Dear neighbors,
In addition to many winter holidays, our city is also celebrating the 50th Anniversary of DC Home Rule. After years of advocacy and organizing by the community, the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which gave residents more control over their own affairs and established the Council and the Office of the Mayor, was passed by Congress on Christmas Eve, 1973. The first 13 Councilmembers took office in January 1975. Last week, 45 of 51 living current and former DC elected local officials gathered at the Wilson Building. The Council created a video to commemorate the occasion.
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Under Home Rule, DC has become one of the top places to live and visit in the country and in the world. Though not a complete list, some of the best examples include:
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We are financially strong and growing: The District’s population is back over 700,000 residents for the first time since 2019. We have added around 15,000 residents since July of 2023. The fiscal year 2025 budget is the 29th consecutive balanced budget and the ninth considered under local budget autonomy. The District is one of the only major municipalities with a AAA bond rating.
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We are a transit leader: DC is enjoying one of its busiest transit years ever and ranks third in percentage of commuters using public transit, behind only New York and Boston. The District is one of the few metro areas with a rapid transit or “heavy” metro commuter rail system. Of those systems, Metro has the second highest annual ridership and average weekday ridership, ranks third in system length and number of stations, and is fourth in number of lines.
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We are an education and research hub: DC is home to five universities ranked in the U.S. News & World Report top 200. The District is also home to Gallaudet, a world leader for deaf and hard-of-hearing education. The Council has also made significant investments in the University of the District of Columbia to support President Edington’s mission to become a flagship public university.
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We are a medical destination: DC is home to multiple nationally ranked and high performing health care facilities including Sibley Memorial Hospital in Ward 3, MedStar Washington and Georgetown University Hospitals, and George Washington University Hospital. Children’s National Hospital is one of only 10 facilities to be named to the U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll Rankings.
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We are a leader in tourism: More than 25 million people visited the District in 2023, up from 13.3 million in 2020, when pandemic-related closures ground tourism to a halt.
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We are a world class performance town: DC has more theater seats than any American city other than New York and hosts a variety of concerts, musicals, plays, and other shows from Broadway hits to touring performances from around the world.
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We are a food city: DC is one of the only places in America with multiple dining establishments to earn Michelin ratings, along with New York, Chicago, and parts of California.
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We are a sports powerhouse: DC has a thriving athletics culture, from youth to professional levels. DC professional teams have won four major league championships since 2018, including the NHL, WNBA, MLB, and NWSL, and our youth, high school, and university programs and athletes are consistently ranked among the best teams and performers in the country.
As we look ahead to the new Council Period that begins January 2, committees will kick off the performance oversight process shortly after the new year by holding public hearings for the government agencies under their jurisdiction. In addition to oversight season, the annual budget process is also ahead. In February, the Chief Financial Officer issues the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), which is the annual audit of the previous fiscal year. At the end of February, the CFO issues a revenue estimate that will serve as the “ceiling” for expenditures in the coming fiscal year. During this time, the Mayor reconciles the agency’s requests, their vision for the District, and the available revenue to propose any cuts, increases, or changes in each agency.
At the start of April, the Mayor will present her proposed budget to the Council. The Council committees will then initiate the second piece of the agency-by-agency review, holding hearings focusing specifically on each agency’s proposed budget.
Although hearing dates are yet to be determined, residents can stay tuned to the Council calendar for information about events, how to watch or attend, and how to submit testimony.
I wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
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Matt Frumin
Ward 3 Councilmember
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Council Holds Final Legislative Meeting of 2024 | |
On Tuesday this week, the Council held its final legislative meeting. The Council unanimously approved the Recidivism Reduction, Oversight and Accountability for DYRS Act, also known as the ROAD Act. The goal of the ROAD Act is to improve public safety and ensure that young people who commit a crime are less likely to commit another one once released. The bill creates a permanent oversight body for DYRS, requires changes to DYRS supervision and intervention practices, including creating Individualized Rehabilitation Plans and discharge and reentry plans, and expands the court’s authority to intervene when DYRS fails to provide the appropriate rehabilitative services. Several of my colleagues, as well as the Administration, expressed different concerns about the bill. To try to address some of those reservations, I helped secure a pause between first and second reading and worked with stakeholders to find practical solutions that could address any remaining concerns. Ultimately, the bill passed with minor changes and broad buy-in.
The Council also gave final approval to legislation giving the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) enforcement and regulatory authority over food and parcel delivery services, especially enforcement of traffic laws; gave final approval to legislation that gives the Department of Public Works (DPW) parking enforcement and other enforcement agencies authority to immediately tow and impound cars with counterfeit, obscured, or long-expired plates; voted to approve legislation supporting the transformation of Capital One Arena; and voted to approve two bills aimed at providing residents protection from amplified sounds while also respecting DC’s culture of performance and first amendment rights – the Harmonious Living Act and the Amplified Sound Mitigation Act.
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As we celebrate the achievements of half a century of Home Rule, the Council also took time to honor and celebrate former mayor and Councilmember Vincent C. Gray as he retires from more than 60 years of public service. As I said in my remarks during the ceremony, I have long admired his dedication to the people of the District of Columbia and his decades of work to make our city stronger. I am also grateful to him personally for providing me opportunities to engage and help our city and I am proud to consider him a friend. In the 50-year history of Home Rule, as a leader of nonprofit organizations serving our residents and families with the greatest needs, as an agency head, member of the Council, Chair of the Council and Mayor, champion of early childhood education, he is one of our giants, making huge contributions to make our community more prosperous and just. | |
Statement on the Report of the Ad Hoc Committee in the Matter of Trayon White, Sr. | |
On Monday, December 16, the Ad Hoc Committee in the Matter of Trayon White, Sr. met to discuss the findings of the committee's investigation report, which can be found here. At that meeting, the committee voted unanimously to recommend that Councilmember Trayon White be expelled from the Council for violations of the Code of Official Conduct. This was a sad day for the District of Columbia. At the center of all this is a person who has earned the love and respect of many in his community, but the behavior at the heart of the allegations is dramatically corrosive of confidence in our local government. Lack of decisive action most certainly would have only further undermined confidence in and the integrity of our governmental institutions. We took decisive action and unanimously voted to recommend expulsion. Councilmember Trayon White has 30 days to respond to that recommendation and a hearing is scheduled for January 28, 2025 to discuss and vote on the recommendation. My full statement is available on my website. | |
Council Holds Hearing on the SAFE Act | |
On December 10, the Council held a hearing on the Secure Apartments for Everyone (SAFE) Act. During the hearing, we heard testimony that echoes what I hear almost every day about the different dimensions and challenges regarding tenant safety at apartment buildings. The feedback has been clear:
- Landlords must be held accountable for failures that compromise safety. It will also be important to require maximum financial transparency from landlords. The Council is working to address the issues they face, but we must be able to accurately and independently assess the needs.
- Tenants who violate their lease or break the law must also be held accountable.
- The city must provide adequate services and support for high-needs tenants, often those recently exiting homelessness. We need a fuller spectrum of housing options to fully meet the needs of tenants and their neighbors. Independent living is not the right answer for everyone at every stage of life. Where more support is needed, we must provide it.
As written, the SAFE Act can help address some of these issues, but there is significantly more work to be done to support the entire housing ecosystem. I am committed to being a clear-eyed part of solving the challenges we face in the housing sector.
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From the Chair:
Subcommittee on Recreation and Community Affairs Updates
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I have been privileged to serve as chair of the Subcommittee on Recreation and Community Affairs since September 2024. The subcommittee has completed its business for the year, and I am proud that it was able to make a positive impact even in three short months. As chair, I focused on working to ensure we get the most out of our parks, green spaces, and recreational resources, which are consistently ranked among the best in the country, a credit to the hard work of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
Shortly after being named chair of the subcommittee, I met with DPR Director Thennie Freeman to discuss continuing to expand equitable access to facilities and coordination between DPR and other entities, such as the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of General Services (DGS). DPR oversees 900 acres of parks and 68 recreational facilities, including 25 outdoor pools, eight spray parks, and 10 indoor pools. During my chairmanship, I visited many of these sites across the city to see and hear firsthand the needs of facilities and staff members.
Hearing on Athletic Field Access
I held a roundtable on November 13 to discuss permitting, access, use, and capacity of athletic fields. Major themes from public testimony included identifying areas in need of maintenance and upkeep, underused spaces across the city including the fields at RFK, the need for security but the extremely high cost to cover it, and a lack of clarity on the application preference system. Public testimony offered several interesting solutions that I believe should be explored further, including an Athletics Council (similar to those in Montgomery or Fairfax counties), a one-stop directory of facilities and programs, and requiring rosters to show that participants are District residents as part of the prioritization process. My office continues to follow up with both DPR and others who testified to resolve pending issues. A recording of the roundtable is available on my YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cmfrumin.
Hearing on Collaboration Opportunities with NPS
With so much of the District’s land managed by NPS, there is a significant opportunity to collaborate on how public spaces in DC are utilized and maintained. On December 10, I held a roundtable to hear directly from stakeholders and community members as we explore future possibilities for coordination with NPS. Over 90 witnesses submitted testimony for the record, underscoring what an important issue this is for residents. The roundtable coincided with the ongoing work of the Federal City Council’s DC Neighborhood Parks Project Task Force, of which I am a co-chair, along with former Mayor Anthony Williams and Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Nina Albert, which will provide recommendations to the District government for a more effective system to reach cooperative agreements or transfers of jurisdiction with NPS. A recording of the roundtable is available on my YouTube channel at youtube.com/@cmfrumin.
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Congress Includes RFK Site Transfer in Continuing Resolution
The latest proposed continuing resolution in Congress to avoid a government shutdown includes transfer of control over the RFK Stadium campus from the federal government to the District. If passed, DC would get control of the property and could then begin planning for how best to use the site to advance the interests of residents in the heart of our city. This would be a major hard-fought victory for the District.
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Helicopter Traffic in DC
Did you notice an increase in helicopters flying extra-low over DC recently? The US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration’s Aerial Measuring System is conducting pre-inauguration background surveys, which they do before many large-scale special events. My office often hears about helicopter noise in the District, which is an issue that must be addressed at the federal level. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton has been a leader in efforts to combat helicopter noise in DC, including introducing the Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise Information Exchange Act earlier this year. Her bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create and implement a helicopter noise sharing mechanism for all helicopter operators in the National Capital Region (NCR) that would also be accessible to the public online. Constituents interested in learning more about this issue can contact Congresswoman Holmes Norton’s office online.
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Leaf Collection Continues
The second pass for leaf collection is almost here, and Section A is up next, beginning Monday, December 23. Remember, when it is your section’s turn, rake leaves to the tree box or curb by the Sunday before collection. Visit http://dpw.dc.gov/leaf to learn about leaf collection and when DPW will be in your neighborhood. Residents can also view the real-time leaf collection tracker, and download the MyDPW App for leaf collection updates. A reminder that DPW launched the Unified Communication Center (UCC), and residents can reach out directly to DPW’s UCC for customer service needs at (202) 673-6833 (Monday through Friday); or by email at dpw@dc.gov.
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Health Insurance Open Enrollment Happening Now
Health insurance open enrollment season is going on now! Health insurance helps cover the cost of care like doctor visits, prescriptions, vaccines, and more. If you or your family members are uninsured, you could be on the hook for big medical bills. You can apply to get covered with an affordable insurance plan to keep your family healthy and give you peace of mind. The deadline in DC is January 31, 2025. Residents can learn more at: http://DCHealthLink.com.
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DC Water Soapstone Project Updates and Contacts for Residents
On December 16, DC Water provided an update on the ongoing manhole construction project on Albemarle Street NW, as part of the Soapstone Rehabilitation Project. Additional steel pipe materials are scheduled to arrive at the end of this month, and installation of the pipe will begin the week of January 6, 2025, weather permitting. Work will take place Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and should be complete by the end of January, again weather permitting. Once the pipe is installed, excavation activities will restart.
In addition to the manhole construction, DC Water’s other contractor, IPR, has begun addressing items throughout the park. This includes the replacement of dead trees, as well as removal of equipment and debris from the site for final inspection in January. For more information, residents can contact the 24/7 Soapstone Project Hotline at (202) 301-8058 or email soapstone.info@dcwater.com. The DC Water Construction Project Manager for this project is Peter Tinubu, who can be reached at (202) 787-4337 or by email at Peter.Tinubu@dcwater.com.
As infrastructure maintenance and construction work continues across the District, DC Water has committed to providing more information and to be available to residents for questions and updates. Residents can contact DC Water Director of Community Affairs Emanuel D. Briggs at (202) 787-2003 or at emanuel.briggs@dcwater.com and request to be added to DC Water’s community updates email distribution list.
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DPW Holiday Greenery Collection
The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will collect holiday trees and greenery from January 2 through February 28 from DPW-serviced households, which includes single-family homes and apartment dwellings with three or fewer units.
Here is what you need to know about this year’s holiday tree and greenery collection:
- Trees and greenery collected during this time will be composted to support the District’s Zero Waste initiative.
- Holiday trees and greenery will be collected from the front of the residence at the curb.
- If Holiday trees and greeneries are not picked up 7 days after being placed, curbside, residents can call 311 and make a “Christmas Tree Removal - Seasonal” service request.
- After February 28, 2025, holiday trees and greenery should be placed at the normal point of collection for trash and recycling. Holiday trees and greenery will be collected as space permits in the truck.
- Inclement weather may delay holiday tree and greenery collections.
Ward 3 residents can drop off holiday trees and greenery at Guy Mason Recreation Center (3600 Calvert St NW) Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm until March 31, 2025).
For more information on Holiday Reduce & Reuse Tips, please visit the Zero Waste DC website.
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District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Notices of Intent (NOI)
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NOI# 24-297-TESD - Safety Improvement on Davenport St NW from Linnean Ave NW to Broad Branch Road NW
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NOI# 24-344-TESD - Safety Improvement around 28th St NW & Rock Creek Dr NW and Rock Creek Dr NW & Normanstone Dr NW Intersections
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Holiday Events and Celebrations
There are so many great community events bringing neighbors together this time of year. Over the last two weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of celebrating the season and great work of the staff at Iona Senior Services, watching a moving performance of Peter and the Wolf at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, enjoying food with neighbors at the Palisades Community Association Holiday Breakfast at the Palisades Hub, attending the University of the District of Columbia’s Holiday Concert featuring their wonderful Chorale and Jazz Ensemble, and stopping by the Glover Park Holiday Celebration at Stoddert Elementary and the Advisory Neighborhood Commission Holiday Party at MLK Library. I also participated in the Palisades Toy Drive, donating gifts to the Metropolitan Police Department for distribution to those in need. I hope you and your loved ones get a chance to attend some of the many celebratory events in Ward 3 and DC during this season.
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Dunbar Wins DCSAA State Championship Game
On December 7, the Dunbar High School Crimson Tide defeated Friendship Collegiate to win the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) state championship game. DCSAA is the association of District of Columbia public schools, public charter schools, and independent schools (private and parochial schools). Dunbar qualified following their win in the annual Turkey Bowl, the DC Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA) football championship game on Thanksgiving Day.
Congratulations to both schools on successful seasons, and congratulations to the Dunbar Crimson Tide on their championship victory. As I wrote in my previous newsletter, the historic Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is a school rich in history and football tradition, and events like these are examples of DC’s thriving athletics culture bringing members of the community together in a positive way.
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EdFEST Events
Thanks to My School DC for hosting this year’s EdFEST, which gives families the opportunity to check out the District’s diverse school options and discover the school that is the best fit for them. The My School DC lottery application is now open. If you are new to DC or want to learn more about public schools, please call the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm to learn more.
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New Downtown Arena Design Unveiling
Earlier this week, the Council approved legislation supporting the transformation of Capital One Arena. Today is an exciting day for DC, as Monumental Sports and Entertainment unveiled the new arena designs. As NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, these venues are the “modern town halls.” Sports, music, and other live events unite communities in positive ways. A world-class downtown venue is not only an economic anchor but also a unifying cultural forum. Thanks to Mayor Bowser, my Council colleagues - particularly Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, Ted Leonsis and the team at Monumental, and all those who worked to make this a reality.
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Have a Ward 3 Service Request? | |
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Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests you may have. My Constituent Services team is here to help you. | | |
Government & Community Calendar | |
Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings
ANC3A: Tuesday, December 17, 7 pm, at the McLean Gardens Ballroom & Zoom
ANC3B: Thursday, December 12, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3C: Monday, December 16, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3D: Wednesday, January 8, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3E: Thursday, December 12, 7:30 pm, Zoom
ANC3F: Tuesday, January 14, 7 pm, Zoom
ANC3/4G: Wednesday, January 8, 7 pm, at Chevy Chase Community Center & Zoom
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DC Holiday Hunt Going on Now
The DC Holiday Hunt runs through January 5 in neighborhoods across the District. The Holiday Hunt is an interactive experience for DC residents and visitors. Travel throughout DC to accomplish as many tasks as possible for a chance to win prizes. The event gives residents an opportunity to try out new foods, meet new businesses, and experience DC. Main Streets and Corridors in Ward 3 participating include Cleveland Park, Tenleytown, Chevy Chase, and Friendship Heights. Learn more at dcholidayhunt.com
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Councilmember Matt Frumin
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 408
202-724-8062
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