John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 506

Washington, DC 20004

(202) 724-8028

The Ward 5 Report September 26, 2014

Ward 5 Highlights

Councilmember McDuffie meeting with the DC Adult and Family Literacy Coalition for the 2nd Annual Adult and Family Literacy Advocacy Day.

Letter from Councilmember McDuffie

Dear Ward 5,

I hope you had a wonderful summer.

Since returning from the Council's recess, our office has hit the ground running. We began holding agency performance hearings, including one for the Board of Elections' preparedness for the upcoming General Election, which will take place on November 4. In addition, we introduced and marked-up several bills this past Tuesday that will enhance the quality of life for residents across Ward 5 and the District of Columbia. Our community calendar continues to fill up with exciting events in the Ward, such as tomorrow's Dwight A. Mosley Sports Complex Day of Service and ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovated field and playground. All of these items and more are highlighted in this edition of the Ward 5 Report.

We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and look forward to engaging you this coming Fall.

In Service,

Kenyan

Legislative & Committee Updates

On Tuesday September 23, 2014, the Council held its first Committee of the Whole and Legislative Meeting since the end of recess. Two of the Councilmember's bills were approved by the Committee of the Whole, and will now go to the full Council for two votes.

The “Solid Waste Facility Permit Amendment Act of 2014”, which was originally referred to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, was approved, moving it to the October 7, 2014, Legislative Meeting for its first vote. The bill is critical, especially to Ward 5, because if enacted, it will require the Department of the Environment and the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs to conduct quarterly inspections of each facility to ensure that solid waste is properly processed, enclosed, and disposed of, and that nuisance odors are eliminated. To reduce the impact of the facilities on the surrounding neighborhoods, the bill would also require facilities to close at 7:00 p.m., rather than 10:00 p.m., and would provide for public meetings and enhanced public comment periods on permit renewal applications.

The “Disposition of Land for Affordable Housing Amendment Act of 2013”, which was originally referred to the Committee on Economic Development was also approved. If enacted, the bill will require affordable housing set-asides whenever District-owned land is sold or leased for private multi-family residential development consisting of 10 or more units. Specifically, at least 30% of the new units must be affordable if the property is near a Metro station, major bus route, or streetcar line. All other developments using public land would be required to include a 20% affordable unit set-aside. Moreover, the guidelines set forth in the bill are designed to create mixed income buildings. For rental properties, the affordable units must accommodate two categories of residents: those earning up to 30% AMI and those earning up to 50% AMI. Ownership units would also be divided to produce mixed income residences, with a set-aside for those earning up to 50% AMI, and another set-aside for residents earning up to 80% AMI.

Councilmember McDuffie also introduced two new pieces of legislation. In an effort to address the injustice of schools using offensive racially-based mascots, McDuffie introduced the “Human Rights educational institutions Fairness Amendment Act of 2014”. The bill would prohibit the use of race-based nicknames, logos, mascots, and team names by any Educational Institution in the District. An exception would be available for any school that can demonstrate that a federally recognized Native American tribe has permitted the use of the name, mascot or logo.

As a former trial attorney for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, Councilmember McDuffie feels strongly that not only should we advocate for our Washington Football team to change its name, but we must also do everything we can to ensure that our children are not de-sensitized to the injustices suffered by indigenous and minority populations.

Finally, Councilmember McDuffie introduced the “Manufacturer Tasting Permit Second Amendment Act of 2014”. This measure was drafted to allow liquor and wine distillers to offer their products for consumption on premises. This measure harmonizes the rules that apply to liquor and wine manufacturers with those that apply to beer breweries, and should provide an economic boost to Ward 5, which is home to a number of distilleries that have adaptively re-used industrial land in the Ward.

Upcoming Committee on Government Operations Hearings

The Committee on Government Operations’ upcoming hearing schedule is as follows:

September 30, 2014

John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW)

Room 412

11:00 AM

Public Hearing on:

B20-471 the “Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Transparency Amendment Act of 2013”

B20-660 the “Transparency of Boards, Commissions, and Task Forces Act of 2014”

Public Oversight Hearing on:

The Office of the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and whether District Agencies are sufficiently responsive to Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners

October 6, 2014

John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW)

Room 412

11:00 AM

Public Hearing on:

B20-0413, the “Residency Requirement for Government Employees Amendment Act of 2013.”;

B20-0855, the “Executive Service Compensation System Changes and Pay Schedule Approval Amendment Act of 2014”; and,

PR20-0895, the “Excepted Service Public Safety Compensation System Changes Approval Resolution of 2014.”

On Monday, September 22, Councilmember McDuffie participated in a tour with Grid Alternatives, a non-profit organization that implements solar power and energy efficiency initiatives for low-income families. Grid Alternatives, in partnership with Sasha Bruce, Habitat for Humanity, and the District Department of Environment, completed ten installations in Ward 5's Ivy City this week.

Announcements

OTR Mails Eligibility Letters to Property Owners Who May Qualify for the 50% Senior Citizen Property Tax Benefit

The District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) announced today that it has begun mailing more than 800 notices to senior property owners who may qualify for the Senior Citizen/Disabled Property Tax Relief. The benefit provides qualified property owners with a 50 percent discount on their real property taxes.

To qualify for the credit, property owners must:

1. Be age 65 or over

2. Own 50 percent or more of their residence

3. Have less than $125,000 in household federal adjusted gross income

4. Legally reside in the District of Columbia

To have the benefit applied as a credit to 2014 second half real property taxes, a completed application must be submitted to OTR on or before September 30, 2014.

Income qualification is controlled by the income tax return filed for the year prior to the beginning of the real property tax year in question. Therefore, income reported on a taxpayer’s 2012 income tax return controls entitlement for the 2013-2014 real property tax year and income reported on a taxpayer’s 2013 income tax return controls entitlement to the 2014-2015 real property tax year.

To obtain an application or additional information about the tax relief visit OTR’s website at www.taxpayerservicecenter.com under “Real Property Tax” or call OTR’s Customer Service Administration at (202) 727-4TAX (4829).

It Takes a District: Tools and Tips for Families to Prevent Bullying

WHAT: Join the D.C. Office of Human Rights and the Mayor’s Youth

Bullying Prevention Task Force to understand the important role that families play in bullying prevention!

WHEN: Saturday, October 18, 2014

9:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

WHERE: Turkey Thicket Recreational Center

1100 Michigan Avenue, N.E.

Washington, DC 20017

For more information, visit http://ohr.dc.gov/event/it-takes-district-tools-and-tips-families-prevent-bullying.

DDOT’s Office of Civil Rights to Host "Doing Business with DDOT" Information and Networking Session, Featuring STV

Open to all DDOT/WMATA- Certified DBE Firms and Other Small Business Enterprises

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT)’s Disadvantaged Business Supportive Services Program (DBE/SS) will host a Doing Business with STV Information and Networking Session on Thursday, October 2, 2014. The networking event is free and is open to all DDOT/WMATA-certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, as well as other small business enterprises.

Engineers and project managers from STV will provide an overview of business opportunities in planning, civil design, environmental design, and program and construction management projects. Key topics include how to successfully secure subcontracting opportunities with STV, pre-qualification requirements and points of contact. STV is an award-winning professional firm that offers engineering, architectural, planning, environmental and construction management services.

What: "Doing Business with DDOT" Information and Networking Session, Featuring STV

When: Thursday, October 2, 2014, 2 pm - 4 pm

Where: DDOT Headquarters 55 M Street, SE, Suite 439A/B Washington, DC 20003

Online Registration (required) by September 26, 2014:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/doing-business-with-ddot-featuring-stv-registration-12958779057

For more information, please contact Mike Licht at mike.licht@dc.gov or call (202) 645-8626.

Free Wi-Fi Available at Select DC DMV Locations

The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV) is providing customers with free Wi-Fi at nearly all of its locations.

While customers are waiting to conduct their DC DMV transaction, they can use their devices to access the Internet. The free Wi-Fi is available at all DC DMV locations, except the CDL Road Test Lot.

· Adjudication Services

· Georgetown Service Center

· Rhode Island Service Center

· Penn Branch Service Center

· Southwest Service Center

· Brentwood Road Test Office

· Inspection Station

Customers are encouraged to use online and mail services to conduct their DC DMV transaction, enabling them to “Skip the Trip.” The following services are available online at www.dmv.dc.gov:

· Renew vehicle registration (can only be done online or by mail; no in-person visit)

· Obtain duplicate vehicle registration

· Renew driver license

· Obtain duplicate driver license

· Renew identification card

· Surrender tags

· Obtain driver record

DC DMV has more than 40 online services, enabling customers to “skip the in-person trip.”

DGS Exceptional Women In Business - Outreach Event

DGS hosted an outreach event for the end of the 2014 fiscal year. The event provided a day of information, networking and a preview of upcoming contract opportunities.

DGS also highlighted the achievements of women business owners who have overcome institutional barriers and are competing successfully in non-traditional fields. Congratulations to the following Ward 5 companies, which were awarded contracts:

1. ANR Construction Management received three contracts each worth

$100,000 (Contrats were for Flooring Supplies & Installation Services, Plumbing Services, & Repair and Installation Services).

2. Ideal Electric Supply for Electrical Supplies

3. Absolute Solutions and Associates recieved two contracts each worth $100,000 (both for Janitorial Services)

Each fiscal year, DGS has a goal of hosting four local business and CBE outreach events to promote contract opportunities and provide professional development sessions. These events provide a platform for local businesses to learn more about DGS, hear about upcoming contract opportunities and network with DGS staff.

Ward 5 Events

Councilmember McDuffie, or a member of his staff, will attend the following events:

Art All Night: Nuit Blanche DC

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) is excited to host DC’s annual art festival, Art All Night: Nuit Blanche DC, on Saturday, September 27, 2014.

Below is a list of events taking place along North Capitol Street:

15 Florida Ave. NW

7 p.m. – 3 a.m. This outdoor lot will house graffiti art, musical performances, and art both static and performance-based. The space will also feature fiery hula routines and food trucks.

“Green Lot” at Florida and Q St. NW

7 p.m. – 3 a.m.You guessed it: More DJs, alongside visual-arts performances and projected video art, like Amy Cannestra’s “Loss, Liberation, or Objectification.”

“Fairy Garden” at 1518 North Capitol St. NW

7 p.m. – 3 a.m.

This space will include a commissioned graffiti mural by Seb Reani, body art, a sculpture and light installation, and more video art.

22nd Annual Community Improvement Day and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Dwight A. Mosley Sports Complex

Please join Councilmember McDuffie, Mayor Vincent C. Gray, representatives from the Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of General Services, and the DC Building Industry Association for DCBIA's 22nd Annual Community Improvement Day.

Following the morning of volunteer service, a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place for the renovated Dwight A. Mosley Sports Complex.

For more information, please visit http://www.kenyanmcduffie.com or contact our office at (202) 724-8028. Follow Councilmember McDuffie at twitter.com/CM_McDuffie and/or facebook.com/KenyanRMcDuffie.