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COUNCIL ADOPTS PERMANENT RENT STABILIZATION BILL
  On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the final Council meeting until September, Council passed multiple bills, including a permanent rent stabilization measure. The bill, CR-55-2024, will cap yearly rent increases for buildings constructed prior to the year 2000 at 6% or the regional inflation rate plus 3%, whichever is lower. It will cap rent increases at age-restricted and senior housing centers at a maximum of 4.5% and also prohibit landlords from imposing new fees for services and amenities in the midst of a lease.
Council also adopted CB-32-2024, a bill that would provide more flexibility on how MGM Casino revenue is spent, allowing for funds to be used for youth employment, financial literacy and resources for senior citizens. Council went on to adopt CB-33-2024 which requires at least half of the positions of any County funded youth employment program be reserved for those from households making 30% or less of the Washington DC Area Median Income, subject to certain conditions. A bill seeking to improve implementation of the County’s new, streamlined Zoning Ordinance by revising certain procedures and regulations, and adding clarifying language, CB-15-2024 was narrowly adopted by Council as well.
COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION TO ADVANCE P3 SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
 Also on Tuesday, Council also adopted a measure that approved the Council’s portion of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding for phase 2 of the County’s P3 (public-private partnership) school construction project. The resolution, CR-63-2024, needed to be approved by the end of July to allow funding for P3 construction to continue. School and state leaders joined Council Members for a press conference in support of the bill.
SUMMER INTERNS PRESENT LEGISLATION IDEAS BEFORE COUNCIL
The Council is excited to welcome interns from the Summer Youth Enrichment Program, which offers County youth a variety of work experiences. At Tuesday’s Council meeting, interns presented ideas for legislation to the Council that they believe would improve the learning environment in classrooms and increase safety outside their schools. Proposals included increasing accountability for school resource officers, introducing traffic safety education in schools, and offering more comprehensive sex education. Council Members and staff were thoroughly impressed by their fresh perspectives and hard work on the presentations! The future of Prince George's County is bright!
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COUNCIL MAKES MULTIPLE APPOINTMENTS
 Council has appointed the following to the Board of Appeals: Omar Boulware, Phillippa Johnston, and Dwayne Stanton. Mr. Boulware has been designated as Chair, and Ms. Johnston has been designated as Vice Chair. Council has confirmed the appointments of Dr. Kara N. Hunt to the Board of Ethics for Prince George's County, and Ms. Alicia A. Doney and Ms. Michelle L. Rice to the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority Board.
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COMMITTEE ADVANCES BILLS ON DATA CENTERS, RENTAL HOMES, DPIE PROCEDURES |
 On Monday, July 15th, the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee advanced several bills, including CB-52-2024 which advocates for exempting qualified data centers from filing preliminary subdivision plans and “establishes requirements for public notice and adequate public facilities.”. The committee also advanced CB-059-2024, sponsored by Council Member Ingrid Watson (District 4), which calls for requiring the names and physical addresses of the owner, their agent and their mortgage holder for single-family and multifamily rental facility housing. Finally, the committee passed CB-58-2024 which encourages improving public awareness of land development by establishing a single interface to track applications through the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) and the Prince George’s County Planning Department.
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 July 24 - Board of Appeals - 6:00 PM - DETAILS
July 25 - Task-Forces Workgroups - 1:00 PM - DETAILS
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$25 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT WILL SUPPORT COUNTY BUSES
 Prince George’s County has announcing a $25.4 million federal Lo or No Emission grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration. This grant award will pay for 15 new electric buses, helping to complete the county’s transition to an all-EV bus fleet and complete construction on a micro-grid EV charging and energy management system. Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) and Council Member Calvin S. Hawkins (At-Large) were there for this exciting announcement!
COUNCIL MEMBER HAWKINS HOSTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ROUNDTABLE
On Saturday, July 13th, Council Member Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) hosted a Community Development Roundtable at City of Praise Ministries to help business owners and County residents gain insight into how to search and track development projects. The event was in partnership with DPIE and the Maryland National Capital of Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), and representatives provided insight into how to process permits, plan and review construction, manage physical growth, and protect natural, cultural and historic resources. The roundtable was linked to Hawkin’s bill, CB-58-2024, which advanced in committee this week.
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COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY ATTENDS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GROUNDBREAKING
Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) got to witness the groundbreaking of a new home in Kettering community built by Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to the collaboration of the Kettering Community Association!
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COUNCIL MEMBER DERNOGA SUPPORTS NEWLY OPENED GROCERY STORE
 Council Member Tom Dernoga (District 1) and his staff visited the newly opened Calverton Grocery Outlet, distributed free reusable bags to their customers, and offered services and resources for those in need.
COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON MEETS WITH GLENN ESTATES HOA
 Council Member Eric Olson (District 3) extends his thanks to the Glenn Estates Homeowners Association for inviting him to speak at their meeting! It's always a pleasure to connect with the community and he is looking forward to continuing to work together.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
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