Prince George's County Council Meeting - October 20, 2026

The Prince George's County Council convened on October 20, 2026, for Legislative Day No. 35. The lengthy session was dominated by a detailed briefing on the Joan's House and District 8 community programs, followed by a briefing on a county-owned grocery store feasibility study. The Council adopted several key resolutions, including the utility shut-off moratorium, the Own the Block initiative, and the Local Impact Grant Funds multi-year plan. A major debate occurred over the fee schedule for the Permanent Rent Stabilization Program, resulting in an amended fee of $200 per unit.

Consent Calendar

• Approved County Council minutes from October 13, 2026.
• Introduced and referred three resolutions to the Committee of the Whole (COW): CR-110-2026 (Fort Washington Sustainable Community), CR-111-2026 (Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Health), and CR-112-2026 (WSSC Spending Affordability Limits). The consent agenda was adopted 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• District 8 Program Support (Morning): Dozens of District 8 residents, students, and parents spoke in full support of the Joan's House and Student Leadership Academy (SLA) programs. Speakers detailed the programs' impact on academic performance (including a student whose GPA rose from under a 2.0 to a 4.06), job placement, and senior services, urging the Council to continue funding and warning against what they perceived as politically motivated audits. Councilmember Ivey expressed strong support, calling the SLA a "model" for other districts.
• Weeds & Conservation Landscaping (CB-064): No speakers registered.
• Rent Stabilization Fees (CR-073): Hugo Cantu, representing the Apartment and Office Building Association (AOBA), opposed the proposed $250 per unit fee, arguing it would disincentivize investment. He proposed a $50 fee instead.
• Contract Approval - State's Attorney (CR-099): A representative from the State's Attorney's Office spoke in support, stating the discovery management system is crucial for fair and just outcomes.
• Water & Sewer Plan (CR-097): Leo Brusso spoke on an application for 7809 Chrome Road, requesting advancement from category 5 to 4 for a subdivision.
• Local Impact Grant Funds (CR-091): Several speakers supported the multi-year plan. Mel Johnson (Storehouse) emphasized the need for food distribution. Lamont Green (Local Development Council) highlighted the broad community impact. Beth Jacobson and Nadine Evans stressed the success of foreclosure prevention efforts, stating no client who reached out timely has lost their home.

Discussion Items

• Joan's House and Center for Nonprofit Advancement Briefing: Councilmember Burroughs led a detailed accountability briefing to substantiate the outcomes of District 8 programs. Key presenters included Brianna Boston (Interim ED, Joan's House), Jonathan Harris (SLA Director), and Brianna Capuano (Jobs Program Director).
  • Program Results: The organization reported 739 home security camera installations, 900 senior lawn care participants, 145 scholarships awarded, and over 450 students confirmed in the SLA. The Youth Jobs Program reported 167 youth hired through 65 employer partners, with $878,000 paid in wages.
  • Accountability Measures: Burroughs collected and submitted physical documentation, rosters, geotagged photos, payroll reports, and employer agreements to the clerk. He contrasted the program's success with the county's own camera rebate program, where $250,000 was allocated but $0 spent.
  • Independent Oversight: Glenn O'Gilvie (CEO, Center for Nonprofit Advancement) confirmed they are conducting a review and have so far found nothing giving them pause regarding the County funds received by Jones House.
• County-Owned Grocery Store Feasibility Briefing: Arian Albear (Director of Legislative Impact) presented findings from a study initiated by Council Chair Oriadha. The study recommends exploring a targeted pilot program using a public-private partnership model (similar to New York City's), rather than a fully county-owned and operated store. The next step is to form an internal task force to assess community needs, sites, and costs.

Key Outcomes

• CR-081-2026 (Utility Shut-Off Moratorium): Adopted 7-0. Requests the Maryland Public Service Commission to impose a moratorium for low-income, senior, and medically vulnerable households.
• CR-084-2026 (Own the Block Education Initiative): Adopted 7-0. Directs the EDC to develop a commercial real estate education program for residents.
• CB-064-2026 (Weeds & Conservation Landscaping): Enacted 7-0. Updates definitions and provides for voluntary registration of conservation landscaping.
• CR-073-2026 (Rent Stabilization Fees): Adopted 8-0 after an amendment (7-1). The fee schedule was amended from $250 per unit to $200 per unit for both application and approval.
• CR-096-2026 (Emergency Communication/Public Safety Equipment): Adopted 7-0. Approves a $120 million multi-year financing agreement.
• CR-099-2026 (State's Attorney Discovery System): Adopted 7-0. Approves a $2 million multi-year contract.
• CR-102-2026 (Snow/Ice & Transportation Contracts): Adopted 7-0.
• CR-091-2026 (Local Impact Grant Fund Multi-Year Plan): Adopted 9-0 after a technical amendment. Approves the FY2027-2029 spending plan for MGM/VLT funds.
• CR-110-2026 (Fort Washington Sustainable Community): Adopted 6-0.
• CR-111-2026 (Alzheimer's Disease & Brain Health): Adopted 6-0.
• CR-112-2026 (WSSC Spending Affordability Limits): Adopted 6-0.
• CR-113-2026 / CR-114-2026 (Port Towns Sector Plan & SMA): Rules suspended (9-0), resolutions adopted 9-0.
• Executive Session: Motion carried 6-0 to convene an executive session to discuss the Office of the County Auditor.