I got to join staff and students at the commemorative street sign unveiling for St. Augustine Catholic School, which has an inspiring story of persistence. I was thrilled to introduce the name change legislation in the Council and I’m looking forward to the continued inspirational work the church and school do everyday in Ward 1.
Hello neighbors:
It was a long day at the Council yesterday, as we took up the Secure DC omnibus public safety bill. We voted to approve the bill in its first reading, with a number of critical changes and protections; we will take up additional amendments at the final reading in a few weeks.
As you would imagine, I’ve heard from many Ward 1 residents. Some of you very much wanted the Council to pass the legislation: you wanted more tools for police and prosecutors, and you wanted to ensure that people who commit crimes are held accountable. We did that. I’ve heard from others that you have grave concerns about police transparency, civil rights, and unintended consequences, such as making it harder for people with substance use disorder and other challenges to get the services they need. We made changes that do that, too. I hear all of you and acknowledge the concerns and fears all around.
Many amendments were offered before the final vote – some passed and others were tabled until the final reading so that we can work out the details and language. These adjustments make the bill work better and protect against some of those unintended consequences.
I also introduced an amendment. Mine would help close more homicide cases by authorizing a study on the extent and effectiveness of the District’s programs and policies for witness protection and assistance.
The study is just one part of a larger case closure bill that I introduced in November that is still going through the legislative process. That legislation would provide larger rewards for witnesses who testify in homicide cases, as well as witness protections, including relocation, childcare and other supports. Research suggests that these measures encourage witnesses, who are understandably reluctant to testify, to provide testimony. I decided to continue to work on this amendment between now and the bill’s final reading.
My amendment and, ultimately, separate legislation I’ve proposed, will provide justice for the families of victims and give another tool to law enforcement in solving homicide cases.
One of the provisions in Secure DC I had concerns with is one I first mentioned in my initial analysis of the bill: the drug free zones. My concern was that these would endanger people living with substance use disorder, who could get caught up in the enforcement of drug free zones.
In Ward 1, I’ve invested in harm reduction programs and supportive services in Columbia Heights, Mount Pleasant, Lower Georgia Avenue, U Street and Shaw.
If the Mayor wants to designate drug free zones throughout the city, she must also simultaneously protect the integrity of these and similar programs around the District, and ensure protections for people who need health supportive services. My team and I worked closely with Councilmember Christina Henderson on the language that inserted those protections and I thank her for her leadership on that. Those protections are now in the bill.
The public safety ecosystem rests heavily on prevention efforts. Historically, I’ve made an effort to bring that to life. I supported the NEAR Act, and introduced the Red Flag Law that was part of it. I secured funding early in my tenure for violence prevention programs and expanded those each year I have been in office; I established the Out of School Time program that provides after-school and summer programing for kids. Keeping our young people engaged is one of the primary tools for reducing youth crime. That’s a fact.
All of these and many other initiatives, such as getting more people into affordable housing in Ward 1 and across the District, are critical elements of a comprehensive approach to addressing public safety.
My vote to support the bill acknowledges the ongoing effort and conversation to recognize and effectively address the complexities inherent in D.C.’s public safety endeavors.
Ward 1 News
Two great pieces of news and one very concerning in the ward this past week: a court decision that will finally allow development at Bruce Monroe to move ahead, the almost-final step before work begins on improvements to Columbia Road in Adams Morgan, and an existential threat to cherished Rosemount Early Childhood Education Center in Mount Pleasant.
Since my very first community meeting regarding these plans more than 8 years ago, I have welcomed community input on how to improve our park. I’ve been grateful for the partnership of Mayor Bowser, ANCs 1A, 1B and now 1E, and so many community members who believe in the commitment we have made to the people of Park Morton to provide them with safe, dignified replacement housing, as well as our larger commitment to the community to build more affordable housing for all. The project includes:
- 462 total units split between Park Morton and Bruce Monroe.
- 147 public housing and senior housing replacement units
- 155 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) units up to 60% AMI (average median income)
- 160 market rate units
- 1:1 replacement of current subsidized housing at Park Morton.
- ensured right of return for Park Morton residents.
- 82 units of replacement housing completed at The Avenue Apartments
- enhanced facilities at the future Bruce Monroe Park.
Back in 2019 we began the public input process for the new park specifically. Unfortunately, that process was put on hold by the lawsuit, but in case you were not able to participate then, you might appreciate this recap written by then-ANC Commissioner Kent Boese.
I have been in touch with my partners in the executive branch regarding restarting the community input process for our new park. Enter your contact info and we’ll let you know once that starts up again so you can participate in the process.
As a mom now raising my two kids, ages 3 and 6, in Park View, I’m well aware of the benefits of recreation space right here on Georgia Avenue, and I look forward to working together with our community to ensure that our new park reflects the uses that the community most wants to see there.
I envision a space that has play area for kids (my little one LOVES the swings) and recreation space for adults, that allows for community gatherings, and that is safe and well-maintained. We have a long way to go in that regard and I’ll continue working with all of our government partners to address ongoing issues with public safety and public health on the site in the meantime. New playground equipment to replace the equipment that was damaged and removed, is expected to be installed in March.
Thank you for your engagement on this community asset. I look forward to working with you to improve it, while also welcoming new residents to the site as our neighbors.
Great news for a safer and friendlier Columbia Road in Adams Morgan! Last week, the District Department of Transportation issued a notice of intent that moves forward on a transformative project for Columbia Road that has been in planning since 2021. The section of Columbia Road between 16th Street and Connecticut Avenue has not worked well for anyone: busses slowed by traffic, traffic impeded by double-parked cars, not enough curbside space for businesses, unsafe pedestrian crossings, and a higher concentration of bicycle crashes than almost anywhere else in the District. The new Columbia Road will have new protected bike lanes between 16th Street and Connecticut Avenue, a 24/7 bus lane and other transit improvements, as well as numerous safety improvements like pedestrian islands.
The notice gives ANC 1C until mid-March to offer feedback on the plan before DDOT moves forward with construction later this year. I strongly supported this project in the concept phase and I can’t wait to see it move forward!
The community received some discouraging news Friday evening when Rosemount Center announced they will not be able to operate out of their current location after August of this year due to the termination of its lease. Having negotiated with their landlord and searched the area for a suitable space, Rosemount is in danger of not being able to operate at all.
Hundreds of families in Ward 1, including many who could not otherwise afford it, rely on Rosemount Center to provide quality early childhood bilingual education to their children.
I have been in conversation with Rosemount and the Mayor’s office for months now, anticipating this possibility. On Friday, State Board of Education Representative Ben Williams and I asked the Mayor to step in and work to purchase the building or negotiate a lease that will allow Rosemount to continue to serve children. I will also introduce legislation this week authorizing the Mayor to do so. The Mayor’s involvement will be critical to successfully protecting this community asset and I appreciate her longstanding commitment to early childhood education.
You can read my full statement, our letter to the Mayor, and the draft legislation I will introduce this week.
Please join me for Brianne on Your Block Monday night, February 26, at Tryst, 2459 18th Street NW, from 6 to 8 pm. These are my monthly office hours where you can sit with me to talk about whatever is on your mind. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
COUNCIL UPDATE |
Performance Oversight Hearings
Haven’t been to a performance oversight hearing yet? These hearings are an incredibly valuable process whereby councilmembers get to ask agencies questions about how they are operating, where they are making progress and where they aren’t. We ask sometimes challenging questions, such as: “Why was there a significant gap in trash pickup after the Martin Luther King holiday?” (I’ll be asking that of the Department of Public Works at my committee’s performance oversight hearing this week.) And we can ask them what supports they need to do their jobs better (staffing, training, adjustments to legislation).
As chair of the Committee on Public Works and Operations, I and my colleagues will bring in leaders from DPW, the Office of Administrative Hearings, Department of For-Hire Vehicles, and many other agencies.
But it’s not just us! You also get to raise questions and concerns and I encourage you to do so. You are the ones who see the direct result of government actions – good and bad. You have ideas on how the agencies we oversee can do better.
Ultimately, we do not run these agencies. Unfortunately, I cannot direct a trash truck to your house for a missed collection. But I – and you – can ask agencies about their work and make suggestions for ways to do things differently. And sometimes your input and their responses can lead to adjustments to the budget and to legislation to support or regulate those agencies and the way they do their work.
All Council committees are holding performance oversight hearings, and I encourage you to testify before any of them or submit written testimony (committee staff read all of it!). Here’s the list of upcoming POH hearings in all committees. Here you’ll also be directed in how to testify and how to watch the hearings online. Above is the schedule of hearings before the committee I chair, the Committee on Public Works & Operations.
Pushing for a Stronger Crime Lab
I’ve been pushing for a stronger crime lab, full accreditation, and a robust forensic science agency in District government and was glad to hear Director Diaz agree with my assessment at a Judiciary & Public Safety oversight hearing last week with my colleagues. Three takeaways:
- Director Diaz told us the Department of Forensic Sciences has limited options to outsource evidence testing and it’s creating backlogs. Private entities are short-staffed. We need full accreditation – all five units in the crime lab.
- Privatization does not solve everything. D.C. must invest in its own lab.
- The firearms testing unit is at a standstill – reaccreditation is essential to giving prosecutors evidence in more cases so they can/will prosecute more cases.
Law Eliminating Divorce Waiting Periods is Now In Effect
District law should not hold people back from leaving abusive relationships. My Grounds for Divorce, Legal Separation, and Annulment Amendment Act of 2023 eliminates a dangerous and unnecessary waiting period. It went into effect on Jan. 26.
It makes no sense that someone might be chained to their abuser or their partner when they didn’t want to be. This was a commonsense reform that allows people to move on with their lives and also provide some extra supports for survivors of domestic violence.”
Read the Washington Post article.
COMMUNITY UPDATES |
DPR Summer Camp Lottery Starts February 12
Department of Parks & Recreation summer camp lottery registration will open on Feb. 12 and close Feb. 26. This year, DPR is offering summer camps for youth ages 3-13 at more than 50 DPR recreation centers across all eight wards.
For the second year, families will register through the summer camp lottery system. The summer lottery system was established by DPR in 2023 to create a more inclusive and equitable registration system for enrolling youth in summer camps.
As with all DPR programs, reduced rates are available for qualifying families, but families must apply for reduced rates before February 26 to qualify. Learn more and register at DPRsummercamp.com.
Important Dates
- FEBRUARY 7 – Virtual Info Sessions
- FEBRUARY 12-26 – In-Person Registration Assistance
- FEBRUARY 12 – Summer Camp Lottery Opens
- FEBRUARY 26 – Summer Camp Lottery Closes
- By MARCH 1 – Notification via Email of Lottery Selection
- MARCH 6 – Deadline to confirm camp slot and payment due
Apply for Business Grants
The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development opened applicants for a group of retail grants on January, 26. These include Great Streets Retail, Commercial Property Acquisition Fund, Locally Made Manufacturing, Neighborhood Prosperity Fund. Learn more about the grants and how to apply.
Healing and Restoration
Members of the public are invited to a special session: Healing & Restoration in Your Community. February 8, 6-7:15pm at Columbia Heights in the CHV Community Room, 2900 14th St., NW. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by Inner City Collaborative Community Development Corporation with funding from the DC Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.
IN THE NEWS |
GREATER GREATER WASHINGTON
How DC neighbors got a dangerous street closed in front of Bancroft Elementary
DCIST
Appeals Court Affirms Long-Awaited Development Plans At Bruce Monroe Park
“ I’m hopeful that this [protracted litigation] will not happen for future projects … Because these lawsuits have been scaring off the people who build our housing, and they have been scaring off people who could otherwise do something really big and creative for the community but don’t want the threat of a lawsuit.”
WASHINGTON POST
New D.C. law eliminates waiting period prior to divorce
CALENDAR |
Committee on Public Works & Operations – Performance Oversight Hearing
Department of Public Works
Wednesday, February 7, 2 pm | online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1C
Wednesday, February 7, 7 pm | online
Committee on Public Works & Operations – Performance Oversight Hearing
Office of Administrative Hearings
Thursday, February 8, 2 pm | online
Committee on Public Works & Operations – Performance Oversight Hearing
Office of the Chief Technology Officer, Office of Risk Management
Tuesday, February 13, 2 pm | online
Committee on Public Works & Operations – Performance Oversight Hearing
Office of Contracting and Procurement, Contract Appeals Board
Thursday, February 15, 9:30 am | online
Committee on Public Works & Operations – Performance Oversight Hearing
Department for For-Hire Vehicles
Friday, February 16, 9:30 am | online
Committee on Transportation and the Environment – Performance Oversight Hearing
Department of Motor Vehicles, Deputy Mayor for Operations and Infrastructure
Friday, February 16, 1 pm | online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D
Tuesday, February 20, 7 pm | hybrid – in person and online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E
Tuesday, February 20, 7 pm | online
Brianne on Your Block
Meet with Councilmember Nadeau one-on-one.
Monday, February 26, 6-8 pm | Tryst, 2459 18th St. NW
CONTACT US |
Brianne K. Nadeau | Councilmember | [email protected]
Ariel Ardura | Committee Director | [email protected]
Abigail Boshart | Legislative Aide | [email protected]
Amanda Chulick | Legislative Analyst | [email protected]
Jerry Clark | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | [email protected]
Kara Dunford | Communications Specialist | [email protected]
Estelle McKinney | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | [email protected]
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | [email protected]
Sabrin Qadi | Legislative Assistant | [email protected]
Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | [email protected]
