Keeping Up with Christiana! |
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Greetings!
Welcome to our August Newsletter! This month, the County Council is in recess and not considering any legislation. The County Council will come back into session on Tuesday, September 8th, 2020. During the month of August, the Council will not be holding any scheduled meetings, work sessions, or public hearings.
As we prepare to head into the 2020-2021 academic year, Howard County public schools will be proceeding with virtual learning for the first semester (through January 28, 2021). To adapt to the virtual learning environment, HCPSS is ensuring that every student who is in need of a device receives a Chromebook for virtual learning. If you would like to request a Chromebook or internet access for your student, you may do so here.
Additionally, Howard County Government has recently launched childcare efforts to address the significant need for additional childcare this Fall. I have included additional information later in the newsletter, or you can learn more here.
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As the summer comes to a conclusion, 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 August!
Yours in service,
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
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As COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases continue to increase in Howard County and across the country, I am closely following all updates on the local, state, and federal levels. To date, there are over 4,100 cases of COVID-19 in Howard County, and over 115 of our Howard County neighbors have lost their lives to this disease. This remains an incredibly challenging time for families across the nation, but I continue to be encouraged by the acts of kindness and generosity in our community.
While Howard County's coronavirus positivity rate remains low, we must be vigilant and continue to practice physical distancing at all times. Additionally, I strongly encourage you to wear a mask in public settings and when interacting with others, especially when indoors.
Howard County Government is working closely with the Howard County Health Department, Howard County General Hospital, and the Maryland Department of Health to ensure that our county has adequate response measures in place. For additional information and updates on our County's response to COVID-19, I encourage you to visit Howard County Government's COVID-19 website.
If you or a family member think that you may have coronavirus, there are a number of free testing options available in our community. For additional information on testing locations and availability, please visit the Howard County Health Department's website.
Additionally, Howard County General Hospital is partnering with several congregations to sponsor free COVID-19 community testing. You can register for these testing events here and find more information in the flyer below:
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On July 29th, the County Council took action on several pieces of legislation prior to our August recess. I was not the primary sponsor on any legislation in July, but have included some legislation of interest that was voted on below:
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SAO1-FY2021: legislation returning $3.6 million from Howard County's Contingency Reserve back to the Department of Housing & Community Development budget. During the budget process, the Council took this funding away from the Housing Department and put it into the Contingency Reserve in a 3-2 vote, which I opposed. Without this funding, the Housing Department is unable to provide any programs or services to low- and moderate-income residents, which include rental assistance, home renovation assistance, and home repair assistance. This legislation would correct that error and return funding to the Housing Department. The Council passed SAO1-FY2021 in a 5-0 vote. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CB38-2020: legislation enabling the county to grant a personal property tax exemption for qualifying data centers that would like to locate in Howard County. This legislation was authorized by the Maryland General Assembly earlier this year. The Council passed CB38-2020 in a 4-1 vote. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CR93-2020: legislation setting earlier dates for the establishment of the Councilmanic Redistricting Commission, which is responsible for re-drawing the County Council and Board of Education election districts following the 2020 decennial census. This legislation would enable the County Council to appoint the Commission at an earlier date to accommodate changes in the election schedule. If approved by the County Council, this resolution will be subject to Howard County voter approval on the November 2020 ballot. The Council passed CR93-2020 in a 5-0 vote. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by Deb Jung.
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CR94-2020: legislation restructuring the composition of the Councilmanic Redistricting Commission. There are several different proposals for the composition of the commission put forward by members of the Council. CR94-2020 failed to pass in a 3-2 vote. You can read more about the legislation and proposed amendments here. Introduced by David Yungmann.
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Upcoming Council Meetings |
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August: Council in Recess
August 27 - Legislative Pre-file (for September)
September 8, 7:00 PM - Legislative Session
September 14, 1:00 PM - Monthly Meeting
September 21, 7:00 PM - Legislative Public Hearing
September 24 - Legislative Pre-file (for October)
September 29, 9:30 AM - Legislative Work Session
October 5, 7:00 PM - Legislative Session
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Please note: all County Council meetings and sessions are live-streamed and available to the public online. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, residents wishing to testify on local legislation may do so virtually (sign-up here 24 hours in advance of hearings). Residents are also encouraged to submit written testimony to the County Council by emailing us at [email protected].
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District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
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Name: Savage Mill Subdivision
Address: 8554 Fair Street, Savage
Mtg Date: September 1 at 6:00 PM
Zoning: R-H-ED, B-2
Acres: 10.06
Units: 0
Planned Use: To be purchased by the County as additional Open Space.
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Community Initiatives and Updates |
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"RecZone" Childcare Program |
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County Executive Ball recently launched a new program, “RecZone,” operated by the Department of Recreation & Parks (HCRP) and designed to help families address childcare needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program is open to students in grades K-5 who will receive support for virtual learning assignments, work sessions, and will enjoy crafts, physical activities, and games. The program will begin on September 8 at select schools throughout Howard County.
Registration will open Friday, August 14 at 8:00 a.m. for Howard County families interested in childcare for the month of September. Registration will open on Friday, August 21 at 8:00 a.m. for October through January. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and requirements, space is limited. Each group will have a maximum of 15 people, including two staff and thirteen children. RecZone plans to have two groups at each location, and more groups may become available later.
As additional childcare options become available through Howard County Government and other entities, I will continue sharing updates in this newsletter. You can learn more about RecZone and register online here.
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Columbia Association "KidzEscape" Program |
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Columbia Association recently launched KidzEscape, a short-term childcare program for CA members offered at Supreme Sports Club.
Columbia Association invites parents to drop their children off in a safe and fun space for a two-hour escape. Children will enjoy arts and crafts, games and active play, while following CDC safety guidelines and social distancing from their new friends. Small groups, experienced staff and a clean environment will help parents to relax while their children play! Columbia Association member can register online, by phone at 410-381-5355, or in-person at Supreme Sports Club.
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Several weeks ago, the Downtown Columbia Partnership and the Howard Hughes Corp. announced that the fourth annual Books in Bloom festival would be held virtually from July 13 through August 20, 2020.
This year’s event will continue its tradition of activism through literature by encouraging open dialogue on themes of diversity, racism, inequality, and culture through the art of books. All programming and additional information is available online here.
Throughout the event, Books in Bloom will feature 12 different authors. On August 20th (this Thursday!), Robin DiAngelo, author of New York Times bestseller White Fragility will close out the festival with a moderated discussion on her book.
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Request Your Mail-In Ballot! |
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Unlike the primary election, Maryland residents will NOT be automatically mailed their ballots for the November General Election.
If you would like to vote-by-mail, you must first apply to receive a mail-in ballot from the Board of Elections. You can easily request your mail-in ballot online in 5 minutes here.
Nearly 21,000 Howard County residents have already requested their ballot for November! By requesting your mail-in ballot early, you can help ease the administrative burden on our local Board of Elections prior to the election.
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Howard County General Plan - Survey |
Earlier this month, the County Council approved the General Plan guidelines to prepare the County for its General Plan update. The General Plan is Howard County's long-term plan, which is used as the basis for land-use decisions made by the Planning Board, County Council, and Zoning Board.
Over the course of this 18-month process, Howard County residents will have the opportunity to participate throughout the process and offer feedback on the General Plan. If you would like to learn more about the upcoming planning process and register to participate, I encourage you to visit the HoCo By Design website here.
As the need for physical distancing measures remains in place for the foreseeable future, the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) is looking at many ways for the general public to provide input and meaningfully participate in the HoCo By Design process.
DPZ would appreciate if you could spend up to 10 minutes answering this survey, which will help DPZ plan public outreach activities for HoCo By Design.
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Housing Opportunities Master Plan - Survey |
Howard County launched the Housing Opportunities Master Plan public survey for residents to complete online here.
The Housing Opportunities Master Plan will assess housing programs and policies in all County government departments and agencies to improve efficiency and effectiveness, identify ways to create and preserve housing opportunities for residents of all income levels, and provide metrics and timelines to measure progress towards achieving goals in the plan.
The survey will be used by the Housing Opportunities Master Plan Task Force to assist in the development of recommendations for the Housing Opportunities Master Plan for Howard County. All responses to this survey are anonymous.
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Green Bin Composting Service |
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Howard County Government is currently looking to expand their “Green Bin” composting service to additional communities in Howard County. This program reduces household trash, reduces greenhouse gases, and helps the planet!
District 3 residents who are interested in the “Green Bin” composting service in their community are encouraged to sign up and signal their interest in the Green Bin program here.
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Complete the 2020 Census! |
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As of August 17th, roughly 77.5% of Howard County households have responded to the Census. That means roughly a quarter of Howard County households have not yet responded -- equal to about 73,000 uncounted Howard County residents!
For every person counted, the Census brings nearly $18,000 in federal funding to Howard County for critical programs like housing assistance, Medicaid, school lunch programs, Head Start, and more. Each person counted in the Census has a direct impact on community services and resources.
I encourage you to take 5 minutes and visit my2020census.gov to respond for your household today. If you have already completed the Census - thank you! Please share the Census with three friends & family members and encourage them to get counted. The deadline to complete the Census is September 30th.
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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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HCPSS is offering free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to anyone age 18 & under and/or any HCPSS student through the summer months.
Participants will be given a Grab-N-Go snack, lunch and dinner for that day, as well as a Grab-N-Go breakfast for the following day. Friday distributions at school-based locations only also will include meals to sustain children through the weekend.
There is no application, enrollment, or fee for this program, so please share this information widely with our HCPSS community. Stop by any one of the 11 school sites or 3 community locations between 11:30am and 1:30pm to pick up meals. More info here.
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If you or a family member recently lost a job due to COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment insurance from the state of Maryland.
After a number of issues and long delays for MD residents applying for unemployment, the State has updated and streamlined their system for unemployment. You can find more information and apply for unemployment benefits here. You can also find more information on job opportunities and employment assistance from the Howard County Office of Workforce Development here.
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Business Resources and Assistance |
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Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) has published a resource page for local businesses and employers looking for relief and assistance.
The State of Maryland is also offering several business grants, loans, and assistance programs. You can find the full info regarding state & federal resources for businesses here.
Maryland has received a federal designation as a Small Business Disaster Loan Area. Small businesses can learn more and apply here.
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Almost immediately after this pandemic impacted Maryland, Howard County resident Erika Strauss Chavarria created Columbia Community Cares to meet community needs.
With over 4,000 members on Facebook, Columbia Community Care is collecting and distributing donations of groceries, toiletries, and other items in need. You can learn more about how to donate, volunteer, or access resources 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 a mask, please visit COAD's website here to learn more about their services.
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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 daily updates on events, county news, legislative priorities, and Christiana's activity! Don't miss out on any District 3 news! |
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