Copy
DC is in the midst of setting its approximately $15.5 billion dollar budget for fiscal year 2020. Lots of advocacy and hard work has gone into making the budget better represent the needs of DC residents. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B has played a role in advocating for more funding to end chronic homelessness, immediate funding for urgent public housing repairs, full funding for the District's Birth to Three for All DC Act (unanimously passed by the DC Council), funding for anti-bias training for Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, and more.

Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced her budget on March 20th, which in my view came up short in several important respects, particularly related to the need to address chronic homelessness and public housing repairs.

During the Council's first of two votes on May 14, Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau introduced an amendment to the budget that reduces an
ineffective business tax credit to help pay for permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, the Birth to Three Act, school-based mental health services, and lead service line replacement, among other things. More here and here. The amendment passed with 8 votes in support (notably not including our Ward 4 Councilmember). I strongly support this amendment. The reduction of a wasteful tax credit and support for the immediate needs of District residents is important and necessary.

In addition, Chair Phil Mendelson announced a proposed
reallocation of $30 million from EventsDC's $207 million "excess reserve" to fund public housing repairs. But, DC’s Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey S. DeWitt, who serves on the Board of EventsDC, has objected to this reallocation. ANC 4B is considering a resolution this month in support of funding for urgent public housing repairs and a commitment to maintain public housing stock.

You can read more about the budget here, here, and here. The DC Council held its first of two votes on May 14. The Council will hold its second (and final) vote on May 28. Please contact our Ward 4 Councilmember and the At-Large Councilmembers to let them know your priorities.

*Pictured below: A rally held by
The Way Home campaign in support of full funding to address chronic homelessness. 30 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners from across the District signed a letter supporting the campaign.


ANC 4B April Meeting
*Regular Public Meeting: May 20, 7 pm, 4th District Police Station
*Next Planning Meeting: June 11, 6:30 pm, 4th District Police Station

The Commission will hold its next regular public meeting on Monday, May 20th at 7 pm at the 4th District Police Station (6001 Georgia Ave, NW). Please note that the meeting will take place on the third Monday of the month (and not the fourth) because of the Memorial Day holiday.

The draft agenda (available
here) includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • a resolution proposed by me calling on the DC Council to provide as much funding as possible for urgent public housing repairs, develop a plan for longtime full funding, commit to a "build first" approach to prevent displacement, and commit to the retention and repair of public housing stock (draft resolution here); and
  • a resolution proposed by me encouraging candidates, including members of the DC Council, to participate in the District's public financing (fair elections) program and calling on the Council to work with the Office of Campaign Finance to ensure timely and effective implementation of the program (draft resolution here).
Please contact me with any questions or if you would like additional details regarding the agenda.

As the Commission's Secretary and in the interests of transparency, I seek to share agendas and meeting minutes in a timely and accessible fashion. We are currently re-designing the Commission's website and anticipate the site going live at the end of our summer recess. As we work toward updating the Commission's current website, you can review past agendas and approved minutes on my website at
www.erinforanc.com. You can see ANC 4B01 Commissioner Evan Yeat's live tweets from the April meeting here.


Neighborhood Updates

*4th/Cedar/Blair Intersection Improvement: The estimated start of construction for this intersection improvement project is the end of July / mid-August. The construction contract has been advertised and a low bidder contractor identified. The District Department of Transportation is in the process of getting a construction management team on board and hoping they will be issued a notice to proceed by the end of June. I am working with the District Department of Transportation to schedule at least two community meetings prior to the start of construction to discuss the scope and impact of the construction. The Commission has a copy of the current plans, which are available for review upon request.

*Aspen St, NW Rehabilitation Project: The District Department of Transportation will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, May 30 from 6:30 - 9:30 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church (7005 Piney Branch Rd, NW) to discuss the Aspen Street, NW Rehabilitation Project from 16th St to Georgia Ave, NW. DDOT will present design elements and gather comments from the community at this public meeting. More here.

*Rock Creek East I Livability Study:  The District Department of Transportation will host the second of three public workshops for the Rock Creek East I Livability Study on Wednesday, June 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church (701 Oglethorpe St, NW). The purpose of this neighborhood study is to enhance the community quality of life through improvements to transportation safety and connections to destinations for all modes.

*Proposed Development at 218 Cedar St, NW: ANC 4B07 Commissioner Geoff Bromaghim, ANC 4B01 Commissioner Evan Yeats, and myself hosted a community meeting on a proposed development of 37 condo units at 218 Cedar St, NW (the site of the 7-11 by the Takoma Metro). Details regarding the meeting can be found
here and here. The developer will be presenting at ANC 4B's May 20 meeting.

*Walter Reed 90-Day Look Ahead: View the Parks at Walter Reed 90-Day Look Ahead of On-Site Construction Activities
here.


*Pepco Takoma - Sligo Underground Line Project:  View Pepco's  three-week look ahead of construction activity associated with the Takoma - Sligo Underground Line Project here.


New & Notable
What's happening in local government?

Check out these DC Council legislative and other updates.
  • The DC Council has issued a flurry of legislation in response to traffic-related deaths and the District's failure to follow through on its Vision Zero plan. You can read about Ward 6 Councilember Charles Allen's Vision Zero Omnibus Act here, and you can read about additional proposed legislation designed to improve safety and multi-modal transportation here.
  • A group of 8 elected representatives and residents have issued an open letter calling on Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd to commit to following campaign finance laws after a recent reprimand and fine for misuse of government resources to send an email promoting a favored candidate. You can read more here and here. The listservs also have a lot of comments regarding the open letter and underlying conduct.
  • After significant public outcry, DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson tabled controversial changes to the District's Freedom of Information Act. The DC Open Government Coalition laid out the objections to the proposed changes very well in a letter available here.
  • Washington City Paper journalist Mitch Ryals provides a great in-depth look at the federally controlled parole system, how it impacts DC residents, and the implications for home rule. Check it out here.
Are you interested in or following pending legislation or a city-wide issue? Send me an email, and I will include updates in this newsletter.


SMD 4B02 Office Hours
Next Office Hours: Thursday, June 13, 7-8 pm, 715 Van Buren St, NW

Let's chat about the neighborhood! Join me Thursday, June 13th from 7 - 8 pm at 715 Van Buren St, NW, for monthly office hours for Single Member District 4B02. Please note the change in date from the third Thursday to the second Thursday of the month due to a scheduling conflict. Please RSVP here. If you need accommodations or would like to schedule another time to meet, please email me at 4B02@anc.dc.gov or call me at (202) 821-6333.


Upcoming Community Events

There's lots going on in the neighborhood! Check out the following community events: Know of other neighborhood events? Send notable events my way for inclusion in upcoming email newsletters.
You can always contact me:
Phone: (202) 821-6333
Email: 4B02@anc.dc.gov
Facebook: @Erinfor4B02
Twitter: @Erinfor4B02
Website: www.erinforanc.com

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Paid for by Erin Palmer, 715 Van Buren St, NW, Washington, DC 20012.






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
Erin for ANC 4B02 · 715 Van Buren St NW · Washington, DC 20012-2660 · USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp