Hello Ward 3 neighbors,

This update has these color-coded headlines for each of the following topics:?

1. This week’s upcoming City Council meeting agenda.

2. Community outreach for Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES) renovation.?

3. Progress in response to Cooper v. Takoma Park legal settlement.

4. Progress on Performance Measurement initiative.

5. First Readings of Ordinances accepting grants for public art and computers.

6. Work Session on procuring a smart control system for Community Center HVAC.

7. Work Session on a traffic study for the New Hampshire Gardens neighborhood.

8. Anticipated finalization of City Council Priorities for the 2025-26 two-year term.

9. Neighborhood issue updates and requests for information/help from you.

10. News, invitations, and announcements.

1. This week’s City Council meeting.

. As always, you can sign up to comment via Zoom – the link for signing up can be found on the agenda. We will get a third-quarter financial report for FY25 (through March 31). Then we will move on to a lengthy set of preliminary or final votes related to:

• the FY26 budget?

• the FY26 property tax rate (which will, as you probably know by now, be unchanged at $0.5522 per $100 assessed value)

• grants for public art refurbishment and computer purchases (see #5 below)

• procurement of HVAC system improvements (see #6 below) and a Ward 6 traffic study (see #7 below)

• a resolution authorizing a grant application for the Purple Line Connector project (for a safe link between the Takoma-Langley Crossroads station and the New Hampshire Avenue bikeway)

• a resolution confirming the Council’s choices of FY26 traffic-calming and sidewalk projects

• potentially, a resolution to adopt City Council Priorities for the current term (see #8 below)

We will also convene as the Stormwater Management Board to vote on the budget and stormwater fee rate for FY26. During the budget process, I agreed during the budget process with the idea of increasing that rate by $5 per 500 square feet of impervious area, from $25 to $30, with an objective of addressing urgent mitigation needs more rapidly. I remain committed to exploring ways for residents to take better advantage of County-offered rebates for rain gardens, and I will advocate for a clear-eyed examination of the pros and cons of relinquishing municipal control over stormwater management.

Finally, we will have a Work Session to review a draft Resolution establishing the Council Compensation Committee.?

2. Community outreach for Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES) renovation.?

Main points: A study is underway, looking at options for renovation of PBES. Most likely, work will commence in the 2028-29 school year and require two years. Initially, consultants have said that the County has ruled out construction of a new school behind the current one or at another nearby site. Therefore, most likely students would be bused to another holding campus for two years. Renovation options include the possibility that the community pool could be discontinued. Residents are urged to participate in one or more of the three remaining community meetings (5/15. 5/29. 6/4).

In detail: We found out less than two weeks ago that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has contracted with a consultant to study options for the renovation of Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES). These renovations would be focused primarily on updating the building and campus to increase its functionality, including such aspects as the provision of natural light to classrooms, the separation of bus traffic from drop-off traffic, improved access to the park and play area behind the school, and better flow between levels, including possible removal of the split-level floor configuration. The thinking as of now is that renovations might add capacity for about 25 additional students but would not be focused on capacity expansion.?

On Thursday night, the consulting firm held the first of four planned community meetings seeking input on perceived advantages and limitations of the existing building, desired changes, concerns regarding any renovation design or construction arrangements, and community interests regarding the pool and other community space in the building.?

What we heard at the first meeting was that there may turn out to be possible options for (a) using some of the space immediately behind the existing building for expansion or partial shifting of the building footprint and (b) giving parents the option to vote for a much longer, phased renovation process that would take place across successive summers.?

We heard that at this point, based upon some degree of consultation between the school system and Park & Planning, it is not seen as feasible to construct a brand-new school in the parkland behind the school while the existing building remains in operation. Personally, I wasn't satisfied with the description of how intensive the conversations or negotiations were about this possibility. I will be pressing for more exploration and dialogue about any options that would mitigate the need for busing (or the distance/time involved with any busing).?

All of this being said, I'm cognizant of the importance of the park space, not only for PBES students but for the entire community.

It looks as though the timeline will be that construction (in whatever form that takes) would start three years from now. I am hearing from other parents about busing concerns and will elevate this issue as the community input process moves forward. I am interested in getting clarity about where any "holding campus" (if needed) during construction might be located.

The remaining community meetings will be held in the PBES auditorium from 7 to 8 pm on Thursday, May 15, Thursday, May 29, and Wednesday, June 4. I urge everyone with an interest in students’ well-being, the status of the pool, and/or the nearby outdoor recreation space to participate in one of these sessions.

Separate but related: any concerns about current management of the Piney Branch pool?

Separately, I have heard from a couple of residents that the Piney Branch Pool has had some issues in terms of keeping the spaces clean and sanitary and of maintaining predictable schedules. I now have the contact information for John Gavin, Executive Director of Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington, the organization responsible for the management of the pool via a contract. Please write to Mr. Gavin (and copy me for my awareness) if you have observations or concerns about the condition or upkeep of the pool facilities or related areas such as the showers/changing areas. Mr. Gavin can be reached at . I also have his phone numbers if you need them.

3. Progress in response to Cooper v. Takoma Park legal settlement.

Main points: The City Council is moving with deliberate speed to arrange for an outside, independent audit of all aspects of the situation surrounding this case. The Council voted to meet in closed session on Friday evening (from 6:30 to 8:50 pm) and will likely have one more closed session this week as it gathers information and develops a process for the investigation. I continue to advocate for as much transparency as possible and anticipate a helpful report-out this Wednesday of the closed session two days ago. By all indications I’ve seen in both open and closed sessions, all Council members are committed to transparency, full accountability, and resolution of any underlying issues that will be identified in the course of further investigation.

In detail: Our City Council meeting last week began with a statement of apology from Mayor Searcy, on behalf of the City, to Kakila Cooper, the former Takoma Park police dispatcher who was the plaintiff in the sexual harassment and retaliation case that recently went to settlement, and which I first found out about through press reports. City Manager Robert DiSpirito then echoed that apology and,, formally recommended to the Council that they authorize an audit, to be commissioned as soon as possible, by an independent, outside legal firm. DiSpirito recommended that the audit be managed by the City Attorney but later clarified and emphasized the need for independence in the audit and its management. The Council immediately voted to authorize first steps toward an audit and has subsequently taken ownership of the process of setting the arrangement and scope of this audit.

Thank you to the residents who spoke out forcefully in public comments this past Wednesday, and to all who have connected with me via email. Here, very briefly, are some main ideas from public comments: The City must comply with Public Information Act requirements (Tom Gagliardo, Ward 1). The Police Department will be stronger if police guilty of misconduct are not kept on the force (Diane Bartz). The Council must do everything in its power to make this right, fix Police Department culture, and not tolerate any of the sort behavior referenced in the complaint (Ginny Myers, Ward 2). The Police Chief must be held accountable for creating a positive organizational culture, rebuilding trust, and attracting a broader pool of qualified candidates (Elizabeth Wallace, Ward 1). The City Attorney should not be leading an audit that investigates what happened in the case and the settlement. Listen to suggestions from residents with professional expertise (Catherine Tunis, Ward 2). The City’s apology is important; 180+ residents have signed onto a letter about this matter; the audit must be thoroughly independent (Sue Miller, Ward 3). A thorough, impartial investigation is vital, and among many best practices, it is important to mitigate harm quickly, use at least two investigators, make the investigation plan public, define the scope clearly, collect additional evidence, ensure non-retaliation, and take corrective actions immediately (David Reed, Ward 2). The audit should include as a major feature looking into how workplace culture was involved in this matter; it is important that Officer Black not be protected, e.g. allowed to remain on staff so that he can collect a pension (Colleen Cordes, Ward 1). We don’t need to reinvent policies and laws; this appears to have been a failure of leadership because it is leadership that ultimately protects people (Eli Koppel). I agree with all of these points.

While I am still gaining a clear understanding of the rules authorizing or requiring an elected body to meet in closed session, I have found that the proceedings of the two closed sessions thus far have stayed within those rules and guidelines as far as I can see. I’m of course bound by confidentiality regarding the discussions in these meetings, but I think that upcoming actions will give residents strong encouragement that the right decisions are being taken. It’s also clear to me that Council members are listening intently to residents’ concerns, perspectives, and suggestions.

4. Progress on Performance Measurement initiative.

On Wednesday, April 30, the Council received this from the consultants developing recommendations for establishing better performance measures to be used by the City. The data gathered through these measures would help to guide management and Council decision making about programs and budgeting. Special thanks to former Council member Randy Gibson for having pushed for this initiative.?

In the next month or so, the consultant will return to present recommendations for a focused set of “Key Performance Indicators” (KPIs) to be gathered in each City department. Presumably, the Council and Manager will then work together to agree upon indicators. In the second and final phase of this initiative, the consultant will work with staff in FY26 to set up systems for collecting, tracking, and analyzing performance data. It is possible that phase-in of the data collection could begin with a pilot focusing on one department. In any case, the Manager has expressed confidence that useful baseline data can be collected by the end of this year that can figure into program evaluation and goal-setting in our next budget season.

5. First Readings of Ordinances accepting grants for public art and computers.

Also on Wednesday, April 30, the Council voted 6-0, with Council member Honzak (Ward 5) abstaining, in a to authorize the receipt and expenditure of grant funds for refurbishment and relocation of the colorful azalea sculpture currently placed at the north end of Flower Avenue, near the intersection with Piney Branch Road. The plan is to relocate the sculpture to the linear park along New Hampshire Avenue at Holton Lane, and to add a backdrop to make it more visible.? I was surprised by the cost of this refurbishment/relocation ($21,200) and asked for consideration of paint and anchoring materials that would be more durable than those used in the original installation.??

Also on Wednesday, the Council voted 7-0 on a first reading of an ordinance to authorize the use of grant funds ($85,000) to purchase six new Mac Pro Tech computers and associated equipment for an area in the Community Center/Library complex that is supervised by the Recreation Department. The goal of this initiative is to increase the availability of broadband technology and computing resources to residents who otherwise lack access for economic reasons. I advocated for the new machines to be made available to the public for as many hours as possible, i.e. whenever the Community Center is open.

6. Work Session on procuring an automated control system for Community Center HVAC.

Main points: At the first of two Work Sessions on Wednesday, April 30 meeting, Public Works Director Daryl Braithwaite reported on the that serve various parts of the Community Center. The various boilers, compressors, etc., installed over many years, are in need of integration so that sensors can detect conditions in various areas of the building and automatically make adjustments to ensure both comfort and energy efficiency. The recommendation is that the City choose to contract with Siemens Corporation, which submitted the lowest of three bids received at just under $145,000.?

Other details: In our discussion, we learned that the installation of an automated control system will not be delayed or impacted by pending renovations in the building; that the system will likely improve working conditions in many areas of the building as well as conditions for users of community space; that the existing control system can no longer be upgraded; and that this control system consists mainly of sensors, wiring, and central computers rather than actual heating and cooling infrastructure. We also learned that since the start of the pandemic, the use of higher-grade air filters and increased rates of air replacement have put more wear-and-tear on HVAC systems. We also learned that recent unexplained Pepco power surges in the neighborhood caused damage to parts of the HVAC system, and that the City is seeking compensation from Pepco for repair costs as well as steps to protect the building from future damage due to power surges. And finally (given what we heard recently in comments justifying the Atrium renovation project: I found it significant when Director Braithwaite stated that air quality issues in the Police Department area have been confined to occasional moisture/mold issues in the restrooms (which are monitored and remediated quickly) rather than to any broader problems with the HVAC system.?

7. Work Session on a traffic study for the New Hampshire Gardens neighborhood.

Main points: In the second Work Session on Wednesday, April 30, the City’s traffic planner, Kaysi-Ann Webley, recommended Council approval of a contract with Toole Design Group to conduct a comprehensive traffic study of the New Hampshire Gardens neighborhood, which is north of Sligo Creek, between the Long Branch stream valley and New Hampshire Avenue. The study cost will be $59,766.?

Other details: A study of this magnitude could not possibly be accomplished in-house. The study will address long-standing cut-through traffic problems on the western side of Ward 6 – problems which predate Purple Line construction. In discussion, Council received assurances that any findings or recommendations made by the consultant would be useful regardless of future developments that might follow upon completion of the Purple Line. Based on my close analysis of the Toole Design Group’s traffic studies conducted in relation to the Takoma Junction site plan proposal a few years ago, I suggested that it will be important to make sure that the consultant, if chosen, not omit any key intersections from its study. I also believe it’s important that the consultant get residents’ input on actual observed patterns and conditions before carrying out traffic counts and that such counts be conducted during typical days when school is in session. I shared these concerns with Council member Wesolek (Ward 6) and will reiterate them to all colleagues.

8. Anticipated finalization of a Resolution establishing City Council Priorities for the 2025-26 two-year term.

I’ve written about this in several previous updates. With so much effort in past months going into responses to new federal actions, a challenging budget process, and now the recent legal settlement, the Council’s establishment of priorities has been delayed many times. (We will soon be one-quarter of the way through our terms.) Mayor Searcy is still finalizing the draft resolution. Recognizing that some details remain to be resolved, the Mayor has flagged those areas for discussion at this week’s May 7 Council meeting.? I haven’t seen the final draft of the Priorities yet. If there are points of disagreement that seem to require more discussion than the Council can comfortably address in the time available on Wednesday, I will recommend that those points be removed from the Resolution prior to voting.

9. Neighborhood issue updates and requests for information/help from you.

Lincoln Avenue residents: It will be several months before the Lincoln Avenue traffic study funded in the FY26 budget gets onto the agenda, but in the meantime, I am interested in observing and hearing about the traffic patterns in the 300 block and at the Lincoln/Carroll intersection. If anyone would like to invite me out to observe at an appropriate time, e.g. morning or evening peak, or typical weekend traffic times when Sligo Creek Parkway is closed, please reach out to me by email.

Co-op neighbors and patrons: I continue to monitor low-frequency noise from the condenser unit and parking conditions in the City-owned, Co-op-managed parking lot. Please reach out to me if you’d like me to meet you to observe what’s going on.?

Fire Station intersection observers: Thanks for your updates. If you would like to meet me for an in-person observation of the intersection at what seems to be the peak hour for congestion, please send me an email.

Advocates for a Walnut-and-Eastern stop sign: I am inching close, I hope, to an in-person meeting with Kornelius Anderson, the D.C. Ward 4 community engagement specialist for DC Department of Transportation. I will advocate as strongly as I can for a four-way stop sign. If you have specific observations that I can share with Mr. Anderson or relevant history of past efforts at getting a stop sign or signal at that intersection, please let me know via email.

WACO residents: I am looking forward to participating in the virtual meeting of the Westmoreland Area Community Organization on Thursday, May 22, at 7:30 pm.? Along with several city staff, we’ll discuss traffic, pedestrian, parking, and safety concerns in the neighborhood, as well as some residents’ proposal to remove the parking and widen the southbound lane of Laurel Avenue in the Old Town commercial district to permit two-way traffic. Thank you to WACO president Bruce Moyer for organizing this meeting.

Pinecrest residents: I am deeply concerned about a report of gunfire directed at a vehicle traveling down Kansas Avenue, NW toward the intersection at Eastern Avenue. This occurred around 10 pm this past Wednesday night. The solo driver was unharmed but a rear window was shattered. He was on his way to visit his mother, who lives on Allegheny Avenue. I will be following up to advocate for a thorough investigation of this incident.?

Also, residents near and on Sligo Mill Road: First, it is great to see the completion of the project to beautify the dead-end of the street, discourage parking and dumping, and protect Takoma Branch. If you have any concerns about the project as it winds down, please let me know. Last time I looked, it seemed that there was still some work to be completed with the bioretention areas. Second, I am glad to see that repaving of Sligo Mill Road and Sheridan Street was completed; please let me know if there are any loose ends with that project, such as speed humps needing to be restored. Finally, clean-up of the litter and dumped material behind some of the properties on New Hampshire Avenue should have been completed by April 8. If you are not seeing that property owners have complied with Code Enforcement instructions, please write to Code Enforcement and copy me in the email, detailing what you are seeing. I saw improvement when I checked recently, but I will take another look personally in the next few days.?

10. News, invitations, and announcements.

1. I received news of a “Veggie and Fruit Growers Get-Together, Plus Seed/Seedling Swap” that was sent to several listservs, so I assume it’s okay to share here: Saturday, May 10, 11 am. To RSVP and get more information, including the location, .

2. View County Executive Marc Elrich’s May 2 update .

3. If you are interested in helping to grow (back) the City’s tree canopy, consider reaching out to Casey Trees Foundation, which has an arrangement with Takoma Park whereby residents can get free trees planted on their property. The process begins with filling out a Google form, which then leads to Casey Trees contacting you in a month or so to set up an appointment to check out your property and make recommendations. Planting takes place in either the fall or the spring, so if you would like to get something(s) planted this fall, now would be a good time to contact Casey Trees.

4. Look here for information and a registration form for on Thursday, May 15.

5. Happy Mother’s Day next Sunday, May 11!?

Best regards,

Roger?