Greetings!
Welcome to our July 2022 Newsletter!
This month, voters are heading to the polls across our state to vote in the primary elections. To find information on how and where to vote, please visit the Board of Elections website.
This week also marks the start of Summer Restaurant Weeks in Howard County! Nearly 30 local restaurants and breweries are participating this year. Please take this opportunity to support many of the local restaurants that call Howard County home. You can find a full list of participating restaurants on Visit Howard County's website. Restaurant Weeks runs from July 11th through July 24th.
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 July!
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
she/her/hers
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On July 5th, the County Council convened for our July Legislative Session. The County Council took action on several pieces of legislation, including the following:
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CR99-2022: A resolution adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart for Fiscal Year 2023 pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County. This resolution was passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CR100-2022: A resolution adopting the School Capacity Chart, pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County, to designate the elementary school regions, and the elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools constrained for new residential development during each of the following ten years as based on the definition of program capacity as defined by Howard County Public School System policy. This resolution was passed in a 3-1-1 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CR102-2022: A resolution requesting Governor Hogan to immediately release specified funds for the Abortion Care Clinical Training Program established under Maryland law. This resolution was passed in a 4-1 vote. Introduced by Liz Walsh. Co-sponsored by Christiana Rigby and Deb Jung.
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On July 5th, the County Council convened for our July Legislative Session. Several new pieces of legislation and resolutions were introduced, including the following:
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CB48-2022: An act to establish an LGBTQIA+ Commission; providing for the membership of the Commission; providing for the purpose and duties of the Commission; providing for the method of appointment and staff; requiring certain meetings and certain reports; providing the expiration dates of the terms of the initial members of the Commission; and generally relating to the LGBTQIA+ Commission. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CB49-2022: An act to establish La Alianza Latina Commission; providing for the membership of the Commission; providing for the purpose and duties of the Commission; providing for the method of appointment and staff; requiring certain meetings and certain reports; providing the expiration dates of the terms of the initial members of the Commission; and generally relating to La Alianza Latina Commission. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CB50-2022: An act amending the Howard County Code to require newly appointed members of the Howard County Board of Appeals to complete certain land use training courses as a condition of their appointment; and generally relating to the Howard County Board of Appeals. Introduced by Deb Jung.
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CR109-2022: A resolution approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between Howard County, Maryland and certain entities that will provide renewable energy to the County pursuant to a certain Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement to abate certain County personal property tax. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CR110-2022: A resolution approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between Howard County, Maryland, Clear View Farm LLC, and various Solar Power entities regarding the construction and operation of a solar array located on the property known as Clear View Farm in compliance with a certain Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CR111-2022: A resolution approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland, Triple Creek Farm Properties LLC, and various Solar Power entities regarding the construction and operation of a solar array located on the property known as Triple Creek Farm in compliance with a certain Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CR112-2022: A resolution adopting the 2022 Howard County Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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Community News, Events, and Updates |
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Open Enrollment - MIHU Program |
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Enrollment is open for Howard County's Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program! The MIHU program is designed to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing opportunities to eligible Howard County residents.
Residents who are interested in applying for the MIHU program can find and submit an application online. The enrollment period for MIHU homeownership applications is from July 1, 2022 through July 29, 2022. For more information on the MIHU homeownership program, please visit the Department of Housing's website on MIHU homeownership.
The MIHU rental program is open throughout the year. For more information on MIHU rental units, please visit the Department of Housing's website on MIHU rental units.
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The Youth Climate Institute (YCI) is a program sponsored by the Howard County Conservancy and the Howard County Public School System. The Institute educates and certifies the next generation of leaders in climate science, environmental justice and real world solutions.
Howard County 10th and 11th grade students can apply to be a Youth Climate Institute ambassador for the upcoming school year. Applications are due by September 16th, 2022.
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Bicycle Master Plan - New Bike Lanes |
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Howard County is proposing to implement the recommendations of the Bicycle Master Plan for bike lanes on road segments in Columbia and Ellicott City.
This proposal includes newly painted bike lanes on sections of the following roads:
- Hickory Ridge Road
- Old Montgomery Road
- Thunder Hill Road
- Twin Rivers Road
To learn more and provide feedback, please join the Howard County Office of Transportation for a virtual public meeting on July 13, 2022 at 6:00PM to 7:30PM. You can find more details on the proposals and register to attend the virtual meeting by visiting the Office of Transportation's website.
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US 1 Pedestrian Improvements |
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The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration (SHA) will make safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists at four intersections on US 1 between Laurel and Elkridge. The intersections are: Brewers Court, Doctor Patel Drive, Guilford Road and Rowanberry Drive.
MDOT SHA expects construction to start in July, beginning with the Guilford Road and US 1 intersection in Jessup.
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Savage Park Corridor Clearing |
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On Saturday, July 16th, you can join the Department of Recreation & Parks and the Savage Community Association to help clear a trail in the new parcel of Savage Park!
Savage Park recently acquired a new 5-acre parcel of land. As part of a Gold Award project the parcel will have a new trail going through it and before the new trail can be built the vegetation must be taken out around the trail. This event will consist of cutting and clearing vegetation from the trail corridor.
Community members ages 13 and older are encouraged to volunteer. You can learn more and sign up to participate by visiting this website.
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Howard County Farmers' Markets |
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Looking to buy fresh food this summer? Howard County offers farmers markets five days a week throughout the county! No through November, you can shop at one of six Farmers' Markets that are operating in Howard County:
- Howard County Library - Miller Branch
- Clarksville Commons
- Oakland Mills Village Center
- Howard County Library - East Columbia
- Maple Lawn
- Elkridge Furnace Inn
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Vaccine and Booster Update
While nearly all residents have received a first and second dose of the vaccine, many eligible residents have not yet received their booster shot. The most recent data available indicates that 67% of individuals over the age of 12 have received their vaccine booster shot.
The COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot are highly recommended as a proven method to counter the spread of the virus and provide protection against serious illness and death.
If you haven't received your vaccine or booster shot yet, there are many opportunities to get immunized! The Health Department is offering vaccine clinics at locations across the County, including appointments for anyone age 5 and older. You can find a full list of vaccine appointments on the Health Department's website.
Not sure if you are eligible for a booster shot? You can check your eligibility for a booster shot from visiting the CDC's website.
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, please visit the Health Department's website for a list of nearby testing clinics and locations. You can also request free rapid tests be mailed to you from the federal government.
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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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