Dear Neighbors:
Here’s a link to the agenda for the June 22, 2022 City Council meeting: https://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/city-council-meeting-agenda-wednesday-june-22-2022/. This week’s meeting includes two votes: on a resolution containing the State legislative priorities we’ll be submitting to the Maryland Municipal League, and on a vegetation management contract. In the Work Session, we’ll hear presentations on the Organizational and Risk Assessment Study and on the Staff Compensation Study, plus several State economic development grants City staff recommend applying for. See below for details on this week’s agenda items.
The Council will not be meeting on Wednesday, June 29 (we generally don’t meet when there’s a fifth Wednesday in a given month). We will resume meeting on July 6, and we are scheduled to meet each Wednesday through July 27 (with a possible meeting on August 3), after which the Council will be on break from formal meetings until September. We’re currently scheduled to review the bids for the Library renovation project in the July 13 meeting, with potential votes on that project in the following meetings in July.
The first meeting in September will be on the 14th, though the Nominating Caucus (at which candidates for Mayor and City Council are officially placed on the ballot for the November election) will take place on the evening of September 13. As I announced previously, I’m not running for re-election, and I invite anyone who may be interesting in running to be in touch with me to discuss what it’s like to run for or serve on the Council.
You can make public comments for this week’s meeting 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_VZX0q2AHQ4-RHQ73HqAYtA. 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.
COVID UPDATE
The City’s COVID dashboard has been updated through this past week: https://takomapark.shinyapps.io/covid_dashboard/. Key data points noted by staff:
The Montgomery County Community Level as of June 16, 2022 is “Medium” according to CDC guidelines. The at least first dose vaccination rate in the 20912 zip code is 80.6%, while the fully vaccinated rate is 71.02%. New cases in the zip code total 49, and the cases per 100,000 residents in the last 7 days equal 266.78. The Community transmission level in the 20912 zip code based on CDC guidance is “High.”
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: For information on vaccine appointments go to: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/ or State Vaccine Website; for testing: Montgomery County Testing Sites; for 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
June 30 Parking Permit Renewal Deadline: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/police/permit-area-parking/. Parking permits expire on June 30, and need to be renewed before then, unless you have a two-year permit lasting through next June. If your permit expires at the end of this month and you don’t renew it YOU MAY GET A PARKING TICKET!
Draft Urban Forest Plan: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/public-works/tree-care-and-resources/. Two years ago, when the Council made changes to the Takoma Park Tree Ordinance and also adopted a tree canopy and urban forest policy resolution, one of the initiatives we called for was the development by the City’s Urban Forest Manager of a long-term management plan. Urban Forest Manager Marty Frye presented a draft of that plan in last week’s Council meeting, and I encourage residents to review it and offer suggestions and recommendations for the plan by the July 17 deadline. To see the presentation of the draft plan plus the annual reports for the last two years, along with the subsequent Council Q and A, go to the 114:30 mark here: https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/meetings-and-documents/city-council-video/
City Manager’s Statement on Juneteenth: I thought residents would be interested in the Juneteenth statement issued by City Manager Jamal Fox: https://takomaparkmd.gov/news-alert/a-message-from-city-manager-fox-regarding-juneteenth/
Crossroads Summer Mercado, Saturday, June 25, 1:00 - 6:00 PM: https://takomalangley.org/summermercado/. This annual event on Anne Street in Takoma Park features world cuisine, unique craft vendors, live music and more.
Takoma Pride Day, Sunday, June 26, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM in Old Town: https://mainstreettakoma.org/featured-events/takoma-pride/. Join the celebration of our LGBTQ+ community in a series of events and activities (including a kids parade) sponsored by the Old Town Business Association and other nearby businesses. Note that this event, originally scheduled for earlier in the month, was postponed until this weekend due to inclement weather.
Independence Day and Evening Celebration: https://www.takomapark4th.org/. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, the Fourth of July parade is back, starting at 10:00 AM. This year’s theme is Takoma Park: Together Again. The Grand Marshal will be our “new” City Manager Fox (he’s already been here almost a year). It will also be my last time marching as a Councilmember. The evening celebration will take place on Maple Avenue in front of the Community Center beginning at 7:00 PM.
VOTING SESSION
State Legislative Priorities:
Background Information: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220622-1.pdf
Revised Resolution: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/Revised-MML-LAR-Resolution.pdf
As part of its membership in the Maryland Municipal League, the City annually submits to MML a short list of recommendations for priorities in the following year’s State legislative session in Annapolis. After discussion of a draft resolution last week, the Council has centered on three priority areas: more flexibility for municipalities to raise revenue; legislation to assist renters and promote affordable housing; and promotion of pedestrian and bicycle safety initiatives. I’ll be voting for the resolution. 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 priorities in Annapolis on our own or with other allies, as we always do.
Vegetation Maintenance Contract: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220622-2.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 gardening and vegetation staff given their other responsibilities. The staff has recommended that the City hire Wetlands Study & Solutions/Davey, and I’ll be voting in favor of the contract.
WORK SESSION
Organizational Needs and Risk Assessment Study:
Background Memo: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220622-3.pdf
The City contracted with Matrix Consulting Group to conduct a study of the City’s organizational structure, and to make recommendations for improvements. The report includes recommendations in such areas as staffing levels, technology, departmental operations, and prioritization of strategic goals.
Staff Compensation Study:
Background memo: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220622-4.pdf
In connection with the collective bargaining process for our staff unions, the City contracts out for a compensation study every few years. The key finding in this year’s report is that in order to be competitive with the 50th percentile pay for the public sector in our region the overall level of City compensation should be adjusted upward by 6.4%. The approved City budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (which begins on July 1) included a 5% preliminary increase, with the understanding that the amount could change based on the results of the compensation study and subject to negotiations with the unions. If we were to adjust City compensation levels for the coming fiscal year up to the 6.4% level it would cost an additional $151,000 above the currently budgeted amount.
National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund Grants: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/city-council/agendas/2022/council-20220622-5.pdf. The State is making available $7 million in grant funding to support community development initiatives. City staff has proposed applying for three grants: to support improvements for the 112 Lee Avenue tenant purchase project, and general funding to support affordable housing preservation and for the backing of future Tenant Opportunity-to-Purchase projects. I think these are all good ideas, though I would like to learn more about the strategic impact of applying for multiple grants as opposed to just one.
As always, let me know if you have questions or comments about anything covered in report.
Peter Kovar, Takoma Park City Council, Ward One
240-319-6281; www.councilmemberkovar.com
(He, Him, His)
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