Summary—PHED/HHS Committee Work Session—Thursday May 6, 2010

Members of the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee (PHED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee met today to discuss several items within the FY11 Operating Budget Recommendations:

Following are a few of the actions taken:

Long Branch Tenant Counseling
--$12,960 will be added to the Reconciliation list for Council deliberation to close the remaining gap in the Long Branch Tenant Counseling Program.

HIF Debt Service and the Revised Tax Supported Fiscal Plan
--$15M in bond funding was approved in the FY11 CIP

Parent Resource Centers
--the PHED Committee agreed to place $48,160 on the reconciliation list.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Discusses County Budget Issues at Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg attended the monthly meeting of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board held at the Long Branch Community Library on Garland Avenue in Silver Spring.

In her remarks to the Board, Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed a broad range of issues including the recently approved FY10 Savings Plan recommended by the County Executive and the FY11 Operating Budget to be transmitted to the County Council next week. She described the range of possible types of cuts that might be recommended by the Executive and commented that the Montgomery County Government would look very different after the County closes its $761 million budget gap.

With regard to Silver Spring issues, Councilmember Trachtenberg discussed the Silver Spring Library, the Sligo Creek Golf Course Task Force Report, the progress of the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza, the Fillmore Project, the Old Blair Auditorium Project, and the Purple Line. In response to questions from Board members she discussed ambulance fees, transit needs, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and ways to increase ground level retail in downtown development.

Before the meeting, Councilmember Trachtenberg toured the Long Branch Community Library and observed the very high demand for computer use by residents in the diverse neighborhood. After the meeting, she had dinner at Samantha’s, a popular restaurant near the intersection of Piney Branch Road and University Boulevard. Alan Bowser, our Chief of Staff and a former member of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, accompanied Councilmember Trachtenberg to the Long Branch event.

Duchy at the Diner – Silver Spring

Today’s “Duchy at the Diner” event at the Tastee Diner in Silver Spring was a huge success. More than 30 people filled a meeting room joining Duchy for coffee, food and informal conversation at the Silver Spring landmark on Cameron Street.

In her remarks to the group, Councilmember Trachtenberg focused on the dire state of the County’s financial situation and its unavoidable impact on the County Executive’s proposed Operating Budget that will be transmitted to the County Council later this month. She reiterated her support for County Executive’s budget priorities—public safety, education, and protecting the most vulnerable.

The question and answer period was wide-ranging and included discussion about the Sligo Creek Golf Course, the Silver Spring Library, Long Branch development, the Family Justice Center, health care, domestic violence, and the County’s budget.

Duchy at the Diner – Silver Spring was the second in a touring series of “diner” events planned throughout Montgomery County.