Ward 1 Update: Up next: Budget oversight

February 28, 2024
General

Hello neighbors:

It’s been a busy few weeks as we worked our way through performance oversight season. Thanks to many of you for showing up to testify at these hearings in the Committee on Public Works & Operations, which I chair, and in many other committees. Your feedback on trash collection, procurement, bike lanes, public safety and so many other topics plays a vital role in how we proceed on oversight and on next year’s budget. Below, I’ll share some of the highlights from my committee.

Now we all get to take a breath – a short one – to catch up on other matters, such as hearings and markups on legislation (including, hopefully, my bill to bolster recruitment through the Cadet program) and to finalize Secure DC omnibus public safety legislation. I have worked with colleagues to remove provisions that could have negative impacts on civil rights and on people experiencing substance use disorder, while providing tools to advance public safety.

In less than a month we’ll dive into the budget! The Mayor will drop her budget on March 20 and we’ll commence immediately with budget oversight hearings over the following few weeks. My staff and I will examine the budget in detail. I’ll be watching for things like where the Mayor seeks to take money to pay for initiatives like the extra $200 million for D.C.’s portion of the WMATA budget (I support this!). I’ll also be looking to see what projects we’ve been advocating for in Ward 1 will be funded, including the more than $5 million I invested in public safety last year.

COUNCIL UPDATE

ADDRESSING PUBLIC SAFETY

This week I am co-introducing a package of three bills spearheaded by Councilmember Robert White that address youth violence prevention by creating opportunities for young people in the District. Many youth in D.C. face significant challenges. Truancy rates are through the roof and the trauma of gun violence for teens is real.

One bill addresses truancy by requiring increased student attendance reporting. It’s an important step in taking action on the extremely high truancy rate in D.C. public and public charter schools. We know that truancy is a strong risk factor for involvement in the criminal justice system and a serious obstacle to meaningful and sustaining jobs and careers. We need information more frequently than once per year.

Another bill would expand career and technical education programs giving students a pathway to careers in trades such as architecture and construction, finance, and hospitality.

The final bill establishes a youth mentorship program for youth who have faced adverse childhood experiences; we hear over and over about the need for positive role models and coaches/cheerleaders for youth.

I have long said that crime is a complex problem requiring a multi-pronged comprehensive approach that encompasses prevention, policing, and prosecution. Reaching youth with supports and redirection before they enter the criminal justice system is essential.

DC Must Fix 911

When District residents need help in life-threatening situations, there’s an expectation that help will be swift and accurate. We’ve heard stories of dispatchers sending 911 help to the wrong address. We’ve heard stories of dispatchers sending basic non-threatening life support services to people who are in life-threatening situations—and sometimes—it’s too late. We’ve also heard stories of people being put on hold for up to 5 minutes when they are in the midst of a medical or other emergency.

During a recent performance oversight hearing, the Office of Unified Communications again refused to be transparent, failing to share requested information about incidents where the agency handled 911 calls poorly. You can read my full statement released after that hearing.

The agency is gatekeeping information from the public without stating a legal reason for withholding disclosure, adding to the public’s frustration and continuously eroding trust in the agency. 911 dispatch blogger Dave Statter echoed my frustration and quoted me. The D.C. Line also cited my statement in its coverage.

Meanwhile, OUC rushed through a change to the dispatch system, implementing PowerPhone at 4:30 am yesterday, even though the system has never been used at a 911 center this size. Thankfully, we haven’t heard of any major problems as a result so far. At a time when so many things need to be fixed at the dispatch center, this seems like a risky and unnecessary distraction from critical safety corrections.

Back in November, I introduced legislation that would ensure faster and more accurate 911 dispatch by transferring fire and emergency medical calls to dedicated triage lines staffed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. In addition to improving emergency response, the protocol would also allow 911 dispatchers to focus on police calls, making for more effective and faster dispatch in response to those calls, too.

Addressing public safety takes a multi-pronged effort and has to include fixing systems we already have in place that aren’t working as they should. Fixing the failing 911 dispatch center is a critical piece of that.

Crime Stats

Initial figures for the first two months of the year have gotten some attention in the media and elsewhere – they indicate that crime is down compared to this time last year. I’m hopeful that trend continues but it does not change the need or my commitment to the work at hand. I am working with the Mayor, MPD Chief Smith, fellow councilmembers, ANC commissioners, residents, business owners and others on legislation, holding agencies accountable, advocating with the U.S. Attorney and more. We will get through this by working together and finding solutions.

Performance Oversight Hearings Come to a Close

In the Committee on Public Works & Operations, which I chair, we’ve conducted numerous public oversight hearings in the past few weeks, with hours of testimony from the public and from the people who run the agencies and offices we oversee. Last week we got to ask questions of the Office of the Clean City, which is responsible for neighborhood cleanups, bulk trash roll off events and more. It was the first time this agency was asked to appear before the committee and I was glad we could raise public awareness of this relatively new office and the work it does.

You can learn a lot about the agencies, the concerns and questions of residents like you and councilmembers by watching the recorded hearings online:

Office of the Clean City

Check out recordings of all of the public meetings of the Committee on Public Works & Operations

Love is: Sharing Responsibility

I was proud to join my female colleagues on the Council in co-introducing legislation to require private health insurance plans, Medicaid, and the DC Healthcare Alliance to cover vasectomy services with no cost-sharing requirements. Reproductive healthcare should be a joint responsibility and on Valentine’s Day we sent the message that love includes partnering around family planning, too.

Expanding Out of School Time Opportunities to ALL Students

Last month I co-introduced Councilmember Matt Frumin’s Universal Out of School Time Amendment Act of 2023, which would require the city to have enough out-of-school-time program seats for every child enrolled in a D.C. Public or Public Charter school by 2035.

Every family in the District should have the necessary resources to ensure their children can achieve their full potential. That’s why in 2016, I introduced the legislation that created the current OST program. That legislation established the Office of Youth Outcomes and tasked it with implementing a strategic plan for equitable funding of OST programming. My goal was to guarantee access to high-quality learning opportunities beyond the standard school day, preparing our children and youth for success in education, careers, and life. 

The new legislation has been referred to the Committee of the Whole and I’ll be following its progress and advocating for it as it works its way through the process. You can read my full remarks delivered at Councilmember Frumin’s event announcing the bill introduction.

Preserving Early Childhood Education Options

In my last newsletter I told you about the dire threat to Rosemount Early Childhood Center’s continued existence due to the termination of its lease. Since then, I introduced legislation giving the Mayor authority to acquire the property or negotiate a lease for it, and to acquire another property in Mount Pleasant to expand early-childhood education facilities. The Washington Post wrote about my legislation and captured the incredible importance Rosemount has for families in Ward 1 and beyond.

BRIANNE IN WARD 1

Thirteen teenage girls wearing black leotards pose for a photo in a dance rehearsal space — *Photo courtesy of Viva School of Dance*

Earlier this month I stopped by the Viva School of Dance at their new location at the Grimke Building.

Executive Director Kelli Quinn, Artistic Director Chandini Darby and founding Board- Member Kim Alfonso talked about their new location and the services they provide to D.C. youth through programs tailored to student age and experience.

Most students of Viva School of Dance continue to pursue dance as a profession or attend higher education. I look forward to working with Viva School of Dance and to their future growth now that they have found a new home.

I got to meet with representatives of DC USA, the retail center at 14^th & Irving, to discuss paths for future collaboration to support the vibrancy of the Columbia Heights neighborhood.

Spoke with residents at Trinity Towers in Columbia Heights about the future of their building and community.

A constituent in Columbia Heights asked me to come out and we took a look at and talked about concerns about waste and how to improve the cleanliness of the neighborhood. It’s great to see community members taking an active role in promoting a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

Workers are seated at a long table in a gymnasium with computers providing assistance to people seated across them.

Councilmember Nadeau, with her back to the camera, speaks with staff from the Department of Health, who are seated

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, along with staff from the Department of Health and the Office of Tax Revenue, held a vending licensing event at Columbia Heights Community Center to guide prospective vendors through the updated licensing process. Licensing events like this are a key part of the plan to create a safe and organized vending system that preserves the vibrant culture of Ward 1 and the District.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Marion Barry Summer Jobs Program Deadline Next Week

The Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program brings together private sector employers, community-based organizations, federal government, and District government agencies to provide District youth who are between the ages of 14-24 with an array of summer work experiences to cultivate and stimulate professional and personal career aspirations. Employers in the Washington, DC metropolitan area make this annual program possible by volunteering to serve as host employers and providing structured job opportunities for the participants. Learn more and apply.

Still time to give input on Metro budget

The public is encouraged to review the proposed FY25 budget and provide comments through its online survey tool, or by attending an in-person or virtual public hearing. All comments should be submitted no later than Tuesday, March 5, at 5 p.m.

There is one more in-person meeting (you can watch online) and one virtual-only meeting.

In-person and online: Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. in Arlington, VA and on WMATA’s YouTube channel.
Virtual only (telephone or video): Thursday, Feb. 29, at 12 p.m. on WMATA’s YouTube channel.

More about the WMATA budget