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, Public Notices

Montgomery County Tax Sale

*UPDATE*: As of May 24, the real property taxes and charges owed by the Washington-McLaughlin property owner have been paid and  the property has been removed from the Montgomery County Tax Sale. Information on the entity which made the tax payment is not public. The City will be receiving the taxes owed for Levy Years 2012-2016 (about $28,000).

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The Montgomery County Department of Finance has posted information about the upcoming annual Tax Sale for Real Property, which will take place on June 12, 2017. The process and requirements are available on the County’s tax sale website. The list of tax sale properties, which was made publicly available on May 18, includes the Washington-McLaughlin School at 6501 Poplar Avenue, a property of particular interest to the community.

A “tax sale” is a sale of the tax lien on a property, not of the property itself. The property owner, or other person having an estate or interest in the property, can redeem the property tax lien at any time until the “right of redemption” is foreclosed by an order of the Circuit Court. During the redemption period, the property owner has the right to continue to possess or occupy the property and to exercise all rights of ownership until the right of redemption is finally foreclosed by an order of the Circuit Court.

For the first four months after the date of the tax sale, properties can be redeemed without payment of the expenses or legal fees of the tax sale certificate holder (the purchaser of the tax lien at the tax sale). After the expiration of six months from the date of the tax sale, the tax sale certificate holder can file a complaint in the Circuit Court to foreclose all rights of redemption in the property sold at the tax sale. If the court enters a final judgment foreclosing the right of redemption of the property, then title to the property will pass to the tax sale certificate holder. However, the property owner or other person having an estate or interest in the property can redeem the property by paying the delinquent taxes and all other charges –including interest, expenses, and legal fees –to the tax sale purchaser, at any time before the final judgment foreclosing the right of redemption is entered by the Circuit Court. This is when the tax sale purchaser will have to pay the balance of the tax sale purchase price, together with taxes and charges accruing subsequent to the tax sale. If an action to foreclose the right of redemption is not filed within two years after the date of the tax sale, then the tax sale certificate is void.

The Washington-McLaughlin property is currently zoned R-60. Generally, R-60 zoning is for moderate density residential uses. The predominant use in an R-60 zone is residential detached houses.

City Code Chapter 6.32, Tenant Opportunity to Purchase, and County Code, Chapter 53A, Tenant Displacement, apply only to sales or transfers of legal or equitable ownership of rental housing. Because the tax sale is not a sale of the property, but rather a sale of the tax lien on the property, neither would regulation would apply for properties listed in the tax sale.

Public Notices

Public Hearing on Proposed Charter Amendment “Nominations and Elections” – Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Wednesday, April 26, 2017
7:30 PM
Community Center Auditorium

Pursuant to Section 502(c) of the Takoma Park Charter, the Council of the City of Takoma Park will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Charter titled “Nominations and Elections.”

As proposed, the amendment would (1) change the date of City Elections from odd numbered years to even numbered years; (2) set the term for the Mayor and City Council elected in 2017 to one year; (3) change the date of the nominating meeting to the second Tuesday after Labor Day in an election year; (4) extend the time for the Board of Elections to certify election results; and (5) change the day on which the newly elected Mayor and Councilmembers take office.

The hearing will take place in the Auditorium, Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at 7:30 PM.

All interested persons should attend the public hearing and sign up to speak. Written comments may be submitted to the City Clerk, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912; or clerk@takomaparkmd.gov. The full text of the proposed amendment is available on the Election Date Change page of the Project Directory.

Attest: Jessie Carpenter, CMC
City Clerk

Public Notices

Public Hearings on the FY 2018 Tax Rate and Proposed Budget – Wednesday, April 26, 2017

CITY OF TAKOMA PARK NOTICE OF A PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The City Council of the City of Takoma Park proposes to increase real property taxes.

1. For the tax year beginning July 1, 2017, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 5.9%, from $2,120,994,549 to $2,246,294,286.

2. If the City of Takoma Park maintains the current tax rate of $0.5675 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 5.9% resulting in $711,076 of new real property tax revenues.

3. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.5358, the constant yield tax rate.

4. The City of Takoma Park is considering not reducing its real property tax rate enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The City of Takoma Park proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of $0.56 per $100 of assessment. This tax rate is 4.5% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $542,604 in additional property tax revenues.

A public hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase will be held at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, April 26 at the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland.

The hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged.

Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call 301-891-7267 for further information.

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CITY MANAGER’S PROPOSED FY 2018 BUDGET

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the City Manager’s Proposed FY 2018 Budget. The Proposed Budget is available for review online.

The hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 26, immediately after the  7:30 PM hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase.

All interested persons should attend the hearing and sign up to speak. Comments may also be sent to clerk@takomaparkmd.gov.

Attest: Jessie Carpenter, CMC
City Clerk

Public Notices

9th Annual Takoma Park Safe Routes to School 5k Challenge 

It’s time to lace up those sneakers and start training for the 9th Annual Takoma Park Safe Routes to School 5k Challenge! Registration is now open.

Join us Sunday, May 7, 2017 for this exciting day of exercise and community spirit. The fun begins with the 5k Run/Walk at 8:00 a.m. in front of the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Started in 2009 as a way to spread the word about the Takoma Park Safe Routes to School program, which promotes pedestrian and bicycle safety, the race also has proved to be a great way to get kids and families active. In addition to encouraging safety and exercise, the program seeks to reduce traffic congestion and emissions around schools by getting people out of their vehicles and onto their feet.

Money raised from the race supports the PTA at five schools in the City of Takoma Park: Piney Branch Elementary, Takoma Park Elementary, East Silver Spring Elementary, Rolling Terrace Elementary and Takoma Park Middle School. Students enjoy recess equipment, before and after school activities, healthy snacks at PTA events and the overall benefit of a school wellness committee.

This family friendly race is open to all ages and abilities. Participants can run or walk a ¼ mile, 1 mile or 5K (3.2 miles). For more information and to register, visit: www.tkpk5k.com

Public Notices

Budget Open House

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The Manager’s Recommended Budget will be presented to Council on Wednesday, April 5th. In order to give residents and other stakeholders an opportunity to inquire about specifics ahead of the Budget Public Hearings and Work Sessions, we will be holding a Budget Open House the evening following the presentation of the Recommended Budget.

Department Heads and other staff will be present to answer questions from the public. The event will be somewhat informal, and guests are welcome to drop-in and leave anytime between 7:00-9:00 p.m. once their questions have been addressed.

  • Where: Community Center, Azalea Room
  • When: Thursday, April 6th from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Budget Timeline:

April 5 – City Manager presents proposed budget to Council
April 6 – Open House on Budget, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
April 12 – Budget Public Hearing
April 17 – 1st Budget Work Session
April 24 – 2nd Budget Work Session
May 1 – 3rd Budget Work Session
May 3 – Final budget reconciliation
May 10 – 1st Reading Budget Ordinances
May 17 – 2nd Reading Budget Ordinances

Public Notices

Public Hearing on Proposed Charter Amendment “Nominations and Elections”

Wednesday, April 5, 2017
7:30 PM
Community Center Auditorium

Pursuant to Section 502(c) of the Takoma Park Charter, the Council of the City of Takoma Park will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Charter titled “Nominations and Elections.”

As proposed, the amendment would (1) change the date of City Elections from odd numbered years to even numbered years; (2) set the term for the Mayor and City Council elected in 2017 to one year; (3) change the date of the nominating meeting to the second Tuesday after Labor Day in an election year; (4) extend the time for the Board of Elections to certify election results; and (5) change the day on which the newly elected Mayor and Councilmembers take office.

The hearing will take place in the Auditorium, Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912, on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at 7:30 PM.

All interested persons should attend the public hearing and sign up to speak. Written comments may be submitted to the City Clerk, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912; or clerk@takomaparkmd.gov. The full text of the proposed amendment is available on the Election Date Change page of the Project Directory.

Attest: Jessie Carpenter, CMC
City Clerk

News, Public Notices

“Press Releash:” Takoma Park Dog Park Opening

The City of Takoma Park is excited to announce the opening of the Takoma Park Dog Park on Sunday, April 2 at 1:30 p.m.

We invite residents and their four-legged furry friends to join Mayor Kate Stewart and Councilmember Terry Seamens to the grand opening event. Special thanks to Takoma Dogs who the City has worked with closely throughout the location selection and design process.

The Dog Park is located at the end of Darwin Avenue just above Takoma-Piney Branch Park.

News, Public Notices

Takoma Park City Manager Accepts Police Chief’s Resignation

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Today Takoma Park City Manager Suzanne Ludlow accepted the resignation of Police Chief Alan Goldberg for personal reasons. Goldberg began working for the City of Takoma Park in October 2012 after retiring from a long career with the Montgomery County Police Department. He has served a total of 39 years in law enforcement.

Ludlow noted that, during Chief Goldberg’s tenure, many improvements were made in the Takoma Park Police Department, particularly concerning crime analysis and sharing information with the public. The recently presented Annual Report of the Police Department for 2016 showed the lowest level of crime in many years in most categories. Ludlow also noted the positive reception to Chief Goldberg’s public statement after the recent Presidential election concerning the role of local police in immigration matters. Takoma Park is a Sanctuary City.

Ludlow will be conducting a national search for a new chief for the City of Takoma Park. In the interim, the three captains in the Police Department, Captain Dan Frishkorn, Captain Tyrone Collington and Captain Richard Bowers, will rotate Acting Chief responsibilities, beginning with Captain Frishkorn. The Department remains committed to excellence and will continue to protect the public safety of all residents, regardless of background.

The City of Takoma Park has a council/manager form of government in which the council establishes policies and hires a city manager to oversee day to day operations, including hiring of staff. The Takoma Park Police Department is a full service police department, with 42 sworn officers and 30 civilian employees. After consulting with Council, staff and community members on desired characteristics of a new Police Chief, a job announcement for the position will be posted.

For questions or more information please contact Jeremy Dickey, Media Specialist at 301-891-7236 or jeremyd@takomaparkmd.gov.

Public Notices

Takoma Junction Community Consultation

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Neighborhood Development Company (NDC) in partnership with the City of Takoma Park will be hosting four community meetings in February and March to seek input and share information about the proposed project, located at the intersection of Ethan Allen and Carroll Avenue.

Public meetings will be held to solicit community input on specific design elements for the Takoma Junction redevelopment project. The two meetings will be identical in content and opportunity for feedback. Choose the option that works best for your schedule.

Meeting Times:

The first set of meetings will look at the topics of form and character with market and retail ideas:

  • Thursday, February 23, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Fire station meeting room, 7201 Carroll Avenue
  • Sunday, February 26, 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Azalea Room, Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue

The second set of meetings will look at public realm and access and mobility:

  • Thursday, March 9, 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Azalea Room, Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue
  • Sunday, March 12, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Fire Station meeting room, 7201 Carroll Avenue

Purpose of the Meetings:

  • Learn more about the project, including details about the site, program elements, potential accesspoints, and retail concept.
  • Provide feedback on NDC’s concept and give input on selected aspects of the project including material, character, scale, and public realm integration.If you plan to attend please call (301) 891-7119. RSVPs would be appreciated but are not required.