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 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-48-2021 on May 11, 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 matters, met virtually on Monday, May 17th. The scheduled session included an Item Referred for Document, Hope Village located in District 9; and an Item for Discussion, Behnke Property located in District 1. The District Council is granted authority to act on zoning matters by the State of Maryland Regional District Act, in the Land Use Article of the Maryland Annotated Code.
WATCH MONDAY’S DISTRICT COUNCIL.
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U.S. SENATOR BEN CARDIN PRESENTS VIRTUAL FEDERAL UPDATE BRIEFING TO COUNTY COUNCIL
 The County Council welcomed U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D – MD) for a virtual briefing update on Monday, May 17th, to discuss federal issues impacting Prince George’s County, including federal support provided by the American Rescue Plan, transportation, public safety, climate change, jobs and healthcare.
“I thank the Prince George’s County Council for being such a strong partner during these most challenging times. I appreciated their time this week and the opportunity to address the concerns of county residents and provide details of how they have benefited from the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress. In addition to local government funding, schools, small businesses, health care providers, public safety units and transit all are receiving federal support during the pandemic,” said Senator Cardin. “As we move beyond COVID-19, I expect we will continue to work hand-in-hand to maximize the resources available to Prince George’s County, including making an all-out effort to renew the FBI headquarters project.”
Council Vice-Chair Deni Taveras, who presided over the briefing, thanked Senator Cardin on behalf of Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II and their Council colleagues, for continuing to update the Council on important issues, and address questions and comments. WATCH MONDAY’S BRIEFING.
 COUNCIL SAYS “NO” TO BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON SUPERCONDUCTING MAGLEV PROJECT; APPROVES JOINT LETTER AND ADOPTS LEGISLATION OPPOSING “UNNECESSARY AND FLAWED” SCMAGLEV
The Prince George’s County Council, during a virtual session on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, unanimously voted to authorize the signature of Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, on a Joint Letter with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, addressed to Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Gregory Slater, and Federal Railroad Administration Acting Administrator Amit Bose, recommending the ‘NO BUILD’ Option for the Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV) Project. The correspondence, which refers to the project as “unnecessary and flawed,” notes the proposed alignments contained in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), documenting the evaluation of potentially beneficial and adverse environmental impacts of the SCMAGLEV. In a further statement of opposition to SCMAGLEV, the Council also unanimously adopted CR-026-2021, legislation opposing the Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Maglev Project. given the significant negative impact that it would have on the health, safety and welfare of County residents and on persons that operate businesses in the County. READ the full press release.
COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; ENACTS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING RE-ENTRY EMPLOYMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY; APPROVES FUNDING FOR PATHWAY TO PURCHASE HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM
 The Prince George’s County Council, during its virtual session on Tuesday, May 18th, unanimously passed CB-019-2021, establishing a Re-Entry Employment Incentive Program in Prince George’s County. The Re-Entry Employment Incentive Program, administered by Employ Prince George’s, encourages employers to hire Prince George’s County residents who are returning from incarceration with a financial incentive.
Under the legislation, qualifying employers would be reimbursed at a rate of five dollars ($5.00) per hour, up to 40 hours per week, and a maximum of 1,000 hours for each 12-month period of employment following the hiring date of a qualified employee. Reimbursement is dependent upon the availability and allocation of funds in the County Budget.
Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, sponsor of the legislation, noted the employment barriers formerly incarcerated residents often face, and the importance of leveling the playing field for them and the community. “Finding gainful employment is a hurdle for ex-offenders, and the inability to find work can lead to recidivism. We want to have programs in place that support formerly incarcerated persons and help them become productive members of our community. This legislation will help reduce recidivism rates by encouraging businesses to hire them and provide a second chance. I appreciate the support of the entire Council in this effort.” READ the press release.
In other legislative action on Tuesday, the County Council approved $761,553 in funding for the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Redevelopment Authority’s home ownership assistance program, “Pathway to Purchase.” This program offers first-time home buyers up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance toward the purchase of their home. Home buyers can purchase a home anywhere in Prince George's County. Eligible residential properties include new construction, resale, short sales and foreclosures. The Redevelopment Authority of Prince George's County will administer the program. Home buyers must work with an approved mortgage lender to apply. For more information, call (301) 883-5456 or e-mail PJGardner@co.pg.md.us WATCH TUESDAY’S Council Session for the full agenda.
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COUNCIL MEMBERS JOIN COUNTY EXECUTIVE ALSOBROOKS TO PREPARE FOR ANNUAL NACO SUMMER CONFERENCE AT NATIONAL HARBOR
 Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker, Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin, and District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner joined County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, National Association of Counties (NACo) CEO and Executive Director Matthew Chase, and members of the NACo Executive Team, for a meeting on Wednesday, May 19th at National Harbor, to discuss preparations for the annual NACo conference to be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in July 2021. The annual meeting brings together county leaders and elected officials from all 50 states to discuss policies and practices, address policymaking and initiatives for advancing public service, and to discuss ways to enrich the public’s understanding of County Government. Upon the announcement that the conference site would be Prince George’s County, Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, said, “NACo’s decision to relocate the conference to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center as a hybrid event was a bold one, and I commend our NACo partners for their confidence in the success of Prince George’s County.”
REDISTRICTING COMMISSION MEETS VIRTUALLY
The 2021 Prince George’s County Redistricting Commission, appointed pursuant to the prescriptions of Section 305 of the County Charter, conducted a virtual meeting on Monday, May 17th. Pastor James Robinson, Chair of the Commission, presided over the meeting. Serving as Redistricting Commissioners are Dr. Charlene M. Dukes and David C. Harrington. This meeting is facilitated by Council Administrator Robert J. Williams, Jr. and Associate Council Administrator Colette Gresham, Esq. Dr. Nathaniel Persily, James B. McClatchy Professor of Law, Stanford Law School, who serves as consultant to the Redistricting Commission, presented the Commission with options for least change redistricting maps to address malapportionment in existing Councilmanic Districts. The next meeting of the Redistricting Commission is scheduled for Monday, June 7th at 3:00 p.m. WATCH Monday’s Redistricting Commission meeting.
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY CLIMATE ACTION COMMISSION MEETS VIRTUALLY
The Prince George’s County Climate Action Commission, established by Council Resolution-07-2020, to develop a Climate Action Plan for Prince George’s County, met virtually on Friday, May 21, 2021. The Commission is working to develop a plan that guides the County’s preparation for and resilience to regional climate change impacts and sets and achieves climate stabilization goals. Friday’s discussion agenda included Work Group updates; review of the Climate Action Plan Priorities evaluation process; and discussion of the Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies poll. The Commission will issue a final Climate Action Plan on or before September 30, 2021.
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COUNCIL MEMBER TODD M. TURNER PARTICIPATES IN FINAL COVID-19 STRATEGIC RENEWAL TASK FORCE MEETING
Prince George’s County Council Member Todd M. Turner, along with regional leaders from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. , have concluded their work with the COVID-19 Strategic Renewal Task Force, and announced the formation of the DMV Regional Congress to continue the Task Force’s mission of advancing strategic initiatives to promote economic renewal and social equity in the region. Council Member Turner, representing Prince George’s County on the task force, said that while COVID-19 pandemic metrics are improving , the focus on recovery and addressing the long-term impact must continue. “As more residents are vaccinated, we are seeing the number of COVID-19 cases subside, but the recovery period for residents and local economies will likely last long into the future. The establishment of a DMV Regional Congress builds on the work of the Strategic Renewal Task Force and ensures the mission to promote economic renewal and social equity in the region continues post pandemic.” READ the full press release.
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#VAXTOWIN: GOVERNOR HOGAN, MARYLAND LOTTERY ANNOUNCE $2 MILLION PROMOTION FOR VACCINATIONS
 As the State of Maryland continues its effort to administer COVID-19 vaccines and end the pandemic, Governor Larry Hogan, the Maryland Lottery, and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announced on Thursday, the launch of the $2 Million VaxCash Promotion, which will award $2 million in cash prizes to a total of 41 Maryland residents who have been vaccinated. Daily drawings will be held from Tuesday, May 25 through Sunday, July 4. Maryland residents 18 and older who have received a COVID-19 vaccination in Maryland at any time are eligible to win. No registration or entry is needed. READ MORE.
GET YOUR SHOT!
 County residents are still encouraged to exercise caution to keep themselves and others safe. Wash your hands frequently and get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. Book your appointment at a Prince George’s County Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic today at mypgc.us/ProudtobeProtected
GREENBELT VACCINATION SITE REMINDER
 The FEMA Community Vaccination Center at the Greenbelt Metro Station has delivered more than 100,000 COVID-19 vaccinations and is now offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine during the final weeks of operation. Plenty of appointments are available, so if you’ve been waiting for the “one and done” shot, book your appointment at Greenbelt today! Call 1-855-634-6829 or visit COVIDVAX.MARYLAND.GOV
NEED HELP GETTING TO AND FROM A
VACCINE SITE?
 Did you know there are multiple public transit options to reach vaccination sites in the County, several of which are free? The new Vaccination Transportation Hotline can help residents secure transportation for several of these options. Just call 301-499-8557.
REOPENING UPDATE FOR PARKS & RECREATION
 Additional community centers and facilities through the County’s Department of Parks & Recreation will reopen on Monday, May 24th. Learn more and see which facilities will be reopening here: https://bit.ly/3fypotl
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 STAND UP & DELIVER – SATURDAY, MAY 22
 The Prince George’s County Stand Up & Deliver program, in an ongoing initiative to address food security issues, will distribute Grab and Go Meals at 10 a.m., on Saturday, May 22nd , at two locations – Love A.M.E. Church at Capitol Heights Elementary School in Capitol Heights, and First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover. While supplies last. One box per vehicle. Additional food distribution locations can be found HERE. This map is updated regularly. To donate to the County’s Stand Up & Deliver program, please CLICK HERE.
METRO UPDATE: ADDISON ROAD AMONG STATIONS TO REOPEN ON SUNDAY; FOUR GREEN AND YELLOW LINE STATIONS CLOSE MAY 29 FOR PLATFORM RECONSTRUCTION
Metro customers at Addison Road and Arlington Cemetery will enjoy safer, modernized stations when the stations reopen on Sunday, May 23RD, after three months of work to completely rebuild these platforms and make upgrades throughout the stations. The reopenings will mark the first station to be reconstructed in Maryland as part of Metro’s Platform Improvement Project. Customers are reminded that on May 29th, one week after Addison Road and Arlington Cemetery reopen, the next phase of the program kicks off when four Green and Yellow line stations close through September 6. LEARN MORE.
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 COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
May 24 - Council sitting as District Council - 10:00 AM Agenda
May 24 - Council sitting as Committee of the Whole - 11:15 AM Agenda
May 24 - County Council - 11:30 PM Agenda
May 26 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 11:30 PM Details
May 26 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM Agenda
May 27 - County Council Budget Adoption - 11:00 AM Agenda
May 28 - Housing Opportunities For All Workgroup - 10:30 AM Public Notice
Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page
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NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY 2021
 On Tuesday, May 18th, the Council adopted CR-50-2021, expressing support for National Public Works Week, May 16-22, 2021, in Prince George’s County. Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, recognized the leadership and employees of the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T), noting that he began his own Prince George’s County Government career in DPW&T. In Chair Hawkins’ own words:
“I began my employment with the Prince George’s County Government in 1996, in the Department of Public Works and Transportation, Transit Division. I was hired to expand the revised Transit-Oriented Development Management Plan (TDMP), the state-funded grant to operate TheBus, a County bus service. TheBus was implemented to meet the local transportation needs of County residents and visitors. After my first year on the job, and 57 community meetings later, I worked with the Department of Public Works and Transportation Transit Division team to lead the planning, design and implementation of 13 additional fixed routes for TheBus throughout our County. Today, there are 28 routes for TheBus covering more than 10,000 miles throughout the County.”
COUNCIL MEMBERS JOIN BIKERS ON
‘NATIONAL BIKE TO WORK DAY’
 Friday, May 21, 2021 marked the 20th Anniversary of Bike to Work Day in our region, and District 3 Council Member Dannielle Glaros and District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner were eager to participate in their communities! During Council Session on Tuesday, the Council adopted CR-051-2021, expressing support for declaring May 21, 2021, as Bike to Work Day in Prince George’s County, as part of National Bike to Work Week in our region.
The annual event traditionally celebrates bicycling as a fun, eco-friendly, low-cost commuting option, and it provides both physical and mental health benefits. This year was a little different, with an established COVID-19 Plan in place. To make sure even those working from home could participate, telecommuting registrants were encouraged to bike to their pit stop and then cycle back home to start the workday.
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COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN HAWKINS JOINS MARYLAND SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS, AND PASTOR JOHN K. JENKINS FOR TOUR OF VACCINE CLINIC AT FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF GLENARDEN
 On Friday, May 14th, Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, toured the vaccination site at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG) is past Friday I had the opportunity to tour the Vax Site at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr., and FBCG church leadership. The University of Maryland Medical System Capital Region Health Executive Team, have been working tirelessly alongside Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr., 1,000 church member volunteers, and more than a hundred medical professionals to vaccinate Prince Georgians - over 40,000 people at a rate of about 1,400 per day. If you want to get vaccinated or learn more about the FBCG vaccination clinic, please visit www.fbcglenarden.org/vaccine .
COUNCIL MEMBERS TOM DERNOGA, JOLENE IVEY AND MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER CO-HOST HEALTH & WELLNESS CHECK FOR RESIDENTS
 District 1 Council Member Tom Dernoga, District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey, and District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker jointly hosted a Health & Wellness Check-in for residents on May 12th, engaging County residents in a thoughtful dialogue about the County’s response to COVID-19, and next steps toward recovery. Council Members and participating residents were joined by County Health Officer, Dr. Ernest Carter and Director of Homeland Security, Ronald Gill, Jr. Questions posed by residents ranged from mental health issues during COVID-19, and reopening timelines, to access to vaccinations for minors. Council Members, Dr. Carter, and Director Gill shared their collective experiences and best practices for navigating public health emergencies.
COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN HAWKINS JOINS COUNCIL MEMBERS MEL FRANKLIN AND SYDNEY HARRISON TO CELEBRATE COUNTY’S NEW BRANDYWINE RELIEF ROAD
 County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II joined Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin and District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison for the ribbon-cutting celebration for the Brandywine Relief Road, an extension of Mattawoman Drive that connects Brandywine Road and Brandywine Crossing! This critical new route, expected to open soon after construction and safety inspections are completed, will allow easier and quicker access to nearby Brandywine Crossing Shopping Center, local businesses, schools, and the future recreation and public safety facilities – while avoiding congestion on the merge at MD-5 (Branch Ave)-US-301 (Crain Hwy). This infrastructure, supported by Council Resolution-009-2017, is a public roadway funded entirely by required developer road contributions, especially by the Villages of Timothy Branch Development- a successful public-private partnership and lots of teamwork! Council Members were pleased to celebrate with the Brandywine community, and Council Member Franklin extended a special congratulations to longtime Brandywine North Keys Civic Association President Earl Mitchell for his steadfast efforts, and for whom Earl Mitchell Ave in the Timothy Branch Development in Brandywine is named.
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