October 29, 2026

Dear Neighbors, 

Sadly, this week brought devastating news for many in our community. During a traffic stop, a Deal Middle School baseball coach was detained and is now being held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Louisiana. 

Amaury Monsalve, known to his players and families as "Coach A," has been a fixture of our local sports community for more than two decades, dedicating his time to mentoring students at Deal Middle School, Jackson-Reed High School, and H.D. Woodson High School. He is beloved for the attention he devotes to all kids, particularly those with disabilities. Speaking to his character, parents have told me that when the Deal baseball team is leading and the score is no longer close, he gives tips and encouragement to the players on the other team. 

Beyond his impact on the baseball field, Mr. Monsalve is a devoted husband and a loving father to two sons. To have him abruptly removed from his family and community and transferred to a detention facility in another state is entirely unacceptable. 

This situation is wrong and heartbreaking. I want to express my deep gratitude to the Deal community that has stepped up so quickly to respond and support his family during this unimaginably difficult time. As suggested by his legal representation, I joined members of the Deal community in sending a letter describing Mr. Monsalve’s character and contributions and urging his release. 

In This Newsletter 

Fall is a busy time of year at the Council, as we hold legislative and committee hearings to advance our priorities before the end of the Council Period. This newsletter includes recaps of the October 20 legislative meeting, recent Council hearings and roundtables, and recent work of the Committee on Human Services. You will also find helpful information on leaf collection, how to get help with snow removal for this upcoming winter, proposed transportation work, and other news from District agencies. 

For families looking for a free and safe activity this Halloween weekend, you can also find details on the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)’s Trunk-or-Treat, as well as other community events and Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) meetings. 

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

Legislative Meeting and Committee of the Whole – October 20

On October 20, the Council convened for a Committee of the Whole and Legislative meeting, advancing several measures outlined below.

• Tackling the Rat Crisis: The Council unanimously approved the Rodent Education and Management Yields (REMY) Results Act. This legislation establishes commercial rodent-proof trash receptacle pilot programs; creates a public geospatial tracking dashboard for 311 requests, active burrows, abatement and treatment metrics, and inspector activity; and also restricts hazardous anticoagulant rodenticides to safeguard children and local wildlife while targeting rat infestations.

• Supporting Seniors & Families: We also advanced the Senior Tax Aggregation Amendment Act, which I proudly co-introduced. This measure allows a senior or disabled resident to combine their homeownership percentage with the shares of other co-owners living in the house to qualify for the District's 50% property tax reduction. This ensures that elderly residents with only a partial inherited stake in their family home can still get full tax relief, as long as the residents collectively own at least half of the property.

Additionally, the Council discussed procurement reforms, passed bills renaming schools, and laid the groundwork for upcoming debates on traffic safety enforcement. We decided to postpone action on the Nightlife Noise Balance Amendment Act, a bill designed to strengthen noise-complaint enforcement and penalties for commercial venues, which we will take up again at a November session.

Audi Field Hearing – October 23

On October 23, the Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on the Soccer Stadium Redevelopment and Maintenance Act of 2026. The proposal would upgrade Audi Field through a public-private partnership with DC United to add a weather-controlling roof, 8,000 seats, and transform the stadium area into a year-round entertainment hub. The plan also develops over 450 housing units, including 100 affordable senior units, plus retail, office space, and a one-acre public open space.

During the hearing, proponents included DC United, Major League Soccer (MLS), Major League Volleyball, labor representatives, and local business owners. DC United and MLS highlighted three main arguments:

• MLS is shifting from its traditional February–December format to a European-style July–May calendar, starting after a shortened transition season in early 2027 and incorporating a winter break from mid-December to early February, modeled after European and global football calendars.
• Second, driven by soaring franchise valuations, a landmark $240 million broadcast deal, and record-breaking fan attendance, women's professional soccer has entered a historic commercial boom, epitomized by the Washington Spirit's league-leading 66 percent revenue growth and significant cultural impact in the DC area.
• Third, activating Audi Field year-around and adding proposed housing will further catalyze development and economic activity on Buzzard Point, generating more than enough tax revenue to fund the bonds necessary for the District to provide the requested support. 

Proponents feel these factors justify District support for stadium winterization and expanded venue capacity.

Conversely, public witnesses, some ANC representatives, and independent research organizations raised concerns regarding the roughly $300 million public investment. There were also concerns raised about potential event cannibalization, specifically with Capital One Arena competing for similar sports and entertainment events, and about traffic and safety bottlenecks on the Buzzard Point peninsula.

$300 million from the capital budget demands rigorous scrutiny; the core question is whether this investment would pay for itself and generate a net positive return to the District. Public financing of stadium projects is not universally positive or negative, and I emphasized we must evaluate this proposal objectively and focus on the math.

In some cases, as Nationals Park in Navy Yard has proven, stadium development deals can catalyze economic activity in a neighborhood and generate revenue for the District. For Audi Field, it may be that new sales taxes and surcharges on tickets and merchandise fully cover the debt service. If so, this project would not result in a net cost to taxpayers and could spur year-round economic activity on Buzzard Point, benefiting the wider District.

At the same time, the Council must press DC United and agency partners on crucial conditions: securing a fair, long-term deal that fully accommodates the Spirit; addressing traffic and transportation issues for nearby residents; and protecting public funds. In past stadium deals, for example, the District protected public funds by implementing broad-based commercial tax backstops to guarantee bond repayment, establishing strict, decades-long lease covenants and real estate buybacks to block team relocation, and restricting public spending to infrastructure to avoid construction cost overruns.

I have not taken a position at this time and will continue to meet with and hear all perspectives on this proposal. The public record for this legislation remains open until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6. Written testimony can be summited on the hearing page.

JPS Domestic Violence Hearing – Oct 27

On Tuesday, the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety (JPS) held a deeply moving and important hearing on domestic violence and sexual assault in the District. This hearing was especially critical to me, as there have been multiple tragic and traumatizing incidents in Ward 3 this year related to domestic violence. During the hearing, we listened to difficult and brave stories from survivors, non-profit groups, and experts. Hearing these experiences is heartbreaking, and I am profoundly grateful to everyone who found the strength to speak to help us understand how to build a safer community.

The hearing looked at two key pieces of legislation:

• Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse Act: I was proud to co-introduce this bill. It creates a dedicated Domestic Violence Response Unit within the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). It also updates our laws to recognize financial abuse as a form of domestic violence and protects sensitive body-worn camera footage to keep victims safe.
• Protecting Victims Act: Introduced by Chairman Mendelson at the request of the mayor, this bill helps hold repeat offenders accountable when they break protection, stay-away, or no-contact orders. It also gives courts more power to hold dangerous suspects who have a documented history of hurting an intimate partner.

Residents can still submit testimony online through the Council’s Hearing Management System on the hearing page. The official record will close at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10.

Upcoming Hearings

• OSSE Student Transportation Roundtable (November 4 at 9:30 a.m.): This roundtable will review the District's student bus services, including the rollout of the new "Busware" GPS tracking system for families of students with disabilities. While oral testimony is by invitation, anyone can submit comments through the hearing page until November 18 at 5:00 p.m.
• Education for Students with Disabilities Public Roundtable (November 4 at 2:30 p.m.): This public hearing will explore how the District supports students with special needs, improves learning, and addresses our heavy reliance on legal complaints to get services. This hearing is open to public testimony. Residents can sign up to testify or watch online by visiting the hearing page. Public registration closes on Monday, November 2 at 5:00 p.m.
• JPS Hearing on Federal Law Enforcement & National Guard Activities (November 5 at 9:00 a.m.): The Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety will hold a public hearing on heightened federal law enforcement and National Guard activities in the District. The hearing will also examine bills concerning body-worn camera transparency, arrest reporting accountability, and safe community places that restrict local cooperation with civil immigration enforcement. Residents who wish to testify in person or virtually must register through the hearing page by 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Written statements can be submitted until the record closes at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

Residents can view the full Council calendar at lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings.

As chair of the Committee on Human Services, I recently held hearings on economic development projects planned in the District, as well as legislation I introduced to provide residents receiving benefits with environmental job training.

Fletcher-Johnson and Georgetown Boathouse Hearing Recap – Oct 14

On October 14, the committee held a public hearing on two development measures:

• Georgetown Boathouse (Bill 26-740): This project involves a land swap along the Potomac River at the base of the Key Bridge. It is remarkably rare to see near-unanimous community support for a development, but neighbors and ANC 2E have widely backed this effort. While the technical mechanics are complex and construction will bring some temporary inconveniences, the final outcome will protect public access to the river, create a permanent home for Georgetown University's rowing team, relieve overcrowding at Thompson Boathouse, and expand park space along the waterfront.
• Fletcher-Johnson (Bill 26-720): Located at 4650 Benning Road SE, this 15-acre site has been vacant since 2011. The proposed redevelopment includes over 800 units of housing (featuring affordable senior housing and options for a memory care/dementia village), retail and grocery space, green park space, and a freestanding emergency department operated by Universal Health Services in partnership with George Washington University Hospital. During the hearing, we listened closely to community leaders and residents who emphasized the need for strong accountability, local job training, and a careful balance of community amenities.

Green Workforce and HHS Data-Sharing Hearing Recap – Oct 22

On October 22, the committee held a public hearing on two bills I introduced.

• Green Workforce Pilot Amendment Act of 2026 (B26-0808): Recent changes to federal law have added strict work requirements for public benefit programs. Without action, thousands of DC residents could lose their SNAP food benefits and their Medicaid health insurance. I introduced this legislation to create a pilot program within the Department of Human Services (DHS) that connects up to 250 benefit recipients with paid, local environmental jobs. Participants would earn at least minimum wage working 32 to 48 hours per month in conservation roles, such as caring for stormwater infrastructure, clearing invasive plants, and supporting clean energy projects. This work would allow residents to meet federal requirements, access the valuable Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), receive one-on-one job coaching, and build a bridge to long-term employment without losing their local assistance.
• HHS Data-Sharing Clarifications Amendment Act of 2026 (B26-0753): Introduced at the request of the mayor, this bill updates District laws to allow smooth and secure data sharing within DHS and between health agencies. By allowing the District’s homeless services team to share information directly with the public benefits division, the District can automatically qualify vulnerable residents for exemptions from federal work rules. This removes heavy paperwork burdens and keeps residents connected to life-saving assistance.

Public testimony for both bills remains open until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2026. You can submit written comments through the hearing page.

Reeves Center and Poplar Point Development & Land Use

Yesterday, the Committee heard testimony on three major land disposition and economic development measures:

• Reeves Center Surplus and Disposition Approval Act of 2026 (B26-0834): The legislation declares District-owned property at 2000 14th St NW and 1414 V St NW surplus for transfer to Reeves CMC Venture, LLC. Currently vacant, the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center land at 14th and U Street NW historically served as a critical economic anchor for the U Street corridor, operating for decades as a hub for local government services. The building's plaza regularly hosted popular neighborhood activities, including Go-Go performances and a Saturday morning farmers market. The proposed mixed-use development features the NAACP national headquarters, a hotel, neighborhood retail, dedicated arts and cultural spaces, a public plaza, and a commitment over 280 mixed-income housing units, with at least 30% of them set aside as permanently affordable for lower-income District residents. The site is now mostly empty, leaving a big hole in the middle of the U Street area. Back in the 1980s, building the Reeves Center completely brought this neighborhood back to life. Now, supporters hope a new plan for the block can make the area strong again. The new project will celebrate the neighborhood's history as "Black Broadway" and its major role in the Civil Rights Movement by adding public art and hosting the new headquarters for the NAACP.

• Poplar Point Acquisition and Disposition Approval Act of 2026 (B26-0845): The legislation authorizes the long-awaited transfer of Poplar Point from the National Park Service to District control, alongside the purchase of adjacent land to extend Howard Road for site access. The 110-acre Poplar Point parcel includes 70 acres legally reserved for public park space and 40 acres designated for mixed-use development and is the last piece of District waterfront awaiting development. Though originally mandated by federal law in 2006, the land transfer has been delayed for 20 years primarily due to extensive environmental remediation and facility relocation challenges. DC leaders have been trying to get control of Poplar Point since before 2006, so this new law would be the result of decades of hard work. Even if the law passes, actual construction would not start for some time. Before any digging can begin, the District must build a new home for the National Park Service Headquarters and undertake environmental remediation. Witnesses suggest these steps could take about five years, but if the legislation passes, work to execute the land transfer would start as soon as the bill is officially approved.

• Poplar Point Economic Development Anchor Disposition Act of 2026 (B26-0846): This bill proposes a 60-year ground lease of roughly 15 acres to Therme DC LLC for a 400,000–600,000 sq. ft. health and wellness facility. This proposal elicits strong responses on both sides. Therme facilities can be major draws. If built, this project is estimated to attract over 2 million visitors a year, including from the District, the DMV area, as well as visitors. This would generate substantial economic activity and tax revenue. Many Ward 8 residents testified in favor of the proposal, arguing it is the kind of investment that has eluded areas east of the river for years. Others expressed concern about genuine community access, inclusion, and if this is the right economic development anchor for Poplar Point. The Therme team has engaged in outreach to address concerns. This would be a unique and consequential investment, and there is likely to be continued scrutiny.

Written public testimony for these measures is open through Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via the hearing page.

Benefits & Access System Oversight

Today, the Committee held a joint public oversight roundtable with the Committee on Health, chaired by Councilmember Christina Henderson, examining the DC Access System (DCAS) and the rollout of federally mandated work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid.  

The hearing focused on how local agencies, including the Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) and DHS, are adapting systems, processes, and customer support to handle new federal SNAP and Medicaid work mandates. The hearing also focused on resident challenges when applying for and maintaining social services benefits through DCAS, tracking progress since the Council's December 2023 roundtable. We looked at strategies to streamline eligibility changes and ensure eligible residents maintain continuous access to health care and support.  

Written statements for the record can be submitted through the hearing page until November 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

DPW Leaf Collection & Collection Status

It is leaf season in the District, and DPW’s curbside leaf collection officially kicks off next week on Monday, November 2. Every serviced street will receive two collection passes, so please rake your loose leaves into your tree box or along the curb the Sunday before your scheduled week. Find a collection map and schedule at dpw.dc.gov/leaf.

If you want to track your trash and recycling pickup schedule in real time, you can use the MyDPW app or check the new Collection Status Map on the DPW website, which lets you enter your address to see route progress without any login required.

2027 Health Insurance Open Enrollment

District residents can sign up for quality health coverage for themselves and their families through DC Health Link starting November 1.

Key Highlights:

• 24 plan options are available to fit different needs and budgets.
• The new Healthy DC Plan offers $0 monthly premiums and $0 care costs for residents who qualify, plus dental and vision benefits.
• Free expert help is available to help you find financial savings, lower your premiums, or see if you qualify for the Healthy DC Plan.

How to Sign Up or Get Help:

• Online: Visit DCHealthLink.com
• Phone: Call 855-532-LINK (5465)
• In Person: Visit a local enrollment center at dchealthlink.com/enrollmentcenters
• Virtually: Schedule a video appointment for free help, ID verification, and language translation at dchealthlink.com/DConetouch

Snow Team Heroes

Winter weather will be here before we know it, and Snow Team Heroes play a vital role in helping our most vulnerable neighbors by clearing walkways at the homes of seniors and residents with disabilities. Volunteers receive metal shovels and necessary materials to clear away icy winter storm buildup. If you are interested in joining the team and lending a hand to a neighbor in need, you can sign up today at snowteam.dc.gov.

DDOT Infrastructure & Bus Priority Projects

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has several important infrastructure projects coming up in our area, including street repairs on Newark Street NW, from 34th Place to 35th Street, starting October 30 and running through November 20. Crews will work Monday through Saturday, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., to fix sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and wheelchair ramps, and residents should watch for 72-hour parking restriction signs.

Additionally, DDOT is launching the Wisconsin Avenue NW Bus Priority Project between Western Avenue and M Street to improve bus speeds, safety, and reliability for high-ridership routes like the D80. You can see more on the Bus Priority Map. DDOT is currently completing a corridor needs assessment and coordinating with WMATA and other stakeholders; construction of any improvements is anticipated to begin in 2029. Information about upcoming public meetings and opportunities to comment will be shared soon. Questions or comments may be directed to Matthew Gaskin at matthew.gaskin1@dc.gov. Project updates and information can be found on the Project Website.

DC 2050 Neighborhood Tours

As the DC Office of Planning continues working on the DC 2050 Comprehensive Plan update, the agency is hosting opportunities to share your feedback and learn how our neighborhoods are growing. While a revised Future Land Use Map won't come out until next year, planners are hosting educational neighborhood tours and virtual office hours this fall. Residents can join an in-person tour on December 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Cleveland Park Library to explore local development through the eyes of an urban planner (RSVP here) or drop into virtual Zoom sessions on November 19 and December 2 to ask questions and share your ideas.

Annual 17th Street High Heel Race

On Tuesday, I attended the annual High Heel Race on 17th Street in Dupont Circle. DC is stronger for our diversity, and as always, this event was a joyous celebration of the vibrant LGBTQ+ community in the District.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) Meetings

ANC3A: Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

ANC3B: Thursday, November 5, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

ANC3C: Monday, November 16, 7:00 p.m., Zoom 

ANC3D: Wednesday, November 4, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

ANC3E: Thursday, November 12, 7:30 p.m., Zoom

ANC3F: Monday, November 17, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

ANC3/4G: Thursday, November 9, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

MPD Trunk-or-Treat – October 31

On Saturday, October 31, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the MPD Second District (2D) Station (3320 Idaho Avenue NW) will host a free, family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat. The event is part of MPD’s Halloween Safe Haven events. See MPD’s website for a full list of MPD Halloween Safe Haven events.

Cleveland Park Winter Fest – December 12

The 5th Annual Cleveland Park Winter Fest is Saturday, December 12, from noon to 5 p.m. Attendees can shop local vendors, enjoy live music, visit Santa and the Grinch, and take part in fun seasonal activities. This is an opportunity to celebrate the season, support local businesses, and enjoy the festive spirit of Cleveland Park.

Councilmember Matt Frumin

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Suite 408

202-724-8062