Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has lent his support to a County Council request that the state extend the alcohol delivery and carryout provisions allowed during the COVID-19 emergency. The council made the request, which was signed by all nine councilmembers, in a May 22 letter to Franchot (D) and Gov. Larry Hogan (R).
The County Council looking for applicants to fill its positions on the Policing Advisory Commission created late last year. The commission’s 13 members would be charged with improving council oversight of the county’s police department. In addition, it’s intended to increase the community’s trust in police.
COVID-19 restrictions will force area pools to miss the traditional Memorial Day weekend opening. The order applies to all county-operated pools as well as those run by apartments and condominium buildings, homeowner associations and private swim clubs.
County Executive Marc Elrich will issue an order today extending the county’s stay-at-home restrictions indefinitely, while Gov. Larry Hogan eases statewide constraints. The governor announced earlier this week that the state would begin stage one of a recovery that changes the order from “stay at home” to “safer at home.” The order will be effective at 5 p.m. today, Friday, May 15.
Montgomery Parks announced that some park amenities would reopen beginning today, May 7. The facilities that will reopen include all outdoor tennis courts.
The County Council continues to propose and appropriate funding to provide various forms of assistance to county residents during the COVID-19 emergency. The council yesterday unanimously approved a special appropriation of $2 million to be used for emergency eviction prevention and housing stabilization programs via a short-term rental subsidy program to low- and moderate-income households.
The county has launched a new Family Violence Awareness and Prevention Campaign to focus on the available help for victims of such actions during the COVID-19 emergency. “Our community is weathering an unprecedented pandemic. With that may come added stress and anxiety,” said Police Chief Marcus Jones. “This in turn is contributing to the potential victimization of some of our most vulnerable populations, including our elderly and our children.”
The County Council voted to limit residential rent increases during the COVID-19 health emergency and for 180 days after the emergency’s expiration. Expedited Bill 18-20, the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, prohibits landlords from increasing rents on lease renewals more than the county’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ rent guidelines of 2.6 percent.
The county will stop accepting applications to a program created to provide funding assistance to business during the COVID-19 emergency. Applications to the Public Health Emergency Grant program will no longer be taken after 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25.