foreign daughter this meeting this is a regular meeting of the committee of the whole of the Council of the District of Columbia I'm Phil Mendelson chairman of the council and chair of the community the whole today is Tuesday June 20th 2023 times 11 24 in the morning this meeting is being held in the council chambers from 500 to the Johnny Wilson building there are a couple members I believe who are participating virtually uh and I believe the public can watch via the zoom video conference platform but Alva can also watch on Console Channel 13 and this uh meeting is being recorded and it's on the council's website www.dccounsel.gov this is a regular meeting of the community as a whole we have two items in for consideration in the Community Hall we have one item from another committee uh this meeting will be followed by a regular meeting nope additional meeting of a legislative meeting of the council uh we begin our committee the whole meetings determining a quorum Mr Cash would you call the role chairman Mendelson president councilmember Allen here councilmember bonds councilmember bonds council member Freeman here councilmember gray councilmember gray councilmember Henderson here councilmember Lewis George here councilmember McDuffie here council member Nudo here councilmember Parker here councilmember Pinto Council owner Pinto council member Robert White president councilman Treyon White president Mr chairman you have a quorum thank you Mr Cash we have the secretary's reporter of committee filings but I don't believe there was a any committee filings in the past week I'm secretary Canary correct me if I'm if I'm wrong all right so I'm not going to recognize the chair Pro tem for a motion to waive the reading of the secretary's report because there is none however we do have the secretary's log of introductions and referrals and I'll recognize the chair Pro tem Mr McDuffie and I will move to wave the reading of the secretary's log of introductions and referrals has been a motion to waive the reading of the log is there discussion by a Voice vote on the motion the way the reading all those in favor say aye aye are there any pose uh the eyes have it unanimously I will turn to uh measures in the committee of the whole Council rules require the Committees approve staff hirings and a couple months ago they committed the whole hired on and staff Bijan Berlin who is a legislative policy advisor a full-time listen Ward four and um works with the community as a whole on educational issues there's a resolution to confirm his appointment and I move that resolution it was circulated last week with the agenda as there discussion uh by a Voice vote all those in favor of the resolution to approve um the appointment of additional staff Mr P John Berlin please say aye aye are there any opposed I don't hear any no votes the resolutions approved unanimously we have one item for markup and it's Bill 25-70 Saint Augustine schoolway designation Act of 2023 bill 25-70 was would symbolically designate the 1400 block of V Street Northwest of Saint Augustine School way this is a symbolic naming it's for ceremonial purposes and is in addition to and subordinate to any name that is an official name in this case uh V Street being the official name foreign Augustine Catholic Church was established in 1858 as one of the district's oldest churches it serves the community for over 165 years the church stands as a testament to the rich history and spiritual Legacy of the Catholic Church it is known as the mother Church of black Catholics as it was a beacon to the enslaved and free black population of the district after the Civil War the church is located the northeast corner of 15th and B Streets um alongside the church Saint Augustine Catholic School which fronts V Street offers pre-kindergarten through eighth grade education opportunities the school Prides itself on fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment that promotes academic excellence and spiritual growth the school focuses on holistic development combining rigorous academics with religious teachings and character formation Saint Augustine's was also an important player in the original Reeves Center development where the church ceded some land and developed affordable housing as a community partner at the church and the school have always made their buildings available for Community meetings and provided office and meeting space for many affordable housing developers and non-profits Saint Augustine Catholic church and school are deeply committed to community outreach and engagement the church hosts various Ministries and programs that aim to uplift and support the local community from food drives to youth programs they actively strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need to its educational and Outreach efforts in Augustine Catholic church and school continue to be a pillar of Faith education and service in the heart of the district symbolically designating this portion of V Street Northwest will memorialize contributions of Saint Augustine's to the community assuming adoption by the committee the and reading from the report the committee the whole recommends Council approval of Bill 25-70 the Saint Augustine School way designation Act of 2023. uh bill 25-70 was introduced on January 25th of 2023 by councilmember Nadeau the committee of the whole held a hearing on the measure on March 14 2023 the committee received no testimony or comments and opposition I should say the committee has received no testimony or comments in opposition to the bill there's no objection I'll move both to print and the report would leave for staff to make Technical and conforming changes councilman Bernardo yeah thank you chairman I truly appreciate you moving this legislation today to designate the 1400 block of V Street in Ward one as the Saint Augustine School way um you mentioned a great deal of the history of this church and the school um it was Saint Augustine's Catholic Church is one of DC's oldest founded in 1858 when its location was considered one of the most northernmost points in the city what is now Florida Avenue is the northernmost boundary of the city of Washington and it's always been a German right so Thank you Madeline uh comprised of and run by black Catholics in addition to being known as the mother Church of black Catholic Saint Augustine's was a beacon to be enslaved in the free black population of the city after the Civil War and into the modern era it was a beacon for VC's black community and has continued to help its congregants with food shelter educating the community and at that time also worked to re-knit itself after the aftermath of slavery um the Saint Augustine school has educated generations of DC's Elementary age school age children and continues to do so offering a strong and loving environment um and it is a very beloved part of word one and deeply enmeshed in our history so thank you chairman for advancing this measure thank you councilman dogs are further discussion on the print and Report council member Robert White uh thank you Mr chairman well I didn't attend Saint Augustine's school I grew up in Saint Augustine's Church did Sunday School uh in that building and sometimes summer school in that building um as a kid uh at Saint Augustine's uh we did a play about the origins of Saint Augustine school which is when I learned at a young age that the school is actually older than the church it was started by parishioners in a basement to educate African-American kids before many African Americans had any access to education the the strength of the commitment to education and to social justice has stood for well over a hundred years and uh given the history of the Saint Augustine's Church in this city I'm really excited to see the recognition of Saint Augustine's school and we'll be proud to see the street designation when I have the occasion to go by the school in the church so thank you for moving the to you chairman and council member McDuffie and I very much look forward to voting in favor of this measure is there any further discussion councilmember bonds thank you thank you very much chairman and thanks to you and um councilmember McDuffie um again for moving this important um I'd like to thank um opportunity for our community particularly for the uh African American Community um I guess my one question would be what took us this community so long to get to this point but otherwise I'm delighted and definitely am on board and will be supporting this so thank you very very much for moving this resolution oh thank you councilman I I do want to reiterate for the record the bill was introduced by councilmember Nadeau it was actually introduced last uh November but uh reintroduced so that we could have a hearing on it in March if there's no further discussion uh we'll have a roll call vote the vote is on the print and Report with leave first staff to make technical conforming and editorial changes Mr Cash would you call the role councilman rebounds yes councilman bonds votes yeah councilmember Freeman yes councilmember Freeman votes yes councilmember Gray councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes councilmember Henderson votes Yes councilmember Lewis George yes councilman Lewis George votes yes councilmember McDuffie yes councilor McDuffie votes yes chairman Mendelson yes chairman medelson votes yes council member Nadeau yes councilmember Nadeau votes yes council member Parker yes councilman Parker votes yes council member Pinto yes councilor Pinto votes yes council member Robert White yes councilman Robert White votes yes council member Treyon White votes yes councilmember Allen yes councilmember Allen votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one absent uh thank you Mr Cash the uh print and Report are approved unanimously Madam General counsels to measure legally and technically sufficient for our consideration yes it is secretary is the record complete once the report is filed minimum budget Council yeah does the measure Cisco impact statement comply with Council requirements uh thank you without objection dispatch will be placed on the consent agenda for today's legislative meeting we'll turn now to consideration measures from other committees we have PR 25-188 The Volunteers of America Inc national service center relocation tax exemption Amendment Act of 2023 reported out of the committee on business and economic development shared by councilmember Kenny McDuffie Mr McDuffie thank you Mr chairman the purpose of bill 25-188 is to provide an exemption of the real property taxes owed for office and program space and that the Volunteers of America or VOA will own and develop a budget point as part of this development project VOA intends to relocate its headquarters to the district from Virginia and develop 110 housing units on the premises including 69 units reserved for those at the 30 percent of the median family income and 41 units reserved for those at 50 of the median family income the committee made changes to the bill after discussions with the applicant and agency stakeholders after the hearing and I'm excited that through this legislation VOA is bringing jobs and affordable housing to the District of Columbia with that I would move the resolutions uh and I think it's going to be placed in a knock and Senate gender are there questions from members uh thank you Mr McDuffie um Madam general counsel is to measure legally and technically sufficient for our consideration yes it is secretary's director complete yes it is and budget council is the does the measures fiscal impact statement comply with Council requirements yes it does without objection this measure will be placed on the consent agenda for today's legislative meeting that's going to conclude the business Mr chairman that could be Mr chairman sorry that should be non-consent that's what I said um with our Obsession this message will be placed on the non-consent agenda for today's additional legislative meeting thank you um that is going to anything else I did um let's move on the um there's no further business in the community of the whole the uh the legislative meeting will start in five minutes following the adjournment of this meeting the time is 11 39 this meeting's adjourned I'm going to order this meeting this is the um this is an additional legislative meeting of the Council of the District of Columbia it's the 11th legislative meeting and Council period 25. I'm Phil Mendelson chairman of the council today is Tuesday June 20th 2023 the time is 11 48 in the morning this meeting is being held in the council chambers room 500 to the Johnny Wilson building although I believe there are a couple members who are participating virtually via the zoom video conference broadcast platform uh this meeting is being broadcast on Council Channel 13 and is also available on the council's website www.dccouncil.gov this is an additional meeting as I said before we always begin our legislative meetings with a moment of silence uh it's a moment for uh reflection before we get into the nitty-gritty of the council agenda everyone in the chamber and participating virtually would please observe a moment of silence Madam Secretary would you please call the roll councilmember Allen here councilmba bonds here councilman Freeman president councilmember Gray councilmember Gray councilmember Henderson here comes from Lewis George here councilmember McDuffie yeah Cameron Mendelson president here I was remember Parker here that's remember pencil present that's remember Robert White president Mr chairman you have a crime thank you Madam Secretary we have the consent agenda are there any changes to the consent agenda um Mr chairman I just want to confirm that um the expanding access to fertility treatment was off consent it is not unconsent it's on page two it's the first item under non-consent great thank you I'm hearing no changes to the consent agenda we'll have a roll call vote on the consent agenda Madam Secretary on white yes councilman Tryon white votes yes councilman Allen yes the violin boats yes councilmember bonds yes customer bonds votes yes council member frumin yes councilmember Freeman votes yes councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes councilmember Henderson votes Yes councilmember Lewis George yes that's from Blues George folks yes councilmember McDuffie yes councilmember McDuffie votes yes chairman Mendelson yes chairman mendels and votes yes councilman benedo yes councilmember nadell votes yes councilmember Parker yes councilmember Parker votes yes councilman repento yes member pinzo votes yes and councilmember Robert White that's from Robert White votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one no 12 yeses and one no I mean one absent one absent the consent agenda is approved unanimously 12 to nothing turning to the non-consent agenda uh we have Bill 25-34 expanding access to fertility treatment Amendment actually 2023. uh councilmember Henderson this came out of your committee if you would move it and then I see you have an amendment um yes sir um I do have an amendment if I can offer that now uh did you say so moved so moved yes yes and uh you're recognized for the amendment great thank you um this amendment was circulated um by my staff it's properly um it's also linked on the agenda I'm proposing a minor clarifying Amendment today uh regarding the start date for coverage under the DC Health Alliance and Medicaid this is this amendment is intended to address the fact that coverage under Medicaid cannot begin until until the federal centers for Medicaid and Medicaid services approves an amendment to the district's State Medicaid plan therefore instead of specifying a date by which the federal government must approve the coverage this amendment clarifies that the Department of Healthcare Finance must apply to amend the state plan to cover these Services by January 1 of 2024. the coverage will then take effect on the date specified by CMS under the alliance coverage for Diagnostic and medication treatment for infertility will still begin on January 1st 2024. everything else in this bill remains is the same and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to ensure we get Federal approval for our Medicaid changes thank you Mr chairman uh thank you councilmember Henderson we have the amendment before so is there discussion on the amendment by Voice vote on the amendment all those in favor say aye aye are there any opposed I don't see your hearing he knows the amendment is approved unanimously we have the bill as amended for the discussion a roll call vote on the uh on the bill as amended this is Bill 25-34 Madam Secretary Allen yes remember Alan boats yes councilmember bonds yes that's one of the bonds votes yes yes councilmember Freeman votes yes councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes remember Henderson votes yes comes from Lewis George yes comes from Lewis George votes yes councilmember McDuffie yes I remember McDuffie votes yes chairman mendelsohn yes chairman Mendelson votes yes councilwoman to do yes yes councilmember Parker yes councilman Parker votes yes councilmember Pinto yes councilmember Pinto votes yes councilmember Robert White yes member Robert White votes yes and councilmember Troian White yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one absent uh the bill as amended on Final reading is approved unanimously um we have uh this is kind of interesting um can somebody check quickly is Volunteers of America Inc it's a bill bill 25-188 he was on the committee of the whole as a PR it's a bill Mr chairman all right we have that bill um and it's on non-consent it just came out of the community the community the whole um councilman McDuffie just to Briefly summarize again uh the purpose of Bill 25- 188 is to provide an exemption of the real property taxes owed for office and program space property that the Volunteers of America will own and develop at budget points as part of this development project uh VOA intends to relocated headquarters to the Disco Columbia from Virginia and develop 110 housing units on the premises including 69 units reserved for individuals at 30 percent of the median family income and 41 units reserved for those at 50 percent of the median family income uh I move the bill is there a discussion uh we'll have a local vote on this yes Mr chairman the voters on Bill 25-188 I'm secretary bonds yes Transformer bonds votes yes council member Freeman yes councilmember Freeman votes yes councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes councilmember Henderson votes Yes councilmember Lewis George councilwoman believes George councilmember McDuffie yes remember McDuffie votes yes chairman mendelsohn yes Cameron mendels and votes yes councilman I'm going to do yes that's remember Nadal votes yes councilmember Parker yes councilmember Parker votes yes councilmember Pinto yes councilmember Pinto votes yes councilmember Robert White yes councilmember Robert White votes yes councilman betray on white yes councilman patreon white votes yes councilman by Allen yes remember Alan votes yes and comes from the Lewis George comes from Louis George is absent Mr chairman there are 11 yeses and two absence uh the pills for proved is approved uh unanimously on first reading uh we have a final reading on temporary legislation Bill 25-164 comprehensive policing and Justice Reform temporary Amendment Act of 2023 councilmember Allen thank you very much Mr chairman at this point I enthusiastically move to postpone this measure indefinitely put a motion to postpone indefinitely this this bill uh I will note for the record that uh this uh originally accompanied an emergency bill several months ago has been replaced by the permanent legislation which was challenged in Congress but um missed a deadline for uh Congressional review that is it was esteemed um I don't want to say deemed approved it um passed the Congressional review period and uh so that would be why this motion to postpone indefinitely is before us I believe it requires a Voice vote all those in favor of the motion to postpone and definitely say aye aye any opposed uh the motion is approved unanimously turning to emergency legislation foreign the first measure is XY Omega way designation emergency declaration resolution of 2023 uh this would enable consideration of the emergency bill which is simply an emergency version of permanent legislation that has already been approved by the council approved I believe at the last meeting on Final reading uh the reason for this is to allow for the dedication in conjunction with the sororities 100th anniversary while the permanent legislation is pending Congressional review I moved the Declaration as her discussion a roll call vote on the Declaration Madam Secretary councilmember Freeman yes councilmember Freeman votes yes councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes councilmember Henderson votes yes comes from Blues George yes comes from Lewis George votes yes councilmember McDuffie yes remember McDuffie votes yes chairman mendelton yes chairman mendelsohn votes yes councilman Nadeau yes that's remember Nadal votes yes councilmember Parker yes that's remember Parker votes yes councilmember yes councilmember Robert White yes councilmember Treyon White yes that's one betray on white votes yes councilmember Allen yes remember Allen votes yes and councilmember bonds yes remember bonds folks yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one absent the Declaration is approved unanimously I moved the underlying Bill build 25-329 PSI Omega way designation emergency action 2023 is there a discussion uh we can do this by voice votes since the Declaration was approved unanimously all those in favor uh Bill 25-329 uh say aye aye opposed the eyes have unanimously the next measure is Howard East Towers alley closing history dedication emergency declaration resolution 2023 PR 25-278 this legislation order is the closing of an alley the underlying Bill orders the closing of an ally Ally alley in square 2873 um established and establishes a 25 foot wide building restriction line in the closed alley area that dedicates a portion of lot 1112 in the Square for public Street purposes uh this will enable or facilitate the construction of a mixed-use development with approximately 500 multifamily units and over 17 000 square feet of retail space permanent legislation ordering the closure and dedication and building restriction line was approved unanimously on second reading June 6th enacting this legislation sooner than the Congressional review period uh which is required for the permanent legislation will enable the project to proceed without risk of further delay uh this area if I remember a company is between 8th and 9th streets and between I think it's uh w u v w w and Bryant streets in the area of Howard University I moved to declaration is there discussion I'll have a roll call on the Declaration PR 22 25-278 Madam Secretary Council Robert gray is absent so councilmember Henderson yes councilmember Henderson votes Yes councilmember Lewis George yes that's remember Lewis George votes yes councilmember McDuffie yes councilman McDuffie votes yes chairman mendelsohn yes Cameron mendels and votes yes councilmember nadell yes that's one when the doe votes yes councilman Parker yes remember Parker feels yes councilman Rapunzel yes councilmember pencil votes yes councilmember Robert White yes council member Robert White votes yes councilmember Tran right yes councilman betray on my votes yes councilmember Allen yes that's one of the island votes yes councilmember bonds yes councilmember bonds votes yes and councilmember Freeman yes councilmember Freeman votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one see you thank you Madam Secretary the um declaration has approved unanimously uh bill 25-341 is the underlying bill so moved is there discussion since the Declaration was approved unanimously I think we can have a Voice vote on the bill all those in favor say aye aye aye aye opposed uh the bill is approved unanimously uh the next measure is PR 25-277 local rent supplement program eligibility emergency declaration resolution of 2023 the Declaration will if approved will enable us to consider the permanent bill uh the purpose of the underlying bill is to amend the Housing Authority Act of 1999 to allow applicants for local run supplement vouchers to self-certify eligibility factors such as income and to prohibit the Housing Authority from inquiring into an applicant's immigration status or prior criminal arrest to convictions or pending criminal matters for purposes of determining eligibility for or receipt of a local rent supplement voucher this legislation was um approved as an emergency and temporary last fall the temporary bill became effective December 13th and expires on July 26th the permanent measures pending in the housing committee this is a second round of emergency enactment it's necessary to prevent a gap in the law I moved the Declaration is there discussion I will have a roll call vote on the Declaration PR 25-277 Madam Secretary councilmember Henderson yes councilmember Henderson votes yes comes remember Lewis George yes that's remember Lewis George votes yes councilmember McDuffie yes councilmember McDuffie votes yes chairman mendelsohn yes chairman mendelsohn votes yes councilman Adele yes councilmember Parker yes remember Parker votes yes council member hinto yes councilmember Pinto votes yes councilmember Robert White yes remember Robert White votes yes councilmember Treyon White yes that's remember Treyon white votes yes comes from violin yes remember Allen votes yes council member bonds yes councilmember Freeman yes councilmember Freeman votes yes and house remember gray is absent Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one absent thank you Madam Secretary the um declaration is approved unanimously I moved the underlying bill bill 25-339 is there discussion since the Declaration was approved unanimously we'll do a Voice vote on the bill bill 25-339 all those in favor say aye aye are there any opposed uh the odds have it unanimously the next measure is Pier 25-268 association meeting flexibility emergency declaration resolution of 2023 council member Robert White thank you chairman since 2014 the permanent versions of our condominium and Cooperative Association laws have said that an association board may meet remotely but the permanent law offers no express permission for virtual meetings of the full Association this became a problem in 2020 when large associations couldn't meet in person without violating covet mandates and thus had no safe and lawful way to satisfy their annual meeting requirements in October 2020 uh chairman Mendelson council member bonds and our former colleague council member Mary Che introduced an emergency legislative package to address this problem in the years since the council has repeated this same tweak but we folded it into various covet emergency and temporary Omnibus bills the most recent example was called the post-public health emergency protections extension temporary Amendment Act of 2022 we passed that last September and it's scheduled to expire this August during Council recess the legislation I'm about to move seeks to keep in place the existing permission for condominium and Cooperative associations to meet virtually we've heard from these associations as professional Representatives that virtual meeting flexibility continues to be very helpful even after many activities that went virtual in response to covet have returned to in person we haven't made this change permanent so far but that is something we will be reviewing going forward for now I move proposed resolution 25-268 the association meeting flexibility emergency declaration resolution of 2023 thank you chairman thank you councilmember is their discussion uh we'll have a roll call vote on the Declaration Madam Secretary Lewis George yes I was from Blue is George Foltz yes councilmember McDuffie yes remember McDuffie votes yes chairman Mendelson yes chairman mendels and votes yes councilmember Nadeau yeah votes yes councilmember Parker yes remember Parker votes yes councilmember Pinto yes councilmember pincho votes yes councilmember Robert White yes that's remember Robert White votes yes comes from patreon White yes councilmember Tran white boats yes councilmember Allen yes husband Alan votes yes customer bonds yes member bonds both CS councilmember Freeman yes councilmember Freeman votes yes councilmember Gray's absent and councilmember Henderson yes as remember Henderson votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one app uh the Declaration is approved unanimously we have the underlying Bill Bill 25-322 councilmember White so moved discussion since the Declaration was approved unanimously we'll have a Voice vote on the bill bill 25-322 all those in favor say aye aye opposed uh the eyes have it unanimously uh the next measure is green housing transition emergency decoration resolution of 2023 PR 25-270 comes member Robert White thank you chairman as part of last week's budget support act vote we took an important step toward reducing our government's contributions to climate change and pollution the committee on facilities and Family Services with the leadership of council member Louis George found funding for my Greener government buildings Amendment Act of 2022 to go into effect this legislation which mayor Bowser signed into law at the start of this year says that when our government builds or substantially renovates a building it has to meet what's called The Net Zero Energy standard this means that the building's annual energy consumption can exceed the renewable energy it produces on-site or procures from dedicated off-site sources building to this standard tends to cost more in the short term but it should also result in long-term savings through reduced utility costs not to mention the environmental and health benefits of reducing our need for fossil fuels now from the beginning we drafted The Greener government buildings law to apply not just the buildings that our government fully owns but also to ones that we Finance our local climate and public health Advocates including the Sierra Club and Washington Interfaith Network specifically recommended that our government finances a lot of affordable housing development projects through programs like the housing production trust fund the housing preservation fund the Housing Finance agency's tax exempt Bond financing and the local version of the low income housing tax credit now that the bill is already fully through the budget process the executive is telling us that they actually have some projects that are already in the affordable housing pipeline that cannot possibly comply these are projects that will come online after The Greener government buildings bill becomes applicable but that already have design features baked in that are incompatible with those Net Zero Energy certification so the only way to comply with the new net zero mandate would be for those important housing projects to come to a halt so that the solicitations could be Rewritten Architects could redo their work and project budgets could be completely overhauled to account for building technologies that can be more expensive in the short term even if they result in utility Savings in the long term the emergency and temporary legislation that I'm offering today says that housing projects that our Housing Development Finance agencies select for funding between now and the end of this calendar year will not need to comply with the newly adopted Net Zero standard representatives of the Department of Housing and Community the Community Development sold my office last week that this will amount to about 2 000 housing units dhcd also told us that the existing solicitations Exempted by today's legislation already Incorporated energy and emission standards that are more stringent than any other jurisdiction standards for affordable housing it's frustrating that The Greener government building's bill has been publicly available since last April and the mayor's Administration is just now working out which pieces of it they can actually comply with I anticipate 30 seconds Mr chairman without objection thank you I anticipate ongoing conversations between the council the department of General Services the department of buildings the department of energy and environment the Housing Authority the Housing Finance Agency and others as ambitious but necessary climate goals run into existing day-to-day practices and I invite other Council offices to stay on top of this with us I move the green housing transition emergency declaration resolution of 2023. thank you chairman thank you councilmember we have the tech um we have the Declaration before us is there discussion thanks chair comes from Brown thank you very much uh Kessler white thank you very much for moving this measure today I I think this is probably the narrowest solution to the issue that dhcd has raised animal let my colleagues know the department of energy and environment has told me they are comfortable with where this has landed I look forward to working to continue to work with you and the relevant agencies also to ensure that we can responsibly phase in the requirements of The Greener government buildings act as they apply to subsidized affordable housing buildings I think from a larger perspective we know that we cannot pit providing affordable housing against our obligations to address the climate crisis both are imperatives and I know we both agree and share that I am supporting this today and in my conversations with dhcd it's clear they're taking Energy Efficiency in greenhousing seriously in the affordable housing that they do subsidize but I do want to make sure that going for the councils both protecting the mandates that we've established and ensuring that all new construction especially affordable housing is not just affordable and inclusive but that it's green and ensures healthy conditions for the residents needing that subsidized housing thank you Mr chairman thank you councilmember further discussion uh we have the Declaration before us so roll call on PR 25-270. councilmember McDuffie yes Duffy votes yes chairman mendelsohn yes chairman Mendelson votes yes councilmember Nadeau X yes councilmember yes councilmer Parker yes councilmember Parker votes yes councilmember Pinto yes responsible for pencil votes yes councilmember Albert White yes councilmember Robert White votes yes comes from betray on white yes councilmember Allen yes that's remember Allen votes yes that's one of my bonds yes that's remember bonds votes yes councilmember Freeman yes councilmember Freeman votes yes councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes remember Henderson votes Yes councilmember Lewis George yes remember Lewis George votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one out thank you Madam Secretary the declaration has approved unanimously turned now to the underlying Bill build 25-326 council member White so move Mr chairman discussion since the Declaration was approved unanimously I'll do a Voice vote on the bill bill 25-326 all in favor say aye aye aye uh are there any posed uh the odds have it unanimously next measure is virtual open meetings Authority extension emergency declaration resolution of 2023 PR 25-273 council member Pinto thank you Mr chairman today I'm moving the virtual open meetings Authority extension emergency Amendment act and Associated emergency declaration these emergency measures would clarify under the district's open meetings act a meeting of a public body is considered open to the public and therefore in compliance with the law if the public body provides a virtual method for members of the public to view or participate in the meeting and to clarify for members under the open meetings act the term public bodies includes the council and the range of government boards and commissions in the district The Authority provided in this emergency is not new in March 2020 the council first adopted similar language allowing for virtual meetings to comply with the open meetings act to ensure that public bodies could continue meeting during covet during the Copa 19 pandemic and Public Health Emergency without putting the public and safety of the public at risk the council has since extended that Authority several times an emergency basis as members know the original impetus or this language has passed Public Health Emergency has concluded in a number of public bodies including the council have resumed in-person meetings even where in-person meetings do occur however they are often hybrid in other words much like the access the council is providing for residents to view our meeting today the public body provides an option for residents to attend the meeting both in person and virtually there is good reason for providing residents with this flexibility during the pandemic we saw that offering a virtual option for residents to participate in public meetings greatly increased access and public participation we know that many residents want to participate in public meetings but for one reason or another cannot always attend in person for example in-person attendance may be difficult or impossible for residents with mobility issues those who serve as full-time caregivers or who are immunocompromised or sick for other residents in person attendance may be feasible but a virtual option is simply easier for these reasons I believe it is critical that the council extend this Authority again to ensure that residents are provided every option to participate in these public meetings thus I move the emergency declaration thank you mayor uh council member Pinto is there discussion from members we'll have a roll call on PR 25-273 Cameron Mendelson yes Karen Mendelson votes yes councilmember Nadeau X yes that's where I'm going to go votes yes Parker yes councilmember Parker votes yes councilmember Pinto yes council member pencil votes yes councilmember Robert White yes House member Robert White votes yes comes from patreon White yes comes from Ballin yes that's Rhonda Allen votes yes yes councilmember Freeman votes yes councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes that's remember Henderson votes Yes councilmember Lewis George yes that's remember Lewis George votes yes and councilmember McDuffie yes remember McDuffie folks yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one apps thank you Madam Secretary the declaration has approved unanimously we have the underlying Bill Bill 25-331 councilmember Pinto I moved the emergency Act it's our discussion since the Declaration was approved unanimously we'll do a Voice vote on the bill bill 25-331 all those in favor say aye aye aye are there any opposed are the Bills approved unanimously the next measure is PR 25-274 friendship Pike's business improvement district emergency declaration resolution 2023 council member McDuffie thank you Mr chairman I move this declaration and the accompanying bill with ward 3 council member Matt frumin this measure would create a new Friendship Heights business improvement district to operate in conjunction with the neighboring Friendship Heights Urban District recently created by Montgomery County Maryland the bill establishes a tax rate of 16.5 cents for each net rentable square foot for class two properties excluding hotels hotels are taxed at 120 per room annually non-exempt class one Residential Properties with five or more residential units are also taxed at 120 per unit affordable housing units are charged a percentage of 120 dollars based on the qualifying area and median income required to participate in the affordable housing program the committee recently held a hearing and intends to mark up the permanent legislation at its next meeting as uh with the next measure that we're going to hear regarding the Golden Triangle uh this emergency measure is necessary to ensure implementation of the legislation as the office of Tax and Revenue requires that the bid provides its tax roll information in July 2023 in order for taxes to be imposed in August 2023 and paid in September of this year with that I moved the Declaration thank you councilmember is there discussion councilmember Parker foreign I'm happy to let councilmember Freeman go first councilmember Freeman uh thank you very much Mr chairman thank you uh councilmember McDuffie for bringing forward this uh legislation and shepherding the bid process generally in this uh on this important project Friendship Heights is uh seen better days and it is really important that we bring our stakeholders together to bring Friendship Heights back to life in a way that can support the district and frankly also can support our neighbors in Maryland this is a bid project that is different in a certain way in that there will be a complimentary organization on the Maryland side of the border and the two will work together to revitalize a critical area sitting on top of a Metro with enormous opportunities for the district and for our economy um this has been a methodical process starting a year and a half ago with the formation of the Friendship Heights Alliance and your hearings and this legislation are very important to get over the finish line and to get over the Finish Line on time for the 2024 tax year and that's why this emergency legislation is critical as is the emergency legislation on the Golden Triangle um this is entirely routine as part of an ongoing process and very much looking forward to its Passage thank you councilmember councilmember Parker yes I have a question um and this can out directed A councilmember McDuffie as the chair of the committee and more so like how have you um well let me say this there has been some feedback that this did not go through the quote-unquote normal process and if you could just speak to like some of the trade-offs more so related to uh the tax issues and whether it's welcomed and supported I'm not quite sure what aspect of the normal process uh it's going to go through the normal process as I laid out in the statement and this might be a concern for the next one too so I'm glad you asked the question um the emergency is necessary given the timeline uh necessary for the process to begin this year um and as I said in my earlier statement um the implementation of the legislation according to the office of tax revenue who testified at the hearing requires that the bill provided taxable information in July which obviously is is right around the corner in order for the taxes to be imposed by August of this year when we're going to be on recess and so we wanted to get this done now so that the process can begin for a part of the city as councilmember Fullman articulated that has seen better days and there's a lot of excitement uh and support from the ANC and from others who care deeply about this uh community in the Disco Colombian so Montgomery County has already been taking some steps I think it's uh appropriate that we do this emergency today so we can uh facilitate this process that has I think pretty much consensus support uh in the community um and so I'm not sure exactly what um aspects of the normal process that one might think has not happened which isn't already scheduled to happen so it maybe it's just more elaboration on the question I'm happy to uh try to hone in on on the best answer German uh so there was a hearing on this bill and everyone who came to testify testified enthusiastically in support of the creation of this business improvement district you know there can be a question oh are taxes going to be imposed on somebody when they didn't have you know when against their will this is a Grassroots initiative amongst the businesses in Friendship Heights in the district and in Maryland to to seize an opportunity to transform a community the ANC is very strongly in support I have not heard anyone object to this everyone in this area is very excited about the work that's being done and the possibilities for Friendship Heights frankly the groundwork for this has been done by an organization called the Friendship Heights Alliance which has worked very very closely with the community for a year and a half meetings about this subject events bringing people along this is not a controversial thing and every step in the process has either already taken place or will take place in the near future so the reason for this emergency is exclusively about being in a position to have the tax apply for fy24 which is very important to the success of this uh this project because we want to get started as soon as we can and and until I I saw I saw the same thing that you saw a half hour ago that was the first time I had ever seen anyone express any reservations about this so I I just really think this is a very much a consensus and hope it can proceed on the path that it's perceiving no thank you for that um that is really helpful and it's hardening to hear uh so much support for this uh what I was alluding to is the work with dslbd that I'm assuming will be happening sometime in the near future and the concern to your point Mr Fuhrman I or councilmember Freeman I followed up to ask what what's the concern here yeah uh from a letter we received from the executive and it was around uh the thought by some that if we forego the process we may be not engaging everyone on the implications of the text um I'm not suggesting we don't support this but that was the spirit for my question oh no I I hear you and and so um the mayor through dslbd has already made a preliminary review of the bid application um the mayor through dslbd issues of finding that the application criteria have been met and schedules of public hearing to be held within 45 days that hearing scheduled for June 29th and I'm happy to weigh in and give that timeline I wanted share that because I wasn't sure what you were alluding to earlier but um it was brought to my attention that that there's some opposition to this the mayor's letter but I'm not sure that it's warranted given where the this this matter is and the fact that uh as councilmember Fullman mentioned is already preliminary approval and is scheduled for next week by dslbd and I don't think anybody anticipates any opposition to it along the way if there's no further discussion we have the Declaration before us PR 25-274 Madam Secretary would you call the roll councilman Adele that's what I'm going to do about CS comes Mondo Parker yes remember Parker votes yes councilmember Pinto yes remember Pinto votes yes councilmember Robert White yes councilmember Robert White votes yes councilman betray on white [Music] bad connection but I think he said yes councilman patreon white books yes councilmember Allen yes that's remember Allen votes yes councilmember bonds yes that's where my bonds votes yes councilmember Freeman yes that's wonderful man votes yes comes from the Gray's absent he comes from Henderson yes remember Henderson votes yes that's remember Lewis George yes councilmember Lewis George votes yes councilmember McDuffie yes councilmember McDuffie votes yes chairman Mendelson yes Cameron medals and votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one absent thank you Madam Secretary the declaration has approved unanimously we have the underlying Bill Bill 25-33 councilman McDuffie some of discussion since the Declaration was approved unanimously we can do a voice vote on the bill bill 25-33 all in favor say aye aye opposed the eyes have it unanimously the next measure is PR 25-275 Golden Triangle business improvement district emergency declaration resolution of 2023. councilmember McDuffie thank you Mr chairman I moved this declaration and the accompanying uh bill with War 2 council member Brook Pinto the Golden Triangle bids Fabia Charter is up for Renewal and the bid has requested a change to its tax rate from 17 cents per net rentable square foot to 19 cents for improved Class 2 and class 3 property excluding hotels and an increase to 16 cents for hotels from 14.5 cents not exempt class one Residential Properties will be taxed at 163 dollars per unit up from 120 dollars this increase is necessary to keep up with inflation and to fund the additional work the bid is engaged in to redevelop downtown the committee recently held a hearing and intends to mark up the permanent legislation at its next meeting this emergency legislation is necessary to ensure implementation of the legislation as the office of Tax and Revenue requires that the bill provides tax roll information in July of this year in order for taxes to be imposed in August 2023 and paid by September of this year so with that I moved the Declaration thank you councilman McDuffie we have the Declaration before it's discussion councilmember Pinto thank you Mr chairman and thank you very much councilmember McDuffie to you and your team for moving this bill forward swiftly so that our Golden Triangle business improvement district bid can continue its impactful work our bids are critical partners for the success and continued recovery of our business corridors the Golden Triangle bid along with all of our other bids Works tirelessly to innovate and respond to the changing needs of its neighborhoods and the fluctuating economy the Golden Triangle bit has been supporting Golden Triangle businesses and the broader community at large for 25 years and over the last three years the bid has led this community Through the pandemic navigating the many challenges its businesses and community members faced and advancing thoughtful and Creative Solutions under Leona agaridi's leadership this bid has been and continues to be at the Forefront of helping to reimagine our downtown this legislation in the forthcoming permanent bill approved and supported by the Golden Triangle bid and its membership will ensure that they have adequate funding for their programming and continued economic recovery I look forward to their continued success and Innovation on behalf of the district thank you thank you councilmember Pinto it's a further discussion uh the vote will be a roll call vote on PR 25-275 Madam Secretary yes council member Parker votes yes councilmember Pinto yes transfer under pain cell phones yes councilmember Robert White yes councilmember Robert White votes yes comes from patreon White yes councilman patreon white votes yes councilmember Allen yes customer Allen both yes council member bonds yes councilmember Freeman yes councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes councilmember Henderson votes yes comes from Lewis George yes comes from Lewis George votes yes councilmember McDuffie yes yes chairman Mendelson votes yes councilman Bernardo that's what I'm gonna do all yes there we go thank you councilman Adele votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one absent thank you Madam Secretary the declaration has approved unanimously we have the underlying bill 25-335 comes from McDuffie so moved discussion since the Declaration was approved unanimously we'll do a Voice vote on this bill bill 25-335 all those in favor say aye aye are there any opposed uh the bills approved unanimously the next measure is PR 25-276 Children's National Hospital research and Innovation campus Equitable tax relief emergency declaration resolution of 2023 councilmember McDuffie thank you Mr chairman in December 2020 the council approved the Children's National Hospital research and Innovation campus Equitable Tax Relief act of 2020. which provided a real property tax exemption for lots a24 and a26 and square 2950 to assist Children's National hospital with the development of its research and Innovation campus at Walter Reed the law also require the developer to spend no less than 35 percent of the Project's annual Justice budget with certified and small business enterprises while annual spin goes on Capital construction projects can fluctuate significantly from projections in any given year the pandemic and the economic disruptions and its aftermath have caused more significant fluctuations on this project as the department of small and local business development routinely ties CBE compliance on capital projects to a gross project spinggo this legislation aligns children's CBE compliance structure with that amongst other capital projects by requiring children to meet the 35 percent adjusted budgets bingo at the end of the four-way development project we move civil emergency and temporary legislation last year in the permanent legislation introduced earlier this year I will be marked up at the next committee meeting of the committee on business and economic development this emergency action is necessary to ensure that children's does not lose its real property tax exemption while the permanent law is enacted and becomes effective with that I moved to declaration thank you it comes from McDuffie it's your discussion uh the vote will be on PR 25-276 Madam Secretary would you call the roll councilmember pencil yes comes from a painter votes yes council member Robert White yes member Robert White votes yes councilmember Trey and white yes comes from betray on white votes yes councilmember Allen yes remember Allen votes yes councilmember bonds yes councilmember bonds votes yes customer Freeman yes that's wonderful Freeman votes yes councilmember gray is absent councilmember Henderson yes customer Henderson votes yes comes from Lewis George yes that's remember Lewis George votes yes councilmember McDuffie yes councilmember McDuffie votes yes chairman mendelsohn yes Cameron Mendelson votes yes yes councilmember Parker yes Transformer Parker votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one episode thank you Madam Secretary the declaration has approved unanimously we have the underlying Bill Bill 25-337 councilmember McDuffie so move discussion since the Declaration was approved unanimously we'll have a Voice vote on the bill bill 25-337 all those in favor say aye aye are there any opposed the eyes have it unanimously there's no objection we'll consider the temporary bills in Block at seven correct me if I get any of this wrong Bill 25-340 local rent supplement program eligibility temporary Bill 25-323 association meeting flexibility temporary pill 25-327 green housing transition temporary Bill 25-332 virtual open meetings Authority extension temporary Bill 25-334 Friendship Heights business improvement district temporary Bill 25-336 Golden Triangle business improvement district temporary and Bill 25-338 Children's National Hospital research and Innovation campus Equitable tax relief temporary hearing no objection we have the seven before us is there any discussion the vote again will be on all seven Madam Secretary would you call the roll councilmember Robert White yes councilmember Robert White votes yes councilman betray on white yes councilman betray on my belts yes comes remember Allen yes remember Alan votes yes councilmember bonds yes councilmember Freeman yes that's remember Freeman votes yes comes from a gray's absent councilmember Henderson yes remember Henderson votes Yes councilmember Lewis George yes that's one blue is George false yes councilmember McDuffie yes that's remember McDuffie votes yes chairman Mendelson yes and votes yes councilman Adele yes that's Wonder Parker yes remember Parker votes yes and council member Pinto yes remember pencil votes yes Mr chairman there are 12 yeses and one thank you Madam Secretary of the seven temporary bills are approved first reading unanimously uh that's going to conclude the business for this legislative meeting the next legislative meeting is scheduled for July 11th at noon uh there will probably be a committee the whole before that time is 12 45 pm and this meeting is adjourned