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COUNCIL CONFIRMS EIGHT COUNTY EXECUTIVE CABINET PICKS
   On Tuesday, October 22, the Council held confirmation hearings for, and voted to confirm, eight of County Executive Aisha Braveboy's top cabinet appointees. The following were officially sworn in to their positions Tuesday night:
Maxene Bardwell, Chief Administrative Officer
 George Nader, Chief of Police
 Thelmetria Michaelides, Fire Chief
 Dr. Katina Gomez, Director of Homeland Security
 Linda Allen, Director of Finance
 Vennard Wright, Director of Information Technology & Chief Information Officer
 Alice Williams, Director of Procurement & Purchasing Agent
 Dr. Samuel Moki, Director of Environment
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS PAIR OF HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
  Two bills aiming to establish new homebuyer assistance programs in the county received favorable recommendations from the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, October 21, and are now scheduled for public hearings and final votes in the coming weeks. CB-99-2025, proposed by Chair Edward Burroughs III (District 8), would establish the Critical Workforce Homebuying Assistance Program within the Housing Investment Trust Fund. The Program would be available to first responders who work for the county, nurses who work in county hospitals, or Prince George’s County Public School teachers who have a household income of less than 120% of the area median income. Eligible applicants would receive interest-free loans of up to the lesser of $50,000 or 25% of the home’s purchase price. The home would have to be the applicant’s primary residence and only home in the county. The goal of the program is to ensure county workers critical to the education and health and safety of county residents are able to purchase homes in the community they serve.
CB-101-2025, proposed by Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7), would establish the Homeownership Equity Program, a program that would initially by funded with $2 million and administered by the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development. County residents with an income of less than 120% of the area median income would be eligible for an interest free loan of up to $30,000 to be used for downpayment assistance on a home in the county inside the Capital Beltway. The term would be deferred for five years and forgiven at 20% per year, meaning it would be fully forgiven after five years if the home remains the owner’s primary residence.
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Additionally, the Committee of the Whole favorably recommended CB-87-2025, a bill proposed by Council Member Calvin Hawkins, II (At-Large), aiming to incentivize more teachers at underperforming Prince George’s County Public Schools to earn national board certifications with an annual $7,000 bonus, while helping to recruit more teachers who already hold a certification. The Council plans to seek $1 million in state funding to support the incentive program. |
GOFP COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES, COUNTY-OWNED GROCERY STORE FEASIBILITY STUDY
 Aiming to spur economic development and provide new grocery store options to underserved parts of the county, the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee favorably recommended a pair of resolutions proposed by Vice Chair Kystal Oriadha (District 7) on Thursday, October 23. CR-92-2025 would launch a six-month feasibility study into establishing a county-owned grocery store at a cost-neutral basis to the county. The study would assess site selection, financial viability, operational models, and community impact. The goal is to eliminate food deserts in the county where commercial grocery stores do not exist. CR-104-2025 calls on the state to grant the county the authority to implement new tax credits for incentivizing development in targeted growth areas and industries, including restaurant acceleration inside the Capital Beltway.
 “There are a lot of guardrails around the types of incentives we can actually give to bring development, and so asking the state to give us some flexibility to allow us to cater our incentives around what we need the most for economic development, I think, will be crucial over the next few years,” said Vice Chair Oriadha.
TIEE COMMITTEE FAVORABLY RECOMMENDS COST SAVINGS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
After shopping center tenants in his district were forced to pay for new use and occupancy permits from the county when new owners bought the shopping center, Council Member Eric Olson (District 3) proposed a resolution that would pass on that permitting cost to the new shopping center owners, instead of placing the burden on local small businesses. The resolution, CR-94-2025, which calls on the Department of Permitting, Inspection, and Enforcement (DPIE) to change its use and occupancy permit guidelines, received a favorable recommendation from the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Environment Committee on Thursday, October 23.
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 Additionally, on Thursday, the Committee was briefed by members of the Department of the Environment (DOE) on the county’s Climate Action Plan. DOE Deputy Director Derrick Coley and Climate Action Officer Katie Dickinson told Council Members that their department is working to finalize the county’s Climate Action Plan and preparing to release the Climate Action Implementation Strategic Plan, possibly as early as next month at County Executive Aisha Braveboy’s Climate Leadership Summit. The county has a goal of 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 2005 levels by 2030. The DOE representatives told the Committee that the county will need to see a 22% reduction over the next five years to meet that goal.
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 October 27 - EWD Committee - 1:30 PM - DETAILS
October 28 - Sitting as the District Council - 9:45 AM - DETAILS
October 28 - County Council - 10:00 AM - DETAILS
October 29 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 11:00 AM - DETAILS
October 29 - Task Forces-Workgroups - 4:00 PM - DETAILS
Archived Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page.
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CHAIR BURROUGHS HOSTS PUBLIC SAFETY TOWN HALL, SPONSORS EDUCATION GALA AND HEALTH FAIR
   Council Chair Edward Burroughs (District 8) hosted a Public Safety Town Hall meeting for the community with speakers including the Prince George’s County Sheriff, Chief of Police, State’s Attorney, Fire Chief, and other top leaders. It was held at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex in Fort Washington. Chair Burroughs was also a proud sponsor of the PGCPS Excellence in Education Foundation Gala. Additionally, he sponsored a Breast Cancer Awareness Month Community Health Fair at the Tanger Outlets National Harbor, joined by his Director of Operations Pleshette Monroe and her mother, Joann Monroe, a three time breast cancer survivor.
VICE CHAIR ORIADHA HOSTS SECOND FOOD DISTRIBUTION
 Vice Chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) proudly served hundreds of individuals and families at her second monthly food distribution in partnership with The StoreHouse. This month, eligibility expanded to include not just seniors but anyone in need, recognizing that the federal shutdown and the challenges facing our nation have deeply affected many Prince George’s County residents. A huge thank you to Mel Johnson and The StoreHouse for providing fresh produce, meats, and other healthy options and for their partnership that made this event possible.
COUNCIL MEMBER HAWKINS HOSTS MILLION MAN MARCH ANNIVERSARY
    Council Member Calvin Hawkins (At-Large) partnered with M-NCPPC Planning Board Chairman Darryl Barnes and non-profit TJC, Inc. to host the 30th Anniversary of the Million Man March: A Summit on the State of Black America. The event included public discussions and reflections about the progress and setbacks in the Black community during the 30 years since the 1995 Million Man March, particularly in the Greater Washington Region, and prospects for charting a greater path to progress in the future. The spirit of the event was inspiring and encourages us to lead with integrity and uplift our communities.
COUNCIL MEMBER IVEY HOSTS FOOD DISTRIBUTION AND END HUMAN TRAFFICKING EVENT
  Council Member Jolene Ivey (At-Large) partnered with The StoreHouse for a community food distribution at Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center. She was grateful for all who showed up to provide for their neighbors. Additionally, Council Member Ivey and Felipe Urquilla, with the Office of Human Rights Human Trafficking Task Force, hosted Make It Stop, a discussion about ending human trafficking in the county that included community leaders, hospitality businesses, and non-profit organizations. Human trafficking happens everywhere, and it will take every one of us to learn how to identify and prevent it.
COUNCIL MEMBERS CELEBRATE COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES
 Council Members Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Wala Blegay (District 6) were proud to celebrate the Community Legal Services 40th Anniversary Awards Ceremony. It was great to see the judges and lawyers who support this organization’s amazing work providing access to justice and standing up for the most vulnerable in our community.
COUNCIL MEMBER ADAMS-STAFFORD PARTICPATES IN BLADENSBURG DAY PARADE AND TOURS THE RHODE ISLAND AVE. TROLLEY TRAIL
 Council Member Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5) was thrilled to see the community show up in full force for the 2025 Bladensburg Day Parade & Festival, celebrating the town’s spirit, history, and unity. She also toured the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail, witnessing a shining example of how trail development can strengthen community connection, boost local economies, and create vibrant public spaces.
COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON ATTENDS COLLEGE PARK DAY, ROUTE 1 NO KINGS DAY
  Council Member Eric Olson (District 3) attended College Park Day at the College Heights Estates Fest and joined neighbors defending democracy at the Route 1 No Kings Day Rally.
COUNCIL MEMBER FISHER ATTENDS ZOMBIE RUN, END THE VIOLENCE EVENT, RHODE ISLAND AVE. TROLLEY TRAIL WALK, NO KINGS MARCH
 Council Member Fisher (District 2) kicked off the Zombie Run with Sen. Alonzo Washington and Del. Ashanti Martinez in Hyattsville. They had so much fun watching kids and their families race in Halloween costumes. She also joined the Stop the Violence, End the Cycle event for teenagers where she was able to see young adults empowering one another through education, collaboration, and activities. Additionally, Council Member Fisher attended the Rhode Island Avenue. Trolley Trail Walk organized by RISE Prince George’s. She’s thankful to RISE for their dedication to providing sustainable transportation options. Finally, she attended the No Kings March, a reminder that while democracy is under attack, the power is in the hands of the people.
COUNCIL MEMBER BLEGAY HOSTS BUSINESS EXPO, ATTENDS BUILDERS’ BREAKFAST, AND RAISES AWARENESS FOR HEART DISEASE
 Council Member Wala Blegay (District 6) saw an amazing turnout at her District 6 Business Expo. She is grateful all the partners and presenters who came together to help build stronger businesses and communities across District 6. Council Member Blegay was also honored to attend the Prince George’s County Builders’ Breakfast with M-NCPPC Planning Board Chairman Darryl Barnes. Additionally, Council Member Blegay joined the Prince George’s County businesses to Democratic Republic of Congo Investment Meeting where entrepreneurs and leaders connected with international partners. Finally, Council Member Blegay attended the Open My Heart Foundation event to advocate for heart disease and spread awareness for resources and protection.
COUNCIL MEMBER DERNOGA ATTENDS LAUREL PRIDE
  Council Member Tom Dernoga (District 1) had an amazing time attending Laurel Pride. He was grateful to be part of the celebration that included vendors, vibrant performances, and great energy.
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