Greetings!
Welcome to our November Newsletter! On November 2nd, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the COVID-19 vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old. Vaccine appointments are now available from the Howard County Health Department and private providers in our community!
If you have a child between the ages of 5 and 11, you can find more information and register for a vaccine appointment from the Howard County Health Department here.
As the weather gets colder, please don't hesitate to contact my office if you are experiencing any issues in your community or would just like to get in touch. We are here to help with your concerns and listen to your feedback. Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy November!
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information |
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Vaccine Update
Howard County residents have continued to get their COVID-19 vaccinations in record numbers. The most recent data available from the CDC indicates that over 96% of residents over 12 years old have received their first dose of the vaccine, and 88.9% of the population over 12 years old are fully vaccinated. We are continuing to see progress in the numbers of individuals who are getting vaccinated, but there is still more work to be done and more vaccinations to administer!
If you haven't yet been vaccinated, there are opportunities to get your shot every day of the week! The Howard County Health Department is offering dozens of vaccine clinics over the next several weeks at locations across the County, including appointments for anyone age 5 and older. You can find a full list of vaccine appointments here.
The Delta Variant & Mask Guidance
The Delta variant remains the predominant strain of the COVID-19 virus present in the United States. With the rise of the Delta variant in substantial and high transmission areas, the CDC has recommended the reinstitution of prevention strategies, like wearing masks in public indoor spaces. These new recommendations are aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine is highly recommended as a proven method to counter the spread of the virus and provide protection against serious illness and death.
The CDC encourages that individuals who live in substantial or high transmission areas continue to wear masks in public indoor spaces, regardless of your vaccination status. Wearing a mask indoors helps maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others. Please consider wearing a mask in public indoors spaces to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Testing
The Howard County Health Department and our private partners are continuing to offer COVID-19 tests across Howard County on a regular basis. If you would like to get tested for COVID-19, please visit this website for a list of nearby testing clinics and locations.
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October Legislative Wrap-Up |
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On November 1st, the County Council convened for our November Legislative Session to vote on legislation. The County Council took action on several pieces of legislation, including the following:
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CB66-2021: AN ACT removing exemptions from the Forest Conservation Plan requirements for certain Planned Unit Developments and Planned Business Parks; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County. This legislation was passed by the County Council in a 4-1 vote. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
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CB77-2021: AN ACT to provide for a hearing examiner to hear certain matters in the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board; specifying the powers and duties of, and the procedures to be used by, the hearing examiner, including the requirement to issue a certain report; specifying the contents of the report; specifying the duties of the Zoning Board with respect to the actions of the hearing examiner. This legislation was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Christiana Rigby and Deb Jung.
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CB80-2021: AN ACT prohibiting the physical harassment of Department of Public Works employees; prohibiting a person from addressing certain words or statements to certain employees or persons; authorizing a certain temporary ban of an individual from certain property under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the regulation of conduct on County property managed by the Department of Public Works and on park property managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks. This legislation was passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
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CR144-2021 and CR145-2021: These two resolutions would approve PILOT agreements for the redevelopment of the Roslyn Rise Apartments in Columbia at 10401 Twin Rivers Road. This is a mixed-income, rental housing redevelopment project that would significantly enhance the standard of living for residents of Roslyn Rise and provide additional affordable units in the community. These resolutions were passed by the County Council in a 3-2 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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On November 1st, the County Council convened for our November Legislative Session to introduce new legislation. I have included information on several pieces of legislation of interest that are under consideration this month:
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CB82-2021: AN ACT establishing a local minimum wage for employees working in Howard County; and generally relating to Howard County minimum wage requirements. You can read more here. Introduced by Opel Jones and Christiana Rigby.
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CB83-2021: AN ACT to establish a Police Accountability Board; setting forth the qualifications for members and method of appointment; setting forth the process for selection of the board chairperson; providing for a process to receive certain complaints alleging police misconduct; setting forth the duties of the Board; defining certain terms; providing for the requirement to submit financial disclosure statements; providing for the staggering of initial appointments to the Board; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to police accountability in Howard County. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CB85-2021: AN ACT to update County housing discrimination law to comply with Subtitle 7 of Title 20 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland by amending the definition of source of income, amending provisions related to unlawful discrimination in the sale and rental of housing, amending provisions related to unlawful discrimination based on source of income, amending certain exemptions related to age-restricted housing, owner-occupied dwellings and source of income, all to align with State Law; prohibiting discrimination in commercial leases; amending provisions related to nonexclusive remedies; and generally related to Human Rights provisions of the County Code. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CB88-2021: AN ACT to prohibit the willful failure to do specified maintenance and repair of certain historic structures thus prohibiting certain demolition by neglect of those structures; allowing the Historic District Commission to waive compliance in certain cases of financial hardship; providing for a hearing and an opportunity to cure specified violations; and generally relating to historic structures, historic sites, and historic districts in the County. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
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CB89-2021: AN ACT establishing a “lookback” provision for the disturbance of certain trees; providing for enhanced enforcement measures and penalties for violations of the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County. Introduced by David Yungmann.
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CR166-2021: A RESOLUTION finding that the Greenfields development located at 8120 Hicks Road, which will create three new, single-family, detached rental housing units to serve nine disabled adults, meets the requirements of certain Special Affordable Housing Opportunities pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act and that the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning shall authorize the Development to proceed subject to all other provisions of the Act despite being located in an area that is closed for development due to the projected enrollment in the school capacity chart. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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Community News, Events, and Updates |
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Let's Give Working Families a Raise |
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Today in Howard County, one in four families struggles to put food on the table, and over 13,000 households are severely burdened by the cost of housing. These residents are our neighbors, our friends, our-coworkers, and our family members. Many of them are the essential workers that we have relied on to keep our community safe, fed, and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. These families deserve a higher minimum wage.
That is why Councilman Opel Jones and I have filed legislation that would strengthen the local minimum wage in Howard County. Our legislation, CB82-2021, would gradually raise Howard County’s minimum wage from its current rate of $11.75 to $16 per hour over the next several years. This increase would benefit 40,000 people who work in Howard County and contribute to our local economy.
Families are facing rising costs for basic needs such as housing, childcare, utilities, groceries, and other expenses. A stronger minimum wage will put more money into the pockets of working families in Howard County who need it most. It’s good for our community, it’s good for our economy, and it’s simply the right thing to do.
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Inclusive Playground Opens in Savage |
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Earlier this month, Howard County celebrated the opening of a new inclusive playground at Savage Park! This playground replaces the previous playground at Savage Park with a new playground designed to increase interaction, encourage conversation, and promote language skills for children ages 2 to 12.
The playground also includes a nonverbal communication board sponsored by the Howard County Autism Society, sensory boards, imagination tables, and features for children of different ages and abilities. I am so pleased to have advocated for this park improvement during our budget process, and I am thrilled to see it come to fruition. You can learn more about the new playground here!
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On Saturday, November 27th, communities across the United States will be celebrating Small Business Saturday and supporting the local businesses that are so important to our economy! In Howard County, I encourage you to visit small businesses in our community and support them with your dollars. Whether you want to grab a meal at a local restaurant or want to get some early holiday shopping in, Small Business Saturday is a great way to support the local businesses that make Howard County special.
In District 3, you can visit Savage Mill on Small Business Saturday, which is home to over 50 small businesses and restaurants that are part of the vibrant Savage community.
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Savage Yuletide Festival & Bridge Lighting |
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Every Saturday and Sunday between November 27th and December 19th, Savage Mill will be hosting a Yuletide Festival. The festival will include vendors inside the Mill selling holiday goods, wreath making, cider, and more!
Kids and kids at heart will be able to meet Santa outside our doors with a beautiful backdrop of the Mill. The Mill will have a history display of Santa Heim as well as walking tours with Carroll Baldwin Hall. There is so much more to this month long festival!
Additionally, on December 4th at 5:30pm, you can join Savage Mill, Carroll Baldwin Hall, the Savage Community Association, and Bollman Bridge Elementary School for the Annual Bridge Lighting of the Bollman Bridge in Savage!
You can learn more about all the holiday events taking place in Savage here.
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Give the Gift of Hope this Holiday Season |
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Each year around the holidays, the Community Action Council of Howard County partners with the incredible Howard County community to bring joy, laughter and security to families in need. For many in our community, the holidays can be extra challenging and present families with additional financial stress. In fact, EVERY SINGLE DAY in Howard County 1 in 4 families struggle to make ends meet.
Last year during the months of November and December alone, the Community Action Council of Howard County served 318,000 meals to over 9,000 individuals at the Howard County Food Bank. Additionally, CAC kept the lights on for 2,500 families and provided an average $5,850 per family in eviction prevention assistance. CAC also supported over 300 children and their families through our early childhood education program!
Visit www.CAC-HC.org for info on the many ways to get involved this holiday season through CAC's guide to giving! Your gift of time and treasure can truly lift a family this holiday season!
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Upcoming Complete Streets Improvements |
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Heads up, District 3! There is a new Complete Streets improvement coming our way!
Portions of Guilford Road and Gerwig Lane are going to be resurfaced in the coming months. As part of that improvement, newly painted bike lanes are being proposed for:
- Guilford Road from Murray Hill Road to Gerwig Lane
- Gerwig Lane from Guilford Road to the end of the road
There are also plans for newly painted bike lanes and partial sharrows on Patuxent Woods Drive from Broken Land Parkway to the end of the road.
You can learn more about this project (and other upcoming projects) by visiting this website.
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As leaves continue to fall in Howard County, the Department of Public Works is encouraging residents to NOT dump leaves, grass clippings or other landscaping waste into a storm drain inlet or a stream.
Instead, please consider composting your leaves in your backyard, at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, or through Howard County's Green Bin program!
You can learn more by visiting this website.
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Shop for the Foods YOU want at the Howard County Food Bank. All shopping trips are family-choice.
Fresh items such as milk, eggs, hygiene products, meats, produce are all on hand each time. Families who may qualify should visit www.CAC-HC.org or call 410-313-6440 for more details.
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Head Start and Pre-K Opportunities
from Community Action Council
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Community Action Council (CAC) offers FREE Head Start and Pre-K programming to eligible 3- to 5-year-old children. Programs provide family engagement services, speech & language therapy, mental health consulting, hearing & vision screening, and nutritional counseling.
CAC operates four sites across Howard County. Learn more at www.CAC-HC.org or call 410-313-6440.
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Rental Assistance & Eviction Prevention |
Howard County Government is offering Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Grants to Howard County residents who need assistance paying their rent or mortgage due to loss of income resulting from COVID-19.
Residents may apply for rental and mortgage assistance from:
Maximum housing assistance per household is up to 15 months of past due rent and utility bills and up to 12 months of mortgage assistance. Residents that previously received housing assistance ARE eligible to apply for additional assistance. You can find more information on the housing assistance grants and how to apply here.
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Howard County Government has dedicated additional funding to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) for energy/utility assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are in imminent danger of utility cut-off and need assistance paying your utility bills, you can apply for assistance from the Community Action Council by visiting here or by calling 410-313-6440.
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Emergency Broadband Benefit |
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The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households.
Households can apply in three ways:
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Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
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Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
- Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with proof of eligibility to: Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742.
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Virtual Assistance Portal |
Howard County Government has launched a Virtual Assistance Portal to help connect residents with disaster and emergency resources, including housing assistance, food assistance, employment assistance, utility assistance, and more.
You can visit the portal and learn more about the resources available here.
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You can find more information and apply for unemployment benefits from the State of Maryland here.
You can find more information on job opportunities and employment assistance from Howard County's Office of Workforce Development here.
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Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a group of community organizations focused on collecting and deploying resources during a local disaster.
If you are able to donate, are in need of grocery/medicine delivery, or are in need of resources, please visit COAD's website here to learn more about their services.
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District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
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There are currently no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3. |
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
410-313-2001
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Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant
410-313-2421
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Felix Facchine
District Aide
410-313-3108
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Please feel free to contact us by email or phone. Plus, you can stay up-to-date with Christiana by following us on social media, where we post regular updates on county news, legislative priorities, and community initiatives! |
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