All posts by Donna Wright

News, News Alert

Statement from the City regarding ongoing NDC and Co-op dispute

 

Over the past week, the City of Takoma Park has been actively involved in discussions to bring about a resolution to an ongoing dispute between the Neighborhood Development Company (NDC) and the Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op (Co-op). This dispute is regarding the Co-op’s use of a City-owned parking lot at Takoma Junction for deliveries and parking. This lot is leased to NDC which, in turn, leases it to the Co-op.

Last week the City formally asked NDC to rescind its earlier demand that the Co-op immediately discontinue its use of the parking lot site. The City also asked NDC to not interfere with the Co-op’s use of the City-owned parking lot for its deliveries and parking for its customers, so that the Co-op could continue with its current sublease arrangement.

The City set a deadline of Friday, April 23 for NDC to comply with those requests. On Tuesday, April 27, attorneys for the Co-op filed suit against NDC and the City of Takoma Park. As a result of that legal action, the City is currently evaluating possible courses of action, while at the same time continuing to seek a resolution of the issues between NDC and the Co-op.

“As Mayor, I am extremely disappointed that NDC and the Co-op have been unable to successfully resolve these issues, and that this dispute has now moved into a court of law,” said City of Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart. “NDC must abide by its existing agreements with the City. The City is exploring all possible options to find a solution to the situation.  It is in the best interests of our residents that these issues get resolved as quickly as possible.”

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News, News Alert, Public Notices

April 23, 2021, Updated Statement Regarding NDC and Co-op

 

April 23, 2021 Update:

As previously indicated, the City of Takoma Park has been working to address matters related to communications between the Neighborhood Development Company (NDC) and the Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op (Co-op) regarding the Co-op’s use of the City-owned parking lot at Takoma Junction for deliveries and parking.

In pursuit of this goal, the City sent correspondence to NDC requesting that it:

  • rescind its earlier demands,
  • continue to permit the Co-op to use the City-owned parking lot to facilitate its deliveries and for parking for its customers,
  • and allow the Co-op to continue with its sublease.

In that correspondence, the City requested that NDC do so by noon on April 23, 2021.  NDC did not respond to the City’s request within this period.  Therefore, the City is presently evaluating its potential courses of action, while continuing to communicate with both NDC and the Co-op concerning the issues previously identified by both parties.  The City remains committed to seeking a resolution of the issues between NDC and the Co-op in order to ensure the Co-op remains operational.

 

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The City of Takoma Park has been working to address matters related to communications between the Neighborhood Development Company (NDC) and the Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op (Co-op) regarding use of the City’s lot at Takoma Junction for deliveries and parking. The City’s March 10, 2021 “Site Conditions and Limitations” Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, referenced in those communications, has already been removed from the City’s website. It is hereby retracted in full and is without effect.

The City will continue to work with NDC and the Co-op to seek to ensure the Co-op can continue to use the lot for deliveries, consistent with agreements that are in place.

News, News Alert, Public Notices

Takoma Junction Project Review Is On Hold

 

A review of the City’s Takoma Junction Redevelopment Project is on hold pending consideration of information in a letter provided today by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA). The letter, first dated April 6 and then changed to April 13, raises a number of concerns with the design of a layby on Carroll Avenue, proposed to allow for deliveries for area businesses.

MDOT SHA was to have submitted its comments for the Montgomery County Development Review process by June 2019. Without an indication of MDOT SHA’s position on the layby, City and County officials had proceeded with the review of the project plans, including holding a special City Council meeting yesterday, April 12.

Due to the need to review the comments received today, Takoma Park City Council’s review of the site plan will not go forward on the dates that had been announced to the public: April 14, April 28, and May 5.

Information about the proposed project is on the City’s website. The letter from MDOT SHA has been posted at that link.

 

 

City Council & Mayor Blog, News, News Alert, Public Notices

A Message From Mayor Stewart on the Recent Shooting and Arrest in our Community

 

Mayor Kate Stewart

On Wednesday, our City witnessed the violent taking of life. Dominique Williams and James Lionel Johnson were shot and killed at the hands of an off-duty Pentagon police officer. We are horrified by these events, and acknowledge this is all the more painful for those who have and continue to experience profiling based upon their appearance and brutality at the hands of those sworn to protect us.

There has been too much pain, trauma, and loss of life. It needs to end. From my perspective, there is no justification for what this person did. We do not and cannot tolerate violence. Our City is committed to ensuring justice is served. And it will be.

In Takoma Park, we must continue our work towards creating a just community. We are committed to reimagining public safety and ending this cycle of violence and trauma.

I want to thank our Police Chief and the detectives who swiftly investigated this case to get the shooter charged. I know many of us have had questions and have been anxious for a result as they conducted a full investigation of this heinous crime.

I also want to thank the many residents who reached out to us over the last couple of days. Your voices and commitment to justice in our community will serve to ensure continued dedication to protecting people’s lives and dignity in our City.

I want to extend my sympathies to the families of Mr. Williams and Mr. Johnson and to Mr. Thomas. To the residents who live in the Takoma Overlook and Hampshire Towers neighborhood where this violence occurred, we are here for you. Our community is here for you.

 

News Alert

Your Action Is Needed to Ensure Fair Tax Duplication Payments

 

“The Council of Takoma Park calls on the County Executive and Council to recognize the complementary work done by the County and municipalities in making our communities safe, attractive, and welcoming and to finally rectify this long-standing inequity.” — Resolution 2021-8 Demanding Fair Tax Duplication Payments

– City of Takoma Park, March 10, 2021

 

As the County Council begins to work on the County’s budget, it is time that we renew our calls for the County to address the long-overdue issue of tax duplication. This is the year to do it.

The Takoma Park City Council passed a resolution calling on the Montgomery County Council to finally pay the tax duplication rebates they owe our city. Every year, residents of Takoma Park and other municipalities in Montgomery County pay both the County and their cities for services that only their cities provide them. To account for this tax duplication, the County is required by law to rebate municipalities for the amount that city residents pay for services the County does not provide to them.

In Takoma Park, these services include road maintenance, crossing guards, parks, and our police department. You can read about tax duplication in more detail here and in our resolution here.

We have three asks:

  • That the Council amend the County Executive’s FY22 budget to adjust the municipal tax duplication payments to the amount for Transportation (road maintenance), Police, Crossing Guard, and Park services to reflect the amounts owed to municipalities in Montgomery County, which would total $14,203,314;
  • That the Council work to codify a consistent process and method to update the formulas for these categories, and
  • That the Council urges the County Executive to begin negotiations on the formula for police and park maintenance services for the FY23 budget year.

During the 2008-09 Great Recession, the County froze the rebate at its current level due to a lack of revenue. Revenues have since recovered. However, the tax duplication rebate has remained frozen at 2012 levels, even as the County has increased what it spends to deliver services to County residents who do not reside in Takoma Park and the cost of providing services such as road maintenance has increased since 2012.

Residents of Takoma Park and other municipalities have been paying their cities for services they receive and also have been forced to pay the County for services it does not provide. If the rebate had not been frozen in 2018, the City of Takoma Park would have received an additional $900,000 as part of our rebate in that year alone. Although only a drop in the bucket for the County budget, this figure amounts to 3.77 cents on our tax rate. It would make a big difference for our tight budget, increasing the City’s ability to maintain our roads and parks, reduce property taxes for those struggling financially, work to make housing more affordable, and provide other services.

The County Executive and Council have neglected to address this inequity for years. The Montgomery County chapter of the Maryland Municipal League, Takoma Park City Manager Suzanne Ludlow, members of the Takoma Park City Council, and I have all asked repeatedly that Takoma Park receive its fair share.

As the budget season begins, we must take the opportunity to continue and build on those efforts. County Executive Elrich included in his proposed FY22 budget an increase to the rebates, but not one that matches the County formulas for calculating how much cities are owed.

We will continue our efforts and I believe we will succeed if our residents join the call for tax justice. I encourage you to call or email the County Council and tell them to pay municipalities in full. Now is not the time to be short-changing cities, as we have been and continue to be on the front line in the fight against the pandemic, economic hardship, and racial inequity. Please call or email now and over the next couple of weeks as the County Council considers the County budget.

Here are some points to highlight:

  • The County Council should recognize the benefits of having its municipalities provide services that the County would otherwise have to provide.
  • The failure of the County to increase rebates to municipalities to provide such services since 2008 is an injustice that the Council should correct.
  • The FY22 budget should provide the $14 million for municipal tax duplication payments to Montgomery County municipalities for Transportation (road maintenance), Police, Crossing Guard, and Park services.
  • The Council should begin negotiations with Takoma Park and other municipal leaders regarding the FY23 budget and codify a consistent process and method to update the reimbursement formulas.

To sign up and testify on the County budget on April 6th or 7th go here.

Email addresses for the County Council:

Council President Tom Hucker – Councilmember.Hucker@montgomerycountymd.gov

Council Vice-President Gabe Albornoz – Councilmember.Albornoz@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember At-Large Evan Glass – Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember At-Large Will Jawando – Councilmember.Jawando@montgomerycountymd.gov

Councilmember At-Large Hans Riemer – Councilmember.Riemer@montgomerycountymd.gov

News Alert, Public Notices

Join Us on our journey in Search of a New City Manager: Start with our Survey!

 

The Takoma Park City Council is interested in getting feedback from you, our residents, on our next City Manager’s search. It’s an opportunity to have a community discussion on what’s important and your opinion matters.

City Manager Search Survey

The City Manager is retiring, and the Takoma Park City Council is looking for resident input in the recruiting and hiring of a new City Manager.

We want to hear your opinion regarding the attributes you would like to see in the next City Manager and the most important issues facing the community today. The survey should take no more than ten minutes to complete.

Surveys

The survey results will be used to inform and will be incorporated into the City Manager recruitment and selection process. The survey results will be shared with the City Council, consultant, and applicants. Your individual responses will be anonymous and results of the survey will be shared with others in the aggregate when feasible.

 

Thank you for your interest and participation in the process.

News, Public Notices

Sleet and ice! The City Manager’s message is to stay home if you can

 

 

Dear Residents,

Once again we have strange winter weather. I really wanted a good snowfall and then we could start thinking of spring and flowers, but instead we have accumulating sleet, freezing rain and ice.

Because the temperatures will stay cold, ice will be a problem for several days. Some warmth on Friday afternoon will help, but then there will be a refreeze. Expect dangerous walkways and roads. If you can stay home, please do so.

Our regular Public Works staff are the employees who also treat and plow the streets and clear sidewalks along City facilities when there is a storm. When we have round-the-clock road treatment work, we often need to make adjustments to the trash, recycling and food waste collection schedule. For this storm, there will be NO collections of trash, recycling and food waste today (Thursday). The normal Thursday collection will take place on Saturday. Friday’s collections are expected to take place on Friday, but may be a bit delayed.

Another change is that the Library’s Books-To-Go and Books-To-You delivery program is canceled for today. We hope to be able to provide the services on Friday, but please check before you go.

Please help make the sidewalks safe in front of your homes. Use ice melt or sand – not rock salt! – for areas that are slippery. Please also help your neighbors if you can. The Difference Makers’ Snow Angels program will not be able to help the residents on their service list for this winter event. Their program focuses on the removal of snow, not ice, and the students and coordinator are not available. So, we all need to make a special effort to ensure the safety of our seniors and other community members who may need to go outside for work, doctor’s appointments or food.

As always, please call 301-270-1100 to report slippery conditions so our Public Works crews can be dispatched to address them. Call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency.

And, join with me in thanking our crews! Take a photo of our crews at work and post it on social media or send it to me in an email (SuzanneL@takomaparkmd.gov).  Also, let me know what we can do better. We want Takoma Park to continue to be the place that handles storms right.

Finally, consider contributing to a legitimate charity to help folks in Texas who are having a simply horrible experience with winter weather, and lack of heat, water and food. I’m not happy with today’s weather here in Takoma Park, but this is nothing in comparison.

Stay safe!

Suzanne

News Alert, Public Notices

City of Takoma Park Partners with InSite Street Media to Celebrate Black History Month

 

Knowing the Past Opens the Door to the Future. With that in mind, the City of Takoma Park and InSite Street Media are celebrating African Americans who paved the way in American Society during Black History Month. This was done through the sponsorship of African American profiles displayed on our curbside billboard bus shelters in the City.

 

The first six African American Professionals, Pioneers, and Inventor profiles include:

  • Henry Ossawa Tanner – Internationally Acclaim Painter
  • Mary Elizabeth Mahoney – Professionally Trained Nurse
  • Garrett Morgan – Inventor of the 3 Way Traffic Signal
  • Daniel Hale Williams – Successful Heart Surgeon
  • Jane Matilda Bolin – Female Judge 1939
  • Oscar Micheaux – Pioneering Filmmaker

 

City Manager & Staff Blog, News Alert

The City Manager says Stay Safe. PW Crews continue to treat roadways as bands of rain and snow continue to fall!

 

Dear Residents,

This has been a strange winter storm! The snow was not deep, but we have had continuing bands of rain and snow with temperatures right below freezing.

Susanne Ludlow City Manager

Our crews will continue to treat roadways and clear sidewalks along City facilities. We will have staff in through the night again tonight to make sure the streets are safe. Please report slippery streets or other problem areas to our Police Department at 301-270-1100 so our crews can respond.

On Tuesday morning, we will be collecting trash, recycling and food waste from those residents who have Tuesday collections, but it will likely begin a bit later than usual. Other than that, City operations should be back to normal on Tuesday, including Library Books-To-Go and our new library book delivery service.

It is slippery outside! Please be careful when walking, biking, or driving.

Happy February!

Suzanne Ludlow

City Manager & Staff Blog, News Alert

City Manager Update on Snow Conditions!

 

Dear Residents,

Snow began falling early this morning and there might be about 2 inches at this time. Our first shift of slow plow drivers arrived by 6 am and began treating roads.

So far, there have been no significant problems. Some of the roads are slippery and, if you must be out and about, it is best to stick to the main roads. It is better to stay home if you can.

We are not sure exactly what the weather will be overnight. Temperatures are supposed to warm some, and so there may be rain, freezing rain or sleet. Then, temperatures go down again in the morning and there may be a bit more snow tomorrow.

It is best to keep up with snow shoveling if you are able. The snow that is walked on can harden into ice and be difficult to remove when the storm is over. After shoveling, use sand or ice melt on places that may be slippery – do not use rock salt.

On Monday, we will not be having yard waste collection, Library books-to-go or book delivery. It will be a day to clean up from the storm, make sure all sidewalks are safe to walk on and get back to whatever normalcy we can have in a pandemic! Clean sidewalks are always important, but being able to walk safely outside is one of our few ways to exercise while keeping a safe distance from others.

We do not yet know what impacts there may be on Tuesday operations, including trash and recycling collection. The weather guides when our staff is out clearing roads and sidewalks, and that can affect other work. We’ll keep on top of it and let you know when we know.

I have seen beautiful photos of the snow around our neighborhoods, and cute videos of dogs happily playing in the snow. I know kids are trying out sleds and making snowpeople and snowballs. I hope all can enjoy this day outside or through windows from a warm place.

But, please call our Police Department at 301-270-1100 if you see dangerous conditions, such as a slippery street, so that our Public Works crews can address it. And, if you see an emergency situation, call 9-1-1.