Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the June 16, 2021 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-june-16-2021/. The key agenda item is a discussion on the Takoma Junction development, with a final vote scheduled for our June 23 meeting. This week’s voting session includes amendments to the Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority fees and related requirements; extending member terms for Council appointed Boards, Commissions and Committees; a contract for Lunch and Learn’s summer program; State grant applications for the Takoma Park Recreation Center and for the Washington-McLaughlin senior housing site; purchase of energy efficiency services for three multi-family apartment buildings; and continuation of the suspension of the sign ordinance. There will also be proclamations on Juneteenth, World Refugee Day, and Pride Month. See below for details on all the agenda items.
You can sign up to make public comments until 5:00 PM on Wednesday: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u_MkAwGbS_m5feE_Ej4lzg. And you can watch the Council meeting on City TV (RCN – 13, HD 1060; Comcast/xfinity – 13, HD 997; Verizon Fios – 28), on the City Council Video Page of the City Website; on YouTube, or on Facebook.
Juneteenth Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/pr20210616-Juneteenth.pdf
World Refugee Day Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/2021-world-refugee-day-proclamation.pdf
Pride Month Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/pr20210616-Pride-month.pdf
COVID UPDATE
The Takoma Park COVID-19 Data Dashboard has been updated with data through June 10, 2021. Important data points highlighted by City staff:
· There was just one new case of COVID-19 reported in the last week, as the city's 7-day rolling average of new cases declined to its lowest rates since the start of the pandemic. The city's total reported COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic now stands at 1,726 reported cases.
· The city's population receiving at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine increased from 12,813 to 13,357 in the last week, and the population of fully-vaccinated residents increased from 10,286 to 11,392. The percentage of the city's population that is fully vaccinated is now 64.5%.
· There were no new deaths due to COVID-19 reported in the 20912 zip code in the last week, leaving the zip code's total at 39.
For those who haven’t seen the details previously, here’s an update on the City’s re-opening schedule: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/takoma-park-reopening-schedule/
FEMA will be parking a mobile vaccination trailer in the Washington Adventist University overflow parking lot on Flower Avenue from June 15 - 20, with second doses provided at the same location July 13 - 18. Hours will be 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Tuesday through Friday, and 1:00 - 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. These will be free Moderna vaccines, for persons 16 years of age and older. Walk-ups are accepted. To make an appointment in advance, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/. You can also use that link to learn of other vaccination sites and the type of vaccine offered. In addition, you can register for vaccinations at the State Vaccine Website. It includes information on pharmacies and other locations giving vaccinations without appointments. For testing options, please see the Montgomery County Testing Sites.
KEY UPDATES FROM LAST WEEK’S COUNCIL MEETING
Maple Avenue Complete Street. https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/housing-and-community-development/community-development/Maple-Ave-Complete-Streets/TakomaPark-MapleAve-CouncilPresentation.pdf. We received an update on the proposal, which is still in the concept development stage, and would require additional funding in order to move to more detailed design phases. To see video of the presentation and discussion scroll ahead to the 14:30 mark in this link: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/meetings-and-documents/city-council-video/
American Rescue Plan Act Presentation. https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/Documents/ARPA-briefing-2020-06-09-revised.pdf. The City Manager provided a helpful briefing on potential uses for funds the City will be receiving under the huge Federal pandemic assistance legislation enacted earlier this year. Among her recommendations were the creation of several short-term positions to help manage the flow of funds (the City may receive over $17 million, several million dollars higher than initially thought).
Resolution Expressing Appreciation for the City Staff Senior Leadership Team: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/expressing-appreciation-for-the-city-of-takoma-park-senior-leadership-team/. The Council approved a resolution recognizing the excellent work of Takoma Park’s senior staff over the last year and a half, which included not only the pandemic, but also external events that impacted the City like the U.S. Capitol insurrection, the second impeachment trial, and other challenges.
City Manager Comments. City Manager Suzanne Ludlow’s official comments from last week’s meeting include information on COVID, plans for this year’s July 4 celebration, and a recent Takoma Junction meeting: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-manager/city-manager-comments/2021/cm-comments-20210609.pdf
ANNOUNCEMENTS
My Meetings on the Takoma Junction Development. I’ve scheduled the following times for Ward One residents to meet with me to discuss the Junction development in the lead-up to our vote on the resolution next week:
June 15, 5:00 - 7:00 PM, virtual community discussion. To join the Zoom meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84027334963?pwd=M0dzLzkvUWpEbjhvRXFpaGlId1ZSZz09
June 17, Noon - 2:00 PM, Office Hours outdoors in the Laurel Ave. Streetery, by the Post Office
June 21, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, virtual community discussion. To join the Zoom meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85387217768?pwd=VlE5Q2VGaUNXUEZscXB5ZzVCckZsdz09
Suzanne Ludlow Retirement Party. Friday, June 18, Noon - 3:00 PM, Ed Wilhelm Field, rain or shine. Join us as we celebrate City Manager Suzanne Ludlow's retirement, and thank her for 27 years of public service to Takoma Park. This outdoor tent party with a DJ will include a barbecue lunch. Please RSVP here. The City Council will also be honoring Suzie during the June 30th Council meeting. If you would like to send a written message or a video message thanking her, please email it to alvaroc@takomaparkmd.gov.
Friends of the Library Book Sale. Sunday, June 20th from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Masks are required. Every child attending will receive a coupon for one free book and can pick up a copy of the story and game board for SummerQuest 2021, the Library’s popular summer reading program. Bring your donations of children’s books, poetry, and recent adult fiction (published since 2015) to the porch at 7010 Woodland Avenue.
Summer Mercado. June 26, Noon - 5:00 PM, Anne Street between University Boulevard and Hammond Street: http://takomalangley.org/summermercado/. This festival will highlight the Crossroads international community, with world cuisine, unique craft vendors, and live music.
Takoma Park Youth Council Applications. Applications for the 2021 - 2022 school year are open. Apply at http://bit.ly/youth-council-app by July 11. The Council meets every two weeks to discuss issues pertaining to City youth and to plan events giving youth opportunities to engage with their community. Open to City residents who are rising 7th - 12th graders.
VOTING SESSION
Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority Amendments: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210616-1.pdf. Last week I voted in favor of the proposed fee changes and other amendments to the CDA enabling legislation aimed at making the Crossroads commercial area more competitive with nearby areas. I’ll be voting yes again on this final vote.
Ordinance Extending Member Terms for Boards, Commissions & Committees: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210616-2.pdf. This ordinance extends the terms of Council-appointed Board, Commission and Committee members to October 15 to give the Council time to complete its review and vote on reforms to make the panels more effective and increase their diversity. I’ll be voting yes.
Lunch and Learn Summer Program Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210616-3.pdf. I think this organization does an excellent job, and I’ll be voting in favor of the contract.
Takoma Park Recreation Center State Grant Application: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210616-4.pdf. I’ll be voting for this $300,000 State grant application to hire consultants for initial technical planning work connected to renovation of the Rec Center on New Hampshire Avenue.
Washington-McLaughlin State Grant Application: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210616-5.pdf. This vote would be in support of a $350,000 State grant for re-purposing of the current senior housing facility at the Washington-McLaughlin site. I think it would be valuable to explore options for the site, though I would like to get more clarity on how the grant would be managed and the project implemented, given that the site isn’t controlled by the City.
Multi-family Building Energy Efficiency Services Purchase: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210616-6-rev.pdf. The City has begun assisting apartment buildings with conversion to efficient energy systems, which can save money over time, while also helping address climate change. This contract for $75,000 would assist three City buildings in making recommended changes. I’m supportive, especially given that installing energy efficient systems in multi-family buildings is part of our climate change framework. However, I’d like to get a better sense as to how the financial incentives will work for the three buildings, and to what extent energy efficiency improvements in other buildings in the City might be funded similarly.
Continuation of Suspension of the Sign Ordinance: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210616-7.pdf. The Council previously suspended enforcement of several aspects of our sign ordinance in anticipation of making future changes to the ordinance. The Council has indicated an interest in finding an appropriate balance between honoring free expression, not having the City play a role in evaluating messages that may be posted, and avoiding unsightly clutter. Owing to the pandemic and the press of other Council business, the necessary work to devise a modified ordinance hasn’t been completed. As a result we’ll be voting on whether to extend the suspension through June of next year. I’ll be voting for the extension.
WORK SESSION
Takoma Junction Development: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/cover-memo-review-of-TJ-site-plan-2021-06-16-rev.pdf. To see key agenda material including NDC’s recent presentation, lay-by plans, background on public space considerations, City staff summary of findings, and draft resolution options, scroll down to the bottom of this link: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-june-16-2021/
Residents will recall that in July 2018 the Council voted 5 - 2 to give initial approval to the site plan and to send it into the County review process. Since then, there has been an extensive back and forth process between NDC and various reviewing agencies, including the County Planning Office, the County Historic Preservation Commission, and the State Highway Administration, among others. Based on those exchanges, NDC has made a series of modifications to the site plan. While we anticipate further feedback from SHA, we’re now at the point in our process where the Council will be expressing its definitive view on the site plan revisions.
In this week’s meeting we’ll receive a presentation from NDC, and also hear from City staff on the extent to which -- with the changes made in response to the requirements and recommendations of the reviewing entities -- the site plan comports with the criteria the Council has called for in its resolutions on the project. Based on the presentations, and taking into account what we hear from residents via public comments, written remarks, emails, meetings, conversations, and in other exchanges, the Council will decide how to proceed on the project.
To be specific, we’ll consider a resolution recommending to the County Planning Board one of three options: approval of the Junction site plan, approval with conditions, or disapproval. It would require a super-majority vote of the Board (at least 4 - 1) to go against the City Council’s recommendation. The Council vote on the resolution will take place in our June 23 meeting. However -- again, based on the presentations and resident commentary -- we may make some initial decisions in this week’s meeting on what direction we’d like to go with the resolution.
I’d emphasize that the Council doesn’t have the ability to decide on our recommendation to the County Planning Board in a closed session or through an informal discussion among Councilmembers. Under Maryland’s open meeting laws, and consistent with City procedures, we have to take a public vote on this type of policy question. So, whatever Councilmembers’ individual views on the project may be, we need to have a formal vote to officially determine what action a majority of the Council would like to take. As I see it, a Council vote is also the healthiest way from a community perspective to decide how best to move forward on the project.
For those who may not have followed all the Junction twists and turns, I will note that I was one of the two “no” votes when the Council approved the site plan in 2018. For me, the key point that drove my opposition to the site plan at that time was what I considered to be its insufficient amount of public space. That concern wasn’t based exclusively on square footage, though that’s certainly an important factor. It was also about how and where the space was situated. While I’ll be listening carefully to the public space information that’s presented on Wednesday night, based on my initial review it’s my sense that the concerns I had in 2018 haven’t been adequately addressed in the most current version of the site plan.
Of course, public space isn’t the only issue. As part of my decision-making process I’ll also be considering changes that have been made to the site plan on issues like height, parking, stormwater, tree protection, transportation safety and flow, Co-op accommodations, and delivery arrangements. On that last point, while we’ve heard several times recently from SHA about the lay-by, as mentioned above we’re anticipating more information from them before the June 23 vote.
As I’ve stated previously, I’m neither pro-Co-op nor pro-NDC. I’m pro-City, and my assessment of what’s best for the City will continue to be the key for me as we move toward a final vote.
Please be in touch with questions or comments about any of the issues covered in this blog.
Peter Kovar
Takoma Park City Council
Ward One
240-319-6281
(He, Him, His)
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