All posts by Jessie Carpenter

News, News Alert, Public Notices

Candidate Forums in October at the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium

Attend these forums to learn about the candidates running for office in the City of Takoma Park Election for Mayor and City Council (November 8, 2022)


The forums will be moderated by Eric Bond, Host of “Talk of Takoma” on Radio WOWD-LP, Takoma Park 94.3 FM

All forums will take place in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium.

  • Mayoral Forum – Thursday, October 6, 7:30 pm
    (3 candidates: Seth Grimes, Talisha Searcy, Jarrett Smith)
  • Ward 1 Forum – Monday, October 10, 6:00 pm
    (3 candidates: Shana Fulcher, Mark Sherman, Elizabeth Wallace)
  • Ward 5 Forum – Monday, October 10, 7:30 pm
    (3 candidates: A. J. Campbell, Cara Honzak, Yared Tebabu)
  • Wards 2 and 4 Forum – Thursday, October 13, 7:30 pm
    (these contests are uncontested: Ward 2 Cindy Dyballa; Ward 4 Terry Seamens)
  • Ward 3 Forum – Monday, October 17, 6:00 pm
    (3 candidates: Mimi Diez, Randy Gibson, Alex Hadden)
  • Ward 6 Forum – Monday, October 17, 7:30 pm
    (4 candidates: Ambroise Agosse, Raju Charles, Mike Moore, Jason Small)

Ways to Watch the Candidate Forums:
Members of the public may also view the forums live on:

Afterwards, they will be available for streaming online.

For Candidate Information, please visit: 2022 Mayor and Council Candidates

News, Public Notices

City Council Prepares to Vote on the FY 2023 Budget and Tax Rates

FY 2023 City Council Budget Process

When published, City Council meeting agendas can be viewed at this link.

View the Proposed Budget Document

Wednesday, May 18 – Regular City Council Meeting, 7:30 PM

  • Opportunity for Public Comments
  • Second Reading Ordinances Adopting the FY 2023 Tax Rates, Stormwater Management Budget, and Budget

Wednesday, May 11 – Regular City Council Meeting, 7:30 PM

  • Opportunity for Public Comments
  • First Reading Ordinances Adopting the FY 2023 Tax Rates, Stormwater Management Budget, and Budget

Monday, May 2 – Budget Work Session (Reconciliation)

Wednesday, April  27 – Public Hearing on the Tax Rate; Public Hearing on the Budget

Monday, April 25 – Budget Work Session (Capital Items)

Monday, April 18 – Budget Work Session (Operations)

Wednesday, April 13 – Budget Public Hearing

Wednesday, April 6 – The City Manager presented his recommended budget to the City Council.

Wednesday, March 16 – The Finance Director and City Manager made a presentation on the Fiscal Health of the City

 

News, Public Notices

It’s Budget Season – Review and Comment on the FY 2023 Proposed Budget

FY 2023 Budget Schedule

The City Manager presented his recommended budget to the City Council on Wednesday, April 6.

City Council meetings are taking place in the Community Center Auditorium. Residents may attend and comment in person or register in advance to comment over Zoom. (Registration no later than 5 p.m. on the meeting day is required to comment remotely.)

View City Council meeting agendas for additional information on viewing meetings and registration to comment by Zoom.

 

Monday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.

• Opportunity for public comments.
• Budget Work Session

Wednesday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.

• Opportunity for public comments.
• Regular Meeting

Monday, April 25, 7:30 p.m.

• Opportunity for public comments.
• Budget Work Session

Wednesday, April 27, 7:30 p.m.

• Constant Yield Tax Rate Public Hearing (view the hearing notice)
• Budget Public Hearing

Monday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.

• Opportunity for public comments.
• Budget Work Session (Reconciliation)

Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.

• Opportunity for public comments.
• First Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY 2023 Tax Rates
• First Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY 2023 Stormwater Management Budget
• First Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY 2023 Budget

Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 p.m.

• Opportunity for public comments.
• Second Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY 2023 Tax Rates
• Second Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY 2023 Stormwater Management Budget
• Second Reading Ordinance Adopting the FY 2023 Budget

News, Public Notices

FY 2023 Budget Public Hearing – Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 PM

The first public hearing on the City Manager’s recommended FY 2023 budget will take place on Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 PM. Comments will be heard in the Auditorium or over Zoom. No registration is needed to comment in person.

Budget Schedule

Wednesday, April 13, 7:30 PM – Budget Public Hearing

Monday, April 18, 7:30 PM – Budget Work Session (Operating and Community Services Budget)

Monday, April 25, 7:30 PM – Budget Work Session (Capital Projects)

Wednesday, April 27, 7:30 PM

  • Public Hearing on the FY 2023 Tax Rate (Constant Yield Tax Rate Public Hearing)
  • Public Hearing on the FY 2023 Budget

Monday, May 2 – Budget Work Session (Reconciliation)

Wednesday, May 11 – First Reading Ordinances Adopting the FY 2023 Tax Rates and Budget

Wednesday, May 18 – Second Reading Ordinances Adopting the FY 2023 Tax Rates and Budget

News Alert, Public Notices

Message From Jamal T. Fox to the Takoma Park Community

Members of the Community,

I am thrilled to be joining the City of Takoma Park in August as your new City Manager. My family and I are very appreciative of you and many in our community who have and continue to reach out and welcome us.

I have a passion for public service and the impact we have on the community from building inclusive teams, programming, community events, arts, transportation investments to innovative health and wellness opportunities to public-private partnerships for economic prosperity.

I believe Takoma Park has a dedicated and professional workforce, strong commitment to racial equity, strong local employers, and diverse schools. The community is uniquely prepared for a strong future post-COVID-19.

What also attracted me was that this opportunity provided the right blend of cultural and educational opportunities in a region with a unique set of community assets that is unmatched given the proximity to Washington, DC for our young family.

My wife Jaimee and I will have two young kids and we were interested in an environment where we can not only re-establish family roots but also where we can make a significant impact on the community. I grew up in the DMV, particularly in northern Virginia and this opportunity will allow me to relocate closer to my family, who like many families over the last year have been impacted by the pandemic and need support and assistance.

We saw Takoma Park as a beautiful community that shared our family values and where we could raise our family. My family and I look forward to connecting with you in the community. We are very excited to take part in future community festivals, shop at both farmers markets and Takoma Park Silver Spring CO-OP and take advantage of all the City has to offer.

I want to thank you in advance for your grace and understanding as we embark on our journey together. The late Coretta Scott King once said, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace, and a soul generated by love”. As we collectively prepare for my tenure, I encourage us all to embrace the spirit of compassion with acts of kindness and a willingness to work together to solve the most pressing issues facing our community.

***

Link to PDF of Letter

Uncategorized

FY22 Tax Rate and Budget Public Hearings – Wednesday, April 28, 2021

The City Council will hold two public hearings on Wednesday, April 28, beginning at 7:30 PM.

The first public hearing will be on the Proposed FY22 Tax Rate. The second hearing will be on the Proposed FY22 Budget.

View the Proposed FY22 Budget.

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND NOTICE OF A PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The City Council of the City of Takoma Park proposes to increase real property taxes.
1. For the tax year beginning July 1, 2021, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 1.9%, from $2,530,093,068 to $2,578,704,873.
2. If the City of Takoma Park maintains the current tax rate of $0.5397 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 1.9% resulting in $262,358 of new real property tax revenues.
3. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.5295, the constant yield tax rate.
4. The city is considering not reducing its real property tax rate enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The city proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of
$0.55 per $100 of assessment. This tax rate is 3.9% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $528,635 in additional property tax revenues.

A public hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase will be held at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Due to the public health crisis, the meeting will take place remotely.  Comments may also be sent to clerk@takomaparkmd.gov.

The hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged. Sign up to testify at the hearing on Zoom. Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call 240-723-0437 or email clerk@takomaparkmd.gov for further information.

News, News Alert, Public Notices

Statement Regarding Communications Between Neighborhood Development Company and TPSS Co-op

The City of Takoma Park is aware of the communications between the Neighborhood Development Company and the Takoma Park Silver Spring Co-op regarding the Takoma Junction Redevelopment Project. The City staff and City Attorney are working together to formulate options regarding a path forward. Council will address the matter as appropriate. Staff notes that the FAQ page that the communications referred to had been removed from the City’s website for review over a week ago, but the link remains in a cached mode at this time.

Public Notices

Public Hearings on Traffic Calming and Proposed Residential Stormwater Management Fee System

Wednesday, February 24, 2021, 7:30 p.m.

The City Council will hold public hearings on the following matters on Wednesday, February 24, beginning at 7:30 p.m. All interested persons are encouraged to sign up to speak at the public hearings. Link to sign up to comment live on Zoom.*

1. Traffic Calming on the 8000 Block of Wildwood Drive
Residents have petitioned for traffic calming to be installed on the 8000 block of Wildwood Drive.

2. Traffic Calming on Darwin Avenue
Residents have petitioned for traffic calming to be installed on Darwin Avenue

3. Stormwater Management Fee System
The City Council is considering adopting a new stormwater management fee system for residential properties.

*Comments  are limited to three minutes each. For additional information, contact Jessie Carpenter, City Clerk, at clerk@takomaparkmd.gov. Written comments may also be sent to this address.

View the full meeting agenda.

News Alert, Public Notices

Update: Application Deadline Extended to Feb 5 – Reimagining Public Safety Task Force

 

The purpose of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force is to develop recommendations that make Takoma Park a safer, more livable community for all residents, with an emphasis on addressing racial inequalities that exist in government and services evolving around public safety. In light of what is happening in our country, we believe that as a city, it is our duty to take inventory of our public safety practices, with emphasis on the experiences of our Black and Brown communities. This Task Force is our opportunity to bring new voices into the process as we take stock of what is working, what is not, and as we explore best practices in public safety.

The City of Takoma Park is seeking the support of community members, non-profit leaders, local business owners, educators, etc. in Takoma Park who can help us make our community a safer and more livable city that serves all residents. The Task Force will be made up of 15 individuals sourced from our diverse community and approved by the City Council.

The Task Force will meet regularly throughout the months of February, March, April and May to create a set of recommendations on Public Safety.

To ensure this Task Force is as representative as possible, the process will begin with an open call for applications. If you are interested in being considered for a spot on the Task Force, please apply by Friday, February 5, 2021.  If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Suzanne Ludlow, City Manager SuzanneL@takomaparkmd.gov.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Links of Interest:

News, News Alert, Public Notices

20th District Delegation and City Council Joint Priorities Meeting – Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7:30 pm

The 20th District Delegation and the City Council will hold a Joint Priorities Meeting on Wednesday, December 9, 7:30 PM.  The complete agenda for the meeting is below.

7:30 PM
Welcome and Overview – Mayor Kate Stewart

7:40 PM
Public Comments – District 20 Residents and Organizations*

(Opportunity for the community to inform the Delegation of needs and priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session. Speakers are limited to 3 minutes each. Advance sign up by 5:00 PM on the day of the meeting is required, and space is limited.) Link to sign up to comment.

8:10 PM
Presentation of Takoma Park Legislative Priorities

8:30 PM
Delegation Comments

9:15 PM
Summary and Closing

9:30 PM*
Adjournment

Due to the public health crisis, the meeting will be held remotely on Zoom. The public may view the meeting on City TV (RCN – 13, HD 1060; Comcast/xfinity – 13, HD 997; Verizon Fios – 28), on the City Council Video Page of the City Website; on YouTube, or on Facebook.

*Immediately after the Joint Priorities Meeting is adjourned, the City Council will begin its final regular meeting of the year.