Photo by PoPville flickr user StreetsofWashington
Dear PoPville,
I was doing my DC taxes today while mourning the loss of the first time DC homebuyer tax credit. I discovered a first time homebuyer credit, but alas it was only for DC government employees. Why is there a tax credit only for DC government employees? It seems rather corrupt to me, which only justifies my feelings about DC government.
A reader sends in the photos from Sunday afternoon:
“I thought this was kinda interesting – DC councilwoman Yvette Alexander parked illegally in front of Eatonville at 14th and V Sts.”
Readers often send in photos of Council Members parking in non legal spaces. At the moment – Council Members are not obligated to following parking regulations. I’m thinking this is a ridiculous entitlement. It’s not like they aren’t compensated in other ways – 6 figure salaries. Or do you think it’s still a useful entitlement as they have to attend multiple meetings all over town? Def. makes driving to brunch easier…
Muriel Bowser with then Mayor Adrian Fenty at the Ribbon Cutting for Chezy Billy on Georgia Ave
From a media advisory:
“Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser announces that she is a candidate for Mayor of the District of Columbia at her childhood home in Ward 5’s North Michigan Park. Saturday, March 23, 2013”
After a week off, Let’s Choose DC this week asked the candidates for their positions on DC’s zoning update proposals—removing parking minimums, allowing accessory dwellings, and corner stores. We also have the results of your votes on their responses on school truancy.
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Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc
If your water starts tasting/smelling like chlorine – don’t worry it’s just the annual “spring cleaning”. From a press release:
Spring Cleaning the Water Distribution System
From March 18 through April 29, 2013, the disinfectant in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine.
The annual switch in water disinfection is part of a routine program to clean and maintain water distribution systems in the District of Columbia, Arlington County and Falls Church. During the temporary switch to chlorine, local water authorities will also conduct system-wide flushing to enhance water quality. This program is standard practice for many U.S. water systems that use chloramine during the majority of the year.
The Washington Aqueduct is the organization responsible for treating – and disinfecting – drinking water for the District of Columbia, Arlington County, and Falls Church, Virginia. Local water authorities are responsible for monitoring drinking water to ensure chlorine levels continue to meet safe target levels.
Individuals and business owners who take special precautions to remove chloramine from tap water, such as dialysis centers, medical facilities and aquatic pet owners, should continue to take the same precautions during the temporary switch to chlorine. Most methods for removing chloramine from tap water are effective in removing chlorine. Individuals with special health concerns should consult a health care provider on the use of tap water.
During this time, individuals may notice a slight change in the taste and smell of their drinking water. Local water authorities recommend running the cold water tap for approximately two minutes and refrigerating cold tap water for a few hours to reduce taste and odor. Water filters are also effective in reducing chlorine taste and odor. For more information, please contact the appropriate water authority below.
DC Water: 202-612-3440 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or 202-612-3400 (24-hour) / www.dcwater.com
Arlington County: 703-228-6570 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) or 703-228-6555 (24-hour)
Falls Church City: 703-248-5071 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) or 703-248-5044 (24-hour)
Washington Aqueduct: 202-764-2753 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu
From DDOT:
The District Snow Team (Department of Public Works and the District Department of Transportation) will deploy about 230 plows citywide starting tonight at 11 pm. Forecasters predict rain Tuesday evening, followed by a rain/snow mix after 11 pm. Heavy, wet snow is expected to start falling in time for Wednesday’s am rush hour. The forecast calls for a total of six inches of snow and precipitation should end Wednesday night. Temperatures will hover in the low 30s.
“We may see heavy snow falling throughout Wednesday, so both am and pm rush hours will be critical periods for traffic safety,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “Additionally, we urge commercial and residential property owners to clear their sidewalks of snow within 24 hours after the storm ends. While the Snow Team is taking care of the streets, we need property owners to handle the sidewalks so pedestrians can travel safely.”
Director Howland said that this storm probably not disrupt trash and recycling collection schedules, mechanical street sweeping will be suspended because the same employees who sweep the streets drive snow plows.
To track the plows, go to snow.dc.gov and click on http://snowmap.dc.gov/.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye
From DDOT:
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) released its Parking Action Agenda for 2013 to restructure and better focus parking management in the District.
In the past decade, the District of Columbia has witnessed substantial growth in population and visitors, enhanced economic activity, and an increasing density of the urban environment. Changing transportation and land use patterns have led DDOT to revisit the issue of parking and its role in the overall transportation network.
This agenda creates a roadmap for DDOT to best assess the state of parking in the District, investigate innovative curbside management strategies, evaluate the benefits and impact of these tools and approaches upon the District, and outlines an implementation plan to holistically restructure the District’s parking system. DDOT anticipates that a comprehensive approach to some of the most challenging policy issues will be presented in the summer.
The agenda was compiled based on the public input DDOT received from the various community conversations (Parking Think Tanks) that were held this past fall to gauge the state of parking in the District of Columbia.
The 2013 Parking Action Agenda is comprised of the following seven key points:
· Evaluating and identifying ways to update the Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program;
· Creating a new, more flexible Visitor Parking Pass (VPP) program;
· Enhancing parking opportunities for individuals with limited mobility;
· Improving access to, and turnover of, on street parking in congested areas;
· Improving communication with the public about parking challenges and opportunities;
· Increasing online parking services; and
· Clarifying agency responsibilities to enhance transparency.The agenda also includes a summary of the feedback from the Parking Think Tanks that shaped the above mentioned key points and timelines for next steps.
To view the agenda please visit here.
Residential street sweeping starts today – from DPW:
The 2013 residential street sweeping season begins Friday, March 1, announced the DC Department of Public Works today. 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. Parking enforcement of residential sweeping violations will begin Monday, March 11, to give motorists a few days to get used to the parking restrictions.
“The residential street sweeping program is among our most successful operations to keep DC streets clean,” said DPW Director William O. Howland Jr. “We have expanded it over the years to accommodate more and more residents willing to move their cars to allow the sweepers access to the curb lane where debris and pollutants collect. We also want to make sure commuters and visitors are aware that the parking restriction applies to all motorists and a $30 ticket can be issued for violating the restriction.”
Mr. Howland noted that beginning in 2012, DPW established March 1 through October 31 as residential street sweeping season and this information appears on the signs posted where the program is in effect.
He cautioned motorists to avoid parking along sweeping routes before that day’s restriction ends. “A supervisor follows behind the sweeper and may require the block to be swept again, so no one should park until the end of the posted sweeping period,” he said.
Beginning March 11, parked cars also may be towed to allow the sweepers access to the curbside. Generally, parking is prohibited for two hours while sweeping is underway.
DPW street sweepers cover about 4,000 lane miles monthly, removing litter and pollutants by brushing them onto a conveyor system, which transports the material into a debris hopper. The sweeper also emits a fine spray of water to help control dust. In addition to sweeping residential streets during spring, summer and fall, DPW also sweeps commercial streets overnight year-round, and parking restrictions also apply.
Only 2.5% of voters gave Michael Brown positive marks for his response on ethics this week on Let’s Choose DC (a partnership of PoPville, Greater Greater Washington, and DCist). Elissa Silverman took the top spot in your judgment, with Matthew Frumin second.
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