MoCo Government

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will hold its tenth annual Hispanic Heritage Month commemoration on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at approximately noon.  The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Nosotros: The Rise of Latino Influence in the United States,” and will include a musical dance performance by the Albert Einstein High School competitive dance group “Titanes Salseros,” a special video program, and a Council proclamation.   

The video program will feature interviews with Hispanic leaders who, through their work, positively impact their communities through their public service, industry expertise, and their roles as liaisons with community members of all ages and backgrounds. 

Per Montgomery County: The Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing on Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) staffing changes for the cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg. In addition, the committee will review Bill 32-23, Police – Policing Advisory Commission – Amendments. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Kristin Mink.

The Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive a briefing from representatives of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) on code enforcement and troubled properties. The members of the PHP Committee include Chair Andrew Friedson and Councilmembers Natali Fani-González and Will Jawando.

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has removed permitting barriers to allow produce growers to build high tunnel-type greenhouses on urban and suburban properties, a benefit previously reserved for land designated as agricultural. High tunnels can be a key piece of farm infrastructure for vegetable growers to increase food production. Similar to a greenhouse, a high tunnel is a less permanent structure, built with a metal frame and plastic cover instead of glass and metal. High tunnels extend the growing season by trapping heat and protect crops from diseases and pests.

Urban agriculture is fundamental to achieving food systems resiliency in the County, increasing urban access to nutritious food and empowering urban residents. Previously, a building permit from the County was required for high tunnels on properties not agriculturally assessed for tax purposes. It is often difficult for properties with fewer than three acres to obtain the necessary agricultural assessment. This requirement had presented a barrier to new farmers and those with fewer means on urban and suburban properties.

Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (DVCC) is urging residents to “Know the Signs” of domestic violence. That is the theme as October will be recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Montgomery County Council will present a proclamation on Tuesday, Oct. 3, recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout October, visitors to the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza will notice a display of several dozen yard signs containing warning signs for those experiencing domestic violence and information about available resources.

People in need of assistance or having concerns for a friend or family member should call the Montgomery County Family Justice Center at 240-773-0444, the Montgomery County Crisis Center at 240-777-4000 or email [email protected].  More information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month and how to know the signs of domestic violence is available at www.tinyurl.com/mocodvam.

The Education and Culture (EC) Committee will meet on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 9:30 a.m. to review initial report findings and processes for investigations of employee misconduct in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The members of the EC Committee include Chair Will Jawando and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Kristin Mink. The joint EC and Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive an update on school bus and traffic safety. The members of the PS Committee include Chair Sidney Katz and Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Mink.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is applauding the County Council’s passage of Bill 18-22, which will phase-out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums. The Council voted10-1 to enact the bill, which is an amended version of the legislation County Executive Elrich sent to the Council last year. The bill will be signed into law by the County Executive and is the latest step in the County’s continued efforts to reduce noise pollution.

For more information on Bill 18-22, including the Sept. 26, 2023, County Council staff report, click here. The final approved version of the bill is not yet available online. It should be posted online later this week. To watch the Council session, click here.