 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.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE VIRTUAL SESSIONS CONVENE FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATES; BRIEFINGS ON SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN AND COVID-19 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The Council Committee of the Whole (COW), convened virtually on Tuesday, March 16th to discuss matters in the 2021 Maryland General Assembly Session, including Operating and Capital budgets; Joint Priorities; and statewide and local bills. The COW also approved two agenda letters for the Chair’s signature, both concerning projects under the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Regional Safety Pilot Program. The letters were also subsequently approved during Tuesday’s County Council Session.
WATCH TUESDAY’S COW.
During Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Council Members received a briefing on the Prince George’s County Public Schools Reopening Plan from CEO, Dr. Monica Goldson. Council Members also received a briefing update on COVID-19 programs and services, including rent, utility and business assistance, and food distribution, and a COVID-19 Health Update focusing on vaccines, mental health and health metrics. Several legislative items were reviewed prior to adjournment, including CB-13-2021, enabling farm breweries in Prince George’s County, an option being considered by several farms looking to expand agritourism.
WATCH THURSDAY’S COW.
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COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; RECEIVES BRIEFINGS ADDRESSING REDISTRICTING AND CENSUS INFORMATION; AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES RELATED TO FLOODING
 The Prince George’s County Council convened virtually on Tuesday, March 16th. Tuesday’s legislative agenda included a public hearing for and enactment of CB-001-2021, defining a new use, Qualified Data Centers, in the Zoning Ordinance. CR-008-2021, approving a multi-year financing agreement to fund a portion of the new inpatient and ambulatory behavioral health facility at Doctors’ Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (“Doctors Hospital”), was also adopted.
Council Members received a briefing on Redistricting and Census Information, presented by Dr. Nathaniel Persily, James B. McClatchy Professor of Law, Stanford Law School. The Council was also briefed on Government Programs and Services Related to Flooding in Prince George’s County. Presenting on the County’s Coordinated Response were Jared McCarthy, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Government Operations; Floyd Holt, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure/Environment/Technology; Melinda Bolling, Director, Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement; Terry Bellamy, Director, Department of Public Works and Transportation; and Michelle Russell, Acting Director, Department of the Environment. Detailed presentations were also provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington Suburban Sanitary District. Following the presentations, Council Members engaged in a robust discussion about preventing, protecting against and responding to flooding and related concerns.
VIEW PRESENTATIONS
WATCH COUNCIL SESSION
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 COUNTY COUNCIL, VENTURE PHILANTHROPY PARTNERS AND FAIR CHANCE CELEBRATE FIRST COHORT OF NONPROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIP - “PRINCE GEORGE’S PROUD” GRADUATION EVENT
The Prince George’s County Council, Venture Philanthropy Partners (VPP) and Fair Chance celebrated the first cohort of the Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Program during “Prince George’s Proud,” a virtual graduation event on Friday, March 18th. The Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Program was formed to strengthen nonprofits to better serve youth across the County.
Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, congratulated the 2021 graduates of the Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Program. “First Generation College Bound, FAME, Joe’s Movement Emporium and End-Time Harvest Ministries are nonprofits with a history of success in Prince George’s County, providing a wide range of services and resources to improve the lives of our children and young people. Their completion of this program signals even greater outcomes in the years ahead, and we look forward to their continued success. I want to thank VPP and Fair Chance for their investment in the lives of our young people.”
VPP President and CEO Carol Thompson Cole also offered congratulatory remarks. “I want to thank the Prince George’s County Council for recognizing the importance of developing this capacity to ensure that more youth in the county could receive the support needed to thrive in their communities. Many thanks to Fair Chance for partnering with us in this capacity building initiative, and congratulations to the graduating Cohort 1 nonprofit partners.”
WATCH the celebration. LEARN MORE about the honorees and how they are supporting youth in the County.
COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS EXPRESSES COUNCIL CONDOLENCES UPON PASSING OF JUNE WHITE DILLARD VARTOUKIAN AND HUSBAND JOHN VARTOUKIAN
The Prince George’s County Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Prince Georgians June White Dillard Vartoukian and her husband John Vartoukian, upon their passing. We join all who honor their contributions to our community, and forever cherish the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Vartoukian, especially during their Celebration of Life on Friday, March 19, 2021. READ entire Council Statement.
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PRINCE GEORGIANS, DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE HEARD!
 Concerned that the legacy of Prince George’s County reflects equality, diversity and inclusion? That’s the mission of the Prince George’s County Responsible Legacy Task Force , which is inviting you to share your thoughts by responding to Responsible Legacy Task Force online survey questions at https://pgccouncil.us/Legacy by Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Thanks to all respondents. Your input is valued and appreciated.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ENTERS PHASE 1C FOR VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
 The Prince George’s County Health Department is now scheduling and vaccinating County residents and workers in Phase 1C. As a reminder, individuals who live or work in Prince George’s County must PRE-REGISTER in order to receive an appointment with the Health Department. READ the County’s March 15th Vaccine Bulletin for more information.
STATE OF MARYLAND VACCINE
PRE-REGISTRATION SYSTEM
 The State of Maryland is now requiring eligible residents to pre-register to get vaccinated at Maryland Mass Vaccination sites, including Six Flags. To receive a vaccine appointment at a state of Maryland Mass Vaccination site, you are encouraged to Pre-Register as soon as possible at COVIDvax.maryland.gov or call 1-855-634-6829.
NEW COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINICS – FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HIGHLAND PARK; FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GLENARDEN
District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey and Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin were among those joining Maryland Lieutenant Governor Boyd K. Rutherford, First Baptist Church of Highland Park Pastor Henry P. Davis and other state, local and church officials to open and tour the new Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force vaccination clinic at First Baptist Church of Highland Park , in Landover. CLICK HERE to register for a vaccine at this site.
UM Capital Region Health (UM Capital) and First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) announced the opening of its COVID-19 Vaccination clinic this week. The clinic will operate in FBCG’s 63,000-square-foot Family Life Center facility. For more information on the vaccination clinic at FBCG, including scheduling and site operation hours, CLICK HERE.
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