Council Meeting Highlights: (1) We learned from a consultant about timelines and options for transitioning to an all-electric City vehicle fleet to meet our emission reduction goals; (2) in a work session we discussed (a) Councilmembers’ engagement with the State legislative session, and (b) how to fill vacancies and optimize engagement with City Committees and Ad Hoc Task Forces.
Important upcoming public meeting to review Traffic Calming and Sidewalk Requests- Thurs. Jan. 23, 6:30-8:30pm @ Community Center Auditorium. Tk Pk has a new process for requesting sidewalks and traffic calming. 44 requests were submitted in this budget cycle. The 1/23 meeting is to collect residents’ feedback on the requests. Staff will use feedback to shape their proposed plan and budget for submission to the City Council. Please check the webpage for the meeting agenda and more information & the list of submissions (coming soon). Spanish and Amharic interpretation will be provided. (Requests submitted after the November 20, 2024 deadline will be considered next year.)
Council Meeting report:
1. Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet Transition:
Presentation by ICF and DPW Director Daryl Braithwaite (see full Report)
ICF evaluated the costs and emission impacts of transitioning our 70 plus vehicles (8 are EVs now) to 100% EV as they reach replacement age. Two scenarios were presented: a ‘cost effective’ scenario, which would save approximately $288,000 over 29 years, and a ‘100% electrification’ scenario, which would cost more but be faster.
The transition will entail complicated tradeoffs among speed, cost, vehicle range, and charging options. And rapid change in EVs means we need to ‘refresh’ the evaluation frequently.
The study did not examine leasing scenarios, but the consultant told us that leasing might enable speedier transitioning with fewer cost/budget spikes. [Note: The City plans to examine leasing options during FY 26, budget permitting; I will press for interweaving the leasing evaluation with the EV evaluation.]
[My take: We need to remain nimble as we proceed, e.g. by fully exploring the leasing option and frequently reevaluating EV and charging options as the technology evolves. Working out the complexities of take-home police vehicles and charging arrangements may be the most challenging. And in prioritizing city spending we should weigh the costs and benefits of all of our emission reduction options when setting priorities: what actions gain us the greatest reductions?]
2. Legislative priorities: The Council discussed the process used for evaluating State legislation and deciding when to actively support or oppose bills; the Mayor asked Council members to volunteer for a subcommittee to screen bills during the 3-month session, which began this week.
3. City committees: The Council discussed the system for appointing and occasionally creating advisory Committees (see backgrounder). We were asked to serve as liaison to Committees. We reviewed the benefits of task forces versus standing committees to tackle specific Council needs: the former tend to work more efficiently, accomplish assignments and require less staff time. The latter build expertise, but frequently have vacancies and lose steam if Council doesn’t assign tasks.
[Note: many standing Committees and Commissions have vacancies, listed in the backgrounder; be in touch if you want to serve! Vacancies on Emergency Preparedness; Grants Review; Recreation; Sustainable Maryland; Board of Elections; Landlord-Tenant Affairs; Ethics; Tree Commission. Also, we might want to create a task forces on the budget, to evaluate our adherence to nuke-free, sustainability and affordability issues. Stay tuned.]
[My take: I am considering calling for a community budget task force or Committee to advise on the best way to gain input from residents on the City’s budget; your input on participation and on the form of this effort is welcome.]
Public Comments: During public comments Sandy Egan updated us on the many contributions of the Village of Takoma Park; Paul Heubner praised Sandy for her work. Susan Rogers reminded us of recommendations for sustainable banking and investment that still await Council action. Mary Machui called for more attention to needs of disabled adults.
Here’s News You Can Use:
Free Concert: Chamber music from the Relic Ensemble: Jan 24th @ 7:30 PM @ Community Center auditorium. More info on city website.
MLK Day Celebratory potluck event, Jan. 20: 5-7 PM, TP Middle School 7611 Piney Branch Rd
Service projects for MLK Birthday’s Week of Service: (Jan 16-24) (See City Website for more details
- Fri, Jan. 17 – 9:30-11AM Small Things Matter organizing food distribution at TP SDA church, TP/SS apartments. More Info
- Jan 18: Adventist Community Services food/clothing distribution: @501 Sligo Ave, Silver Spring, weather permitting. Contact Terry or Joyce Seamans at 240-793-5108 to schedule a shift
- Small Things Matter distributes fresh food and staples, with assistance from the TPSS Coop, Takoma Park Presbyterian church and the 9:30 Club. Volunteer here.
- Jan 18: Homes Not Borders Volunteer here to sort household items and move furniture for refugee families @ 117 Elm Avenue
- Jan 12: Friends of Sligo Creek Litter Hotspot Cleanup at Clayborn Ave and Long Branch, 1:00pm – 3:00pm (across the bridge from Rolling Terrace)
Jan 18: Friends of Sligo Creek Litter Hotspot Cleanup at Long Branch Community Center, 8700 Piney Branch Rd, Silver Spring, 10:00am – 12:00pm
- Jan 20: MLK day cleanup at Takoma-Piney Branch Park, 2 Darwin Ave, with Montgomery parks – register here.
- Jan. 26 Kindness Day with Small Things Matter at Piney Branch Elementary, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Volunteers needed; register here.