Dear Neighbors:
Due to the ongoing public health crisis, this week’s City Council meeting will once again be held remotely. The public may view the meeting as always: on City TV (RCN -- 13, HD 1060; Comcast/xfinity -- 13, HD 997; Verizon Fios -- 28). On the City Council Video Page of the City website; on YouTube, or on Facebook. Here’s a link to the agenda details: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-june-3-2020/. You can sign up to make a public comment through this link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RNmPokxBRi6DV5WnEmb-zA
The key agenda items include consideration of a resolution on supporting small businesses and advancing public health by allowing the use of public and private space (including streets and sidewalks) for outdoor seating, sales, and customer pick-up; and a review of the resolution adopted in March giving the City Manager certain emergency powers during the pandemic.
In addition, the Council will take the final votes on the Wildwood Drive traffic calming measures, plus a discussion of the resident committee appointment process. There will also be two Mayoral proclamations: on Gun Violence Awareness Day and Immigrant Heritage Month. Prior to the start of the public meeting at 7:30 PM, the Council will meet in a closed session at 6:00 PM to discuss matters relating to the collective bargaining negotiations with the two unions representing City employees. For more details on all of the agenda items see below.
UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WOWD Radio Tonight at 6:00 PM -- Moment of Reflection and Call to Action: In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, as we reflect on the impact of yet another despicable act of racist violence, there will be a City-wide opportunity this evening to grieve as a community and to commit to new efforts to fight racism.
All residents are invited to join Unity in the Community co-founder Meaghan Murphy, fellow neighbors, Takoma Park Radio, community activists, Takoma Park City Councilmembers, the Mayor, City Manager, and the Chief of Police, for a moment of reflection. We will explore how we as individuals, and as a community, will help eradicate racism in this country and work toward just and equitable communities.
Tune in to Takoma Park Radio 94.3 FM for a program exploring social justice through music, organized by “Talk of Takoma” host Eric Bond. Hear messages from Chief of Police Antonio DeVaul, Denise Jones and the Essex House Girls Club, long-time community residents Cedric Boatman and Chris Barclay, community organizer Brandy Brooks, and City Councilmember Talisha Searcy.
Even in the enforced isolation of the pandemic, it’s vital for the community to come together to express our abhorrence of the ongoing attacks on people of color -- of which George Floyd’s killing is sadly just the latest example -- and tonight’s program includes an opportunity for residents to express solidarity in the work to end racism. For more information: https://takomaparkmd.gov/uncategorized/join-us-for-a-moment-of-reflection-and-call-to-action-on-monday-june-1st-at-6pm/.
County Executive Elrich’s Statement on Partial Reopening this Week: https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=25367. The statement includes details on the kinds of business activities that are allowed as part of the reopening that began today.
Covid-19 Rental Assistance Program: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/montgomery-county-covid-19-rental-assistance-program-starting-monday-june-1-at-1000am-applications-will-be-accepted/. The County will be offering short-term rental assistance to tenants who have lost income due to the Coronavirus. The funds for this program come from the federal CARES Act, and it’s limited to 1200 households. Applications must be submitted this week. Tomorrow the City will be hosting three webinars on how to apply (details available via the link above).
Upcoming Council Meetings. On June 10, we’ll have an update on the work City staff is doing to assist residents and businesses facing challenges related to Covid-19. The staff information and our discussion will help us determine how to use the Covid-19 fund we established as part of the budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (which begins July 1). In the June 17 meeting, key topics include proposed amendments to the Tree Ordinance and an urban forest policy/tree canopy resolution. We may vote on these tree proposals later in June.
Ward One Community Meeting, Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 PM: I’ll be hosting a virtual discussion (any topics welcome). I’ll send out the relevant sign-on details in a separate email.
Primary Election on Tuesday, June 2: Registered voters should have received ballots in the mail. Filled out ballots (which much be signed and dated) can deposited no later than tomorrow at designated Drop Box locations (including at the Silver Spring Civic Center) or mailed through the US Postal Service (they need to be postmarked by June 2). For more information: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections/index2.html.
Update on Fenton Street Resurfacing: According to Pepco, their contractor is hoping to complete the major excavation work on Fenton St. in July, though the schedule has been impacted by Covid-19 and the timetable is not certain. Paving is scheduled for now to start in August. Repaving on the section of Eastern Avenue between Piney Branch Road and Baltimore Avenue (that block is located in Washington, DC) has been delayed because portions of the block are slated to be worked on by the Washington Department of Transportation as part of the extension of the bike trail in that area. I haven’t gotten a definitive timeline for that project, but, given the already lengthy the delays, I’m exploring whether the repaving can be done sooner.
MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS
Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2020/pr20200603-gun-violence.pdf
Immigrant Heritage Month Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2020/pr20200603-heritage-month.pdf
VOTING SESSION
Wildwood Drive Traffic Calming: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2020/council-20200603-1-2.pdf. I’ll be voting in favor of the traffic calming measures as I did in the initial vote.
Resolution on Reopening Including Small Business Access to Public Areas: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2020/council-20200603-3r.pdf. With the short lead-time in the announcement of the partial County reopening (it was officially announced by the County on Friday, and it took effect this morning at 6:00 AM), there has been little time to prepare. The County rather than the City has the authority to make determinations about the conditions under which businesses may operate, while the City has control over most of our local streets and sidewalks. Because the County order is already in effect, the Council will be considering and voting on a resolution -- without the usual advance posting or work session discussion -- aimed at helping manage the reopening in a way that appropriately balances the needs of residents and businesses. Of particular importance, the resolution contemplates the partial closure of three streets in the City, including one lane of Laurel Avenue in Old Town (the block in front of the Post Office).
This would obviously have an effect on such factors as traffic, parking and pedestrian access. While I think it’s vital to help our businesses return to some semblance of normalcy in their operations -- even if it’s only operating at 50 percent capacity and, for restaurants, using outside seating -- it’s crucial to ensure that residents’ health, along with safe pedestrian access and walkability, including for those who are disabled, is protected as well. In addition, we need to understand the impact any closures may have on cut-through traffic in other nearby streets. I’ll be considering all of these points and listening carefully to public comments and the Council discussion on Wednesday before I reach a decision on the question of street closures. Please let me know what you think -- I’d like to hear from as many residents as possible on this subject.
WORK SESSION
Committee Appointment Process: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2020/council-20200603-4.pdf. The City government and the Council benefit greatly from the many residents who volunteer their time, knowledge and expertise on our committees, commissions and boards. We’ve recognized a need to review and potentially make changes in such areas as the appointment process, how committees operate, and their interaction with staff and the Council. In addition, the committees often don’t reflect the diversity of the community, and it’s vital that we do a better job of encouraging a wider range of applicants. A staff/Council working group has been exploring these and other issues, and will be reporting on their recommendations, including how to handle membership and appointments in the pandemic.
Discussion of Emergency Ordinance: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2020/council-20200603-5.pdf. On March 11 the Council adopted an ordinance giving the City Manager the authority during the pandemic to take certain emergency actions that would otherwise have been subject to Council approval. The ordinance is scheduled to terminate on the 90th day from the date of its enactment or on the day that the Governor declares that the State of Emergency has ended, whichever is later. However, the Council may rescind, modify or extend this ordinance by a majority vote at any time. You can see a listing of the actions taken by the City Manager under this authority here: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-manager/.
With nearly three months having passed since the enactment of this resolution, it’s an appropriate time to review how it has worked and to consider whether to rescind or change it. A primary reason for the original adoption of the resolution was the potential inability of the Council to meet because of the pandemic. Now that we’ve seen we can effectively conduct our meetings virtually, there’s a good argument for rescinding the resolution or amending it to clarify -- as suggested by some residents -- that the emergency powers would only apply if the Council is actually unable to meet. That’s an area of uncertainty: while we’re able to conduct Council business virtually now, we don’t know if that will continue. For example a second wave of Coronavirus cases could cause health problems among staff or Councilmembers such that it becomes impossible to even continue the virtual meetings. I would appreciate hearing residents’ thoughts on how best to take into account these and other concerns related to the resolution.
As always, please be in touch with questions 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)
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.