Official Notice Roundup: Health Advisories and City Council Agenda for February 20, 2026

Public Health Advisory: Maryland Reports Increase in Mumps Cases

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has issued a public health advisory as of February 19, 2026, following a confirmed increase in mumps cases across the state, with a concentration in the Baltimore metropolitan area. To date, 26 cases have been identified in 2026, consisting of 19 confirmed and seven probable cases. While health officials consider the overall risk to the general public to be low due to high state vaccination rates, the recent cases have primarily affected adults.

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable viral infection spread through saliva or respiratory droplets. Symptoms include parotitis (painful swelling of the jaw or face), fever, and malaise. Residents are encouraged to:

• Verify that they are up to date on the two-dose Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
• Contact a healthcare provider immediately if symptoms develop.
• Practice frequent handwashing and avoid sharing utensils or drinks.

City Council Preview: Tivoly Eco-Village and Excise Tax Proposals

The Baltimore City Council is scheduled to convene for its next regular legislative session on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Du Burns Council Chamber at City Hall. Residents and stakeholders are notified of the following key items currently on the agenda:

• Tivoly Eco-Village Designation: A public hearing and vote regarding the designation of properties along Tivoly Avenue, Fenwick Avenue, and Hugo Avenue as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to facilitate the Tivoly Eco-Village project.
• Passenger-for-Hire Excise Tax: The Council will review a proposed ordinance to increase the excise tax imposed per trip for passenger-for-hire services within the city limits.
• Charles Village Renewal: Legislation is pending to renew and continue the authority of the Charles Village Community Benefits District and Management Authority.

Weekend Traffic Alert: Maintenance and Crane Operations

The Department of Transportation has issued a traffic advisory for the weekend of February 20–22, 2026. Motorists should anticipate temporary road closures and lane modifications due to ongoing infrastructure maintenance and scheduled crane operations in the downtown area. Key impacts include:

• Temporary lane restrictions near CFG Bank Arena to accommodate weekend event traffic.
• Periodic lane closures on I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between I-70 and MD 43 for ongoing Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) projects.
• Standard maintenance work on city thoroughfares; drivers are advised to follow posted detours and allow for extra travel time.

Public Service Announcement: 2026 Collection Schedule Clarification

The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) reminds residents that trash and recycling collection will follow a normal schedule throughout this week. Following recent confusion regarding the 2026 printed calendar, officials clarified that a "slide" schedule only applies to specific major holidays. Collections are currently proceeding as regularly scheduled. Residents with questions regarding their specific collection zone should contact 311 for verification.