Montgomery County

This program segment, titled "En Sintonía," featured Council Member Dr. Marilyn Balcom, who represents District 0 (Northwest Corner of Montgomery County, including Clarksburg, Germantown, Poolville, North Pole, and Darnestown). Dr. Balcom discussed her priorities for 2024, focusing on capital budget items such as the Clarksburg library, the Poolsville recreation center, and a student center for Montgomery College Germantown campus, alongside operating budget considerations like workforce development and training. A significant portion of the discussion involved a resource fair scheduled for March 1st, aimed at the Hispanic community. This fair will cover traffic laws, opioid prevention education, free naloxone administration training, and distribution of naloxone kits. Various county organizations will also be present to share information on available benefits. Additionally, the importance of community participation via written testimony or public hearings for the operating budget was emphasized. The segment concluded with an interview with Mariela León, the Hispanic Community Liaison for the Montgomery County Police Department, who detailed efforts to build police-community relations, including a monthly Hispanic Police Committee and the resource fair. The police department will also have recruiters present at the fair.

The discussion centered on draft policy recommendations for the cohort, specifically focusing on Recommendation Number One, which is described as the most involved. Participants debated the inclusion of the word "hate" versus "bias" in the context of anti-Asian incidents, with considerations for encouraging reporting of all incidents, including subtle microaggressions, versus focusing on high-intensity hate incidents. Further discussion involved elevating the importance of culturally competent and linguistically accessible mental health services for API students. The role of the County Council's Committee on Education and Culture in overseeing the implementation of the anti-racist audit and responses to incidents was reviewed, noting the intent to ensure consistency, fairness, and equity across the school district stakeholders.

The document details discussions and actions taken across multiple sessions between September 4 and September 10, 2019. Key discussions included security issues and a proposed closed session to discuss fire and police service deployment. Worksessions and recommendations covered Bill 20-19 regarding rental housing licensing fee exemptions and Bill 14-19 establishing the Policing Advisory Commission. The general business session on September 10 included presentations of proclamations recognizing the 400th anniversary of the start of slavery in America and the 10th anniversary of The Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League's Feed the Hungry Challenge. The Consent Calendar introduced resolutions concerning Spending Affordability Guidelines for the FY21 Capital Budget and CIP, disposition of land on Hawkins Creamery Road, categorical transfers for the Montgomery County Public Schools FY19 Operating Budget and Grant Funds, a supplemental appropriation for Department of Transportation roadside trees, a resolution to designate a Road Code Urban Area, and receipt/release of an Office of Legislative Oversight Report. Several County Executive appointments were confirmed to the Early Childhood Coordinating Council, Energy and Air Quality Advisory Committee, and the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee. The council also adopted the Executive Branch Non-Merit Salary Schedule and acknowledged receipt of two Office of Inspector General Reports. Multiple public hearings were held covering Landlord-Tenant Relations bills, Accessory Dwelling Units, Cybersecurity Investment Incentive Tax Credit Amendments, the Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan, and a supplemental appropriation for the MCPS FY19 Operating Budget. A closed session was held to discuss the location of certain businesses in the County.

The proceedings involved committee discussions and actions spanning late November 2022. Key actions included recommending approval for amendments to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) concerning the US 29 Bus Rapid Transit Phase II, the Farm Women's Market Parking Garage Project, and the Bethesda Lots 10-24 Parks project. During the main session, Bill 13-22 regarding Comprehensive Building Decarbonization was enacted with numerous amendments concerning effective dates, reporting requirements, and exemptions. Expedited Bill 31-22, altering the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program, was also enacted, including a requirement for annual demographic reporting. The Council adopted its Commitment Statement to Racial Equity and Social Justice and held multiple public hearings on various bills and declarations of no further need related to property disposition and supplemental appropriations, including one for the Montgomery County Correctional Facility Sewer project and another for the Institute for Intelligent and Immersive Computing for Science and Medicine (renamed UM3 - Institute for Computing).

The document summarizes committee and council sessions held across several days. Key discussions included briefings on Community Engagement Officers and an MOU between MCPS and MCPD, as well as a Public Hearing on the FY23 Capital Budget and FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Several Worksessions addressed grants processes, supplemental appropriations to the FY22 Operating Budget for the Department of Transportation and Non-Departmental Accounts, and the disposition of Warner Special Park. Further Worksessions covered updates on incubator programs and economic development strategic plans. Legislative actions included enacting legislation regarding sidewalk snow removal, establishing an Animal Services Advisory Committee, and establishing an Early Care and Education Coordinating Entity. The Council also conducted proceedings while sitting as the Board of Health regarding COVID-19 updates and trends. Significant legislative efforts focused on Zoning Text Amendments (ZTA) and Subdivision Regulation Amendments (SRA) related to the Biohealth Priority Campus, appointment to the Board of Appeals, and the introduction of a bill concerning gender-inclusive restrooms. Major plan discussions involved briefings on the Corridor Forward: The I-270 Transit Plan and a worksession on Thrive 2050, with substantial focus on racial equity and social justice integration in planning.