Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the October 13, 2021 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-october-13-2021/. We’ll be voting on the two traffic calming proposals on which we took initial votes last week (for the 7900 block of Takoma Ave. and for Auburn Ave.) In the work session, we’ll be discussing Council compensation and appointments to City committees. See below for details on these agenda items.
In order to speak in the public comment period, sign up by 5:00 PM on Wednesday: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__alIEgzEQhSeuemfCFUcBQ. The meeting can be viewed on City TV (RCN -- 13, HD 1060; Comcast/xfinity -- 13, HD 997; Verizon Fios -- 28), on the City Council Video Page; on YouTube, or on Facebook.
For the rest of the year, we have Council meetings on October 20, plus November 3, 10 and 17. In addition, on December 1 we’ll have a special session with our Maryland State delegation on legislative priorities for the coming year. After that, the Council will be on break from formal meetings until after the New Year. Among the issues we’ll have on the agenda in the remaining meetings this year are: votes on appointments to City committees and to the Sustainable Banking and Investments Task Force; a vote on Council compensation; updates on election planning; and review of the recommendations submitted by the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force.
I’d add that I’m pushing for us to allocate additional funds from our ARPA account (beyond what we’ve already set aside for eviction and food insecurity assistance) to help ensure we have a sufficient amount of money available -- especially as the holidays approach -- to assist residents who are facing challenges connected to the COVID pandemic. I’ll continue making the case for action along those lines.
PARKING MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE PRESENTATION
https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20211013-1.pdf. The task force was established several years ago to recommend changes and reforms to the City’s parking policies. While the group has been meeting regularly, it hasn’t been able to conduct public engagement owing to COVID -19. However, the task force has prepared a report with draft recommendations, which they will present at the Council meeting.
COVID UPDATE
The Takoma Park COVID-19 Data Dashboard has been updated through October 7: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=42a594afc3ad4c59ba7b1ca9965b7837. Key data points noted by City staff:
As of October 6, State-level data for the 20912 zip code showed a fully vaccinated rate of 58.6% (a 0.4% increase from last week) and an at least partially vaccinated rate of 64% (a 0.5% increase from last week). The County has separately provided us with a first-dose vaccination rate for Takoma Park of 64% as of 9/29 -- slightly higher than the vaccination rate for the zip code given the difference in timing -- based on County vaccination rates for the City's Census tracts. The County will continue to provide precise data on vaccination rates for the City each month going forward. We have added this as a key statistic to the dashboard, alongside the more-regularly updated vaccination rates for the 20912 zip code.
The City's actual vaccination rate is likely higher than the 64% reported by the County. County and State data do not include vaccinations residents received outside of Maryland, unlike the CDC. As a result, the CDC's data show a vaccination rate in Montgomery County about 10% higher than the State/County data (83.9% at least one dose from the CDC vs. 74.2% from the State/County). While the CDC does not make data on vaccination rates by city available, given Takoma Park's location next to DC, we might expect County/State data on vaccination rates in Takoma Park in particular to undercount vaccinations because Takoma Park residents vaccinated in DC are not counted in County/State vaccination totals.
There were 13 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the City since last week, bringing the City's total to 1,916 since the start of the pandemic. The rate of new cases in the City remained stable, while the County's has begun slowly declining. September finishes with approximately 69 new cases in the City, fewer than August's 89, but the highest in any other month since April's 70. Hospitalization rates due to COVID-19 in Montgomery County are down 8% over the last 14 days, and deaths are trending slightly down.
There were no new deaths due to COVID-19 in the 20912 zip code since last week.
Other COVID resources: Vaccines: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ or State Vaccine Website; Testing: Montgomery County Testing Sites; Tenants having trouble paying rent: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/SNHS/rent-relief.html or https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/housing-and-community-development/contact-us/; Food aid: Submit an online request for help with food resources or call 240-777-0311.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thrive Montgomery 2050 Plan and Zoning in Takoma Park: http://www.councilmemberkovar.com/blog/2021/10/7/montgomery-countys-thrive-2050-plan-and-zoning-in-takoma-park. Residents may wish to read my recent blog on zoning and land use issues relating to this County planning initiative.
Sustainable Banking and Investments Task Force (October 15 application deadline): https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/task-force-on-sustainable-banking-and-investments-apply-now/. Residents who’d like to help determine how Takoma Park can best switch to banking and investment policies which are nuclear-free and fossil-fuel free can apply to serve on this task force. The task force will also consider the future status of the City’s Nuclear Free Committee.
Update on Maple Avenue Sidewalk Project: When the project’s current phase -- covering the block between Tulip Avenue and the Washington, DC border -- is complete, work will be suspended until next fiscal year. This means the remainder of the project (the east side of Maple, from Tulip to Valley View) won’t proceed at least for now. This is partly because there’s insufficient funds to complete that entire section. I pointed out to City staff that it would be unduly disruptive to do the work on that segment spread out over two separate years, and I’m pleased they’ve decided to hold off until the funding is lined up. Equally important, having an additional year or so before the work is rescheduled will provide time to better understand the impact of the project on residents’ property (including specifically stormwater flow issues), and determine how to address those concerns and whether there are alternatives to the current plan which would work better. Figuring that our will be a priority for me.
Public Space Management Plan Workshops: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/we-want-your-feedback-on-public-space-come-play-a-game/ The City is hosting a series of community workshops on the Public Space Management Plan which will center around an interactive game about the values residents hold on parks, sidewalks, streeteries, bike lanes, and other public spaces. The next workshops will be held on October 16 (see the link above for details).
Coffee with a Cop, October 12, 7:00 - 9:00 PM, IHOP, 7405 New Hampshire Avenue: This is a rare evening version of the popular opportunity to mingle informally with representatives of the City Police Department.
Small Things Matter Concert/Fundraiser -- Oct. 16, Noon - 5:00 PM at Takoma Junction: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jam-session-at-the-coop-a-benefit-concert-for-small-things-matter-tickets-169789287329. This should be a fun way to support a local group which helps address COVID related needs, including especially food security. Time your attendance so you can watch the 3:00 PM food packing competition featuring several local elected officials, including your Ward One Councilmember.
Minor Master Plan for Former Adventist Hospital Site: The County Planning Office is conducting a Minor Master Plan engagement process on possible uses for the hospital site. Among the uses which have been suggested are an elementary school, a rec center, housing, a commercial development, or some combination of those options. You can read about the master plan process, see the schedule for public events, and register your views here: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/citys-minor-master-plan-moves-ahead/. The next public engagement will be on October 17 at the Takoma Park Farmers Market.
Ward Redistricting Process: https://takomaparkmd.gov/initiatives/project-directory/redistricting/. The City will be using updated Census data to determine possible changes to our Ward boundaries. The new boundaries will be in effect for the next 10 years, so I encourage residents to participate in the process. You can review the redistricting portal and a survey (via the link above), plus the recent presentation by our redistricting consultants (https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/Documents/redistricting-presentation-2021-09-22.pdf). The portal includes a scenario modeler for testing map options. There will also be community engagement events on October 21 and December 2. The Council recently approved a resolution establishing our re-districting criteria: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210929-3.pdf
Plant-a-tree Orders Accepted through October 25: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/help-restore-the-urban-forest-canopy-plant-a-tree-orders-accepted-through-october-25th/. Residents can purchase reduced price trees for planting on private property.
Friends of the Takoma Park Library Book Sale Donations: https://ftpml.org/upcoming-events/. The Library is accepting book donations for the Friends fall sale on November 6. Please bring gently used books (no textbooks) to the Library during regular hours (Monday - Thursday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, and Friday - Sunday, Noon - 6:00 PM).
VOTING SESSION
Traffic Calming (two separate votes): https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20211013-2-3.pdf. I voted for both traffic calming proposals when the Council gave them initial approval last week, and I’ll be voting yes on final passage this week.
WORK SESSION
Council Compensation Discussion: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20211013-4.pdf. We’ll resume last year’s discussion on salary and benefits for Mayor and Councilmembers. In my view, the current relatively modest pay effectively means a significant percentage of residents, including many single parents and lower-paid workers, can’t seriously contemplate running for office. More often than not, Councilmembers are retired, have jobs or spouses with high salaries, or work in flexible job situations. So I support upward adjustments in the pay and benefits for the Mayor and Councilmember positions. Of course, we can’t vote to increase our own compensation without an intervening election. So any changes wouldn’t apply until after the next election. But if we do increase the pay and benefits, potential candidates will be able to know in advance of the election, which may broaden the pool of those who consider running.
Committee Appointments: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20211013-5.pdf. The Council is expected to vote next week on appointments to the various City committees. A three person working group composed of Councilmembers Dyballa, Kostiuk and Seamens is reviewing the applications and will be making recommendations on appointments in this week’s meeting.
Feel free to contact me with questions or comments concerning any of the topics covered in this blog.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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