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 FINAL SESSION PRIOR TO AUGUST RECESS

The Prince George’s County Council convened virtually for its final session before the August Recess on Tuesday, July 13^th.  The Council approved the Chair’s signature on a Joint Signature Letter to the federal delegation expressing continued support for the WSSC Water Piscataway Bioenergy Project, and a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, supporting M-NCPPC’s application for a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant. Following public hearings, Council Members approved appointments to the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, Citizen Complaint Oversight Panel, Prince George’s County Commission on Common Ownership Communities, and Commission for Individuals with Disabilities.  Tuesday’s Council agenda also included public hearings for legislation eligible for enactment and adoption.  

WATCH TUESDAY’S SESSION.

DISTRICT COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUALLY FOR FINAL ZONING AGENDA BEFORE AUGUST RECESS The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, met virtually on Tuesday, July 13th, for the final session prior to August recess.  The scheduled session included Items Referred for Document, Items for Discussion and Items Pending Finality.   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. The District Council resumes meeting in September. WATCH Monday’s District Council meeting.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES TO REVIEW ZONING LEGISLATION The Council Committee of the Whole (COW) convened in virtual session on Tuesday, July 13th to review CB-016-2021, legislation amending the criteria in the Zoning Ordinance for granting zoning appeals involving variances. Following public testimony from several members of the community, and comments from the Zoning Hearing Examiner, Board of Appeals representatives and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission representatives, committee members engaged in robust dialogue before voting favorably on a motion to hold the legislation until Council resumes meeting in the fall. WATCH Monday’s COW.

COUNCIL MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN 2021 NACo ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT NATIONAL HARBOR 

Prince George’s County Council Members were among the 2,000 elected and appointed officials from across the country convening safely at the Gaylord Hotel and Conference Center July 9-12, for the 2021 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference.  National leaders including Vice President Kamala Harris, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, addressed NACo members and other conference attendees. 

Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, Council Vice Chair Deni Taveras, and Council Members Monique Anderson Walker, Sydney Harrison, and Mel Franklin were also among the many Prince George’s County officials addressing NACo events, panel discussions and workshops. 

NACo Immediate Past President Gary Moore noted the collaborative efforts involved to ensure a safe and successful conference.  “A typical NACo Annual Conference involves a minimum of three years of planning. This year, much to the credit of our host, Prince George’s County, we organized a top-notch conference in just three months. Prince George’s County has been an amazing partner. Special thanks to County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Council Chair Calvin Hawkins, the entire County Council, and the county leadership team and partners for their tremendous support.”

REDISTRICTING COMMISSION HOLDS FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AS PROCESS TO REESTABLISH DISTRICT BOUNDARIES MOVES FORWARD – JULY 19^TH 

The 2021 Prince George’s County Redistricting Commission will hold its first virtual public hearing on Monday, July 19, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.  Redistricting in Prince George’s County is the process of redrawing legislative districts every ten years, following the completion of the United States Census.  The Redistricting Commission, appointed by the adoption of CR-06-2021 in January, is charged with preparing a plan and report explaining proposed boundary changes for the County’s nine Council districts, based on 2021 census data, which is expected to be released in August.   A redistricting plan will be submitted to the Council by September 1, 2021.  

LEARN MORE about redistricting in the County and view preliminary maps of boundary changes for Council districts.  

RESPONSIBLE LEGACY TASK FORCE MEETS  The Prince George’s County Responsible Legacy Task Force met virtually on Friday, July 16th.   Established by Council Resolution-81-2019, the task force is charged with reviewing all County monuments, parks, street names, County buildings and other places of honor, and creating a process to determine the future of names linked to a prejudiced past.  Task Force members are working to ensure that the County’s legacy is one of equality, diversity and inclusion. Friday’s agenda included discussion focused on the final task force report outline, meeting schedule and public engagement in the process.  The Responsible Legacy Task Force will meet again in September.

SENIOR CENTERS REOPENING

The Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to reopen five senior activity centers for residents ages 60 and better – Laurel – Beltsville; Camp Springs; Gwendolyn Britt; John E. Howard; and the Southern Area Aquatic Recreation Complex Senior Operations.   The senior activity centers offer special events, trips, classes, health programs, information, and referrals.  LEARN MORE.

SUMMER VACCINATION CLINICS FOR COUNTY STUDENTS AGES 12 & UP

Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available to Prince George's County Public School students, 12 years of age and older. Vaccines will be administered in County Health Department mobile units at select school sites through July 30^th.  Parental consent is required.  The student’s eligible family members can get vaccinated too! Clinic schedules and locations can be found HERE. 

GET YOUR SHOT!

Getting vaccinated is easy! You can receive your COVID-19 vaccine through the Prince George’s County Health Department, local pharmacies or mobile clinics.  Learn more at mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine

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 which have been impacted by COVID-19. Eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for funds through July 30, 2021. LEARN MORE.

METRORAIL EXTENDS SERVICE TO MIDNIGHT STARTING SUNDAY Metro will expand train service to midnight, seven days a week starting Sunday, July 18th. The extended operating hours are the first in a package of service improvements passed by Metro’s Board of Directors in June that will add more all-day rail service, create high-frequency bus routes and improve service across the region.   DETAILS HERE.

STAND UP AND DELIVER – SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

The County’s Stand Up & Deliver program, in an ongoing initiative to address food security issues, will distribute Grab & Go groceries this weekend in Landover, Beltsville and Landover Hills.  While supplies last.  One box per vehicle.  See flyer for locations and times.

COUNTY BUSINESS WEBINAR UPDATE – JULY 23

The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation is hosting another County Business Webinar Update on Friday, July 23rd, at 9:30 AM.  Interested business owners and leaders can register HERE.

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATIVE ANNUAL REPORT  With a Federal Shutdown in 2019 and the COVID-19 public health emergency that arrived in 2020, our County was faced with unprecedented challenge, but we also learned how strong and resilient Prince Georgians are in the face of adversity.  Please take an opportunity to view the Special Edition 2019/2020 Legislative Annual Report – “Service. Community. Progress.” focused on the Council’s crisis response.   CLICK HERE for the interactive online version.   To order a printed copy (while supplies last), please call 301.952.5262 and leave your name, address and contact information, or email your request to Councilmedia@co.pg.md.us  Please allow time for processing.

 COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK

July 19 - Redistricting Commission Public Hearing - 5:00 PM   Public Notice

July 23 - Climate Action Commission Meeting  - 1:00 PM  Public Notice

Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN HAWKINS PRESENTS LEARN SCHOLARSHIP GRANT

County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, (At-Large), proudly presented a LEARN Scholarship grant to Cynthia Batey on Friday morning.   Ms. Batey is a graduate of Flowers High School and will be attending Towson University as a freshman in the fall.  The Landover Educational Athletic Recreational Nonprofit (LEARN) was established in 1996 to support education programs for Prince George's County youth residing in the vicinity of FedEx Field stadium.  CONGRATULATIONS CYNTHIA BATEY!

OUNCIL MEMBER DANNIELLE GLAROS VIRTUALLY CONNECTS POLICE CHIEF AZIZ AND DISTRICT 3 RESIDENTS

On Thursday, July 15th, District 3 Council Member Dannielle Glaros hosted her “Virtual Connections” lunchtime discussion, featuring Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz. During the hour-long conversation, Chief Aziz shared with residents the challenges and opportunities he sees in Prince George’s County. He also answered a wide range of questions raised by residents ranging from illegal fireworks to community-oriented policing and much more.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON AND CHAIR CALVIN HAWKINS VISIT ‘MCOFFICER NIGHT’ IN CLINTON

District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison and Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II,  joined Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz, District V Police, business owner and operator Mary Navies, and members of the community for “McOfficer Night” at the newly renovated McDonalds on Stewart Lane in Clinton, on Monday, July 12th.  During the evening’s event, created to connect law enforcement and the local community, Council Member Harrison thanked the officers for their dedication to the people of Prince George’s County and commended Mary Navies for bringing the community together to celebrate the work of public safety officials. “It was great to see the members and neighbors of our community.  Thank you to business owner Mary Navies for bringing all of us together to celebrate our public safety officials, small businesses and members of the community.”

Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker Bestowed the 2020 Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) Vision Zero Award

The Washington Area Bicyclist Association thanked 2020 WABA Vision Zero Award Winner, Councilwoman Anderson-Walker, for her leading the County’s Vision Zero efforts with her #DrivingItHome initiative. They also thanked her for serving as one of the panelists on the closing session at the 2020 Vision Zero Summit.  Due to the pandemic, the awards were delivered in person, in lieu of at the annual conference.

 COUNCIL AUGUST RECESS

Council Connections returns in September!