Back to School!
September is around the corner and that means the start of school! Howard County Community College (HCC) students were welcomed to the campus on Monday. Two ribbon cuttings occurred there last week; the first broke ground for the combined math-and-gym building and the second introduced the community to the new bike/pedestrian path that provides a safe crossing to HCC on Hickory Ridge Road.
On another school-related topic, the County Council recently approved funding for school bus cameras to record those drivers who refuse to stop for buses that are loading and unloading students. The penalty for passing a stopped school bus is $570 and three points on your license. Let's hope this will make drivers think twice before passing a school bus.
As many of you know, the school district is in the midst of determining a new school boundary plan. I feel confident that our school board will take into consideration all of the factors that go into keeping the Howard County Public School System one of the best in the nation during their deliberations.
I co-sponsored a resolution that calls for HCPSS to rebalance schools based on socioeconomic factors. District 4 is a microcosm of the issues facing the County as a whole. Many of our Columbia schools have a higher concentration of poverty than the County average, due in part to land-use policies and neighborhood demographics.
As a County Council member, it is outside of my purview to require the school district to take any specific action. Rather, my intent with the resolution was to make sure that these factors are considered when the School Board is drawing new boundaries.
Finally, one last school-related item: Councilmember Mercer Rigby and I co-introduced a bill to raise the school impact fee from $1.32 a square foot to $6.80 on new residential construction. These fees will help the County and school district build new schools that are desperately needed in Howard County. At present, 41%
of our schools are over capacity and closed to new development. This bill is also co-sponsored by Councilmembers Walsh and Jones.
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Calling All Cyclists in Hickory Ridge
Do you live, work, cycle in and around Hickory Ridge? Your input is needed for the Hickory Ridge Bike Corridor study. The study is a technical assessment of BikeHoward recommendations. The goal is to develop a route for continuous bicycle facilities to connect existing bike lanes on Grace Drive, which provides access from River Hill and points west, to Hickory Ridge, Downtown Columbia and the rest of the Columbia pathway system and bike network.
Click
here
to complete the survey.
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Potholes Be Gone
Got potholes and other road and infrastructure repair requests? Report the problem and track the solution through
SeeClickFix
.
Create a login, set your location, and rest assured that the county is working on it for you.
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8/19 Simpson Property, 4 single family dwellings
Visit the county's interactive
pDox
tool for more.
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Bursting at the Seams: Fulton Elementary
Fulton Elementary has enrolled over 1,000 students prior to the start of the 2019-2020 school year.
According to the HCPSS 2019 Feasibility Study, Fulton Elementary is projected to have only 981 students this coming school year. At that enrollment number the school is at 119% utilization. Student yields are projected to be 5% from apartment turnovers, 26.1% resale, and 26.7% new development, with 5.2% due to other factors.
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The Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks have opened four new synthetic-turf bocce courts at Cedar Lane Park West. The courts will serve
as home to Special Olympics Maryland Howard County’s bocce league.
When not reserved, the courts will be open to the public during normal park hours (7am-dusk).
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Howard County Audit on West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department
A recently published audit found evidence of misuse of taxpayer funds by of former West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department Chief H. Mitchell “Mickey” Day.
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BWI Noise Complaints
Residents adversely affected by BWI Noise have generated 430,000 noise complaints in the past year. Keep up the good work!
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Real Estate Trivia
Hickory Ridge was named for a 67-acre estate on Highland Road f
irst granted to Colonel
Henry Ridgeley
by
King George II
in 1726. The property is now on the market for $9 million.
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The Council's August recess has ended with the pre-filing of bills that will be introduced at the next legislative session on September 3 at 7pm.
I have been busy working with my colleagues to correct several long-standing issues within Howard County's code dealing with land use and infrastructure funding.
CB39
-- Repeals the Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreements and replaces a provision for amending and terminating existing agreements. Councilmembers Mercer Rigby and Walsh are co-sponsors of this bill.
CB42
-- Alters the school facilities surcharge. This bill has support from all four Democratic members of the Council and raises the school facilities surcharge on new residential construction to $6.80/square foot. Click
here
for the press release on this important measure to meet critical school construction needs and address our overcrowding crisis.
CR112
--
A resolution requesting the Howard County Public School System to draft, approve, and implement a lawful multi-year Integration Plan to ensure that Howard County Public Schools are integrated by socioeconomic factors. I introduced this resolution along with Councilmembers Mercer Rigby and Jones.
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The Council's last legislative session occurred on July 29. Here are the results:
CB34
-- Changes to the lease agreement for smart water meters --
PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS
SAO1
FY2020 -- Transfer of funds to the Department of Community Resources & Services --
PASSED
SAO2
-- Transfer of funds to Department of Public Works --
PASSED
CR107
-- Transfer of funds within categories, Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS) --
PASSED
CR108
-- Enable a performance audit for HCPSS through
the Maryland State Department of Education at the request of the County Executive --
PASSED
CB35
-- Update the fire code --
TABLED
CB36
-- Alter the calculation of open space for the Tiber Watershed to include high-intensity related stormwater management --
TABLED
CR109
-- Waive the competitive bidding process for the Davis Avenue stormwater improvements --
PASSED
CR100
-- Convey property on Route 1 near the Elkridge library to the State Highway Administration --
PASSED
CB37
-- Alter the calculation for the number of communal spaces for electric vehicle charging stations --
PASSED
CB38
-- Protect the Patapsco Lower North Branch Bill through stronger building restrictions and open space requirements.
TABLE EXTENDED
CR108
--
Conduct a performance audit of the Howard County Public School System --
PASSED
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Boundary Review Process Update
HCPSS Superintendent has revealed his recommendations for boundary adjustments. Click
here
for more.
Public Input
From August 21 to November 19, the Board of Education will
receive written testimony
via mail or email (
redistricting@hcpss.org
).
The Board of Education is scheduled to hold three public hearings at
the Department of Education (10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City).
Pre-registration will be available
only
by phone or in person.
- September 17, 7pm -- Families currently zoned for Centennial HS, Howard HS, Mt. Hebron HS, Oakland Mills HS
- September 24, 7pm -- Families currently zoned for Atholton HS, Hammond HS, Long Reach HS, Wilde Lake HS
- September 26, 7 pm -- Families currently zoned for Glenelg HS, Marriotts Ridge HS, Reservoir HS, River Hill HS
Final Decision
On Thursday, November 21, the Board will make a decision on redistricting for the 2020-2021 school year.
Online resources
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APFO Fiscal Study Released
The Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) released a study on the fiscal impact of the
Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance
(APFO), advised by the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee. An independent fiscal and economic consulting firm, Urban Analytics, was selected to conduct the fiscal study of the 2018 amendments to the growth-control measures of APFO.
APFO BACKGROUND
The 2018 amendments to APFO adopted a lower threshold for the School Capacity test that took effect in July 2019. School Capacity test determines if an area has enough space in the zoned schools to accommodate new developments. The new capacity limits were changed from 115% to 105% for elementary school districts and 115% to 110% for middle school districts. A new high school district test was added, closing high school districts to new development at 115% capacity utilization.
FISCAL IMPACT
According to the study, these changes could trigger less residential and commercial growth than projected in the currently adopted General Plan.
The report predicts the net fiscal impact of these changes could be unrealized revenue of about $10.5 million per year in the first six years.
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State Funding For Cultural Center, Affordable Housing
Howard County will receive $4.5 million in State tax credits that will support the redevelopment of Toby's Dinner Theater, Ellicott Gardens II, and Roslyn Rise.
The redevelopment of Toby's Dinner Theater is the first mixed-income housing project in the Downtown Columbia Redevelopment Plan. The current building will be turned into a state-of-the-art cultural center with Artists Flats, consisting of 174 new apartments which will contain a mix of market-rate, moderate and low income residences. Roslyn Rise is a redevelopment project of 59 existing units that entails rebuilding all of the units that are presently there.
Ellicott Gardens II is a new 70-unit affordable housing development on Waterloo Road
The Artist Flats and Ellicott Gardens II are expected to break ground in mid-2020. For the Residences at Roslyn Rise, the goal is to begin renovations by the end of the year.
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Live Where You Work Program in Downtown Columbia
Howard County General Hospital, which has 1800 full- and part-time employees, will collaborate with
Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation to offer rental subsidies to income-qualified employees in four Downtown Columbia apartment buildings. Howard County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball signed a Memorandum of Understanding on August 13 to kick off the program.
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County Executive Ball Seeks Applicants for Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities
The Commission of Transitioning Students is seeking applicants, specifically a student with a disability and agency provider who serves individuals with disabilities.
The deadline to apply is September 6
.
Click
here
for more information.
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Merriweather Fire Station 14 Opening
Station 14 also known as the Merriweather Station celebrated its grand opening on August 19. The new station is located in downtown Columbia at
6025 Symphony Woods Way, Columbia,
at the bottom of a parking garage. It is the smallest in Howard County and will house an engine and an ambulance.
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U.S. Senator Van Hollen Secures Maryland Priorities in Infrastructure Package
Within the bipartisan transportation infrastructure act of 2019, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has announced the inclusion of several Maryland priorities. The bill authorizes $287 billion in federal funding over five years, including $259 billion for formula programs to maintain and repair America’s roads and bridges. The bill has passed Committee and will continue through the legislative process
Maryland priorities include:
- Community Connectivity pilot grant program within USDOT to provide funding to remove unnecessary and unused infrastructure
- funding for the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
- review of permeable pavement research on flood control
- $3.265 billion to fund the Bridge Investment Act to assist the repair and replacement of deficient and outdated bridges.
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Underground Railroad
The latest episode of
HoCo Stories: The Underground Railroad
presents a five-minute history lesson about Howard County's role in the slaves journey to freedom. The film is presented by Howard Community College's Dragon Digital Media.
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Below are some of the events and meetings I have recently attended. Let me know about your community activities so I can stop by, if my schedule allows.
08|01 - Story Time at Dasher Green Elementary School
08|06 - National Night Out
08|07 - Agricultural Leaders' Appreciation Luncheon
08|14 - Summer MACo
08|22 - Pathway Event at Howard Community College
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Left: National Night Out Town Center and Hickory Ridge; Right: Agricultural Leaders' Appreciation Luncheon; Summer MACo with Baltimore County Executive,
Johnny Olszewski; Pathway Event at HCC
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Open on Monday, September 2
County Parks
Roger Carter Community Center
RTA will operate on a “Sunday” schedule
All parking regulations and fees will be in effect
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Labor Day Openings & Closings
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Closed on Monday, September 2
County Government Offices
Courts
Animal Shelter
50+ Centers
Landfill and all trash and recycling services
Cedar Lane and Schooley Mill Activity Rooms
Gary J. Arthur and North Laurel Community Centers
County Historic Sites
Kiwanis-Wallas Hall
Meadowbrook Athletic Center
Robinson Nature Center
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The Changemaker Challenge: For the Big Thinkers of Howard County
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The Horizon Foundation and United Way of Central Maryland want to hear YOUR innovative ideas to make Howard County better! The annual Changemaker Challenge welcomes your idea that could benefit intellectual or developmental disabilities, public health, the environment, social justice, economic opportunity, teens or older adults. And the winning idea could win grant money to make it a reality.
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Four grants totaling $60,000 will be given in the amounts of: $25,000, $15,000, $10,000 and $10,000. Apply by Sept. 16.
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Concerned about flooding? Want to be a part of the solution? Become a Master Watershed Steward through the Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy (HoCoWSA) certification class for 2019.
This course will teach the skills needed to assess residential stormwater issues such as understanding soil profiles, GIS land application, and other citizen science-based tools required to apply best management practices to help treat stormwater-related conditions. Certification connects you to a network of local professionals and volunteers who work to reduce stormwater pollution.
Classes start September 3
and enrollment is currently open.
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The Longest Table
September 21, 2019, 5-8pm
Howard Community College
Mix, mingle and meet new friends at this fun, uplifting community gathering. Share a meal, explore common topics, and add your voice to this unique communal experience. Social hour with music and interactive art from 5 to 6 pm. Dinner served at 6 pm. This beloved event is sponsored by Columbia Association, Friends & Foundation of HCLS, Howard Community College, Howard Hughes Corporation, Maryland State Library/IMLS, and Roving Radish.
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HopeWorks’ Emergency Pantry
accepts in-kind donations to help our clients meet their needs. Because of the generosity of our community we work to keep our pantry stocked throughout the year with essential non-perishable food items, personal-care, and household products.
The Emergency Pantry serves our crisis shelter residents, including women, men, and children impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence, as well as the clients of our advocacy, legal, clinical, and community engagement departments.
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Urgent Pantry Needs Can You Help?
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*****Items Urgently Needed!*****
·
Toilet paper (packs of 4 or 6 units)
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Paper towels
·
Canned tuna/chicken
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Cold cereal
Deliver to:
inside the Nonprofit Collaborative
9770 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 300, Columbia (410) 997-0304
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Hops and Harvest Festival
What:
80+ Maryland artisans, breweries, distilleries, & wineries - unlimited tastings, live entertainment, games & more.
When:
October 5th, 12-5pm
Where:
Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, Columbia
Tickets:
General admission, $40 in advance; $50 at the door
District 4 constituents can receive $5 off by using this custom code: DISTRICT 4.
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Merriweather Post Pavilion
Concert season
Check out the full 2019 calendar of live music for an endearing Howard County tradition.
Click
here
for the calendar.
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Chrysalis Events
More outdoor shows, more intimate setting. Columbia is blessed with fine arts and cultural performances.
Click
here
for the calendar.
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