THIS WEEK IN COUNTY COUNCIL

COUNCIL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS STATUS

The Prince George’s County Council continues to operate under 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-64-2020 on July 7, 2020.  The Council’s Emergency Operations Procedures became effective pursuant to CR-10-2020, adopted on March 17, 2020, and amended pursuant to CR-35-2020, adopted on May 18, 2020.

COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; CONTINUES COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY; HOLDS JOINT PUBLIC HEARING ON HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION; ADDRESSES PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE AND CONSIDERS LEGISLATION

The County Council began its virtual session on Tuesday, July 14th with a Joint Public Hearing on the proposed historic site designation of Teed House, held by the District Council and the Planning Board of the National-Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Following the public hearing, the Council presented and introduced several legislative measures and approved the Chair’s signature on Proposed Correspondence to Board of Education Chair Alvin Thornton, Ph.D. regarding their Operating Budget Final FY 2019 and FY 2020 Transfer Requests. Council session concluded with public hearings and enactment of over 20 Council Bills, including, CB-003-2020, an Act establishing a Healthy Food Priority Area Tax Credit Program and related requirements; CB-004-2020, an Act authorizing the Director of Central Services to establish a mentor-protege program for building the capacity of small and minority businesses based in Prince George's County; and CB-13-2020, an Act modernizing County procurement. 

WATCH Tuesday’s Council session.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES TWO VIRTUAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION   The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) convened virtually on Tuesday, July 14th, and Wednesday, July 15th. Tuesday’s COW addressed several proposed measures, including CR-062-2020, legislation establishing a Food Security Task Force to address issues related to the demand and supply of healthy food and areas with limited access to healthy food, food-health connections, school meals, and food security.  WATCH Tuesday’s COW. CR-068-2020 a Resolution for the purpose of extending the appointment of Hector Velez as Acting Police Chief, for four months pursuant to the County Charter; CR-066-2020 a Resolution concerning the declaration of racism as a crisis and disease of public health, public safety and economic welfare; and CR-060-2020, a Resolution concerning Landlord-Tenant Code and prohibition of rent increases, rental terminations and late fees during the COVID-19 public health crisis, were among the legislative items addressed on Wednesday.  WATCH Wednesday’s COW.

PGCPS CEO DR. GOLDSON ANNOUNCES SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN; NEW SCHOOL YEAR WILL BEGIN WITH DISTANCE LEARNING FOR THE FIRST TWO QUARTERS

On Wednesday, July 15^th, Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO, Dr. Monica Goldson, announced her plan to safely and responsibly reopen Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) for the 2020-21 academic year. Following broad input from families, employees and community members, PGCPS will continue distance learning through January 2021.  Dr. Goldson hosted tele-town hall meetings this week to discuss the reopening plan.  Next week, PGCPS will release a report outlining how the school system will support its students, particularly English language learners, those with special needs and youth from families with low-income, during the distance learning phase. A special Board of Education meeting will be held in late July to review the plan. READ the PGCPS release.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY LIBRARIES BEGIN PHASE ONE REOPENING NEXT WEEK

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is gradually resuming in-person services at all branches over the course of the coming months. The reopening timeline is organized in four phases that stagger the return of in-person services at PGCMLS branches. Maximized physical distancing, greatly enhanced sanitization of facilities and materials, and clear communications with customers will be required throughout the process. The reopening plan includes adjustments to the Library’s five main areas of operation: customers, staff, facilities, collections, and programs/outreach/meeting rooms.  Phase 1 of the PGCMLS Reopening Plan, starts Tuesday, July 21^st, and is *curbside service* by appointment only. Entry to library buildings is not permitted during Phase 1.  Materials can now be returned to all locations, except Baden, Mount Rainier, Spauldings, and pop-up locations.  CLICK HERE for more information on the Phase 1 PGCMLS Reopening Plan.

COVID-19 RESPONSE - DISTRICT EIGHT COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER SUPPORTS RESIDENTS WITH PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP

District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker has responded to resident concerns about barriers to healthcare and gaps in effective healthcare management with a Prescription Assistance Partnership. Especially during the COVID-19 global pandemic, this initiative will offer lifesaving, low-cost medicine to Prince Georgians, and reduce the need to choose between managing living expenses or effectively managing their wellness and recovery. In this first-of-its-kind partnership for District 8, Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center, Greater Baden Medical Center and two minority-owned District 8 pharmacies, Allentown Discount Pharmacy and MECMO Pharmacy, are partnered to provide easily accessible, quality, and cost-resilient prescriptions now, and for the future.   LEARN MORE in this video.

Attention WSSC Water customers:   Beware of phone calls about water filters that the caller says will provide protection from COVID-19. WSSC Water says it is a scam, and that your tap water is safe. The Coronavirus is NOT detected in water or transmitted by water. Water utilities, including WSSC Water, treat and test your water to deliver it safely to you.  LEARN MORE.

July 21:  County Council  10:00 AM   Public Notice  EComment

View archived virtual meetings on our website

The Office of Community Relations is hosting Census Completion and Drive-Up Distribution Events throughout Prince George’s County. The next event takes place on Saturday July 18th, from Noon to 2:00 p.m. at the Oakcrest Community Center, 1300 Capitol Heights Blvd., in District Heights. There will be free meals, backpacks, PPE, and Census giveaways, while supplies last.  Most importantly, residents will have an opportunity to complete their Census forms on-site.  Come Early!

Enter your video for "Step Up, Step Out for 2020 Census", a virtual block show and talent PSA competition. The contest is open to the undergraduate chapters of Greek Letter organizations and area college and university student organizations.   LEARN MORE.

PRINCE GEORGE'S STUDENTS SUPPORT 2020 CENSUS WITH CREATIVE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Elementary, Middle and High School Students in Prince George’s County students are also reminding residents to get their Census 2020 forms completed.  WATCH this local news report celebrating student winners of a Census public service announcement contest to deliver their “Proud to be Counted” message, and remember to fill out your form! As a friendly reminder all households have until October 31, 2020 to respond online, by phone, via mail at My2020Census.gov or by phone at 1-844-330-2020 (English)/ 1-844-468-2020 (Spanish) to complete the Census.

The U.S. Census Bureau will begin its door-to- door follow-up operations on August 11^th, for residents who have not completed their census forms. To minimize door to door contact, please make sure you have completed your Census at My2020Census.Gov

#ProudToBeCounted

DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL MEMBER RODNEY STREETER HOLDS VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING Council Member Rodney C. Streeter, with the use of ZOOM technology, hosted a Virtual Town Hall meeting for District 7 residents on Thursday, July 16th.  More than 180 constituents participated in the District 7 Town Hall.  In addition to receiving legislative updates, residents heard from a host of County officials and representatives on issues of importance to the community, including Acting Police Chief Hector Velez, Police Department; Community Relations Director Euniesha Davis; Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works, Gwendolyn Clerkley; Department of Permits, Inspection & Enforcement Code Enforcement Officer, Ronnie Twine; and Office of Community Relations, Census Special Project Lead, Thomas Johnson. Residents also actively participated in the opportunity for questions and answers.

COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER HOSTING DISTRICT 4 SENIORS “GRAB-AND-GO” MEAL EVENTS IN BOWIE AND GREENBELT

Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D) – District 4, in partnership with the County’s Department of Family Services and the cities of Bowie and Greenbelt, will host two free “District 4 Seniors Grab-and-Go Meals” drive-up events in Greenbelt on Wednesday, July 29, at the Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road, and Friday, July 31, in the Bowie Senior Center Parking Lot, 14900 Health Center Drive in Bowie. Both events are from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.  Council Chair Turner, who represents the cities of Greenbelt and Bowie as the District 4 Council Member, comments “While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from hosting the ‘Annual District 4 Senior Luncheon’ events this year, we are continuing to serve the needs of our seniors and honoring their community contributions.”

CONGRATULATIONS BOWIE BIC – VOTED THE 2020 MOST INNOVATIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER OF THE YEAR!

Congratulations to the Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC), upon being awarded the 2020 Most Innovative Entrepreneurship Center of the Year Award from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA)! The award recognizes Bowie BIC’s 8(a) Accelerator Program, a fast track program for winning federal government contracts. The program is exclusively for women, minority and veteran-owned government contractors participating in the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) business development program for small and economically disadvantaged businesses. Award winners were announced during the 34th Annual International Conference on Business Incubation with 350 attendees and 44 countries represented in a virtual format.  “This is more than an award for Bowie BIC. It is an acknowledgement of the power of collaboration to address challenges faced by economically disadvantaged companies and an example of how our community is generating economic impact and jobs. Prince George’s County is leading the way as a hub and center of excellence for 8(a) business success,” commented Lisa S. Smith, Bowie BIC’s founding executive director. Located on the campus of Bowie State University, Bowie BIC has been committed to future entrepreneurs as Maryland’s first business accelerator on an HBCU campus.  READ MORE

ADA 30TH ANNIVERSARY VIRTUAL CELEBRATION

This year marks thirty years since the passage of the Americans with Disability Act, landmark legislation signed into law July 26, 1990, that removes many of the barriers faced by people with disabilities in the workplace, public and commercial facilities, transportation, and in communications.  The Department of Family Services and the Commission for Individuals with Disabilities are hosting an ADA Virtual Celebration on Saturday, July 25^th, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., in honor of this milestone.  See the flyer to learn how to join on ZOOM. If you are a person with a disability and would like to participate in any County-sponsored services, programs, or activities, please call 301-265-8450 or Maryland Relay 711.