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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-001-2022 on January 18, 2022. 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; RECEIVES FEDERAL UPDATE BRIEFING AND COMPENSATION REVIEW BOARD FINAL REPORT; CONTINUES DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY; CONDUCTS PUBLIC HEARING
 The Prince George’s County Council convened a scheduled virtual session and Joint Public Hearing on Tuesday, January 18th. Council Members received a Federal Update Briefing on issues impacting Prince George’s County from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. The Prince George’s County Compensation Review Board also provided a briefing, presenting its 2021 - 2022 Final Report and Recommendations to the County Council for consideration.
In other Council action on Tuesday, Council Members approved CR-001-2022, legislation extending the County’s 16th Declaration of Emergency, and the County’s Indoor Mask Mandate, in response to COVID-19. CR-002-2022, legislation concerning the West-Hyattsville Queens Chapel Sector Plan and SMA was also approved.
The day concluded with an evening Joint Public Hearing. The County Council, sitting as the District Council, and the Prince George’s County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission convened to receive public comment on the Edward and Maggie Smith Proposed Historic Site Designation, and the Preliminary Adelphi Road UMGC-UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan and Proposed Sectional Map Amendment.
WATCH Tuesday’s Council session
WATCH Tuesday’s Joint Public Hearing
COUNTY COUNCIL RECEIVES VIRTUAL FEDERAL UPDATE BRIEFING FROM U.S. SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN
The County Council welcomed U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D – MD) for a virtual briefing update on Tuesday, January 18th, to discuss federal issues impacting Prince George’s County, including the American Rescue Plan, WMATA, the Purple Line, and voting rights. Senator Van Hollen thanked the Council for their leadership and support, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“To all of you on the Council, thank you for your leadership and partnership during these very challenging times, especially as we’ve all worked together to address the pandemic. While we are not together in person as much as we would like, I know you have been there on the front lines helping our constituents.”
Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, who presided over the briefing, thanked Senator Van Hollen, for continuing to update the Council on important issues, and address questions and comments.
WATCH TUESDAY’S BRIEFING
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RECEIVES HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BRIEFINGS; FOOD SECURITY TASK FORCE PRESENTS FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee of the Whole (COW) convened twice this week, on Tuesday, January 18th and Thursday, January 20th. Tuesday’s COW included a COVID-19/Health Department Update from Prince George’s County’s Health Officers George L. Askew, MD, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services & Education; Dr. Ernest L. Carter, Health Officer; Ololade Olakanmi, Deputy Health Officer, Chief of Operations; and Anea Jordan, Executive Assistant to the Health Officer. Council Member’s also reviewed CR-001-2022, legislation extending the County’s 16th Declaration of Emergency, which was favorably referred the full Council for consideration.
Thursday’s COW included two scheduled briefings. COW Members received an Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Update, presented by representatives of the Department of Housing and Community Development, Office of Community Relations and Office of the Sheriff. The Food Security Task Force also provided a briefing, presenting the 2022 Food Security Task Force Final Report and Recommendations.
WATCH Tuesday’s COW
WATCH Thursday’s COW
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COUNCIL CHAIR HAWKINS AND VICE CHAIR HARRISON ADDRESS MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY – PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY HOUSE DELEGATION
 Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, and Vice Chair, Sydney Harrison, joined Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, on Friday, January 21st to address The Maryland General Assembly – Prince George’s County House Delegation, focusing on Prince George’s County’s Legislative Priorities for 2022. On-demand viewing of the session may be accessed via YouTube.
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2021-2022 COMPENSATION REVIEW BOARD PRESENTS 2021-2022 FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Prince George’s County Council has received the 2021-2022 Prince George’s County Compensation Review Board Final Report and Recommendations, presented during Council session on Tuesday, January 18th. The seven-member Compensation Review Board, authorized in County Charter Sections 308 and 406, is charged with making recommendations regarding a fair and reasonable compensation package for the County Council Members and County Executive elected in the November 2022 General Election. The Compensation Review Board studied information on salary, benefits, and pensions, providing the basis for its recommendations, which includes a one-year freeze on increases in year one (2022) of the term. Under the recommendations, compensation for the County Council and County Executive will also adjust each year from 2023 – 2025 by the 12-month increase in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) - up to a maximum annual increase of 3%. READ the Council’s Press Release on the Compensation Review Board Final Report.
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION MEETS VIRTUALLY
The Prince George’s County 2021-2022 Charter Review Commission met virtually on Friday, January 21st. 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 to the Charter. Friday’s meeting agenda included several Charter Review Briefings, with Commissioners receiving presentations from Office of Central Services Director, Jonathan R. Butler; Office of Human Resources Management Director, Shawn Stokes; Office of Law County Attorney, Rhonda Weaver; and County Council Legislative Officer, Dinora Hernandez. The Charter Review Commission’s final report deadline is April 1, 2022. The next Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 4:30 PM.
WATCH Friday’s Charter Review Commission Meeting
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FOOD SECURITY TASK FORCE PRESENTS FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
The Prince George’s County Food Security Task Force has completed its work, and presented the 2022 Food Security Task Force Final Report and Recommendations to the Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) on Thursday, January 20, 2022. The Prince George’s County Council established the Food Security Task Force under Council Resolution CR-062-2020 with a goal of identifying challenges and opportunities, and providing recommendations for creating a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food system in Prince George’s County. The 21-member Task Force included stakeholders representing government, not-for-profit, faith-based, food providers, the university & health community, and the private sector.
READ MORE
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 WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 TEST KIT DELIVERY
 The White House is now providing free rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits. Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. You must provide your name and residential mailing address. Tests will ship through the mail within 7-12 days of ordering, with no shipping fees. To order your tests, visit: https://www.covidtests.gov/
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY HEALTH CONNECT OPEN ENROLLMENT DEADLINE EXTENSION
 The deadline for Marylanders to apply for health insurance through Maryland Health Connection has been extended until Monday, February 28. Prince George’s County Health Connect is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM to assist residents that need health insurance. For more information and to get covered, visit: https://www.pgchealthconnect.org/
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 COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
January 24 - Council Sitting as the District Council - 10:00 AM Agenda
January 24 - Council Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 10:30 AM Agenda
January 25 - Council Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 10:00 AM Agenda
January 25 - County Council - 11:30 AM - Agenda
January 26 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - Agenda
January 26 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - Agenda
January 27 - Council Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 10:00 AM Agenda
January 28 - Housing Opportunities for All Workgroup - 2:30 PM Public Notice
Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page
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A DAY OF SERVICE FOR COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II AND COUNCIL COLLEAGUES
 This past Monday, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service, was certainly a “Day On, Not a Day Off,” for Council Member At-Large Calvin S. Hawkins, II, and members of the Council who participated in various activities throughout the County to commemorate the day. Council Chair Calvin Hawkins partnered with the First Baptist Church of Highland Park to host the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Grocery Giveaway, providing boxes of food for residents in need.
AT-LARGE COUNCIL MEMBER MEL FRANKLIN CO-SPONSORS “MLK – A DAY ON” EVENT IN RECOGNITION OF MLK HOLIDAY AND DAY OF SERVICE
 In recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday and the MLK Day of Service, Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin co-sponsored “MLK – A Day On” event Monday January 17th. Free meals were provided to residents in need and booster shots were provided for eligible residents.
DISTRICT NINE COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON HOSTS 2nd ANNUAL DISTRICT 9 VIRTUAL DAY OF SERVICE AWARDS
 On Monday, January 17th, Council Member Sydney Harrison, in partnership with Bold Beautiful Brilliant Girls Youth Empowerment Group, and joined on the set by Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, hosted the 2nd Annual District 9 Virtual Day of Service Awards. The black-tie event provided the community with a unique opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with special award recognition presented to several of District 9’s community heroes! The entertainment-filled event featured several live music performances, including R&B artist Maysa, Gospel artist Steven Hurd, as well as spoken word performances.
CLICK HERE to view the event.
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