Council Connection Newsletter

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-77-2021 on July 6, 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 CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; UNANIMOUSLY CONFIRMS EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT OF POLICE CHIEF MALIK AZIZ

The Prince George’s County Council convened virtually on Tuesday, July 6^th and unanimously confirmed the Executive appointment of Malik Aziz as Chief of Police for Prince George’s County, following a public hearing on the nomination.  Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks commented following the Council confirmation, “I want to thank the Council for being so diligent; for meeting with the Chief and hearing him out; for your support for his nomination.  I want to thank the Chief also for accepting the challenge.” Police Chief Aziz was sworn into office Tuesday afternoon.  The County Council also  CR-77-2021, concerning the County’s 12th Continued Declaration of Emergency due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), as it addressed resolutions eligible for adoption; proposed correspondence, and zoning legislation, during Tuesday’s virtual session.   WATCH TUESDAY’S COUNCIL SESSION

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETS VIRTUALLY; BRIEFED ON EXTENDING COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY AND UPCOMING COUNTYWIDE MAP AMENDMENT JOINT PUBLIC HEARING The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) met virtually on Tuesday, July 6th, to address several proposed bills, including CR-77-2021, concerning the County’s 12th Continued Declaration of Emergency due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  CR-77-2021 was unanimously approved by the COW and moved forward by consideration by the full Council, following a robust discussion about the status of COVID-19 in the County and reasons for continuing the County’s Emergency Declaration, with County Health Officer, Dr. Ernest Carter; Director of Homeland Security Ronald Gill; and County Attorney Rhonda Weaver.  WATCH TUESDAY’S COW.

Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting reviewed plans for rescheduling the Joint Public Hearing on the Countywide Map Amendment (CMA), part of the process leading to the approval of a new zoning map, to September.  Following more than four years of community, stakeholder and consultant input, the County Council adopted the new Zoning Ordinance in 2018, and in 2019, authorized M-NCPPC to prepare a CMA to implement the newly created and reduced zones.  The new Zoning Ordinance will streamline the County’s development review process, making it simpler and more user-friendly, and allow for greater public input, maximize smart growth economic development and advance a sustainable environment to achieve a competitive edge in the region.  In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation allowing the County to proceed with the CMA process and complete the process to modernize the County’s 50-year-old Zoning Ordinance.  A Joint Public Hearing between the Planning Board and County Council, scheduled for September 13th and 14th (carryover, if needed), provides all interested persons the opportunity to express their views on the CMA.   WATCH THURSDAY’S COW.

DISTRICT COUNCIL REVIEWS LAND-USE MATTERS IN VIRTUAL SESSION The County Council, sitting as the District Council on land-use matters, met virtually on Tuesday, July 6th. 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. Tuesday’s agenda included Items for Discussion; Cases Eligible for Final Action; and Cases Pending Finality. WATCH TUESDAY’S DISTRICT COUNCIL SESSION.

BOARD OF HEALTH RECEIVES BRIEFING UPDATES The Council, sitting as the Board of Health on matters of health policy, meeting on Tuesday, July 6th, received detailed briefing updates from Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center and Adventist Health Care Fort Washington; and Federally Qualified Health Centers in Prince George’s County.  WATCH TUESDAY’S BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING. A Board of Health briefing on Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Prince George’s County, was continued from Tuesday to Thursday.  Council Members received presentations from Regional Primary Care Coalition; CCI Health and Wellness; Greater Baden Medical Services; Mary’s Center; La Clinica del Pueblo; Family Medical and Counseling Services; and Elaine Ellis Center of Health.  WATCH THURSDAY’S BOARD OF HEALTH.     VIEW PRESENTATIONS.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION AND COMPENSATION REVIEW BOARD MEET VIRTUALLY

The Prince George’s County 2021-2022 Charter Review Commission and Compensation Review Board met virtually on Wednesday, July 7th.  These bodies share a chair, Lupi Q. Grady, and membership - Dennis C. Brownlee, Samuel H. Dean, Camille A. Exum, Dr. Stephanie V. Overton Stanard, Glenda R. Wilson and Jacqueline B. Woody.  Section 1106 of the County Charter provides that the County Council and County Executive shall appoint by resolution, a Charter Review Commission to undertake a comprehensive study of the Charter and recommend appropriate changes.  The Compensation Review Board is studying the rate of current compensation for the County Council and County Executive and will make recommendations regarding the amount of compensation.  The meeting was facilitated by Associate Council Administrator Colette Gresham, Esq.  Wednesday’s agenda featured briefing presentation from County officials on the County’s financial status, and current compensation, benefits and allowances for the County Executive and County Council Members.  The Charter Review Commission final report deadline is April 1, 2022, and the Compensation Review Board recommendations deadline is December 15, 2021.  The next meeting date is Wednesday, September 1, 2021. 

WATCH WEDNESDAY’S MEETING.

REDISTRICTING PUBLIC HEARING – JULY 19^TH

Redistricting in Prince George’s County is the process of redrawing legislative districts every ten years, following the completion of the United States Census.  Mark your calendar for the first 2021 Prince George’s County Redistricting Commission Public Hearing on Monday, July 19, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.  

Your input is needed to shape the future of Prince George’s County.  To submit public comments, questions, concerns or alternative proposals to the preliminary maps, in advance of the July 19, 2021 Prince George’s County Redistricting Commission Public Hearing, please email:              Redistricting2021.commission@co.pg.md.us .

View preliminary maps of boundary changes for Council districts, and learn more about redistricting HERE. 

COUNCIL PARTICIPATES IN NACO’S 86^TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE UNDERWAY AT NATIONAL HARBOR

Prince George’s County Council Members are joining elected and appointed officials from across the country convening at the Gaylord Hotel and Conference Center for the 2021 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference July 9-12.  District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker represented the Council during Thursday’s NACo opening press conference, extending a warm Prince George’s County welcome!   WATCH.  VIEW COUNCIL PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOS.

Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a keynote address to NACo members on Friday, July 9; Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will address conference attendees on Monday, July 12 and HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge will be a featured conference speaker on Saturday, July 10.

Council Members are participating in the NACo conference throughout the weekend.  Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, Council Vice Chair Deni Taveras, and Council Members Mel Franklin, Sydney Harrison, and Monique Anderson-Walker are among the many Prince George’s County officials addressing NACo events, panel discussions and workshops.  More than 2,000 in-person attendees are expected.  The conference will also host a virtual audience and is being live streamed at naco.org    LEARN MORE.  

AMERICAN JOB CENTER PHASE ONE REOPENING 

The Prince George’s County American Job Center in Largo is now open by appointment only, with intake and resource rooms open at full capacity. Safety measures have been implemented to accommodate walk-ups so they can continue to connect employers with job seekers in Prince George’s County. All workshops will be remote/virtual. Partners are encouraged to submit staffing plans to the Center Operator. For more information, call 301-618-8445 or visit https://pgcajc.com

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS NONPROFIT RELIEF FUND  The Strategic Partnerships Nonprofit Relief Fund will provide up to $100,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations located in Prince George’s County who have been impacted by COVID-19. Eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for funds from July 7 through July 30, 2021. LEARN MORE.

VACCINATION SCHOLARSHIP PROMOTION Governor Larry Hogan announced the new #VaxU Scholarship Promotion to provide $1 million in college scholarships to Marylanders ages 12 to 17 who get vaccinated. Drawings will start July 12th, and any Maryland resident who has been vaccinated or gets vaccinated in Maryland is eligible to win. CLICK HERE for more information.

FCC EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM

Did you know the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program can provide qualifying households up to a $50/month discount on broadband service? For more information and to see if you qualify, visit: https://getemergencybroadband.org/

STAND UP AND DELIVER – JULY 10^th  

The County’s Stand Up & Deliver program, in an ongoing initiative to address food security issues, will distribute Grab & Go groceries on Saturday, July 10^th at 10:00 a.m., at the LOVE AME Church at the Capitol Heights Elementary School in Capitol Heights, and at 11:30 a.m. at the United Baptist Church in New Carrollton.  While supplies last.  One box per vehicle.

 COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK

July 13 - County Council - 10:00 AM   Agenda

July 13 - Sitting as the District Council  - 11:30 AM  Agenda

July 13 - Sitting as the Committee if the Whole  - 12:00 PM - Agenda

July 14 - Board of Appeals  -  6:00 PM    Agenda

July 16 - Responsible Legacy Task Force  -  10:00 AM  -  Public Notice

July 16 - Food Security Task Force  -  Public Notice

Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL VICE CHAIR DENI TAVERAS JOINS BRENTWOOD TOWN HALL GROUNDBREAKING

Council Vice Chair Deni Taveras (D-District 2), joined Mayor Rocio Treminio-Lopez, Council Members, community leaders, and stakeholders for the Brentwood Town Hall Groundbreaking Ceremony on Wednesday, July 7th.  Vice Chair Taveras comments, “I am happy to see this impressive project finally coming to fruition.  The Town of Brentwood is a growing, thriving community.  As part of that progress, this project will provide government offices with efficient workspaces for legislators and employees to serve residents.  As the town moves forward with this project and a new Town Council, I look forward to the ribbon-cutting for this important new facility.  I applaud all the stakeholders that were responsible for making this project possible.”  The new facility will replace the former Town Hall Building located at 4300 39th Place. 

COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER PROVIDES FREE TRANSPORTATION ON THE SOUTH COUNTY ORANGE CIRCULATOR FOR DISTRICT 8 SENIOR APARTMENT RESIDENTS

Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker, in partnership with the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation, launched a pilot program for the South County CIRCULATOR for District 8 seniors on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. “I want our seniors to live their best lives, have vibrant experiences and to be able to maintain their independence.” On Tuesday, Mrs. Philippines House staff and residents wore “I’m Going on The Circulator” t-shirts as they boarded the bus for the first time, enjoying free and convenient travel. Every Tuesday and Thursday, South County CIRCULATOR stops will include the  Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex, Rivertowne Shopping Center, Tanger Outlets, MGM, Harborview, and District 8 senior apartment buildings.

2019/2020 LEGISLATIVE ANNUAL REPORT - UPDATE

Immediate Past Council Chair Todd M. Turner and the Prince George's County Council announce the Special Edition 2019/2020 Legislative Annual Report, "Service. Community. Progress.”  CLICK HERE to turn the pages of the online interactive publication and learn more about the Council’s response to unprecedented crises in 2019 and 2020.  There are a limited number of printed copies of the report available.  Requests are currently being processed.   Please leave a clear and detailed message at 301.952.5262 or email your request to Councilmedia@co.pg.md.us and allow time for processing.

“THE PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT” - UPDATE

Don’t miss “The People’s Movement,” a 15-minute community television program produced by the Prince George’s County Council and hosted by Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, airing on Prince George’s Community Television.   The premiere episode, focusing on Mental Health, features a discussion with Deneen Richmond, President, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, about the County’s first Behavioral Health facility under construction at the Lanham site, followed by an interview with C.J. Blair, founder of the nonprofit organization, “SavingOurSelves,” discussing the mental health needs of County youth.   WATCH HERE. 

PGCTV Programming Update - Recorded via ZOOM, “The People’s Movement, “airs on Comcast Channel 76 and Verizon FIOS Channel 42, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.; Comcast Channel 70 and Verizon Channel 41 on Mondays at 1:00 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m.