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Record of Proceedings

Montgomery County Council Meeting – June 9, 2026: Proclamations, Appropriations, and Public Hearings

County Council & Committees — Tuesday, June 9, 2026
BodyMontgomery County, Maryland
SessionCounty Council & Committees
DateTuesday, June 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:59:18

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0:01

Good morning, everyone.

0:03

Today is June 9.

0:04

My name is Nara Lefani Gonzalez.

0:06

Welcome to the County Council session.

0:08

We have two very important proclamations.

0:10

The first one is actually an exciting one.

0:13

And it's a proclamation recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month by Councilmember Laurean Sells.

0:19

If you're here for that proclamation, please come forward.

0:49

It doesn't feel like it's centered properly.

0:57

All right.

0:58

Good morning.

0:59

Good morning, everyone.

1:02

This has been a uh interesting morning back.

1:06

It's been our first day back after being on a recess after finalizing the budget.

1:13

And so you're going to hear from me twice.

1:16

Uh the starting with the Caribbean American Heritage Month Proclamation, followed by our gun violence prevention proclamation.

1:25

And so I want to thank everyone who's here to join us this morning.

1:30

Um I want to quickly give an opportunity for all of my guests to just quickly introduce themselves and the country that they hail from.

1:40

I'm John McKenzie.

1:41

Good morning.

1:42

My family's from Jamaica and Cuba.

1:45

Hi, good morning.

1:46

My name is Kaylor Sims.

1:48

I'm originally from Jamaica, and my business is sit and sweet.

1:52

Hi, good morning.

1:53

I'm Brad Blanken.

1:54

I'm a product of Montgomery County.

1:58

Good morning.

1:59

My name is Lori Williams with uh the Caribbean American Advisory Group, and my family is from Haiti.

2:05

Good morning.

2:06

I'm Orlise King.

2:08

I'm from Jamaica, and I'm with Island Pride Restaurant here in Montgomery County.

2:16

Good morning.

2:16

Um I'm Serge Belgaud.

2:18

I'm from Haiti.

2:19

And the original leader from my mother's side, we are from Benin.

2:27

Good morning.

2:28

I'm Joan Bickford, Island Bright Oasis, and I'm from Jamaica.

2:33

Good morning, everyone.

2:35

I'm Reverend Jamima Davis.

2:37

I represent the Commission on Community Caribbean Initiatives with the um with Governor Moore's office.

2:45

It's good to be here.

2:47

Good morning, everyone.

2:48

I'm Venice Mundel Harvey with Venice Montalharve Insurance.

2:53

And I hail from the beautiful island of Jamaica.

2:59

Good morning.

3:00

My name is Julianne de Souza.

3:02

I'm with Caribbean Caterers.

3:04

I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, but of Barbados and St.

3:08

Lucia parentage.

3:10

Good morning, everyone.

3:11

My name is Leanne Carnegie.

3:13

I hail from the beautiful island of Jamaica as well.

3:16

And I'm just happy to be here.

3:18

Thank you so much for this time.

3:20

Thank you.

3:20

Good morning, everyone.

3:21

My name is Alicia Cunningham, and I represent my parents are from Trinidad and Tobago.

3:27

Good morning, everyone.

3:28

My name is Matt Patterson, and I'm here on behalf of Congresswoman Delightning and a product of Montgomery County as well.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████25%
Procedural███████████████15%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Zoning Regulation█████████9%
Immigration Policy████████8%
Economic Development██████6%
Housing█████5%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Public Health████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Montgomery County Council Meeting – Tuesday, June 9, 2026

The Montgomery County Council convened on June 9, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., recessed at 9:52 a.m., and reconvened at 1:16 p.m., adjourning at 3:06 p.m. Council President Natali Fani-González presided. The meeting opened with two morning proclamations and concluded with an afternoon proclamation. The Council approved multiple supplemental appropriations and conducted public hearings on nine legislative items, with action deferred for later committee worksessions.

Consent Calendar

  • Capital Crescent Trail (Item 1): Adopted Resolution 20-1147 approving Supplemental Appropriation #26-37 of $4,845,000 (GO Bonds) for the Capital Crescent Trail. Motion carried without objection; Councilmember Jawando was temporarily absent.
  • Consent Calendar Items (2A–2F): Approved unanimously (Ms. Balcombe motion; Jawando absent). Included:
    • Receipt and release of OLO Report 2026-10 on Youth Behavioral Health Services in MCPS.
    • Introduction of a resolution to adopt the Tax Supported Fiscal Plan Summary for FY26-31 (GO Committee worksession June 11, 2026).
    • Introduction and adoption of Resolution 20-1148 amending BRT US 29 Phase II (P502201).
    • Introduction and adoption of Resolutions 20-1149 and 20-1150 amending EMS Insurance Reimbursement Program revenue distributions for FY26 and FY27.
    • Introduction of a resolution for a categorical transfer to MCPS FY27 Operating Budget ($3,944,701); action tentatively scheduled June 16, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • On Bill 18-26 (Police – Powers and duties of director – DHS law enforcement agency hiring):
    • Assistant Chief Nicholas Augustine (Montgomery County Department of Police) stated the department has not lowered background standards and is evaluating impacts on recruitment and workload.
    • Esther Wells opposed the bill, arguing it risks constitutional challenges (compelled self-attestation, due process) and high litigation costs—citing previous litigation fees of approximately $900,000. She urged a

Meeting Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today is June 9. My name is Nara Lefani Gonzalez. Welcome to the County Council session. We have two very important proclamations. The first one is actually an exciting one. And it's a proclamation recognizing Caribbean American Heritage Month by Councilmember Laurean Sells. If you're here for that proclamation, please come forward. It doesn't feel like it's centered properly. All right. Good morning. Good morning, everyone. This has been a uh interesting morning back. It's been our first day back after being on a recess after finalizing the budget. And so you're going to hear from me twice. Uh the starting with the Caribbean American Heritage Month Proclamation, followed by our gun violence prevention proclamation. And so I want to thank everyone who's here to join us this morning. Um I want to quickly give an opportunity for all of my guests to just quickly introduce themselves and the country that they hail from. I'm John McKenzie. Good morning. My family's from Jamaica and Cuba. Hi, good morning. My name is Kaylor Sims. I'm originally from Jamaica, and my business is sit and sweet. Hi, good morning. I'm Brad Blanken. I'm a product of Montgomery County. Good morning. My name is Lori Williams with uh the Caribbean American Advisory Group, and my family is from Haiti. Good morning. I'm Orlise King. I'm from Jamaica, and I'm with Island Pride Restaurant here in Montgomery County. Good morning. Um I'm Serge Belgaud. I'm from Haiti. And the original leader from my mother's side, we are from Benin. Good morning. I'm Joan Bickford, Island Bright Oasis, and I'm from Jamaica. Good morning, everyone. I'm Reverend Jamima Davis. I represent the Commission on Community Caribbean Initiatives with the um with Governor Moore's office. It's good to be here. Good morning, everyone. I'm Venice Mundel Harvey with Venice Montalharve Insurance. And I hail from the beautiful island of Jamaica. Good morning. My name is Julianne de Souza. I'm with Caribbean Caterers. I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, but of Barbados and St. Lucia parentage.

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