Keeping Up with Christiana!
Greetings!

Welcome to our September Newsletter! This month, we recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month in Howard County and across the country. As we celebrate Hispanic and Latino American culture in Howard County, I hope that you will join Howard County's Office of Human Rights on September 29th as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the North Laurel Community Center!
Coming out of our August recess, the County Council is considering a large docket of legislation this month. You can find details on some of the bills and resolutions before the County Council below. For the full list of September legislation, please visit this website , where you can read the legislation.
As we enter the Fall season, please don't hesitate to contact our 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 September!

Yours in service,
Christiana Mercer Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
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September 2019
Legislative Updates
The County Council introduced its September legislation on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019.

I am proud to be introducing several bills this month with my colleagues, including CB42-2019 , legislation which would raise the school facilities surcharge on new development in Howard County.

This surcharge is paid by developers for new residential construction in Howard County, and the revenues help fund our school construction. However, the surcharge has not been raised for 15 years , and an increase is essential to ensuring that our schools have the funding they need to help prevent severe overcrowding.

Want to learn more? Check out the video below!
The Council is also considering CR120-2019 , a resolution adopting a Complete Streets policy for Howard County. Complete Streets policies are designed to consider multi-modal forms of travel when designing and constructing infrastructure projects.

Here in Howard County, it is vitally important that we renew our focus on different modes of transportation, including bicycling, pedestrian travel, and public transit.

This resolution is the first step toward achieving a multi-modal transportation network, and I look forward to continuing to advance this transportation vision for our community.
I also joined Councilman Opel Jones and Councilwoman Deb Jung to introduce CR112-2019 , a resolution calling for the development of a multi-year integration plan for Howard County Public Schools.

Currently, Howard County school boundaries reflect significant disparities in the rate of students participating in the Free and Reduced Meals program (FARMs). As the Board of Education undergoes its school boundary review process, I am encouraging the Board to consider equity and socioeconomic integration in their final decision.

You can find more information on the resolution and supporting documents here .
  • CB40-2019: legislation extending the Ellicott City development moratorium by 3 months. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
  • CB43-2019: legislation extending the property tax credit to volunteer emergency medical technicians. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive. Co-sponsored by Christiana Mercer Rigby, Liz Walsh, and Opel Jones.
  • CR121-2019: resolution transferring the land for High School 13 to the Board of Education. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
Additional Legislation
Additional legislation being considered in September includes:

  • CB38-2019: legislation expanding watershed protections in the Patapsco Lower North Branch Watershed. Introduced by Liz Walsh.
  • CB39-2019: legislation repealing the authority to pass Developer Rights and Responsibilities Agreements (DRRAs) in Howard County. Introduced by Deb Jung and Christiana Mercer Rigby. Co-sponsored by Liz Walsh.
  • CR122-2019: resolution amending fee-in-lieu for stormwater management. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
  • CR123-2019: resolution amending the Storm Drainage design manual to ensure stormwater management facilities meet the 100-year storm standard. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
Upcoming Council Dates
August: County Council Recess

Sept. 26, 3:30pm Continued Public Hearing (CR112)

Sept. 27, 11:00am Work Session (CB42; CR112)

Oct. 4, 12:00pm Work Session (CB38; CB41)

Oct. 7, 7:00pm Legislative Session

Oct. 15, 2:00pm Monthly Meeting

Oct. 21, 7:00pm Public Hearing

Upcoming Community Events
If there are any community events that you would like us to include in upcoming newsletters, please email ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov with the event information.
Upcoming District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings
Want to Get in Touch?
Christiana Mercer Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3

crigby@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2001
Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant

cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2421
Felix Facchine
District Aide

ffacchine@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-3108
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 daily updates on events, county news, legislative priorities, and Christiana's activity! Don't miss out on any District 3 news!