WARD 1 UPDATE
Hello Neighbors:
At the end of the year I sent out my 2024 Progress Report, with a recap of some of the action I took last year (and the year before) on the environment, housing, road safety, public safety, education, and more. If you didn’t already, I hope you’ll take a look, offer your feedback, and your ideas for future legislation and oversight I might undertake to continuously improve life in Ward 1 and across the District.
This week the committee I chair, the Committee on Public Works & Operations, filed our biennial Activity Report, which summarizes key legislation and activities from Council Period 25. For those who like to get into the weeds of how a committee can shape legislation and hold executive branch agencies accountable, it’s a pretty good read.
My team and I have already been working for some time on legislation for the current Council Period 26, which started January 1. Watch this month for one of the most consequential pieces of legislation I’ll introduce this year – the Bottle and Can Recycling Refund Amendment Act of 2025, what many people call a “bottle bill.” It’ll remove a huge percentage of the bottles and cans that end up in the street, our rivers, and parks by requiring a 10-cent deposit, which consumers will get back when they return their bottles to the store. Ten states have it and it’s been proven highly effective in reducing bottles and cans (and even other trash) from the waste stream and from the environment. There are a bunch of other benefits to a bottle bill which we’ll be talking about in the coming days. D.C. would be the first new state to launch a bottle bill in more than 20 years.
Also on my legislative agenda:
- A bill to create new neighborhood management authorities in the U Street corridor and in Columbia Heights to do things like maintain public spaces and public assets (e.g., the Howard Theatre), promote and support the neighborhood and neighborhood businesses, coordinate human services, and promote public safety. It would be similar to a Business Improvement District (BID), but better suited to the needs of these neighborhoods, with the ability to provide more expansive services and with a different structure and funding sources.
- Two public safety bills that did not receive hearings last council period: one to assist recruiting for the police department (my CADET bill) and one to make it easier to close homicide cases via stronger witness support.
I’ve already reintroduced 10 bills from last session and have plans for additional legislation, including to address what has always been one of my top issues: affordable housing.
Get ready for performance oversight season – I’ll share more about this in the near future. For now, know that this is one of your best opportunities to weigh in on how executive branch agencies operate, their policies and practices, and on budget issues.
Winter weather updates
As the District continues to clear out from the snowfall earlier this week, I wanted to share some important information about what to do in the case of winter weather. To report sidewalks that have not been shoveled, call 311 and the DPW Sweep team will send an inspector. Reminder: owners are responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their property. Seniors and persons with disabilities who are unable to shovel snow can request help from a Snow Hero. Call 311 and a volunteer will be sent to come clear your sidewalk. This is also a great way to volunteer if you are able – shovels provided!
DDOT is responsible for clearing snow from protected bike lanes, while DPW is responsible for clearing snow from unprotected bike lanes. I’ve received a number of concerns from residents about unplowed bike lanes this week, and I plan to discuss this issue with DPW again at our upcoming performance oversight hearings. If you see a bike lane that needs attention from the snow team, please reach out and we’ll follow up with the appropriate agency.
As temperatures dip below freezing, I urge everyone to be mindful of our neighbors who may be in need of shelter. Warming centers are available and the Shelter Hotline is operating 24/7. Call the Shelter Hotline at 202-399-7093 or call 311 if you see someone in need. Find more cold weather and hypothermia resources on our website.
COUNCIL UPDATES |
Supporting our educators
Congratulations to the members of the Washington Teachers’ Union. I’m thrilled my colleagues and I voted unanimously this week to support a new contract that ensures teachers get the benefits and wages they deserve and require to support our students.
Council Period 26 begins
It was great to be there for the swearing in of colleagues old and new – welcome Councilmember Wendell Felder and special shout-out to the new moms being sworn in. I’m excited to continue as Chair of Public Works & Operations.
Ten new old bills
Earlier this week I introduced 10 bills that I introduced in the previous session but which did not get votes by the full Council.
The proposed legislation includes measures affecting taxes, public safety, housing, parking, solitary confinement, sexual harassment investigations, and theatrical wrestling, and several other measures. You can read about all 10 of them.
BRIANNE IN WARD 1 |
I hope you enjoyed the snow and stayed safe this week! Thank you to D.C. DPW staff for all the hard work this week to keep Ward 1 and the whole of the city moving safely after the snowstorm! As we watch for possible snow this weekend and throughout the winter months, stay tuned to the DPW website and social media channels for updates.
Thank you to the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington for a great conversation this week, and for taking on early childhood educator pay equity, migrant and refugee support, antisemitism, affordable housing, and more.
COMMUNITY UPDATES |
Utility Drop-In
Join Councilmember Nadeau’s staff for a utility drop-in event. Meet with reps from Pepco, DC Water, Washington Gas, DOEE, and the Public Service Commission to ask questions about your accounts and learn about resources and support. Translation available for Spanish speakers.
Evento de servicios públicos
Únase al personal de la concejal Nadeau para un evento de servicios públicos. Reúnase con representantes de Pepco, DC Water, Washington Gas y Departamento de Energía y Ambiente para hacer preguntas sobre sus cuentas y obtener información sobre recursos y asistencia. Asistencia en español disponible.
Recycling pick-up suspended this week
In case you missed our update yesterday, DPW has suspended recycling pick up for the remainder of the week and is working hard to resume regular service beginning Monday, January 13.
MLK Holiday DC
The MLK Holiday DC Committee invites you to participate in this year’s 20th annual Peace Walk and Parade on Saturday, January 18. For the first time, the annual event will be held indoors at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on the campus of St. Elizabeth’s in Southeast. This year’s theme is “Commit to the Noble Struggle for Equal Rights”.
Details and schedule of events
Mt. Pleasant Library upcoming closure
The Mt. Pleasant Library will be closed from Monday, February 10 through Sunday, June 23 for much-needed repairs and improvements. The interim library for the Mt. Pleasant Library during construction is the Petworth Library, located at 4200 Kansas Ave NW.
CALENDAR |
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D
Tuesday, January 14, 7 pm | online and in-person
Utility Drop-In
Tuesday, January 14, 6 pm | The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Road NW
Meet with reps from Pepco, DC Water, Washington Gas, and DOEE to ask questions and learn about resources and support.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E
Wednesday, January 22, 7 pm | online
DC Council Committee of the Whole Meeting
Tuesday, January 21, 11 am | online and in-person
DC Council Public Hearing
Tuesday, January 28, 12 pm | online and in-person
The Council will hold a Public Hearing on the expulsion of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. for Code of Conduct violations.
DC Council Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, February 4, 12 pm | online and in-person
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]
