Lots of people are having difficulty paying their rent due to the pandemic. But today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released an eviction moratorium order. It protects people from being evicted for not paying their rent if they complete a declaration form and give it to their landlord. This protection lasts until June 30, 2021.

If you qualify for this help, fill out and sign a declaration form (available in both English and Spanish) and give it to your landlord. If you need help understanding whether you qualify, the Housing and Urban Development has a list of housing counselors in your area who can answer your questions. And whether or not you qualify, it might be worth finding out more about rental assistance programs. There may be local programs that offer rental assistance and other help.

If landlords violate the CDC’s order, they can be subject to fines and even criminal penalties. So if things aren’t going the way you think they should with your landlord, you may be able to get legal help. Check for state or local protections for renters. And if you’re worried about being evicted, even with this moratorium in place, tell your state’s attorney general.

Cox Creek and Masonville Citizen Committee Members: 

MDOT MPA is happy to share some good news with our DMMP committees! For the third consecutive year, the only known pair of nesting bald eagles in Baltimore have returned to their home at Masonville Cove,  are actively showing nesting behaviors and can now be seen live on the eagle cam on MDOT MPA’s YouTube channel!  WJZ interviewed Tim Carney, Maryland Environmental Service senior environmental specialist and avid birder on behalf of MDOT MPA for a news segment which aired January 27^th and 28^th and can be found here.  Please see the attached press release for additional information. 

Also on January 27 ^th , Governor Larry Hogan   announced   the  Board of Public Works approval of two contracts to study the use of dredged sediments for potential innovative reuse projects.  The contracts follow three others recently approved by the BPW to test use of dredged material to make bricks and pavers, concrete barriers and shoreline protection structures, as well as in sod production.  The press release is also attached for additional information. 

MDOT MPA wishes to thank each of you for your role as active members of the DMMP in seeing these positive developments in the Port of Baltimore! 

Kind regards,

Katrina Y. Jones

Outreach Coordinator for Harbor Dev.

MDOT Maryland Port Administration

401 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1900

Baltimore, MD 21202

kjones1@marylandports.com

  

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman will ease COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants and other businesses starting Friday, a response to the decreasing case rate after the holiday surge, he said.

When his new executive order takes effect, restaurants will be allowed to serve up to 50% capacity indoors. Other businesses that have been closed entirely will be allowed to open at 25% capacity, he said in a Tuesday news conference.

Restaurants will still be required to follow state safety guidelines, including mask orders, social distancing and 10 p.m. closures, he said.

If coronavirus metrics rise again, Pittman said he would have to reinstate the restrictions to avoid overwhelming the two county hospitals.

“There is a risk in doing this,” Pittman said. “Of course, if our numbers go up, we will have to go back; we will have to respond.”

He encouraged residents to continue carrying out from restaurants and following public health guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman will host seven online budget town halls over the next month to discuss the upcoming Fiscal Year 2022 budget. Due to the COVID pandemic, the town halls will be conducted by videoconference this year. More information is available here:

https://www.severnaparkvoice.com/stories/pittman-announces-budget-town-halls,32353?

Here is a link to a Capital gazette article regarding the restraining order to keep indoor dining open in Anne Arundel County.

The County Executive has spoken and the following restrictions will be instituted effective 12/16/20

List of all new or amended actions, effective Wednesday, December 16 at 5:00 p.m. until January 13 at 8:00 a.m.:

• Personal Services Establishments (hair stylist, nail salons, barbers) – decreased to 25% of that Establishment’s Maximum Occupancy.

• Religious Facility – decreased to 33% of that Religious Facility’s Maximum Occupancy. A Religious Facility may hold outdoor services for Christmas, Hanukkah or other recognized religious holidays with a gathering limit of no more than 250 persons, provided the Facility requires strict adherence to the Mandatory Health and Safety Protocols.

• Retail Establishment – decreased to 25% capacity.

• Fellowship Addiction Recovery– decreased to 25% capacity or 50 persons, whichever is less.

• Foodservice Establishments located in food courts in indoor shopping malls – restricted to carryout, delivery or curbside service only.

• Foodservice Establishments– restricted to carryout, delivery or curbside service only. No indoor or outdoor seating is permitted.

• Food distribution sites (food pantries, etc.) that serve or donate food to people in need at no cost may continue to operate subject to Mandatory Health and Safety Protocols.

• Social Clubs including American Legion posts, VFW posts, and Elks Clubs, restricted to 25% capacity and no food or beverages service.

• Indoor social gatherings of more than 10 people remain prohibited. Outdoor social gatherings of more than 25 people remain prohibited.

• “Social gatherings” does not include activities, facilities or venues that have a specific capacity limit or are ordered closed under this Local Executive Order No. 39.

• “Social gatherings” includes family gatherings, parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, conventions, fundraisers, flea markets, yard sales, and other gatherings that are not associated with operating or patronizing a business that sells merchandise from a location with a posted Maximum

• All organized sports play or practice is suspended, including private schools, and school or church gyms.

• Fitness Centers are restricted to 25% capacity and may not conduct classes or group fitness activities; all staff and customers must wear face coverings at all times.

• Gaming Facilities (casinos) are restricted to 25% capacity and no alcohol or food service except for carryout, delivery or curbside service.

• Indoor Theaters are closed.

• Indoor or outdoor venues for live performances are closed.

• Bingo, bowling alleys, pool halls, roller rinks, and indoor ice rinks shall close.

• All outdoor sporting venues including professional, semi-professional, amateur, recreational, collegiate, high school and motor sports venues are closed.

• Adult Entertainment venues are closed.

• Cigar and hookah lounges are closed but may sell retail products.

• Local annual license fees for Foodservice Establishments are waived and deemed paid for calendar year 2021.