DC Government

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented the Fiscal Year 2017 Budget and Financial Plan, entitled “A Fair Shot,” to the DC Council.  This is the District’s 21^st consecutive balanced budget and makes key investments in education, affordable housing, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, job training and employment services that give residents a fair shot at a pathway to the middle class.

These investments are key priorities as identified by District residents at the Mayor’s public engagement forums, which were held during the budget formulation process.

“In a city as prosperous as ours, every resident deserves a fair shot – no matter who you are, or what ward you live in,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “The Fair Shot Budget is geared toward making life better for Washingtonians today, as we prepare for a strong, healthy and prosperous future.”

Key investments in the FY 2017 Budget: (more…)

10th and V St, NW

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to pass along the response that I received from CM Nadeau to a letter that I wrote to her about what I feel are the egregious lease terms on the proposed homeless shelters. I find her response to be perplexing. She fails to include the cost of the $14 million build out in calculating the monthly costs of these units. Just dividing the $14 million over 30 years adds approximately $1350 to the monthly cost of each unit. And that doesn’t include the cost of financing, etc. Why are we paying $3600 for each of these units?”

Another reader writes:

“I received this from my council member, Brianne Nadeau, in response to an email I sent asking the council to reject the mayor’s homeless shelter plan. My rejection request was based on a number of reasons, including, among other things: 1) the obvious political cronyism with the mayor and her land owner donors; 2) the failure to create apartments that include the necessary amenities for the families (e.g. private bathrooms); 3) the unethical push by the mayor to subvert procurement and zoning rules; 4) the lack of transparency when choosing the sites; and 5) the failure to involve constituents in the process of selecting the sites. Ms. Nadeau ignored many of the concerns that have been raised in her response below, which is not a surprise considering her unwillingness to consider the comments of the citizens she supports. I would love for anyone with the knowledge to address her leasing versus buying justification and any other insight your readers may have. Thanks.”

Following is the very long letter in full:

“Recently I’ve received correspondence expressing concerns about the HomewardDC plan. Residents have asked about various aspects of the proposal, and presented questions about the specifics of the deal, and the nature of my support for the project. I want to respond to all of the questions that have been asked, and so would like to share with you my current thinking on the mayor’s plan to put temporary housing for families in transition at 10th & V Streets, NW in Ward 1. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to draw your attention to this article. I was a cautiously optimistic supporter of the city’s temporary homeless shelter plan–until I read this article. This is completely fiscally irresponsible. Why is the city spending 10 times as much money to rent these facilities rather than just buying them?

“The District would pay at least $4,500 on average per apartment, per month, each year for at least the next 20 years under Bowser’s plan.”

That’s significantly more than my mortgage…on a HOUSE. And most of these apartments won’t even have a bathroom inside. My local elementary school is in complete disrepair (falling ceiling, no windows in many classrooms) and renovation is delayed each year. And now the city plans to throw away funds (some to donors) for decades? This plan STINKS.

Frustrated taxpayer”

Photo by PoPville flickr user quemac

“Dear PoPville,

I was wondering if you’ve heard from others how they felt about the Zika threat to DC this spring and summer – I am newly pregnant, worried and sent the below messages to Bowser’s office – no response though as of yet. Maybe there are others in similar boats who could also request the DC government take mosquito control seriously this year?”

Dear Mayor Bowser,

Following up on my previous e-mail, I wanted to state that there is not only suspicion that the local Asian Tiger mosquitoes spread Zika, but there is already proof that they do: see here and here, for example.

Thus there is a huge urgency to act – please let me know what the concrete measures are that will be taken to avoid Zika transmission in DC.

“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.”