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 of Takoma Park enacts vaccine policy in compliance with OSHA ETS

 

With the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant, COVID-19 continues to pose a very serious health risk, especially to those individuals who are not fully vaccinated. The City’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy (the “Policy”) is in the best interest of the City and all employees in order to most effectively address the pandemic.

The City of Takoma Park, in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (OSHA ETS), and to promote the health and safety of the City workforce, residents, and visitors, adopts a COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy (the “Policy”).

The Policy requires that all City employees, independent contractors, interns, and temporary workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to approved accommodations, including receipt of any additional doses of a COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., booster) in a manner and schedule consistent with this Policy as informed by CDC guidelines.

Vaccination & Booster Requirement

All City employees, independent contractors, interns, and temporary workers must be fully vaccinated
against COVID-19 no later than February 9, 2022.

To be fully vaccinated by February 9, 2022, an employee or other covered person must:

  • Obtain the first dose of a two-dose vaccine no later than January 19, 2022 (Pfizer) or January 12, 2022 (Moderna); and the second dose no later than February 9, 2022; or
  • Obtain one dose of a single dose vaccine no later than February 9, 2022.

In addition, covered individuals who are eligible to receive a booster must obtain the booster as follows:

  • If currently eligible for an approved COVID-19 booster, you must obtain the booster by February 9, 2022; and
  • If not currently eligible for an approved COVID-19 booster, you must obtain the booster within 30 days of becoming eligible for a booster per CDC guidance.
Other Items to Note

Time to Receive Vaccination
Employees may take up to four (4) hours of work time during the workday per dose to receive vaccination and a booster.

Time to Recover from Vaccine Side Effects
Employees may utilize up to two (2) workdays of sick leave, if needed, because of side effects from the COVID-19 vaccination/booster that prevent them from working.

City of Takoma Park Vaccination Policy

Purpose
Vaccination is a vital tool to reduce the presence and severity of COVID-19 cases in the workplace, in communities, and in the nation as a whole. The City has adopted this Policy to comply with OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard on Vaccination and Testing, which encourages full vaccination of the workforce against COVID-19, and to promote the safety and wellbeing of others.

Read the full policy here.

FAQs

Who is required to be vaccinated by the Policy and when is the Policy effective?
The Policy requires that all City employees, independent contractors, interns, and temporary workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Where can I obtain testing?
There are multiple testing locations. Some options for free testing can be found at:

To see the full list, visit our FAQs page.

 

News Alert, Public Notices

AFSCME Local 3399 and the City of Takoma Park Reach Agreement on Compensation

 

AFSCME Local 3399 and the City of Takoma Park reached an agreement regarding a wage adjustment and other compensation for fiscal year 2022.  The agreement includes a 3% wage adjustment retroactive to July 1, 2021, a $2,500 end of year bonus to employees, and, in recognition of the contribution of frontline workers who continued to work on-site during the pandemic, a $3,400 bonus payment to frontline workers using American Rescue Plan Act funds.

AFSCME members ratified the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on December 14, 2021.  City Council will meet to appropriate the funds agreed to as part of the MOA in January 2022, however, some of the funds have already been approved.  As part of the ARPA Interim Final Rule, premium pay may be provided for employees who physically came to work and were relied upon to maintain the continuity of operations.


Statement from City Manager Jamal Fox

“Both sides worked diligently to find common ground and reach meaningful compromises. We absolutely value our City employees and the critical services they provide to residents of Takoma Park. This agreement recognizes that while also honoring the responsibility we have to ensure City programs are administered efficiently and effectively. I am incredibly proud of the work of our team’s efforts and thank AFSCME’s team for their partnership. The agreement for compensation in fiscal year 2022 is unlike any in the City’s history and recognizes the contribution of all City employees.  These were challenging negotiations, but the agreement demonstrates the success that can be achieved when we work together.  The City looks forward to building upon that success.”

City Council & Mayor Blog, Public Notices

New Beginnings… A Message from Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart

 

This time of year is one of transitions and reflections. We look back on 2021 and forward to 2022. Over the last year, there has been a great deal of change in the City. We have said goodbye to long-time residents, who helped shape the community we live in today. We have welcomed many new families and businesses.

As we reflect on 2021, I ask, as you read this, to pause for a moment to recall those who we have lost this year — members of our community who cared for others, championed the causes of justice and fairness, and made our community so much better for being a part of it.

Now, let us look back on 2021. A significant change in the City was welcoming a new City Manager. After conducting a thorough national search and an extensive interview process, the City Council selected Jamal T. Fox as the new City Manager. Mr. Fox began work at the City of Takoma Park on August 2, 2021.

Another significant shift in the second half of 2021 was the re-opening on August 23 of many City facilities. The Recreation Center and the Community Center returned to regular building hours while the Library, Computer Center and Passport Services offered extended hours. A mask mandate is still in effect for all facilities and will continue until further notice.

Even though we had to follow COVID-19 restrictions for much of the year, City staff did a fantastic job of safely bringing our community together, and here are a few samples:

  • National Night Out – first open event for the City
  • Public Space Values Workshop – Parks and Playgrounds
  • Drives (Winter Coat, Pet Drive, Domestic Violence Care packages)
  • We Belong Here: Race Equity Walk
  • Monster Bash with Trunk n Treat

The City also continues to partner with various organizations, health and wellness clinics, and federal agencies to bring FREE COVID-19 Vaccines to the Community.

These partnerships include:

  • Partnering with Small Things Matter for Free Vaccine Pop Up Clinics in front of the Community Center
  • Collaborating with Southern Management/Park Ritchie Apartments, FEMA, the National Guard, and Food Justice DMV for apartment-based clinics.
  • Working with the Office of Community Partnerships, FEMA Strike Team and the 2020 Complete Count Committee to bring the FEMA Mobile Vaccination Units to the City and sending bilingual volunteers door-to-door in the community to let residents know that the units were available, free and interpreters were there to answer questions.

Throughout 2021, the City continued to address food insecurity and assist residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we have been working with nonprofits to get food for those in need.

We also know residents need assistance paying their rents or condo fees, receiving unemployment benefits, and much more. Our City staff continues to provide one-on-one support. Personally, I have seen them in action late at night and on the weekends. Together, we have been on the phone, talking with building managers and owners to ensure buildings are properly maintained during the pandemic and assisting residents with accurate information in different languages.

As we look back on 2021, we have excelled in our work on housing. Homeownership is possible thanks to the City’s Home Stretch Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to eligible individuals and families seeking to achieve homeownership. Ten thousand dollars is available for down payment assistance per qualified individual or household on a first-come, first-served basis. This year our tenth family was able to purchase a home in the City of Takoma Park utilizing this program.

This year also marks Habitat for Humanity’s first home project in lower Montgomery County, thanks to a partnership with the City. Through this partnership, an existing multi-family rental property will be fully renovated into a duplex (one two-bedroom home, one three-bedroom home), using sustainable materials and following the City’s Climate Emergency Response Framework guidelines. In addition, Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland will incorporate energy efficiency standards into its building practices, such as continuous spray foam insulation for the entire structure, water sense fixtures, LED lighting, smart thermostats, and Energy Star mechanical equipment and appliances. This rehab will also be the first example of gas abandonment in residential development in the City. Once development is complete, Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland will sell the duplex homes to two local families unable to afford a home through the traditional market.

Reimaging public safety was a focus of our work in 2021. The City of Takoma Park appreciates all of the hard work done by the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force (RPSTF) and the thoughtful recommendations. The City of Takoma Park is committed to reimagining public safety in Takoma Park. This involves a comprehensive staff review of all of the RPSTF recommendations and a holistic approach to how the City can best provide public safety services. Specifically, as we move into 2022, the City will be looking at how best to provide mental health services in our community.

A major accomplishment on the City Council was a multi-year effort to reimagine our committee structure. Council members and staff worked to create and support more diverse and representative Council-appointed committees.

We took measures this year to put in place:

  • A fresh approach to recruitment and appointment of Committee members
  • Address financial and social barriers that committee participation for residents of color face disproportionately higher rates than white residents
  • Improvements in training and operations of committees – a critical component to ensure that committees and members function in a welcoming way for all residents
  • Bolster committee’s capacity to apply race equity considerations to their work.

We have also seen an increase in new businesses in our community. On November 13, thanks to Main Street Takoma and Takoma Langley Crossroads, we held 21 ribbon cuttings for businesses that had opened since COVID-19 began.

We have also seen façade improvements and a new mural along New Hampshire Avenue. The City was awarded a Facade grant from the State to partner with commercial property owners on New Hampshire Avenue to renovate their properties. The funds leveraged reinvestment for the Takoma-Langley Crossroads Center, which is undergoing a significant upgrade for the businesses’ facades.

In addition, the City completed Community Engagement for the Takoma Park Recreation Center and will be moving forward with plans for the site in 2022.

Looking forward, 2022 will be an exciting year for the City.

We will:

  • Continue to work to address the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and residents and focus on how best to allocate the federal funds to become a Resilient Takoma Park post-COVID. Join us on January 12, 2022, for the Council work session and presentation from staff.
  • Begin construction and renovation of the library!
  • Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Unification of the City in July 2022.
  • Continue plans for the renovation of the New Hampshire Avenue Recreation Center.
  • Advance priorities and continue to implement:
  • Housing and Economic Development Strategic Plan
  • Climate Emergency Response Framework
  • Race Equity Framework
  • Recommendations on Reimaging Public Safety
  • And so much more!!!

This time of year, my family observes Advent, and each Sunday evening in the weeks leading up to Christmas, we light a candle in our Advent wreath. When my children were younger, they wrote this poem that we recite when lighting the candles each week:

  • On the 1st week, I have hope.
  • On the 2nd week, I have love.
  • On the 3rd week, I have joy.
  • On the 4th week, I wish for peace for all, through winter, spring, summer, and fall.

As we enter the final weeks of 2021, I wish you all hope, love, joy, and peace for the coming year.

—Mayor Stewart

News Alert, Public Notices

Takoma Park One Of 95 Global Cities Named as Climate Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release

 

Takoma Park One of 95 Global Cities Named as Climate Leaders

The City of Takoma Park has been recognized by Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) as one of the top 95 cities out of 1,100 cities across the globe, taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency, despite the continued pressures of tackling the coronavirus pandemic on local and national economies and societies.

Designed to encourage and support cities to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP’s Cities A List is based on environmental data disclosed by cities to the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System. A clear momentum in city climate disclosure and action is building – for the first time, over 1,000 cities are reporting their environmental impact through CDP in 2021. Meanwhile, 965 cities received a rating for their climate action from CDP in 2021, a substantial rise on the 591 cities scored in 2020.

“In Takoma Park, we have taken the impact and threat of climate change seriously and have treated climate change as an urgent issue. In 2019, the City declared a Climate Emergency,” Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart said. “We’ve made a very public statement by declaring a Climate Emergency to pursue the necessary steps to address the global challenges, and we are willing to do our part.”

To score an A, a city must disclose publicly and have a city-wide emissions inventory, have set an emissions reduction target and a renewable energy target for the future, and have published a climate action plan. It must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. Many A List cities are also taking various other leadership actions, including political commitment from a city’s Mayor to tackle climate change.

“By dedicating ourselves to aggressive actions regarding climate adaption and resilience. We recognize the devastating consequences of inaction. The City will serve as a leader, and we hope to inspire others to do the same,” Stewart said.

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Contact: 
Gina Mathias
Sustainability Manager
ginam@takomaparkmd.gov
301-891-7623

News Alert, Public Notices

City of Takoma Park Releases Data Explorer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release

 

City of Takoma Park Releases Data Explorer

The City of Takoma Park is pleased to announce the release of the Takoma Park Data Explorer, a one-stop-shop for members of the public to learn more about the City and its residents through data. The Data Explorer provides summary text and visualizations of selected Census American Community Survey data for 2015-2019, including the City’s demographics, racial and economic inequalities, and access to broadband internet among residents.

All visualizations are interactive, letting interested residents go further in exploring Census data. The Data Explorer also compares results for Takoma Park to Montgomery County and Maryland, identifying statistically significant differences in results for the City compared to the state and county.

The Data Explorer is organized into tabs and sub-tabs that users can move between. An “Overall” tab provides a summary of data analyzed throughout the Explorer. The “Methodology” tab includes methodological information and instructions on how to use the explorer. Each other tab is subject-based: Demographics; Race and Ethnicity; Housing; Poverty, employment, and income; and Education, health insurance, and computer-access, with summaries and sub-tabs allowing further exploration. The City webpage announcing the Explorer includes a PDF and a video explaining how to use the Explorer is coming soon!

Each year, the Explorer will be updated with the most recent 5-year American Community Survey data, allowing residents continued access to up-to-date information about their City. Over time, the City may add other visualizations or text to the Explorer, documented in the “Updates and citations” section of the “Methodology” tab. The code used to produce the Explorer can be found on the City’s GitHub page.

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Contact:
Daniel Powers
Public Administration Specialist
danielp@takomaparkmd.gov
301-891-7232

News Alert, Public Notices

Statement Regarding Ongoing Union Negotiations

 

The City very much values the important work being done by Takoma Park employees and is committed to continuing the collective bargaining process with AFSCME. The COVID-19 pandemic has created hardship for many and caused uncertainty regarding the fiscal climate. The recent rise in inflation is one of the many unforeseeable impacts of the pandemic on our employees and residents alike.

With uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City continues to work to promote a safe work environment for our staff and ensure they are supported, as well as continue to provide services and programs, such as rental and food assistance, to residents who have been most impacted by COVID-19.

Specifically, for City employees, the Council worked with City staff to:

  • Provide hazard pay to:  Police Patrol Officers, other front-facing officers, and some command staff, Police Dispatch; and Public Works employees in Sanitation, Building Maintenance, Custodial staff, Equipment Maintenance, Right of Way Maintenance, Vegetation Maintenance, and Urban Forest.
  • Avoid layoffs, retain and continue to pay staff who were unable to perform their job duties in light of pandemic-related complications.
  • Pay administrative leave to those who could not work due to COVID-related program closures.
  • Offer a retirement incentive to anyone eligible for retirement in an effort to avoid layoffs.
  • Increased the amount of vacation leave employees could carry over into the calendar year 2021, from 240 hours to 300 hours, given the impact of the pandemic on travel/vacation.

We will continue to find ways to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our employees and the whole community, and the City looks forward to the opportunity to continue the discussions with AFSCME. The City and AFSCME will be continuing mediation soon and the City looks forward to continuing that process.

Additional Information:

  • The City is roughly halfway through a three-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and during the wage negotiations earlier this year under the terms of that CBA, the City offered to increase the pay scale for employees in the AFSCME bargaining unit by 1.8%. The City provided the same percentage adjustment to non-union employees, and Takoma Park’s police union agreed to that same pay adjustment earlier this year.
  • The City Code sets out the process for resolving issues if we are unable to reach an agreement during negotiations, which includes mediation. Two mediation sessions with AFSCME and City representatives were held recently in an effort to reach an agreement.
  • Regarding ARPA funds, City staff and Council are actively considering how to allocate funds the City received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ARPA federal funds can be targeted to assist the most vulnerable in our community (both short and longer-term), as well as provide hazard pay for front-line workers, replace lost city revenue, and improve water and broadband infrastructure, but cannot be used to reduce taxes, increase salaries, or fund regular ongoing City programs and services.
  • Regarding current compensation for City employees:
      • For full-time City employees, the lowest salary is $43,340, with health, dental, and vision plans provided with no premium cost to the employee for employee-only coverage.
      • The City provides a competitive benefits package beyond paid health insurance premiums for employee coverage, which also includes: a variety of paid leave options, availability to flexible spending accounts, a City match to an optional 457 deferred compensation account, three employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement, and more.
      • The City is also about to conduct a compensation study and will adjust salaries as needed during our next budget discussions in the Spring.
News, News Alert, Public Notices

COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children ages 5-11

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11. Beginning this week, limited doses will be available through Montgomery County clinics and private providers, with more doses available each week. Doses are allocated to local governments and private providers by the State of Maryland, based on our State’s allocation from the federal government.

More Resources:
News Alert, Public Notices

City Manager Fox Continues Mask Mandate for All Employees and Visitors to City Buildings and Facilities Until Further Notice!

 

City Manager Jamal Fox has implemented a mask mandate for all city buildings and facilities in the City of Takoma Park. The mask mandate applies to all employees, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, and all visitors until further notice. 

Please be advised that all employees and visitors will wear a mask for all indoor public spaces while in the city buildings and facilitates such as;

  • Community Center/Police Department
  • Takoma Park Maryland Library and computer center
  • Public Works
  • Recreation Center
  • Heffner building

The City will take a healthy approach to stay the current course with our Mask Mandate policy for reasons listed below until further notice! 

  • Due to many reports regarding the potential serious flu season and COVID-19 surge over the next few months through the holidays.
  • Public health professionals say there is a new and more contagious COVID-19 variant, Delta Plus (as described in the media), now in the nation.
  • Vaccines for children ages 5-11 are in the early stages of deployment and will need time to be effective.
  • CDC is considering “test to stay” in school programs, an alternative to quarantining students. This will allow students who test negative to continue to attend classes at school rather than be quarantined at home. This program potentially would have an impact on our recreation programs.

Read the original mandate here

If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact:

Donna Wright, Communications Manager
donnaw@takomaparkmd.gov  |  202-754-2963

News Alert, Public Notices

Takoma Park Police Release Arrest and Traffic Stop Data from 2015-2020 and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) calls from 2018-2020

 

Chief Antonio B. DeVaul

Chief Antonio B. DeVaul is pleased to announce the release of Arrest and Traffic Stop Data from 2015-2020 and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) calls from 2018-2020.

The Takoma Park Police Department has traditionally released information on all arrests, traffic stops, and calls for service data in the department’s annual report. The information released goes beyond the basic data previously released.

The release is consistent with one of the recommendations made by the Takoma Park Reimagining Public Safety Task Force to increase transparency and awareness surrounding public safety data and the department’s goal to be fully transparent with our community.

The City of Takoma Park has prepared interactive web pages with data on police interactions with the public. The arrest information is interactive and is broken down by race, gender, age, residency, initiation, type-specific, and offense. By race, the information is disaggregated by type of arrest, race, gender and race, age and race, initiation and race, specific type and race, and offense and race. We are also disaggregating the data for residents of Takoma Park by race, race and gender, and Ward of residency.

The traffic stop information is disaggregated by stops overall for race, the outcome of stops, outcome of stops over time, residence, the reason for the stop, gender, and age. The stops are also disaggregated by race for outcomes of stop, the outcome of stops over time, the reason for the stop, gender, age, race, age and gender.

The Takoma Park Police Department is committed to transparency and accountability. We remain committed to treating every person in Takoma Park equitably with dignity, and respect. To ensure transparency and accountability, on an annual basis the department will release arrests, traffic stops, and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) call information.

Policing Data: Webpage and Release Link https://takomaparkmd.gov/government/police/policing-data-release/

News Alert, Public Notices

City Facilities Reopening to the Public on August 23rd

 

We look forward to welcoming back all Takoma Park residents into our City facilities on Monday, August 23rd!  All City facilities will be open to the general public.  The Recreation Center and Community Center will return to normal building hours and allow limited room rentals once again. The Library, Computer Center and Passport Services will have extended hours.

To keep everyone in our community healthy, please follow our COVID-19 protocols when entering City facilities:

  • All staff and visitors must wear a mask covering nose and mouth inside City facilities at all times. Outdoors on City property, masks are optional.
  • We have placed hand sanitizer dispensers at all entrances to City facilities, for your convenience.

Reopening Hours

Community Center (7500 Maple Ave)

  • Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 9:30 pm
  • Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 pm

Library

  • Monday-Thursday, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
  • Friday-Sunday, 12:00 – 6:00 pm

Computer Center

  • Monday-Thursday, 12:00 – 8:00 pm
  • Friday-Sunday, 12:00 – 6:00 pm

Public Works Department

  • Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
    See the full Public Works staff directory.

Recreation Center (7315 New Hampshire Ave)

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday 2:30 – 9:00 pm
  • Tuesday and Thursday, 12:00 – 9:00 pm
    Note: Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-2:00pm are reserved for senior use only.
  • Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Sunday, Closed

Updates You Need to Know

Permits and Licenses
Most City permits and licenses are available online, with online payment, and do not require a visit to City facilities.  For a full list of permits and licenses, and to inquire with the issuing department about online availability, visit this link.

Notary and Passport
Both Notary and Passport services will continue by appointment only at the Community Center.

  • To make a passport appointment, please call 301-891-7100.  Passport hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • To make a notary public appointment, please call 301-891-7214.

Recreation Department

  • Indoor, outdoor and virtual classes will resume in September. Registration for City residents opens Tuesday, August 24th. Review program offerings here.
  • Interested in renting a room in a City facility or a park shelter? Residents can reserve a shelter here. Limited room reservations available, please call 301-891-7290 for more information.
  • The Community Center Game Room will be open for drop-ins from 7:00 – 9:00 pm on weekdays but with COVID-19 capacity limits.

COVID Prevention Reminders

COVID-19 safety protocols for City facilities are subject to change at any time by City Manager determination should there be updates to State or County health guidance.

For more information on reopening, including up-to-date information on department hours and any schedule changes, as well as COVID-related resources, we encourage you to check our COVID-19 Resource Page regularly.