 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 January 21, 2021, 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-13-2021 on February 16, 2021. 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.
COUNCIL’S COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUALLY FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATES; RECEIVES BRIEFING ON “POWER, PRIVILEGE AND PERIL: GOVERNING IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY – A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE”
The Council Committee of the Whole (COW), convened on Tuesday, March 2nd, to discuss the Council’s position on proposed statewide and local bills under consideration in the 2021 Maryland General Assembly Session, including measures addressing County Affairs, criminal justice, gaming, and the environment. WATCH Tuesday’s COW.
|
The Committee of the Whole also met on Thursday, March 4TH to receive a briefing from former Legislative Branch team member, Dr. Angela Simms, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Urban Studies, Barnard College – Columbia University. Council Members engaged in a robust discussion around her dissertation, “Power, Privilege and Peril: Governing in Prince George’s County.”
In a review of proposed legislation, the COW held CB-09-2021, proposed zoning legislation, and CB-10-2021, an Act concerning a Property Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans. As part of an additions package, the Committee of the Whole also voted to take a position of support for PG-307-21, Alcoholic Beverages – Alcohol Density Zone and Licenses, proposed legislation being considered in the General Assembly Session. WATCH Thursday’s COW.
|
COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES SESSION; RECEIVES BRIEFING FROM MARYLAND LT. GOVERNOR BOYD RUTHERFORD; APPROVES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS; REVIEWS LEGISLATION
 The County Council convened in virtual session on Tuesday, March 2nd. Following Invocation, which expressed the Council’s condolences upon the passing of the late Vernon Jordan, Jr., Esq. – Civil Rights Icon and Presidential Advisor, Council Members received a briefing by the Honorable Boyd K. Rutherford, Lieutenant Governor of the state of Maryland. The Lt. Governor discussed the state’s efforts to end the coronavirus epidemic in Maryland and addressed Council questions about the state’s vaccine program. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks also joined Council Session on Tuesday, to address her appointment of Tara H. Jackson as the County’s new Chief Administrative Officer, unanimously approved by the Council. The Council also unanimously approved the Executive’s appointment of Michael Riddick to the Commission for Veterans, in addition to its review of legislation and Proposed Correspondence. WATCH Tuesday’s Session.
COUNCIL RECOGNIZES NATIONAL DAY OF EMPATHY IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
During Council Session on Tuesday, March 2nd, Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, presented Council Resolution -23-2021, recognizing March 2, 2021 as a National Day of Empathy in Prince George’s County, and expressing Council support for initiatives that support criminal justice reform, joining the voices of legislative leaders across the country who raise awareness about the need for criminal justice reform. Chair Hawkins stated, “Millions of Americans are behind bars, shut out from the world, ultimately creating an empathy gap. In 2021 and beyond, we must lift those individuals through compassion and treatment as opposed to incarceration and punishment.” READ the Council press release.
 PREPARING FOR BUDGET SEASON - COUNCIL HOLDS VIRTUAL FY 22 BUDGET TOWN HALL MEETING
By County Charter, the County Executive must submit the proposed County Budget for the next fiscal year to the County Council on or before March 15th. The County Council held a virtual FY 2022 Budget Town Hall Meeting, on Tuesday, March 2nd, providing information for residents about the County’s fiscal outlook and an opportunity to discuss the Council’s Budget Review and Adoption Process for the County’s FY 22 Operating and Capital budgets. The meeting featured important presentations by the Director of the County’s Office of Management and Budget Director, Stanley Earley, and the Deputy Auditor Turkessa Green. VISIT the Council’s FY22 Budget Portal to watch the Town Hall Meeting and to view budget presentations
COUNTY COUNCIL TASK FORCE AND WORK GROUP UPDATES
The Prince George’s County Responsible Legacy Task Force, established by Council Resolution-81-2019, met virtually on Friday, March 5th. The Responsible Legacy Task Force is working to ensure the County’s legacy is one of equality, diversity and inclusion, with a review of all County monuments, parks, street names, County buildings and other places of honor, and by creating a process to determine the future of names linked to a prejudiced past. Friday’s meeting agenda included discussion about public input in the task force process. The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 2nd. A final task force report is expected on or before June 30th
|
PRINCE GEORGE’S FOOD SECURITY TASK FORCE MEETS
The Prince George’s County Food Security Task Force, established by Council Resolution-62-2020, held a virtual meeting on Friday, March 5th. The Food Security Task Force is working to address issues related to the demand and supply of healthy food, food health connections, school meals, and overall food security in Prince George’s County. Friday’s Food Security Task Force agenda included updates from a food assistance provider, and a focus on final report planning. A final task force report will be submitted on or before June 30, 2021. The next meeting is scheduled for April 2nd.
Council Task Force and Work Group meetings can be viewed live HERE.
|
COUNTY RESIDENTS ATTEND CLIMATE ACTION PLAN VIRTUAL COMMUNITY MEETING
The County Council established the Prince George’s Climate Action Commission by Council Resolution -07-2020, to develop a Climate Action Plan for Prince George’s County to prepare for and build resilience to regional climate change impacts, and to set and achieve climate stabilization goals. On the evening of Thursday, March 4th, as part of this initiative, residents participated in a Climate Action Plan Virtual Community Meeting. Participants were provided information about the Climate Change Action Planning Process, Climate Change, and shared their thoughts about what should guide the drafting of the Climate Action Plan.
|
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS PROVIDES COVID VACCINE UPDATE; COUNTY CONTINUES SETTING RECORD WEEKLY TOTALS FOR COVID-19 VACCINES ADMINISTERED
 Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced Thursday that the County Health Department is continuing to set record weekly totals for COVID-19 vaccines administered through its various clinics and mobile vaccination units. Despite that, the County Health Department is still not operating its clinics at full capacity due to a lack of supply of vaccines. For important vaccine updates in Prince George’s County, including information about the use of mobile vaccination units which have already helped to vaccinate seniors and domestic violence shelter residents, READ the press release. WATCH the County Executive’s press conference.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CAPITAL REGION HEALTH AND FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GLENARDEN TO OPEN NEW COVID-19
VACCINATION CLINIC EXPANDING
COMMUNITY ACCESS IN THE COUNTY
 During a news conference on Thursday, Governor Larry Hogan and Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead, joined by Lieutenant Governor Boyd K. Rutherford, announced the State of Maryland will partner with the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) and the University of Maryland Capital Region Health, to establish a new COVID-19 vaccination site in Prince George’s County. The FBCG vaccination clinic will be located in its Family Life Center in Upper Marlboro and is scheduled to open on March 16th. CLICK HERE for updates on scheduling and site operation hours. For details on other COVID Vaccine updates announced by the Governor on Thursday, including the release of the Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force Operations Plan to expand access to vulnerable communities. READ the Governor’s press release. WATCH the press conference.
KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINES
 COVID-19 vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson – do not contain any live virus. You cannot catch COVID-19 from getting the vaccine. Your best protection against the virus is getting vaccinated and being #ProudToBeProtected.
MARCH 5th - COVID DAY OF REMEMBRANCE IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY AND MARYLAND
On March 5, 2020, the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the State of Maryland. The death of the first person to succumb to COVID-19 in Maryland, a Prince George’s County resident in his 60s, was announced on March 18, 2020. Prince George’s County is holding a COVID-19 Day of Remembrance to honor Prince Georgians who have lost their lives to COVID-19 on Friday, March 5, 2021, at 6:00 PM at the National Harbor. In solidarity with the Governor’s one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case in Maryland, the County will light the Capital Wheel and the Jumbotron with amber lights. A video tribute will be played on the Jumbotron , and members of the public who happen to stop by will be given packets of seeds to start their own “Garden of Remembrance.”
Governor Larry Hogan issued a proclamation recognizing Friday, March 5, 2021, as a COVID-19 Day of Remembrance to honor Marylanders who have lost their lives due to COVID-19 over the past year. The Maryland flag will be lowered to half-staff to mark the solemn occasion. A twilight ceremony will be held at the State House Friday evening, and in coordination with local leaders, buildings across the state will be lit up amber. Members of the public are encouraged to join the ceremony virtually. READ the press release
|
