WARD 1 UPDATE

Hello Neighbors:

I convened a public oversight roundtable last week to discuss the role of the Department of Public Works in the implementation of the Zero Waste Plan. I wanted to learn from the agency about the measures it has implemented, priorities for the upcoming year, its timeline for the plan, and what funding or additional legislation would enable DPW to fulfill its responsibilities under the plan.

The release of the Zero Waste Plan in February is a milestone in our work toward ensuring that our city is clean and livable. We now have to work together so that our vision of a stronger, more equitable, and sustainable District lives not only on paper, but comes to fruition in the actions of the 32 agencies and regional partners tasked with the shared responsibility of implementing this plan.  

We have to get this right. And we have to act now. 

Recalibrating ERAP  

At last week’s Legislative Meeting, my colleagues and I made a difficult decision on the future of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which is suffering under the weight of pandemic-era needs without pandemic-era funds. We need our emergency rental assistance program to work for the people who need it, for the people who are in crisis and do not have the means to pay their rent. This decision aims to recalibrate the program, putting it back where it needs to be for the budget that’s available, for the people it’s intended to serve.  

This is a council that has repeatedly shown its dedication to the ERAP program. Walking back from that is painful. Acknowledging that there is a huge problem out there with rent instability, with housing instability, and that we don’t have all the tools and all the solutions is incredibly painful.  

That does not mean that we are released from our responsibility to address these underlying issues. I look forward to working with my colleagues to push all of our partners in the executive branch on all of the various pieces of our affordable housing ecosystem that need urgent attention and resources. 

Demanding answers from OUC 

DC’s 911 dispatch center is in trouble and unfortunately this administration hasn’t made it a priority, even after numerous dangerous incidents and people waiting for many minutes when calling 911. Thank you to Councilmember Brooke Pinto for calling in OUC and the deputy mayor to answer our questions about how they will fix deficiencies, including technology, operations, training, and staffing, as part of a series of hearings on the 911 dispatch center. I hope these hearings – including one jointly with my committee on technology outages specifically – will offer a path forward to fixing these systemic issues.  

Call takers and dispatchers are doing incredibly hard work under difficult circumstances – low pay, insufficient training, and being asked to work too many hours due to staff shortages.  

I hope the Mayor and the agency will be more transparent, starting with admitting things need to change. As expert witness Robert Davis said: “I’ve watched many hearings like this over the past 20 years and I know how difficult it is for this Council to enact change when the Mayor does not see a problem.” 

Supporting Circulator riders & workers 

DDOT’s plan for transfer of the Circulator bus service to WMATA inadequately addresses service needs in our communities, leaving gaps that need to be filled, and leaves 270 employees of the Circulator looking for work on unnecessarily short notice. Last week, Council passed legislation to require a better plan and support for workers. Robust transit service is critical to the District’s workers, residents, and economy, and there is no transit service without transit workers. 

Creating shared responsibility for quality housing, healthy music, and harmonious neighborhoods 

Last week, the D.C. Council Committee of the Whole, chaired by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, held a hearing on legislation that sets soundproofing standards for new residential construction in mixed-use corridors and entertainment districts. I introduced the legislation, which protects the vibrant musical and cultural history of neighborhoods while giving relief to the residents who appreciate that culture, and also seek reasonable protections from excessive sound.  

The sounds of the District are an essential part of our city’s culture. All of us can share responsibility for creating an environment of quality housing, healthy music, and harmonious neighborhoods. I look forward to continuing to champion this bill as it moves through the legislative process, and I thank Chairman Mendelson for his support. 

Investigating ride-hailing app Empower 

The Committee on Public Works & Operations, which I chair, last week voted unanimously to launch an investigation into the unauthorized operations of the ride hailing app Empower. I’m extremely concerned about reports we have received of health and safety risks posed by operators using the app, including allegations of stalking, harassment, and impaired driving. Empower has not registered as a private for-hire vehicle company with the Department of For-Hire Vehicles and outstanding fines currently total tens of millions of dollars.  

The investigation will examine the extent of Empower’s violations and the impact of its continued operation on riders, operators, and the for-hire vehicle industry as a whole. Our goal is to determine if updates to District law are necessary to ensure the protection of riders.  

Enhancing cinema accessibility  

On October 1, the Office of Human Rights began enforcing the Open Movie Captioning Requirement Amendment Act of 2024, legislation introduced by Councilmember Charles Allen that mandates movie theaters within the District to provide a minimum number of open captioned movie showings, particularly during peak hours. I was proud to move this bill through my committee, as I believe D.C. can serve as a strong model for increasing the accessibility of our entertainment spaces. 

Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement needs a plan

The Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety heard hours of testimony Monday on how the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement is managing the violence interruption programs under its responsibility, in light of the recent bribery allegations that implicated Life Deeds, one of the contractors.  

I attended the hearing to ask questions and to emphasize that problems with one contractor should not be seen as an indictment of all violence interruption programs and contractors. I also wanted to hear from the people doing the work on what obstacles they face, and in particular how ONSE is administering its programs. 

We heard passionate testimony about how these programs should work—what they’d look like and the impact they’d have if leadership at the top truly believed in and invested in them, and if there were a clearer vision.  

The testimony we heard was powerful. Their testimony is creating a roadmap I wish our government was already following. In fact, a number of plans have been created before, but ONSE is not implementing them. 

Hear what I had to say during a break in the hearing. 

Pastor Delonte Gholston, Pastor, Peace Fellowship Church/ PeaceWalks DC, was one of multiple witnesses who gave powerful testimony about the importance of violence interruption programs and the barriers they face in doing their work: “This is not rocket science… We don’t have any lack of proposals and plans in this city, what we lack is vision and implementation and strategic coordination.” 

I recently attended the Columbia Heights Firehouse Helmet Ceremony. The memorial helmets will serve as tangible tribute to the ones who never made it home and a powerful reminder for all who see them that the job of a firefighter is a call to service and a call to sacrifice. Learn more about the project.

About 36% of Washingtonians, or 252,000 people, do not drive. I participated in #WeekWithoutDriving, commuting this week by bus and by bike – something I do most weeks – as we commit to building more accessible, inclusive communities for all. 

Meet with me, on your block 

Our next Brianne on Your Block event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 6-8 pm at Sonny’s Pizza on Georgia Ave. Bring your ideas, concerns, and questions, and meet with me one-on-one. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required.  

Public life in Columbia Heights & Mount Pleasant – community open house 

Join the D.C. Office of Planning for an open house on the Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant Public Life Study. Provide feedback that will help shape the future of public spaces in these neighborhoods. Drop in anytime on Saturday, October 19 at the Columbia Heights Education Campus Cafeteria between 11 am and 2 pm.

Upcoming legal clinic – federal pardon for minor marijuana offenses 

Legal Aid DC will host a legal clinic to help residents submit applications for a federal pardon for minor marijuana offenses in D.C. on Monday, October 21 from 12:30 – 3:30 pm at 1331 H Street NW, Suite 350. At this free event, attorneys can help you learn if you’re eligible and, if you are, complete a pardon application. Please register in advance. Walk-ins are welcome, but registered attendees will be prioritized. For questions or help in another language, email [email protected]. 

WASHINGTON POST 
‘Crisis’ in unpaid rent leads D.C. to roll back eviction protections 
“It is a huge blow that we are having to utilize the Housing Production Trust Fund just to stabilize existing affordable housing,” council member Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1) said. “But we are fortunate as a jurisdiction that we had those resources available to do so.” 

DC NEWS NOW 
DC Council to investigate ride-hailing app Empower 

FOX5 
DC Council holds hearing on bill requiring soundproofing for new homes 

POPVILLE 
“Soundproofing Legislation to Protect Venues, Musicians, and Renters/Homeowners”

WASHINGTON INFORMER 
Advocates, Residents Rally to End ‘Torture’ in D.C. Jails  

WUSA9 
Sounding off: DC Council considers pair of bills aimed at curbing noise complaints 

WUSA9 
Expecting layoffs, transit workers protest outside DC council building 

Committee on Health Public Hearing 
Wednesday, October 9, 9:30 am | in-person and online 
The Committee will hear testimony on the Public School Health Services Amendment Act of 2024 and the Certificate of Need Improvement Amendment Act of 2024. 

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A meeting 
Wednesday, October 9, 7 pm | online 

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B meeting 
Thursday, October 10, 6:30 pm | online 

Council offices closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day 
Monday, October 14 

Committee of the Whole Meeting  
Tuesday, October 15, 11 am | in-person and online 

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1D meeting 
Tuesday, October 15, 7 pm | in-person and online 

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E meeting 
Wednesday, October 23, 7 pm | online 

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]