The County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Montgomery County Recreation, the Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Public Libraries and community partners are working together to provide opportunities and information to move to electric energy and lower energy costs.
There will be an Electrify theme for each week in October:
The Best Practices Awards program was launched in 2015 to recognize control state agencies that are leading the industry in innovation, education and enforcement. Any beverage control agency from the U.S. and Canada is eligible to enter the awards, which are presented in eight categories with one standout selected as the overall winner and serving as a model for other agencies to follow.
“ABS has acted nimbly and has remained steadfast in its commitment to customer service, even as it has faced rapidly changing conditions over the past couple of years,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I congratulate ABS and our hard-working employees on this well-deserved award.”
Since September, the Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition and AARP Maryland have been behind a series of community forums across the state. Members of Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board have presented their work to the public at these community gatherings. The forums have also focused on public education, receiving input from consumers and elevating patient stories.
“We are excited to hear about the proposals and recommendations that will save Marylanders money at the drug store,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “When we started this push to convince state lawmakers to establish the Prescription Drug Affordability Board in 2019 we were desperate for ways to bring down prescription drug costs. Very little has changed in the market since then so we anticipate these measures, when adopted by lawmakers, will have a massive impact in the lives of Marylanders.”
Governor Larry Hogan has announced that the next round of Opportunity Zone microgrant funding will open on October 4. The grants will allow eligible small businesses seeking to expand within designated Opportunity Zones (distressed communities) to apply for microgrants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. Below is a map of “Opportunity Zones” in Montgomery County, courtesy of www.Maryland.gov
Maryland has 149 designated Opportunity Zones, and each of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions has at least one designation. The first two rounds of Opportunity Zone microgrant funding have invested $1 million in 20 businesses across the state.
The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. The meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first, presented by Councilmember Craig Rice, will recognize Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. The second, presented by Councilmembers Rice and Sidney Katz, will recognize Constitution Month.
The afternoon session will begin at 1 p.m. with two proclamation presentations. The first, presented by Council President Gabe Albornoz and the County Executive, will recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The second, presented by Councilmember Will Jawando, will recognize National Health Week.
For 17 months, Councilmembers have been working with staff and listening to suggestions from residents across Montgomery County to develop a general plan for the County’s future. The Thrive Montgomery 2050 PHED Committee Draft Plan contains the text and supporting maps for a comprehensive amendment to Montgomery County’s current General Plan (On Wedges and Corridors).
The document establishes a vision for Montgomery County’s future growth and encompasses broad, countywide policy recommendations for land use, zoning, housing, the economy, equity, transportation, parks and open space, the environment and historic resources.
“Walking is healthy, good for our environment and is a great way to get out and see Montgomery County in the fall,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Montgomery County is home to numerous cherished walking trails such as the C&O Canal, Black Hills Regional Park trails and the Matthew Henson Trail. Walktober is a great reminder for residents and visitors to explore these and other locations around the County, dine at some of our wonderful restaurants and plan a visit to a local farm for apple or pumpkin picking.”
MCDOT will be hosting a series of outreach events throughout the County designed to highlight the importance of walking. Walktober events will include:
The center will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days per year and is expected to be located at the Seven Locks Criminal Justice Complex in Rockville.
The County is opening the restoration center to help reduce the use of emergency rooms, hospitals and jail detention. A team of multidisciplinary professionals will staff the center that will include nurses, licensed mental health and addiction professionals, peer specialists and resource navigators.
The members of the HHS Committee include Chair and Council President Gabe Albornoz, Council Vice President Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness & Vulnerable Communities) and Councilmember Craig Rice.
The members of the GO Committee include Chair Nancy Navarro and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Sidney Katz.
The members of the PHED Committee include Chair Hans Riemer and Councilmembers Andrew Friedson (Lead for Parks) and Will Jawando.
More detail on each agenda item is provided below.
The changes approved in ZTA 22-05 represent the first comprehensive rewrite of the County Sign Ordinance in the past 25 years. The provisions of ZTA 22-05 will go into effect Monday, Oct. 10.
Prior to approval of the new ZTA, owners of digital sign boards were legally limited to changing the messages on digital signs to once every 24 hours unless they obtained a variance. The new regulations will allow changes once every 30 seconds.