Greetings!

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, September 20th at 7:00 PM (meetings will be held in person and virtually). 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- Legislative Public Hearing on legislation introduced that month
  • Following the Legislative Public Hearing a Legislative Work Session is held, 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.
Highlighted Legislation
Introduced by: Christiana Rigby and Opel Jones
AN ACT altering the date by which a store must remit the fees collected for disposable bags to the Director of Finance; and generally relating to disposable bag fees in the County.
Howard County Council Appointments and County Council Election Results for 2021
Howard County Council Chairpersons
Chair: Councilmember Elizabeth Walsh, District 1
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Opel Jones, District 2

Zoning Board
Chair: Councilmember Christiana Rigby, District 3
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

Board of License Commissioners
Chair: Councilmember David Yungmann, District 5
Vice-Chair: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee
Representative: Councilmember Opel Jones, District 2
     Alternate: Councilmember Deb Jung, District 4

National Associations of Counties
Representative: Councilmember Jones, District 2
      Alternate: Councilmember Jung, District 4
Introduced Legislation
Appointments
Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Adeniyi Michael Adekoya to the Commission on Disabilities.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of James Cecil to the Planning Board.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Julianne Danna to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Theresa Forgét, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, to the Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Ellen Flynn Giles to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Brandon Kostinsky to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Aida M. Lebbos, J.D., CCEP, to the Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sekou “Koe” Murphy to the Housing and Community Development Board.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Alesia Richter to the Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Dustin Thacker to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Reappointments
Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Edward Coleman to the Planning Board.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Elizabeth Homan to the Housing Commission.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Erica Roberts to the Planning Board.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Kellie Rowden-Racette, to the Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sierra Sewchand to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Mary Weeks as a member of the Cable Advisory Committee.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Erica Zoren to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Financial
Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT transferring $476,969 from the General Fund, Contingency Reserve to the Department of Police, Office of the State’s Attorney and Sherriff’s Office for the Body Worn Camera Program.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT transferring $273,540 from the Grant Fund, Contingency Reserve to the Department of Finance to reflect increased grant funding received from the State Department of Commerce for a grant that aids businesses who set up online sales and telework opportunities.

Introduced by: The 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 Hurricane Electric, LLC for certain internet 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.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and SunEast Friendship Solar LLC and MHGH&S, LLC for the generation of electricity on property located at 13300 Frederick Road, West Friendship.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and SunEast Friendship ANEM Solar LLC and MHGH&S, LLC for the generation of electricity on property located at 13300 Frederick Road in West Friendship, Maryland.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and Terrapin Branch Solar, LLC, and 2800 Nixon’s Farm Lane, LLC, for the generation of electricity on property owned by 2800 Nixon’s Farm Lane, LLC located at 2800 Nixon’s Farm Lane, West Friendship, Maryland.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and Community Power Group, LLC and Jack Coogan Fyock Jr. for the generation of electricity on property located on Ten Oaks Road, Glenelg, Maryland.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and Roslyn Rise Four, LLC for property located at 10351 Twin Rivers Road, which will comprise a mixed-income, rental housing development to be known as one-half of Roslyn Rise Apartments, and finding that the Development meets the requirements of certain Special Affordable Housing Opportunities pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act and may proceed subject to all other provisions of the Act despite being located in an area that is closed for development due to the projected enrollment in the school capacity chart.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION approving the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement by and between the Howard County, Maryland and Roslyn Rise Nine, LLC for property located at 10401 Twin Rivers Road, which will comprise a mixed-income, rental housing development to be known as one-half of Roslyn Rise Apartments, and finding that the Development meets the requirements of certain Special Affordable Housing Opportunities pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act and may proceed subject to all other provisions of the Act despite being located in an area that is closed for development due to the projected enrollment in the school capacity chart.
General
Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT amending the authority to impose civil citations for violations of animal control provisions; amending certain appeal procedures; providing that Title 24, Civil Penalty, provisions apply to violations of animal control provisions; and declaring that this Act is an Emergency Bill necessary to meet a public emergency affecting life, health or property.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT amending the Pay Plan for Howard County to amend the classification and paygrade for the position of Workforce Development Administrator; and generally relating to the Pay Plan for Howard County.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT amending a certain position that is appointed by the Chief Administrative Officer; and generally relating to the listing of position classifications in the Howard County Code.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT confirming and ratifying the authority of boards and commissions to hold their meetings in person, by telephone, video conferencing, or other electronic means, or any combination thereof; and generally relating to board and commission meetings.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
AN ACT prohibiting the cutting or clearing of certain specimen trees; providing that a property owner may proceed under certain conditions and upon the submission and approval of certain applications; providing for the contents of certain applications; providing for the criteria to use in the review of certain applications; providing for certain exemptions; requiring certain compliance; providing certain penalties for noncompliance; requiring surety for forest retention; defining certain terms; and generally related to forest conservation and the preservation of natural cover in Howard County.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION endorsing the Howard County Executive’s intent to apply for membership with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE).

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION declaring that a total of approximately 0.1431 acres of real property owned by Howard County and identified as a portion of Roxbury Road 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 property to the owner of the adjacent property upon the payment of certain consideration; and providing that the County Executive is not bound to convey the property if he finds that the land may have a further public use.

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION declaring that it is in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Howard County to accept the dedication of a Right of Way for Rose Lane as shown on the plat titled “Nordau Subdivision” and recorded among the Land Records of Howard County at Plat Book 3, Page 51.

Introduced by: Deb Jung
AN ACT requiring the posting of an information sign on certain parcels of land that are affected by a petition for a Zoning Regulation Amendment; specifying the content of the sign; prohibiting the Department of Planning and Zoning from submitting its Technical Staff Report under certain circumstances; adding a penalty for a violation of a certain provision of law; and generally relating to Zoning Regulation Text Amendment petitions.

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
AN ACT removing exemptions from the Forest Conservation Plan requirements for certain Planned Unit Developments and Planned Business Parks; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County.

Introduced by: Christiana Rigby and Opel Jones
AN ACT altering the date by which a store must remit the fees collected for disposable bags to the Director of Finance; and generally relating to disposable bag fees in the County.
Legislation for Final Consideration
APPOINTMENTS

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Reverend Regina M. Clay to the Howard County Local Children’s Board.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Rosa Angelica Maymi to the Advisory Board on Consumer Protection.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Chloe McGeehan to the Recreation and Parks Board.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Tiffany Murray Releford, Esquire, to the Human Rights Commission.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Michelle Rhodes-Brown, CFA, to the Pension Oversight Commission.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Charles Schuster to the Soil Conservation District.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Sabina Taj to the Board of Library Trustees.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson
A RESOLUTION appointing the members of the Compensation Review Commission; providing that the Commission shall recommend the compensation and allowances of the County Council to be elected in November 2022 by Resolution not later than December 21, 2021; providing that the Commission shall make a recommendation concerning compensation and allowances of the County Executive to be elected in November 2022; and providing that the Commission shall terminate on April 30, 2022.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
A RESOLUTION appointing Jean Xu to the Board of Appeals of Howard County, Maryland, to fill a term ending on December 31, 2021.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

REAPPOINTMENTS

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Chuck Chandler to the Human Trafficking Prevention Coordination Council.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive
A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Jon Steuernagle to the Human Trafficking Prevention Coordination Council.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Approved

GENERAL

Introduced by: The Chairperson
A RESOLUTION setting a date by which the Councilmanic Redistricting Commission is required to prepare a plan of Councilmanic Districts and present the plan to the Howard County Council; setting a date following presentation of the plan of Councilmanic Districts to the County Council by which, if no ordinance re-establishing the boundaries of the Councilmanic Districts has been enacted, the plan submitted by the Councilmanic Redistricting Commission becomes law; and generally relating to Councilmanic Redistricting.
My Vote: Yes
Status: Passed as amended

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
AN ACT adding new definitions to the Forest Conservation ordinance; establishing a “look-back” provision for the disturbance of certain trees; reducing the diameter threshold to 24 inches for forest retention; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County.
My Vote: No
Status: Failed

Introduced by: Liz Walsh
AN ACT providing for enhanced enforcement measures and penalties for violations of the Forest Conservation Act of Howard County; and generally relating to forest conservation in the County.
My Vote: No
Status: Failed
Upcoming Council 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, September 13, 2021 - Monthly Meeting (Meetings will be held in-person and virtually)
  • Monday, September 20, 2021 - Joint Meeting with the Board of Education (Meetings will be held in-person and virtually)
  • Monday, September 20, 2021 - Public Hearing (Meetings will be held in-person and virtually)
  • Monday, September 27, 2021 - Work Session (Meetings will be held in-person and virtually)

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

Can't 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.