All posts by Donna Wright

City Council & Mayor Blog, News

A Letter to the Community on Budget Goals and Priorities.

 

Dear Takoma Park Community,

The uncertainty and enormity of the COVID-19 pandemic hangs over us all. Although there are many unknowns that make planning even for the next few weeks — let alone the next year — harder than usual, we are committed to ensuring the long-term wellbeing and safety of all Takoma Park residents.

As members of the Takoma Park City Council, we have been working since early April on the FY2021 City Budget. We extend our deep appreciation to the work of the City Manager and staff during this time. We knew from the first presentation on April 6th that the proposed budget needed to be revised to take into consideration the health crisis, and we have learned much more about the health and economic situation since then.

Over the past few weeks, we have discussed and posed questions about the City Budget and heard from many residents about their priorities and concerns. As we work to finalize the budget, we’ve come together to summarize some of the overarching goals we have identified over the past few weeks.

There is still more discussion and difficult decisions for the Council to make on the budget. We have differing views on various specific line-items in the budget, but our discussions over the past weeks have shown a common commitment to ensuring that City funds are managed responsibly to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our community now and into the future.

As the City, we are the first line of defense for those most impacted and vulnerable during this crisis. By acting quickly and with sufficient resources, we can help more people stay in their homes and keep businesses afloat while we wait and advocate for assistance at the county, state, and federal level.  We also know that while this crisis impacts everyone, the magnitude of the impact is not equal, further exposing the racial injustices that we must address as a City.

Our focus for the remainder of FY2020 and as we consider the FY2021 budget must be to provide for those residents, staff, and businesses most impacted and vulnerable during this very difficult time.

Therefore, we are prioritizing:

  • Resources to enable the City to continue to provide financial support for residents including rent, HOA fees, utilities, medical care, food, and other needs.
  • Resources to increase workforce development assistance to residents who have been laid-off or forced to job transition.
  • Support and assistance to our small businesses and business associations.
  • Resources to support the City’s frontline staff who are working hard to provide critical support and services to the community during the pandemic, including hazard pay.
  • Resources and flexibility to shift how our staff and government operates to meet the needs of residents now and into the future.
  • Continuation of funding for public safety initiatives.
  • Continue and explore expanding targeted property tax assistance programs.
  • Maintenance of healthy reserves to ensure the City has resources to meet unexpected challenges.

To meet the goals above, we support the following and continue to explore other options:

  • Reductions and cuts to the proposed budget to reach a tax rate not exceeding the current rate of 53.97 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
  • Suspension of funds for large public gatherings and savings from unused overtime for police and public works for such gatherings.
  • A hold on filling some staff vacancies.
  • A hold for at least the first quarter of the year on certain expenditures that can be re-evaluated throughout the year.

While we agree on these overarching goals and direction, we are each still looking at specific line items that may be included in the budget, cut, or placed on hold for at least the first quarter.

A budget is our roadmap for the work we do in the City. Unfortunately, the road ahead is filled with much uncertainty. We must, therefore, have a budget that is flexible enough to allow us to respond to the unknown ahead and keep our main priorities – the wellbeing of our residents, businesses, and staff – front and center.

Thank you again to the staff and to residents who have provided their input throughout this process.

Mayor Stewart
Mayor ProTem Seamens
Councilmember Kostiuk
Councilmember Searcy
Councilmember Dyballa

 

City Council & Mayor Blog, News

Takoma Park businesses are a huge part of our lives and right now they need us!

 

I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, in the 1970s. As a child, my mother would send me to the corner market to pick up groceries. I had a list that I would hand to the owner, stretching on my toes to reach over the counter. He would hand me back a bag of groceries and add the total to my mother’s account.

These memories of growing up and the small businesses that made my neighborhood feel like a community are a big part of why I wanted to raise my family in Takoma Park.

Mayor Kate Stewart

Takoma Park businesses are a huge part of our lives. From the first time, my children went to the Co-op by themselves, to their first haircuts at Shampoo (and now at Scissor & Comb), to ordering flowers for special occasions from Park Florist, to always taking my mother to Mark’s Kitchen and then for ice cream when she visited, to ordering from Red Chilis or Sardis for Friday night movie night, or being able to find amazing jollof rice at Mansa Kunda or Patrick’s in the Crossroads; Takoma Park businesses and the people who own them are part of what makes this City home.

For a City of 2.4 square miles, we have an incredible number of diverse, independently run small businesses. You can buy fabrics at Sarah’s Fabrics, children’s clothes at Discount Mart, cowboy boots at El Alazan Western Wear, tea sets at JK Mart or have a dress custom made at McDoris Fashion and Fabric and so much more. These businesses, owned and run by our neighbors and friends, play a big part in creating a sense of community in our City. They add to the uniqueness and character that we love in Takoma Park.

And, right now, they need us.

Across the City, our businesses are struggling as they try to stay afloat through the current crisis.

There are also many small businesses and sole practitioners who don’t have a storefront but who provide vital services to our community, including educational consultants, dentists, optometrists, and physicians. And, we cannot forget our vibrant creative community of artists, photographers, designers, dancers, and musicians.

We really pack a lot into 2.4 square miles!

As Councilmember Searcy stated at a recent Council meeting, one of our jobs right now as a City is to come together to make sure our small businesses can weather this crisis. To ensure we can see as many as possible of these businesses re-open and resume their work, we need the assistance of the federal, state, county, and city governments and our community. This is truly going to take all of us.

In particular, many of the businesses in our community face barriers to accessing the relief funds available from the federal and state government. The difficulty of navigating complex applications and the lack of existing relationships with banks and lenders put many of our small businesses at a disadvantage in applying for relief. This makes the funds and staff assistance we can provide at the City level even more vital.

Over the last few weeks, the City has undertaken a multi-layered campaign to support small businesses in Takoma Park.

The “Takoma Together Campaign” highlights three ways that the community can assist businesses during this trying time.

The Takoma Park Together (#TogetherTKPK) Campaign

Working with Laura Barclay of Old Town Business Association, City staff were able to quickly get up and running the Takoma Park Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant Program. We received over 100 applications for grant assistance of up to $3,000. Requests came in from local businesses ranging from home-based businesses to 49-year long-standing businesses across varying industries. At the writing of this blog, we have been able to provide assistance to a third of the businesses. We are counting on our community for additional support.

Donations can be made online:


 

Support local businesses that are raising money for the mini-grants program.

  • No Plan Press has created three unique posters featuring designs promoting the Takoma Park Together campaign. 100% of the profits from the sale of these limited-edition posters will benefit Takoma Park’s Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant Program and the Old Takoma Business Association’s (OTBA) Micro-Grants Program
  • Order online at No Plan Press online to purchase an exclusive “Takoma Park Together” poster. 
  • Coming soon, plants by Indigro Plant Design!
  • Buy a Meal from a “Takoma Park To-Go” Restaurant and TAG Your Favorite Takoma Park Together Mural on Social Media (#TogetherTKPK)
  • Thanks to a partnership with ChalkRiot, up to 40 small chalk murals and designs will be created on sidewalks and walkways around the City in the next two months to identify our To-Go businesses and brighten the daily walks of our residents. Chalk murals will be created in and around restaurants listed on the “Takoma Park To-Go” website as a demonstration of our ongoing support and commitment to our beloved small businesses.

I want to recognize some of the amazing work of individuals and businesses. This is by no means a complete list of all those who are coming together to help, so please send me more stories!

Small businesses stepping up for community:

  • Old Town Business Association continued its micro-grants program to assist businesses in Takoma DC, and in Old Town, and Takoma Junction during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Food donations: Takoma Beverage, Middle Eastern Market, Cielo Rojo, and others.
  • Emergency donation of toilet paper to Victory Towers: Girl and the Vine and Takoma Beverage
  • Stepping up to assist with social distancing and providing resources: Old Town ACE Hardware, Takoma Park Farmers Market, Crossroads Farmers Market, OTBA, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Co-op, Aldi, and Red Apple Farmers Market
  • Rental assistance: Urciolo Properties – rent assistance for businesses in Old Town and Takoma Junction
  • Thank you to all who have stepped up to donate to the City’s mini-grant program:
    • 26 family and friends online and 142 fundraising posters ordered from – No Plan Press
    • Crossroads Development Authority
    • Neighborhood Development Company

There is still a lot of uncertainty about when businesses will be able to get back up and running. Our small businesses are a vital part of what makes Takoma Park a great place to live. Let’s make sure they can survive and thrive in the future.

News

Takoma Park Together = Small Business Support

 

Here’s how you can help!

Background

The City is embarking on a multi-layered campaign to support small businesses in Takoma Park.  This exciting outreach campaign will engage residents and support local businesses, in a socially responsible way, during this unprecedented health emergency.

Phase One

We are kicking off the campaign with the installation of our first chalk mural near the Takoma Park Recreation Center on New Hampshire Avenue.  We have branded the campaign as “Takoma Park Together” and are using the trending hashtag #TogetherTKPK to spread the word on social media. Up to 40 small chalk murals and designs will be created on sidewalks and walkways around the City in the next 2 months to identify our To-Go businesses and brighten the daily walks of our residents. Chalk murals will be developed in and around restaurants listed on the “Takoma Park To-Go” website as a demonstration of our ongoing support and commitment to our beloved small businesses.

Phase Two

The second phase of the Takoma Park Together campaign is a fundraising effort led by another Takoma Park business. No Plan Press has created three unique posters featuring designs promoting the Takoma Park Together campaign.  100% of the proceeds from the sale of these limited-edition posters will benefit Takoma Park’s Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant Program and the Old Takoma Business Association’s (OTBA) Micro-Grant program.

Phase Three

We will continue to receive donations for the Takoma Park Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant Program.  We have over 100 applications for grant assistance received in the last 7 days. This demonstrates the tremendous need from a variety of local businesses ranging from home-based businesses to 30-year long-standing businesses across varying industries. City funds will be exhausted well before the need and we are counting on our residents for additional support.

4 Ways You Can Help

1. Buy a Meal from a “Takoma Park To-Go” Restaurant and TAG Your Favorite Takoma Park Together Mural on Social Media (#TogetherTKPK)

Takoma Park Together Chalk Murals: the City has partnered with our local business, Chalk Riot, to create temporary chalk murals on sidewalks/walkways across the community, to engage our residents around social distancing and safety issues, and identify businesses that are still open and offering takeouts and delivery. You can help support these businesses by picking up a meal from one of our Takoma Park To-Go restaurants.

 

2. Purchase a Limited-Edition “Takoma Park Together” Poster

No Plan Press Fundraiser: Visit No Plan Press online to purchase an exclusive “Takoma Park Together” poster with locally inspired designs. Each piece will be letterpress printed by hand, one at a time on an antique 19th-century printing press right here in Takoma Park.  All orders will be delivered for free to Takoma Park addresses. Posters range in price from $20-$100, and all profits from the sale will go to the Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant Program and Old Takoma Business Association Micro-Grant Program.

 

 

3. Purchase Limited-Edition “Takoma Park Together” Herbs, Flowering Plants and Succulents

Takoma Park local business, Indigro Plant Design, has created 4 exclusive Takoma Park Together designs of herbs, succulents, and flowering plants to raise funds for the Takoma Park Together campaign to support our local businesses during the COVID-19 emergency.  Up to 50% of the profit from sales will support both the CItywide Small Business Mini-Grant program and the Old Takoma Business Association (OTBA) Micro-Grant program.

 

4. Donate to the Citywide Mini-Grant Program 

Donate Online: We are still accepting donations online or via check for the Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant Program.

We would like to thank OTBA for assistance with the technical infrastructure to receive online donations. You will see OTBA information on the donation page, however, funds are directed to a separate City of Takoma Park donation account for the Takoma Park Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant program.

Donations can be made online:



 

or by check made out to:  City of Takoma Park

Mail to:
City of Takoma Park
Finance Department
Attn: Small Business Mini-Grant Donation
7500 Maple Avenue, 3rd Floor
Takoma Park, MD 20912

Thank you for your generous support for our small businesses during this challenging time!

City Manager & Staff Blog, News

The Next Three Weeks and After – Getting Back to Normal?

 

The Takoma Park City Council will be considering the details of the proposed City budget over the next three weeks. They will be looking at what is needed for responding to the pandemic right now, what will be needed for the recovery period, and what will be needed for the City in the long term.

City Manager
Suzanne Ludlow

On the evenings of Monday, April 20 and 27, the City Council will have budget work session discussions on the capital improvement program and on departmental and non-departmental budgets. At the end of each work session, at the Council meeting of April 22, and then in detail on May 4, there will be discussions of the budget reconciliation list. The final budget to be adopted by the City Council will be based on the outcome of the budget reconciliation decisions on May 4. The budget will then be officially adopted with the approval of the budget ordinances in mid-May, in time to meet the County and State requirements for budget adoption.

Last Monday, the budget work session was devoted to programs and funds that support residents and businesses in Takoma Park, particularly when they are having difficulty. The City has at least a dozen staff involved in reaching out to those in need, sharing information, and in helping review or process applications, payments and legal documents.

On Monday the 20th, the work session will be on capital projects and purchases. In a time of the pandemic, it is hard to think of planning for future infrastructure projects or purchasing vehicles, but these are part of our long term planning, budgeting, and good stewardship so that the City can function today and when the pandemic is over. I am recommending that some capital projects be pushed off until FY2022 and will be recommending that we continue with others in order to take advantage of grant funds or not put the City in a more difficult financial situation in future years.

On Monday the 27th, we will be looking at the proposed departmental work programs for FY21. Based on the evaluation done so far by the staff and finance department during the last couple of weeks, I will recommend a number of individual line items that may be removed or changed in the budget to help bring down the proposed tax rate, increase reserves, and/or move funds to programs that the Council would like to augment. As I have stated before, the FY2021 budget was largely prepared prior to the current health pandemic, and we have been carefully tracking City expenses and discussing how this and next year’s finances will be impacted.

A note about the tax rate. I have been asked why I proposed to increase the tax rate for FY21, particularly during a pandemic. There are two main reasons.

  1. Under the Maryland State Code (Section 6-308 Tax-Property Article), the Council cannot approve a tax rate that is larger than the tax rate that is advertised for the budget public hearing. The City Manager must propose a tax rate that will be larger than or equal to the one the Council will adopt.
  2. There are more questions this year about the coming year’s work program and budget than in any previous year that I have worked for the City of Takoma Park. What will happen to the City’s expected revenues? Will we be required to do different work or offer different services or assistance during a pandemic that might cost us more money? Having the larger tax rate available as the Council considers the budget allows flexibility in their deliberations.

As I have noted in prior messages, I have taken a number of steps to save money or increase flexibility while the Council considers the budget this year. We put a pause on union negotiations and pay increases, I proposed the postponement of some capital expenditures until FY22, and I have delayed some expenditures on art projects (the Lincoln Avenue mural, the Holton Lane sculpture, and the restoration of the BY Morrison mural). Funds that couldn’t be spent due to the pandemic were rerouted to programs to assist residents and businesses. Most of these actions are to provide flexibility as the Council considers the FY21 budget or to provide timely assistance.

Getting Back to Normal?

In the last week, there has been a lot of discussion at the national and local levels about beginning to plan to “get back to normal’ after this COVID-19 pandemic. As Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Chief Administrative Officers (COG CAOs) Committee, I have been involved in communications with leaders of the various jurisdictions in the National Capital Region about how we are handling the current situation and what might be involved in reopening businesses and services. I will be serving on a COG CAO subcommittee in the coming weeks to address this topic.

There are a number of aspects to consider. There is the expertise of the public health specialists regarding what is happening in specific locations and populations and what is needed in terms of testing and contact tracing to begin lifting stay at home orders. And, there are the fiscal resources of our government operations and the needs of the individual communities to consider as we implement the public health recommendations.

The Washington, DC area is complicated by consisting of two states and the District of Columbia. There are large numbers of people who live in one jurisdiction and work in another so the actions of one jurisdiction affect the other two. Fortunately, the elected leaders of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia are communicating with each other. And, there is a strong interest by area elected officials and the CAOs in having the National Capital Region’s
jurisdictions coordinate on pandemic response.

On a recent conference call of the CAOs, some of the issues that were raised dealt with speaking with a unified voice to the extent possible and a discussion of the intersection of child care, business needs, and government operations.

Obviously, we all want our businesses to reopen and residents to return to work. People need money to support themselves and their families and we want to see Takoma Park getting back to normal.

We will want to know when it is safe to have businesses reopen and what the precautions are that the businesses will need to operate under. And, we know that there is great concern that COVID-19 infections could flare up again if testing and contact tracing is not robust, so we must be prepared for setbacks.

  • If more people are allowed to go to work, though, how will children be cared for?
  • If schools reopen, will they be safe for the children, teachers and other child care providers?
  • And, particularly in a community with multi-generational immigrant populations, will the children bring home illness to the more vulnerable grandparents in the families?
  • What happens when some children can attend school and others must stay home due to health constraints?

I know the jurisdictions that operate school systems are wrestling with these issues. And, in Takoma Park, there are governmental impacts of school system decisions. As a traditional provider of children’s programs and care, will the City of Takoma Park be called upon to start offering these programs? Do we have the right staff and facilities for this? What will be needed to train and protect our employees for the services they may need to provide?

To the extent possible, the jurisdictions of the National Capital Region want to work on the same timelines and think holistically about the implications of our actions and non-actions. Just as the virus does not respect jurisdictional boundaries, neither do the impacts of our decisions at this time.

As the Council considers the details of the proposed City of Takoma Park budget over the next three weeks, we will all be thinking about the scenarios we may be facing over the next year. We will be looking at what we need for responding to the pandemic right now, what we will need for the recovery period, and what we will need for the City in the long term.

The City of Takoma Park will need to be flexible and nimble to respond to the changing demands. Just as we have made great strides to respond quickly to the concerns and needs of residents in multifamily buildings, homeowners needing help, and owners of small businesses, we may need to have funds available to ramp up services or go without certain revenue depending on the timing of actions in the region.

This is a hard time. However, I can’t express enough my appreciation for the great staff of the City of Takoma Park. They rose to the challenge and continue to come up with creative, cost-effective ways to serve and help. As a small jurisdiction, it is inspiring to see City staff doing amazing work. And, it has been so wonderful to see the outpouring of appreciation from our residents to our staff.
Thank you!

TogetherTKPK!

City Council & Mayor Blog, News

Be Kind. Be Bold. Resist.

 

During the health emergency, I have been trying to remember to get outside each day. This week, during a walk around my neighborhood, I noticed the dogwoods coming into bloom.

The dogwood is a personally meaningful flower – it appears very fragile but can withstand harsh conditions. As a symbol of strength and durability, it speaks to the challenges we all overcome in our lives.

Three years ago, I had a dogwood flower and the words, “Be Kind. Be Bold. Resist.” tattooed on my left forearm. It was right after the 2016 Presidential elections, and I wanted a reminder of our collective ability to stand together in the face of challenges. Today, as we face the health crisis, I am again reminded of our need to be kind, be bold, and resist.

Be Kind.

As we enter this fifth week of the crisis, the stress and the uncertainty are mounting. For some in our community, the fears of falling ill or losing loved ones have become a reality. Remember that now, more than ever, we need to treat each other and ourselves with kindness and compassion.

Be Bold.

My resolution for the new decade was to, in the words of Angela Davis, “act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And… do it all the time.”

Right now, that is a difficult task as the uncertainty and enormity of COVID-19 hang over us all. It is hard to think about a time after the crisis. But each day, there are little things we can still do that will radically change our world. Here in Takoma Park, we have so many heroes in our community, stepping up to care and support each other.

From donating food or money to standing outside and cheering our public works department as they pick up trash and recycling, to calling a neighbor or friend to give them support – there are things each of us can do to uplift others and ourselves.

No act is too small.

Resist.

Resist facing this alone. If you need assistance, please reach out. We have resources on the website, and my blog has listed other ideas. You can also call the City at 301-891-7100.

Like the dogwood flower, we are strong. By treating each other with kindness, by remembering to act boldly, and by resisting the idea that you or your family must face this alone, we will get through this crisis together.

News

Budgeting in Challenging Times.

 

On Monday night, I presented a draft budget for FY2021. Over the next four weeks, the City Council will be holding Work Sessions to consider the FY21 Budget.  Work Sessions are key opportunities for Councilmembers to hear from and question staff regarding the proposed budget numbers and work program.

City Manager
Suzanne Ludlow

Obviously, we are in a challenging time, and we are in the process of scrutinizing every aspect of the budget to see what effect the COVID-19 pandemic will have, what will be needed during recovery and how to position the City for the coming years.

Since Monday night, I have received a number of questions about potential cuts and other measures given the current crisis. Some have expressed concerns that we are treating this like any other budget year. I assure residents that this is not the case.

As I noted in the Newsletter article about the proposed budget and in my presentation to the Council last Monday, I have already taken significant steps in consideration of the health emergency and its possible financial repercussions:

  • Union negotiations with the City’s two unions have been put on hold as have the normal wage increases that occur on July 1 for both union and non-union employees. We will then be able to go into negotiations with more knowledge of the economic situation.
  • A number of sidewalk projects and a building project in the Community Center (totaling $1.6 million) were postponed to the FY22 year of the proposed Capital Improvement Program as were some smaller improvements and projects, totaling about $100,000.
  • Public art projects were postponed; funds may get shifted into assistance programs.
  • We have also shifted some unused conference and office expense funds to the mini-grants program to provide immediate support to local businesses.

Staff have been evaluating programs and expenses to determine those that will not occur or could be cut or postponed as well as identifying revenue sources that may be affected by the pandemic and the associated economic disruption.

As the current crisis is still unfolding, some of these numbers were not available last week. It may be a few more weeks before we are able to project the levels of federal support we may receive from recently adopted legislation and we are following efforts for an additional federal aid package. Staff was also unable to compile some data last week because they were providing and are continuing to provide direct service to many businesses and residents affected by the pandemic. It is anything but business as usual for the Takoma Park city staff.

As the Council deliberates, items that are likely to be affected or those that the Council may wish to handle differently will be highlighted so that those elements will be part of the Council’s Reconciliation List. The Reconciliation List is the list of possible adjustments to the Proposed Budget that the Council will consider as it moves to the adoption of the final budget.

I encourage members of the public to watch the Council’s Work Sessions and follow along as the Reconciliation List is populated with possible adjustments. Your comments about priorities, the tax rate, and programs that you value or would prefer to see ended are all important to the Council as they go through the budget consideration process.

The City of Takoma Park has a well-deserved reputation for fiscal responsibility and transparency, and that will not change. During the Great Recession, we took the steps needed to maintain the essential services and character of Takoma Park, even as significant and painful cuts were made. The cuts happened at the appropriate time, when the extent of the impact was clear so that our actions would be effective. We will continue to be fiscally responsible and follow best practices in dealing with the economic changes ahead of us.

Uncertainty is challenging. Health uncertainty and financial uncertainty are both stressful and they are occurring at the same time during this COVID-19 pandemic. I know we will get through it together as a community, but it will be hard, particularly in the coming weeks. A constructive way through this is to plan for different situations, both near term and long term so that we know our options. The FY21 Budget is that plan for the City, and we will work on it together beginning Monday.

News

The City of Takoma Park Welcomes New Deputy City Manager, Jessica Clarke!

 

A huge welcome to Jessica Clarke, City of Takoma Park’s New Deputy City Manager.

Although it’s a challenging time to start a new position, Jessica has already jumped in feet first using her expertise to assist with the FY21 Proposed Budget.

Prior to joining the Takoma Park team, Jessica worked for the City of Baltimore, Maryland in various roles.  Jessica started with the Baltimore Finance Department’s Bureau of the Budget and Management Research (BBMR) as a Budget and Management Analyst and Director of Community Engagement.  Jessica then moved to the Department of Housing and Community Development to serve as Division Manager of Demolition, Deconstruction, and Stabilization Operations (where she was responsible for managing an annual capital budget of $15 million).

Jessica received a BA in Political Science from Williams College and an MPP from Georgetown University. Between earning these degrees, she was a Peace Corps Agroforestry volunteer in northern Cameroon.  She is a member of the International City-County Manager’s Association (ICMA) and Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL).

Please join us in welcoming Jessica to the City of Takoma Park!

News

Responding to Crisis. Planning for the Future.

 

The uncertainty and enormity of the COVID-19 crisis hangs over us all. We do not know how long it will go on, or the lasting impact it will have. And, I know the next couple of weeks will be especially difficult ones for all of us.

Right now we are reacting to the situation in front of us. Thinking about a time after the crisis ebbs is difficult. But the crisis will end. And, although there are many uncertainties that make planning for the future harder than usual, we must continue to do so.

A running joke in our family is how much I need to plan. Even this Saturday morning, as my kids were reading the paper and finishing breakfast, I started bugging them with a plan of action for the day.

Each of us has our own way of coping with the uncertainty that is before us. For me spending the weekend looking at the City Manager’s proposed FY2021 budget gives me hope and helps me think about and plan for a time when the pandemic will be behind us.

We are just at the beginning of the annual budget deliberations and will spend the next month digging into the details. I will be looking at this budget to see how we can ensure residents and staff are safe and cared for during the pandemic, and at the same time looking at ways we can best position the City for when the crisis ends. To achieve these goals, I believe we must:

  • Build on the efforts to date to address the crisis.
  • Understand the current financial situation of the City and potential vulnerabilities.
  • Pass a budget that best positions us to anticipate needs, takes advantage of opportunities, and mitigates our vulnerabilities.
 Build on the efforts to date to address the crisis.

The City has been able to move quickly during the current crisis because we had an Emergency Assistance Fund, our Housing and Economic Development Strategic Plan, and amazing staff and residents ready to spring into action.

For example, working with the Old Takoma Business Association, City staff created a mini-grant program. We have already received 70 applicants. Our grants can help businesses immediately as we wait for the county, state, and federal programs to get up and running. The City has also begun a “Takoma Park Together” (#TogetherTKPK) campaign working with local artists to rally support for our small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the website for more information.

And, through our partnership with WorkSource Montgomery staff has been able to connect people laid off with new opportunities. In addition, the changes we have made in our Housing Department have increased the City’s capacity to support residents living in multifamily buildings.

Our City staff is providing one-on-one support and using technology in innovative ways to help residents during the pandemic. Personally, I have seen them in action late at night and on the weekends. Together we have been on the phone, talking with building managers and owners to ensure buildings are properly maintained during the pandemic and assisting residents with accurate information in different languages.

I am incredibly proud of the work of the City staff and this and prior City Councils that put in place programs and policies that have helped us respond to the crisis.

We will need to look at continuing to fund these programs and evaluate whether they need more resources and/or should be expanded because these are the programs that are most needed as we react to the pandemic and plan for the future of the community. In particular, we need to take a careful look at:

  • The Affordable Housing Reserve Fund, which was created a few years ago and has over $900,000 to be used on the City’s affordable housing efforts, and may be a useful source of funds to help keep people in their homes. In the past the Reserve has been used for our down payment assistance program Homestretch;
  • The resources available through the Emergency Assistance Program, which provides assistance to low-income residents who need to pay rent, health care bills or other essentials; and
  • The Homeowner Property Tax Credit supplement, which supplements assistance from the state and helps people in our community pay their property taxes. Last year, we assisted 140 people in the City with their property taxes.

In addition, a great deal is happening at the federal, state and county levels to provide assistance. Our staff is working hard to connect residents and businesses to assistance programs.

Since the crisis reached our area, I have been on multiple calls each week with County, State, and federal officials advocating for the City and its residents through encouraging the closure of playgrounds, ensuring students have wifi access, and, most recently, requesting additional information and assistance for those living in apartments and condominiums.

Remember to continue to check the City website for information.

 

Understand the current financial situation of the City and potential vulnerabilities.

 We know that some individuals and families will suffer more as a result of the pandemic, especially those who were already struggling to make ends meet, so we need to preserve and fortify the programs that will provide assistance to those in need.

In addition to understanding the impact of the health crisis on individual families, we also need to think about how it will impact the financial stability of the City. Our City Manager, who was the Deputy City Manager during the Great Recession, provides an excellent analysis of our current financial situation in her transmittal letter with the proposed budget.

An important point on the City’s finances is that our source of revenue differs from counties and the state. The City relies mostly on property taxes. We do not have a sales tax, and while we do receive some of the income tax, it is not a large part of our budget. The next property value assessment for tax purposes comes in 2021. We are unlikely to see an immediate drop in revenue. Predicting the medium- and long-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis is much more difficult.

In the past, the City’s revenues fell when the County and State cut back funding and services. For this reason, members of Council and I have been spending a great deal of time pressing elected officials in Rockville, Annapolis, and Washington to ensure the City is able to receive relief funds directly.

 

Pass a budget that best positions us to anticipate a need, takes advantage of opportunities, and mitigates our vulnerabilities.

I have heard from some people that at this time we need to focus all our energy on reacting to the crisis and should abandon long-planned projects, such as the library renovation, or curtail the repairs to sidewalks that keep Takoma Parkers walking around town safely, to focus on addressing the current crisis. While it is critical that we focus on the immediate crisis, it is also important to continue planning for the future to ensure that we remain the diverse, inclusive and supportive community that is seeing us through the pandemic.

The library renovation is a good example of that approach. The current library is held together with duct tape and love. But that won’t work forever. We have discussed this project for years, borrowed money, and been awarded state dollars for it. The current construction estimates fall within the budget. And we cannot easily spend the money we have set aside for the renovation on other projects or for other uses.

The library provides so much to our community and is an especially valuable resource for many of our families who will be hardest hit by this pandemic. It provides access to the internet, classes in multiple languages, and a safe place for children to go after school. When we think about the future of our community and how we preserve what we value about Takoma Park, the library occupies a central place in my thinking. Moving ahead with planning for the renovation and taking advantage of decreased construction costs in the future should be among our top priorities.

We all have a strong tendency to react to difficult situations in the moment. Whether it’s a tough conversation with a family member or a colleague, our instinct is to preserve what we have now, while considering the future can be scary. I know things are uncertain. It is hard to plan when so many changes each day.

The budget is an expression of our hopes and dreams for the future, understanding the constraints we have, and I see in that future an even better version of the Takoma Park we all love. These days are demanding ones, but I know we are up to the challenge.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback as we go through our budget process. There will be many opportunities to provide your input. We begin on Monday, April 6th with the presentation of the proposed budget by the City Manager. Please join us.

 

 

News

Information and Resources – Covid 19 Response

Quicklinks:

City Facilities & Services  |  Resource & Programs  |  Coronavirus  | Business Information  | Things to do!

We will be continuously adding information on City Facilities, City Services, and Information and Resources as they become available.

How to Stay in touch with the City

We are gathering these for a Frequently Asked Questions page on our website.

Council Meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Due to the public health crisis, there will be a remote City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 18, for essential and time-sensitive matters only. The Council will meet remotely by video conference.

View the City Council meeting agenda.

Watch live (or view afterward) the City Council meeting in all the usual ways:

Public Comments on Voting Items Only
Persons wishing to submit comments for the City Council meeting should send the comments to clerk@takomaparkmd.gov. Public comments on voting items will be read aloud.

 

City Facilities and Services

Facilities Closed – Emergency Police  and Services Continue
  • City of Takoma Park facilities, including City offices, the library, and the Recreation Center are closed from now through Sunday, March 29, 2020, or until further notice.
  • Police Department offices are closed to the public, but all emergency police services remain available 24/7.
  • Most meetings, classes, and events will be canceled, along with rentals of City facilities,
  • Some City Staff will work remotely
Public Works: Services

Although offices are closed to the public, residents can continue to request public works services or report hazardous conditions via phone – 301 891 7633 or email publicworks@takomaparkmd.gov. In addition,

    • Regular collection service for trash, recycling, food waste, and yard waste will continue as normal until further notice.
    • Public Works will process permit applications for tree removal, tree protection, storage pods or dumpsters in the right of way, driveway aprons or work in the right of way. Permit applications can be accessed on the city’s website and should be mailed with fee payment to the Public Works office: 31 Oswego Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
City Manager Comments :
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 – Comments

Resources and Programs

This is not a complete list and please let us know if there are any additional resources we should share with our community. Before visiting businesses please make sure nothing has changed in their status.

    • Emergency Assistance Fund– The City of Takoma Park offers an Emergency Assistance Fund to support residents in need of emergency financial assistance for basic needs such as housing, utilities, prescription drugs, or food.
    • Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has established 20 locations where children up to 18 years old can receive a nutritious meal, starting March 16. No appointment is necessary.  Nutritious Meals
    • Meals on Wheels– There are local Meals on Wheels program that provides assistance for those who need meals.
    • Village of Takoma Park– The Village of Takoma Park provides support for older adults and people with disabilities.
    • Food Pantry at TPMS – The Difference Makers at TPMS have a food pantry for families. During the school closing, volunteers will continue to provide food for families’ needs. To donate food you can go her here to order nonperishable items that will be delivered to TPMS.
    • Support local businesses – Old Town Business Association has a micro-grants program people can donate to support grants to local businesses.
    • TPSS-Co-op – For taking some extraordinary steps in our community.
Other individuals and organizations work in our City to support those in need.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information – Trusted Source

Businesses Information – Governor Hogan’s Press Conference – 3/23/20

What information or support do you need from us to get this information out and support our businesses to apply? 

The website is here: https://commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-fund-programs

Ayuda just launched an emergency relief fund for their low-income immigrant clients: https://www.classy.org/campaign/support-covid-19-relief/c277151.

The Takoma Park Farmers Market on Sunday (10am-2pm) will be open. Farmers will be wearing gloves, and there will be a community hand-washing station.

OTBA Resources
Micro-Grant Program: We have $4,000 allocated Loan Program: Low-interest loans available.: https://mainstreettakoma.org/financing-options/
 

Maryland:
Business Sales Tax payments deferred until June 1, 2020

Metro Update

Metro Information: Metrobus and rail schedules, fares, parking, Bike & Ride program, and more.  Metrorail and Metro Buses have changing schedules, please check their website or call before using their service.
Monday-Friday: 7 am – 8 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 8 am – 6:30 pm
Call 202-637-7000
TTY 202-962-2033

Looking for Something to Do at Home

Check Out Online Library Offerings

This is a good time to get to know the Takoma Park library’s online offerings. Check out e-books and audiobooks, language-learning, offerings for kids, and more!

Montgomery County Libraries

Offers online ebook options and streaming video.

News

Donate Here: Help Support The Takoma Park Businesses You Love!

 

The City of Takoma Park has established a Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant Program in response to the immediate needs of small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses are the backbone of our community, as they employ many of our residents and provide us with the services and entertainment that make Takoma Park a wonderful place to live, work, and play. 

As mandated by Governor Hogan on March 23, 2020, many of our businesses have been deemed “non-essential” and have closed their doors during the pandemic to adhere to social distancing rules. Others are working hard to pivot their business models and adapt to contactless service and increased delivery demand. We want to support all of our small businesses and help them stay strong throughout this unprecedented crisis. 

The City has a fund of approximately $20,000 and would appreciate any additional donations to support this program and the hundreds of small businesses in our community. All businesses in Takoma Park will be eligible for this grant, although preference will be given to those located outside of the Old Town Business District (Laurel/Carroll Avenue area) which has a separate established grant fund managed by the Old Town Business Association (OTBA).

Timeline:

Donations will be accepted starting Thursday, March 26, 2020, on an ongoing basis. 

Donations can be made online:



or by check made out to:  City of Takoma Park

Mail to:
City of Takoma Park
Finance Department
Attn: Small Business Mini-Grant Donation
7500 Maple Avenue, 3rd Floor
Takoma Park, MD 20912

We would like to thank Old Takoma Business Association (OTBA) for assistance with technical infrastructure to receive online donations with such short notice. You will see OTBA information on the donation page, however, funds are directed to a separate City of Takoma Park donation account for the Takoma Park Citywide Small Business Mini-Grant program.

Contact:

Questions may be submitted to:
Grace Yixian Zhou, Economic Development Division: yixianz@takomaparkmd.gov 

Thank you for your generous support of our small businesses during this challenging time.