April Newsletter - Keeping Up with Christiana!

Keeping Up with Christiana!

Welcome to our April Newsletter! This month, the County Council dives into our first budget season. We received the FY2020 Capital Budget from County Executive Ball on Monday, April 1st and will be receiving the FY2020 Operating Budget on April 21st. Over the next 2 months, there will be several opportunities to weigh in with your thoughts on this year's budgets. Check out our budget schedule below for more information!

As we move into the Spring, please don't hesitate to contact our office if you are experiencing any issues in your community or would just like to get in touch to say hello! We are here to help with your concerns and listen to your feedback. Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy April!

Yours in service,

Christiana Mercer Rigby

Councilwoman, District 3

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April 2019

Council Updates

The County Council voted on its March legislation on Monday, April 1.

I was proud to pass several significant bills this month with my colleagues on the County Council, including legislation to strengthen Howard County's scenic road protections (CB11-2019), repeal Howard County's mobile home site rental tax (CB8-2019), and support the County's lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration over NextGen flight patterns out of BWI airport (CR36-2019).

Unfortunately, CB11-2019 was vetoed on April 8 by County Executive Ball. We are taking this veto as an opportunity to continue advocating for this bill, refine the details, and reintroduce this legislation in the future. You can find our full response to this veto and next steps for the legislation here.

You can watch the County Council's February and March meetings here!

April Legislation: Expanding Diaper-Changing Stations!

This month, I was happy to join Councilmembers Jones, Walsh, and Jung in filing legislation to expand access to diaper-changing stations in Howard County!

Check out the video we made for more details about the bill!

Additional April Legislation

Additional April legislation includes:

CR49-2019: the Developer Rights and Responsibilities Agreement for High School 13, which will be located in Jessup. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CB17-2019: legislation increasing the number of years that projects must be retested under APFO's school capacity test. Introduced by Liz Walsh.

You can find the full text, details, and description of current legislation here.

Upcoming Council Dates

April 15, 9:30am, Capital Budget Work Session

April 22, 9:30am, Capital Budget Work Session

April 22, 7:00pm, Legislative Public Hearing

April 24, 7:00pm, Education Budget Public Hearing

April 19, 9:30am, Education Budget Work Session

April 19, 4:30pm, Legislative Work Session

May 1, 7:00pm, Public Hearing on Operating Budget

May 6, 9:30am, Operating Budget Work Session

May 6, 7:00pm, Legislative Session

May 10, 9:30am, Operating Budget Work Session

May 13, 9:30am, Budget Work Session/Monthly Mtg

You can find more information about our schedule on the Council's full online calendar.

Upcoming Community Events

4/12 Blossoms of Hope 10th Anniversary

4/13 12th Annual Greenfest

4/13 Star Party w/ Howard Astro League

4/20 Holi Celebration at Merriweather

4/25 Encore Howard County Launch

4/26 Fire Ops 101

4/27 Rebuild Day with Rebuilding Together

4/27 Howard County Autism Society Gala

5/3 HoCo Historical Society Fundraiser

5/9 HoCo PFLAG Fundraiser

5/18 REPartee at HCC

If there are any community events that you would like us to include in upcoming newsletters, please email ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov with the event information.

Upcoming District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings

There are currently no pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3 this month. You can find info and updates on all of Howard County's upcoming pre-submission meetings, public hearings, and development plans here.

MLK Jr. Holiday Commission - Members Needed!

Howard County is looking for adult and student applicants to serve on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission! The Commission "encourages and coordinates appropriate activities and ceremonies throughout Howard County to honor the birthday, ideals and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Applicants should send a resume and a brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the Commission to Kim Pruim by email to kpruim@howardcountymd.gov . The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for approval and then to the County Council for confirmation.

Application deadline is Friday, May 3, 2019. You can find more information on the Commission here.

Police Info Session

Are you interested in a career in law enforcement or Cadet service?

If so, HoCo Police are hosting an info session on Monday, April 15th from 6-8pm at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in Marriottsville detailing opportunities with HCPD.

Questions? Call 410-313-HCPD.

Want to Get in Touch?

Christiana Mercer Rigby

Councilwoman, District 3

crigby@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-2001

Colette Gelwicks

Special Assistant

cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-2421

Felix Facchine

District Aide

ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov

410-313-3108

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 daily updates on events, county news, legislative priorities, and Christiana's activity! Don't miss out on any District 3 news!