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-122-2021 on October 19, 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.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSIONS MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND THURSDAY; RECEIVES AGENCY OVERSIGHT BRIEFING UPDATES; REVIEWS PROPOSED LEGISLATION   The Council’s Committee of the Whole (COW) convened virtually on Monday, November 1st; Tuesday, November 2nd; and Thursday, November 4th this week.  On Monday, the COW received oversight briefing presentations from County agencies – the Department of Public Works and Transportation; the Police Department and Office of Human Resource Management; and the Office of Central Services and Department of Corrections.  The briefing presentations shared important and timely information. WATCH Monday’s COW

The COW met on Tuesday, November 2nd to review proposed legislation, and the Transcript Analysis Proposed Minor Amendment to the 2004 Sector Plan and Sectional Map Amendment for the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District.    WATCH Tuesday’s COW Thursday’s COW agenda also reviewed Proposed Correspondence and proposed legislation, including CR-124-2021, encouraging landlords to forego rent increases and to maintain current rent levels for tenants with a substantial loss of income for 12 months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  WATCH Thursday’s COW

COUNTY COUNCIL CONVENES VIRTUAL SESSION TUESDAY; SPECIAL SESSION THURSDAY

The Prince George’s County Council convened a scheduled virtual session on Tuesday, November 2^nd .  In addition to reviewing proposed legislation, the Council approved the Chair’s signature on a Joint Letter to the Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction, endorsing the Prince George’s County Board of Education’s Proposed FY 2023 Capital Budget request, and to identify critical projects. 

The Council also approved a Joint Signature Letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), regarding the 2021 Projects List for the FY 2022-2027 State Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP).  Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, will address MDOT’s annual statewide tour to update local officials and the public on the Draft CTP, when the virtual “road show” comes to Prince George’s County, on Monday, November 8^th at 1:00 p.m.  View at https://pgccouncil.us

The County Council convened in Special Session, on Thursday, November 4th to address Proposed Correspondence to The Honorable Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, expressing the Council’s support for the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation’s application for grant funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) “Buses and Bus Facilities Program.”

WATCH Tuesday’s Council session

WATCH Thursday's Council session

COUNTY COUNCIL SEEKS COMMUNITY INPUT ON PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY REDISTRICTING PLAN

Pursuant to the County Charter, Section 305, the Prince George’s County Council will conduct a virtual Public Hearing for Council Resolution CR-123-2021, on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 3:00 p.m.

The Council will hear public testimony and consider CR-123-2021, the Council’s Redistricting Plan, and the Redistricting Commission’s Proposed Plan. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Council will vote on the Plan proposed in CR-123-2021.  If the Council does not enact CR-123-2021, the Commission's Plan becomes law on the last day of November.

Council Chair Calvin S. Hawkins, II, encourages residents to share their comments during the November 16th public hearing.  “An informed citizenry is key to this process, and the Council encourages the continued engagement of our residents and stakeholders. The November 16th public hearing is an important opportunity for critical public input on the amended Redistricting plan before the Council votes on the measure, and we look forward to hearing from residents.”   

For details on submitting public comment and signing up to speak, READ the press release.   For additional Redistricting information, visit the 2021 County Council Redistricting web page. 

COMPENSATION REVIEW BOARD MEETS VIRTUALLY  The Prince George’s County Compensation Review Board, established by Council Bill-002-2021 to study the rate of current compensation and allowances for Council Members and compensation for the County Executive, and make recommendations regarding the amount of compensation in accordance with state and local laws, met virtually on Wednesday, November 3rd.  During Wednesday’s meeting, Compensation Review Board Members voted to approve its recommendations regarding the amount of compensation for the County Executive and County Council.  The next Compensation Review Board meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 19th at 10 a.m., to review the draft report and recommendations, and begin Charter Review Commission discussions.  Both bodies share a chair and membership. Under the County Charter, the Charter Review Commission is charged with undertaking a comprehensive study of the Charter and recommending appropriate changes to the Charter.  WATCH Wednesday’s Compensation Review Board meeting.

RESPONSIBLE LEGACY TASK FORCE MEETS VIRTUALLY  The Prince George’s County Responsible Legacy Task Force, established by CR-81-2019, is charged with reviewing all County monuments, parks, street names, County buildings and other places of honor, and creating a process to determine the future of names linked to a prejudiced past.  Working to ensure the County’s legacy is one of equality, diversity and inclusion, the Task Force met virtually on Friday, November 5th .  Before adjourning the final meeting, the Task Force provided tentative approval to the draft of the final Responsible Legacy Task Force Report and Recommendations for submission to the County Council.  The Prince George's County Responsible Legacy Task Force submitted its Interim Report to the Council on December 30, 2020.  The Final Report will be prepared on or before the deadline on November 30, 2021.

FOOD SECURITY TASK FORCE MEETS VIRTUALLY  The Prince George’s County Food Security Task Force, established by CR-62-2020, met virtually on Friday, November 5th, to discuss and review updates to the final draft of its Food Security Task Force Report and Recommendations, as well as next steps for implementation and advocacy.  The Food Security Task Force is charged with addressing issues related to the demand and supply of healthy food, food health connections, school meals, and overall food security in Prince George’s County.  Before adjourning the final meeting, Task Force Members took a formal vote to move forward the Final Report and Recommendations, which will be presented to the County Council.  The Task Force will submit its Final Report and Recommendations on or before the deadline on November 30, 2021.

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
DRAFT CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Prince George’s County is one step closer to creating a Climate Action Plan that will help our communities become more resilient to the increasing impacts of Climate Change. Submit your comments on the County’s Draft Climate Action Plan by December 1^st.   

Learn more at http://mypgc.us/climateactionplan

COVID-19 VACCINES NOW AVAILABLE FOR
FIVE TO 11-YEAR-OLDS

COVID-19 vaccine appointments for children ages 5 and older in Prince George’s County are now available at the Sports and Learning Complex. REGISTER HERE for an appointment.  Starting next week, the Health Department will operate COVID-19 vaccine clinics at County schools for residents ages five and older. CLICK HERE to make an appointment for your child at COVID-19 vaccine clinics at County schools.  READ additional details in this press release.  WATCH this brief YouTube video as Health Officer Dr. Ernest Carter answers the question, “Should I get my child vaccinated against COVID-19?”  

STAND UP AND DELIVER GROCERY DISTRIBUTION THIS WEEKEND

The County’s Stand Up & Deliver program, in an ongoing initiative to address food security concerns, will distribute Grab & Go groceries on Saturday, November 6^th, at 10:00 a.m., at the following locations – LOVE A.M.E. Church at Capitol Heights Elementary School, Capitol Heights; and Kingdom Fellowship A.M.E Church, at High Point High School, Beltsville.  While supplies last.  One box per vehicle.  

THERE’S STILL TIME TO APPLY FOR HELP WITH
THE RENT

The County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is still accepting applications!  If you need help with your ERAP application, watch this video for instructions on how to apply

                             English                                   En Español

HOUSING MONTH 2021 - AFFORDABILITY PANEL

Join the Department of Housing and Community Development for a virtual panel discussion on Monday, November 8 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. This panel will feature County leaders and stakeholders for a discussion about affordable housing needs in Prince George’s County.

Register at https://tinyurl.com/pgcAHN

SNOW!

Join DPW&T for its virtual Annual Snow Summit on Thursday, November 18^th, at 6:00 PM.  County agencies will share important information about snow operations and provide tips and resources for staying safe this winter. Registration is required. 

CLICK HERE

 COUNCIL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK

November 8 - Sitting as District Council - 10:00 AM - Agenda

November 8 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole - 10:30 AM  Details

November 8 - County Council -  1:00 PM     Agenda      eComment

November 9 - County Council -   10:00 AM  eComment

November 9 - Sitting as the Committee of the Whole -  11:30 AM -  Details

November 10 - Zoning Hearing Examiner  - 9:30 AM   Agenda

Meetings can be viewed on Council Livestream page

COUNCIL VICE CHAIR DENI TAVERAS HOSTS VIRTUAL DISCUSSION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, & SEXUAL ASSAULT

County Council Vice-Chair Deni Taveras (D – District 2), closed out Domestic Violence Month with an October 28^th virtual discussion on domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault featuring expert panelists representing the Office of the Sheriff, Prince George’s County Police Department, La Clinica Del Pueblo, University of Maryland Capital Region Health, Courtney’s House, and the Prince George’s County Family Justice Center. Community and victim advocates also participated in the discussion.  During the presentation, Vice-Chair Taveras presented a Council Proclamation to Dr. Denise McCain, Director of the Family Justice Center, recognizing its important work in these areas in Prince George's County.

Watch the Panel discussion

DISTRICT 8 COUNCIL MEMBER MONIQUE ANDERSON-WALKER SPEAKS AT MGM NATIONAL HARBOR BUSINESS EXPO AND PROCUREMENT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY

On November 3^rd, District 8 Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker was delighted to address the MGM National Harbor Business Expo and Procurement Networking Opportunity. This well-attended annual event, hosted by the MGM Oversight Committee, focuses on small businesses, local entrepreneurs, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned business enterprises (MBE).  Council Member Anderson-Walker, herself a woman and minority business owner, shared the effectiveness of networking and resources in her remarks.  She also shared her commitment to increasing local businesses, which strengthen the County’s economic development.

COUNCIL MEMBER TURNER UPDATES SENIORS IN DISTRICT 4”

District 4 Council Member Todd M. Turner and staff were pleased to join the “Happy Go Lucky Seniors’ Club” in-person this week at the Huntington Community Center in Bowie, for the first-time since 2019.  Council Member Turner joined the seniors for the annual Council District 4 State of the County meeting and luncheon, discussing COVID-19 and other community issues.  Many community centers in the County have senior clubs that meet on specific days and times each week. For more information on senior clubs, visit https://www.pgparks.com/990/Senior-Clubs