Howard County Council District 5 News
June Edition
David Yungmann
Howard County Council, District 5
Thank you for signing up to receive our District 5 newsletter, which I hope will give you a better understanding of what’s happening in the community and government. 
 
It will have overviews of development activity in our district, certain legislation being considered by the County Council and other significant projects. A government department or function will be featured each month to help you gain a better understanding of our local government. We will also feature community partners and let you know about community events.
 
Please share our newsletter and encourage others to sign up so they can also know what’s happening around the community. 
FY20 Adopted Budget
The County Council approved the fiscal year 2019-2020 budget last week. There are some great things in the budget, including:
 
  • Borrowing within the recommendations set by the Spending Affordability Committee
  • $4.2M for additional flood mitigation projects in Valley Mede and Chatham
  • $2M to continue the acquisition process for an elementary school in Turf Valley
  • Close to $23M to meet the obligations of the Agricultural Preservation Fund
 
Unfortunately, this budget also included a property tax increase of six cents to fund the Fire and Rescue Fund. This Fund is supported exclusively by the Fire Tax on your tax bill. Even though I recognize how population growth, especially within our 65+ age group, has stretched our Fire and Rescue resources, I opposed this tax increase for several reasons including:  
 
  • A significant portion of the tax increase is being used to fund capital projects, saddling current taxpayers with 100% of the cost for buildings that will serve the community for 40-50 years or more. This makes little sense given low market interest rates and our strong AAA-rated borrowing position.
  • It disproportionately burdens taxpayers in the rural west, many of whom
  • pay higher insurance rates due to lack of hydrants in the rural west,
  • have seen their Fire Tax increase by more than 100% over the past 9 years,
  • staff our fire stations with dozens of dedicated volunteers working side by side with our career staff
  • and are in the process of building the replacement Lisbon fire station with donations from the community – and no taxpayer dollars.
  • Despite it being the largest property tax increase in over 20 years, it fails to fully fund the minimum staffing model at fire stations in the west
 
The budget also provided the lowest funding into the County’s Other Post-Employment Benefits (or OPEB) in 5 years and saddled our police with the new $400,000 Executive Protection program while adding zero additional School Resource Officers and taking officers off the streets of our community.
 
A large portion of the budget continues to be funding to the school system, which I believe is the major driver of our property values and quality of life for close to half our families. However, Howard County spends the second most per pupil in the state and other services such as public safety, libraries, senior services and road maintenance are also important to county residents. I opposed a request to move $8 million from other county agencies to the school system and instead supported a compromise position of $2 million. I agreed to this smaller re-allocation as a show of good faith as our new County Council begins working with the school system on much needed improvements to its financial controls, budgeting, program analysis and continued cutting of excess overhead costs.
 
The public portion of the budget process will begin again next year in early April when the County Executive submits his budget to the County Council. Sign up for our newsletter and follow our Facebook page to stay informed on that and other important county issues. 
Thank you to everyone who attended the Town Hall meeting on June 6. It was great to hear from many community members about issues that are important to them. This was the first of many Town Hall meetings I will be hosting in District 5. Stay tuned for future dates!
District Spotlights
Please join me in congratulating Mount Hebron High School's teams for winning a dual-championship at the National Economic Challenge in New York City! These eight competitors also won Mount Hebron's 13th State Title. Your hard work and determination has paid off - congratulations on a successful year!
Congratulations Megan Taylor,  Glenelg High School  graduate, for receiving the 2019 Tewaaraton Award. Jen Giles,  Mount Hebron High School  graduate, was also up for the award. The Tewaaraton Award is given to the top player in college lacrosse. Megan is the first goalie to win this award.

Megan helped lead the Maryland Terrapins to a National Championship and was named the Final Four's most valuable player. The Terrapins are coached by Cathy Reese, another Mount Hebron graduate and District 5 resident!
Council Legislation
In March, I filed legislation (CR-51) that would amend the County's Charter and create a public confirmation process for the appointment of all department directors. Unfortunately CR-51 did not receive a favorable vote last month. I look forward to sharing my thoughts to the Charter Review Commission. I am hopeful that they will make a similar recommendation to the council before the 2020 election cycle.
Last week the Council passed Council Bill 18-2019 ( CB-18) unanimously in a 5-0 vote. This legislation authorizes the use of school bus monitoring cameras on school buses in the County. The Howard County Police Department will be issuing fines to those who commit a violation.
The Council also voted on Council Bill 20-2019 ( CB-20) which would extend the moratorium for the Tiber Branch and Plumtree Branch Watersheds that was previously imposed in CB-56-2018 for an additional three months. I filed three amendments to this bill. An amendment that would have allowed people to move forward on small projects such as garages and pools while under the moratorium did not pass. The Council agreed upon an amendment that allows authorities to begin schedule hearing cases while under the moratorium. This was not allowed in the previous moratorium legislation. CB-20 passed the Council.
Government 101
Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits (DILP)
The Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits (DILP) is Howard County's clearinghouse for processing licenses/permits, reviewing construction documents, and inspecting buildings/structures for code compliance. Below are some key resources within DILP.

  • If you need to renew a license, or submit a permit, the Licenses and Permits Division is where you need to go. Permit submittals are accepted at the George Howard Building daily between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. You can also create a user account to www.myHoward.info in order to request a new or renew a pet license.


  • The Inspections and Enforcement Division has recently relocated to 7125 Riverwood Drive, Suit D2. For rental properties, energy code certification, and inspection requirements click here.

  • To view information on Forms and Fees, click here.

  • For DILP's contact information, click here.
Ellicott City Flood Mitigation Plan
The County Executive announced his Ellicott City Flood Mitigation Plan, Option 3G.7.0. This $140 million dollar plan includes a North Tunnel, Quaker Mill mitigation pond, design of the Maryland Avenue culverts, acquisition of West End properties, and finish design of the Emory and Church Street drainage improvements.

In addition to the County Executive's Flood Mitigation Plan, the Valley Mede/Chatham neighborhoods have received 4.2 million dollars worth of Capital Projects to help address flooding. This funding is for the study, design and construction of flood mitigation and storm water waterway improvement efforts in the Valley Mede and Chatham subwatersheds. Projects may include drainage improvements, stormwater retrofits, flood control, stream improvements, and design of additional drainage facilities.

I have some serious concerns about the Flood Mitigation plan due to the feasibility and the proposed cost. To learn more about the County Executive's Flood Mitigation Plan, click here.
Last month, Lori Lilly (Executive Director, Howard EcoWorks) and Angie Tersiguel guided me on a tour of the Tiber-Hudson watershed. We explored the current stream channels to learn more about the impact of previous flooding on the environment, and those living and working in Ellicott City.
HEADS UP: Effective June 15, 2019, Howard County's Department of Public Works' Bureau of Environmental Services will no longer accept curbside recycling placed out in plastic bags. I tems placed out for recycling, should be placed loose in the county assigned recycling bin/cart.

Howard County provides one free recycling bin/cart to households, and residents may also purchase additional bins/carts. To purchase additional bins/carts, fill out this form.

To learn more about recycling in Howard County, click here .
Development in District 5
My office understands that development is a key concern among many Howard County residents. We have created a separate page on my council website to provide up-to-date information on development plans and pre-submission community meetings in District 5. To view our development web-page, click here .

Residents can also view local development plans on Howard County's Search Development Plans Website.


The following pre-submission meetings are scheduled for the month of June:

*Project: One Energy Development, LLC
Proposed Request: Conditional use for commercial solar facilities
Meeting Information: June 25 at 6:00 pm
Friendship Baptist Church
1391 Skyesville Road, Sykesville

*Project: 9320 Baltimore National Pike
Proposed Request: Redevelopment of a gas station
Meeting Information: June 27 at 6:00 pm
Ellicott City 50+ Centet
9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City
Community Events!
Larriland Farm is OPEN!
Head out and pick your own fruit and vegetables at Larriland Farm! The first crop to ripen is strawberries and we hear they look great! Visit Larriland's website to see their business hours and harvest forecast!
Food Truck Tuesdays!
Join the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department for Food Truck Tuesdays every Tuesday from 4-8 pm. Featuring over 12 Food Trucks offering both savory and sweet options. Bring the whole family and your friends and enjoy!
Free Thursday Night Concert Series!
Mark your calendars - starting Thursday, June 6, the Turf Valley Towne Square will be hosting their Free Thursday Concert Series! This concert series will run through August 29! Don't forget a chair or blanket!
Blossoms of Hope - Power of the Purse!
The 8th Annual Power of the Purse will be held on Monday, June 10! Gently-used and vintage purses will be available for cash and carry. New and designer handbags, some of which will be filled with goodies, will be included in the Silent Auction. To learn more click here .
June Pancake Breakfast & Spaghetti Dinner!
Stop by the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) for their famous Pancake Breakfast on June 9th from 7:30-11:30 am! LVFD's All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner will be held on June 26th from 4:30-7:30 pm! To learn more, click here!

Please come out and support the Lisbon Fire Department as they work to raise money for their new building!
141st Annual Clarksville Picnic!
The Annual Clarksville Picnic will be Saturday, June 29th from noon to 8:00 pm at St. Louis Church! To learn more click here.
Howard County Government Calendar
County Council's Monthly Meeting
Monday, June 10 at 2:00 pm
C. Vernon Gray Room, George Howard Building

County Council Legislative Public Hearing
Monday, June 17 at 7:00 pm
Banneker Room, George Howard Building

County Council Legislative Work Session
Friday, June 21 at 10:00 am
C. Vernon Gray Room, George Howard Building

Joint Meeting with County Council and BOE
Monday, June 24 at 8:30 am
C. Vernon Gray Room, George Howard Building
David Yungmann | [email protected]  | 410.313.2001 | Website