DC Government

“The workshop is Thursday, March 10, 2016 at 5:30 pm in the Old Council Chambers in 441 4th Street, NW”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

On Saturday night I saw something at the third Metropolitan Police Department headquarters that made me and my girlfriend very uneasy. As we waited for the bus stop at 17th and U I could see a couple waiting outside the parking structure that connects to the police department. After a minute or two a police SUV rolled out of the structure and the couple, both of them, jumped into the front passenger seat of the police car. The man did not put on his seat belt and the woman just jumped up on his lap, and they drove off down the street towards 18th. I called the Third District office immediately and told them exactly what happened. I also noted to the receptionist that I didn’t expect anything to come of this even if the person was apprehended or caught red handed because of the fact it was one of their own, and a “minor” offense. I just needed them to know that a concerned citizen had become more concerned about his neighborhood and those who are supposed to protect it after this childish (and illegal) action taken by one of our city’s “finest”. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Josh Bassett

“Dear Popville,

It’s March 3, so I decided to go look up my property tax assessments online to see if anything crazy happened (as sometimes happens in “developing” neighborhoods). When I looked up my primary home, my brain had a slight meltdown. My total assessment was *slightly* lower, but my taxable assessment was substantially higher. I was kind of busy, so I set it aside for a minute to let my brain regroup, and then looked again. It took me a minute to figure it out, but the homestead deduction had dropped from $90-something-k to $70-something-k. I don’t remember a big uproar about this change, so what gives? This deduction reduction (what’s your function?) will increase the property taxes on my home almost 10% next year (officially, 9.996%, so the 10% “cap” doesn’t apply and I don’t have room to complain on those grounds). Does anyone know what bill or rider changed the homestead deduction so substantially? Does it apply to all homes, or just a subset (my home is a condo)?”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From DCRA:

“DCRA has removed its permit status check page also known as Online Building Permit Application Tracking (OBPAT) application from its website.

DCRA recognizes that some constituents are disappointed about this decision. In short, DCRA found that-the information was too often unreliable and resulted in misinformation to constituents. This is totally unacceptable, DCRA is hopeful that the site will eventually be restored, but the data issues must be resolved before it is. DCRA is committed to transparency, but transparency is helpful when accurate information is available. It is DCRA’s goal to have truthful, accurate communication from staff, and the public access sites need to reflect that as well.”

17th and U Street, NW

Rachel sends the shot above from Adams Morgan. Sidenote: Why does parking enforcement need a big pick up truck like this?

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve gotten used to the fact that DC police do not enforce the no turns rule at 7th & H Streets NW, but the fact that they are actually making turns at this intersection (without any lights on, while impeding traffic that had a green light and turning through a crowded crosswalk). This was car 1122 at approximately 12:50pm Monday.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

From DPW:

“RESIDENTIAL MECHANICAL STREET SWEEPING TO RESUME MAR. 1, PARKING ENFORCEMENT OF STREET SWEEPING VIOLATIONS BEGINS MAR. 8

Residential street sweeping season to continue through October 31.

The Department of Public Works announced today that residential mechanical street sweeping will resume Tuesday, March 1. Signs are posted that identify the days of the week and hours of the day when parking restrictions will be enforced so the sweepers can clean the streets effectively. The fine for violating this restriction is $45. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I recently found out that the latest version of the act (proposed by Phil Mendelson) will not provide DC residents who are federal workers with any maternity or paternity leave. I’m not sure if you’re a federal worker, or know much about federal benefits, but federal employees currently do not receive any maternity or paternity leave. I imagine federally-employed residents make up a significant part of the District’s constituency, and would be outraged to learn that they are being excluded from what is supposed to be one of the most progressive pieces of legislation before the DC Council.

My husband spoke to the legal team at the DC Council for about 15 minutes and their argument was basically that federal workers already “have good benefits” despite his protest to the contrary. The DC Council also said that OPM didn’t like the idea, and coordinating with them would be hard. This person then went on to explain that it’s really for people with low incomes, which I also pointed out was not true unless DC also planned to discriminate against wealthy people who are not federal employees. Of course, none of these are valid arguments to discriminate against federal workers. It was a very frustrating conversation and hopefully we can do something about this quickly because as of now, we have been stripped from the bill!”

From a press release:

“The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announced today that the agency has added regular weekend inspections to address illegal construction. Weekend tours of duty for illegal construction inspections will enable DCRA to respond to weekend complaints as they are submitted.

“Illegal construction affects safety and quality-of-life for residents and businesses,” said DCRA Director Melinda Bolling. “With weekend inspections, we intend to stop more illegal construction while it’s in progress and strengthen the deterrent against doing it in the first place.” (more…)