From the Office of Council President Evan Glass (3.28.23): The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously today to reaffirm the appointment of Mr. James Hedrick to serve as a member on the Montgomery County Planning Board.
Mr. Hedrick was appointed by the Council to become a Planning Board member on Feb. 28, 2023. On March 24, the Council received notification from County Executive Marc Elrich on his decision to disapprove James Hedrick’s appointment to the Planning Board.
Per Montgomery County: Today the Montgomery County Council voted to approve Bill 7-23, Consumer Protection- Gasoline Station Signage, sponsored by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz. The legislation is supported by the full Council, and the new law requires gas stations in Montgomery County to post the credit price of regular gasoline. Current Maryland state law requires gas stations to display the lowest price of regular gasoline. Many gas stations charge different prices according to the method payment, with the lowest price typically requiring payment in cash.
“We have all experienced that moment of noting the posted price of a gallon of gas, pulling up to the pump and then realizing that the credit price is much higher,” said Councilmember Albornoz, who chairs the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee. “The intent of the existing state requirement to display the lowest price of regular gasoline overlooks that most consumers use credit cards to purchase gas. Our residents find the lack of disclosing the credit price to be misleading and frustrating. I’m grateful to my fellow Councilmembers for their support of this legislation to protect our consumers.”
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a bill introduced by Councilmember Sidney Katz, which amends the property tax credit for certain individuals 65 and above and retired military services members. The original property tax credit bill, sponsored by Councilmember Katz, passed in 2017. The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee unanimously (3-0) recommended enactment of Bill 1-23 with amendments.
Bill 1-23 will increase the assessed value of qualifying properties by $50,000 from the current thresholds, so that the maximum assessed value of a property would be updated from $650,000 to $700,000 for qualifying individuals 65 and above and from $500,000 to $550,000 for eligible military services retirees. Qualified residents currently receive up to a 20 percent credit on their county property tax bill annually, for up to seven years.
“I applaud the unanimous vote of the County Council today to approve the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Commission. I greatly appreciate the leadership of Councilmember Albornoz and was pleased to work with him on this important legislation. As a parent of an adult foster child with IDD, I know that people in the community with direct experiences can help us. We will begin the task of recruitment for the members of the commission and look forward to the commission beginning the tasks of identifying and advocating for the unique needs of people with IDD and fostering dialogue with families and caregivers,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.
As enacted, the new IDD Commission includes 24 members, including individuals from the intellectual and developmental disability community, service providers and service agencies, and the Commission on People with Disabilities, who will be focusing on promoting direct communication among families, support staff, private and public organizations and the public about programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The commission will also provide educational programs, identify current gaps in services and provide advice and recommendations on best practices to the County and the County Executive.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week is leading an economic development mission to Taiwan to promote the advantages for Taiwanese organizations to establish or expand their U.S. operations in Montgomery County. The trip is an outgrowth of an invitation he received from the Taipei Computer Association (TCA) to speak at its 2023 Smart Cities Summit and Expo the County’s Climate Action Plan and Net Zero activities. Montgomery County now is a featured delegation at this Summit, which has more than 1300 attendees from 47 countries around the world.
Montgomery County, which is viewed as the economic leader of Maryland, now is a featured delegation at the Smart Cities Summit and Expo, which has more than 1,300 attendees from 47 countries around the world at its 2023 event.
The first Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Cabin John Village shopping center, opened in 2021 and has become a customer favorite. The future second Oak Barrel & Vine store, located in the Montrose Crossing shopping center, is expected to open in January 2023. ABS intends to upgrade its remaining retail stores to the Oak Barrel & Vine brand over the next several years.
ABS is the alcohol wholesaler of beer, wine, and spirits for Montgomery County and operates 26 retail stores throughout the County. In addition, ABS manages alcohol licensing, enforcement and education for more than 1,000 businesses. Generating more than $35 million in net income annually, its profits are used to pay down County debt with a large portion deposited in the general fund to pay for resident services that would otherwise be funded by County tax dollars. Follow ABS on Facebook and Twitter.
County Executive Marc Elrich’s memorandum to County Council Oresident Evan Glass, disapproving the appointment of James Hedrick to the Montgomery County Planning Board, and Glass’ statement in response, can be seen below:
“Section 15-103 of the Land Use Article of the Maryland Code provides for the County Executive to approve or disapprove appointments of commissioners to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. On March 1, 2023, the Council submitted the appointment of James Hedrick to me for consideration.
Members of the Transportation & Environment Committee have written WMATA a letter stating that they believe that Metro should adopt a fare plan that is fair to all riders. The full letter, by Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Kate Stewart and Marilyn Balcombe, can be seen below:
“Dear Mr. Smedberg,
Per Montgomery County: On Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m., Councilmember Kate Stewart and Council President Evan Glass will host a community conversation on safety in Silver Spring. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and will be held at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD. The event will include a panel discussion on gun safety and safety improvements in downtown Silver Spring, a discussion with community residents and a safety walk. Councilmembers Stewart and Glass will be joined by nonprofit partners, public safety and local business leaders.
“We are gathering for this event because like many of you, I want to make sure that Silver Spring continues to be a place where young people, children, families, young adults and older folks feel safe and enjoy all we have to offer,” said Councilmember Stewart. “Addressing the issues we are facing will require everyone to take part in solutions — Montgomery County leadership, partners in neighboring jurisdictions, our police, our businesses, non profits, and our residents.”
On March 14, 2023, Delegate Kirill Reznik announced that he would resign from the Maryland House of Delegates on March 21, to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Inter-Departmental Data Integration for the Maryland Department of Human Services. Per the Montgomery County Democratic Party: Delegate Kirill Reznik has resigned as Maryland State Delegate serving District 39 effective March 21, 2023. Governor Wes Moore has appointed Delegate Reznik as Assistant Secretary for Inter-Departmental Data Integration at the Department of Human Services.
Individuals interested in applying for the appointment should submit a cover letter, a resume, and any other supporting materials that they would like the MCDCC to consider by email to [email protected] with the subject line D39 Delegate Vacancy Application no later than Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 5 p.m. Applicants also must provide proof of residency indicating that they have been a resident in the district for the past six months. Each applicant must submit either a Credit card bill, Utility bill, Bank statement, or mail from a Federal, State, or Local government agency dating back six months.
Per Montgomery County: WSSC Water’s is now accepting applications for its 2023 Commissioners Engineering Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate engineering students. Graduating high school seniors accepted into a collegiate engineering program also are eligible to apply. Winners of the scholarships receive $2,000 per year and up to $8,000 over four consecutive years.