Reminder!
Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board Meeting
Monday, April 26 7:00pm
Discussion: “Urban Districts, Town Centers & Commercial Hubs”
Guests: Luisa Montero, Director, Mid-County Regional Office, Mont. Co. Govt.
Crystal Ruiz, Manager, Wheaton Urban District Operations
This will be a virtual meeting on Zoom. Join at
Meeting ID: 853 9270 0837
Passcode: 805643
Join by phone only +1 301 715 8592
The public is welcomed at UCAB meetings!
Note: Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, please call 240-328-4587 or email a request to [email protected].
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County Executive Marc Elrich's Weekly Message and COVID Vaccine Update
April 22, 2021
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County Council Schedules Hearing on Reopening the County
Tuesday, April 27 10:30am
The Montgomery County Council, sitting as the Board of Health, is scheduled to introduce, hold a public hearing, and vote on a Fifth Amended Board of Health regulation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Montgomery County on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at 10:30 a.m.
Council President Hucker and Council Vice President Albornoz have proposed amendments to the current Board of Health regulation that would add guidance for reopening the County based on the percentage of the County population receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. Currently, 49 percent of the County population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
The three phases are when 50 percent of the population has received at least one vaccination, when 60 percent of the population has received two vaccinations, and when 50 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.
These three phases of reopening would be automatically triggered when the Montgomery County Health Officer reports the vaccination progress to the Board of Health. Read more
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FEMA Expected to Open Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Site in County
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will open a temporary pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site in Montgomery County, most likely May 4-9. The site hasn’t been determined, but it’s likely to be in an area with a diverse population and a low vaccination rate, according to Earl Stoddard, executive director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Stoddard said that as the public’s response to appointment invitations wanes, as it has recently, the county will move to walk-up lines or open vaccination appointments, probably in May. See the County Executive’s April 21 media briefing for more.
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County Plans to Allow Walk-ups to Clinics with Open Appointment Registration
Montgomery County is planning to add COVID-19 vaccine walk-up, no-appointment lines and create an open appointment portal — not limited to certain phases — for its vaccination clinics and sites in a few weeks.
Earl Stoddard, Executive Director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, said during a media briefing last week that the county is considering adding walk-ups to vaccination clinics in May. More to come!
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County Prepares to Reopen Libraries
Montgomery County’s public library system is preparing for a phased-in reopening of its libraries, which have been closed since March 13, 2020, due to the pandemic. No date yet for the reopening, but it’s likely to be sometime in June.
A few branches will open for browsing, computer use and copying, printing and scanning services, and it will be appointment-based to begin with. Then, depending on how it works, the plan is to continue opening buildings throughout the course of the summer.
The following safety features are being implemented in preparation for the reopening:
· putting in plexiglass dividers
· installing more self-checkout stations to limit person-to-person interaction
· spreading computers apart to ensure social distancing
· putting hand sanitizer stations in buildings
The county also is installing enhanced WiFi outside library branches that will be available at some distance from the buildings.
While the libraries have been physically closed, MCPL has conducted about 200 virtual library events and activities per month and processed more than 300,000 requests from patrons for books and other library materials for contact-less pickup. More.
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Montgomery County Executive Elrich and Council President Tom Hucker Highlighted Actions to Combat Climate Change as County Celebrated Earth Day
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich today unveiled his climate legislative agenda for the upcoming year and discussed the County’s climate accomplishments and initiatives at an event in Silver Spring that was part of the County’s celebration of the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Read more
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‘Eco Evenings’: Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and One Montgomery Green Team Up for New Engagement Series
Starts Wednesday, April 28
“Eco Evenings with DEP and OMG,” a series of virtual town halls open to County residents to discuss relevant environmental topics that are important locally, will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28, with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich making opening remarks. The new series is sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and One Montgomery Green (OMG).
This series will have new discussions on the last Wednesday of each month.
In celebration of April as Earth Month, the featured topics of the opening discussion will be on climate actions, including highlights from the County’s Climate Action Plan; plans for a new “County tree;” and details about plogging, a new County-wide, anti-litter campaign.
Eco Evenings will be hosted by Adam Ortiz, director of DEP, and Wendy Howard, executive director of OMG. They will lead discussions on timely environmental topics, answer questions and engage with special guests. Learn more
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Speakers and Keynote Panel Announced
for 2021 Virtual Montgomery County Energy Summit
Tuesday, May 4, through Thursday, May 6
The Summit’s theme will be “Resiliency, from Building to Community” and the focus will include the future of the resiliency of the commercial, multifamily and residential built environment and how our community can adapt to a changing climate.
In addition to opening plenary speakers, the 2021 Energy Summit will feature a keynote panel on “Resilience in the Built Environment” from 9:40-10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5. The panel will discuss what resilience in the built environment looks like in practice and will answer questions.
The lineup of opening plenary speakers for Tuesday, May 4, and Wednesday, May 5, will include:
- Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
- Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker
- Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Earl Stoddard
- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin
- U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen
- Congressman John Sarbanes
- Congressman David Trone
- William Ellis, Pepco’s regional vice president of government and external affairs
- Chris Pyke, vice president of product for ArcSkoru
- Dave Hostetler, controls and solutions sales leader for Boland
- Julie Wolfington, energy and sustainability leader for Boland
- Mark Bryan, director of USGBC National Capital Region
- Lindsey Shaw, manager of energy and sustainability programs for Montgomery County DEP
In addition to the keynote panel and opening plenary remarks, the Summit will include breakout education sessions, topical networking salons and interactive brown bag lunches. All education sessions will be submitted for continuing education credits for Green Business Certification, Inc., and the American Institute of Architects.
To review the full agenda, details on the panel discussions, and to register for the Energy Summit, visit MCEnergySummit.org.
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County Launches $59 Million COVID-19 Rent Relief Program:
Applications for Third Phase Available Now
Eligible Montgomery County renters can now apply for assistance through the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program.
- Rent support is available to to low-income households that have experienced income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Approved households may receive up to $12,000 for rent in arrears and a rent credit for future months, paid directly to the landlord.
- Final grant amounts will consider rental assistance already received from any local, state, or federal program.
- All assistance is based on the availability of funds.
- Households that have already received a COVID-19 Rent Relief Grant, a State Assisted Housing Relief Program grant (through their property) or are housing-voucher recipients are still eligible.
Renters facing an immediate loss of housing should also call 311 Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 7:00pm to be connected with DHHS’ Housing Stabilization Services.
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County seeks applicants for urban services manager position
closing date is May 6, 2021
The Regional Services Center is seeking an urban services manager (Program Manager I) to oversee the Bethesda Urban District. Here is the announcement.
The position supports the District's mission of providing enhanced marketing activities, maintenance, and business and community outreach in downtown Bethesda and the Pike District. (See the announcement for details.) The Bethesda Urban District handles landscaping and maintenance, as well as the promotion of the downtown through innovative marketing campaigns and large-scale events.
The person who fills the position will be assigned to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center but must be able to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office.
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Public Hearing Notice for Abandonment 774 (Liberty Mill Road, Germantown)
Tuesday, May 4 1:00pm-3:00pm
Pursuant to Section 49-62 of the Montgomery County Code (2004) as amended, the County Executive or his Designee shall conduct a virtual Public Hearing via the internet-based platform known as Zoom at 1:00 p.m. on May 4, 2021, to consider an application received from Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd., on behalf of Kingsview Station Joint Venture (the “Applicant”), seeking the abandonment of seven sections of the public right of way known as Liberty Mill Road in Germantown.
The abandonment is being requested in order to support the Applicant’s redevelopment of the surrounding area, including the re-alignment and connection of Liberty Mill Road to Leaman Farm Road.
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Construction To Temporarily Shut Down Montgomery Village Bus Stop
Beginning April 30, construction will take place near the Ride On bus stop that is located at Montgomery Village Avenue and Centerway Road in Montgomery Village. As a result, the bus stop will be closed. Everyone is encouraged to use the alternate bus stops at the intersection of Montgomery Village Avenue and Whetstone Drive, and at the intersection of Montgomery Avenue and Club House Road.
Montgomery County's Transit Services expect the closure to last at least six months.
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Upcounty Consolidated Hub Celebrates One-Year Anniversary!
On April 23rd, Upcounty Hub founders Grace Rivera-Oven and Lynn Arndt were joined by County officials, corporate partners, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate the past year of collecting donated items and monetary contributions and delivering food, toiletries, children's play items, and COVID kits to families in much of the Upcounty region. The initiative developed quickly in March 2020 and is now providing food to approximately 1,200 households each week. Find out more about the Hub and how you can join this community service at the Upcounty Consolidated Hub at BlackRock.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2021 INDUCTEES
The Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame (MCSHF) announced on Sunday that it will be inducting six athletes into the class of 2021. The nonprofit organization held the first induction ceremony in 2019, honoring Dominique Dawes, Walter Johnson, Katie Ledecky, Bob Milloy, Bruce Murray and Shawn Springs. The class of 2020 included Tom Brown, Johnny Holliday, Jeri Ingram, Roy Lester, Curtis Pride and Amy Wood.
This year's class of 2021 will consist of:
- NFL Fullback Richie Anderson (Sherwood High School)
- Former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman (Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School)
- Lacrosse Coach and Rugby Player Rob Bordley (Landon School)
- Basketball Player and College Coach Charlene Thomas-Swinson (Montgomery Blair High School)
- Maryland Terp Great and NBA Guard Greivis Vasquez (Montrose Christian School)
- NFL Pro Bowl Linebacker Mike Curtis (Richard Montgomery High School)
Read more to learn about the organization and to see videos of past ceremonies.
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MoCo Eats Week is not your typical restaurant week! Support local from April 23- May 3 with over 50 deals and discounts at food and beverage businesses throughout the area.
Features include:
- Digital Savings Pass to redeem deals
- Win local restaurant gift cards
- Grand prize winners will receive one of six foodie stay
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Did you know . . .?
- April is National Poetry Month
- April is Jazz Appreciation Month.
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John Denver's song "Country Road" was written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver and released as a single performed by John Denver on April 12, 1971. Although it was written about West Virginia, the inspiration for the song came from our own Clopper Road!
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SHADES OF SPRING 2021
ON VIEW: APRIL 17 - MAY 29
Local artists and fine craft artisans from the Art League of Germantown (ALOG) are presenting their annual Shades of Spring Show & Sale using a virtual format this year. Explore and shop from the comfort of home in three distinct online galleries -- the Main Gallery, a Fine Craft Gallery and an Unframed Works Gallery -- where you will find over 175 original works of fine art, in a wide range of media, and unique handmade crafts available for purchase. Learn more
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For other news and meeting agendas, visit:
Also check out the latest from:
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a local office of Montgomery County Government
12900 Middlebrook Road, Suite 1000, Germantown MD 20874
Catherine Matthews, Director
mobile: 240-328-4587
visit our website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/upcounty
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