On The County Agenda: Smoking Ban Nears Vote, Public Hearings for Silver Spring Transit Center, RideOn Fleet

The proposed smoking ban on all Montgomery County-owned property is nearing a vote as the County Council is set to hear the bill's final reading at Tuesday's meeting.

Montgomery County's Health and Human Services Commission recommended the Council approve the ban with the following amendments:

• Prohibit smoking at bus stops and bus shelters
• Allow the Director of Health and Human Services to designate outdoor smoking areas on certain County properties
• Do not prohibit smoking on golf courses
• Prohibit smoking at County-owned residences, but grandfather existing tenants

The full packet on the Montgomery County smoking ban is available on the County Council website.

Related Coverage:

•  (Jan. 25, 2013)
•  (Jan. 22, 2013)
• VIDEO: Montgomery Looks to Broaden its Ban on Smoking (Nov. 16, 2012)
• Floreen Seeks Smoking Ban at All County Property (Nov. 13, 2012)
  

Other agenda items of note include:

• Public Hearing — Supplemental appropriation to the FY13 Capital Budget and amendment to the FY13-18 Capital Improvements Program, Silver Spring Transit Center, $7,500,000 (General Obligation Bonds)
  
  • The County Executive is recommending this supplemental appropriation and CIP amendment for "cost increases related to site improvements, utilities, and construction costs as well as significant project delay costs."
• Public Hearing/Action — Supplemental appropriation to the FY13 Capital Budget and amendment to the FY13-18 Capital Improvements Program, Ride On Bus Fleet, $13,895,000 (Short-Term Financing) 
  
  • Recommended by County Executive Ike Leggett, the project will "fund the replacement of 32 Champion buses which have had fire safety problems."
• Action — Spending Affordability Guidelines for FY14 Operating Budget 

The full agenda can be viewed on the Montgomery County Council website.