Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the October 6, 2021 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-october-6-2021/. There are four votes scheduled: on the budget amendment to which we gave initial approval last week; on establishing Juneteenth as a municipal holiday; and on two traffic calming measures (on the 7900 block of Takoma Avenue and on Auburn Avenue). In the work session the Council will discuss a proposed process for review of Council-appointed committee applications. At the beginning of the meeting there will be a proclamation on Indigenous Peoples Day. See below for details on all of the agenda items.
In order to speak in the public comment period, sign up by 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_teTca-j8R4G-dwE8oMrwCA. 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.
Indigenous Peoples Day Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2021/pr20211006_indigenous-peoples-day-rev.pdf. See below for information on the Indigenous Peoples Day event on October 9.
COVID UPDATE
The city COVID dashboard has been updated with data through September 30. Some key data points flagged by City staff:
· In the last two weeks, the 20912 zip code’s at least partially vaccinated COVID-19 vaccination rate rose from 63% to 64%, and the fully vaccinated rate rose from 57.3% to 58.1%.
· There were 39 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the last two weeks, bringing the City's total since the start of the pandemic to 1,903. Rates of new cases have stabilized after increasing from June to August. The rates are still elevated at levels similar to April 2021, above the lower levels of thia past summer.
· Rates of hospitalization due to COVID-19 in Montgomery County have remained steady over the last 14 days, with a weekly rolling average of 331 patients hospitalized.
· There were no new deaths reported in the 20912 zip code since last week.
Other 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
Public Space Management Plan Workshops -- Starting October 5: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/we-want-your-feedback-on-public-space-come-play-a-game/ This month, the City is hosting a series of outdoor community workshops in support of the development of the Public Space Management Plan. The workshops will center around an interactive game about the values residents hold on parks, sidewalks, streeteries, bike lanes, and other public spaces. The first workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 5 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at the Community Center. See the link above for information on future workshops.
Membership on Council-Appointed Committees -- Apply by October 7: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/the-city-council-is-accepting-applications-for-city-boards-and-committee-volunteers-through-september-30/. As we continue working to reform committee procedures (see below), we are also actively recruiting residents to serve on the various panels.
Pat Loveless Memorial: There will be a memorial for Takoma Park’s long-time Peace Advocate on Saturday, October 9, 2:00 - 4:00 PM at the Heffner Community Center, 42 Oswego Street.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, Saturday, October 9, 3:00 - 4:00 PM: This will be our second outdoor event on the banks of Sligo Creek honoring the peoples and cultures native to this area before the arrival of Europeans. The event will take place at Sligo Creek North Neighborhood Park, near where Heather Lane intersects Sligo Creek Parkway.
Takoma Foundation Beerfest, Saturday, October 9, 4:00 - 7:00 PM: The Beerfest will take place in front of Takoma Station restaurant on Fourth Street, NW. For information and to purchase tickets: https://www.takomafoundation.org/events/beerfest/tickets.html
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. A fun opportunity to support a local organization which helps address COVID related needs, including especially food and nutrition.
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 suggested uses are a new elementary school, a recreation 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 opportunity for public input will be on Sunday, 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 whether and how to change the boundaries of the six Wards in Takoma Park, taking into account population changes in the last 10 years. The process will unfold over the next several months with the Council expected to vote on a new Ward map in January. The new Ward boundaries will remain in effect for the next 10 years, so I encourage residents to participate in the process and review the relevant City resources, including the redistricting engagement portal and a survey (accessible via the link above) and the recent presentation by our redistricting consultants (https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/Documents/redistricting-presentation-2021-09-22.pdf). Starting October 8, a scenario modeler, which will enable residents to test out various map ideas, will be accessible through the portal. There will be a community engagement event on October 21. See Key Updates below for details on re-districting criteria.
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 its regular hours (Monday - Thursday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, and Friday - Sunday, Noon - 6:00 PM).
Court Appointed Special Advocate opportunities: https://voicesforchildrenmontgomery.org/. Learn how you can become a volunteer to assist children who need help navigating legal, scholastic and other challenges in the County.
KEY UPDATES FROM LAST WEEK’S COUNCIL MEETING
Redistricting Criteria Resolution: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210929-3.pdf. I voted for this unanimously approved resolution. Among its key criteria are the following: individual Ward populations should differ by no more than 10 percent between the largest and smallest (and ideally 5 percent or less); and Wards should be compact, geographically contiguous, and where practical follow natural boundaries.
Committee Code Amendments: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210929-6-rev.pdf. On a 6 - 1 vote, the Council approved this legislation, reforming our Council-appointed committee procedures, and also including changes to individual committees. I voted yes. Beyond standardizing most committee operations, the legislation discontinues the Personnel Appeal Board, the Façade Advisory Board, and the Commemoration Commission. In addition, there will be further review concerning the future of the Noise Control Board and the Nuclear Free Committee (the future status of the latter will be reviewed by the new Sustainable Banking and Investments Task Force). Also, the missions of the Committee on the Environment and the Complete Safe Streets Committee are modified.
I had concerns about the proposed deletion in the legislation of some of the commercial property maintenance and enforcement provisions which have been connected to the Façade Advisory Board. With the FAB’s discontinuation, most of those provisions are no longer relevant. However -- though County requirements will continue to offer protections -- some of the City provisions could still be useful, particularly in lighting, screening of dumpsters, etc., especially in areas where commercial and residential zones meet. There wasn’t a consensus on the Council to retain all or some of these maintenance and enforcement provisions, so they are removed in the legislation.
But, before the final vote of approval, the Council did adopt an amendment I proposed calling for more consideration of the maintenance and enforcement provisions as part of the Council’s future broader review of code enforcement issues. And I was pleased that Mayor Stewart indicated in the discussion of my amendment that working on code enforcement would be a priority for the Council. So, while I would have preferred to see a different outcome on this issue, following the approval of my amendment and the Mayor’s comments, I did vote for the overall package. For those who may be interested, you can see video of the debate on this topic starting at 1:14 in the September 29 link here: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/meetings-and-documents/city-council-video/
VOTING SESSION
Budget Amendment: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20211006-1.pdf. This amendment makes a series of shifts in funding (between fiscal years, because of new grant funding, making up for COVID-related changes in the Recreation Department schedules, etc.). I’ll be voting for the budget amendment. Separately, I’m hopeful we will also in the near future allocate additional ARPA funds to help address financial and other challenges faced by City residents because of the pandemic, and I’ll continue pushing for that goal. Residents can send ideas for using ARPA dollars to: ARPA@takomaparkmd.gov. And there are details on our ARPA spending and allocations to date here: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/Documents/ARPA-Presentation-20210908.pdf.
Juneteenth Holiday: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20211006-2.pdf. This will be our final vote on establishing Juneteenth as an official holiday here in the City. I’ll be voting yes.
Traffic Calming (separate votes on Takoma Avenue and Auburn Avenue): https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20211006-3-4.pdf. I was pleased to hear in last week’s public hearing that residents on both streets support traffic calming. I’ll be voting in favor of both proposals.
WORK SESSION
Proposed Process for Review of Committee Applications: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20211006-5.pdf. With the significant reforms of our Council-appointed committees (see above), it also makes sense to consider changes to the process for reviewing applications and appointing applicants, in particular with a goal of increasing diversity of committee membership. We’ll be discussing options for changes to the application review and appointment process along those lines.
Feel free to contact me with questions or comments about 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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