Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the September 18, 2019 City Council meeting agenda: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-september-18-2019/. We’re scheduled to vote on a Mutual Aid Agreement with the Laurel Police Department; a Community Legacy Grant application for New Hampshire Avenue signage and façade improvements; and contracts with the Old Takoma Business Association and the Takoma/Langley Community Development Authority. There will also be a continuation of our discussion on election-related changes to our City charter and code.
Announcements
Parking Management Task Force -- applications due September 20. The Task Force will be appointed by the Council to review parking management in the City, engage with the community, and advise the Council. The application form can be found here: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/boards-commissions-and-committees/parking-management-task-force/
City Climate Action Workshop -- Tuesday, September 17, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Community Center Auditorium. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/takoma-park-climate-action-workshop-tickets-71118291725
Takoma Foundation Beerfest -- Saturday, September 21, 4:00 - 8:00 PM at the Cady-Lee House. https://www.takomafoundation.org/events/beerfest
Farmers Market Pie Contest -- Sunday, September 22, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Seventh Day Adventist Church in Old Town. http://takomaparkmarket.com/pie-contest-rules/
Takoma Langley Crossroads Night Market -- Saturday, September 28, 4:00 - 8:30 PM, on Anne Street by University Boulevard. http://takomalangley.org/night-market/
Little Library Art Project -- application deadline September 29: https://takomaparkmd.gov/uncategorized/artists-needed-to-paint-little-library-boxes/
Takoma Street Festival -- Sunday, October 6, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, on Carroll Avenue and Carroll Street in Takoma Park and Takoma DC
Votes and Work Session
Laurel Police Department Mutual Aid Agreement: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2019/council-20190911-3.pdf. I support the adoption of this agreement to help enhance collaboration with the City of Laurel’s Police Department, and I’ll be voting in favor of the resolution.
Community Legacy Grant Application: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2019/council-20190918-2.pdf. I’ll be voting for the resolution in support of this grant for improvement and beautification of the exteriors of businesses in the Crossroads area.
Contracts with OTBA and Takoma/Langley CDA: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2019/council-20190918-3.pdf. I appreciate the valuable support provided by these two organizations to businesses in Takoma Park, and I’ll be voting yes on the contracts.
Election-Related City Charter and Code Amendments: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2019/council-20190918-4.pdf
As we make plans for our local elections to be synchronized with Federal and State elections next year, the City Board of Elections has made a series of suggested changes to our election procedures. We discussed the Board recommendations several months ago and at that time asked a number of questions, to which they have now responded. We’ll be reviewing their responses and continuing our discussion.
Please feel free to be in touch with questions or comments about any of the issues covered in this message.
Peter Kovar
Takoma Park City Council
Ward One
240-319-6281