Montgomery County Council Meets on May 2 at 9 a.m. to Conduct Interviews with Candidates for the Montgomery County Planning Board

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, May 2 at 9 a.m. and the meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first proclamation, presented by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, commemorates Mental Health Awareness Month. The second proclamation presentation, led by Councilmember Natali Fani-González and County Executive Marc Elrich, recognizes Building Safety Month. At 11:30 a.m., Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Kristin Mink will lead a commemoration celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Interviews

At 9:35 a.m., the Council will interview candidates for the Montgomery County Planning Board chair position. The Council is seeking to fill a full‐term vacancy. Jeff Zyontz has been serving as temporary acting Planning Board chair.

Since the position starts a new full term on the Planning Board, candidates may be registered to vote in the County as a member of any political party or unaffiliated with any political party. No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed. Annual compensation for the full-time chair is currently $228,000.

Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioner Interviews

At 1:50 p.m., the Council will interview candidates for one Montgomery County Planning Board member position. The Council is seeking to fill a full‐term vacancy. Roberto Piñero has been serving as a temporary acting Planning Board member.

Since the position starts a new full term on the Planning Board, candidates may be registered to vote in the County as a member of any political party or unaffiliated with any political party. No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed. Annual compensation for Planning Board members is currently $30,000.

Consent Calendar

Each item on the Council’s Consent Calendar can be found on the Council agenda for Tuesday, May 2, which is available on the Council website.

Public Hearings

The Council will hold the following public hearings at 1:30 p.m. Residents can visit the Council website to learn about the multiple ways to provide testimony.

Subdivision Regulation Amendment (SRA) 23-01, Administrative Subdivision – Mixed-Use Housing Community

Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 23-02, Regulatory Approvals – Mixed-Use Housing Community

FY24 Constant Yield Tax Rate

Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services – Funding for The State Opioid Response (SOR) III, $1,319,629

Public hearing and vote expected: The Council will hold a public hearing and is expected to vote on a more than $1.3 million special appropriation for the State Opioid Response (SOR) III grant. The grant will fund screening, examination, behavioral health treatment and medication assisted treatment. It will also fund reentry plans and services in collaboration with the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation and the Sheriff’s Department.

Legislative Session

Expedited Bill 23-23, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program – Amendment

Introduction: The Council will introduce Expedited Bill 23-23, Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program – Amendment. In November 2022, the Council enacted Bill 31-22, which provides for the County Executive to, among other things, establish regulations with eligibility criteria for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant matching program. The regulations after the adoption of Bill 31-22 were published in January 2023 and received a 30-day public comment period; however, the 2022 calendar year to apply was foregone and under the current law, would render several businesses ineligible to apply for that year. The purpose of the bill, and accompanying Executive Regulations No. 2-23, would be to allow receipt of applications for recipients of a federal SBIR or STTR grant during the fiscal year rather than the calendar year.

The lead sponsor is the Council president at the request of the County Executive. A public hearing is scheduled for May 16.

Bill 24-23, Airpark Community Advisory Committee – Established

Introduction: Councilmember Dawn Luedtke will introduce Bill 24-23, Airpark Community Advisory Committee – Established, which would establish an Airpark Community Advisory Committee; specify the membership, responsibilities and staffing of the committee; and generally amend the laws regarding airports within the County and regarding the advisory committee. Council President Glass is a cosponsor. A public hearing is scheduled for June 13.

The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.

Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.