MoCo Government Archives - Page 127 of 247

Montgomery County Council to Hold Committee Meetings on Sept. 18

Published September 15, 2023 at 5:24PM

Per Montgomery County: The joint Transportation and Environment (TE) and Public Safety (PS) Committee will meet on Monday, Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m. to receive a briefing on safety while traveling by transit. The members of the TE Committee include Chair Evan Glass and Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe and Kate Stewart. The TE Committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. to continue review of the Planning Board draft of the Pedestrian Master Plan. 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 review Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 23-05, Vehicle Parking Design Standards – Commercial Vehicle Parking for Properties with a Residential Use. The Committee also will receive an update from the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) on first time homebuyer programs and receive a briefing on the Bethesda Overlay Zone Annual Monitoring Report.

Healthy Meals for Children Bill Goes Into Effect Today

By Patrick Herron

Published September 15, 2023 at 8:15AM

Last March, Bill No. 1-22 Healthy Meals for Children, which requires restaurants in Montgomery County that offer a children’s meal to provide a healthy option (meal and drink) for their youngest customers, was passed. The first phase (healthy beverage option) went into effect in March, and the second phase (healthy meal option) goes into effect this Friday, September 15. This is the first bill of this nature to be fully implemented in the country. It should be noted that while a healthy option must be presented, customers are not limited in selecting any menu item of their choice. According to the bill, the healthy meals must be under 600 calories and include the following:

On Thursday, county leaders held a press conference at the Silver Diner (12276 Rockville Pike) in Rockville. Per the restaurant, “Silver Diner made it clear today that it supports Montgomery County, Maryland’s new legislation, “Healthy Meals for Children” Bill. (Bill 1-22) that goes into effect on Friday, Sept. 15. The legislation requires food and restaurant facilities offering children’s meals to include healthy food and beverage options, something Silver Diner has been doing for more than 10 years.

County Executive Elrich to Lead Recognition of ‘National Hispanic Heritage Month’ in a Series of Special Events, Environmental and Music Festivals in Wheaton

By Patrick Herron

Published September 14, 2023 at 9:49PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will join in several special events as the County joins in the celebration of “National Hispanic Heritage Month” from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The events will recognize Latinos and Hispanic immigrants making important contributions to their communities.

National Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States. According to the 2020 Census, the Latino population in Montgomery County increased by 31.4 percent since 2010, making Hispanics or Latinos 20.5 percent (217,409) of the County’s total population.

Councilmembers to Host Community Town Hall in Montgomery Village to Discuss Plans for Recreation Center

By Patrick Herron

Published September 13, 2023 at 12:55PM

The county is discussing building a new recreation center in Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village. On October 3 from 7-9 p.m. at Montgomery Village Middle School, Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke and Laurie-Anne Sayles will be joined by community leaders, residents and organizations to discuss the vision for a recreation center.

“The county is committed to providing an enriching amenity for the Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village communities, where there is a high need for investment in our residents, with a particular focus on our youth. During the ‘Stop the Violence’ town hall held in July at Germantown Library, there was a consistent need for space where residents could live, learn, work and play. Communities with convenient access to recreation space and opportunities have proven economic success and overall well-being,” said Councilmember Sayles.

Montgomery County Government to Host Job Fair on October 3rd

By Patrick Herron

Published September 12, 2023 at 11:42AM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Government has nearly 1,000 full-time and part-time jobs, currently open for employment. Interested job seekers 18‐and‐over are encouraged to attend the Montgomery County Career Fair and Hiring Expo from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, located at 1 Veterans Place in downtown Silver Spring.

This is the County’s second major job and hiring event this year designed to attract job seekers across various careers. During the County’s first career fair and hiring expo in May, one in seven attendees received a contingent job offer.

MoCo Restaurants Must Offer Healthy Meal and Healthy Drink Options for Children Beginning This Friday, September 15

By Patrick Herron

Published September 11, 2023 at 10:01PM

Last March, Bill No. 1-22 Healthy Meals for Children, which requires restaurants in Montgomery County that offer a children’s meal to provide a healthy option (meal and drink) for their youngest customers, was passed. The first phase (healthy beverage option) went into effect in March, and the second phase (healthy meal option) goes into effect this Friday, September 15. This is the first bill of this nature to be fully implemented in the country. It should be noted that while a healthy option must be presented, customers are not limited in selecting any menu item of their choice.

“Childhood obesity remains a longstanding problem in our nation and the rate continues to climb impacting our children’s health and quality of life. Especially in a time when our busy lifestyles have more families eating out, it is imperative that as a County we encourage healthy options in our children’s meals,” said former Councilmember Rice after the bill was initially passed. “I applaud the many restaurants, large and small, in our community that are already providing healthier selections. This bill lays out a minimum threshold over an extended period to ensure that our children have a healthier beverage and meal option available to them, all in order to promote more healthful eating habits throughout their lives.”

Montgomery County’s ‘Triple-A’ Bond Rating Streak Continues

By Patrick Herron

Published September 11, 2023 at 4:36PM

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Evan Glass today announced Montgomery County has continued earning the highest possible bond ratings from all three major Wall Street bond rating agencies. Having maintained its “Triple-A (AAA or Aaa)” bond ratings for 2023, the County retains its status as a top-rated issuer of municipal securities, with the highest credit ratings possible for a local government.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings all affirmed the AAA ratings—the highest achievable—for the County. Montgomery County has earned AAA ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. every year since 1973 (51 consecutive years); from Standard & Poor’s every year since 1976 (48 consecutive years) and from Fitch every year since 1991 (33 consecutive years). 

Attorney General Brown Backs Montgomery County Gun Violence Prevention Laws

By Patrick Herron

Published September 8, 2023 at 8:36PM

Per the Maryland Attorney General’s Office: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today filed an amicus brief in Maryland Shall Issue, Inc., et al v. Montgomery County, Maryland supporting the right of Maryland counties to adopt local gun violence prevention laws. The lawsuit, brought by a gun rights advocacy group, challenges recently enacted Montgomery County laws that limit access by children to untraceable “ghost guns” and restrict possession of guns near sensitive locations in the county.

The brief, filed in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, asks the court to enter judgment in favor of Montgomery County and uphold the challenged county laws. In the brief, Attorney General Brown argues that the challenged county laws do not conflict with any Maryland state laws and, instead, fall squarely within the legal authority of counties to pass gun laws with respect to children and within 100 yards of places of public assembly, such as parks, churches, schools, and public buildings, among other locations. The brief also explains that long established advice given in public Opinions of the Office of the Attorney General supports the compatibility of the county laws with applicable state law.

Public Meeting on the Norfolk Avenue Facility Planning Study to be Held on Wednesday, Sept. 20

By Patrick Herron

Published September 8, 2023 at 4:52PM

Per MCDOT: On Wednesday, Sept. 20, starting at 6:30 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold an in-person public meeting at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, Wisconsin Room, located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda to discuss and gather community feedback on possible long-term improvements to the Norfolk Ave. Streetery area.

This meeting will allow MCDOT to share the recommended alternative for the long-term future of Norfolk Avenue. The current design is still very preliminary and is at the concept stage. The ultimate goal of the effort is to find ways to support a permanent streetery along Norfolk Avenue and improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety in the corridor.

Agnes Saenz, Executive Director of Community Reach of Montgomery County, Steps Down After 30 Years of Service

By MCS Staff

Published September 6, 2023 at 7:07PM

After more than 30 years of dedicated service to what was Community Ministries of Rockville, and is now Community Reach of Montgomery County, and 15 years as the Executive Director, Agnes Saenz is stepping down in early September 2023. Originally from Costa Rica, Agnes joined CMR (now Community Reach of Montgomery County) in 1991 as a volunteer accountant and soon became a full-time employee charged with updating CMR’s accounting system. She proposed and founded CMR’s Language Outreach Program (originally Latino Outreach), directing that program until 1998 when she was promoted to Managing Director. In that position, she was responsible for oversight of all direct service programs and administration, as well as the day-to-day operations of the organization. In 2008, Agnes was named Executive Director of CMR. Since 2013, Agnes has also served as the Executive Director of Reach’s subsidiary, Mansfield Kaseman Health Clinic.

Agnes is fluent in both Spanish and English, knowledgeable in Latino/Hispanic culture issues and serves on several boards and commissions. She has been a member of the Latin American Advisory Committee for Montgomery County Executive, Montgomery Cares Advisory Board, Health Centers Leadership Council for Montgomery County Clinics, and the Human Services Advisory Commission for the City of Rockville. She is a graduate of the 1998 class of Leadership Montgomery. Agnes holds a BS Degree in Business Administration with a major in Management and Accounting from the University of Lima, Peru. She received her Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the University of Maryland University College. She was honored by the Maryland Hispanic Business Conference (MDHBC) as the 2014 Latina Powerhouse Award winner. Agnes is close to her extended family, who also live in Rockville and strongly support Reach and the Clinic.

County Leaders Unveil Plan to End Childhood Hunger

By Patrick Herron

Published September 6, 2023 at 4:03PM

From the Office of Councilmember Gabe Albornoz: Montgomery County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz and Montgomery County Food Council leaders were joined by County Executive Marc Elrich, Dr. Monifa McKnight, the Office of Food Systems Resilience, the Montgomery County Food Council, and community partners today to unveil the recommendations developed from the Montgomery County Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger.

The Montgomery County Strategic Plan to End Childhood Hunger was spearheaded by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services in 2022 to combat rising rates of childhood food insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 14 percent of children in Montgomery County are food insecure, and far more live in households without sufficient income to meet basic needs.