MFP Committee Meeting - Thursday, July 15th - Summary

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Thursday, July 15th at 3:30 pm. The MFP Committee discussed the following agenda items:

• Resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC
• Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics - Ethics Commission - Staff
• Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities
• Executive Regulation 27-09, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments

The MFP Committee approved the resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC. Representatives from RCN and Starpower attended the Committee work session. Councilmember Trachtenberg raised the issue of municipalities with regard to granting the franchise transfer. Council action on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th.

The MFP Committee recommended Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics-Ethics Commission-Staff to full Council for consideration. There was a public hearing on Bill 37-10 on July 13th. All of the speakers spoke in favor of Bill 37-10 which requires that the Ethics Commission staff director is a lawyer authorized to practice in the State of Maryland and that the Ethics Commission may seek guidance from the County Attorney but is not required to do so. Council action on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th.

The MFP Committee recommended Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities to full Council for consideration. Regulation 3-10 is needed to implement Bill 46-09 on a Hiring Preference for People with Disabilities. In addition, the regulation modifies the definition of a veteran for purposes of the hiring preference.

The MFP Committee recommended amended Executive Regulation 27-09 AM, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments to full Council for consideration. This regulation implements a recent decision by the Merit System Protection Board. It states that County regulations apply to employees of the Local Fire and Rescue Departments.

Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.

MFP Committee Meeting on Thursday, July 15th

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, met on Thursday, July 15th at 3:30 pm. The MFP Committee discussed the following agenda items:

• Resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC
• Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics - Ethics Commission - Staff
• Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities
• Executive Regulation 27-09, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments

The MFP Committee approved the resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC. Representatives from RCN and Starpower attended the Committee work session. Councilmember Trachtenberg raised the issue of municipalities with regard to granting the franchise transfer. Council action on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th.

The MFP Committee recommended Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics-Ethics Commission-Staff to full Council for consideration. There was a public hearing on Bill 37-10 on July 13th. All of the speakers spoke in favor of Bill 37-10 which requires that the Ethics Commission staff director is a lawyer authorized to practice in the State of Maryland and that the Ethics Commission may seek guidance from the County Attorney but is not required to do so. Council action on this issue is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th.

The MFP Committee recommended Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities to full Council for consideration. Regulation 3-10 is needed to implement Bill 46-09 on a Hiring Preference for People with Disabilities. In addition, the regulation modifies the definition of a veteran for purposes of the hiring preference.

The MFP Committee recommended amended Executive Regulation 27-09 AM, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments to full Council for consideration. This regulation implements a recent decision by the Merit System Protection Board. It states that County regulations apply to employees of the Local Fire and Rescue Departments.

Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.

MFP Committee to meet on Thursday, July 15

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee, Chaired by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, will meet on Thursday, July 15th at 3:30 pm.

The meeting will be held on the 7th Floor of the County Council Office Building located at 100 Maryland Avenue in Rockville. The MFP Committee will discuss the following agenda items:

• Resolution to approve cable franchise transfer from Starpower Communications, LLC to Yankee Cable Acquisition, LLC
• Expedited Bill 37-10, Ethics - Ethics Commission - Staff
• Executive Regulation 3-10, Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities
• Executive Regulation 27-09AM, General Applicability of Personnel Regulations to Employees of Local Fire and Rescue Departments

Please contact Laurie Mintzer Edberg, Director of Management and Fiscal Policy, at 240-777-7948 (direct dial) or laurie.edberg@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding this MFP session.

Housing Unlimited—Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg’s Remarks at the 15th Anniversary Celebration

Last night, I had the honor of introducing our County Executive Ike Leggett at Housing Unlimited’s 15th Anniversary celebration held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bethesda. Housing Unlimited is dedicated to providing safe, affordable homes throughout Montgomery County for adults with psychiatric disabilities. Over the past 15 years, HUI has provided permanent supported independent housing for nearly 300 Montgomery County residents with psychiatric disabilities. With a waiting list of more than 250 individuals, HUI continues its work to meet the ever-growing need. My remarks from last night’s celebration are presented below.

“It is my distinct pleasure to introduce my colleague and friend, Ike Leggett, tonight.

I can think of no one more deserving of your recognition for Ike has always been a strong advocate for those less fortunate. He truly understands the dignity and hope that a stable and comfortable home setting provides to those challenged by a mental health disability.

As many of you know, my inspiration for mental health advocacy and public service is my adult son, Walter, who suffers from chronic schizophrenia.

A few months back, in one of those rare coherent moments, he and I talked about his aspirations for the future. I asked Walter what he wanted in the years ahead. He responded he wanted a job, a new wardrobe and his own apartment. He said: “Mom, I want to be able to come home and find contentment in my books, my music and in a meal I prepare for myself. I want to go asleep each night knowing I’ll still have my own place the next day and that my home will remain my castle forever.”

That’s the real truth about those afflicted with mental illness. They just want a normal life. They deserve to live their lives with pride and dignity for they should never feel either helpless or hopeless. Ike understands this.

Throughout his entire career, Mr. Leggett, has been, and continues to be, a strong champion for the construction, management and preservation of affordable housing in Montgomery County. One of his first efforts after taking office in 2006 was to significantly raise the funding for the County’s Housing Initiative Fund (HIF) from $18 million to $58 million. The HIF finances the development of low to moderate income housing, special needs and elderly housing in Montgomery County.

Ike created an Affordable Housing Task Force, comprised of housing experts in Montgomery County to create strategies to increase the County’s supply of affordable, special needs and workforce housing. A good number of the 17 recommendations produced by the task force have been implemented.

Ike has increased the annual total affordable housing units produced and preserved to over 2,000 units per year. He created the Short-Term Property Acquisition and Rehabilitation Fund which made $100 million revolving funds available for affordable housing.

These accomplishments speak to his focus on housing and let’s not forget his budgets for FY08, 09, 10 and 11 where he has placed a prioritization on the needs of our most vulnerable, including the mentally ill. And he has done this despite the incredible fiscal climate that we face.

As I said earlier, Ike has been steadfast in his support of affordable housing and our entire community is grateful for his generous spirit, kind heart and consistent leadership. It is with enthusiasm and affection that I ask our County Executive, Ike Leggett, to join me on the stage at this time.”

Health and Human Services Committee – Report on Worksession

The Health and Human Services Committee met yesterday, in the first of several committee worksessions deliberating County Executive Leggett’s funding recommendations for the HHS department and partner organizations. For FY11 the County Executive is recommending an appropriation of $246, 759, 450 for DHHS, which represents an overall reduction of about 8% from the FY10 approved budget.

At this session, the Committee’s discussions examined details representing the proposed 13.7% reduction in HHS Administration and Support Services, and included:

• Transfer of staff to the MC311 Call Center
• Changes in general funding and award dollars to programs and initiatives under the Office of Community Affairs—including general health outreach, several ethnic health programs/initiatives; and an after-school program in Rosemary Hills.

During the session, Councilmember Trachtenberg said “We are in a very challenging period and in a traumatic environment in which we must focus on the delivery of services to the most vulnerable. These are not strangers—they are our neighbors, our friends and our family members.” Councilmember Trachtenberg also expressed concerns about the likely disenfranchisement of those served by mental health and disability service agencies; and additionally joined colleagues in tabling several items for reconciliation.

The details of the proposed budget recommendations can be found in the April 12th Committee packet. A summary of determinations will be made available by Council staff. The Committee will continue its discussions on remaining items for the Department of Health and Human Services at the next committee session on Thursday April 15th at 2PM.

County Council Votes Unanimously for Trachtenberg Amendment to Provide Enhanced Accessibility for the Disabled

Today the Montgomery County Council unanimously approved an amendment proposed by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large) that will provide new housing opportunities for the County’s disabled population.

The “Enhanced Accessibility for the Disabled” amendment introduced by Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Chair of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, and member of the Health and Human Services Committee, was endorsed by the Chair of the Planning Board and the Executive Branch. Trachtenberg’s amendment adds an additional public benefit in the “Diversity of Activities and Uses” category to the new “Commercial/Residential (CR) Zone” passed by the Council today.

Zoning Text Amendment 09-08, creating a new family of Commercial/Residential (CR) Zones, will allow some future redeveloped areas designated in master plans to become more dense mixed-use communities that will encourage residents and businesses to be less dependent on automobiles and more reliant on public transit.

Trachtenberg’s amendment will provide incentives to developers who opt to provide dwelling unit modifications for disabled persons, which will exceed County requirements and satisfy the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A117.1 Residential Type A standards—specifically established for wheelchair-bound individuals; and incorporates larger kitchens and bathrooms for wheelchair turns and lower counter heights to accommodate wheelchair heights.

The County requires compliance with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) guidelines for accessibility for all multi-family buildings and dwellings. All residential multi-family buildings and all units in those buildings must satisfy those standards. The amendment is an addition to the County’s Commercial Residential (CR) Zone, and is one of 28 possible public benefits. If the amendment is adopted for future plans, the Planning Board would then determine the percentage of Type A units necessary to receive density increases.

“Adding enhanced accessibility for disabled persons is a very important public benefit,” says Councilmember Trachtenberg. “Today’s decision by the Council will go a long way in extending equitable access for the disabled community.

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Video: Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg speaks at the signing ceremony of Montgomery County Bill 46-09

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg speaks at the signing ceremony of Montgomery County Bill 46-09, which establishes a hiring preference for veterans and persons with disabilities for a vacant County merit system position if the candidate is among the highest rated candidates in a normal competitive process. The new law alters an existing hiring preference for veterans, giving the same advantage to people with disabilities. It also creates a new classification—veterans with disabilities. The signing took place this morning at the Executive Office Building on Monroe Street in Rockville.

February 2010 Newsletter

Click here to view my February 2010 Newsletter.

Topics in this issue, include:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Montgomery Council Retains Ride On Bus Routes in Approving $70 Million Savings Plan
Reproductive Health Services Report
Crisis Pregnancy Center Regulation
Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill
White Flint + Gaithersburg West Master Plan Updates
Youth Town Hall
In the News
Duchy in the Community
Census 2010
Alert Montgomery
The Family Justice Center
Duchy's Recipe
Stay in Touch
Trachtenberg Staff News
Duchy's Pledge

Photos: Signing of Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg (center) speaks at the signing ceremony of Bill 46-09. She joined County Executive Isiah Leggett (left) and Councilmember Phil Andrews (right), the Bill's chief sponsor in Rockville.

County Executive Isiah Leggett (center) signs Bill 46-09 into law.

 

Trachtenberg Applauds Signing of Disability and Veteran Hiring Bill

Today, Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg celebrated the signing into law of Montgomery County Bill 46-09, which establishes a hiring preference for veterans and persons with disabilities for a vacant County merit system position if the candidate is among the highest rated candidates in a normal competitive process. The new law alters an existing hiring preference for veterans, giving the same advantage to people with disabilities. It also creates a new classification—veterans with disabilities. The signing took place this morning at the Executive Office Building on Monroe Street in Rockville. The room was packed full of leaders from the disability as well as veterans communities. As County Executive Ike Leggett signed the bill into law, the room let out a collective applause to celebrate this momentous and historic step for Montgomery County.

"The is a joyous occasion," said Trachtenberg. "I am thrilled that Bill 46-09 is signed into law for residents of Montgomery County. Now the government and residents of Montgomery County have an opportunity to benefit from the contributions and talents of all of our neighbors, regardless of a disability they might have." Councilmember Trachtenberg also related a conversation between her and her friend Stephanie, a woman with disabilities. She said that Stephanie wanted the opportunity to live just like everyone else. This Bill helps Stephanie as well as others with disabilities to have the same opportunities as well as possibilities to achieve their potential.

Bill 46-09 requires the County Executive to adopt regulations establishing and maintaining a hiring preference for certain qualified persons with disabilities who apply for an initial appointment to a County merit system position. The Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Trachtenberg, recommended amending the bill to place a veteran with a disability first in the order of hiring preference and to give a veteran without a disability and a non-veteran with a disability an equal preference. The law relies on the definition of disabled used in federal hiring programs, not the broader definition used to prevent discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The applicant must have proof of the disability, certification of job readiness, and meet all required qualifications for the position.

Among those attending the ceremony were Councilmember Phil Andrews (D Gaithersburg-Rockville), the measure’s chief sponsor, Chairman of the Commission on Veterans Affairs Bill Gray, and Chair of the Commission on People with Disabilities Mark Maxin. Legislative aide Laurie Edberg attended the ceremony with Councilmember Trachtenberg.

Statement of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg on passage of County Bill 46-09 Establishing A “Hiring Preference” for People With Disabilities

“I am thrilled that the County Council unanimously approved Bill 46-09 to establish this hiring preference for persons with disabilities. Now the government and residents of Montgomery County have an opportunity to benefit from the contributions and talents of all of our neighbors, regardless of a disability they might have.”

The Montgomery County Council today unanimously approved Bill 46-09 establishing a “hiring preference” for the initial appointment of a person with a disability to a vacant County merit system position if the candidate is among the highest rated candidates in a normal competitive process. Councilmember Phil Andrews is the chief sponsor of the legislation, which is believed to be the first local legislation of its type in the United States. Councilmember Vice President Valerie Ervin and Councilmembers Roger Berliner, Nancy Navarro and Duchy Trachtenberg are co-sponsors of the bill. The Council pursued action on the issue following release of a report on the practices of the County government’s hiring of persons with disabilities by the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO).

Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee Meetings Today

The Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) and the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development (PHED) committees are meeting jointly today to discuss financial issues of the White Flint Sector Plan. For more info, click here.

Following this joint meeting, the MFP will meet at 3:30 p.m to discuss Bill 46-09: Hiring Preference for Persons with Disabilities.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg is the chair of the MFP Committee.

Trachtenberg Office Discusses Veterans Issues at Easter Seals in Silver Spring

The Trachtenberg Office discussed veterans issues with representatives of Easter Seals and the Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs.

After a tour of the Easter Seals’ new complex in Silver Spring, meeting participants discussed the critical needs of the County’s veterans and the resources that are available to meet them. There are over 60,000 veterans in the County and, currently, there is no VA-certified community-based outpatient clinic or County veterans service office to address veterans needs.

The Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region has an increasingly robust program to meet the needs of veterans and military families. Among their active programs are an Air force and Navy Respite program and a “Little Warrior” program. This year, East Seals will initiative a program called “Veterans Count,” that will help wounded service members, veterans and their families navigate the multitude of public and private support systems.

The meeting was held at the The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Inter-Generational Center on Spring Street in Silver Spring.

Trachtenberg Chief of Staff Alan Bowser represented our office.

For the website of the Easter Seals Greater Washington-Baltimore Region, click here.

For information on their services for veterans and military families, click here.

Montgomery Council Approves Establishment Of Hiring Priority for People With Disabilities

Bill for Hiring ‘Preference’ to be Drafted; Creation of Special Hiring Authority Referred to Charter Review Commission

ROCKVILLE, Md., November 24, 2009—The Montgomery County Council today unanimously approved moving forward to establish a “hiring preference” that would permit a job candidate with a disability to receive a hiring preference for a vacant County merit system position if the candidate is among the highest rated candidates in a normal competitive process. The Council’s action was based on a review of the County government’s hiring of persons with disabilities by the Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO).

The Council decided to refer to the Charter Review Commission the question of whether to amend the County Charter to allow the Council to create a special “hiring authority” to recruit and hire persons with disabilities into County government merit positions outside of the merit system. The Council asked that the Charter Review Commission to report back to the Council on the proposal by July 1.

“The combined unemployment and under-employment rate for people with disabilities is 70 percent or more,” said Council President Phil Andrews, who requested the report be compiled by the Office of Legislative Oversight. “That is a staggering waste of talent. With today’s landmark action, the Council has unanimously indicated its commitment to substantially expanding employment opportunities in County government for people with disabilities.”

A bill requiring a new County personnel regulation establishing a hiring preference for certain individuals with a disability will be drafted and is scheduled to be introduced before the Council on Dec. 1.

OLO’s report “Hiring Persons with Disabilities: A Review of County Government Practices” was released in 2008. On Nov. 23, the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy (MFP) Committee recommended the actions taken by the Council today.

“The United States has been making considerable progress in improving the hiring of persons with disabilities over the past 20 years,” said Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, who chairs the MFP Committee. “Now, Montgomery County is stepping up to implement some of the most progressive policies in the nation, allowing us to improve the quality of our work staff with highly qualified persons of any ability status.”

If a special authority is established (which would require voter approval of a Charter amendment), it likely would resemble a model used by the federal government known as “Schedule A.” Under that federal hiring program, federal agencies are allowed to directly hire qualified people with specific types of disabilities into vacant positions while bypassing many components of the federal government’s competitive hiring process. In the federal government, a hiring manager may hire a Schedule A applicant without advertising the job. A job applicant can apply for a position directly to the agency rather than through the federal USA Jobs program.

Because a special hiring authority and a hiring preference would be complementary and not duplicative, the MFP Committee suggested the Council pursue both.

Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-777-7939 / Jean Arthur 240-777-7934 / Delphine Harriston 240-777-7931

County Executive's Town Hall Meeting in Silver Spring

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at County Executive Isiah Leggett's Town Hall meeting at the Takoma Park Middle School, in Silver Spring, on November 12, 2009. Previous town meetings have drawn thousands of residents who have taken advantage of the opportunity to voice their concerns to the County Executive.

"Town meetings present an excellent opportunity for me to find out what's on the mind of our residents," said Leggett. "A cornerstone of my administration has been to make sure 'everyone has a seat at the table' and these public meetings provide a forum for our residents to share their ideas and concerns."

At the meeting, the County Executive addressed a broad range of questions including trends in the County budget, maintenance of effort issue, public safety, job creation, improved access for people with disabilities, and growth and development issues. One issue that attracted much public content was youth empowerment and programs for young people in the Silver Spring area.

At this meeting, the County Executive announced that Montgomery County and the Lee Development Group signed a final agreement permitting the construction of a Fillmore Music Hall on the property which formerly housed the J.C. Penney Company in downtown Silver Spring.

The town meeting was videotaped by County Cable 6, the County government channel, for future airing.