DC Government

Hallelujah Part 2 – DPW Supercan, Trash Can, Recycling Can Removal Blitz Starts Sat.

By Prince Of Petworth

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From DPW:

“The Department of Public Works announced today that it will conduct a citywide blitz to remove all old, unwanted Supercans, 32-gallon trash cans and 32-gallon recycling cans from public space. Since receiving their new Supercans or 32-gallon trash cans and new recycling cans, District residents have indicated they want the old cans removed. More than 60,000 cans have been collected but there are many thousands more that remain in alleys and along city streets awaiting removal.

“We have had requests to remove thousands of old, unwanted cans and when we go to these addresses, we find two, three and four times the number of cans for which we have requests, and that volume overwhelmed our resources to collect them in a timely manner,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “So, now we are taking all old cans that remain in public space [alleys and curbs] to relieve residents of the cluttered alleys and curbs.” Director Howland added that residents who want to keep their old cans MUST take them from public space (alleys and curbs) and put the cans on their own property after their collection day, otherwise the cans left on public space will be removed and not returned.

DPW will follow this schedule to collect from Supercan (once-a-week trash collection) neighborhoods.

Removals will be made from alleys and curbs on:

Saturday, May 10: From Monday and Wednesday collection neighborhoods
Monday, May 12: From Thursday collection neighborhoods
Tuesday, May 13: From Friday collection neighborhoods
Wednesday, May 14: From Monday collection neighborhoods
Thursday, May 15: From Tuesday collection neighborhoods
Friday, May 16: From Wednesday collection neighborhoods

DPW will follow this collection schedule to collect from twice-a-week trash collection neighborhoods.

Removals will be made from alleys and curbs on:

Wednesday, May 14: From Monday/Thursday collection neighborhoods

Saturday, May 17: From Tuesday/Friday collection neighborhoods

DPW appreciates residents’ patience with the slower than anticipated pace of this operation. We are taking measures to speed up the removal process.”

DC Council Hearing on CSX Rail Expansion Project Wed. Morning

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

“The DC Council Committee of the Whole is holding a hearing on Wednesday (4/30) at 9:30am regarding CSX’s proposed expansion of the Virginia Avenue Tunnel. The scheduled location is Hearing Room 120 at the Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW).

This hearing is important because it will represent the first time any elected leader or body has exercised any oversight authority with respect to this proposed and very controversial project which could be approved at any minute.

CSX is asking for District and federal approval to expand the existing tunnel running along 9 blocks of Virginia Avenue SE in the Navy Yard/Capitol Hill community. The current proposal includes running trains at times loaded with Bakken crude oil and other hazmats in a huge open trench less than a mile from the U.S. Capitol Building and feet from homes, parks, and a low-income senior citizens’ center for the duration of the project, which could last 3-6+ years. Many citizens, environmental organizations, and elected officials have expressed serious concerns about the impact of this project on the the health, safety, and security of not only the trackside community, but of the District’s residents as a whole. Many individuals and organizations will bring those concerns before the DC Council at Wednesday’s hearing. Please visit www.DCSafeRail.org for more information.”

No More Buying $50 Grams of “Glass Cleaner” – District Adopts Synthetic Drug Regulations

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

From a press release:

“The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announced today the adoption of new regulations aimed at curbing the sale and use of synthetic drugs, which are often manufactured to evade law enforcement. The new regulations would allow the District to take enforcement action against a business that sells synthetic drugs consisting of substances identified on a controlled substances list or new variations and derivatives of those substances.

“Synthetic drugs present a danger to communities, especially to children. Use of these substances has been linked to severely adverse health effects, including death,” said Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “The District has already taken steps toward eliminating synthetic drugs from the District, and these regulations are the next phase of that.”

Synthetic drugs are manufactured substances intended to mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy. Often, they are manufactured from substances that were not, at the time of manufacture, included on controlled substances lists. To stay ahead of law enforcement, manufacturers frequently change the composition of synthetic drugs, so that the products continue to be free of controlled substances at the time of manufacture. By the time a new substance can be added to controlled substances lists, manufacturers may have replaced it with something similar but new.

The District’s new regulations target the sale of substances that resemble synthetic drugs in appearance and effect. Government personnel could treat products that are exorbitantly expensive and contain unusual warnings as synthetic drugs. For example, regulators could deduce that one gram of glass cleaner selling for $50 and containing a warning “not for sale to minors” is a synthetic drug. If a business has any questions about a product that they are selling, the business can seek clarification from DCRA about whether the product qualifies as a synthetic drug.

Under the new regulations, DCRA can potentially fine and revoke the license of any business making a prohibited sale. In concert with enforcement efforts, DCRA will also conduct an education campaign, so that businesses and consumers are well informed about the new regulations. First offenders will generally be given a warning, but upon subsequent violations, consequences will escalate quickly.

“Our goal is compliance, not shutting down businesses; some businesses may not fully realize what they are selling. We try to educate and engage first,” said DCRA Director Nicholas A. Majett. “Make no mistake, though, the continued sale of these substances, whether or not on a controlled substances list, will not be tolerated.”

DC DMV reverses stance on Real ID credentials! Maybe?

By Prince Of Petworth

real_ID_DC_DMV

Thanks to Eckington Chick for letting us know in this morning’s rant/revel:

“Rave: The DC DMV reversing its stance on the Real ID. We don’t have to get our licenses changed until they expire. Yeah!! See item #6 on their page:

When will the District of Columbia begin issuing REAL ID credentials?

May 1, 2014. However, this date only impacts those residents obtaining a DC license for the first time, renewing their licenses or who need to replace their license due to it being lost, stolen or an address change. Your existing DC DMV credential will remain valid until its expiration date and will be accepted for federal purposes (such as entering federal buildings and boarding airplanes).”

UPDATE: From Council Member at Large David Grosso’s office:

“@Team_Grosso
Just got off phone w @dcdmv and now have clarification. tl:dr = no one needs to renew unless DL expires

Those deadlines are for DC DMV to be compliant with REAL ID. They do not affect individuals’ DL/IDs

If my DL expires in 2018, it’s OK b/c feds have already certified DC’s process for complying w REAL ID.”

Remember the Whole Brookland’s Finest liquor license application Saga? Check out the Latest

By Prince Of Petworth

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Brookland’s Finest future home at 12th and Jackson Street, NE

From an email:

“Attached is a DC Superior Court decision handed down yesterday. I represented the plaintiff in the case. The case is a FOIA case – one of my practice areas.

The bottom line is that An ANC Commissioner got caught trying to delete a digital public document (an audio recording of an SMD meting) rather than produce it in compliance with a court order.

As a result:

The court referred the matter to both the DOJ and OAG for criminal prosecution of Commissioner Carolyn Steptoe for perjury and for attempted destruction of a public record.

The court found ANC 5B in contempt and ordered it to pay for the cost to hire a forensic computer firm to recover the audio file Commissioner Steptoe tried to delete.

The case arose from the controversy over the Brookland’s Finest liquor license application. My client asked ANC 5B for documents that Commissioner Steptoe gave to her colleagues that she said supported her position that ANC 5B should oppose the license application. My client also sought a copy of the audio recording Commissioner Steptoe made of her April 27, 2013 SMD meeting.

At a march 19, 2014 evidentiary hearing, Commissioner Steptoe testified that she denied my client’s FOIA requests because she did not like the requesters and thought their requests were “rude.”

In the end, ANC 5B was forced to produce all of the documents.”

You can read the full ruling below:

Crimmins v DC Final Order (PDF)

I have heartburn just reading this, can’t imagine actually being involved in it. And in happier news – can’t wait for Brookland’s Finest to finally be able to open soon!!

“It’s Time to Get Your REAL ID and Limited Purpose Credential” What the Hell is This?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Been getting tons of emails about the new REAL ID:

“Dear PoPville,

I just saw an email about this new ‘REAL ID’ thing the DC DMV is rolling out? Maybe it’s me but it seems a tad confusing. Are we being required to get new IDs, or is there just a new protocol, requiring additional sources of documentation when renewing or getting a new license? If you’re not up for a new license any time soon (i.e. just got mine renewed at the end of 2013- in the new DC license format), do we have to do anything, or is this just a heads up that more documents will be required from here on out, whenever you have to go get a new license?
Thanks for any clarity!”

Effective May 1, 2014, DC DMV will begin issuing REAL ID driver licenses and identification cards. These credentials will meet the REAL ID security standards established by the Federal Government.The document requirements for proof of DC residency, proof of Social Security Number, and proof of identity have changed for everyone, and DC DMV will need to revalidate these documents prior to issuing a REAL ID credential. Therefore, be sure to view the list of acceptable documents and bring those with you when you visit a DC DMV Service Center when obtaining, converting, renewing, or requesting a duplicate credential. DC DMV moved to a central issuance process in November 2013 and will mail your credential to you. Without the required documentation, DC DMV will not be able to issue you a REAL ID driver license or identification card. There are no exceptions to the document requirements or mailing of credentials. 

Throughout the next year, residents will be notified by DC DMV to update their driver license or ID card to the REAL ID credential. For these notifications, residents will not be a charged a fee. However, the fees are the same for residents who are obtaining a credential for the first time or who are converting an out-of-state license or ID, as well as those who are renewing or requesting a duplicate credential.

Mayor Gray and DDOT Launch Potholepalooza 2014 – How to Report a Pothole

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray and District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Terry Bellamy today launched the District’s sixth annual Potholepalooza campaign to expedite pothole repairs on roadways across the city. The Mayor and Bellamy helped fill potholes near the intersection of G Street and Benning Road SE to usher in DDOT’s month-long campaign for aggressively repairing potholes caused by winter weather.

This year’s Potholepalooza will run through May 9. During Potholepalooza, residents and commuters are encouraged to phone, go online, tweet, email or use the DC311 smartphone app to submit requests for pothole repairs. Residents can track the Potholepalooza campaign’s progress via an online map.

How to Report a Pothole

Residents and commuters can notify DDOT about potholes in a variety of ways:

1) Call the Mayor’s Call Center at 311,
2) Use the Online Service Request Center at 311.dc.gov,
3) Send a tweet to twitter.com/DDOTDC,
4) Email [email protected], or
5) Use the District’s new DC311 smartphone application.

Those who report potholes should identify the precise location of the hazard, including the correct quadrant (Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest) of the District. They should provide as much detail as possible about the hazard, including the approximate size and depth of the pothole. DDOT crews will also be out and about proactively identifying potholes.

How is a pothole repaired?

Road crews fix a pothole by filling it with replacement pavement material. Cold patches are used for small potholes in low-traffic areas because they can be quickly applied. Hot asphalt is used in high-traffic areas or on large potholes, because it will hold much more effectively. If the road has become pitted with potholes, it may need to be resurfaced. Resurfacing a roadway involves stripping the upper layers of asphalt off, roughening the bottom layers, and applying a new upper roadway surface.”

Dear PoPville – What do we do with our new Garbage Cans if we don’t want them?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

The garbage can fairies have carpet bombed our neighborhood. Everybody got two cans – whether we need them or not.

What does one do if we don’t need them, have our own trash service (Tenleytown Trash) and want to return them?”

Ed. Note: Seems like a shame to have them recycled with the yellow “Take Me!” signs – anyone know if there is a way to opt out of getting the new cans?

Work Begins to “daylight” 1,600 linear feet of stream in Forest Hills

By Prince Of Petworth

This is pretty cool – from DDOE:

“The District of Columbia has begun work to “daylight” 1,600 linear feet of stream in northwest Washington, DC. This is the first time that stream daylighting, the act of uncovering waterways previously piped in an effort to restore natural habitat, has been undertaken in the District. The stream that is being restored originates from a spring on National Park Service land off Connecticut Avenue and flows to a bridge near the intersection of 36th Street, NW and Nevada Avenue, NW. At this point, the stream enters a pipe which flows beneath Broad Branch Road until the water comes again to the surface as Broad Branch, a tributary to Rock Creek.”

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