The County Council yesterday approved by a 7–2 vote a revised executive order permitting indoor dining in area restaurants, with restrictions. Councilmembers Will Jawando (D-At Large) and Craig Rice (D-District 2) dissented, citing safety issues, the risk of continuing to spread the pandemic and public health experts’ advice against reopening restaurants.
The county’s Planning Board is submitting comments to the County Council that includes a recommendation to expand the area covered by a proposed zoning text amendment to allow duplexes, townhouses, and small multi-family structures, also known as missing middle housing, to be built within a mile of a Metro station.
County Executive Marc Elrich will hold a virtual roundtable discussion next week on the recommendations contained in the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Report released yesterday. Elrich appointed a group of 45 volunteer community members, 35 county representatives, and technical consultants last year. The task force was asked to address social and racial injustices in the county and to make recommendations about how to deliver services more equitably.
The County Council will hold a public hearing and vote next week on a revised executive order proposed yesterday by County Executive Marc Elrich. The council is scheduled to introduce a resolution approving Executive Order No. 19-21, COVID-19 Local Order – Amending and Restating Order later today, as well as introduce a similar resolution in their role as the Board of Health.
Montgomery County Public Libraries will no longer impose or collect late fees for overdue items, according to a press release. Officials will waive all outstanding late fines, allowing customers to resume borrowing materials and using library services.
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation will begin accepting applications for a second round of relief grants for county restaurants on Monday, Feb. 1, the corporation announced. Restaurants, food trucks, caterers, wineries and breweries that did not get a Phase 1 grant are eligible for an award of $10,000 from $4.9 million in state funds the county received.
Montgomery County police are cautioning drivers in the wake of a recent increase in carjackings in the region. So far in January, there have been eight carjackings and one attempt.
The county is now vaccinating residents 75 and older with appointments and will continue providing appointments to those in Priority Group 1B (Tier 1) as the supply of vaccines permits, officials announced today. Only those individuals who have pre-registered online will be provided a link from [email protected] to make an appointment with a county-run vaccine clinic.
The Montgomery County Food Council has launched a survey to gather input from residents regarding 2021 food security initiatives. The survey, which is eight questions long, is intended to help guide the county in how to best serve target communities during and after the pandemic in its programs, policy development and funding priorities.