Over the next several months, the process of creating a new land use General Plan will continue. Please take advantage of the community meetings and other opportunities to provide your input and opinions (see HoCo By Design section below). We have numerous projects nearing completion, some of which will culminate with legislation being filed this fall. Zoning will be quiet as the Council and Zoning Board are not permitted to decide zoning matters until November since all five members are involved in reelection campaigns.
Take a few minutes to read about our featured community service partner, Grassroots, and our featured government agency, the Bureau of Highways. Grassroots not only runs the county's shelter, but it also operates the network of crisis services and other vital services that would otherwise need to be provided by government. Highways, a division of Public Works, is responsible for close to 3,600 county roads comprising over 1,000 miles including maintenance, snow removal, sidewalks, trees, design of improvements and more. Full overviews of these organizations are below.
I hope that you will share our newsletter and will encourage others to sign up so they can stay apprised of what is happening around the community and in county government. Be sure to like the District 5 Facebook Page for current news and announcements.
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David Yungmann
Howard County Council, District 5
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The County Council is on recess for the month of August. Legislation continues to be prefiled for introduction in early September.
I filed CB-51 which requires all Howard County officials involved in the Maryland Public Information Act process seek a formal review by the Howard County Office of Law before any documents, emails, or materials are withheld from the public. This policy change intends to reduce the level of political consideration that might influence this process when handled by political appointees.
Click the link below for more details and to review all legislation.
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HoCo By Design Update
The HoCo By Design recently released the Supporting Economic Prosperity draft chapter. A recording of the public meeting can be found on the HoCo By Design webpage. Comments on this chapter are being accepted through 11:59 pm on Tuesday, August 23. The comment form is estimated to take 10-30 minutes to complete, depending on how much detail you choose to provide. When you hit the “submit” button at the end of the comment form, your responses will be transmitted to DPZ staff.
Register to receive updates as they are released on the HoCo By Design website by choosing the "Register" option in the top right corner.
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Upcoming Pre-submission Meetings
There are no upcoming pre-submission meetings scheduled for projects in District 5.
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-Grassroots Mission Statement
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When you think about Grassroots, what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you have been in Howard County for any length of time, you probably know it as the local shelter. But thanks to generous private supporters and continued government assistance, this organization now offers so much more.
Grassroots traces its roots back to 1969 when local area residents, professionals and students had an idea to solve some of the growing drug abuse problems in the community. Its first grant from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 1970 provided the backing needed to start a crisis hotline and open an emergency overnight shelter to meet the needs here in Howard County.
But did you know that Grassroots has grown to be a comprehensive crisis intervention center? The agency provides 24-hour Crisis Hotlines and free walk-in counseling, Mobile Crisis Response, Substance Use Disorder Screening and Stabilization, emergency shelter for families and individuals, and a Day Resource Center. Grassroots staff offer crisis services to our county residents experiencing mental health, substance use disorder, housing, or other crisis situations.
Grassroots depends on volunteers, as well as financial support, to keep providing the high level of service for which they are known. If you have the time and/or the financial resources to help, visit the Grassroots' website for more information.
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Have you have travelled in the western part of Howard County recently? If so, it is likely that you have encountered quite a bit of road patching and resurfacing. While this is probably what comes to mind when someone mentions the Bureau of Highways, this county agency also has responsibility for just about anything related to road safety and maintenance on over 3,600 county-maintained roadways comprising over 1,000 miles of road. The work that this agency does spans from debris and litter clean up to major roadway projects, roadway culvert and storm drain inlet repairs, storm water management pond maintenance and repair, guardrail maintenance and repair, snow removal, street tree maintenance and roadside mowing.
In addition to the big projects under its purview, we often don’t see the behind the scenes work that takes place to ensure proper traffic engineering to allow vehicles to travel safely and efficiently. Streetlights, traffic signals, school flashers, traffic signs, pavement markings, and speed control devices also fall under Highways. They coordinate regularly with the Howard County Police Department when evaluating roadways for appropriate speed limits and potential traffic calming efforts.
Have a potential safety issue to report? Did you know that county residents can do just that quickly and easily from either a smartphone or a computer at Tell HoCo ? The bureau does ask that, for any true emergencies, you bypass that system and call the Bureau of Highways at 410.313.7450.
So, the next time you see a Howard County vehicle alongside the equipment needed to get these jobs done, be sure to thank the hard working, dedicated county employees that are out there in the heat of summer, as well as the harsh elements of the winter season.
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Autism Hiring Program Accepting Applications! |
Applications are now being accepted for The Autism Hiring Program’s fall 2022 cohort.
The Hiring Program was created by the Howard County Autism Society to advance workplace neurodiversity and acceptance, connecting businesses to an untapped workforce of skilled Autistic adults, and targeting jobseekers not supported by existing systems.
Applications are due August 20, 2022. The program will begin mid-September 2022 and runs through mid-December.
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The Route 32 expansion project is officially complete! This busy highway is now a four lane, split highway to Route 70. Check it out if you have not already! |
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The planned replacement of the bridge deck on MD 94 (Woodbine Road) over I-70 in Lisbon is underway. The above link to the project will provide additional details as this project progresses.
Work continues on Centennial Lane with the outside lanes blocked off using concrete barriers to allow crews to safely work on pipe installation as part of area drainage improvements.
For more information on this project, you can find updates here.
For all updates on major state roadways projects, check the Maryland State Highways Administration website. For county projects in District 5, check our website.
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Agriculture Corner
Howard County farms are in prime growing season. Many of our local farms have farm markets at their locations, as well as pick-your-own events for the family. Check out the Farm Connect website for a complete listing of Howard County farms and links to their websites for more information.
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Want to learn more about agriculture in Howard County? Visit the Farm Bureau website for news or to become a member.
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Want To Be More Involved
In Howard County?
Howard County Boards and Commissions play an important role in fostering citizen involvement in our government. Opportunities cover a wide variety of topics ranging from the environment, fire and rescue services and cable, just to name a few.
A listing of the different boards and commissions can be found on the County website. Many of the appointed positions are highly competitive, so getting involved with and attending meetings for those in which you have interest is recommended.
Interested residents should send a resume and a brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the Board to: Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: Kim Pruim, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043.
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Food Truck Tuesdays
At the Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum
The Farm Museum continues to host Food Truck Tuesdays. Come on out for dinner, dessert, or both! Check the Facebook page for more details.
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Get Your Roving Radish Meal Kits
Meal kits are comprised of locally and regionally grown foods straight from the farm to your table. They are available to anyone who works, plays, or lives in Howard County and are offered at a discounted price to those in need. Check out the weekly menus here.
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Looking For Events in Howard County?
Ellicott City is celebrating 250 years. Check out what has been planned.
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