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.

DISTRICT COUNCIL ADDRESSES ZONING AND LAND USE MATTERS The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on land use matters, convened on Monday, May 15th and Tuesday, May 16th to review zoning and land use matters. Monday’s District Council Session included Items for Discussion, New Cases, and Items Pending Finality.   The District Council also heard Oral Arguments for Westphalia Business Center 1 and 2, located in District 6 at the intersection of MD4 and Melwood Road. Following the Oral Arguments, Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq. (District 6) made a motion to refer the item to staff to prepare an order of disapproval.

Tuesday’s District Council session included one Item Referred for Document, Westphalia Business Center 1 and 2.  Council Vice Chair Blegay offered a motion to adopt the Prepared Order of Disapproval, which was supported 10-0. The District Council is granted authority to act on zoning matters by the State of Maryland Regional District Act.  Learn more about the District Council HERE.

COUNTY COUNCIL APPROVES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS; ADOPTS LEGISLATION

The Prince George’s County Council, convening in session on Tuesday, May 16^th voted unanimously to approve County Executive Angela Alsobrooks’ Executive Appointments to the Cable Television Commission, charged with advocating for and protecting the public interest in the regulation and the development of the cable communications systems. The Council also enacted CB-035-2023, legislation concerning the Classification Plan for the County, CB-023-2023, legislation concerning Contract Approvals, approving certain multiyear contracts, and CR-052-2023, a Resolution expressing the Council’s support for declaring May 19, 2023, as Bike to Work Day in Prince George’s County.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ADDRESSES COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS

The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) convened on Tuesday, May 16^th to address two measures concerning Compensation and Benefits for public safety officials.  CR-024-2023, proposed legislation amending the County Salary Plan for Majors in the Fire/EMS Department, to reflect cost of living adjustments for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, merit increases, maximum pay rate increases and holiday leave and pay modifications. CR-025-2023, legislation to amend the Salary Plan of Captain and Majors in the Department of Corrections, to reflect the following modifications: cost of living adjustments and wage scale adjustments for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. Both measures were favorably approved.  As a part of an Additions Package, the Council also addressed CB-045-2023, proposed legislation to allow the alternate development regulations to govern development at targeted development and redevelopment areas in the County, subject to location requirements within specified Transit Center areas in Prince George's County. All measures were approved by COW for County Council consideration.

May 23 - County Council - 10:00 AM - NO COUNCIL SESSION

May 24 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

May 25 - County Council - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL ADOPTS FY2024 COUNTY BUDGET ON THURSDAY, MAY 25^th  

The Prince George’s County Council, as the County’s fiscal authority, will convene Council Session on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., for the FY 2024 Budget Adoption:

• Adoption of WSSC, WSTC, Revenue Authority and Redevelopment Authority budgets
• Adoption of the Prince George’s County portion of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Budget
• Adoption of the County Current Expense Budget, Capital Improvement Program, Capital Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for FY 2024

The County Charter requires a new and balanced spending plan for the County by June 1.  The new fiscal year begins on July 1.  Budget Adoption will take place in the Council Hearing Room, Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, First Floor, 1301 McCormick Drive, Largo, Maryland.  This is a public meeting.  To watch live, please visit https://pgccouncil.us/Live

TRIAL BOARD JUDGES RECRUITMENT

The Office of the County Executive is now accepting letters of interest and resumes from judges wishing to be appointed as judge members for the Trial Boards that will be utilized by law enforcement agencies in Prince George’s County. Judges wishing to be considered should apply no later than 11:59 PM on June 1, 2023, via email to pgcboardsvacancy@co.pg.md.us

OPEN CALL – SEEKING CIVILIANS TO SERVE ON THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD  

The Police Accountability Board is seeking candidates to serve as Civilian Members on the Administrative Hearing Board.  Interested Prince George’s County residents are encouraged to email a letter of interest and their resume to: pgpab@co.pg.md.us  Civilian Members selected to serve on the Administrative Hearing Board are required to attend a two-day training held by the Police Training and Standards Commission. See the attached Administrative Hearing Board Civilian Position Announcement (flyer) for more details.

COUNCIL CHAIR TOM DERNOGA PARTICIPATES IN RIBBON-CUTTING FOR NEW UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND LAUREL MEDICAL CENTER

The moment so many have been waiting for arrived on Wednesday, May 17th!   Council Chair Tom Dernoga (District 1) was among elected officials, hospital executives, and community members on hand to cut the ribbon for the new University of Maryland Laurel Medical Center, as the community embarks on a new era of healthcare and innovation in Prince George’s County.  “Healthcare is a cornerstone of any great community, and this is moving us in that direction,” said Council Chair Dernoga, who represents the area.  Council Member At-Large Mel Franklin also attended Wednesday’s event.  The new facility is offering daily 24/7 emergency services with enhanced observation care, primary, specialty, wound care, outpatient surgery and more!  The  hospital ribbon-cutting paves the way for the official opening of the UM Laurel Medical Center on June 4, 2023.

COUNCIL MEMBER JOLENE IVEY HOSTS PUBLIC SAFETY AND MENTAL HEALTH TOWN HALL MEETING

District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey hosted a Town Hall Meeting on Public Safety and Mental Health on Monday, May 15th, at the Kentland Community Center.   Residents heard from Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz, Prince George’s County Sheriff John Carr, and Jean (JB) Moore, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Mental Health (NAMI), Prince George’s County, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by mental illnesses in Prince George's County. The town hall  event also featured a violin solo from Officer Alexander Strachan and words from T-Kea Blackman, who spoke of her mental health struggles. Maryland State Senator Malcolm Augustine and Delegate Julian Ivey shared updates on mental health related legislation, and representatives from Employ Prince George’s, DPIE, and the Salvation Army were on hand providing information and resources, along with volunteers from the Flowers High School Principal Action Committee. Did you know that 1 in 5 U.S adults experience mental illness yearly, and less than half receive treatment? If you are dealing with a mental health crisis, dial 2-1-1, then press 1. Mental health specialists are available 24 hours a day to provide aid.  You can also call the NAMI Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) M-F, 10 am – 10 pm.  If your life or someone else’s is in imminent danger, please call 911.

COUNCIL MEMBER WANIKA FISHER HOSTS “AAPI LEADERSHIP AND BREAKING BARRIERS IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY” EVENT; ALSO JOINS WHUR BROADCAST FOR A DISCUSSION ABOUT “ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AND THE CULTURE CLASH

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, and here in Prince George’s County, throughout the region and across the country, there are events happening to highlight the history and culture of Asians in America.  On Thursday, May 18th, District 2 Council Member Wanika Fisher, the first AAPI to serve on the County Council, hosted the “AAPI Leadership and Breaking Barriers in Prince George’s County,” event honoring the first AAPI elected to the State Legislature in Prince George’s County, the Honorable David Valderrama. Council Member Fisher was honored to have Maryland Lt. Governor, the Honorable Aruna Miller as the keynote speaker for this event, which also featured food, entertainment and more. On Monday, May 15th, Council Member Fisher, along with Elaine Tso, CEO, Asian Services in Action, joined veteran broadcaster Harold Fisher for a discussion about addressing culture clashes the AAPI community has faced.

CELEBRATE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH!  

The month of May and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month offer another important opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity of Prince George’s County, as we join the nation in recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States and Prince George’s County!