When then-Council President Steve Silverman came to speak in Potomac last year before the approval of the Potomac Master Plan, he faced an audience of hundreds of Potomac residents who turned out to show their opposition to widening roads in Potomac and building a techway, among other issues.
The show of force at a West Mongtomery County Citzens Association meeting was the culmination of several years of intense citizen involvement in every aspect of the planning document that will guide land-use in Potomac for the next 20 years.
Potomac residents have a tradition of civic involvement on every level, from PTAs and Homeowners Associations to the Planning Board and County Council to the Maryland General Assembly and beyond.
Virtually every issue that appears before a decision making body in the county is preceded by at least one public hearing, and any written comments are included in the record and reviewed by decision makers.
Even residents who are not able to attend public hearings may submit written comment. Written comment is weighted just as heavily as comments made at public hearings. Comments should be submitted to the head of the body which is discussing the issue. Comments sent to the chair of the planning board, president of the county council and president of the school board are shared with all other members of that respective body and become part of the public record.
County Council
In the current, nine member, council structure, every resident in the county is represented by one district member and four at-large members, so each citizen of the county is represented by a majority of the council.
The council is the county’s legislative branch. They draft legislation, and they pass a budget for county services. Last years budget was just over $3 billion, with approximately half going to the schools.
The council also sets property tax rates, oversees zoning regulations and sits as the board of health.
The full council meets on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. with committee hearings held typically on Mondays and Thursdays. The council agenda can be found online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council. It is updated frequently.
The council website also includes minutes of past meetings, council member biographies and contact information for individual members of the council.
Park and Planning
The Park and Planning Commission consists of five members who are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the council to four year terms. No more than three members may be members of the same political party.
The planning board decides how best to administer the county’s zoning laws. It decides if proposed projects meet with county requirements, and provides input into changes in the county’s zoning laws.
The Planning Board meets on Thursdays starting at 9 a.m.
The planning board agenda is published on the Friday before the meeting takes place. On Monday, staff reports are added to it. It can be found at the Planning board’s website www.mc-mncppc.org.
Written comments can be sent to Derick Berlage, chair, MNCPPC, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD, 20910.
Mailing List
Groups or individuals wishing to have the Park and Planning Commission’s weekly agenda e-mailed to them should send an e-mail containing: Person’s Name, Organization Name, Mailing Address, Phone Number, and e-mail address to: Nellie.Carey@mncppc-mc.org.
All information must be provided in order to be added to the database.
Board of Education
The eight-member board is the county’s official educational policy-making body and is responsible for the direction and operation of the public school system.
Annually, the board makes a request to the county council for it’s budget. It then administers the funds it is given (for FY04 it received approximately 98 percent of its request — approximately $1.5 billion) as it sees fit. The board does not have taxing authority.
The board typically meets twice per month on varying days. It’s agendas are posted several days before the meeting.
The calendar of future meetings, and agendas are available the board’s website, www.mcps.k12.md.us/boe.
Each regular business meeting of the Board includes a public comments period in which any citizen, group representative, parent, or student may make a statement regarding an item on a past, present or future Board agenda, or a matter of general policy over which the Board has jurisdiction. Individuals may sign up to address the Board by calling 301-279-3617 after 3 p.m. on the Monday preceding the meeting.
Written comments may be sent to Patricia O’Neill, president, Board of Education, 850 Hungerford Dr., Rockville, MD 20850.