Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the June 15, 2022 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-june-15-2022/. There are no votes this week. In the Work Session, the Urban Forest Manager will present annual reports on the condition of the urban forest and the status of the City’s Urban Forest programs, along with a draft urban forest master plan. We will also be discussing a contract for vegetation management and a resolution on State legislative priorities. In addition, there will be proclamations on Juneteenth and World Refugee Day.
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_n3Nj4VJSRoizzEOGNeVpTA. 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.
World Refugee Day Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2022/pr20220615_Refugee.pdf
Juneteenth Proclamation: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/mayoral-proclamations/2022/pr20220615_Juneteenth.pdf
COVID UPDATE
The City’s COVID dashboard has been updated through last week: https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/covid_dashboard/. Key data points highlighted by City staff:
Montgomery County's Community Level remains at "Medium" based on CDC guidance. New cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days for the County fell 41% since last week to 239, the percent of beds occupied by COVID-19 patients remained stable at 4.4%, and hospital admissions per 100,000 residents remained stable at 7.3. However, in the 20912 zip code, new cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days remain elevated at 446 -- with 66 new cases since last week compared to 68 the week before -- constituting a "high" level of transmission per CDC guidance (which is different from Community Levels).
The state has not updated its zip code level vaccination data since June 1; then, vaccination levels were 80.6% (at least first dose) and 71% (fully vaccinated) in the 20912 zip code. Deaths due to COVID-19 in the 20912 zip code remained unchanged since last week.
Free COVID Home Tests: All U.S. households are eligible for another round of free rapid at home tests from the Federal Government. They can be ordered here: https://www.covid.gov/tests
Mask/Testing Kit Distribution: https://takomaparkmd.gov/public-notices/covid-19-rapid-test-kits-and-kn95-masks-available-now/. The Takoma Park Library is also 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Montgomery College Community Walkabout, June 14, 6:00 PM: This is an opportunity to learn and share feedback on the planned renovation of MC’s Campus library, which is located on New York Avenue. Representatives from the College and their architectural firm will be present. Register by sending an email to Shelly.Alves@montgomerycollege.edu. Meet on the sidewalk in front of the building on New York Ave.
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 & more at the VFW (6420 Orchard Ave.)
Opportunities to Serve on City Committees: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/boards-commissions-and-committees/. The City is actively recruiting residents to serve on the many volunteer committees, boards and commissions which play such important roles in Takoma Park.
Azalea Award Winners: https://www.takomafoundation.org/awards/azalea/16th-annual-azalea-awards.html. The Takoma Foundation has announced the 2022 winners, and once again it’s an amazing list of people and organizations who make vital contributions to the quality of life in the greater Takoma area. I salute all the winners, as well as the nominees, all of whom deserve our appreciations and thanks. And a special note of recognition to Karen MacPherson, the recently retired long-time Children’s Librarian at the City Library, who was given the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award.
Provide Input on the Minor Master Plan Amendment: https://takomaparkmd.gov/newsletter/provide-input-on-takoma-park-minor-master-plan-amendment/. The Montgomery County Planning Office in partnership with the City is seeking input from residents on re-envisioning the area at and near the former Adventist Hospital site, including portions of Maple Avenue.
WORK SESSION
Urban Forest Program Update & Draft Urban Forest Master Plan: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220615-1.pdf
Two years ago the Council approved a series of revisions to the Tree Ordinance and adopted a resolution establishing tree canopy goals and urban forest policies. These documents call for the issuance of annual reports on a range of tree related matters and the development of a longer term plan for management of our urban forest. This work connects directly to the City’s initiatives on climate change, racial equity, and public space management, among others. I look forward to hearing from Marty Frye, our Urban Forest Manager, who will be presenting the annual reports and the draft master plan,
Vegetation Maintenance Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220615-2.pdf. With the previous contract for vegetation management at Takoma Park bio-retention facilities and streetscapes having expired, the City has advertised for a new contractor to perform these services. The work covers nearly 100 sites comprising 32,000 square feet, which is beyond the capacity of City staff gardening and vegetation staff given their other responsibilities. The staff is recommending that the City hire Wetlands Study & Solutions/Davey, which was the lowest bidder on the contract.
State Legislative Priorities: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220615-3.pdf. Every year, as part of its membership in the Maryland Municipal League, the City submits to MML a short list of recommendations for legislative priorities in the following year’s State legislature session in Annapolis. The draft resolution for this year is focused on three priority areas: more flexibility for municipalities to raise revenue; legislation to assist renters; and increasing municipal authority around climate change and environmental policies. That seems like a good list to me, though I will be giving it some additional consideration. I would add that -- regardless of what we submit to MML or which issues the organization’s board ultimately decides to prioritize -- we can continue pushing for other priority bills in Annapolis on our own or with other allies, as we always do.
Please let me know if you have questions or comments about any of these topics.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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