Councilmember Evans this week announced the launch of the new and improved www.jackevans.org.  The newly designed site features up to date information on Council and Committee hearings and community meetings, information on Ward 2 neighborhoods, and highlights and accomplishments from Evans' two decades of public service to the District of Columbia.   

"Our new website will provide Ward 2 residents with important and timely information regarding the workings of the Council and the Committee on Finance and Revenue," Evans said.  "I encourage everyone to visit and visit often."

The site was designed and developed by Poccuo, Inc., a local small business located in the heart of Ward 2.  Poccuo focuses on bringing messaging, design, and development together to create great experiences.

Andrew Huff is Evans' Director of Communications.

Redistricting Process

Beginning in the District

Detailed population data collected as part of the 2010 Census has been provided to the District of Columbia.  This kicks-off the decennial process commonly known as redistricting, which formulates and implements adjustments to the city's Ward, Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) and Single Member District (SMD) boundaries.  Councilmember Evans, along with At-Large Councilmember Michael Brown, is co-chair of the Council Subcommittee on Redistricting.  At-Large Councilmember Phil Mendelson is also serving as a member on the Subcommittee.

Ward redistricting must occur, by federal law, no later than 90 days after the Council's receipt of the census report, or July 14.  After the Ward redistricting is complete, the Council will review and make adjustments to the boundaries of the ANCs and SMDs.  The ANC and SMD redistricting is expected to occur in the fall of 2011, with the entire redistricting process completed by the end of 2011.

The target average population for each Ward of the city is 75,215  (based on 601,723 total District of Columbia population divided by 8 Wards).  The minimum population per ward is 71,455, and the maximum population 78,976.  The target average population per SMD is 2,000, with a target number of 301 SMDs.  The minimum population for an SMD is 1,900, and the maximum population per SMD is 2,100.

"This is a very important process," said Evans.  "I encourage all District residents to participate and submit their thoughts and suggestions as we move forward with redistricting."

The Committee on Redistricting has set up a website with additional information about the redistricting process, which will also include a feedback feature for residents to provide comments on redistricting.  

Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.

West End Library

Preview Announced

Residents interested in a sneak peak of the soon to be redeveloped West End Library and Fire Station will have a chance to do so on Monday, April 4.

The project's developer, EastBanc, has announced a community preview, where updated design drawings for the project will be shared with residents.  The development team will also take questions from attendees about the project.

The preview will be held on April 4 at 7:00pm at the Columbia Residences (2425 L Street, NW).  Attendees are asked to enter at the L Street entrance.

The updated project drawings will also be shared at a special meeting of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A on April 25.  For additional information on this meeting, please click here.

Sherri Kimbel is Evans' West End liaison. 

Evans to Break Ground on

CityCenter DC 

April 4 will mark the long-awaited groundbreaking for the old Convention Center site, now known as CityCenter DC.  The development is bound by 9th, H, and 11th Streets, and New York Avenue. 

The 10-acre site will include 400,000 square feet of retail, over a million square feet of office space, 458 rental and 216 for-sale residential units, and a 400-bed hotel.  The development team is Hines/Archstone.

"It has been a long time coming but the groundbreaking for CityCenter is finally approaching," said Evans.  "This project will add tremendously to the fabric of our downtown and activate the surrounding neighborhood in many ways." 

The groundbreaking event will take place on Monday, April 4 at 2:00pm at 10th Street and New York Avenue, NW.  All are welcome.

Councilmember Evans is pleased to announce Kevin Stogner as his office's General Counsel, where he will serve as principal legal and legislative counsel to the Committee on Finance & Revenue.

"I am excited to welcome Kevin to my staff," said Evans. "I am thrilled that he'll be working hard on behalf of the residents of Ward 2."

Stogner previously held the position of Legislative Counsel in the office of At-Large Councilmember David Catania.  Prior to that, he worked in private practice at Latham & Watkins LLP, where he represented corporations and individuals involved in internal investigations and corporate compliance matters.  He began his legal career by clerking for a federal judge in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia.

He received a law degree from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Science in economics from Georgia Tech.  He lives in the U Street corridor.    

Kevin can be reached at kstogner@dccouncil.us and 724-8058.

District residents are reminded that first-half residential property taxes are due for most homeowners on March 31.  If your property taxes aren't paid by escrow funds through your mortgage company, you should have received a bill.  Residents are encouraged to carefully check their tax bills to ensure inclusion of the homestead deduction if the property serves as a primary residence. 

If you are over the age of 65 and meet certain income requirements, you may be eligible for the senior deduction.  The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) does regularly check qualifications for homestead and other deductions, so if you get a letter about your residency, be sure to respond.   If you have any questions, you can contact the taxpayer's hotline, 727-4TAX, or our office at 724-8058 for assistance. 

Next month, both federal and DC income taxes are due (on April 18th this year, due to the Emancipation Day holiday on April 15th).   If you need assistance with your District taxes, the Office of Tax and Revenue can help.  They will prepare, for free, individual income tax returns for anyone requesting this service.  Individuals must have already prepared their federal tax return before coming to OTR's walk-in customer service center.  Taxpayers are also requested to have all supporting documentation with them, including a copy of their federal tax return, supporting W-2 forms, and any other information required.  The OTR customer service tax office is located at 1101 4th Street, SW, Suite W270. 

Sherri Kimbel is Evans' OTR liaison. . 

Legislative Update 

 

Mayor Gray is expected to submit his proposed Fiscal Year 2012 budget and financial plan to the Council on April 1.  This will begin the annual budget review process conducted by the Council.  Each Council Committee will hold a hearing on the proposed budget for agencies under their purview.  For a complete schedule of hearings, click here.

The Committee on Finance and Revenue will be holding its Fiscal Year 2012 hearing on Thursday, April 21 in the Council Chamber (Room 500) beginning at 9:30am.  The following agencies will provide testimony:

- Washington Convention and Sports Authority

- Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals/Real Property Tax Appeals Commission

- The Office of the Chief Financial Officer, to include:

o   Office of Tax and Revenue

o   Office of Integrity and Oversight

o   Office of Finance Resource Management

o   Office of Finance and Treasury 

o   Office of Revenue Analysis

To sign up to testify, contact Sarina Loy.

Upcoming Committee Meetings/Hearings

The Committee on Finance and Revenue has scheduled a public hearing on Wednesday, April 13, at 10am in Room 120.  The following bills are on the agenda:

Bill 19-20, the "New Issue Bond Program Tax Exemption Amendment Act of 2011"

This bill would amend the District of Columbia Real Estate Deed Recordation Tax Act of 1962 to exempt security instruments to be used for affordable housing development projects that are funded in whole or in part through the issuance of bonds pursuant to the United States Department of Treasury's New Issue Bond Program from tax.

Bill 19-21, "The Washington Ballet Equitable Real Property Tax Relief Act of 2011"  

This bill would amend Chapter 46 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to provide equitable real property tax relief to certain property owned and used by the Washington Ballet, a tax-exempt organization.

Bill 19-30, the "Real Property Transfer Exemption Act of 2011"

This bill would amend Chapter 9 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to exempt from taxation gifts of real property made by a property owner to the District of Columbia, at its request, where there is no consideration for the transfer.

Bill 19-31, the "Real Property Tax Lien Assignment and Sale Act of 2011"

This bill would amend Title 47 of the District of Columbia Code to provide the authorization to the Chief Financial Officer to assign or sell and transfer, to a third party, tax liens that are bid off in the name of the District, or that remain unsatisfied for six months or more; to provide that tax liens may be purchased by third persons including a trust established solely for the purpose of purchasing tax liens; to provide that the transferee of a tax lien shall have the right to foreclose the right of redemption pursuant to Subchapter IV of Chapter 13A; and to provide the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority the authorization to assign or sell and transfer to a third party liens for water and sanitary sewer charges in the same manner as tax liens are assigned, or sold and transferred and enforced.

Bill 19-156, the "KIPP DC-Shaw Campus Property Tax Exemption Act of 2011"

This bill would amend Chapter 10 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to exempt from taxation certain property owned or ground leased by KIPP DC, a non-profit corporation, or by a subsidiary of KIPP DC.

Bill 19-163, the "Vendor Sales Tax Collection and Remittance Act of 2011"

This bill would repeal section 47-2002.01 of the District of Columbia Code to include sidewalk and mobile street vendors in the collection and remittance of sales tax.

Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.