Brooke's Briefing: Performance Oversight, PPE for Small Biz, Ward 2 Budget Meeting

Posted by
Tatiana Johnson
on
February 19, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

Earlier this month, the Council of the District of Columbia kicked off its annual Performance Oversight process. During this time, members of the Council invite public and government witnesses alike to share their experiences, observations, and ideas regarding the performance of a particular agency, board, or commission and the related government programs and initiatives. In the end, our goal is to build upon our strengths and identify growth points so that we can continue to provide the best service to residents. For a complete listing of Performance Oversight Hearings and participation instructions, please visit: www.dccouncilbudget.com/schedules.

Immediately following performance oversight, the Council will enter budget season and begin preparing the annual budget for Fiscal Year 2022 and the accompanying five-year financial plan. To ensure that I hear directly from YOU, I will host a Ward 2 Community Budget Meeting on Thursday, February 25, at 6:30 p.m. Registration and other information about the event can be found below in the announcements section.

In this newsletter, we will provide updates on the following:

In closing, please remember that our door is always open to assist you. If you need us, do not hesitate to reach out to us. You can submit your request for help at www.brookepintodc.com/help.

Yours in Service,

Brooke

COVID-19 Updates and Resources

On Wednesday, February 17, we shared our weekly COVID-19 update to provide information on:

To view that update, please click here.

On Monday, March 1st, the District will enter Phase 1C Tier 1 when District residents between 16 and 64 years old with qualifying medical conditions will become eligible to register for a vaccination appointment.

The COVID-19 vaccination portal was also launched this week! The portal provides various statistical breakouts on the number of persons partially and fully vaccinated in the District, our city’s vaccination supply, and other data related to our Wards and demographics. To view the dashboard, visit: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/data/vaccination. You can also view information concerning the different Phases and Tiers for vaccination at: https://tinyurl.com/y4q4vsx7.

In the Community

Councilmember Pinto During a Meet and Great with District of Columbia Building Association Board

Affordable Housing, Policing, and Sustainable Buildings: This month, Councilmember Pinto engaged in conversation about repairing community-police relationships through common-sense reform with the Institute for Criminal Justice Reform and met with the Board of the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) to discuss the future of sustainable buildings in the District.

 

Update on Gun Violence Prevention: Councilmember Pinto is pleased to share that Mayor Bowser has announced the establishment of a new gun violence prevention emergency operations center (EOC) and a $15 million investment in. The EOC will be staffed with top personnel from across the District Government and will be tasked with developing a long-term strategy to reduce gun violence in the District. You can watch the Mayor’ full announcement here and you can view accompanying slides here.

The District to Begin Search for New Chief Financial Officer: In case you missed it, the District’s Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt has submitted a resignation to the District Government and will take a position to be nearer to his newborn granddaughter. “I thank Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWitt for his years of service to the District. He's been a nuanced thought partner, consistent and steady problem solver, and a great leader for the agency and city. We'll miss him and look forward to welcoming a new CFO as we enter budget season,” said Councilmember Pinto.

Legislative Update

Councilmember Pinto During a Performance Oversight Hearing

Performance Oversight is Underway: Councilmember Pinto has attended several performance oversight hearings over the last few weeks. Check out these Twitter threads to see what she discovered and advocated for during that time:

For a complete listing of Performance Oversight Hearings and participation instructions, please visit: www.dccouncilbudget.com/schedules.

Saving DC’s Rental Housing Market: Councilmember Pinto was appointed to serve as a member of the Saving DC’s Rental Housing Market Strike Force, a group of 30 stakeholders established by Mayor Muriel Bowser and led by Polly Donaldson, the Director of the Department on Housing and Community Development, to advise the District government on “the current challenges and the post-pandemic future of DC's rental housing market- affordable, market-rate, and naturally occurring affordable units.”

As both a member of the Strike Force and of the Council Committee on Housing and Executive Administration, Councilmember Pinto wants to ensure that renters and housing providers negatively impacted by the pandemic will not suffer from an eviction crisis, that no affordable housing units will be lost during our economic recovery, and that long-term solutions are implemented. The Strike Force’s work will culminate in the issuance of a report of recommendations by mid-March. We will be sure to keep you updated.  

Announcements

Ward 2 Community Budget Meeting: Please join Team Pinto for the Ward 2 Community Budget Meeting. As we enter budget oversight and advocate on your behalf, it is imperative that we hear your ideas, priorities, and concerns regarding the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget and Financial Plan. We want to hear directly from you!

Please visit tinyurl.com/Ward2Budget2021 to register to attend.

Utility Payment Assistance Available for District Residents: The District of Columbia has extended coronavirus (COVID-19) moratoriums on utility shutoffs until April 15, 2021. This means utility bills are likely to be higher than average, but you can take action now monitor your energy usage and sign up for District government programs and initiatives that can help lower those costs. To learn more, visit: https://here2helpdc.dc.gov/.

Please pass the word along. We love our seniors and want them to be safe but connected. Thank you for supporting the YMCA Fit & Well Seniors Program.


To help keep seniors healthy and active during the pandemic, YMCA Fit & Well Seniors Program are offering free virtual fitness classes, wellness clinics, specialty programs, and other information programs to seniors in the District of Columbia ages 60 years old and older.

To view the February 2021 Class Schedule and stay current with their programming, register here.

Near Northwest III Safety & Mobility Study: The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is holding public workshops to discuss safety and mobility needs for those whoe live and work in Near Northwest. Be sure to join DDOT and participate in this virtual discussion on transportation safety, mobility, and access improvements around the neighborhood facilities that you need; workshops take place in English in Spanish.

The next meeting takes place on Tuesday, March 9. The English meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. and the Spanish meeting will take place at 7:00 p.m.

Register at: bit.ly/3qroqDDOT.

Rehabilitation of Massachusetts Avenue NW (from 20th Street NW to Waterside Drive NW): The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a public meeting on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 for a presentation on the Rehabilitation of Massachusetts Avenue NW project (from 20th Street to Waterside Drive). DDOT will present an overview of the project, the construction schedule, and what to expect during construction.


What: Rehabilitation of Massachusetts Avenue NW (from 20th Street NW to Waterside Drive NW) Virtual Meeting
When: Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
To view the virtual presentation: rebrand.ly/MassAveRehabFeb23
Dial-in option (audio only): 1-202-860-2110, Access code: 180 735 5732#

HumanitiesDC Search for New Executive Director: HumanitiesDC (HDC) has launched a national search for its next Executive Director (ED). HDC seeks an experienced executive to build upon a substantial record of past achievements. The ED will be a visionary and entrepreneurial leader responsible for setting new strategies to expand access to the humanities for all Washington, DC residents.

The community is invited to share candidate referrals and recommendations by emailing recruiting@good-insight.org.

AARP Foundation Offering Tax Preparation Services for DC Residents: Eligibile residents living in the District of Columbia can receive tax preparation assistance by the AARP Foundation. For more information, send a text message to or leave a voice message at 202-642-9037. You may also email the Tax-Aide Help Desk at DCTaxAide.Help@gmail.com.

For more information, watch this video provided by AARP's DC State Office at: https://www.facebook.com/aarpdc/videos/426417545355650.

Additional PPE for Small Businesses in the District Available: On Saturday, February 13, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a second round of PPE Distribution for DC Small Businesses. There will be two PPE distribution sites – Anacostia at Maple View Flats (2228 Martin Luther King Ave, SE) and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (enter on L St NW side of the building). In order to receive a PPE Care Package, businesses will need to complete the PPE Sign-Up Form below. Upon completion of the PPE Sign-Up Form, the business owner will receive confirmation and instructions for pick-up (delivery is not available). To learn more, visit: coronavirus.dc.gov.

Sign-Up Form for Businesses in Ward 1 - 6: https://downtowndc-ppe-distribution.eventbrite.com/

Sign-Up Form for Businesses in Ward 7 & 8: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/anacostia-business-ppe-distribution-event-tickets-141396517791

Distribution centers will open:

Please bring your own box to carry supplies. The PPE Care Packages are being provided by the District Government and are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Events DC Community Grant Program: Events DC is hosting three information sessions about their Community Grant Program. This grant can be used towards any projects that support youth-focused sports, performing or cultural arts in the District of Columbia. Click here for to learn more about eligibility and other information. Applications for this grant are due no later than March 1st.

Listed below are the dates and times of the information sessions.

Education Updates: The lottery application for DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public Charter Schools is now open. Visit https://www.myschooldc.org/ to learn more about schools and submit your application.

DCPS also continues to provide updates on CARES Classrooms and reopening, you can find this information at https://dcpsreopenstrong.com/.

HomeSaver Foreclosure Prevention Program Relaunched: In an effort to further support District residents during the coronavirus pandemic, the District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) is reopening the HomeSaver foreclosure prevention program. Through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) the Agency has approximately $4 million available to relaunch the HomeSaver program. The funds will be used to aid eligible D.C. homeowners that have fallen behind on their mortgage payments due to unemployment, underemployment or have endured a financial hardship of which a lump sum payment will make the homeowner’s expense current.

The HomeSaver Program is made up of two components:

Unemployment and Underemployment Assistance will provide assistance to currently unemployed and underemployed homeowners through a one-time payment of up to 16 months of mortgage and/or condo fee delinquency in order to bring the mortgage current.

Restore Assistance will be available for homeowners who have suffered a financial hardship and who need a lump sum payment to catch up on arrears, but who have sufficient resources to continue making their regular payments going forward.

Homeowners interested in applying must first complete an intake package and have it approved by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved housing counseling agency and then forwarded to the HomeSaver Program staff at DCHFA for final approval.

Visit DCHFA.org for complete program details and HomeSaverDC.org to submit an application.

New Metro Escalators!: The Washington Metroplitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro announced a new contract replacing 130 escalators in 32 metro stations over the next ten years. The project is part of Metro’s commitment to provide customers with safe, reliable transportation by investing in infrastructure, maintenance and station improvements. For more information about the project and the specific Metro stations, check out their website here.  

DC Water Announces Clean Rivers Project: DC Waters Clean River project is set to start construction in Spring 2021 for the Combined Sewer Overflow and Sewer Separation project. The Clean Rivers Project is aimed at reducing the volume of combined sanitary and storm sewer overflows to the Potomac River to improve water quality and meet Consent Decree requirements. Specific details regarding schedule and impacts will be provided at a Pre-Construction Community Meeting which is anticipated to occur in March 2021 and will be announced once scheduled.  

#TakeoutTuesday Supporting Local Eateries: One of the best ways to support local restaurants right now is to order takeout, and neighbors in Georgetown have introduced #TakeoutTuesday to encourage to do just that. Each week, two restaurants offering special deals are highlighted.

To learn more about this initiative, visit the #TakeoutTuesday page on the Georgetown Main Streets website here.

Do you have an idea to help businesses in your neighborhood? Let us know!

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