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November 27, 2019
Dear friends,
It was such a pleasure to welcome more than 150 District 3 Seniors to my 5th Annual Resource Fair and Senior Luncheon yesterday. Thank you to all the resource providers who joined us, especially
Doctors Community Hospital for their mobile health van and Joe's Movement Emporium for leading the group in fun, seated movement prior to the meal.
Tuesday, November 19, was the final legislative day of 2019 for the Prince George's County Council.
Several bills which I co-proposed, sponsored, or supported passed, including:
CB-038-2019, a Fair Housing Act establishing Prince George's County's policy of ensuring equal opportunity and eliminating discrimination in all housing accommodations. This legislation amends the County's existing law to prohibit discrimination in housing based on immigration status, citizenship status, and source of income.
With
CB-52-2019
Prince George's County now joins neighboring Charles County, Takoma Park and the District of Columbia in
banning the sale or distribution of single-use plastic straws and stirrers
at all County restaurants and retail establishments. There is an exemption for people with disabilities to request plastic straws at restaurants.
Community Inclusiveness Act,
CB-062-2019
, which addresses immigration policy and policing in Prince George's County. The Community Inclusiveness Act codifies the County's administrative policy that prohibits County law enforcement agencies from honoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers in non-criminal interactions, and mandates that all County agencies not engage in immigration enforcement.
CB-046-2019
updates the County's Animal Control Ordinance. New animal control laws in the County will increase fines and enforcement; address resident concerns around leash requirements; and improve handling of dangerous and negligent owners in the County.
Small Cell Wireless Facilities Regulations,
CB-058-2019
and
CB-059-2019
, submitted by the County Executive moves Prince George's County a step closer in the global race to 5G. The legislation creates the regulatory framework for the installation of small wireless facilities; lays the groundwork for the future deployment of fifth generation (5G) wireless technology; and amends the County's Zoning Ordinance to regulate the installation of such facilities on private property.
Read more about other bills I proposed or sponsored earlier in the legislative year here.
Prince George's County Public Schools will break ground on these two new middle schools in our community in early 2020. A brand new William Wirt Middle School will be built adjacent to the current school. View details and renderings
here. An entirely new school currently being called the Glenridge Area Middle School will be build in the area of Glenridge Park. View details and renderings
here. Together the two new buildings represent a County and State investment of $165 million, will accommodate 1,200 students each, and will relieve overcrowding at surrounding schools, including Charles Carroll Middle School.
Two initiatives are moving forward in order to fulfill the community's vision and goals as articulated in the
East Riverdale Beacon Heights Sector Plan. The Prince George's County Redevelopment Authority recently released a
Request for Proposals to redevelop the old Park Police building at 6700 Riverdale Road, with a focus on housing affordability and retail in a mixed use/mixed income project aligned with community vision at important transit-oriented development (TOD) location.
 In addition, the Prince George's County Planning Department has begun the process to update the zoning included in the sector plan area through a map amendment process.
A community meeting on the zoning map amendment for the East Riverdale Beacon Heights Sector Plan will be held on Thursday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building, 6600 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale. All members of those communities are invited to attend.
 As you know, it was my distinct honor to serve at Chair of the Prince George's County Council in 2018. The
2018 Council Annual Report is now available online. If you would like a hard copy, please send the request including your name and home address to
councilmedia@co.pg.md.us.
Each County Council office has the opportunity to distribute $100,000 in Special Appropriations Grants to non-profit organizations annually. I have continued the tradition of my predecessor by supporting District 3 schools and having a grant committee comprised of District 3 residents review and score all non-school applications. This year six District 3 schools applied for grant funding and it was my pleasure to approve these applications from Berwyn Heights Elementary, Carrollton Elementary, Magnolia Elementary,
Paint Branch Elementary, Seabrook Elementary and Parkdale High School.
The District 3 grant review committee met last week to score all the other applications and I anticipate being able to notify awardees within the next few weeks.
 Our District 3 team wishes you and your loved ones a blessed Thanksgiving. As I refle
ct on all I am grateful for, my family and the opportunity to serve the residents of District 3 and Prince George's County are at the top of the list.
Our office will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and on Friday, November 28 for our staff to spend time with our own loved ones. We look forward to seeing many of you at the numerous civic association holiday parties across District 3 in December.
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to me or a member of my staff if we may assist you in any way.
Together Strengthening Our Community,
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