May 30, 2024

Dear neighbor,

The FY25 budget process has been a challenging one. Slowing growth in revenues and increased growth in costs has forced city leaders to confront hard choices. 

The budget Mayor Bowser presented to the Council in April emphasized long-term prosperity, through aggressive investments to remake Downtown, and accountability, by strengthening MPD and public safety programs. In the process, she raised revenues by around $1.5 billion. I agree with both those priorities and the steps she took to fund them. Unfortunately, though, her budget left the social safety net underfunded and fell short in creating opportunity for all District residents.

Yesterday, the Council took the first vote on a revised version of the budget, following two months of intensive agency hearings, committee mark-ups, and program and spending analysis. I am grateful to Chairman Mendelson, committee chairs, and my Council colleagues for their collaboration as we worked together to narrow the critical gaps in the budget we initially received. We did this both by identifying areas for greater efficiencies and by increasing revenue in a targeted, fiscally responsible manner. As a result, the budget that passed on first reading:

• Restored funding for the Pay Equity Fund that supports early childhood educators and the programs on which our families rely;
• Reversed widespread and sometimes dramatic cuts to school budgets, as well as addressed the specific funding needs identified by schools within the Jackson-Reed and MacArthur high schools feeder patterns;
• Protected the local renewable energy credit market that is so important to our efforts to combat climate change;
• Restored funding to maintain green infrastructure, which had faced deep cuts and threatened to squander many millions of dollars in investment that if not maintained would lose utility;
• Increased funding for the Earned Income Tax Credit and created a new Child Tax Credit, both of which will put dollars in the hands of families in need;
• Restored critical Access to Justice programs;
• Balanced the emphasis on Downtown with investments in the city’s broader small business ecosystem through lowering the tax burden on some small businesses and increasing funding for Main Street programs in all eight wards; and
• Made some progress in funding Permanent Supportive Housing and the Local Rent Supplement Program, which were grossly underfunded in the budget the Council received.

Between now and the second vote on the budget, my colleagues and I will continue to scrutinize the budget for what still needs to be addressed and how to fund those pieces. In particular, I will be taking another look at the remaining cuts made to DC Public Schools Central Office and if they can be absorbed without harming schools, whether the investments in the Pay Equity Fund and Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP) are sufficient to keep both programs whole, if we can make more progress on housing programs, and whether funding for the Green Bank and green infrastructure maintenance is sufficient.

The second vote on the budget will take place the week of June 11. Following its passage, I look forward to providing you with a deeper analysis of the budget and its impact on Ward 3 in my next newsletter.

Best,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

At the first reading of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act, the Chairman did not include language about the Connecticut Avenue Multimodal Safety project in a subtitle proposed by the Committee on Transportation and the Environment. There had been some understandable confusion about the potential impact of the subtitle. A draft version circulated prior to the mark up of the committee's report had been misinterpreted to suggest that no aspect of a project could proceed on Connecticut Avenue north of Calvert Street unless it included bike lanes. At my request, the subtitle was revised to clarify that DDOT could design alternative options and engage the community to vet those options in FY25. The key was not to abandon a plan that had been extensively vetted without knowing in detail what would replace it. 

Since the committee adopted my revised subtitle language, DDOT has moved from saying they don't have an alternate plan to scheduling a community meeting to present a plan on June 3. They also indicated they will explore alternative north-south bikeway options in upper northwest, though it is unclear when they will be able to share those options. I will be looking closely to see whether and how the plan DDOT presents next week would contribute to safety and sustainability for all Connecticut Avenue roadway users. My goals remain to enhance safety and efficiency for all users and move toward a more multimodal future, including affording access to local businesses and amenities to cyclists. Between now and the second budget vote, I will consider what steps, if any, should be taken to ensure these goals are met.

On Wednesday, May 22, I toured the Wilson Aquatic Center with DGS Director Delano Hunter. DGS is in the home stretch of completing the replacement of the HVAC system and other facility repairs. They will begin filling the pool this week and give the facility a final deep clean, followed by the necessary inspections. Director Hunter remains confident that DGS will meet its Spring 2024 window for reopening. An announcement, with full details on the work completed, should be made by the end of this month. I will continue to share updates in this newsletter and via social media. I look forward to seeing you on the pool deck soon!

Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer, which means Department of Parks and Recreation outdoor pools and spray parks are now open. Until Monday, June 24, pools and splash pads will operate from 10 am until 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only. After that, splash pads will be open daily, 10 am until 6 pm, while pools will operate six days a week. Enjoy one of many options in Ward 3:

Outdoor pool:

• Hearst Pool, 3701 37th Street NW

Spray parks:

• Chevy Chase Recreation Center, 5500 41st Street, NW
• Friendship Recreation Center, 4500 Van Ness Street, NW
• Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert Street, NW
• Hardy Recreation Center, 4500 Q Street, NW
• Macomb Recreation Center, 3409 Macomb Street, NW
• Palisades Community Center, 5200 Sherier Place, NW 

The Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library will host a Morning at the Library for children with disabilities and their families to explore the library before it opens to the public. On Sunday, June 23, from 11 am to 1 pm, families can take part in a sensory-friendly program at their own pace. The DC Special Education Hub will be on hand to provide resources and services, as well. Advance registration is required, and registered families will receive pre-visit materials.

Did you remember to slide this week? Following a DC public holiday, like Memorial Day, trash and recycling collection will "slide" to the next day for the rest of the week. If you live in an area with twice-a-week collection, Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday, then your collection days slide to Tuesday/Friday and Wednesday/Saturday, respectively. For more information, call 311 or (202) 737-4404 or visit www.dpw.dc.gov.

Save the date! The Department of Public Works will hold a special waste collection event on Saturday, June 29, at the Carter Barron Tennis Center. Plan ahead to bring your hazardous waste for safe disposal and household electronics for recycling. You'll also be able to drop off documents for shredding. Find a full list of approved items here.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings

ANC3A: Tuesday, June 18, 7 pm, at the McLean Gardens Ballroom and Zoom 

ANC3B: Thursday, June 13, 7 pm, Zoom

ANC3C: Monday, June 17, 7 pm, Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, June 5, 7 pm, Zoom    

ANC3E: Thursday, June 13, 7:30 pm, Zoom 

ANC3F: Tuesday, June 18, 7 pm, Zoom  

ANC3/4G: Monday, June 10, 6 pm, at Chevy Chase Community Center and Zoom

MPD Community Walks - June 2024

PSA 202, Thursday, June 6, 4 pm, starting at 4200 Wisconsin Ave, NW 

PSA 203, Monday, June 10, 10:30 am, starting at 5013 Connecticut Ave, NW

PSA 204, Tuesday, June 18, 6:30 pm, starting at 3416 Wisconsin Ave, NW 

PSA 205, Saturday, June 29, 10 am, starting at 4500 Q St, NW

Tenley Fest

Saturday, June 1, 3 - 5 pm

Enjoy free family-friendly live music performances and interactive chalk art with local artists on Wisconsin Avenue in Tenleytown.

More info

Cleveland Park Day

Sunday, June 2, Noon - 5 pm

Celebrate the vibrancy of the Cleveland Park neighborhood at Cleveland Park Day! With an outdoor vendor market, live music, happy hour and business specials, and a Kids Zone, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

More info

Connecticut Avenue Multimodal Safety Improvement Project Virtual Public Meeting

Monday, June 3, 6:30 - 8 pm

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a virtual public meeting for the Connecticut Avenue Multimodal Safety Improvement Project. The purpose of the meeting is for DDOT to update the public on the current concept for the project. DDOT staff will be available to answer questions and gather comments.

More info

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062