A Night At The Movies with GAMES and ACTIVITES October 6, 2017

COMING TO THE CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER:

A Night At The Movies

WHEN: Friday, October 6, 2017

TIME: 7:00 p. m. to 10:00 p. m.

Come and participate in fall games, activities and delicious treats. Bring a friend to watch a movie on a super large movie screen on a football field. Movie TBA. Bring your lawn chair or blanket for comfort.

COST: Free with M-NCPPC Youth ID

AGES: Ages 13-17

WHERE: Mount Rainier Nature/Recreation Center

4701 31st Place

Mount Rainier MD. 20712

For more information call: 301-927-2163; TTY: 301-699-2544

SMARTlink#: 1686944

Please share on your social media sites.  Thank you.

Mount Rainier's Mayor and Council reconvenes 9/5/2017! The session starts at 7pm in POTTS HALL! See you there.

Agenda

Mount Rainier City Council Legislative Session

Date and Time: TUESDAY, September 5th, 2017, 7:00 P.M.

Location:    Potts Hall

Preliminary Actions to be Taken

Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance

Additions to the Agenda

Mayor and Councilmember Announcements

Public Comment

OLD BUSINESS

The Mayor and City Council adjourned for recess on June 20th, 2017 after passing all active legislation on the docket.

NEW BUSINESS

Kaywood Theatre Presentation
A presentation by Matt White of Sutton Hoo studios on the proposal of establishing a public-private partnership at the Kaywood Theatre.

Potts Hall Proposal Presentation
A presentation by Stephen Shaff on a proposal for relocating a business to Potts Hall.

3200 Rhode Island Ave Discussion
A conversation with the Mount Rainier Department of Economic Development, the Mount Rainier Real Estate Broker and the Mayor and City Council regarding the Request for Proposal Results for the property located at 3200 Rhode Island Avenue. One response was received and discussion of the response will take place.

Economic Development Incentives Presentation
A conversation with the Mount Rainier Department of Economic Development about Economic Development Incentives proposed for the City of Mount Rainier.

Adjournment

Rules for Public Comment

The Mayor and City Council invite and welcome comments at public meetings. The Mayor or presiding officer will recognize you. Please introduce yourself at the podium (spelling your last name, for recording purposes) and give the name of your street and block number (e.g., 4300 block of 34th St.). Time limits for speaking are indicated on the meeting agenda.

While speaking, please maintain a courteous tone and avoid personal attacks.
If you wish to lodge a complaint about the performance or conduct of any City employee, please bring your concern to the attention of the City Manager, who will look into the matter and respond to you.

As a courtesy to other residents and businesses, the Council requests that speakers not use specific addresses or names of individuals when describing a situation or making a complaint. Noting the block is preferred over a specific address.

Code enforcement and public safety issues should first be brought to the attention of the appropriate department and/or one of your Council members.

Please Note:

Pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article Section 10-508(a), the Council by majority vote may retire to executive or closed session at any time during the meeting. Should the Council retire to executive or closed session, the chair will announce the reasons and a report will be issued at a future meeting disclosing the reasons for such session.

The Mayor's City Chat, Volume One 2017

The Mayor’s CITY CHAT

Volume One
August 5, 2017

Introduction

This is the first volume of The Mayor’s City Chat.  The Mayor's City Chat can be found on the Web at “From the desk of the Mayor”, “The Mayor's Facebook Page”, and some items discussed here can be found in “The Message.”  The goal of The Mayor’s City Chat is to start a conversation with residents about City business, to generate a two-way dialogue between the residents and the Mayor, and to inform residents of issues and projects in the City.

Many of the items in the report will remain on the report until they have been accomplished, eliminated or otherwise addressed.  Additional items will be added as they come up.  In addition, items that will have a long-range impact on the City will be reported here.

To receive a copy of The Mayor’s City Chat, please send your email address to mayormiles@gmail.com.  You may also direct questions, suggestions, and concerns to this email address as well as volunteer for projects, committees, etc.  A response will be provided. 

Activities since Mayor and Council Recess June 2017

In accordance with the City Charter, the Mayor and Council voted to go on recess during the months of July and August.  Although on recess, the Mayor and Council continued to work for the City and carry out City business.  

Here are some highlights from the past two months:

1.         June 2017 -- Attended the Maryland Municipal League (MML) and was elected to the MML board of Directors by the membership and to the executive committee by members of the Board.  Also appointed Liaison to the Engagement and Outreach Committee.

2.         Continued to work with Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Committee (MNCPPC) to get the Agreement worked out and signed for 31st Street Park.   Agreement signed and go ahead given to begin plans for the use of the Park.  Council, staff and Mary Abe notified.   A final signed copy of the agreement is to be sent to the City within next few weeks.

3.         Met with Comptroller Peter Franchot regarding improvement on Rhode Island Avenue.   Got promise to consider a cut across Rhode Island from Party Time to Thirty Car Rental and planting in the median   Also promise to provide resources to maintain the median.  Asked for native plants to ensure hence the gateway entrance to the State/County.  Next meeting in September. 

4.         Met with PEPCO and Mobilities regarding poles and 5G technology.  Provided sample agreement to Council, and City Attorney for review and further discussion.  The agreement could provide City with an additional income stream.   The goal is to meet with Brentwood, North Brentwood, Cottage City, and Colmar Manor to partner in this endeavor.  They have indicated interest in working with us.

5.         Met with PEPCO'S new Government Liaison, Mr. Tony Ruffin. His goal is to improve the relationship and work more closely with the municipalities.   Issues discussed included double poles, two weeks notification before beginning work in the City, share schedule of upcoming work, quarterly meetings with the five municipalities to stay in touch with PEPCO and upcoming changes (Note:  City should review its permits for work being done in the City and add on conditions required, e.g., 2 weeks’ notice before starting work, dual language supervisor, paving requirements, etc.).

5.         Worked with MNCPPC to schedule support and equipment for 2018. MNCPPC has assigned Antoinette Guerra as the Regional Director for our area.  The hydraulic stage, face painting, skate mobile, basket all equipment and fee waiver requested for Mount Rainier Day, Public Safety Night and some of the same support for National Night Out (NNO) for 2018.  WAITING FOR APPROVAL.

6.         Worked with CERT Team to plan, fund and carry out National Night Out (NNO). The event was held at 30th ND Arundel from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2017.  Next year's NNO is to be held at Mount Rainier Elementary School.  NEED to get clearance from PGCPS.  Donations were received from Trinity Lutheran Church, the Fraternal Order of Police, #89, Rainier Manor, Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), Mount Rainier Bike Coop, DJ Lee Miles and Chef Twon!  The was well attended and enjoyed by all attendees.

7.         Held meetings with the group I am interested in working with me on renovating the old Kaywood Theater into a cultural center. Took a tour of Kaywood Theater.  In 2014, I started the discussion with Kaywood.  It was placed on hold after the fire in Silver Spring.  The City is now looking at this as an economic development project.  Plan to be presented to Mayor and Council at September 5 public meeting.

8.         Worked with the police department to review traffic on Arundel Road.   Two new stop signs were installed and may need others to slow traffic.  The City will also be considering placement of other signage in the area to slow traffic on Arundel Road.

9.         Worked with public works to get one-way signs in Luskin's Shopping Center.  It is up and in place.  The one-way sign allows entry into the parking lot from 34th Street.  In addition, increased code enforcement is taking place in that shopping center to stop the auto repairs and oil changes that result in oil getting into our water streams.

10.        Continue to work with Washington Gas to stay abreast of work in the area, i.e., in Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood, and Colmar Manor.  Meetings are quarterly. 

11         There has been some criminal activity in our community over the past two months that have caused some concern:

A car-jacking of one of our residents in broad daylight on our main street.  Fortunately, the resident was not physically hurt.  The driver of the car has been apprehended and is in custody.

A homicide occurred in front of the City’s Library that is under investigation by the City and County police departments.  Based on available data there does not appear to be an uptick in crime nor any targeting of any one ethnic group.  This homicide is the first one in the City in more than five (5) years. 

There have also been some home invasions (breaking and entering—B&Es) in the City. 

Our police department is stronger than before, and residents are safer and more proactive.  If you see something, say something and call 301-985-6565. 

12.      Over the past three years, Chief Michael Scott and I have been seeking ways to improve our dispatch and reduce the cost of dispatching our officers throughout the City of Mount Rainier.  July 1, the City transferred its dispatch from the Town of Bladensburg, Maryland to the City of Hyattsville.  This was a very critical move and one that should serve the City well over the next three to five years.  The transfer of dispatching did not in any way interrupt services, and we thank Bladensburg for being our partner for so many years as we look forward to working closely with Hyattsville.

13.      Over the past several years, the role and responsibilities of the Mayor have increased, e.g. responding to emails, initiating and carrying out specific projects, sitting on County and State boards and commissions to represent the City’s interest, etc.  As most of you know, there is no office or meeting room for Mayor and Council at City Hall (one is being created), and there is no staff assigned to Mayor and Council.  In years past, there was a Council secretary, but that position was abolished.  To assist in responding to residents and executing some of the events and projects that are undertaken as Mayor, I have created a volunteer community coordinator position.  It is my hope that the position will provide closer and more direct services to residents.  Ms. Sandra Bramble has agreed to take on this position along with Ms. Barbara Wheeler.  Both residents will report directly to me and will be held responsible for community outreach and services.  More information will be forthcoming on this project.

Upcoming/ongoing projects

The Mayor’s Book Club – this has not gotten off the ground but is still in the works

The campaign sign painting party is still be organized so don’t throw away those signs.

Plans for 31st Street Project – ready for implementation

Reconstruction of MD 500 going through Mount Rainier and to Eastern Avenue -- funded

Reconstruction of the Levee Arundel Road area – working on a report

Rainier Manor 2 construction completion and rental date – update coming

Call-a-bus replacement – still up in the air, but working with County for an exception to their rules

3300 Rode Island Avenue report from staff – not sure of status

BUNKER Hill Fire station-- is Mount Rainier safe? – scheduling a meeting with new Fire Chief, Mr. Barksdale

Annexation -- where are we?  Another project that staff is working on

Upcoming Event/Calendar

Back to School 2018

The school year will begin on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, and the last day of school is scheduled for Thursday, June 14, 2018.

August 31, 2017 -- Pre-K & Kindergarten Students Systemic Orientation Day.

Please check with your child(ren)'s school for more information about this day.

September 5, 2017 -- Systemic Orientation Day: New 6th & 7th Middle-Schoolers and New 9th Graders

City Events/Schedule

The following are some of the events in the City for 2017-2018 Fiscal Year (NOTE:   City Council Meetings are routinely held the first (1st) and third (3rd) Tuesdays of each month unless otherwise noted.

The City newsletter, “The Message” is issued monthly with combined newsletter for July August and December/January

F  Public Safety Night – September 29, 2017, Mount Rainier Nature Center

F  Thanksgiving Basket Drive – October through the third week of November

F  Month of November – Municipal Month – visit schools and fly municipal flag at City Hall

F  Veterans Day Recognition Program – Saturday. November 11, 2017 –Waffle and Champagne Brunch

F  City Budget Calendar approved in December/January

F  Christmas Basket Drive – November through the fourth week of December

F  Budget Preparation begins in January

F  If I Were Mayor Contest… begins in January 2018 and ends in March

F  NO ELECTION THIS YEAR

F  Mount Rainier Day – May 19, 2018

F  Budget must be approved by June 30, 2018

F  Mayor and Council Recess, July and August – TBA

F  National Night Out (NNO) – August 7, 2018

F  Public Safety Night – September 28, 2018

Some Priorities for this year

Developing a good working and functioning Mayor and Council

Assuring that the City Manager works well with Mayor and Council, employees, and residents

Producing a clean financial audit; a clean financial report that provides a solid picture of the City’s financial status with trends on spending that allows for future projections of expenses and income

Getting the City Charter Reviewed and updated

Taking Community policing to another level with a community review/appeal component

Continuing to work on getting Citywide WiFi – primarily for students, but also for adults

Improving relations with the Bunker Hill Fire Station to ensure adequate staffing at all times and that Mount Rainier residents are safe in their homes and businesses

Getting 3200 Rhode Island Avenue under contract and development

Appoint an independent financial advisory committee that reviews City spending

Secure funding for renovating the old Kaywood Theater and transform it into a cultural center for the City

Solicit funds to renovate Potts Hall, Library, alley, old police station into the Mount Rainier Civic Center

Bring Memorial Park and Spring Park to life – getting funding for these two projects

Get 31st Street Park up and operational, e.g., determine how it will be used etc.

Develop or get developed a citywide calendar of events

Complete list of projects – City, e.g., Levee Project on Arundel Road; MD 500(Queens Chapel Road); Singer Building; Civic Center; Public Works, etc. – updated and maintained

Accurate and current list of all businesses in the City with owner, renter, address, service provided, number of years in the City, etc. – in good standing with the City/health department

Annual report on CDMA fees paid by businesses in the City

Rodent abatement project – citywide problem that needs intervention

Annual recognition program for functioning committees etc.

Street and traffic sign replacement throughout the City that meets federal, state and county standards

Start citywide beautification program – Jack Engel

Start monthly or quarterly meetings with service providers, 47th District leaders, Senators/Congressmen, and County Councilmembers

Create and appoint a Police Advisory Committee that is independent of the police department and handles residents’ complaints, makes recommendations for improvement of the department, and works to improve community police relations

Websites that may be of interest:

Malinda Miles --- https://www.facebook.com/mayor.malindamiles and http://themayorsspot.blogspot.com/

Historic Mount Rainier Maryland --- http://www.mountrainiermd.org

Mount Rainier Police Department - http://www.mountrainiermd.org/police/  

Chief Scott's Blog -- http://mrpdchief.blogspot.com   

Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company --- http://www.bhvfrc.com/  

Mount Rainier Elementary School --- http://www.pgcps.org/mountrainier/

Thomas Stone Elementary School --- http://www.pgcps.org/thomasstone/

Hyattsville Middle School --- http://www1.pgcps.org/hyattsvillems/wipage.aspx?pageid=173869&LangType=1033

Northwestern High School --- http://www.pgcps.org/northwestern/

Prince George’s County Municipal Association -- https://pgcma.com/

Maryland Municipal League   --- http://www.mdmunicipal.org

Friends of the Mount Rainier Library (FOL) --- http://www.mtrainierfol.org/

Gateway Community Development Corporation http://www.gatewaycdc.org/#modern-organic-thai

Washington Metro Area Transit Service -- http://www.wmata.com/

Mount Rainier Business Association (MRBA) -- http://www.mountrainierbusiness.com/mount-rainier/

Gwendolyn Britt Senior Center -- http://www.mncppc.org/facilities/facility/details/gwendolyn-britt-senior-activity-center-70

Joe's Movement Emporium --- http://www.joesmovement.org/

Rachel P. Pemberton Health Care Center -- https://www.dimensionshealth.org/dimensions-health-services-prince-georges-county-maryland-md/pemberton-senior-health-center/

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT in Mount Rainier, MD 2017

We got set up. Literature was on the tables. The DJ had fired up the music. The Bike Coop was set up and ready to work on bikes. The CERT Team was in place with camera in hand, and ready for the crowd. YES, the grill was full of hot dogs and hamburgers. Then the wind blew. A drop of rain fell. The skies got dark. Prayers went up for no rain, and with that, the pouring rain came down -- the lightning flashed, the thunder roared, and the rain continued to pour down. 

Some said let's call it a night, BUT OTHERS said, we don't give up like that.

AND SO, they hung in there, and even in wet clothes (some went home and changed -- we live in the neighborhood) -- the NNO went on. Thank God that we did because when the rain stopped, the people kept on coming. 150 hot dogs and 150 hamburgers later, NNO was still going on! Young people came. Seniors came. Neighbors came. Elected officials came. Candidates for elected office came, and yes, there were vendors -- MNPPC, Prince George's County Emergency Preparedness office, BIke Coop, and our very own CERT Team.

KUDOS and thank you to those who made it happen, The CERT Team with Lynn Topp and Art Fuller leading the way, The Prince George's County Office of Emergency Management (Courtney E. Mariette) Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (Antoinette, Bernadine, etc.) Mount Rainier' FOP (members showed up and worked the crowd), Humphrey Management (Charmaine Poppins Jefferson and her staff), Trinity Lutheran Church, Bike Coop, Rachel Pope and her partners and significant other,Twon the GRILL MASTER, DJ Miles and his crew, and Nneka Barnes who MC'd the event and served as photographer along with a host of other photographers. If I missed anyone or group, my apologies, but thank you for being there. YOU made it all possible along with our wonderful residents.

THANK YOU COMMUNITY for the support.

NOTE: PUBLIC SAFETY NIGHT is coming on Friday, September 29, 2017, Mount Rainier Nature Center, 30th, and Arundel Road 6:30 p. m. MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Water main break has occurred on the 3700 block of 35th Street

HEADS-UP Just a quick FYI a water main break has occurred on the 3700 block of 35th Street. WSSC has been notified and said that crews will be out today to make repairs.

Although your WSTER is not off at the moment, please make preparations for when the crews arrive, and your water is turned off for the repairs.

Here's what you can do:

1. Fill up your pitchers or bottles with water to drink or cook

2. Fill up your bath tub with water for flushing your toilets

3. Flush sparingly and when necessary so that you conserve your water

4. Please check the listserve, Twitter or City Website to stay on top of the repair.

A status report will be made later today.

On another note, to prepare for the upcoming storm, PLEASE ensure that all of your drains are clear and free of debris in your basements. Also, make sure your storm drains near your home are also clear of the rubble, and notify Public Works if there is a problem. This will help to reduce flooding in your home and street flooding in your block.

Hazardous Weather Outlook for the area Friday, July 28, 2017

Hazardous Weather Outlook for the area

The Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management has provided the following information for our area!

The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the area. Tonight, scattered thunderstorms are expected over the waters. A few thunderstorms may produce gusty winds. Additionally, a Flash Flood Watch is in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

Low pressure and its associated cold front will trigger showers and thunderstorms through Saturday. Widespread showers and thunderstorms may lead to scattered incidents of flash flooding. A slight risk for excessive rainfall and severe thunderstorms covers the entire area.

There’s a higher than normal uncertainty of how much rain, but the period of greatest impact is Friday afternoon into Saturday. Heavy rainfall may result in rapid rises in streams and creeks, which may quickly result in flooding; especially in low lying and poor drainage areas.

Our primary threats include scattered incidents of flash flooding from rain/torrential downpours, isolated severe thunderstorms, and damaging winds.

Thank you for your continued support. Stay safe and stay dry!

PLEASE support National Night Out (NNO) in your Neighborhood

WHAT IS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT?

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.

HOPE that you will join me, the CERT TEAM and your neighbors for National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at 30th and Arundel Road, Mount Rainier, MD from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p. m.

I look forward to seeing you there.

NOTE: bring lawn chairs and/or blankets to sit and listen to the music. Also, good walking shoes to walk the neighborhood. 

Mount Rainier's CERT Team Sponsors National Night Out (NNO)

MOUNT RAINIER'S NATIONAL NIGHT OUT (NNO) SPONSORED BY THE MOUNT RAINIER CERT TEAM AND MAYOR MALINDA MILES.

Location: 30th and Arundel Road
When: AUGUST 1, 2017
Time: 6:30 p. m. until 8:30 p. m.

Purpose: Come meet your CERT Team and learn about emergency preparedness in our community

Listen to music, meet some of your neighbors, talk with some of our police officers, and have a hot dog or hamburger with a beverage.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. BRING YOUR COMMUNITY SPIRIT and support your CERT TEAM.

ALSO, the CERT TEAM and Mayor Malinda Miles ask residents to participate in this safety event by turning on their porch lights at 6:30 p. m. and leave them on until at least 9:00 p. m.

Thanks for YOUR participation in NNO!

Maryland's Minimum Wage goes up TODAY!

MINIMUM WAGE GOES UP

Maryland's minimum wage goes up from $8.75 an hour to $9.25 an hour today, July 1, 2017.  This gradual increase is a result of legislative action taken by the Maryland State Legislature in 2014.

Mrs. Jill Kamenetz, First Lady of Baltimore County , to be Guest Speaker at WINGS Breakfast

WINGS Breakfast Menu at the Maryland Municipal Summer Convention was something to talk about last year. In fact, I heard that another organization will be doing omelets this year. LOL

As trendsetters, WINGS has competition this year from even another group hosting breakfast on the last day of the MML Summer Convention at the exact same time as the WINGS Breakfast.

Well, ladies, that will not stop WINGS or even set us back because those that are COMMITTED to moving Women In Government Service forward will be in attendance and in living color!

WINGS members look forward to YOU being there and seeing you there in ROOM 215 at 8:30 a.m. for a breakfast to REMEMBER.

Here is our MENU:
Made to order omelets
A stand-alone GRITS Station with all of the trimmings
A fresh and healthy FRUIT Station
An irresistible doughnut and pastry station
And of course, a Coffee/tea/orange juice

Tickets are still only $35 and everyone is welcome to come.

Our guest speaker this year is Mrs. Jill Kamenetz, First Lady of Baltimore County!

Have YOU visited Mount Rainier's Bike Coop?

Just in case you are NOT aware of one of the jewels in Mount Rainier, I would like to introduce you to the Mount Rainier Bike Coop.

The Bike Coop has been around a few years and is housed on Bunker Hill Road. It is run by volunteers who are dedicated to keeping the doors open.

Most of the bikes that they build are donated to children or adults who need a bike. They also teach others how to build or work on a bike. Matt C did this video that I think says it all.

If you have not visited the Bike Coop and you have been thinking about a bike, check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGtprxX1k_I&t

ATTENTION FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS

2017 PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY HOUSING FAIR RETURNSSATURDAY, JUNE 10TH

WIN UP TO $2,000 FOR ONE MONTH’S RENT OR MORTGAGE AND 3 CHANCES TO WIN UP TO $10,000 TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF YOUR FIRST HOME!

Largo, MD ---The robust housing market in Prince George’s County makes now a great time to purchase a home. Whether you’re in the market for new construction, resale, condos or senior living, Prince George’s County has something for everyone and every budget. So join the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development and the Housing Authority of Prince George's County on Saturday, June 10th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM as it hosts the 2017 Housing Fair at the Sports and Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD.

The Housing Fair is presented by the Prince George's County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Housing Authority of Prince George's County and sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Bank of America and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Housing Fair attendees will have an opportunity to meet with housing industry professionals, such as mortgage lenders, realtors, housing counselors, banks, non-profit organizations and various government agencies. The MD Department of Housing and Community Development will have information about the Maryland Mortgage Program and the “You’ve Earned It!” program. The Fair will also hold workshops on financial literacy, foreclosure alternatives, managing your money and more.

Again this year, an expert panel discussion will open up the Housing Fair: Condominium and HOA Board Governance: How It Impacts Your Property Value. Many first time homebuyers purchase condominiums without knowing or understanding the governance behind them. This panel will enlighten potential homebuyers considering the purchase of a condo and answer questions for those who have already made their purchase.

New this year, DHCD will pay the rent or mortgage of one lucky winner, up to $2,000! In addition, DHCD will present its House Lottery this year and give pre-qualified applicants a chance to win up to $10,000 toward the purchase of their first home.

During the Mid-Day Event, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III will draw the names of 3 winners at 12:00 noon. All applicants must be present to win. 

Time to PURCHASE your WINGS Scholarship Breakfast Tickets NOW!

The SECOND Annual WINGS Scholarship Breakfast is Wednesday, June 28, 2017, Ocean City Convention Center, in room 215 at the MML Summer Convention.  Breakfast will start at 8:30 a.m.

Tickets are $35 for one person and $350 for a table of 10.  The last day for purchasing tickets is June 15. 

Since last year's Scholarship Breakfast was such a huge success, we have increased our seating to 150 guests.  Seats are going fast, and we wanted you to have the opportunity to hear our great guest speakers, and be a part of the awards ceremony.

To purchase a ticket, send your check to Councilmember Gina Morlan, Brentwood Town Center, 4300 39th Place Brentwood, MD 20722 TODAY!

Thank you in advance, and I look forward to greeting you at WINGS Second Annual Scholarship Breakfast in Ocean City, MD.

OPPORTUNITIES for Environmentalists and Communities

Chesapeake Bay Trust

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative: Mini-Grant Program

Goals of the Trust’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative                            

The mission of the Chesapeake Bay Trust is to promote public awareness and participation in the restoration and protection of water quality and the aquatic and land resources of the Chesapeake Bay region.  One of the Trust’s core corporate values is Inclusion: The Trust feels that the watershed will not be restored without a broad range of communities investing in and reaping the benefits of healthy natural resources. The success of these efforts will require increased outreach, capacity building, and a willingness to listen to and understand the values and specific concerns of diverse communities.  

For two reasons, the Trust aims to reach beyond groups already committed to the environment to new groups, or groups with a large gap between how they could be engaged and how they are currently engaged with natural resource issues. First, given the breadth of the natural resource restoration challenges, the Trust will only garner the resources and individual participation necessary for solutions if it represents and engages all communities in the watershed and develops stewards of our natural resources from wider audiences. Second, given that healthy natural resources improve lives in various ways, populations who are not engaged will be at a disadvantage.  Humans have capacity to improve natural resources, and natural resources have the capacity to improve human life.

History of the Trust’s Mini Grant Program                                                        

In addition to approximately 10-15 larger grant programs that offer grants up to, in some cases, $500,000, the Trust has long offered to its community of grantees a “Mini Grant Program,” or grants up to $5,000.  These funds are offered on a rolling basis with a quick turnaround time and allow groups to accomplish an array of natural resource awareness, engagement, and restoration projects. Typically, 30-50 organizations are awarded funds through this mechanism each year. Grantees have included large, high-capacity, primarily watershed organizations well known in our larger grant programs who seek a small amount of funds to finish a larger project, as well as small organizations new to grant-making for whom $5,000 is a large portion of their annual budgets.  One of the uses of this program has been to advance organizations up the “ladder” of grant-making:  Allow them to start with a small grant, teach them the skills of grant-writing and project management, then foster their use of our larger programs.

Strategy Shift in the Trust’s Mini Grant Program                                               

New this year, in our fiscal year 2017, the Trust aims to focus on the second type of grantee discussed above, and focus use of the Mini Grant Program on new applicants. Our goal is to attract audiences who have traditionally been under-engaged in natural resource issues, but can benefit from obtaining grants that connect their primary goals with environmental issues.

New Mini Grant Program Elements to Foster Diversity and Inclusion         

The restructured Mini Grant Program will have several elements:

1. Only applicants who have received three grants or fewer from the Trust in the past will be permitted to apply.  Our outreach efforts will target new applicants.

2.               We will focus our outreach efforts specifically on three major audiences hypothesized by our Diversity and Inclusion Committee to have a particularly large gap between current and potential engagement and who are large enough in size that reaching them will have a large impact:

a.                Communities of color

b.               Faith-based communities

c.                Communities involved in the human health sector.

3.               We will expand the types of activities and projects that we fund, to make clear that we are willing to fund elements of projects that may not have a primarily environmental purpose but that have an ultimate connection or potential to improve natural resources.

4.               Connector Groups: We understand that the messenger is important, and an organization with a name like ours may not be the best messenger. As a result, we plan to engage 3-5 “connector groups” whose mission combines both natural resource issues and issues connected to the three communities identified above. These connector groups will help provide outreach on the grant opportunity, translate our goals into language that is best received by the new audiences, and help new applicants navigate the grant-making process.

5.               Mentorship Program: We do not wish to fully exclude previous, experienced grantees, as we feel they have a significant role to play. Experienced grantees will be encouraged to offer mentorship to new applicants. These groups can help new applicants with proposal ideas, wording suggestions for applications, project management, budget management, and reporting. In exchange for mentoring a new applicant, a previous grantee will be permitted to themselves apply to the program for Mini Grants, allowing them to complete their own small projects.

Ultimate goals of the newly structured Mini Grant Program                              

The Trust’s hope through this newly formatted program is two-fold:  First, we hope to make aware a wide range of groups with wide-ranging missions that natural resource issues should be part of their portfolios. Second, we hope to provide grants to those organizations to fund projects with co-benefits, one of which includes a natural resources benefit. Ultimately, these groups will receive training through on-the-ground practice in applying for grants, will learn that environmental funding opportunities are relevant to them, and will develop the capacity to apply for larger grants from the Trust. We want people and communities who benefit from healthy natural resources to fully engage in natural resource issues and serve as stewards. Communities sometimes miss the connection between their primary concerns and watershed issues. Extending our reach into these communities will benefit them and will benefit natural resources.