Happy New Year!

As 2019 says goodbye, I would like to look back over the year and share with you an overview of my legislative initiatives. I am very proud of the work that the County Council has done on behalf of the Howard County citizens.

Happy New Year to you and your family.

~Deb

NEW YEAR'S DAY CLOSINGS

County government offices

Courts

Animal shelter

50+ centers

Alpha Ridge Landfill

No trash or recycling service, yard trim and food scrap pick-up services

Cedar Lane and Schooley Mill activity rooms

Community centers and athletic centers

Robinson Nature Center

Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum

County historic sites

No RTA service

Parking fees not enforced

County parks are open on January 1.

2019 Legislation in Review

Council Bills

Introduced or Co-sponsored by Deb Jung

Environmental Initiatives

Forest Conversation Act (CB62) Repeal and reenactment of the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County to bring it in line with state requirements and add additional requirements and standards. Passed with amendments

Scenic Roads (CB63) Alters the requirements for the buffer between a road and a new major subdivision that is located along a Scenic Road. Passed with amendments

Building Moratorium in the Tiber & Plumtree Branch Watersheds (CB20) Extends the effective period of the temporary prohibition on the issuance of certain permits and approvals of development plans and zoning changes for property that drains to the Tiber or the Plumtree Branch Watershed. Passed with amendment

Scenic Roads (CB11-2019) Alters the minimum buffer of existing buffer of existing forest between a road and a new development located along a scenic road. Vetoed by County Executive

School Funding

School Construction Funding (CB42) Alters the school facilities surcharge from $1.32 per square foot for new residential construction to $7.50 per square foot. It is estimated that the revised impact fee will raise $200 million for school construction over the next 10 years. Passed with amendments

Introduced an amendment to the School Budget to move $8 million from the County budget to the school budget. Passed with amendments securing $2 million

Community Voice

Planning Board Decision Appeals (CB33-2019) Designates who may appeal Planning Board decisions. Failed

Cross-Examination of Planning and Zoning (CB32) Requires Department of Planning & Zoning designees appear at quasi-judicial Planning Board hearings under oath. Failed

BWI

County Legal Action Against FAA’s Next Generation System ( CR36 & CR19) Expresses support for CB8-2017, which authorized the Howard County Office of Law to institute civil action related to the implementation of the Next Generation Air Transportation System at BWI. In addition to sponsoring this legislation, I also represent the Howard County Council on the BWI Roundtable. Passed

Land Use

Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreements (DRRA) Repeal (CB39) Eliminates future agreements to freeze the laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing the use, density, or intensity of qualifying real property in return for public benefits. Passed with amendments

Miscellaneous

Mobile Home Site Rental Tax Repeal (CB8) Passed with amendments

School Bus Monitoring Cameras ( CB18) Authorizes enforcement and provides that violations are a civil penalty; provides for the use of fines. Passed

Diaper-Changing Amenities in Certain Buildings (CB14) Passed with amendments

Council Resolutions

Socioeconomic Integration of HCPSS School Assignments (CR112-2019) Requests that HCPSS draft, approve, and implement a lawful multi-year integration plan to ensure schools are integrated by socioeconomic factors. Passed with amendments

Complete Streets Manual ( CR120) Requires development of a Complete Streets Design Manual. Passed with amendments