Fireworks on the Fourth in Germantown and Kensington

Montgomery County will again host two Independence Day fireworks displays on July 4 -- Germantown Glory at the SoccerPlex in the South Germantown Recreational Park, 18041 Central Park Circle, Boyds and Mid-County Sparkles at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Road, Kensington. Both fireworks displays will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Germantown Glory will kick off at 7 p.m. with a concert by Bobby and the Believers. To reach the South Germantown Recreational Park from I-270, take exit 15B (Route 118 south) toward Germantown; go for 2.8 miles and turn right onto Richter Farm Road. Go one mile and turn left onto Schaeffer Road. The park entrance is 0.3 miles on the right. Ample, free parking is available.

Mid-County Sparkles activities begin at 7:30 p.m. with a concert by Quiet Fire Soul. Since there will be no on-site parking at the school or at adjacent properties, except for handicapped parking, shuttle buses will pick up passengers, beginning at 6:15 p.m., at Westfield Wheaton Metro Parking Garage adjacent to the JC Penney Department Store. Overflow parking will be available in the south parking lot by Penney’s.

Low lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are welcome at both events. Food vendors will be on site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. The rain date for fireworks only is July 5. No shuttle service will be available on the 5th.

For more information, call 240-777-6821 or go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec.

 

Zoning Code Rewrite Session 1

Tomorrow the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee will hold its first worksession on the Zoning Code Rewrite. Our agenda for this meeting:

Zoning Rewrite Overview
Preliminary Implementation
Agricultural Zone (AR)

If you would like to follow along, you can get the staff memorandum on Wednesdays before each Friday meeting online. Our meetings are open to public and televised live on County Cable Montgomery. You can also watch recordings of the meeting on demand on our Web site.

At the end of each worksession, staff will orally summarize the Committee's recommendations. Each subsequent staff memorandum will start with a written summary of the Committee's recommendations from the previous meeting.

I want to say thanks to the 50 speakers who came to the public hearing on June 11 as well as those who have written to us. This input helps us make the rewrite better.

Public Meetings on Bikeshare June 24, 25 and 26

Our Department of Transportation will host three public meetings in June on the extension of the Capital Bikeshare program into Montgomery County. Bikesharing allows travelers to rent a bike from on-street stations and drop it off at other stations within the bikeshare network. The meetings will focus on selected urban centers of Montgomery County where bikesharing stations will be installed in late summer 2013.

Information on bikesharing throughout the County will be available at each of the following meetings:

~  Bikeshare in Bethesda and Friendship Heights: June 24 -- 7 - 9 p.m.  Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor La., 2nd Floor, Bethesda;

~  Bikeshare in Silver Spring and Takoma Park: June 25 -- 7 - 9 p.m.  Fire Station 1, 8110 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor, Silver Spring; and

~  Bikeshare in Rockville, Shady Grove and the Life Sciences Center: June 26 -- 7 - 9 p.m.  Executive Office Building Lobby Auditorium, 101 Monroe St., Rockville.

At the meetings, residents or employees in the County can learn how the bikeshare system currently works in the District of Columbia, Arlington, and Alexandria and how it will operate in Montgomery County. They will be able to review proposed Bikeshare Station locations in the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Rockville, Shady Grove and Life Sciences Center neighborhoods.

MCDOT staff will be available to explain how lower income people commuting, working or completing job training in the Rockville, Shady Grove and Life Sciences Center areas may qualify for free membership in Capital Bikeshare and free bicycle training and route planning. A Federal Grant provides the bulk of the funding for the portion of the Montgomery Bikeshare Network in the Rockville, Shady Grove and Life Sciences Center selected areas.  MCDOT will provide updates on the implementation schedule and answer questions about the new transportation option.

For information on the public meetings, contact Margie Boumel at 240-777-7170. For more information on bikeshare in Montgomery County, visit the new bikeshare website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/bikeshare.

Flash Flood Safety Tips

Just a few days into Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Andrea is expected to impact much of the Atlantic coast and bring heavy rains to our area over the next 24 hours. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Montgomery County until Friday evening and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials are monitoring the weather and urging County residents to be alert to changing weather conditions and prepared for possible flash flooding as the storm system moves through the area.

When it rains heavily, there may be flash floods, flood warnings and flood watches issued. Flash floods more often occur in mountain streams, hilly areas or low-lying areas. But they do happen in urban and suburban areas like Montgomery County, as well. Flash floods can occur even though it's not raining where you are. It may be raining hard farther upstream and raining so hard that the water can not be absorbed into the ground.

Safety Tips:

 

If a flash flood warning is issued, act immediately. Don't wait for high water to dictate your course of action.

 

Know your location when you are driving. If you needed rescue, would you be able to direct emergency crews to your location?  Distracted driving can lead to a situation where you are stranded and unable to direct emergency crews to you.  Be alert!

 

Never drive through a flooded road or bridge. Back up and try a different route. In many cases, it takes far less than a foot of water to incapacitate a vehicle.  It may stall, leaving you stranded, and depending on the level of water, you may not be able to open a vehicle door.  Do not underestimate the power of moving water.

 

Stay on high ground. If your car is trapped, get out if you can safety do so. Move to higher ground. If you're driving through a hilly area or place that is subject to flooding along a stream and hear a flash flood warning, go to high ground – never try to outrun a flash flood.

 

Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road. Never drive where water is over bridges or roads. Turn around. The bridges or the road could suddenly be washed out.  If you're driving at night be especially careful. Often visibility is limited due to wind and rain. If you should drive into water, don't try to drive out of it. Get out of the car and safely return to higher ground.

 

Often what you can't see below the surface of the water is far more dangerous than the high levels of that water. Remember that rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk, wade or swim through flood waters.

 

If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front of you with each step. It can help you determine water levels, the bottom surface and the safest possible way to get to higher ground.

Remember that flash floods can come without warning, and sometimes without weather. Be alert and heed all warnings and recommendations from officials.

From FEMA's website, some further information about driving through flooded roadways:

•  Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

•  A foot of water will float many vehicles.

•  Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups

 

Roads in Montgomery County subject to periodic flooding:

 

Down-County areas:

MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch - N. of White Oak

MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek - S. of Kensington

MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek - Potomac

MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek - Wheaton

MD 586 (Viers Mill Rd) at Rock Creek - S. of Twinbrook Pkwy.

Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park - Kensington-Chevy Chase

Sligo Creek Pkwy - Silver Spring-Takoma Park

 

Up-County areas

MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch - N. of Brookeville

MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Gr. Seneca Creek - N. of Brink Rd.

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Gr. Seneca Creek - W. of Gaithersburg

MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek  - E. of Boyds

MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - W. of Brink

MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake - N. of Boyds

MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Germantown

River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek

Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Brink Rd.

Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek - N. of Gaithersburg

Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River - NE of Brookeville

Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River - E of Olney

Zion Rd at Hawlings River - E. of Laytonsville

Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek - Germantown, west of the soccer complex

Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch - S. of Damascus

Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine

Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine

White’s Ferry Road and River Road - White’s Ferry

Pool Safety Tips

Our fire and rescue officials tell us drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children ages one to four and the third leading cause of death among children. That’s why they are urging us to take proper precautions around the water and to diligently supervise children when they are around any water sources. The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and the Department of Recreation are joining forces to promote these important safety tips:

~ Be attentive.  Research from the National Safe Kid Campaign shows that nearly 9 out of 10 children between the ages of 1 and 14 who drowned were under supervision when they died. How is this possible? Distractions – cell phones, ipads, reading materials, chores and socializing needs to be resisted when you are on “lifeguard duty” watching your child. Be engaged and committed to watching them constantly. The study defined supervision as being in someone’s care, not necessarily in direct line of sight.

~ Learn to swim and never swim alone. One of the best things you can do to stay safe around the water is to learn to swim and to always swim with a buddy. Make sure they know how to tread water, float on their backs and get to the edge of the pool and hang on. Even the most experienced swimmers can become tired or get muscle cramps which might make it difficult to get out of the water safely.

~ Teaching your child how to swim does not mean that your child is “drown-proof.” If you have a pool or are visiting a pool, protect your children by supervising them at all times and being prepared in case of an emergency. Consider designating a adult “water watcher” when children are participating in water activities.

~ Seconds count when it comes to water emergencies. Keep a phone (cell or cordless) by the pool or nearby when engaged in recreational water activities so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.

~ Learn life-saving skills. Know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies. In the time it might take paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could make a difference in saving someone’s life.

~ Avoid relying on inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties” and “noodles” to keep your child safe. These toys are not designed to keep your child safe, can deflate or shift quickly and should never be used as a substitute for supervision. Use only Coast Guard approved flotation devices that your swimmer properly.

~ Lifeguards are an important safety feature but are NOT intended to replace the close supervision of parents or caregivers. Remember, lifeguards are not babysitters.

~ Maintain constant supervision of children around water (bathtubs, pools, ornamental backyard ponds, etc.). Never leave a child unattended in the water or pool area. Don't be distracted by phone calls, chores or conversations. If you leave the pool area, take the child with you. Remember: swim lessons are no substitute for the supervision of children. Formal swimming lessons can help protect young swimmers around the water however constant adult supervision is critical.

~ Diving dangers. Diving injuries can cause permanent spinal damage, injuries and even death. Protect yourself by diving only in designated areas that are known to be safe, such as the deep end, of a supervised pool.

~ Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

~ Know Your Limits. Watch for the “dangerous too’s” . . . too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

~ Water and alcohol don’t mix. Each year, up to half of all adult drownings are linked to alcohol use.

Thanks for Everything, Jed Millard

If you have ever called my office, you probably talked to the charming and professional Jed Millard, and you know what a terriffic asset he has been to my team. I'm thrilled for him (and sad for myself) that he's moving on to the Office of Management and Budget for much-deserved new opportunities beginning next week. I'm going to miss his smiling face every day, but I'm glad he'll have the chance to apply his smarts to new challenges.

Gwen Wright Selected as Planning Director

The Montgomery County Planning Board has selected a new planning director, placing a professional who has held top planning jobs in the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and our own Montgomery County Planning Department at the helm of the county’s 150-member planning department. I look forward to working with Gwen Wright once again beginning July 1.

The Planning Board has been vetting planning director candidates for several months since the departure of its previous director, Rollin Stanley, in May 2012. The search process resulted in a number of qualified candidates who were considered before the Board made its final selection.

Ms. Wright was with the Montgomery County Planning Department from 1987 to 2008, most recently as Acting Director of the Department and prior to that as Chief of Countywide Planning. Currently, she is Chief of the Development Division at the City of Alexandria, Virginia’s Department of Planning and Zoning. She has a degree in Architecture and Architectural History from Yale University. Ms. Wright has been a speaker at the national conferences of the American Planning Association and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a university instructor in planning and zoning and preservation, and a board member of the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions.

As planning director, Ms. Wright will oversee a department responsible for making recommendations to the board on master plans, development applications, forest conservation, historic preservation, and a host of other land-use issues.

Thanks go to Rose Krasnow for her exceptional efforts as Acting Planning Director since Mr. Stanley’s departure. We are extremely grateful for her management expertise, her unfailing professionalism and her willingness to serve in this demanding position.

Montgomery County Hackathon

Montgomery County will bring together residents, software developers and entrepreneurs for a hackathon event on June 1-2 at the Universities of Shady Grove, Building III at 9630 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. The County’s Hack for Change Hackathon will be part of the first annual National Day of Civic Hacking that is designed to leverage the power of public data with the expertise of residents and entrepreneurs in finding technology solutions for the common good. Other agencies hosting civic hacking events on that date include the White House, NASA, the Census Bureau, HHS, FEMA, the National Archives and departments of Labor and Energy.

The Montgomery County event, which is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on June 1, will offer County residents a unique opportunity to get involved and improve community life by developing new applications for smart phones and other devices. Government challenges, potential solutions and desired outcomes will be pitched by County staff to spur ideas for technology solutions, and participants will have an opportunity to pitch their own ideas for new apps that could benefit the public. Participants will select the idea they find most compelling and will form a development team to work on it. Some ideas may have multiple teams and others may have none.

Software development skills are not a requirement for participation. With the exception of County employees who are prohibited from serving on a development team, participants only need to be willing to collaborate with others to create, build and invent solutions using public data to address challenges relevant to the community. That includes students, educators, community members, engineers, technologists, civil servants, scientists, designers and artists.

Each team will develop a solution for the idea they select, and County staff will be available throughout the event to answer questions and provide guidance. At the end of the event, teams will be judged on what they have created.

Meals will be provided, and the event will conclude at 6:30 p.m. on June 2 following team presentations and judging.

Storm Preparedness Tips

June is traditionally the start of hurricane and summer storm season. Take precautions to stay safe, including heeding storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service and taking shelter when appropriate.

A hurricane watch is issued if there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected in a specified area in 24 hours or less. Hurricane conditions include winds of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) or greater, and/or dangerously high tides and waves. Actions to protect life and property should begin immediately when the warning is issued.

Sign up for Alert Montgomery to receive up-to-date information on hurricane watches and warnings and other storms. Alerts can be sent to one or more electronic devices, including cell phones, text pagers and wireless PDAs, along with home and work emails.

Storm Preparedness Tips

• Keep flashlights, battery-powered radios and extra batteries on hand, along with a basic first aid kit, emergency food and water, and a non-electric can opener.

• Listen to the radio or television for weather reports.

• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools; or anchor objects that cannot be brought inside but could be tossed by high winds.

• Clean out gutters.

• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting in anticipation of a power outage. Open the door only when necessary and close quickly. Frozen food in a half-full freezer will remain safe for up to 24 hours, and in a full freezer, up to 48 hours.

• Refrain from putting out trash cans the night before the regular pickup.

During Power Outages

• Use flashlights and battery-powered lanterns for light and battery-powered radios and computers for storm progress reports and information.

• Avoid using candles to prevent the risk of a fire.

Flooding

• In anticipation of possible flooding, residents are encouraged to store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container.

• Avoid areas subject to flooding, including low spots, canals and streams.

• Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road – you can be stranded or trapped. The depth of the water and the condition of the road is not always obvious.

Night Time Safety

• Use extra caution at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers, downed wires and other hazards.

High Winds

• To report downed trees on public property, Montgomery County residents should call 311 (or 240-777-0311 from outside the county or from a cell phone), or file a report. If live wires are involved, the tree is blocking a roadway, the tree is on a structure or if anyone is trapped under a fallen tree, call 911.

• Trees that have fallen on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. The County’s Office of Consumer Protection advises homeowners to deal with established businesses only, and to call Consumer Protection first to check on a business complaint record. Consumer Protection can be reached at 240-777-3636.

Important Utility Numbers and websites

Pepco: 1-877-737-2662, www.pepco.com

BG&E (Baltimore Gas and Electric): 1-877-778-2222 or 1-800-685-0123, www.bge.com  

Potomac Edison (Allegheny Power): 1-800-255-3443, www.firstenergycorp.com  

Washington Gas: 800-752-7520, www.washgas.com  

WSSC: 1-800-828-4002, www.wsscwater.com

Council Passes FY14 Budget

Today we unanimously passed the FY14 budget. Overall, this is a good budget that maintains fiscal responsibility while beginning to restore some of the cuts we had to make over the past four years of the economic downturn. Particularly gratifying is the increase in funding for some very important human services.

This budget includes some long overdue pay increases for our employees who have been sacrificing for several years now. It is only because of their sacrifices that we are in a position today to try to get them back on track, and it is important to put the pay increases in context with everything else that has happened in the last four years.

Employees did not get any raises—no COLAs for four years and no step increases for three years. What’s worse, employee pay actually went down because of furloughs one year and increases in employee contributions to health and retirement benefits for the next two years.

Our employees really have been great throughout the recession, and I’m glad that we finally are able to provide some measure of increased compensation this year. It certainly is overdue and well deserved.

I’m also very pleased that we made economic development and job creation high priorities in this budget. We fully funded the Montgomery Business Development Corporation, which is providing us an invaluable business perspective on growing our local economy. We also added new positions in the Department of Economic Development so that the department can pursue new and innovative job development programs. While it is true we are still operating under constrained circumstances, I think these are responsible decisions to invest in our long-term growth. Only through job creation will our residents and our county as a whole be able to achieve the future we envision.

Also with an eye to helping families and businesses thrive, we decreased the proposed energy tax. While I wish we could eliminate the energy tax increase from FY11 entirely, I’m glad we at least were able to reduce it by 10 percent. Times remain tough for many of our residents and businesses, so any relief we can provide will help.

Last but not least, this budget restores funding for stump removal, which I know will make many residents happy. This program has been on hold for years, and we finally will be able to start addressing the backlog of stumps in county rights-of-way.

I want to thank our Council President, Nancy Navarro, for her leadership throughout the budget process. There were a lot of moving parts this year, and she did a great job managing it all.

For more details on the budget, click here.

Find a Farmers Market Near You

Did you know that the County's diverse agricultural industry's 561 farms and 350 horticultural enterprises produce more than $243 million in economic contribution from agricultural products and operations? The majority of Montgomery County farms are family-run operations, many reaching back several generations, which employ more than 10,000 residents. Of the County's 561 farms, 43 percent are farmed as a primary occupation.

Check out one of the many Montgomery County farmers markets for fresh fruits, vegetables, bedding plants, cut flowers, preserves, herbs, baked goods and more. Each week, farmers markets provide different varieties of products as they come into season.

Holiday Schedule for Memorial Day

~ County Offices – closed

~ Libraries – closed

~ County liquor stores – all retail stores open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

~ Recreation – indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities will be open; administrative offices, senior centers and community recreation centers will be close

~ Montgomery Parks – for holiday operating schedule on Parks’ facilities, including Brookside Gardens, ice rinks, tennis centers, trains and carousels, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.

~ Ride On – Sunday schedule

~ Metrobus – Sunday schedule

~ Metrorail – Sunday schedule

~ TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) – closed

~ Refuse/recycling pickup – no collection*

~ Transfer Station – closed

~ Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free

~ MCPS Administrative Offices – closed

~ State offices and courts – closed

*Collection provided one day later for remainder of week (last collection day is Saturday).

 

My Thoughts on the Tentative Budget Agreement

Today we reached a tentative unanimous agreement on the FY14 budget. Overall, this is a good budget that maintains fiscal responsibility while beginning to restore some of the cuts we had to make over the past four years of the economic downturn. Particularly gratifying is the increase in funding for some very important human services. We will cast our final, formal votes next Thursday.

This budget includes some long overdue pay increases for our employees who have been sacrificing for several years now. It is only because of their sacrifices that we are in a position today to try to get them back on track, and it is important to put the pay increases in context with everything else that has happened in the last four years.

Employees did not get any raises—no COLAs for four years and no step increases for three years. What’s worse, employee pay actually went down because of furloughs one year and increases in employee contributions to health and retirement benefits for the next two years.

Our employees really have been great throughout the recession, and I’m glad that we finally are able to provide some measure of increased compensation this year. It certainly is overdue and well deserved.

I’m also very pleased that we made economic development and job creation high priorities in this budget. We fully funded the Montgomery Business Development Corporation, which is providing us an invaluable business perspective on growing our local economy. We also added new positions in the Department of Economic Development so that the department can pursue new and innovative job development programs. While it is true we are still operating under constrained circumstances, I think these are responsible decisions to invest in our long-term growth. Only through job creation will our residents and our county as a whole be able to achieve the future we envision.

Also with an eye to helping families and businesses thrive, we decreased the proposed energy tax. While I wish we could eliminate the energy tax increase from FY11 entirely, I’m glad we at least were able to reduce it by 10 percent. Times remain tough for many of our residents and businesses, so any relief we can provide will help.

Last but not least, this budget restores funding for stump removal, which I know will make many residents happy. This program has been on hold for years, and we finally will be able to start addressing the backlog of stumps in county rights-of-way.

I want to thank our Council President, Nancy Navarro, for her leadership throughout the budget process. There were a lot of moving parts this year, and she did a great job managing it all.

For more details on the budget, click here.

Apply Now to Commission for Women

Apply by May 17 for one of five spots on the Commission for Women. Three vacancies are for applicants that must be nominated and recommended by an organization within the County whose interests relate to the status of women, and this endorsement should be included with the application. Two of the vacancies are for individuals applying on their own behalf. Three incumbents are eligible to apply for reappointment.The primary responsibility of the 15-member Commission is to advise and counsel the County government on issues of concern to women.

Send your cover letter and resume, along with an endorsement from a women’s organization if applicable, to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20850, or by email to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Public Hearing on the Zoning Code Rewrite

June 11 is your chance to weigh in on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite. After 35 years, the code definitely needs some updating as it has become overly technical, contradictory in some places and difficult to understand. We aim to make the revised version more transparent, clear and consistent. To sign up for the public hearing on June 11 call 240-777-7803.