DISTRICT COUNCIL CONVENES FINAL SESSION OF LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2019 TO DISCUSS LAND-USE MATTERS  The County Council, sitting as the District Council on land-use matters, considered a lengthy agenda on Monday, November 18th.  Monday’s meeting was the final District Council session for Legislative Year 2019.  The District Council meets regularly on second and fourth Mondays.  District Council sessions will resume in January 2020.  WATCH to view Monday’s District Council.

COUNTY COUNCIL HOSTS ‘MEET AND GREET’ WITH DR. MOHAN SUNTHA, THE NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICAL SYSTEM

Also on Monday, November 18th the Council hosted an informal ‘Meet and Greet’ with Dr. Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, the newly-appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), to discuss his vision for partnership and opportunity at the University of Maryland Capital Region Health in Prince George’s County. UMMS is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland with 25,000 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians which provides primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations and at 13 hospitals, including new University of Maryland Capital Region Health Medical Hospital being built in Largo.   Dr. Suntha was accompanied by Dr. Joseph L. Wright, Interim President and CEO, University of Maryland Capital Region Health, and Kristin Jones Bryce, Vice President – External Affairs, UMMS

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS FINAL SESSION IN LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2019; EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED; AUTHORIZES SMALL CELL/5G REGULATIONS; COUNTY’S ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE UPDATED; ENACTS NEW FAIR HOUSING LAW; ENACTS SEVERAL ZONING BILLS 

The Prince George’s County Council convened the final session for Legislative Year 2019, on Tuesday, November 19, 2019.  Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D) – District 4, says Tuesday’s session concludes the first Legislative Year for the new, 11-member County Council, including two At-Large members.  “I want to commend my County Council colleagues as we concluded a very successful first year on November 19th.  Working with County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks and her administration, we were able to pass legislation that improves the lives of and addresses issues raised by our County residents.”

Council Members began the daylong meeting with the approval of several County Executive nominees, including the appointment of Major F. Riddick, Jr. as the Chief Administrative Officer for Prince George’s County;

Dr. Ernest Carter, MD, PhD, as the County’s Health Officer; and Estella Alexander as the County’s Housing and Community Development Director.  The Council also approved the nominations of other appointments to serve various County commissions -  Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; Commission for Individuals with Disabilities; and the Commission for Children, Youth and Families.

Among the bills enacted on Tuesday, and subject to County Executive Alsobrooks review and approval under the County Charter, are:

Community Inclusiveness Act

Tuesday’s Council action included unanimous adoption of CB-062-2019, enacting the Community Inclusiveness Act, which addresses immigration policy and policing in Prince George’s County. The Community Inclusiveness Act codifies the County’s administrative policy that prohibits County law enforcement agencies from honoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers in non-criminal interactions, and mandates that all County agencies not engage in immigration enforcement.

Updated Animal Control Ordinance

Following testimony from 21 residents, Council Members also voted unanimously to approve CB-046-2019, updating the County’s Animal Control Ordinance.  New animal control laws in the County will increase fines and enforcement; address resident concerns around leash requirements; and improve handling of dangerous and negligent owners in the County.  Council approval of CB-046-2019 maintains the current ban on the Pit Bull dog breed in Prince George’s County.

Small Cell Wireless Facilities Regulations

Tuesday’s Council adoption of CB-058-2019 and CB-059-2019, submitted by the County Executive and concerning small wireless facilities in the County, now moves Prince George’s County a step closer in the global race to 5G.  The legislation creates the regulatory framework for the installation of small wireless facilities; lays the groundwork for the future deployment of fifth generation (5G) wireless technology; and amends the County’s Zoning Ordinance to regulate the installation of such facilities on private property. 

Updated Fair Housing Act

The Council approved CB-038-2019, a Fair Housing Act establishing Prince George’s County’s policy of ensuring equal opportunity and eliminating discrimination in all housing accommodations.  This legislation amends the County’s existing law to prohibit discrimination in housing based on immigration status, citizenship status, and source of income.

Plastic Straw Ban

With the Council’s unanimous approval of CB-052-2019, Prince George’s County now joins neighboring Charles County, Takoma Park and the District of Columbia in banning the sale or distribution of single-use plastic straws and stirrers at all County restaurants and retail establishments.  There is an exemption for people with disabilities to request plastic straws at restaurants.

Zoning Matters

Council Members enacted several zoning related bills, including changes to uses in Commercial Shopping Center (C-S-C) zones for mixed-use development (CB-45-2019); Open-Space (O-S) zones for limited grading (CB-60-2019); Residential Estates (R-E) zones for senior and disabled housing development (CB-57-2019); and allowing Aquaponics, a form of agriculture using water-based growing, as a use in golf courses in the County (CB-061-2019).

The Council also heard the testimony of 27 residents on CB-017-2019, before voting to approve the ordinance concerning the R-A (Residential/Agricultural) Zone permitting townhouse and single-family detached dwelling uses in the R-A Zones of Prince George’s County under certain circumstances.   The approved zoning measure paves the way for the Development Review Process to begin for proposed new housing in the County, including the potential re-use of the Freeway Airport site in Bowie. For the full agenda and details of the Council’s final session for Legislative Year 2019, visit the Council’s Legislative Information and Zoning System (LZIS). 

WATCH Tuesday’s final 2019 County Council session. 

VIEW additional session photos.

REMINDER - UPCOMING SOUTHERN REGIONAL EDUCATION SESSION ON THE COUNTYWIDE MAP AMENDMENT

Mark your calendar for the upcoming Southern Regional Education Meeting for the Countywide Map Amendment (CMA) on Saturday, November 23^rd, at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex, in Fort Washington. This meeting, the last of three regional meetings this month, will focus on an overview of the CMA project, feature initial rezoning recommendations from the Planning Department staff, compare current and proposed zoning, and allow for questions and discussions. Previously scheduled meetings were also held in Northern and Central locations in the County.  For additional information, and to view the proposed zoning map, please check the M-NCPPC Project Website, call 301.952.4944 or email zoningpgc@ppd.mncppc.org .

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY COUNCIL TO ELECT LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR LEGISLATIVE YEAR 2020, DURING EXCHANGE OF THE GAVEL SESSION ON DECEMBER 3RD

The Prince George’s County Council has no meetings scheduled until it reconvenes on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, to elect Council leadership, Chair and Vice-Chair, for Legislative Year 2020. The County Council will recess following adjournment of the December 3rd session, and reconvene in January 2020.   You will receive the next issue of Council Connections on Friday, 6^th, following the Exchange of the Gavel.   The County Council and Legislative Branch wish you a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER ADDRESSES PRINCE GEORGE’S ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D) – District 4, provided remarks at Thursday’s Prince George’s County Association of Realtors Legislative Breakfast in Greenbelt.  Thanking Association President and District 4 resident Yolanda Muckle for the invitation, Chair Turner discussed the Council’s work to meet the diverse housing needs of Prince George’s County residents, including the County’s Comprehensive Housing Strategy and Workgroup – Housing Opportunities for All.  Also on November 21^st, Chair Turner participated in the Prince George’s County Police Chief Awards Ceremony in Landover, recognizing outstanding public safety officers, where two City of Bowie officers were among those recognized.   And after attending the Grand Opening for “Tribute at Melford,” a new senior living community, in Bowie, he finished the day at the Countywide Map Amendment Central Region public information session, Thursday evening, at the Sports and Learning Center in Landover.

DISTRICT 6 COUNCIL MEMBER DERRICK LEON DAVIS HOSTS WESTPHALIA FORWARD COMMUNITY UPDATE

On Saturday, November 16, 2019, District 6 Council Member Derrick Leon Davis hosted nearly 200 residents for the “Westphalia Forward” community update at the Westphalia Community Center in Upper Marlboro.  From proposed land use and economic development, attendees were provided with presentations/information from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T), Department of Permitting, Inspection & Enforcement (DPIE) and the Prince George’s Economic Development Corporation regarding planned infrastructure, transportation implementation and the County’s economic development priorities.  The meeting served as an opportunity to bring neighbors, community leaders, developers who make up the 6,000-acre planning area of Westphalia together to discuss the progress made stemming from the 2002 General Plan, with a chronology of planning in the Westphalia Sector to present day with an overview of the 2007 Westphalia Sector and the Plan 2035 General Plan.

COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II, HOSTS “FOUNDATION FOR OUR FUTURE BREAKFAST FOR MUNICIPAL LEADERS; CHAIR TODD M. TURNER ADDRESSES EVENT

Council Member At-Large Calvin Hawkins, hosted his “Foundation for Our Future” Breakfast for municipal leaders on Saturday, November 16^th. As the County Council Liaison to the County’s 27 municipalities, Council Member Hawkins encouraged elected leaders to collaborate in their service to the County residents. The discussion agenda included small cell wireless facilities, Census 2020, and the Countywide Map Amendment. Council Chair Todd M. Turner participated in the event, and presenters included Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Tara Jackson, PGCensus2020 Committee Chair Ola Hill, and Planning Department representative James Hunt.

DISTRICT 8 COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER AND AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER MEL FRANKLIN ADDRESS AARP MARYLAND AND HANDS OF HOPE CAREGIVERS FOUNDATION ROUNDTABLE “CAREGIVING IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY”

On Saturday, November 16^th, in honor of National Caregivers Month, District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker and At-Large Council Member Mel Franklin were among the featured panelists for the AARP Maryland & Hands of Hope Caregivers Foundation “Roundtable: Caregiving in Prince George’s County” hosted in District 8.  NBC News4 Anchor Pat Lawson-Muse served as moderator, sharing her own caregiving story.  Maryland State Senator JoAnn Benson (D), District 24, and State Senator Obie Patterson (D), District 26, were also among the panelists for the caregivers’ roundtable discussion.

COUNCIL PROUDLY CELEBRATES THE UNDEFEATED 2019 CIAA FOOTBALL CHAMPION BOWIE BULLDOGS; ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL TITLE WIN

The Prince George’s County Council, along with County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks, is proud to celebrate the hard work and dedication of Coach Damon Wilson and our undefeated Bowie State University Bulldogs - 2019 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) football champions! Winning the team’s third CIAA championship in a row last week, the Bowie Bulldogs host the 1st Round Division II Playoff game in their quest for a national title, this Saturday, November 23^rd, at 1:00 p.m.   We urge community support for our winning team!  Visit BSU Bulldogs for more information.

PRINCE GEORGE'S 
COUNTY COUNCIL
__________________

TODD M. TURNER
CHAIR
DISTRICT 4


RODNEY C. STREETER
VICE-CHAIR
DISTRICT 7

MEL FRANKLIN
AT-LARGE

CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II
AT-LARGE

THOMAS E. DERNOGA
DISTRICT 1


DENI TAVERAS
DISTRICT 2


DANNIELLE M. GLAROS
DISTRICT 3

JOLENE IVEY
DISTRICT 5


DERRICK LEON DAVIS
DISTRICT 6


MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER
DISTRICT 8


SYDNEY J. HARRISON
DISTRICT 9

NO UPCOMING MEETINGS
NEXT WEEK:

NOVEMBER 25 - 29

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
________________

___________________________

ON THE AIR

Be sure to WATCH the final edition of the  “Around the County,” program, featuring Council Chair Todd M. Turner’s interviews with Board of Health Liaison Dr. Terrence Fullum, and Interim President and CEO of University of Maryland Capital Region Health, Dr. Joseph Wright, on access to quality healthcare in Prince George’s County and the new hospital under construction in Largo.

“Around the County” is a production of the Prince George’s County Council, focusing on service, community and progress in Prince George’s County, and hosted by Council Chair Turner.

The program airs on Prince George’s Community Television, Government and Public Affairs channels—Comcast Channel 70 and Verizon FIOS Channel 41; and Public Access channels - Comcast Channel 76 and Verizon FIOS Channel 42, on Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.; Thursdays,11:30 a.m. & 8:30 p.m.; and Fridays,6:30 p.m.  Visit CTV for more information.

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