 Wednesday, November 1, 2023
As we begin to think about next year’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), we are keeping a close eye on the proposed Clarksburg Library and making sure that the funding is back on track. As you might recall, the project was put on hold earlier this year due to a new law that requires the County to review all new County facility construction to determine whether it is feasible to collocate affordable housing on the site. That feasibility study for the library is ongoing and will be completed this fall. In addition to the original library site located in the Clarksburg Town Center, on Clarksburg Square Road, the County is now considering a new location close by, at the north-east corner of Frederick Road and Stringtown Road. A library built on the new site would be a one-story library and would allow for slightly more programming space.
There are advantages to both sites and I have been assured by County officials that a change in the library site would not further delay the project. Planning could start as early as July 2024. While many of you may have questions and/or a preference for one site over the other, I’m sure we can all agree that the most important issue is to get this library funded – and built – regardless of the site. This project has already been delayed repeatedly, and Clarksburg deserves a library as soon as possible.
I will continue to keep you posted on the status of this project. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to me directly. We need full community support to make sure the Clarksburg library is back on track.
I've had an eventful couple of weeks out on the community! Last Friday, I visited the Nancy Dacek Community Recreation Center in North Potomac, and had a great time chatting with staff and visitors. Our rec centers are such a wonderful community resource, and I will be stopping by each rec center located in my district. Unfortunately, the Upcounty region only has a few community and rec centers. I have heard from so many constituents, especially those in Poolesville, about their desire to have a center in their community. Community recreation centers foster a sense of belonging, especially through the free and low cost activities that each center plans and hosts. I will continue to push for community recreation centers to be built in the Upcounty region, so that they can serve our growing population.
Thank you to the staff at Nancy Dacek Community Recreation Center for welcoming me and for showing me around!
Last weekend, the BlackRock Center for the Arts hosted its adorable Lil' Pumpkins and GGCC Business Expo. It was so great to see many of you there, and to see everyone decked out and ready for Halloween! Lil' Pumpkins is just one of the many great free events put on by the BlackRock Center. Click here to check out a calendar of upcoming activities.
The Montgomery County Lynching Memorial Project dedicated a historic marker to George Peck, who was the first of three victims of lynching in Montgomery County in the 19th century. This is the first historical marker in Montgomery County for a racial lynching, and I was honored to attend this dedication ceremony. Learn more about the Lynching Memorial Project here.
This past Friday, I moderated a panel at the Western Montgomery Economic Summit in Poolesville. Spending time in Poolesville is one of my favorite parts of my job, and this Friday was no exception. We had a great conversation about what western Montgomery County needs to be successful. If you're interested in watching a recording of the full event, click here.
Kudos to Delegate Lily Qi and Link Hoewing of the Fair Access Committee for planning a fantastic event!
If you missed the Transportation Town Hall...
A full recording of the event is now live on YouTube. Click the icon below to access the v ide
On November 3rd from 8-10AM, I will be hosting a casual community conversation with Delegate Linda Foley at Woodside Deli in Germantown. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with questions and concerns to sit down and chat with their elected officials. You do not have to register in advance for the event, but I would appreciate it if you could let me know if you will be attending. See you on Friday!
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
The ECON committee met on October 23rd to discuss the retail market, go over the Office of Legislative Oversight's evaluation of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, and to follow up on our previous work session about urban districts. You can watch a recording of the meeting here. The next Economic Development committee session is scheduled for November 16th. This will be a joint session with the following committees: Education and Culture, Public Safety, and Health and Human Services. We will be discussing workforce development and how it relates to public safety and health and human services careers. We will also be discussing economic opportunities in the sports and sports tourism industry.
Transportation and Environment Committee
The TE committee met on October 23rd to discuss a CIP amendment and supplemental appropriation to the FY24 Capital Budget regarding hydrogen fuel cell busses and fueling sites. We also discussed an amendment to the FY23-28 CIP regarding MCDOT's RideOn bus fleet. You can watch a recording of the meeting here. The next Transportation and Environment committee session is scheduled for November 13th, and we will be discussing EV charging infrastructure and EV preparedness.
Upcoming Public Hearings
The Council will be holding public hearings on November 7th, 14th, and 28th.
November 7, 2023 at 1:30PM - deadline to sign up to speak is November 6th at 2PM
• Special Appropriation #24-14 to the FY24 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Rent Stabilization Bill 15-23, $1,374,470 (Source of Funds: General Fund Undesignated Reserves)
• Special Appropriation #24-24 to the FY24 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government, Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions Federal Grant, $22,784,400 (Source of Funds: Emergency Connectivity Fund Grant)
• Supplemental Appropriation #24-25 to the FY24 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government, Department of Transportation Bill 11-23, Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Traffic Signals, Devices, and Automated Enforcement Plan (The Safe Streets Act of 2023), $1,606,000 (Source of Funds: General Fund Undesignated Reserves)
• Supplemental Appropriation #24-34 to the FY24 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government, Department of Health and Human Services Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program - Consolidated Local Implementation Grant, $242,556 (Source of Funds: State Grant)
• Supplemental Appropriation #24-35 to the FY24 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant Program, $100,000 (Source of Funds: General Fund Undesignated Reserves)
November 14, 2023 at 1:30PM - deadline to sign up to speak is November 13th at 2PM
• Supplemental Appropriation #24-11 to the County Government’s FY24 Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), Montgomery County Government, Department of General Services, Energy Conservation (No. P507834), $861,844 (Source of Funds: Utility Incentives)
• Supplemental Appropriation #24-12 to the County Government’s FY24 Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), Montgomery County Government, Department of General Services, Exelon-Pepco Merger Fund (No. P362105), $504,662 (Source of Funds: Utility Incentives)
November 28, 2023 at 1:30PM - deadline to sign up to speak is November 27th at 2PM
• ZTA 23-07, Bethesda (B) Overlay Zone - Park Improvement Payments and Downtown Silver Spring (DDS) Overlay Zone - Civic Improvement Funds, would modify the method used to calculate the biennial adjustments, set an inflation limit for the Bethesda Overlay Zone’s Park Improvement Payment and the Downtown Silver Spring Overlay Zone’s Civic Improvement Fund, and generally amend the density provisions of the Bethesda Overlay Zone and the Downtown Silver Spring Overlay Zone.
To sign up to testify, click here.
 |
If you would like to get in touch with me regarding anything mentioned in this newsletter or any other concerns you may have, please email me at Councilmember.Balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7960.
If you were forwarded this email and would like to subscribe to my newsletter, click the button below. I look forward to remaining in touch with you and serving you as your Councilmember.
|
