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

City TV wins the 2022 Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City TV wins the 2022 Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation

 

Takoma Park, MD—JUNE 1, 2022—City TV received a 2022 Hometown Media Award from the Alliance for Community Media Foundation. The awards program was established to honor and promote community media, community radio, and local cable programs distributed on Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) access cable television channels. Proceeds go to the ACM Foundation, which is exclusively used for facilitating, preserving, and promoting education in community media.

City TV has won the Overall Excellence in Governmental Programming. The award honors all the programming of the station, not just one show. City TV entered a category with stations doubling its budget. This is the fourth time City TV has won the overall award.

“We’ve entered these awards about 12 times in the last 20-plus years because they are the greatest representation of the type of station we are,” says Alvaro C. Calabia, TV production manager for the City of Takoma Park. “We cover the local politics, local non-profits, residents, all our diversity. Hyperlocal it’s called. We love it, and we usually deal with residents doing what they love, arts, sports, activism, solidarity… Every day you meet someone new, and you learn something different. The award is just a way to let us know that we are doing it the right way.”

Each year, nearly one thousand entries are submitted. These entries, or programs, are submitted and evaluated on several factors resulting in over 100 award winners. Then, a panel of judges from the industry evaluate the entries. Awards are presented to the most creative programs that address community needs, develop diverse community involvement, challenge conventional commercial television formats, and move viewers to experience television differently.

“The Hometown Media Awards celebrate both the excellence of work and the diversity of media that appears on community channels being produced around the country. The ACM Foundation is proud of their achievement and of how they represent their communities in their work,” said Mike Wassenaar, President & CEO, Alliance for Community Media.

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Contact:
City TV
CableTV@takomaparkmd.gov
301-891-7118

News, Public Notices

May We Continue to Bike: A Wrap-up of Bike Month 2022

 

The month of May marks National Bike Month for communities across the country. This year, Takoma Park had a very productive month. Here’s a round-up of May’s initiatives, as well as additional resources for helping you get around on a bike!

New Initiatives and Announcements

Announcing Two New Bike Infrastructure Grants!

In May, the MWCOG Transportation Planning Board (TBP) awarded the City of Takoma Park two new grants, totaling $130,000 in technical assistance. One grant supports preliminary designs to upgrade the Metropolitan Branch Trail, which crosses through Takoma Park along Takoma Ave and Fenton St. The second grant supports preliminary designs for the New Ave Bikeway to connect from Poplar Ave to Kansas Ave NE at the DC border. To learn more, visit the City’s ‘Bikeways Program’ web page.

Big Bike Rack Install of 2022

In April, the City ordered 52 new bike racks and one new public bike repair station. The new racks will be installed in all six wards, with a special focus on public parks, local shopping destinations, and areas of the City currently underserved by bike infrastructure. The new repair station will be the City’s fourth, located at the Recreation Center. Racks will be installed on a rolling basis over the next couple of months.

Bike Repair Stations Get a Tune-up

The City maintains three FixIt bike repair stations for riders to pump up their tires and make basic adjustments and repairs with some shared tools. The three stations, located at Albany Ave & Takoma Ave, New Hampshire Ave & Sligo Creek Trail, and the Takoma Park Police Station, each got a tune-up with fresh parts, just in time for springtime riding weather!

Residents Biked to School and Work en Masse

Each year, the City of Takoma Park joins with local partners to put on National Bike to School Day (May 4) and National Bike to Work Day (May 20) programs. This year, in the face of unexpected adversity, students, residents, and neighbors showed up in a big way! Hundreds of students from all five local public elementary and middle schools wheeled their way to school, despite morning rain. And over two hundred riders registered to visit one of the City’s two Bike to Work Day Pit stops, despite daytime temperatures pushing past 90 degrees. Participants at each received bike safety swag, including lights, bells, and reflective bands.

Ongoing Initiatives and Resources

Catch a Ride with Capital Bikeshare

Did you know that Takoma Park houses seven Capital Bikeshare stations, with three more just across the border? Getting around on a shared bike has never been easier, with standard and electric-assist bike options! Check out one of the 600+ stations in the DMV region today! Learn more at: https://capitalbikeshare.com/

New Ave Bikways Advances to Final Designs

It’s been a long journey, but we’re reaching our destination! The New Ave Bikeway, Sections A & B, are both in their final design stages! Once completed, they will present a two-direction, separated, multi-use path along the west side of New Hampshire Ave for people on foot and on wheels. To see how we got to this point, check out the City’s ‘New Ave Bikeway” web page for technical designs, schedules, and more!

Maple Ave Complete Street Seeks New Funding

Maple Ave is one of the most important civic, recreational, and residential corridors in the City, providing much-needed connectivity for bikers and pedestrians,  but right now, the roadway doesn’t work well for many of its users. Last summer, consultants completed a preliminary design to reimagine Maple Ave, from the DC border to Sligo Creek Parkway, as a more bike and pedestrian-friendly street. City staff is currently exploring options for additional funding to advance the design process and incorporate additional feedback received about the preliminary (30%) designs.

Contact

Housing and Community Development
Phone: 301-891-7119
Email: planning@takomaparkmd.gov 

Public Notices

A message from Chief DeVaul on school security Preparedness in Takoma Park

Audio

 

Our hearts are with the families of the children and teachers who lost their lives in the senseless act of gun violence in Uvalde, Texas, earlier this week.

There have been several questions about the tactics utilized by law enforcement in the incident in Uvalde. As the investigation of that incident and response continues, I wanted to update residents on our preparedness should an incident occur in Takoma Park. I want to stress there are no active threats to any schools in Takoma Park.

The City of Takoma Park Police Department has an Emergency Response Team (ERT). Officers on the ERT received advanced training in emergency response. In addition to the ERT, all of our officers have been trained on active shooter response. We have also conducted training drills at our schools, so we are familiar with the layout of the schools should an incident occur. Our officers are trained to immediately address and subdue any threat in an active shooter incident. We regularly train this response protocol.

We meet regularly with staff at all of our schools in Takoma Park to discuss security and other issues. Since the incident in Texas, we have been in contact with MCPS staff to ensure all security measures are in place to prevent and respond to any possible incident.

Hopefully, our training is something that we will never need to utilize here in Takoma Park. However, if an active shooter incident were to occur in Takoma Park, we are well prepared to respond.

We are committed to supporting, serving, and protecting our residents here in Takoma Park.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns.

Public Notices

Celebrate National Bike Month with Takoma Park

 

May is National Bike Month and we’re celebrating at Takoma Park with two bike-related events—Bike to School Day and Bike to Work Day.

Bike to School Day

The 11th annual National Bike & Roll to School Day was Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 20, 2022. Join us at nearly 100 pit stops in DC, MD, and VA for this FREE event for a healthy way to start your day. The first 15,000 who register and attend at a pit stop by bike will receive a FREE T-shirt. Free giveaways, food, and beverages, while supplies last.

Bike-Related Grants

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) on April 20, 2022 approved 11 planning and design projects totaling $636,000 in technical assistance through its Transportation Land-use Connections (TLC) program. The City of Takoma Park was the recipient of two of the grants.

  • Takoma Park Metropolitan Branch Trail Upgrade – $60,000
    Takoma Park is responsible for caring for and maintaining a nearly half-mile stretch of the Metropolitan Branch Trail that runs between the Washington, D.C. border and Silver Spring. The existing path is in disrepair, lacks pedestrian-scale lighting to allow for safe passage in the dark, and does not have safe pedestrian crossings to the municipal park and Montgomery College facilities across the street. The stretch of the trail serves as the only major link between the growing networks of bikeways in both the District and Southern Montgomery County. A full trail upgrade is essential to make it comfortable, safe, accessible, and ADA-compliant.
  • City of Takoma Park New Ave Bikeway – District Connector – $70,000
    Building on past support from the TLC Program, this project is part of a larger effort to transform New Hampshire Avenue into a multi-modal corridor. The project will complete the design work for a bikeway that will extend from the Langley Park Transit Center to existing bike lanes on Kansas Avenue in the District of Columbia. TLC will fund 30 percent of the design for one of two possible alignments for bike infrastructure that will run through low-traffic neighborhood roads to create a continuous bikeway facility.
Bike Program Overview

Takoma Park is working to improve and maintain bicycle facilities while promoting a bicycle-friendly culture in the city. Objectives of the Bike Program include:

  • Ensure existing facilities are regularly maintained and improved to meet modern standards of safety and convenience.
  • Plan for future facilities that the City maintains on its properties, parks, and rights-of-way.
  • Leverage Takoma Park’s physical strengths and existing public interest in bicycling to encourage local residents and employees to bike for commuting, errands, and recreation.
  • Educate City, County, and State decision-makers about bicycling in Takoma Park with data and studies.
  • Coordinate with external agencies and jurisdictions on bicycle planning and projects that impact residents, employees, and visitors in Takoma Park.
  • Encourage bicycle education, safety, and ridership for elementary and middle school students through the Safe Routes to School program.
Contact

Housing and Community Development
Phone: 301-891-7119
Email: planning@takomaparkmd.gov 

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 Alert, Public Notices

Extended: Onsite COVID-19 testing on Wednesdays in May!

In partnership with Montgomery County, the City of Takoma Park is extending its COVID-19 PCR testing clinics and will offer them on select Wednesdays in April.

Test Dates:

Days: Wednesdays in May
(May 4, 11, 18, & 25)

Time: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Location:

Takoma Park Recreation Center
7315 New Hampshire Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912

What You Need To Know:
  • Walk-ins – no appointment needed
  • Clinics will provide self-administered PCR tests. Results will be available in 1 – 2 days.
  • No government I.D. or doctor’s order is required.
  • Testing is free. If you have insurance, we will ask for your insurance information; however, there are no copays or deductibles.
  • Testing is available for all ages!
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

Public Notices

Register for the Takoma Park Safe Routes to School 5K Now

 

Fourteen Years supporting safety, fun, and fitness!

Click here to register for the 2022 Takoma Park Virtual 5K!

The race will take place from May 15th – May 31st, where participants can run anywhere, anytime, and record their stats online.

For more information on the event, to donate, or become a sponsor, visit the link above!

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Sign Up

Step 2: Stay updated with our TKPK5K webpage! Information about where and when to pick up your souvenir t-shirt will be shared closer to the event.

Step 3: Plan Your Route – Run anywhere – your neighborhood, your favorite trail, your treadmill.

Step 4: Submit your results HERE.

Step 5: Be proud that you contributed to the health and safety of the students at Takoma Park Elementary, Piney Branch Elementary, East Silver Spring Elementary, Rolling Terrace Elementary, and Takoma Park Middle School!

About the TKPK5K

Since 2009, the TKPK5K has been held on the first Sunday in May (with the exception of 2020).

The TKPK5K is a fun, family-oriented community event. Proceeds from the event fund health, fitness, bike, and pedestrian safety activities at five local schools:

  • Takoma Park Elementary
  • Piney Branch Elementary
  • East Silver Spring Elementary
  • Rolling Terrace Elementary
  • Takoma Park Middle
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

Public Notices

Masks no longer required but strongly encouraged in City buildings and facilities

 

Recently, the CDC has shifted its focus from community transmission to community levels as the basis for their guidance regarding recommended COVID-19 preventative measures. Montgomery County currently has a “low” community level as of this past Monday, March 7. The City of Takoma Park will be adjusting our protocols and lifting our mask mandate.

Effective Wednesday, March 9th, masks are not required indoors but strongly encouraged for any unvaccinated visitors in any City buildings or facilities, where social distancing is challenging, and/or when there is direct interaction between the public and employees.

As safety and health remain our #1 priority, the City of Takoma Park will continue to have KN95/N95 masks and rapid test kits available for the public and employees as necessary. We will continue to monitor the community levels and will be prepared to shift our protocols when appropriate.