 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 September 1, 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-90-2020 on September 15, 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. Rules of Procedure for the County Council and District Council have been amended, pursuant to CR-57-2020 and CR-58-2020, respectively, adopted on July 21, 2020, for virtual and remote public participation before each body.
DISTRICT COUNCIL RECONVENES FOLLOWING AUGUST RECESS; MEETS MONDAY ON LAND-USE MATTERS
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, met virtually on Monday, September 14th. Monday’s meeting was the first District Council session following August Recess, and the scheduled session included Oral Arguments; Items for Discussion; Items Pending Finality; and two cases requiring Mandatory Review.
Watch Monday’s District Council meeting – PART ONE and PART TWO.
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COUNCIL CONVENES TO REVIEW LEGISLATION AND PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE; EXTENDS COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY; RECEIVES COVID-19 BRIEFING UPDATE; HOLDS JOINT PUBLIC HEARING
 The Prince George’s County Council, during its virtual session on Tuesday, September 15th, received a briefing on the County’s response to COVID-19. Prince George’s County Chief Administrative Officer Major Riddick, Jr., opened the briefing with an overview of the County’s current response to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter, who addressed the County’s health status by providing updates on a wide range of topics including, new cases, hospitalizations, testing sites and contact tracing. The Council received updates from County officials on the COVID-19 Business Recovery Initiative; Day Care Assistance; and Rental Assistance Program. The Council also presented nine Council Bills and introduced two Resolutions.
As a result of the Covid-19 briefing, the Council adopted CR-090-2020, Prince George’s County’s fourth continuation of the Declaration of Emergency related to the Coronavirus pandemic, and adopted modification to the County's Phase II operations, which were announced by the County executive on September 16th (See Below).
Following the briefing, the Council approved the Chair’s signature for Proposed Correspondence to U.S. General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, Commissioner, Dan Matthews, expressing strong support for the proposed relocation of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices from Arlington, Virginia and Washington, D.C., to Prince George’s County.
The Council also presented nine Council Bills and introduced two resolutions. In other action, the Council approved CR-091-2020, legislation inviting Prince George’s County residents to telework and try alternative forms of transportation such as transit, bicycling, and walking in a safe and healthy manner on Car Free Day recognized in the region on September 22, 2020.
Council session concluded with an evening, virtual Joint Public Hearing of the County Council, sitting as the District Council, and the Prince George’s County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, to receive public testimony concerning the proposed Minor Amendment to the 2014 Southern Green Line Station Area Sector Plan and Sectional Map Amendment D-D-O Zone. WATCH Tuesday’s session.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETS THIS WEEK; REVIEWS MEASURES; ADDRESSES LANDLORD TENANT LEGISLATION
The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) convened virtually this week, on Thursday, September 17th, to review several legislative measures. Thursday’s COW session included a review of three zoning bills, and Council Bill 053-2020, legislation providing that the Landlord-Tenant Code require air conditioning equipment provided by a landlord shall be properly installed, connected and maintained.
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THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY RE-ENTRY ADVISORY BOARD MEETS; RECEIVES BRIEFING
The Prince George’s County Re-Entry Advisory Board, established by Council Resolution 49-2019, convened virtually on Wednesday, September 16th. The Re-Entry Advisory Board is charged with implementing a comprehensive re-entry program and re-entry services in the County to aid formerly incarcerated persons with acclimating back into society. The advisory board is working to evaluate and assess resources and services currently available, and identify ways to effectively implement programs addressing employment, housing, mental health and faith-based initiatives. Wednesday’s meeting featured a briefing presentation from Dr. Jacqueline Somerville, Psy.D., Prince George’s County Health Department, on the capabilities and resources of the Bridge Center at Adam’s House, a County resource for returning citizens.
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COUNCIL MEMBER DENI TAVERAS RECOGNIZES INAUGURAL “WELCOMING WEEK” IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, “BUILDING CONNECTIONS AND AFFIRMING THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES”
District 2 County Council Member Deni Taveras (D), County residents and hundreds of communities across the country are celebrating the importance of inclusive neighborhoods during “Welcoming Week”, September 12 – 20, 2020. Council Member Taveras and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) have partnered to host a series of virtual events commemorating the week-long celebration. Welcoming Week is an initiative of Welcoming America, a national nonprofit helping communities reach their full economic and social potential by building communities that are inclusive toward all residents, including immigrants.
This year’s theme is “Creating Home Together.” For more information about activities, READ the press release. WATCH this Facebook video as Council Member Taveras facilitates a conversation with immigrant artists and writers for a Welcoming Week activity hosted by the County’s library system.
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COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER PARTICIPATES IN GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING
County Council Chair Todd M. Turner joined Tonia Wellons, the new President and CEO, of the Greater Washington Community Foundation for the Annual Meeting: “Engaged Philanthropy, Inspired Communities” on Wednesday morning. The Foundation has invested more than $1.3 billion to Build Thriving Communities throughout the Greater Washington region, including $10 million for COVID-19 response this year.
See https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/ for additional information.
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COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL PHASE 2 OPENINGS AND UPDATED SAFETY GUIDELINES
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced on Wednesday, September 16th that several establishments are now able to reopen with capacity limits and other safety requirements, under the County’s current phase two reopening status. This decision was made under the guidance of health officials and implemented under a Continuing Resolution for a local state of emergency passed by the Prince George’s County Council. “As we announce several additional openings under our County’s Phase 2 reopening, I want to remind our residents that this virus is still present in our community,” said Alsobrooks. “Please remember to continue following COVID-19 safety guidelines to keep yourself and your fellow Prince Georgians safe, including wearing a face mask, practicing physical distancing and washing your hands frequently.”
For additional details, READ the press release.
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COVID Link – Answer the Call
When you see “MD COVID” or the phone number 240-466-4488, on your caller ID, ANSWER THE CALL. It means that a public health professional is reaching out to you with important information about COVID-19 and your community. This is your opportunity to protect your family, friends and neighbors. Together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more at coronavirus.maryland.gov
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The Prince George’s County Health Department offers FREE COVID-19 tests for individuals with or without symptoms that have been exposed to or suspected to have been exposed to a COVID-19-positive person.
Patients do not need an appointment or a doctor’s prescription to get tested. All County-run testing sites accommodate testing for those in a car or on foot. Please visit the County’s COVID-19 testing web page for site locations and testing schedules. If you have additional questions about the County’s testing program, call the County’s coronavirus hotline at 301-883-6627 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday.
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