Greetings!
As we spring through April, the Council is reviewing the County Executive's proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Capital and Operating budgets. Both budgets are accessible online at the County's Budget website. This year's capital budget totals $412.5 million and includes funding for many investments across Howard County. For District 3 residents, some of these investments include the full funding for the North Laurel Community Pool, Cradlerock Way safety improvements, the North Laurel Road sidewalk, and a feasibility study for sidewalks along Superior Avenue and Old Scaggsville Road. The proposed capital budget commits $90 million in funding for Howard County Public School System capital projects, fully funding the Board of Education's request. This includes the land acquisition, planning, and design for High School #14 in Elkridge and renovations/addition for Oakland Mills Middle School.
The proposed operating budget totals $2.4 billion. Within the operating budget is $1.14 billion of funding dedicated to the Board of Education. Best of all, these funds allow the Board of Education to restore planned cuts to the Elementary School Gifted and Talented program, 3rd grade strings program, Environmental Education program, and more. Please note that while the County can provide funding, the Board of Education ultimately decides which program to fund.
The Council has many work sessions in the coming weeks, and all can be watched online through the Council's website. We are also holding public hearings on April 24th at 6:00 PM on the operating budget, May 9th at 9:30 AM on the capital and operating budgets, and a final hearing on May 13th at 7:00 PM on the operating budget. The Council will vote on the budgets on May 22nd at 12:00 PM.
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Christiana Rigby (she/her)
Councilwoman, District 3
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March Legislation Wrap-Up |
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On April 1st, the County Council convened for our April Legislative Session. The Council took action on several pieces of legislation were introduced, including the following:
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CB13-2024: An act establishing the Trap-Neuter-Return program for community cats, specifying the purpose and administration of the program, defining certain terms; and generally relating to the Trap-Neuter-Return program. This bill failed in a 2-1-2 vote. Introduced by Councilmember Deb Jung.
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New legislation was introduced at the April 1st Legislative Session, including:
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CR39-2024: A resolution adopting Howard County’s Annual Action Plan for housing and community services to qualify for the receipt of federal Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program funds. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CB16-2024: An act amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations to change Section 128.0.A.12 to allow additional square footage for detached accessory structures on residentially zoned lots in the RC and RR zoning districts for both individual structures and cumulatively by allowing an additional 500 square feet for properties greater than 3 acres with larger properties having more allowance for detached accessory structures; and generally relating to lot coverage in the RC and RR zoning district. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of Elite Facility Management.
The legislation will be up for a vote at the Council's Legislative Session on May 6th at 7:00 PM.
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Community News, Events, and Updates |
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I am thrilled to announce another expansion of the County's Green Bin Composting Program! Households in Savage and Emerson are now eligible to receive Green Bin Composting, expanding services to an additional 4,400 homes. The program will now serve a total of 48,000 households in Howard County.
By simply separating food waste from garbage, we can reduce methane gases and waste, and fight against climate change.
If you are interested in composting, please be on the lookout for a postcard sent to you in the mail with instructions and a QR Code to sign-up for composting services. Households who have opted into the program will receive their green bins during the week of April 29th and collection services will begin immediately.
Check out the County's Feed the Green Bin website to learn more about the program, sign up for services, and find out if your household is eligible.
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Participate in this year's clean-up of the Savage Mill Trail!
Upcycled is hosting an Earth Day clean-up aimed at beautifying the Savage Mill Trail on Sunday, April 21st from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Trash bags, grabbers, and gloves will be provided for all participants.
Learn more and register by visiting Upcycled's website.
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HC DrugFree's Drive-Thru Medication & Sharps Disposal Event |
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Join HC DrugFree for their free and convenient drive-thru medication and sharps disposal event as a part of the DEA's National Drug Take Back Day!
Stop by the Wilde Lake Village Center on Saturday, April 27th between 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM with any and all prescriptions or over-the-counter medications, syringes, Epi-Pens, vitamins, and even pet medications. This allows these items to be disposed of safely (please don't flush them!) or end up in the hands of those who might misuse them. All medications are guarded and transported by DEA and Howard County Police.
For more information, please visit the HC DrugFree website.
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The Howard County African American Community Roundtable is hosting a Health Expo on Saturday, April 27th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Lake Elkhorn Middle School. This event includes free health screenings, a blood drive, a youth basketball & life skills clinic, nutritional & wellness workshops, exercise demonstrations, voter registration, kids activities, and more.
Learn more about the event and register for your free ticket online!
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The Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development is now accepting applications for the Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program January open enrollment period. The MIHU program offers new homes at a reduced sale price and rents to income eligible families and individuals. If you are a family of four and earn up to $103,639, you qualify under the homeownership program.
Applications are available online and are due by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, April 30th. Completed applications can be submitted online, mailed to 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 224, Columbia, MD, 21046, or dropped off at DHCD's Patuxent Woods Drive office by appointment only.
Applications for rental units are available online accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Roving Radish meal kits are now available to order! Meal kits are comprised of regional and locally grown foods and are available to anyone who lives, works, or plays in Howard County. Each meal kit costs $40 and includes two meals, with at least four servings, and all the necessary ingredients. Subsidized pricing is also available to individuals and families using SNAP, WIC, TCA, SSDI, and more.
Learn more and order your meal kit at the Roving Radish website.
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Office of Human Rights & Equity Commissioners |
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Howard County's Office of Human Rights and Equity is seeking commissioners for the following commissions:
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The Howard County Bird Club serves as our local chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society. The Club hosts educational events, maintains resources for beginner and experienced birders, and promotes habitat preservation, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
Learn more by visiting the Howard County Bird Club website.
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District 3 Business Spotlight |
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In this section of the newsletter, I'm excited to share one of the many amazing small businesses in District 3. If your business would like to be featured here, please email me at crigby@howardcountymd.gov.
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Queen Takes Book - Columbia's New Indie Bookstore
Queen Takes Book is a community-focused, independent bookstore catering to readers and book lovers of all ages. We believe passionately in the power of reading and strive to connect local readers of all ages with books that delight, challenge, and engage. Queen Takes Book carries new releases and popular titles, an expertly curated back list selection and a fun mix of bookish merchandise, from puzzles, to stickers, greeting cards, and coffee mugs.
The store is located in Snowden Center, at the intersection of Snowden River Parkway and Oakland Mills Road, right next door to the wonderful Mother Nature’s wildlife and garden shop. Community events such as book clubs, kids story time hour and author signings are coming soon!
Keep up with all of the latest book releases, community events and store updates by signing up for our newsletter at www.queentakesbook.com or following us on Instagram and Facebook (@queentakesbook).
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Christiana's Climate Corner |
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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! |
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The Trash Train
Last week, my team and I had the opportunity to visit Waste Management's Annapolis Junction Transfer Station. This was such an amazing experience! If you did not know, Howard County does not landfill waste within the County. Instead, the County maintains a contract with Waste Management that allows us to load all our trash onto a train at the Annapolis Junction Transfer Station and send it down to Waste Management's landfill in King George, Virginia.
The Annapolis Junction Transfer Station is a massive operation. We visited on a busy day and watched as a long line of trucks waited to dump their trash. Trucks dump trash in a large warehouse that sits above the train tracks and an excavator moves the trash into train cars. While watching this process, we saw numerous mattresses, wood pallets, aluminum cans, and lots of food waste. Many of these materials can be diverted from the landfill, which is crucial as the King George Landfill has approximately 21 years until it reaches capacity. While our waste is taken to the Annapolis Junction Transfer Station, many materials can be recycled in the Blue Bin or taken directly to the Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents' Convenience Center. Food waste and yard trim can be composted through the County's Green Bin Composting Program. This process occurs at the Alpha Ridge Composting Facility and the material is turned into HoCo Gro compost, mulch, and topsoil.
At the Annapolis Junction Transfer Station, we discussed some of the ways that residents can support operations and ensure the train keeps moving. Most importantly, we learned that lithium-ion batteries should not be thrown away in regular trash collection. These batteries have caused many damaging fires at landfills and transfer stations because they can explode under the right circumstances. It is imperative that we dispose of all lithium-ion batteries safely to prevent fires and ensure the safety of employees. Lithium-ion batteries can be taken to the Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents' Convenience Center during Household Hazardous Waste Collections on Saturdays between April and September.
I want to thank Chris Isakov and Kitty McIlroy for this amazing opportunity to learn more about the lifecycle of our trash and share this knowledge with you!
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If you need assistance, Howard County can help. Read below to learn more about programs offered by the County and State. |
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District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
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There are no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3. |
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Stay Connected with Christiana! |
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
crigby@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2001
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Colette Gelwicks
Chief of Staff
cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2421
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Paige Goldscher
District Aide
pgoldscher@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-3108
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