Dear Neighbors:
I hope everyone was able to have an enjoyable Thanksgiving, with relatives and friends, and with some chance to take a break from the many challenges we face.
There are two important City meetings this week. First, on Wednesday, December 1, starting at 7:00 PM, the City Council will meet with our District 20 delegation (Sen. Smith and Dels. Moon, Wilkins and Charkoudian) to discuss Takoma Park’s legislative priorities for the 2022 session in Annapolis. Members of the public are welcome to comment. Then on Thursday, December 2, beginning at 6:30 PM, there is a public meeting on redistricting for our City Wards. After the December 1 meeting, the Council will meet in a closed administrative session for a 90-day check-in with the City Manager. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for January 12.
Sign up for public comments in the State legislative priorities meeting before 5:00 PM on Wednesday: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IOYS3u0pQ3OGks_4rClNeQ. That meeting can be viewed 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. You can register to participate in the December 2 redistricting meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvdO6grj4vGNRAMmTPLwJ2RxrgLyw9py05. For more information on both meetings see below.
COVID UPDATE
The Takoma Park COVID-19 Data Dashboard has now been updated with data through November 25, 2021. Key data points and other information highlighted by City staff:
There were 22 new cases reported between last week and the week before. Rates of new cases have begun increasing in the City and County. Despite this, hospitalizations in the County are down 7% over the last 14 days. Nationally, cases are up 3% and hospitalizations 11% over the last 14 days.
The 20912 zip code's fully vaccinated rate increased 0.16% to 60.4%, and the at least partially vaccinated rate increased 0.95% to 70.3%.
There were no new deaths in the 20912 zip code since last week.
A new variant of COVID-19 (called the Omicron variant) has been discovered, originally reported in South Africa. Omicron cases have since been discovered in a number of other countries and Canada. Data on the new variant's infectiousness and severity is still uncertain, and will not be available for at least two to three more weeks. Based on mutations in this variant, there are concerns that it could more easily cause reinfection and that current vaccines may be less effective at preventing infection, but data on this is still not available. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Unvaccinated residents are encouraged to get vaccinated. Vaccine boosters are now available to adults who became vaccinated at least two months ago for Johnson & Johnson recipients, and at least 6 months ago for Pfizer and Moderna recipients. Maryland has a web portal to assist with finding vaccines, as does the CDC.
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 those who are 12 and older: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ or State Vaccine Website; Testing: Montgomery County Testing Sites; Tenants having trouble paying rent: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/SNHS/rent-relief.html or https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/housing-and-community-development/contact-us/; Food aid: Submit an online request for help with food resources or call 240-777-0311.
Montgomery County Rental Assistance: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/montgomery-county-residents-can-get-up-to-12000-for-rental-assistance/. Residents may be eligible for up to $12,000. The link includes details on this program and other County resources for those facing challenges in paying their rent and/or facing eviction.
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meeting/talking with me in December: With the colder weather here, outdoor office hours don’t work well anymore. On the other hand, there’s still concern about indoor meetings in public spots. So residents who may wish to meet with me -- as opposed to emailing or talking on the phone -- should feel free to reach out directly so we can set up a time and place for an in-person meeting. See the sign-off at the end of this blog for details on how to contact me.
Takoma Park Holiday Art Sale: This annual event will take place on Saturday, December 4, from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM in the Community Center.
Alternative Gift Fair: Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington is offering holiday gifts that make a difference to those in need in the community and around the world. You can hear from the 16 featured groups directly on Saturday December 4 from Noon - 4:00 PM during the Virtual Fair. To RSVP go to: https://forms.gle/Z3iipEq21zJDh6ei7. You can shop online until Monday January 3, 2022 at aggw.org, and meet representatives in-person from the organizations and AGGW board members on December 5 and December 12 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the intersection of Carroll and Laurel Avenues in Old Town.
Annual Toy Drive: The Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department and the Takoma Park Police Department are teaming up for the annual toy drive through December 20. Toys/Gift Cards can be dropped off at the Volunteer Fire Department, 7201 Carroll Ave., or at the Police Department in the Community Center. Donations should be new and unwrapped toys, or gift cards.
Electrification and Energy Efficiency Grants: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/new-electrification-and-energy-efficiency-grants-available-in-takoma-park/. The first round of applications for these grants closes on December 8. Homeowners, small businesses, commercial property owners, multi-family building owners and property managers can apply.
2022 Community Police Academy -- Dec. 17 Application Deadline, Space is Limited: https://takomapark.seamlessdocs.com/f/kb2evbr4rbj7/prepare. The Academy will begin on January 4, 2022. Masks will be required. This is a 14-week program consisting of a weekly class on Tuesdays from 7:00 pm to 9:30 PM. The classes will cover topics such as patrol, traffic enforcement, use of force, criminal investigations, canine, firearms, crisis negotiation, etc. It includes hands-on learning through equipment demonstrations, practical scenarios, field trips and ride-alongs with patrol officers. The Academy is free, with seats limited to the first 25 applicants on a first come/first served basis. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, live or work in Takoma Park, and not have any serious misdemeanors or any felony offenses.
Winter Coat Drive: The Police Department, in partnership with Adventist Church, the Volunteer Fire Department, and others, is collecting clean, gently used warm coats in sizes from infant to adult, along with clean, gently used gloves/mittens and scarves. Drop off in the Police Department lobby through December 17 at 4:00 PM.
Takoma Park Invasive Vine Removal: https://www.mobilize.us/ccanactionfund/event/381094/. Help protect the City’s tree canopy by joining the weekly invasive vine removal effort led by Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
KEY UPDATES FROM NOVEMBER 17 COUNCIL MEETING
Council Compensation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/council-20211117-8.pdf. On the final vote on this proposal, the Council voted unanimously in favor of the compensation increase. I supported taking this step in order to help enable a broadening of the Council’s make-up, so it’s less likely to be composed primarily of homeowners (in a City where half the residents live in rental housing) and people who are retired, financially well-off or with jobs that have flexible schedules. You can watch video of my remarks on this subject from the November 17 Council starting at 3:08 via this link: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/meetings-and-documents/city-council-video/
For additional background on my position, I’ll refer to the previous write-up on this topic which I included in my blog prior to the November 17 vote. To read it, scroll down to “Voting Session” in this link: http://www.councilmemberkovar.com/blog/2021/11/16/november-17-2021-city-council-meeting-agenda-amp-more. That statement in turn has a further link to additional comments I’ve offered on this issue.
From my perspective, if we’re adjusting the compensation, it’s important to do it far enough in advance of the next election to enable people who may be thinking about running for office to factor the changes into their decision making. So I didn’t share the view put forward by some that we should continue to keep the proposal on hold.
Some residents have made the point that we shouldn’t increase Council compensation because that move alone won’t mean less well-off people will run for local office. To be clear, I’m not arguing that the compensation change on its own will immediately lead to lower income residents deciding to run for local office. There are many factors that come into play for individuals who are considering whether to run, just as there are many barriers to the participation of low and moderate income City residents in the Takoma Park political scene generally. Helping make it more possible for, say, a single parent or a person who doesn’t have a wealthier spouse to consider running is to me a plus. But we have to continue working to address other barriers as well, including challenges for those who don’t speak English as their first language.
Finally, as noted in that previous blog, I’m open to having the compensation changes not apply to current Councilmembers (even after the next election, when it would otherwise go into effect). However, taking that step is complicated legislatively, in part because it would require changes to the City charter (which takes several months). So it’s something I’ll be exploring. But again, out of fairness to those who may want to think about running -- and as explained in my remarks in the November 17 Council meeting -- I thought it made more sense to move ahead with the compensation change now, and then see whether the non-application to current Councilmembers is possible going forward. With that in mind, I’ll be conferring with my Council colleagues and taking a closer look at the Charter process and other relevant legislative questions.
Construction Management Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/council-20211117-7.pdf. The Council unanimously approved this contract for management of the Library renovation project, which is expected to go out to bid early next year.
Window Guard Legislation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/council-20211117-5.pdf. I was pleased to join all of my City Council colleagues in voting to approve this important safety measure.
ARPA Discussion: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/Documents/ARPA-Update-20211117.pdf. Senior City staff made a presentation on the process they’ve developed to evaluate ideas for use of Federal ARPA funds. As outlined in the presentation, the City received over 50 suggestions for possible use of the funds. The staff will be scoring them based on factors such as alignment with Council priorities, resident impact, equity impact, and cost. They will present the proposals with recommendations to the Council in our January 12 meeting, with approval of a detailed ARPA spending plan set for February, after public feedback.
Given where we are now, I think this approach is reasonable. However, as I mentioned in my remarks following the presentation, I’m disappointed that we haven’t made more funding for immediate needs of lower income residents available, beyond the initial $500,000 we approved. So I recommended in the Council meeting that we start off right away in January by approving some ARPA initiatives that provide more immediate benefits to lower income residents, and then continue on with the rest of the process as laid out by City staff in their presentation. I’ll continue pushing for that approach. You can see my comments starting at 4:12 here: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/Documents/ARPA-Update-20211117.pdf
Adventist Healthcare Proposal: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2021/Adventist-HealthCare-Proposal-for-Takoma-Park-2021-11-17.pdf. Adventist Healthcare made a presentation on their proposal to close their urgent care facility on the former hospital site, and to establish instead a primary care facility adjacent to that site. I’m reviewing this proposal, and there will be further discussion of it going forward. One first glance concern I have is the proposed hours for the new facility: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. If the proposal does move ahead, I’d like to see some evening and weekend hours.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES MEETING: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-and-district-20-delegation-joint-priorities-meeting-wednesday-december-1-2021/. The Council meets annually with our District 20 delegation to discuss priorities for the upcoming State legislative session. We previously approved a resolution outlining our priorities: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/resolutions/2021/resolution-2021-39.pdf. Again, residents are welcome to offer comments. Sign up here by 5:00 PM on Wednesday: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IOYS3u0pQ3OGks_4rClNeQ
REDISTRICTING COMMUNITY MEETING: December 2 at 6:30 PM: For sign-up and more information: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news/participate-in-ward-redistricting-meetings/. Takoma Park will be redrawing the boundaries of its six Wards, based on population changes as determined by the 2020 Census. The City has contracted with an outside consultant (FLO Dynamics, assisted by Bloom Planning) to help develop draft revisions to our Ward boundaries. The current expectation is that we would finalize the new maps toward the end of January. FLO Dynamics has developed 5 map options, which aim at meeting the various redistricting criteria established by the City Council in this resolution: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/resolutions/2021/resolution-2021-32.pdf.
You can see the 5 maps and related demographic material for here: https://takomaparkmd.gov/initiatives/project-directory/redistricting/. Please keep in mind that these are not the only options -- taking into account residents’ comments, the Council can revise these maps and/or produce our own. So I encourage residents to treat the maps as first drafts (I’m still reviewing them and considering various options). You should also feel free to come up with your own revised Ward borders, using the modeling tool that's included with the maps.
One point to be aware of is that the 5 draft maps were prepared without splitting up Census blocks (the smallest geographical areas used by the Census Bureau). That approach is generally considered to be a best practice in redistricting, because it ensures that the most accurate demographic information about possible boundaries can be used. However, for us locally it also means that some streets — where both sides have been exclusively in a single Ward, such as parts of Philadelphia and Carroll Aves. — could be divided, with each side of such streets ending up in different Wards. The potential impact of a change along those lines isn’t something we’ve discussed yet any depth. I would welcome feedback and recommendations on that point and more generally on how to draw the new Ward borders.
As always, please be in touch with questions or comments about any of the issues discussed above.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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