 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-121-2020 on November 10, 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.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY DISTRICT COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION ON ZONING MATTERS
The District Council, under the authority granted to act on zoning matters by the State of Maryland Regional District Act, known as Article 28 of the Maryland Annotated Code, convened on Monday, November 9th and again on Tuesday, November 10th to review projects located in communities across Prince George’s County. Agenda items included Oral Arguments, Cases Referred for Documents, Items for Discussion, and Pending Finality cases.
WATCH MONDAY’S DISTRICT COUNCIL.
WATCH TUESDAY’S DISTRICT COUNCIL.
|
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUAL MEETINGS TO REVIEW LEGISLATION AND PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE
The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) convened virtually on Tuesday, November 10th and again on Thursday, November 12th. Tuesday’s COW included a review of CR-121-2020, legislation concerning the County’s sixth continued Declaration of Emergency related to the Coronavirus pandemic. County Attorney Rhonda Weaver; Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter; Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health and Human Services; Dr. George Askew; and Director of Emergency Management, Ronnie Gill, provided an overview of the resolution, highlighted changes in the proposed legislation, and briefed the COW on the status of the County’s COVID-19 response and the need to continue the emergency declaration. The measure was unanimously approved as amended in COW and referred to the full Council for consideration. WATCH Tuesday’s COW.
During Thursday’s COW meeting, Council Members addressed Proposed Correspondence to Interagency Committee on State School Construction Executive Director Robert Gorrell, endorsing the Prince George’s County Board of Education’s proposed FY 2022 Capital Budget. The Joint Letter, with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, also identifies school construction projects the County considers most critical. Following a robust discussion, and a wide range of questions from the COW, fielded by PGCPS Director of Capital Programs Shawn Matlock, the Proposed Correspondence was approved unanimously and referred to the full Council for consideration. COW also reviewed several Council resolutions related to COVID-19 hazard pay for public safety officials, and County staff reponding to the pandemic, including but not limited to health care workers, correctional officers, police fire fighters and paramedics, all favorably approved. CR-099-2020, legislation designating Healthy Foods Priority Areas in the County, and CR-106-2020, legislation concerning Supplementary Appropriation for $6 million dollars in State funding to be used for the County's COVID-19 Restaurant Resiliency Fund (see below) were also approved by the committee and referred to the full Council for a vote.
WATCH Thursday’s COW.
|
COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO REVIEW LEGISLATION AND PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE; EXTENDS COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY; RECEIVES COVID-19 BRIEFING AND RISK MANAGEMENT UPDATE
 The Prince George’s County Council, during its virtual session on Tuesday, November 10th, considered a full agenda that included the introduction of several Council Resolutions, Proposed Correspondence, Public Hearings, Resolutions Eligible for Adoption and a scheduled briefing. Among the resolutions introduced and referred to the Committee of the Whole, were 15 Council resolutions related to COVID-19 hazard pay for public safety officials, and County staff, CR-121-2020, legislation concerning the County’s sixth continued Declaration of Emergency related to the Coronavirus pandemic. Following a briefing and discussion in the Committee of the Whole, CR-121-2020 (Draft 2) was adopted by the County Council as amended.
Following public hearings, the Council also approved Executive appointments to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission for Prince George’s County; Human Relations Commission; Art in Public Places Panel; Commission for Individuals with Disabilities; and the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for Prince George’s County.
Prior to adjournment of Council session on Tuesday, November 10th, the Council received a briefing on the County’s Risk Management Self Insurance Fund. The Risk Management Fund, administered by the County’s Office of Finance, is a comprehensive self-insurance program designed to minimize the County's exposure to certain risks. Office of Finance Director, Stephen McGibbon; Risk Manager ,Steven Middleton; and Deputy Director, Linda Allen, provided the Council with a presentation on the Risk Management Program, which included the program’s history and responsibilities; an overview of the status and health of the fund; and challenges and recommendations. County Attorney, Rhonda Weaver; Deputy Attorney for Major Litigation, Andrew Murray; and Office of Management and Budget Director, Stanley Earley, were also on hand to respond to Council Member’s questions.
WATCH Tuesday’s Council Session.
COUNCIL CHAIR TODD M. TURNER ADDRESSES VIRTUAL JOINT PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY DELEGATION MEETING
 Council Chair Todd M. Turner was among a list of speakers addressing the virtual Prince George’s County Joint Delegation House and Senate Priorities Hearing on Friday, November 13th. Council Vice-Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, At-Large, also participated in the meeting. The speakers list included County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, States Attorney Aisha Braveboy, Prince George’s County Schools CEO Dr. Monica Goldson, Board of Education Chair Dr. Alvin Thornton, and representatives from WSSC Water, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the Prince George’s County Municipal Association. Speakers were welcomed by Delegation Chairs, Delegate Erek Barron, District 24, and Senator JoAnne Benson, District 24. The hearing offered an opportunity to bring issues of importance to the attention of state legislators as they prepare for the 2021 Maryland General Assembly Session, scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
In his remarks, Chair Turner thanked the Delegation for its partnership in the County’s COVID-19 response; advancing groundbreaking Alternative Financing Construction (ACF), the historic public-private partnership (P3) school construction that will build six new middle schools in the County; and in addressing growing issues of food security in the County. He also referenced the shared commitment to youth sports and activities; the recent Sports Gaming referendum approved by County voters to support education funding; restoring state funding levels for the new Regional Medical Center scheduled to open in 2021 in Prince George’s County; and requested the state’s consideration of forthcoming legislation enabling the Countywide Map Amendment process to move forward. In keeping with Maryland’s State of Emergency, the hearing was held virtually using ZOOM technology and live-streamed via the Delegation’s Facebook page.
WATCH.
 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY IMPLEMENTS UPDATED PHASE 2 GUIDELINES IN RESPONSE TO INCREASE OF COVID-19 CASES
 Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced during a press conference on Thursday, that the County will implement updated Phase 2 guidelines for businesses and large gatherings, in response to recent increases in key COVID-19 metrics. This decision was made under the advice of County health officials after analyzing COVID-19 data and trends over the past few weeks. Starting Sunday, November 15 at 5:00 PM, all indoor public businesses or establishments already open under the County’s Phase 2 of reopening, with the exception of essential businesses and retail stores, must reduce capacity limits to a maximum of 25% capacity. Restaurants will be limited to 25% capacity indoors and 50% capacity outdoors. Essential businesses (grocery stores, specialty food stores, big box stores) and retail stores may operate at 50% capacity but with all safety protocols adhered to.
In addition, large gatherings indoors are limited to one person/family unit per 200 square feet or a maximum of 10 persons, whichever is lower. Outdoor gatherings are limited to one person/family unit per 200 square feet or a maximum of 25 persons, whichever is lower, unless otherwise specified in the Health Order. Finally, face coverings are now required outdoors in any public location in Prince George’s County. Face coverings are still required for all indoor public locations and on public transportation.
Data that County health officials have obtained from contact tracing show that some of the highest risk activities for the spread of COVID-19 transmission include family gatherings, indoor dining, gyms and bowling alleys. The updated guidelines are a targeted response to this data to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Prince George’s County. READ the entire press release. WATCH the press conference on YouTube.
GOVERNOR HOGAN HOLDS TWO COVID-19 RELATED PRESS CONFERENCES THIS WEEK; ANNOUNCES $70 MILLION IN NEW INVESTMENTS TO PROTECT MARYLANDERS; ANNOUNCES SERIES OF ACTIONS TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID
 Governor Larry Hogan announced during a press conference on Thursday, the commitment of $70 million in new investments for initiatives to protect the health, safety, and well-being of Marylanders during the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives, funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, include new funding for additional PPE; mass vaccination supplies; $15 Million to boost Unemployment Insurance staffing; additional funding for rental assistance; area food banks, and foster care.
For details READ the governor’s press release.
WATCH the press conference on YouTube.
With Maryland’s positivity rate exceeding 5% for the first time since June and health metrics spiking across the nation, Governor Larry Hogan, during his press conference on Tuesday, announced a series of actions to slow the spread of COVID-19. New directives include reducing indoor dining capacity to 50%; statewide (however, in Prince George's County, it was reduced to 25%); restoring mandatory teleworking for government employees; limiting indoor gatherings to 25 or less; expanding warnings on out-of-state travel; issuing an Emergency Health Order expanding hospital surge capacity and new guidance for nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
For details, READ the governor’s press release.
WATCH the press conference on YouTube.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ANNOUNCES COVID-19 RESTAURANT RESILIENCY FUND
The Prince George’s County COVID-19 Restaurant Resiliency Fund, an appropriation of $6 million in State CARES Act funding allocated to the County to assist restaurants and food service establishments adversely, affected by the COVID-19 crisis, IS NOW OPEN! Businesses may receive a grant up to $25,000 to support COVID-related costs including personal protection equipment (PPE), winterization for outdoor seating, interior improvements to support social distancing, expenses to create or expand takeout/ carryout and/or delivery services, marketing, and operating expenses (rent, payroll, inventory, insurance, utilities. The Restaurant Resiliency grants will promote long-term sustainability and resiliency of businesses operations, support COVID-19 safety measures, and support businesses operating at reduced capacity. Apply today before the December 18th deadline.
LEARN MORE.
COVID-19 RAPID RE-EMPLOYMENT
GRANT PROGRAM
 Employ Prince George’s is launching the COVID-19 Rapid Re-Employment Grant program. Businesses that hire Prince George’s County residents before December 15 will qualify for grants up to $15,000 per new employee hired. Grants will supplement 50% to 90% of an employee’s salary during an agreed upon period. Businesses are eligible for up to $50,000 in grants for this program. Businesses can apply for this program HERE.
EMPLOY PRINCE GEORGE’S HOURLY EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND
 In addition, Employ Prince George's announced that the COVID-19 Hourly Employee Relief Fund is now distributing $300 visa cash cards to County residents whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19. Residents who previously received a cash card but remain unemployed can now apply again. APPLY ONLINE TODAY!
WSSC WATER CONTINUES TO SUSPEND SERVICE SHUTOFFS AND WAIVE LATE FEES TO ASSIST FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING CUSTOMERS
WSSC Water continues to suspend service shutoffs and waive late fees to assist financially struggling customers impacted by COVID-19. While the Maryland Public Service Commission moratorium on utility shut-offs ends on November 15, 2020, it does not apply to WSSC Water – Maryland’s largest water utility serving 1.8 million customers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. WSSC Water is urging customers with past due bills to call and set up a convenient and flexible payment plan.
READ the press release.
|
MD COVID ALERT
 The Maryland Department of Health has launched MD COVID Alert, a program that allows Maryland residents to receive COVID-19 exposure notifications on your smartphones. LEARN MORE about this program, how it protects your privacy, and how to set it up on your smartphone.
THANKSGIVING IS COMING – HOLIDAY SEASON SAFETY TIPS
 The holiday season is upon us. Plan ahead to protect yourself, your family and your community from COVID-19 when you celebrate November and December holidays including, but not limited to: Día de Los Muertos; Diwali; Kwanzaa; Thanksgiving; Hanukkah; Christmas; and New Year’s Eve. The Prince George’s County Health Department strongly recommends NOT holding large family gatherings. Any type of celebration must include everyone wearing masks, distancing at least six feet from one another, regular hand sanitizing and disinfection of high-touch surfaces. For more information, CLICK HERE.
|
