Greetings!

Happy New Year! I hope that 2023 finds you and your loved ones in good spirits and good health! Thank you for being an engaged member of our community.

The new year has certainly started with gusto as the council returns to meet the needs of our community and create positive changes. I’ve filed two bills this month which seek to address the most pressing challenge of our time – climate change. By reducing the top two sources of emissions in our county we will be on the right path for our future while honoring the needs of todays residents.

Finally, I hope to see you at one of our fantastic local restaurants for Winter Restaurant Weeks, starting on Monday (more details below!). I had a great time kicking this event off yesterday at Clove and Cardamom in Downtown Columbia.

As we continue through the winter, 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. Have a wonderful January!

Yours in service,
Christiana Rigby (she/her)
Councilwoman, District 3



January 14, 2023
January Legislation
On January 3rd, the County Council convened for our January Legislative Session. Several new pieces of legislation and resolutions were introduced, including the following:

  • CB3-2023: An act amending the Clean Energy Loan Program by defining certain terms; amending the scope of eligibility to receive a Clean Energy Loan; adding improvements that are eligible under the Program; adding qualifying costs that are eligible for reimbursement under the Program; clarifying default provisions; amending when surcharges will be collected; setting forth the term by which the Clean Energy Loan shall be repaid; setting forth the Clean Energy Loan Program Administrator; making certain technical corrections; and generally relating to the Clean Energy Loan Program. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

  • CB4-2023: An act imposing an assessment on each trip generated by a Transportation Network Service company originating in the County; providing for collection of the assessment; creating a Transit Services Improvement Fund; specifying the components and uses of the Fund; requiring a certain Report; and generally relating to for-hire transportation network activities. Introduced by Christiana Rigby.

  • CB5-2023: An act requiring the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits to report to the County Council with recommendations about changes to the Howard County Building Code that would be needed to require all-electric buildings, requiring the Department to consider specified exemptions and considerations; setting a certain deadline, and generally relating to the Howard County Building Code. Introduced by Christiana Rigby.

  • CB6-2023: An act amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to allow Age-Restricted Adult Housing as a permitted use in the Office Transition (OT) zoning district, under certain conditions; and generally relating to Age-Restricted Adult Housings. Introduced by the Chair at the request of Demirel Plaza, LLC.

The Council will host a Public Hearing for these and other legislation at 7:00pm on January 17th. The Council's next Work Session on legislation is on January 23rd at 9:30am. Legislation will be up for a vote at the Council's Legislative Session on February 6th at 7:00pm.
Community News, Events, and Updates
Advancing a Bold Climate Agenda
for Howard County
Climate change is one of the key issues of our times and it is imperative that we take bold steps to reverse the trends and help our County be resilient to the changes ahead.

I am proud to share that I have introduced two bills this month to help us take steps towards just that, the Clean New Buildings Climate Act (CB5-2023) and the Transit Investment Act (CB4-2023).

The Clean New Buildings Climate Act requires the County’s Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits to prepare a report by the end of the year with recommendations to make sure new buildings in the County are all-electric (vs. fossil fuels). This is an important step as buildings are one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases and the use of fossil fuels in homes is a proven health risk. We hope that this report will help inform the County’s building code when it is slated for an update in Spring of 2024.

The Transit Investment Act requires rideshare companies to send 25 cents of each ride originating in Howard County to our Office of Transportation to help boost our fixed-route transit system. This would mean extra buses, expanded routes, and better bus stop infrastructure for us in Howard County!

You can read more in my press release here. Please also consider testifying in favor of one or both of these bills at our Public Hearing this coming Tuesday. And if you can't make it, please email the Council at councilmail@howardcountymd.gov!
Howard County Listening Sessions
County Executive Ball is hosting a series of listening sessions from now until early February to hear your experiences, hopes, and vision of Howard County.

This is a wonderful opportunity to share any thoughts, ideas, or feedback you have related to issues including the environment, education, transportation, infrastructure, health, safety, and more!

For the complete list of listening sessions and for contact information if you are unable to attend in person, please go here.
Howard County Restaurant Weeks
Howard County Restaurant Weeks & Craft Beverages is about to begin! From January 16th through January 29th, you can support Howard County's local restaurants, breweries, and distilleries during Restaurant Weeks.
 
During this time, restaurants offer specially priced multi-course meals. You can find a list of participating restaurants and additional information here.
 
I hope you are able to join me in supporting our local restaurant industry in Howard County over the next several weeks!
PlanHoward Academy Seeks Applicants
The County's Planning and Zoning Department is offering a free 5-week course called PlanHoward Academy to help Howard County residents learn more about planning, growth, zoning, our general plan, and more! Hosted in past years, this popular course was on hiatus during the pandemic and now it's back.

Applications can be submitted here and are due by February 26. The course itself will take place in April and May.
Transit Development Plan
The County has begun the process of updating our Transit Development Plan (TDP). This is a short-term plan that will help guide transit system funding and funding requests, such as potential expansions or service improvements.

Please join the Office of Transportation at a Public Meeting on January 26th at 6pm at the North Laurel Community Center to learn more and share feedback and comments to help us shape this important plan! For additional details please click here.
HoCo By Design Comment Period Extended
HoCo By Design is the name of the County's update to the General Plan. This is a long-range, visionary document that helps guide land use decisions for the next few decades.

The comment period has been extended to January 31st, which means you have extra time to submit your feedback! You can read the draft, learn more, and complete the comment form here.
2023 Homelessness Point in Time Count
The Howard County's Department of Community Partnerships and the Coalition to End Homelessness are conducting a Point in Time Count to estimate the number of homeless or unstably housed individuals in Howard County. This happens annually on a single night during the last week in January and helps in adapting services to those experiencing homelessness.

Please consider volunteering your time this year to make the Count happen on Tuesday, January 24th. To learn more or to sign up, please click here.
Christiana's Climate Corner
Welcome to Christiana's Climate Corner, where I will be sharing updates on environmental and sustainability efforts in Howard County, including information on legislation, events, and opportunities for you to support sustainability efforts in our community!
Howard County's Climate Action Plan

In Fall 2022, County Executive Ball announced the County's new climate goals and a Climate Action Plan has been developed to help us meet those goals.

A preliminary plan was shared with the public and the period for receiving comments has been extended to January 30th. I have reviewed the plan and shared my initial feedback and I hope you will, too! This plan is crucial in helping us remain resilient and forward-looking as a County in the coming years. We need to achieve energy independence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to sustain ourselves as a community in the face of climate change. Please review the plan and add your voice to those providing comment. To learn more and submit your comments, click here.
Demystifying Building Electrification

You may have heard some terms thrown around recently - building electrification, building decarbonization, and more. What does this all mean and why is it important?

Buildings are one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases and a driving factor in climate change. If we can decarbonize (that is, reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the burning of fossil fuels) and electrify buildings instead (meaning, power and fuel buildings using sources other than fossil fuels), we can have a significant, positive impact on the climate, not to mention reap some great economic and health benefits as well. You can read more about why and what we need to electrify and decarbonize here.

While my Clean New Buildings Climate Act could help us consider what electrification of new buildings might look like, each of us can take meaningful steps at home already to go clean! For information on what electrifying your home could look like, please click here.
COVID-19 Information
Bivalent Booster Shots Available
Bivalent Booster Shots Available
 
The Howard County Health Department is offering the updated Omicron-specific (Bivalent) booster shots.

Appointments are available at the Howard County Health Department's website. Vaccines are also available at local pharmacies, urgent care centers, and retail stores. You can visit the Maryland Vaccine Locater to find a vaccination location convenient to you.
 
Not sure if you are eligible for a booster shot? You can check your eligibility by visiting the CDC's website.
 
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, please visit the Health Department's website for a list of nearby testing clinics and locations.
Community Resources





District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings
There is one community pre-submission meeting scheduled in District 3.
Name: 857 Mission Road
Sign Code: N10
Address: 854 Mission Road, Jessup
Meeting Date: Jan. 31st, 2023 at 6pm
Meeting Location: Savage Library, 9525 Durness Road
Acres: 1
Planned Use: Construct a warehouse and garage
Stay Connected with Christiana!
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3

crigby@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2001
Colette Gelwicks
Chief of Staff

cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2421