Greetings!

Welcome to our July Newsletter! This month, the County Council is finishing up current business as we prepare for our August recess. During the month of August, the Council will not be holding any scheduled meetings, work sessions, or public hearings.

This week also marks the start of Restaurant Weeks in Howard County! Over the next two weeks, I hope you take the opportunity to support many of the local restaurants and craft breweries that call Howard County home. You can find a full list of local participating restaurants here. Restaurant Weeks runs from July 12 through July 25, 2021.

As we continue into the summer, 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 July!
Yours in service,
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
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July 15, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Vaccine Update
Howard County residents have continued to get their COVID-19 vaccinations in record numbers. As of this newsletter, 83.7% of Howard County residents over the age of 12 have received at least one dose of their vaccine, and 78.5% of residents over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated. Our county has made significant progress in getting vaccine shots in arms, but there is still more work to do.

If you haven't yet been vaccinated, there are many opportunities to get your shot every day! The Howard County Health Department is offering dozens of vaccine clinics over the next several weeks at locations across the County, including appointments for anyone age 12 and older. You can find a full list of vaccine appointments here.

Vaccinated Out of State?
If you were vaccinated in another state (not in Maryland), the Howard County Health Department may not be tracking your vaccination its overall reported data for the county. If you received your vaccine out-of-state, you can call the state vaccine database, ImmuNet, and let them know that you received your vaccine. To contact ImmuNet, please call 410 313-6284 and press option 1. This line is live answered from 8:30am - 4:30pm M-F.
June Legislative Wrap-Up
On July 6th, the County Council convened for our July Legislative Session to hold a vote on pending legislation. The County Council took action on several pieces of legislation, including the following:

  • CB49-2021: legislation amending Recreation and Parks provisions of the County Code; prohibiting discrimination in accordance with the County Code; providing that certain activities may be conducted upon a permit required by the Director; clarifying the reserved use of park property. During the vote on this legislation, my colleagues and I discussed workplace safety for Howard County employees. I proposed an unsuccessful amendment to protect park employees from verbal harassment, and I look forward to continuing to work on this issue with my colleagues and the County Executive. The legislation passed in a 5-0 vote. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.

  • CR104-2021: a resolution adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart for Fiscal Year 2022 pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County. The legislation passed 3-2. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.

  • CR105-2021: a resolution adopting the School Capacity Chart, pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County, to designate the elementary school regions, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools constrained for new residential development during each of the following years as based on the definition of program capacity as defined by Howard County Public School System policy. The legislation passed 5-0. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.

You can watch the County Council's full June legislation session here.
July 2021 Legislation
At the legislative session on July 6th, the County Council introduced new legislation for consideration. I have included information on current legislation of interest below:

  • TAO1-FY2022: an act transferring a total of $8,000,000 from C0214, Category Contingency Fund, to capital project N3108, Park Systemic Improvements, as a result of the award of $8,000,000 in grant funds from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.

  • CB51-2021: legislation to to permit motor vehicle fueling facilities in the PGCC Multi-use Subdistrict subject to Planning Board approval and under specified conditions; and generally relating to the Howard County Zoning Regulations. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by the Chairperson.

  • CB55-2021: legislation to remove the minimum size criteria for a parcel on which a landowner’s dwelling could be built; and generally relating to agricultural preservation. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by David Yungmann.

  • CB56-2021: legislation adding new definitions to the Forest Conservation ordinance; establishing a “look-back” provision for the disturbance of certain trees; reducing the diameter threshold to 24 inches for forest retention; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by Liz Walsh.

  • CB57-2021: legislation providing for enhanced enforcement measures and penalties for violations of the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County.. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by Liz Walsh.

  • CR122-2021: a resolution pursuant to the Maryland Public Ethics Law, Sections 5-852 through 5-854 of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, approving the forms for the Affidavit as to Contributions to Candidates and Business Engagements with Elected Officials and the Disclosure of Contribution; and generally providing for the approval by the County Council of the forms for the affidavit and the disclosure required under the Maryland Public Ethics Law. You can read more about the legislation here. Introduced by the Chairperson.
Community News, Events, and Updates
Guilford Quarry Pratt Through Truss Bridge Listed on National Register of Historic Places!
I am very happy to share that the Guilford Quarry Pratt Through Truss Bridge was recently listed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places!

This is an incredibly important recognition of the history and importance of the Guilford Quarry Pratt Through Truss Bridge in our community.

"The Guilford Quarry Pratt Through Truss Bridge was constructed circa 1902 as a single-span wrought-iron, 83-foot long, five panel, pin-connected Pratt through truss bridge. The bridge connected the B&O Patuxent Branch railroad to the quarry across the Little Patuxent River." (Source: Friends of the Guilford Industrial Historic District). The economic and industrial history of the Guilford Pratt Through Truss Bridge largely contributed to the development and success of the historically-Black community of Guilford in Howard County.

Today, the Truss Bridge sits at the center of the Patuxent Branch Trail in District 3, which residents and community members walk and bike through every day. The Guilford Pratt Through Truss Bridge is one of only 43 properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Howard County. We have been working with the Department of Recreation and Parks to create a "Between the Bridges" historical county park to celebrate the heritage and history between the Guilford Quarry Pratt Through Truss Bridge and the Bollman Truss Bridge in Savage, also on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thank you to community member Wayne Davis for researching, preparing, and advocating for this nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. You can learn more about our local history in Guilford and the Guilford Quarry Pratt Through Truss Bridge here.
MIHU Open Enrollment
The Howard County Department of Housing & Community Development is currently accepting applications for their Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program! The MIHU program is designed to provide affordable homeownership and housing opportunities to eligible Howard County residents.

Residents who are interested in applying for the MIHU program can find and submit an application online. The enrollment period for MIHU homeownership applications is from July 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021.

You can find more information on the MIHU program, including an application, here.
Changemaker Challenge - Applications Open!
The Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, the Women's Giving Circle of Howard County and the Community Foundation of Howard County are excited to announce the launch of the third Changemaker Challenge, focused on sparking innovation and fresh thinking to address some of Howard County’s most pressing social issues. 

Individuals, teams and nonprofit organizations are invited to pitch a big idea and have a chance to potentially receive up to $35,000 in prize money. Ideas should focus on sustainable actions to help residents and communities recover from the pandemic and the inequities it exposed. Howard County could benefit from fresh ideas that address issues like expanding equity, stable housing, access to healthy food, mental health, digital access, early childhood and youth education.

How does it work?
  • All big ideas to make Howard County better must be pitched at www.changemakerchallengehc.org by August 29.
  • If an idea is chosen, it will be presented to a virtual, live audience on November 9.
  • A panel of judges will select four winners to receive grants totaling $60,000. All finalists will be eligible for a grant of either $25,000, $15,000, a $10,000 grant for an initiative that supports women and girls in Howard County and an audience choice award of an additional $10,000.

You can learn more here!
Howard County Food Bank
The Howard County Food Bank, operated by Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), is proud to get back to full operations and offer "family-choice shopping” just like any other grocery store. 

While groceries were pre-bagged during the height of the pandemic in an effort of extreme caution, CAC feels strongly that it's important for families to choose the items they want, and it is ready to reinstate this model. All shopping trips are once again be family-choice. Fresh items such as milk, eggs, hygiene products, meats, produce are all on hand each time. Families who may qualify should visit www.CAC-HC.org or call 410-313-6440 for more details.
Head Start and Pre-K Opportunities from Community Action Council
CAC offers FREE Head Start and Pre-K programming to eligible 3- to 5-year-old children. Programs provide family engagement services, speech & language therapy, mental health consulting, hearing & vision screening, and nutritional counseling.

CAC operates four sites across the county, including at The Bauder Education Center in Long Reach. Learn more at www.CAC-HC.org or by call 410-313-6440.

To read more about the opening of their newest location, the Bauder Education Center in Long Reach, click here.
RTA Route Modifications - Fall 2021
The Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA) will hold a virtual public meeting TONIGHT, July 15th, starting at 6:00 pm, to discuss its proposed service changes this fall.

The RTA is proposing adjustments and modifications to certain routes in order to improve reliability, expand travel options and service connectivity, and decrease transfer times between core routes. The updated service changes include a new route connecting Catonsville, Ellicott City, and Downtown Columbia!

If approved, the proposed changes would take effect on Sunday, September 5, 2021. You can find more information here.
Apply for Leadership Essentials!
Loyola University Maryland is excited to announce the kickoff of the Leadership Essentials 2022 Program! 

This six-month leadership development program, which begins in December 2021 is for emerging leaders who have demonstrated abilities and want to enhance their personal commitment for development and growth. 
  
The Leadership Essentials Program consists of three main components: leadership skill development, individual coaching, and a community impact project. 
  
Leadership Essentials is a smart investment for the Participant to: 
  • Learn critical leadership skills to enhance your career and personal development 
  • Understand your unique abilities and opportunities for growth 
  • Connect with the Leadership Essentials community – a vital and valuable network of other emerging leaders, facilitators, executives and coaches
  • Take the lead on community projects that create innovative solutions for area nonprofit organizations

You can visit the Leadership Essentials webpage for more information and to apply for LE 2022 here. The application due date is October 11, 2021.
Howard County Employment and
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you looking for employment opportunities? There are several open positions in different Howard County Government departments and agencies, including the Recreation & Parks, Public Works, and more. You can learn more about different open positions and how to apply here.

Interested in volunteering with Howard County Government? You can check out different opportunities to volunteer with our Department of Recreation and Parks here, and additional volunteer opportunities here.
Mobile Ticketing is Available for RTA Riders
Howard County has implemented mobile ticketing, route tracking, and trip planning for our RTA bus service using the Transit app!

This updated technology helps bring RTA of Central Maryland into the 21st century, and it makes riding the bus easier and more reliable in Howard County.

Along with mobile ticketing, RTA introduced free transfers and fare capping, two cost-effective features for its riders that improve equity and access to the RTA system. One-way $2 fares purchased in Transit are valid for 90 minutes, making any transfers within that 90-minute window free system-wide.
COVID-19 Resources
Rental Assistance & Eviction Prevention
Howard County Government is offering Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Grants to Howard County residents who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage due to loss of income resulting from COVID-19.

Residents may apply for rental and mortgage assistance from:

Maximum assistance per household is 12 months of housing and utility expenses. Residents that previously received housing assistance ARE eligible to apply for additional assistance. You can find more information on the housing assistance grants and how to apply here.
Energy Assistance
Howard County Government has dedicated additional funding to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) for energy/utility assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are in imminent danger of utility cut-off and need assistance paying your utility bills, you can apply for assistance from the Community Action Council by visiting here or by calling 410-313-6440.
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit
The FCC announced that on May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit.
 
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households.

Households can apply in three ways:
  1. Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
  2. Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
  3. Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with proof of eligibility to: Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742.
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.
Unemployment Services
If you or a family member lost a job or experienced reduced income due to COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment insurance from the state of Maryland.

You can find more information and apply for unemployment benefits here. You can find more information on job opportunities and employment assistance here.
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 resources, please visit COAD's website here to learn more about their services.
District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings
There are currently no pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3.
Want to Get in Touch?
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3

410-313-2001
Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant

410-313-2421
Felix Facchine
District Aide

410-313-3108
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!