January 2021 TAKOMAPARK A newsletter published by the City of Takoma Park, Maryland Volume 60, No. 1 n takomaparkmd.gov Oh what a year! It would be easy to focus on the many public events and other activities that didn’t happen in 2020. But a lot did happen because City residents and staff pulled together as a community. Let’s take a photographic look back at some of moments to remember from last year. Vital Living launch: City TV debuts new WHAT’S show for seniors Vital Living 55+ in Takoma Park is a NEW? new monthly cable show for Takoma Park residents, 55 and older. Hosted New Theater Company by Seniors Program Manager Paula in Town Lazowski, each show will highlight Details, page 13 an important topic as well as share January presentations and performances. So Many Memories: Vital Living 55 Plus was developed Love Continues through a partnership between City Members of the Takoma Park Police TV and the Takoma Park Recreation Details, page 12 Department brave the chilly waters of the Department to reach out to seniors Chesapeake in support of the Maryland in the community. “The COVID-19 FY22 Community Special Olympics (Jan. 24). pandemic has highlighted the need Grants Application for community-based organizations Opening YEAR IN REVIEW n Page 7 to maintain the provision of services Details, page 4 and programs for engaging and sup- porting older adults during this dif- City Offices & ficult time,” Lazowski noted while Facilities Closed A message from Mayor Stewart: introducing the first episode. Social Isolation – and outreach to Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Sunday, Jan. 17 - Monday, Jan. 18 older adults in Takoma Park – is the We are here for each other main topic of the first show, which Trash/Recycling Collection We are in the eleventh As we have been over the last presents informative interviews with Antonio DeVaul, Chief, Takoma No yard waste collection month of the uncertainty and eleven months, the City is here Monday, Jan. 18 enormity of the COVID-19 for all of you and will continue Park Police Department, and Jes- crisis. While a vaccine is be- to be here. I am deeply appre- sica Clarke, Deputy City Manager. Look for this Icon ing administered, we continue ciative of all the support, pa- Viewers can also enjoy a moment of throughout this to witness the impact the vi- tience, and compassion as we inspiration with Kathleen O’Toole, Poet Laureate for the City of Takoma issue rus is having every day on our face this crisis together. Our families, friends, neighbors, City staff continues to work Park, and watch an art presentation See page 14 and local businesses. around the clock to make sure by Alice Sims, Art for the People, and More than ever since this our government keeps run- create the project themselves. crisis began, we need to come Mayor Kate Stewart ning and residents, especially In his interview, Chief DeVaul highlighted the TPPD’s CARE pro- Takoma Park, MD 20912 Park, Takoma 7500 Maple Ave. Mayor & Council together as a community to those most vulnerable, are be- support and help each other. This starts ing cared for. We are working in coor- gram. “The CARE program is a col- with wearing a mask when in public. Also, dination with county, state, and regional laboration between the police depart- stay up to date on the Montgomery County ment and our residents the residents public health guidelines on gatherings. MAYOR'S MESSAGE n Page 3 in the city,” he explained. “Whether they’re elderly, they’re disabled, or ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL ECRWSS they’re recovering from surgeries, [residents] can sign up through the police department for a program that will check on them on a daily basis.” “The way it works is the resident would during a prescribed time call into the police department and let the police department know they were okay…If the person does not contact the police department, we will reach out to that person to make sure they’re okay,” he continued. “If PRE-SORT STANDARD PRE-SORT TAKOMA PARK, MD PARK, TAKOMA PERMIT NO. 4422 PERMIT NO. VITAL LIVING n Page 3 U.S. POSTAGE U.S. PAID Inside Virtual Snow Angels Special Zoom Circle Play Day Needed Time with Ceece Kelley Page 6 Page 8 Page 11 CMYK DOCKET City Council & Committee CityCouncilAction Calendar REMOTE/VIRTUAL MEETINGS CONTINUE Only negative votes or abstentions Two ordinances were adopted on efficiency and green design, but within We expect that meetings will continue to take place in a are reported here. Resolutions and December 2, 2020. Ordinance 2020-32 limitations of the budget, site constraints, remote/virtual format into the new year. For the most current ordinances are published online after authorized the City Manager to sign time constraints, and other design information, visit www.takomaparkmd.gov and click on adoption. a contract with LINK associates for considerations. Possible options to “Events and Meetings.” Information on any meetings taking On December 2, 2020, the City Council facilitation services for the Reimagining preserve mature trees are to be explored place will be published there along with information on how Public Safety Task Force. The contract as is relocation of the “Children’s the public can observe. adopted Resolution 2020-28 extending the use of sidewalks, on-street parking amount is $15,000 per month for an Garden” on or near the Community COMMENTING AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS and parking lots to assist Takoma Park’s expected six months of service. Center property. The City Council is to Individuals interested in commenting live during City Council businesses, employees, and residents by Ordinance 2020-33 approved a contract receive monthly progress updates on the meetings must sign up by 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting. creating safe spaces for outdoor dining award to The Novak Consulting Group/ Library project. The link to sign up will be published on the calendar and on and curbside pickup. The resolution Raftelis for City Manager recruitment the City Council agenda page. Written comments sent by services. The base contract award is for specifically continues the closure of the Also, on December 9, 2020, the Council email or U.S. mail will be shared with the full Council. $24,900. northbound lane of Laurel Avenue. The set its winter recess to begin on CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS IN JANUARY resolution sunsets on September 30, 2021 The City Council authorized the December 10 and end on January The City Council will be on recess until Wednesday, January 13. when the Council may consider a new architect and City staff to proceed with 12, 2021 by Resolution 2020-31. By resolution based on information available construction document preparation, • Wednesday, January 13, 7:30 p.m., City Council Regular Meeting adoption of Resolution 2020-32, the City at the time. By adoption of Resolution permit application preparation, and Council appointed Keli Cochran (Ward • Wednesday, January 20 (Inauguration Day - 2020-29, the Council removed the Housing competitive bidding for a replacement 6) and Mark Swartz (Ward 1) to the the City Council will not meet.) and Community Development Director Library, by Resolution 2020-30, on Grants Review Committee. The Council • Thursday, January 21, 6 p.m., City Council Closed Session position from the budget hold list, thus December 9, 2020. (Councilmember authorized the extension of emergency allowing the City Manager to proceed Smith abstained.) Work is to continue • Thursday, January 21, 7:30 p.m., City Council Regular Meeting regulations concerning Title 12, Trees and with advertising and filling the position. on modifications related to energy Vegetation, by Resolution 2020-33. • Wednesday, January 27, 7:30 p.m., City Council Regular Meeting CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES RETREAT Saturday, January 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The City Council will hold a 2021 Priorities Retreat (remote/ virtual) on Saturday, January 16, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Notice of Final The retreat may be observed on Zoom. Administrative Regulations CITY BOARD, COMMISSION, AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS Meetings will be held remotely for the duration of the public for Implementation of the health crisis. Tree Ordinance BOARD OF ELECTIONS Draft Administrative Regulations to implement the City’s Tree Thursday, January 14, 7 p.m. Ordinance, as revised via City Council Ordinance 2020-22, COMPLETE SAFE STREETS COMMITTEE were advertised for public comment in the November Issue January meeting TBA. Check the calendar. of the Newsletter. The two regulations, “Fees for Tree Impact Assessments, Tree Removals and Tree Protection EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE Plans, and Fees in Lieu of Planting” and “Noxious Growths Thursday, January 28, 7 p.m. and Undesirable Trees” were available for review through FACADE ADVISORY BOARD December 4. No substantive comments were received Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 p.m. related to the regulation regarding fees. There were several comments received regarding the plants or trees regarded GRANTS REVIEW COMMITTEE as noxious or undesirable and the process of adding Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 p.m. or removing species from the lists. Final administrative NUCLEAR-FREE TAKOMA PARK COMMITTEE regulations are posted at takomaparkmd.gov/initiatives/ Tuesday, January 12, 7:30 p.m. project-directory/tree-ordinance-review-tree-canopy-goal. Thank you to those who provided comments! PARKING MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE January meeting TBA. Check the calendar. POLICE CHIEF’S ADVISORY BOARD January meeting TBA. Check the calendar. RECREATION COMMITTEE Thursday, January 21, 7 p.m. TREE COMMISSION VIRTUAL CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 p.m. Due to the public health crisis, the City Council has been meeting remotely by video conference.