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.

COUNCIL PASSES LEGISLATION BANNING REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL BIAS

“Prince George's County has long been a standard bearer for homeownership for black and brown communities. There must be zero tolerance here and anywhere in our nation for real estate appraisal bias. The Real Estate Appraisal Bias Ban will establish fines of up to $10,000 for appraisal bias and direct the Office of Human Rights to enforce the law and empower our residents to report real estate appraisal bias when it happens to them. We must end real estate appraisal bias everywhere." – Council Member Mel Franklin (At-Large)

The Prince George’s County Council, during session on Tuesday, November 7, unanimously enacted CB-075-2023 establishing a ban on real estate appraisal bias in Prince George’s County. The measure prohibits real estate appraisers from considering race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability, familial status, or national origin in their appraisal analysis. READ MORE

COUNCIL SUPPORTS MEASURE INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITY-OWNED TOW TRUCK COMPANIES

During session on Tuesday, the Council also voted to support CB-078-2023, making room for more minority business enterprises and County-based small businesses to bid on Police Department towing contracts. The measure also ensures that successful bidders are treated equitably in the number of service calls received from the Police Dispatcher on the Police Vendor List.  CB-078-2023 recommends at least 51%, and no less than 29% of the total annual dollars paid from Police Department towing contracts will be paid to County-based minority business enterprises and County-based small businesses. District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha, sponsor of the measure, said learning that tow truck companies who employed felons were sometimes prohibited from bidding on contracts made no sense and served as an impetus for the measure. “When we talk about creating employment opportunities, we as a government should put our money where our mouth is. The type of contracts that we give out should not prohibit companies from doing what we push for them to do in the private sector, which is to hire people who might have made a mistake in the past and have a criminal record.”

In other Council action on Tuesday, CB-080-2023 establishing a Vacant Property Registry Program; CB-082-2023 increasing the Healthy Food Priority Area Tax Credit from 80% to 100% for eligible grocery stores within the designated healthy food priority areas; and CB-088-2023, legislation creating an creating the Cannabis Reinvestment and Restoration Board, were approved.

BOARD OF HEALTH HOSTS MENTAL HEALTH TOWN HALL

The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the Board of Health, hosted a Mental Health Town Hall on Tuesday, November 7, bringing together elected officials, law enforcement, County residents, and interested stakeholders to further examine the issue of mental health and its community impact, with a goal of understanding the challenges finding potential solutions.

COUNCIL WELCOMES FBI HEADQUARTERS TO PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

The Prince George’s County Council is eager and ready to welcome the FBI to our County following a decision more than a decade in the making that will generate over $4 billion in economic activity. There is no question that Greenbelt is the best location for this facility based on transit accessibility, construction timeline, overall cost to taxpayers and equity. This is an enormous win for the country, the FBI and the citizens of Prince George’s County! 

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY UNIVERSAL DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION WORKGROUP CONVENES FIRST MEETING

The Prince George’s County Universal Design Implementation Workgroup, established in September 2023 by the Prince George’s County Council under Council Resolution 70-2023, convened for the first time on Wednesday, November 8. The Council unanimously passed Universal Design Legislation in September to ensure safe and inclusive residential dwelling options in future housing developments for all County residents, regardless of their ability, disability, or functionality. The Universal Design Implementation Workgroup will assess how the legislation can best be implemented and administered. Additionally, the workgroup will consider what, if any, recommendations should be made to the Council on ways to improve the measure.

COUNCIL HOSTS MEET AND GREET

The Council hosted a Meet and Greet lunch with the County’s Inspector General, Anthony Bennett, LGBTQIA+ Liaison Antonio Driver, and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Anthony Ferguson on Tuesday, November 7^th.  The discussion included an overview of their roles, goals for the future, and how they might work collaboratively with the legislators to effectively serve Prince George’s County residents.

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT RECEIVE PGCPS BUDGET BRIEFING The Council’s Education and Workforce Development Committee (EWD) convened on Monday, November 6, for a briefing on the Prince George’s County Public Schools Capital Improvement Plan, including the IAC Joint Letter Request. Members of the PGCPS leadership team, which included Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Charoscra Coleman, provided a presentation highlighting accomplishments of the FY 2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and requests for the proposed FY 2025 Capital Budget and FY 25-30 CIP.

TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HOLDS BRIEFINGS ON NOISE ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT AND THE COUNTY TRANSIT TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVE

The County Council’s Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee (TIEE) met on Thursday, November 9, for two briefings on critical programs and policy updates. The first briefing, a Noise Ordinance Enforcement Update from the City of College Park, provided an overview on how the city is working with residents and business owners to address complaints and other long-standing issues. The Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) also provided updates on their noise enforcement efforts.

The meeting concluded with an update on the Transit Transformation Initiative from the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T).

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW), convened on Tuesday, November 7, to address the Transcript Analysis for a Proposed Minor Amendment to the 2009 Countywide Master Plan of Transportation and CB-103-2023 declaring certain parcels of County-owned real property as surplus and approving the County Executive’s plan for disposal of such parcels.

COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA AND COUNCIL MEMBER ED BURROUGHS JOIN WALK TO REMEMBER 13-YEAR-OLD JAYZ AGNEW

This weekend marked one year since 13-year-old Jayz Agnew was fatally shot while raking leaves in the front yard of his family’s home in Hillcrest Heights.  Police are still searching for a suspect. District 7 Council Member Krystal Oriadha and District 8 Council Member Edward Burroughs were part of a walk organized by Jayz’s mother to remember him and call for justice. Both council members recently announced programs in honor of Jayz that will provide free security cameras in Districts 7 and 8.  If you know about this case, you can stay anonymous by calling Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS.

COUNCIL MEMBER AT-LARGE CALVIN HAWKINS HOSTS VETERANS DAY LUNCHEON

Council Member At-Large Calvin S. Hawkins, II, in honor of Veterans Day and in celebration of his recent 62^nd birthday, hosted 62 veterans as his special guests for an Appreciation Luncheon at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo on Wednesday.   In his remarks to the honorees, Council Member Hawkins recalled the enduring words of President Harry S. Truman to the U.S. Congress.  “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

DISTRICT 9 COUNCIL MEMBER SYDNEY HARRISON HOSTS SPECIAL VETERANS DAY TRIBUTE

Veterans joined District 9 Council Member Sydney Harrison on Tuesday, November 7^th, for a Veterans Day Dinner at The Sanctuary at Kingdom Square in Upper Marlboro.  Council Member Harrison hosted the event honoring those who served in our armed forces and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom in our country, in partnership with the nonprofit, Operation Earnie’s Plate, and Bishop Anthony G. Maclin and the Sanctuary at Kingdom Square.  Joined by his District 9 Team and volunteers, Council Member Harrison extended a personal salute to veterans, “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all who have served and to their families that have sacrificed so much for all of us.”

DISTRICT 7 COUNCIL MEMBER KRYSTAL ORIADHA JOINS AMERICAN LEGION POST 196 FOR 85^TH VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE 

Council Member Krystal Oriadha had the privilege of joining the 85th Veterans Day Observance hosted by the American Legion Post 196 in Suitland.    Post 196 is a nonprofit, community service organization that includes the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 196 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 196.  Also participating were Maryland State Delegate Nick Charles (District 25) and City of District Heights Mayor Cynthia Miller.  Council Member Oriadha remarked, “Our freedom and rights are owed to our veterans and I’m grateful for all the men and women who protect our country.”

COUNCIL MEMBER JOLENE IVEY AND INGRID WATSON WELCOME MINISTER OF EDUCATION OF GUINEA-BISSAU TO DORA KENNEDY FRENCH IMMERSION SCHOOL IN GREENBELT

Click image to watch video

District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey and District 4 Council Member Ingrid Watson teamed up to welcome His Excellency Braima Sanha, the Minister of Education of Guinea-Bissau, to one of the best French Immersion programs in the nation, the Dora Kennedy French Immersion School in the City of Greenbelt on Wednesday. Council Members Ivey and Watson were honored to be part of His Excellency’s visit!

COUNCIL MEMBERS JOIN CELEBRITY EVENT FOCUSED ON MENTAL HEALTH 

District 5 Council Member Jolene Ivey (joined by her husband, Congressman Glenn Ivey) and District 8 Council Member Edward P. Burroughs III, were among special guests attending a wonderful event hosted by award-winning actress Taraji P. Henson, on Monday, October 30^th.  The 1920s-themed occasion held at the Planet Word Museum in Washington, D.C., focused on mental health services for people of color, as part of a Boris L. Henson Foundation initiative encouraging people to create spaces centered around joy, celebration and healing.  The foundation is named in honor of Taraji P. Henson’s dad.  Mental Health is also a key focus of the Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the County’s Board of Health.

November 14 - County Council - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

November 14 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

November 14 - Sitting as the District Council - 4:00 PM - DETAILS

November 15 - Zoning Hearing Examiner - 9:30 AM - DETAILS 

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page