ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

The first Montgomery County Council took office on January 18, 1949, after passage of a Charter which replaced the county commissioner form of government. This first Council was composed of seven members, one from each of the five Council Districts and the other two from the County at large. The County Council served as both the chief executive authority and as the legislative branch. It was required to sit in executive session at least once in each calendar month, and met in both open and closed executive sessions at least once every week.

Under the provisions of the Charter, the executive powers granted to the Council included the adoption of expense and capital budgets; the appointment of a County Manager to serve at the Council's discretion; the election of officers from its own membership including a president and a secretary; the establishment by resolution of general policies, orders, and instructions for administering the functions of the executive branch; and the power to hold hearings on legislation.

During the legislative session held in May of each year, the Council was authorized to enact or amend public local laws for the County upon matters covered by the Express Powers Act, except those of the incorporated towns and villages of the County, and to repeal or amend certain local laws for the County previously enacted by the General Assembly.

However, the County Council-County Manager system was seen to be inadequate for the rapidly growing population of the County who were demanding more services and accountability from the local government, and a revised charter was prepared and approved in 1968. This charter provided for the election of a County Executive in 1970 who would be responsible for administering all Montgomery County government departments. Day-to-day operations would be supervised by a Chief Administrative Officer appointed by the County Executive. The Council would continue to make laws, set tax rates, approve budgets, and deal with planning, zoning and land subdivision problems.

Today, the County Council consists of nine members, five elected by district and four County-wide. The Council continues to enact all local laws, oversee zoning and planning, appropriate funding for the budgets of County agencies, set property tax rates, and also meets as the County Board of Health. The Council holds regular weekly sessions and conducts public hearings and work sessions throughout the year. Each Council member serves on two of the following six Council Committees: Education; Health and Human Services; Management and Fiscal Policy; Planning, Housing, and Economic Development; Public Safety; and Transportation and Environment.

Each Council member has a small staff which is responsible for carrying out the Council member's projects, and a Confidential Aide provided for by the County Charter.

PROCESSING PROCEDURES

General processing procedures consisted of discarding duplicates, unnecessary binders, and routine transmittals. Oversized documents and photographs were removed from the original location in their assigned series and placed in separate containers. Separation sheets were inserted in the original location within the folder to indicate the new location of any records placed elsewhere.

Preservation copying of newspaper clippings was performed whenever feasible. Records in folders were arranged, unless otherwise indicated, in forward chronological order, with undated records appearing at the end of the folder.

PROVENANCE

Some of these materials were transferred from the Rockville Library vertical files in 1996, 1997, and 2000.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The printed materials comprise 1.67 cubic feet dating from 1948 to 1998, and consist of items produced by or at the request of the County Council. Handbooks describing the laws, organization and functioning of County government are included, as are reports relating to solid waste disposal, water supply, and sewerage. Copies of several Comprehensive Ten Year Water and Sewerage Plans for the years between 1972 and 1979, which were mandated by state law, can be found here. The materials also contain two reports by the Citizens Advisory Committee to Study Zoning in the Central Business Districts and Transit Station Areas and other planning and zoning studies. Of special significance is a 1957 guide for the growth and development of the Gaithersburg area. Also of significance is a 1962 review of County government and structures conducted by Public Administration Service, a private consulting firm, which contains the firm's recommendations for improvements. Reports of several advisory committees on such issues as mobile homes, condominiums, and salaries for public officials are also included. Records also include an incomplete series of "Council Comments," from 1966 to 1981, which consists of commentary written by various members of the County Council for publication in local newspapers. This series contains the first release, in 1966.

This material is arranged chronologically and then alphabetical within each year.

RELATED RECORDS

Record Group 1: County Executive, Printed Materials

Record Group 2: County Council, Montgomery County Council

Record Group 5: Human Resources, Personnel Office

Record Group 8: Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Management

Record Group 8: Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Resource Protection

Record Group 18: Civic Organizations, Montgomery County Charter Committee

Record Group 18: Civic Organizations, Montgomery County Civic Federation

Box 1

Report of a Year of Accomplishment of the Honorable Board of Commissioners for Montgomery County, c.1948

Laws of Montgomery County, 1949

Organization of the Government of Montgomery County, Maryland, 1950

Report of the Citizens Housing Advisory Committee to the Montgomery County Council, 1950

Subdivision Regulations fo Upper Montgomery Planning District, 1953

Economic Survey of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties (2 folders), 1955

Guide for Development Policies for Central Montgomery County, Maryland, 1957

Industrial Site Survey, Upper Montgomery County, 1957

Zoning Ordinance for the Maryland-Washington Regional District in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1958

Report of the Committee on Conflict of Interest, 1959

Revenue Survey: Report of the Financial Advisory Committee for the Montgomery County Council, 1960

Study Committee on Recreation and Park Services in Montgomery County Report, 1960

Box 2

Government of Montgomery County, Volume I, 1962

Government of Montgomery County, Volume II, 1962

Report of the Assessments Review Committee, 1963

Report of the Financial Advisory Committee of Montgomery County, Maryland, to the Montgomery County Council, 1965

Report of the Financial Advisory Committee of Montgomery County, Maryland, to the Montgomery County Council on the Interim Report of the Maryland Commission on State and County Finance, 1965

Council Comments, 1966

Report of the Ad Hoc Committee for a Civic/Cultural Center in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1967

Report of the Committee to Evaluate the General Plan, 1967

Charter of Montgomery County, Maryland, Reviewed and Corrected, 1968

Commentary Upon Proposed Charter, 1968

Guide for Young Citizens and Their Parents in Montgomery County, 1969

Charter Understanding Seminar, 1970

Report of the Task Force to Study School Cost and Financing, 1970

Ad Hoc Committee on Work Release Program, 1972

Comprehensive Ten Year Water and Sewerage Plan, FY 1973-1982, 1972

Comprehensive Ten Year Water and Sewerage Plan, FY 1973-1982, Supplement, 1972

Council Comments, 1972

Box 3

Report on the Use of Temporary Wastewater Treatment Plants: Standards and Procedures for Elimination of Health Hazards, 1972

Report to the Montgomery County Council by the Committee on Home Purchase Costs, 1972

Toward Development of Better Central Business Districts in Montgomery County, 1972

Comprehensive Ten Year Water and Sewerage Plan, FY 1974-1983, 1973

Council Comments, 1973

Joint Task Force on Data Processing Progress Report: Review of Existing and Proposed Data Bases, 1973

Joint Task Force on Data Processing: Review of Existing and Planned Systems, 1973

Planning, Zoning and Development of Central Business Districts and Transit Station Areas, 1973

Program of Action for Montgomery County, Maryland, 1973

Box 4

Accessible, Accountable and Responsive: A Report on the Montgomery County Charter and a Proposal for its Revision, 1974

Comprehensive Ten Year Water and Sewerage Plan FY 1975-1984, Parts I and II, 1974

Council Comments, 1974

Joint Task Force on Data Processing Progress Report: Review of Existing and Proposed Data Bases, 1974

Joint Task Force on Data Processing Review of Existing and Planned Systems, 1974

Master Plan--Montgomery County Governmental Center, 1974

Powers, Responsibilities and Activities of the Montgomery County Council, 1974

Powers, Responsibilities and Activities of the Montgomery County Council: An Information Paper, 1974 (Amended 1975)

Report of the Charter Review Committee to the County Council and the Citizens of Montgomery County, Maryland, 1974

Comprehensive Ten Year Water and Sewerage Plan, FY 1976-1985, Part 1, 1975

Comprehensive Ten Year Water and Sewerage Plan, FY 1976-1985, Part 2, 1975

Council Comments, 1975

Box 5

Report by the Task Force to Study a Haven for Physically Abused Persons, 1975

Report of the Committee for the Observance of Martin Luther King Day, 1975

Report of the Special Committee to Review Compensation and Personnel Practices, 1975

Analysis of Montgomery County Employee Benefits, 1976

Budget Choices...Your Views Count, FY 1977, 1976

Council Comments, 1976

Final Report of the Charter Review Committee to the County Executive, County Council and Citizens of Montgomery County, Maryland, 1976

Joint Task Force on Data Processing Progress Report: Review of Existing and Proposed Data Bases, 1976

Joint Task Force on Data Processing Review of Existing and Planned Systems, 1976

Report of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Energy Conservation Standards in the County Building Code, 1976

Report of the Committee for the Observance of Martin Luther King Day, 1976

Special Committee to Review Compensation and Personnel Practices: Final Report, 1976

Study of Mobile Homes on Individual Sites (2 folders), 1976

Box 6

Agricultural Erosion Task Force Report, 1977

Council Comments, 1977

Community Use of Public Schools and School Facilities in the Fields of Recreation, Vocational Training and Services for Senior Citizens: Report of the Community Education and Services Task Force, 1978

Council Comments, 1978

Employees' Retirement System as Amended by the Montgomery County Council, 1978

Employees' Retirement System, effective July 1, 1978: Making a County a Community, 1978

Final Report of the County Council Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Oversight, 1978

Joint Task Force on Data Processing Review of Existing and Planned Systems, 1978

Property Assessment in Montgomery County: Final Report of the Montgomery County Council Task Force on Real Property Assessment Practices: Fosler Report, 1978

Property Assessment in Montgomery County: Summary Report of the Montgomery County Council Task Force on Real Property Assessment Practices, 1978

Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan, FY 1979-1988, Parts I and II, 1979

Council Comments, 1979

Joint Task Force on Data Processing Review of Existing and Planned Systems, 1979

Report of the Housing Policy Implementation Committee, 1979

Box 7

Council Comments, 1980

Council Organization and Operations, 1980

Intercounty Connector/Rockville Facility Study, 1980

Audit Committee Report on the Operations Review of the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control, 1981

Citizens Advisory Committee to Review Compensation of County Boards, Committees, Commissions and Advisory Councils, 1981

Council Comments, 1981

Deinstitutionalization Task Force Subcommittee on Offenders: Interim Report, 1981

Equestrian Trails System Purpose and Plan, 1981

Exhibits to Report of Special Counsel in the Matter of the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control (2 folders), 1981

Box 8

Report of the Special Counsel in the Matter of the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control, 1981

Final Report on the Montgomery County Task Force on Performing Arts, 1982

Report and Recommendations Concerning Executive, Council, State's Attorney and Sheriff Salaries for the 1982-1986 Term, 1982

Report of the Montgomery County Task Force to Study Child Care, 1982

Report of the Task Force to Consider a County Government Philosophy on Liquor Control, 1982

Report to the Montgomery County Council by Potomac Investment Associates Concerning Transfer Development Rights for Avenel Farm, 1982

Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems Plan, 1983 Update, 1983

Gaithersburg Vicinity Master Plan, Testimony Re: Washington National Golf Course Property, 1983

Homeowner's Association Task Force (Group 1) Report and Recommendations: Alternative Dispute Resolution for Condominiums, Cooperatives and Homeowner Associations, 1983

Report of the Committee for More Efficient Use of the Existing Housing Stock, 1983

Report of the Task Force to Study the Needs of the Newly Unemployed, 1983

Homeowner's Association Task Force (Group 1) Report and Recommendations, Part 2: Issues Involving Voting, Directors, Warranties and Investor-ownership, 1984

Interim Report of the Compensation Task Force, 1984

Proposed User Fee Policy for Parks and Recreation, Montgomery County, Maryland, 1984

Report of the Community Access Task Force, 1984

Report of the Task Force to Study the Feasibility of Creating an Emergency Loan Fund, 1984

Report to the Montgomery County Council, Rockville, Maryland of the Sensitivity Awareness Symposium Day Task Force, 1984

Mobile Home Action Task Force Report, 1985

Report of the Compensation Task Force Volume 1: Basic Report, 1985

Report of the Compensation Task Force Volume 2: Principal Appendices, A-H, 1985

Second Interim Report of the Compensation Task Force, 1985

Report of the Compensation Task Force, Volume 1: Basic Report, 1985

Report of the Compensation Task Force, Volume 2: Principal Appendices, A - H, 1985

Report of the Compensation Task Force, Volume 3: Additional Appendices, I - O, 1985

Report of the Montgomery County Telecommunications Organization Task Force, 1985

Report of the Task Force on Child Support Enforcement, 1985

Report to the Montgomery County Council of the Consensus Committee on Growth Management, 1985

Second Interim Report of the Compensation Task Force, 1985

Victim Compensation Task Force: Report and Recommendations, 1985

Citizens Advisory Committee to Study Salaries for the County Executive, County Council, State's Attorney and Sheriff: Report and Recommendations for the 1986-1990 Term, 1986

Council Economic and Budget Strategy Committee: Impact of the Federal Gramm-Rudman- Hollings Legislation on Montgomery County, 1986

AIDS, 1987

Homeowners Association Task Force Report, Volume I: Executive Summary, 1989

Homeowners Association Task Force Report, Volume II: Tools for Implementation of the Homeowners Association Task Force Recommendations, 1989

Homeowners Association Task Force Report, Volume III: Resources and Subcommittees' Programs of Work, 1989

Box 9

Report of the Growth Assessment Task Force, 1990

Solid Waste Disposal System: Resource Recovery Facility Component Documents, Volume I (2 folders), 1990

Solid Waste Disposal System: Railroad Transportation Agreement, 1990

Box 10

Report of the Commission to Review Efficiency and Effectiveness of Government, 1991

Report of the Montgomery County Commission on Redistricting, 1991

Report of the Task Force to Examine the Regional District Act - Article 28 of the Maryland State Code, 1991

Working Group Report on Health Benefits for Active and Retired Employees, 1991

Agency Resource Conservation Plans FY 93, 1992

Report of the Montgomery County Liquor Control Policy Committee on a Proposed Test of Contracting Operations of Selected Department of Liquor Control Retail Stores, 1992

Executive Report to the County Council Regarding Proposed Cable Franchise Transfer to SBC- Media Ventures, 1993

Final Report of the Interagency Working Group on Training, 1993

Report to Policymakers on Child Care Priorities for Montgomery County, 1998