October 31, 2024

Dear neighbors,

Happy Halloween! Halloween is a fun time for all ages, but it's important that residents remain safe. When driving, a reminder to drive slower and be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians, especially when it gets dark. You can find Halloween safety tips from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) here and trick-or-treating recommendations from the Office of Unified Communications here. Residents can attend one of the many events sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), MPD, and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE).

At this week’s legislative meeting, the Council passed an emergency bill that prohibits the use of amplification devices between 7:00 pm and 9:00 am as part of a demonstration targeting a residence in a residential zone and prohibits throwing projectiles at residential properties with the intent to cause fear, intimidate, or retaliate against residents. We cherish our First Amendment rights to assemble and protest, especially in the District. At the same time, it is the responsibility of government to protect the quality of life for residents in their homes. This bill continues to protect assembly and protest rights while also providing relief to residents who live near homes being targeted.

The Council also voted to override the mayor’s veto of the D.C. Circulator Transition Emergency Amendment Act of 2024, which ensures laid-off Circulator employees are treated fairly as the Circulator services wind down by the end of the year. While we may or may not have a technical legal obligation to take care of our Circulator employees, it is the right thing to do.

Also on Tuesday, I introduced a ceremonial resolution to recognize, honor, and celebrate the late Judy Havemann. Judy was a longtime resident of DC, worked at the Washington Post for 33 years, and served as the first elected Commissioner of Single Member District 3A02 in Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 3A. She was a dedicated and responsive representative for her constituents, focused on traffic safety, sidewalk and street maintenance, bus service, park service, and public safety.

Much of the attention this election year is dedicated to the presidential race, and rightly so, but I want to remind residents of the importance of voting in races down the ballot, as well, particularly your ANC. Judy was a great example of the impact a committed public servant on a local ANC can have. I encourage residents to research the candidates and issues in your neighborhood and get out and vote. You can get more information about ANCs here, and you can find which ANC you live in here.

Early voting in the District began this week, and through November 3, 25 Early Vote Centers are open daily from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm. Voters may vote at any Early Vote Center, regardless of their residential address. You can find all early voting locations and wait times at https://earlyvoting.dcboe.org. Early voting centers in Ward 3 are located at:

• Chevy Chase Community Center - 5601 Connecticut Avenue NW
• Cleveland Park Library - 3310 Connecticut Ave NW
• University of the District of Columbia Student Center - 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW

There are also 55 secure Mail Ballot Drop Boxes throughout the District where you can deposit your ballot at any time until 8:00 pm on Election Day, and you can locate the nearest drop box here.

To track the status of your ballot, voters can check BallotTrax periodically for updates at https://votedc.ballottrax.net/voter/. If you have questions about voting, call 202-727-2525 or visit http://dcboe.org.

I wish you and your loved ones a fun and safe Halloween! Remember to make a plan to vote!

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

On October 19, I joined Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE) for the Out-of-School Time Youth & Family Summit, promoting collaboration to make OST programs more accessible. Thanks to PAVE for hosting this event to raise awareness of the positive impacts OST programs can have on our students. OST programs provide students enriching opportunities to learn and grow, and are proven to improve school attendance, safety, and economic opportunity. That is why I introduced the “Universal Out-of-School Time Amendment Act of 2023,” which would require the District to guarantee access to affordable out-of-school time programming by 2035 for every student in a DC Public School or DC Public Charter School. On Thursday, November 21, at 10:30 am, the Committee of the Whole (COW) will hold a public hearing on my bill, as well as general oversight of out-of-school time (OST) programs.

Wards 7 and 8 have the highest unmet need for OST programming, with only 35% and 34% of OST needs being met, respectively. We have a long way to go meet all of the needs for afterschool and summer to achieve universal access. There is broad support, including in the Administration, to meet these needs. My bill which will be refined through the hearing and mark up process in collaboration with the Administration, will give the city a road map for expanding these critical programs.

For meeting information and to register to testify, visit the Council’s webpage here.

I am hosting a virtual community meeting with DC Water and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on November 6, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, regarding overnight construction work, including the permitted overnight work on Connecticut Avenue NW. The work is part of DC Water’s lead abatement and general maintenance of aging infrastructure and will continue in many areas across the city over the coming years. I fully understand the frustration among nearby residents with both the disruption as well as the limited communication they have received from DC Water and the contractor. While much of this work has been along Connecticut Avenue NW near Military Road NW, there is more such work slated for the entire city as part of the larger overall project in the coming years, so it will be important to try to get in front of this so DC Water and DDOT improve future communication. With DC Water and DDOT both present this meeting, it will also offer an opportunity for residents to ask questions about and provide feedback on the work on the Soapstone project that has caused considerable disruption in Forest Hills. This conversation is an opportunity for DC Water and DDOT to review their plans for the ongoing work, address neighbors’ questions, explain the rationale for the approaches taken, and get community feedback. For the link to the Zoom meeting invite, click here.

On October 23, I sent a letter to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) urging them to fully support a Fly Quiet program for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The letter was cosigned by Chairman Phil Mendelson, as well as Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray and Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White. Fly Quiet programs have been implemented successfully at several major airports, developed through cooperative initiatives between airlines and surrounding communities to reduce the effect of disruptive aircraft noise. I also encouraged MWAA to urge the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to include a representative from the District of Columbia on the Airplane Noise Advisory Committee. The committee will include representatives of communities most heavily affected by airplane noise, and it is critical a representative from the District is included to speak on behalf of its citizens who are denied congressional representation to ensure their voices are heard. Read the full letter here.

As I noted in my previous newsletter, as Chair of the Subcommittee on Recreation and Community Affairs, I am focused this fall on working to ensure we get the most out of our recreation resources. To provide updates on the subcommittee’s work, this new “From the Chair” section will be included in each of my newsletters through the end of the year.

DPR Site Visits Continue

Earlier this week, I continued my tours of DPR sites across the city by visiting Rumsey Aquatic Center and Randall Recreation Center in Ward 6 with Councilmember Charles Allen and DPR staff. These tours are an effective way for me to see and hear firsthand the needs of facilities and staff members, and I will continue visiting sites around DC in the coming weeks.

Upcoming Roundtable on Athletic Field Access

On Wednesday, November 13, I will hold a public roundtable to discuss permitting, access, use, and capacity of athletic fields owned by the District. Subjects for discussion include how DPR manages its inventory of athletic fields for those applying for a permit, as well as how permitting factors into the overall use of inventory of athletic fields in the District. For more information and to register to testify, visit the event page here.

More Information on the Subcommittee

Residents can now also find more information about the Subcommittee on Recreation & Community Affairs on my website at https://mattfruminward3.com/committee/. For questions, contact Joe Dweck, Legislative Assistant to the Subcommittee on Recreation and Community Affairs, at (202) 727-7903 or via e-mail at jdweck@dccouncil.gov.

DDOT To Install Speed Hump In 3000 Block University Terrace NW

DDOT has completed a Traffic Safety Investigation (TSI) involving speed and traffic calming concerns along the 3000 Block of University Terrace NW, and intends to install speed hump(s) and associated signs at the location, which borders both ANC 3D01 and 3D04. The public can submit written comments to Christian Piñeiro, DDOT Supervisory Community Engagement Specialist, at christian.pineiro@dc.gov no later than October 13. For questions, call 202-716-0417 or visit ddot.dc.gov.

DOEE E-Waste Collection Event

On Saturday, November 2, the Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE) is hosting a free E-Waste Collection Event on 33rd Street NW, between Quesada Street NW and Patterson Street NW, near Lafayette-Pointer Recreation Center, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event is open to District residents, small businesses, and small non-profits. Accepted items include televisions, computers, printers, cable boxes, and more. For a full list of events and accepted items, visit www.rev-log.com/DCecycling.

Upcoming Animal Health Fairs

DC Health is hosting an Animal Health Fair on Saturday, November 2, at Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert St NW, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. The event will offer information on services and programs, as well as free vaccines for dogs and cats on a first come first served basis, no appointment necessary. For more information, see the event flyer here.

DDOT Sidewalk Improvement Project

DDOT shared notice that they will begin a sidewalk improvement project along Military Road NW, from 29th Street NW to 30th Street NW, starting on Thursday, November 7. The sidewalk project is anticipated to be completed by Friday, December 6. Parking lane closure is expected where work is occurring. The contractor is authorized to work Monday through Friday, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Adjacent curbside parking may be restricted during the repair work. If so, signs will be posted at least 72 hours in advance at locations where parking will be restricted. The emergency “NO PARKING” signs will provide details of the hours of construction operations, dates, duration of the work, and information on the engineer in charge. Traffic control measures will be in place as necessary. For questions or concerns, please contact the project engineer at 202-369-9851 or Victor.nwabueze@dc.gov.

Share Your Comments on DC Water's Piney Branch Tunnel Project Environmental Assessment

The National Park Service (NPS) and DC Water have released he Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Piney Branch Tunnel Project. Residents can review the assessment and comment online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/dcPineyBranch. According to DC Water and NPS, this project will improve water quality by reducing pollution in Piney Branch, Rock Creek, and downstream areas including the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. The deadline to submit comments is December 6.

Leaf Collection Season and DPW Contacts

Leaf collection season has begun, and residents can visit https://dpw.dc.gov/leaf to track leaf collection in their neighborhood or download the MyDPW App for leaf collection updates. A reminder that the Department of Public Works (DPW) launched the Unified Communication Center (UCC), and residents can reach out directly to DPW’s UCC for customer service needs.

• UCC Phone: (202) 673-6833 (Mon – Fri) 8:30 am to 4:30 pm 
• Central Email: dpw@dc.gov. 

Deadline Today for DPW Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption

DPW enforces the Winter Sidewalk Safety Act (WSSA), which requires District residents to remove snow and ice from the paved sidewalks, curb ramps, and curb cuts abutting their property after a snowstorm. The Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program (SSEP) exempts qualified residents who are disabled and/or 65 or older; the exemption is valid for two consecutive snow seasons. Once approved, residents must apply every other year to DPW to continue to receive the exemption.



All individuals who are accepted into the 2024-2025 exemption program will receive a certificate of acceptance from the DPW Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program (SWEEP) for the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program period November 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. Any resident found to be ineligible for exemption last year must re-apply by today, October 31, 2024, to be considered for the current exemption period. Residents who fill out an application will be considered for the next exemption period. Click here to apply for the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption.

DDOT Notices of Intent to Modify Traffic and/or Parking Requirements in Ward 3



• NOI-24-281-TESD - Installation of No Turn on Red Signs at Intersections of Porter Street at Connecticut Avenue and Quebec Street NW

Deal Middle School Sixth Graders Share Letters

On October 25, I went to Alice Deal Middle School to speak with sixth graders about civic engagement and how they can make a difference in their communities. Each student wrote a thoughtful letter on an issue important to them like housing, traffic, and public safety, and we spoke about how I am working on the Council to address those issues. The students also asked about how I got involved in this work, and I shared how my mother’s advocacy for local schools when I was young inspired me to become politically active. I am the proud parent of three Deal graduates, and it is always a pleasure to visit with students. Thanks for hosting me!

MPD 2D CAC 2024 Awards Banquet

On Tuesday, October 29, I had the honor of speaking to the men and women of the MPD 2nd District (2D) and the Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) at their 2024 Awards Banquet. Hosted by the 2D CAC, the banquet provides an opportunity for officers, their families, and community members to share a meal and for the CAC to honor a number of officers and civilian employees for their outstanding service this year. I was grateful to show my support for the work our brave officers do every day and the important role community collaboration plays in public safety. It was a fitting celebration on a day where MPD kept so many people in the District safe during several large events happening at the same time around the city.

CACs are advisory panels in each police district that provide the district commander with information and recommendations from the community on the public's safety problems and police service needs. The 2nd District CAC meets on the first Tuesday of every month on Zoom. For more information, contact Marc Gaynor, Chair of the 2nd District CAC, at 347-723-4195 or marcgaynor@aol.com.

High Heel Race Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride

It was a party on 17th Street on Tuesday night for the annual High Heel Race, one of the city’s most cherished traditions, celebrating LGBTQIA+ pride, community, and culture. DC is one of the most inclusive cities in the world and will host WorldPride 2025, May 17 through June 8, 2025. The celebration will offer an extensive lineup of programs, including music, film, and sports events across iconic locations such as the National Mall and Embassy Row. For more information on WorldPride, such as a schedule of events, hotel information, and how to get involved, visit worldpridedc.org.

Upcoming Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings

ANC3A: Wednesday, November 13, 7 pm, at the McLean Gardens Ballroom & Zoom 

ANC3B: Thursday, November 14, 7 pm, Zoom

ANC3C: Monday, November 18, 7 pm, Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, November 6, 7 pm, Zoom    

ANC3E: Wednesday, November 6, 7:30 pm, Zoom 

ANC3F: Tuesday, November 19, 7 pm, Zoom  

ANC3/4G: Monday, November 25, 7 pm, at Chevy Chase Community Center & Zoom

Chevy Chase First Fridays

The next First Friday event in Chevy Chase is tomorrow, November 1, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. For more details, visit the event page here.

Friendship Heights Maker's Market & Festival

The next Friendship Heights Makers Market is on Saturday, November 2, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. Hosted by the Friendship Heights Alliance, the event features talented makers, artisans, food vendors, and arts organizations. Find unique holiday gifts and enjoy live music, giveaways, and more. RSVP here. For more information and events, visit the Friendship Heights Alliance website.

UDC Van Ness Farmers Market

Shop fresh produce, prepared foods, and handmade goods at the UDC Van Ness farmers market every Saturday through November 21 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm outside of the UDC Student Center at 4200 Connecticut Avenue NW.

Upcoming Cleveland Park Plogging and Night Market Events

Join Cleveland Park Main Street for plogging on November 3 at 8:00 am and November 16 at 3:30 pm. Plogging is picking up litter while walking briskly or jogging to clean up litter while getting exercise. Attendees can meet at the corner of Connecticut Avenue and Porter Street outside of GW Urgent Care. Please bring a trash bag and gloves.

Also, the next Cleveland Park Night Market featuring local artisans and makers and extended shopping hours will be November 21, from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

See the Cleveland Park Main Street webpage for more information.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062