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:

• Ensure Transparency in Our Government
• Increase Services for Our Residents
• Preserve our Green Space and Protect Our Environment
• Support Smart and Quality Development for Our Community
• Support Our Working Families
• Increase Opportunities for Our Local Minority Businesses and Nonprofits
• Bring 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.

LEGISLATION LIMITING WHERE FUTURE CANNABIS DISPENSARIES CAN BE LOCATED MOVES FORWARD DURING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Cannabis Reform Act, enacted earlier this year by the Maryland General Assembly, permits the sale of recreational cannabis - no longer limiting the sale of cannabis to medicinal purposes only. On Tuesday, October 17^th, the Council’s Committee of the Whole favorably considered CB-070-2023, which will amend the County Code to comply with the CRA by removing the medical requirement for the sale of cannabis. The measure will also address the sale of cannabis in certain zones, limiting future locations to industrial or light industrial zones. Residents, dispensary owners, and community stakeholders participated in the hours-long meeting, providing public testimony on the measure's potential impact. CB-070-2023 received favorable committee consideration. CR-085-2023 transmitting Local Impact Grant Funds, CR-073-2023, and CR-074-2023, Omnibus Bill-related measures also moved forward for Council consideration.

PLANNING, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REVIEWS PEOPLE'S COUNCIL MEASURES The Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee convened on Monday, October 16th for the review of several measures, including CB-025-2023, legislation adding a new requirement in the design standards of the Zoning Ordinance prohibiting the placement of freestanding "donation boxes" for collection of personal and household items for collection;  CB-097-2023, legislation created to help elevate some of the discrimination County returning citizens face in their quest for adequate housing; CR-081-2023 establishing the Plan Prince George’s 2035 Implementation and Infrastructure Task Force; and  CR-086-2023 approving certain transfers of appropriations within the Approved FY 2023-24 Recreational Fund, which were all favorably considered. CB-052-2023 legislation addressing the saturation of townhomes outside areas designated for medium-to high-density development in the County's approved General Plan was held, with consideration given to the task force established to address the issue. CR-083-2023, which will be held for additional discussion on November 2nd, sets as the policy of the Council to implement a public facilities adequacy formula of building permit allocation in established land use and development policies in the County, and ensure the orderly development of land and uses, to address the public safety, health, and welfare of the citizens and residents of Prince George's County.

COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA ADDRESSES NOMINATIONS, EMERGENCY WAIT TIMES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY

The Council’s Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee (HHSPS), convened Thursday, October to 19th to consider Executive nominations, legislation, and receive a briefing overview from the County’s Department of Corrections.  HHSPS approved the County Executive’s nominations to the County Fire Commission, moving them forward for full Council consideration.  HHSPS unanimously approved legislation establishing a Task Force to Address Hospital Emergency Wait Times, first amending the measure to increase the number of Task Force stakeholders from 13 to 18, and then advancing it to the County Council agenda.  As part of the committee discussion on Corrections, the Council also received an update and recommendations from Guns Down Friday on addressing violence in our communities.

COUNCIL APPROVES REVENUE AUTHORITY BOARD APPOINTMENT

The Revenue Authority Board of Prince George's County exercises its powers for projects - within the County's boundary lines - devoted to public uses to stimulate employment and economic growth. On Tuesday, October 17^th, the County Council unanimously approved the County Executive’s reappointment of Necole M. Parker to the board. 

COUNCIL WELCOMES BABY EZRA! Welcome Baby Ezra! We’re sending love and support to District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha who delivered a healthy baby boy last week. Just a day after giving birth, Council Member Oriadha virtually participated in Council proceedings from the hospital. We’re so excited to welcome a new addition to our Council family!

VICE CHAIR WALA BLEGAY HOSTS GHANA BUSINESS FORUM

Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay (District 6), along with the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation and Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce, hosted the Ghana Tourism Authority at the Serengeti Gallery in Capitol Heights. The Council continues to foster relationships and economic partnerships in Africa, and the forum was to discuss mutually beneficial business opportunities in Prince George’s County, which is among the wealthiest African American communities in the country and home to many African immigrants.

COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON JOINS COLLABORATION FOR IMPACT ROUNDTABLE

District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison joined mentoring and youth development leaders representing organizations in Prince George’s County and Southern Maryland to ‘Collaborate for Impact,’ on Monday, October 16^th, in Landover.  Over the last several months, Mentor MD/DC, with a stated mission to fuel the quality and quantity of mentoring relationships for Maryland and DC’s young people and to close the mentoring gap, has been hosting regional roundtables to collaborate.  Council Member Harrison says it was a great experience meeting community leaders and bringing remarks to local nonprofits in Prince George's County, which are doing great work by providing much needed resources to County residents.

COUNCIL MEMBER INGRID WATSON HOSTS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FOR DISTRICT 4 HOA’S

Council Member Ingrid Watson offered a HUGE THANK YOU to all who attended and participated in the District 4 HOA Roundtable in Greenbelt on Wednesday evening!  She sincerely appreciated distinguished guests - Bryce Boyd, DPW&T; MaShawn Hall, Office of Community Relations; and State legislators - Senator Alonzo Washington and Delegate Marvin Holmes, for sharing such invaluable information with residents!  Stay tuned for the next series of District 4 HOA Roundtables starting in early 2024!

COUNCIL MEMBER WANIKA FISHER BRAVES THE WEATHER FOR THE HYATTSVILLE ZOMBIE RUN

District 2 Council Member Wanika Fisher kicked off the annual Hyattsville Zombie Run last Saturday, October 14th! A little rain didn’t stop this great event organized by the Hyattsville Elementary PTA to raise funds for neighborhood schools.  Donations support the purchase of art supplies, instruments, teacher appreciation efforts, school beautification, classroom supplies, and more.

APPLY NOW FOR COUNCIL’S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GRANT

The Prince George’s County Council, committed to ending domestic violence and abuse in the County, has appropriated $500,000 in FY 2024 in the latest round of grant funding to support the Council’s Domestic Violence Grant Program.  Nonprofits who serve this need in the County participated in a Pre-Proposal Conference last week.  There is still time to apply!  Applications close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.   

APPLY NOW!

Visit https://pgccouncil.us/DVGP for additional information.   

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 

Prince George’s County has one of the highest mortality rates of breast cancer in the state of Maryland.  The Council, in its role as the Board of Health, reminds residents that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer.  Early detection will help to change the statistics.  We’re going PINK together in Prince George’s County to help uplift women and men in need. CLICK HERE for more information.

October 23 - Sitting as the District Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

October 23 - GOFP Committee - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

October 23 - County Council - 11:30 AM - DETAILS

October 23 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

October 24 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

October 24 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

October 25 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS

October 26 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

October 26 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page