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.

Proposed Changes to Stormwater Utility Fee Structure

 

Click here to Access the Interactive Map

A letter was sent to owners of single-family residential properties in the City to inform them of discussions to be held this month by the City Council on changing the stormwater fee from a flat rate to a tiered rate based on the impervious surface area. The total amount of revenue from the combined residential and commercial stormwater fee remains the same – about $700,000 – but is more equitably charged among the properties.

A presentation will be given to Council on February 10 and a public hearing held on February 24. After that, more site-specific information may be sent to individual property owners based on the Council discussion. Please watch the presentation on February 10 and contact Daryl Braithwaite at DarylB@takomaparkmd.gov with any questions.

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:

Note from City Manager on Pending Winter Storm

 

Dear Residents,

As the region prepares for a winter storm to arrive overnight tonight, the City of Takoma Park staff are getting things ready to clear snow and share information.

As of right now, here’s the plan.

We are watching the forecasts to determine when crews will be called in overnight. A road clearing shift includes five trucks and drivers, a mechanic, and two other staff to handle other equipment. We generally schedule 12 hours shifts but we will keep a watch on what is needed and adjust as necessary.

The same people who collect trash, recycling and yard waste, and do road repair and park maintenance are the staff who drive the snowplows and clear sidewalks at City facilities. For that reason, there may be changes in collection schedules.

Snow looks to continue through Sunday and perhaps into Monday. For that reason, there will be no yard waste collection on Monday.

With Sunday being a snowy, difficult day to travel, check today to make sure you have what you need to stay at home, and please check on any elderly neighbors or others who may need extra help.

As the winter weather comes in, call our Police Department at 301-270-1100 if you see dangerous conditions, such as a slippery street, so that our Public Works crews can address it. If you see an emergency situation, though, call 9-1-1.

As soon as it is safe to do so, please begin shoveling sidewalks so that people can get to stores, the doctor’s office or pick up food from a neighborhood restaurant. Our City regulations call for clearing snow by noon if the snow has stopped falling overnight, or by 9 pm if it stops falling during the day.

Please help neighbors with clearing sidewalks and driveways. Some will be helped through the Snow Angel program, but some young people may be in a remote school on Monday and not be as able to help.

Some of the friendliest times in a community are when lots of folks are out shoveling, clearing off cars and playing in the snow. Make a party of it!

How should you stay connected for information during the next few days?

Keeping up to date on the information will help keep you safe.

One of my greatest pleasures is to work with City staff when responding to weather emergencies. Our Public Works staff know how to prepare, which streets become slippery first, where the speed humps and bump outs are, and how to fix the equipment on the spot when repairs are needed. Our communications and emergency management staff have messages prepared,  as well as safety tips and background information. Our police staff knows how to coordinate on calls for service. And, our Public Works Director, Daryl Braithwaite, knows her stuff. We’ve got this.

Stay safe!

 

Police Chief’s Update on Security Preparedness

 

Over the last week, members of the city’s leadership and I have sent several messages regarding response to the unrest at the Capitol and security planning for the upcoming Presidential Inauguration. As I stated previously, there continue to be no direct threats to Takoma Park. Today we are in an all hands on deck posture, so you are going to see a high visibility presence in the city. The patrols will be in marked vehicles, unmarked vehicles, on foot, and other means. Special patrols are being conducted in our business districts and high profile sites in the city. Through this time and on Inauguration Day, an all hands on deck posture will be in place.

Our staff are on daily intelligence conference calls with our local, regional, and national law enforcement partners. Intelligence is being monitored in real-time.

We ask that all of our residents respect the orders put in place by officials in the District of Columbia and avoid all travel into the city. We also continue to ask that you all serve as our eyes and ears. If you see something suspicious, contact our dispatch center at 301.270.1100, or 911. Rest assured, we are doing all we can to provide security in Takoma Park and keep our city safe and secure.

We will continue to provide updates to the community throughout the week.

Update: Books-to-Go Service Expanding

 

 

When:
  • Starting Monday, January 4, 2021
Pick-up Times:
  • Monday-Friday: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Residents can place book orders in two different ways:

Email Request (Strongly Preferred)

Email: librarytakomapark@gmail.com

  • The subject line: should include your name (even if it is part of your email address), the type of books you want (A for adult
    books, J for children’s/teen books), and either the last four digits of your library card or the month and day of your birthday.
  •  In the body of the email:  list the books you are requesting. It will help us to help you if you first search our online catalog, and provide us with the title, and call number (not the barcode). Also, please make sure it is available. If it is a fiction work, please use what we have in the catalog. For instance, the call number for Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is FIC SALINGER. For a non-fiction book, such as Birds of Eastern North America by Paul Sterry, the call number is 598.097 STERRY.
  • We will reply when we have fulfilled your request, and let you know when you may to pick up your books. Incomplete information will delay the process.

Phone Requests

To request books by phone, call 240- 507-0229 between 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

  •  We will ask you for your name and the last four digits of your library card number or the month and day of your birthday.
  • When you give us the titles of the books you want, please give us the author and call number as well (if you are using the catalog).

Pick-up Procedures

When you arrive for pick-up, please call 301-580-0085. We’ll bring out your books and leave them on a table for you to pick up.

 

SNAPSHOT: New COVID-19 Assistance Programs

 

Snap-Up Food Benefits

You can apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps) For more  SNAP information:  click here

Recertification periods due March 31st, 2021

Apply online:
https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/dashboardClient/#/home

Montgomery County Dept of Health and Human  Services Centers

  • Montgomery County DHHS – Silver Spring Center
    240-777-3100
  • Montgomery County DHHS – TESS Center
    240-773-8260
  • Maryland Hunger Solutions
    1-866-821-5552

 

Free Tax Prep

The Community Action Agency’s Volunteer  Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is currently using a virtual tax preparation model during the COVID-19  emergency. Virtual VITA allows residents to use an online platform to securely upload their tax documents and have their taxes prepared for free by a certified tax preparer. The VITA program is scheduling virtual appointments now for the prior year (2018) amended taxes, as well as 2019 taxes.

VITA provides free filing services for federal and state taxes. They also help with completing taxes for individuals with Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN).

Qualifications: Montgomery County residents with household incomes of $57,000 or less

Call to register: 240-777-1123 to schedule an appointment.

 

 

The City of Takoma Park reminds you:

Police Chief’s Message on Security in Takoma Park in the upcoming weeks

 

As I mentioned in my message last week, we all were shocked and horrified to see the images of rioters violently breaching the Capitol building on January 6th. The Takoma Park Police immediately implemented security protocols, secured high profile sites in the city, and coordinated with our law enforcement partners across the region to provide mutual aid. At this time, I wish to reiterate that there are no active threats against the City of Takoma Park.

As we move forward during the next few weeks, we are implementing several security protocols. This involves a heightened level of alertness, communicating with our regional law enforcement partners, and monitoring intelligence related to the region and Takoma Park.

On specific days in and around the Presidential Inauguration, we will be on an “all hands on deck” patrol posture. This means all Takoma Park Officers will be actively conducting high-level uniform patrols in all areas of the city. The police presence will be noticeable and that is purposeful. There are other security protocols being put in place that we will not share publicly for obvious reasons.

I know there are a few groups who may want to conduct active patrols of the city. I would discourage this. We are amply prepared to keep our city safe. What we ask of our residents is that they continue to be our eyes and ears and report any suspicious activity to the police department. I assure you we will actively investigate all reports. Please note, however, that the display of symbols or signs is not on its own an indication of unlawful action. I want to reiterate that there are no active threats against the City of Takoma Park. That being said, we will continue to be fully prepared should any incident occur in the city.

During the next few weeks, the police department and the city government will be sending out frequent communications to update residents. This is important, as we want all residents to be fully informed.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns. We will get through these challenging times together and with the strength of our wonderful, welcoming, and inclusive community.

Chief DeVaul email:  tonyd@takomaparkmd.gov

Sustainability and Climate Action Plan 2021-2022 Zoom Mtg: Thursday, Jan 14, 5pm – Register in Advance

 

What does the Montgomery County Climate Action Plan mean for Takoma Park? What role do municipalities play in the County plan? How will we get there? 

 

The City of Takoma Park has demonstrated a long-term commitment to sustainability and acknowledges that communities around the world are in the midst of a climate-related emergency. Takoma Park has played an active role in combating climate change. However, this is just a start. The development of a Sustainability and Climate Action Plan represents Takoma Park’s next stage of planning, placing an emphasis on social equity and resilience.

Join the  discussion:
  • Mayor Kate Stewart, City of Takoma Park
  • Adriana Hochberg, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer & Climate Change Coordinator with Montgomery County

When: Thursday, January 14, 2021
Time: 5:00 pm (Est)

You must register in advance:
Zoom Link

This meeting will be moderated by Takoma Park Sustainability Manager Gina Mathias and Takoma Park Mobilization Environment Committee.

 

Share your ideas about how Takoma Park and Montgomery County can work together to implement the Montgomery County Climate Action Plan and Takoma Park’s Climate Emergency Response Framework.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you have questions or need assistance please email: GinaM@takomaparkmd.gov

 

Message from the Police Chief regarding incidents in DC and Security in Takoma Park

 

We all were shocked and horrified to see the images of rioters violently breaching the Capitol building yesterday. While there were and are no direct threats to the City of Takoma Park, our agency immediately implemented security protocols. This involved increasing our staffing, securing high profile sites in the City, and coordinating with our law enforcement partners across the region to provide mutual aid.

We implemented a high-profile police presence in the city to deter any events in Takoma Park. We will continue our heightened level of alertness, communicate with our regional law enforcement partners, and monitor intelligence.

I know many are shocked and scared by the events in the District of Columbia yesterday and the possibility of our city becoming the target of certain groups. I want to be clear there are no active threats against the City of Takoma Park. That being said, the Takoma Park Police Department is prepared for any event that may occur in our beautiful city. We have operational plans in place and have Memorandums of Understanding with our law enforcement partners should any event occur in Takoma Park.

We are here to protect all residents equally and with dignity and respect.