Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the April 6, 2022 City Council meeting, which starts at 7:30 PM: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-april-6-2022/. There are no votes this week, but we have two important presentations; first the final report from the Task Force on Sustainable Banking and Investments, and then the City Manager’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget. We’ll be spending the next six weeks on the budget, in a process which will include not only the blueprint for municipal spending but also the setting of the property tax rate. As part of our budget work there will be two public hearings and several special Monday evening sessions. This week’s meeting will start with proclamations on National Public Health Week and Arbor Day. For more details on the agenda see below.
While the Council has returned to in-person meetings, this week I’ll be participating remotely via Zoom, because on Saturday I tested positive for COVID. Perhaps because I have had two shots and a booster, it's a mild case, and I'm feeling better each day. But I obviously can't be involved in any in-person meetings for a while. I’ve cancelled my Office Hours, which had been scheduled for tomorrow morning, for the same reason. I hope to be able to re-join my colleagues in Council meetings in the near future.
There are now two ways to provide public comments. To comment remotely via Zoom, sign up by 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IqYqOQVDTAiKxGOQnx3IWQ. To comment in-person, simply go to the Council auditorium at 7:30 PM (no advance sign-up is required). 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.
COVID UPDATE
Per CDC, the Omicron subvariant BA.2 is now the dominant COVID strain in the United States. As changes happen during this pandemic, the City will continue to monitor and consider changes to City policies.
The Takoma Park COVID-19 Data Dashboard has been updated through the week of 3/25 to 3/31: https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/covid_dashboard/. Key data points noted by City staff:
· There were 3 new cases of COVID-19 reported between 3/25 and 3/31 in the 20912 zip code, down from 6 the prior week. The zip code's new cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days is 11.43, a "moderate" level of case-spread per CDC definitions. In Montgomery County, cases are up 50% over the last 14 days (although from a low baseline) and hospitalizations down 37%. The County's test positivity rate stands at 1% in that timeframe, and the County's Community Level (a CDC measure of COVID-19 risk based on case spread and area hospital capacity) is "low."
· The zip code’s fully vaccinated rate increased from 68% to 68.5% since last week, and the at least first-dose vaccination rate increased from 77.7% to 78.3%.
· There was one new death reported in the 20912 zip code due to COVID-19 since last week, leaving the zip code's total at 49 since the start of the pandemic.
Mask/Testing Kit Distribution: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/covid-19-rapid-test-kits-and-kn95-masks-available-now/. The Takoma Park Library is continuing to distribute N95 masks and COVID rapid testing kits during all open hours.
Other COVID resources: Vaccines for children ages 5 - 11: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/covid-19-vaccines-are-now-available-for-children-aged-5-11/; vaccines for people who are 12 and older: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ or State Vaccine Website; Testing: Montgomery County Testing Sites; Food aid: Submit an online request for help with food resources or call 240-777-0311. The City is partnering with the Salvation Army to help residents with utility bills: email to housing @takomaparkmd.gov or call 301-891-7119.
National Public Health Week Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2022/pr20220406_NPHW_Proclamation-.pdf
Arbor Day Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2022/pr20220406_Arbor-Day.pdf
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Takoma Metro Station Development: https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/over-300-apartments-retail-park-and-plaza-proposed-at-takoma-metro-station/19341. As noted previously, the development company EYA is proposing a new design for an apartment building at the Metro Station parking lot and surrounding area. There will be several opportunities to participate in informational meetings about the proposal in the coming weeks, including two midday sessions on April 8, an ANC meeting on April 25, and a Takoma Park meeting in May (time and date to be announced). The project is expected to enter the formal DC government approval process in the summer.
To join EYA, WMATA, and several ANC Commissioners for the April 8 informational sessions from Noon - 1:00 PM or 1:00 - 2:00 PM, please register at bit.ly/TakomaMetroDevelopment. You can also sign up for the April 25 ANC meeting through that link.
Friends of Native Trees in Takoma Publishes New Guide: https://fontt.org/. FONTT, a group of City residents who advocate planting native trees to protect biodiversity, just announced the issuance of its guide, available through the above link . As described in FONTT’s press release: “The publication will help people select trees that not only will thrive in Takoma Park and will help mitigate adverse climate effects, but also will provide essential habitat…All of the tree species listed in the FONTT guide are on the City’s approved list…The guide lists only trees native to the area and gives a "superstar" designation to those native trees that do the most for biodiversity…[and] explains the importance of biodiversity and how seriously it is threatened, provides a series of steps for selecting a native tree, and then presents separate lists of appropriate large, medium, and small tree species with height, sun exposure, and soil moisture requirements for each.”
National Library Week: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/visit-the-tkpk-maryland-library-for-national-library-week-2022/. Stop by the Library from April 3 - 9 so staff can record a video of you explaining “what libraries mean to you.” In addition, there will be a display of banned books, with information on how to support libraries experiencing resistance to diverse and inclusive collections.
Garden Work Day at Upper Portal Park, Saturday, April 9, 9:00 AM - Noon: The City Gardens team invites residents to a garden work day at Upper Portal Park (the “triangle” park at the intersection of Piney Branch Rd., Takoma Ave., and Eastern Ave.) The main activities will be weeding and mulching. Bring your own gloves if you have them; the City will supply tools. RSVP requested but not required: gardens@takomaparkmd.gov.
Fitness Expo, Saturday, April 9, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: This event, held at the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center, will be outside, weather permitting. It includes class demonstrations, and health and wellness vendor booths. For more information: vincentc@takomaparkmd.gov.
Arbor Day Tree Walk, Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM -- Noon: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/join-us-for-our-arbor-day-tree-walk-on-saturday-april-23/. Residents are invited to a celebratory tree walk meet-and-greet in honor of Arbor Day. Community members can speak about tree-related work they are doing and join the tree walk led by Urban Forest Manager Marty Frye. Contact Marty if you’d like to speak about your tree-related community project: urbanforestmanager@takomaparkmd.gov. For more information and to RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/takoma-park-arbor-day-gathering-and-tree-walk-tickets-295370580357
ARPA Small Business Grants, Application Deadline April 15: The Small Business Support grants are funded through the ARPA spending plan. Visit the Takoma Park Small Business Support Grant page for details, grant criteria, applications, etc.
Eggstravaganza -- April 15 & 16: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/recreation/eggstravaganza/. On both dates from Noon - 3:00 PM, participants (aged 2 - 8) in the City’s alternative to the traditional Egg Hunt, will get baskets and a map, and then solve clues to identify local businesses which are giving out treats. In addition, on April 16 only, the same age group is invited to be part of the Speggtacular Field Day at Ed Wilhelm Field from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Main Street Takoma Community Shredding Event, Sunday, April 24, 1:00 - 4:00 PM: https://mainstreettakoma.org/event/free-community-shred-2022/. This event will take place in the Seventh Day Adventist Church parking lot (6810 Eastern Avenue).
Takoma Park Safe Routes Virtual 5K Run, May 15 - 31: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/housing-and-community-development/planning-and-community-development/safe-routes-to-school/tkpk5k-challenge/. The proceeds from this annual event will benefit health, fitness, bike, and pedestrian safety activities at five local schools.
July 4 Parade: https://www.takomapark4th.org/. After being cancelled the last two years, the parade and evening celebration are returning in 2022. For information on how groups, performers, etc. can register, use the above link.
PRESENTATIONS
Sustainable Banking and Investments Task Force:
Background: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220406-1.pdf
Task Force Report: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/boards-commissions-and-committees/SBI-Task-Force/SBI-Task-Force-Final-Report-20220322.pdf
While the Task Force has technically come to an end, members will be presenting the final report. It recommends a series of changes to City policies, including: requiring consideration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria in all banking and investment decisions; issuing an RFP for City banking services which emphasizes divestment from financing of fossil fuel extraction and nuclear weapons production; exploring if we can purchase short-term certificates of deposit from socially responsible or ESG-friendly financial institutions that produce returns similar to other CDs; urging the Police pension fund -- which the City doesn’t have direct control over -- to consider ESG criteria and/or divestment in administering its investments; establishing a permanent City committee to monitor, make recommendations on, and help implement these and other sustainability and disinvestment policies; and appointing new members to the Nuclear Free Committee to revitalize its work.
Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Municipal Budget: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220406-2.pdf. Every April the City Manager presents their proposed budget for the fiscal year which begins on July 1. This will be City Manager Jamal Fox’s first proposed budget, and the details will be posted after the presentation. As noted above, the budget process covers roughly 6 weeks, with multiple opportunities for residents to comment. I’ll also plan on hosting opportunities for Ward One residents to interact directly with me on budget priorities and property tax issues.
Please be in touch with questions or comments about any of the topics discussed in this blog.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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