 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-101-2020 on October 13, 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 VIRTUALLY ON LAND-USE MATTERS
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, met virtually on Monday, October 26th. The District Council is granted authority to act on zoning matters by the State of Maryland Regional District Act, in the Land Use Article, of the Maryland Annotated Code. Agenda items included Oral Arguments; Items Referred for Document; and Items Pending Finality, for land-use projects in communities across the County. Monday’s District Council session also reviewed a new zoning case located in District 9. WATCH Monday’s District Council meeting.
|
COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; APPROVES TWO JOINT LETTERS TO STATE TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS; CONDUCTS PUBLIC HEARINGS; ENACTS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING JUNETEENTH AS COUNTY HOLIDAY
 The County Council convened a virtual session on Tuesday, October 27th to consider legislation, proposed correspondence, and conduct public hearings. Council Members introduced CR-104-2020, extending the reporting dates for the Prince George’s County Reentry Advisory Board. This bill now goes to the Committee of the Whole for consideration. Council Members also approved Proposed Correspondence to state transportation officials, following Committee of the Whole review on October 22nd. The Joint Letter regarding the 2021 Priority Projects List, outlining the County’s transportation priorities for the FY 2021 – 2026 State Consolidated Transportation Program, was approved as amended. The revised Joint Letter on the I-495/I-270 Managed Toll Lanes Study , which provides comments for the record on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, (DEIS), currently under review, was also approved by the Council.
Among the measures enacted following public hearing on Tuesday, were CB-057-2020, an Act establishing the Homestead Property Tax Credit for the County property tax for the taxable year beginning July 1, 2021, and CB-058-2020, recognizing the end of slavery in the United States, and celebrating the history, culture and accomplishments of African Americans in Prince George’s County and across the nation, by establishing June 19th as Juneteenth Day to be observed as a regular County holiday in Prince George’s County. WATCH Tuesday’s Council session.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUALLY TO REVIEW PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
The Prince George’s County Council Committee of the Whole (COW) convened virtually on Thursday, October 29th, to review proposed legislation and Executive appointments to the Fire Commission for Prince George’s County, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Human Relations Commission, Art in Public Places Panel, Commission for Individuals with Disabilities and the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. The COW advanced the nominations and moved consideration of the appointees to the full Council. Several legislative items on the COW agenda, following public hearings during Tuesday’s Council session, focused on housing concerns, including CR-092-2020, approving and adopting the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice for Prince George’s County; CR-093-2020, amending the Prince George’s County Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2021 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development by adding the United Communities Against Poverty, Inc.’s Neighborhood Development Program project; and CR-094-2020, amending the Prince George’s County Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2021 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development by adding the Woodyard Station Senior Apartments project. WATCH for Tuesday’s full COW agenda.
|
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL WORK GROUP MEETS VIRTUALLY; FOCUSES ON SUPPORT OF RENTERS IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY |
|
 |
The Prince George’s County Housing Opportunities for All Work Group (HOFA), established by Council Resolution CR-16-2019, and chaired by Council Member Dannielle Glaros, convened virtually on Friday, October 30th, for a robust discussion about supporting renters in Prince George’s County. Specifically, the work group discussion included a review of the longstanding needs of renters in the County; an examination of tools used to support renters; and a review of the main components of rental instability, as well as budget and policy recommendations to address the issue. HOFA is charged with assisting the County with setting priorities and implementing the Comprehensive Housing Strategy Report, entitled "Housing Opportunities for All for Prince George’s County.” The workgroup provides advice on any proposed legislation and/or changes for consideration by the County to policies, regulations, procedures, and distribution of County resources. Executive Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development, Estella Alexander serves as HOFA Co-Chair.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY POLICE REFORM WORK GROUP
The Prince George’s County Police Reform Work Group held an “Advocacy Day” meeting on Thursday, October 29th, featuring a diverse group of perspectives on policing and public safety in Prince George’s County, presented by various advocacy groups from around the County. District 7 Council Member Rodney C. Streeter represents the Council on the Police Reform Work Group. A final report is expected by the December 4th deadline for presenting final recommendations to the Council. The Police Reform Work Group will hold a final listening session for the community on November 5 at 4:00 PM. Community members can share their comments virtually with the Work Group, or they can submit comments directly to the Work Group. Residents can CLICK HERE to sign up to speak and submit written comments. WATCH Thursday’s meeting.
 |
|
GOVERNOR HOGAN RENEWS COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MARYLAND
|
Governor Larry Hogan, on Friday, continued to call for vigilance in the fight against COVID-19 as he issued an order renewing the current state of emergency in Maryland. READ the renewal order.
“While Maryland’s positivity and case rates remain lower than most states in America, we are closely monitoring increases in some of our key health metrics as well as rising numbers in states across the country,” said Governor Hogan. “This crisis is far from over, and this virus does not recognize state borders. I want to remind Marylanders that the only way to keep our state open for business is to avoid traveling to hotspots and continue following the public health guidelines. We cannot let our guard down, and we must remain vigilant.”
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TO REMAIN IN PHASE TWO REOPENING; ADVISING AGAINST HOLIDAY GATHERINGS WITH INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF YOUR IMMEDIATE HOUSEHOLD
 Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced during a press conference on Thursday, October 29th, that the County will remain in Phase 2 reopening since the County’s key COVID-19 metrics have increased, similar to trends seen in other jurisdictions across the State of Maryland. This decision was made under the advice of County health officials after analyzing COVID-19 data and trends over the past three weeks. The County will continue to monitor and analyze the data and trends, providing an update on the County’s progress in another two to three weeks. In addition, the County Health Department released guidance for the upcoming holiday season. The Health Department is advising against holiday gatherings with individuals who are not in your immediate household. Instead, the Health Department recommends hosting virtual holiday gatherings for family and friends. If hosting an in-person gathering with people outside of your household, it should be small with a limited number of people so social distancing can be enforced. Everyone should also wear masks. In addition, wash and disinfect guest areas before and after these small gatherings. READ the press release. WATCH the press conference.
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RE-LAUNCH; APPLY BY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020
The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has relaunched the Emergency Rental Assistance program for renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the re-launch of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program, eligible owners, landlords or property managers, with valid county rental licenses, can apply on behalf of their tenants to receive financial assistance for past due rental payments dating back to April 1, 2020. The amount of rental assistance available has increased, capped at $1,800 per month for up to 6 months. Funding for this program will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. DHCD encourages you to apply immediately. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, November 10, 2020. READ the press release. More information, eligibility requirements and the application portal can be found on the DHCD website.
PGCPS TO HOLD DISTANCE LEARNING TOWN HALL ON NOV. 5; SURVEY SHOWS MAJORITY OF PARENTS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Monica Goldson will host a Distance Learning Tele Town Hall on Thursday, Nov. 5 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. as another step toward providing families with information to help make the best decisions for their children. On Wednesday, Dr. Goldson announced the summary results of a recent parent and student survey on distance learning and resuming in-person instruction in the spring. Students and families were surveyed from Monday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 18 about their distance learning experiences, returning to in-person instruction, technology usage and communication preferences amid the ongoing pandemic. 68-percent of parents expressed discomfort with allowing their child to return in the spring at this time. In July, 46 percent of families expressed a preference to continue distance learning. An Executive Summary of the survey results is available on the PGCPS website.
|
COUNTY COUNCIL HOSTS MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS FOR VIRTUAL STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT TOUR
Each fall, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) presents its draft six-year capital program to every county and Baltimore City for review and comment. MDOT then prepares a final budget to present to the General Assembly in January. Transportation Secretary Gregory Slater will meet virtually with Prince George’s County officials and the public on Thursday, November 5th, to outline the state’s investments and join other state officials in answering questions about Prince George’s County’s transportation priorities. This meeting is being held virtually in consideration of Maryland’s COVID-19 State of Emergency. To view the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program, CLICK HERE. To offer public comment or register to speak during the Statewide Transportation Investment Tour, you may register in advance HERE. You may also watch the meeting in progress beginning at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 5th at https://pgccouncil.us/LIVE
|
|
