COUNCIL CONNECTIONS

The Prince George’s County Council continues to operate under 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-33-2021 on March 30, 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. The 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 VIRTUAL SESSION ON LAND-USE MATTERS The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning and land-use matters, convened a virtual session on Monday, March 29th.   Monday’s session included Oral Arguments; New Cases; Items for Discussion; and Items Pending Finality for land use projects in communities across Prince George’s County. The District Council is granted authority to act on zoning matters by the State of Maryland Regional District Act, now in the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code.  WATCH Monday’s District Council meeting.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSIONS FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATES; REVIEWS PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE AND LEGISLATION, INCLUDING NEW DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19  The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) met virtually on Tuesday, March 30th and again on Thursday, April 1st.   During Tuesday’s COW meeting, Council Members received status updates on matters in the 2021 Maryland General Assembly Session impacting Prince George’s County, including the Operating and Capital Budgets; Statewide and Local bills; and Joint Priorities, as well as a Maryland Association of Counties update.  The COW also reviewed Proposed Correspondence addressed to Prince George’s County Planning Board Chairman Elizabeth M. Hewlett, regarding continuation of Reservation Plats for Rights of Way, and following a briefing update on the County’s COVID-19 status and response, Council Members moved   CR-33-2021, proposed legislation concerning Prince George’s County’s Tenth Continued Declaration of Emergency due to the coronavirus, to the County Council for consideration.  Thursday’s COW agenda discussed the Executive Appointment of Ronald E. Gill, Jr., to the position of Director of Homeland Security for Prince George’s County, unanimously approved in committee. Council Members also reviewed proposed legislation on Thursday, including CB-19-2021, establishing a Prince George’s County Re-Entry Employment Incentive Program to encourage employers to hire Prince George’s County residents returning from incarceration.  WATCH Tuesday's COW WATCH Thursday's COW

COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; REVIEWS LEGISLATION; EXTENDS COUNTY’S
STATE OF EMERGENCY; MAKES KEY INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH ENACTMENT OF CB-4-2021

The Prince George’s County Council convened virtually on Tuesday, March 30th. Several legislative matters were Presented and Introduced.  The Council also held public hearings for legislation eligible for final reading, enactment and adoption, including CR-33-2021, concerning Prince George’s County’s Tenth Continued Declaration of Emergency due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.  Council Members unanimously enacted CB-4-2021, establishing a sustainable, dedicated source of funding for the Housing Investment Trust Fund, which supports the creation of affordable housing for all County residents. This legislation implements a recommendation in the February 2020 Housing Opportunities for All Work Group Annual Report to expand and diversify financing for housing with an increase in the County’s Housing Investment Trust Fund.  CB-4-2021 amends the County Code to reallocate 20-percent of the County’s recordation tax or no less than $10 million to support the fund; permits the County Council to reduce the amount dedicated to the Housing Investment Trust Fund when there is a declared national recession; and requires an annual report.  READ the press release on passage of CB-04-2021.   WATCH Tuesday’s Council Session.

COVID-19 Vaccination Phase 2B

Prince George’s County has entered PHASE 2B for COVID-19 vaccinations. While the County continues to prioritize seniors in Phase 1 who have not been vaccinated, individuals eligible in Phase 2B are now able to receive appointments once they are pre-registered. Over 200,000 Prince Georgians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. PRE-REGISTER NOW with the County’s Health Department.  Challenges with technology?   Call 311 for assistance. #ProudtobeProtected

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR MASS VACCINATION SITES NOW OPEN TO ALL MARYLANDERS 16 AND OLDER

All Marylanders age 16 and older can now pre-register for an appointment at a mass vaccination site by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). During pre-registration, Marylanders can choose their top two preferred sites. While pre-registration is now open to all Marylanders, individuals who are currently eligible under Phase 1 and Phase 2 but have not yet been vaccinated will continue to be prioritized for appointments.  Nearly 300,000 Marylanders have already successfully pre-registered.  READ the press release.

OPENING APRIL 7TH - FEMA-OPERATED COMMUNITY VACCINATION CENTER IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY The Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Center (CVC) – Maryland will be located at the Greenbelt Metro Station, 5717 Greenbelt Metro Dr., Greenbelt, MD 20740. It will open April 7th, with its schedule to be determined. As more vaccine doses become available, the center’s capacity is expected to be up to 3,000 shots per day. District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner, who represents the communities around the Greenbelt Metro Station, says “I commend this unique Federal-State-County partnership that will help meet the health and safety needs of Prince Georgians during the vaccination process going forward.”  The Prince George’s clinic is the first FEMA clinic in Maryland.  Marylanders interested in receiving a vaccination should visit covidlink.maryland.gov or call 1-855-634-6829.  LEARN MORE in this FEMA press release. READ MARYLAND MATTERS featuring comments from District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey.

COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM LAUNCHES BILINGUAL COVID-19 “VACCINE HUNTER HOTLINE” 

Through the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) Foundation and a grant from Capital One Foundation, PGCMLS has launched an English/Spanish COVID-19 Vaccine Hunter Hotline. The hotline will assist the public by directly booking vaccination appointments based on eligibility and availability, adding County residents and workers to vaccine pre-registration lists, and answering any questions about the vaccination process. The goal of the hotline is to assist Prince George’s County residents and workers with obtaining vaccine appointments as quickly as possible. This hotline differs from existing county and state hotlines in that it reviews vaccination options across all available providers: retail pharmacies and grocery stores, healthcare facilities, Prince George’s County, the State of Maryland, Veterans Administration (VA), and more. The Hotline number is 240-392-3622

MAKE SURE YOU ARE “PRINCE GEORGE’S PROUD TO BE PROTECTED!”

Why should you get a COVID-19 vaccination?  A few of your Prince George’s County neighbors share their “Proud to be Protected” experience in this YouTube video!  WATCH.

CONSUMER ADVISORY – COVID-19 VACCINATIONS

The Maryland Insurance Commission reminds all Marylanders that you cannot be billed for COVID-19 vaccinations regardless of which vaccine you receive.  LEARN MORE.

VIRTUAL BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED APRIL 6TH

The Council strongly encourages the participation of residents and stakeholders in the Council’s virtual budget public hearings and meetings.  The first virtual FY 2022 Budget Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday, April 6^th for your questions, comments and concerns about the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Bi-County Budget. SIGN UP TO SPEAK.  Budget meeting schedules are subject to change.  For updated information on the Council Budget Review and Adoption Process, meetings and public hearings, visit the Council’s FY 22 Budget Portal.

       REMINDER:      
APPLY NOW FOR EMERGENCY
RENTAL ASSISTANCE!

Prince George’s County is still accepting applications for the next round of Emergency Rental Assistance, offering relief to those experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If you need help, APPLY NOW. 

VOTE DINE PRINCE GEORGE’S!

Voting continues for your favorite County restaurant in the Dine Prince George’s Contest! The top three vote-getters will receive a cash prize and bragging rights, so vote for your favorite restaurant now. Vote  https://www.pgcedc.com/dineprincegeorges

DON’T TAKE A "SPRING BREAK”

Now is the not the time to take a Spring Break from safety!  Remember to do your part to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19!

 COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK

April 05 - Redistricting Commission Meeting - 3:00 PM  Public Notice

April 06 - Council sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 10:30 AM  Agenda 

April 06 - County Council  -11:30 AM  Agenda

April 06 - Council sitting as the District Council - 1:00 PM  Agenda

April 07 - Zoning Hearing Examiner  - 9:30 AM     Agenda

April 07 - Charter Review Commission Meeting  - 11:30 AM     Public Notice

April 08 - Council sitting as Committee of the Whole  - 10:00 AM     Agenda

April 09 - Re-Entry Advisory Board Meeting  -10:00 AM     Details

April 09 - Food Security Task Force Meeting  -1:00 PM        Public Notice

 Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER PARTNERS TO PROVIDE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS IN THE DISTRICT 8 COMMUNITY

Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker is committed to getting constituents vaccinated. Working in partnership with Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead, who leads the Maryland Equity Task Force, and Central Baptist Church of Camp Springs, a COVID-19 vaccination clinic was established at the church to serve community members seeking the vaccine.    Thanks to the partnership, the clinic launched on March 19th, providing vaccinations on that day and throughout the month of March, for nearly 1,000 community members, including seniors, essential workers, educators and school employees, and youth with health challenges.  Dedicated to keeping residents safe and well, Council Member Anderson-Walker led a tour of the vaccination clinic with Brigadier General Birckhead on March 27th.

COUNCIL MEMBER STREETER ASSISTING DISTRICT 7 RESIDENTS WITH VACCINATIONS

District 7 Council Member Rodney C. Streeter is working to help get District 7 residents vaccinated.   He joined residents and the County’s Office of Community Relations 311 On the Go! Mobile Vaccine van at First New Hope Baptist Church in Hillcrest Heights, on Sunday, March 28^th.   Several volunteers, including those from District 7 community associations and senior centers, were also on site to assist residents who were pleased for the Mobile Vaccine van visit to their communities. 

DISTRICT 9 COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON TEAMS UP TO PROVIDE FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES

District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison partnered with Staples and Clinton Baptist Church to host a “School Supplies Give-Away” on Saturday, March 27^th.   Joined by Senior Pastor Colin Pugh, First Lady Jeanette Pugh, members of the church congregation, and community volunteers, Council Member Harrison spent last Saturday morning handing out donated and much-needed school supplies to District 9 students and their families. 

WISHING YOU A SAFE AND
HAPPY EASTER WEEKEND!

We're not quite ready to celebrate the holidays like we used to. Family gatherings were the leading cause of COVID-19 spread in March.  We are asking Prince Georgians to make good decisions about your Easter Weekend activities.   Keep our communities on the right track!