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 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.
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 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.
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COUNCIL PRESENTS LEGISLATION EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, AND INTRODUCES MEASURE CONCERNING NURSE PATIENT RATIOS; COUNCIL BILL ADDRESSING PROLIFERATION OF TOBACCO SHOPS PASSES
 The Prince George’s Council, during session on Tuesday, March 7th, presented CB-030-2023, County Based Business Utilization legislation sponsored by Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq. (District 6). Under the proposed measure, certified County-based small businesses will have the right of first award for County procurements at or under $150,000 unless the total invoice exceeds the prevailing market range. Council Member Blegay says the legislation reaffirms her commitment to supporting the County’s small and minority businesses. “Many of the County’s certified small and minority businesses are owned and operated by Prince Georgians. These are also the businesses that employ County residents. I am committed to doing everything within my purview to ensure they are provided with opportunities to grow and thrive in the communities where they live.” Vice Chair Blegay, concerned about the impact of nurse-patient ratios on the level of care provided to patients in urgent care facilities and hospitals in the County, also sponsored Council Resolution 013-2023, legislation encouraging the state of Maryland to ensure an optimum level of care for patients by creating a standard for nurse-patient ratios, which was introduced during Council session on Tuesday.
READ THE PRESS RELEASE FOR CB-030-2023
READ THE PRESS RELEASE FOR CR-013-2023
The Council also passed CB-009-2023, legislation amending the hours of operation in the Zoning Ordinance for approval of special exceptions for tobacco shops, electronic cigarette shops, or retail tobacco business uses. The measure also prevents establishment in close proximity to schools and other tobacco shops, and prohibits certain displays and signs. Council Member Ed Burroughs, III, sponsor of the bill, says this legislation is long overdue. “This is the first step of many to raise the quality of development here in Prince George’s County. We are a very unique and special place and it’s important that the retail we have reflects the dignity and the standards of the people that live in our community.”
In other action, Council Members addressed Proposed Correspondence, and conducted public hearings for County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ Executive Appointments to the Police Accountability Board and the Human Rights Commission, which were approved. The Council passed CB-005-2023, amending the time period in the Zoning Ordinance for development of gas station uses and CR-006-2023, permanently adopting the County’s Climate Action Plan, following public testimony. There was also a public hearing for CB-002-2023, which the Council held. The proposed measure amends the procedures for public notice, review, consideration and approval of text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
COUNCIL HOSTS ‘MEET AND GREET’ WITH MARYLAND COMPTROLLER BROOKE LIERMAN
 The County Council welcomed Maryland’s 34th comptroller and the first woman ever elected to the position, Brooke Lierman, to the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo on Tuesday, March 7th, for an informal ‘Meet and Greet.’ Comptroller Lierman addressed a host of questions and comments from Council Members, including concerns about staffing; legal sports betting and tax revenues; small, minority and women-owned businesses; public engagement; transportation issues including Maglev and the beltway expansion; and compliance issues. “I was thrilled to meet with the Prince George’s County Council during Small and Minority Business Week to share my ideas on how the Office of the Comptroller can help Prince George’s County’s small businesses prosper,” said Comptroller Brooke Lierman. “During our meeting, we discussed a variety of issues, including the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, improving our agency outreach to multilingual communities across Prince George’s County, and ensuring that our office is accessible and transparent. I am eager to establish a new era of partnership between local governments and the Office of the Comptroller and look forward to partnering to build more prosperous and resilient communities.” Information was also shared on the Board of Public Works, resources for immigrant communities on tax filings and drivers’ licenses, and tax enforcement. Council Chair Tom Dernoga thanked Comptroller Lierman for the informative discussion and important updates.
SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FILL COUNCIL HEARING ROOM FOR COUNCIL’S EVENING TOWN HALL MEETING ON STRENGTHENING PROCUREMENT IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
 The People’s Council hosted a “Strengthening Procurement in Prince George’s County Town Hall” event on Tuesday, March 7th , in a week-long series of activities focused on the County’s small and minority business community. The evening town hall began at 6 p.m. to accommodate working schedules and was held in the Council Hearing Room in Largo. Council Members stated the critical importance of ensuring that the County’s procurement process is conducted in an open, fair and competitive environment to the benefit of everyone and that concerns in the business community, especially the minority business community, are addressed. Tuesday’s Procurement Town Hall specifically focused on County-based businesses and their experiences with the procurement process, in response to requests for more information and transparency from the minority business community, and to achieve a stronger process in the County.
 
During Tuesday’s Council Session this week, Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq., (District 6), in keeping with a core tenet of the People’s Agenda committed to increasing opportunities for local minority businesses and nonprofits in the County, introduced Council Bill-030-2023 – County Based Business Utilization legislation. “Small and minority businesses are the engines that drive the local economy and contribute to our growth and prosperity. I am committed to doing everything within my purview to ensure they are provided with opportunities to grow and thrive in the communities where they live.” Under the measure, certified County-based small businesses will have the right of first award for County procurements at or under $150,000 unless the total invoice exceeds the prevailing market range.
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OVERWHELMING RESPONSE FROM SMALL AND MINORITY BUSINESSES TO COUNCIL NETWORKING RECEPTION
There was a packed house in the Tech Lounge of the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building on Thursday evening as small and minority business owners in the County stood shoulder to shoulder for the Council’s Minority Business Networking Reception hosted by Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esquire, and Council Members Jolene Ivey, Krystal Oriadha, and Edward P. Burroughs III, who all noted that the People’s Council is fully committed to working with Black and Brown businesses, as the backbone of the local economy, helping Prince George’s businesses thrive, and bringing together the best minds to forge a path for more opportunities for all. “One of the core tenets of ‘The People’s Agenda’ is Increasing Opportunities for Minority Businesses and Nonprofits, and we look forward to continuing to engage with our local business community and working with them so they can share in Prince George’s County’s growth and prosperity,” said Vice Chair Blegay. Program participants also included Council Chair Tom Dernoga, Council Member Eric Olson, Bowie Mayor Tim Adams, and Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Maryland Delegate Darryl Barnes (District 25, Prince George’s County). Council Member Wanika Fisher and Ingrid Watson were in attendance as well, as were government agency, and representatives from the Financial Services Corporation (FSC), the premier lending partner for businesses in the region, and Industrial Bank.
VIEW PHOTOS
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GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE REVIEWS STATE AND LOCAL BILLS
The Council’s General Assembly Committee met Tuesday, March 7th for their ongoing review of state and local bills with potential policy or fiscal impacts on Prince George’s County. The committee, which meets again on Tuesday, March 14th at 9:00 a.m., voted to support the following bills:
HB 1109: Economic Development – Business Improvement Districts
SB 542: Public Safety - Emergency Management - Consumer Protections Against Price Gouging
HB 329: Public Health - Commission on Universal Health Care
HB 705 / SB 798: Declaration of Rights - Right to Reproductive Freedom
HB 840 / SB 743: Climate, Labor, and Environmental Equity Act of 2023
HB 1201 Establishing the Public-Private Partnership Oversight Review Board
SB 285 County Police Accountability Boards – Investigation of Complaints of Police
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TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE RECEIVES WSSC BRIEFING FROM ON EXTENSION NEEDS FOR THE UNDERSERVED
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Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) General Manager Kishia Powell, and Deputy General Manager of Administration Joe Beach provided the Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee (TIEE) with a briefing on Unserved and Underserved Communities Thursday, March 9th. The briefing provided committee members with an overview of unserved and underserved communities, along with affordability challenges, workgroup recommendations, potential funding sources, and external funding requests, followed by a question and answer period.
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GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCAL POLICY COMMITTEE FORWARDS OPEN DATA LEGISLATION TO COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION |
 The Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee (GOFP), convened on Thursday, March 9th, for the review of three Council bills, including CB-020-2023, an Act concerning the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds and General Obligation Stormwater Management Bonds; CB-022-2023, an Act concerning cable television; and CB-010-2023 and Act concerning Prince George’s County Open Data, legislation requiring the county to make public data sets available on a single web portal and develop technical standards for publishing. All three measures were favorably approved for Council consideration.
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JOIN US! PROPERTY STANDARDS, ENFORCEMENT, PERMITTING, AND INSPECTIONS TOWN HALL MEETING
 Please join the Prince George's County Council for an in-person Town Hall Meeting on Property Standards, Enforcement, Permitting, and Inspections! The People’s Council wants to hear your ideas on making these County functions more responsive to residents, business owners, and the community!
DATE: Tuesday, March 21, 2023; 6:00pm
LOCATION: Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1st Floor Hearing Room
1301 McCormick Drive, Largo, Maryland 20774
Click https://bit.ly/DPIESurvey and take our constituent survey about the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) services.
Register to speak HERE. On-site registration is now available, however, advance registration to testify is strongly encouraged.
DISTRICT 5 COUNCIL MEMBER JOLENE IVEY JOINS CONGRESSMAN GLENN IVEY TO CO-HOST FORECLOSURE AND EVICTION PREVENTION WORKSHOP DISTRICT TWO COUNCIL
 District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey and Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey, committed to working to address homelessness and affordability to ensure everyone has access to affordable housing, joined to co-host a Foreclosure and Eviction Prevention Workshop at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover on Saturday, March 4th. Residents lined up early to attend the day-long event providing onsite assistance for homeowners and renters facing foreclosure or eviction. Council Member Ivey commented, “There are thousands of Prince Georgians facing foreclosure and eviction, and we want to provide them with the tools necessary to work through their housing challenges. Homeowners and tenants who are displaced are often forced into precarious housing situations, including homelessness, which impacts entire communities.” Housing counselors, attorneys, and loan servicers, including representatives from Housing Initiative Partners (HIP) Homes, Casa De Maryland, Homefree USA, Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development, and Employ Prince George’s were on hand to share resources and help participants identify solutions for their housing challenges. Attendees also heard from Community Legal Services of Prince George’s County Inc. Executive Director Jessica Quincosa; Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Josephine Mourning; and Prince George’s County Sheriff John Carr, as they learned more about Maryland’s foreclosure and eviction laws, and the rights and obligations of homeowners and renters.
COUNCIL MEMBERS CELEBRATE THE 44TH ANNUAL EVENING WITH LABOR
 Members of the People’s Council joined hundreds of metro-area labor activists, leaders and allies last Friday night to celebrate the 44th annual Evening with Labor, pay tribute to the award winners, and honor the rank-and-file union members who fuel the local labor movement’s achievements and victories. Pictured (L to R) are Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO President Dyana Forester, Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7), Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq. (District 6), Council Member Eric Olson (District 3), and Council Member Edward Burroughs III (District 8).
 Also pictured with Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO President Dyana Foster are Congressman Glenn Ivey and Council Member Jolene Ivey.
DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL MEMBER WANIKA FISHER AND GREATER PRINCE GEORGE’S BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSS SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES
District 2 Council Member Wanika Fisher, an invited special guest, joined a discussion hosted by the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable this week, exploring how to work together to support small businesses and improve the quality of life for District 2 residents and constituents across the County. The Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable is a non-profit, nonpartisan business alliance of Chief Executives, led by a Board of Directors, composed of concerned and active business leaders from the county and region, whose companies employ nearly 60,000 people, helping to strengthen Prince George’s County and the region.
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COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE MEL FRANKLIN JOINS DISTRICT 4 COLLEAGUE INGRID WATSON AT BSU CLIMATE CAREER EXPO EVENT
Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin joined District 4 Council Member Ingrid Watson on Thursday, March 9th for the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) Climate Career Expo at Bowie State University. In her remarks, Council Member Watson commended Bowie State for partnering with GWRCCC to provide this important learning and job opportunity for students. “Bowie State University is always ahead of the curve, providing intentional, innovative, learning experiences for its students, and the larger community, and I want to commend President Breaux for her visionary and transformational leadership that continues to guide this University into its great future.” Council Member Franklin discussed the importance of Prince George’s County remaining at the cutting edge of positioning our young people for opportunities in the Clean Energy economy. BSU students seeking job opportunities in sustainability and climate action connected with employers from national, state and local agencies at the event. Just this past week, the People’s Council passed CR-006-2023, a resolution permanently adopting the County’s first Climate Action Plan and directing the Department of Environment to lead the County’s efforts in the implementation of 26 priority recommendations identified by the County’s Climate Action Commission.
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CELEBRATING WOMEN WHO TELL OUR STORIES – HAPPY WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!
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