The County Council had its first significant legislative session on February 4. It was a collaborative effort by all council members to find common ground and smart solutions. I am pleased that the final version of CB4-2019, dealing with a "necessary disturbance" exemption around streams, wetlands, and steep slopes reflected the efforts of the entire Council to create a workable solution for the near future. We did our homework, talking to the county departments, industry experts, and environmental advocates.
We all voted to retain the necessary disturbance exemption to ensure that our county departments could service public stormwater and sewer infrastructure and that mitigation would be used to enhance and restore degraded habitats. Councilmembers Yungmann and Jones introduced an amendment that requires DPZ to collect information about the how the exemption is used, and I introduced an amendment to their amendment that will significantly strengthen environmental protections and transparency in the county. Thanks to Councilmember Walsh for introducing this bill and bringing attention to this important issue.
CB-3, also introduced by Councilmember Walsh, would have granted the Historic Preservation Commission new oversight powers that are not presently mandatory for developers and others seeking a Certificate of Authority from the Commission. There are conflicts within the regulations regarding which entity has ultimate authority over these matters so the Council voted to table the bill while further exploring the best way to resolve the conflicts.
Finally, CR-3 was a resolution that allowed the County to enter into a no bid agreement with a developer to rebuild the Sheppard Lane-Route 108 intersection. I voted against the resolution as I believe the community needs an opportunity to weigh in on the road design and the impacts it will have on traffic on Route 108.
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Coffee With Deb
Would you like to have a chat with me about your concerns and ideas for a fantastic District 4?
Come join me at one of my Coffee Chats.
February 16, 10am-12pm,
Starbucks, Wilde Lake
March 16, 10am-12pm,
Bagel Bin, River Hill
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State Delegation: Public Hearing
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February 20, 2019
7:30pm
Banneker Room
George Howard Building 3430 Courthouse Drive Ellicott City, MD
The Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly will hold a public hearing for citizen input on statewide issues and Howard County local bills and bonds that have not yet had a public hearing. Public t
estimony is limited to three minutes and signup will begin at 7:00pm in the Banneker Room. You are encouraged to bring 15 – 20 copies of your testimony for the Delegation
.
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More Hours for CAC Child Care Program
Starting in the fall of 2019, the Community Action Council will extend its before- and after-care program from 6.5 hours to 11 hours per day. The increased hours will be funded through a three-year grant from the Maryland State Department of Education.
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Thanks for the Thanksgiving Memories
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The family-owned farm of Maple Lawn Turkey Farm in Fulton will be ceasing production of free-range turkeys and selling its existing equipment at an auction on February 23. The land will be developed into one-acre lot houses. The Iager family has owned and operated the 108 acre farm since 1839. I have bought my Thanksgiving turkey from them for years and can't imagine what I will do next year!
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This Month's
Non-Profit
Spotlight
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Howard EcoWorks
Mission
To empower an under-served workforce and to respect and restore our natural systems for future generations.
Vision
To lead in developing innovative solutions, a skilled workforce, and partnerships for resilient communities.
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Patapsco Heritage Greenway
The Patapsco Heritage Greenway’s mission is to preserve, protect, interpret, and restore the environment, history, and culture of the Patapsco River Valley.
Preserve. Protect. Interpret. Restore.
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Potholes Be Gone
Got potholes and other road and infrastructure repair requests? Report the problem and track the solution through
SeeClickFix
. Create a login, set your location, and rest assured that the county is working on it for you.
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The council held a voting session on February 4, 2019. Vote results can be viewed
here
. Thanks for reaching out to my office with your views on the current bills. I truly appreciate the time and the insights that you shared. Here are the vote results for the bills that had the most public interest:
CB3
- tabled
CB4
- passed with amendments
CR3
- passed with a "no" vote from Jung and Walsh.
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NextGen Noise Resolution: CR19
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Along with the County Council Chair, Christiana Mercer Rigby, I am pleased to sponsor CR19, a resolution that supports the
civil actions filed by the
Office of Law to address the harmful impacts from the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System at Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
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Environment Issues Briefing
The Office of Community Sustainability was created to assist the Howard County Executive with sustainability policy. On January 28, 2019, the council was given an overview of the Chesapeake Bay clean-up efforts that are mandated by the state. Counties are required to control run-off and manage stormwater to prevent pollution and siltation into local waterways that feed the Bay.
In Howard County, stormwater projects are funded by a utility fee on local property owners. There are also credits and incentives available to residential and commercial property owners.
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Ellicott City Safe & Sound
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County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball announced additional details for Ellicott City Safe and Sound on February 7, 2019.
click
here
to read more.
- Building Acquisition - The County will negotiate in good faith with property owners whose buildings have been identified as being in imminent danger to acquire their properties. The administration continues to explore all options regarding next steps for the buildings once acquired.
- Emergency Public Alert System. - The Office of Emergency Management will develop a comprehensive early warning system.
- Clearing the Waterways – The Department of Public Works will remove debris along nine waterways on a more frequent basis and within a certain time after a major weather event. Residents will be able to track inspections and see pictures of debris that was removed on a public dashboard that will be launching early 2019.
- Flood Mitigation Assistance Pilot Program – This matching grant program will provide funding for flood mitigation projects in certain areas. Projects must be on structures in flood zones (Old Ellicott City, Dunloggin, Valley Meade). The maximum amount per project is $5,000.
- Working with State Partners - Delegate Courtney Watson and Senator Katie Fry Hester have proposed legislation to make flood mitigation projects an eligible use of funds from the state’s Bay Restoration Fund Fee.
- Supporting Main Street Businesses – An ombudsman from the county’s Economic Development Authority will work with Main Street businesses to promote tourism and assist business owners with resources and assistance.
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The County Executive has released his Transi
tion Team Report covering the following topics:
- Administration
- Citizen Services
- Economic Development
- Education
- Environment
- Health Care
- Housing
- Planning & Zoning
- Public Safety
- Public Works
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Pre-Submission Meetings & Public Hearings
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Pre-submission meetings and public hearings in and around D-4 include
- Good Hope Presbyterian Church, conditional use, parking spaces, 2/11/19
- Clarksville Crossing, 9 units, 2/11/19
- Dar Al Taqwa, parking lot expansion, 2/12/19
- AJ Gill property, single family detached unit, 2/13/19
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Bright Passage Stormwater Pond
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Work has begun to restore and stabilize an eroded storm drain near 11840 Bright Passage in the Village of Hickory Ridge in Columbia. The project is expected to be completed by mid-March 2019. The project is funded through the County’s Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund.
For questions about
Capital Project D-1158
, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service.
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Below are some of the events and meetings I have recently attended. Let me know about your community activities so I can stop by, if my schedule allows.
01/31-Clarksville Streetscape Project
02/02 - Lunar New Year at Columbia Mall
02/06 - MACo Meeting
02/07 - Safe and Sound Presentation
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Valentine's Day Masquerade Murder Mystery
February 14th
5430 Vantage Point Road
Columbia, MD
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"
Les Bons Temps"
Mardi Gras Jazz
Concert
March 1st
St. Louis Church, Clarksville
7:30pm
The 2019 St. Louis Concert Series opens its 2019 season with a
free
, jazz-inspired program . The performance features Bob Chilcott’s “Little Jazz Mass” with Aleks Izotov Trio, surprise guest artist,s and New Orleans-style procession and reception with hors d’oeuvre.
The program requires no ticket, but best seating is first-come. For more information about the event or the series, visit
www.stlconcertseries.org
or call 410-531-6040.
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