Back In Session
Prince George’s County Council Poised To Take On Challenges Through Covid And Election Season
The Prince George’s County Council officially got back to work last week. The Council faces significant issues during one of the most critical election seasons in a nation’s history, continued efforts regarding the United States Census, supporting the County school system with its fall opening amidst the Covid 19 pandemic and the ongoing struggle to quell the virus among residents.
Councilmembers spent much of the spring and summer months working in communities to address food insecurity issues created by the economic domino effects of Covid 19.
In a lengthy return meeting September 15, the Council agenda addressed a number of significant issues including efforts to secure greater federal and state funding. Click here to view video of the meeting and the subjects discussed and forwarded here.
The council discussed grants in the amount of over $553,000 to the Department of Social Services, Department of Family Services, Department of Public Works and Transportation and Health Department. It seeks the amount of $410,000 to the Office of the State’s Attorney, Department of Family Services, Department of Housing and Community Development and Health Department.
The council maintained continued declaration of emergency Coronavirus status (originally adopted July 7).
County officials updated the Council and residents on the county’s relief efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
The County Council also deliberated upon recycling facility uses, development and mixed-use zones regarding severe flooding in portions of the county.
The Council also discussed a joint letter of support for bringing the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services offices to the county.
According to the agenda, the council recognized a “proposed joint letter to Mr. Dan Matthews, Commissioner, Public Buildings Service, U.S. General Services Administration, expressing strong support for the proposed relocation of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices from Arlington, Virginia and Washington, DC to Prince George’s County.”
And in an interesting quality of life discussion, the Council considered an amendment to a Green Line Metro development plan that would permit a joint public hearing with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in order to receive public testimony regarding ‘Nail Salon’ and ‘Beauty Supply & Accessories Store’ uses within the Southern Green Line Station Area.
