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 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 CONVENES TO REVIEW LAND-USE MATTERS; HEARS ORAL ARGUMENTS; VOTES TO MOVE AMAZON DELIVERY STATION PROJECT FORWARD The County Council, sitting as the District Council on land-use matters, convened in virtual session on Monday, October 5th and again on Tuesday, October 6th.  Among the Oral Argument Hearings on Monday’s District Council agenda, was Case No. SDP-0007-03, Amazon.com Services, located in the northeastern quadrant of the intersection of Queens Court and Prince George’s Boulevard, Collington Trade Zone, in Upper Marlboro. In a decision that moves Amazon closer to building its “Last-Mile” delivery station in the County, the District Council directed staff to prepare an order for approval, which will require another vote. WATCH Monday’s District Council session.  Tuesday’s District Council session included a continued review of the Magruder Pointe project, DSP-18005, from Monday’s agenda.  The project is located in the City of Hyattsville in District 2.    WATCH Tuesday’s District Council session.

COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; REVIEWS LEGISLATION AND PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE; APPROVES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

The Prince George’s County Council convened in virtual session on Tuesday, October 6th. In addition to its review of several legislative measures, the Council also conducted public hearings for County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ nominees for appointments to the County’s Commission for Animal Control, Wage Determination Board and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.  The Council unanimously approved all executive appointments to these County positions.  The Council approved a Proposed letter to the Honorable Angela D. Alsobrooks, County Executive, transmitting comments and recommendations on the FY 2021-2023 Local Impact Grant Multi-Year Spending Plan, derived from the MGM National Harbor casino.

WATCH

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RECEIVES BRIEFING AND REVIEWS LEGISLATION The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) convened virtually twice this week, on Tuesday, October 6th and Thursday, October 8th.  Tuesday’s session included the review of three measures, including prohibiting fly ash landfills in the County. Thursday’s COW session began with a briefing on the WSSC Water spending affordability limits for its Fiscal Year 2022 proposed budget, which starts in July 2021.  It included participation from several members of the WSSC leadership team and included a discussion about financial burdens on WSSC customers as a result of the pandemic.  General Manager Carla Reid addressed the committee: “WSSC Water is keenly focused on our mission of providing clean water to the all of the citizens of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, at the same time that we are on point with our mission, we are navigating some challenges that come along with this lofty mission, including our aging infrastructure, an aging work force, and affordability concerns.”  The Committee held this item for additional consideration.  Following the briefing from WSSC Water, the COW approved several zoning bills that were referred to the full Council, and reviewed measures addressing grocery store tax credits, qualified data centers, and language access for public service.  WATCH Tuesday’s COW.   WATCH Thursday’s COW.

PGCPS ANNOUNCES DEVELOPER TO BUILD NEW SCHOOLS THROUGH INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM; BOARD OF EDUCATION TO VOTE ON PROPOSED DEVELOPER AT OCT. 21 MEETING

On Wednesday, October 7, 2020, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson announced the next stage of the school system’s innovative and collaborative school construction program, a move designed to address rapid enrollment growth amid aging school buildings.  Prince George’s County Education and Community Partners — which is comprised of Fengate Capital Management Ltd. and Gilbane Development Company, Inc., Gilbane Building Company, Stantec and Honeywell — will be recommended to the Prince George’s County Board of Education to lead the Alternative Construction Finance Program, a public-private partnership. The Board is expected to vote on the proposed developer during its Thursday, Oct. 21 meeting.

The new schools will result in upgraded learning environments for approximately 8,000 students. If approved, over the next four years the developer will build the new Drew-Freeman, Hyattsville, Kenmoor and Walker Mill middle schools in addition to an Adelphi area middle school and a south county kindergarten through eighth grade school. Under the normal process, it would take at least 12 years to build the new facilities. All schools are scheduled to be ready for occupancy July 2024.

“The selection of a development team for this groundbreaking school construction model is a critical step forward toward employing creative strategies that build schools to meet the needs of our students,” said Prince George’s County Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D-District 4). “Today’s announcement is part of a working partnership developed over several years with Dr. Goldson, the Board of Education, County Executive Alsobrooks and state lawmakers, and the Council celebrates our joint commitment to this first of its kind school construction model in the U.S. and our state of Maryland. The Council will continue working with the school system and County, its oversight and budgetary processes, as negotiations for this important project move forward.”  READ the press release.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS ANNOUNCES PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TO REMAIN IN PHASE 2 REOPENING; RELEASES COMMUNITY GUIDANCE FOR HALLOWEEN, ADVISING AGAINST TRADITIONAL DOOR-TO-DOOR TRICK-OR-TREATING

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced during a press conference on Thursday, that the County will remain in Phase 2 reopening since the County’s key metrics have not stabilized at low-enough levels. This decision was made under the advice of County health officials after analyzing COVID-19 data and trends over the past two weeks.  

• DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATERS - As part of the County’s phase 2 reopening, drive-in movie theaters will be able to open with requirements starting Friday, October 16 at 5:01 PM. In order to open, drive-in theaters must apply for a permit and submit plans that will be approved by the County’s COVID-19 Compliance Team. Drive-in theaters should reach out to covidcompliance@co.g.md.us  for more information and to submit opening plans for approval.
• NURSING HOMES AND CHILDCARE - The County is also not moving forward with several guidelines issued by Governor Hogan last week. Because the County remains in phase 2 and out of an abundance of caution, indoor visitations at nursing home facilities will not resume. Also, childcare facilities will not be able to raise their children-to-teacher ratios past the current limits in place.
• TRICK OR TREATING - The County has released guidance for Halloween. The County does not recommend traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, and indoor haunted houses will not be allowed. Traditional trunk-or-treats should be shifted instead to one-way, drive-thru distributions for candy, and residents are encouraged to attend those sponsored by County Government or municipal governments. Large street parties or festivals are discouraged.

 READ the press release.  WATCH the press conference on YouTube.

On Tuesday, October 6^th, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and the Prince George’s Forward Task Force released “Actions Today”, the first of three reports on concrete steps Prince George’s County is taking to position the County to emerge stronger than ever after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the “Actions Today” recommendations are expanding technical business assistance/support, adopting a holistic approach to student well-being, enhancing County remote-work policies, streamlining the County’s PPE purchasing power, and coordinating food distribution. All of these recommendations have been approved by County Executive Alsobrooks for immediate implementation by January 1, 2021.  Council Members Sydney Harrison and Mel Franklin, and Board of Health Consultant, Dr. Terrence Fullum represent the County Council on the task force.

For more on the task force and to read “Actions Today”, visit PrinceGeorgesForward.com

COVID TESTING REMINDER

Remember, testing through the County’s Health Department is free, no appointment or health insurance necessary.   CLICK HERE for more information and testing locations.  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.

ELECTION 2020 – PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY VOTERS GET THE FAQ’S!

As a voting option in the November 3^rd Presidential Election, you can drop your ballot in a Voting Drop Box.  The Prince George’s County Board of Elections will have Voting Drop Boxes at 42 locations throughout the County. The first 22 ballot drop boxes have already been placed and are now available for use. The next 20 ballot drop boxes will be available for use by October 15th - 17th. Ballots dropped in these boxes are picked up by Board of Elections staff daily and delivered directly to the County’s Board of Elections office.   The deadline to register to vote in the 2020 Presidential General Election is 5:00 p.m. this Tuesday, October 13, 2020.  CLICK HERE for a map of ballot drop boxes, Early Voting locations and Election Day voting locations.  VISIT the County’s Board of Elections online for additional and important voter information. 

CENSUS DEADLINE EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 31^ST!  GET COUNTED!  

If you’re a Prince Georgian who hasn’t been counted in the 2020 Census, there is still time for you to fill out your Census form! Getting counted means you will help bring increased federal funding resources to your community and also help to determine the updated legislative and voting boundaries. The 2020 Census deadline has been extended to its original date of October 31.  Take 10 minutes and complete your Census form to ensure Prince George’s County gets the federal funding and resources our communities need over the next 10 years!  Visit my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PLANNING BOARD SCHEDULES ANNUAL BUDGET FORUMS; 2020 BUDGET FORUMS WILL BE VIRTUAL

The Prince George’s County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission will hold a virtual 2020 Budget Forum on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., to solicit comments on the Commission’s budget for planning, parks and recreation in Prince George’s County for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2021.  To speak at the Budget Forum, you must REGISTER ONLINE by Noon, on the Monday before the forum

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN DAY OCTOBER 12, 2020

The Prince George’s County Council and County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, recognizing the history, culture, and accomplishments of Native Americans and indigenous persons in Prince George’s County and across the nation, encourage all County residents to join in celebrating “Native American Day” in Prince George’s County for the first time on Monday, October 12, 2020. Council Bill-008-2019, adopted unanimously by the County Council in September 2019, renamed Columbus Day to Native American Day in Prince George’s County.  The legislation, proposed by At-Large Council Member Mel Franklin, honors the sacrifices and contributions of Native Americans and ensures that this national holiday, as it is recognized in Prince George’s County, accurately reflects our fuller story.  Native American Day will be celebrated as a holiday in Prince George’s County each October on the second Monday. All County offices are closed in observance of Native American Day (except public safety agencies). Several County services are also suspended or closed.   READ the press release. 

October 13 - County Council- 12:00 PM   Details

October 13 - District Council - 1:15 PM     Details

October 13 - Sitting as Committee of the Whole - 1:30 PM    Details

October 14 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM     Details

October 15 -Sitting as Committee of the Whole - 10:00 AM     Details

October 16- Climate Action Commission - 1:00 PM   Details 

Meetings can be viewed from Council Livestream page

DISTRICT 8 COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER PARTICIPATES IN THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE ADVENTIST HEALTH CARE MEDICAL PAVILION AT NATIONAL HARBOR

Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker was honored to speak and participate in the groundbreaking of a Comprehensive Specialty and Preventative Care Services Medical Pavilion II at the National Harbor on Tuesday, October 6^TH.  Council Member Anderson-Walker joined First Lady of Maryland, Yumi Hogan; Delegate Kris Valderrama (D-26th District); President/CEO, Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center Eunmee Shim; Prince George's County Deputy CAO for Health, Human Services & Education. Dr. George Askew, for the official groundbreaking. The Pavilion will feature a Cancer and Surgery center, Wound Care, Interventional Radiology, Cath Lab, Rehabilitation, Imaging and other Ambulatory Services. The health destination will serve as a link between nearby Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center and its new primary care facility, minutes away from the hospital. Together, the facilities will provide the quality compassionate care and critical services essential to meeting the healthcare needs in South County and surrounding area.  LEARN MORE.

COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON HONORS COUNTY OFFICERS SERVING AND PROTECTING DISTRICT 9

On Wednesday, October 7^th, District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison and the District 9 Team partnered with the nonprofit, 4Ever Unified, Henry’s Soul Cafe and the 301 Nutrition Spot, to host a “COVID-19 Officer Appreciation Luncheon,” honoring the hardworking officers of Prince George’s County’s District 5 (Clinton) Police Station.  Council Member Harrison expressed his gratitude to Interim Police Chief Hector Velez, Assistant Chief George Nichols, Major Cedric Dickerson, Captain Gilbert Bowling, and all the District 5 officers and civilians, who serve to keep the residents and businesses in the District 9 community safe, especially during the global pandemic, providing lunchtime meals, drinks and desserts.