 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.
COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION TO REVIEW LEGISLATION AND HOLD BRIEFINGS
 The County Council convened in virtual session on Tuesday, June 8th to review legislation. The Council approved CB-023-2021, concerning the I-3 Zone; CR-029-2021, concerning an Army Corps of Engineers Flood Assessment and Mapping Study: and CR-045-2021, concerning Watershed Protection and Restoration. Prior to adjournment, Council Members received briefings on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and a Technical Amendment to the County FY 22 Annual Action Plan for Housing and Community Development from Department of Housing and Community Development Director Aspasia Xypolia, and Deputy Director Tamika Gauvin. They were joined by the County’s Budget and Special Projects Manager, Daryl Sims, and Employ Prince George’s President and CEO, Walter Simmons for a briefing on Alternative Uses CDBG CV-2 Funds. As part of an additions package, the Council also introduced two zoning bills, CB-033-2021 and CB-042-2021.
WATCH Tuesday’s County Council session.
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DISTRICT COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION TO ADDRESS LAND-USE MATTERS
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, met virtually on Tuesday, June 8th. The scheduled session included two Items Referred for Document related to Woodmore Commons located in District 5. 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 Tuesday’s District Council meeting.
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES TO REVIEW LEGISLATION; RECEIVES BRIEFINGS
The Committee of the Whole (COW) convened Thursday, June 10th, for briefings on the Board of Education Financial Reviews, and Vision Zero/Agency Initiatives. COW Members also reviewed legislation, including Council Bill 037-20201, an Act concerning Supplementary Appropriations, which received a favorable committee recommendation and was referred to the full Council for consideration. WATCH Thursday’s COW.
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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, June 7th. Pastor James Robinson, Chair of the Commission, presided, with Redistricting Commissioners, Dr. Charlene M. Dukes and David C. Harrington present. 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 Commissioners with options for a least change redistricting map to address malapportionment or under population in Council District 7. Dr. Persily also presented optional maps for the Commission’s consideration.
WATCH Monday’s Redistricting Commission meeting. The next meeting of the Redistricting Commission is scheduled for Monday, June 21, 2021.
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RE-ENTRY ADVISORY BOARD MEETS
The Prince George’s County Re-Entry Advisory Board, established by CR-49-2019, met virtually on Friday, June 11th, continuing its work to evaluate and make recommendations for reform of County Re-entry services. During Friday’s meeting, Re-Entry Advisory Board members were presented with initial recommendations for a Final Report due in December. The membership consists of community, nonprofit and senior level government officials as well as elected leadership. The members discussed recommendations from the following subcommittees: Housing, Resource Cultivation, Community Engagement/Service Delivery and County-Provided Resources/Behavioral Health Advisory Group. The recommendations will be presented to the public for comment before the report is finalized in meetings (soon to be announced) during the summer.
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HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL WORK GROUP MEETS
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, June 11th. This meeting was also attended by District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner. 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 discussed the broad policy impacts of universal design. District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker, proposer of Council Bill- 26-2021, an Act concerning Universal Design and Visitability Design for Housing, provided a detailed presentation on the bill to achieve a shared understanding for HOFA members. Bowie Mayor Tim Adams shared a personal story of the benefits of universal design. The work group also addressed outstanding questions related to university design policy for Prince George’s County. View the June 11th meeting presentation HERE. The next scheduled HOFA meeting is July 23rd.
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COUNCIL JOINS HISTORIC RIBBON-CUTTING CELEBRATION FOR UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CAPITAL REGION MEDICAL CENTER IN LARGO; NEW HOSPITAL OPENS THIS WEEKEND
 Prince George’s County Council Members were among the elected officials, and medical, civic, business and community stakeholders, participating in the grand ribbon-cutting celebration, which was both in-person and virtual, for the new and long-awaited University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Largo.
District 6 Council Member Derrick Leon Davis, who represents the area, addressed the audience on behalf of the Council for the momentous occasion. The new, state-of-art Medical Center, part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), completed ahead of schedule, officially opens its doors to patients on Saturday, June 12th. The new UM Capital Region Medical Center is replacing the University of Maryland Prince George's Hospital Center, in Cheverly that dates back more than 70 years. This public-private partnership will increase healthcare access and equity County residents and is located next to the Metro Blue Line. For more information, and to view the hospital’s YouTube video and additional Council photos of the ribbon-cutting, visit the Council’s Regional Medical Center Portal.
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COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN HAWKINS PARTICIPATES IN COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S STATE OF THE COUNTY EVENT
 Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II provided opening, introductory remarks preceding Wednesday’s State of the County Address delivered by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, held on the campus of Bowie State University (Chair Hawkins’ Alma mater). The event welcomed an in-person audience and was live streamed to a virtual audience as well.
District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner was also present for the event held in his district. County Executive Alsobrooks, introduced by Bowie State University President, Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, discussed how the County is working to ensure greatness continues to grow in Prince George’s County, setting out her vision as the County’s continues to recover and move forward from the COVID pandemic. WATCH this YouTube video of the State of the County Address. READ this Washington Business Journal June 9, 2021 report - Exclusive: Angela Alsobrooks puts Prince George's Blue Line stations at the top of her economic agenda.
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PRINCE GEORGE’S FORWARD TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT RELEASED
The Prince George’s Forward Task Force released its third and final report, “A Redefined Future,” which contains 29 recommendations that will guide the County’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading experts, government officials, and advocates from the County and across the region were convened to produce the innovative, data-driven ideas in this report. Read the report HERE.
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DID YOU KNOW?
 Last summer, people under the age of 30 accounted for more than 20% of COVID-19 cases, and they were most likely to transmit the virus. Help us slow the spread of COVID-19 in Prince George’s County by getting vaccinated at a local clinic or pharmacy.
For vaccine information, visit: mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine
METRO BOARD APPROVES MORE SERVICE, LATER HOURS, AND MORE FARE OPTIONS AS REGION REOPENS
Metro's Board of Directors this week approved improvements to Metrobus and Metrorail service and fares to support the region's recovery and encourage more customers to return to transit. Rail service will be extended to midnight, seven days a week, in July, and other bus and rail service improvements and fare changes will start being implemented in the Fall, beginning Labor Day weekend, as many in the region prepare to go back to work and school. LEARN MORE in Metro’s press release.
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SIX FLAGS VACCINE SITE UPDATE – LAST DAY OF OPERATION JULY 17th
The last day to receive the first dose of a Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine at the Six Flags America Theme Park site in Upper Marlboro is June 26th. The first date for Pfizer second dose vaccines only at this site, is June 29th.
Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccines will be offered at Six Flags from June 8th to July 3rd. The last day of operation at this vaccine site will be July 17th. For as long as they remain in operation, all sites will continue to offer no-appointment vaccinations.
LEARN MORE about the State’s phased demobilization of mass vaccination sites.
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