The Opel Jones Legislative Digest

Dear Friend,

Welcome to my Legislative Newsletter, highlighting Council Resolutions and Council Bills proposed by the Howard County Council.

As your County Council representative, I encourage you to review this information and lend your voice by testifying via email or in person. To voice your support or opposition, please email councilmail@howardcountymd.gov . The next Legislative Public Hearing will be Monday, July 20th at 7 PM off-site (meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants). To sign-up in advance to testify, click here .

It is my pleasure to serve you, your family, and residents of District 2. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office by calling (410) 313-2001 or by emailing ojones@howardcountymd.gov . I hope you will continue to stay engaged by visiting my council website at https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/Districts/District-2 .

Sincerely,

The Process

The County Council is responsible for adopting the laws of the County. The legislative process generally follows a monthly cycle:

1st Monday- New legislation is introduced; legislation from prior month is given final consideration
3rd Monday- Public hearing on legislation introduced that month
4th Monday- Legislative work session, if needed

Council Bills must be signed or vetoed by the County Executive within 10 days of the Council's presentation of passed legislation.

Council-Related Legislation

Howard County Council Legislation

Unless otherwise noted, the following legislation is introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.

Spotlighted Legislation

CB13-2020

Introduced by: Christiana Rigby

Co-Sponsored by: Opel Jones, Deb Jung, and Liz Walsh

AN ACT amending the Howard County Code to establish a Notice and a Requirement to provide an offer to the County and Housing Commission to Purchase Rental Housing offered for sale in the County; and generally relating to the sale of Rental Housing.

CR95-2020

Introduced by: Opel Jones

Co- Sponsored by: Christiana Rigby

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend Howard County Charter Section 202 “The County Council”, Section 208 “Sessions of the County Council; quorum; rules of procedure”, Section 1201 “Nature of the Article”, and Section 1202 “Establishment of District boundaries for Councilmanic Districts” by changing the term “Councilmanic” to “Council”; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

CR99-2020

Introduced by: Christiana Rigby and Opel Jones

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend County Charter Section 404 “Citizen Boards” by reducing from five years to three years the number of overlapping terms a Howard County resident may serve on a citizen board, or until a successor is confirmed; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

CR104-2020

Introduced by: Christiana Rigby and Opel Jones

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend Section 709 of the Howard County Charter to prohibit specified kinds of discrimination with respect to certain personnel actions in the County Merit System; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Howard County Council Appointments and County Council Election Results for 2020

Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee

Representative: Councilmember Rigby, District 3

Alternate: Councilmember Jung, District 4

National Associations of Counties

Representative: Councilmember Rigby, District 3

Alternate: Councilmember Jung, District 4

Board of License Commissioners

Chair: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5

Vice Chair: Councilmember Rigby, District 3

Zoning Board

Chair: Councilmember Dr. Opel Jones, District 2

Vice Chair: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5

Howard County Council Chairpersons

Chair: Councilmember Jung, District 4

Vice Chair: Councilmember Walsh, District 1

June's Legislative Session Recap

Appointments

CR87-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Jonathan Di Pietro to the Human Rights Commission.

Status: Confirmed

My Vote: Yes

CR88-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Gabriel Terrasa to the Human Rights Commission.

Status: Confirmed

My Vote: Yes

Financial

CB35-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT pursuant to Section 612 of the Howard County Charter, approving a multi-year Agreement

between Howard County, Maryland and Pictometry International Corp. for certain pictometry

services used by the County, authorizing the Executive to make changes to the Agreement,

under certain conditions; authorizing the County Executive to execute the Agreement; and

generally relating to the Agreement.

Status: Passed

My Vote: Yes

General

CB36-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT pursuant to Section 1.111(e) of the Howard County Code, approving provisions in a collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the International Association of Firefighters, Howard County Local 2000 that are in conflict with the provisions of Title 1 “Human Resources” of the Howard County Code or the Employee Manual; and providing for the application of this Act.

Status: Passed as amended

My Vote: Yes

CR89-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION adopting HoCo By Design General Plan Guidelines: A Strategic Framework, promulgated by the Planning Board, to be used by the Department of Planning and Zoning in the preparation and revision of the General Plan.

Status: Passed as amended

My Vote: Yes

CR92-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION endorsing the provision of financing by the State Department of Commerce for an economic development project in Howard County and certifying that the project is consistent with the County’s goals for economic development.

Status: Passed

My Vote: Yes

CB37-2020

Introduced by: Deb Jung

AN ACT specifying the status of the public right of way in relation to a Publicly Accessible Electric Scooter Sharing System ; providing for denial, suspension, or revocation of a Publicly Accessible Electric Scooter Sharing System Permit under specified circumstances; providing for a hearing before final action; and generally relating to electric scooters on public rights-of-way in Howard County.

Status: Passed

My Vote: No

CR93-2020

Introduced by: Deb Jung

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Howard County Charter by amending Section 202 “The County Council” by altering certain dates for the Council to appoint aCouncilmanic Redistricting Commission and for the Commission to prepare a plan of Councilmanic Districts and present the plan to the Council; altering a date, if by which, no ordinance re-establishing the boundaries of the Councilmanic Districts has

been enacted, the plan submitted by the Commission becomes law; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Status: Failed

My Vote: No

CR94-2020

Introduced by: David Yungmann

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend County Charter Section 202 to alter the method for appointing members of a Councilmanic Redistricting Commission; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Status: Tabled

CR95-2020

Introduced by: Opel Jones

Co-Sponsored by Christiana Rigby

“Councilmanic” to “Council”; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution .

Status: Failed

My Vote: Yes

CR96-2020

Introduced by: David Yungmann

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend County Charter Section 209 to alter the minimum time between introduction of a bill and the public hearing on the bill; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Status: Withdrawn

CR97-2020

Introduced by: Deb Jung

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend County Charter Section 212 “County Auditor” by requiring the County Auditor to accompany the County Executive and the Council Chair on all discussions with officials of credit rating agencies; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Status: Failed

My Vote: No

CR98-2020

Introduced by: David Yungmann

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend County Charter Section 302 “The County Executive” to provide that certain appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Status: Failed

My Vote: No

CR99-2020

Introduced by: Christiana Rigby and Opel Jones

Status: Passed

My Vote: Yes

CR100-2020

Introduced by: David Yungmann

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Howard County Charter by amending Section 603 “Submission and contents of the County budget” by altering certain dates for the County Executive to submit to the Council the proposed current expense budget, the operating expense program for certain fiscal years, parts of the budget message, the proposed capital budget, and the capital program for certain fiscal years; altering the contents of the current expense budget and the capital budget and capital program; requiring the Executive to submit certain revenue information to the Council on or before a certain date; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution .

Status: Failed

My Vote: No

CR101-2020

Introduced by: Deb Jung

A RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Howard County Charter by amending Section 606 “Action on the annual budget and appropriation ordinance by the County Council” to allow the County Council to appropriate funds to capital projects or departments; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Status: Failed

My Vote: No

CR102-2020

Introduced by: David Yungmann

A RESOLUTION proposing to add County Charter Section 619 to require fiscal analyses for specified ordinances and resolutions; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Status: Failed

My Vote: No

CR103-2020

Introduced by: David Yungmann

A RESOLUTION proposing to add County Charter Section 619 to provide that certain property tax rate increases may only be made with the approval of the voters; and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XI-A of the Maryland Constitution.

Status: Withdrawn

CR104-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Status: Passed as amended

My Vote: Yes

CB11-2020

Introduced by: Deb Jung

Co-Sponsored by: Christiana Rigby and Liz Walsh

AN ACT to require certain projects to document that the project meets specified bird friendly design standards; providing for a delay in enforcement of this Act; and

generally relating to environmental design.

Status: Passed

My Vote: Yes

CB13-2020

Introduced by: Christiana Rigby

Co-Sponsored by: Opel Jones and Liz Walsh

Status: Passed as amended

My Vote: Yes

CR36-2020

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

Co-Sponsored by David Yungmann

A RESOLUTION amending the purchase price formula used to determine the price that Howard

County pays when purchasing development rights under the Agricultural Land Preservation

Program; and specifying that the purchase price formula shall be effective upon passage of

the Resolution and shall remain in effect until changed or repealed by Resolution of the

County Council.

Status: Passed as amended

My Vote: Yes

Tabled Legislation

CR98-2019

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart for Fiscal Year 2020 pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County.

CR89-2019

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

at the request of Dorsey Overlook, LLLP

AN ACT declaring that a portion of Old Maryland Route 108, containing approximately 1.087

acres, is no longer needed for a public purpose and authorizing the County Executive to

waive the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 4.201 of the Howard County

Code in order to convey the County’s property interest to the developer of the adjacent

property, Dorsey Overlook, LLLP.

Introduced Legislation

Financial

SAO1-FY2021

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT transferring $3,660,000 from the General Fund, Contingency Reserve to the Department of Housing and Community Development to restore funding that was moved to the Contingency Fund so that programs and services to low- and moderateincome residents provided by the Department of Housing and Community Development may be continued in Fiscal Year 2021.

CB38-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT establishing a personal property tax exemption on the personal property of a Qualified Data Center; defining certain terms; providing for certain amounts of property tax exemptions under certain conditions; requiring a certain report; providing for an application procedure; and generally relating to personal property tax exemptions.

CB39-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT pursuant to Section 612 of the Howard County Charter, approving a Multi-Year Tax Exempt Lease/Purchase Agreement for financing the acquisition and installation of 7,258 LED streetlight fixtures; authorizing the Executive to make changes to the Agreement, under certain conditions; authorizing the County Executive to execute the Agreement; and generally relating to the Agreement.

CR105-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION amending the minimum square footage for Conservation Landscaping Reimbursement; and generally relating to schedules of rates adopted as part of the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee.

CR106-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION amending the Howard County Board of Education Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, as adopted by Council Resolution No. 63-2020, in order to: (1) increase the general fund budget of the BOE by $7,751,999, based on a net increase of $7,502,000 in other funding sources primarily through the use of unbudgeted $8,000,000 in school fund balance and other revenue changes, an estimated additional $250,000 in federal funding, and a decrease of $1 in anticipated state funding; (2) make categorical transfers to align with anticipated funding and expenses; and (3) to adjust restricted funds based on final Board of Education decisions; and generally relating to the Board of Education Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2021.

General

CB40-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT amending the Pay Plan for Howard County in accordance with a certain recently negotiated collective bargaining agreement; providing for certain specialty pays; providing for the application of certain pay schedules; and generally relating to the Pay Plan for Howard County.

CB41-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

AN ACT pursuant to Section 1.111(e) of the Howard County Code, approving provisions in a collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3085, Council 67, AFL-CIO that are in conflict with the provisions of Title 1 “Human Resources” of the Howard County Code or the Employee Manual; approving a multiyear collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3085, Council 67, AFL-CIO that will be effective through the end of Fiscal Year 2022 and that includes payment of certain compensation in future fiscal years; providing for the application of this Act; and generally relating to the collective bargaining agreement between Howard County and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Howard County Local 3085, Council 67, AFL-CIO.

CB42-2020

Introduced by: Deb Jung

AN ACT limiting the entities that are authorized to petition the County Council for an amendment, repeal, or change to the text of the zoning regulations; and generally relating to zoning in Howard County.

CR107-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION authorizing the execution of a First Amendment to a Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement by and between Camilla Carroll and Philip D. Carroll and Howard County, Maryland in accordance Title 16, Subtitle 17 of the Howard County Code.

CR108-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION pursuant to Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code declaring that portions of a Water, Sewer and Utility Easement, containing 20,918 square feet, and of a Right of Way Easement, containing 7,502 square feet, conveyed to Howard County, Maryland are no longer needed by the County for public purposes; authorizing the County Executive to terminate the easement interests in the property of the fee simple owner, The Normandy Venture Limited Partnership; waiving the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code in order to convey the easement interests to The Normandy Venture Limited Partnership; and providing that the County Executive is not bound to terminate the easement interests if he finds that the easements may have a public use.

CR109-2020

Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive

A RESOLUTION pursuant to Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code declaring that property containing 2.447 acres, owned by Howard County, Maryland is no longer needed by the County for public purposes; authorizing the County Executive to convey, at no cost, fee simple title to the property to the State of Maryland; waiving the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code; and providing that the County Executive is not bound to convey the property if he finds that the County may have a public use for it.

Upcoming Meetings

Unless otherwise noted, the County Council will hold its meetings in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD. The next meetings are as follows:

Monday, July 20, 2020; Legislative Public Hearing (Off Site; Meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants.)
Monday, July 27, 2020; Legislative Work Session (Off Site; Meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants.)
Monday, July 29, 2020; Legislative Session (Off Site; Meetings will be held virtually for the safety of all participants.)

Please note these date are subject to change. To access the most up-to-date calendar of meetings in it entirety, click here .

Cant attend a meeting but still want to stay involved? You can stream the Council's sessions online and click on the meeting you would like to watch. The Council's sessions are also streamed in real time on this website.