Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the May 18, 2022 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-may-18-2022/. We’ll be taking the final votes on the property tax rate, the stormwater budget and the general City budget. In addition, there will be votes on funding for the Hillwood Manor affordable housing project, and on the closure of Anne Street for the Summer Mercado. We may also vote on approving a letter to the Maryland Healthcare Commission regarding Adventist Healthcare’s plans to switch from their current urgent care center to instead operating a primary care facility. At the end of the meeting, the Council will vote on convening in closed session to receive legal advice regarding Neighborhood Development Company and Takoma Junction. There will also be a proclamation on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. See below for more on these agenda items.
You can make public comments by coming to the Community Center auditorium at 7:30 PM (no advance sign-up is needed) or remotely via Zoom (sign-up by 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting): https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nEo_Dj_RSX-0toqdm3hN-w. You can watch the meeting 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.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2022/pr20220518_AAIP.pdf
COVID UPDATE
The Takoma Park COVID-19 data dashboard has been updated through last week: https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/covid_dashboard/. Key data points per City staff:
Cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days in Montgomery County rose to 261 from 194 the previous week, increasing the County's Community level from "Low" to "Medium" based on CDC guidance (the community level automatically increases to "Medium" at 200 cases per 100,000 residents).
The percent of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 residents in the County remain relatively low, increasing from 2% to 2.6% of beds and decreasing from 4.2 to 4.1 admissions.
There were 70 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the 20912 Zip Code since the previous week, compared to 44 the week before. New cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days stand at 290, a "high" transmission level (not community level) per CDC guidance.
The State data which the 20912 Zip Code’s at least first-dose vaccination rate and fully vaccinated rate are derived from hasn’t been updated since April 27; as of that date, they were 79.8% and 70.1% respectively.
There were no new deaths due to COVID-19 reported in the 20912 Zip Code.
COVID Testing at the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center: Every Wednesday this month, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Home test kits and a mask will be given to each person after testing.
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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stormwater Fee Credit Program & Updated Map: Last year the Council approved a new graduated stormwater fee system aimed at more accurately assessing the extent to which properties contribute to untreated stormwater. The new system also called for partial credits on the fees for property owners who have installed stormwater management measures. Although the credit system is now set up and the application form is available, the details were finalized too late for the credits to be built into the coming year’s fees. Instead, property owners will have to pay the full fee and then later receive a separate payment for the credit. For details on the credit policy see: Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Policy and Guidance Document. For more on the fee, and to access the application form, use this link: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/public-works/stormwater-management-program/.
There was a separate issue relating to a faulty County map which led to some property owners paying incorrect fee amounts, mainly because the property boundaries were askew. The County recently provided an updated map, which -- based on an initial scan of the blocks with which I’m familiar -- does appear to have addressed the problem. But I encourage property owners to check for themselves to determine if the property lines are now in the correct spot. If you notice inaccurate borders please let me know. The map can be viewed through this link: https://mcplanning.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=942cd080339342d3b8c39bf8ccfb65ae
County Council District 4 Candidate Forum: Tonight (Tuesday, May 17) from 7:00 - 8:30 PM Community Vision for Takoma is hosting a candidate forum for the newly created Montgomery County Council District 4. Click here to register to attend on Zoom.
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 event will benefit health, fitness, bike, and pedestrian safety activities at five local schools.
National Bike Month: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/celebrate-national-bike-month-with-takoma-park/. May is National Bike Month, and Takoma Park is participating in Bike to Work Day on May 20.
Takoma Flea, Saturday, May 21, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: https://mainstreettakoma.org/featured-events/takoma-flea/. Postponed from this past Saturday due to rainy weather, this event in the 100 block of Grant Avenue will feature a mix of vintage, antique, collectible, salvaged, and repurposed goods.
Montgomery College Leggett Building Project Update Forum, May 24 at 6:00 PM: College staff and representatives of the general contracting firm will provide an update on the status of the project and give an overview of the upcoming construction phases. Register here.
Let’s Play America Playground Scavenger Hunt: https://www.letsplayamerica.org/takoma-park-playground-guide. A fun way for children to learn about play areas in the City.
VOTING SESSION
Property Tax Rate, Stormwater Budget & General City Budget: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220518-123.pdf
Capital Improvement Programs: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/supplemental-documents/FY23-27-CIP-Update-20220511.pdf
Reconciliation Items: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/supplemental-documents/FY23-Reconciliation-List-20220511.pdf
I outlined in last week’s blog my views on these budget and tax issues, which you can read through this link: http://www.councilmemberkovar.com/blog/2022/5/9/may-11-2022-city-council-meeting-agenda-amp-more. See my comments in that blog specifically on the budget reconciliation process and in the Voting Session information. In last week’s meeting I voted against the tax rate and the City budget and in favor of the stormwater budget. All three were approved, the tax rate and the budget by 5 - 2 margins and the stormwater budget 7 - 0. I anticipate the same result this week (I’ll be voting the same way). Assuming that happens, then the tax rate for the coming year will be set and our budget work will be complete for now. As noted in my write-up from last week, though, I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to review our budget process at some point later this year, with the hope that we can find some ways to bring more transparency to the process and make other improvements.
Hillwood Manor Apartments Funding: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220518-4.pdf. Montgomery Housing Partnership purchased Hillwood Manor several years ago and is now planning a major rehabilitation of the facility. The City Council previously voted to allocate $250,000 to the cost of the project. This week we’ll be voting specifically on changing the source of funding from the City’s Housing Reserve to ARPA. Since we previously agreed to provide funding from ARPA for renovation of multi-family apartment buildings, I think it’s appropriate to make this switch. I’ll be voting yes.
June 25 Anne Street Closure: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220518-5.pdf. The Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority will be hosting the Summer Mercado event again this year, and they have requested a temporary closure of a portion of Anne Street, where the event will be held. I’ll be voting in favor of the closure.
Letter to Maryland Healthcare Commission (Tentative): As part of the closure of the Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Adventist HealthCare was required by the State Commission to maintain an urgent care facility on site. Recently, in part because the facility has been attracting fewer patients than their other urgent care facilities, and because AHC is also going to be moving toward phasing out its urgent care sites in favor of primary care centers, they have proposed closing the urgent care center and opening a primary care facility in the medical office building adjacent to the former hospital site. I’ve been part of a Council sub-group which has been discussing these plans with AHC.
While I had some skepticism about the plan initially, I’m now supportive of it, in particular because AHC has agreed to help establish a behavioral health crisis response program in the same building where they will be opening the primary care center, and to provide behavioral health counseling as part of their primary care work. I think these services can complement the mental health counselling program for which we’ve approved funding as part of our ARPA spending plan. In order for the modified plan to be approved, it has to be signed off on by the Commission, and the City can weigh in on the proposal with the Commission. While this is tentative for Wednesday’s meeting, we are working on a letter to the Commission expressing our support for the proposal. You can see the AHC proposal through this link: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/supplemental-documents/AHC-Health-Service-Proposal-for-Takoma-Park_20220420.pdf
VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
As noted above, at the end of the meeting, the Council will vote on convening in closed session to receive legal advice related to Neighborhood Development Company and Takoma Junction. We won’t reconvene in public on Wednesday night after that session.
Please be in touch with questions or comments about any of the matters 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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