January 30, 2025

Dear neighbors,

By now, all are aware of last night’s terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to all the passengers, crew members, and service members who lost their lives in the aircraft collision, as well as their family and friends.

American Airlines has shared that family and friends seeking information about their loved ones are asked to call the designated help line at 800-679-8215 or go online to news.aa.com.

This was a horrific event, but it is important to be reminded that the United States air traffic control system is widely regarded as the safest in the world, and officials have confirmed it is safe to fly. Washington National Airport resumed flight operations earlier today at 11:00 am. All airport roads and terminals are open. Some flights have been delayed or cancelled, so passengers are encouraged to check with their airline for specific flight information. 

My sincere gratitude goes to first responders, including DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS) and the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). A DC FEMS boat was on the scene within 10 minutes of the crash being reported. Thank you to the heroic first responders from across our region - including more than 300 responders from more than 20 agencies - for their coordinated efforts in the midst of extremely challenging conditions in the dark, with bitterly cold and icy Potomac waters, and whipping wind gusts. I also want to express my thanks to DC leadership, including Mayor Bowser and her team, as well as DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly.

Last night, at approximately 8:47 pm ET, a Blackhawk military helicopter on a training flight collided in midair over the Potomac River with American Eagle Flight 5342 operated by PSA Airlines en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), on approach to Runway 33 at Washington National Airport (DCA). The accident claimed the lives of all 60 passengers and four crew members on board the commercial flight, and three service members on board the military helicopter.

First responders have pivoted from search-and-rescue to recovery operations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading an investigation in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) announced it will also conduct an investigation.

As we continue to learn more, I know Ward 3 and all District residents join me in expressing support for everyone affected by this event.

The remainder of this publication is my regularly scheduled biweekly newsletter that goes out every other Thursday to provide updates and information from my office.

January is a busy time at the Wilson Building: Councilmembers and staff review accomplishments and lessons learned from the previous year, as shown in my Annual Report linked below; the annual budget process will begin soon, and more information on my recent Budget Listening Session is included in this newsletter; and Council committees have begun holding agency performance oversight hearings, and to provide updates on committee work, my newsletters again include a standing “From the Chair” section. 

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

The close of 2024 marked the end of my second year on the Council, and residents can now read my office’s 2024 Annual Report, a compilation of some of our achievements from last year. The report includes legislative accomplishments and highlights from serving constituents and engaging with our Ward 3 communities. I am proud of the work my team and I accomplished, and I hope constituents find the information in the report to be valuable.

Read the full 2024 Annual Report.

On Saturday, January 25, I hosted my third annual Budget Listening Session, a chance for constituents to share their thoughts on how the District should prioritize its spending in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

Around 50 residents attended the call to share their priorities, and I heard about topics including Initiative-83 implementation, municipal bond and business taxes, and services for seniors. Thank you to the Ward 3 residents who attended, especially those who spoke during the forum. In addition to the priorities expressed on the call, I intend to continue my focus on ensuring we adequately fund our schools, support the Metropolitan Police Department and public safety measures, and that programs providing housing assistance to residents have the support they need to be effective.

If you were unable to attend, you can email your priorities to fruminoffice@dccouncil.gov. If you prefer, you can also call my office at 202-724-8062. A recording of the meeting is available to watch on my YouTube page, @cmfrumin.

Going forward, the budget process formally begins in February, when the Chief Financial Officer issues the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), 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 agency requests, her 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. The Council will vote on the budget in late May and early June.

To provide updates on committee work, my newsletters will again include a standing “From the Chair” section. As Chair of the Committee on Human Services, I am focused on working to ensure we move the needle on some of the most critically important government functions affecting the well-being of residents. These include homeless and homelessness prevention services like our shelters, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), and other housing programs; critical public benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Medical Assistance, as well as initiatives to reduce truancy; and support of our excellent public library system. I look forward to working with my committee colleagues, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker, Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder, At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson, and At-Large Councilmember Robert White.

My goal as Chair is to work with all agencies under the committee’s purview to increase their effectiveness in meeting some of the city’s greatest challenges. In this process, I will be looking at how existing programs and services are working and what can be improved. I will also be thinking about what opportunities and strategies are out there that we aren’t currently implementing that could be effective. Many residents need additional support to survive and thrive in life, and it is my goal to balance compassion and care with accountability. I am concerned for those residents who need additional support and are not getting it. I’m also concerned for residents who feel they can’t increase their income because they could lose their benefits, but don’t earn enough to live without that support. My work as Chair dovetails with my role on the DC Workforce Investment Council, which works to partner with agencies, community organizations, and businesses to empower residents with things like job and career training.

You may have heard that the federal government recently paused many grant payments to nonprofits and state and local governments. Despite the White House rescinding a memo ordering that freeze on grants and loans yesterday, the White House also said a “federal funding freeze” remains in “full force and effect.” This news came after the payment pause was already put on hold until a judge can make a longer-lasting decision, and guidance from the federal government significantly limited the reach of the pause. We will continue to monitor the situation, but at this time, DHS does not currently anticipate specific disruptions to its important work. No matter what comes next, the District will lead with hope, and lead by action to ensure residents get the services they need.

As we head into oversight season, the committee’s schedule of upcoming performance oversight hearings is below:

February 13, 2:00 pm:

• Commission on Latino Community Development
• Office and Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
• Office and Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys
• Office and Commission on Latino Affairs

February 20, 9:30 am:

• Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment
• Public Access Commission

February 28, 9:30 am:

• District of Columbia Public Library

March 5, 9:30 am:

• Department of Human Services (Public Witnesses)
• Interagency Council on Homelessness (Public Witnesses)

March 7, 9:30 am:

• Department of Human Services (Government Witnesses)
• Interagency Council on Homelessness (Government Witnesses)

The committee meets at the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, DC, 20004. Sign up here to testify during an upcoming committee hearing, search for legislation here, and watch committee hearings on my YouTube Channel, @CMFrumin.

Last week, the committee held its organizational meeting to establish the rules and staff for this Council Period 26. I am pleased welcome Committee Director Dan Passon and Senior Legislative Advisor Elias Benda to the committee’s staff.

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame and Georgetown University Law Center, Dan clerked at both the DC Superior Court and the Supreme Court of Maryland. He then served as Legislative Counsel and Acting Committee Director for a previous iteration of the Committee on Human Services before joining the Department on Disability Services as its legislative lead. Before joining the Councilmember’s staff, Dan also worked at a local nonprofit as a legal aid attorney and policy counsel. 

Elias Benda returns to the Council, having previously been responsible for education policy as Legislative Advisor in my office. Prior to joining the Council, Elias worked in electoral politics for several local, state, national, and issue-based campaigns. Born and raised in Adams Morgan and a product of DC Public Schools, Elias graduated from Wesleyan University and is currently enrolled at the Georgetown University Law Center.

Dan and Elias are excited to return to the Council and to continue serving District residents.

More information about the committee can be found on my website at mattfruminward3.com/committee.

DPW Collection and District Snow Response Information

DPW is working to catch up on regular trash, recycling, and food waste collections, and crews are focusing on clearing any remaining backlog. Holiday trees can be placed at the curb. Due to recent winter weather events that have impacted leaf collection efforts, DPW is extending the seasonal leaf collection through the end of February. Leaf collection was restarted in Section A on Monday, January 27, 2025. Section B is up next, and collection is planned to shift to Section B on Monday, February 3, 2025. For sections C and D, DPW teams will actively review conditions and address areas in need, based on on-site evaluations and service requests.

Residents with questions about the city’s snow response can visit snow.dc.gov for more information or call the District Snow team at 202-673-6833. Residents can also visit snow.dc.gov for tips to prepare for the next snow event, such as stocking up on supplies including a snow shovel, salt, pet-friendly de-icer, and kitty litter, as well as other helpful information. Did you know there is a Volunteer Snow Team? In the aftermath of a snow event, volunteers are deployed to help elderly residents and neighbors with functional needs with snow removal. Learn more and sign up to lend a hand to a neighbor in Ward 3 at snowteam.dc.gov.

Get the Latest Information on DC Water Projects

As DC Water continues several ongoing projects in Ward 3, the agency has committed to providing more information and to be available to residents for questions and updates, including hand-delivering project information sheets to all nearby property owners. Residents can also contact Joyous Willis, DC Water Senior Community Affairs Specialist, at 202-787-4065 or joyous.willis@dcwater.com to request their contact information be added to DC Water’s distribution list to receive the latest updates directly to their inbox. Residents can also contact the DC Water 24-hr Emergency/Command Center at (202) 612-3400 with questions. Project information, including contact information of managers for specific projects, is posted to the DC Water website at www.dcwater.com.

WMATA Upcoming Public Hearings

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced upcoming public hearings regarding the Proposed FY2026 Capital Improvement Program and Federal FY2026 Grant Applications and the Proposed FY2026 Operating Budget and Associated Service Proposals. Information on how to testify is included in the hearing notice linked above. All testimony must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 10.

National Zoo Panda Exhibit Now Open to the Public

The pandas are back, and crowds are flocking to the National Zoo to see Ward 3’s famous new residents. If you haven’t had a chance to see them in person, you can check out what they’re up to on the live Giant Panda Cam.

MLK Day Peace Walk and Parade

On Saturday, January 18, I joined many other city officials in the Martin Luther King Day, Jr. Peace Walk and Parade. This year’s event was hosted inside the Entertainment and Sports Arena at 1100 Oak Dr SE. Attendees were treated to a break from the cold weather, performances including the iconic Eastern High School Marching Band, and remarks from guests and leaders representing every part of the city. It was a meaningful commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. King.

Tour of Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus

On January 22, I toured Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus with my Council colleagues, At-Large Councilmember and Chair of the Health Committee, Christina Henderson, and Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. The impressive hub right here in DC is driving new treatments for kids in the District, our region, and around the world. Thanks to CEO Michelle Riley-Brown and her team for hosting!

DC Girls Coalition Youth Town Hall

I was fortunate to attend the DC Girls Coalition Youth Town Hall on January 22 and hear directly from youth of color about issues affecting them. My thanks to those who attended and spoke. A top priority of mine is creating constructive and equitable opportunities for young people.

DCPS Standing Ovation

Congratulations to all Standing Ovation DCPS award winners, including Excellence in School Leadership Award winner, Jackson-Reed Principal Sah Brown, and Excellence in Teaching Award winner, MacArthur High School's Dr. Stephen Newbold, Jr. The Standing Ovation awards are an annual event to recognize the top teachers and school leaders in the District.

Jackson-Reed and Coolidge Play an Overtime Thriller

The Jackson-Reed boys basketball team played Coolidge earlier this week on Monday night. I had the pleasure of watching the game with two of our city’s finest education leaders, Principal Semanthe Bright from Coolidge High School and President Maurice Edington from the University of the District of Columbia. Coolidge hit a buzzer-beater to send the game to overtime, but Jackson-Reed won the game in the extra period. Both teams played terrific basketball.

2025 Point in Time Count

Yesterday, I joined volunteers from across DC for the 2025 Point-In-Time Count. In DC and cities across the country this week, volunteers canvass their home city and conduct a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The count allows the District to qualify for federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that goes directly to the programs that assist DC residents with housing support. Thank you to the volunteers conducting the count who spend hours overnight braving the winter cold and engaging with our neighbors in need.

Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings

ANC3A: Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 pm, McLean Gardens Ballroom & Zoom 

ANC3B: Thursday, February 13, 7:00 pm, Zoom

ANC3C: Monday, February 17, 7:00 pm, Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, February 5, 7:00 pm, Zoom    

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

ANC3F: Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 pm, Zoom

ANC3/4G: Monday, February 10, 7:00 pm, Chevy Chase Community Center and Zoom

Health Insurance Open Enrollment Deadline This Friday

The health insurance Open Enrollment Period deadline is tomorrow, Friday, January 31. DC Health Link will be at Ben’s Chili Bowl (1213 U Street NW) to assist residents with enrolling in health coverage on Friday, January 31, from 4 to 9 pm. Visit www.dchealthlink.com for more information.

Free Screening of Documentary

There will be a free screening of the documentary “Wine, Women & Dementia” followed by a panel discussion on Saturday, February 1, at 1:30 pm at Ingleside at Rock Creek, hosted by Ingleside at Rock Creek and DMV Living. Following the movie, there will be a panel discussion with experts addressing potential signs of dementia, resources available in our area for those living with dementia or their care partners, information about memory care and when it might be needed. For more information, residents can visit the event registration page at: https://clevelandwoodleypark.helpfulvillage.com/events/2782.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062