Capital Improvements Program Public Forum

NOTICE

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

A CHANCE LIKE THIS ONLY HAPPENS ONCE EVERY 2 YEARS!

Joint Public Forum on THE Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Parks and Recreation

The Montgomery County Planning Board and the Montgomery County Recreation Advisory Boards are accepting public input on future capital improvement projects (CIP) for parks and recreation facilities for fiscal years 2013-2018. The CIP for the Department of Parks includes proposals for parkland acquisition, renovation of older park facilities, and new park development. The Recreation Department’s CIP includes proposals for construction and renovation of community/recreation centers and aquatic facilities.

Recent Department of Parks accomplishments from the current CIP include extension of the Black Hill Trail, construction of the Rock Creek Trail Pedestrian Bridge, construction of Woodside Skatespot, and the renovation of many playgrounds, tennis courts, and ballfields . To check out information on recently completed CIP projects and projects in progress, go to www.parkprojects.org, and click on Capital Improvement Program Projects.

Current Recreation Department projects in the County’s CIP include the MidCounty Community Recreation Center, development of the White Oak Community Recreation Center, and renovation of the Plum Gar & Scotland Neighborhood Recreation Centers.

Sign up to speak during this public forum by 4:00 pm, Tuesday, April 5., Call 301-495- 4600, or sign-up on-line at: http://www.montgomeryapps.org/planning_board/testify.asp The forum is limited to 35 speakers; however, written comments may be submitted to Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Françoise Carrier at 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910 or mcp-chair@mncppc-mc.org by Thursday, April 7.

WHO: Montgomery County Planning Board/ Department of Parks
Montgomery County Recreation Advisory Boards/ Department of Recreation

WHAT: Joint Public Forum for the Proposed FY 13-16 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Budget

WHEN: Thursday, April 7, 2011, 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

WHERE: Montgomery Regional Office Auditorium
                8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring

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Help with Spring Cleanup

On Saturday, March 19 we need your help with a spring cleanup of the museum grounds, including all the twigs and sticks that fell during the winter storms. We'll be working from 9 AM - 12 PM and request able bodied teens and adults with gloves, rakes and wheel barrows.


This is a great opportunity for Student Service Learning hours!

If you can help us out, please email dbush@sandyspringmuseum.org

Thank you!!!

Sandy Spring Museum

17901 Bentley Road

Sandy Spring, MD 20860

www.sandyspringmuseum.org

301-774-0022

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Apply Now for the Planning Board

The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the Montgomery County Planning Board. The terms of Norman Dreyfuss (Republican) and Joseph Alfandre (Democrat) expire on June 14, 2011.




Letters expressing interest, including a resume listing professional and civic experience, political party affiliation, home and office telephone numbers and an e-mail address, must be received no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 27.


No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and all members must be residents and registered voters of Montgomery County when appointed. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. The positions can be filled by a Democrat; a Republican; a voter who declines to affiliate with a party; or by a member of another party officially recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. In addition to Mr. Alfandre and Mr. Dreyfuss, the current board members are Chairman Francoise Carrier (D); Amy Presley (R) and Mary Wells-Harley (D). Annual compensation for board members is currently $30,000.


The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. Planning Board members also serve as Commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.


The Planning Board’s responsibilities with regard to planning include preparation and amendment of County General Plan; preparation and amendment of Master Plans and functional plans; formulation of subdivision regulations; preparation of or recommendations on text amendments to the County Zoning Ordinance; implementation of the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans and other plans for development; advice on the planning implication of capital facilities and programs of the County government, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and Montgomery County Public Schools; commenting, under its Mandatory Referral authority, on plans for public facilities of local, state and federal agencies; and approval of the work program and the annual operating budget for the Planning Department and the commission’s bi-county offices.


The Planning Board sits as the Park Commission and approves the annual Parks Department operating budget and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget; land acquisition contracts and major development contracts for parks; development plans for individual park facilities; policies for park operations; and park user fees.


The Montgomery County Planning Board meets all day every Thursday and often meets on one other evening a week. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month. On average, a Planning Board member can expect to spend at least two full days a week in scheduled and informal meetings. Additionally, substantial time is required for preparatory work and other activities related to Planning Board responsibilities.


Letters expressing interest, including a resume listing professional and civic experience, political party affiliation, home and office telephone numbers and an e-mail address, should be addressed to: Council President Valerie Ervin, County Council Office, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Md., 20850, or can be e-mailed to county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov. Letters must be received no later than 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 27. It is the Council’s policy not to consider applications received after the deadline. After the closing date, Councilmembers will review the letters of application and select applicants for interviews to be held in May.


Letters of application are made public as part of the appointment process. The names of all applicants are published and available for public review and interviews are conducted in public. A financial statement of assets, debts, income and family property interests will be required of all applicants. Only the candidates appointed will be required to make their financial statements available to the public.




2011 - Alfandre and Dreyfuss terms



Application and Appointment Process Schedule


Deadline for Applications


5:00 PM, Wednesday, April 27


Processing and Copying of Applications


April 27-29


List of Applicants Finalized and Submitted to Council*


April 29, 2011


Council Review of Applications


April 29-May 5


Interview List Finalized


(Applicants selected by at least 3 Councilmembers will be interviewed.)


May 6


Interviews by Council


May 24, 2011 at 9:30 am (6CCR)


Appointment**


June 14, 2011


* The applicant list shall be open to the public at all times and shall be completed at least 3 weeks before appointment or reappointment.


** Within 3 days of the appointment by the County Council, the name of the appointee shall be delivered to the County Executive who shall within 30 days after the appointment either approve or disapprove the appointment. (An appointment that is not disapproved by the CE as described above is deemed to be approved.)

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National Consumer Protection Week

Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has joined a group of federal, state and local government agencies and other national consumer advocacy organizations to celebrate the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 6 – 12. During NCPW, organizations share tips and information that help consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt and avoid identity theft, frauds and scams. This year, we will host a free seminar on Wednesday, March 9 from noon to 2 p.m., titled, “Recovering from the Recession.” Guest speakers will discuss building/rebuilding credit and managing debts, as well as issues affecting seniors. The seminar will be held at the Rockville Memorial Library 2nd floor conference room, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Pre-registration for the seminar is recommended as space is limited. Free tote bags will be given to the first 25 attendees. Register by calling 240-777-3764 or email consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov.


Office of the Consumer Protection will also be answering consumer questions online throughout the week. Questions may be sent to consumerprotection@montgomerycountymd.gov. Include “NCPW” in the subject line. Answers will be posted on the Consumer Protection website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer.

Office of Consumer Protection investigates complaints involving automotive sales and repairs, new home purchases, home improvements, credit issues, retail sales, internet services and most other consumer transactions and also provides pre-purchase information to consumers and speakers to the community on consumer issues. For more information and to check any merchant’s complaint record, call 240-777-3636 or visit OCP’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/consumer.

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5th Annual Let’s Get It Started! Montgomery County Youth Job Fair

Is Your Business Looking …


To hire motivated youth ages 16-21 for seasonal or permanent work?

For an environment that simplifies your recruitment process and allows you to reach youth considering careers in your field or industry?

If you answered YES to any of the above, then join us for the

5th Annual Let’s Get It Started!
Montgomery County’s Youth Job Fair


Saturday, March 26, 2011
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza
One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, Maryland


Sponsored by the County’s Workforce Investment Board's Youth Council, the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development, and the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center, Let’s Get It Started will provide employers with an opportunity to conduct on-site interviews and offer information to youth ages 16-21 about jobs and career tracks in their industry and/or business. This is a great opportunity for businesses looking for seasonal or permanent workers.

Last year's event drew some 800 youth and nearly 40 employers - with some 375 youth hired in seasonal or permanent jobs!

For more information, call 301-495-0441, ext. 225 or 240-777-2039 today!

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Annual Congressional Art Competition

High school artists who live or attend school in the 8th Congressional District are invited to submit work for the 30th annual Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by Congressman Van Hollen.


The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year and runners-up will be displayed in Congressman Van Hollen’s congressional offices. A juried exhibition of approximately 90 pieces of the submitted artwork will be on display at VisArts at Rockville from April 6 – May 4, 2011. VisArts is located at 155 Gibbs Street in Rockville.

To participate, students must complete and submit an entry form, which they can get by going to www.vanhollen.house.gov or by calling 301-424-3501. Entry forms need to be signed by the student, a parent or guardian, and a faculty member and faxed to the Congressman’s office at 301-424-5992 or emailed to Karen.McManus@mail.house.gov by Friday, March 25, 2011.

Artwork may be delivered to VisArts either on Friday, April 1st between 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. or Saturday, April 2nd between 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Congressman Van Hollen will host an Arts Celebration and Awards Reception to showcase the exhibit, honor all participants and announce awards at VisArts on Monday, April 11, 2011 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Karen McManus in the Van Hollen office at 301-424-3501 or at Karen.McManus@mail.house.gov, or Linda Pepper, Congressional Art Competition coordinator, at 301-657-8650 or at pepper461@aol.com.

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