In a commitment to affordable higher education within our community, the City Council has passed a resolution authorizing the distribution of City of Takoma Park scholarship funds for Montgomery College students.
By passing the resolution, the council has granted $5,000 to Montgomery College to be used for five, $1,000 scholarships. Students granted the scholarship must qualify for financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and reside in the City of Takoma Park (though do not have to be a U.S. citizen). In addition to need and City residential criteria, preference will be given to those students who have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 and are participants in the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program.
“I am pleased to have been able to create this scholarship fund for Takoma Park residents to pursue higher education. In our first installment we are excited to have partnered with Montgomery College. I also plan that future installments of this scholarship effort will be broadened throughout the state of Maryland and the funding amounts will continue to grow. I am appreciative of the Mayor and my esteemed City Council colleagues for their support,” said Councilmember Jarrett Smith.
A Community Conversation with Miguel Fraga, First Secretary for the Cuban Embassy – Sunday, February 5, 2017 at 4:00 PM
Our community has a rich history with Cuba and the Cuban people. Recent changes in the relationship between Cuba and the United States (namely, the reestablishment of diplomatic relations) have created increased opportunities for people-to-people exchange and government-to-government negotiations.
Where is the relationship between Cuba and the U.S. going? How do the elections and the recent passing of Fidel Castro impact this relationship? What does this all mean to our local community?
Join Mayor Kate Stewart, County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Councilmember Marc Elrich in a community conversation with Mr. Miguel Fraga, the First Secretary for the Cuban Embassy. During the conversation, Mr. Fraga will share with us his thoughts on these questions plus many others.
This will be an interactive conversation, with plenty of opportunity for Q&A.
On Saturday, February 4, the City of Takoma Park and several community organizations will host a public forum, Takoma Park: Sanctuary City — Then & Now. The program will explore the City’s 30-year-old Sanctuary ordinance and its amendments, and will underscore the City’s ongoing commitment to protect its immigrant residents under the letter and spirit of the law. Takoma Park is one of 300+ sanctuary jurisdictions throughout the nation.
The teach-in, sponsored by the City of Takoma Park; the Mayor Sam Abbott Living Legacy Project of Historic Takoma, CASA de Maryland, and Takoma Park Mobilization, will take place at 3:00 p.m. at the Takoma Park Community Center – Sam Abbott Citizens’ Center, 7500 Maple Ave. in Takoma Park.
The program will feature a wide range of speakers, including City, county, and state officials, as well as members of immigrant legal rights and service organizations. Among the participants are: Takoma Park Councilmember Terry Seamens; Montgomery County Councilmember Marc Elrich; Takoma Park Police Chief Alan Goldberg; City Manager Suzanne Ludlow; Maryland State Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez; CASA Executive Director, Gustavo Torres; Denyse Sabagh, Esq., Partner, Duane Morris; and Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart.
In the early 1980’s, local churches began offering sanctuary to some of the thousands of refugees fleeing brutal civil wars in El Salvador and Guatemala. This led to a series of supporting resolutions initiated and adopted by then Mayor Sam Abbott and the Takoma Park City Council. In 1985, the ordinance was passed making Takoma Park a “Sanctuary City”. Affirmed and amended several times, the last in 2007-08, the Takoma Park Sanctuary law (Municipal Code, Chapter 9.04) prohibits city police and other city employees from asking Takoma Park residents about their citizenship or immigration status. It also prohibits them from cooperating in the enforcement of federal immigration laws that could lead to the deportation of residents.
Safeguarding and building trust are key community values. Mayor Kate Stewart warmly affirmed the City’s support for its immigrant neighbors. “We are a City that welcomes those who are the victims of terrorism and violence regardless of their national origins and that refuses to demonize Muslims. We are a City that upholds the right of ALL people to live their lives with dignity and respect.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak and question the panel.The event will also include Takoma Park Poet Laureate Merrill Leffler and singer Rudy Arredondo. The program is free and open to the public.
Montgomery County Public School officials are discussing ways to address the growing school-aged population in the County in the context of its Capital Improvement Plan for school facilities. Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES) will be the subject of a “feasibility study” to evaluate space needs and options for addressing those needs, including trade-offs and costs of various options.
One option that has been discussed and will be part of the study is to close the pool at PBES to make way for additional classroom space. While the City of Takoma Park recognizes the need for classroom expansion, we have heard from many residents who hope that such growth does not come at the cost of the existing pool facilities. To that end, we wanted to make sure you were aware of upcoming opportunities for in-person public engagement in the process. These are opportunities to make your voice heard!
At last night’s meeting, the Council voted unanimously (7-0) to move forward with the redevelopment of the City lot at Takoma Junction. The vote authorizes the City’s development partner, Neighborhood Development Company (NDC), to proceed with seeking a letter of intent with an anchor tenant other than the Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-op.
While it was, and still is, the Council’s hope that the Co-op would expand into a newly constructed facility at the site, NDC and the Co-op were not able to reach an agreement within the five-month window permitted by the Development Agreement between the City and NDC. As a result, the Council was faced with the decision to either end the agreement with NDC and pay up to $75,000 for expenses incurred to date in preparation for redevelopment of the site, or to allow the project to move forward without an agreement between NDC and the Co-op, which will allow NDC to seek a different anchor tenant if they are unable to come to agreement with the Co-op. In such case, NDC will be required to make reasonable accommodations to allow the Co-op to continue its operations in its current space.
During its discussion, the Council made it very clear to NDC representatives its hope that, although the deadline had passed, the developer would continue to work with the Co-op to facilitate their incorporation into the new development, and language to that effect was included in the final Council resolution. If they are not able to reach agreement, NDC has 18 months to execute a lease with a new anchor tenant and must make reasonable accommodations for the Co-op’s continued operation of its business, including access for loading of deliveries and customer parking.
As noted by residents during public comments and members of the City Council, it has been a long road getting to this point. But, as the Mayor stated during the meeting, the vote to proceed really represents a new beginning for the project. Much work is ahead to reach a final design of the Takoma Junction project. Most importantly, there is a whole Takoma Park community process ahead, which is being designed by a Council appointed committee, as well as the site plan review process through Montgomery County, which will include a thorough traffic analysis. The Council with input from the community will be weighing many aspects of the site plan, including design, parking, loading, community use space, and safety. As a City-owned property, the Council has final say, within the parameters of the County’s Codes.
One of many goals of the Council regarding the Takoma Junction project is to improve the aesthetic appeal of the commercial district in the interest of revitalization with a development that is contextually sensitive and environmentally sustainable. And, the Council is looking at the long-term needs of the City’s taxpayers by putting a key property back on the tax rolls.
“I am humbled and honored to have been chosen to serve as a member of NLC’s Transportation & Infrastructure committee. In this capacity I will be able to meet with members of Congress to further our state’s interests. Transportation is an important topic as it is part of every Marylander’s day-to-day life, whether it is commuting to and from work, vacation, errands, etc. Our nation’s transportation infrastructure needs a very deliberate strategic plan and a significant financial investment,” said Smith of his appointment. “I am excited to be a part of the discussion about how great our transportation systems will be after some of the brightest and creative minds come together to address something that has become a national priority.”
Councilmember Kovar shared similar sentiments: “One of our top challenges in Takoma Park is working to shape development in and around our community to preserve the qualities that make our City a great place to live. I’m honored to have the opportunity, though this appointment, to work with municipal officials from around the country on key issues connected to that challenge, nationally and also in ways that benefit Takoma Park more directly.”
The Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center will begin operating on Thursday, December 22. The much anticipated opening will result in a number of route changes that could impact Takoma Park Metrobus and Ride On riders:
Metrobus stops for routes C2, C4, F8, J4, K6 and K9 near the new transit center at New Hampshire Ave & University Blvd will move to the transit center once open.
Ride On routes 15, 16, 17, 18 and 25 will service the new transit center along with 111 of the UM Shuttle.
The City of Takoma Park’s all inclusive City Guide is the best way to learn about all the great classes available and events happening in Takoma Park. Sports, arts, library events, classes, and concerts… it’s all in the City Guide!
The 2017 Winter City Guide was delivered in the December edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. It is available at City facilities and online.
Registration for Recreation Department programs begins:
A long anticipated ban on the use of plastic single-use bags at point of sale went into effect in Takoma Park last week, on December 1. The City Council, known for its progressive stance when it comes to sustainable policies and practices, passed the ordinance earlier this year after much consideration and discussion about the ban.
“We in Takoma Park, Maryland have been a national leader in the preservation of natural resources and the environment,” said Councilmember Jarrett Smith who initially proposed the ban. “With this plastic bag ban, our tenacity for all things that protect the environment continues…Sligo Creek, the Chesapeake Bay, and other environmental treasures will always be a priority for our city.”
Mayor Kate Stewart echoed these sentiments: “Takoma Park is proud of its dedication to protect the environment and create a sustainable community. Our deep commitment is exemplified by our willingness to pioneer new programs, stemming back to the early days of recycling and tree protection laws.”
The plastic bag ban is one of many “green” city policies geared towards reducing environmental degradation resulting from the widespread use of products that can have negative environmental consequences. The city also has a Safe Grow Act which places restrictions on the use of harmful cosmetic pesticides for lawn care on public and private property, a ban on the use of polystyrene packaging and food-service ware within the city, and a curbside food waste collection program available to all city residents who receive curbside trash and recycling pickup.
The plastic bag ban does provide a few exceptions, including dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags where newspapers are delivered by the publisher, and non-point of sale plastic bags such as those used for raw or bulk items like produce, grains, candy, and small hardware items. Farmers markets within the city are exempt from the ban for the first year, until December 1, 2017, at which point they may provide compostable plastic bags to customers.
While it was initially expected to be in full force as of December 1, the emphasis for the first 90 days of the new ordinance will focus on education and outreach to local business.
Beginning with registration for winter recreation department classes on Thursday, Dec. 15, Takoma Park residents won’t have to worry as much about spaces filling up as fast in some of the more popular programs, such as the ones for seniors. They will register a full week earlier than non-residents, who will be eligible to register for classes on Thursday, Dec. 22.
“We started looking at implementing this policy about a year ago based on the popularity of our programs and classes, which increasingly are full and have waiting lists,” said Takoma Park Recreation Director Gregory Clark. “There needed to be a mechanism in place so that residents would have the first opportunity to participate since we are supported by City tax dollars.”
Before coming to Takoma Park 10 years ago, Clark worked in Prince Georges County where early or preferred registration for residents was already in place. “This practice is used in other jurisdictions in our area and around the country,” he said.
Residents can take advantage of preferred registration both online and in person. Residency is based on having an address within the City limits. To confirm whether you are a City resident, visit takomaparkmd.gov/news.
Registration will be available both online and in person.
