November 2025 Newsletter

Greetings!

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the challenges that many families around Howard County are facing. While the federal government shutdown is now over, the lasting impacts of the 43-day shutdown are still prevalent in our community. If you are able, I encourage you to take time to donate to local food pantries and food banks.

To support our community, Howard County has started a new effort to address food insecurity. The new Pocket Pantry Program provides 24/7 access to free perishable and non-perishable food items for anyone in need, a vital resource for residents facing food insecurity, especially during the holidays. Three pantries are now open at:

Long Reach Village Center, Columbia
Elkridge Christian Community Church, Elkridge
Heritage Realty Services, Lisbon

Learn more about these Pocket Pantry's by reading the County Executive's press release.

In addition, the Howard County Food Bank, operated by the Community Action Council of Howard County, continues to serve families year-round. Located at 9385 Gerwig Lane, Suite J in Columbia, the Food Bank offers a grocery-style shopping experience with fresh produce, proteins, dairy, and essential pantry staples.

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, these resources are here to help. And if you’re looking for ways to give back, both the Food Bank and Pocket Pantry Program welcome food donations, financial contributions, and volunteers. Every act of kindness makes a difference.

This Thanksgiving let’s celebrate not only with gratitude for what we have but also with generosity to those around us. Together, we give thanks, and we give back.

Wishing you and your family a warm, safe, and meaningful holiday season.

Yours in service,

Christiana Rigby (she/her)

Councilwoman, District 3

November 17, 2025

October Legislation Wrap-Up

On November 3rd, the County Council convened for our November Legislative Session. The Council voted on several pieces of legislation, including the following:

CR169-2025: A resolution authorizing the County Executive to grant an easement containing approximately 3,600 square feet to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company so that BGE may extend electric service to new EV charging facilities at the Elkridge Library. This bill passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CR183-2025: A resolution pursuant to Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, approving the Howard County Board of Education’s Capital Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2027 for the purpose of submission to the Interagency Commission on School Construction. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CR184-2025: A resolution approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement and extension request by and between the Howard County, Maryland and Orchard Club, LLLP for an existing 196-unit housing community located at 6330 Orchard Club Drive, Elkridge, Maryland, which has served mixed income residents since 1991. This bill passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CR186-2025: A resolution amending the 2025-2034 Solid Waste Management Plan to add a statement endorsing the study of a Pay as You Throw (PAYT) program; and generally related to the Solid Waste Management Plan. This bill passed in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

CB67-2025: An act updating certain Consumer Protection provisions of the County Code; updating certain definitions; providing that the Office of Consumer Protection shall issue subpoenas instead of summons; clarifying provisions related to prohibited deceptive or unfair trade practices; adding practices that may be considered prohibited deceptive or unfair trade practices; clarifying certain legal processes; amending certain penalties; making certain grammatical and technical changes; and general relating to Consumer Protection provisions in the Howard County Code. This bill was tabled in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

November Legislation

On November 3rd, the County Council convened for our November Legislative Session. Below is some the legislation under consideration by the Council:

CR223-2025: A resolution declaring the intent for the County to take ownership of a portion of the Lake Kittamaqundi waterfront by entering into a purchase and sale agreement for the acquisition of the Lakefront Library property; authorizing the County Executive to negotiate a land swap agreement for certain parcels in Downtown Columbia pursuant to 4.4.C of the Downtown Columbia Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement; and to prepare certain financing plans. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

CB74-2025: An act amending the Howard County Zoning Regulations in accordance with HoCo By Design, the General Plan, to add certain definitions related to certain agricultural, farming and farm alcohol producer uses; and generally relating to the Howard County Zoning Regulations. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

Residents can offer testimony on the legislation at the upcoming Public Hearing on Monday, November 17th at 7:00 PM. This legislation, and more, will be up for a vote on Monday, December 1st at 7:00 PM.

VIEW COUNCIL LEGISLATION

TESTIFY AT A PUBLIC HEARING

VIEW COUNCIL CALENDAR

Community News, Events, and Updates

Singing Back the Buffalo

For Native American Heritage Month, join the Office of Human Rights and Equity on Monday, November 17th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the East Columbia 50+ Center for a screening of the indigenous-led documentary Singing Back the Buffalo.

Produced by award-winning Cree filmmaker Tasha Hubbard, this powerful documentary is a visually stunning and deeply moving journey into buffalo consciousness, told through the voices of Indigenous visionaries working to rematriate the buffalo to their rightful place on the Great Plains.

Community Ambassador Program

Join the Community Ambassador Program! This is a volunteer initiative aimed at equipping county residents with the tools, training, and knowledge they need to help their neighbors access vital County Government services. Since its launch in 2023, the Community Ambassadors have supported and empowered hundreds of residents regarding quality-of-life issues across Howard County.

If you are motivated by service and want to make a positive impact on neighbors in our community, join the Community Ambassador Program on Tuesday, November 18th for its next monthly meeting at 6:00 PM at the Elkridge 50+ Center. At the meeting participants will hear from the Howard County Health Department about access to healthcare services, behavioral health, emergency preparedness and response, maternal child and adolescent health, aging in place, and more. Representatives from Grassroots Crisis Intervention, who work with the County to provide free 24-hour access to behavioral health, crisis intervention, and homeless services, will also present.

For questions or more information about the program, contact the Office of Human Rights and Equity at 410-313-6430 or email ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov.

Pumpkin Palooza

Compost your pumpkin this fall!

The Department of Public Works' Bureau of Environmental Services is hosting their annual Pumpkin Palooza celebration on Saturday, November 22nd from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Miller Branch Library, this event will feature games, composting demonstrations, food trucks, and more. Attendees can drop off their pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns at the event for composting.

If you are unable to attend Pumpkin Palooza, pumpkins can be dropped off at the Robinson Nature Center and the Alpha Ridge Landfill's Residents' Convenience Center from now until Friday, November 21st. When at Alpha Ridge, residents should look for the two green ‘Hungry Hippo’ food scrap drop-off containers.

Howard County residents participating in the County’s curbside Feed the Green Bin food scrap collection program can also set their pumpkins out on their regular food scrap collection day for pickup.

To learn more about the Pumpkin Palooza compost collection program, including how to prepare your pumpkin for compost, visit the Pumpkin Palooza website.

Savage Mill Yuletide

Christmas time is almost here in Savage!

Savage Mill Yuletide will kick off on Small Business Saturday, November 29th. The day includes a pop-up holiday market with Boyd Cru Wines, live music, special offers from our shops, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

From November 29th until December 21st, children and families can visit Savage Mill on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

On Saturday, December 6th at 6:00 PM, join the community to participate in the annual Bollman Bridge Lighting. Afterwards, the crowd will walk over to Baldwin Common for the Savage Community Association's Tree Lighting.

For more information about the holiday events in Savage, visit the Savage Mill website.

Multiservice Center Food Pantry

The Howard County MultiService Center recently expanded its food pantry hours to meet growing community needs of our community.

Located at 9900 Washington Blvd., Suite I, in Laurel, the pantry is now open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, throughout November and December.

Howard County residents can pick up pre-packaged “grab-and-go” bags of food, diapers and/or toiletries. If you have food allergies, let staff know, they’ll do their best to accommodate your needs.

Residents who need food but cannot visit during open hours can call 410-313-0220 to schedule an appointment.

Patuxent Commons Grand Opening

Earlier this month, we celebrated the grand opening of Patuxent Commons, a remarkable achievement and the beginning of a more inclusive, connected future for Howard County.

This project was born from the vision of parents and advocates who recognized a need and took action. Through collaboration, creativity, and compassion, they turned that vision into reality.

Patuxent Commons is more than a building, it’s a community where people of all abilities can live, grow, and thrive together.

Thank you to all the advocates, partners, and supporters whose persistence and passion made this day possible. Your work has not only built homes but strengthened the bonds that make Howard County such a special place to live.

Learn more about Patuxent Commons by visiting their website.

Know Your Rights

All immigrants, documented or not, have constitutional protections. Knowing these rights are a crucial tool for self-protection, dignity, and equality.

Learn more by visiting the Luminus website.

Christiana's Climate Corner

Welcome to Christiana's Climate Corner, where I share updates on environmental and sustainability efforts in Howard County, including information on legislation, events, and opportunities for you to support sustainability efforts in our community!

Pay as You Throw

At the November Legislation Session, the Council unanimously passed CR186-2025, my resolution to amend the 2025-2034 Solid Waste Management Plan by adding a statement endorsing the study of a Pay as You Throw (PAYT) program. With the inclusion of a Pay as You Throw study in the Solid Waste Management Plan, County staff can begin determining the best ways to implement the program in Howard County.

Pay as You Throw, or Save as You Throw, is a waste management model where the more trash a household generates, the more they pay for trash services, and the less trash a household generates, the less they pay. By tying cost to waste generation, residents are encouraged to recycle more, compost what they can, and reduce overall trash.

Across Maryland, several jurisdictions are already exploring this model. When Carroll County implemented a pilot program in New Windsor, they saw a 44 percent decrease in trash, a near doubling of the recycling rate, and 98 to 99 percent participation among residents. Montgomery County is currently in a year long process of evaluating their Save As You Throw program. Starting January 1st, Greenbelt will initiate a year-long pilot of their Save As You Throw program. All around us, we are seeing local governments make real differences through practical, community-based environmental policies.

For Howard County, Pay as You Throw represents another meaningful step toward a cleaner, greener future. This waste management model would help extend the life of our landfill, reduce harmful emissions from waste disposal, and lower trash costs for residents by encouraging smarter waste habits.

By working together and supporting this forward-thinking program, Howard County can set a strong example for how local action can drive lasting environmental change.

Get Involved!

There are many opportunities to volunteer and serve in your community. Read below for upcoming and ongoing volunteer opportunities.

Carroll Baldwin Hall Work Nights

Carroll Baldwin Hall hosts monthly Volunteer Work Nights every third Thursday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. There are always tons of projects for volunteers with all skills and abilities to work on - cleaning, painting, and more. They also provide food and the opportunity to meet or catch up with your neighbors in Savage.

Howard County Boards and Commissions

Howard County has many volunteer Boards and Commissions that advise the County Executive or County Council! Members are tasked with providing policy, program, and implementation recommendations that push our government forward.

The County is seeking members to serve on numerous Boards and Commissions. If you are interested in learning more about these commissions and/or how to apply, visit the Boards and Commissions website.

Community Resources

If you need assistance, Howard County can help. Read below to learn more about programs offered by the County and State.

Navigating County, State, and Federal services is often complicated and my office is available to help connect you with the proper channels. If you have any questions about issues or concerns in your community, please reach out by emailing crigby@howardcountymd.gov.

District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings

A pre-submission community meeting is required prior to the initial submittal of plans for all new residential development, new non-residential development, and existing non-residential development with a proposed floor area expansion of more than 25%. The pre-submission community meeting is for the developer/petitioner to provide information to the community regarding the proposed initial plan submittal and to allow community residents to ask questions and make comments before the initial plan submittal for the subject property.

There are two community pre-submission meeting scheduled in District 3.