Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the May 25, 2022 City Council meeting agenda: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-may-25-2022/. We’ll be voting on a sustainable banking and investment policies resolution; an architectural services contract for the Community Center Atrium renovation project; and a letter to the Maryland Healthcare Commission regarding Adventist HealthCare’s plans to close its urgent care center and to open a primary care center instead. The Work Session will be focused on procurement for City auditing services, and for closed captioning and other City TV equipment. For details on these agenda items see below.
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_CsL-wngFRy24UZ8W6WNCWg. 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.
COVID UPDATE
The City’s COVID-19 data dashboard has been updated through the end of this past week: https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/covid_dashboard/. In addition, City staff have created a separate application (https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/cdccommlevel/) to allow residents to see community levels for any county; and compare community levels for counties in a given state.
Per staff, the community level in Montgomery County remains "Medium" based on CDC guidance. Among the components of the CDC's community level, cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days increased 39.5% to 364.3 since last week; the percent of area hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients increased from 2.6% to 3.1%; and COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 residents increased from 4.1 to 6.4.
In the 20912 zip code, there were 88 new cases of COVID-19 since last week, increasing the zip code's new cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days from 290 last week to 442 this week. This represents a high transmission level (different from community levels) per CDC guidance. The State's zip code level vaccination data has still not been updated; as of April 27, the 20912 zip code's vaccination rates were 79.8% (at least first dose) and 70.1% (fully vaccinated). Deaths due to COVID-19 in the 20912 zip code remained unchanged since last week.
Vaccination Clinic Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 24): In partnership with the State Department of Health, the Old Takoma Business Association is hosting a free COVID Vaccination Clinic on Tuesday, May 24 from Noon - 7:00 PM at Carpe Diem Pizzeria. Moderna, Pfizer and J&J vaccines will be offered - 1st dose, 2nd dose, and all boosters. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not necessary. Insurance is not required. The Health Department will have the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11 at this clinic, and will be able to administer 1st, 2nd, and booster shots to that age group. Register HERE.
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
Montgomery College Leggett Building Project Update Forum, May 24 at 6:00 PM: College staff and representatives of their general contracting firm will provide an update on the status of the project and give an overview of the next construction phases. Register here. Note that the College is also planning some smaller construction projects, including interior work in the Resource Center, and also replacement of the rooftop HVAC systems on Pavilions 1 and 2. This work will be mentioned briefly in Tuesday’s meeting, and a larger meeting with more specifics is being set up for May 31 (details to be provided separately).
Hazardous Waste Drop-off, Saturday June 4, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/public-works/curbside-collection-services/household-hazardous-waste-drop-off-day/. Drop off hazardous materials at the Public Works Department yard (31 Oswego Avenue). See the link for list of materials which can be accepted.
Takoma Foundation Azalea Awards: https://www.takomafoundation.org/awards/azalea-awards-ballot.html. Since 2006 the Foundation has recognized the community’s biggest difference makers through its annual Azalea Awards. This year, you can vote on nominations for individuals and organizations in six categories using the Azalea Awards Ballot. Polling closes at 5:00 PM on June 8.
VOTING SESSION
Sustainable Banking Resolution: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220525-1.pdf. Last year the Council appointed a resident task force to develop recommendations on how the City can transition to sustainable banking and finance policies which not only avoid investments in nuclear weapons producing companies, but also those which are based on fossil fuels. This week we’ll be voting on a resolution aimed at adopting most of the Task Force’s recommendations, with continued review in a few areas, taking into account City staff workloads. As a strong proponent of creating the Task Force, I’m pleased with their work and I agree with the idea of adopting as many of their recommendations as possible. I’ll be voting in favor of the resolution. I’d add that questions relating to the future of the Nuclear Free Committee will be addressed separately in the near future when the Council picks up again on its work relating to reform of resident committees.
Community Center Renovation Architectural Services Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220525-2.pdf. In the City’s ARPA spending plan the Council allocated $1 million for the Atrium renovation project in the Community Center. This project is focused on filling in the Atrium on the second floor, which would enable the ground floor space in the Police Department area to be used more efficiently. While I think that’s a worthy idea, I voted against including this funding in the ARPA plan because I felt that taking on the project when we’re also doing the Library renovation was problematic, and because I would have preferred to use the funds for other types of COVID related assistance. For these reasons, I’ll be voting against this contract.
Adventist Health Care Letter: http://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220525-3.pdf. As part of the closure of their Takoma Park hospital, Adventist HealthCare was required by the Maryland Healthcare Commission to maintain an urgent care facility onsite. Recently -- in part because the facility has attracted fewer patients than their other urgent care facilities, and also because AHC will be moving to phase 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 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 location as 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 has the opportunity to weigh in. We’ll be voting on a resolution approving a letter of support to the Commission, both of which can be accessed via the above link. I’ll be voting yes.
WORK SESSION (both contracts are tentatively scheduled for votes on June 1)
Procurement Presentation on Auditing Services and Comprehensive Financial Report: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220525-4.pdf. Based on the responses to a City solicitation, staff recommends contracting with Barbacane Thornton & Company to provide these services for the next three years, with a fourth year option. I look forward to hearing the staff presentation.
Procurement of Closed captioning and Other City TV Equipment: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220525-5.pdf. Following a competitive solicitation, staff recommends contracting with Municipal Captioning to provide these services. Again, I’ll be interested to hear the staff presentation.
Please be in touch with question 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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