-cause requirement for wear-and-carry handgun licenses. Gov. Larry Hogan, in response to Bruen, instructed the Maryland State Police not to enforce the proper-cause element of the Maryland law. As a result of the Supreme Court ruling and Governor Hogan’s order to the Maryland State Police, more individuals in Maryland likely will carry firearms, regardless of whether the individuals have any good or substantial reason to carry them.
The goal of this bill is to reduce gun violence in Montgomery County. The lead sponsor is Council President Albornoz. All other Councilmembers are cosponsors.
Supplemental Appropriation #23-9 to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services, Assistance to Access Abortion, Reproductive Health, and Related Services, $1,000,000
Public hearing/worksession/vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing, worksession and is expected to vote on a $1 million supplemental appropriation for DHHS to aid access to abortion care, reproductive health care and related services.
On June 28, 2022, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned the previous precedent that held that the U.S. Constitution generally protects the liberty to choose to have an abortion. The decision raised concerns from many, including Councilmembers, as to the actions needed at the County level to support access to abortion services.
Expedited Bill 22-22, Landlord - Tenant Relations - Limitations on Rent
Public hearing: The Council will hold a public hearing on Expedited Bill 22-22, Landlord-Tenant Relations – Limitations on Rent Increases, which would temporarily limit rent increases and notifications of rent increases, by landlords in the County. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.
If enacted, during a period of six months after its effective date, any notices of rent increases in the County would be limited to no more than 4.4 percent. In addition, during the six-month period, a landlord within the County would be precluded from notifying a tenant of a rent increase that exceeds 4.4 percent. As a result, rent increases of more than 4.4 percent would be precluded for nine months after the bill’s effective date since landlords in the County must give 90-days advance notice of a rent increase.
Resolution to adopt a Proposed Amendment to County Charter General Provisions - Conflicting Charter Amendments
Public hearing/worksession/vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing, worksession and is expected to vote on a resolution which would place Question A on the 2022 Gubernatorial General Election ballot, asking voters to decide whether to amend Section 507 of the County Charter regarding what happens if, during an election, voters approve two different Charter amendments that conflict with each other.
Under current law, neither amendment would take effect in that situation. Both amendments would fail. Under the proposed Charter amendment, only the amendment with the highest number of favorable votes would win and amend the County Charter. The other amendment would fail.
This amendment was proposed to the Council in the 2022 Report of the Charter Review Commission. The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the Charter Review Commission.
Resolution to adopt a Proposed Amendment to County Charter - County Attorney - Removal Procedures
Public hearing/worksession/vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing, worksession and is expected to vote on a resolution that would place Question B on the 2022 Gubernatorial General Election ballot, asking voters to decide whether to amend Section 213 of the County Charter to require both the Council and the Executive to remove the County Attorney.
Under current law, only the Executive may remove the County Attorney. This Charter amendment would require the Council to consent to the Executive’s removal of the County Attorney. It would also allow the Council to remove the County Attorney with the Executive’s consent. The lead sponsor is Council President Albornoz.
Abandonment of Portions of Denton Road and Hampden Lane Rights of Ways, Bethesda, 7th Election District
Introduction/suspension of rules/vote expected: The Council is expected to introduce, suspend rules of procedure and take a vote on the abandonment of portions of Denton Road and Hampden Lane Rights of Ways in Bethesda. Because there was little substantive opposition to the abandonment by any department or agency or by those who testified at DOT’s public hearing, this matter was not reviewed by the Transportation and Environment (T&E) Committee and is directly before the Council for consideration and action.
The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.
|
