Dear friends, I hope you enjoy this latest edition of The Ball Bulletin. In it, you will find helpful information about the work underway to support our community, as well as details about events throughout the county. As County Executive, I want to ensure that county government is as inclusive and transparent as possible. To this end, please feel free to share this newsletter with family, friends, and neighbors. Enjoy!

This Week in HoCo

Human Rights Review Committee Announced

The Transition Team report, issued last month, included a recommendation to thoroughly review the operation of the County's Office of Human Rights (OHR) and it's existing investigation process. OHR is responsible for administering and enforcing provisions of the Howard County Human Rights Law, investigating complaints, and attempting to eliminate violations by conference, conciliation, and persuasion. This week, I issued an Executive Order* creating an Office of Human Rights Review Committee. This is an opportunity to identify ways to strengthen the office so it becomes the gold standard for all local civil rights agencies. For coverage of this story by WBAL, click here. *Executive Order has been amended to add Herb Smith to the Review Committee

PlanHoward Academy Engages Residents in Planning and Zoning This past Tuesday, the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) held its third PlanHoward Academy, a course designed to give residents a better understanding of how local government works, along with information about current planning efforts. The course also teaches participants how to access web-based information, build relationships with county staff, and learn about the plans, policies and procedures that shape our county. To learn more about the PlanHoward Academy and how to participate, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/PlanningAcademy .

Congratulations Warhawks, USA U14 Field Hockey Champs! Congratulations to Howard County’s Warhawks U14 squad on its gold medal win at the USA Field Hockey U14 Disney Showcase. Supported by the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks, this is the Warhawks' first major tournament victory since its establishment in 2013. This summer the Warkawks' will host the USA Field Hockey Region 7 Club U-14 Championship at Howard County's Troy Park at Elkridge.

ReCORK Program Gives Residents a Way to Reduce Waste

Did you and your loved one enjoy a romantic glass of wine last week for Valentine’s Day? Not sure what to do with those leftover wine corks? The County’s Department of Recreation & Parks has partnered with ReCORK to offer residents and restaurants a place to recycle their used natural wine corks. North America's largest natural wine cork recycling program, ReCORK recycles and repurposes cork into new sustainable products. You can recycle your corks today at the County’s Roger Carter Community Center, located at 3000 Milltowne Drive in Ellicott City. To learn more about ReCORK, visit https://recork.com . Together we can build a greener and more sustainable future for our planet.

New Horton Model 603 Ambulance added to Howard County Fleet On Tuesday, I joined Fire Chief Christine Uhlhorn for a “push back” ceremony, placing the Department of Fire and Rescue Services' new Horton Model 603 Ambulance into service at Station 7 in Downtown Columbia. A first of its kind in the fleet, the new ambulance features a shorter turning radius allowing for easier maneuverability on tight streets and is equipped with ZeroRPM idle mitigation system. The ZeroRPM idle mitigation system will help save nearly 7,300 gallons of fuel during the life of the vehicle and reduce the amount of preventative maintenance required, extending the life of the vehicle and saving taxpayers money. For video from the event, click here .

Tips and Resources for Code Blue Cold Weather With a month left to go of winter weather, it’s important we provide the needed resources to ensure every Howard County neighbor, resident, and friend is safe. The Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services activates a “Code Blue” when cold weather strikes. This cold weather safety guide summarizes resources and tips for staying warm and safe this winter.

Howard County Circuit Courthouse Project If you were unable to join the County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) for its community outreach meeting yesterday, Thursday, February 21 to learn about the plans for the new Howard County Circuit Courthouse project (Capital Project C-0290), I encourage you to visit our Circuit Courthouse Project website at www.howardcountymd.gov/howardcourthouse . To learn more about the project, you can also contact Mr. Thomas Meunier, Assistant to the Director, DPW at (410) 313-6160 or email tmeunier@howardcountymd.gov .   Howard County awarded a contract on October 16, 2018 to Edgemoor-Star America Judicial Partners to lead the design, construction, partial financing and facility operation and maintenance of the new Circuit Courthouse and parking structure. The new Circuit Courthouse will be built on the site of the County’s Thomas B. Dorsey Building, located at 9250 Bendix Road in Columbia. The contract was awarded using a competitive procurement process. The design submitted by Edgemoor-Star America Judicial Partners includes a 238,000 square feet courthouse and an adjacent 682-space parking garage. The plan also includes road improvements at the intersections of Bendix and Edgar Roads and Bendix Road and Judicial Way.    Demolition of the Thomas B. Dorsey Building will begin this June, with site work expected to commence two months later. The Courthouse is expected to open in the summer of 2021.

Upcoming Events & Public Meetings

February 23 | Unheard Perspectives Showcase This Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 8:00AM-1:00PM , the public is invited to attend the annual Unheard Perspectives Showcase: Student Investigations of African-American History , hosted by the Howard County Public School System Elementary Social Studies Office, Black Student Achievement Program, and Gifted and Talented Program. The program features students in grades 3-5 who volunteered to learn more about African Americans in American history. Students will showcase their knowledge and findings through a visual presentation, display, or performance. In addition, there will be numerous presentations and exhibits from both community and national organizations. More information can be found on the Unheard Perspectives website.

February 23 | Evening in the Stacks What really happens after hours in the library? Find out by attending this year's "Otherworldly" Evening in the Stacks, held on Saturday, February 23 from 7:00-11:00PM at the Howard County Library System's East Columbia Branch. There will be entertaining encounters, DJ MC Fresh, dancing, an auction, craft cocktails, fine food and more! Cocktail attire is encouraged and thematic tin foil touches are welcome (Black tie optional). Purchase tickets here.

February 25 | Historic Ellicott City Emergency Public Alert System Public Meeting

The Office of Emergency Management will hold the first of three public meetings next week regarding the Emergency Public Alert System proposed for Historic Ellicott City. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 25 at 7:00 PM in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, to review plans, answer questions and gather community feedback. Learn more about the plans for this system here . Additional meetings and a testing schedule will be provided in March.

February 27 | State of the County Address

The State of the County Address is on Wednesday, February 27 at 11:00AM at Turf Valley Resort. You can buy tickets to attend the State of the County from the Howard County Chamber of Commerce website. This will be streamed live for those unable to attend .

February 28 | Consumer Protection Forum Join the County’s Office of Consumer Protection, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh for a FREE consumer protection forum, Protecting Your Consumer Rights: What You Need to Know, focused on your rights as a consumer. The forum will feature an update from Capitol Hill and the State of Maryland, a question and answer period, and various consumer organizations will be represented to provide important information. February 28, 6:30PM , North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel. To register, click here .

March 2 | Hazardous Waste Drop-Off The County’s Bureau of Environmental Services will host a special Household Hazardous Waste drop-off day at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, 2350 Marriottsville Road, Marriottsville, on March 2, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To learn more about what items are accepted, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HHW . Regular Saturday HHW drop-off days at the landfill will resume April 6.

March 5 | Citizens' Budget Hearing for FY 2020

As we work to build our first budget and protect our AAA Bond rating, we will be facing tough fiscal challenges ahead. Therefore, all residents are encouraged to attend and testify at the second, and last, Citizens’ Budget Hearing for the FY2020 budget cycle on Tuesday, March 5 at 7:00PM  in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. Please make your voice heard as we set our shared priorities. Sign up to testify and provide online testimony here .

March 7 | MD 103/US1 Improvement Project Public Meeting

A public meeting will be held March 7 at 5:00PM , Mayfield Woods Middle School, 7950 Red Barn Way, Cafeteria, Elkridge, to discuss the planned improvements to the MD 103/US 1 intersection in Elkridge. To learn more about this meeting, click here .

March 9 | Coffee with a Cop Join Howard County Police Department (HCPD) for its monthly Coffee with a Cop, March 9, 9:00-11:00AM , H Mart, 3301 North Ridge Road, Ellicott Cit . Come meet face-to-face with HCPD's Community Outreach Officers in an informal and neutral space to discuss issues, ask questions and build relationships one cup of coffee at a time. As always, coffee and conversation are on the house. For more information and/or questions, contact HCPD's Community Outreach Division at 410-313-2207.

March 14 | Wilde Lake Water Main Project Public Meeting The County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting to review and discuss the Wilde Lake water main project, March 14, 6:30PM, Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Cafeteria, Columbia. The project will replace 17,000 linear feet of corroding water mains along Green Mountain Circle at Twin Rivers Drive and is scheduled to begin mid-March. For more information about this meeting, click here .

March 17 | 27th Annual Purim Palooza

Bring the family and enjoy an afternoon of fun! This event will be held on  Sunday, March 17, 11:00AM-1:00PM  at  River Hill High School , 11550 Scaggsville Rd in Fulton. It will feature face painting, carnival games & prizes, a photo booth, food and more! FREE ENTRY! Tickets available for activities. Food is cash only. Unlimited activity wrist bands $18/advance, $25/door. Tickets available for activities. For more information, click  here .

Maryland General Assembly News

Earlier this week, I took a trip to Annapolis to testify on House Bill 428 which would establish a state-wide Flood Management Grant Program. My administration is consistently collaborating with our State, Local, and Federal partners to secure resources for Ellicott City and our county. I’m grateful for Delegate Courtney Watson’s leadership and advocacy for Ellicott City and the State of Maryland. To learn more, read this article from the Patch, or view  my testimony.

Pre-filed Legislation

REPEAL MOBILE HOME TAX Yesterday, I was glad to pre-file legislation with the County Council to repeal the County's 40-year-old mobile home tax . For a County with one of the highest median incomes in the nation, it is patently unfair that we are collecting the burdensome tax from some of our most vulnerable residents, including many seniors who live on fixed incomes. This is money that could be better spent to put food on the family table, clothes on their back, and toward costly medical expenses.

REMOVE DEBRIS FROM STREAMS It's important to remove debris from streams to prevent future flooding. That means we sometimes need to go onto private property. Currently, the right-of-entry onto private property is negotiated on a case by case basis, which can take an extended period of time and could jeopardize public safety. Therefore, I pre-filed legislation that, if passed, will allow county workers to access  streams on private property  to remove debris that has potential to cause flooding. To read more about the Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan,  visit the website .

ADD HISTORIC SITES Protecting our history is vital. Preserved, historic sites become local landmarks that can teach us about our past and strengthen our communal sense of identity. This week, I pre-filed legislation to  preserve local history   by adding nine sites to the Historic Sites Inventory and two sites to the Cemeteries and Grave Sites Inventory. This legislation will add to our County’s extensive collection of historic places and maintain the sites for both current residents and future generations.

Tweets of the Week

HoCo Happenings | Government Department News

POLICE DEPARTMENT | COLLISION AVOIDANCE TRAINING Wednesday’s winter weather event, producing, slippery and snow-covered roads, is just another reason why HCPD’s Collision Avoidance Training (C.A.T.) is a must for all our young drivers. Developed by the National Traffic Safety Academy and adapted from law enforcement training, HCPD’s C.A.T. defensive driving and vehicle control program teaches young drivers, age 16 to 20, how to better handle their vehicles in various situations. The cost is $95 to participate and participants must possess a valid Maryland “Class C” driver’s license and have a vehicle to drive during the practical exercises. To register your new driver for HCPD’s 2019 C.A.T. season – dates are: March 23, April 13, May 11, June 8, July 20, August 24, September 21, October 19, November 16 and December 14 – I encourage you to email program coordinator Jessica Beram at jberam@howardcountymd.gov today.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | CONSTRUCTION REPORT As of February 19, 2019, here is a list of Department of Public Works (DPW) Capital Projects currently underway throughout the County. Brookeville Brighton Dam Upgrade – Project to replace Brighton Dam’s screens, gates, plates, heaters and concrete spillway. During the duration of the project, the Brighton Dam bridge is reduced to one lane of traffic using a temporary traffic signal. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by mid-April 2019. Old Roxbury Road Widening (Capital Project J-4239) – Project to widen both lanes of the 4300 block of Old Roxbury Road. During construction hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., intermittent lane shifts can be expected. Delayed due to the necessary relocation of a utility line, the project is now expected to be completed by late July 2019, weather permitting. Columbia Bright Passage Storm Drain Outfall Stabilization (Capital Project D-1158) – Project to repair storm drain outfall channel near 11840 Bright Passage. The project has no effect on traffic flow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by mid-March 2019. Broken Land Parkway Water Transmission Main Installation (Capital Project W-8307) – Project to install a water transmission main along southbound Broken Land Parkway between Stevens Forest Road and Snowden River Parkway. During construction hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., the two right lanes of southbound Broken Land Parkway are closed to traffic. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late April 2019. Shaker Drive Water Transmission Main Installation (Capital Project W-8324) – Project to install water transmission main along northbound Shaker Drive between Justice Place and Allview Drive. During construction hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., temporary lane shifts along northbound Shaker Drive can be expected. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late April 2019. Waiting Spring Pond Repair (Capital Project D-1160) – Project to replace dam infrastructure and embankment at the pond at the end of Prophecy Place. A section of the pedestrian path along the dam from the end of Farstar Place to the end of Prophecy Place is closed for the duration of the project. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late March 2019. Ellicott City Ashton Woods Pond Repair (Capital Project D-1160) – Project to repair a stormwater management pond near 8401 Oakton Lane. There is no effect on traffic flow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late March 2019. Blue River Court Pond Repair Project (Capital Project D-1159) – Project to repair a storm water management pond in the vicinity of 3914 Blue River Court. While the project is not expected to impact the flow of traffic, the sidewalk between 3912 and 3916 Blue River Court will be closed during construction. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late March 2019.  Diversified Lane Pond Repair (Capital Project D-1159) – Project to repair a stormwater management pond near 9780 and 9792 Diversified Lane. The project has no effect on traffic flow. Delayed due to wet weather, the project is now expected to be completed by late April 2019, weather permitting. Ellicott City Interceptor Sewer Siphon Replacement (Capital Project S-6282) - Project to replace a 12-inch diameter sewer pipeline under Patapsco River from the Ilchester Road and Bonnie Branch Road intersection. Intermittently during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the northbound lane of Ilchester Road at Bonnie Branch Road will be closed to thru traffic. On occasion, northbound traffic will shift to the southbound lane. Weather permitting, the project is project is expected to be completed in March 2019. Ellicott City Stream Restoration (Capital Project D-1158) – Project to restore and stabilize approximately 1,300 linear feet of the Little Patuxent River starting at Frederick Road and extending downstream. The project will have no effect on traffic flow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by mid-March 2019. Font Hill Stream Rehabilitation (Capital Project D-1158) – Project to restore approximately 6,000 linear feet of stream west of Centennial Lane between Tuscany Road and Burnside Drive. While there will be no effect on traffic flow, the sidewalks and bike lanes along the west side of Centennial Lane just south of Tuscany Road and the south side of Coventry Court Drive west of Lame Beaver Court may close for a portion of the project. Weather permitting, the project is project is expected to be completed by September 2020. Glenmar Pond Repair (Capital Project D-1159) – Project to repair stormwater management pond between Debbie Court and Mitzy Lane. While the project has no effect on traffic flow, the walking path between Debbie Court and Mitzy Lane is closed during construction. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late February 2019. Governor Martin Court Storm Water Pond Improvements (Capital Project D-1160) – Project to provide stormwater quality treatment to a detention pond near 3339 Governor Martin Court, Ellicott City. The project will have no effect on traffic flow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late February 2019. Northfield Road Sidewalk Construction (Capital Project K-5035) – Project to continue an existing sidewalk along Northfield Road from Crescent Road to Southfield Road. While the sidewalk along the north side of Northfield is complete, the installation of the sidewalk along south side will begin once the easement at 9913 Northfield Road is obtained. Willow Bend Stream Restoration (Capital Project D-1158) – Project to restore and stabilize approximately 1,150 linear feet of stream channel near Gray Rock Drive. While there will be no effect on traffic flow, the sidewalks at the Gray Rock Drive and Blue River Court construction entrances are closed. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by March 2019. Jessup Dorsey Run Sewer Pumping Station Upgrades (Capital Project S-6286) – Project to upgrade the Dorsey Run sewer pumping station’s electrical, mechanical, HVAC, piping and pumping units. Located at 8181 Patuxent Range Road, this project has no effect on traffic flow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by early November 2019. Heritage Woods Stormwater Pond Improvements (Capital Project D-1160) – Project to provide stormwater quality treatment to retention pond located near 8754 Cheshire Court. The project has no effect on traffic flow in the area. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late February 2019. Laurel North Laurel Wastewater Pumping Station Demolition (Capital Project W-8600) – Project to demolish, decommission and remove the former wastewater pumping station located near 10129 North 2nd Street. The project has no effect on traffic flow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by early March 2019. Whiskey Bottom Road Water Pump Station Construction (Capital Project W-8320) – Project to construct new water pump station at 9799 Whiskey Bottom Road. Once the new station is operating, the existing station will be demolished. Eastbound lane of Whiskey Bottom Road from the west end (at the project site) to the Stephens Road traffic circle is closed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Lane closures within the traffic circle can also be expected Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. In addition, temporary sidewalk closures may occur and will be clearly marked. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by mid-July 2019. Savage Little Patuxent Wastewater Reclamation Plant Construction (Capital Project S-6295) – Project to construct biosolids processing facility. The project has no effect on traffic flow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by June 2020. Woodbine Maple Dell Farm Stream Restoration (Capital Project D-1158) – Project to improve an eroded stream at Maple Dell Farm located at 1960 Daisy Road. The project has no effect on traffic flow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late May 2019. To learn more about DPW Capital Projects currently underway, visit https://bit.ly/2V6K5B6 . Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details, including news releases about the project. You can also contact DPW’s Customer Service Office at ( 410) 313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov for further assistance.   If you have questions or are interested in finding out about a State road (numbered roadway) project in your area, visit the Maryland State Highway Administration’s website and search by “County” to learn more about State road projects.

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