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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
 The Prince George’s County Council convened in virtual session on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, to present and introduce proposed legislation. Council Members also authorized the signature of the Council Chair on Proposed Correspondence to the Honorable Joanne C. Benson, Chair, Prince George’s County Senate Delegation and the Honorable Nick Charles, Chair, Prince George’s County House Delegation, transmitting the position of the Prince George's County Council on proposed State legislation, as recommended during the February 22nd COW meeting.
Addressing acts of anti-Semitism that occurred in the City of Bowie, and in communities across the region and the country last weekend, District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner, in a Point of Personal Privilege, and in a joint statement with Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to the County’s rich diversity, and its zero-tolerance for such hateful acts. READ THE STATEMENT.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUAL MEETINGS; REVIEWS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ITEMS; APPROVES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) met virtually twice this week - on Tuesday, February 22nd, and again on Thursday, February 24th. Tuesday’s COW agenda included discussion about Maryland General Assembly items, including statewide and local bills impacting Prince George’s County. District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner provided a Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) legislative update as well.
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Thursday’s COW virtual session reviewed several Executive Appointments to the Advisory Committee on Aging for Prince George’s County; the Board of Social Services for Prince George’s County; and the Commission for Women for Prince George’s County. Public hearings for these appointments are scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. The COW also considered Executive Appointments to the Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys for Prince George’s County. A public hearing on appointments to this Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 11:30 a.m.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES FOR VIRTUAL CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY
 The Prince George’s County Council hosted its annual Black History Month Celebration on Tuesday, February 24, 2022. The program began with an Invocation offered by The Reverend Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, of the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church. Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, recognized the Rev. Dr. Boyd, a powerful preacher, prolific motivational speaker, dynamic leader, and as an engineer, a prominent advocate for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education, as “one of those important voices throughout our nation and the world.” Tuesday’s Invocation included prayers for world peace upon the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Council Member introductions followed the Invocation, including remarks from District 7 Council Member Rodney C. Streeter who welcomed the gifted and talented Vocal and Spoken Word artists from the Creative Suitland Arts Center, as they presented “Black America Speak Up, “on behalf of the County Council.
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 STATEMENT: COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS RESPONDS TO APPOINTMENT OF DR. GEORGE L. ASKEW AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE MEYER FOUNDATION
The Prince George’s County Council congratulates George L. Askew, MD, on his recent appointment to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Meyer Foundation. In its role as the County’s Board of Health, access to quality healthcare, health promotion and disease prevention are priority concerns for the Prince George’s County Council. Dr. Askew’s service to Prince George’s County as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services and Education, proved an invaluable resource to help advance the Council’s public health policies and improve Quality of Life for our residents. This was especially evident in his leadership during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, as he worked to provide timely and accurate science and data-based information, ultimately resulting in successful vaccination and testing outcomes to maintain safety for Prince Georgians. We wish him Godspeed in his work with the Meyer Foundation.
CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING
The Prince George’s County 2021-2022 Charter Review Commission held a Virtual Public Hearing on Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. to provide an opportunity for residents to share their recommendations or concerns regarding the County Charter with the Commission. Written testimony will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2022.
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The Charter Review Commission holds its next meeting on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. Commission meetings are livestreamed and may be viewed live and on-demand at https://pgccouncil.us/Live
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, February 25th. 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, HOFA members worked to achieve the County’s priorities for housing production targets; discussed a preliminary proposal for the role of a Tenant-Landlord Commission; and reviewed a proposal for key components of a Housing Policy and Implementation Board.
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 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TO LIFT INDOOR MASK MANDATE ON FEBRUARY 28, 2022
 Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced during a press conference on Friday, that the County will lift its indoor mask mandate on Monday, February 28, 2022, as COVID-19 case rates continue to drop significantly in the County following the peak of the Omicron variant. As a reminder, a mask mandate is still in place for public transportation through a CDC Order. Residents are still required to wear a mask while taking any form of public transportation in the County and the United States, to include buses, trains, and planes. County Executive Alsobrooks was joined in the press conference by Dr. Monica Goldson, Chief Executive Officer, Prince George’s County Public Schools, who provided an Update on PGCPS Mask Mandate.
READ THE PRESS RELEASE
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COUNTY YOUTH - TIME TO APPLY FOR SUMMER JOBS!
The Prince George’s County Summer Youth Employment Program or SYEP is an award-winning program providing job readiness training, career workshops, and entry-level employment with community organizations, private sector companies, and government agencies, for County youth ages 14-22. Applications open starting next week on March 1st! For more information, WATCH on YouTube.
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 COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
February 28 - Sitting as the District Council - 10:00 AM Details
February 28 - Sitting as Committee of the Whole - 10:30 AM Details
March 1 - Sitting as Committee of the Whole - 10:00 AM Details
March 1 - County Council - 11:30 AM - Details
March 2 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - Details
Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page
DISTRICT 6 COUNCIL MEMBER DERRICK L. DAVIS WELCOMES ALDI TO RITCHIE STATION MARKETPLACE IN CAPITOL HEIGHTS; GROCER IS NEWEST STORE IN SHOPPING CENTER EXPANSION
 Prince George’s County Council Member Derrick L. Davis (D)-District 6) joined community partners for a grand opening welcoming ALDI to Ritchie Station Marketplace on Thursday, February 24th. The new ALDI is located at 1741 Ritchie Station Court in Capitol Heights. At-Large Council Member Mel Franklin and nearly 100 members of the community also joined the grand opening celebration.
Council Member Davis says the community is excited to welcome a new grocery option to District 6. “The new ALDI at Ritchie Station joins a vibrant marketplace just off the Capital Beltway and will serve our County well in our work to reduce the number of food deserts for the community. As the fight to defeat this pandemic continues, I encourage residents to support Ritchie Station, our new ALDI, and all the merchants that serve Prince Georgians!”
The Capitol Heights ALDI joins anchors Dave & Buster’s, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Olive Garden, Ashley Furniture, Regency Furniture, Ace Hardware, Gold’s Gym DSW, Pohanka Honda, and Volkswagen as part of a growing retail, restaurant, and commercial hub of activity located on I-95 South.
DISTRICT 8 COUNCIL MEMBER EDWARD BURROUGHS, III, ON THE AIR
 County Council Member Edward Burroughs, III was the featured guest on WHUR radio’s Daily Drum Insight Segment, hosted by Harold Fisher, on Thursday, February 24th. Council Member Burroughs was sworn in on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, after winning a Special Election to fill a Council District 8 vacancy. In his conversation with Harold Fisher, Council Member Burroughs discussed his Council priorities.
DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL MEMBER DANNIELLE GLAROS JOINS CELEBRATION OF EMERGING LEADERS
 Council Member Dannielle Glaros (D-District 3) serves as the County Council’s representative on the Greater Washington Community Foundation Prince George’s County Advisory Board. She was proud to attend the Community Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Impact Fund (ELIF) Alumni and New Member Celebration on Thursday evening at National Harbor, celebrating the impactful accomplishments of ELIF’s inaugural cohort. The ELIF enables people to pool their resources and together fund programs that positively impact the community. Members participate in hands-on activities to learn firsthand about community needs and strategic philanthropy. Council Member Glaros congratulated grantees and welcomed the newest ELIF members.
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