Ward 5 Weekly Newsletter
May 5, 2023

Next week on May 11, the COVID public health emergency ends after more than three years. In DC, COVID-19 centers closed in March, and the end of the public health emergency means reductions in federal funds to the city and the end of enhanced provider rates. Residents can still pick up tests and get vaccines at three locations sponsored by DC Health:

• Safeway - 490 L St NW
• Safeway - 11201 Georgia Ave NW
• Cedar Hill Urgent Care - 2228 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE

On Monday, I heard from several advocacy groups continuing to push for budget requests following last week's Committee Reports and Recommendations. We are approaching our budget votes on May 16 and 30.

That evening, my team convened the Ward 5 Bus Network Task Force. It was a very productive meeting as these neighbors began to dig into bus routes from WMATA's Draft Visionary Network. You can view maps specific to Ward 5 here. We've begun compiling more granular feedback and will have more to share with you soon! Check out opportunities to give your feedback to WMATA in the Ward 5 Updates section below.

• Installation of Residential Permit Parking Signs - Read here
• Riggs Rd NE Protected Bike Lanes - Read here

Mark your calendars for May 11 at 10:00 a.m. to join me and DDOT Director Lott for a Traffic Safety Walk along South Dakota Ave. Note the location change: we will now meet at the intersection of 26th St and Irving St NE in the pocket park to start the walk. Questions ahead of time? Feel free to reach out to my office: 202-724-8028, ward5contact@dccouncil.gov.

The DC Special Education Hub is joining Smart From the Start and many other local organizations for a Community Physical Wellness & Mental Health Fair in Ward 5! Join the event on May 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 707 24th St NE. This event is a great opportunity for community members to connect with local organizations and agencies, learn about healthcare, physical wellness, and mental health services, and discover valuable resources available to the community. No registration is required! For more information, please call or text: (202) 696-8844.

Consider letting your lawnmowers rest for a few more weeks, and help the environment! The start of the growing season is a critical time for hungry, newly emerged native bees. Floral resources may be hard to find, especially in urban and suburban landscapes. By allowing it to grow longer, and letting flowers bloom, your lawn can provide nectar and pollen to help your bee neighbors thrive. Mowing less creates habitat and can increase the abundance and diversity of wildlife including bees and other pollinators. One way to reduce mowing is by participating in No Mow April, No Mow May, or Low Mow Spring. Learn more here.

This week, my team attended the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, Stronghold Civic Association, Woodridge Civic Association, North Michigan Park Civic Association, and SMD 5A03 meetings. Here's a brief recap: 

• Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association (May 1 at 7:00 p.m.): My office shared information about the budget mark up and a few highlights for proposed funding for Ward 5 with the community. The Association also elected new officers
   
• Stronghold Civic Association (May 1 at 7:00 p.m.): Neighbors discussed issues with holding a landlord accountable for trash, rats, and blight along North Capitol. There’s also interest in a Stronghold sign along North Capitol. 
   
• Woodridge Civic Association  (May 2 at 7:00 p.m.): The Association announced that they will be holding their first in-person meeting since the start of COVID on Wednesday, June 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Woodridge Library. The meeting will be joined by a guest speaker and/or small business, more details to come.
   
• North Michigan Park Civic Association (May 3 at 7:00 p.m.): We shared with neighbors wins in the proposed budget mark-ups. Inspector Darlett Cromer provided information on DPW and the Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Division of DPW. David Gaston provided updates on programming at the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J Huff Library.
   
• SMD 5A03 Quarterly Meeting (May 4 at 6:30 p.m.): EYA (Developer) provided information about the Providence Reimagined project and shared a slideshow about the vision for the redevelopment. Residents can visit www.providencereimagined.com for information about upcoming community meetings and information on the project. 

Read below for this week's upcoming ANC and Civic Association Meetings (review this ANC Locator Map to see which meetings apply to you and email us if you'd like more information on how to attend):

• Monday, May 8—
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • Eckington Civic Association
    • ANC 5D
• Tuesday, May 9—
  • 6:00 p.m.
    • Arboretum Neighborhood Association
    • 635 Edgewood Healthy Manhood Conversation
• Wednesday, May 10—
  • 6:30 p.m.
    • North Woodridge Citizens Association

• 5A & 5C: Carlos McKnight, cmcknight@dccouncil.gov
• 5B & 5D: Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov
• 5E & 5F: Sam Bonar, sbonar@dccouncil.gov

• Symbolically designate 18^th Street NW between M and N Streets as Sam "The Man” Burns Way in honor of Sam Burns who was considered “The Chuck Brown of Dance Music” for his contributions to house music and DJing in the District.
• Symbolically designate the 300 block of 53^rd Street NE as Makiyah Wilson Way in honor of a 10 year old who was shot to death near her home on July 16, 2018. The designation honors her legacy and highlights the importance of curbing gun violence in the city.
• Confirm Aaron L. Myers, II as the Executive Director for the Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

• The Council had the final reading and vote on the Migrant Services Eligibility Temporary Act of 2023. Councilmember Robert White mentioned that he received word that the Office of Migrant Services has run out of room in their hotel shelters, meaning new migrants may end up on the streets or a receive ticket to relocate elsewhere. He urged the Mayor to use contingency fund reserves to address this problem and prevent children and families from living in encampments or on the street.
• In response to an assessment of DCHA by HUD, DCHA updated its procurement rules and practices. The Council voted to approve DCHA’s regulations and emphasized it still must submit contracts over $1 million to Council for approval.
• The Council passed the Food Delivery Fees Transparency Emergency Amendment Act of 2023.
• The Council passed the final vote to rename Good Hope Road SE between Anacostia Drive SE and Alabama Avenue SE as Marion Barry Avenue SE. The Department of Public Works (DPW) or a designee will notify residents along the street of the pending name change by this summer.

What is mental health? What is behavioral health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and how we handle stress and the choices we make. It’s as important as our physical health and can increase risk for chronic illnesses and diseases. During my time with the Council, I’ve also heard the term “behavioral health,” which is defined as “the connection between behaviors and the health and well-being of the body, mind, and spirit." It includes behaviors like how we eat, drink, exercise, etc., which all contribute to our physical and mental health.

Department of Behavioral Health and Resources
The DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) provides prevention, intervention, and treatment services for both youth and adults. They work with a group of community based providers to provides services to DC Residents. Below is just a short list of resources.

• The Mental Health Hotline 1-888-7WE-HELP (1-888-793-4357) — a 24/7 line staffed by mental health clinicians that can listen and help with coping strategies
• Up to 3 free counseling sessions for DC residents
• Ways to Maintain your mental health
• DBH website of phone numbers and services
• List of community-based service providers that offer mental health services such assessments, medication, counseling, and community support

Properly recycling electronics conserves natural resources, ensures appropriate handling of toxic materials, provides a more sustainable source of precious metals, and protects human health and the environment. eCycle DC is a program to provide opportunities for District residents to safely dispose of electronic items. These events are approved by DOEE as required by DC law. Computers, TVs, and related equipment are accepted for free from DC residents, small businesses, and small nonprofits. Upcoming events and the full list of accepted items are posted here. You can view a full list and definition fact sheet of accepted items here. Don't miss Ward 5's upcoming collection day:

• Saturday, May 13 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  Near 700 Monroe St NE
  (Near Monroe St Farmers Market)

• Hundreds Line Up for What Could Be Their Last Chance to Get Public Housing (DCist)
• DCHA Director Brenda Donald Will Resign This Summer (DCist)
• Metro Announces Yellow Line Reopening May 7 and Increased Red Line Frequency Beginning May 8 (WMATA)
• Leaders Clash Over the Future of K Street (Axios DC)
• A Bikeshare Journey Across the DMV (Washington City Paper)
• Ghost Cars Using Fake Temp Tags Present Problems for DC Traffic Enforcement (WUSA9)
• One Driver with $186,000 in Tickets: What DC Ticket Data Shows (NBC4)
• Police Chief's Exit the Latest Among Key DC Government Departures (WaPo)
• DC Council Passes Emergency Bill Offering Restaurants Relief Against Higher Delivery App Fees (DCist)
• Howard University Selects Ben Vinson III as 18th President (The Hilltop)
• Migrants Find No Space in Crowded Hotels Leased by DC, Councilmembers Say (WaPo)

• FY24 Budget - Committee Reports and Recommendations
• Arboretum Trail and Bridge Project
• National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens (NAARC)
• Cure the Streets - OAG's Violence Interruption Program
• FEMS Engine 26 Relocation 

As always, we invite you to use this form to provide feedback on how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you anytime. 

Yours in service and community, 

Zachary

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