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 zoning and land use, convened on Tuesday, June 20th to review zoning and land use matters. The District Council granted a request to continue Oral Arguments for Fairwood Square, located in District 6, on July 5th.  Oral Arguments for Hillside at Fort Washington in District 8 were heard, following by one Item Pending Finality, Traditions at Beechfield, located in District 6.

COUNTY COUNCIL PRESENTS MEASURES REQUIRING CAMERA SURVEILLANCE AT HIGH OCCUPANCY DWELLINGS AND SECURITY GUARDS FOR SENIOR HOUSING RESIDENCES; BETTER BAG BILL PASSED

The County Council, during session on Tuesday, June 20^th, presented CB-066-2023, legislation proposed by Council Member Wala Blegay, Esq. (District 6) requiring security surveillance at high occupancy dwellings and security guards at age-restricted senior housing residences. Under the measure, the Prince George’s County Government would require high occupancy apartment buildings comprised of more than 100 units to have security cameras located at each building with a 180-degree field of view, at entrances and exits, and each parking lot, parking garage, car park, and parking facility. For age-restricted senior housing dwellings, the bill would require at least one 12-hour security guard on duty each day of the week. Vice Chair Blegay says the measure is another step towards preventing break-ins and other types of crimes in apartments and age-restricted senior housing dwellings.

In other action on Tuesday, CB-067-2023, legislation requiring County agencies to publish annual procurement forecasts on their websites informing the public of the County’s procurement selections was also presented. CB-032-2023, Better Bag Bill legislation, was enacted. The measure reduces the distribution of single-use carryout bags and incentivizes the use of reusable bags by prohibiting the provision of single-use plastic carryout bags and requiring retailers to charge at least 10 cents for each per bag.

The Council also convened on Thursday, June 22^nd, to address CR-036-2023, legislation concerning a PILOT Agreement with Hamlet Woods Apartments, and CR-037-2023, companion legislation allocating $2.5 million in HITF Program funds to the Hamlet Woods project for gap financing of new affordable housing construction.  Both measures were adopted by the Council.

COW ADDRESSES LOCAL IMPACT GRANT FUNDS The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) received a Local Impact Spending Plan Briefing from Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director, Amber Hendricks on Tuesday, June 20th.  Immediately following the briefing, the Council voted to approve the Chair’s signature on a Proposed Correspondence to County Executive Angela Alsobrooks detailing the Council’s proposed Local Impact Grant (LIG) Fund Multi-Year Plan.

TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ADVANCES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS; RECEIVES NOISE ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT BRIEFING

The Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee (TIEE) convened on Thursday, June 22^nd, to address the County Executive’s Appointments to the Solid Waste Advisory Commission, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, and the Agriculture Resources Advisory Committee, which received favorable consideration.  Committee members also addressed CB-64-2023, Stormwater Management legislation, CB-048-2023, an Act concerning Master, Journeyman, Apprentice Electricians and Electrical Contractors, and CB-058-2023, an Act concerning the service process for antilitter and weed ordinance violations. Prior to adjournment, TIEE Committee Members held a Noise Ordinance Enforcement Briefing and welcomed former Council Member, Delegate Mary Lehman, and Delegate Tiffany Alston to the hearing room for updates on the work taking place in Annapolis to address noise abatement. Acting Deputy Police Chief Anthony Cline also provided a presentation on the Police Department’s noise control policies and procedures.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND FISCL POLICY COMMITTEE APPROVES FAIR ELECTION FUND COMMISSION NOMINEE; ADVANCES LEGISLATION ADDRESSING COUNTY REAL PROPERTY

The Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee (GOFP), convened on Tuesday, June 20th, favorably considered CB-061-2023, legislation amending provisions of the Code regulating the procedure to declare County Real Property as Surplus Property, which received favorable consideration. GOFP also convened on Thursday, June 22nd to address the Executive Appointment of Monika Jackson to the Fair Election Fund Commission, and Executive Appointments to the Personnel Board, which were all favorably approved. CR-022-2023, legislation amending the Salary Plan of the County to reflect the continuation of certain military leave benefits and the eligibility requirements for certain military leave benefits, and CR-044-2023, legislation requiring gas stations to display the credit card price on their signs were also moved forward for consideration by the full Council.

June 27 - County Council - 10:00 AM - NO COUNTY SESSION

June 28 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

RSVP TO ATTEND THE RENT STABILIZATION VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION

Join Council Member Krystal Oriadha, the Office of the County Executive, national organizations and stakeholders for virtual sessions to learn about Rent Stabilization and the impact of rent increases in Prince George's County.

GET CURRENT - ELIGIBLE WSSC WATER CUSTOMERS RECEIVE BILL CREDITS AND WAIVED FEES; RESIDENTIAL WATER SERVICE TURNOFFS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DURING UTILITY’S TEMPORARY AMNESTY PROGRAM 

WSSC Water has launched its temporary water bill amnesty program to help eligible customers with a delinquent balance as of May 1, 2023. The Get Current program, which runs the month of June, provides bill credits and waives 100 percent of late payment charges and turn-on fees for customers who qualify. During June, WSSC Water will temporarily suspend residential water service turnoffs to encourage program participation. Recent reports indicate 83,000 accounts are past due, totaling more than $53 million in total revenue – the vast majority of which are residential customers.  To learn more about WSSC Water’s Get Current program and determine if you qualify, visit wsscwater.com/getcurrent   You can find information on other customer assistance programs at wsscwater.com/assistance.

MARYLAND AVIATION FESTIVAL 

Celebrate all things Maryland Aviation with the Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County! Enjoy a day of discovery and learning with aviation professionals and organizations from across the State. Enjoy aircraft displays, networking with aviation enthusiasts and professionals, activities for children, tours, demos & more. Explore the wonders of aviation and be inspired to soar! You’re your calendar for Saturday, July 8, 2023, at The College Park Aviation Museum. 12 noon – 5:00 pm. FREE for all ages. For more information, visit www.pgparks.com

DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA CELEBRATES FEDERAL FUNDING TO COUNTY HEALTH FACILITIES  

On Wednesday, June 20th, District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha  joined with other elected officials including Maryland’s Congressional leaders, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, and Congressman Glenn Ivey; State Senator JoAnn Benson, Delegate Jazz Lewis, and Delegate Tiffany Alston, to celebrate $3 million in new federal health care funding for outpatient care in Capitol Heights.  Greater Baden Medical Services, a Federally Qualified Health Center, meeting government standards for quality of care and providing a defined range of basic health services, will now build a new outpatient facility at Ritchie Marlboro Station.  Council Member Oriadha says she and the community are grateful to the County’s federal leaders for bringing this funding back to District 7!  Another $1 million dollars will also support the Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Center in South County. 

WATCH NBC 4 NEWS COVERAGE

COUNCIL VICE CHAIR WALA BLEGAY, ESQ., AND COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE CALVIN HAWKINS JOIN CELEBRATION OF FORMER STATE SENATOR TOMMIE BROADWATER, II 

On Saturday, June 17th, County Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq. joined Prince George’s County Council Member At-Large Calvin S. Hawkins, II, on the campus of Bowie State University, for a Lifetime Achievement Celebration in honor of former Maryland State Senator Tommie Broadwater, Jr. The Honorable Tommie Broadwater, II, a lifelong County resident who was elected Prince George’s County’s first Black State Senator in 1974, and the first Black senator elected outside of Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, served in the Maryland State Senate, District 24, until 1983.  Among the most effective elected officials in the State of Maryland, he worked tirelessly while in public office to bring many Blacks into state and local government positions while encouraging everyone to reach common goals and objectives; and the number of Black elected officials also multiplied throughout Prince George’s County.  This event paid tribute to his legacy of service and leadership.   

COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE MEL FRANKLIN CELEBRATES PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY BLACK RESTAURANT WEEK, JUNE 18 – 24 

Council Member Mel Franklin encouraged residents to purchase at least one meal daily from a Black-owned sit-down restaurant in the County, as part of the 2023 Prince George’s County Black Restaurant Week, June 18 -24, 2023.  With the unanimous adoption last year of Council Resolution-077-2022, sponsored by Council Member Franklin, Black Restaurant Week in the County is recognized on the Sunday through Saturday period that includes the County’s Juneteenth Celebration and offered as an opportunity to leverage the economic power of all communities, races and backgrounds, through the support of Black- owned restaurants.  In addition to patronizing local Black-owned restaurants during the special week, residents are encouraged to also support these eateries throughout the year. As a courtesy, and for informational purposes, the Office of Council Member Franklin has published a listing of known Black-owned sit-down restaurants in the County. 

CLICK HERE: 

DISTRICT 4 COUNCIL MEMBER INGRID WATSON HOSTS SENIOR LUNCHEONS IN BOWIE AND GREENBELT

Council Member Ingrid Watson, as part of an ongoing effort to dialogue with District 4’s ‘seasoned citizens’ and hear their needs and concerns, hosted two “Meet and Greet” luncheons this month, one in Bowie and another in Greenbelt.   On June 7th, Council Member Watson, saying, “Our job is to listen to them and find ways to better serve our senior community,” hosted the Happy Go Lucky seniors at the Huntington Community Center in Bowie. She thanked State Senator Ron Watson for stopping by and briefing these engaged seniors on State matters.  On June 16th, Council Member Watson hosted a “Meet and Greet” luncheon for District 4 seniors at the Greenbelt Community Center where over 50 seniors joined her, along with City Council Member Ric Gordon and Greenbelt Mayor Emmett V. Jordan, to bring the seniors up to speed with various initiatives taking place in and around the district.  Two of the seniors in this group, at 100 years old, were centenarians!

DISTRICT 9 COUNCIL MEMBER JOINS 4EVER UNIFIED 7^TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT

District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison enjoyed attending the 4Ever United 7th Annual Community Event, on Friday, June 16th, at Stephen Decatur Middle School in Clinton.  Hosted by Partners in Law Enforcement, the community celebration is an annual community-building event promoting camaraderie between law enforcement and the citizens they serve and works to enhance confidence in police through relationship-building with youth and families. The event featured free food, games, giveaways, and live entertainment.

DISTRICT 5 COUNCIL MEMBER JOLENE IVEY VISITS PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey did something on Wednesday, June 21^st,  that she says she has wanted to do for a while - a fun photo shoot with the sweet animals at Prince George's County Animal Shelter!!! 

The pictures were taken by volunteer photographer, Jason Andrew Photography. Paying high compliments to shelter volunteers and staff for their great care, Council Member Ivey found her time with the animals to be bittersweet, as they wait for placement in good and loving homes.  Nonetheless, a good time was had by all on Wednesday.  If you are considering animal adoption, please check out the shelter first.  The Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center is located at 3750 Brown Station Rd. in Upper Marlboro.  Below are a few snapshots and a video of Council Member’s “day of fun” photo shoot at the Animal Shelter.