THIS WEEK IN COUNTY COUNCIL

COUNCIL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS STATUS

The County Council continues to operate under the emergency procedures under the Governor’s “Proclamation and Declaration of State of Emergency and Existence of Catastrophic Health Emergency – COVID-19”, effective March 5, 2020, and the Prince George’s County State of Emergency Declaration, effective March 16, 2020.  These procedures became effective pursuant to CR-10-2020, which was adopted by the Council on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.  READ MORE.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUALLY TO REVIEW LEGISLATION AND CONDUCT BUDGET WORK SESSIONS

The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW), aided by technology, held three days of virtual budget work sessions this week, from Tuesday, April 28^th through Thursday, April 30^th, reviewing the proposed FY 21 budgets for 18 Prince George’s County departments and agencies, the Board of Education, and the Bi-County budgets for WSSC Water and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

COW - TUESDAY, APRIL 28TH The COW convened virtually on Monday, April 28th, to review CR-011-2020, proposed legislation concerning the 2018 Water and Sewer Plan (January 2020 Cycle of Amendments), and changing the water and sewer category designations of properties within the 2018 Water and Sewer Plan. Receiving a favorable committee vote, the COW moved the measure forward for final consideration by the full Council. With budget season in full swing, the COW also conducted virtual budget work sessions on Tuesday.  Following a budget overview presented by Office of Management and Budget Director, Stanley Earley, who discussed the impact of COVID-19 on County finances, the COW received budget overview presentations from the Board of Education, WSSC Water, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.   WATCH COW - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29TH On Wednesday, April 29th, the COW held virtual budget work sessions to review proposed FY 21 spending plans for the Office of Ethics and Accountability; Personnel Board; Office of Finance; Office of Community Relations; Board of License Commissioners; Office of Law; Revenue Authority; and Office of Human Resources Management.  WATCH COW - THURSDAY, APRIL 30th On Thursday, April 30th, the COW reviewed proposed FY 21 budgets for the Citizen Complaint Oversight Panel; Department of Family Services; Department of Social Services; Office of Homeland Security; Department of Corrections; Office of the Sheriff; and the Office of the State’s Attorney.  WATCH

COUNCIL LOOKS FORWARD TO HEARING FROM RESIDENTS DURING NEXT WEEK’S FY 21 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS – MAY 4^th and MAY 11^TH

The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has changed life as we know it, impacting our health and economy in Prince George’s County.  The County Council, as part of its FY 21 Budget Review and Adoption Process, is reviewing the County Executive’s proposed FY 21 Budget, as amended.  Because of the effect of COVID-19, including declining revenues, this may well be the most difficult budget in County history.  County residents and stakeholders are strongly encouraged to participate in the Council’s virtual budget public hearings on Monday, May 4th, and Monday, May 11th, at 5:00 p.m., and share your budget priorities.  With the availability of closed-captioning, Council public hearings will be more accessible.  Spanish-language translation will be also available for the public hearings.  Be sure to REGISTER TO SPEAK to participate via the eComment Portal to comment on FY 21 budget-related issues and concerns.  

COUNCIL MEMBER JOLENE IVEY AND DELEGATE JULIAN IVEY HOST TELE-TOWN HALL  District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey and Maryland Delegate Julian Ivey (D-47-A) hosted a Tele-Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, April 28th, to discuss resources as COVID-19 continues to impact residents.  Included on the town hall discussion agenda was navigating unemployment; domestic violence in a quarantine; addressing homelessness; resources for members of the disability community impacted by COVID-19; and education and distance learning.  Special guests included Congress Member Anthony Brown; Director, Prince George’s County Family Justice Center, Denise McCain; Director, Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, Gloria Brown-Burnett; School Board Member Bryan Swann; and Executive Director, The Arc of Prince George’s County, Robert Malone.  For questions about resources provided at the meeting, please email councildistrict5@co.pg.md.us

COUNCIL MEMBER DANNIELLE GLAROS HOSTS DISTRICT 3 VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING  District 3 Council Member Dannielle Glaros hosted a District 3 Virtual Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 30th.  Council Member Glaros shared important information on Prince George’s County’s COVID-19 response and resources; Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed County Budget; Census 2020; economic development; school construction; and the Purple Line. Residents received updates on the 2020 Census from Census Outreach Coordinator, Jordan Baucum Colbert, and Prince George’s County School Board Members Bryan Swann (District 4), Joshua Thomas (District 2) and Pamela Boozer-Strother (District 3), also participated in the meeting. District 3 residents and stakeholders had the opportunity to ask questions in real-time for response and information.  WATCH

VOTE BY MAIL - MARYLAND PRIMARY ELECTION INFORMATION The Maryland Primary Election originally scheduled for April 28th, will be held on June 2nd, conducted primarily by mail. All registered and eligible voters will be mailed a ballot for this election. Look for yours in the mail soon.  You can visit the Prince George’s County Board of Elections online or view the Maryland Voter Guide for more information on the 2020 Primary Election.

CENSUS 2020 – TEN MINUTES IS ALL IT TAKES TO BE COUNTED! We are doing a great job, but we are not done yet.  Prince George’s County is now 54% counted in the 2020 U.S. Census!  If you have not yet filled out your 2020 Census form, take Prince George’s County to the finish line!  Please remember to take 10 minutes to complete your Census today at my2020census.gov,

JOIN USING THE LINK PROVIDED AT: https://pgccouncil.us/LIVE

Monday, May 4, 2020

 Committee of the Whole Virtual Meeting - Budget Worksession
10:00 AM - Library, PGCC, Employ Prince George's, People's Zoning Counsel
2:00 PM - DPIE, Experience Prince George's, EDC, FSC

Monday, May 4, 2020

Budget Public Hearing   Virtual Meeting 
5:00 PM - Budget Public Hearing - County Budget & CIP, Board of Education & Constant Yield Tax Rate

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

11:00 AM   Virtual Meeting -  Details

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

11:15 AM  Committee of the Whole Virtual Meeting - Budget Worksession
*12:30 PM - M-NCPPC
*2:00 PM - Soil Conservation, DOE, DPWT

Thursday, May 6, 2020

3:00 PM    Virtual Meeting - Bi-County Meeting - Details

ALL MEETINGS ARE VIRTUAL

FEDEX FIELD TESTING SITE CLOSED; SCREENING AND TESTING SITE RELOCATED TO CHEVERLY

As of Wednesday, April 29^th, the FedExField testing site for the coronavirus (COVID-19), closed.  Beginning May 4^th, COVID-19 screening and testing operations will be fully moved to the Prince George’s County Health Department’s Cheverly Clinic. 3003 Hospital Drive, Cheverly, MD 20785. The new site will be open 5 days a week, expanding testing capacity for the County without concern for weather conditions. The site is still by appointment only, and residents must call the County’s Coronavirus Hotline at 301-883-6627 to schedule an appointment.

#PGCCOVID19

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

By Administrative Order from the Maryland Court of Appeals, all evictions and foreclosures in Prince George’s County have been suspended until further notice, due to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development has provided some additional guidance for homeowners on forbearance provisions outlined in the CARES Act.   LEARN MORE

SAFETY REMINDER

Please remember to practice the guidelines from health officials on hygiene and handwashing, social distancing, and face coverings.   Face coverings are required by State law when in public places, such as stores or on public transportation.  If you do not have a face mask, you make a face covering from a bandana, scarf or t-shirt. 

COUNCIL MEMBER CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II, AND COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON PARTNER WITH 2U TO PROVIDE FACE MASKS TO HEALTH WORKERS

Council Vice-Chair and At-Large Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins, II, and District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison, in partnership with the education technology company, 2U, delivered KN95 and equivalent protective face masks to healthcare employees at the University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center, in Cheverly, on Friday, May 1st.  2U, a company with global headquarters in Prince George’s County, donated the masks.  Council Members Hawkins and Harrison, Chair and Vice-Chair (respectively) of the Council’s Health, Human Services and Public Safety committee, were joined for the presentation by Jason Peterman, Vice-President, Corporate Real Estate and Workplace, 2U; Candice Adderley, Senior Manager, Communications, 2U; Prince George’s County Board of Health Advisor, Dr. Yolandra Hancock; Dr. Trudy Hall, Vice President, Philanthropy, University of Maryland Capital Region Health; and Dr. Joseph Wright, President & CEO (Acting), Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, University of Maryland Capital Region Health. 

COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER PARTICIPATES IN COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE 

Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D-District 4) joined with neighbors in the Longleaf community this week, for a food drive to support the Bowie Food Pantry & Emergency Aid Fund.  Led by Longleaf HOA President John Scoulios and Al Coley, 21 boxes of food donations were collected.  Among the foods most needed are soups, canned meats and vegetables, and dry goods and pantry items.

Click HERE to assist.

COUNCIL MEMBER TOM DERNOGA AND DISTRICT ONE TEAM DISTRIBUTES MEALS TO RESIDENTS

District 1 Council Member Tom Dernoga and his team are continuing to work in the community to provide support to residents impacted by COVID-19, creating a coalition of nonprofit groups and property management companies to provide 2,000 meals a day, 6 days a week, for a total of 10,000 meals to date, serving District 1 residents in need.  The food distribution takes place at two locations – James E. Duckworth Regional School in Beltsville, and Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School in Laurel, and will continue until the Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order is lifted.   Small businesses have also been impacted by the global pandemic, prompting Council Member Dernoga to support restaurants and eateries in District One with a listing of food establishments currently operating and can be patronized by residents.  The District 1 office has activated the community with projects such as the District 1 Sewing Project which has provided over 3,000 Face Mask for local seniors and our most vulnerable residents.

COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER PARTNERS TO PROVIDE MEALS TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN DISTRICT 8

District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker, in partnership with the Prince George's County Maryland Chapter of The Links, provided 150 meals from the Nando's Peri-Peri restaurant at National Harbor, to frontline medical staff at the Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center. Council Member Anderson-Walker is providing meals twice a week to support healthcare workers at the Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center as they work to provide care to COVID-19 patients.

Pictured left to right:  Tracye Burr-Mitchell, Vice President - Programs, Jena Roscoe, Member, President Donna Graves and Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker.