A Death in the Family

I am saddened to learn about the death of my friend and colleague, Councilmember Don Praisner. Simply put, Don was a nice guy. He took on the challenges of public office because he thought it was the right thing to do, and he took his responsibility to his constituents very seriously. He cared deeply about continuing Marilyn’s dedication to County service. My heart goes out to his family, who I know will miss him terribly. I will miss him too.

Council Gets Climate Protection Plan

The Sustainability Working Group, which was established by the Council last April and whose members were appointed by the County Executive, released its 58-point Climate Protection Plan in January. Although not prioritized, the plan’s action steps are recommended to meet the County’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050.

The SWG studied and selected the best parts of programs around the country and solicited ideas from County departments and agencies to create the plan. To have made the list of recommendations, an action must be a proven practice; must be technically and logistically feasible in the short term; and must have definable steps.

The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee, which I chair, will receive a full briefing on February 2. We do not intend to adopt the plan as a whole. Rather, individual recommendations will be studied and implemented as appropriate over time with adequate opportunity for public input. My hat is off to the SWG for its thoughtful work.

Committee Makes Recommendations on Purple Line

Today the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee took up the Locally Preferred Alternatives for the Purple Line, a proposed 16-mile transit way between Bethesda and New Carrollton connecting four branches of Metro and three MARC commuter rail routes.

After listening to the community, the Planning Board and the County Executive, we unanimously support the medium investment light rail alternative and a high quality Capital Crescent Trail. We also recommend that MTA conduct further study of tunneling at Wayne Avenue to determine the impact on the local community and to see if the savings in travel time justify the increased cost. Additionally, we recommend that the trail be widened to 12 feet and more where possible; that tail tracks emerging from the tunnel at Woodmont Plaza be no more than 100 feet; that Dale Drive not be designated as a stop at this time; and that grass tracks be utilized.

The full Council will take action on this issue on January 27, and our positions will be forwarded to the Maryland Transit Administration. The State will submit its plans to the Federal Transit Administration in summer/fall 2009 at the same time it submits plans for the Red Line (to serve Baltimore) and the Corridor Cities Transitway (to run from Gaithersburg to Clarksburg).

How Has the Recession Affected You?

I hear conflicting messages when I travel around the county. I get the sense that some folks continue to feel relatively unaffected by the recession while others are facing significant hardships. We know that income and property tax revenues are down throughout the County just like everywhere else. We also know that our non-profit organizations are facing record demands for assistance. So, what does that mean on a personal level? How has the souring economy affected you and your family?

County Transportation Plans for Inauguration

I plan to watch this historic Inauguration on television with friends and family. Because I’m still recovering from a knee injury, I won’t be able to attend the event in person, but I’ll definitely be there in spirit. I also plan to attend the Maryland Inaugural Ball at the Mayflower Hotel on Sunday even though I’ll have to skip the dancing.

Whether you plan to attend the festivities or simply commute to work, you’ll want to stay on top of the special transportation plans and programs. Visit the County Web site for up-to-date information on roads and transit over the weekend and through Tuesday. Now might be a good time to try out some of the commuting options you may have been considering like biking, carpooling or telecommuting. Tips on these options are also listed on the County’s site.

History Channel Covers Local Infrastructure

Today I had the privilege of providing an interview to the History Channel for its upcoming documentary on the country’s crumbling infrastructure. I enjoyed working with the Tinseltown pros, and I am especially pleased to have infrastructure issues playing out on a national stage.

We discussed the recent water main break on River Road that put lives in jeopardy, closed schools and caused extreme inconvenience to commuters, residents, businesses and holiday travelers. Beyond that, we talked about the seriousness of aging infrastructure that increasingly causes headaches for us all.

Montgomery County, along with many other jurisdictions nationwide, grapples with competing needs. Invisible problems like underground pipes struggle to compete with sexier capital projects like libraries and community centers. Water pipe maintenance is expensive, which is why we currently are on a 200-year replacement cycle. While Montgomery County residents traditionally have been generous when it comes to the public good, there is a limit to how much people reasonably can be asked to pay.

Stay tuned for more information about our progress on infrastructure as well as dates and times to see the documentary.

Purple Line Discussions Coming Soon

Over the past couple of months and especially in recent weeks, I have received a lot of correspondence about the Purple Line Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Alternatives Analysis. I am listening carefully to everyone’s input and want to ensure that the project respects community concerns as well as the transit objective. The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee, which I chair, will be reviewing the Purple Line proposal on January 22, and the full Council will consider it on January 27, so keep your comments coming.

Transit and Parking Policies Working Together?

Will I drive to work? Ride the bus or Metro? Bike? Carpool? When making this decision, each of us weighs the cost, how long it will take, and how convenient our commuting trip will be. When government creates programs and policies to help more commuters choose alternatives to driving alone, the term often used is “transportation demand management.”

In its review of Montgomery County’s transportation demand management, the Council’s Office of Legislative Oversight found that the County actively promotes transit and other alternative commuting modes on the one hand but simultaneously implements parking policies that undercut efforts to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home. In other words, by providing plentiful, low-cost and conveniently located parking, the County makes it easy for commuters to drive alone, contrary to its goals of encouraging transit and other modes of transportation.

To bring parking policies and transportation demand management in line with one another, the County could offer incentives such as cash alternatives to employee parking subsidies or payouts to businesses that eliminate vehicle trips below a designated baseline. Alternatively, the County could provide disincentives such as reducing the parking supply or raising parking rates.
Either way, there are difficult choices to make. Economic incentives would have to be funded through taxes or fees, while disincentives would cost more to drivers and/or businesses. We know that reducing single occupancy vehicle trips is our best bet for mitigating congestion and reducing the greenhouse gases that cause climate change. But how do we get there from here? Take a look at the OLO’s full report and let me know what you think of the recommendations.

Ambulance Fee on Hold for Now

We all know that the proposed ambulance fee has caused quite a stir around the County. On November 25, the Council voted unanimously to table the bill. Because the County’s economic forecast indicates we may need to reconsider the bill in the spring, I’d like to take the time to clarify some of the issues.

The County Executive has proposed a fee of $300 to $800 for emergency transport in order to raise approximately $13.8 million annually for fire and emergency services. It is important to note that no county resident, regardless of whether they are insured, would ever receive a bill for a fee, co-payment or deductible. Rather, the amount would be billed directly to insurance companies. Tax revenue received from County residents would be deemed as payment for any portion of the fee not covered by insurance. Non-county residents would be billed for co-payments or deductibles but could seek a waiver.

There are many concerns about the fee from all sides. The County Executive has stressed that his plan is designed to charge health insurers, not County residents. Citing neighboring jurisdictions that charge a fee (the District and Fairfax, Frederick and Prince George’s Counties), the County Executive says that Montgomery County is essentially leaving money on the table that other local governments collect from insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid. At the same time, opponents of the fee say that any charge would discourage residents from calling 911 for help in the event of an emergency. Volunteers, who comprise about 50% of our fire and rescue service, are also concerned that charging a fee is inconsistent with their volunteer function.

Residents currently all pay a Fire District Tax on their property tax bill which is dedicated to supporting various aspects of fire and rescue operations. The ambulance fee money is intended to be dedicated to fire and rescue infrastructure and equipment.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments and concerns. It’s important for me to know what you’re thinking.

How Can the New Administration Help Us?

President-Elect Obama as well as leaders in the House and Senate have indicated that infrastructure and alternative energy projects will be a focus of the economic stimulus legislation. How can Montgomery County benefit from the anticipated federal spending? What projects or services would you like me and other local officials to pursue as a part of the stimulus package? Some have suggested transit constructions projects, while others have mentioned a program to retrofit buildings for energy efficiency. What do you think?

COG Strives to Make the Region a Little Cooler

Greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change will increase 43% by 2050 in the Washington region if we don’t make changes now. This is according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ recent National Capital Region Climate Change Report. As one of the first multi-state initiatives, COG adopted stringent goals to return to 2005 emissions levels by 2012 and to reach a reduction of 80% below the 2005 levels by 2050.

As chair of the Climate Change Steering Committee, which produced the report, I applaud the region’s commitment to combat the effects of climate change such as higher temperatures, flooding and related health problems. Although COG has limited power of enforcement, local governments are taking the plan seriously. In fact, Montgomery and Fairfax Counties already basically have signed on, and we expect more participation in the future.

Because energy consumption (like heating, lighting and electronics) accounts for about 2/3 of the region’s total greenhouse gas emissions, we as individuals can have our cake and eat it too. Fixes (like choosing Energy Star appliances, changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs and reducing use) can save businesses and home owners money in the long run. And, in Montgomery County, we offer rewards for purchasing clean energy and property tax credits for installing energy efficiency devices.

Governments must do their part too, especially when it comes to the 1/3 of greenhouse gas emissions that come from transportation. Suburbs are growing at the fastest rate in the region (projected 47% growth by 2030). That means potentially longer distances to work and family activities. With our choices, such as investments in transit, stricter fuel efficiency standards and encouragement of clean technology, we can look forward not just to a greener environment but to a greener economy too.

Look at the Washington Post article or the entire report, and let me know if you or your business is doing something innovative to help the region reach its climate change goals.

A Plan to Invigorate Ailing Transportation Program

We are considering a plan to move forward on several State transportation projects by using County funds previously set aside to help fund State transportation projects. The plan, totaling $51.2 million, is a unanimous recommendation from the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee, which I chair.

We asked staff from the Executive Branch, the Planning Board and the County Council to come up with this plan in response to the Maryland Department of Transportation’s September announcement that it would cut more than $100 million in funds that were intended for State projects in Montgomery County. The cuts eliminate and reduce many significant transportation projects.

Under the plan, we will allocate money from the County’s State Transportation Participation program. This already-funded program provides for the County’s participation in funding State and Metro projects that will add capacity to the County’s network and reduce congestion. It is funded primarily by Montgomery County Liquor Fund Revenue Bonds, and we propose to use much of the funding to offset some State cuts.

This plan jump starts critical State transportation projects. Transportation remains the top priority for Montgomery County residents who are tired of being stuck in traffic. We need congestion relief now. That’s why I am pleased to be putting this plan forward. View the entire press release.

Group Considers Transit Funding Option

Last week I held a public work session to explore a plan proposed by the Council’s Working Group on Infrastructure Financing that would allow the County to raise up to $75 million annually by assessing employers a $250 excise tax on employee parking spaces. Revenues would be dedicated to financing transit.

A parking excise tax not only would provide a stable and long-term revenue source, the Working Group’s October 2007 report says the tax “may contribute to achieving other County goals to reduce demand for single occupancy vehicle travel (by encouraging carpools or transit) and to maintain air quality standards.”

I am well aware of the fiscal uncertainty faced by our residents and businesses, and I also know that we have several big ticket transit plans on the table that we need to be prepared to deliver. I held the work session in light of the recent announcement by Maryland Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari that $1.1 billion in transportation projects will be deferred over the next six years to compensate for a revenue shortfall.

Montgomery County’s two planned priority transit projects, the Purple Line (an east-west route that would connect the Bethesda and New Carrollton Metrorail stations) and the Corridor Cities Transitway (a north-south route that would extend from the Shady Grove Metrorail station to beyond Clarksburg), were slashed by $25 million (19 percent) and $42.5 million (47 percent), respectively, over the next six years. The proposed excise tax could help to get these projects back on track.

I recognize that these are difficult economic times for everyone, and I appreciate the thorough consideration given to the proposal. Based on input from the work session, I do not plan to pursue the parking excise tax at this time.

Still, serious needs for both roadway and transit funding remain, especially as the State’s contribution to transportation is shrinking. Some folks have suggested that we can’t afford the cost of the projects, but we really can’t afford a future that leaves employees and businesses paralyzed by gridlock. That’s why I am committed to continue trying to address these core community needs. Do you have a good idea for financing infrastructure? Let me know.

Development Districts Move Forward

Yesterday, we voted to move forward with a Clarksburg development district and to clarify the process for future taxing areas. I did not take this decision lightly, especially because I appreciate how difficult it has been for the residents of Clarksburg to live through the uncertainty of the issues surrounding their community. I apologize for how long it has taken to resolve them.

I know that some folks are unhappy with the Council’s vote on development districts. I supported this initiative because I believe that we have a huge obligation to plan for the future with innovative solutions that will provide the infrastructure necessary for a thriving community. Development districts were always intended to be the way to finance the Clarksburg infrastructure, and its result, according to what our finance people have told us, will put Clarksburg residents at about the midpoint of tax burden that our county residents bear. Some pay less, and some pay more. I am concerned about taxation equity and am committed to working to find ways that spread the responsibility as fairly as possible.

Additionally, I understand that the Clarksburg plan of compliance is on the Planning Board agenda for early November. Hopefully, that will bring to conclusion all remaining issues so that Clarksburg can finally move forward again and reach its full potential.

Council Will Decide on Music Hall

Today we passed a zoning text amendment that clearly designates the County Council as the driver for arts and entertainment land use decisions in central business districts. While the proposed music hall (Fillmore/Live Nation) in Silver Spring is the most immediate project to fall within the new ordinance, it will apply to future projects as well. I proposed this amendment because the County Council, and not any other branch or agency of government, is responsible for setting land use policy in the County and makes final decisions for uses based on those policies. This amendment brings arts and entertainment uses in line with all other land use decisions and allows the County Council to consider these uses within its regular, transparent structure. I recognize that this move primarily represents a technical adjustment that is not all that interesting to most County residents, but I do want to stress that this change cleans up the unclear process that led to much of the controversy associated with the Fillmore/Live Nation agreement negotiated by the County Executive.

As our first act under the new ordinance, we are considering a resolution to accept the County Executive’s negotiated plan to build a music hall in Silver Spring. Some have questioned what they consider to be a sweet deal for the developer, especially during tough economic times. I encourage residents to remember that this deal represents an investment in downtown Silver Spring. It will spur development and generate tax revenue that ultimately will lessen the burden on individual taxpayers. We are scheduled to take a final vote on the music hall next Tuesday. To learn more, visit the Council’s website.