| _______________________________________________ and in other news... |
__________________
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
_________________
________
PDF documents on this
website can be opened
with Adobe Reader. Click
for free software download
from Adobe.
website can be opened
with Adobe Reader. Click
for free software download
from Adobe.
All images and information (c) 2010-13 Montgomery County Civic Federation (except where noted). All rights reserved.
________________________________________________________________________________
_________
____
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
_________________________________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
Federation News
______________________________
| Reminder: compact fluorescent light bulbs and fluorescent tubes contain a small amount of mercury. Do not dispose of in regular trash, as they will contaminate the landfill. (click to view Dept. of Environmental Protection webpage for Household Hazardous Waste Collection sites and list of retailers that accept used CFLs) |
__________________________________________________
MCCF has a weekly column entitled the "Federation Corner" that is published in The
Montgomery Sentinel newspaper. The Sentinel comes out on Thursdays, and is available at
newsstands and in newsboxes at Metro stations throughout the county. Past columns are
archived on this website (see the 'Federation Corner columns' tab in the menu to the left).
Most recently archived column:
4/25/13 The 2013 Civic Federation Awards winners (click title to view)
Montgomery Sentinel newspaper. The Sentinel comes out on Thursdays, and is available at
newsstands and in newsboxes at Metro stations throughout the county. Past columns are
archived on this website (see the 'Federation Corner columns' tab in the menu to the left).
Most recently archived column:
4/25/13 The 2013 Civic Federation Awards winners (click title to view)
The May 2013 Civic Federation newsletter is now available online.
(click to view latest newsletter)
(click to view latest newsletter)
| Congratulations to those honored at the Montgomery County Civic Federation's 2013 ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET held May 3 at the Golden Bull Grand Cafe in Gaithersburg THE WAYNE GOLDSTEIN AWARD - awarded to an individual or group for outstanding public service to the people of Montgomery County: Steven J. Kanstoroom THE SENTINEL AWARD – awarded to an individual or group who makes a significant contribution to good government at the local level: Montgomery County Taxpayers League THE STAR CUP – awarded to a Civic Federation delegate or committee for outstanding public service to Montgomery County: Virginia Sheard |
Former Inspector General decries "Montgomery County government's culture of secrecy"
In a Washington Post Opinion piece published 9/23/11, former IG Thomas Dagley said "Montgomery County
would benefit from a cultural change that encourages residents and employees to ask tough questions on
difficult issues--and forces leaders to answer." (click to view Washington Post Opinion piece)
In a Washington Post Opinion piece published 9/23/11, former IG Thomas Dagley said "Montgomery County
would benefit from a cultural change that encourages residents and employees to ask tough questions on
difficult issues--and forces leaders to answer." (click to view Washington Post Opinion piece)
County Unveils New Open Government Data Management Website
This site was established in response to the Open Government Act approved by the County Council on
December 11, 2012, which requires all departments and agencies of county government to compile the data
collected or generated by them onto a single publicly available website. The URL for the new website is:
https://data.montgomerycountymd.gov/
This site was established in response to the Open Government Act approved by the County Council on
December 11, 2012, which requires all departments and agencies of county government to compile the data
collected or generated by them onto a single publicly available website. The URL for the new website is:
https://data.montgomerycountymd.gov/
News updates posted on this website (most recent item first)
A more detailed explanation of each item below appears on the webpage for the committee shown--
access via the "Current Issues" button in the menu to the left, then select a committee.
- posted 4/19/13 for Environment (Council approved second of 2 stormwater bills)
- posted 4/7/13 for Environment (officials letter re deer management in county Federal park areas)
- posted 2/5/13 for Planning & Land Use (Council approves Accessory Apartment legislation)
- posted 1/31/13 for Utilities (Governor released (Electricity) Grid Resiliency Task Force Report)
- posted 11/16/12 for Planning & Land Use (Council approves 2012 Subdivision Staging Policy)
- posted 5/20/12 for Planning & Land Use (pipeline list of development projects that have been
approved but are not yet built, compiled March 2012)
- posted 11/25/11 for Planning & Land Use (Oct. 28 Joint Letter from County Executive, Council
President and Planning Board to MD Dept. of Planning on September revised draft of "Plan
Maryland" for future state growth)
- posted 10/31/11 for Planning & Land Use (on 10/27 Planning Board approved 2011 Mobility
Assessment Report [including intersection congestion levels] for transmittal to Council; 10/31
Council T&E Comm. held worksession on the report)
A more detailed explanation of each item below appears on the webpage for the committee shown--
access via the "Current Issues" button in the menu to the left, then select a committee.
- posted 4/19/13 for Environment (Council approved second of 2 stormwater bills)
- posted 4/7/13 for Environment (officials letter re deer management in county Federal park areas)
- posted 2/5/13 for Planning & Land Use (Council approves Accessory Apartment legislation)
- posted 1/31/13 for Utilities (Governor released (Electricity) Grid Resiliency Task Force Report)
- posted 11/16/12 for Planning & Land Use (Council approves 2012 Subdivision Staging Policy)
- posted 5/20/12 for Planning & Land Use (pipeline list of development projects that have been
approved but are not yet built, compiled March 2012)
- posted 11/25/11 for Planning & Land Use (Oct. 28 Joint Letter from County Executive, Council
President and Planning Board to MD Dept. of Planning on September revised draft of "Plan
Maryland" for future state growth)
- posted 10/31/11 for Planning & Land Use (on 10/27 Planning Board approved 2011 Mobility
Assessment Report [including intersection congestion levels] for transmittal to Council; 10/31
Council T&E Comm. held worksession on the report)
Report on Design and Construction Flaws in Silver Spring Transit Center released to public
A report from the contracted inspection team entitled "Silver Spring Transit Center Structural
Evaluation of Superstructure" was submitted to county government on March 15, 2013 and released
to the public on March 19. (click for Dept. of General Services webpage to access report)
A report from the contracted inspection team entitled "Silver Spring Transit Center Structural
Evaluation of Superstructure" was submitted to county government on March 15, 2013 and released
to the public on March 19. (click for Dept. of General Services webpage to access report)
Proposed Countywide Rapid Transit Vehicle (RTV) system updates:
- 11/12/12 County Executive Leggett announces county can't afford proposed bus network (click for Examiner article)
- 11/12/12 County planners consider taking lanes of roadways for buses only (click to view Post article)
- 11/17/12 Leggett requested from Council a $1 million Supplemental Appropriation to county FY13 Capital Budget
for further studies on Rapid Transit systems (click for Examiner article); Council held public hearing on 1/15/13; T&E
Comm. held worksession on 1/17/13--staff packet included breakout of requested expenditures, including $75,000 for
6 months salary to hire a manager to oversee the studies, a new position (click to view Council staff packet); on
1/22/13 Council approved only $500,000--$450,000 to study service planning and integration and transit signal
priority, and $50,000 for initial salary to hire manager (vote 8-1, Councilmember Floreen voting against)
- 11/12/12 County Executive Leggett announces county can't afford proposed bus network (click for Examiner article)
- 11/12/12 County planners consider taking lanes of roadways for buses only (click to view Post article)
- 11/17/12 Leggett requested from Council a $1 million Supplemental Appropriation to county FY13 Capital Budget
for further studies on Rapid Transit systems (click for Examiner article); Council held public hearing on 1/15/13; T&E
Comm. held worksession on 1/17/13--staff packet included breakout of requested expenditures, including $75,000 for
6 months salary to hire a manager to oversee the studies, a new position (click to view Council staff packet); on
1/22/13 Council approved only $500,000--$450,000 to study service planning and integration and transit signal
priority, and $50,000 for initial salary to hire manager (vote 8-1, Councilmember Floreen voting against)
County Executive Leggett initiated effort to streamline building and land development
On 1/20/12, County Executive Isiah Leggett unveiled a cross agency initiative to 'green tape' the county's
development approval and building permit processes, to make it less costly and shorten the time for
developers to get approval for new construction projects. (click to view county press release or to view the
DPS webpage for the initiative)
- Proposed Executive Regulations approved that affect Dept. of Permitting Services (DPS) application of the
Fire Safety Code (MCER No. 8-12, 9-12, 10-12, and 11-12). Public comments were due by April 30, 2012.
(click to view proposed DPS Executive Regulations)
- The DPS held a public Streamlining Development Round Table on 5/15/12; a series of worksessions took
place 5/29/12. (click to view email announcing Round Table or upcoming meetings of work groups)
- On 11/27/12 DPS held a Streamlining Development Briefing to update public on the initiative. (click to view
Draft Streamlining Initiative Results)
- In April 2013 a Streamlining Development Executive Committee comprised of government officials and
stakeholders, including the MCCF, was created to oversee implementation of the recommended changes..
12/25/12 Examiner article-"Montgomery County lawmaker pushes 'secret' contract with consultant"
According to this Examiner story, Valerie Ervin has been lobbying her fellow Council members to award a
$1.3m contract to a developer consultant of her choice, to help in streamlining the development approval
process (click to view Examiner article)
1/3/13 Examiner article-"MontCo lawmaker denies 'secret' contract"
In this follow-up Examiner story, Ervin denies she is pushing the $1.3m no-bid contract and says there is
nothing secret about it. But according to a copy of the plan created by the proposed consultant the
document is intended only for the County Council--not the public--unless "a contract is awarded to this offer."
(click to view follow-up Examiner article)
1/4/13 Examiner article-"Union wants Montgomery County planning contract investigated"
MCGEO, the County government employees' union, has called for an investigation of Ervin's push for a
"single source, no-bid contract that would streamline the county's planning processes." (click to view article)
Parents Coalition blogspot posts copy of consultant proposal; says Ervin claims it's not secret
Claiming Ervin states it's not a secret, the Parents Coalition of Montgomery County has posted a copy of the
consultant proposal to streamline development approval. In the plan, the proposed contractor, The Clearing,
includes as a reference their contract to improve the planning process in Calgary, Canada, where Rollin
Stanley is now Planning Director. (click to view consultant's proposal)
On 1/20/12, County Executive Isiah Leggett unveiled a cross agency initiative to 'green tape' the county's
development approval and building permit processes, to make it less costly and shorten the time for
developers to get approval for new construction projects. (click to view county press release or to view the
DPS webpage for the initiative)
- Proposed Executive Regulations approved that affect Dept. of Permitting Services (DPS) application of the
Fire Safety Code (MCER No. 8-12, 9-12, 10-12, and 11-12). Public comments were due by April 30, 2012.
(click to view proposed DPS Executive Regulations)
- The DPS held a public Streamlining Development Round Table on 5/15/12; a series of worksessions took
place 5/29/12. (click to view email announcing Round Table or upcoming meetings of work groups)
- On 11/27/12 DPS held a Streamlining Development Briefing to update public on the initiative. (click to view
Draft Streamlining Initiative Results)
- In April 2013 a Streamlining Development Executive Committee comprised of government officials and
stakeholders, including the MCCF, was created to oversee implementation of the recommended changes..
12/25/12 Examiner article-"Montgomery County lawmaker pushes 'secret' contract with consultant"
According to this Examiner story, Valerie Ervin has been lobbying her fellow Council members to award a
$1.3m contract to a developer consultant of her choice, to help in streamlining the development approval
process (click to view Examiner article)
1/3/13 Examiner article-"MontCo lawmaker denies 'secret' contract"
In this follow-up Examiner story, Ervin denies she is pushing the $1.3m no-bid contract and says there is
nothing secret about it. But according to a copy of the plan created by the proposed consultant the
document is intended only for the County Council--not the public--unless "a contract is awarded to this offer."
(click to view follow-up Examiner article)
1/4/13 Examiner article-"Union wants Montgomery County planning contract investigated"
MCGEO, the County government employees' union, has called for an investigation of Ervin's push for a
"single source, no-bid contract that would streamline the county's planning processes." (click to view article)
Parents Coalition blogspot posts copy of consultant proposal; says Ervin claims it's not secret
Claiming Ervin states it's not a secret, the Parents Coalition of Montgomery County has posted a copy of the
consultant proposal to streamline development approval. In the plan, the proposed contractor, The Clearing,
includes as a reference their contract to improve the planning process in Calgary, Canada, where Rollin
Stanley is now Planning Director. (click to view consultant's proposal)
Timetable for consideration of FY2014 county budget
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett sponsored five budget forums during the months of January and
February to seek input from residents about fiscal year 2014 operating budget priorities.
The County Executive released his recommended fiscal year 2014 operating budget on March 15 (click for
links to press release and budget). The County Council held several public hearing sessions on April 9, 10 and
11. Council is now holding worksessions on the budget, with final action scheduled for May 23.
Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett sponsored five budget forums during the months of January and
February to seek input from residents about fiscal year 2014 operating budget priorities.
The County Executive released his recommended fiscal year 2014 operating budget on March 15 (click for
links to press release and budget). The County Council held several public hearing sessions on April 9, 10 and
11. Council is now holding worksessions on the budget, with final action scheduled for May 23.
| NEXT MCCF MONTHLY MEETING Monday, June 10, 2013 7:45 p.m. County Council Building - 1st Floor Auditorium 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland Program: Proposed process for implementing the new zoning code, when approved Speaker: Jeff Zyontz, County Council Legislative Attorney |
Zoning Ordinance Revision Project - tentative schedule for 2013
The Planning Board continues to work on the Zoning Revision Project, which is modernizing and updating the
county's zoning code. It held final worksessions in February to consider definitions, parking and other outstanding
issues. The Board is now undertaking an implementation review to evaluate and make recommendations on applying
zone changes, primarily in non-residential areas. Implementation review will occur weekly at the Board, with a goal of
transmitting both the draft revised code and implementation recommendations to the County Council in May.
The Council Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee (PHED) will receive an update on the Project
on April 5 (at 9:30 am). The Council public hearing on the new zoning code is tentatively scheduled for the week of
June 10, with PHED worksessions taking place weekly through the end of July 2013.
- On 4/5/13 Council PHED Committee received briefing on status of Zoning Code Rewrite project.
- On 4/23/13 Planning Board held final public hearing on draft of new Zoning Code, followed by clean-up
worksession prior to transmittal to County Council. Board continued work on process to implement new Code, when
approved.
- On 5/7/13, ZTA 13-04 (proposed new Zoning Code) and G-956 (District Map Amendment) introduced in County
Council. public hearing scheduled for June 11 at 7:30 p.m.
[In May 2013 staff posted the recommended new zoning code the Board transmitted to Council--click for link to the
Planning Board Approved Draft --NOTE: existing area Overlay Zones are contained in "59-4. Euclidian zoning"]
The Planning Board continues to work on the Zoning Revision Project, which is modernizing and updating the
county's zoning code. It held final worksessions in February to consider definitions, parking and other outstanding
issues. The Board is now undertaking an implementation review to evaluate and make recommendations on applying
zone changes, primarily in non-residential areas. Implementation review will occur weekly at the Board, with a goal of
transmitting both the draft revised code and implementation recommendations to the County Council in May.
The Council Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee (PHED) will receive an update on the Project
on April 5 (at 9:30 am). The Council public hearing on the new zoning code is tentatively scheduled for the week of
June 10, with PHED worksessions taking place weekly through the end of July 2013.
- On 4/5/13 Council PHED Committee received briefing on status of Zoning Code Rewrite project.
- On 4/23/13 Planning Board held final public hearing on draft of new Zoning Code, followed by clean-up
worksession prior to transmittal to County Council. Board continued work on process to implement new Code, when
approved.
- On 5/7/13, ZTA 13-04 (proposed new Zoning Code) and G-956 (District Map Amendment) introduced in County
Council. public hearing scheduled for June 11 at 7:30 p.m.
[In May 2013 staff posted the recommended new zoning code the Board transmitted to Council--click for link to the
Planning Board Approved Draft --NOTE: existing area Overlay Zones are contained in "59-4. Euclidian zoning"]