Prince George’s County and the Chesapeake Bay Trust
Announce up to $1 Million in Grants Available through the Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program

The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announce funding opportunities through the Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program. This program supports on-the-ground environmental restoration activities that improve local water quality, beautify communities and engage residents in the restoration of local rivers, streams and other natural spaces in Prince George’s County.

Grants will support water quality restoration and community engagement projects that aim to increase resident awareness of watershed issues and engage citizens in action projects to preserve the County’s natural resources.  Grant eligible projects  include green practices (rain gardens, bioretention cells, streamside forest buffers and green roofs) capturing stormwater flowing from parking lots or other impervious surfaces; pet waste management; litter prevention and reduction efforts; resident education focusing on  practices that can be implemented at the homeowner level; trash awareness and behavior change projects; work with faith-based communities to provide outreach and education for the Alternative Compliance Program; tree plantings; and projects that foster K-12 environmental education.

“The Chesapeake Bay Trust is thrilled to continue our partnership with Prince George’s County to engage local residents and organizations in projects that create and improve greening of our communities,” said Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  “Since 2014, together we have made 56 grants through this program that have engaged thousands of residents in outdoor activities including installing stormwater implementation projects that treat impervious surface and protect local streams. We are very excited to offer this opportunity to community groups again this year.”

Non-profit organizations, including local watershed groups, community associations, service and civic groups, and faith-based organizations, are eligible and encouraged to apply for funding. Grants up to $50,000 are available for outreach and education projects with larger awards possible for water quality projects. All projects must take place in Prince George’s County (excluding the City of Bowie). As part of an effort to more fully engage underrepresented groups in its grant-making, the Trust strongly encourages projects that increase awareness and participation in multicultural communities to improve watershed health and local ecological ownership.

“We are making a difference in Prince George’s County communities. Through this monetary support, County residents and environmental organizations are investing in the present and future well-being of this County. Government cannot work alone to improve water quality in our region. Everyday citizens and non-government groups can utilize these grants to impact the environment from a grassroots level and galvanize their friends, family, neighbors and local business owners to help reduce water pollution and create a cleaner, greener and healthier Prince George’s County,” commented DoE Director Adam Ortiz.

Applications are due on July 28, 2017 by 5 p.m. To learn more and review the request for proposals, visit www.cbtrust.org/prince-georges-stormwater-stewardship-2 or contact Sadie Drescher at 410-974-2941, x105.

About the Chesapeake Bay Trust

The Chesapeake Bay Trust (www.cbtrust.org) is a nonprofit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the natural resources of Maryland and the Chesapeake region through environmental education, community engagement, and local watershed restoration. The Trust engages hundreds of thousands of individuals annually in projects that have a measurable impact on the waterways and other natural resources of the region. The Trust is supported by the sale of the Treasure the Chesapeake license plate, donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form, donations from individuals and corporations, and partnerships with private foundations and federal, state, and local agencies such as Prince George’s County Department of the Environment. The Trust has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for fourteen years: 92 percent of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.

About the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment

The Department of the Environment (DoE) works for a healthy, beautiful and sustainable County through programs that provide clean water, flood control, recycling and waste management, litter prevention, animal management and pet adoption in partnership with residents and other stakeholders. DoE administers a variety of water quality programs through its Clean Water Program, which includes the Rain Check Rebate Program, the Alternative Compliance Program, the Clean Water Partnership and the Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program.

Prince George’s Rising – May 26, 2017

An Update from Councilman Mel Franklin

May 26, 2017 | Volume 3, Issue 4                                                     

Prince George’s Rising is a countywide newsletter designed to empower communities with key information and issues of concern. It is my honor to serve you on the Prince George’s County Council. Over the last several years, including two years as Chairman, I have worked with my colleagues on the Council to move our County forward. With your help, we are bringing the world to Prince George’s County and putting Jobs First. For more information, please go to https://www.melfranklin.net/news/ or e-mail me at mel@melfranklin.net.

 

Council Adopts $3.876b Budget that Makes Important Investments in Infrastructure and Services

Concerns Persist about Limited Opportunities for Small, Minority and Woman Owned Businesses in the County

Regarding the overall county budget: “Today’s budget makes key investments in public infrastructure, like roads and school repairs, adds critical staffing and resources for public safety, and significantly increases funding for pre-K through 14 education (incl. community college and libraries).  The budget also provides essential emergency assistance to our non-profits who care for the developmentally disabled so that they can meet our higher, local minimum wage….”

Regarding minority and woman owned businesses in the county receiving only 11% of county contracting opportunities: “….Small businesses create jobs and when we leverage our public dollars to grow our local businesses, we will increase our ability to invest in the critical needs of our community and create generational wealth.  A county as diverse as our own must do better by the small, minority and woman owned businesses that want to grow and thrive here.”

Full press release here: https://www.melfranklin.net/statement-of-councilman-mel-franklin-on-the-adoption-of-the-prince-georges-county-budget/

Related item: https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-mel-franklin-endorses-wage-funding-for-developmentally-disabled-organizations/

 

Councilman Mel Franklin and NAACP’s Hilary Shelton on CBS WUSA 9 “Off Script” on Monday 5/22 to Discuss Homicide of Bowie State Student Army 2^nd Lt. Richard Collins and Potential Hate Crime

Video from WUSA 9 here: http://www.wusa9.com/opinion/editorials/off-script/-offscripton9-tackling-hate-crimes-on-campus-after-deadly-stabbing/441967367

 

Federal and State Government Should Appeal Bad Purple Line Decision

“Judge Leon’s decision is a disappointment for jobs, economic development, and progress in our region.  The Judge’s decision improperly substitutes his judgment for that of the appropriate fact-finding agency instead of properly deferring to the FTA’s expertise in evaluating the merits of the facts and arguments regarding the Purple Line….The continued delay caused by this litigation puts hundreds of millions in funding at risk and jeopardizes the entire project.  I strongly urge the FTA and the State of Maryland to appeal Judge Leon’s decision.”

Full press release here: https://www.melfranklin.net/statement-councilman-mel-franklin-urges-appeal-of-purple-line-decision/

 

Once A Week Trash Survey Ending on May 28

Please take the 45-Day Feedback Survey about the change from Twice-A-Week to Once-A-Week Trash Service in Pr. George’s County: https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-mel-franklin-launches-once-a-week-trash-feedback-survey/

Last year, the County changed waste pick-up service from twice-a-week to once-a-week to save money, promote recycling, and match other nearby jurisdictions.  This was a controversial change with many residents.  Please take this survey above and give me your feedback about this change in service.

NBC 4 Story: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Prince-Georges-Residents-Get-Chance-to-Review-Once-a-Week-Trash-Pickup-419501663.html

 

Prince George’s County Family & Friends Day is August 27, 2017: Please stay tuned for more details about our annual countywide festival.

 

COMMUNITY NEWS YOU CAN USE

 

Local Hiring and Local Business Public Forum – May 31

The Local Business Participation Advisory Committee (LBPAC) will hold a public forum on Wednesday, May 31, 6:30-8:30pm, Surratts-Clinton Library (9400 Piscataway Road, Clinton, MD 20735) with the topics to include the enforcement of the Jobs and Opportunity Act of 2016 (CB-74-2016) and information about County business certification programs.  Participants will include Council Member Mel Franklin, Roland Jones (Director of Central Services), Mirinda Jackson (LBPAC Chair), Cydnee Phoenix (Exec. Dir., Supplier Diversity, OCS), LBPAC members, and the general public.  The LBPAC is an oversight committee formed by the County Council to advise the county government and the general public about the county’s progress in implementing laws that ensure inclusion of local businesses, especially small, minority, and woman-owned firms, in county procurement opportunities.  The County has recently struggled to fully implement and enforce local business and local hiring laws.  Join the discussion!

Related items:

Public Committee Presentation of the Jobs and Opportunity Act of 2016 (CB-74-2016): https://princegeorgescountymd.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4822851&GUID=6A156D4C-3A58-4344-9E39-DF32DCB73F34

“Councilman Franklin Criticizes Poor County Enforcement of Local Hiring and Small, Minority Business Opportunities”https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-franklin-criticizes-poor-county-enforcement-of-local-hiring-and-small-minority-business-opportunities/

 

Business Opportunities for the Regional Medical Center, hosted by Clark Construction and Prince George’s County Supplier Diversity – June 1

Full info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clark-construction-kick-off-event-opportunities-with-the-prince-georges-regional-medical-center-tickets-34718240191

Event flyer: https://tinyurl.com/clark-rmc-event

 

Community Discussion on Litter: “Are You Concerned About Litter in Prince George’s County” – June 6

From the Department of the Environment and PFC Coalition: The People for Change Coalition has partnered with the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center and the Prince George’s County Dept. of the Environment to discuss the issue of litter in the County.  “How do you feel about litter? Who do you think is responsible? How can the problem be fixed?” Join the discussions!

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Kentland Community Center, 2413 Pinebrook Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20785. Registration required here: http://www.pfccoalition.org/litterlandover.asp

Refreshments will be served.

 

County Support for Locally Owned and Operated Businesses – Special Assistance for Local Entrepreneurship (S.A.L.E.)

From FSC First: “The Special Assistance for Local Entrepreneurship (SALE) Program is a component of the Economic Development Incentive Fund (EDIF) available to established businesses through Prince George’s County in an effort to broaden the region’s tax base.  Council Bill 78-2013 established the Special Assistance for Entrepreneurship Program … to insure financial assistance is available to expand entrepreneurship opportunities for County residents who own businesses based in the County.  The purpose of the S.A.L.E. program is to (i) stimulate small business development and local business ownership by County residents, (ii) provide county residents who own businesses based in the County with access to flexible financing for small business start-up and expansion, in a geographically equitable manner, throughout the County and (iii) to maximize the award of S.A.L.E. funds to local minority (or woman-owned) business enterprises (“LMBEs”) to the extent possible.

For more info and to apply for funding from the S.A.L.E. program, go here: https://fscfirst.com/programs/special-assistance-for-local-entrepreneurship-fund/

Copy of Council Bill 78 2013, which established the S.A.L.E. program: https://princegeorgescountymd.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=4034583&GUID=4B352E7C-7391-4DEF-B15F-42B42CB1053C

#jobsfirst

#princegeorgesrising

#investlocal

 

Joint Base Andrews Reaches Milestone of Donating 30,000 Lbs. of Food to Prince George’s County Food Pantry

“The men and women of Joint Base Andrews have been incredible community partners in countless ways over the decades that the base has called Prince George’s County home.  Joint Base Andrews’ partnership with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Community Support Systems represents another incredible way that our men and women in uniform are giving back to uplift our families who are most in need.  Community Support Systems and St. Paul’s have literally fed thousands of needy South County families over the years and my constituents are truly thankful for their invaluable efforts.  By not wasting good groceries from its commissary and using it as a lifeline to our community, Joint Base Andrews is leading by example in the food recovery movement to encourage grocery stores to feed needy families everywhere with excess food.  I also thank former Councilman Jim Estepp and the Andrews Business Alliance for its work in facilitating the Base’s critical partnership with nearby communities.”

For full press release, go here: https://www.melfranklin.net/councilman-franklin-congratulates-joint-base-andrews-on-donating-20000-lbs-of-food/

 

Marlton Forum on Marlton Plaza Shopping Center – May 31

Community Associations of Marlton (CAM) will host a May 31st Community Forum on quality and conditions at the Marlton Plaza Shopping Center (anchored by Food Lion).  Forum will take place at St. Paul’s Moravian Church, located at 8505 Heathermore Blvd. Upper Marlboro, MD at 7:00pm.

 

The Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program

The Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program provides funding for low-income older adults who may need financial assistance in order to afford placement in an assisted living facility and enables individuals to continue to reside in the community. The assisted living facility combines housing with supportive services by offering congregate meals, housekeeping personal services and 24-hour supervision.

For more info: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1722/Long-Term-Care

 

From Crime Data to Government Spending, Explore “Data Prince George’s”

From Wash. Post: “Data from the Prince George’s County government became easier to access … after the county relaunched a website that gives the public the power to probe, download and search data sets about everything from building permits to crime.”

For DataPrinceGeorge’s, go here: https://data.princegeorgescountymd.gov/

For the Wash. Post story, go here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/open-data-portal-encourages-residents-to-analyze-their-government/2017/03/06/ff82b40a-0288-11e7-b1e9-a05d3c21f7cf_story.html?utm_term=.c8509549ae98

 

OTHER IMPORTANT COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 

Domestic Violence Crisis Intervention – Call 211

Still I Rise, Inc. Call (301) 868-4903 or go to http://www.stillirisemd.org

Prince George’s Co. Family Justice Center/The Next Step: http://www.princegeorgescourts.org/358/Prince-Georges-County-Family-Justice-Cen

 

Employment/Workforce Training

The Training Source: http://thetrainingsource.org/

No Opportunity Wasted: http://www.nooppwasted.org/

Training Grounds Inc.: http://traininggroundsdmv.org/

Prince George’s Community College Workforce Development: https://www.pgcc.edu/Programs_and_Courses/Workforce_Development_Institutes.aspx

 

Maryland Veterans Resource Guide: http://veterans.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/04/4-12-17-Resource-Guide.pdf

 

Apply for the Homeowners/Renters Tax Credit Program

Call 1(800) 944-7403 or go to

Homeowners: http://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Homeowners’-Property-Tax-Credit-Program.aspx

Renters: http://dat.maryland.gov/realproperty/Pages/Renters’-Tax-Credits.aspx

 

Apply for the Homestead Tax Credit Program

Call (866) 650-8783 or go to https://sdathtc.dat.maryland.gov/default.aspx

 

How to Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment

Call (301) 952-2500 or go to http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/appeal.html

 

Free Legal Assistance: District Court (Upper Marlboro) Self-Help Legal Resource Center

Call 410-260-1392 or go to http://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/districtctselfhelpctr.html

 

County-Based and Minority Business Procurement Opportunities and Certifications

Call (301) 883-6480 or go to http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1259/Business-Development

 

County Employment and Workforce Assistance

Call (301) 583-4650 or go to http://www.pgcedc.com/workforce-services

 

For constituent concerns, please use County Click 311: http://countyclick.princegeorgescountymd.gov or call 311

 

Request County Road Pothole Repair: http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/1025/Potholes

 

Request State Road Pothole Repair (Roads with numbers, like MD-5, MD-4, US-1, US-301): http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/knowyourroads.html

 

Find Your Other Elected Officials:

Contact the County Executive at http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/directory.aspx?eid=93

Find out and contact your state and federal elected officials at http://mdelect.net

 

View the Prince George’s County Code and Charter athttp://www.municode.com/library/md/prince_george’s_county/codes/code_of_ordinances

Is a resource you need not here?
Check https://www.melfranklin.net or contact me at: Mel@MelFranklin.net

 

May 25, 2017

For Immediate Release

Statement of Prince George’s County Councilman Mel Franklin on Governor Larry Hogan’s Signing of Amber’s Law

Governor Scheduled to Sign Important Domestic Violence Legislation at Today’s Bill Signing

Contact: Mel@melfranklin.net

Upper Marlboro, MD – In the closing moments of the 2017 Legislative Session, the Maryland General Assembly unanimously adopted House Bill 1163 (HB 1163) (known as Amber’s Law), named after Prince George’s County resident and domestic violence victim, Amber Schinault, who was violently murdered in 2012 by her ex-boyfriend, despite having a protective order.  Today, Governor Larry Hogan will sign the legislation into law.  Amber’s Law will authorize the court to grant a domestic violence survivor’s request to require an alleged abuser to wear an electronic monitoring device as a condition of release.  Today, Councilman Mel Franklin (D-District 9), a strong advocate of the legislation, issued the following statement:

“I am truly thankful to Governor Larry Hogan for signing Amber’s Law today.  Amber Schinault’s family, friends and supporters worked tirelessly over the past several years to honor Amber’s memory by creating stronger safeguards against abuse by domestic violence perpetrators.  The Governor’s support sends a strong bipartisan message to all Marylanders that domestic violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our world.  I urge local officials to expeditiously implement this new law so that survivors of domestic violence and the nonprofit providers who support them can utilize this important new tool in the cause of ending domestic violence.”

Amber’s Law, sponsored by Maryland Senator Susan Lee (D-District 16) and Delegate Aruna Miller (D-District 15), was endorsed by the full Prince George’s County Council.  After previous years of failing to pass, Amber’s Law cleared two committees and both houses of the General Assembly in the final hours of the legislative session.

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A copy of Councilman Franklin’s previous letter to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/franklin-ambers-law-ltr