Discover the latest updates and key developments in local government activities across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond in our weekly comprehensive report. From legislative meetings to policy reviews, budget discussions, and educational initiatives, this update provides a concise overview of essential matters shaping the future of these regions.
Whether you're a concerned citizen, policymaker, or simply interested in staying informed about local governance, this report offers valuable insights into the decisions and actions that impact your community. Dive into the details of government agendas and stay up-to-date on the critical issues that shape the fabric of these diverse and dynamic localities.
See a complete list of meetings below.
District of Columbia
DC Council
The DC Council will have a legislative meeting today at noon. Bills scheduled for a final reading include B25-0669, the Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act of 2024, which would allow homeowners and associations to remove unlawful restrictive covenants from property deeds and governing documents. Temporary bills scheduled for a vote include B25-0824, the Anacostia Business Improvement District Temporary Amendment Act of 2024.
Additionally, the Council will hear the "Motion for Reconsideration" of Bill 25-736, the Secure DC Omnibus Temporary Amendment Act of 2024, which was passed in April. The Secure DC Act includes provisions from several bills introduced and considered in 2023 aimed at preventing crime, increasing accountability, and strengthening government coordination. The Temporary Amendment Act aims to accelerate the adoption of several provisions within the Secure DC Act. A Motion for Reconsideration is a procedural move that allows a council member to request that a vote on a previously decided matter be reconsidered. Should the motion be successful, it would temporarily nullify the previous decision, allowing for a new discussion and potentially a different outcome.
DC State Board of Education
The DC State Board of Education will not have a public meeting this week.
Maryland
Maryland General Assembly:
The Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate have adjourned for the year and will be back in session in January 2025.
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Charles County
Board of Charles County Commissioners
The Board of Charles County Commissioners will have a public meeting today at 9 am.They are considering several budget amendments and transfers for FY2024. These include reallocating ARPA funds to purchase LifePak's and Stairchairs, covering property and liability insurance overruns for the Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant, and funding the Community Health Outreach Program. Additionally, there are amendments to cover expenses for RPT programs and salary overruns for the Acting Deputy County Administrator. A notable budget amendment involves increasing the Recreation Sports Enterprise Fund. Other requests include approving intercategory budget transfers for the Board of Education and a memorandum of understanding with the Sheriff of Charles County and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 24.
The session also includes a proposed bill for establishing a Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF), highlighting its significance for local legislative proposals. Another key legislation under consideration is the proposed bill for revisions to the Hotel Rental Tax and a zoning text amendment (ZTA) for mixed-use zone revisions. The public is invited to participate in these discussions through scheduled public hearings, with options for in-person and virtual testimonies. The commissioners will also review updates on emergency preparedness, response, and safety, and consider a request to fly the Juneteenth flag at county buildings.
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Montgomery County
Montgomery County Council
The Montgomery County Council will have a public meeting today a 9 am. The Montgomery County Council agenda for June 11, 2024, includes significant legislative and administrative activities. The session starts with proclamations recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and Caribbean American Heritage Month. General business follows with announcements and the approval of minutes from various meetings in May. Notably, the agenda includes an interview with the County Executive's nominee for Chief of Police, Marc Yamada, and a briefing on the Great Seneca Master Plan. Several supplemental appropriations to the FY24 Operating Budget will be introduced, including $12,421,350 for snow removal and storm cleanup, $6,129,366 for the Department of General Services, and $5,239,459 for the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation. Additionally, there will be introductions for a resolution to adopt the FY25-30 Tax Supported Fiscal Plan Summary and an optional procedure for the condemnation of land for the Metropolitan Branch Trail.
The afternoon session features proclamations recognizing the retirement of Anita Vassallo, Director for Montgomery County Public Libraries, and a series of public hearings. Key legislative items include Bill 6-24, which proposes a property tax credit for disabled veterans, and a supplemental appropriation for the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service funded by a state grant. There will also be public hearings and actions on amendments to the Capital Improvements Program, such as $1,522,038 for Montgomery County Public Schools' Technology Modernization and $2,000,000 for resurfacing residential and rural roads. The Council will introduce zoning text amendments for agricultural and rural zones and the Great Seneca Life Sciences Overlay Zone, with public hearings scheduled for mid-July. The session will conclude with a bi-annual update from the Council sitting as the Board of Health.
Montgomery County Board of Education
The Montgomery County Board of Education will have a public meeting today at 9:00 a.m., followed by the opening session at 12:00 p.m. Legislative actions include the final adoption of the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget, and final actions on policies related to homework, the education of English language learners, and board appointments of MCPS leaders. Additional discussions covered charter schools and the Fiscal Year 2024 school and office climate survey results. Informational items included reports on legal fees and construction progress.
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Prince George's County
Prince George's County Council
The Prince George's County Council will meet today at 11:45 am. The agenda includes the presentation of proclamations recognizing the Prince George’s County Community College Owls Men’s Basketball Team for their championship win and honoring first responders for their bravery during the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse. The Council will discuss and potentially adopt several resolutions, including one urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall certain Kia and Hyundai models due to safety concerns, and another approving a Minor Plan Amendment for the Langley Park-College Park-Greenbelt area to update development recommendations.
Key legislative actions include the first reading of Bill CB-056-2024, which aims to implement quarterly reporting requirements for the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement, and the introduction of several resolutions. CR-054-2024 seeks to address public safety concerns involving Kia and Hyundai vehicles, while CR-055-2024 and CR-056-2024 involve amendments to the zoning and development plans for the Langley Park-College Park-Greenbelt area. The Council will also hold a briefing on the Blue Line Corridor Civic Plaza project and convene in an executive session to discuss ongoing litigation. Public comments must be submitted by 3:00 PM the day before the meeting, and accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities upon reasonable notice.
Prince George's County Board of Education
The Prince George's County Board of Education will not meet this week.The meeting will begin with a closed session at 5:00 PM, followed by a public session at 7:00 PM. The public session will include Celebrating the Class of 2024" and reports from the Chair and Superintendent. Discussions will cover transportation updates, budget projections, summer school plans, and attendance and truancy issues.
Legislation to be discussed includes the BluePrint Phase II Memorandum of Understanding, contract awards for Pharmacy Benefit Management Program and Health Maintenance Organization plan administration, and the approval of a vendor for the relocation of James Madison Middle School. New business items, including several tentative board policies on service animals, student information, educational equity, and employment recruitment, will also be introduced. The board will review the FY25 Educational Facilities Master Plan and address any follow-up items from previous meetings before adjourning.
Virginia
Virginia General Assembly:
The Virginia House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate have adjourned for the 2024 session. They will be back in session in January 2025.
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Alexandria City
Alexandria City Council:
The Alexandria City Council will have a public meeting this Thursday at 7 pm. Key legislative items discussed included the passage of ordinances on supplemental appropriations for the city's fiscal year, amendments to food truck regulations, and the adoption of an amendment to the Eisenhower West Small Area Plan. Additionally, the Council introduced and considered ordinances related to the rezoning of properties for the Vulcan Site Redevelopment and increasing income thresholds for real estate tax relief for the elderly and disabled.
The Council also recognized the 65th anniversary of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter and declared May as Building Safety Month. Reports were provided on various boards and committees, such as the Health and Safety Coordinating Committee and the Commission on Aging. The Council addressed grant applications to the U.S. Department of Justice for community violence intervention and services for underserved populations. Resignations from several commissions were noted, and new appointments were made to various advisory committees, including the Alexandria Housing Affordability Advisory Committee and the Commission on Aging.
Alexandria City Board of Education
The Alexandria City Board of Education will not host a public meeting this week.
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Arlington County
Arlington County Board
The Arlington County Board will hold a meeting this Saturday at 8:30 am. The meeting will address various site plan amendments, use permit requests, and public property dispositions. Significant legislative highlights include the site plan amendments for Potomac Yard and Crystal City Library, the introduction of additional gross floor area for a retail space, and adjustments to use permits for several childcare centers. The Board will also discuss the Crystal City to Reagan National Airport Multimodal Connection, incorporating an $18 million grant from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.
Additionally, the meeting will cover the amendment of the Arlington Transit Fare ordinance, which will lower fares for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities starting July 1, 2024. The Board will consider the adoption of amendments to the County's Purchasing Resolution, the acceptance and appropriation of multiple grants and funds, including those from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and a second amendment to the license agreement for a Capital Bikeshare station. The agenda includes the request to advertise public hearings for the Pentagon City Planning Study and amendments related to affordable housing and development agreements with the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing and EYA, extending agreement dates for the Crystal House Apartments project.
Arlington County School Board
The Arlington County School Board will hold a public hearing today at 7 pm. The public hearing will address the proposed FY 2025-34 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), with guidelines for public comments provided.
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Fairfax County
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will meet today at 9:30. The agenda featured presentations, including the History Commission Annual Report, and various matters presented by board members and the County Executive. Among the administrative items was the authorization to advertise a public hearing on amendments to Chapter 82 of the Fairfax County Code, which pertains to motor vehicles and traffic. Additionally, the board authorized the Fairfax County Police Department to apply for and accept grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice for the FY 2024 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Implementation Projects. The board also approved traffic calming measures for Elmwood Drive in the Franconia District and the replacement of "Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk" signage with "Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalk" signage. Another significant action was the supplemental appropriation resolution for the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services to accept grant funding from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Later in the meeting, the board addressed action items, including the approval of the FY 2024 year-end processing and the endorsement of the Virginia Department of Transportation Secondary Six-Year Program for fiscal years 2025-2030. A key consideration item was the approval of the One-Year Action Plan for the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds in FY 2025. The board also adopted bylaws for the Fairfax County Airports Advisory Committee. During the public hearings, several zoning and plan amendments were discussed, including PCA 80-L-070-02 and RZPA 2023-MV-00062 for Milestone Properties in Lorton, RZ 2021-LE-019 for Towns at Villa Park LLC in the Franconia District, and proposed plan amendments for the Fairfax Center Area Suburban Center and the Judicial Complex in the Providence District.
Fairfax County School Board
Fairfax County School Board will hold a public meeting this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Community participation is scheduled for 7:50 p.m., followed by student representative matters at 8:20 p.m. The Board will conduct the performance review of the Asset Protection Monitoring Report (EL-7) and the policy review of Executive Limitations #7 - Asset Protection will occur. Presentations to the School Board, including academic matters, superintendent matters, and the FY 2025 Risk Assessment and Audit Plan Presentation, will follow.
The consent agenda has several items for approval by a single motion, including the award of contracts for hazardous materials removal, the Dranesville Elementary School renovation project, emergency generator installation, and automatic temperature control system replacement at various schools. The sale of a house located at 7430 Foundation Way, Springfield, VA, and sole source contract amendments with Cardinal Basketball Officials Association, Inc., and Sonova USA Inc. will also be discussed. New business items (not scheduled for a vote) include the Strategic Governance Manual Calendar Alignment, the FY25 Risk Assessment and Audit Plan, and several appointments to the Board of Trustees of the Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC). Additionally, there will be discussions on the Solar Power Purchase Agreement for nine elementary schools and the award of contracts for synthetic practice turf field replacements and Fairfax High School press box replacement.
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CLPA will provide continual updates throughout the week on any new developments on our site, on Twitter: @LocalPolicyCTR, and on Facebook @localpolicycenter.
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