DC Government

From an email:

““D.C. Spent $41 Million in Emergency Contingency Funds Responding to Winter Storm Jonas, and Could Have Saved Money Through Negotiation and Improved Management of Retainer Contracts,” from the Office of the D.C. Auditor.

The report’s major findings include that the District:

· Paid contractors differing amounts for the same services, including evidence that contractors charged D.C. substantially higher than normal rates for emergency snow removal services with no evidence that D.C. employees sought to negotiate better prices.

· Paid at least $93,000 in credit card surcharges as a result of using purchase cards for payments, despite a policy against paying such fees.

· Violated federal procurement law by allowing agencies to purchase subsistence, including $145,193 on food and $521,857 on hotels and lodging.

· Could have saved money through better management of its retainer contracts.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Susan Bird

From a press release:

“In an effort to provide dignified facilities for residents experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations, Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau introduced legislation today that would create a plan for the District to provide public restroom facilities, and create incentives for businesses that make restrooms available to the public. Nadeau is the Chair of the Human Services Committee which has oversight of the Interagency Council on Homelessness. The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Grosso, Silverman, White, Allen, and Bonds. (more…)

Thanks to all who emailed about this proposed legislation following the the plight of Momma. Ward Four (home to Momma and Petworth) Council Member Brandon Todd tweeted:

“at the first Legislative Meeting of Council Period 22, I will introduce the Extreme Weather Protection for Animals Act of 2017.”

“Will make it illegal to keep animals outside for extended periods in extreme weather & prevent future dogs from suffering like Momma did”

There is also a change.org petition started to encourage other members of the Council to follow suit/support.

Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki J.

From the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor:

“The primary finding of the report is that D.C. is not doing everything it can to protect the personally identifiable information (PII)—Social Security Numbers, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden name—that it collects and stores, leaving the sensitive personal information of millions of people vulnerable to security breaches.

The report’s findings point to wide variations in how District agencies:

• De-identify records so that enough PII is removed and individuals cannot be identified.

• Determine risks and effects of collecting, maintaining, and disseminating PII to mitigate potential privacy risks.

• Develop and conduct security training consistently across all agencies.

• Encrypt databases and digital storage devices containing PII to add additional layers of protection.”

“The D.C. Government Must Improve Policies and Practices for the Protection of Personally Identifiable Information” (PDF)

While I always delight in August Christmas tree sightings, I also like the environment – so be a good steward and get your tree picked up and composted by the 27th!!

From DPW:

“Holiday trees and greenery will be collected from the curb in front of your home through January 27, 2017 and will be composted. Trees and greenery collected after January 27 will be collected with the trash as space permits in the truck. Please remove ornaments, tinsel and other decorations and put the tree(s) and greenery where your trash and recycling are collected.

Just a reminder, apartment buildings with four or more units are required to provide their tenants with solid waste collections, including holiday trees.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user andy ward

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Bowser signed legislation that makes it a criminal offense for persons on probation or parole to tamper with GPS monitoring devices. The legislation – which she proposed and that is part of the Mayor’s Safer Stronger DC initiative – closes a critical loophole that allowed individuals on supervised release who were ordered to wear electronic monitoring devices to go unpunished after removing, disabling, or tampering with the device.

Under the new law, any agency that can order a person on supervised release to wear a GPS monitoring device, such as the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, the Pretrial Services Agency, and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, can enforce attempts at tampering with the device. Individuals found guilty of tampering with their GPS monitoring devices can face up to six months in jail. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user wolfpackWX

From the Department of Energy and Environment:

“Dominion Virginia Power has agreed to pay $75,000 to the District of Columbia stemming from a spill of more than 13,000 gallons of mineral oil from its Crystal City sub-station into the Potomac River on January 24, 2016. In the Administrative Consent Order issued by Tommy Wells, the Director of the District of Columbia’s Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), Dominion was ordered to pay a civil penalty of $25,000 and to pay $50,000 to DOEE to fund a Supplemental Environmental Project for the Department to conduct a stream survey and create a registry of all streams within the District. The Order was issued under the District of Columbia’s Water Pollution Control Act. While the Dominion facility is located in Virginia, the Potomac River is a waterway of the District of Columbia and subject to the requirements of the District’s Water Pollution Control Act.

On February 3, 2016, an oily sheen was reported in the Potomac River; it extended from the Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary and Gravelly Point to the Ronald Reagan National Airport and Jones Point. Tracing the sheen, DOEE response personnel and investigators from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality identified the source of the sheen as originating from an outfall in the Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Kate Conradt

Thanks to textdoc for passing on:

“Key wording from FAQ: “Starting January 1, 2018, businesses, government, and residents will be required to source separate and recycle all materials included on the Mayor’s List of Recyclables and Compostables. The list is being issued now to allow ample time for education and outreach and for public and private entities the opportunity to adjust or renegotiate service contracts.”

I am puzzled to see pizza boxes added to the list — I thought that virgin pizza boxes were recylable, but that food-soiled ones were not.

Interestingly (to me), plastic bags/film/wrap will no longer be accepted for recycling.”

From DPW:

“The Department of Public Works (DPW) is proud to announce the release of the newly developed Mayor’s List of Recyclables and Compostables. The purpose is to provide a single, comprehensive list of recyclable and compostable materials for DC residents and businesses.

In 2014, the District enacted the Sustainable Solid Waste Management Amendment Act of 2014, which requires the District to issue a list of materials that are considered to be recyclable or compostable. The law also requires that solid waste materials be source-separated into three categories: recyclables, compostables and trash. Effective, January 1, 2018, this list will inform District residents and property owners about the District’s mandatory recycling programs.

In the coming months, the District will provide education and outreach resources to assist District residents and businesses in recycling the new list of materials. (more…)