Greetings!
Welcome to our September Newsletter! This month, the County Council has returned from its August Recess and will be considering several new pieces of legislation.
Earlier this month, thousands of Howard County families returned to school for the 2021-2022 school year. For many families, returning to school this year has been met with mixed feelings and emotions, especially for families with younger children who cannot yet be vaccinated.
As school has resumed, I have advocated that HCPSS take every precaution available to protect our students from the spread of coronavirus in schools. I am pleased that HCPSS is purchasing HEPA air filters for every classroom, and I will continue to encourage that the school system take proactive approaches to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
As we start the Fall season, 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 September!
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information |
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Vaccine Update
Howard County residents have continued to get their COVID-19 vaccinations in record numbers. The most recent data available indicates that 88.7% of residents over 12 years old have received their first dose of the vaccine, and 83.7% of the population over 12 years old are fully vaccinated. The number of those who have received their first dose has increased by roughly 2 percentage points over last month. We are continuing to see progress in the numbers of individuals who are getting vaccinated, but there is still more work to be done and more vaccinations to administer!
If you haven't yet been vaccinated, there are opportunities to get your shot every day of the week! 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.
Delta Variant
The Delta variant remains the predominant strain of the COVID-19 virus present in the United States. With the rise of the Delta variant in substantial and high transmission areas, the CDC has recommended the reinstitution of prevention strategies, like wearing masks in public indoor spaces. These new recommendations are aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine is highly recommended as a proven method to counter the spread of the virus and provide protection against serious illness and death. You can learn more about the Delta variant from the CDC here.
Vaccinated Out of State?
If you were vaccinated in another state outside of Maryland, the Howard County Health Department may not be tracking your vaccination record in 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 answered from 8:30am - 4:30pm M-F.
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On September 8th, the County Council convened for our September Legislative Session to introduce new legislation. I have included information on several pieces of legislation of interest that are under consideration this month:
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SAO1-FY2022: AN ACT transferring $476,969 from the General Fund, Contingency Reserve to the Department of Police, Office of the State’s Attorney and Sherriff’s Office for the Body Worn Camera Program. This legislation, along with an additional dedication of funds from County Executive Ball, will allow Howard County's Body Worn Camera program to proceed starting this October. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CB64-2021: AN ACT prohibiting the cutting or clearing of certain specimen trees; providing that a property owner may proceed under certain conditions and upon the submission and approval of certain applications; providing for the contents of certain applications; providing for the criteria to use in the review of certain applications; providing for certain exemptions; requiring certain compliance; providing certain penalties for noncompliance; requiring surety for forest retention; defining certain terms; and generally related to forest conservation and the preservation of natural cover in Howard County. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CB65-2021: AN ACT requiring the posting of an information sign on certain parcels of land that are affected by a petition for a Zoning Regulation Amendment; specifying the content of the sign; prohibiting the Department of Planning and Zoning from submitting its Technical Staff Report under certain circumstances; adding a penalty for a violation of a certain provision of law; and generally relating to Zoning Regulation Text Amendment petitions. Introduced by Deb Jung.
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CB66-2021: AN ACT removing exemptions from the Forest Conservation Plan requirements for certain Planned Unit Developments and Planned Business Parks; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
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CB67-2021: AN ACT altering the date by which a store must remit the fees collected for disposable bags to the Director of Finance; and generally relating to disposable bag fees in the County. Introduced by Opel Jones and Christiana Rigby.
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CR140-2021, CR141-2021, CR142-2021, and CR143-2021: These four resolutions would approve four separate solar energy PILOT agreements. These resolutions pertain to expanding solar energy production in Howard County. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CR144-2021 and CR145-2021: These two resolutions would approve PILOT agreements for the redevelopment of the Roslyn Rise Apartments in Columbia at 10401 Twin Rivers Road. This is a mixed-income, rental housing development. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CR146-2021: A RESOLUTION endorsing the Howard County Executive’s intent to apply for membership with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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Community News, Events, and Updates |
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HoCo By Design - Draft Plan Workshop Survey |
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Following the meetings, participants were asked to complete a survey to provide their thoughts. If you were unable to attend in-person or virtually, a recording of the virtual workshop can be found HERE.
You can also take the survey anytime until September 19th--prior attendance at a meeting is not required. You can take the survey HERE. Please consider participating in this important process to help shape Howard County's General Plan!
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Councilmanic Redistricting Commission |
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Every ten years, Howard County establishes a Councilmanic Redistricting Commission to draw Council District boundaries that reflect population changes and shifts which have been identified from the most recent Census.
Following the 2020 Census, Howard County's Councilmanic Redistricting Process is underway. The Commission is currently holding meetings and public work sessions to prepare a plan for the County Council to review by the end of November. There will be additional public input opportunities in the months ahead.
If you would like to offer input on the redistricting process, you can learn more about the Commission here.
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High School EcoAmbassadors Wanted! |
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With funds from Howard County's Disposable Plastics Reduction Fund, Howard EcoWorks is launching a new EcoAmbassdor program this fall!
Through this program, EcoWorks is recruiting one student from each of the thirteen high schools in Howard County to act as paid EcoAmbassadors and leaders for environmental change in their local communities.
Applications are being accepted until October 1st. The program runs from October 1, 2021 through May 1, 2022.
You can learn more and apply here!
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Oakland Mills Complete Streets - Coming Soon! |
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These Complete Streets improvements include:
- Implementing a 3-lane cross section with a center turn lane.
- Adding 2-way protected bike lanes on Oakland Mills Rd.
- Adding new pedestrian crossings and improving existing crossings.
I am thrilled that this project will be getting underway starting this Fall! These buffered bike lanes and improved pedestrian crossings will greatly enhance safety and access along Oakland Mills Road, all the way from Blandair Park down to Dobbin Road.
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The final design plans and the construction schedule are available here. The County also welcomes feedback from the public on the design plans and construction schedule via [email protected] by September 28, 2021.
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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.
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Head Start and Pre-K Opportunities from Community Action Council |
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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.
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Apply for Leadership Essentials! |
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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.
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.
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Rental Assistance & Eviction Prevention |
Howard County Government is offering Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Grants to Howard County residents who need assistance paying their rent or mortgage due to loss of income resulting from COVID-19.
Residents may apply for rental and mortgage assistance from:
Maximum housing assistance per household is up to 15 months of past due rent and utility bills and up to 12 months of mortgage assistance. 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.
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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.
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Emergency Broadband Benefit |
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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:
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Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
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Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
- 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.
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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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You can find more information and apply for unemployment benefits from the State of Maryland here.
You can find more information on job opportunities and employment assistance from Howard County's Office of Workforce Development 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 resources, please visit COAD's website here to learn more about their services.
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District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
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There are currently no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3. |
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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 regular updates on county news, legislative priorities, and community initiatives! |
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