Montgomery County Council Meeting – March 17, 2026

The Montgomery County Council met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, from 9:15 a.m. to 2:49 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, Rockville, Maryland. The meeting included a proclamation, approval of minutes, two district council zoning text amendments, a worksession on the FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) covering transportation, environmental, housing, library, economic development, public safety, and WSSCWater projects, a consent calendar, a public hearing on a property disposition, introduction of three bills, and final enactment of four bills. A key procedural motion to schedule the "Unmask ICE Act" for immediate full-council action was defeated.

Proclamation

• Councilmember Glass presented a proclamation recognizing March 17 as National Theatre Day, highlighting the arts sector's $251 million annual economic contribution and over 5,000 jobs in Montgomery County. Representatives from local theaters spoke about upcoming productions and educational programs.

General Business

• Announcements: Clerk Tenenbaum announced public hearings on the FY27 Operating Budget and FY27-32 Public Services Program for April 7–9, 2026, at the Council Office Building. Registration required via website or phone.
• Minutes: Approved the minutes of February 23 and February 24, 2026, without objection (Ms. Mink temporarily absent).

District Council Session (9:35 a.m.)

• ZTA 26-03 (Biohealth Priority Campus – Eligibility): Enacted unanimously (11-0) as recommended by the PHP Committee. Amendment lowered eligibility thresholds and added adaptive reuse of existing space (100,000 sq. ft.). A technical correction updated references from Corridor Cities Transitway to Corridor Connectors. Councilmember Sayles added as co-sponsor.
• ZTA 26-04 (Mixed-Income Housing Community – Eligibility): Enacted unanimously (11-0) as recommended. Removed square footage requirement, increased required units, and added 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) eligibility. Technical amendment included.

Worksession – FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) – Morning Session (9:45 a.m.)

The council conducted straw votes on 15 CIP categories, approving all as recommended by committees, with some amendments. Final action will occur in May 2026.

• Department of Transportation (Chair Glass): Approved with three changes: restored Summit Avenue Extension ($990,000 design in FY27; $22.5M total in FY31-32), added language for Observation Drive Extended (per Clarksburg Sector Plan), and added $14.3M beyond six years for Oak Drive/MD 27 Sidewalk. Councilmember Stewart noted BiPPA projects in Laytonsville area; MCDOT staff explained bridge reconstruction will include shared-use paths.
• Conservation of Natural Resources – Storm Drains: Approved as submitted ($61.9M six-year program, funded by water quality protection bonds).
• Stormwater Management: Approved as submitted ($244.6M six-year program, includes flood management and Wheaton Dam mitigation).
• Recycling and Resource Management: Approved as submitted ($38.4M six-year). Councilmember Stewart expressed concern about the New Organics Processing Facility description tying it solely to the Sugarloaf Citizens Association agreement; requested exploring multiple sites. Councilmember Luedtke requested a copy of the existing agreement with SCA.
• Revenue Authority (Chair Fani-González): Approved including amendments to the Montgomery County Airpark North End Hangar narrative. A joint committee worksession on airport operations planned for fall 2026.
• Community Development and Housing (Chair Friedson): Approved three sub-projects; deferred Affordable Housing Acquisition and Preservation and Revitalization for Troubled Communities until reviewed with the operating budget.
• Culture and Recreation – Public Libraries (Chair Jawando): Approved ($83M six-year, up $8.2M). Councilmember Friedson questioned Chevy Chase Library redevelopment; DGS Director Dice confirmed housing on site parking lot after library refurbishment (including ADA). Friedson requested public disclosure of housing yield, affordability levels, and cost analysis.
• General Government – Economic Development (Chair Fani-González): Approved three projects: Institute for Health and Computing (new building, North Bethesda Metro), North Bethesda Metro Station Area redevelopment ($11.6M), and White Oak Science Gateway (funded by TIF).

Motion on Bill 5-26 (Unmask ICE Act)

Councilmember Jawando moved under Rule 5(e) to add a worksession and action on Bill 5-26 (Police – Mask or Facial Coverings Prohibited) to the March 24 Council agenda. After extensive debate (11:13 a.m. recess), the motion was defeated 4-7 (Friedson, Jawando, Sayles, Mink in favor; Fani-González, Luedtke, Stewart, Glass, Katz, Evans, Balcombe opposed). The bill remains scheduled for the Public Safety Committee on April 17, 2026. Multiple councilmembers expressed support for the legislation but opposed bypassing committee process.

Consent Calendar (11:45 a.m.)

Approved unanimously (11-0):

• Acknowledged receipt of three Inspector General publications (Work Plan, MCPD invoice investigation, MCPS invoice investigation).
• Introduced resolution for abandonment of public right-of-way at 2nd Avenue and Fenwick Lane (AB 758); TE worksession to be scheduled.
• Introduced resolution for abandonment of public alley behind Bayard Boulevard (AB 782); action set for March 24, 2026.
• Adopted Resolution 20-1065: Supplemental Appropriation #26-50 for Stormwater Management Retrofit ($11,327,000, long-term financing).
• Adopted Resolution 20-1066: Confirmed appointments to Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (Sara Tennen, Michelle Maxberry, River Paganini).

Public Hearing and Action – Property Disposition (1:30 p.m.)

• Executive Order #208-25: Disposition of Wheaton MNCPPC Headquarters Retail property. Public hearing held and record closed. Adopted Resolution 20-1067 (10-0; Balcombe temporary absent).

Legislative Session – Day #7 (1:30 p.m.)

Bills for Introduction:

• Bill 15-26 (Taxation – Property Tax Credits – Habitat for Humanity Rehabilitations): Introduced by Friedson. Would waive property taxes on Habitat for Humanity homes during construction. Councilmembers Glass, Jawando, Mink, Katz added as co-sponsors. Public hearing to be scheduled.
• Expedited Bill 16-26 (Consumer Protection – Financial Exploitation Protection Act): Introduced by Stewart. Prohibits deceptive trade practices targeting vulnerable adults (age 68+) and permits voluntary mediation by Office of Consumer Protection. Councilmembers Katz, Mink, Jawando added as co-sponsors. Public hearing to be scheduled.
• Bill 17-26 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic – Speed Monitoring Systems Authorized – Amendments): Introduced by Council President at request of County Executive. Authorizes speed cameras in school zones (20 mph) and on highways identified in Vision Zero plans. Councilmembers Luedtke, Jawando added as co-sponsors. Public hearing to be scheduled.

Call of Bills for Final Reading:

• Bill 28-24 (Employees’ Retirement System – Administration – Powers and Duties): Enacted as amended (10-0; Balcombe absent). Shifts authority for selecting actuary and setting actuarial assumptions from Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to Board of Investment Trustees (BIT). Also gives BIT authority to hire/fire Executive Director (under merit system). Defeated County Executive’s amendments to retain status quo. Technical amendment clarified CRHBT board’s role on assumed rate of return.
• Bill 2-26 (Taxation – Fuel-Energy Tax – Green Bank – Amendments): Enacted (10-0). Allows Montgomery County Green Bank to use fuel-energy tax revenue for resiliency activities (in addition to clean energy). Councilmember Sayles withdrew amendment for annual updates; existing law already requires annual report.
• Expedited Bill 6-26 (Fire and Rescue – EMS Insurance Reimbursement – Use of Revenues): Enacted (10-0). Permits distribution of EMST funds to Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (as LFRD representative) for specific uses; maintains 15% allocation to LFRDs.
• Expedited Bill 11-26 (Fire and Rescue – LOSAP for Volunteers – Amendments): Enacted as amended (10-0). Increases length-of-service award payments by two 4% increases (retroactive to July 2024 and July 2025); expedited effective date included.

Worksession – FY27-32 CIP (continued) – Afternoon Session (2:20 p.m.)

• Judicial Security Improvements: Approved ($98,000 total; phase 2 security doors in Circuit Court North Tower). PS Committee recommended 2-0 (Mink absent).
• Police: Approved as recommended by PS Committee (10-0; Glass temporarily absent). Three new projects: Records Management System ($1.7M), Body Armor ($4.4M for 1,346 sets), and 4th District Police Station ($40M, standalone reconstruction on current site). Postponed discussion on 4D station per County Executive amendment. Olney Satellite Station status changed to "active."
• Correction and Rehabilitation: Approved as amended (10-0; Glass absent). Councilmember Evans motion to include racial equity considerations for Diversion Centers was supported without objection. Projects: New Justice Center ($104.6M) and Correctional Facility Refresh ($800,000).
• WSSCWater: Approved as recommended by TE Committee, including mid-cycle update (10-0; Glass absent). Staff reported 1,934 water main breaks from July 1 to March 12, 2026 (1,456 in winter). WSSCWater CFO noted Potomac Interceptor repair cost responsibility with DC Water; federal funding may offset WSSC’s share. Councilmember Glass motion to approve mid-cycle update passed.

Key Outcomes

• ZTA 26-03 and 26-04 enacted unanimously, expanding expedited approval for biohealth and mixed-income housing projects.
• Motion to fast-track Unmask ICE Act (Bill 5-26) defeated 4-7; bill remains in Public Safety Committee for April 17, 2026.
• Four bills enacted: Bill 28-24 (retirement system governance), Bill 2-26 (Green Bank resilience), Expedited Bills 6-26 and 11-26 (fire/EMS funding and volunteer LOSAP increases).
• CIP worksessions approved 13 categories (some with amendments) as straw votes; final adoption in May 2026.
• Public hearing on Wheaton property disposition held and resolution adopted.
• Three new bills introduced (Habitat for Humanity tax credit, financial exploitation protection, speed camera expansion); public hearings to be scheduled.
• Consent calendar approved including Inspector General report acknowledgements and two right-of-way abandonment introductions.
• The meeting adjourned at 2:49 p.m.