COUNCILMEMBER BROWN TAKES FIRST WEEK OF COUNCIL SESSION HEAD ON
COUNCILMEMBERS BROWN, EVANS & SCHWARTZ JOIN TO RESCIND WEST END LEGISLATION
(Washington, D.C.) Yesterday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown announced an agreement with Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans and At-Large Councilmember Carol Schwartz to join together in an effort to rescind emergency legislation that authorized the Mayor to enter into negotiations with EastBanc, Inc. over a land disposition agreement at 24th and L Streets NW. A Motion to Reconsider to rescind the emergency measure will be introduced on October 2nd during the Council’s next legislative meeting. “It’s now clear that some of the conditions surrounding the tenants’ agreement to deal exclusively with EastBanc have changed,” stated Councilmember Brown. “It has always been my intent to protect the rights of residents and to ensure that we had the community’s best interests in mind.” “That’s the reason I voted for it—to protect the tenants,” said Councilmember Schwartz. “But now that things have changed and it is no longer an emergency, this should be what it always should have been, and that is an open, competitive process that allows for plenty of community input.” The Council was informed that the tenants had agreed to remain in exclusive negotiations with EastBanc, but now the conditions have changed. Testimony given to the Committee on Economic Development on July 3, 2007 was used to justify passing the emergency legislation. The testimony led the Committee to believe that the legislation was critical to preventing the Tiverton Associations’ tenants’ option to purchase rights from expiring. The Tiverton tenants began negotiations with another developer besides EastBanc and recently signed an agreement to sell to a new company. Councilmember Brown understands that the public needs the opportunity to speak on proposed agreements with the city. Before the emergency legislation was passed, Brown insisted that language be included to require the Council’s review of any successfully negotiated land disposition agreement between the tenants, the Mayor and EastBanc, Inc. “Council review is necessary to allow the public another opportunity to voice their concerns and to maintain transparency in the government,” said Brown. “I have scheduled two hearings, one on Monday to go over projects managed by the Deputy Mayor and another in the beginning of November to discuss the best practices of public private partnerships. I want to ensure the community has a chance for input on this.” On Monday, September 24th, Councilmember Brown will hold a public oversight hearing to review projects under the purview of the Deputy Mayor’s office. The hearing is necessary because the Council legislated that the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation and the National Capital Revitalization Corporation be dissolved, and all their assets and liabilities and responsibilities shall be under the authority of the Executive as of October 1, 2007. Another hearing is also scheduled for November 1st to discuss the best practices of public-private partnerships. The subject of how government can remain open and responsive to the needs of District residents while planning public-private partnerships will be addressed. Public Hearing Schedule TOPIC: Projects Managed by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development
WHEN: September 24, 2007, 10:00 AM
WHERE: Council Chamber, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004 TOPIC: Best Practices of Public-Private Partnerships
WHEN: November 1, 2007, 4:00 PM
WHERE: Council Chamber, John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004
___________________________________________________________________ BIG ISSUES NEED BIG SOLUTIONS The Council of the District of Columbia returned to session on Tuesday and Councilmember Kwame R. Brown, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, put feedback from his summer activities into action. He authored and co-introduced legislation that will stimulate economic growth through local small business tax relief and vocational training if signed into law. The two major pieces of legislation are the Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Tax Relief Strategy Act of 2007 and the Vocational Education Feasibility Act of 2007. The Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Tax Relief Strategy Act of 2007
(Brown gets backing of 11 colleagues including co-introducers Councilmembers Thomas, Schwartz and Evans and cosponsors Chairman Gray, Councilmembers Alexander, Bowser, Catania, Cheh, Graham, Mendelson, and Wells.) The purpose of the tax relief act is to require the Mayor to create a tax relief strategy for all D.C. neighborhood businesses within a commercial corridor that are economically impacted by the road infrastructure construction performed by the District Department of Transportation. Brown get support of 11 of his colleagues. Councilmember Brown has nearly completed his tour of all of the Main Streets in the District. Over the summer, he toured eight of nine Main Streets to ensure the programs were running effectively and efficiently. During the tour, business owners expressed concern to Brown that ongoing city construction projects meant to enhance streetscapes were adversely affecting their businesses. As an example, members of the Historic Dupont Main Street spoke with Brown about the construction on P Street, NW. To take action on his conversation with the owners, Councilmember Brown pushed to secure a $56,000 grant to fund a valet service while construction is underway. The funding will be available during the month of October and will help owners tackle customer parking issues. Brown desires to take proactive measures to deal with projects either in progress or scheduled for the future. “My goal is to make sure that local businesses thrive,” said Councilmember Brown. “City infrastructure projects intended to revitalize neighborhoods should be economic stimulants, not inhibitors of growth. I want to provide solutions to potential problems before they occur. I want our local businesses to survive.” The Vocational Education Feasibility Act of 2007
(Brown gets backing of 8 colleagues including co-introducers Councilmembers Schwartz and Thomas and cosponsors Chairman Gray, Councilmembers Alexander, Barry, Catania, Cheh, and Wells.) The Vocational Education Feasibility Act requires the Mayor to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a facility for adult vocational education to be completed by 2009. The bill would require the study to include the following analyses: --An assessment of vacant buildings and facilities appropriate for vocational training in the District;
--Statistical data on the rate at which adults have entered into vocational careers as compared to professional careers in the last 10 years, regionally and nationally; and
--An analysis of the employability and earning potential of certified vocationally trained adults in the workforce in the District. “In order to benefit from billions of dollars in economic development over the coming years, like the Nationals’ Stadium project, District residents need to be trained in skilled crafts such as engineering, plumbing, construction and other important trades,” said Councilmember Brown. Councilmember Brown championed the effort to enhance vocational education for District residents. He authored the amendment to the School Modernization Funds Resolution of 2007 to provide $30 million in funds to build Phelps Vocational Engineering Academy. Now he wants to take expand career development programs for adults.
“I’m determined to provide District residents with the adequate resources needed to succeed in their careers and provide a better quality of life for their families,” said Councilmember Brown. “Adults, in particular, need access to opportunities to gain the skills that a vocational facility would provide. With the right tools, District residents can benefit from and help maintain our economic growth.” The feasibility study would be due to the Council within 90 days of the effective date of the Act.
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BROWN PARTICIPATES IN FIELDS OF DREAMS BENEFIT GOLF TOURNAMENT
-Brown secured $29,000 to help expand the Fields of Dreams after-school program
On Thursday, At-Large Councilmember Kwame R. Brown participated in the 4th Annual Fields of Dreams Golf Tournament to benefit the Fields of Dreams after-school program. Gelberg Signs along with the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) worked together to provide each golf foursome with a former Major League player. Councilmember Brown, Honorary event Chair, secured a $29,000 grant to maintain and expand the Fields of Dreams after-school program for the 2007-2008 school year. On top of the grant, the tournament raised over $30,000. “Education is the key to helping our children lead a successful, happy life,” said Councilmember Brown. “Combining athletics with education is a way to motivate them to excel and have fun while learning.” “As the title sponsor of today’s tournament, Gelberg Signs is honored and proud to have worked with Councilmember Brown to make this event such a success. Our combined efforts are sure to make a difference in the lives of many young people,” said the principals of Gelberg Signs, Luc, Neil and Guy Brami. DC Sports and Entertainment Commission’s Courtland Cox and former DC Councilmember Vincent Orange also participated in the event, which took place at Renditions Golf Course in Davidsonville, MD. MLB Players in attendance included Al Bumbry, Fred Valentine and Scot McGregor. The mission of the Fields of Dreams after-school program is to develop the athletic, educational, and life skills of young people in disadvantaged areas of the District of Columbia while increasing their self-esteem. The program is motivated by the belief that there is great value in combining athletic, educational, nutritional, and citizenship training in a way that connects and reinforces the four for children. Since 2002, the program has served 1,000 young dreamers. In addition to an afternoon of golf for adults, Fields of Dreams welcomed 10 local youths involved in the program for an afternoon putting contest and awards ceremony. The winning child received a laptop computer on behalf of Former Councilmember John Ray, Partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP.
“Baseball is an important part of life in the District of Columbia,” said Councilmember Brown. “The new Nationals Stadium we’re building is a testament to that. Professional athletes are a key part of inspiring the next generation of student athletes. I’m proud to be a part of such a great program.”
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SEGWAY IS THE WAY TO GO
To celebrate DC Car Free Day this past Tuesday, Councilmember Kwame R. Brown rode a Segway to work from his home in Hillcrest to the John A. Wilson Building. He went to several checkpoints along the way and joined Councilmember Tommy Wells at Capital Hill to make the final segment of the trip to work. Councilmember Brown also recently announced a Public Oversight Hearing on green economic development. The hearing is entitled, “Green economic development and its benefit to small business in the District of Columbia.” It will be held on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 11:00am in the Council Chamber, Room 500 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC.
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