Montgomery County public meetings in 2024

Council Youth Town Hall (3rd Floor Hearing Room)

The Montgomery County Council held its legislative session on November 19, 2024, approving several items. The most consequential decision was adopting a resolution to amend the FY25-30 Capital Improvements Program and approve a supplemental appropriation of $739,758 for Agricultural Land Preservation Easements. The Council also approved the consent calendar, confirmed appointments, and introduced several bills and supplemental appropriations.

• Adopted resolution approving FY25-30 CIP amendment and $739,758 supplemental appropriation for Ag Land Preservation Easements (11-0)
• Approved consent calendar (11-0), including release of OLO report and introduction of supplemental appropriations
• Introduced Bill 26-24, Police U visa Law Enforcement Certification Policy
• Adopted resolution confirming Shawn Ellis as Director of Office of Community Partnerships
• Adopted resolutions approving special counsels Miller, Miller & Canby and Ice Miller
• Adopted resolutions confirming appointments to Animal Services Advisory Committee, Commission on Aging, Commission on Children and Youth, and Ethics Commission
• Approved minutes of October 24 and October 29, 2024 sessions (10-0-1)

Council Retreat

The Montgomery County Council held its October 7-9 sessions, approving several items including a $2 million supplemental appropriation for vape detection and prevention in schools, funded by Juul settlement state grant. The Council also adopted resolutions for categorical transfers of $20.6 million for MCPS FY24 operating budget, endorsed three MEDAAF grants, and approved the disposition of two Bethesda parking lots. The October 9 retreat was largely procedural, with discussions on racial equity, legal topics, and the 2025 calendar, but no substantive decisions were made.

• Approved $2,000,000 supplemental appropriation for Juul settlement funds for vape detection and prevention (11y)
• Approved $1,000,000 supplemental appropriation for energy projects from federal grant (11y)
• Approved minutes of September 10 and 17, 2024 Council sessions (11y)
• Adopted resolution to approve disposition of County Public Parking Lots 25 and 44 in Bethesda
• Adopted resolution to extend time for Council action on Speed Humps regulation to January 31, 2025
• Adopted resolution to appoint Sony George to Advisory Commission on Policing
• Introduced resolution for $20,600,000 categorical transfers for MCPS FY24 Operating Budget
• Introduced resolutions to endorse MEDAAF grants for BlueHalo ($1M), Sport Squad ($200K), and Bioreliance ($1M)

Council Meeting with State Delegation at Rockville Memorial Library

The Montgomery County Council held its Oct 7-9 sessions, adopting resolutions for a $2M Juul settlement for vape detection in schools and a $1M federal energy grant, both 11-0. It also approved the sale of Bethesda parking lots 25 and 44, and extended action on a speed hump regulation. The Oct 9 meeting with state delegates was a discussion only, with no formal votes.

• Adopted $2,000,000 supplemental appropriation for MCPS vape detection and prevention (11-0)
• Adopted $1,000,000 supplemental appropriation for energy projects (11-0)
• Adopted resolution to dispose of County Parking Lots 25 and 44 in Bethesda
• Adopted resolution extending action on speed hump regulation to Jan 31, 2025
• Adopted resolution appointing Sony George to Advisory Commission on Policing
• Approved minutes of Sept 10 and 17, 2024 Council sessions (11-0)
• Approved consent calendar (11-0)
• Held public hearings on housing, taxicab, and campaign finance bills

ECON Committee Session - Loudoun County Agritourism Tour

The Economic Development Committee took a bus tour of Loudoun County, Virginia agritourism operations on March 13, 2024. Councilmembers heard from farm owners, economic development officials, and a winery owner about regulatory challenges including zoning, permitting, food safety, and capacity rules. No votes or formal decisions were recorded; the minutes document an informational tour only.

Tour of Stream Restoration Projects

The February 21, 2024 item was a van and walking tour of the Grosvenor and Old Farm Creek stream restoration projects; no decisions were made. The attached summary also covers February 22–27, 2024, when the Council approved several supplemental appropriations, including $1,076,584 for Gaithersburg and Rockville patrol officer costs, and approved the 2024–2030 Fire and Rescue Service Master Plan. Public hearings were held on a zoning text amendment and police traffic stop data, with records left open. A proposed closed session on February 27 was cancelled.

• Approved $1,076,584 payment to Gaithersburg and Rockville for patrol officer costs (11-0)
• Approved $3,088,862 in opioid abatement funds, amended to remove a $280,000 award to Identity, Inc. (11-0)
• Approved $96,000 for a Youth Safety Initiative contractor (11-0)
• Approved 2024–2030 Fire and Rescue Service Master Plan
• Approved lease extension between M-NCPPC and Jack Schore Tennis, LLC
• Approved $132,500 for roadside tree protection
• Approved $1,200,000 for traffic signals and $503,000 for subdivision roads participation
• Held public hearings on ZTA 24-01 and Bill 2-24 (police traffic stops); records open until March 4 and March 7, 2024

Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Bus Tour

The Montgomery County Council and planning staff conducted a site visit of the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan Amendment area on January 19, 2024. The tour included six stops to review proposed zoning, the Green Promenade, and potential redevelopment sites. No formal decisions were made during the tour.

Council Administrative Meeting

The Council enacted amendments to the Bethesda and Downtown Silver Spring overlay zones and revised fees for roadside tree requirements. Several bills regarding minimum wage were withdrawn, while numerous budget appropriations and zoning text amendments were introduced for future public hearings. The session also included a retreat discussing council calendars, staffing, and racial equity initiatives.

• Enacted ZTA 23-07 for Bethesda and Silver Spring overlay zones (11-0)
• Enacted Bill 40-23 revising tree canopy and roadside tree fees (11-0)
• Approved minutes from November and December 2023 sessions (9-0, 2 abstentions)
• Withdrawn Bill 35-23 and Bill 34-23 regarding county minimum wage (11-0)
• Adopted resolutions designating entities for non-competitive contract awards
• Adopted resolution confirming appointments to Recreation and Parks Advisory Board
• Approved 2024 Council calendar without objection
• Introduced numerous FY24/FY25 budget appropriations and zoning amendments

Discussion with Delegation from Philippines

The County Council adopted supplemental appropriations for COVID-19 FEMA contract support and fire service personnel costs. The Council also confirmed several appointments to county boards and commissions and introduced multiple transportation and infrastructure projects.

• Adopted $300,000 for COVID-19 FEMA Contract Support (11y)
• Adopted $616,400 for Fire and Rescue Service personnel and operating costs (11y)
• Adopted $516,144 for Senior Care Waitlist Reduction (11y)
• Approved minutes from January 16, 2024 (11y)
• Adopted resolution to approve Executive Regulation #15-23 regarding New Home Builders and Sellers Registration and Warranty
• Confirmed appointments to the Police Accountability Board, Solid Waste Advisory Committee, and Administrative Charging Committee
• Recommended approval with amendment for ZTA 23-08 regarding Transferable Development Rights - Cemetery
• Deferred action on Bill 33-23 regarding Voluntary Registry for Emergency 911 Calls