 The Prince George’s County Council continues to operate under the Prince George’s County State of Emergency Declaration, effective March 16, 2020, and extended by the Governing Body of Prince George’s County with the adoption of CR-33-2021 on March 30, 2021. The Council’s Emergency Operations Procedures became effective pursuant to CR-10-2020, adopted on March 17, 2020, and amended pursuant to CR-35-2020, adopted on May 18, 2020. The Rules of Procedure for the County Council and District Council have been amended, pursuant to CR-57-2020 and CR-58-2020, respectively, adopted on July 21, 2020, for virtual and remote public participation before each body.
COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES SPECIAL MEETING FOR COVID-19 BRIEFING UPDATE
 The Prince George’s County Council convened a Special Session on Friday, May 14th for a COVID-19 restrictions update provided by Prince George’s County Chief Administrative Officer Tara H. Jackson; County Attorney Rhonda Weaver; Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health and Human Services, Dr. George Askew; and County Health Officer, Dr. Ernest Carter. The Special Session addressed sustained and dramatic downward trends in all major indicators for the coronavirus in Prince George’s County, and additional lifting of restrictions by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, to more closely align the County with the State of Maryland’s guidelines for businesses in terms of capacity and distancing restrictions. Starting Monday, May 17 at 5:01 p.m., capacity and distancing restrictions will be lifted for all indoor and outdoor venues in the County. Mask requirements are still in place for indoor venues, public transportation, and crowded outdoor venues. For details, READ the press release, and WATCH the Council’s Special Session.
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DISTRICT COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION ON LAND-USE MATTERS
The Prince George’s County Council, sitting as the District Council on zoning and land-use matters, convened a virtual session on Monday, May 10th to hear Oral Arguments for projects in District 1 and District 2. Also, on Monday’s agenda, were two Items Referred for Document for projects in District 9. WATCH MONDAY’S DISTRICT COUNCIL.
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUALLY; CONDUCTS BUDGET WORK SESSIONS; REVIEWS LEGISLATION; RECEIVES M-NCCPC BRIEFING ON MAGLEV PROJECT
The Committee of the Whole convened virtually on Monday, May 10th and Tuesday, May 11th this week. Monday’s COW reviewed proposed spending plans for the Citizen Complaint Oversight Panel; Police Department; Board of Education; and Office of Management and Budget/Non-Department. The Police Department budget review session included an opportunity for Council Members to dialogue with the County’s new Acting Police Chief Malik Aziz. WATCH MONDAY’S COW.
Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting began with a Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning (M-NCPPC) briefing presentation on the Baltimore-Washington Superconducting MAGLEV Project – Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS). WATCH the briefing. The public comment period on this project has been extended to May 24th. Submit your comment HERE. If you are unable to access the DEIS via the website or if additional assistance is required, please email info@bwmaglev.info
Tuesday’s COW agenda also reviewed legislation, including CR-048-2021, concerning the County’s Eleventh Continued Declaration of Emergency due to the coronavirus, and conducted budget work sessions for eleven County departments and agencies. Council Members also reviewed a letter concerning the Prince George’s County Council's proposed recommendations for proposed FY 2022 Bi-County budgets for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and Washington Suburban Transit Commission, which was favorably recommended to the County Council. WATCH TUESDAY’S COW.
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COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION; EXTENDS COUNTY’S STATE OF EMERGENCY; DIRECTS PREPARATION OF JOINT LETTER TO STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS OPPOSING MAGLEV PROJECT
The County Council convened virtually on Tuesday, May 11th. Tuesday’s legislative action included approval of CR-048-2021, concerning the County’s Eleventh Continued Declaration of Emergency due to the coronavirus. The Chair’s signature on a letter to Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker, transmitting the Prince George’s County Council's proposed recommendations addressing Bi-County budgets for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Washington Suburban Transit Commission was also approved. During the session, Council Members directed the preparation of a Joint Letter with County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, addressed to the County’s Federal Delegation, the Maryland Department of Transportation, and the Federal Railroad Administration, calling for an end to the MAGLEV project, citing its adverse impact on Prince George’s County.
WATCH TUESDAY’S COUNTY COUNCIL.
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PRINCE GEORGE’S AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCILS ADOPT FY 2022 BI-COUNTY BUDGETS
Prince George’s and Montgomery County lawmakers, convening virtually for the annual Bi-County Budget meeting on Thursday, May 13, 2021, unanimously adopted the FY 22 budgets for WSSC Water; and the bi-county portion of the new spending plans for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and the Washington Suburban Transit Commission (WSTC). The Fiscal Year 2022 Bi-County budgets are effective July 1, 2021. This is the second virtual meeting of the two legislative bodies since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Prince George’s County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, noted the challenges presented by COVID-19, commending both Councils on a successful collaboration during unprecedented times. “Our region continues to be challenged by the impact of COVID-19, however, with vaccination programs, we can be hopeful for the future. While our collaboration has been virtual, I appreciate the continued spirit of cooperation between our Councils on behalf of our citizens, which has resulted in the successful adoption of new FY 2022 spending plans for our bi-county agencies.” READ the press release.
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COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIR CALVIN S. HAWKINS JOINS GOVERNOR HOGAN, AND STATE OFFICIALS TO THANK FAITH AND COMMUNITY BASED COMMUNITIES FOR PARTNERING ON VACCINE EFFORTS
County Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, joined Governor Larry Hogan, Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford and faith leaders at Fedex Field in Landover on Thursday, for “Faith Leaders United Against COVID-19,” recognizing the critical role that faith-based and community-based institutions play in vaccine distribution across the state. Also participating in the event Secretary Dennis Schrader of the Maryland Department of Health, Brigadier General Janeen Birckhead, head of the Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force (VETF), and Jason Wright, president of the Washington Football Team.
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY RE-ENTRY ADVISORY BOARD MEETS VIRTUALLY
The Prince George’s County Re-Entry Advisory Board, established by CR-49-2019, is tasked with determining, evaluating, and implementing a comprehensive Re-Entry Program and Re-Entry services in Prince George’s County, to support formerly incarcerated individuals attempting to acclimate back into communities in the County. The Re-Entry Advisory Board met virtually on Friday, May 14th, welcoming officials from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services - Secretary Robert L. Green; Assistant Secretary Carolyn Scruggs; and Executive Director of Social Work and Re-Entry Services, Donna Rojas, for presentations and discussion. The next scheduled meeting of the Prince George’s County Re-Entry Advisory Board is June 11th.
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY TO HOST MAJOR NATIONAL CIVIC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE; COUNTY LEADERS ACROSS AMERICA TO CONVERGE AT GAYLORD NATIONAL RESORT & CONVENTION CENTER FOR ANNUAL NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES CONFERENCE
 The National Association of Counties (NACo) has selected Prince George’s County, Maryland as the location for its annual NACo conference to be held at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in July 2021. The annual meeting brings together county leaders and elected officials from all 50 states to discuss policies and practices, address policymaking and initiatives for advancing public service, and to discuss ways to enrich the public’s understanding of County Government. “The Council is extremely pleased that NACo is hosting its 2021 Annual Conference and Exposition here in Prince George’s County,” said Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II. “We look forward to welcoming officials from across the country, virtually and in person, so they may network, share best practices and safely experience all Prince George’s County has to offer. NACo’s decision to relocate the conference to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center as a hybrid event was a bold one, and I commend our NACo partners for their confidence in the success of Prince George’s County.”
PHASE 3 REOPENING
 Due to a rapid decline in key COVID-19 metrics, as well as increasing vaccination rates, Prince George’s County will lift capacity and distancing restrictions for all indoor and outdoor venues beginning Monday, May 17, 2021 at 5:01 p.m. Face masks are still required for all indoor venues, on public transportation, and at crowded outdoor venues including concert venues and ticketed sporting events.
24-HOUR “VACCINE-A-THON” STILL GOING STRONG AT SPORTS AND LEARNING CENTER MAY 14TH AND 15TH; COUNTY ACCEPTING 12-15 YEAR OLDS FOR VACCINATIONS AT SPORTS AND LEARNING
 Friday’s Prince George’s County “Vaccine-a-thon,” which began at 9 a.m. extends until midnight tonight at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover. Starting at 6:00 PM Friday evening, the County will allow 12 to 15-year-olds to be vaccinated at the Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Complex. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who will be required to sign a consent form. Special guest entertainers and celebrities will be onsite to cheer on residents as they are vaccinated, including radio personality Joe Clair, Go-Go Music Legend Sugar Bear, bestselling author and Sirius XM Heart and Soul national radio personality Cayman Kelly, Grammy-nominated artist Raheem DeVaughn, and Super Bowl Champion and author Kyle Arrington. Residents booking advance appointments are eligible for raffle prizes, and there are still appointments available at http://bit.ly/24HourMDVax Walks-ups are also being accepted throughout the day and evening until 11:30 p.m. tonight (Friday); the clinic closes at midnight.
FCC EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT
 The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more. Check your eligibility for a monthly service discount and/or a device discount per household and enroll. Details HERE.
LIBRARY PHASE 2 REOPENING – UPDATE
 The Greenbelt and Accokeek library branches have now begun Phase 2 services. You can book computer, limited browsing, and curbside appointments at the Accokeek, Bowie, Greenbelt, Laurel, New Carrollton, Oxon Hill, South Bowie, and Spauldings branches. Learn more at pgcmls.info/reopening
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE WEBINAR FOR LANDLORDS MAY 19th
 Are you a landlord in Prince George’s County with questions about the Emergency Rental Assistance Program? Get answers at the May 19th ERAP Webinar! RSVP now at ERAPLandord@co.pg.md.us
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