MoCo

Per Montgomery County: Today the Montgomery County Council approved the Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan Update, which is the first comprehensive update to the plan since its creation in 1996. The Council also enacted Bill 30-23 that changes the composition and duties of the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee.

Rustic roads are low-traffic, narrow roadways in historic and scenic locations around the County. They are primarily found in agricultural and rural regions with a large number running through the Agricultural Reserve as well as historic and heritage sites. The Rustic Roads are primarily found in Council Districts 2, 7 and 1.

Per Montgomery County: Councilmember Dawn Luedtke introduced a bill today that would improve emergency response by enabling the public to provide personal and medical information to assist emergency responders through a voluntary 9-1-1 registry program.  The voluntary registry established through Bill 33-23, Police – Voluntary Registry for Emergency 911 Calls – Established, would allow individuals or their caregivers to notify first responders that someone at their address has differing abilities or health challenges, such as being non-verbal, sensitive to loud noises or bright lights, prone to avoid eye contact, or exhibits other traits. This information would be included in the County’s emergency dispatch system and regularly updated.

“Voluntary 9-1-1 registry is a proven option to help our public safety professionals better support individuals during an emergency call,” Councilmember Luedtke said. “When our first responders arrive on scene, we want them to have as much information as possible so they can provide the most effective and appropriate care.”

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed the newly-passed rent stabilization bill into law on Monday. Last week the Montgomery County Council voted (7-4) today to enact Bill 15-23, Rent Stabilization, which establishes maximum allowable rent increases to the lesser of the local annual Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) plus three percent or six percent of the base rent.

Per Montgomery County: The legislation, sponsored by Councilmembers Natali Fani-González and Sidney Katz, takes a balanced approach by stabilizing rents in Montgomery County while also ensuring landlords can earn a fair return on their investment. Keeping in mind the County’s need to build 31,000 housing units by 2030, the legislation exempts newly built units for 23 years.

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council have announced that $1 million in grants is available through the new Community Projects Fund to assist small, emerging and volunteer-led nonprofits in implementing community focused projects, initiatives and events. The first round of grants, totaling $250,000, is open now. The opportunity will be reopened later in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) with at least $250,000 available in each quarter to support new community needs and opportunities.

Awards will be prioritized to nonprofit organizations with fewer than three employees and annual budgets of $250,000 or less. Nonprofits do not need to be based in Montgomery County to apply, but all projects must occur within the County or be exclusively focused on County residents.

“A very serious incident occurred today in Aspen Hill that resulted in four victims being stabbed and the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) utilizing lethal force to prevent a knife-wielding suspect from harming more people, including officers. I want to thank the MCPD officers for their rapid response to the incidents and their dogged pursuit of the suspect. Their efforts very likely prevented further assaults and may well have saved lives.

As with any police-involved shooting, a thorough investigation will be conducted by the Maryland Attorney General’s office. It is essential that we uphold the principles of transparency and accountability in every case including this one. The Attorney General’s office will be responsible for determining when to release the names of those involved as well as any video associated with the incident. I encourage them to do so in a timely manner.