December 2023 Newsletter

Greetings!

Welcome to my December newsletter! With the holidays approaching, I wanted to share some fun and exciting holidays happenings in Howard County.

The County Executive announced the exciting HoCo Holiday Lights Map for the third year in a row. This map allows residents and visitors to find some of the best holiday light displays in the County. Whether you are walking, biking, or driving, the map helps users plan a route to see amazing lights. And residents can register their home to be included on the map.

This weekend, December 16th and 17th is the last weekend of the Savage Mill's Yuletide Festival. Visitor can enjoy the Mill's shops along with small, local vendors set up throughout the New Weave Building. On Small Business Saturday, I stopped by the Mill and shopped at some of my favorite shops. Learn more about the Yuletide Festival!

In Ellicott City, the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum Holiday Train Garden is open until January 7th. The Train Garden is set up throughout the museum and features new layouts. Admission to the museum is free.

As always, 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 and healthy December, and a happy New Year!

Yours in service,

Christiana Rigby (she/her)

Councilwoman, District 3

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December 14, 2023

November Legislation Wrap-Up

On December 4th, the County Council convened for our Legislative Session. The County Council took action on several pieces of legislation, including the following:

CB40-2023: An act removing certain exemptions for stream restoration projects in the Forest Conservation Act, removing the definition of a stream restoration project, and generally relating to the Forest Conservation Act. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

CB42-2023: An act to implement State Law relating to police discipline, including provisions related to an Administrative Charging Committee and Trial Boards; providing for an Administrative Charging Committee under State Law; setting forth the qualifications for members, method of selection, and exclusions from membership; defining certain terms; requiring the advertisement of certain vacancies; providing for budget and staff; requiring a minimum number of meetings; requiring certain training; providing for the terms of Committee members; allowing for certain stipends; setting forth the duties of the Committee; requiring that members submit to certain background investigations; authorizing the adoption of Rules of Procedure; providing for certain legal representation; authorizing the Committee to take certain actions in accordance with State Law; requiring members to maintain confidentiality; requiring civilian members to provide financial disclosure statements; providing for the removal of members; requiring each law enforcement agency to establish a Trial Board process in accordance with State Law; providing for certain legal representation and budget; requiring civilian members of the Trial Board to submit financial disclosure statements; and generally relating to police discipline in Howard County. This bill was passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CB43-2023: An act authorizing the County or the Housing Commission to assign the right to purchase by written agreement to certain entities who may acquire or finance the purchase of rental housing; clarifying the time that an offer shall remain open; amending the minimum number of affordable units; defining certain terms; providing that certain assignments may be recorded; requiring that certain covenants be recorded; and generally related to the notice and right to purchase rental housing. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the County Executive.

CB44-2023: An act prohibiting the increase in the amount of rent over a specified amount for certain regulated units; requiring the publication of the permitted amount of rent increase; allowing a landlord to apply for a capital improvement surcharge upon a showing of certain criteria; allowing a fair return for a regulated unit; providing certain exemptions; defining certain terms; requiring that certain fees be prominently displayed; setting forth penalties; inserting a severability clause; providing for the abrogation of certain provisions of this Act; establishing a workgroup to study the effect of this Act; and generally relating to rental increases in Howard County. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the County Executive and Co-Sponsored by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

CB45-2023: An act requiring a restaurant that offers children’s meals for sale to offer a certain number of healthy children’s meal for sale; specifying the options required for a certain children’s meal; requiring a restaurant that offers for sale a children’s meal with a beverage to include a certain default beverage; preserving a consumer’s choice to purchase and a restaurant’s right to sell a children’s meal other than a healthy children’s meal; requiring the Howard County Department of Health to create and disseminate certain written informational resources; providing for the enforcement of this Act; providing for the severability of certain provisions of this Act; and generally relating to healthy meals for children. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

CR182-2023: A resolution endorsing the 2023 RTA/Howard County Transit Development Plan as a guide for future transit development in Howard County and in the Central Maryland region. This bill passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

December Legislation

No new legislation was introduced at the December 4th legislative session. However, at this session, the Council appointed officers for the 2024 legislative year.

The full office appointments are detailed below:

County Council Chairperson

Deb Jung

County Council Vice-Chairperson

Liz Walsh

Zoning Board Chairperson

Liz Walsh

Zoning Board Vice-Chairperson

Dr. Opel Jones

Liquor Board Chairperson

David Yungmann

Liquor Board Vice-Chairperson

Dr. Opel Jones

MACo Representative

Christiana Rigby

NACo Representative

Christiana Rigby

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Community News, Events, and Updates

Crime & Traffic Dashboard

The Howard County Police Department has two new interactive data dashboards. These dashboards will increase transparency, awareness, and public safety in our community. The crime report dashboard allows individuals to search for incidents across the County and includes data beginning in 2022. The traffic stop dashboard includes data from 2023 relating to violations defined the Maryland as "reportable stops."

Both dashboards can be accessed through HCPD's website.

Kwanzaa Celebration

On Wednesday, December 27th at 5:30 PM at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, the Office of Human Rights and Equity is hosting an annual Kwanzaa celebration. Learn about the traditions and cultural significance of Kwanzaa with neighbors across the County.

Noon Year's Eve

Join Carroll Baldwin Hall and the Savage Branch Library to ring in the New Year early on Saturday, December 30th from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM. Nearly Noon Year's Eve features stories, dancing, and a special countdown - perfect for families with young children.

This event is free and does not require registration.

Breakfast with the Maryland General Assembly

The League of Women Voters of Howard County and the Howard County Library System are partnering for their annual Legislative Breakfast with members of the Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly. Visit the Elkridge Branch Library on Saturday, January 6th at 10:30 AM to hear from the Delegation about the upcoming session and ask your State representatives questions.

Teen Advisory Council

All Howard County students in grades 8 through 12 are invited to join the HC DrugFree Teen Advisory Council (TAC). While developing life skills and learning about the importance of making healthy choices, students earn service hours. The TAC provides many great opportunities for students to volunteer. For students who are preparing to apply to college and for jobs, the TAC helps build a strong resume.

Interested students are encouraged to attend the Teen Advisory Council's upcoming meetings on Monday, January 8th and February 5th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

Free Life Skills Classes

HC DrugFree offers interactive skills-based classes to promote positive health and personal development for students in grades 6 to 9. Students learn beneficial skills including social and self-management skills, substance resistance skills, and more. The program consists of eight classes occurring between January 16th and March 5th from 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM.

Become a Commissioner

The Office of Human Rights and Equity staffs five commissions comprised of resident volunteers. The following commissions are looking for new members:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission – three new adult commissioners;
LGBQIA+ Commission – three new adult commissioners and one college student;
La Alianza Latina Commission – one new adult commissioner and one high school student; and
AAPI Commission – one college student.

If you are interested in joining one of OHRE's Commissions, apply at the Office's website!

Christiana's Climate Corner

Welcome to Christiana's Climate Corner, where 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!

Green Bin Composting

If you have not heard yet, the County's Green Bin Composting Program was recently expanded to more neighborhoods in District 3! To find out if your home is in the program visit the Feed the Green Bin website and sign up to receive your bin.

Composting is an excellent opportunity to divert waste and create a useful product. While our trash is sent away, our compost is managed at the Alpha Ridge Landfill in Marriottsville. After the trucks collect compost from the Green Bin's, they drop off the waste at the landfill. This begins the long and precise process to turn your food waste and yard trim into HoCoGro compost, mulch, and topsoil. And all these products are available to purchase at the landfill!

For residents who are interested in composting or want to learn more about recycling, the Howard County Library System is offering a free class on Saturday, December 16th at 10:30 AM at the Savage Branch Library. Especially with the holidays around the corner, it is important to know how each of us can minimize waste from shipping boxes, wrapping paper, Christmas trees, and food scraps.