January 20, 2023

Mid-County Director Updates

• Newsletter | Starting this week the Mid-County newsletter will be released on a bi-weekly basis. If there are any urgent matters that need to be shared with the community, they will be issued via a special issue.

•  Capital Improvements Program| The CE has released his recommendations and amendments to FY23-28 Capital Improvement Programs (CIP). The Mid-County Regional Office and MCCAB will host a CIP budget forum and community conversation in early spring. Exact date and location will be set within the coming weeks.

• Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center | The CE’s CIP recommendations includes substantial funding for the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center included for the first time. 
• The County has selected Montgomery Housing Partnership’s (MHP) proposal to combine an affordable housing development with a new, County-funded arts center in the Wheaton Arts and Entertainment District.
• Montgomery County Parks to swap a former WMATA-owned land parcel on Georgia Avenue with MHP’s Amherst Square Apartments on the east side of Elkin Street.
• MHP will develop the former WMATA site with two affordable rental buildings with 280 units, a standalone garage, and 40 affordable, for sale units.
• The arts center will be included on the ground floor of the first rental building fronting on Georgia Avenue.
• Proposal currently includes two performance spaces, classrooms, gallery space, back of house support space, and administrative offices.
•  A community forum for feedback on the project will be held in early spring. Exact date and location will be set within the coming week.

• Public Safety Update | There has been an increase in auto-theft in the DMV area. MCPD District 4 encourages the community to stay alert and follow these tips.

•  Affordable Housing Development in Mid-County | This Thursday, CE Marc Elrich announced a new deeply affordable housing development on Randolph Road, (near the intersection of Veirs Mill Road). The development will bring 195-homes that are deeply affordable and will have rental and homeownership options. The development will include 85 hard-to-find, family-sized, three- and four-bedroom homes.

Please share this newsletter with you community so that we can continue to engage a diverse and board audience on everything that is happening in the County.

Luisa F. Cardona, Mid-County Regional Director

ADVISORY BOARDS

Community Advisory boards are a way to keep up to date on issues affecting your communities and to have a voice. Take an active role by participating & engaging in your local Advisory Boards.

Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

Next meeting will be

February 16, 2023 at 7:00PM

Topics/Presenters:

Agenda is being updated.

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82931330898

Meeting ID: 829 3133 0898

call in: (301) 715-8592

Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee Meeting

Next meeting will be

February 14, 2023 at 7:00PM

Topics/Presenters:

Agenda is being updated.

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83246233594

Meeting ID: 832 4623 3594

call in: (301) 715-8592

Meetings are open to the public.

If you have any questions about either one of these meetings, please contact Luisa Cardona at luisa.cardona@montgomerycountymd.gov

Elrich Seeks Applicants for Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee



County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, for one representative of a Wheaton business that employs more than 10 people (large businesses); one representative of a Wheaton business that employs less than 10 people (small business); and one resident of the Wheaton Urban District. If you have previously submitted an application, it will be considered and it is not necessary to apply again.

The 11-member Committee provides information and advice to the County Executive and the Director of the Mid-County Regional Services Center regarding promotions, maintenance, service levels, and budgetary guidance for the downtown Wheaton Urban District.

Members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. The Board currently meets virtually by video- and teleconference the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM. When in-person meetings resume in the future, the Board will meet at the Mid-County Regional Services Center, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton.

Applicants of diverse, backgrounds, professions, genders, geography, abilities, ethnicities, and ages are encouraged to apply. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members must complete training on the Maryland Open Meetings Act and basic parliamentary procedure. The County Executive’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications will be forwarded to the Council for confirmation. The deadline for application is January 20, 2023.

For more information or to apply, click here.

A message from the County Executive

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich enthusiastically welcomes the new leadership in Annapolis after attending inauguration ceremonies for Maryland’s first Black Governor, Wes Moore, and new Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. He addresses the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, as Montgomery’s community transmission rate is moving from “medium” status toward “high.” He proudly points to the groundbreaking this week for a new deeply affordable housing development in Silver Spring. This week, the County Executive transmitted his recommended $5.4 billion Capital Improvements Program budget to the County Council. He provides details of the highlights. Read more.

Community Updates

County Executive Elrich Releases Recommended FY 24 Capital Budget and Amendments to FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has transmitted his $5.4 billion Recommended Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to the County Council. The recommendations are a $136.7 million (2.6 percent) increase from the previously approved capital budget. Read more.

Montgomery County Recreation to Host Summer Camps Fairs on Sunday, Jan. 22, to Help Plan for Summer Activities

Montgomery County Recreation will host two free summer camps fairs to help families plan for their children’s summer activities. The fairs will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7, and Sunday, Jan. 22. Read more.

Antarctica: Walking with Penguins - Virtual

Saturday, January 28

1:00pm - 2:00pm

MCPS Seeking Employers to Host Students for 2023 Summer RISE Program

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Department of Partnerships is seeking employers who would be interested in hosting students that will be part of the 2023 Summer RISE program. Summer RISE is a hands-on career learning experience for rising MCPS juniors and seniors during the summer to engage in learning opportunities related to their field of interest.  Read more.

Volunteers Needed for 2023 ‘Point-In-Time Homeless Count’ That Provides Data for Allocating Resources for Those Experiencing Homelessness

Montgomery County’s annual “Point-In-Time (PIT) Street Count is scheduled for the overnight hours of Wednesday, Jan. 25, and volunteers are needed to help survey unsheltered individuals and households. The County Continuum of Care, the County’s local planning body that coordinates housing, services and funding for homeless families and individuals, organizes the effort in partnership with service providers in the community. Read more.

Winter Storm Information Portal

Click here to see a map of all Montgomery County Department of Transportation maintained sidewalks.

Resurfacing Projects

• Alta Vista-Page Hill Subdivision Resurfacing Project
• Alta Vista Road Resurfacing Project
• Colie Drive Resurfacing Project

Upcoming Events

Commission for Women to Host Its 43rd Women’s Legislative Briefing Virtually on Sunday, Jan. 29; Theme Is ‘Empowered Women Protect Democracy’

The Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW) will host its 43rd Annual Women’s Legislative Briefing (WLB) virtually from 12:30-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. The theme of this year’s event is “Empowered Women Protect Democracy.”   Read more.

Montgomery Parks to Hold Special Events and Program Throughout January

A varied lineup of special events and programs will be held throughout January by Montgomery Parks, including a treasure hunt in Wheaton Regional Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day volunteer opportunities and many outdoor adventures. Read more.

Grants

Placed Based Management Grant to Support Business Districts and Business Corridors



Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the Montgomery County Council are seeking non-profit applicants for a new grant program funding placed based management supporting economic development and tourism in business districts and in urban corridors with significant business and retail offerings in areas of Montgomery County.

Award sizes will vary with a minimum award of $25,000 and a maximum award of $200,000. The grant will be awarded for up to a one year. Programs must be run and be evaluated during this period.

The Place Based Management grant’s success will be evaluated by dollars reinvested in Montgomery County, buildings rehabilitated, net gain in jobs, and net gain in businesses. There is a preference given to non-profit organizations with a history of equity, diversity, and inclusion in their programming background.

Key Dates:

• Applications Open: Monday January 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM
• Application Deadline: Monday February 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM
• An online information session for the grant program will be Friday January 13, 2023 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. (the link to and a recording of the event will be posted on the online application platform).

Questions about the application process can be directed to Rafael Pumarejo Murphy, Director of the Office of Grants Management, by calling 240-777-2775 or emailing rafael.murphy@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Find more information and apply to the FY23 Place Based Management Grant Program at https://mcmdgrants.smapply.org/prog/FY23PBM.

Nonprofit Community Grant and Grants Management Reform Survey

The Office of Grants Management (OGM) is seeking feedback from the County's nonprofit community to help reshape the Community Grants program and other grants management practices. The goals of this survey are to:

• Guide reforms of the Community Grants structure, process, timeline, and goals; 
• Inform the development of the County’s competitive grant program regulations, policies, procedures, & support resources;
• Inform the development of the County’s grant agreement regulations, policies, procedures, and support resources; and
• Gain a broader understanding of the needs of our nonprofit partners to make the grants transition a success.

OGM requests one response per organization so please coordinate feedback within your organization and then submit a response. The survey will close Thursday February 16, 2023 at 9:00 AM.

Go to survey

COVID-19 Updates

Montgomery County Government COVID-19 Information Portal

Worksource Montgomery Offering Virtual Workshops to Help Find Jobs and Plan Careers

Worksource Montgomery and its partners regularly host a variety of virtual workshops to help job seekers and to provide information for those planning a career path. Read more.

Online Workshops and One-on-One Sessions to Assist Job Seekers Will Be Available Free in January from Montgomery County Public Libraries

Montgomery County Public Libraries will offer online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers throughout January. All workshops are free.  Read more.

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), is NOW available to provide funds to assist low income households pay past due water/sewer bills! Funds are limited. Apply today at: http://dhs.maryland.gov/ohep