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This week the Council met at its annual retreat to review legislative priorities, receive briefings from various officials and make plans for the coming year. We also recently received the audit of the fiscal year 2011 budget - known as the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report ("CAFR"), an event of particular interest to me as Chair of the Council's Committee on Finance and Revenue.
First, the good news from the FY 2011 CAFR: the District sustained its 15th annual balanced budget and "clean" audit. In short, our finances today are a far cry from the desperate straits we faced in the mid-1990's. The audit also confirmed we have no "material weaknesses" (we had 2 in FY 2008), and reduced our "significant deficiencies" from 5 to 2. I am glad we have made meaningful progress on our internal control systems. Every year the District spends millions on various audit functions - not only the CAFR, but of course the operations of the DC Auditor and the Office of the Inspector General. A few years ago, we decided to pool all this information more systematically and bring in under-performing agencies to submit remediation plans to correct the deficiencies. This new approach has begun to pay off.
We finished FY 2011 with a surplus of nearly $240 million, which now resides in our savings accounts. While I am glad that our financial position remains so strong, this surplus has caused a lot of anger among the hundreds of thousands of District residents who were asked to pay a number of new taxes and fees in last year's budget, which I voted against. Before we rush to spend this money on an ever-expanding government, I think we need to take a hard look at making more sustainable spending choices. We have already received briefings on the status of the current FY 2012 budget by Mayor Gray and are expecting the upcoming FY 2013 budget submission from the Mayor in late March. While we have a windfall now, indications are that the Mayor will seek to spend all of this money and more to address potential gaps in the budget if he does not begin to spend within his budget.
Every year, seemingly, we face "spending pressures" in the middle of the fiscal year - but since it is February the Mayor has the opportunity to review these problems and take corrective action so that we end FY 2012 with a balanced budget. A more difficult challenge will be the work of the Mayor and the Council to balance the FY 2013 budget. Unfortunately, the government has built in cost increases every year, so that we pass the biggest budget in our history each year in spite of the difficult economic climate - no other state goes through recessions without making tough spending choices as a result. Clearly this spring we will have some very serious challenges facing us and many tough decisions to make. I hope that with your help we can convince the Mayor and my colleagues to find efficiencies within existing agency budgets by making tough choices rather than simply increasing taxes every year.
Before the budget is released, we first go through the performance oversight process. Over the past two weeks, I have sent a number of questions to the agencies under my purview to collect data on agency structure and recent spending. After I review what has worked and what has not, I will be in a better position to make recommendations on adjustments to the agency budgets for next year. Thanks for your support during this process, and please feel free to reach out to my office as well as to my colleagues to share your views.
Jack
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Evans Joins Dupont Festival for Groundhog Day Prediction
Councilmember Evans recently joined members of Dupont Festival and the greater Dupont Circle neighborhood for what is sure to become an annual tradition - DC Groundhog Day.
After DC's groundhog, Potomac Phil, predicted 6 more weeks of winter (and 9 more months of gridlock in the Congress), Evans declared February 2 as DC Groundhog Day through the reading of an official Council resolution.
"Dupont Festival continues to lead the way in bringing Dupont Circle to life with activities like this," said Evans. "I encourage everyone to get behind their efforts and support these important events."
Dupont Festival works to organize and implement a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities in the greater Dupont Circle area throughout the year including Police Night Out, FotoWeek NightVisions, Soccer in the Circle, and Green in the Circle.
For additional information on Dupont Festival, please click here.
Andrew Huff is Evans' Dupont Circle liaison.
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O & P Street Construction
in Georgetown Continues
With the O and P Streets, NW project continuing in Georgetown, don't forget that the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has a website providing real time information on the construction and upcoming parking restrictions. The website, Fixing O and P Streets, can be viewed here.
DDOT is conducting the O and P Street Rehabilitation Project to repair the structural integrity of O and P Streets, NW between Wisconsin Avenue and 37th Street, as well as portions of intersecting streets.
There are three key aspects of the project:
- Rehabilitating the roadway and streetscape elements
- Replacing the100-year-old water mains and local water service connections
- Restoring the historic streetcar tracks and yokes
Efforts to repair O and P Streets began in 2003 with a proposal that would have preserved only the O Street tracks. However, community input since then and completion of federal planning processes in November 2009 led to the current project which will repair the structural integrity of both streets but reinstall or reuse the rail structures, granite pavers, and other historic streetscape elements.
"The historical significance of this neighborhood and project cannot be overstated," Evans said. "This rehabilitation will resolve a long-standing safety issue as well as preserve the historic nature of one of the District's most beautiful neighborhoods."
The rehabilitation project will also include:
-Restoration of the surface to a uniform level for adequate drainage
- Installation of new asphalt on 33rd, 34th, 35th 36th and 37th Street between O and P Street
- Rebuilding of curbs and gutters, as well as brick and concrete sidewalks
Additional work will include streetlight and drainage improvements, installation of crosswalks, curb ramps, tree boxes and tree rails, reinstallation of police call and fire alarm boxes, and tree planting.
The historic streetcar tracks will be removed, refurbished and re-installed on O and P Street from 35th Street to Wisconsin Avenue. However, tracks on P Street between 35th and 36th Streets and on 36th Street between O and P Streets will be permanently removed.
Construction on the 3400 block of P Street, NW was recently completed. Photos of the block can be viewed here. Construction will be completed by Summer/Fall 2012.
Ruth Werner is Evans' Georgetown liaison.
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Ford's Theatre Celebrates
Grand Opening of Center
for Education & Leadership
Last week, Councilmember Evans joined in cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Ford's Theatre Center for Education and Leadership in Penn Quarter. The $25 million center is located directly across the street from Ford's Theater and next door to the house where President Abraham Lincoln died.
Its dramatically refurbished 10 stories feature two floors on the immediate aftermath of Lincoln's death, including a replica of the train car that transported the late President back to his home in Illinois and details of each of the stops made along the way, an interactive map of John Wilkes Booth's escape route, and expanded museum and education and meeting spaces.
"The District is fortunate to have this treasure right at our doorstep," said Evans. "We have long enjoyed a partnership with Ford's and I am proud to have supported this project."
The centerpiece of the building is a nearly 4 story stack of books representing some of the more than 15,000 books written about Abraham Lincoln.
Like the Ford's Theatre museum and Peterson House, the center is managed by the National Park Service and free of charge to visitors. Funding is provided by a variety of sources including grants, gift shop sales, and Ford's Theatre performance tickets.
The center opens to the public Presidents' Day weekend.
For additional information on the new center, please click here.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Penn Quarter liaison.
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DPW Services to be Affected by Presidents' Day Holiday
The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced this week how services will be affected in observance of Presidents' Day (February 20).
Trash/Recycling Collections: Trash and recycling collections in once-a-week collection neighborhoods will "slide" to the next day for the remainder of the week. In neighborhoods with twice-weekly trash collections, Monday and Thursday collections will be made Tuesday and Friday, and Tuesday and Friday collections will be made Wednesday and Saturday.
Parking Enforcement: DPW will suspend enforcement of parking meters, residential parking, rush hour lane restrictions, and the towing of abandoned vehicles. Enforcement resumes Tuesday, February 21.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' DPW liaison.
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Logan Circle Feels the Love at Valentine's Day Party 
Councilmember Evans was delighted to spend Valentine's Day with some of Ward 2's youngest residents this year by distributing Valentine's cards and greetings at the first Valentine's Day party exclusively for Logan Circle families.
Organized by residents Joelle Myers and Evelyn Boyd Simmons, the party was hosted and sponsored in part by Whole Foods and the Logan Circle Community Association. Families enjoyed face painting and cookie decorating and snacked on fruit, fresh made smoothies, cookies, and candy hearts.
"Seeing all these kids having such a good time brings a smile to my face," said Evans, who spent time with several families. "This is the changing face of Logan Circle and Ward 2, and another reason why I continue to work toward quality public education in the city."
Future events are in the works for Logan Circle families and further information can be found here and here.
Sherri Kimbel is Evans' Logan Circle liaison.
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This week, the Committee on Finance and Revenue held a public roundtable on PR19-578, the "Kingsbury Center, Inc. Refunding Revenue Bonds Project Approval Resolution of 2012." This bill would authorize and provide for the issuance, sale, and delivery in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $11 million of District of Columbia revenue bonds in one or more series, pursuant to a plan of finance, and to authorize and provide for the loan of the proceeds of such bonds to assist Kingsbury Center, Inc., in the financing, refinancing, or reimbursing of costs associated with an authorized project pursuant to section 490 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Upcoming Hearings The Committee on Finance and Revenue will be holding its Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012 (to date) performance oversight hearing on the following agencies on Monday, February 27 beginning at 10:00am in the Council Chambers (Room 500). - Washington Convention Center and Sports Authority
- Board of Real Property Assessments and Appeals
- District of Columbia Lottery and Charitable Games Control Board
- Office of the Chief Financial Officer (to include the following):
- Office of Tax and Revenue
- Office of Integrity and Oversight
- Office of Finance Resource Management
- Office of Finance and Treasury
- Office of Revenue Analysis
The Committee is also holding a hearing on February 29 at 10:30am in Room 120 on the following legislation: - B19-530, the "King Towers Residential Housing Real Property Tax Exemption Technical Corrections Act of 2011," which would amend Chapter 46 of Title 47 to correctly identify the type of relief provided to the King Towers residential housing rental project under section 47-4639 and to clarify that such relief is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other tax relief to which the property or its owner may be entitled.
- B19-687, the "Out-of-State Municipal Bond Tax Repeal Act of 2012," which would amend Title 47 of the District of Columbia Code to repeal the income tax assessed on out-of-state municipal bonds held by individuals, estates and trusts, whether owned directly or beneficially through a mutual fund or otherwise.
Those interested in testifying should contact Sarina Loy.
Ruth Werner is Evans' Committee Director.
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Councilmember Evans is pleased to announce that he will be speaking to several civic organizations and attending several community events in February.
"I always look forward to the opportunity to hear directly from residents about what's working and what could be improved in the District," said Evans. "Attending these meetings and events on a regular basis allows me to do just that."
Evans will attend the following meetings and events in February:
February 21 - 4:00pm
Utopia Project Announcement
14th and U Streets, NW
February 24 - 11:00am
Claridge Towers
1221 N Street, NW
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Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
Comment Period on Proposed Vending Regulations Extended
to March 1
More information is available here.
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Councilmember Jack Evans
1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite 106
Washington, DC 20004
202-724-8058
jevans@dccouncil.us
www.jackevans.org |
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