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 COUNCIL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS STATUS
The Prince George’s County Council continues to operate under the emergency procedures stated in the Governor’s “Proclamation and Declaration of State of Emergency and Existence of Catastrophic Health Emergency – COVID-19”, effective March 5, 2020, and amended May 13, 2020, and the Prince George’s County State of Emergency Declaration, effective March 16, 2020, and extended by the Governing Body of Prince George’s County with the adoption of CR-31-2020 on May 11, 2020 and by CR-51-2020 on June 9, 2020. These procedures became effective pursuant to CR-10-2020, adopted by the Council on March 17, 2020, and amended pursuant to CR-35-2020, adopted May 18, 2020.
COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; CONSIDERS LEGISLATION
The County Council began its virtual session on Tuesday, June 23rd with the presentation of several measures. Public Hearings were also held for CB-006-2020, legislation concerning expedited Transit Oriented Development (TOD), and CB-007-2020, an ordinance concerning market halls. Both Bills were approved by the Council. The Council also voted to adopt CR-007-2020, legislation concerning a Climate Action Plan; CR-034-2020, a Resolution concerning Statewide Special Transportation Assistance Program and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments enhanced Mobility Grant Programs; and CR-059-2020, legislation concerning the tax rates for Fiscal Year 2021.
WATCH Tuesday’s Council session.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOLD VIRTUAL MEETING; ADDRESSES PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO REALIGN $20 MILLION IN POLICE FUNDING FOR FACILITY TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH; REVIEWS HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX CREDIT PERCENTAGE MEASURE
The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) convened virtually on Tuesday, June 23rd to address several measures, including CB-042-2020, legislation proposed by the County Executive to realign $20 million previously earmarked for a police department public safety training facility, to fund the construction of a mental health and addiction facility. The COW also addressed CB-048-2020, following input from residents and robust committee discussion. The legislation proposes an amendment to the County Charter altering the deadline to set the Homestead Property Tax Credit Cap percentage consistent with State law to March 15th. The Homestead Tax Credit is a State credit that caps all jurisdictions in the State of Maryland to an increase of 10% or less on the assessment of the rise in value of their residential property. These measures were move favorably by the COW to consideration by the full Council. Several bond bills concerning borrowing to finance capital projects, including CB-043-2020, CB-044-2020, CB-045-2020, CB-046-2020, and CB-047-2020 were also considered, along with CB-037-2020, an Act concerning short-term rentals.
WATCH Tuesday’s COW.
Following a recess, the Council reconvened and introduced these Council Bills favorably reported out of COW, which were scheduled for Public Hearing on July 21st, and if enacted, will be placed on the November Ballot for voter approval.
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COUNCIL LETTER TO MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS ADDRESSES PURPLE LINE P3 PARTNERSHIP; COUNCIL URGES STATE TO ENSURE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD
The Prince George’s County Council unanimously supported a letter to Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Gregory Slater, urging successful negotiations between the State, Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) and Purple Line Transit Constructors (PLTC). The letter follows a threat by Purple Line Transit Constructors’ to walk away from the Purple Line Project. Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D-District 4) said, “Completion of the Purple Line is vital for the economic wellbeing and transportation needs of not only Prince George’s County residents, but our neighbors in the region and the State. Tremendous investments of time and resources have been made, and project delays would prove costly to taxpayers; harmful to surrounding communities and businesses; and unfair to residents. The Council is committed to seeing this project to completion and it is important that the Council formally express these concerns to Secretary Slater.” READ the full press release. Here’s a media report referencing the Council action.
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COUNTY EXECUTIVE ALSOBROOKS CONTINUES STATE OF EMERGENCY; ANNOUNCES FULL PHASE TWO REOPENING FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ON JUNE 29
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has signed Executive Order No. 15-2020, continuing the Declaration of a Local State of Emergency for Prince George’s County, Maryland. Additionally, the County Executive has announced that the County will move from a modified phase two to a full phase two reopening on June 29th, at 5:00 PM. This decision was made under the advice of public health officials and the data that the County has been monitoring, including continued downward trends in the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations. “We remain cautiously optimistic as we move forward with our phased reopening and recovery of Prince George’s County,” said Alsobrooks. “I am encouraged by the progress that we have made together as a community to slow the spread of this virus, and I know that if we all continue to take certain precautions, we can continue to contain the spread of COVID-19 in this next phase of our reopening.” READ the full press release for additional details on the full Phase Two reopening.
TESTING SITE UPDATE
Prince George’s County has officially opened another COVID-19 Testing Site, this one at the Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Center, 8001 Sheriff Road Landover, MD 20785, Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The County has also moved to an appointment-free testing operation, so residents no longer need an appointment to be tested at one of the County’s multiple COVID-19 testing locations. Testing sites can accommodate drive-thru and walk-up testing of residents with or without symptoms. The coronavirus hotline number, 301-883-6627, is still operational for questions about testing and COVID-19, between the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday.
LEARN MORE.
METRO TO REOPEN 15 STATIONS, REALLOCATE BUS SERVICE TO ADDRESS CROWDING, STARTING SUNDAY
Metro announced this week that 15 rail stations that had been closed as part of the transit agency’s COVID-19 response, will reopen on Sunday, June 28th. The Cheverly, College Park and Morgan Blvd stations in Prince George’s County are among the stations scheduled for reopening on Sunday. In addition, beginning Monday, June 29, buses will be added to the system’s 14 busiest bus lines to provide more capacity and more frequent service as the region reopens.
LEARN MORE.
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 JOIN USING THE LINK PROVIDED AT: https://pgccouncil.us/LIVE
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
County Council Session - Virtual Meeting
ALL MEETINGS ARE VIRTUAL
NOT TOO LATE TO FILL OUT THE CENSUS!
SAFE. EASY. IMPORTANT.
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The Prince George’s County Self-Response rate as of June 23rd is 63.3%. Unfortunately, we have been at a standstill that the County cannot afford. In an effort to help increase our County’s self-response rates, you are invited to join District 2 Council Member Deni Taveras on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 11AM for a Census Telephone Bank Training to help Prince George’s County reach more residents who must still complete their Census forms. Council Member Taveras held a Spanish-language training on June 19th. The upcoming event is the English-speaking training.
 The next Census will not take place again until 2030, so let’s make sure Prince George’s County gets the federal funding and resources we need over the next 10 years!
#ProudToBeCounted
#PGCensus2020
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 Here’s the information to join:
Council Member Deni Taveras Census Telephone Banking Training
Saturday, June 27, 2020
11:00AM – 12:30PM
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82579592845
Meeting ID: 825 7959 2845
Dial: +1 646 558 8656
As a gentle reminder, on August 11, 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin its door-to-door follow-up operations for residents who have not completed their Census 2020 forms. To minimize door-to-door contact, please consider calling five (5) family members or friends, and encourage them to complete the Census online, by phone or via mail!
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AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER MEL FRANKLIN HOSTS PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND EQUITY TELE-TOWN HALL
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the impact of COVID-19, the rise of the national Black Lives Matter movement has cast a spotlight on generational disparities in economic equity and societal opportunities facing predominantly Black communities like Prince George's County. On Thursday, June 25th, At-Large Council Member Mel Franklin hosted and moderated the “Prince George’s County Economic Justice and Equity Tele-Town Hall,” a discussion about how to remove the barriers to equity and opportunity, and post-COVID-19 recovery for Black-owned businesses, returning citizens, underfunded schools, unemployed and underemployed residents, families in poverty, and more. Panel guests included Council Vice-Chair and At-Large Council Member, Calvin S. Hawkins, II; Sandra Pruitt, PFC Black Chamber of Commerce; Shane Warren, Warren Brothers Construction LLC ; Stan Udhiri, Reviera Enterprises, Inc.; and Charnell Ferguson, NAACP National Youth Board Member. Missed it? LISTEN.
DISTRICT 8 COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER HOSTS “MOVING FORWARD - STATE OF HUMANITY: RACIAL EQUITY SUMMIT”
 District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker, as part of her “MOVING FORWARD” webinar series, hosted the “State of Humanity: Racial Equity in Summit”, on Wednesday, June 24th. The “MOVING FORWARD” webinar series provides a platform for residents to engage in open and honest dialogue and discuss coping and transformative strategies on challenging topics. The “State of Humanity: Racial Equity Summit,” addressed social injustice and systemic racism in law enforcement, education, economic, health and housing, and discussed solutions and action items to achieve equity for Black America. Council Member Anderson-Walker, using ZOOM technology, was joined for the virtual event by a panel of state and regional elected officials, academia leaders, community and youth leaders including City of Bowie Mayor Tim Adams; State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; At-Large Montgomery County Council Member Will Jawando; Board of Education Vice- Chair Ed Burroughs; Professor of Law and Executive Director, Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center, Justin Hansford; and Class of 2020 Oxon Hill High School graduate, and Founder, Resistance Research Coalition, Marisa Miles. The summit was moderated by Strategist Leader, Jennifer Jones.
WATCH
DISTRICT 9 COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON AND PARTNERS RESPOND TO COVID WITH FACE MASK DISTRIBUTION
 On Thursday, District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison, during the second round of his “District 9 Masks for the Masses” project, partnered with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Board of Health Advisor, Dr. Yolandra Hancock, and Masks4America to provide KN95 and surgical masks to the staff and residents of seven (7) senior different living facilities throughout District 9. As our communities are confronted with the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the continued protection of seniors in the County is critically important. In a continuing commitment to the welfare of District 9 residents, future mask distributions are planned.
COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER SERVES “LUNCH FOR HEROES” TO BOWIE FIRE STATION #19
 Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D – District 4) was joined by Prince George’s mith (MD-23A), Maryland Delegate Ron Watson (MD-23B), and At-Large Bowie City Council Member Ingrid Harrison, at Bowie Fire Station 19, on Wednesday, June 24th. County Deputy Fire Chief Brian Frankel and crew members also participated. Chair Turner, in partnership with In Reach, Inc. and Panera Bread in Bowie, is providing free lunches to first responders serving the District’s six fire stations in Bowie, Greenbelt, and Glenn Dale, in appreciation of their service to the community.
DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL MEMBER RODNEY STREETER PARTNERS FOR FOOD AND GAS DISTRIBUTION TO RESIDENTS IMPACTED BY COVID-19
 District 7 Council Member Rodney Streeter partnered with Impact One Church, on Saturday, June 20th, for the “Central Ave Take Over” drive-up food and gas card distribution event serving families impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite Saturday’s rain, Council Member Streeter joined Impact One Pastor Juan Wilder and First Lady Melanie Wilder, and volunteers to load the vehicles of 425 families with free groceries and gas cards during the event outside the Impact One Church, along Central Avenue, in Capitol Heights.
MISSED THE JUNE 18th TELE-TOWN HALL HOSTED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS AND COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER’S REMARKS?
In last week’s edition of COUNCIL CONNECTION, we shared that Council Chair Todd M. Turner joined County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks and members of her executive team for a Tele-Town Hall meeting on Thursday, June 18th. More than 40,000 residents joined that conversation about the County’s most recent COVID-19 response and other concerns. If you missed it or you want to listen again,
CLICK HERE!
SUMMER LEARNING IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
 Prince George’s County Schools (PCGPS) is offering several, free Virtual Summer Learning opportunities. Check out the latest PGCPS newsletter for details on programs being offered. You might also be interested in knowing that the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System will go fine free on July 1st, making libraries even more accessible.
FIND OUT MORE.
COUNCIL CONGRATULATES THE BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY CLASS OF 2020!
 Bowie State University held its Virtual Celebration Ceremony for the Class of 2020 on June 26th. The Council congratulates the Class of 2020! No one knew that you would be celebrating amid a pandemic, but the way each graduate has faced the challenge is a source of pride for our County. We applaud your ability to rise above the circumstances and your determination to finish well.
Congratulations on earning your degree and your place at the virtual podium! We look forward to your future success!
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