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 ON LAND-USE MATTERS The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, convened a hybrid meeting on Monday, June 6th.  Monday’s scheduled session included Items for Discussion and Items Pending Finality for proposed projects in the County. 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.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES TO REVIEW LEGISLATION - POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES MOVE FORWARD   The Council Committee of the Whole (COW) convened twice this week, on Monday, June 6th and Tuesday, June 7th. Monday’s COW included the final committee review for proposed legislation and related amendments addressing Police Accountability. The police reform measures - CB-021-2022, CB-022-2022, CB-023-2022 and CB-024,2022 - were proposed and submitted by the County Executive to the County Council as required by state laws passed in 2021. Following the hours-long meeting, which included robust discussion and public testimony from concerned citizens and public safety advocates, COW moved the measures forward as amended for full Council consideration.

Tuesday’s COW addressed proposed legislation, including CR-075-2022 and CR-076-2022, concerning the Adelphi Road-UMGC-UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan and Sectional Map Amendment respectively.  Both measures were approved for Council consideration.

COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES LEGISLATION; RECEIVES HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Prince George’s County Council convened a hybrid session on Tuesday, May 7^th.  Public hearings were held for several legislative measures, including CB-015-2022, requiring electric vehicle charging infrastructure for charging electric vehicles in certain new residential structures; CB-018-2022, concerning Rental Housing Inspections; and CB-019-2022, concerning Displaced Service Employees Protection, which were enacted by the Council. 

The Housing Opportunities for All Workgroup provided the Council with a briefing on its Annual Report and Recommendations, followed by special presentations and commendations for workgroup members by co-chairs, District 3 Council Member Dannielle Glaros and Director of Housing and Community Development, Aspasia Xypolia.  

Additional measures adopted by the Council on Tuesday include CR-075-2022 and CR-076-2022, legislation approving the Adelphi Road-UMGC-UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan and Sectional Map Amendment respectively; CR-077-2022, legislation recognizing Black Restaurant Week in Prince George’s County; and CR-078-2022, legislation supporting the celebration of Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Prince George’s County.

COUNTY COUNCIL RECEIVES BRIEFING FROM PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY & ALUMNAE CHAPTERS OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Leadership of the Prince George’s County and Fort Washington Alumnae Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, joined the County Council on Monday, June 6th to provide members with a briefing and presentation.  The Chapters provide distinct programs that emphasize economic and educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement.  Collectively, the officers and members of the Prince George’s County and Fort Washington Alumnae Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. value the extraordinary opportunity to respond to the expanding needs of the community.  An overview of legislative priorities from the national, state, and local chapter levels were shared, along with updates on concerns.  The briefing was held to strengthen the relationship between the County Council and the two Prince George’s County alumnae chapters, while identifying opportunities to collaborate on shared goals.

COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS ADDRESSES 2022 STATE OF THE COUNTY EVENT 

Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, was among the speakers the County’s premier County business event, the 2022 State of the County Address and Breakfast, on Tuesday, June 7^th, at the MGM National Harbor.   The event, back in person for the first time since 2019, was presented by the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the Greater Prince George's Business Roundtable.  County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, delivered the keynote address, focusing on her economic outlook for the County, new plans for economic development, engaging the County’s workforce, the impact of COVID-19 on the County, as well as its recovery.

COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS LEGISLATION RECOGNIZING BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY – JUNE 19 – 25, 2022; COINCIDES WITH JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY  

The Prince George’s County Council, during session on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, unanimously adopted CR-077-2022, legislation recognizing the Sunday through Saturday period that includes the County’s Juneteenth celebration, as Prince George’s County Black Restaurant Week.  Offered as an opportunity to leverage the economic power of all communities, of all races and backgrounds, to support African American owned restaurants, Black Restaurant Week will begin on Sunday, June 19th, running until Saturday, June 25, 2022.

Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, says Black Restaurant week is a wonderful opportunity to support Black-owned culinary businesses in Prince George’s County, following a very challenging time.  “The County’s restaurant industry is beginning to show some signs of recovery following two very difficult years, and it is important to keep the momentum going so they are able to thrive post-pandemic.  Black Restaurant Week, beginning with the commemoration of Juneteenth, is a great time to support a Black-owned culinary businesses and bolster our local economy.”

GET BOOSTED!

CDC study: During Omicron, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization was 91% during the first two months after a booster shot and remained high, at 78%, four or more months after a booster shot.  Schedule your booster appointment at health.mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine

GRAB & GO GROCERIES/MEALS ON SATURDAY!

The County’s Stand Up & Deliver program, a continuing initiative addressing food security concerns, will distribute free Grab & Go Groceries and Meals, this Saturday, June 11^th -  9:00 a.m., at Kingdom Fellowship, at High Point High School, in Beltsville and the First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover; 10:00 a.m. at the Ebenezer Church of God in Landover Hills, the New Home Baptist Church in Landover,  Love A.M.E. Church, at Capitol Heights Elementary in Capitol Heights, and Maryland Shiloh Apostolic Church in Temple Hills; and 11:00 a.m. at the United Baptist Church in New Carrollton.   Please see flyer for details.  While supplies last.  One box per vehicle.  Please remain in your vehicle. 

COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK

June 14  -  County Council  -  10:00 AM  -  NO SESSION

June 16  -  PHED Committee  -  10:00 AM -  Details

June 16  -  HHSPS Committee  - 1:30 PM  -  Details

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II, AND VICE CHAIR SYDNEY HARRISON JOIN THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF HIGHLAND PARK FOR COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.  Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, joined by Vice Chair Sydney Harrison, participated in the blood drive hosted by the American Red Cross and the First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover, on Friday, June 10^th, and encouraging others to do, said,   “The Red Cross is currently experiencing a decline in blood donations, and donors are needed now more than ever. Supporting those in need with a blood donation is a small gesture with widespread impact and I want to thank the American Red Cross and First Baptist Church of Highland Park for providing residents with an opportunity to serve in this way.” 

DISTRICT 3 COUNCIL MEMBER HONORED RECIPIENT OF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN CENTER 

District 3 Council Member Dannielle Glaros was honored with the 2022 Prince George’s County Lifetime Achievement Award during the Neighborhood Design Center Annual Awards & Volunteer Celebration last Saturday.  Council Member Glaros said being recognized along M-NCPPC Planner, Brittney Drakeford, and Eagle Harbor Mayor Dr. Noah Waters, recipients of the Advocate of the Year Award, made the event even more special. Council Member Glaros also took the opportunity to thank her District 3 Team working on such initiatives as Greater Riverdale Cares, addressing affordable housing, and work along the Purple Line to minimize displacement.

CELEBRATING OUR PGCPS GRADUATES!  

We’re so excited for the future of Prince George’s County!  We’re celebrating all our graduates and we want you to now we are in excellent hands!    VIEW the PGCPS Graduation 2022 in Photos!