May 2023 Newsletter

Greetings!

The County Council just started the second month considering the County's budget for Fiscal Year 2024. On April 17th, County Executive Ball released his Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Operating Budget and presented it to the County Council for consideration. Watch below to learn more about the proposed Operating Budget, our budget process, and also to hear which operating initiatives and programs I am especially excited about!

I'd love to learn which programs and initiatives are important you! Please consider sharing your feedback on the budget by emailing [email protected].

Community members and organizations can also sign up to testify on the FY24 Operating Budget on May 8th at 7:00 PM or testify on the FY24 Capital and Operating Budget during our Public Hearing on May 11th at 9:30 AM.

For more information about the budget process, please visit the County Council's budget page. The schedule for the Council's Budget Public Hearings and Work Sessions are available on the County Council's calendar page. All of the proceedings can be watched on the Council's website.

Read the FY24 Capital and Operating Budgets as proposed to the County Council.

Yours in service,

Christiana Rigby (she/her)

Councilwoman, District 3

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May 3, 2023

April Legislation Wrap-Up

On May 1st, the County Council convened for our May Legislative Session. The County Council took action on several pieces of legislation, including the following:

CB9-2023: An act amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to allow certain historic venues to be used as a Conditional Use Historic Building Uses, under certain conditions; and generally relating to Historic Building Uses. This bill as amended passed in a 3-2 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of BFEA-Curtis Farm, LLC.

CB10-2023: An act to clarify the role of the hearing examiner to hear certain matters in the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board; specifying the powers and duties of, and the procedures used by, the hearing examiner, including in an evidentiary hearing; removing certain mediation procedures; specifying the rights and duties of persons of record in matters heard by the hearing examiner; providing for the process of petition applications for piecemeal map amendments and development plans; allowing for certain conditional approvals; defining certain terms and rules of construction; and generally relating to piecemeal map amendments and development plan approvals. This bill as amended passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

May Legislation

On May 1st, the County Council convened for our May Legislative Session. New legislation was introduced, including:

CB14-2023: An act establishing a Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Teachers; defining certain terms; setting forth certain eligibility requirements; providing that the program will be administered by the Howard County Public School System; providing for the method of appropriation and providing that the program may be subject to annual appropriation; providing for a limit to the fiscal obligation of the program; requiring certain applications; providing for the application of this Act; requiring a report; providing for a sunset of the Program after five years; and generally relating to the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Teachers. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

At the upcoming Public Hearing, on May 15th at 7:00 PM, residents can offer testimony on this legislation. The legislation will be up for a vote at the Council's Legislative Session on June 5th at 7:00 PM.

VIEW COUNCIL LEGISLATION

TESTIFY AT A PUBLIC HEARING

VIEW COUNCIL CALENDAR

Community News, Events, and Updates

Bike Month

May is Bike Month! To celebrate, the Office of Transportation partnered with the Downtown Columbia Partnership to offer amazing bike events.

On Saturday, May 6th through Sunday, May 7th, the Office of Transportation is cohosting the annual BikeAround Downtown. Register for the event and learn more about the different routes!

From May 15th through the 21st, the Office of Transportation is joining the Baltimore Metropolitan Council's statewide Bike to Work Central Maryland celebration by hosting a Bike to Work event on May 19th. Register for Bike to Work day and stop by 6100 Merriweather Drive to pick up your free t-shirt and hang out with other bikers!

Mental Health Awareness Month

Earlier this month, County Executive Ball announced $2.5 million to expand behavioral health services across the Howard County General Hospital, Sheppard Pratt, and Tuerk House. Throughout the month, the Bureau of Behavioral Health is hosting numerous events discussing men and children's mental health. Learn more and register today.

I encourage anyone who is in need of help to reach out and ask. The National Suicide & Crisis Lifetime can be reached 24/7 by dialing 988.

MTA Hiring Event

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is hosting a hiring event on May 13th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for anyone who is interested in becoming a bus operator. At the event, attendees can begin the application process by completing required assessment testing and background processing.

MTA bus operators receive competitive pay with raises, overtime potential, comprehensive benefit package, and more!

Maryland Insurance Administration

To recognize Older Americans month, on May 17th from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, the Maryland Insurance Administration is hosting an Insurance 101 webinar to discuss how to maintain your homeowner's insurance after paying off your home, and to review Medicare, insurance fraud, and more.

If you are interested, register now!

Tell HoCo

Tell HoCo is a great way for everyone in Howard County to report concerns about traffic signals, street signs, roadway conditions, trees, and more. Issues like litter can also be reported to Tell HoCo.

Help us keep Howard County beautiful by submitting a report today!

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!

Learn about Upcycled

Reducing plastics in our day-to-day life is a key way to make our planet a healthier place for everyone. When we can’t reduce, we can reuse. And when reusing isn’t an option – Upcycled can help!

Most single-use plastics cannot be recycled, so Upcycled turns these plastics into valuable building materials. To help make that happen, Upcycled partners with organizations across Howard County to host community clean-ups and supply structures. They have been very busy in our corner of the County! Within District 3, you can find two benches at Carroll Baldwin Hall, one bench at the Savage Mill, and one bench at Cradlerock Elementary School from Upcycled.

Co-Founder Freddie Striano shared the following with us about what Upcycled has done and what they’re planning:

Upcycled completed a beautification project at Savage Mill Trail from April through August. The project included a site observation prior to work beginning, three trail cleanups and survey from members of the community. Upon completing the Savage Project over 1,400 lbs of litter was removed from the trail. We donated over 250 lbs of recycled plastic lumber to Savage and installed a plastic collection bin for residents. The lumber was used for three benches: one at the entrance to the Savage Mill and the others at Carroll Baldwin Hall.

Our team is working with Howard County Parks & Recreation and the Savage Community, to have the Savage Mill Trail be a litter free area. This includes trying to add new signage at the beach areas with arrows pointing to the nearest trash can, two or three additional trash cans on the trail or larger cans to avoid overflow, and to build an ambassador program to continue trail cleanups at this location. We were also back on Earth Day this year (2023) to complete a trail cleanup and continue the project by getting the community involved for the new year.

Last month, Upcycled was recognized by the Bureau of Environmental Services with the "Business Recycling and Waste Reduction" award. I am so grateful to Freddie and everyone at Upcycled for their efforts in Howard County. I encourage you to learn more and get involved with Upcycled today!