Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the June 30 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-june-30-2021/. It’s a light meeting -- the only item on the agenda is a resolution honoring retiring City Manager Suzanne Ludlow. The text of that resolution hasn’t been posted yet.
The sign-up for public comments will be open until 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting. The public may view the 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.
COVID UPDATE
The Takoma Park COVID-19 Data Dashboard has been updated with data through June 24, 2021. Key data points noted by City staff:
· There were no new cases of COVID-19 reported in the city in the last week, leaving the city's total cases since the start of the pandemic at 1,726. While this is undoubtedly great news, unvaccinated residents are encouraged to get vaccinated and exercise caution as the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to circulate in the US and internationally.
· 254 more residents became fully vaccinated and 274 more residents received at least one dose in the last week, bringing the city's total fully vaccinated residents to 11,876 and partially vaccinated residents to 13,757.
· With 67.2% of residents fully vaccinated and 77.8% of residents at least partially vaccinated, the city has surpassed President Biden's goal of 70% vaccination (partial or fully) by July 4. The state of Maryland currently lags behind this goal, with 60% of residents at least partially vaccinated and 54% fully vaccinated.
You can visit this site: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ to register for County vaccines. In addition, you can register for vaccinations at the State Vaccine Website, which 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
Takoma Junction Resolution. https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/resolutions/2021/resolution-2021-19.pdf. I was pleased to join all of my Council colleagues in unanimously approving a resolution recommending disapproval by the County Planning Board of the proposed Takoma Junction development site plan. The resolution cited five reasons for the disapproval recommendation: the lack of State Highway Administration approval of the lay-by for deliveries; the need for additional work to address rear façade design issues; the type and quality of public space; the inability to demonstrate adequate public parking for area businesses; and stormwater treatment which doesn’t substantially exceed the City requirement as called for in the 2018 Junction resolution.
Under the procedures governing our interaction with the Planning Board, in order to overcome the Council’s disapproval recommendation, the Board -- composed of 5 members -- would need at least 4 votes in favor of the site plan’s approval. There’s little realistic chance of that happening, especially with a 7 - 0 vote by the City Council. I look forward to continuing to hear from the community as the Council discusses appropriate next steps. Here’s a link to a City statement posted after the vote: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/city-council-recommends-that-county-planning-board-disapprove-neighborhood-development-company-ndc-site-plan-to-develop-takoma-junction/
Employment Agreement for New City Manager Jamal Fox. https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210623-1.pdf. The Council voted unanimously to approve the employment contract for Mr. Fox. He starts officially on August 2, though you may see him around town prior to that date.
Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Extension. https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210623-3.pdf. The Council unanimously approved an extension of the Task Force and the term of its members to October 15. We anticipate the Task Force presenting its final recommendations to the Council in July.
City Manager Comments. https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-manager/city-manager-comments/2021/cm-comments-20210616.pdf. Click on the link to read Suzanne Ludlow’s official comments from the June 16 Council meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Listening Session. https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/join-the-reimagine-public-safety-community-listening-session-on-wednesday-may-26-at-630pm/. On Monday, June 28 starting at 6:30 PM, residents will have the opportunity to make comments or recommendations to the Task Force.
Parking Permit Renewals. Unless you have a two-year permit, your permit is probably going to expire at the end of this month. For information on how to renew: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/police/permit-area-parking/
City Council Letter in Opposition to Proposed County Zoning Plan for Cell Towers. https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/city-council-sends-letter-opposing-the-passage-of-zta-19-07/. The Council sent a letter this past week to the County Council in opposition to the proposed County-wide zoning change that could lead to small cell towers being placed within 30 feet of residences, while also largely cutting municipalities out of the planning and siting process for cell towers.
Independence Day Celebration. This year, because of the pandemic, Takoma Park won’t have many of the traditional July 4 celebrations. Instead there will be a Fourth of July Parade of Houses. In place of the traditional parade, the Independence Day Committee asks people to decorate their homes and businesses to show their Takoma Park Independence Day spirit. Any home or business can be a parade “float.” Participants might include music, like a porch concert, or include games or anything else they can think of to engage and delight their neighbors.
Homes or businesses that register for the Parade of Houses at www.takomapark4th.org will be shown on a map on the website. Registration lets participants describe their entry, including times of any interactive events. Locations outside Takoma Park can register to be on the map, but only entries located within City boundaries are eligible for prizes. Prizes will be awarded for:
· Most Creative
· Most Engaging
· Most Patriotic
· Best Capturing the Spirit of Takoma Park
· Best Overall
· Best Decorated Business
· Best Decorated Street
Registration closes July 1. Have your decorations up by that date so people can visit over the Independence Day Weekend. Then check the map and spend the weekend viewing entries all over town. Visit www.takomapark4th.com to learn about Independence Day activities.
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 Youth 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.
Takoma Park Street Festival. The 40th Annual Takoma Park Street Festival will return this year, live and in-person, on Sunday, October 3rd from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, rain or shine. Once again, City streets will be filled with artisans, community groups, green companies, food vendors and live music. Apply now here. Details including booth space fees, past participants, and vendor guidelines can be found on the festival website.
Feel free to be in touch with comments or questions 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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