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Montgomery County Council Meets on June 16 to Introduce Five Bills, Conduct 12 Public Hearings and Commemorate Pride Month |
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Also on June 16: Council will recognize Juneteenth, World Refugee Day and Elder Abuse Awareness Day |
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For Immediate Release: June 15, 2026 |
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The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, June 16 at 10 a.m. and the meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first, presented by Councilmember Kate Stewart, will recognize World Refugee Day. The second, presented by Councilmembers Will Jawando, Shebra Evans and Laurie-Anne Sayles with County Executive Marc Elrich, will recognize Juneteenth.
At 11:30 a.m., the Council will host a commemoration celebrating Pride Month. At 1:15 p.m., there will be an additional proclamation, presented by Councilmember Sidney Katz and County Executive Elrich, recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
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Bill 27-26, Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Unlawful Racing and Street Takeovers - Prohibited
Introduction: Lead sponsor Councilmember Andrew Friedson will introduce Bill 27-26, Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Unlawful Racing and Street Takeovers - Prohibited, which would prohibit participation in unlawful racing and street takeovers on public highways or roadways. In addition, Bill 27-26 would define certain terms related to unlawful racing and street takeovers and establish penalties for such violations.
In response to recent instances of racing, speed contests and exhibition driving, the Maryland General Assembly enacted legislation to increase penalties for participation in racing or speed contests and prohibited exhibition driving, all in certain circumstances as defined under state law. Bill 27-26 is intended to create a law in Montgomery County that is consistent with state law, which would prohibit unlawful speed contests, exhibition driving, stunt driving or race contests.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 14.
Bill 28-26, Health and Sanitation - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission - Membership; Appointment; Terms - Amendments
Introduction: Lead sponsors Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Evans will introduce Bill 28-26, Health and Sanitation - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission - Membership; Appointment; Terms – Amendments. Bill 28-26 would revise the membership structure of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission. In 2023, the Council established the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Commission to advise the Council and County Executive, and to better coordinate the provision of services. Bill 28-26 would revise the voting-member structure of the commission by expanding and updating the 11 members who must either be individuals with IDD or family members, guardians, or support staff of individuals with IDD. The revised structure is intended to update the commission’s membership structure to align with best practices in disability governance and ensure equitable, meaningful representation of people with IDD and their families.
Bill 28-26 would expand the commission to 23 voting members with the following composition: five individuals with IDD; five individuals who are parents or guardians of children with IDD or guardians or immediate relatives of adults with IDD who cannot advocate for themselves; five individuals who are either individuals with IDD or parents or guardians of children with IDD or guardians or immediate relatives of adults with IDD who cannot advocate for themselves; seven individuals representing service providers or advocacy organizations that support individuals with IDD; and one member of the Commission on People with Disabilities. The bill also requires that at least three of the 15 members composing the first three categories must be individuals who participate in self-directed services, as defined under state law.
Council President Natali Fani-González is a cosponsor of Bill 28-26.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 14.
Expedited Bill 29-26, Personnel and Human Resources - Eligibility for County Employment (Community Trust in County Employees Act)
Introduction: Lead sponsor Councilmember Kristin Mink will introduce Expedited Bill 29-26, Personnel and Human Resources - Eligibility for County Employment (Community Trust in County Employees Act), which would alter eligibility requirements for County employment and restrict the hiring for County employment of individuals who carried out certain activities during federal employment. The purpose of Expedited Bill 29-26 would be to increase community trust in County government by restricting the County from hiring individuals who were employed by the federal government after 2025 to enforce federal immigration laws.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 14.
Expedited Bill 30-26, Bond Authorization - Stormwater Management
Introduction: The Council will introduce Expedited Bill 30-26, Bond Authorization - Stormwater Management, which would authorize the County to issue special limited obligation bonds up to $125 million for the purposes of financing the planning, design, acquisition and construction and maintenance of stormwater management facilities and other related projects. Expedited Bill 30-26 would also allow for refunding all or part of the outstanding special limited obligation bonds issued for such purposes. The bonds will be secured by the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge.
The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of the County Executive.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 21.
Expedited Bill 31-26, Bond Authorization - VIVA White Oak Development District
Introduction: The Council will introduce Expedited Bill 31-26, Bond Authorization - VIVA White Oak Development District, which would authorize the County to issue and sell special obligation bonds in an amount sufficient to fund all or a portion of the costs of certain projects and improvements in the VIVA White Oak Development District. The aggregate principal amount of the bonds would not exceed $420 million. The bonds would be special obligations of the County and do not constitute general obligations of the County or a pledge of the County’s full faith and credit. The bill dictates that the bonds may be sold at private sale or publicly by soliciting competitive bids, at the discretion of the County Executive.
On April 30, 2025, the County Executive transmitted to the Council a request that a development district be created in White Oak. On July 8, 2025, the Council adopted Resolution No. 20-875, setting forth its intent to create the development district. On Feb. 24, 2026, the Council adopted Resolution No. 20-1039, creating the Viva White Oak Development District.
The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of the County Executive.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 14.
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Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-09, Rural Village Center (RVC) Overlay Zone - Vehicle Repair - Limited Use
Introduction: Lead sponsor Vice President Marilyn Balcombe will introduce Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-09, Rural Village Center (RVC) Overlay Zone - Vehicle Repair - Limited Use, which would allow vehicle repair as limited uses in the Rural Village Center (RVC) Overlay Zone. These uses are currently allowed as conditional uses in the RVC Overlay Zone if the lot has a Commercial/Residential underlying zone. An underlying zone is the base zoning of the lot, while an overlay zone may place additional requirements.
The limited use standards would mirror the existing standards for major and minor repair, except the setback for major repair would be reduced from 100 feet to 50 feet from the abutting residential lot line for all new buildings. ZTA 26-09 would also make several amendments to apply standards such as setbacks and parking requirements to new parking facilities, not existing buildings or facilities. In addition, the ZTA would allow for alternative structures or designs for tree shading, such as canopies, structural shade, or cool pavements. The ZTA also updates a cross-reference to the Subdivision Ordinance.
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Each item on the Council’s Consent Calendar can be found on the Council agenda for Tuesday, June 16, which is available on the Council website. |
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2026 Supplemental Report of the Charter Review Commission
Briefing: The Council will receive a briefing on the 2026 Supplemental Report of the Charter Review Commission. The commission provides a report to the County Council by May 1 of every even-numbered year. The commission submitted its 2026 Report to the Council on April 22, 2026, which did not recommend to the Council any Charter amendments. It has since supplemented its report to address a recent citizens’ petition. In the supplemental report dated June 10, 2026, the commission recommends a potential amendment to the County Charter.
If the Council wishes to amend the Charter in 2026, it must adopt a resolution to place a Charter amendment on the ballot at the Council meeting scheduled for June 30, 2026. The County attorney must certify the ballot language of the Charter amendment by July 1. Regarding any Charter amendment petitioned to the ballot, the Council would adopt a resolution related to the petitioned amendment once the complete petition is submitted to the County.
The due date for petitions to be submitted to the County is July 27. Therefore, it is possible the Council will need to adopt a resolution regarding a petitioned amendment at its meeting on July 28. The due date for the County attorney to certify the ballot language of a petitioned amendment is Aug. 5.
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Unless otherwise noted, the Council will hold the following hybrid public hearings at 1:30 p.m. Residents can visit the Council website to learn about the multiple ways to provide testimony.
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Resolution to approve Supplemental Appropriation #26-66 to the FY26 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, FY26 Senator Amoss Fire, Rescue and Ambulance Fund (State 508) Grant, $2,121,756
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a more than $2.1 million supplemental appropriation to the FY26 Operating Budget for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) for the FY26 State of Maryland Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund Grant. The appropriation will fund acquisition or rehabilitation of apparatus and capital equipment and the renovation of facilities used to house apparatus.
Resolution to approve Supplemental Appropriation #26-69 to the FY26 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, General Personnel and Operating Costs, $16,137,612
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a more than $16.1 million supplemental appropriation to the FY26 Operating Budget for MCFRS. This appropriation would fund spending through year-end. The increase is needed to support general personnel and operating expenditures through the end of the year, as actual expenditures are expected to exceed the budget. The appropriation provides more than $11.7 million in funding for overtime costs and more than $4.8 million in funding for operating expenses.
Resolution to approve an amendment to the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and Special Appropriation to the FY26 Capital Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Transportation, Resurfacing: Residential/Rural Roads (No. 500511), $8,200,000
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a more than $8.2 million supplemental appropriation for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). The appropriation is needed to help reconcile total expenditures in the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to available resources and create GO bond capacity in the FY27-32 CIP. The funds would accelerate resurfacing projects on certain residential streets.
Resolution to approve Supplemental Appropriation #26-81 to the FY26 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Transportation, Snow Removal and Storm Cleanup, $38,925,247 and Department of General Services, $5,472,923
Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a more than $38.9 million supplemental appropriation to the FY26 Operating Budget for MCDOT snow removal and storm cleanup and a more than $5.4 million supplemental appropriation for the Department of General Services (DGS). This increase is needed due to expenditures for snow removal and storm cleanup that exceeded the FY26 appropriation of more than $3.9 million for MCDOT and the FY26 appropriation of more than $2.8 million in the Weather Response Non-Departmental Account (NDA). As in previous years, due to the unpredictability of snow and storm events, only a minimal amount is budgeted for response operations as a matter of practice. The budget that is developed each year reflects the expectation that additional resources will be required to support snow removal and storm cleanup activities at year-end. The combined FY26 costs incurred to date for snow removal operations and storm cleanup total more than $50.2 million for both MCDOT and DGS.
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Expedited Bill 25-26, Capital Improvements - Special Project - Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
Vote expected: Following a public hearing, the Council is expected to vote on Expedited Bill 25-26, Capital Improvements - Special Project - Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, which would authorize the planning, design and construction of the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center.
The County Code requires certain capital improvement projects to be individually authorized by law if the locally funded cost is projected to exceed the special projects legislation threshold of more than $25.5 million for FY27. The estimated locally funded cost of the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center Projects in the FY27 Capital Budget and the FY27-32 CIP is more than $45.3 million for planning, design and construction costs.
The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of County Executive.
Expedited Bill 26-26, Capital Improvements - Special Project - North Bethesda Fire Station
Vote expected: Following a public hearing, the Council is expected to vote on Expedited Bill 26-26, Capital Improvements - Special Project - North Bethesda Fire Station, which would authorize the planning, design and construction of the North Bethesda Fire Station. The County Code requires certain capital improvement projects to be individually authorized by law if the locally funded cost is projected to exceed the special projects legislation threshold of more than $25.5 million for FY27.
On May 18, the County Executive transmitted a request for a special capital improvements project bill associated with the FY27-32 CIP for the North Bethesda Fire Station. The estimated locally funded cost of the North Bethesda Fire Station in the FY27 Capital Budget and the FY27-32 CIP is more than $51.5 million for planning, design, construction and other costs.
The lead sponsor is the Council President at the request of County Executive.
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The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. View the current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review on the Council website.
Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
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Contact:
Sonya Healy
240-777-7926
Sonya.Healy@montgomerycountymd.gov
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Additional Contact:
Benjamin Sky Brandt
240-777-7884
Benjamin.Brandt@montgomerycountymd.gov
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