DISTRICT COUNCIL REVIEWS LAND USE MATTERS
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, met on Monday, July 8th. Included among the agenda items were Oral Arguments. Only persons of record can testify during an Oral Argument hearing, and testimony provided must be based upon the record; no new evidence is permitted. LEARN MORE about the District Council. WATCH to view the full agenda of Monday’s District Council session, including consideration of a new zoning case.
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COUNTY COUNCIL CONSIDERS LEGISLATION; APPROVES APPOINTMENTS; RECEIVES TRANSPORTATION BRIEFING DURING TUESDAY’S LEGISLATIVE SESSION
 The Prince George’s County Council convened in Legislative Session on Tuesday, July 9th. Council Members reviewed proposed legislation, including CB-008-2019, which seeks to recognize the history, culture, and accomplishments of Native Americans in Prince George's County and across the nation by renaming Columbus Day to Native American Day in Prince George's County. A public hearing on CB-008-2019, has been set for September 10th, at 10:00 A.M. Following a public hearing, the Council also approved appointments to the Cable Television Commission. The new commissioners are Kathleen E. Driver, Cherie S. Gibson, Cynthia Miller, Thelma C. Newsome-Somers, and Festus N. Udejiofor.
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COUNCIL ADOPTS LEGISLATION EMBRACING UNITY IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY; IMPORTANT IMMIGRANT RESOURCES ON COUNCIL MEMBER DENI TAVERAS’ DISTRICT TWO WEB PAGE
The Prince George’s County Council, during session on Tuesday, July 9th, unanimously adopted Council Resolution CR-60-2019, legislation reaffirming support toward all people, respectful of the innate dignity of every person, and the reality of diversity in Prince George’s County. District 2 Council Member Deni Taveras, who introduced the measure, thanked her colleagues for their support, adding that given the current crisis where immigrant neighbors face the threat of deportation, formally embracing unity in County communities is especially timely. County residents who are detained and facing deportation may be eligible for free legal services through the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition or CAIR. If a family member has been detained, contact 202.330.3320, extension 7027 to leave a voicemail. Your call will be returned. If you are detained, follow posted instructions at the correctional facility to call the CAIR Coalition, then dial #1685. Calls are answered Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Visit https://www.caircoalition.org/need-help Additional immigration resource information is available on the District Two web page. READ the press release.
COUNCIL RECEIVES METRO UPDATE ON TRANSIT OPERATIONS AND TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
 Council Members received an important transportation briefing during Tuesday’s Legislative Session on transit operations and transit-oriented development in the County. Presenting the Metro Update on Transportation Projects and Transit-Oriented Development were Metro General Manager, Paul J. Wiedefeld; WMATA Board Member Thomas Graham; Vice President, Real Estate and Parking Nina Albert; and Vice President, Government Relations, Regina Sullivan. General Manager Wiedefeld discussed the Andrews Federal Center Bus Facility (which opened on June 23, 2019), as well as plans for a Repair & Overhaul Facility in Cheverly, and the 275,000 square foot Metro Office Building near the New Carrolton Station. Also discussed were plans to improve stations and platforms on the Green/Yellow Line that will require station closures during the summer of 2020; joint development projects at New Carrolton, College Park, Largo Town Center and Capitol Heights; WMATA’s sustainability efforts, including tree planting and the installation of solar panels at select stations; and the need for federal legislation to continue capital funding for improvements to the Metro system. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) is due to expire in September 2019, and legislation has been introduced to reauthorize the funding ($300 million annually – with $150 million from the federal government, and $150 million provided by DC, MD and VA collectively). The County will join with the Maryland coalition and the other jurisdictions to support passage of the legislation.
WATCH WMATA briefing.
COUNCIL’S PLANNING, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CONSIDERS ZONING MEASURES; GWYNN PARK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ADDRESS URBAN FARMING
 The Council's Planning, Housing & Economic Development (PHED) committee, chaired by Council Member Dannielle Glaros, met on Thursday, July 10th to review proposed zoning legislation. PHED committee members heard testimony on CB-014-2019, which seeks to amend the definition of “Urban farm” uses in the Zoning Ordinance to align with the corresponding definition of “Urban farm” within the proposed new zoning laws, from a group of Gwynn Park High School students. Kaila Asante, Taylor Thomas and Ashley Finnell are members of Gwynn Park High School’s Future Farmers of America, a youth organization in Agricultural Education that promotes personal growth, career success, and premier leadership. WATCH the PHED meeting and the students’ testimony.
COUNCIL’S TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE SUPPORTS LEGISLATION SEEKING TO REDUCE TRAFFIC DEATHS AND INJURIES IN THE COUNTY
The Council's Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment (TIEE) committee, chaired by Council Member Deni Taveras, met Thursday, July 11th to review proposed legislation. During the meeting, TIEE committee members supported CR-059-2019, establishing a “Vision Zero Program for Prince George’s County,” to achieve zero traffic deaths on the County’s roadways by the year 2040.
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 Prince George’s County Police Chief Henry P. Stawinski III, and Department of Public Works and Transportation Director, Terry Bellamy, addressed the committee, discussing implementation of the program, which utilizes a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, collaborative and data driven approach to end pedestrian and bicyclists’ fatalities and serious injuries and significantly decrease motorist fatalities and serious injuries.
WATCH the TIEE committee discussion.
COUNCIL’S GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT MEETS; REVIEWS LEGISLATION
The Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Management (GOFP) committee, chaired by Council Member Derrick Leon Davis, met on Thursday, July 11, 2019. The proposed measures addressed such issues as compensation and benefits for General Schedule County employees; legislation setting County Public Safety and School Surcharges; and “Payments in Lieu of Taxes,” or PILOT agreements for the Suitland Senior Residences at Town Square, Glenarden Phase 2A, The Woodlands at Reid Temple. WATCH the GOFP meeting and learn more about Pilot agreements.
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COUNCIL MEMBER DANNIELLE GLAROS HOLDS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING
 (Photo by: Jeffrey Barnes/The Prince George’s Sentinel)
On Monday, July 8th, District 3 Council Member Dannielle Glaros held a training to share information for community members who wanted to better understand how to support immigrant neighbors, considering the national conversation about immigration. The “Know Your Rights” training especially for allies, advocates, service providers, educators and more, held at the Center for Educational Partnership, in Riverdale, was hosted by the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC). The organization also led the training. CASA, the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (CAIR), Solutions in Hometown Connections, and the Office of Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen also shared information during the meeting. Most of the meeting was streamed via Facebook Live. Click these links to watch Part 1; Part 2; and Part 3. READ The Sentinel ‘s article on the event.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT DETAILS NEW CIVIL IMMIGRATION POLICY
The Prince George’s County Police Department recently implemented a new policy regarding federal immigration orders which are civil in nature in our General Orders Manual. The policy took effect on Monday, July 8, 2019. LEARN MORE.
PGPD Training Video with Chief Stawinski and FOP Lodge 89 President Teletchea: https://youtu.be/yEPRAL3oU8g
Video Spanish Translation: https://youtu.be/IuwVVCzAaAQ
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