Neighbors:
As we enter this new year, I trust and hope you had an opportunity to spend time with your loved ones over the recent holidays. The Council is back in session this Tuesday, and we have a lot of important work ahead of us.
But before we get into Council work, I would like to share my deepest sympathy with the family, colleagues, and friends of Montgomery County Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins, who passed away while protecting others in the line of duty on January 11. Master Fighter Higgins devoted more than 22 years of his life to protecting our community. He was a true hero.
I also wanted to share a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to explore the vital world of fire and rescue operations in Montgomery County. Together with the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, I am hosting a unique day of engagement and camaraderie on Saturday, January 18. This exciting opportunity allows students to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours while gaining firsthand knowledge about station maintenance, life-saving techniques, and the critical role firefighters play in protecting our community. The day will conclude with a shared lunch between students and firefighters. Don’t miss this incredible experience!
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, 2400 Arcola Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
RSVP by Thursday to Councilmember.Fani-Gonzalez@montgomerycountymd.gov
Uplifting Victims and Immigrant Safety Act
In November, Councilmembers Glass, Luedtke and I introduced the Uplifting Victims and Immigrant Safety Act (U VISA). The U VISA Act strengthens the County’s commitment to protecting the safety of victims of crime and those who assist police in solving crimes. It does this by removing the arbitrary 10 year statute of limitations on the ability of County Police to assist potential applicants with the U visa process. The U visa grants legal status to victims of violent crimes — such as sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence — who assist law enforcement with the investigation of these crimes. Federal and state law currently have no statute of limitation.
Montgomery County is a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds. But as we anticipate likely changes to federal immigration policy, we have to be proactive in protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. This legislation assists victims of crimes and those that help solve crimes with visa protections. And it helps the police do their jobs better. It’s the right thing to do.
The public hearing for this legislation is on Tuesday, January 14. Read more here.
Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) Legislation
I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of the “Bring Your Own Bag” (BYOB) Bill 24-24, introduced by my colleague Council President Kate Stewart. This bill is a significant step forward in protecting our environment, supporting local businesses, and encouraging sustainable habits across Montgomery County. Together with environmental advocates, community leaders, and retailers, we’ve developed a policy to address plastic waste and create a cleaner, healthier future for our community. The public hearing for this legislation is on Tuesday, January 14.
The BYOB Bill bans single-use plastic carryout bags and updates the county’s current bag tax, initially passed in 2011. The fee on paper carryout bags would increase from five to ten cents, with half of the funds going to retailers and the other half supporting the County’s Water Quality Protection Charge fund. Notably, the bill exempts recipients of food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC, ensuring the policy remains fair and equitable. This bill strengthens the carryout bag program by addressing key recommendations from a recent Inspector General report to maximize its impact.
This bill also has certain exceptions, including: a bag used to contain or wrap a perishable item, including meat or fish, or unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods; or a plastic bag provided by a pharmacist that contains a prescription drug; among others stated in the bill.
I support this legislation because plastic waste has no place in our parks, waterways, or public spaces. Encouraging reusable bags is a small, but meaningful step toward reducing litter and protecting our natural environment. I want to thank Council President Stewart for leading this effort, and I’m proud to join her and my colleagues in supporting this vital step toward a sustainable Montgomery County.
Essential Water Use Only issued for all WSSC water customers
The WSSC service area is experiencing a significant amount of leaks/breaks due to the recent cold temperatures, which is impacting water pressure and WSSC’s ability to deliver water. While the water is currently safe to drink and use, we desperately want to avoid a Boil Water Advisory or worse outcomes.
That is why WSSC is asking all customers to conserve water and only use it for the most essential tasks. And if you suspect a water main break/leak, call 301-206-4002.
Winter Snow Reminder
If you experience issues with snow removal, please visit the County Snow Portal or call 311. You can also reach out to my office at Councilmember.Fani-Gonzalez@montgomerycountymd.gov for assistance.
Remember the vital role we all play in clearing sidewalks and pathways to ensure pedestrian safety, especially for seniors, children, and those with disabilities. Additionally, take a moment to clear the areas around fire hydrants to help our first responders in case of emergencies. Let’s keep District 6 safe and accessible this winter!
February 24 Restaurant Town Hall
Please join me for a town hall designed to help restaurant owners and managers navigate Maryland’s food facility regulations. This informative event will provide valuable insights and a step-by-step guide to opening and operating a restaurant in Montgomery County.
Date: February 24, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – NOON
Location: M-NCPPC HQs Auditorium, 2425 Reedie Drive, 2nd Floor, Wheaton, MD 20902
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain essential knowledge and resources. RSVP now.
Sports Tourism in MoCo
In July 2024, I led the launching of the Sport Tourism Task Force, which is looking to boost sports tourism and opportunities with an eye towards proposing a new multi-use sports facility in the County. The Task Force has been regularly meeting and is in the midst of launching a feasibility and market demand study, to help inform their deliberations and ultimately their recommendations to the County. More to come soon.
Wheaton Arts & Entertainment Update
In 2023, I shared my strategic vision for the restructured Wheaton Arts and Entertainment (A&E) Board, focusing on creating an independent entity outside of County government to promote economic development and the arts in the Wheaton community. I’m thrilled to announce that in 2024, we achieved this goal! The Wheaton A&E Board of Directors, selected in the fall, made significant progress in establishing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to support the local arts and entertainment scene. As the Board continues to develop this exciting initiative, further updates on the nonprofit’s progress will be shared by the Board in the months ahead. Stay tuned!
ECON and PHP schedules
Council Committees are also back to work. I’m highlighting the schedules of the two committees I serve on: Chair of the Economic Development Committee; and Member of the Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee.
January 27, ECON
FY25 Budget Follow-up: Visit Montgomery
FY25 Budget Follow-up: WorkSource Montgomery
FY25 Budget Follow-up: Department of Permitting Services (DPS)
January 27, PHP
Worksession – Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 24-03, Overlay Zones – Great Seneca Life Sciences (GSLS) Overlay
January 30, ECON
FY25 Budget Follow-up: Business Center and Small Business Support Services NDA
FY25 Budget Follow-up: UM3-Institute for Health Computing (IHC)
FY25 Budget Follow-up: BioHub
Sincerely,
Natali Fani-González
Councilmember, District 6
Chair, Economic Development Committee