[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6309873,"mediaKeyId","2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50","parentId",2407571,"title","Council approves Executive Regulation 17-23 on building energy performance standards","audioSeconds",229,"startMs",2916000,"endMs",3145000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50&start=2916&end=3145","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50/thumbnail_2916000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6309873/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Council-approves-Executive-Regulation-17-23-on-building-energy-performance-standards","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309873-944737c47d87e6374fd62bc285d3f5c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161654&Signature=NOZX5dJNjz~nY64jdyr~n3rVV-1dnbJaTpqjBkGUyfAhUc5jmvjDZNkTVADEaU4mbXkwO6InaFrpESihrJRjs3DwLGK4FCESqr6-N-7aL4N5sE~X7Eb8WBbyR9q3C~7r9y3KsOKdvKonvVZa67HMzkuITfMRMwRQc2hIq6xjB1GMaS~oxBdXmMSyrQL~C1-456uu0lQYv5ZmAVIDxYgt7nTRNh6ITJtMRVu45xAmmcCrIVhT9Ra-K8p5NHlzQmEiAU5XkHmp0un8nRNRVtqMOZYMHlwYc~9ctpsixXq76nVk3w5O7SAJAFpgrQh53BjitwyorBsUuW8q44WBaDet-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, MD","date","2025-02-26T03:58:51Z","article","The Montgomery County Council voted Feb. 25 to approve Executive Regulation 17-23, the county’s building energy performance standards, following a committee recommendation and a work session on Feb. 11. The Transportation and Environment Committee recommended approval and multiple councilmembers and DEP staff were acknowledged for extensive stakeholder engagement.

“The 13 months of work…is a big bold step,” said Councilmember Will Jawando, chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee, citing the county’s emissions goals and the need for complementary public and private investment. Council members credited the Department of Environmental Protection and community advocates for negotiating technical details and bringing stakeholders to the table.

Council members confirmed the regulation after brief remarks; the chair called for a voice/hand vote and reported unanimous support. The motion approved the regulation as supported by the T&E committee and as amended in the council-sent cover memo. No roll-call tally naming individual votes was entered in the meeting record; the chair reported all present councilmembers raised their hands in favor.

According to planning and DEP staff statements at the meeting, the regulation is part of a broader county effort to meet near- and long-term greenhouse-gas reduction goals. Committee and staff work leading to the vote included community meetings, multiple T&E committee sessions and revisions addressing business and common-ownership stakeholders. The council’s vote implements the regulatory text described in the meeting packet; the DEP will publish the approved regulation and proceed with implementation steps provided by county administrative processes.

Votes at a glance
- Executive Regulation 17-23 (Building Energy Performance Standards): Approved; T&E committee recommended approval; unanimous voice/hand vote recorded at the Feb. 25 meeting.
- Consent calendar (multiple routine items including earlier minutes and state legislative session minutes): Approved; motion to approve moved by Council Vice President (name in meeting record) and seconded by Councilmember Katz; unanimous approval recorded.

The approval represents a regulatory step rather than a direct budget appropriation; implementation will involve DEP and other county departments working through administrative and programmatic steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Feb. 25, 2025 - Council Session (am)","oneSentenceSummary","The Montgomery County Council voted unanimously to approve Executive Regulation 17-23, a set of building energy performance standards supported by the Transportation and Environment Committee and the Department of Environmental Protection, following a work session and stakeholder engagement.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, Maryland","taxId",3351,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":44,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309877,"County interviews Karen Randolph for deputy director role in Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions",1184,1732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50&start=1732&end=2916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50/thumbnail_1732000.jpg","/articles/6309877/Montgomery-County/Maryland/County-interviews-Karen-Randolph-for-deputy-director-role-in-Department-of-Technology-and-Enterprise-Business-Solutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309877-5497801cd7bbb786d60f534dee84a027/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161654&Signature=YkuYQj8apkfUUEPE-8~poahZKc6uMdS5O~dVdfeueqTLAQ7EQ0O4k~sJg8AdImsxFu73Qggcmvq6mFiO1ncV8W7BhZ4hyY77upocFiv0qKFiQFLknRQjYJ-uOPohil8ToR2dMAH22gA9Z476eVu92gyBleGs~IuCb4-xWWeiWagUsg~Ix7u5fqrS1zaKZ8pzfHZkj~3AzMfEB8ZpOERJ-QvSAXghpT~QCIBMXejLa7hAu65mGGbd7jSPcdWkI~r0udQDwc29C3FL74m3KFc3xRf1oK8fUMruec4dD8g5GX5bwFiaapJNswYmCUS3eVHXtTbWhhApXe-M3IAExEcwAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Council held an interview Feb. 25 with Karen Randolph, the county executive’s nominee to serve as deputy director/chief operating officer of the Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS). The position was created to provide enterprise leadership as the county replaces aging systems and expands IT responsibilities.

Randolph described experience in budgeting, procurement and operations across federal, city and state government. She said her last role as a budget officer in a large federal division and subsequent positions — including chief administrative officer for the City of Raleigh’s IT department and senior operations roles in Chicago and at North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services — focused on identifying savings, redirecting funds to innovation, and improving contractual terms.

Asked how she would organize funding and replacement of multiple county systems, Randolph said she would pursue a holistic approach: analyze the enterprise budget, pursue enterprise solutions that increase purchasing power, “right-size” internal staffing, plan for succession and reskilling of an aging technical workforce, and create predictive finance–engineering teams to manage cloud consumption and forecast multi-year costs. “Establishing a team of business financial individuals along with individuals who are technology engineers…doing predictive analysis” would inform budget requests, she said.

On racial equity and systemic bias in technology, Randolph said she would continue work already underway in TEBS, including outreach to affinity groups and programs expanding digital access to under-served communities. On the county’s federated IT environment, she acknowledged consolidation challenges and emphasized strategic, phased transitions that protect resident services and reskill staff.

Randolph described prior cybersecurity work at the state level, saying she helped increase cybersecurity funding and hired additional staff, and recommended the county similarly identify current gaps and fund necessary tools and personnel. Director Gail Roper, who introduced Randolph and spoke in support, described Randolph as a “financial guru” with enterprise IT budget experience and said she had served effectively as Roper’s COO in Raleigh.

Councilmembers thanked Randolph for her presentation; no confirmation vote occurred at the Feb. 25 session. The council’s government operations committee will continue its review under the county’s appointment process.","Karen Randolph, with prior experience in Raleigh, Chicago and state government, described budget and consolidation strategies and cybersecurity priorities as the County Council interviewed her for the newly created COO/deputy director position in TEBS.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309882,"Montgomery County Council proclaims February Road Safety Month, highlights recent fatalities and Vision Zero work",662,740000,1402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50&start=740&end=1402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50/thumbnail_740000.jpg","/articles/6309882/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Montgomery-County-Council-proclaims-February-Road-Safety-Month-highlights-recent-fatalities-and-Vision-Zero-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309882-296b30fecda3f6a1466f78e5ec8eeb78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161654&Signature=gkd-0v6Q--n0P9~umQ~dT989-dzYAraEfq8Y~D01KAoonz89F9xHg7yNTvpETVmV83SWoHaNaCyZauvAMfxF2BocP~udu7g~iUCb8Ymo6PMsg5EKybJ6noDa3X~U5twSFat6-2WtjQ7TUP8RGYRxR0riivIvjFOO1k0VjfCfWNUddfx3tM~X41zq2VLezMQ-Shw852puLNm4-jXoMLzmb2p7RLvesml~JJvCgu-gyHoEgzap4oOiPFfZ-f2DhF28uMhoKayiY-hVxn4GkPmWlfylwattZqJjwT1EGkRvDZPLsn0SNimFJUsAll8bryNY3lvYKPe98fP3XHQZ5rNs3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Council on Feb. 25 proclaimed February as Road Safety Month and spotlighted ongoing county programs aimed at reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries. Council members and public-safety partners cited recent local fatalities and reinforced county investments in pedestrian, bicycle and traffic-safety work.

Councilmember Will Jawando (chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee) and Council President Kate Stewart joined dozens of community advocates and safety professionals at the podium. “You are leading the way to make sure that Montgomery County’s roads are safe for everybody,” Jawando said, adding that his interest in road safety grew from personal experience as a neighborhood resident.

The proclamation quoted Maryland Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office data for 2024, stating that 5,507 people were killed in traffic crashes statewide, including 47 in Montgomery County. Council members said those fatalities are “real people” with “ripple effects” on families and neighborhoods. Councilmember Stewart stressed the role of sidewalks, crosswalks and community advocates in pushing for safety improvements.

Representatives of local groups and government agencies joined the recognition, including Susanne Ludlow (transportation advisory committee), Mindy Baden (transportation chair, Greater Olney Civic Association and Montgomery County Families for Safe Streets), Peter Graham (Washington Area Bicyclists Association and Montgomery County Families for Safe Streets), Chris Conklin (director, Montgomery County Department of Transportation), Wade Holland (Vision Zero coordinator, County Executive’s Office), Michael Paler (chief of traffic engineering, MCDOT) and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue staff.

The proclamation cited collaborative efforts such as Vision 0, the Safe Streets Act and Safe Routes to Schools and said the county aims to design roads that “prioritize safety for all users,” including lowering speeds, improving crosswalks, expanding protected bike lanes and strengthening measures to prevent impaired driving. The council also recognized local volunteers and advocacy groups who track dangerous locations and advocate for improvements.

No regulatory or budget actions were taken during the proclamation portion of the meeting; the recognition is intended to raise awareness and support for ongoing county safety initiatives. The council scheduled forthcoming committee and departmental work on road safety investments and projects through its capital and operating budgeting processes.","The council recognized Road Safety Month and emphasized local efforts — Vision 0, Safe Streets Act and Safe Routes to Schools — to reduce traffic deaths and injuries after county officials noted 47 local traffic fatalities in 2024.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6309888,"Montgomery County Council recognizes Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce on 10th anniversary",294,382000,676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50&start=382&end=676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2407571-41570fa1ffb3170d43f3d4162092ae50/thumbnail_382000.jpg","/articles/6309888/Montgomery-County/Maryland/Montgomery-County-Council-recognizes-Maryland-Black-Chamber-of-Commerce-on-10th-anniversary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309888-1ff3fcd30dd76d9f7ff9754aee015088/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161654&Signature=isugrBMvewp1dMBsoJXfISUZ1W0hbX5NWgReN8zvzUBh5B8V4Y39elbA2IOvHjBKCNOSxxqYRA2YaN~0PnDZdEzOAca~ogbNys-VEST1HGvDUjbs2PQg6gGJ3cBkmWn1t3cY7L~sqflA5cXFV5yOvNKnynSoSj~f4ceDrvjxnx-Gph1KPczmpa0bMWlHgx8bN6Ya8CiXElZeOEMQRhswgyqwGYUzPTcXM7wM-eRVnW0INZToI3W9TNX~iKpNzU5Zh-3Rpo4x~Yv0kW7oap6PnHgyE2DbFOruDOOx1iTNkt3vLyOib6ZwFdy5zJqEVm2FuwY4Rg~FsFIoBMvIe7KUow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery County Council presented a proclamation Feb. 25 recognizing the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce on its 10th anniversary for its work supporting Black-owned businesses across the state. The proclamation, sponsored by Councilmember Andrew Friedson and signed by Council President Kate Stewart, notes the chamber’s founding in Rockville on April 23, 2015 and its stated mission to connect, educate and advocate for Black-owned businesses.

The proclamation cited the chamber’s growth from eight members in 2016 to 690 members in 2024 and said the organization reached more than 3,000 businesses and individuals statewide last year. It also described local activity: the chamber’s Silver Spring headquarters at the Innovation Center averages more than six events per month, with roughly 120 business and individual interactions each month in Montgomery County.

Council President Kate Stewart and other councilmembers thanked chamber leaders and the neighborhood and business partners who came to the meeting. Speakers from the chamber who were introduced at the meeting included Michelle Taylor (board chair, emerita), Dr. Gina Valentine (former interim executive director), and advisory-board members identified in remarks at the meeting.

The council’s proclamation highlights the chamber’s signature programs — the Leadership Academy, GovCon Academy and a forthcoming nonprofit academy — and expresses the council’s appreciation for the chamber’s “leadership, advocacy, and impact” during Black History Month. The proclamation was read aloud at the start of the meeting and a formal copy was presented to chamber representatives on the dais.

The acknowledgment is ceremonial; no formal policy or budget action was taken by the council as part of the proclamation. The council proceeded to other proclamations and regular business after the presentation.","The Montgomery County Council adopted a proclamation honoring the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce’s decade of work connecting, educating and advocating for Black-owned businesses, noting membership growth and local programming in County communities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Executive Regulation 17-23 on building energy performance standards

County interviews Karen Randolph for deputy director role in Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions

Montgomery County Council proclaims February Road Safety Month, highlights recent fatalities and Vision Zero work

Montgomery County Council recognizes Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce on 10th anniversary