Greetings!
Welcome to our December Newsletter! With the holidays fast-approaching, I'd like to wish you a happy, safe, and peaceful holiday season.
The past month has been a busy time for the County Council. As we approach the end of the year, the Council has finished up the majority of its legislative business for 2021. At our Council meeting on December 7th, the County Council also elected new officers for 2021.
In the upcoming year, I will be serving as Vice-Chair of the County Council, alongside our new Council Chairperson, Dr. Opel Jones. You can find the full list of new County Council officers summarized here.
As we head into the holidays, I urge you to continue being safe and taking precautions against COVID-19. The CDC has authorized booster shots for all individuals who are age 16 or older. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot is a great way to increase your immunity to the virus and help stay safe this holiday season. You can learn more and sign up for a vaccine appointment here.
If you have a child between the ages of 5 and 11, you can find more information and register for a vaccine appointment from the Howard County Health Department here.
As we head into the new year, 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, happy, and healthy December!
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
she/her/hers
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information |
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Vaccine Update
Howard County residents have continued to get their COVID-19 vaccinations in record numbers. The most recent data available from the CDC indicates that over 95% of residents over 12 years old have received their first dose of the vaccine, and over 90% of the population over 12 years old are fully vaccinated. Additionally, roughly 44% of children ages 5-11 have received their first dose of the vaccine.
If you haven't yet been vaccinated, there are opportunities to get your shot every day of the week! The Howard County Health Department is offering dozens of vaccine clinics over the next several weeks at locations across the County, including appointments for anyone age 5 and older. You can find a full list of vaccine appointments here.
Variants & Mask Guidance
With the rise of the different variants across the world, the CDC has recommended the reinstitution of prevention strategies, like wearing masks in public indoor spaces. These new recommendations are aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine is highly recommended as a proven method to counter the spread of the virus and provide protection against serious illness and death.
The CDC encourages that individuals who live in substantial or high transmission areas continue to wear masks in public indoor spaces, regardless of your vaccination status. Wearing a mask indoors helps maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others. Please consider wearing a mask in public indoors spaces to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
We are continuing to learn more about the new Omicron variant, which has been detected in Maryland and other nearby states. You can learn more about Omicron and other variants from the CDC here.
COVID-19 Testing
The Howard County Health Department and our private partners are continuing to offer COVID-19 tests across Howard County on a regular basis. If you would like to get tested for COVID-19, please visit this website for a list of nearby testing clinics and locations.
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November Legislative Wrap-Up |
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On December 6th, the County Council convened for our December Legislative Session. The County Council took action on several pieces of legislation, including the following:
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CB64-2021: AN ACT prohibiting the cutting or clearing of certain specimen trees; providing that a property owner may proceed under certain conditions and upon the submission and approval of certain applications; providing for the contents of certain applications; providing for the criteria to use in the review of certain applications; providing for certain exemptions; requiring certain compliance; providing certain penalties for noncompliance; requiring surety for forest retention; defining certain terms; and generally related to forest conservation and the preservation of natural cover in Howard County. This legislation failed in a 2-3 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CB77-2021: AN ACT to provide for a hearing examiner to hear certain matters in the jurisdiction of the Zoning Board; specifying the powers and duties of, and the procedures to be used by, the hearing examiner, including the requirement to issue a certain report; specifying the contents of the report; specifying the duties of the Zoning Board with respect to the actions of the hearing examiner. This legislation passed in a 4-1 vote. Introduced by Christiana Rigby and Deb Jung.
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CB82-2021: AN ACT establishing a local minimum wage for employees working in Howard County; and generally relating to Howard County minimum wage requirements. The Council deliberated on this legislation for several hours, passing five amendments to the bill. I am pleased to share that this legislation ultimately passed in a 4-1 vote. You can read more here. Introduced by Opel Jones and Christiana Rigby.
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CB83-2021: AN ACT to establish a Police Accountability Board; setting forth the qualifications for members and method of appointment; setting forth the process for selection of the board chairperson; providing for a process to receive certain complaints alleging police misconduct; setting forth the duties of the Board; defining certain terms; providing for the requirement to submit financial disclosure statements; providing for the staggering of initial appointments to the Board; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to police accountability in Howard County. This legislation was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CB85-2021: AN ACT to update County housing discrimination law to comply with Subtitle 7 of Title 20 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland by amending the definition of source of income, amending provisions related to unlawful discrimination in the sale and rental of housing, amending provisions related to unlawful discrimination based on source of income, amending certain exemptions related to age-restricted housing, owner-occupied dwellings and source of income, all to align with State Law. This legislation passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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CB88-2021: AN ACT to prohibit the willful failure to do specified maintenance and repair of certain historic structures thus prohibiting certain demolition by neglect of those structures; allowing the Historic District Commission to waive compliance in certain cases of financial hardship; providing for a hearing and an opportunity to cure specified violations; and generally relating to historic structures, historic sites, and historic districts in the County. This legislation was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
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CB89-2021: AN ACT establishing a “lookback” provision for the disturbance of certain trees; providing for enhanced enforcement measures and penalties for violations of the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County. This legislation was passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by David Yungmann.
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CR166-2021: A RESOLUTION finding that the Greenfields development located at 8120 Hicks Road, which will create three new, single-family, detached rental housing units to serve nine disabled adults, meets the requirements of certain Special Affordable Housing Opportunities pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act and that the Director of the Department of Planning and Zoning shall authorize the Development to proceed subject to all other provisions of the Act despite being located in an area that is closed for development due to the projected enrollment in the school capacity chart. This legislation was passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the Request of the County Executive.
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During the month of December, the County Council is in recess and will not consider any new legislation. The County Council will come back into session on Monday, January 3rd, 2022 at 7:00 PM. |
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Community News, Events, and Updates |
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Strengthening the Minimum Wage |
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I'm thrilled to share that the County Council voted to pass our legislation to raise the minimum wage in Howard County in a 4-1 vote at our Legislative Session on December 6th. Several days later, County Executive Ball signed the legislation into law.
During the legislative session, the Council voted on roughly 20 amendments to the legislation. While many of these amendments passed, the core elements of the legislation were fortunately maintained.
This legislation will start going into effect in 2022, which means that many working families will soon get a raise. This is an incredibly important victory to the roughly 40,000 Howard County workers who will be positively impacted by CB82-2021. I am incredibly grateful to all of the advocates and community members who raised this important issue with the County Council, including Living Wage Howard County, Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, the Maryland Center on Economic Policy, BA Auto Care in Columbia, and so many other community partners.
You can learn more about the legislation here, and you can read the Baltimore Sun's editorial on this issue here.
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Earlier this month, Howard County celebrated the completion of Complete Streets improvements in Savage! These improvements include the addition of new sidewalks, curb & gutter, dozens of ADA ramps, and other improvements that will better connect residents with community hubs like Savage Mill, Carroll Baldwin Hall, the Savage Branch Library, and Savage Park.
Because of this project, people are now able to more safely walk along Washington Street, Baltimore Street, Foundry Street, and other parts of Savage. I am grateful to County Executive Ball for investing over $1.5 million into this project over the last three years.
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East Columbia 50+ Center Breaks Ground |
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I am thrilled to share that Howard County has broken ground on the long-awaited East Columbia 50+ Center, which will be located right next to the East Columbia Library in the heart of Owen Brown.
The new East Columbia 50+ Center is a life-changing infrastructure investment for residents of Howard County. Community members will use this center for exercise programs, food access, social programming, health services, civic engagement, and so much more.
I look forward to walking through the doors with many neighbors and community members when the Center opens in 2023! You can learn more about plans for the new East Columbia 50+ Center here.
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Every Saturday and Sunday between November 27th and December 19th, Savage Mill will be hosting a Yuletide Festival. The festival will include vendors inside the Mill selling holiday goods, wreath making, cider, and more!
Kids and kids at heart will be able to meet Santa outside our doors with a beautiful backdrop of the Mill. The Mill will have a history display of Santa Heim as well as walking tours with Carroll Baldwin Hall. There is so much more to this month long festival!
You can learn more about all the holiday events taking place in Savage here.
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Give the Gift of Hope this Holiday Season |
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Each year around the holidays, the Community Action Council of Howard County partners with the incredible Howard County community to bring joy, laughter and security to families in need. For many in our community, the holidays can be extra challenging and present families with additional financial stress. In fact, EVERY SINGLE DAY in Howard County 1 in 4 families struggle to make ends meet.
Last year during the months of November and December alone, the Community Action Council of Howard County served 318,000 meals to over 9,000 individuals at the Howard County Food Bank. Additionally, CAC kept the lights on for 2,500 families and provided an average $5,850 per family in eviction prevention assistance. CAC also supported over 300 children and their families through our early childhood education program!
Visit www.CAC-HC.org for info on the many ways to get involved this holiday season through CAC's guide to giving! Your gift of time and treasure can truly lift a family this holiday season!
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Merry Mulch Your Holiday Tree! |
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Howard County’s Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Environmental Services is once again offering residents a variety of FREE holiday tree recycling options through it’s “Merry Mulch” program.
Since 1993, the Merry Mulch program has kept thousands of trees out of the landfill, helping to save money and the environment. All collected live trees will be delivered to the Composting Facility at Alpha Ridge Landfill and recycled into compost and mulch.
Beginning Sunday, December 26 and continuing through Saturday, January 15, holiday trees may be recycled seven days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the drop-off sites listed below. One exception to the above days and times is the Alpha Ridge Landfill, which is open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Look for Merry Mulch signs at the following drop-off sites:
- Clarksville: Kendall Hardware, 12260 Clarksville Pike
- Columbia: Cedar Lane Park, 5081 Cedar Lane
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Elkridge: Rockburn Branch Park (East), 5400 Landing Road
- Ellicott City: Old Circuit Court parking lot on upper Court House Drive
- Highland: Schooley Mill Park, 12975 Hall Shop Road
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Marriottsville: Alpha Ridge Landfill Wood Waste Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road
- Savage: Savage Park, 8400 Fair Street
- Woodbine: Western Regional Park, 14800 Carrs Mill Road
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Shop for the foods YOU want at the Howard County Food Bank. All shopping trips are family-choice.
Fresh items such as milk, eggs, hygiene products, meats, produce are all on hand each time. Families who may qualify should visit www.CAC-HC.org or call 410-313-6440 for more details.
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Head Start and Pre-K Opportunities
from Community Action Council
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Community Action Council (CAC) offers FREE Head Start and Pre-K programming to eligible 3- to 5-year-old children. Programs provide family engagement services, speech & language therapy, mental health consulting, hearing & vision screening, and nutritional counseling.
CAC operates four sites across Howard County. Learn more at www.CAC-HC.org or call 410-313-6440.
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Rental Assistance & Eviction Prevention |
Howard County Government is offering Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention Grants to Howard County residents who need assistance paying their rent or mortgage due to loss of income resulting from COVID-19.
Residents may apply for rental and mortgage assistance from:
Maximum housing assistance per household is up to 15 months of past due rent and utility bills and up to 12 months of mortgage assistance. Residents that previously received housing assistance ARE eligible to apply for additional assistance. You can find more information on the housing assistance grants and how to apply here.
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Howard County Government has dedicated additional funding to the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC) for energy/utility assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are in imminent danger of utility cut-off and need assistance paying your utility bills, you can apply for assistance from the Community Action Council by visiting here or by calling 410-313-6440.
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Emergency Broadband Benefit |
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The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program will provide eligible households with discounts of up to $50 a month for broadband service. It also will provide a one-time discount of up to $100 on a computer or tablet for eligible households.
Households can apply in three ways:
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Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
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Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
- Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with proof of eligibility to: Emergency Broadband Support Center, P.O. Box 7081, London, KY 40742.
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Virtual Assistance Portal |
Howard County Government has launched a Virtual Assistance Portal to help connect residents with disaster and emergency resources, including housing assistance, food assistance, employment assistance, utility assistance, and more.
You can visit the portal and learn more about the resources available here.
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You can find more information and apply for unemployment benefits from the State of Maryland here.
You can find more information on job opportunities and employment assistance from Howard County's Office of Workforce Development here.
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Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a group of community organizations focused on collecting and deploying resources during a local disaster.
If you are able to donate, are in need of grocery/medicine delivery, or are in need of resources, please visit COAD's website here to learn more about their services.
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District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
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There are currently no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3. |
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
crigby@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2001
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Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant
cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2421
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Felix Facchine
District Aide
ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-3108
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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 regular updates on county news, legislative priorities, and community initiatives! |
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