Montgomery County Council Meets on June 13 at 9 a.m. to Interview Candidates for Director of the Department of Health and Human Services and Director of the Department of Environmental Protection

For Immediate Release: Monday, June 12, 2023

Also on June 13: Council will conduct 14 public hearings, interview Housing Opportunities Commission nominees and vote on a Local Map Amendment to reclassify property in Chevy Chase

The Montgomery County Council will meet on Tuesday, June 13 at 9 a.m. , and the meeting will begin with two proclamation presentations. The first proclamation, presented by Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, commemorates International Day for Countering Hate Speech. The second proclamation presentation, led by Council President Evan Glass, recognizes the 40th Anniversary of Manna Food Center.

The afternoon session will begin with two proclamation presentations. At 1 p.m. , Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles will lead a proclamation celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month. At 1:15 p.m. , Councilmember Will Jawando will lead a proclamation presentation recognizing Juneteenth.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below.

Department of Health and Human Services Director

Interview: At 9:35 a.m. , the Council is scheduled to interview Dr. James Bridgers for the position of director within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The County Executive transmitted the appointment request on May 15, 2023. Dr. Bridgers has served as the acting director of DHHS since February of 2023 and previously served as the chief of public health services.

A vote is tentatively scheduled for June 20.

Department of Environmental Protection Director

Interview: At 10:15 a.m. , the Council is scheduled to interview Jon Monger for the position of director within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The County Executive transmitted the appointment request on May 15, 2023. Mr. Monger is currently the assistant deputy administrator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C.

A vote is tentatively scheduled for June 20.

County Executive’s Nominees to the Housing Opportunities Commission: Jeffrey Merkowitz, Linda Croom, and Robert (Robin) Salomon

Interview: At 3 p.m. , the Council is expected to interview the County Executive’s nominees to the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC). The nominees include Jeffrey Merkowitz, Linda Croom and Robert (Robin) Salomon. The seven-member HOC is a public corporation chartered under Maryland law, which builds, owns, manages and finances housing for people of eligible income.

District Council Session

Hearing Examiner’s report and recommendation on Local Map Amendment (LMA) Application No. H-148 for property located at 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase (Tax Account No. 07-00464946), request rezoning from the R-60 (Residential Detached) Zone to the CRNF 1.5, C-0.25, R-1.25, H-70 (Commercial Residential Neighborhood Floating Zone)

Vote expected: The Council is expected to vote on the hearing examiner’s report and recommendation on Local Map Amendment (LMA) Application No. H-148. If approved, the amendment would reclassify property located at 7100 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase from the existing Residential Detached Zone (R-60) to the Commercial Residential Neighborhood Floating Zone (CRNF-1.5, C-0.25, R-1.25, H-70). The applicant proposes to use the property as a residential care facility with 287 independent living units, 190 assisted living beds and 30 memory care beds. The hearing examiner recommends approval.

Consent Calendar

Each item on the Council’s Consent Calendar can be found on the Council agenda for Tuesday, June 13, which is available on the Council website .

Public Hearings

Unless otherwise noted, the Council will hold the following hybrid public hearings at 1:30 p.m. Residents can visit the Council website to learn about the multiple ways to provide testimony .

Expedited Bill 25-23, Taxation – Development Impact Taxes for Transportation and Public School Improvements – Amendments

Resolution to amend Development Impact Tax Rates for Transportation and Public School

Bill 26-23, Special Capital Improvements Projects – White Flint Fire Station 23

Bill 27-23, Police – Policing Advisory Commission – Repeal

Bill 22-23, Transient Housing – Short-Term Rental License

Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 23-04, Residential Uses – Short-Term Residential Rental

Bill 24-23, Airpark Community Advisory Committee – Established

Amendment to the FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program and Supplemental Appropriation to the FY23 Capital Budget, Montgomery County Public Schools, Technology Modernization, $623,758

Supplemental Appropriation to the FY23 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Public Schools, Title I Part A Grant, $2,863,919

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, FY23 Senator Amoss Fire, Rescue and Ambulance Fund Grant, $1,890,475

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services, Emergency Rental Assistance Program Two, $6,000,000

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions, TEBS Montgomery Connects Digital Equity Broadband Grants, $6,771,332

Supplemental Appropriation 23-106 to the County Government’s FY23 Operating Budget, Department of Health and Human Services, Implement Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant, $967,349

Supplemental Appropriation #23-107 to the FY23 Operating Budget Montgomery County Government Department of Health and Human Services, Ending the HIV Epidemic in Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinics Grant, $450,000

The Council meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html .

Council and committee meetings are streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream .

Release ID: 23-210
Media Contact: 240-777-7805, 240-777-7884