Government

The deadline to sign up to speak is July 25 at 5:00 p.m.

Resolution, Proposed Amendment to County Charter – General Provisions – Conflicting Charter Amendments

Those who choose to cast their votes using ballot drop boxes must submit their completed ballots by the final collection time – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19 – for their ballot to count. To identify the nearest ballot drop box and post office locator, text BOX plus zip code (example: BOX 20879) to 77788 or visit 777vote.org.

Election officials must review the returned envelopes containing voted ballots and verify the voter registration for voters who cast a provisional ballot prior to the ballot being counted. Mail-in and provisional ballots are counted in a public process by bipartisan teams of voters during the weeks following the election. Results for each ballot-counting session, referred to as the “canvasses,” are then added to the Election Day totals before the official results of the election are certified.

Montgomery County is facing an epidemic of gun violence, which, in line with national trends, has become exacerbated following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 alone, Montgomery County has seen 15 homicides linked to firearms. Montgomery County Police have recovered 727 guns, of which 105 are Privately Manufactured Firearms (PMFs), also known as ghost guns. These numbers show a significant increase over last year’s data. In all of 2021, the department recovered a total of 1,192 guns, of which 72 were PMFs. In 2021, the Council unanimously passed legislation spearheaded by Councilmember Albornoz that would restrict the sale and transfer of ghost guns to minors. This legislation was followed by the Maryland legislature’s passage of Senate Bill 387 in March 2022, which closes a dangerous loophole that makes it difficult for law enforcement to protect the public, by banning ghost guns statewide.

“I continue to believe that guns create immeasurably more problems, often with tragic outcomes, than they attempt to solve,” said Council President Albornoz. “This legislation will help to ensure that we do everything possible to minimize the amount of guns in our public space. I have confidence that our Maryland General Assembly will take action, but given the urgency of gun violence in our community, I felt strongly that we could not wait to take action at the local level.”

This historic legislation, spearheaded by Councilmember Tom Hucker and Council President Gabe Albornoz, aims to curb climate change effects and facilitate the County’s efforts to reach its climate goals. All Councilmembers cosponsored the legislation.

“This legislation will require all bills and zoning text amendments to have a climate impact assessment, which will ensure our policies are made through a lens of sustainability and equity,” said Councilmember Hucker, who chairs the Transportation and Environment Committee. “These are the type of systematic changes needed to meet our ambitious climate goals.”

The Council will meet on Tuesday, July 12 at 1 p.m. The meeting will begin with two proclamations. The first, presented by Councilmembers Jawando and Rice, will recognize the Teacher of the Year. The second, presented by Council President Albornoz and County Executive Elrich, will recognize the Maryland Israel Development Center.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Like New York, Maryland has a proper-cause requirement for wear-and-carry handgun licenses. Gov. Larry Hogan, in response to Bruen, instructed the Maryland State Police not to enforce the proper-cause element of the Maryland law. As a result of the Supreme Court ruling and Governor Hogan’s order to the Maryland State Police, more individuals in Maryland likely will carry firearms, regardless of whether the individuals have any good or substantial reason to carry them.

The goal of this bill is to reduce gun violence in Montgomery County.

“Montgomery County is more welcoming, stronger, vibrant, and resilient because of the outstanding recreation programs and services,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “I hope everyone will take advantage of all the excellent amenities offered by our team at Montgomery County Recreation and take some time this month to thank them for all their great work.”

“July comes in with a bang with our Independence Day fireworks and concerts and throughout the month we reach thousands of residents at our senior centers, community recreation centers, and swimming pools, or through our summer programs which serve many age groups,” said Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley. “The work we do every day makes a difference to those we serve. I am incredibly proud of the hard-working recreation team members who ensure our residents have high-quality, essential recreation services.”

County Executive Marc Elrich has released a statement about the three Bethesda area churches that were vandalized over the weekend, two of which involved arson.

My thoughts are with the leaders and congregants of St. Jane de Chantal Catholic Parish, North Bethesda United Methodist Church, and Wildwood Baptist Church during this very difficult and concerning to the institutions and the families they serve. We have reached out to each of the churches to see if they need any assistance to help them during this time.