DC Council Committee of the Whole Meeting: Tax Abatements, Street Designations, and Substance Use Disorder Outreach – March 17, 2026
DC Council Committee of the Whole Meeting: Tax Abatements, Street Designations, and Substance Use Disorder Outreach – March 17, 2026
Chairman Phil Mendelssohn called the regular meeting to order at 11:22 AM in Room 500 of the Johnny Wilson Building. A quorum was present. Third graders from Stokes Elementary in Ward 5 attended, offering recommendations on litter, pollution, and tree canopy. The meeting was broadcast on Cable Channel 13 and the Council's website.
Consent Calendar
- The Council waived the reading of the Secretary's report and the log of introductions and referrals by unanimous votes.
Discussion Items
- Bill 26-125 (2607 Connecticut Avenue and 411 Kansas Avenue Timeline Extension and Tax Forgiveness Act of 2026): The committee print combined two bills granting tax abatements to properties owned by the nonprofit SOME (So Others Might Eat). Chairman Mendelssohn explained that the CFO's tax abatement financial analysis (TAFA) found the abatements not financially necessary, but the committee disagreed based on the societal value of the affordable housing. Councilmember Fruman noted the 12-month lease-up requirement was impossible due to city delays and that the Connecticut Avenue portion was pre-funded. Councilmember Bonds asked about residency length (under six months). Councilmember Lewis George supported the bill as a one-time fix. Councilmember Parker expressed concern about approving abatements despite negative TAFAs and questioned the assessment of organizational risk, but ultimately supported the bill. Chairman Mendelssohn clarified that the retroactive tax liability for 2607 Connecticut was $506,000 and for Kansas Avenue was $762,000 (unfunded). The print and report were approved unanimously. The measure was placed on the consent agenda for the March 31 legislative meeting, with a note that the Kansas Avenue portion remains unfunded.
- Bill 26-534 (Charlie McCormick Way Designation Act of 2026): Symbolically designates Champlain Street between Euclid Street and Columbia Road in Northwest as Charlie McCormick Way, honoring the late bicycle advocate and founder of City Bikes. The bill was introduced by Councilmember Nadeau. No opposition was received. The print and report were approved unanimously and placed on the consent agenda.
- Bill 26-551 (Union Wesley Way Designation Act of 2026): Symbolically designates the alley in Square 4176 (between Queens Chapel Terrace and Eastern Avenue NE) as Union Wesley Way, honoring the historic Union Wesley AME Zion Church. Introduced by Councilmember Parker. No opposition. The print and report were approved unanimously and placed on the consent agenda. Fiscal impact: $225, absorbable.
- PR 26-536 (Reappointment of Dr. Leon Ku to the HBX Board): Councilmember Henderson presented the nomination for a term ending July 6, 2029. Dr. Ku has served on the Health Benefit Exchange board since 2012. The resolution was approved unanimously and placed on the consent agenda.
- Bill 26-226 (Place-Based Substance Use Disorder Outreach Amendment Act of 2026): Councilmember Henderson introduced the bill, which codifies the existing outreach pilot program into permanent law within the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). The program, currently operating in Wards 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8, has reduced non-fatal overdoses by 51% in Shaw (per Councilmember Nadeau). Councilmember Crawford questioned the need for an additional FTE as indicated in the fiscal impact statement. Councilmember Nadeau defended the FTE to ensure grant management. The bill was approved unanimously and placed on the consent agenda. Fiscal impact: $115,000 in FY2026 and $479,000 over the financial plan.
Other Business
- Chairman Mendelssohn reviewed the schedule for public hearings on the FY2027 budget. Councilmember Fruman reported that the budget is expected to be delivered on April 1, 2026, as required by law, and noted the city holds over $4 billion in cash, suggesting more than necessary.
Key Outcomes
- All five bills/resolutions were approved unanimously by the Committee of the Whole.
- Bill 26-125 (SOME tax abatements) was placed on the consent agenda for the March 31 legislative meeting, though the Kansas Avenue portion remains unfunded ($762,000).
- Bill 26-534, Bill 26-551, PR 26-536, and Bill 26-226 were all placed on the consent agenda for the March 31 legislative meeting.
- The next legislative meeting is scheduled for March 31, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 12:06 PM.
Meeting Transcript
I'm calling to order this uh meeting. This is a regular meeting of the committee of the whole of the council of the District of Columbia. I'm Phil Mendelssohn, Chair of the Council and Chair of the Committee of the Whole. Today is Tuesday, March 17th, 2026. Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone. It's 1122 in the morning. We're in room 500 at the Council Chambers of the Johnny Wilson Building. And this meeting is being broadcast on Cable Channel 13 as well as on the Council's website, WWW. DC Council.gov. As I said, this is a regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole. And we begin our meetings, Committee of the Whole meetings, regular meetings with first determining a quorum, and then we go through the Secretary's logs. Mr. Cash. Chairman Mendelson. Present. Councilmember Allen. Here. Councilmember Bonds. Here. Councilmember Crawford. Here. Councilmember Felder. Present. Councilmember Freeman. Present. Councilmember Henderson. Here. Councilmember Lewis George. Here. Councilmember Nadeau. Here. Councilmember Parker. Here. Councilmember Pinto. Councilmember Pinto, Councilmember Robert White. Present. Councilmember Trayon White. Present. Mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. Thank you, Mr. Cash. Mr. Parker, I'm going to ask a question of you, even though I don't know the answer for sure. Are you informed of who the students are who are here? I am. Do you want to introduce them? We are being joined by third graders from Stokes and Ward 5, and they are really excited to witness the council's uh actions today. They're going to sit through the whole meeting, all of it, including the boring discussion.
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