Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour
Mayor Gray announced the $1 fuel surcharge on Sat. afternoon.
DC Government
Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour
Thursday afternoon WBJ’s Michael Neibauer wrote a story titled, Tax break eyed for Capital City Diner:
Citing its economic and social impact on the surrounding community, [Ward 5 Council Member] Thomas has introduced legislation that would exempt Capital City Diner from property taxes through Jan. 1, 2016. The diner is assessed by the city at $320,340. The exemption amounts to a $5,000-plus annual tax break.
The article also quotes Ed Lazere of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, who says:
“While the Capital City Diner is located in a neighborhood without many sit-down restaurant options, it is unclear why a restaurant that currently is operating needs a further incentive to continue its business,” Lazere said. “There are a number of restaurants that have opened in recent years on nearby H Street NE, none of which has received this kind of assistance to our knowledge.”
So the FQotD is a simple one – what businesses do you think should receive tax breaks? And how long should tax breaks given – 1 year, 5, years, 10 years? I know that developers also commonly receive tax breaks – who else does? Who else should? Do you know of any other restaurants that receive tax breaks?
Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99
A reader sent the following letter was sent Ward 2 Council Member Jack Evans. I’m wondering if this has happened to anyone else? Did you receive a fine? Were you able to contest it? How did they know it was your trash? I’m also wondering if you agree with the letter writer that this is merely a way for the government to raise money? Or do you think it’s just a symptom of dysfunctional bureaucracy? Or is this legit?
I received a notice of violation from the DC DPW yesterday (03/23/11) with a Date of Service of 02/15/11. DPW has cited me for leaving the garbage by my flowerbox that they were scheduled to pick up that day. I would like to speak with someone regarding this issue, however, the notice states that I only have 14 days after the “Date of Service” to contest this citation, which would have been Feb 27th. A neighbor of mine had a similar experience as he too was presented with a notice past the grace period. In both cases, DPW held the notice until the grace period had expired before delivering it. My neighbor’s case is even more frustrating as it was someone else’s trash that was left in his flower box. Both of these instances make it very clear that DPW is treating these notices more as a source of revenue than a betterment for the city.
A few questions to consider:
– How does DPW identify/confirm that the trash is in fact the “Respondent’s”?
– How are DC residents supposed to defend themselves if DPW holds these notices beyond the grace period to contest them before delivering them?
– Why would a DC resident be held liable for trash that DPW was scheduled to pick up?
– If DPW is concerned with the cleanliness of DC’s flower boxes, why is it that the majority of them on my block are in deplorable condition (minus my own which I renovated with my own money)?
– Are we (DC citizens) responsible for ALL trash that ends up in our flower boxes? If so, where is this stated in DC law?
– I would also ask, why wouldn’t DPW remove the trash and then charge the owner rather than leaving it behind in hopes of collecting more fines due to either the negligence, or in mine and my neighbor’s case “not knowing it was a violation”?I understand that the city’s budget is in bad shape and this might be a way to assist DC in recovering some of its budget; but as a longtime resident of DC, a homeowner, and taxpayer, I sometimes wonder what message DC tries to send to its law abiding citizens.
“My name is Mike Lenard and I am the Owner and Operator of TaKorean as well as the Assistant Director of the DC Food Truck Association (DCFTA). I know there has been talk between here and Food Truck Fiesta about some of the events that went down yesterday. I appreciate PoP for giving me the opportunity to explain what happened.
During lunch service yesterday (Tuesday), I was approached by a Metro PD officer who had received a call from someone around to the Metro Center area saying that we were operating without a “site permit.” Currently, food trucks are not required to have site permits under Dept. of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) regulations. The officer was either misled or misinformed about vending regulations and opted to shut me down until he could find an answer to the situation. All of my licenses and paperwork were completely in order and with me the entire time, as they are every time we’re out.
I made a call to the Vending/Special Events coordinator at DCRA, Sam Williams. I contacted him so that he could call the officer’s precinct clarifying the DC regulations concerning food trucks. After that MPD Officer Steinbach, the MPD vending expert, was dispatched to the scene. Once Officer Steinbach arrived, he explained the regulations to the first officer, and we were allowed to re-open without further incident.
Unfortunately, I was not the only truck that experienced this interruption in service yesterday. I later learned that two other food trucks experienced very similar situations in the Farragut Square area. I know that it is frustrating for both the food trucks as well as the law enforcement agencies to see precious resources like time and energy get wasted on these calls.
Both myself and the rest of the DCFTA know this is just one part of a larger, on-going conversation that we’re looking forward to participating in as our industry continues to grow and prosper during the next several months and years.
We’re excited to be a part of such a vibrant metropolitan area, and I can assure you that you’ll be hearing more from those of us at the DC Food Truck Association soon. On behalf of myself and the other food truck vendors that make up the DCFTA, we thank you for your overwhelming support, and appreciate Prince of Petworth for giving me the opportunity to clarify yesterday’s situation at Metro Center.”
“Dear PoP,
I wanted to pass along a letter that you have probably already seen. Brandon is one of the co-owners of DC Brau and has been working to not only start a business in DC (a daunting task by itself) but also to get legislation passed to allow manufacturers the same ability to provide tastings that grocery stores and liquor stores have. The legislation has a hearing date before the Council on March 31st. This seems like a no-brainer bill that will go a long way to allowing these new breweries (we’ve got a few others in the pipeline besides DC Brau) to thrive, make profits, create jobs, and pay taxes in DC. Even if you aren’t a beer lover, supporting this bill means supporting one of the few products made in DC by DC residents.
If you want to testify or submit testimony, contact Benton Heimsath at [email protected].
If you don’t have time for testimony, a quick note/call of support to your councilmember would be extremely valuable:
Ward 1: Jim Graham, (202) 724-8181, John De Taeye (Legislative Director), [email protected]
Ward 2: Jack Evans, 202.724.8058, [email protected]
Ward 3: Mary Cheh, (202) 724-8062, Jeremy Faust, [email protected]
Ward 4: Muriel Bowser, 202-724-8052, Rob Hawkins, [email protected]
Ward 5: Harry Thomas Jr, 202.724.8028, Ayawna Webster, [email protected]
Ward 6: Tommy Wells, 202-724-8072, [email protected]
Ward 7: Yvette Alexander, (202) 724-8068, J.R. Meyers, [email protected]
Ward 8: Marrion Barry, (202) 724-8045”
Hello,
I am writing you this morning as the co-owner of a small start up brewery located in Washington DC. DC Brau Brewing is the first “production/package” facility to be located inside DC in over half a century. It was our choice to be located within the District. We knew that some aspects would be challenging, especially since there has been no local protocol for businesses like ours in such a long time.
Most breweries across the country offer tours of their facilities and a small tasting of their product. Usually a business is required to get an annual tasting permit to do this. After reviewing the District’s laws, we noticed there was no such provision for businesses of our type. Tasting permits are available for grocery and off premises establishments but nothing for manufacturers. This prompted us to work with an attorney to write the “Brewery Manufacturer’s Tasting Permit Amendment Act of 20ll”. I have attached a copy for your review. This bill would give us the same tasting rights as grocery stores and other off premise accounts.
As a new business we are doing everything we can to succeed. We know having a tasting room will allow us to appeal to a broader market, generate beer tourism interest and give us the same chance to succeed as our counterparts in the surrounding states.
The hearing for bill (B19-118) will be March 31st at 10am in room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW 20004). DC Brau will come to testify. Please put out the word – Anybody who wants to testify or submit testimony should contact Benton Heimsath at [email protected].
Thank you for your support.
Cheers!
Brandon Skall
CEO
DCBrau Brewing Company LLC
We took a look at DC Brau back in early March.
|
“Dear PoP,
I went out to go try Takorean today for lunch. After waiting in a long line, I was about 3 people away from the front of line when a cop car pulls up (lights blazing) and asks for his food licenses and papers. He orders the truck to shut down and says that while he has the correct licenses to do business, he doesn’t have the license “to do business here”.
The cop told me that someone had called in to him saying that the Takorean truck didn’t have the correct licenses. The truck owner said that he did, and was getting someone from Takorean HQ to bring them out.
I have a feeling that an angry restaurant owner nearby was mad about losing business, so phoned in this “tip”. What’s up with this? What kind of certification do food trucks need to operate?”
Anytime food is handled/served/sold I believe DCRA papers are required. I’d be surprised if a big truck like Takorean didn’t have them, though it is odd that they apparently weren’t in the truck. Anyone else witness this scene?
Who do you think will win this apparent battle – food trucks or brick and mortar restaurants?
Photo by PoPville flickr user BrennaLM
“Dear PoP,
I got really strange request from my friend. She sent an email to our circle of friends asking if a lesbian couple she knows can use someones DC residence for their wedding ceremony. She said the marriage officiant just needs to be able to use my address for the marriage license. I’m a Columbia Heights resident and she could probably use my empty second bedroom or the meeting room in my condo. I just don’t understand why they can’t get married at a courthouse. Don’t really know about the gay marriage laws in DC. I’m just wondering if the other DC residents are getting these kinds of request as cheap way to do their nuptials.”
This is bizarre. Anyone know the proper laws here? You don’t actually have to live in DC to get married here do you?
Screen shot from survey. You can take the Survey here.
“Dear PoP,
It may be worth noting that there is a survey on the DC government website asking for feedback on the 2012 budget. Who knows if this will reach anyone, but it can’t hurt to take a minute and send some ideas.”
You can take the Survey here.
Do you think feedback of this variety is useful?
Photo by PoPville flickr user Madame Meow
“Dear PoP,
So we bought our house in the in the Capitol hill area in late 2009, and we just got our 2012 property tax assessment, our second increase since we bought the place. I’m contemplating appealing, but not sure it’s worth the effort, and/or wondering if it’ll do more harm than good.
The current assessment is an increase of about 2.6%, bringing the assessed value up to about 3.6% more than we paid for the place about 1.5 years ago. I’ll admit this seems far from extreme, but when I take a look at Zillow for example, it shows 20002 down ~6% in the last year and “Near Northeast” down ~3.5%. I wander through the occasional open house and look at listings and my feeling about local prices is that they’ve been flat at best, if not slightly down as Zillow suggests.
So do I have grounds for an appeal? Should I bother? Do you have any idea how detailed their analysis really is? Do they actually go street by street, house by house, or do they just apply a percentage for each neighborhood based on some coarse measure?
We’ve made some improvements to our house. One of the neighbors just went through a very serious renovation and their property value has clearly gone way up. In reality mine has certainly gone up too as a result, probably more than the assessment shows, though I think it’s been too recent to actually make its way into this assessment. If I appeal will I end up with more focused scrutiny and end up doing myself more harm than good?”
I thought that it would be a good idea to appeal if your house (in similar condition) was assessed at a much higher value than homes nearby. I once appealed on those grounds a couple of years ago and won the appeal.
We discussed how tax assessment works here and discussed an appeal here and here.
Did anyone else’s assessment increase?
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC
From a DC Water press release:
From March 21 through May 2, 2011, the disinfectant in drinking water will temporarily switch from chloramine to chlorine.
This annual change is part of a routine maintenance program to keep the water distribution system in the District of Columbia, Arlington County and Falls Church clean and free of potentially harmful bacteria. A temporary switch to chlorine with system-wide flushing is done to maintain water quality throughout the year. This is standard practice for many water systems that use chloramine during the majority of the year.
During this time, individuals may notice a change in the taste and smell of 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)