November 12, 2026

Dear Neighbors,

First, I want to pause and acknowledge the deeply troubling shooting today near 15th and P Streets NW in Logan Circle. My heart is with our community and all who were affected, especially those injured and the individual who tragically lost their life. Many local workers and our neighbors are understandably shaken today. Please avoid the area and take a moment to check in on the neighbors around you.

As we observed Veterans Day yesterday, I join our community in honoring the brave men and women of DC, and across the nation, who have served in the United States Armed Forces. I am profoundly grateful for the sacrifices made by our local veterans and their families to protect our freedoms. To all the veterans living and working in Ward 3 and across the District, thank you for your service, your resilience, and your continued contributions to our community.

Honoring our service members also means defending sacred landscapes and constitutional principles. I am dismayed by the federal administration's recently announced expansion of the National Guard deployment within the District. Flooding our streets with military personnel and vehicles intended for combat to perform routine domestic law enforcement runs counter to the democratic principles our veterans fought to defend. Utilizing the military in this manner undermines local governance, creates unnecessary tension in our neighborhoods, and targets our communities rather than supporting them. That is why I have joined Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who chairs the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, in calling on newly elected governors from five states to withdraw their National Guard troops from the District.

I also stand with the many local veterans groups and residents who are actively opposing the administration's proposed 250-foot arch at Memorial Circle. Like the many veterans leading the advocacy and legal challenges against it, I believe this project would disrupt the solemn sight lines owed to those resting at Arlington National Cemetery. I also support the District’s Office of the Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed jointly with the Attorney General of Virginia, opposing the arch. True honor is found in supporting the living and respecting the fallen, not in erecting vanity monuments.

In that same spirit, protecting our public spaces is an essential part of preserving DC's heritage. I was proud to stand with community members on Saturday, October 31, to show support for defending East Potomac Park from the administration's ongoing attempt to dismantle a public treasure. Though it is legally National Park Service land, Hains Point belongs to the people of the District. It is a place for diverse local families, athletes, and community gatherings, not a canvas for an exclusive golf course. I strongly support the ongoing lawsuits brought forward to protect public access and preserve East Potomac Park and will continue urging Congress to protect the park for the benefit of all DC residents.

Thank you to Robert White and Welcome Jamal Holtz

As a colleague, supporter, and dear friend for a dozen years, I’m deeply grateful for DC Delegate-Elect Robert White’s service to the District. Our journey working together has given me a front-row seat to his unwavering dedication to the DC’s most vulnerable residents. From his transformative leadership on expanding affordable housing and supporting returning citizens, to his steadfast commitment to empowering and strengthening our Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs), Robert's legislative legacy has left a permanent, positive mark on the fabric of DC. While I regret that his time on the Council has come to an early end, I am excited for what lies ahead for him in his next chapter as he continues to advocate for the District.

I also want to extend a warm welcome to my newest colleague, At-Large Councilmember Jamal Holtz. Making history as the Council's first Gen Z lawmaker is a remarkable milestone for the District. I commend his willingness to step up during this transitional period to ensure the legislative process continues uninterrupted for our residents. I look forward to working alongside Councilmember Holtz to serve the people of the District.

In This Newsletter

This edition of the Ward 3 Newsletter includes a summary of the Council’s legislative meetings earlier this week, the ongoing Committee on Human Services hearing on the Chevy Chase Civic Core taking place today, and housing bills re-referred to the Committee on Human Services, as well as updates from District agencies and upcoming community events.

Sincerely,

Matt Frumin

Ward 3 Councilmember

On Tuesday, the Council held a meeting of the Committee of the Whole and a legislative meeting. As has been the case throughout this fall, it was a full agenda. Some of the bills of note included measures aimed at lowering resident utility bills, advancing legislation to amend the District's Comprehensive Plan to facilitate redevelopment of the RFK Stadium campus, balancing nightlife activity with neighborhood noise rules, funding critical housing transformations, and honoring local civic icons.

Lowering Utility Bills

The Guiding Renewable Interconnection and Distribution (GRID) Act seeks to lower household utility bills by capping Pepco and Washington Gas profit margins, auditing utility spending, and legalizing affordable, plug-in balcony solar panels for renters and homeowners. More specifically, the bill would:



• Place an 18-month pause on the controversial multi-year rate plans previously adopted by the Public Service Commission. 
• Allow the Public Service Commission to look at measures that could lower the return on equity (ultimately the profit) that Pepco and Washington Gas are permitted to earn. This could help to reduce customer bills.
• Permit renters and homeowners to use small, portable "balcony solar" panels that plug into standard outlets without needing to receive approval from Pepco.
• Establish strict deadlines for Pepco to approve and connect new solar systems to the District's power grid.
• Set price caps on third-party electricity suppliers to protect District consumers from deceptive or predatory electricity service offers.

The GRID Act moved forward on first reading and the Council will vote on final passage on December 1, 2026. There will be ongoing discussion between first and second reading to refine the bill. I will focus particularly on the return on equity provisions to ensure we accurately capture the underlying intention to add to list of considerations but do not establish a hard cap. 

Development at RFK Stadium Site

The RFK Campus Small Area Plan Amendment Act of 2026 amends the District’s Comprehensive Plan and associated land-use map for the area around the RFK Stadium site. These changes are a necessary step to allow the mayor to advance the broader vision for the RFK campus as laid out by the RFK Master Plan, which the Council also approved on Tuesday. The proposed development includes construction of the new Washington Commanders stadium, housing, offices, retail, and recreational spaces. The Small Area Plan legislation sets the official zoning rules for the property, meaning it does not include exact blueprint details like what the buildings will look like or what materials will be used. The bill was approved on first reading. Much of the discussion focused on steps we might take to ensure housing is promptly built reprising my efforts to include accountability measures for delivery of housing when the original deal was ratified. Also, there were discussions about how to ensure the project is as environmentally responsible as possible. Again, these issues are likely to be discussed between first and second reading. 

Balancing Nightlife Activity and Neighborhood Noise

The Nightlife Noise Balance Amendment Act of 2026 reforms the enforcement process for noise violations involving licensed nightlife establishments. The bill allows District investigators to substantiate noise violations from common areas of residential buildings, such as hallways and lobbies, rather than requiring entry into individual residences. For single-family homes and other residential buildings without common areas, investigators may substantiate violations from the residential property line if it is at least 50 feet from the establishment. The bill also establishes a graduated penalty system that provides businesses with an initial written warning and an opportunity to address noise problems before facing escalating fines or potential liquor license suspension for repeated violations. The bill was approved on first reading.

Funding Housing Transformation

As chair of the Committee on Human Services, I introduced an emergency resolution at the request of the mayor that grants the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) authority to issue up to $318 million in government bonds to fund the District's New Communities Initiative. This funding will go toward transformation of older public housing into mixed-income neighborhoods, supporting ongoing revitalization projects in Barry Farm, Northwest One, and the Bruce Monroe development. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Honoring Local Civic Icons

I introduced the William 'Spence' Spencer, IV Way Designation Act to ceremonially name a section of 48th Place NW after a dedicated community leader who spent decades bettering the Palisades neighborhood. This designation honors Spencer for his incredible service, both globally and locally, including running our local 4th of July Parade for 20 years, serving on ANC 3D, and helping to create the Palisades Farmers Market. This bill renames the street where the farmers market takes place to celebrate his lasting legacy. The bill was approved unanimously on first reading.

I also introduced two ceremonial resolutions today that the Council voted unanimously to approve. First, I introduced the WAMU 65th Anniversary Recognition Resolution of 2026 to celebrate the public radio station's 65 years of keeping half a million weekly listeners informed from its home in Ward 3. Second, I introduced the Tony Campanaro Recognition Resolution of 2026 to celebrate the life and legacy of Antonio "Tony" Campanaro, a beloved pillar of the community who spent 55 years cutting hair and serving generations of families at Tony’s Barber Shop in Van Ness.

Today’s Critical Hearing on Chronic Absenteeism

One of my top priorities is ensuring that our schools, students, and families have the comprehensive support they need to thrive. At the core of student achievement and long-term success is regular attendance.

Sadly, far too many students across the District are missing crucial instructional time and facing chronic truancy. Today, the Committee of the Whole is convening a critical oversight hearing on chronic absenteeism. This hearing, happening right now, is a vital opportunity to listen directly to the perspectives of students, families, educators, school administrators, and subject matter experts as we collectively examine the root causes of this crisis.

Addressing absenteeism requires looking at the whole child. We must ensure our youth have access to modernized facilities, engaging and culturally relevant curricula, and safe, reliable transportation to and from school. Equally important, we must strengthen wraparound family supports so that no student feels compelled to miss school to work and provide supplemental household income or to care for family members, such as grandparents or young children.

I will hope to participate briefly in this hearing to weigh in on these issues and in any case will be reviewing the testimony. As described below, I will be otherwise occupied for much of the day. I look forward to working collaboratively with our school communities to implement meaningful, workable solutions that keep our students in the classroom and on the path to success.

Hearing on Chevy Chase Civic Core Redevelopment Proposal

Today, the Committee on Human Services is holding a public hearing on the Chevy Chase Civic Site Surplus Declaration and Disposition Approval Act of 2026. This project proposes a modernized library and community center, alongside 177 new homes, half of which will beaffordable, plus green and open spaces, retail, and parking. Rooted in the 2022 Chevy Chase Small Area Plan and recent zoning updates, this plan aims to blend new housing with updated public spaces.

More than 80 witnesses are testifying today, and the hearing is expected to go into the evening. As we review the details and gather testimony from stakeholders, my focus remains on ensuring we maintain a thoughtful building scale, ample green space, adequate parking, and superior public and residential facilities. I am deeply grateful for the community's ongoing engagement, and I look forward to keeping you updated as this process continues. The record will close for written testimony at the end of the business day on Tuesday, November 17. Residents can submit testimony through the hearing webpage.

Housing Bills Re-Referred to Committee on Human Services

With the resignation of Delegate-Elect Robert White, who chaired the Committee on Housing, Chairman Mendelson has re-referred four housing bills to the Committee on Human Services:

• B26-0819 - Ownership and Wealth-building for our Neighbors (OWN) Omnibus Amendment Act of 2026 would expand homeownership opportunities and financial stability for residents by restructuring homebuyer assistance, establishing a mortgage foreclosure prevention program, regulating condo reserve studies to prevent surprise repair costs, and subsidizing equity increases during affordable housing resales.
• B26-0829 - Shared Housing Agreements and Resolution Effort Pilot Program Amendment Act of 2026 would establish an eviction diversion pilot requiring landlords and tenants to undergo a structured mediation process to resolve rental disputes before formal, nonpayment-based eviction lawsuits can be filed in court. It also creates a fund for limited District financial assistance to be used with tenants and housing providers also contributing toward resolving the debt.
• B26-0822 - Understanding the Cost of Housing Regulations Act of 2026 would mandate that the District hire an independent third-party expert to conduct a comprehensive study analyzing local housing development costs and regulatory barriers, comparing DC's permitting delays, fees, and building rules against regional peer jurisdictions and expensive national markets.
• B26-0597 - Housing Production Omnibus Amendment Act of 2026 would overhaul the District's affordable housing framework by replacing the Housing Production Trust Fund with a unified Housing Opportunity Fund, which divides resources into five specialized sub-accounts and introduces new financial tools, such as a revolving construction loan fund and District retirement fund investment pipelines, with the goal of accelerating public and private affordable housing development.

We are working with stakeholders and colleagues on these newly referred bills to determine which can be brought across the finish line in the limited period before the end of the Council session and, if so, how they should be modified in the mark up process before any full Council vote. I will be providing updates on these and other bills in the coming weeks.

Update on the Recent Odor Near the Potomac River

The Washington Aqueduct has confirmed that a recent foul, sulfur-like odor near the Potomac River is due to routine, scheduled maintenance at the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant and has no impact on our drinking water safety.

Many of you have reached out to my office reporting a distinct smell in the area. I immediately contacted our partners at the Washington Aqueduct, and they confirmed that the temporary sulfur or "rotten egg" odor near the Potomac River is caused by the routine draining and cleaning of its sedimentation basins, which exposes natural sediments to the open air. This process is strictly a surface-level issue and has absolutely no impact on water quality or safety. The infrastructure maintenance finished last week, and the basins will be refilled and the smell will dissipate. I appreciate nearby residents’ vigilance in reporting this issue and patience during the work.

DPW Leaf Collection & Collection Status

The District Government was closed yesterday to observe Veterans Day. This week’s collection by the Department of Public Works is on a slide schedule as a result. This means households that normally receive trash, recycling, and food waste collection on Wednesday, November 11, will be serviced on Thursday, November 12. Collections for the rest of the week will “slide” one day into Saturday.

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.

DPW’s curbside leaf collection continues. Section B collection will begin on Monday, November 16. 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.

DDOT Ward 3 NOIs

There are currently two active Notices of Intent of note regarding planned traffic work in Ward 3. These notices can be found on DDOT’s NOI portal.

• NOI #: 26-292-PSD: Installation of Curb Extension with Sidewalk, Crosswalk and Daylighting at Sedgwick Street, NW and 47th Street, NW in ANC3D. DDOT plans to install a curb extension as part of the new sidewalk construction to avoid impacting heritage trees located there. The notice period will end on November 27.
• NOI# 26-298-TPA: Adjustment of former PUDO Zone to No Parking Zone in ANC 3C. DDOT intends to remove the Pick-up-Drop off (PUDO) signage from the east side of the 3000 block of Connecticut Ave NW near the Smithsonian National Zoo entrance and replace it with No Parking signage. DDOT’s PUDO pilot program has ended, and these signs are being replaced across the District. Operationally, this area will be similar to the former PUDO program, allowing drivers quick access to the curb for loading and unloading passengers, so long as the driver does not leave the vehicle. The notice period will end on December 16.

EdFEST Registration Open

Registration is now open for this year’s EdFEST events. With the My School DC lottery application opening on December 14 for the 2027-28 school year, EdFEST is an opportunity to check out the District’s diverse school options and discover the school that is the best fit for your child. Families interested in schools that serve grades 9 through 12 can register for the event on Saturday, December 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Families interested in schools that serve PK3 through Grade 8 can register for Saturday, December 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information and to register, visit the EdFest 2026 webpage.

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. There are 24 plan options 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.

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.

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.

DC KinCare Alliance Award

I was honored to be named the 2026 KinCare Champion by the DC KinCare Alliance on Tuesday this week. The DC KinCare Alliance was founded in 2017 to provide legal representation, education, and advocacy for relative caregivers raising vulnerable children in times of family crisis.

As Chair of the Committee on Human Services, I protected critical DHS Community Legal Education and Resources (CLEAR) Grant funding for standby guardianships and financial safety planning, authored legislation expanding the Public Benefits Ombudsperson’s power to resolve DHS backlogs and protect skimmed SNAP benefits, and led the Council’s successful fight to restore over $31.6M to the Access to Justice Initiative, preserving free civil legal aid for more than 38,000 residents. To protect our youngest noncitizen neighbors, I also introduced the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Act to align DC statutes with federal protections while safeguarding vital parental contact restrictions.

Thank you to the KinCare Alliance for this honor. I will continue to work to secure vital legal, financial, and administrative protections for the District’s most vulnerable families.

Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) Meetings

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

ANC3B: Thursday, December 10, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

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

ANC3D: Wednesday, December 2, 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 23, 7:00 p.m., Zoom

Friendship Heights Holiday Makers Market - November 14

Friendship Heights’ Holiday Makers Market returns Saturday, November 14, with more than 40 makers and artisans along the west side of Wisconsin Ave NW, from Jenifer Street to Garrison Street. There will also be live jazz from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., along with food tastings, and a craft station for all ages.

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