Community Announcements

OSSE Seeking nominations for outstanding Ward 6 teachers for DC Teacher of the Year!

Please help OSSE spread the word about this opportunity to recognize, honor and elevate the voices of outstanding teachers who are inspiring, dedicated, and who go above and beyond for their students. Nominate outstanding Ward 6 teachers for the 2022 DC Teacher of the Year Award.

WHO CAN MAKE A NOMINATION: Anyone can nominate a teacher! Students, families, community members, school leaders and staff members, etc.

HOW TO MAKE A NOMINATION: Visit www.bit.ly/2022DCTOY to fill out a simple nomination form by the nomination deadline of Friday, April 30, 2021.

Any teacher who currently teaches in a DCPS school or a DC public charter school can be nominated. Once nominated, OSSE will reach out to all nominated teachers to invite them to fill out an application. OSSE will then work with a diverse selection committee consisting of community members and education stakeholders to identify a winner. The winner is announced by the DC Mayor each October.

Friends of Lincoln Park and National Park Service Cleanup of Park – Saturday April 24th – Volunteers needed

Friends of Lincoln Park has partnered with the National Park Service for an Earth Day event on Saturday from 9-11am. We are looking for some volunteers to help do some clean-up of the park, in particular trash and debris that has collected along the curbs and edges of the park. NPS has lent gloves/bags/shovels/rakes/brooms etc. to do this and will pick up the trash bags. Here is the link to sign up https://qrco.de/bc4nh1

For questions please email friendsoflincolnparkdc@gmail.com.

Spielberg Park (17th & C) Virtual Community Meeting – Monday, April 19, 2021 6:30 PM

Please join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for a virtual community meeting on April 19^th to discuss upcoming improvements to Spielberg Park! Come share your thoughts, help influence the project design, and learn how to get involved in the project. Your attendance and feedback are critical to the process and greatly appreciated. All ages are welcome!

Spielberg (17^th & C) Park Virtual Community Meeting

Meeting date: Monday, April 19, 2021
Meeting time: 6:30- 7:30 PM

Meeting link: https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/j.php?MTID=m7886e38980929365c0e79a6eb8d1bbb3

To Join by Phone:
+1-202-860-2110 United States Toll (Washington D.C.)
1-650-479-3208 Call-in number (US/Canada)
Attendee access code 360 353 07

Project Website: https://dgs.dc.gov/page/17th-c-se-triangle-park
17th and C Street SE Park Community Meeting (splashthat.com)

Greater Greater Washington – Like Slow Streets, Streateries, or car-free Beach Drive? DC Council wants to hear about it.

Like Slow Streets, Streateries, or car-free Beach Drive? DC Council wants to hear about it. – Greater Greater Washington (ggwash.org)

TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Transportation & the Environment Public Roundtable

Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 @ 12:00PM

Location: Virtual Meeting

The Committee on Transportation & the Environment will hold a Public Roundtable on the following Matter:

Transportation in the District After the Pandemic

The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record. Anyone wishing to testify should contact Ms. Aukima Benjamin, Staff Assistant to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment, at (202) 724-8062 or via e-mail at abenjamin@dccouncil.us; witnesses will receive information on how to join the roundtable at that time. Witnesses who anticipate needing language interpretation, or requiring sign language interpretation, are requested to inform the Committee of the need as soon as possible but no later than five business days before the roundtable, which is March 15, 2021. We will make every effort to fulfill timely requests, however requests received in less than five business days may not be fulfilled and alternatives may be offered.

Watch Live:

– On the Council site, at https://bit.ly/2ooL0l1
– On the OCTFME site, at https://bit.ly/2JNZIro
– On TV, usually Channel 13

Full information can be found at this link.

ABRA Reopen Washington DC Alcohol Act Information Session

On Monday, March 22nd, ABRA hosted a virtual information session on draft policies that will be sent to DC Council for approval at a date tbd. Below is the slide deck from the presentation. The draft legislation can be found at this link: B24-0044 – Reopen Washington DC Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Amendment Act of 2021 (dccouncil.us)

Thank you for participating in our virtual Reopen Washington DC Alcohol Act Information Session. Click here to download the slide deck from the presentation . We encourage you to share this resource widely.

Your feedback is important to us. Please complete our brief survey which can be completed in less than five minutes. Responses can be made anonymously.

Take the Survey

If your questions were not answered during the presentation, please contact ABRA’s Community Resource Officer Sarah Fashbaugh directly at Sarah.Fashbaugh@dc.gov or (202) 397-3971.

03/18/2021 – Office of the Tenant Advocate: Renter’s Rights 101 during the Public Health Emergency Webinar

The Office of the Tenant Advocate is hosting a monthly Renter’s Rights 101 during the Public Health Emergency webinar/online class (held in both English and Spanish) for tenants in DC who would like to be better informed about their rights. The class covers what tenants should know about their leases, their responsibilities as tenants, the landlords’ responsibilities, security deposits, COVID-19 changes to the law, and more.

Thursday March 18^th10am – 12pm in English
5:30pm – 7:30pm in Spanish

To RSVP for this online class, please contact Nicole McEntee at Nicole.mcentee@dc.gov. RSVPs will be accepted until the class is full; if the class fills up quickly, the next monthly online class will be on Thursday April 15^th.

*This is being posted on behalf of OTA. For any questions or further information, please contact OTA

National Cherry Blossom Festival – Porch Parade & Procession

We’re excited to announce that the 2021 Festival will bloom this spring (March 20-April 11), with an innovative format that honors the tradition of the Festival, while prioritizing the health and safety of participants amidst the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s Festival is designed to incorporate both virtual and personal experiences for everyone to enjoy this spring!

On March 20, watch the ceremonial start to the Festival as performers from Japan and DC bring to your living room a celebration of the season with artistry and spectacle. Co-presented with The Japan Foundation.

For more information: https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

GET INVOLVED: Petal Porch Parade + Procession

One of the new programs this year is Petal Porch Parade + Procession. This program invites DC residents to celebrate their cherry blossom/springtime spirit by decorating their porches, yards, and/or windows. We are also encouraging the community to get outside and explore their neighborhood. The goal is to have participants register online and NCBF will create a map for people to walk around to tour theirs and other neighborhoods. The program will culminate with a mini-procession of 10 cars that have been painted by local DC artists driving down their street. We will be driving through all 8 wards but the route will be determined by density clustering of decorated homes. Individuals will be able to begin signing up around March 1st.

Neighborhood Champions – Petal Porch Parade and Procession

Mayor Bowser Issues Mayor’s Order Extending Today’s Public Emergency for 15 Days

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

(Washington, DC) – Today, First Amendment protests turned violent. Many persons came to the District armed and for the purpose of engaging in violence and destruction and have engaged in violence and destruction. They have fired chemical irritants, bricks, bottles, and guns. They have breached the security of the Capitol and their destructive and riotous behavior has the potential to spread beyond the Capitol. Their motivation is ongoing. Today, they sought to disrupt the Congressional proceedings relating to the acceptance of electoral college votes. President Trump continues to fan rage and violence by contending that the Presidential election was invalid. Persons are dissatisfied with judicial rulings and the findings of State Boards of Elections, and some persons can be expected to continue their violent protests through the inauguration.

Accordingly, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued Mayor’s Order 2021-003, extending the public emergency declared earlier today for a total of 15 days, until and unless provided for by further Mayoral Order.

—

Mayor’s Order 2021-003

January 6, 2021

SUBJECT: Extension of Public Emergency

ORIGINATING AGENCY: Office of the Mayor

By virtue of the authority vested in the Mayor of the District of Columbia pursuant to section 422(11) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973, 87 Stat. 790, Pub. L. No. 93-198, D.C. Official Code § 1-204.22(11) (2016 Repl.); section 5 of the District of Columbia Public Emergency Act of 1980, effective March 5, 1981, D.C. Law 3- 149, D.C. Official Code § 7-2304 (2018 Repl.); D.C. Official Code § 5-129.03, and Mayor’s Order 2009-4, it is hereby ORDERED that:

I. FINDINGS (NATURE OF THE PUBLIC EMERGENCY)

First Amendment protests have turned violent. Many persons came to the District armed and for the purpose of engaging in violence and destruction and have engaged in violence and destruction. They have fired chemical irritants, bricks, bottles, and guns. They have breached the security of the Capitol and their destructive and riotous behavior has the potential to spread beyond the Capitol.

Their motivation is ongoing. Today, they sought to disrupt the Congressional proceedings relating to the acceptance of electoral college votes. President Trump continues to fan rage and violence by contending that the Presidential election was invalid. Persons are dissatisfied with judicial rulings and the findings of State Boards of Elections, and some persons can be expected to continue their violent protests through the inauguration.

Today’s events and the reasonable apprehension of an ongoing public emergency represent an immediate threat to the health, safety, and welfare of District residents that requires emergency protective actions. Accordingly, by this Order, the public emergency declared by Mayor’s Order 2021-002 earlier this afternoon is hereby extended for a total of fifteen (15) days, until and unless provided for by further Mayoral Order.

II. EMERGENCY MEASURES AND REQUIREMENTS

A. The City Administrator, in consultation with the Director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, is authorized to implement such measures as may be necessary or appropriate to protect persons and property in the District of Columbia from the conditions caused by this public emergency. Such measures may include, as necessary or appropriate, actions authorized under D.C. Official Code§ 7-2304(b), including requesting federal disaster assistance, or taking measures under the District Response Plan to the extent necessary or appropriate to effectuate the relief contemplated by this Order.

B. This Order shall apply to all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the District government as necessary or appropriate to implement this Order.

C. The Chief Financial Officer of the District of Columbia is authorized to approve disbursement of all appropriations necessary to carry out this Order.

D. The City Administrator, in coordination with the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, the Director of the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, and the Chief Financial Officer, is authorized to apply for financial assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, any other federal, private, or nonprofit disaster relief and recovery organizations, and any other appropriate agencies of the United States government to recoup expenditures incurred, or obtain funding needed, under this order.

E. The District Response Plan is hereby implemented beginning immediately, including the execution of mutual aid agreements for public safety purposes, and the appointment and swearing in of special police.

F. In accordance with 49 C.F.R. § 390.23 (Relief from Regulations), any motor carriers or drivers operating commercial motor vehicles directly engaged in the resolution of this emergency shall not be subject to any provision that restricts the length of their work hours. Accordingly, this order permits utility workers and District agencies to retain crews to complete emergency repairs and restore services beyond normal work hours.

G. Expend appropriated funds as needed to address the public emergency.

H. Prepare for, order, and supervise the evacuation or sheltering of persons.

I. Disconnect, suspend, or shut-off public utilities.

J. Destroy, remove, or prohibit access to real or personal property found to be contaminated by any matter which renders it deleterious to life or health.

K. Issue orders to regulate the use, sale, production, and distribution of food, fuel, clothing and other commodities as required by the District’s response plan.

L. Reduce or alter the hours of business, and direct persons to remain off public streets if a curfew is established.

M. Establish such emergency services units as required.

N. Expand existing departmental and agency units related to public emergency services.

O. Exercise operational direction over all District government departments.

P. Procure supplies, provide inform the public, and take any other preparatory steps.

Q. Request pre-disaster assistance from the federal government.

R. Take action to prevent or reduce harmful consequences of disaster.

S. Waive application of any law administered by the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking if doing so is reasonably calculated to protect the health, safety, or welfare of District residents; and

T. Notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 6 of Title 1, or the rules issued pursuant to Chapter 6 of Title 1, the subchapter I-A of Chapter 5 of Title 1, or any other personnel law or rules, the Mayor may take the following personnel actions regarding executive branch subordinate agencies that the Mayor determines necessary and appropriate to address the emergency:

1. Redeploying employees within or between agencies;

2. Modifying employees’ tours of duty;

3. Modifying employees’ places of duty;

4. Mandating telework;

5. Extending shifts and assigning additional shifts;

6. Providing appropriate meals to employees required to work overtime or work without meal breaks;

7. Assigning additional duties to employees;

8. Extending existing terms of employees;

9. Hiring new employees into the Career, Education, and Management Supervisory Services without competition;

10. Eliminating any annuity offsets established by any law; or

11. Denying leave or rescinding approval of previously approved leave.

III. DURATION OF ORDER

This Order shall remain in effect until fifteen (15) days after its effective date, until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021, unless earlier rescinded or superseded.

IV. EFFECTIVE DATE:

This Order shall become effective immediately.

New Chief of Staff – DC Office of Planning

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 4, 2021

CONTACT:

Mekdy Alemayehu (OP) 202.412.7828; mekdy.alemayehu2@dc.gov

New Chief of Staff Brings Equity and Inclusion Expertise to the DC Office of Planning

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The DC Office of Planning (OP) welcomes Vivian Guerra as the agency’s new Chief of Staff. Guerra brings fifteen years of professional experience in community development working at the local and federal levels as well as in the private sector. Guerra joins OP as the agency renews its focus on community-based planning and the DC Council is poised to finalize the Comprehensive Plan update. She will shepherd the final steps and implementation of the Comp Plan update, as well as support OP’s neighborhood planning and systems work with an equity and inclusion lens. Guerra’s skills and experience will be critical as OP continues to plan for a more equitable and resilient DC that will stand up against the challenges we face today and beyond.

Guerra joins OP from the DC Department of Transportation, where she led several initiatives on Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility for the Equity & Inclusion Division/Civil Rights Office within the Office of the Director. Before that, she led and implemented organizational systems-change through policies, practices and procedures at the DC Department on Disability Services’ State Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation. She served as the Ward 1 neighborhood planner at OP where she managed neighborhood plans that included the Columbia Heights Public Realm Plan, Georgia Avenue-Petworth Revitalization Plan, and supported the U Street Corridor DUKE plan.

Guerra holds a Master’s in Community and Urban Planning from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Studies from George Mason University. She resides in Washington, DC alongside her husband, two children, and recently adopted puppy Gio.

For more information about the DC Office of Planning, visit our home page at planning.dc.gov.

From the Office of the People’s Counsel

The Office of the People’s Counsel is an independent agency of the District of Columbia government. By law, it is the advocate for consumers of natural gas, electric and telephone services in the District. District of Columbia law designates the Office as a party to all utility-related proceedings before the Public Service Commission. The Office also represents the interests of District ratepayers before federal regulatory agencies. The Office is authorized to investigate the operation and valuation of utility companies independent of any pending proceeding.

Stay Informed: What Is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. The COVID-19 is the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, Hubei province, China.

Since December 2019, cases have been identified in a growing number of countries.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Public health authorities are learning more every day. We will continue to update as we learn more.

Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 in the District by visiting the official website for this event: http ://dchealth.dc.gov/coronavirus

Or visit the CDC website for information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

2020 DC CENSUS

About The U.S. Census

Every 10 years, the U.S. government counts every person living in our country in the Constitutionally-mandated Census. Once Census collection is over, the U.S. Census Bureau analyzes and release critical census data.

Data from the U.S. Census directly determines the pathway of Federal funding, impacting schools, businesses, transportation, infrastructure, healthcare, and overall social equity in the District.

The more accurate the data, the easier it is to ensure that we are meeting our community’s needs. When data is inaccurate, we miss out on billions of Federal dollars.

We Need Your Help

In 2010, DC was the second most undercounted city* in the nation, with the highest concentrations of undercounted folks living in Wards 1, 5, 7, and 8. The following groups have been historically undercounted in the District:

Low-income residents
Foreign-born residents
Renters in multi-unit buildings
Children ages 0-5
African American Households

*City defined by a population of more than half a million residents

In 2010, DC was one of the most undercounted cities in the nation. What did that mean for us?

Well, the District potentially loses out out on billions of Federal dollars through large scale federal entitlement programs.

Make sure that we #GetCountedDC: http://bit.ly/34eV5RU

Follow the link above to find out more information and to fill out the census online!