Dear Neighbors:
I thought residents would be interested in the following updates and announcements on the Coronavirus pandemic and on City Council and other Takoma Park municipal and community activities.
Upcoming City Council Meetings. There was a special Monday night session on the budget this week, but we didn’t have a regular Council meeting on Wednesday because it was the first night of Passover. Next week we’ll again have a budget session on Monday and then a regular Wednesday meeting. The key agenda items for Wednesday will be a public hearing on the budget and a vote to authorize a continuation of design work for the Library renovation project: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-april-15-2020/.
I’ll provide more information on the budget and Library prior to Wednesday’s meeting, but for those who haven’t yet had a chance to read my blog from this past Monday, it covers both topics: http://www.councilmemberkovar.com/blog/2020/4/6/april-6-2020-kickoff-of-annual-budget-process
The City’s Covid-19 Webpage. It’s being updated on an ongoing basis. If you haven’t looked at it recently, I recommend it. There’s a lot of useful information about services, programs and resources that may be helpful to residents responding to challenges posed by the virus. https://takomaparkmd.gov/initiatives/project-directory/information-and-resources-covid-19/
New Deputy City Manager. I’m delighted to welcome Jessica Clarke as the new Takoma Park Deputy City Manager. She comes to us after having filled several important positions in the City of Baltimore. Though I’ve thus far only been able to meet her virtually, I’m looking forward to collaborating with her for the betterment of our community. You can read about Ms. Clarke’s background here: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news/the-city-of-takoma-park-welcomes-new-deputy-city-manager-jessica-clarke/
Update from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. Here’s a link to the latest information from the County Executive, which includes a recommendation for expanded use of face coverings for patrons of commercial establishments: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#inbox/FMfcgxwHMjqkSVpgKNKvpqMjVPGLCmxD
Montgomery County -- Coronavirus FAQs for Apartment Buildings. I’m also pleased that based in part on some advocacy by Mayor Stewart and City staff, the County has now posted some informative FAQs relating to the pandemic for tenants of multi-family buildings: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/covid-19_tenants.html
City Manager Emergency Actions. Last month the Council approved a resolution granting City Manager Suzanne Ludlow certain emergency powers to enable her to take actions without Council votes (consistent with her authority under the City Charter) during the current emergency situation. Residents may wish to review a listing of the actions Ms. Ludlow has taken to date pursuant to the resolution: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-manager/
Healthy and Sustainable Farm Products for First Responders. Licking Creek Bend Farm, owned and operated by Takoma Park resident Mike Tabor, will be making its sustainably grown products available at reduced prices to families of first responders and essential service providers who have been diagnosed with Covid-19. This would be done through the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. For information about this plan send an email here: ESIEGEL2@igc.org. You can check out the farm’s website, where there’s information about their products and operations, here: http://www.lickingcreekbendfarm.com/
Boy Scout Troop 33 Virtual Food Drive. I was impressed, though not surprised, to see our local Takoma Park Troop step forward with this valuable effort. They are seeking the donation of 5,000 food items to the Capital Area Food Bank to help provide meals to vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 emergency. The event page with more details can be seen via this link: https://yougivegoods.com/troop33-cafb.
Takoma Park Farmers Market this Sunday. Here’s information from the Old Takoma Business Association about the market on Sunday, April 12: the Market will again be located at the Parking Lot behind the shops on Laurel Avenue. Pre-orders are accepted now by some vendors. (See below). Hours: 9:00 - 10:00 AM: Seniors-only Shopping (and immunocompromised); 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Regular Market Hours.
NEW Managed Entrance, Exit and Limits to Customers in Market: In its continued efforts to ensure social distancing, the market will be enforcing its Entrance (next to Suntrust Bank, 6931 Laurel Ave), introduce a new Exit (via the sidewalk next to the parking lot ramp exit onto Eastern Ave) and limit the number of customers in the market at any time. (With exceptions for seniors and the physically challenged).
Vendors continue to work on flow, lines and social distancing at individual booths. Please wear a face mask to the market and help maintain a distance of 6 feet from other customers at all times. To reduce the number of people, only send 1 person per family to shop (no kids, please). Please only touch what you would like to purchase and leave as soon as you are done.
Find pre-bagged items at the market to reduce contact and speed up shopping, or pre-order online for easy pick-up. See website for vendors offering pre-orders and their individual cut-off dates and times for pre-ordering. New this Sunday, Audia's Farm will not attend the market, but will instead deliver pre-ordered baked goods and plants for your yard. More at: https://takomaparkmarket.com/.
You can also find Takoma Bevco set up at the market (behind its shop) with breakfast and lunch options. Pick up pre-ordered Family Easter Dinners, too: https://eat.chownow.com/discover/restaurant/27044
Former Washington Adventist Hospital to be Used for Non-Covid-19 Patients. This welcome news has been reported by several sources in the last few days. For those who haven’t yet seen the details, I’m including here a version of Adventist Healthcare’s statement circulated by the Takoma Park Police Department on Tuesday:
“Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center has been working closely with the State of Maryland to coordinate surge capacity to care for COVID-19 patients. This plan includes expanding capacity at both the hospital in White Oak and at the Takoma Park campus of the former Washington Adventist Hospital.
“The State of Maryland has approved the following interim plan for the Takoma Park facility: 63 beds will be converted to accept non-COVID-19 medical/surgical patients who are stable.
“These services in Takoma Park are expected to be available on or around Monday, April 13; thus, you may see additional ambulatory traffic in and around Takoma Park.
“We continue to evaluate ways to utilize additional surge capacity beyond the 63 beds in conjunction with county and state planners.
“All medical/surgical patients will be transferred to Takoma Park from White Oak.
“All inpatients for the Takoma Park campus will be registered at, and transferred from, White Oak Medical Center.
“The Takoma Park campus will not have an emergency department and it will not accept patients directly.
“The urgent care center on the Takoma Park campus will continue with the same services as it had before.
“All community members who have a medical emergency should dial 911.”
As always, please be in touch with questions or comments about any of these matters.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281;www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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