Greetings!
Welcome to our October 2022 Newsletter!
It has been a busy month for the County Council as we approach the end of our term in office. We have considered a wide range of legislation over the last two months and are working to conclude our legislative business before we head into recess for November and December.
It has also been a month of celebrations across the County! At the beginning of the month, we celebrated the annual Howard County Pride festival at Merriweather Park in Symphony Woods. We also joined the Owen Brown Community to celebrate the 50th birthday of the village this month. Next month, we will be joining community members in Savage to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage (more details on that later in the newsletter).
As the weather gets colder and we head further into the Fall, 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 October!
Yours in service,
|
|
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
she/her/hers
|
|
|
September Legislative Wrap-Up |
|
On October 3rd, the County Council convened for our October Legislative Session. Several new pieces of legislation and resolutions were introduced, including the following:
-
CB57-2022: An ACT requiring the Department of Police to notify the Director of Public Works of certain fatalities; requiring the Director of Public Works, or the Director’s designee, to conduct an infrastructure review when certain fatalities occur on a road or at an intersection; requiring consultation with the Office of Transportation; requiring the review to be complete within a certain time; requiring the review to be sent to specified recipients and published on the County website; and generally relating to traffic fatalities in the County. This legislation was passed unanimously. You can read more about the legislation here: CB57-2022. Introduced by Christiana Rigby.
-
CB51-2022: An ACT AN ACT amending the Howard County Code to require all Howard County officials involved in the Maryland Public Information Act request process seek a formal review by the Howard County Office of Law before declaring any documents, emails, or materials as privileged; and generally relating Maryland Public Information Act requests. This legislation was passed unanimously. You can read more about the legislation here: CB51-2022. Introduced by David Yungmann.
-
CB52-2022: An ACT amending the criteria, including the duration, for a property tax credit for seniors and retired military personnel in accordance with Chapter 267, Acts of the General Assembly of 2022; and generally relating to property tax credits. This legislation was passed unanimously. You can read more about the legislation here: CB52-2022. Introduced by Deb Jung.
-
CB54-2022: An ACT amending the Howard County Code to prohibit the issuance of certain waivers or variances to Forest Conservation regulations for properties located in the Tiber Branch Watershed; requiring certain site design requirements in the Tiber Branch Watershed; altering the existing floodplain, wetland, stream, and steep slope waiver provisions for the Tiber Branch Watershed; requiring development in the Tiber Branch Watershed to meet its forest conservation obligations on-site; and generally relating to waivers or variances. This legislation was tabled. You can read more about the legislation here: CB54-2022. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
-
CB58-2022: An ACT to set the rate of the Public School Facilities Surcharge for certain addition construction; and generally relating to the public school facilities surcharge. This legislation was tabled. You can read more about the legislation here: CB58-2022. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
|
|
On October 3rd, the County Council convened for our October Legislative Session. Several new pieces of legislation and resolutions were introduced, including the following:
-
CB72-2022: An AN ACT to establish an Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission; providing for the membership of the Commission; providing for the purpose and duties of the Commission; providing for the method of appointment and staff; requiring certain meetings and certain reports; providing the expiration dates of the terms of the initial members of the Commission; and generally relating to an Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission. You can read more about the legislation here: CB72-2022. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
-
CR185-2022: A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and Ranleagh Court, LLC for property located at 6001 Turnabout Lane, Columbia, which will comprise a mixed-income, rental housing development to be known as Ranleagh Court Apartments. You can read more about the legislation here: CR185-2022. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
-
CR189-2022: A RESOLUTION pursuant to Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, approving the Howard County Board of Education’s Capital Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2024 and Capital Improvement Program Request for Fiscal Years 2025-2029 for the purpose of submission to the Interagency Commission on School Construction. You can read more about the legislation here: CR189-2022. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
-
CR190-2022: A RESOLUTION approving schedules of fees and rates for certain functions regulated and administered by the Department of Police. You can read more about the legislation here: CR190-2022. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
|
|
Community News, Events, and Updates |
|
Transportation Safety Bill Passes Unanimously |
|
I am very happy to share that my transportation safety legislation (CB57-2022) was passed unanimously by the County Council on October 3rd and was signed into law by County Executive Ball.
This legislation requires an infrastructure review of all traffic fatalities that occur on county roads. These reviews will be accompanied with recommendations to improve and enhance infrastructure safety. At our legislative session, the Council adopted an amendment to also include reviews of crashes that result serious injuries of bicyclists and pedestrians.
This legislation will help Howard County in our efforts to further reduce pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist fatalities and make our streets safer for all users.
|
|
|
I am very grateful to all the organizations and residents that shared their testimony and suggestions with the Council, including the Horizon Foundation, Bike HoCo, and the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance.
This legislation is another step forward to achieving Vision Zero in Howard County, and I am committed to continuing our work to build a better and safer transportation system for Howard County.
|
|
Carroll Baldwin Hall Celebrates
Its 100th Anniversary!
|
|
On November 12th, Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage will be celebrating its Centennial Anniversary! Join our neighbors in Savage for a community celebration at the Hall from 12pm - 4pm.
The celebration will include a re-dedication of the Hall with special guests, dessert reception, and music.
|
|
Last Chance for Farmers Markets |
|
As we head further into the Fall, Howard County's Farmers Markets will be closing at the end of the month!
Be sure to support our local farmers and small businesses by visiting our Farmers Markets on Wednesdays at the Miller Branch Library or on Sundays at the Oakland Mills Village Center.
|
|
Howard County Seeks Advisory Committee
For Housing Opportunities Trust Fund
|
|
The Department of Housing and Community Development is seeking residents to serve on the Housing Opportunities Trust Fund Advisory Committee, which will assist in oversight of the newly-created Housing Opportunities Trust Fund.
The committee will meet up to six times a year, and applicants should have housing experience and a familiarity with financial statements and development budgets.
Applications will be accepted from Oct. 21, 2022 until November 4, 2022. For more information on the committee and how to apply, please visit DHCD's website.
|
|
MIHU Program Open Enrollment |
|
The MIHU program is designed to provide affordable homeownership and rental 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 through October 31, 2022. For more information on the MIHU homeownership program, please visit DHCD's website.
|
|
Christiana's Climate Corner |
|
Welcome to Christiana's Climate Corner, the newest section of our monthly newsletter! In the Climate Corner, I will be sharing updates on environmental and sustainability efforts in Howard County, including information on legislation, events, and opportunities for you to support sustainability efforts in our community! |
|
Autumn Leaves Dispoal
As leaves continue to fall in Howard County, please remember to avoid dumping leaves, grass clippings, or other landscaping waste into a storm drain inlet or a stream.
Instead, please consider composting your leaves in your backyard, at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, or through Howard County's Green Bin program!
Additionally, you can also "leave the leaves" in your garden beds, around trees, and in other parts of your yard to provide winter habitat for many of our important pollinators and invertebrates. Learn more about the benefits of leaving your leaves by visiting this website.
|
|
Howard County Updates Climate Goals
Earlier this month, County Executive Ball signed an Executive Order updating Howard County's climate and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
These new goals set Howard County on the path of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions for all public and private sectors across the county 60 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2030 and to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, surpassing both federal and state goals. These updated goals will be built into the implementation of Howard County's Climate Action Plan, which I requested funding for in the FY22 budget.
|
|
Bivalent Booster Shots Available |
|
Bivalent Booster Shots Available
The Howard County Health Department is offering the updated Omicron-specific (Bivalent) booster shots.
Appointments are available at the Howard County Health Department's website. Vaccines is also available at local pharmacies, urgent care centers, and retail stores. You can visit the Maryland Vaccine Locater to find a vaccination location convenient to you.
As the Health Department receives additional supply of the updated vaccine, additional appointments will be made available.
Not sure if you are eligible for a booster shot? You can check your eligibility for a booster shot from visiting the CDC's website.
COVID-19 Testing
The Howard County Health Department and our private partners are continuing to offer COVID-19 tests across Howard County on a regular basis. If you would like to get tested, please visit the Health Department's website for a list of nearby testing clinics and locations.
|
|
District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
|
There are currently no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3. |
|
Stay Connected with Christiana! |
|
Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
410-313-2001
|
|
Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant
410-313-2421
|
|
Felix Facchine
District Aide
410-313-3108
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
