 Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Happy 2025! I hope that everyone had a wonderful start to the year. The County Council was in recess for the winter holidays, and we are now back in session with an already jam-packed schedule. In addition to committee and Council sessions, I spend a significant portion of my time out and about in District 2. Every Friday, I block off my day to visit local businesses, community groups, faith organizations, medical centers, HOAs, you name it!
As I begin to add meetings to my Friday schedule, I am calling upon you to let me know about all the great things happening in District 2. If you would like me to visit your business or organization, please send me an email! I am excited to continue my tradition of being out in the community, and I need your help and insight to make this a success!
Fridays are also when I host informal community meetings - known as Breakfast with Balcombe. I've hosted these meetings in Poolesville and Germantown, and next on my list are Clarksburg and North Potomac! Keep an eye out for more information about those in the coming weeks!
Ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Montgomery County will be hosting a free celebration at 4PM on Sunday, January 19th at the Music Center at Strathmore. The celebration will feature music, storytelling, local talent, and celebrity guest appearances. The event is free, but tickets are required. For ticket information, visit the Music Center at Strathmore website or the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights website.
The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center have also partnered with Interfaith Works for a special Day of Service - the "Fill A Truck" initiative. If you're attending the celebration at the Music Center, be sure to bring toiletry items to donate to the County's homeless shelters. Suggested new items for donation include portable shower caddies (for carrying items), bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, lotion, lip balms, travel-size shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, new washcloths and towels. New gloves and socks are also needed. Donations can be dropped off at the Music Center at Strathmore between 3:30-5PM on Sunday, January 19th.
In addition, the Montgomery County Volunteer Center is hosting its MLK Day of Service and Volunteer Fair from 1-3PM at the Bethesda North Marriot Hotel and Conference Center. This event will bring together volunteers to participate in meaningful service projects to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
If you'd prefer to remain in the Upcounty this weekend, the BlackRock Center for the Arts has you covered on January 18th with SAY IT LOUD, the annual MLK event which will include movies, artist receptions, record fairs, and live performances. Visit the BlackRock Center for the Arts website for all the information you need to plan your day!
I hope to see you there!
ALT TEXT: A flyer advertising Montgomery County's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration, which will be held on Sunday, January 19th at the Music Center at Strathmore.
Montgomery Planning is continuing its work on the Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan with several upcoming community meetings.
On Thursday, January 16th, the Planning Department will be hosting an Emerging Ideas community meeting on Zoom from 6:30-8:30PM. The goal of an emerging ideas meeting is to share a preview of the plan’s recommendations with the community and seek feedback as the planning team refines them for inclusion in the draft sector plan. Your feedback is incredibly important, and I encourage you to attend! RSVP today.
Additionally, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is considering the eligibility of three sites within the sector plan area for historic preservation. On Wednesday, January 22nd, the HPC will host a public hearing on the former COMSAT Laboratories building at 7PM at M-NCPPC's Wheaton headquarters. If you would like to testify at this public hearing, please sign up through the Montgomery Planning website.
To learn more about the Clarksburg Gateway Sector Plan:
As we begin the new year, many residents will be renewing their rental leases, and should know about their rights as renters. Last summer, the County Council approved a rent stabilization measure which specifies the fees a landlord can charge a tenant. Effective July 23, 2024 to June 30, 2025, the maximum rent increase allowance if 6%.
If you are a tenant and believe that your landlord is violating the rent allowance, you should file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Community Affairs' Rent Stabilization Office. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office should you have any questions about this measure and how it impacts you.
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
The Economic Development (ECON) committee will meet on Monday, January 27th for three follow-up discussions about the FY25 budget. We will discuss the budget for Visit Montgomery, WorkSource Montgomery, and the Department of Permitting Services. We will meet again on Thursday, January 30th for three additional budget follow-ups to discuss funding for Business Center and Small Business Support Services, UM3-Institute for Health Computing, and BioHub.
You can review the staff packets on the Council website and watch the sessions on-demand on the Council YouTube channel.
Transportation and Environment Committee
The Transportation and Environment (TE) committee will be meeting on Thursday, January 30th to discuss the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) regulations. You can review the staff packet on the Council website and watch the session on-demand on the Council YouTube channel.
Council Legislation
The Council has begun reviewing bills being introduced in Annapolis, starting with local bills that are focused on Montgomery County. We met on Monday, January 13th for a work session, which you can watch on the Council YouTube channel. Our staff packet is available on the Council website.
Upcoming Public Hearings
To testify at a Council public hearing or to submit written, audio, or video testimony, please visit the Council website or call 240-777-7803. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 1:30PM public hearing is 2PM the day prior. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 7PM public hearing is 5PM the day prior.
January 21, 2025
The following County boards, committees, and commissions are seeking applicants:
A flyer advertising DHHS' diabetes self-management program workshop.
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.
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