City Offices and Facilities will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
Takoma Park Elections Will Take Place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
The scheduling of demolition and construction timelines are pending weather.
We are thrilled to announce that Mayor Kate Stewart will be hosting lunches in restaurants in the Takoma Langley Crossroads neighborhood of Takoma Park. Listed below are the locations and dates of the scheduled lunches. Everyone is welcome to join!
All lunches are from 12:00pm – 2:00pm.
This summer, one of the films scheduled in the We Are Takoma film series was, “The Occupation of the American Mind.” As with other We Are Takoma films and arts programming, the Mayor and City Council, do not endorse nor back the content.
The initial date for the screening was June 13. The film had been postponed after the screening came to the attention of the Council due to expressions of concern as well as support from a number of organizations and individuals. The Takoma Park City Council appreciated the comments and asked the Arts and Humanities Commission to postpone the screening.
The Mayor and Council requested that any future plans for the screening include space for a conversation about the points the film makes in a way that allows for people to express their thoughts and perspectives.
Over the past month, City staff have worked to put together a program agenda for the film screening. We have engaged a professional facilitator, Theo Brown, Public Engagement Associates, to help us structure and lead the program. Invitations have been extended to a number of organizations. We regret to say that the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC) has declined our invitation to participate on the panel and we are disappointed in their decision.
We will continue to update our Program Agenda as more information becomes available.
The City of Takoma Park is committed to creating spaces for people to discuss various films and the issues they raise. We understand and have heard from many residents and non-residents about this particular film and the complexities of these issues and deeply held views. Our goal is to create a space for people to listen, critique, discuss, and learn from each other.
Curious about the green scooters you may be seeing around the City? Takoma Park is participating in Montgomery County’s Dockless Bikeshare pilot program to continue to expand sustainable transportation options around the City and surrounding region. This 
pilot includes dockless e-bikes and e-scooters and expands to other areas of the County east and west of the original service area. A map of the expanded pilot area is located here. The project is expected to last 6 months with an option for extension.
“Dockless” means that, unlike Capital Bikeshare, these vehicles can be parked in multiple locations rather than fixed stations. There are two companies currently operating in Takoma Park, Lime and Lyft. Lime provides both e-bikes and e-scooters while Lyft operates only scooters.
Unlocking an e-bike or e-scooter from either company follows the same basic steps:
Scooter rentals are restricted to individuals that are 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license. Users cannot begin a ride between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am. This decision was made by Montgomery County based on data which indicates that the majority of accidents occur in the early morning hours. The e-scooters are also capped at a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour.
More information on the dockless program can be found here on the County’s website. The County currently has a survey open to solicit resident feedback on the program. Additional concerns can be directed to Montgomery County 311 and directly to Lime and Lyft.
Dear Residents,
Once again we are hearing of residents afraid that they or their loved ones may be detained or deported because they are undocumented. This is an important time to remind our community to not be afraid of interacting with City staff, including members of the Takoma Park Police Department. As a Sanctuary City, we are committed to serving the public good, preserving public safety and being supportive of the members of our community, regardless of place of birth or nationality or any other demographic category.
Our City staff are here to serve and care. We are a City that stands together.
The proposed June 13 screening of the film, “The Occupation of the American Mind” in the Takoma Park Community Center as part of the We Are Takoma series has spurred expressions of concern and support from a number of organizations and individuals. The Takoma Park City Council appreciates the comments and has asked that the screening of the film be postponed to a later date.
We wish to allow space for a conversation about the points the film makes in a way that allows for people to express their thoughts and perspectives and explore what has changed since the film was made given the current politics in Israel and the United States. How that conversation takes place is still to be determined.
The Council appreciates that several organizations have expressed interest in helping us think through an appropriate approach.
This year’s SummerQuest – our unique summer reading adventure game – will kick off on Monday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m., and we hope you will join us!
While many other library systems in Maryland and elsewhere use the summer reading program created each year by
national library collaborative, our Library as opted instead to tap Library Associate Dave Burbank’s artistic and storytelling talents and offer patrons a totally one-of a-kind reading program. The result is a unique reading adventure each year.
Young readers particularly like the interactive nature of our 
Summer-Quest program. To participate in Summer-Quest, readers first choose a character from one of the dozens Dave has drawn through the years. Veteran Summer-Quest participants know that while the characters are all different, they all have one thing in common: They are rabbits. Dave has always loved trickster characters, especially rabbits, and so even if he is drawing a basketball player or a ninja, it will be some kind of bunny.
Once readers choose a character, they then color it (if they want) and give it a name. Each character has a large version and a small version; when readers hand Library staff their characters, we keep the large character and hand the smaller one back. Why do we do this? We use the large characters to track readers’ progress on the big Summer-Quest game board in the Children’s Room, moving their characters each time they complete a reading challenge. Meanwhile, kids can use the smaller version of their characters to track their own progress on a take-home game board they receive after signing up for Summer-Quest.
Along with that take-home Summer-Quest game board, readers receive a copy of the story, which contains 10 different reading challenges. Kids complete the challenges by reading specific types of books. For example, they may be asked to read an award-winning book or a book about someone who is different than them. A favorite challenge is one that asks kids to read a book that shows them how to make or do something (e.g. a cookbook or a craft book) and then make or do it.
Because studies show that letting kids choose their own reading is a key way to motivate them to read, our Summer-Quest reading challenges are deliberately open-ended. We suggest a type of book, but it’s up to readers to choose the book. Choice really becomes paramount in Summer-Quest when kids get to reading challenge 9, in which they are urged to read as many books as they want. We’ve had some kids read more than 100 books in a summer!
Through the years, we’ve added a couple of new elements to SummerQuest. First, we’ve urged parents to join their kids in doing SummerQuest. Parents can use the 10 reading challenges as a way to broaden their own reading of adult books or just join their kids in reading children’s and teen books. Last summer, one parent used the SummerQuest challenges as a way to explore our teen book section, so she could learn more about the books her soon-to-be teens would be reading.
In addition, we’ve created 10 reading challenges and related activities most appropriate for parents to do with very
young children. These challenges include reading an alphabet book and then singing the alphabet or reading a picture book and acting it out with your child. As you can see, SummerQuest is an allages program! Please mark your calendars for our June 10 kick-off to make 2019 a summer full of great reading.
If you can’t make the June 10 kick-off, don’t worry! You can register for Summer-Quest any time during the summer.
This article appeared in the June 2019 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.
By Leicia Monfort, Recreation Supervisor
If asked to name one person who made a difference in your life, who would you name? Would it be your first grade teacher? Your scout leader? Or maybe a coach? What made this person stand out from the rest? How did they impact your life? How would your life be different if you never had an encounter with this person?
When I think back to the people that inspired me and changed my life for the better (other than my parents, of course), I think of the people who took time to get to know me and who spent time investing in me. I think of my Brownie Troop Leader, numerous recreation employees, Takoma Park police officers, teachers, educators, my wrestling coach, etc. These individuals went beyond their titles to impart knowledge, wisdom, guidance and support.
“Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone 
who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations. Ultimately, mentoring connects a young person to personal growth and development, and social and economic opportunity. Yet one in three young people will grow up without this critical asset” (Mentoring.org).
Being a consistent role model in someone’s life gives a mentor the opportunity to offer advice, share life experiences, help navigate challenges and encourage the mentee.
Mentoring young people also teaches them and helps them with being able to express themselves and have healthy relationships with their parents and other adults. Mentoring is a shared opportunity for learning and growth. Good mentors take the time to get to know their mentees, to learn things that are important to them, and even the will to be changed by their relationship.
Summer is right around the corner, and young people everywhere will be out of school. This is the perfect opportunity to get out and get involved. Volunteer at a festival, coach a summer league, volunteer to teach a class with the Takoma Park Recreation Department or read stories at the Takoma Park Library. Whatever you choose to do will make a difference, so just do something. The future of our young people depends on it.
This article appeared in the June 2019 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.
By Sean Gossard
In the U.S., nearly 2.2 million adults were held in its prisons and jails at the end of 2016, according to a 2018 report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. And of those incarcerated, African Americans and other minorities make up a disproportionate number.
One Takoma Park group is looking to change that by increasing awareness of the disparity and working with state legislatures for more equal treatment. “Criminal justice reform is about transforming the entire justice system and moving away from the overly punitive and racially biased approach to justice,” said Shayla Davis of Takoma Park Mobilization.
Started in 2016, Takoma Park Mobilization is a series of working groups that act on initiatives, including community meals, education, environmental health, immigration and Muslim solidarity, and mass incarceration.
Through outreach and organization, the Mass Incarceration Working Group of Takoma Park Mobilization works to lower the flow of young African Americans into prison. In April, the group held a public forum featuring speakers focused on different aspects of incarceration.
“The purpose was for folks to share their work,” Davis said. “We also had panelists come and talk about what they’ve been doing.”
Those panelists included Nikki Thompson of Job Opportunities Task Force (JOTF), who spoke on the 2019 legislative session and how people can get more involved in state politics; Dr. Stephanie McGencey with Women’s Equity Center and Action Network (WE CAN) discussing re-entry for former prisoners; and Marc Mauer, author of
The Meaning of Life: The Case for Abolishing Life Sentences, who talked about sentencing.
This year the group worked heavily during Maryland’s legislative session, emailing and calling Sen. Will Smith, who represents Takoma Park. “Going into this year, we focused a lot on the legislative session,” Davis said. “We worked with Job Opportunity Task Force to come up with some bills of our own.”
Though most action stalled during the session, it was still a valuable learning experience and showed that there’s still plenty more that can be done to get people to be able to participate in their own government.
In the past, the group has held expungement events in which local ACLU and the JOTF help people get charges taken off their records after serving their sentences. “We had a person who came through and had their entire record cleared, which is huge,” Davis said.
For now, the group is looking for people who want to act on ending mass incarceration and help to reform the state and country’s justice systems. “We need leaders who come in and say, ‘I can take care of this’ and are motivated to be supportive,” Davis said. “A lot of people want to be seen doing things, and that’s fine, but a lot of hard work goes into you being able to take that picture in the first place.”
And Davis says the group is looking for all sorts of people to help. “If 
you volunteer your time, know that just because you don’t have expertise doesn’t mean that you’re any less valuable,” she said. “And if you don’t have free time, you can always donate. Money is how these things happen.”
“Change isn’t going to happen with meek asks and minor additions,” Davis continued. “Change requires strategy, planning and sweat. The time for standing on the sidelines is over.”
If you’re interested in joining Takoma Park Mobilization, visit tpmobilization.org.
You can also view April’s public forum by searching Takoma Park Mobilization on YouTube.
This article appeared in the June 2019 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.
Dear Residents,
Last Friday night I was talking with a niece of mine who just completed her first year as an elementary school principal in Tucson, Arizona. She had a wonderful but challenging year, as it included her school’s participation in a special Harvard program that coaches race equity in education.
In speaking with her, she lamented the greatest challenge she and her staff face: the teaching of her students to “Be Kind” is being undercut to a greater degree than ever by what the students hear at home and through social media.
We discussed how adults also are impacted by biting listserv or social media posts before factual information is gathered, or the posting of information that is known to be wrong or exaggerated just to make a point. What is overlooked is that real people may be unfairly criticized and the thought of “Be Kind” is not modeled for the children and others in our community.
Kind words and respect and civility generally don’t get as much attention. So, I’d like to give a shout out to a person who wrote to me and several Councilmembers this past week about her concerns about a film sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Commission. She made an inquiry, identified her concerns and communicated effectively and civilly about them. We were able to investigate the situation and look at the advertising materials. There was a determination that we should indeed clarify that the City is not necessarily endorsing the point of the film. Her communication is facilitating additional discussion about how films, lectures and artwork are chosen, presented and characterized, and we will be learning through the dialogue. That is the Takoma Park I truly appreciate.
I also want to give a shout out to the folks who first go to the City’s website when they have interest in or concerns about a project or a policy. I frequently get email comments from them about how much detailed financial or plan information they found on the website – to an extent that is much greater than other jurisdictions. Reporters, in particular, are astounded. Folks appreciate how the work is explicitly tied to Council goals, and project manager contact information is provided if there are additional questions. Often, suggestions for additional information are made and we are able to improve our project pages for other users. We also strive to find new and creative ways to effectively communicate about the work being done by staff and Council.
I know that City staff and I are not perfect. We make mistakes and we can always improve. I admit when we fall short. My staff and I try to address the immediate problem and find ways to minimize it happening again. I deeply appreciate when a resident contacts me or a Councilmember directly about a problem with a staff person or a project. I can follow up and determine if training, discipline, or a different approach would address the problem. Or, if there is more to the story, I can inform the resident of the larger context. Whether staff violated a policy or did not have a friendly tone in an interaction, I take complaints very seriously.
I, myself, have had to be reminded to “Be Kind.” Sometimes so much is going on that it takes a nudge to think about our own actions and demeanor. I have been working on that and I appreciate the person who called me on it.
One of the great joys of my job is to pass on compliments from residents about staff. I am fortunate to receive quite a few, sometimes about actions I had never heard about – like a staff person taking an extra minute to provide a hand to a resident when it was needed. Thank you to those residents who have taken the time to express appreciation and let us know about the good work!
I am grateful to have a wonderful staff to work with and a Council that cares about the community and about collaborative approaches to implementing the Priorities they have set. People often imagine that we are a large government, but the number of City staff is quite small for all of the work we do. In many cases, we have just one employee for a certain specialty (one civil engineer, one arborist, one communications specialist). Still, I appreciate that our staff consists of a mix of newer employees and experienced professionals from many different backgrounds. That mix allows for great discussions about best approaches to addressing problems or work projects. In particular, I love the interest in working with the community using the race equity lens the Council has endorsed.
The Councilmembers work hard, both individually and collectively, and receive little financial compensation for their long hours. It is clear they love Takoma Park and want to help make it better and keep it special. I particularly appreciate the commitment they have for sharing information and to spending time hearing from residents and business owners.
In the coming months, Council will be continuing discussion of the City’s major initiatives, budget processes, and the challenges we face. These issues affect every Takoma Park resident, so I hope you watch a Council meeting either live or online, check out the information on the City’s website, ask the questions you may have, and share your thoughts with the Council.
Please also feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts or invite me to your neighborhood meetings. Except for a vacation in August with my son (that I am really looking forward to!), I will be here for conversation and learning and continued appreciation of all that is Takoma Park.
I hope you have a wonderful and safe summer!
Suzie Ludlow
For the last six weeks the City Council, staff, and residents have rolled-up our sleeves and gotten to work on our FY2020 budget, which was adopted after a 6-1 vote at the May 15 Council meeting. The City’s budget is a quantitative expression of our values. It embodies in dollars and cents the goals and priorities we are working toward.
Thank you to everyone who helped make our City’s FY2020 budget a strong one that positions us to take advantage of the opportunities before us, prepares us for the challenges, and reflects our values.
The work on the budget is most intense every spring, but it starts much earlier in the year when the Council works with staff and residents to update and set priorities. The Council priorities are used as a tool to guide policy and budget decisions. We have improved the process this year thanks to residents’ input and staff work and I look forward to doing more next year.
Currently, we face both opportunities and challenges. As every year, we want to advance our priorities and continue to uphold our core values while holding down costs. The arrival of the Purple Line, increased growth in population in the region and the need to continue to provide affordable, quality housing – these are three of the evolving realities confronting us. So is the urgency to mitigate and adapt to climate change and the need to resist the harsh policies of the Trump administration.
The full proposed budget document is available on the City website here (though it’s very important to note that, based on recent Council discussions and decisions, expenditures – and the corresponding tax rate – will be less than what is included in this document). For a list of the services the City provides residents, please see here and major projects we are working on over the next couple of years can be found here. For more background on the budget and some highlights of what is in the FY2020 budget, please continue reading.
As I have noted over the last few weeks, when we start getting into the budget it is easy to get lost in the details and to only see the trees and not the forest. Therefore, I have kept the following four things front and center in our discussions to make sure our overall budget does the following:
I want to highlight what is in the budget that will advance the top priorities in the City. This is only a select list. Please see the City website for the full proposed budget.
LIVABLE COMMUNITY FOR ALL: Ensuring we have a range of safe, quality, and stable housing options that are affordable for residents of varying incomes and all races and ethnicities
FY2020 Budget Highlights:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR AN IMPROVED & EQUITABLE QUALITY OF LIFE: Planning and preparing for development in the City and region while maintaining the special character and diversity of Takoma Park.
FY2020 Budget Highlights:
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY: Prioritizing actions, policies, innovations, and new opportunities that mitigate and adapt to the causes and effects of climate change.
FY2020 Budget Highlights:
In addition, the work of racial equity runs through all the work we do in the City and in our budget this year we have included $10,000 for continued training for members of Council appointed boards and committees, $6,000 for staff to participate in an upcoming regional racial equity cohort training, and $1,500 for continued membership dues for the Government Alliance on Race and Equity.
Every year in early April, the City Manager submits a recommended budget to the City Council for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1. The Proposed Budget is considered by the City Council through a public process of hearings, Council work sessions, open houses, and final adoption in late May. The Adopted Budget officially sets the tax rates and guides the expenditure of funds by the City throughout the fiscal year, July 1 through June 30.
The foundation for our budget discussions began back in January when the Council established the 2019 Priorities. The Priorities document also provides a listing of major projects, initiatives, and ongoing activities that the Council and City staff will continue to work on and establishes a framework for the Council as it looks at the budget.
During our many discussions about the budget, we debated trade-offs and considered the best ways to address residents’ needs and priorities given the resources available. In addition, given increases in property taxes at the county level and changes regarding deductions people can make on their federal taxes, we also discussed how we can best help those who may be struggling to stay in their home and pay their property taxes.
All of us on the Council understand that while we are setting the budget for the City, individuals and families are doing the same for their own households. Therefore, it was central to our discussions to ensure fiscal responsibility while delivering on the services residents rely on and have come to expect, and at the same time address the needs and priorities for the future. This year we have set aside additional money for tax rebates for those in need in our community. We will be deciding on the criteria for these rebates this summer.
The City’s main source of revenue is property taxes. And this year, after much deliberation, the Council voted 6-1 to set the rate at .5397 cents (per $100 of assessed value). This rate reflects constant yield, which is the tax rate that would provide the same revenue as last fiscal year, plus the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The ECI is published by the Bureau of Labor Statics and show the compensation cost for state and local government workers including health care benefits.
To put this into context, for a home assessed at $500,000, if there’s no change in the assessment, the new rate of .5397 would mean an increase in the local property tax from $2,646 to $2,698. Of course, what individuals actually pay will depend on both the value of their homes and how their assessments have changed. Some residents saw a decrease in their assessment while others saw an increase.
Thank you very much for taking the time for reading this recap of the budget. I am happy to answer any questions and look forward to continue improving our budget process even further next year.
