Council Connections

It is a New Day. We are charting in a new course, a new direction, toward a Council evermore committed to service to the People - The People's Council. We pledge to a new day where transparency and accountability are the watchwords that guide our Council and our commitment to the People’s Agenda.

The PEOPLE’S AGENDA is bringing the Council to the people and committed to the following focus areas:

• Ensuring Transparency in Our Government
• Increasing Services for Our Residents
• Preserving our Green Space and Protect Our Environment
• Supporting Smart and Quality Development for Our Community
• Supporting Our Working Families
• Increasing Opportunities for Our Local Minority Businesses and Nonprofits
• Bringing Access to Quality Healthcare to Our Communities

In the words of one of the greatest authors of our time, Dr. Maya Angelou, "Nothing will work unless you do." And nothing will work unless we do.

The County Council is proud to announce its return to in-person meetings. However, given the current state of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and to maintain the safety of the Council, staff, and members of the public, the Council is operating under modified hybrid operational procedures for other Legislative Branch services.

RENT STABILIZATION AND TOBACCO SHOP BILLS AMONG MEASURES INTRODUCED AND SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FINAL COUNCIL VOTE

During Council session on Tuesday, January 31^st, several measures were introduced, and subsequently scheduled for a public hearing and final vote. CB-007-2023, Rent Stabilization legislation, is scheduled for public hearing and enactment on Tuesday, February 28^th. CB-002-2023, CB-003-2023, CB-005-2023 and CB-009-2023, zoning measures, are scheduled for public hearing Tuesday, March 7^th at 2:30 p.m. For residents interested in providing testimony during the public hearing, please bookmark the Council’s eComment portal page, and visit often for public hearing notices and information on how to testify.

In other action, the Council enacted CB-014-2023, legislation repealing CB-77-2022, including Section 27-1706, of the Zoning Ordinance, with a commitment from Council Chair Tom Dernoga for ongoing discussions and dialogue.  The Council also voted to authorize the signature of Chair Dernoga (District 1) on Proposed Correspondence to Prince George’s County Senate Delegation Chair, Michael Jackson, and House Delegation Chair Nick Charles, transmitting the Council’s position on proposed state legislation.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY SUPPORTS STATEWIDE BILLS ADDRESSING PEOPLE’S AGENDA PRIORITIES Reviewing state and local bills with potential policy or fiscal impacts on Prince George’s County was the focus of the Council’s General Assembly Committee, chaired by Council Vice-Chair Wala Blegay, Esq., during its meeting on Tuesday morning, January 31st.  General Assembly Committee recommendations are forwarded to the full Council for approval and submitted to the Prince George’s County Delegation for consideration. After addressing local bills, the committee turned its attention to Statewide Bills on the agenda for a detailed review.

The committee voted to support four of the five statewide bills discussed, SB 156 - Prince George's County Reentry Employment Incentive Program; HB 150 - Housing and Community Development Adaptive Reuse; SB 155 - Sunday Deer Hunting and Archery Hunting Safety Zones; and SB 147 - Street Racing and Exhibition Driving. The next General Assembly Committee meeting is Tuesday, February 7th.

DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING CONSOLIDATED STORAGE FACILITIES CONTINUE DURING PLANNING, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING The Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee met on Thursday, February 2, 2023, to continue discussions concerning CB-011-2023, proposed legislation limiting where new consolidated storage facilities may be built in the County. The legislation, introduced by Council Members Jolene Ivey, Tom Dernoga (Chair), Wala Blegay (Vice-Chair), Edward Burroughs, Eric Olson, and Krystal Oriadha, would prohibit consolidated storage in Non-Residential Transit-Oriented/Activity Center Based Zones of the Zoning Ordinance.

Committee Chair Jolene Ivey noted the committee’s continued attention to the measure for the best possible outcome. “We are continuing to work on this bill. I think it is extremely important that our residents, who have grown weary of having consolidated storage facilities pop up all around them, and it cannot be the highest and best use of that land. The goal is to have these facilities in industrial areas and I have only heard positive things from citizens.  We’re continuing to work with the industry and want the best possible bill to come out of this process.” Amendments to CB-011-2023 will be addressed during the next PHED Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 7^th. Committee members also received a briefing from M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department on the 6-Year Planning Program.

COUNCIL BILL MAKES WAY FOR “JAYZ AGNEW’S LAW” IN HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE During Thursday’s Health, Human Services, and Public Safety (HHSPS) Committee, Jayz Agnew’s Mother, Juanita, testified in support of CB-008-2023, establishing a Private Security Camera Incentive Program that would encourage businesses and homeowners to set up cameras to increase security surveillance.

13-year-old Jayz was tragically killed while raking leaves outside his home. Unfortunately, neither the Agnew family nor their neighbors had home security cameras installed to capture what happened. CB-008-2023 would provide families the opportunity to purchase cameras and afford the subscriptions to store footage captured. The People’s Council is championing this bill in honor of Jayz, and once passed, this measure will be known as the “Jayz Agnew’s Law.”  Prior to adjournment, HHSPS also received a briefing on the County’s Winter Weather Emergency Response and Preparedness from the Office of Emergency Management, and a presentation on Domestic Violence Intervention Division from the Office of the Sheriff.

February 7 - General Assembly Committee  - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

February 7 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

February 7 - PHED Committee - 2:00 PM - DETAILS

February 8 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS

February 9 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

February 9 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR FY 2023 LOCAL IMPACT GRANT PROGRAM!

Nonprofits that provide community-based programs within the six-mile radius around MGM National Harbor are encouraged to apply for the FY 2023 Local Impact Grant Program.  Applications are now being accepted and are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Are you a nonprofit interested in applying but need assistance with the application process?  No worries!  The Office of the County Executive is hosting a Grant Application Workshop on Thursday, February 16^th at 6:00 PM for nonprofits that plan to apply for the FY 2023 Local Impact Grant Program. 

La Oficina de la Ejecutiva del Condado organizará un taller de Solicitud de Subvenciones el jueves 16 de febrero a las 6:00 PM para organizaciones sin fines de lucro que planean solicitar el Programa de Subvenciones de Impacto Local para el año fiscal 2023. Este taller ayudará a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro que estén interesadas en presentar una solicitud pero que busquen ayuda con el proceso de solicitud.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ERIC OLSON AND WANIKA FISHER RECEIVE PURPLE LINE BRIEFING

District 3 Council Member Eric Olson and District 2 Council Member Wanika Fisher met with the Purple Line project team on Friday, January 27^th to discuss concerns on behalf of their constituents and review construction updates on progress from New Carrollton to Langley Park.  Council Member Olson thanked the project team for the briefing, “I look forward to working together to ensure timely completion of the Purple Line. Council Member Fisher added, “Our community has been struggling with congestion, inconvenience, and economic losses. I have and will continue to work to make sure this project benefits all the residents of District 2.” 

Virtual Purple Line Community Advisory Team meetings are happening in February!  Join them for updates on construction and details on future stations nearest you. 

COUNCIL LEADERSHIP DISCUSSES VISION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AT BI-COUNTY BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE BREAKFAST MEETING

Council Chair Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Council Vice-Chair Wala Blegay (District 6) shared the ‘People’s Council’s’ commitment to increasing opportunities for Local Minority Businesses as they addressed the Bi-County Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting at the Homewood Suites Hotel in Largo on Monday, January 23^rd.  The Bi-County Business Roundtable, one of the largest roundtables in the State and surrounding Metropolitan Washington region, represents businesses throughout the state of Maryland.  

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss small business concerns with Council leadership, including permitting, procurement, certification, and real estate development issues. 

FULL HOUSE AT CREATIVE SUITLAND FOR COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA’S COMMUNITY MEET AND GREET FOR DISTRICT 7 RESIDENTS

District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha hosted her first Community Meet & Greet event for District 7 residents on Thursday evening to engage with the community and listen to residents discuss their concerns. It was standing room only as nearly 100 District 7 residents filled the room at the Creative Suitland Arts Center in Hillcrest Heights and actively participated in the community-centered conversation focused on the “People’s Agenda.”  

COUNCIL CHAIR TOM DERNOGA FEATURED RADIO GUEST ON WAMU’S POLITICS HOUR Open government and affordable housing were among the Council priorities Council Chair Tom Dernoga discussed during his live, on-air guest appearance on “The Politics Hour” with host Kojo Nnamdi and resident analyst Tom Sherwood on Friday, January 13th.  Chair Dernoga was also asked about what it’s like working with freshman lawmakers. The show airs on member-supported WAMU-FM 88.5, American University Radio.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

February is Black History Month and you’re invited to participate in the many exciting in-person and virtual events and activities planned throughout Prince George's County!  The Black History Month 2023 Exhibition:  Black Resistance! Stories from Prince George’s County is open through Sunday, March 26^th.  This year’s exhibition, curated by the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission Black History Program, highlights stories of Black resistance to oppression, and focuses on Prince George’s County from the era of enslavement to the Black Lives Matter movement of the present.  All ages, FREE.  Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD.  For more information or group tours, call 240-264-3415 or email blackhistory@pgparks.com