June 2013 TAKOMAPARK A newsletter published by the City of Takoma Park, Maryland Volume 52, No. 6 n takomaparkmd.gov Kenner chosen as new City manager Takoma Park’s City Council has selected Brian Kenner, currently the Chief Operat- ing Officer for the Deputy Mayor’s Office of Planning and Economic Development for the District of Columbia, to fill the role of Takoma Park’s City Manager. Kenner was chosen with the help of a 28-member search committee of residents representing each of the City’s six wards. He was one of about 70 applicants, five of whom made it A new season to the interview stage of the hiring process. The Crossroads Farmers Market opens for the season on June 5, at 7676 New Hampshire Kenner’s first official day in office is June Ave. With locally grown produce and locally made prepared foods, the market is open 23. WHAT’S NEW? every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and this year has added new vendors with meat, Mayor Bruce Wil- eggs, baked goods and organic produce. On opening day, farmer Forrest Prichard will sign liams and the Tako- Trash collection his new book, “Gaining Ground.” Here, Rosa Sanchez, who runs the SNAP program, and ma Park City Coun- Michelle Dudley, market manager, at the pre-season potluck in May. For more informa- cil seek to leverage No changes this month tion, see www.crossroadscommunityfoodnetwork.org. And remember the Takoma Park Mr. Kenner’s unique Farmers Market on Laurel Avenue in Old Takoma, every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., background to help and the new MarVa Harvest at 7777 Maple Ave. (see story, page 4). push Takoma Park forward. “We be- lieve that Mr. Ken- ner’s strengths in the Kenner FY ‘14: City Council votes to area of public-private partnerships, budget and finance, and eco- nomic development are well suited to pro- lower taxes, add staff vide the City with the leadership needed as we move into the future,”said Williams. Annual budget approved May 20 The unexpected break is due in part to “Mr. Kenner brings a wealth of experience an increase in some State and County pay- in the areas of strategic planning, staff rela- tions and collaboration as well. We believe By Virginia Myers ments, including State Police Aid and High- way User Revenue and County cable operat- that his addition will be beneficial for our For the first time in recent memory, prop- ing funds and tax duplication funds. community.” erty taxes for most Takoma Park residents The number of full time staff will increase Kenner’s work for the District of Colum- are going down. by 5.5, which will accommodate Sunday bia has included managing a team that The City Council voted May 20 to set the hours for the library and computer center, completed the reuse plan for the Walter tax rate at 57 cents per $100 of assessed val- expand the Recreation Department’s after Reed Army Medical Center site, and simi- ue: that’s one cent less than last year, and 2 school care program, and shift part-time larly, leading a team that developed and cents less than the constant yield rate (the positions for City TV staff to full time posi- implemented a planning/redevelopment rate at which the revenue, based on lower as- tions. Also, there will be an increase in large framework for the St Elizabeth’s East Cam- sessed property values, would be the same grants to community organizations and pus. Kenner also served as the primary li- Takoma Park, MD 20912 Park, Takoma Ave. 7500 Maple Mayor & Council as last year). That means, for a $400,000 projects, and funding for sustainability ini- aison for the D.C. Housing Strategy Task home, a property owner will pay $2,280 for tiatives, among other items. Force, which created a five-year plan for City taxes: $120 less than he or she would More specifically, the $23.1 million gen- affordable housing strategy in the city. have at the constant yield rate, and $40 less In addition to his work in D.C., Ken- than at last year’s rate. CITY BUDGET n Page 9 ner served as a senior fund manager of the Community Investments Group at Fan- ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL ECRWSS nie Mae; as vice president of the Public Takoma Park voting rights make history Institutions Group at Jones Lang LaSalle (specializing in public-private initiatives); mer felons to vote, and provides for same- City Council extends the vote as a manager of the Government Real Es- day voter registration. tate Advisory Services Consulting Practice to minors, felons The 6 to 1 City Council vote generated at Ernst & Young; and, as a Presidential By Virginia Myers intense interest during public hearings, Management Fellow for the federal govern- council meetings, and in online email dis- Takoma Park was all over the news last ment. He holds a master’s degree in pub- cussions, with residents weighing in on both month after the City Council voted to change lic policy from Harvard. Kenner says his sides of the issue. Those who favored access the City’s charter and allow 16- and 17-year- career has consistently involved bringing to voting booths for younger voters argued old residents to vote in municipal elections. various entities in the private and public that participating early in life would increase It is the first time a city in the United States sectors together, and he considers his posi- PRE-SORT STANDARD PRE-SORT the likelihood that these teenagers would TAKOMA PARK, MD PARK, TAKOMA has extended voting rights in this way. PERMIT NO. 4422 PERMIT NO. U.S. POSTAGE U.S. In addition, the charter change allows for- VOTING RIGHTS n Page 11 CITY MANAGER n Page 11 PAID Inside: COMMUNITY FILM, MUSIC, SLIGO CREEK KITCHEN DRAMA CONSTRUCTION Page 3 Page 5 Page 11 TAKOMA TOPICS: Teens ages 14-17 can become Counselors in Training this summer! Prior to volunteering DOCKET for summer camp, teens will be required to attend trainings to learn leadership skills and become First Aid/CPR certifed. Register soon! --www.facebook/takomaparkmd City Council & Committee CityCouncilAction Calendar Offcial City Government Meetings* All actions take place in scheduled legislative meetings of the City Council. Only negative votes and abstentions/recusals are noted. Adopted legislation is TPCC: Takoma Park Community Center available for review online at www.takomaparkmd.gov. For additional information, contact the City clerk at [email protected]. CITY COUNCIL Authorizes the TAP application, including Providing for an appointment to the Personnel WELCOMING RECEPTION FOR both the Ethan Allen Gateway Streetscape Appeal Board Monday, June 3, 7:30 p.m. NEW CITY MANAGER BRIAN project and the Flower Avenue Green Street Effects the reappointment of Sandra Coles-Bell KENNER project, with priority given to the Ethan Allen to the Board. Monday, June 10, 7:30 p.m. Gateway Streetscape Project and assures a Monday, July 1, 6:45 p.m. Monday, June 17, 7:30 p.m. 20 percent cash match requirement for eligible RESOLUTION 2013-29 Atrium Lobby construction activities for both projects. Adopted May 13 Monday, July 1, 7:30 p.m. Join the City Council in welcoming Brian Kenner on Monday, July 1, 6:45 to 7:25 RESOLUTION 2013-25 Providing for appointments to the Nuclear-Free TPCC Auditorium p.m. in the Atrium Lobby of the Takoma Adopted May 13 Takoma Park Committee Park Community Center. Affrming the right to vote, establishing a task Effects the appointment of Linda Gunter and COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT force on voting, and supporting a Constitutional the reappointment of Paul Gunter, Julie Boddy amendment granting an individual right to vote and Linda Kanazaki to the Committee. Monday, June 10, 7:30 p.m. RESOLUTION 2013-21 Affrms that the right to vote is a fundamental ORDINANCE 2013-16 TPCC Azalea Room right to be cherished, protected and exercised Adopted April 22 and sets forth a number of steps to encourage Adopted May 20 (frst reading May 13; second reading May 20) TREE COMMISSION Regarding funding for the Flower Avenue Green voting; establishes a Task Force on Voting to Street project make recommendations to the City Council on Adopting the FY 2014 tax rates Tuesday, June 11, 6:30 p.m. Rescinds Resolution 2011-12 which provided policies or regulations needed to strengthen Sets the FY 2014 tax rates as follows: real direction to the City Manager regarding the the right to vote and voter participation in City property $0.57 per $100 of assessed valuation; TPCC Lilac Room budget of the Flower Avenue Green Street elections; and endorses an amendment to the personal property $1.55 per $100 of assessed Project. U.S. Constitution that would grant an individual valuation; railroad and public utilities $1.57 per RECREATION COMMITTEE right to vote along with legislative actions $100 of assessed valuation. RESOLUTION 2013-22 related to elections and voting. Thursday, June 13, 7:30 p.m. ORDINANCE 2013-17 (FIRST READING Adopted April 22 RESOLUTION 2013-26 MAY 13; SECOND READING MAY 20) TPCC Hydrangea Room Providing for an appointment to the Committee Adopted May 13 on the Environment Adopted May 20 ARTS AND HUMANITIES Supporting state funding for renovation of the Adopting the FY 2014 Stormwater Budget Appoints Erin R. Kelley (Ward 4) to the Essex House COMMISSION Committee on the Environment for a term to Adopts the FY 2014 Stormwater Management expire on June 30, 2015. Approves the rehabilitation of the Essex House and sets the base rate for the Stormwater Apartments and the fnancing of the project Management fee at $55.