Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the June 1, 2022 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-june-1-2022/. We have a single Consent Agenda vote on two contracts (for closed captioning and other City TV services, and for financial audit services). In the work session, we’ll return to our discussion on City boards and committees. There will also be a presentation from the Grants Review Committee with their recommendations for this year’s Community Quality of Life grants. In addition, the meeting will include proclamations on National Gun Violence Awareness Day and on Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week. See below for more information on the 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_TQzJXrfRSEKra5_MERNeJw. 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.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2022/pr20220601_National-Gun-Violence-Awareness.pdf
Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2022/pr20220601_Chesapeake_Bay_Awareness_Week.pdf
COVID UPDATE
The City’s COVID dashboard is updated through last week: https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/covid_dashboard/
Per City staff, Montgomery County's community level 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 11.8% to 407.3 since last week; the percent of area hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients increased from 3.1% to 4.3%; and COVID hospital admissions per 100,000 residents increased from 6.4 to 7.8.
In the 20912 zip code, there were 52 new cases of COVID-19 since last week, with a decrease in the zip code's new cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days from 442 last week to 293.5 this week. This represents a high transmission level (different from community levels) per CDC guidance. The State's zip code level vaccination data has been updated after several weeks of no updates; the 20912 zip code's vaccination rates are now 80.5% (at least first dose) and 70.9% (fully vaccinated). Deaths due to COVID-19 in the 20912 zip code remained unchanged.
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. For help with housing, utility bills, etc. send an email to housing @takomaparkmd.gov or call 301-891-7119.
PRESENTATION
Grants Review Committee Community Quality of Life Grant Recommendations: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220601-1.pdf. You can see the list of organizations the committee has recommended to receive this year’s grants and other information about their process through several sub-links accessible via the main meeting agenda link at the top of this blog.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
My Statement on this Year’s Local Election: http://www.councilmemberkovar.com/blog/2022/5/27/may-27-2022-my-plans-for-this-falls-local-election. I announced this past Friday that I’m not running for re-election to the City Council this fall.
Montgomery College Construction Update Forum, March 31, 6:00 PM: This forum will cover the College’s plans for renovation of the Resource Center/Library on New York Avenue, along with replacement of HVAC equipment on the roofs of Pavilions 1 & 2. Register Here: https://montgomerycollege.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErduGsqDspE9UOFxTgzTM22XhSIJ5PW-kR?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=RSVP&utm_campaign=tpsslibrary_53122
Coffee with a Cop, June 2, 1100 AM - 1:00 PM: An opportunity to mingle informally with representatives of the City Police Department at Starbucks, 7960 New Hampshire Avenue.
Outdoor Family Movie Night -- Starting June 2 at Dusk (Ed Wilhelm Field): You can vote on one of three movies to be shown: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YPLP2YR
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. The Foundation recognizes the community’s difference makers annually. You can vote on nominations in six categories using the Azalea Awards Ballot. Polling closes at 5:00 PM on June 8.
Village of Takoma Park Spring Fling, June 18, 2:00 - 5:00 PM: https://villageoftakomapark.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=799577&item_id=1725051. Activities and games, food and drink, live music and more at the VFW (6420 Orchard Ave.)
KEY UPDATES FROM LAST WEEK’S COUNCIL MEETING
Sustainable Banking Resolution: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220525-1.pdf. Last year the Council appointed a task force to recommend how the City can transition to sustainable banking and finance policies which not only avoid investments in nuclear weapons companies, but also those based on fossil fuels. Last week the Council voted unanimously for a resolution to adopt most of the Task Force’s recommendations, with continued review in a few areas taking into account City staff workloads.
Community Center Atrium 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 project in the Community Center. It calls for 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 starting the project when we’re undertaking the Library renovation was problematic, and because I’d prefer to use the funds for other COVID related assistance. For these reasons I voted against this contract, though it was approved on a 5 - 2 vote.
Adventist HealthCare 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 is moving to phase out its urgent care work -- they have proposed closing the urgent care center and opening a primary care facility in the building adjacent to the former hospital site. I was part of a Council sub-group which discussed this plan with AHC.
While I had some skepticism about the plan initially, I ultimately came to support 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 which we’ll be funding through ARPA. For AHC’s new plan to be approved, it has to be signed off on by the Commission, and the City has the opportunity to weigh in. I voted in favor of the resolution approving a letter of support to the Commission, which was adopted by the Council on a 6 - 1 vote. See the above link for both documents.
VOTING SESSION (Single Vote on Two Contracts -- I’ll be voting yes)
Contract for Closed Captioning and Related City TV Services: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220601-2a.pdf. Following a competitive solicitation, staff has recommended contracting with Municipal Captioning to provide these services.
Audit Services Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220601-2b.pdf. Based on the responses to a City solicitation, staff has recommended contracting with Barbacane Thornton & Company for this work in the next three years, with a fourth year option.
WORK SESSION
City Boards and Committees: For much of last year, the Council worked on a comprehensive review and reform of the procedures and missions of Council appointed committees. We approved a major set of revisions last fall, but there are some outstanding issues, including the status of the Noise Control Board and the Nuclear Free Committee. This week we return to those issues. Here’s a link to information on the revisions we approved last year: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/council-20210929-6-rev.pdf.
As always, let me know if you have questions or comments about any of the issues covered in this blog.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
Important Privacy Notice: All correspondence, including emails, to or from City of Takoma Park agencies, officials, and employees is subject to the Maryland Public Information Act and may be disclosed to the public.