Ward 7 Summit Brief - April 8 2015

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT
BRIEF
Prepared and Presented By:
Ward 7 Residents & the Strategy and Organizing Working Group

Wednesday, April 8, 2015
WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF
Contents
Overview................................................................................................................................................ 3
Economic Opportunity Working Group.................................................................................................... 4
Housing Working Group .......................................................................................................................... 6
Public Safety Working Group................................................................................................................... 8
Transportation Working Group................................................................................................................ 9
Arts, Culture and the Environment Working Group................................................................................ 10
Infrastructure Working Group ............................................................................................................... 12
Public Education Working Group ........................................................................................................... 13
Strategy and Organizing Working Group................................................................................................ 14
Next Steps ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Overview
This brief offers a summation of the Ward 7 Citizens Budget Summit I held on Saturday,
March 14, 2015 at the Deanwood Recreation Center. This brief also contains evaluations
from Summit I and next steps, strategies, and methodologies for Summit II, which will
be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the Fort Davis Recreation Center.
At Summit I, approximately 65 Ward 7 residents participated in Ward 7s first ever nonpartisan, Citizens Budget Summit. In essence, this Summit was conceived by the people,
for the people, and represented a true grassroots effort. The Summit engaged a diverse set
of residents who discussed:
Economic Opportunity,
Housing,
Public Safety,
Transportation,
Arts, Culture, and the Environment,
Infrastructure,
Public Education, and
Organizing Strategies
Breakout Groups were led by Resident Facilitators and all dialogue was captured by the
appointed scribes. Moving forward these Breakout Groups have transitioned into
Working Groups to put into action the will of the people in Ward 7.
Purpose
Our Ward 7 Summit Working Groups, will recruit, organize, and mobilize Ward 7
neighbors willing to contribute to and/or serve on "Testimony Teams" that will represent
our voices before the appropriate Council Oversight Committees regarding the city
budget. Our Citizen Summits are created to share information, organize, and mobilize
ourselves in order to collectively advocate for budget priorities that are most salient for
Ward 7 Neighborhoods and Families. We will actively engage ourselves in the entire FY16
budget process and collectively advocate for that which is in the best interest of Ward 7,
overall.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to simply ensure that Ward 7 has a voice in the FY16 Budget discussions and
decisions. Between April 15th and May 7th, our City Council will conduct 33 specific
budget hearings under the jurisdiction of eight different Council Committees to get OUR
input on the budget. Our Mission is to ensure that Ward 7 has Testimony Teams
prepared and ready to address Council Oversight Committees as appropriate.
The Council Oversight Committees

1. Committee of the Whole (Chairperson Mendelson)
2. Committee on Health and Human Services (Chairperson Alexander)
3. Committee on Transportation and the Environment (Chairperson Cheh)
4. Committee on the Judiciary (Chairperson McDuffie)
5. Committee on the Housing and Community Development (Chairperson Bonds)
6. Committee on Education (Chairperson Grosso)
7. Committee on Finance and Revenue (Chairperson Evans)
8. Committee on Business, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (Chairperson Orange)
Economic Opportunity Working Group

Issues Raised
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Job Creation
Business Development & Enhancement
Economic Opportunity
Lack of High Quality Amenities and Retail Services
Market Saturation of 7-11 Franchises and Medicaid-targeting Dental Offices.
Negative perceptions that this market will only support unhealthy fast-food
carryouts.
7. Lack of any meaningful retail development around any of the four Ward 7 Metro
Stations.
Potential Solutions
1. Create an overall economic plan for Ward 7 through a task force focus on developing
Downtown Ward 7 / major commercial corridors, Minnesota Ave., Benning Rd.
2. One stop shop for business support that offers incentives for businesses.
3. Entice businesses to come to the Ward.
4. Offer more job training programs and follow-up.
5. Create partnerships with small businesses to create a hiring pipeline.
6. Invite and entice businesses to come to Ward 7 through incentives and grants that
focused just on this ward and filling the identified commercial corridors.
Budget Priorities
1. Funding for job training programs and adequate follow-up.
2. Targeted business development focused solely on Ward 7 and commercial corridors

with a focus on basic community needs such as Banks, Medical Professional Services
and sit down restaurants.
3. Seek funding for a task force to create a comprehensive economic development plan
for Ward 7.
Related Hearings
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Chairman Phil Mendelson
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015; Room 412
Time
2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Agency
Office of Contracting and Procurement
Contract Appeals Board
Executive Office of the Mayor
Office of the City Administrator
Secretary of the District of the Columbia
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Evan Cash, ecash@dccouncil.us or by
calling 202-724-8196.
COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

Chairperson Kenyan McDuffie
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015; Room 120
Time
10:00 a.m. End
Agency
Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
DC Board of Elections
Office of Campaign Finance
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Katherine Mitchell,
kmitchell@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-727-8275
Time
10:00 a.m. - End
Agency
Office of the Attorney General
Mayor's Office of Legal Counsel
Office of Administrative Hearings
Judicial Nomination Commission
Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure
Access to Justice Initiative
kmitchell@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-727-8275.
COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, CONSUMER & REGULATORY AFFAIRS
Chairperson Vincent Orange
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015; Room 412
Time
10:00 a.m. - End
Agency
Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking
Office of Cable Television
Office of Motion Picture and Television Development
Office of People's Counsel
Public Access Corporation
Public Service Commission
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Peter Johnson, pjohnson@dccouncil.us
or by calling 202-727-6683.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Office of Budget and Planning
Deputy Mayor for Planning & Economic Development
Office of Zoning
Office of Planning
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Cynthia LeFevre, clefevre@dccouncil.us
or by calling 202-724-8092
COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, CONSUMER & REGULATORY AFFAIRS
Chairperson Vincent Orange
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. - End
Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Department of Employment Services
Department of Small and Local Business Development
Office of Risk Management
Office of Tenant Advocate
Workforce Investment Council
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Peter Johnson, pjohnson@dccouncil.us
or by calling 202-727-6683
COMMITTEE ON HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Chairperson Anita Bonds
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. - End Advisory Commission on Caribbean Community Affairs
DC Youth Advisory Council
Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Affairs
Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
Office of Latino Affairs
Office of African Affairs
Office of African American Affairs
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Joseph Trimboli, jtrimboli@dccouncil.us
or by calling 202-724-8198.
Housing Working Group

Issues Raised
1. Lack of an even disbursement of affordable housing stock.
2. Define/re-define affordable housing.
3. Contradictions between local desires for income mix and federal housing finance
standards.
4. What does Area Median Income (AMI) really mean?
5. More Homeowner assistance programs.
6. More Homeowner education.
7. Public housing perceived lack of regulation and governance.
8. Resources to increase Elderly citizens ability to age in place, in their homes.
9. Oversaturation and Relocation of low and moderate income or group homes into
Ward 7.
Potential Solutions
1.
2.
3.
4.
Home buying programs and post-buying support and education at all age-levels.
Support for middle class/long term resident incentives.
Reform home buying programs.
Senior grants for age in place support.
Budget Priorities
1. Increase stock of affordable housing units with three and four bedrooms.
2. Request for more homeowner assistance and support programs with continued
education.
3. Request more grant funding to aid elderly residents to maintain their home inside
and out.
4. Tax incentives to homeowners.
5. Reform home buying programs.
Related Hearings
Time
10:00 a.m. End
Agency
Housing Finance Agency
Office of Aging
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Barry Weise, bweise@dccouncil.us or
by calling 202-724-8171.
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. End
Department of Housing and Community Development
Rental Housing Commission
Housing Production Trust Fund
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Irene Kang, ikang@dccouncil.us or by
calling 202-724-8198.
Time
11:00 a.m. End
Agency
Advisory Neighborhood Commission
Office of Religious Affairs/Interfaith Council
Office of Veteran Affairs
Office of Women's Policy and Initiatives
DC Housing Authority
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Nishant Keerikatte,
nkeerikatte@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-724-8025
Public Safety Working Group

Issues Raised
1. Home Break-Ins.
a. Devaluing low-levels of crime, lackadaisical police response and writing off
concerns raised by residents.
b. Disparate treatment in comparison to other wards in the city.
2. Lack of resources and proper allocation of them.
3. Marvin Gaye Park continues to be an open-air drug market.
4. Very little to no traffic enforcement.
5. Police have a negative attitude and perspective of the community.
Potential Solutions
1. Renew funding for Drug Treatment and Ex-Offender re-entry programs.
2. Hire and retain police officers from within the community, encourage and
incentivize their ability to live where they serve (i.e., officer next door).
3. Community policing would help reduce crime.
Budget Priorities
1. Community Policing
2. Training for existing police force serving in 6D
3. Request for more resources (human capital)
Related Hearings
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. End
Office of Police Complaints
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Sentencing and Criminal Code Revision Commission
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015; Room 412

Time
10:00 a.m. End
Agency
Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Office of Unified Communications
Office of Human Rights
Department of Corrections
Office of Returning Citizen Affairs
Corrections Information Council


Time
10:00 a.m. End
Agency
Board of Ethics and Government Accountability
Office of Victim Services
Justice Grants Administration

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
11:00 a.m. - End
Department of Forensic Sciences
Metropolitan Police Department
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
District of Columbia National Guard
Transportation Working Group

Issues Raised
Strengths
1. Four metro stations - Stadium Armory, Benning Road, Minnesota Ave, Deanwood.
2. Unleveraged strength - Ward 7 has second highest bus ridership in WMATA (Ward 1 is #1) We should always be the last to be cut.
3. Vision Zero - Pedestrian plan that the Mayor is introducing to plan with pedestrian in mind.
4. Black Woman Bike
5. ANC commissioners and Eastland Gardens association are meeting around some
transportation issues.
Challenges
1. Pedestrian safety issue
a. East Cap/Benn (Shrimp Boat) & Minn/Benn pedestrian intersections - top 14 most
dangerous intersections in the city.
b. Eastern Ave. & 295 - people
c. Service road on Kenilworth is a big pedestrian issue particularly with students
having to cross to go to school since Kenilworth elementary is closed and few people
have cars.
d. Crossing guard training.
2. Communication with DDOT/WMATA (re: bridge use; bus route changes/elimination).
3. Traffic management and enforcement issues in Eastland Gardens/Parkside/Kenilworth
area.
4. Bus access
a. M-2 was cut

b. 34 is on the chopping block to be completely gone
5. Safe Routes to School Program - no Ward 7 schools involved. Important to have
champions: school staff, parents, and community leaders.
Potential Solutions
Ward 7 Resident transportation group designed to share common transportation issues and
voice them to appropriate transportation/government officials.
2. This group could also serve to prepare residents to be members of different councils that
need Ward 7 representation (pedestrian council, WMATA council, bike council, etc.).
3. Communicate with Ward 7 education council to share pedestrian/ transportation concerns
and solutions.
4. Build stronger working relationships between Ward 7 transportation planners/ engineers
in DC government and WMATA.
1.
Budget Priorities
Education around pedestrian safety (Vision Zero).
Mitigating traffic back-ups into residential neighborhoods (MPD/DDOT).
Assessment and audits of safe access to neighborhoods around major intersections (i.e.,
East Cap/Benn; Kenilworth/Nannie Helen Burroughs; Minn/Benn).
4. Transparent communication with residents from DDOT, WMATA, MPD, etc.
5. Transportation champions in the schools and communities.
1.
2.
3.
Related Hearings
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Chairperson Mary Cheh
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015; Room 412
Time
Agency
1:00 p.m. End
District Department of Transportation
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Aukima Benjamin,
abenjamin@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-724-8062.
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & THE ENVIRONMENT
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. End
DC Taxicab Commission
Arts, Culture and the Environment Working Group

Issues Raised
1.
Majority of arts funding tended to be awarded to programs and initiatives West of the River.
10
2.
3.
4.
5.
Improve green spaces in the neighborhoods.

Fort DuPont only produced two concerts last summer a reduction from previous years.
Lack of robust arts programming in schools.
Lack of an Arts Center/Hub.
Potential Solutions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fund Art in the community as a driver of economic growth.

More Ward 7 Residents needed to review grant funding proposals.
Creation of an Arts Hub in Ward 7.
Increase artistic productions that uses the existing outdoor environment (i.e., festivals).
Increase Arts & Environmental funding to enhance rich cultural heritage and beautify park
assets across the Ward.
Budget Priorities
1.
2.
Request funding for the study and development of an Arts Hub in Ward 7.
Increase funding with respect to needs relating to the arts and the environment.
Related Hearings
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE & REVENUE
Chairperson Jack Evans
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. End
Washington Convention & Sports Authority (EventsDC)
Destination DC
Real Property Tax Appeals Commission
DC Lottery
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Sarina Loy, sloy@dccouncil.us or by
calling 202-724-8058.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. - End
Department of General Services
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE & REVENUE
Chairperson Jack Evans
Time
10:00 a.m. End
Agency
Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Office of Inspector General
Office of Partnerships and Grant Services
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Sarina Loy, sloy@dccouncil.us or by
calling 202-724-8058.
11

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
11:00 a.m. - End
District Department of the Environment
Department of Parks and Recreation
Infrastructure Working Group

Issues Raised
1.
2.
3.
4.
Limited Connectivity cellular and internet.

Pollution affecting solid waste management and storm water drains.
Roads/Bridges
Lighting
Potential Solutions
Google Fiber project
Make improvements to corridors in need of slowing traffic and enhancing pedestrian safety.
Ensure infrastructure is updated to support increased usage as a result of housing and
development projects.
4. Improve access in and out of Ward 7 chokepoints (i.e., 295 @ Penn Ave, 295 @ Nannie
Helen Burroughs, 295/New York Ave. Interchange).
1.
2.
3.
Budget Priorities
Request funding for the study and implementation of improving infrastructure at major
chokepoints
2. Request funding for the study and implementation of corridor enhancements.
3. Request that planning and transportation staff examines how best to make sure the
infrastructure can continue to serve the community as it experiences growth.
1.
Related Hearings
Time
11:00 a.m.
Agency
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Public Works
abenjamin@dccouncil.us or by calling or by calling 202-724-8062.
12
Public Education Working Group

Issues Raised
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Safety In and out of school (Coordinated Safe Passages Programs).

Quality of life issues effect on pupils academic performance (Sousa and Miller Middle
Schools).
Curriculum implementing a comprehensive STEM curriculum at HD Woodson High.
Curriculum implementing a comprehensive STEM curriculum at HD Woodson Feeder
(Middle/Elem).
Better Extra-Curricular Activities for Middle and High School students.
Sustainability of Enrollment Numbers for HD Woodson High given Boundary Adjustments
for Miller students.
Fund, develop and implement a Comprehensive Public Education Plan for Ward 7 that
includes both Traditional and Chartered Public Schools.
This community is educationally unstable because on the one hand, officials have closed
down Traditional Public Schools in Ward 7....for under-enrollment......then on the other
hand, the PCSB is continually approving and opening new unproven Charter Schools within
the same Ward 7 neighborhoods.
Lack of clarity on status of new Males of Color Programming and Implementation.
Lack of clarity on status of the funded Ward 7 Application Middle School.
Potential Solutions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Public accountability regarding funding for at risk students so that dollars continue to
follow students.
Better coordination between DPR, DCPS, MPD, and other DC Youth serving entities for
implementing early intervention programs.
Increase visibility and improved access to the Ombudsmans Office and other funded
OSSE/DCPS parental engagement resources.
More professional support resources AND accountability for administrators and teachers
within Ward 7 schools.
Offer incentives for businesses in the community to support partnerships with schools.
A Moratorium on Opening Any New Charter Schools within Ward 7 OR Closing any more
Traditional Public Schools until such time that a Comprehensive Educational Needs
Assessment has been fully funded and accomplished.
Budget Priorities
1.
2.
Facility Modernization of Kimball, Aiton, Smothers and Houston.

Funding for a Comprehensive Ward 7 Academic/Educational Needs Assessment and Plan.
13
Related Hearings
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2015; Room 412
Time
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Agency
University of the District of Columbia
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Chairperson David Grosso
TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
1:00 p.m. End
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education
District of Columbia Public Library System
Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of the foregoing agencies may contact: Christina Henderson,
chenderson@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-724-8061
Time
10:00 a.m. End
Agency
Public Charter School Board
Bullying Prevention Taskforce
Healthy Youth and Schools Commission
chenderson@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-724-8061
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. End
District of Columbia Public Schools (Public Witnesses Only)
chenderson@dccouncil.us or by calling 724-8061.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015; COUNCIL CHAMBER (Room 500)
Time
Agency
10:00 a.m. End
Office of State Superintendent of Education
State Board of Education
chenderson@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-724-8061.
Strategy and Organizing Working Group

Issues Raised
How to efficiently organize and mobilize Ward 7 Residents into functioning Testimony
Teams.
2. These "Testimony Teams" will need to recruit Ward 7 Neighbors who are willing to donate
a specific day(s) or a few hours of their time to appear as part of a specific Ward 7 Panel.
1.
14
Each team will need Ward 7 Residents who have Research, Writing, Testimony Experience,
and Public Speaking Skill Sets.
4. Ideally, Ward 7 should have a Testimony Panel ready to present at each of the 33 scheduled
Public Hearings.
5. Ideally, Working Groups should do their very best to develop a consensus set of "Ward 7
Budget Priorities" then craft Specific Talking Points and Written Testimony for formal
submissions.
3.
Potential Solutions
So here's a quick example of how we should break things down:
Step 1:
Each Working Group should review the Public Hearings schedules related to
their subject area.
i.e., Housing Working Group should look at: Committee on Housing and
Community Development which will hold 3 Public Hearings
Step 2:
Each Working Group should able to determine when its Team will be called
into action; How many people are needed; Who can Research agency info via
Council website;
Who can analyze exactly how these agencies plan on spending and
where....then determine what should be added for Ward 7, if our needs are
not adequately addressed...
Next Steps
The Ward 7 community will convene working groups to take action on the issues and implement
solutions identified during Summit I and Summit II.
15

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WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT

Prepared and Presented By:

Ward 7 Residents & the Strategy and Organizing Working Group

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

The Council Oversight Committees

Economic Opportunity Working Group

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

2. Targeted business development focused solely on Ward 7 and commercial corridors

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Housing Working Group

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

Public Safety Working Group

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015; Room 412

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015; Room 120

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

Transportation Working Group

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

a. M-2 was cut

Arts, Culture and the Environment Working Group

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

Improve green spaces in the neighborhoods.

Fund Art in the community as a driver of economic growth.

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & THE ENVIRONMENT

Infrastructure Working Group

Limited Connectivity cellular and internet.

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

Public Education Working Group

Safety In and out of school (Coordinated Safe Passages Programs).

Facility Modernization of Kimball, Aiton, Smothers and Houston.

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

Strategy and Organizing Working Group

WARD 7 CITIZENS BUDGET SUMMIT BRIEF

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