MARYLAND, March 17 - For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Committees will review the recommended FY23-28 CIP for WSSC Water, sewer improvements for the Martha B. Gudelsky Child Development Center and the expansion of High School Wellness Centers

The Transportation and Environment Committee (T&E) will meet on Thursday, March 17 at 9:30 a.m. to review the recommended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for WSSC Water. In addition, the Committee will review a more than $1 million supplemental appropriation to the FY22 Capital Budget and an amendment to the FY21-26 CIP, which will provide funds for sewer improvements at the future location of the Martha B. Gudelsky Child Development Center.

The members of the T&E Committee include Chair Tom Hucker, Council Vice President Evan Glass and Councilmember Hans Riemer.

The Joint Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education and Culture (E&C) Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to discuss High School Wellness Center Expansion. This expansion proposal was put forward by Councilmember Navarro. Read more here.

The members of the HHS Committee include Chair and Council President Gabe Albornoz, Council Vice President Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness & Vulnerable Communities) and Councilmember Craig Rice.

The members of the E&C Committee include Chair Craig Rice and Councilmembers Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro.

More detail on each agenda item is provided below. 

Recommended FY23-28 Capital Improvements Program WSSC Water

Review: The T&E Committee will review the recommended FY23-28 CIP for WSSC Water.  The proposed CIP total, including information only projects, is $4.25 billion during the six year period, which is an increase of $442.3 million or 11.6 percent from the Approved CIP.  The WSSC CIP include 13 new projects which include $310 million in new spending over the six years.

The project with the largest six-year increases include the I-495/I-270 traffic relief plan pipeline relocations; the Blue Plains project; the water reconstruction program; the Potomac WFP main zone pipeline; the large diameter water pipe rehabilitation program; and the Anacostia depot reconfiguration.

Those expected to attend and provide information from WSSC Water include Howard Denis, commission vice-chair; Fausto Bayonet, commissioner; Eloise Foster, commission vice chair; Carla Reid, general manager and CEO; Joe Beach, deputy general manager, Administration; Monica Johnson, deputy general manager, Strategy and Parnerships; and Amanda Conn, general counsel.

Those expected to attend and provide information from the County Executive's Office include Patti Colihan, chief financial officer; Letitia Carolina-Powell, budget division manager; Brian Halloran, capital budget section manager; Karyn Riley, director, Intergovernmental Relations; and Hugh Sinclair, manager, Asset Management Division.

Supplemental Appropriation to the County Government’s FY22 Capital Budget and Amendment to the FY21-26 Capital Improvements Program, DHHS - $1,082,000 for Martha B. Gudelsky Child Development Center Sewer Improvements

Review: The T&E Committee will review a more than $1 million supplemental appropriation to the FY22 Capital Budget and an amendment to the FY21-26 CIP, which will provide funds for the design and construction of sewer improvements for County-owned property that will be used for the future Martha B. Gudelsky Child Development Center. The project will be undertaken by WSSC.

The lead sponsor is the Council President, at the request of the County Executive.

Those expected to attend and provide information include Greg Ossont, deputy director, Department of General Services (DGS); Ronnie Warner, division chief, DGS and Anita Aryeetey, Lead Fiscal and Policy Analyst, Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

High School Wellness Center Expansion

Review: The joint HHS and E&C Committee will discuss the expansion of High School Wellness Centers. Councilmember Navarro has shared a formal proposal to expand wellness centers to all high schools identifying the urgency and importance of providing warm and welcoming spaces that address the unique needs of students in a holistic and culturally proficient way. 

There are currently five High School Wellness Centers located at Northwood, Gaithersburg, Watkins Mill, Wheaton and Seneca Valley High Schools. A sixth wellness center is under construction at Kennedy High School. Health services are offered to children enrolled in the schools served by the centers, their uninsured siblings and Care for Kids children living within the zip code of the school. Mental health and positive youth development services are offered to all students in the school. 

Those expected to attend and provide information include Dr. Raymond Crowel, director, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); Victoria Buckland, chief operating officer, DHHS; Jason Rundell, budget team leader, DHHS; Dira Treadvance, chief, Children, Youth, and Family Services, DHHS; Luis Cardona, administrator, Positive Youth Development, DHHS; Monica Martin, senior administrator, Child and Adolescent School and Community Based Services, DHHS; Mark Hodge, senior administrator, School Health Services, DHHS; Seth Adams, director, Department of Facility Management, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS); Mary Beck, Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and Deborah Lambert, OMB.

The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.

Council Committee meetings are currently being held on Zoom. 

The Council returned to in-person meetings on March 15; residents continue to have the opportunity to testify remotely for public hearings or provide in-person testimony at the Council Office Building in Rockville for many public hearings.

The Council is recommending that residents, who choose to attend in-person Council meetings, get fully vaccinated to protect themselves and others against COVID-19. If this is not possible, virtual participation is encouraged.

Council and committee meetings will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.

Release ID: 22-119 Media Contact: Sonya Healy, 240-777-7926 , Benjamin Sky Brandt 240-777-7884