Council Connections

Per the decision announced by the County Executive, effective March 9, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., the Prince George’s County State of Emergency expired. In an abundance of caution, and given the current state of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the County Council is now operating under the following procedures:

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DISTRICT COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUALLY TO ADDRESS LAND-USE MATTERS The District Council, under the authority granted to act on zoning matters by the State of Maryland Regional District Act, convened virtually on Monday, March 14th.  Monday’s zoning agenda included one New Case, Items Referred for Document, and Items Pending Finality.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONDUCTS VIRTUAL AND HYBRID MEETINGS THIS WEEK; RECEIVES GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATES, AND REVIEWS LEGISLATION The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) met virtually on Monday, March 14th to address General Assembly items, including updates on the Supplemental Budget, Climate Change, and Maryland Association of Counties (MACo).  COW also participated in discussions on statewide and local measures impacting Prince George’s County.

The COW convened a hybrid session – meeting both virtually and in-person - on Thursday, March 17th to review the Transcript Analysis for Proposed Historic Site, Edward and Maggie Smith House, located in Mount Rainier.  Council Members also reviewed legislation addressing Nuisance Abatement, CB-009-2022; School Bus Camera Monitoring, CB-010-2022; Code Adam-Alerts in County Buildings CB-13-2022; and three labor measures, which were favorably approved for consideration by the full Council.  Legislation addressing Property Tax Credits for the Elderly, Off-Road Vehicles, Nursing Mothers, and Accessory Disposable Food Service Ware were all held for further discussion.  

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA ALSOBROOKS TRANSMITS FY 2023 PROPOSED COUNTY SPENDING PLAN TO THE COUNCIL

Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks briefed the County Council on her Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 County Budget on Tuesday morning prior to her Budget Press Conference, and before Tuesday’s County Council session.

COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II ISSUES FY 2023 BUDGET RECEIPT STATEMENT

The Prince George’s County Council has received the Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed Prince George’s County Operating and Capital budgets from County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.  

We appreciate the leadership and partnership of the County Executive and her budget team in the assembly of the proposed FY 23 County Budget, and we look forward to working together to achieve a final spending plan that supports our shared priorities, promotes stronger, healthier, and safer communities, and continues to guide our path forward in the County’s recovery from the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

The Council will conduct its Budget Review and Adoption Process over the next few months, to include staff reviews, Council meetings, and critically important public hearings.  The new fiscal year begins July 1st, and pursuant to the County Charter, the Council must adopt a new County Budget on or before June 1st. 

We encourage public participation.   Per the decision announced by the County Executive, effective March 9, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., the Prince George’s County State of Emergency expired. In an abundance of caution and given the current state of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, County Council Meeting Operations have been updated.  LEARN MORE.

For updates on the County Council Budget Review and Adoption Process, including meetings and public hearings, which are subject to change, please visit the Council’s FY 23 Budget Portal.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COUNCIL TRANSITIONS TO HYBRID MEETINGS – VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON OPTIONS FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION  

The Prince George’s County Council has transitioned from completely virtual to hybrid meetings, offering the public the option of attending and participating in Council proceedings virtually or in-person. 

Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, says the Council can now safely welcome residents and other members of the public who wish to attend Council meetings and participate in Council processes. 

“Following the expiration of the County’s Declaration of Emergency, and as Covid-19 numbers continue to decline, incorporating an in-person option for participating in the Council process makes room for residents to join us for meetings.  The Council will still offer virtual and mail-in options, so residents may participate in the environment that is most comfortable for them.  The Council looks forward to safely engaging with residents as the County charts its path forward from the Covid-19 crisis.”

COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES FIRST HYBRID SESSION; APPROVES PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE, CONDUCTS PUBLIC HEARING AND ENACTS LEGISLATION

Following nearly two years of virtual meetings due to COVID-19, the Prince George’s County Council welcomed the public to the new Council Hearing Room in the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo for its first hybrid session – held remotely and in-person – on Tuesday, March 15th.

From the dais and virtually, Council Members reviewed Proposed Correspondence transmitting the position of the Prince George's County Council on proposed State legislation, which was approved for the Council Chair’s signature. The Council held a public hearing for County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ appointment of Peter Shapiro to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), which will move forward for review in COW. Public Hearings were also held for Executive Appointments to the Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys; Prince George’s County Commission for Animal Control; and the Solid Waste Advisory Commission; all were favorably approved.  Measures related to Collective Bargaining, Contract Approvals, and Compensation and Benefits were also enacted.

Prior to adjournment, the Council received a briefing on the County’s Youth Sports Initiative presented by Planning Board Chair, Elizabeth Hewlett; Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation Bill Tyler, and Division Chief of Youth and Countywide Sports with the Department of Parks and Recreation Thomas Paolucci.

COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II, EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR STRONG CAPITOL HILL SUPPORT FOR RELOCATION OF NEW FBI HEADQUARTERS TO PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

The Prince George’s County Council is deeply grateful for the leadership of U.S. Congress Members representing the state of Maryland and their strong and steadfast advocacy for relocation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters to Prince George’s County.   Two of the three relocation sites under consideration, Landover, and the Greenbelt Metro in the City of Greenbelt, are in Prince George’s County.  

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Congressman Anthony Brown (MD-04) secured the inclusion of language to advance the process for a new, consolidated FBI headquarters in the Omnibus FY2022 funding package signed into law this week by President Biden. 

We thank our federal partners for continuing to work together to welcome the FBI headquarters to a new home and expand economic opportunity in Prince George’s County.

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CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION CONVENES VIRTUALLY The Prince George’s County 2021-2022 Charter Review Commission met virtually on Friday, March 18TH . 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.  The Charter Review Commission’s final report deadline is April 1, 2022.  Friday’s meeting agenda included reports from Charter Review Commission Subcommittees – Administrative/Legislative; Budget/Fiscal; and Contracting/Personnel, and a discussion concerning final recommendations.  The next Charter Review Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 25, at 2:00 PM.   The meeting will be virtual and may be viewed at https://pgccouncil.us/Live

UPDATED COVID-19 VACCINE AND TESTING LOCATIONS IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

The Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex mass vaccination clinic will close after Friday, April 8.  The Temple Hills Community Center will no longer offer COVID-19 testing services after Friday, March 25. Two State-run testing sites in the County have already closed.

“Thanks to the teamwork of Prince George’s County residents, our COVID-19 Community Level is low, and our vaccination rate is among the highest in the nation,” said Prince George’s County Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter. “The demand for testing and vaccines has decreased, but both are still readily available at locations Countywide. With many community partners providing most of the testing and vaccine services to residents, the Health Department can begin to reduce its capacity at this point in the pandemic while being ready to ramp up again if necessary.”

The County continues to operate and support free testing sites at the Bunker Hill Fire Station, the First United Methodist Church, and the Roseu Medical Center.  For updates on COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, including a complete list of clinics in the County, visit health.mypgc.us/Coronavirus    

APPLY NOW FOR SUMMER JOBS!  

Get excited!  Applications are open until the end of this month, March 31^st, for the 2022 Summer Youth Enrichment Program! This program offers young people in Prince George’s County, ages 14-22, an important opportunity for career development, job readiness training and summer employment. Learn more and submit an online application at: syep.mypgc.us

CITY OF BOWIE JOB FAIR – AGES 16-24

Young adults in the County between the ages of 16-24 looking for employment opportunities should visit the City of Bowie’s annual job fair on March 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p. m. at the City Gymnasium (4100 Northview Dr).  There will be lots of local employers eager to talk to teens and young adults about full-time and part-time positions. Jobseeker registration is not required but all who pre-register will be entered in a drawing to win a $50 Target gift card. www.cityofbowie.org/jobfair  Are you hiring? Visit www.cityofbowie.org/jobfair  to sign up or contact Rhonda Simon at 301-809-3033 or via email at jobfair@cityofbowie.org

COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK

March 22   -  Sitting as Committee of the Whole  -  10:00 AM   Details

March 22   -  County Council   -  11:30 AM   Details

March 23   -  Board of Appeals  -  6:00 PM   Details

March 24   -  Sitting as Committee of the Whole  -  10:00 AM   Details

March 25   -  Housing for All Opportunities Workgroup  -  10:30 AM   Details

March 25   -  Charter Review Commission  -  2:00 PM   Details

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE MEL FRANKLIN TESTIFIES IN ANNAPOLIS

Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin testified in Annapolis on Wednesday, in favor of Senate Bill 996, sponsored in the State Senate by Senator Obie Patterson and in the State House by Delegate Darryl Barnes. This legislation before the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee would increase the percentage that State agencies are mandated to reserve in procurement spending for small businesses from 15% to 30% and require these firms to be Maryland-based. 70% of Maryland's small businesses are owned by minorities or women.

DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL MEMBER DANNIELLE GLAROS ADDRESSES THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Prince George’s County Council Member Dannielle Glaros was honored to speak to the University of Maryland Student Government Association on Wednesday evening. Council District 3 includes the University of Maryland College Park campus. Council Member Glaros spoke with the students about numerous initiatives across District 3 and Prince George’s County including climate resilience, affordable housing, and food support and recovery. She emphasized the importance of making their voices heard through the Prince George’s County budget and legislative processes and in the summer primary election for the District 3 seat.

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DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL MEMBER DENI TAVERAS SHARES ‘SNEAK PEEK’ OF NEW HYATTSVILLE LIBRARY

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) has announced that the new 40,258 square-foot Hyattsville Branch Library (6530 Adelphi Road) will open to the public on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.  District 2 Council Member Deni Taveras will be among the distinguished guests participating in opening day festivities, which are open to the public and include a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. After her ‘sneak peek’ this week, Council Member Taveras is encouraging residents to attend the March 30th library opening and experience the excitement for themselves!   Miren dentro de la nueva biblioteca de Hyattsville! Esto fue para mi in labor de amor para nuestra comunidad.  Pasen el 30 de marzo a verla!!

COUNCIL MEMBER EDWARD BURROUGHS III HOSTS FIRST “ENGAGE WITH ED” CALL-A-THON District 8 Council Member Edward Burroughs, III, hosted the first “Engage with Ed” Call-A-Thon on March 8th. During the four-hour event, residents called the District 8 Office to ask questions and share their concerns with Council Member Burroughs directly.

COUNCIL CELEBRATES NONPROFIT GRADUATES OF THE 'READY TO WORK' INITIATIVE!

The Prince George’s County Council congratulates the graduates of the second cohort of the Ready for Work Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative: E. Kim Rhim of The Training Source, Inc., and Danielle M. Middlebrooks and Jhae Thompson of Community Youth Advance.  These nonprofit leaders are celebrated for successfully completing the three-year capacity building initiative made possible through a partnership the County Council has established with Venture Philanthropy Partners to improve life for our young people in the County. The Council looks forward to the continued great work of our graduating nonprofit partners to achieve this important goal.  

CLICK HERE to watch the program.