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April 19, 2024

Dear neighbor,


On Tuesday much of the District government was closed as we celebrated Emancipation Day, the anniversary of President Lincoln’s abolition of slavery in DC in 1862. Freeing 3,100 enslaved individuals represented a significant stride toward equality. As we commemorate this milestone, let's renew our commitment to fostering a District where economic opportunity and justice prevail. Together, let's honor our past while striving for a brighter, more inclusive future.


In case you missed it, last week I sent a special-edition newsletter that provided further details on the proposed FY25 budget. Now, we are in Budget Oversight Hearings, and below I discuss some of what I have been addressing with District agencies. This process helps the Council analyze agencies’ true funding needs for the coming fiscal year and inform changes we need to make to the proposed budget. I hope you remain engaged in this process and know you can have your voice heard at upcoming hearings.


Best,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

Budget Oversight Hearings

As part of the budget planning process, each Council committee holds Budget Oversight Hearings with agencies under their purview. We started hearings for the FY25 budget on April 4, and they continue through May 2. Below is a snapshot of issues I addressed during last week’s hearings. You can watch live or archived hearings here.


Department of General Services (April 8)

MacArthur modernization: I asked DGS to convene a meeting for the community to weigh options for school modernization beyond the currently planned classroom improvements, including possibly an auditorium and expanded cafeteria. 

Jackson-Reed auditorium repairs: DGS has finished assessments and is bringing on a vendor to perform the work. I again emphasized the need to have the auditorium in working condition for the coming school year.

Roof leaks at Hearst Elementary: DGS initiated roof repairs this spring, and during two recent rainstorms there were no resulting leaks. They are now planning for continued maintenance and completion of any outstanding repairs.

Mann Elementary HVAC: DGS will complete an assessment and cost study for the HVAC within three weeks.

Wilson Aquatic Center: Director Delano Hunter testified that DGS is targeting Memorial Day for reopening the center, with an official date to be announced.


DC Housing Authority (April 11)

Rapid Rehousing: As the Department of Human Services is removing housing subsidies from 2,000 families, I asked how DCHA planned to assist people exiting from rapid rehousing. DCHA is considering whether to create a preference for those individuals to have access to public housing and vouchers.

Vouchers: The voucher waiting list includes more than 30,000 people. In response to my line of questioning, DCHA testified the city only has 2,324 vouchers available. The department is working to match people on the waitlist with vouchers and increase the number of people they match monthly.

Vacant units: Nearly 2,000 public housing units are uninhabitable. I pushed the agency for detailed information on when these units will be fixed and available for rent, with DCHA responding that they will be ready by July 2025.

Rent Reasonableness: I asked DCHA what steps it has taken to improve rent reasonableness calculations and urged them to do more to improve their data. While the department responded that it has been working with its vendor, affordablehousing.com, to provide better information, I emphasized that improvements need to happen more quickly. DCHA should look at actual rent paid, not advertised rents. I also encouraged the agency to take action to prevent overpayments.


District of Columbia Public Schools & Office of the State Superintendent of Education (April 11)

School Funding: I stressed my grave concern regarding the tens of millions of cuts proposed to school budgets. These reductions will result in the loss of nearly 200 school-based staff citywide. I am working with council colleagues to restore critical funding to schools. We need a process that funds all our schools consistently, so we don’t continue this cyclical fight year after year.

Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund and PKEEP: I expressed my deep concern about the proposed elimination of the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, which provides critical, promised funding for the educators taking care of our youngest students, as well as cuts to the free Pre-K PKEEP program that would result in 50% fewer students served. I am working to restore funding to both of these essential programs.

Student transportation: I continued to press OSSE to improve special education transportation, including the future of the parent texting program. I reiterated the urgency to establish a GPS tracking program so parents know where their children are and when they will arrive at their destinations. OSSE is aiming to have the GPS system implemented at some point next school year, possibly by winter break — I am pushing them to do it as soon as possible.


District Department of Transportation (April 11)

Traffic Safety Input: In seeing some potential safety-improvement projects passed over for other ones, I asked DDOT how each input is scored and prioritized, and whether that process could be more transparent. Acting Director Sharon Kershbaum explained there is a complicated algorithm that would make that difficult, but that she has faith in the model. I pushed that we need more transparency in how projects are selected, including the ratings of the projects.

Safe Routes to School: I asked whether Eaton Elementary is in the queue for important safety improvements, and the acting director confirmed it is in the pipeline. When asked about Murch Elementary, she responded that it is one of the schools slated for improvements in FY25.

Connecticut Avenue: I asked about the safety improvements planned for the corridor. The acting director detailed turn pockets, curb extensions, and the removal of rush-hour parking, but made clear that bike lanes were not included in the current plans. She said the safety improvements would not preclude a bike lane in the future, however, and that DDOT’s upcoming bike plan study will prioritize a north-south bicycle connection.

I am disappointed with DDOT's decision to exclude bike lanes from the current proposed safety enhancements on Connecticut Avenue. 


Around a year ago it became clear Mayor Bowser had reservations about the inclusion of bike lanes in the plan. I consistently advocated to the mayor and her team that including bike lanes was an important component of the safety plan and as part of the broader effort to promote multimodal transportation, including through two public letters (December 2023 and February 2024). 


The mayor now proposes to go a different way. The suggestion is that there will be yet-to-be described safety improvements and exploration of where a north/south bike route in upper northwest should be located. There are more unanswered questions than answers in the administration’s current posture.  


The question now is what happens next. 


First, we need to fully understand what DDOT is proposing, including how it might promote safety and how it might not, as well as getting some sense of DDOT’s thoughts about possible north/south bike routes. Second, we need to make sure no rushed action is taken in this budget that would prevent having a bike lane on Connecticut Avenue in the future. There had been extensive analysis of the best location for a bike lane in upper northwest, and the finding was Connecticut Avenue. Until a compelling alternative vision is presented, we should not foreclose the Connecticut Avenue option.  


We are learning about this abrupt change in planning for a major corridor through an announcement in the budget process. There had been years of work put in on the proposed Connecticut Avenue plan with volumes of community input and advocacy on all sides. Until recently, the expectation was that DDOT would put out a detailed, revised plan to respond to public input. We cannot simply walk away from years of planning for a player to be named later.  


The genesis of Concept C (shown on slide 7 here) was a recognition that we needed to take steps to enhance safety and efficiency for all roadway users and that we must move toward a more multimodal future, including affording access to Connecticut Avenue businesses and amenities to cyclists. I fully intend to use the budget process to ensure we take pragmatic steps to ensure that the goals that drove the development of the safety plans for Connecticut Avenue are achieved. 

Workday in the Ward

This month’s Workday in the Ward will be next Thursday morning, April 25, at Tatte at City Ridge, 13 Ridge Square NW. From 8 to 11 am, my team and I will be there to meet with you, answer questions, and provide connections to government and community resources. This month, we will be joined by the District Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Police Department.


8 – 11 am: Coffee with the Councilmember

8 – 10 am: DDOT

10 – 11 am: MPD

CameraConnect DC

Last week, Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith unveiled MPD’s Real-Time Crime Center and launched CameraConnect DC. Through CameraConnect DC, residents with doorbells or CCTV cameras can sign up to register their cameras with MPD. Once registered, if a crime occurs near that camera, MPD’s Real-Time Crime Center will send an alert requesting any relevant footage that could help MPD’s investigators. Businesses, apartment complexes, and commercial facilities have the option to fully integrate their footage with MPD’s Real-Time Crime Center, providing MPD instant access to camera footage should a threat or incident occur nearby.  

Learn more about CameraConnect DC

DDOT Updates

Modifications of a traffic signal are proposed at the intersection of 37th Street, Wisconsin Avenue, and Calvert Street NW. These changes include:

- Installation of push buttons for signalized crosswalks.

- Installation of a pedestrian pedestal pushbutton pole to improve ADA requirements.

- Installation of retroreflective backplates on all traffic signal heads to improve the visibility of signals.

- Implementation of no-turn-on-red signs for all approaches.

Comments are due by Wednesday, April 24, to christian.pineiro@dc.gov.

There is a proposed all-way stop for the intersection of Belt Road and Garrison Street NW. Currently, this intersection operates as a two-way stop, where a stop sign is provided at the Belt Road approaches. In support of a Traffic Safety Input request, DDOT conducted a traffic study and determined that an all-way stop, where all approaches are required to stop at the intersection, is recommended. Comments are due by Monday, May 20, to adolfo.nino@dc.gov.

DDOT will repair curbs and gutters and resurface the roadway pavement of Utah Avenue NW between Nebraska Avenue and Northampton St. NW on or about April 25. The same day, similar work will occur on Nebraska Avenue NW, between 28th Street and Utah Avenue NW. Curbside parking will be restricted. At least one lane of traffic will be maintained throughout the area.

Receive Assistance with Utility Bills

The Department of Energy and Environment is encouraging constituents to apply online (rather than in person) for assistance with paying utility bills. LIHEAP assists income-eligible District households with healing and cooling energy costs, and the Utility Discount Program can help residents receive a reduced rate on utility costs.

Matt on the Move

With spring comes the new season of Little League, and I had the opportunity to throw a first pitch at Capitol City’s opening day in Chevy Chase. I hope every player has fun during this year’s games.

Last Sunday, I joined the MPD cadets as they got ready to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate Emancipation Day. It was a memorable event, and I look forward to future years’ ceremonies as we honor this important day.

I also toured the Planned Parenthood facility in the Northeast, which has comprehensive services for all people.

Have a Ward 3 Service Request?

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests you may have. My Constituent Services team is here to help.

Submit a Constituent Services Request

Government & Community Calendar

Advisory Neighborhood Commission Meetings

  • ANC3A: Tuesday, May 14, 7 pm, at the McLean Gardens Ballroom and Zoom 
  • ANC3B: Thursday, May 9, 7 pm, Zoom
  • ANC3C: Monday, May 20, 7 pm, Zoom 
  • ANC3D: Wednesday, May 1, 7 pm, Zoom    
  • ANC3E: Thursday, May 9, 7:30 pm, Zoom 
  • ANC3F: Tuesday, April 23, 7 pm, Zoom  
  • ANC3/4G: Monday, May 13, 6 pm, at Chevy Chase Community Center and Zoom
Find Your ANC Here

The next Committee of the Whole meeting will be at 11 am on Tuesday, April 23.


MPD Second District’s remaining community walk for April will be in PSA 205, starting at 6 pm on Wednesday, April 24, at 4500 Q St. NW.

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter. If you have thoughts about what else you would like to see in these email updates and our social media, please directly contact tcogan@dccouncil.gov.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062

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