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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COUNCIL RECEIVES PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFING FOCUSING ON RECENT CRIME STATISTICS

Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz provided the County Council with a Public Safety Briefing focusing on the County’s recent crime incidents and statistics on Tuesday, June 28^th.  Chief Aziz, joined in the Council Hearing Room by several Deputy Chiefs, provided Council Members with a high-level public safety overview, including crime statistics and specific information on how the Police Department is working to address various crime incidents. The briefing concluded with an overview of the Summer Crime Initiative, which began in June, and will run through Sunday, August 28^th.  The goal of the Summer Crime Initiative is to provide extra resources to assist with fighting crime and engaging the public.

COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY ENACTS LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A PROPERTY TAX CREDIT FOR ELIGIBLE COUNTY SENIORS

The County Council, during a hybrid session on Tuesday unanimously enacted CB-29-2022, legislation proposed by District 8 Council Member Edward Burroughs, III, establishing a 20-percent Property Tax Credit for eligible Prince George’s County seniors. Under the legislation, residents 65 and older who have owned their homes for at least 10 years, are eligible for a 5-year, 20% Property Tax Credit. The limit on the property’s value is $500,000, indexed upward annually by 3% for normal inflation. READ THE COUNCIL'S PRESS RELEASE In other Council action, CB-027-2022, legislation concerning the Prevailing Wage Rate Notice was enacted, and Council Members reviewed and approved for the Chair’s signature, Proposed Correspondence to Maryland Department of Planning Secretary, Robert S. McCord, regarding an amendment to Priority Funding Areas (PFA).  CR-060-2022, legislation concerning Cottage City Towers Bond Inducement; CR-079-2022, legislation concerning the Public Health and Behavioral Health Surcharge for FY 2023; and CR-080-2022, legislation concerning the School Facilities Surcharge for FY 2023 were also adopted.

DISTRICT COUNCIL CONDUCTS HYBRID SESSION The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning matters, convened a hybrid session on Tuesday, June 28th.  Tuesday’s scheduled session included four Cases 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.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONSIDERS PROPOSED CORRESPONDENCE AND LEGISLATION The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) convened a hybrid session on Tuesday, June 28th, for the review of Proposed Correspondence to Maryland Department of Planning Secretary, Robert S. McCord, regarding an amendment to Priority Funding Areas (PFA); CR-079-2022, legislation concerning the Public Safety and Behavioral Health Surcharge; and CR-080-2022, a Resolution concerning School Facilities Surcharge.  The COW approved the Proposed Correspondence and Council Resolutions, forwarding them to the full Council for consideration.

BOARD OF HEALTH CONVENES FOR BRIEFING UPDATES The County Council, sitting as the Board of Health, convened a hybrid session on Tuesday, June 28th, to receive briefings concerning Health Equity in Prince George’s County, and Cancer Services at the University of Maryland Capital Region Health. The Board of Health, also received a COVID 19 status update from Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter, followed by a presentation from Board of Health Consultant Dr. Yolandra Hancock on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2022 County Health Rankings.

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE The Council Education and Workforce Development (EWD) committee met virtually on Monday, June 27th to consider Board of Education Budget Transfer Requests.  The EWD committee is chaired by Council Member Jolene Ivey.   Council Member Deni Taveras serves as Committee Vice-Chair.   EWD committee members include Council Members Edward Burroughs III, Council Vice-Chair Sydney Harrison, and Council Member Johnathan Medlock.  The next EWD committee meeting is scheduled for September 12, 2022, at 1:30 p.m.

CHILDREN 6 MONTHS AND OLDER ELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS – COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDS VACCINATIONS FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS

Following reviews of clinical trial data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized and recommended Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children 6 months through 5 years old. Data shows both vaccine brands provide safe and effective defenses for this age group against COVID-19 infection and its most severe symptoms.

The Pfizer vaccine is a three-dose series for children 6 months through 4 years old. The first and second doses are administered three weeks apart, and the third is administered two months later. The dosage is one-tenth the strength of the adult version. Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is already authorized for use in individuals 5 and older.

Moderna’s first pediatric COVID-19 vaccine is for children 6 months through 5 years old. It is a two-dose series administered four weeks apart at one-quarter the strength of adult doses; the Moderna vaccine is already authorized for individuals 18 and older.

Health Department clinics will offer COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment only for County residents and County employees and their families. Department clinics typically focus on providing clinical services to residents who are underinsured, uninsured, and those who are insured under Medical Assistance.

Visit health.mypgc.us/covidvaccine or covidvax.maryland.gov to locate vaccine providers and make appointments.  Residents can also call Maryland’s GoVAX Call Center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE

GET YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT FOR THE 2022 PRIMARY ELECTION

Hitting the road this summer? After being housebound for more than two years because of the pandemic, we know that County residents have the travel bug. Residents traveling this summer are encouraged to vote before they go!  Request a mail-in ballot before Tuesday, July 12^TH. Completed ballots can be submitted in one of the 38 drop boxes available throughout the County. Visit elections.mypgc.us for more information.

COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK

July 5  -  Sitting as the Committee of the Whole  -  9:30 AM  -  DETAILS  

July 5  -  County Council  - 10:00 AM  -  DETAILS   

July 6  -  PHED Committee  -  1:30 PM  -  DETAILS

July 6  -  Board of Appeals  -  6:00 PM  -  DETAILS

July 7  -  HHSPS Committee  -  1:30 PM  - CANCELLED

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL MEMBERS DANNIELLE GLAROS AND TODD TURNER PARTICIPATE IN MARGAUX GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

Affordable housing comes to New Carrollton! District 3 Council Member Dannielle M. Glaros, and District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner, joined County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and other officials for the Margaux Groundbreaking Ceremony in New Carrollton on Wednesday, June 29^th.  The future home of Metro’s Maryland headquarters, the Margaux will include retail and office space, along with affordable housing options, the result of an agreement with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the Amazon Housing Equity Fund.

VICE CHAIR SYDNEY J. HARRISON HONORS DISTRICT 9 SENIORS

Council Vice Chair and District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison joined The Denney House, to host the Serving our Seniors Celebration at Hennessy Creek in Brandywine on Thursday, June 30^th.   Seniors enjoyed an afternoon of music, food, give-a-ways, and a bit of line dancing.  Vice Chair Harrison says honoring our seniors is a privilege.  “Our seniors have done so much for our communities, and this is a small way for us to say thank you for the strong foundation they have established for us to build on.”

COUNCIL MEMBER RODNEY STREETER BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW SUITLAND HIGH SCHOOL

District 7 Council Member Rodney Streeter joined County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Monica Goldson, County officials, teachers, community members and other stakeholders to break ground for the new Suitland High School on Thursday, June 30^th.  The existing school, built in 1951, will be replaced with a 389,108-square foot Comprehensive High School (CHS) and Center for Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). The new school will accommodate 2,000 students, including 500 CVPA students.

COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS, II, AND COUNCIL MEMBER TODD TURNER JOIN PRINCE GEORGE’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CELEBRATION

Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, and District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner, joined the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Celebration and Changing of the Gavel on Thursday, June 30^th.  During the evening’s event, Council Member Turner joined County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan to administer the oath of office for the new Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chair Cassius Priestly and Interim President and CEO Donna C. Graves.

HAPPY FOURTH!  

The 4th of July is just days away and the Council wants everyone to have a safe holiday! This holiday weekend, celebrate safely - and within the law. All fireworks are illegal in Prince George’s County, unless you have a permit from the State Fire Marshal.  If you wish to report illegal use of fireworks, you can call the Fire/EMS Department Operations Center at 301-583-2200.   If you have purchased or have illegal fireworks in your possession, you can turn them in without penalty under the Fireworks Amnesty Program, operated by the County Fire Department.   Call 301-583-2200.   

Stay safe and enjoy the 4th!