Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, July 11 at 1:15 p.m. and the meeting will begin with a proclamation, presented by Council Vice President Andrew Friedson, to recognize National Parks and Recreation Month. More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
Unless otherwise noted, the Council will hold the following hybrid public hearings at 1:30 p.m. Residents can visit the Council website to learn about the multiple ways to provide testimony.
Per Montgomery County: The Aging and Disability Services Division of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services recently began offering free hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers to eligible residents 60-and-over. The distribution of these devices will be conducted by Access HEARS, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect individuals with hearing loss.
Through this program, 400 over-the-counter hearing aids and personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) will be distributed. Eligible individuals must be Montgomery County residents ages 60-and-over with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss and an annual income below 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Individuals earning less than $36,450 and couples earning less than $49,300 qualify to participate. Participants must provide proof of age, residence and income.
Per Montgomery County: Residents who are looking for a new furry friend are encouraged to go to the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) in Derwood. The adoption center is at “critical capacity,” particularly regarding large dogs of more than 40 pounds. It is waiving adoption fees for the next 50 dogs adopted.
From Jan. 1 through June 30, 1,117 dogs came into the animal center. During the same period in 2022, 916 dogs came into the building, meaning there was an increase of 201 dogs admitted during the first six months of 2023 compared to the previous year. The increase in the number of dogs entering the animal center in June of this year was substantial. In June, 214 dogs entered the shelter, but only 173 dogs exited. This is a significant reason the shelter is currently at capacity.
Per the Arc Montgomery County: The Arc Montgomery County kicked off their 65thanniversary on Sunday, June 25, 2023 on the beautiful campus of the Barrie School. The event, with full reserved capacity of over 300 registered attendees, included the installation of the 2023-2024 Board of Directors, presented by Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass, and an awards ceremony recognizing community partners, including Montgomery Parks Program Access, who have gone above and beyond in supporting The Arc’s mission of inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Immediately following the awards ceremony there was a celebration picnic with a grill buffet, DJ, raffle prizes, a moon bounce, arts & crafts, and a photo booth for everyone of all ages and abilities to celebrate together. Councilmember Will Jawando delivered a proclamation honoring this historic anniversary during a cake-cutting ceremony.
Per Montgomery County: The Latino Health Initiative (LHI), one of three minority health initiatives that are part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), recently hosted its first-ever community health worker (CHW) certification program graduation. The group of 20 graduates was honored following completion of a rigorous six-month training program that included 100 hours of instruction and a 40-hour practicum.
CHWs, also known as health promoters, play a vital role in informing and advocating for community members who face cultural and language barriers in accessing health care services. As trusted frontline health workers, CHWs reach many in the community who are uninsured or underinsured, or otherwise unconnected to health care resources.
Per Montgomery County: On Tuesday, July 11 at 7 p.m., Council President Evan Glass will host the first meeting of the newly formed Anti-Hate Task Force alongside County elected officials and leaders from the Jewish, African American, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino and Muslim communities. Council President Glass introduced a resolution creating an Anti-Hate Task Force and appointing its members, that was formally adopted with unanimous support during Council session on Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
The task force kicks off its first meeting on Tuesday, July 11 at 7 p.m. in the Wheaton Library and Community Recreation Center, located at 11701 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. The meeting will be live streamed on YouTube. The task force is expected to hold several meetings in the upcoming months, and present final recommendations in late November.
Community members encouraged to sign up to testify about their experiences with the county’s development review process at listening session led by State Delegate Lesley Lopez, in coordination with the Montgomery County Planning Department and the Montgomery County Executive’s Office
Per Montgomery Planning: Members of the public are invited to provide input on Montgomery County’s process for reviewing and approving development projects during the second of three listening sessions for the Development Review Process Workgroup on Tuesday, July 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s (M-NCPPC) Wheaton Headquarters (2425 Reedie Drive, 2nd floor, Wheaton, MD 20902). The listening session will feature in-person and virtual options for the public to testify.
According to the Montgomery County MD Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS), “A Flood Watch has been issued in Montgomery County, this afternoon through evening. Heavy rain & severe storms are possible. Stay weather aware & be prepared to take your Sunday plans indoors. 🚧If you encounter high water on the road, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”
Per the Maryland Department of Emergency Management: Widespread 1-2″ of rainfall is expected across the Flood Watch area today, with isolated totals in excess of 4″ possible. Risk for flash flooding and damaging winds exist across the region. Highest risk for flash flooding is generally near and NW of the I-95 corridor.
Per Montgomery County:
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Office of Procurement won a National Association of Counties (NACo) Award for the Digitization of County Contracting in the County Administration and Management category. NACo is an organization that represents county governments in the United States. It works to advance excellence in public service. Until recently, the County’s Office of Procurement utilized paper-based methods to manage procurement actions for more than 2,600 contracts, totaling goods and services valued at more than $1 billion annually. Due to the unforeseen urgency brought on by COVID-19, paper-based methods of submitting and receiving bids were no longer possible.
To improve the system, technical and operational staff fast-tracked the development and implementation of an e-bidding system to accept responses to solicitations online. These efforts were fully developed and maintained with existing staff at no cost and implemented within one year.
Per Montgomery County: The 2023 Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale on Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23, will be a unique opportunity for residents to explore 21 select farms in the County’s Agricultural Reserve, shop local, enjoy fresh food, see farm animals and learn about farming as a way of life. The Farm Tour will offer a chance to visit select farms, some of which are only open to the public during this special weekend event.
During the Farm Tour weekend, all 21 participating farms will be open on Saturday, July 22, and 17 farms will be open on Sunday, July 23. Tourgoers should check the 2023 Farm Tour website for each farm they plan to visit for any additional costs, details on hours and activities or to make any necessary reservations. No pets are allowed except service animals for persons with disabilities.