Council Connection

BOARD OF HEALTH TOWN HALL EXAMINES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE COUNTY

The Council, sitting as the Board of Health, hosted an impactful discussion on domestic violence in the county, examining prevalence, impacts, county resources, and prevention measures. The event, Prevent and Respond: A Panel Discussion on the Health Impacts of Domestic Violence, happened on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Panelists included PGPD Chief Malik Aziz; Prince George’s County Sheriff John Carr; Dr. Denise McCain, Director of Prince George’s County Family Justice Center; Dr. Elizabeth Aparicio, Associate Professor at University of Maryland School of Public Health; and Christine Cooley, Manager of the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center at University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center. On average, 24 people per minute are victims of domestic violence in the U.S., according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 12 million men and women every year. Data shows 35% of women and 28% of men have been victims of domestic violence at some point in their lifetime. Council will take information and concerns presented at the town hall to explore ways to strengthen how the county responds to and prevents domestic violence.

BILL TYING MINIMUM WAGE TO COST OF LIVING MOVES FORWARD

At its meeting on Monday, October 7^th, the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee moved favorably on CB-88-2024, which calls for minimum wage in Prince George’s County to be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. The bill, introduced by Council Members Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7), would use the average percentage growth of the CPI for the last 12 months to determine how much the minimum wage would increase for the next year, up to a maximum of 5%.  If the CPI had zero or negative growth, the minimum wage would stay the same.  According to Council Member Dernoga, the increase for next year would likely be around 3%, taking the minimum wage from $15/hour to around $15.45/hour. Prior to Monday’s meeting, Council Members Dernoga and Oriadha spoke at a press conference alongside representatives from Progressive Maryland and CASA in support of the proposed legislation. If approved by Council, a new minimum wage could take effect as early as July 1, 2025.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MOVES FAVORABLY ON INCREASING ALL DPIE FEES

At its meeting on Tuesday, October 8^th, the County Council, sitting as Committee of the Whole, moved favorably on CR-87-2024, a resolution that would increase all permitting and licensing fees in the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) by 20% while also establishing a 10% technology fee. DPIE fees were last raised in 2021.  The increase will help cover the cost of issuing licenses and permits.  The technology fee will help DPIE continue to automate its systems. Even with the increase, Prince George’s County DPIE fees would still remain lower than neighboring jurisdictions in Maryland including Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundel Counties, as well as Washington, DC, and Fairfax County, VA.

TRANSPORTATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MOVES TO PREVENT SHOPPING CART THEFT

On Thursday, October 10^th, the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee moved favorably on CB-98-2024, which would require retailers with more than 20 shopping carts to take proactive steps to prevent people from taking carts off their property and leaving them elsewhere in the community.  The goal of Council Member Wanika Fisher’s (District 2) bill is to cut down on stray carts collecting trash, blocking sidewalks, and becoming eyesores. “This is a huge issue in my district,” Fisher told her fellow committee members Thursday. The proposed legislation would require all applicable businesses to mark their shopping carts with the store name, address, and phone number, and take at least one proactive anti-theft measure, including having a security guard, installing electronic disabling devices on carts, or implementing a coin deposit method for getting and returning carts.  Companies failing to meet these requirements would be subject to a fine of $2,000 per day.

BILL IMPLEMENTING STOP SIGN CAMERAS IN SCHOOL ZONES MOVES FORWARD

Also on Thursday, the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee moved forward with legislation that would allow the county to install stop sign monitoring systems in school zones.  CB-84-2024, introduced by Council Members Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7), calls for the implementation of stop sign enforcement cameras, similar to speed cameras already used around the county.  County Council would have to approve the location of all enforcement devices.  Drivers could be fined up to $40 for failing to stop completely.

NOISE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS MOVE FORWARD IN COMMITTEE

A bill to clarify the county’s noise policy also moved favorably through the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee on Thursday.  CB-73-2024, sponsored by Council Member Tom Dernoga (District 1), would increase fines for noise violations from $500 to $1,000 for a first-time violation, and from $1,000 to $1,500 for subsequent violations. The proposed legislation would also prohibit the use of ATVs, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and similar vehicles within 300 feet of a property line, unless the vehicle’s noise is within an allowable range.  Additionally, the bill aims to reduce vibrations caused by noise from escaping to neighboring properties. Council Member Dernoga’s proposal also revises the exemptions to the policy to bring them in line with state law. The full list of exemptions can be found here, but a few examples would be lawn care or  snow removal equipment, as well as household tools or equipment used between 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

PGCPS SUPERINTENDENT JOINS CHAIR IVEY AND VICE CHAIR HARRISON FOR COUNCIL CONVERSATIONS PODCAST

Prince George’s County Public Schools Superintendent Millard House II joined Council Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5) and Vice Chair Sydney Harrison (District 9) for the latest edition of the Council Conversations podcast.  The group discussed cellphones in schools, what’s being done to limit distractions, how the state is handling the topic, and a new PCGPS cellphone policy pilot program at a handful of schools.  Supt. House also shared updates on the ongoing bus driver shortage, new school start times, and 14 new schools that have been built and are being built under the Blueprint Schools public-private partnership.  The Chair, Vice Chair, and Superintendent also talked about PGCPS being the first district in the state to enact a comprehensive climate action plan and what that means going forward.

The Prince George’s County Council will host a Pre-Proposal Conference for the FY 2025 Domestic Violence Grant Program on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 2:00 p.m. in Council Committee Room 2027, on the second floor of the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Drive, in Largo.

The Council's Domestic Violence Grant Program provides funding support to programs that serve the housing, counseling, or advocacy needs of county residents who are victims of domestic violence. The program also supports prevention activities through a coordinated and collaborative community response to domestic violence in the County. The Council has invested millions of county dollars in grant funding to fight domestic violence, including $500,000 in FY 2024 to 9 nonprofits.

Interested nonprofit organizations may attend the conference to receive information about the program and how to apply. For more information, visit http://pgccouncil.us/DVGP. Applications for the FY25 Domestic Violence Grant Program will be available for download on the Council's Domestic Violence Grant Program page on October 16^th.

October 16 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 11:00 AM - DETAILS

October 16 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 3:00 PM - DETAILS

October 17 - PHED Committee - 10:00 AM - DETAILS

October 17 - HHSPS Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS

October 18 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 2:00 PM - DETAILS

COUNCIL MEMBERS CELEBRATE HISPANIC AND LATINO HERITAGE MONTH WITH COMMUNITY EVENT

Council Chair Jolene Ivey (District 5), Council Member Eric Olson (District 3), and Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) celebrated Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month on Saturday October, 5^th with a vibrant, fun-filled event at the Langley Park Community Center. The Council Members recognized members of the Prince George’s County Latino community who are leaders in business, health, education, and community development. The celebration also featured delicious food, live performances, and emcee Patricia De Lima from El Zol 107.9. 

VICE CHAIR HARRISON PRESENTS PROCLAMATION TO REGISTER OF WILLS CERETA LEE

Vice Chair Sydney Harrison (District 9) presented Prince George’s County Register of Wills Cereta Lee with a proclamation in honor of her many years of dedicated service. Lee, who is retiring, made history as the first African American to hold the position in the county. Since 2006, Lee’s commitment to the community and exceptional contributions have made a lasting impact on countless families in Prince George's County. We are grateful for her tireless work and celebrate her remarkable career and the legacy she leaves behind.

COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON RECEIVES LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM WASHINGTON AREA BICYCLIST ASSOCIATION

Council Member Eric Olson (District 3) was honored to receive the Public Leadership Award from Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). The award was in recognition of Council Member Olson’s commitment to making county roads safer, multi-modal, and accessible for everyone. WABA says they applaud Council Member Olson’s “leadership and dedication to improving the safety, comfort, and inclusivity of biking through the Walkable Urban Streets Act, advancing important road safety projects like the Trolley Trail, and supporting community-led efforts.”

COUNCIL MEMBER HAWKINS TOURS NEW SCHOOL, HOSTS HEALTH FAIR

Council Member Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) had the opportunity to tour the new Colin Powell Academy in Fort Washington and interact with young minds and the esteemed educators that mold them. The school is one of six new schools that have recently been built in the county through the Blueprint Schools public-private partnership. Council Member Hawkins also hosted a Health Resource Fair and Expo with Del. Kent Roberson (D-25) on October 5^th at the North Forestville Community Center. The event featured a mobile dentist, counseling/therapy, and wellness checkups. He values every opportunity to help community members live their best life!

COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY ATTENDS SPA’S GRAND OPENING, SCHOOL GROUNDBREAKING

Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) was honored to attend the grand opening of Bovanti Cosmetics and Spa at Bowie Town Center, the first Black-owned brand to open up a cosmetic store in the county. This grand opening was a historic and wonderful day! Council Member Blegay also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Fairwood Elementary School in Bowie along with Chair Jolene Ivey and Vice Chair Sydney Harrison. She’s thankful to advocates who’ve worked hard for 20 years to make this a reality. The school is being built in Phase 2 of the Blueprint Schools public-private partnership and is set to open in 2027.

COUNCIL MEMBER ORIADHA GIVES REMARKS AT SEAT PLEASANT'S SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

Council Member Krystal Oriadha (District 7) had the honor of providing remarks at the City of Seat Pleasant's Swearing-In Ceremony. As a resident, she said she’s thrilled to see these proud elected officials make their civic duties a priority, while ensuring a better quality of life for community members. She congratulates Mayor Kelly Porter and the Seat Pleasant City Council for their hard work and dedication to the community.

COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER CELEBRATES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CENTENNIAL

Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) celebrated the Centennial of Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, an amazing evening to honor business leaders in our community. The County is focused on economic development and proud of the work underway by the Chamber.