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.

COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II ISSUES COUNCIL STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO VERDICT IN GEORGE FLOYD MURDER CASE

Council Chair Hawkins issued the following statement following Tuesday’s announcement of a guilty verdict in the George Floyd murder case.

The Prince George’s County Council continues to keep the family of George Floyd in its thoughts and prayers.  While today’s conviction has meaning for people across the country, around the world, in Minnesota, and in our own communities, it represents a bittersweet moment of relief for the Floyd family, who lost their brother, father and friend.  Today’s conviction, on all counts, affirms what anyone who saw the horrific video already knew, George Floyd was murdered.  He was the victim of deadly racial brutality and violence perpetrated by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who had been sworn to serve and protect.  For too long this country has turned a blind eye to the systemic injustices throughout the criminal justice system, and each of us must continue working together to change the broken systems and bring about societal change. Today, 12 jurors agreed that George Floyd’s life mattered, and those responsible for his death must be accountable.   As a result, perhaps, we can all breathe a little better.

COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK; CONFIRMS NEW HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR; HOLDS BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING

The Prince George’s County convened in virtual session on Monday, April 19^th, and again Tuesday, April 20^th.   Monday’s agenda included public hearings for two bills eligible for enactment – CB-11-2021, concerning EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 4-2021 - REORGANIZATIONAL PROPOSAL, amending the Schedule of Legislation separating the Human Relations Commission from the Office of Community Relations and establishing a new Office of Human Rights; and CB-12-2021,  an Act amending the name of the Human Relations Commission to provide clarity to citizens and other governmental agencies as to the mission and function of the agency, modifying language to increase inclusion and diversity, adding gender identity as a protected class, and clarifying roles and authority of the Human Relations Commission and the appointed Commissioners. 

Tuesday’s agenda included a public hearing and confirmation for the Executive appointment of Ronald Gill to serve as Director of Homeland Security for Prince George’s County, and adoption of three Council Resolutions.  The County Council recessed and reconvened at 5:00 p.m. to conduct a public hearing for the M-NCPPC Proposed FY 2021-2022 Operating and Capital Budgets and the M-NCPPC Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2022 – 2027 before adjourning session.

WATCH MONDAY'S COUNCIL SESSION

WATCH TUESDAY'S COUNCIL SESSION

WATCH BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUALLY THIS WEEK FOR BUDGET WORK SESSIONS AND REVIEW OF LEGISLATION The Committee of the Whole convened virtually on Monday, April 19th; Tuesday, April 20th; and Thursday, April 22nd, of this week for scheduled budget work sessions and the review of legislation.   Monday’s COW focused on FY 22 Budget Work Sessions for the Department of Homeland Security; Department of Corrections; State’s Attorney; Department of Health; Fire/EMS Department; and the Volunteer Fire Department.  Tuesday’s COW featured a General Assembly Wrap-Up which included summaries of Joint Priorities, Statewide and Local bills, and the Operating and Capital Budgets.  The COW also reviewed legislation and held a Budget Work Session for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation.  Thursday’s COW focused on FY 22 Budget Work Sessions for Soil Conservation; Department of Environment; Department of Public Works and Transportation; Office of Law; Office of Ethics and Accountability; and the Office of Information Technology. WATCH Monday's COW Budget Work Session WATCH Tuesday's COW WATCH Thursday's COW Budget Work Session

DISTRICT COUNCIL CONVENES ON LAND-USE MATTERS The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, met virtually on Tuesday, April 20th. The scheduled session included two Items Pending Finality, Lusby Village East in District  and Woodmore Commons in District  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.

COUNCIL CHAIR HAWKINS DELIVERS REMARKS DURING STATE OF THE ECONOMY ADDRESS PRESENTED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS

Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, delivered remarks as a part of Wednesday’s State of the Economy virtual event hosted by the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation and the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable.  County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks delivered the 25th State of the Economy address, sharing the impacts of COVID-19 on Prince George’s County, its businesses and residents; the County’s response; and plans, currently underway, for a prosperous post-pandemic future.   Council Chair Hawkins was pleased to bring remarks as well, and on behalf of the Council, to thank County Executive Alsobrooks for her leadership and collaboration with the Council. 

WATCH the 2021 State of the Economy virtual event.

DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL MEMBER DANNIELLE GLAROS PARTICIPATES IN GROUNDBREAKING FOR COUNTY’S NEW BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY AT DOCTOR’S COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER

Council Member Dannielle Glaros was among the podium guest speakers joining County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, and Luminis Health, on Monday, April 19^th, to break ground for the County’s new behavioral health facility at Doctors Community Medical Center, Luminis Health, in Lanham.

The new facility was made possible through Council support of legislation proposed by County Executive Alsobrooks, reallocating monies from a public safety training facility to build this much-needed behavioral health facility in Prince George’s County that will prioritize greater access to services for those with mental health issues and substance use disorders.  VIEW this Facebook video

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL WORK GROUP MEETS VIRTUALLY The Prince George’s County Housing Opportunities for All Work Group (HOFA), established by CR-16-2019, and co-chaired by Council Member Dannielle Glaros and, the Director of the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development, Aspasia Xypolia, met virtually on Friday, April 23rd.  The HOFA Work Group is charged with developing policies and strategies to address the County’s housing affordability, housing quality, and types. During Friday’s meeting, the work group achieved a shared understanding of recent planning work and its relationship to Housing Opportunity for All; the HAND’s Housing Indicator Tool and its relevance for local and regional housing policy discussions; and knowledge of what stakeholders said about Year 3 activities.   The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 28th.

300,000 PRINCE GEORGIANS PROUD
TO BE PROTECTED!

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective – just ask the over 300,000 Prince George's County residents who have already received at least their first dose of the vaccine! Have you pre-registered to receive your vaccine yet? Visit mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine

FEMA GREENBELT VACCINATION CENTER UPDATE

The FEMA Community Vaccination Center at Greenbelt Metro Station is accommodating walk-ups based on vaccine supply.  Only walk ups on or before April 27th will be guaranteed a second appointment at the same site, so act now.  The hours recommended for walk-ups at the FEMA Greenbelt vaccination center are:

• Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Wednesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For faster service, pre-registration for scheduled appointments at this site is still encouraged through the State at covidvax.maryland.gov or call 1-855-634-6829.  CHECK OUT THIS FEMA VIDEO showing the vaccination process at the Greenbelt Metro Community Vaccination Center.

NEED HELP GETTING TO AND FROM A
VACCINE SITE?

Did you know there are multiple public transit options to reach vaccination sites in Prince George’s County, several of which are free of charge? Check out this COVID-19 Vaccine Travel Fact Sheet from the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation for available options for residents.

WSSC WATER TO END LATE FEE WAIVER PROGRAM JUNE 1; SUSPENSION OF SERVICE CUTOFFS WILL CONTINUE Please be aware that WSSC Water will resume late fees for bills issued June 1, 2021, and onward. The utility began waiving late fees on March 12, 2020, to assist customers financially impacted by COVID-19, but the temporary late fee waiver assistance program is no longer financially viable due to the ongoing COVID-19-related loss of revenue.  To date, WSSC Water has waived nearly $7 million in late fees for 175,000 customer accounts.  Late fees will continue to be waived for those enrolled in WSSC Water’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP). Additionally, all customers will continue to benefit from an existing policy that allows for the removal of a late fee once every 12 months. WSSC Water will also continue to suspend water service shutoffs. MORE INFORMATION.

DRUG TAKE BACK DAY – SATURDAY, APRIL 24^TH

Leftover medications in your home can lead to accidental poisoning or overdose. The Prince George’s County Health Department encourages you to safely get rid of your expired, unused, and unwanted medicines by bringing them to the District Heights Family & Youth Services Bureau (6421 Atwood Street, District Heights, MD 20747) from10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 24th during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. To ensure COVID-19 safety protocols are followed, this prescription drug drop-off event is drive-through. For more information, including other drop-off locations throughout the County on that day, please visit: https://takebackday.dea.gov/

STAND UP & DELIVER FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
THIS WEEKEND

Through the STAND UP & DELIVER program, Prince George’s County will distribute groceries to-go, at the Maryland Shiloh Apostolic Church, 5021 Temple Hills Road, in Temple Hills, this Saturday, April 24^th at 11:00 a.m.  One box per vehicle, while supplies last. 

 COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK

April 26 - Council sitting as District Council  - 10:00 AM  Agenda

April 26 - Council sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 1:30 AM  Agenda 

April 26 - County Council -Budget Public Hearing  -5:00 PM  Agenda

April 27 - County Council - 10:00 AM  Agenda

April 27 - Council sitting as Committee of the Whole - 11:30 AM     Agenda

April 28 - Zoning Hearing Examiner  - 11:00 AM     Agenda

April 28 - Board of Appeals  - 6:00 PM     Agenda

April 29- Council sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 10:00 AM     Agenda

April 30 - Climate Action Commission  - 1:00 PM   Details

 Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN HAWKINS JOINED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON FOR 1^ST ANNUAL SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY WALK;
RE-ENTRY ADVISORY BOARD OUTREACH EVENT

On April 18th, Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, hosted the 1st Annual “Second Chance Community Walk” at the Fairwood Community Park in Bowie. The event, also attended by District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison, featured remarks by State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy; The Honorable Alexander Williams, Jr., retired Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and Chair of the Prince George’s County Re-entry Advisory Board; and recently released Juvenile Lifer & Entrepreneur, Arthur Miles, among others. The afternoon included a coordinated, socially distanced community walk around the park, and local resource vendors serving County residents. This was the first official outreach event on behalf of the Re-Entry Advisory Board’s community engagement initiatives as the Board works to reform the County’s re-entry process and fill in the gaps.

COUNCIL MEMBER DANNIELLE GLAROS HOLDS DISTRICT 3 VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING; COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS SPECIAL GUEST

On Monday, April 19^th, Council Member Dannielle Glaros hosted a Virtual District 3 Town Hall event with special guest County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.  Representatives from the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Office of Community Relations, Department of the Environment, Department of Public Works and Transportation, and Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement provided updates to residents. Council Member Glaros recognized more than 60 individuals and organizations as “District 3 Community Champions” for their support and assistance to the community during this extremely challenging time.  She also updated residents on what’s happening across District 3 and the County, and urged their engagement with the Fiscal Year 2022 County Budget. WATCH.

The Washington Post, Local Opinion, April 23, 2021 Opinion: Prince George’s County won’t stand for the maglev — another destructive project for our people by Jolene Ivey and Dannielle Glaros

“As our country confronts our historic — and current — mistreatment of Black and brown people at the hands of police and the criminal justice system, we must acknowledge and address the ways that land use, development and transportation projects have affected these exact same communities in a discriminatory way. There’s a long list of projects that have been built with wanton disregard for minority communities. Locally and across the country, we can name highways that plowed through homes, divided communities or bypassed them altogether, cutting off their economic oxygen.”  READ MORE from Council Members Jolene Ivey and Dannielle Glaros about opposition to the Maglev Project.

Maryland Matters, April 19, 2021 Councilman: Session Delivers Long-Awaited Update to Prince George’s 50-Yr.-Old Zoning Law By Guest Commentary -April 19, 2021

“The historic 2021 Maryland General Assembly session has just adjourned, and among the significant measures passed in this session is House Bill 980 (PG-416-21), allowing Prince George’s County to move forward with modernizing the county’s 50-year-old zoning ordinance. The bill, passed by the House as amended by the Senate, will now be forwarded to Gov. Larry Hogan for his signature. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2021.”   READ MORE from Council Member Todd M. Turner as the County moves forward to update the County’s 50-year-old Zoning Ordinance.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY!  
325 YEARS!

The County Council, on behalf of the residents we are privileged to serve, celebrates the 325th birthday of our great Prince George’s County today, April 23^rd !  Much has changed since our founding on this date in 1696, when we were separated from Charles and Calvert counties, and named after Prince George of Denmark, heir to the throne of England.   We encourage County residents to use this moment of celebration to learn more about the fascinating journey of Prince George’s County in the more than 300 years since its establishment.  Today, our County is vibrant with opportunities for progress and prosperity.  READ the full statement from Chair Hawkins!