Category Archives: Public Notices

Public Notices are primarily generated by the City Clerk and are mostly compromised of messages notifying residents and other stakeholders of public hearings.

News Alert, Public Notices

TKPK Façade Improvement Grant Now Accepting Applications!

 

The City’s new Façade Improvement Grant is now accepting applications!  Grants reimbursable up to $10,000 are available to assist local businesses in repairing or improving their storefronts to encourage vibrant, welcoming, commercial districts.

Grant funds may be used for façade improvements such as:

  • new signage,
  • awnings,
  • windows,
  • doors,
  • or repair of the street-facing portion(s) of the structure.

Awards will be approved on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Grant agreements must be signed by Friday, December 13, 2024, and funds must be spent and submitted for reimbursement by November 1, 2026.

For full details including eligibility requirements and how to apply please visit  the Façade Improvement Grant webpage.

News Alert, Public Notices

How Does Development Impact City Services?

 

One of the common questions we hear is regarding the cost of development on City services and the concern that new housing development could increase the cost to current residents. This blog post aims to cover how the County and City ensure new development contributes to the impacts it creates.

The City splits service provision with the County. In some cases, we receive money from the County to provide these services through an agreement with the County called tax duplication. This agreement provides funding for:

  • Police
  • Roadway Maintenance and Improvement
  • Parks

Changes to the number of residents, service calls, roadways, and other items would necessitate greater funding from the County as the agreement is meant to provide a balance and ensure that where County Services end, City Services are able to address the need (roads, police, etc.). This agreement is negotiated between the City and the County and is approved by the City Council. The last agreement was approved in 2021 and will run until renegotiated. .

The City also collects additional fees for properties related to specific services. These fees are intended to cover a portion or all of the cost of the service provided. These fees include:

  • Trash Collection Fees for properties with more than 1 unit if the property has their trash and recycling collected by the City (in most cases, large multifamily buildings pay a private firm to collect trash and recycling);
  • A Rental Licensing Fee for every rental unit in the City to cover the cost of inspection and contribute towards the cost of the administration of housing programs (like Rent Stabilization Reporting, Landlord-Tenant work, and licensing administration).
  • The Stormwater Management Fee, which assesses a fee to ensure the City’s stormwater management infrastructure is maintained and sufficient.
  • Registration Fees for City classes or programs offered through the City’s Recreation Department

These fees are assessed independently of a property tax bill and specifically aim to fund partially or in full the services associated with the fee.

As noted in a previous blog post, proposed development goes through a lengthy review of potential impacts, including roadways, parks, and other ‘public facilities’. Each review is specific to the proposed development but the review aims to ensure that the development provides a public benefit of equal value to the cost it will incur on public services.

So would new residents have to be subsidized by existing residents?

Not necessarily! In some cases, the City would be able to receive additional funding for services we provide from the County through our Tax Duplication Agreement. In other instances, we would receive additional income from the fees we charge (Stormwater, Rental Licensing, Class Registration Fees, etc.). In cases where the development would require additional infrastructure (such as sidewalks, traffic lights, park space), they would be obligated to construct or pay for those improvements (or provide the City and County with something of equal value to offset).

The goal of these fees, tax duplication agreement, and development review process is to ensure that residents continue to pay a similar rate for the services they receive.

Helpful Links
News Alert, Public Notices

Proposed Housing Tax Credits – Catch up on the Details from the Public Hearing and Housing Strategic Plan Implementation Forum

 

Public Hearing Details:

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 7:30 pm, during the City Council Meeting, a public hearing was held to discuss proposed housing tax credits.

Housing Strategic Plan Implementation Forum Details:

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024 City Staff held a forum on the City’s Housing and Economic Strategic Plan and what the City is doing to implement the plan for the benefit of all residents:

 Helpful Links:
News Alert, Public Notices, Takoma Park Newsletter

Leave the Leaves: Leaf Saver Signs Will be Available!

 

Leaf season is a festive time at Public Works. Residents often praise the annual curbside collection, and can be seen greeting the vacuum trucks and crews as they make their way through the city. Typically, leaves are collected within 10 feet of the curb, from piles raked in front of residential properties.

This year, the Department of Public works is piloting a program to encourage residents to consider using the leaves on their property, rather than have them all removed by the city.

I’m a leaf-saver

Fallen leaves are a great source of nutrients for gardens and lawns. They can be ground and left on the lawn or piled up and composted to be used in a garden bed. If you have started a garden or are mulching leaves in an area that may be subject to leaf collection, signs will be available to alert the collection crews that you intend to
leave these leaves in place. Leaves on sidewalks, near storm drains, or those likely to encroach on these areas will be collected by the crews.

“I’m a Leaf Saver” signs will be available for residents to pick up at the Public Works office between 8:30 and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Signs may only be placed in front of your own property. Please place one sign at each end of the area where you do not want leaves to be collected; corner properties may request additional signs. Signs should remain in place from the first day of collection, November 15, through December 31 and can be reused the following year.

Leaf piles up to a few inches thick provide valuable habitat to overwintering bugs, worms, and insects—as well as benefits for
soil and plant health as they decompose. Un-mowed leaves may be more beneficial to insects, but are also more likely to blow or drift away. Consider decorative garden fencing to contain the leaves.

If you choose to leave your leaves to protect overwintering invertebrates and wish to remove them as part of spring clean-up,
it is a safe bet that by the time the grass is ready to be mowed for the first time (after Tax Day), the invertebrates no longer require the protection. The city does not offer a vacuum leaf collection in the spring; however, the city’s Monday yard waste collection program—which occurs yearround— can be an opportunity dispose of those leaves.

More information about leaf collection and “I’m a Leaf Saver” program can be found on the City Yard Waste & Fall Leaf Collection webpage.

This article appeared in the October Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. Check out this article and more on the City webpage.

News Alert, Public Notices, Takoma Park Newsletter

City of Takoma Park Election Information: Two Separate Elections on Tuesday, November 5, 2024

 

Please Note: With regret, there was a typographical error showing the date from the 2022 Elections on the Printed Version of the October Newsletter. The correct date for the 2024 elections is Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and has been corrected in the digital version on the City Newsletter webpage.

Two Separate Elections on Tuesday, November 5, 2024
  •  Presidential General Election
  •  City of Takoma Park Election

The Takoma Park Election for mayor and city council is separate from the Maryland presidential election process. Remember to vote in BOTH elections if you are eligible.

Takoma Park Vote by Mail

The Takoma Park Board of Elections is sending a vote-by-mail City Election ballot to every active registered voter. Voters can return the ballot by mail in the enclosed prepaid envelope or drop the ballot in an offi cial Takoma Park Ballot Drop Box at one of two locations:

Absentee Ballots

If you expect to be out of town through election day and want your ballot sent to a different address, request an absentee ballot here!

Election Day Voting

The Community Center will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day for residents to vote in person and for residents not yet registered. Remember that only the Takoma Park Election for mayor and city council will take place at the Community Center. To vote in the state/county election on November 5, you will go to your regular precinct polling place.

Need Assistance with City Voting, Voter Registration or City Election Questions?

In-person voter assistance for the Takoma Park Election will be available at the City Clerk’s Office in the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., from October 21 through November 4, Monday–Friday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Other times are available by appointment. If language assistance is needed, contact Irma Nalvarte at 301-891-7214 or irman@takomaparkmd.gov.

Voter Registration for the Takoma Park City Election—Up to and Including Election Day

If you are already registered at an addressin the City, you need not register again.

If you are not registered, you may register to vote in Takoma Park elections if you

  • are a resident of the City of Takoma Park;
  • will be at least 16 years old on Election Day;
  • do not claim the right to vote elsewhere in the United States;
  • have not been convicted of buying or selling votes;
  • are not under guardianship for mental disability or, if you are, you have not been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote.
U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for voting in City of Takoma Park elections.

Not everyone who registers to vote in city elections will be eligible to vote in county, state or national elections. Review the registration form carefully to understand the requirements for voting in the State of Maryland. For registration information, view takomaparkmd.gov/ elections, call 301-891-7252, or email elections@takomaparkmd.gov

This article appeared in the October Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. Check out this article and more on the City webpage.

News Alert, Public Notices

Catch up on details from the TKPK Candidates Forum hosted by Eric Bond, TALK of TAKOMA – WOWD-LP

 

Eric Bond, Talk of Takoma, will hold a Candidates Forum on two nights. Please join in person or watch from home:

Candidate Forums (Two Nights)

Community Center – Auditorium
7500 Maple Avenue

  • Parking is reserved at the Piney Branch school parking lot ( 7510 Maple Avenue) for the forum
Date: Monday, September 30, 2024

Ward 4 & Ward 6: Watch the Recorded Candidate Forum (link)

Date: Monday, October 7, 2024

Ward 1 & Ward 3: Watch the Recorded Candidate Forum (link)

How to watch at home:

Please Note: As this is NOT a City Sponsored Event!

 

 

 

 

News, Public Notices

Message From Code Enforcement: Fall Is Upon Us! So, What Can We Do with Leaves?

Shredding leaves with a mulching mower will save you time and money. Mulching is faster and easier on the back than raking. Studies have shown that mulching leaves can return nutrients and organic matter to the yard and have long-term positive effects.

4 Best Practices for Making Shredded Leaf Mulch

  • The turf must be mowed high.
  • The leaves should be dry, not wet, and matted down.
  • Leaf mulching should be done every week. If done too infrequently, the thickness of the leaf litter will be too much for the mulching effort to be effective. You will create a layer of smaller leaves.
  • Leaf mulching early in the fall, while the soil temperature is still warm, will lead to rapid litter decomposition. Waiting until the end of fall is counterproductive as the soil temps have cooled, and decomposition is slower.

In conclusion, fall lawn care doesn’t have to include the tedious job of raking or blowing leaves. Follow these simple steps for how to mulch leaves and your lawn and your back will thank you!

News Alert, Public Notices

TKPK Receives $220,000 Grant from US Department of Transportation to Improve Roadway Safety

The City has been awarded $220,000 from the US Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Program.

We are one of 354 local, regional, and tribal communities receiving funding to improve roadway safety and prevent deaths and serious injuries on America’s rural and urban roads.

This planning and demonstration grant will result in a comprehensive safety action plan, including two demonstration projects to test methods of protecting pedestrians and reducing vehicular crashes:

  • The first demonstration project will test a mid‐block crosswalk and pedestrian refuge island at one bus stop.
  • The second demonstration project will test the hardening of left turn lanes, temporary curb extensions, and other measures at four intersections.

Stay tuned for more information about the city project here. For further details about the US Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Program grant program, check out:

News Alert, Public Notices

What Tenant Protections Exist in Takoma Park?

Takoma Park has been at the forefront of renter protections in the State of Maryland, through the implementation of a number of policies. We will briefly go over a few of the policies and programs that exist to help renters in Takoma Park.

  • Rent Stabilization provides limits on the amount rents can be raised annually which allows renters to continue to live in the City.
  • The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Law (TOPL) which gives tenants the first right to purchase their rental home or assign their rights if it is being sold. We also provide financial assistance for tenants exploring purchasing their building to help them exercise their rights.
  • The Commission on Landlord Tenant Affairs (COLTA) provides a quasi-judicial forum to adjudicate landlord-tenant disputes instead of Court. The Commission is made up of community members who rule on cases.
  •  A Community Engagement Specialist who assists with referrals to legal aid groups and county agencies as well as provides mediation between landlords and tenants. In FY 2024 our office handled roughly 800 cases.
  • The Emergency Assistance Program provides funds up to $3,600 for households who are facing an eviction due to rent owed or facing a foreclosure and $1,400 for renters or homeowners who have received a disconnection notice from a utility provider.
  •  Annual or Biannual inspections of all rental units to proactively find and correct issues as part of the City’s Rental Licensing Program. Most of our rental units are inspected annually while some rental units are allowed to be inspected biannually (if they have five or fewer minor violations).
  • A Tenant Displacement Ordinance to require landlords to house and compensate renters if their unit is severely damaged through no fault of their own.
  • A County law to notice and potentially compensate tenants who may be displaced due to redevelopment or condominium conversion.
  •  In FY 2025, there is additional funding for a Renters Insurance Incentive Program Pilot to encourage renters to sign up for renter’s insurance as well as funding for tenant legal counseling and organizing. HCD Is working on these programs and will be releasing more information soon!

HCD also has put together a housing resources guide which has contacts at community agencies, and providers who can meet the housing, legal services, utilities assistance, and social service needs. The guide is in English, Amharic, and Spanish.

What more could be done?

The two most impactful policies that could be implemented require state level changes. The first is a ‘good cause’ eviction. Current state law allows landlords to provide a two-month, no cause notice to evict a tenant. A good cause eviction would require the landlord to provide a reason before issuing an eviction notice. The second policy would be a right to counsel law. Currently, there is no right for tenants to have representation at eviction hearings. This puts tenants often at a disadvantage to landlords who are usually represented.

You can explore other policies to assist tenants from The National Housing Law Project’s National Tenant Bill of Rights.

Helpful Links
News, Public Notices, Takoma Park Newsletter

City of Takoma Park Election for Mayor and City Council

Notice of Meeting to Nominate Candidates for the November 5, 2024 , City Election
  • Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
  • Takoma Park Community Center (Auditorium)

The Takoma Park Nominating Caucus is a public meeting that will convene at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 , in the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Ave. The purpose of the meeting is to accept nominations of candidates for mayor and city councilmember. Only registered voters of the city present at the meeting (or on Zoom) may nominate or second the nomination of a candidate. If not yet registered to vote, residents may register up until 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Nomination of each candidate for city councilmember may be made on motion of any voter of the ward, and if such nomination is seconded, the person so nominated will be considered a candidate. Nominations of candidates for mayor may be made on motion of any voter of the city, and if such a nomination is seconded, the person nominated will be considered a candidate. A person may only accept a nomination for one city office. The name of each person nominated for the offi ce of mayor and city councilmember will be placed upon the official ballot for the November 5, 2024 , City Election unless the person declines the nomination or does not meet the qualifications for office.

City Election: Tuesday, November 5, 2024

2024 is an election year in Takoma Park. City voters will be electing a mayor and all six city councilmembers to two-year terms. The Nominating Caucus is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Election day is Tuesday, November 5.

The Election will be conducted by mail! For those who need to vote in person, there will be voting at the Takoma Park Community Center (7500 Maple Ave) on Election Day.

Information About Candidates.

The October issue of the Takoma Park Newsletter will include names, photos, and 150-word statements from all candidates. Watch for information about candidate forums and events to educate yourself about your choices.

Voter Registration for the City of Takoma Park Election (and for the Presidential Election).

Most voter registration is handled by the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The most important action you can take to prepare for these two elections is to confirm that you are
registered at your current address in Takoma Park. If nothing has changed, and you have voted before at your address, you should be fine. If you have any doubt, or if you have moved in the past few years, confirm or update your registration right away.

Information on how to check your registration is available on the city website or by contacting the city clerk.

If you are not registered, register now. Don’t wait!

If you are 16 years old and a U.S. citizen, you may register with the Montgomery County Board of Elections, even though you will not yet be able to vote in the presidential election. You will be able to vote in the City election.

Residents who are not U.S. citizens, or who do not wish to register with the State of Maryland, may register with the City of Takoma Park to vote only in City elections for mayor and city council.

For the City of Takoma Park election for mayor and city council, registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail. There is no need to request a ballot. However, if you will be out of town in October, request that an absentee ballot be sent to you at your out-of-town address.

For the presidential, state, and county election, voters must request a mail-in ballot from the Montgomery County Board of Elections if they do not wish to vote in person. For more information, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/elections.

For additional information about the city election, visit the City Website.

This article appeared in the September Edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. Check out this article and more on the City webpage.