DC Government

Photo by PoPville flickr user Faucetini

Thanks to a reader for the news. The Office of Planning press release says:

On Friday, April 29, 2011, the DC Office of Planning (OP) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for up to $200,000 in matching homeownership grants, to be administered by qualified employer(s) based in the District of Columbia. In partnership with selected DC employers, the Live Near Your Work (LNYW) pilot program will provide grants for down-payment and closing cost assistance to individual employees. OP will match employer contributions (up to $6,000 per participating employee) to attract and retain DC residents, with the primary purpose of encouraging employees to live close to their place of employment and/or transit.

CityPaper’s Lydia DePillis asks:

“the grants are available to people at any income level—might this grant just throw free money at people who were planning to move somewhere else anyway?”

What do you guys think – is the good idea? A good use of money during a tight budget?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From an MPD press release:

“This email is to inform the community that effective May 1, 2011, the Fourth District will be launching a pilot project for littering enforcement. Attached are a map of the Fourth District boundaries and a flyer about the pilot which will be translated into multiple languages.

Of note- 4D members will issue warnings during the first moth of the pilot (May 1 – 31, 2011) while we educate the public about littering enforcement. Beginning June 1, 2011, violators may receive an actual ticket.”

Help Keep DC Clean_04 21 11_FINAL

Littering Enforcement Pilot Project
On May 1, 2011, MPD will launch a littering enforcement pilot in the Fourth Police District. Throughout May, MPD will issue warnings to violators as we work with community partners to educate the public about littering enforcement. Beginning June 1, 2011, anyone violating the city’s littering law in the Fourth District may be issued an actual ticket or subject to arrest. (D.C. Official Code § 8.801 et seq.)

If an officer sees you intentionally or carelessly dropping rubbish, waste matter, refuse, garbage, trash, debris, dead animals or other discarded materials of every kind and description, on public space, in waterways, or on private property not under your control, you may receive a $75 ticket for littering. Failure to properly respond by following the instructions on the back of the ticket will result in additional penalties.

If you are issued a ticket for littering, you are required to provide an accurate name and address to the officer. If you refuse or fail to provide an accurate name and address, you can be arrested. Upon conviction, you will be fined an additional $100 to $250 by the Superior Court.

4th District Map

From a DPW press release:

The DC Department of Public Works has announced that effective Monday, April 25, 2011, it will begin charging residents $45 each for new 32-gallon trash carts and 32-gallon recycling carts. The new fee is necessary to allow the Department to restock the supply of trash carts used in twice-a-week collection neighborhoods and recycling carts used citywide. DPW will continue to charge $62.50 for Supercans, the trash containers used in once-a-week collection neighborhoods.

DPW is unable to continue providing a free Supercan to new homeowners. Seniors will be required to pay the full amount for a Supercan ($62.50).

“Demand for the 32-gallon carts outstripped our ability to replenish our inventory and stay within our budget,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr. “During the previous administration, we met our budget mark for FY 2011 by eliminating $3.9 million, which included funds to replace trash and recycling containers.

“We could restore only $200,000 of that amount to purchase containers to meet the demand. No more funds are available for additional purchases.” This amount covers container requests that already are on hand.

Mr. Howland noted that requests for either of the 32-gallon containers made by midnight, Sunday, April 24, will be provided at no charge. “We also will honor senior citizens’ and new homeowners’ requests for a Supercan made before Monday, April 25.”

Requests for the containers may be made by calling 311 or placed through the DPW Web site – www.dpw.dc.gov. Residents may pay for their containers by check or money order, made payable to the “DC Treasurer,” and the address where the container is to be delivered should be written on the payment. Payments should be mailed to DPW, 2750 S. Capitol St., SW, WDC 20032. DPW advises residents that payment should be received within 10 business days of placing the request; otherwise, the request will not be filled. When that occurs, the resident should place a new request. Containers will be delivered within 10 business days after receiving payment. Once the container is delivered, residents should put their address on the side and top and record the container’s serial number to help deter theft and assist in identifying the container if it does go missing.

We recently spoke about the durability of Supercans here. Do you think the new prices seem reasonable given the budget crunch?

Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

From a DDOT press release:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and Parkmobile today announced a program that will allow residents, workers and visitors to use their mobile phones to pay for parking at all of the approximately 17,000 on-street metered spaces throughout the District of Columbia.

Parkmobile already provides pay by phone service in the Foggy Bottom, Georgetown Hospital, and Ballpark areas and will start adding locations around the District starting in June. Drivers can sign up at www.parkmobile.com, where they can also download a mobile app. Once registered, customers can use the mobile app, the internet, or a phone call to pay for parking. The parking transactions appear in real time on the handheld devices used by Parking Enforcement Officers.

The mobile apps for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry are easy to use. iPhone users will also be able to take advantage of the GPS functionality, saving up to 5 favorite zones and license plates. You can quick park in the same zone and parking space that was used the last time you parked. These additional features are coming soon for Android and Blackberry. Please visit www.parkmobile.com for information on the features of each app.

Motorists who signed up with other pay by phone parking services during the pilot period in the following areas Dupont Circle, Union Station, downtown on K Street, I Street, and New York Avenue, NW locations, will want to create a new account with Parkmobile which has been selected to provide pay by phone service citywide.

Photo by PoPville flickr user hellomarkers!

From Ward 1 Council Member Jim Graham:

I am holding a public hearing on proposed changes to alcohol sales and taxes. The hearing will be on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building.

We will take testimony on these matters:

Proposed by the Mayor – –

§ Allow beer, wine, and liquor stores to remain open until midnight (currently 10 p.m.)
§ Increase the sales tax on off premises alcohol sales from 9% to 10%

Proposed by the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration – –

§ Allow bars to sell alcohol beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays (currently 10 a.m.)
§ Allow liquor stores to sell alcohol on Sundays.

These revenue enhancements will raise approximately $6.3 million for the city’s general fund in fiscal year 2012. The latter two proposals funding will go to support the police cost reimburseable program on weekends at the bars. The other proposals will be used as General Fund revenues.

Those wishing to testify should contact Mr. Benton Heimsath at [email protected] or at (202) 724-8191 by Tuesday, April 19, 2011.

Do you support or oppose the changes?