Council Connections

CHAMPIONSHIP COACH DaLAWN PARISH RECOGNIZED AS ‘BUILDER OF MEN’ DURING PROCLAMATION CEREMONY

DaLawn Parish, former defensive back and head football coach of the Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. Senior High School football team, has established one of the most successful and respected football programs in the state of Maryland, leading his teams to 11 County Championships, 10 regional championships, and six state titles. Dozens of his players have transitioned to collegiate football with several making it to the professional level in the NFL. As Coach Parish steps down from his role, Council Members presented him with a Proclamation on Tuesday, February 13th, recognizing his leadership on and off the playing field. After accepting the commendation, Coach Parish thanked the Council and members of the wider community for their unyielding support.“It was an honor to have coached all these young people, to be an educator - I value that. I will remember all my time at Dr. Henry A. Wise forever. It’s not about one, it takes all of us.  If we want a due change, all of us have to get involved and be a part of that.”

LEGISLATION SUPPORTING MARYLAND REPARATIONS COMMISSION IS PRESENTED

The County Council, during session on Tuesday, February 13^th, presented CR-005-2024 supporting the creation of a state commission to study reparations for descendants of African Americans who were formally enslaved in Maryland. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2), encourages the Maryland General Assembly to establish a commission during the current legislative session. The Maryland Reparations Commission (Harriet Tubman Community Investment Act) has been introduced in the Maryland House of Delegates and is currently in committee.

In other action on Tuesday, the Council presented CB-006-2024 allowing for the creation of the Re-Entry Preferred Hiring Fund that will reserve a portion of County funds to be exclusively utilized for the hiring of individuals with non-violent criminal offense(s); and introduced CR-006-2024 establishing a task force to provide the Council, sitting as the Board of Health, with recommendations on nutritional and other standards for incarcerated individuals in the Prince George's County Correctional Facility in response to concerns about nutritional disparities

GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME PILOT PROGRAM IS FOCUS OF COUNCIL BRIEFING

The County’s Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program, tailored to the needs and resources in the County in conjunction with aid from The Greater Washington Community Foundation, provides low-income families with cash assistance to support their basic needs, such as food and utilities, without strings attached or repayment requirements. Residents selected to participate in the program receive monthly cash stipends for 24 months to ensure the financial security of families, reduce debt, and increase financial equity. During Council session on Tuesday, February 13^th, The Greater Washington Community principals and subject matter experts briefed the Council, providing updates on the program and responding to questions from Council Members related to the selection process and the program’s impact on County residents.

The County Council, sitting as the District Council on land use matters, convened on Monday, February 12^th to review Items Referred for Document and Items Pending Finality.

BOARD OF HEALTH CONVENES FIRST MEETING OF LEGISLATIVE YEAR

The County Council, sitting as the Board of Health, convened its first meeting of Legislative Year 2024 on Tuesday, February 13^th. The meeting began with a legal framework overview from Legislative Attorney Leroy Maddox, followed by a Health Department overview from the County’s Health Officer, Dr. Matthew Levy, and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services and Education, Sanmi Areola, Ph.D.

COUNCIL AND PLANNING BOARD CONDUCT JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

The County Council sitting as the District Council and the Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission held a Joint Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 13^th on proposed amendments to the endorsed Bowie-Mitchellville and Vicinity Sectional Map Amendment, welcoming residents and stakeholders to the Council Hearing Room to provide testimony and public comment. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENES FOR LOCAL AND STATEWIDE BILL UPDATES The General Assembly Committee convened on Tuesday, February 13th to receive updates on local and statewide bills impacting Prince George’s County, including HB 892 Criminal Law – Benefits Trafficking, HB 601/ SB 442 Street Racing and Exhibition Driving – Prohibited Acts, Enforcement, and Penalties, SB 537 Cannabis - Licensee Locations – Restrictions, MC/PG 105-24 Qualifying Municipal Corporation – Land Use, and HB 814 Juvenile Law – Reform. For a complete list of measures reviewed during General Assembly, Click HERE.

POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY BOARD PRESENTS ITS 2023 ANNUAL REPORT TO HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

The Prince George’s County Council’s Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee (HHSPS) welcomed the County’s Police Accountability Board to its meeting on Thursday, February 15^th, for an overview of their 2023 Annual Report and recommendations. The 11-member PAB is charged with receiving complaints of police misconduct and referring them for investigation; reviewing the disciplinary outcomes of investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies; and identifying trends in the disciplinary processes of police officers in the County and providing policy recommendations.  Executive Appointments to the Commission for Women were also advanced to the Council for consideration during Thursday’s HHSPS.

COMMISSION AND BOARD APPOINTMENTS MOVE FORWARD DURING PLANNING, HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

The Commission on Common Ownership Communities ensures the proper establishment and operation of homeowners’ associations, condominium associations and cooperative housing units. On Thursday, February 15^th, the Council’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee convened for a briefing of the Commission's goals and recent activities. Following the presentation, committee members favorably approved the County Executive’s appointments to the commission.  Committee members then turned their attention to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, receiving a briefing and approving appointments.

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR COMMUTER BUS RIDERS

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)  has proposed reductions to  its commuter bus service.  Most of the impacted bus routes are outside of Prince George’s County, but a few may impact commuter bus riders in the County.   MTA is holding five public hearings – three virtual and two in-person) on the proposed changes between March 18^th  and 27^th.  Public comments will be accepted through April 29, 2024.  To learn more about the proposal or how to participate in the public hearings,  please visit https://www.mta.maryland.gov/commuter-bus2024

COUNCIL MEMBER CALVIN HAWKINS ANNOUNCES PLAN TO COMBAT YOUTH VIOLENCE

In an effort to combat rising youth violence and crime in the County, At-Large Council Member Calvin Hawkins, III has teamed up with community and business leaders to launch a new strategy that will help young people choose a path of peace and positivity. The plan, developed with CEO of Young Mindz Inc. Dominic Henry as well as Eddie Mathis, was announced at a packed press conference on Monday, February 19th. The four-prong approach includes a mentorship program with young adults who have avoided the criminal justice system, and returning citizens who have turned their lives around. Emmanuel Bailey, President of DC09, pledged to donate $25,000 to the effort and match all additional donations up to $50,000.  Council Member Hawkins says additional business donations have brought the total to $100,000. “I will stake every ounce of energy in my body to help each and every one of you stop the violence in our community,” Council Member Hawkins told the crowd.

CHAIR JOLENE IVEY CO-HOSTS ‘LOVE SHOULDN’T HURT’ WORKSHOP

In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Council Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) hosted her annual ‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt’ interactive workshop. The workshop was presented by the Prince George’s County Department of Family Services in partnership with Chair Ivey’s husband, Congressman Glenn Ivey. Teen dating violence is far too common in the U.S. with 1 in 12 high school students experiencing it, according to the CDC. If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

VICE CHAIR SYDNEY HARRISON VISITS SICKLE CELL UNIT AT UM CAPITAL REGION MEDICAL CENTER

Council Vice Chair Sydney Harrison (District 9) toured the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center’s Palliative Medicine and Sickle Cell Unit in Largo, walking away with a better understanding of the important work being done each day. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder of the red blood cells that’s more common in Black Americans than other ethnicities. The disease occurs in 1 out of every 365 Black Americans, according to the CDC.

COUNCIL MEMBER WANIKA FISHER SPEAKS AT LIDL GRAND OPENING IN HYATTSVILLE

Lidl Grocery Store is now open on Queens Chapel Rd. in Hyattsville, and District 2 Council Member Wanika Fisher spoke at the store’s grand opening event. Fisher says she heard many concerns from residents when the prior grocery store in the location closed, and with fresh food access a high priority, she’s thrilled by this new addition.

February 20 - General Assembly Committee - 9:00 AM - DETAILS

February 20 - County Council - 10:00 AM (Agenda Briefing)

February 20 - County Council - 11:30 AM - DETAILS

February 20 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 1:30 PM - DETAILS 

February 21 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM  - DETAILS

February 22 - TIEE Committee - 10:00 AM  - DETAILS

February 22 - GOFP Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page