WARD 1 UPDATE
Hello Neighbors:
Like many of you, I am grieving the senseless death of Renee Good in Minneapolis at the hands of an ICE agent earlier this week. Ms. Good was unarmed and unthreatening, and reportedly just dropped her son off at school. A day later, federal agents shot and injured two people in Portland. In case anyone thought otherwise, let’s be clear that ICE’s actions are a threat to everyone. They are not going after dangerous criminals, as they said they would; they are going after anyone who rubs them the wrong way, and they are interested in boosting the number of arrests, facts be damned.
What happened in Minneapolis and Portland could just as easily have happened here in D.C. In fact, we’ve had at least two incidents of Homeland Security Investigations agents shooting at residents here that easily could have resulted in injury or death.
On Thursday I released a report from the Committee on Public Works & Operations, which I chair, that calls on the Mayor and interim police chief to rescind two orders that allow D.C. police to cooperate with federal law enforcement on immigration. It also recommends that the Council develop legislation to strengthen the laws intended to prohibit that collaboration. (Read in the Washington Post, NBC4, ABC7, and more – see In The News, below).
The report details the testimony and findings from the hearing we held in October on possible human rights violations emanating from D.C. government cooperation with federal law enforcement.
What is most troubling in all of this is the tremendous loss of trust between residents and MPD. It wasn’t inevitable. It could have been prevented. And it will have grave consequences on public safety for all of us, as residents hesitate to call police for themselves or when they fear it might endanger their neighbors. Nobody should be afraid to call the police – and yet, here we are.
I hope that this report will compel the Department to take action to repair that breach. And that we can raise pressure on the Mayor to rescind the orders that make it possible for MPD to continue its cooperation with ICE, HSI, and other federal immigration enforcement. And that the Council will take action to strengthen the Sanctuary Values Act and make this kind of collaboration – clearly against the spirit of the law and the values clearly expressed by our residents – impossible in the future.
You can read the recommendations and download the full report.
COUNCIL UPDATES
Standing up for transit workers
This week the Council gave initial approval to my bill to ensure that WMATA has the staff it needs to keep our city running by giving transit workers the same home down payment assistance D.C. government employees get. Bus drivers, conductors, operators, and support staff help our region’s economy thrive, and we should encourage and support them in living here. The bill will get a final vote later this month.
Preserving health care for residents in need
You may remember hearing about the contingency list back in July during the budget process – essentially, a list of programs to be funded, if the District Chief Financial Officer’s September revenue forecast was higher than originally predicted.
Well, fast forward to Christmas Eve, and the CFO came bearing gifts. On December 24, the CFO informed the Council that there’s $51 million in additional money from the last fiscal year, which ended on September 30, and that the funds will be used to pay for programs and items on the Council’s contingency list.
This is great news, as it means we can now preserve Alliance health care for residents who are not eligible for Medicaid. It also funds a law I helped introduce that establishes rules around amplified sound levels for street performance while protecting performers from excess enforcement.
While some said we should let the Mayor decide how to spend funds when they become available, preparing for this moment in July allowed us to prioritize and meet these critical needs now, and serve those most in need. Council has a voice in the budget once a year, and I think we used it wisely.
Make Housing Affordable for Transit Workers
This week the Committee on Housing held a markup on my legislation to include transit agency workers – like the staff who operate Metro every day – in the Employer-Assisted Housing Program, which provides downpayment assistance to D.C. government employees to help them purchase their first home. The Committee voted to advance the bill to a vote in full Council.
This bill will help ensure that WMATA has the staff it needs to keep our city running and encourage residency and homeownership in D.C.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Join our team!
Are you looking for an opportunity to serve the residents and small businesses of Ward 1? Interested in managing the review, analysis, and evaluation of legislation referred to the Committee on Public Works & Operations, chaired by Councilmember Nadeau?
Consider joining our team! We’re hiring a Constituent Services Specialist and a Committee Director.
Leaf collection updates: Time for second pass
Fall leaf collection continues, and DPW has completed the first pass on all sections. Second pass in Section A began on Monday, Jan 5 and will begin in Section B the week of Jan 19.
As a reminder, you can find your collection section and use the real time leaf tracker on the dedicated DPW website.
If your street has not been serviced after DPW announces that crews have moved on to the next section, please call 311 or 202-737-4404, or visit 311.dc.gov to open a “Leaf Collection Missed” service request.
Meet with me, on your block
Our next Brianne on Your Block event is coming up on Monday, Jan 26 from 6-8 pm at Sankofa Video and Book & Cafe (2714 Georgia Avenue NW). I look forward to hearing your ideas and concerns and supporting you on specific issues. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Shape the future of the District
The DC Office of Planning is working alongside D.C. residents, community-based organizations, businesses, and elected officials to develop DC 2050, the District’s next Comprehensive Plan. Share your input on how the District of Columbia will grow over the next two decades via the Self-Guided Virtual Workshop tool.
Meet your ANC1A commissioners
ANC1A serves as Columbia Heights’ direct link advocating to District government and agencies. Come meet the commissioners, share your ideas or concerns for the neighborhood, and learn how you can get involved on Sunday, Jan. 25 from 4:30 – 6 pm at KooKoo Restaurant and Lounge.
Apply for a small business grant
Applications are now open for D.C.’s Great Streets Retail Small Business Grant. The grant provides funding for small businesses in designated commercial corridors to make capital improvements and create new job opportunities for District residents. Applications are due on Jan. 16, 2026, at 12 pm.
IN THE NEWS
WASHINGTON POST
Blistering report says D.C. police lost public trust by working with ICE
WJLA
DC council committee calls for mayor, MPD chief to end police cooperation with ICE
FOX 5
DC Council presses mayor, MPD to halt cooperation with ICE; faith leaders call for accountability
WTOP
DC Council committee recommends dissolving cooperation with ICE
NBC4
‘Completely avoidable’: DC’s mayor reacts to ICE killing in Minneapolis
DC NEWS NOW
Council report calls on DC mayor to end orders allowing MPD, ICE cooperation
SUNRISE ON THE HILL
DC Council Calls for ICE to Not Work with MPD
TELEMUNDO44
Informe del Concejo de DC acusa a la alcaldesa de permitir colaboración entre ICE y la policía
WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL (PAYWALL)
D.C. bill would empower mayor to push zoning changes if housing production targets fall short
CALENDAR
Council Offices Closed in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 19
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 7 – 9 pm | online and in person (Mt. Pleasant Library)
Council Committee of the Whole Public Oversight Hearing (Public Witnesses)
Wednesday, January 21, 2:30 pm| online and in-person
The Committee will hold a public oversight hearing on teacher and principal retention in the District of Columbia.
Council Committee of the Whole Public Oversight Hearing (Government Witnesses)
Wednesday, January 21, 2:30 pm| online and in-person
The Committee will hold a public oversight hearing on teacher and principal retention in the District of Columbia.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January 21, 7 – 9:30 pm | online
Brianne on Your Block
Monday, January 26, 6 – 8 pm| Sankofa Video and Book & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Avenue NW
Councilmember Nadeau will meet with individuals or small groups for about 10 minutes each. RSVPs encouraged but not required.
Council Committee of the Whole Public Hearing
Tuesday, January 27, 10 am | online and in-person
The Committee will hear testimony on Councilmember Nadeau’s bill B26-0227, One Front Door Act of 2025. This bill directs the Construction Codes Coordinating Board, in its next code revision cycle, to implement amendments to the building code that would allow for a single entrance/egress stairway for multifamily residential buildings up to six stories.
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, January 28, 7 – 9 pm | online
Council Legislative Meeting
Tuesday, February 3, 12 noon| online and in-person
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1C Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, February 4, 7 – 9 pm | online
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B Monthly Meeting
Thursday, February 5, 7 – 9 pm | online
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]
David Connerty-Marin | Communications Director | [email protected]
Kara Dunford | Communications Manager | [email protected]
David Meni | Deputy Chief of Staff & Legislative Director | [email protected]
Maricela Nava | Deputy Chief of Staff & Scheduler | [email protected]
Sabrin Qadi | Senior Legislative Aide | [email protected]
Niccole Rivero | Chief of Staff | [email protected]
Eliza-Roche Robinson | Constituent Services Specialist | [email protected]