Good Evening Ward 1 Residents,
Someone made the very reasonable request that I send my updates a few days before the City’s meetings and I am going to do my best to get my posts up earlier. A reminder, I have the Azalea Room Reserved March 23rd at 7PM to hear from constituents about their concerns and hopes for the upcoming budget. Please put me on your calendar if you are able. I am working on a virtual attendance option.
Thanks,
Shana
This week at City Council:
COUNCIL VOTE TO CONVENE IN CLOSED SESSION
The City Council will vote to convene in closed session at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 to receive legal advice and consider matters related to litigation (E&R Services v. City of Takoma Park). The meeting will be closed pursuant to Annotated Code of Maryland, General Provisions Article, §3-305(7) and (8). After the closed session, the Council will reconvene in the Auditorium for the regular meeting.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Things to know:
Monday is the deadline for “cross-over,” bills will have to have been passed in whichever house they originated and move to the other, or else they won’t be moving forward this year. We will have a better idea about which legislation the City was supporting will continue.
State revenues are lower than expected: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/03/09/as-lawmakers-prepare-2024-budget-structural-deficit-emerges-from-478-million-dip-in-revenue/
VOTING SESSION
Budget amendment 5 is mostly bookkeeping to account for money that we had planned to spend that we haven’t (mostly on salaries) and to take into account various grants.
WORK SESSION
2. Discussion of Council Priorities (Information will be posted on March 14.)
Information posted for the March 8 discussion:
The new council is working hard on priorities that will guide our city and its budget for the next two years. Paring down the goals within our priorities is one way that we will help to focus the work of our employees and possibly slim down spending.
As for the rest of my week, I’m happy to accommodate meeting with constituents when possible. My current city plans this week are as follows:
Monday, March 13
12PM: Deliver food to residents in need with Councilmember Seamans.
7 – 9PM: Attending the Ward 5 Community Meeting to Discuss Public Safety.
Meeting Information
Takoma Park Community Center
7500 Maple Ave, Azalea Room
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Zoom Registration: Ward 5 Community Zoom Meeting Registration
Tuesday, March 14
7-9:45PM: Attending the Takoma Park Community Police Academy
Wednesday March 15
12PM-2PM Metropolitan Washington Council Of Government Transportation Planning Board
6:30PM City Council Meeting
Thursday March 16:
5:45PM-8:30PM Tour of the Emergency Operations Center Gaithersburg, MD
Friday March 17:
1PM: Meeting regarding Takoma Park Folk Festival
Saturday March 18th
7PM: SPARK, annual celebration of those who ignite change, at Liz Lerman