Summary of Proceedings
DC Council T&E Committee Hearing on NMA and Porch Fest Permitting Bills (Sept. 24, 2026)
On Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at 10:09 a.m., the D.C. Council Committee on Transportation and the Environment, chaired by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen, held a public hearing in Room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building and via Zoom. Councilmembers Brianna Doe (Ward 1), Brooke Pinto (Ward 2), and Denise Lewis George joined. The hearing examined Bill 26-90, the Neighborhood Management Authority Act of 2025, and Bill 26-424, the Porch Fest Permitting Amendment Act of 2025. No written agenda or minutes were available in the record. The transcript refers to the Ward 1 councilmember inconsistently as both "Brianna Doe" and "Nadeau." The written record remained open until Oct. 8, 2026.
B26-90 would allow creation of neighborhood management authorities as district instrumentalities, with boards, annual budgets, audits, public meetings, and the possible authority to levy property or possessory-interest taxes; the introduced version also named the Duke District and Columbia Heights NMAs, created a Columbia Heights performance parking zone, and transferred the DC USA Garage Unit. B26-424 would let district residents request block party permits for Porch Fest or other distributed neighborhood festivals if music occurs on personal property, no fees are charged, and other block-party requirements are met.
Opening Statements
- Councilmember Brianna Doe said Columbia Heights needs a sustained place management entity and that a long-sought Duke District BID is now moving forward; she announced her intent to amend the bill to remove the proposed U Street/Duke District NMA. She said the NMA would not impose a new property tax unless established through a petition process, and it could work alongside Main Streets and BIDs.
- Councilmember Brooke Pinto expressed initial concern about an NMA on U Street, welcomed the successful BID petition effort, and supported removing the U Street NMA so the Duke District BID can proceed.
- Councilmember Denise Lewis George voiced support for both bills and highlighted Petworth Porch Fest as a beloved volunteer-led event that the Porch Fest bill would protect.
Public Comments and Testimony
Bill 26-90 - Neighborhood Management Authority Act
- Billy Easley (ANC 1A10) supported the Columbia Heights NMA, linking it to safety and coordination, and recommended adding a local nonprofit seat to the NMA board.
- Christine Miller (ANC 1A05) supported the bill for Columbia Heights with guardrails: expanded resident roles, accountability, a DC USA garage utilization study, emergency/construction parking processes, quarterly reporting, and reduced/free garage access for seniors and low-income residents. She said the garage is a roughly 1,000-space public asset with substantial unused capacity.
- Gary Decker (ANC 1D07) supported the Columbia Heights NMA, comparing it to the D.C. Green Bank and saying an independent instrumentality can attract investment without becoming another permanent general fund claim.
- Jeremy Sherman (ANC 1A04 and ANC 1A chair) strongly supported the NMA, saying BIDs' property-owner assessments can be passed to tenants, while the NMA's initial funding would come from garage and parking revenue. He noted the area has the twelfth-busiest Metro station, and that five ANCs passed resolutions, 24 commissioners reaffirmed support, and 52 neighbors/business leaders signed a petition.
- Miguel Trinidad Duramo (ANC 1B chair) said U Street's extensive community engagement, including business roundtables and door-to-door outreach, produced a strong preference for a BID; he supported the Columbia Heights NMA and emphasized the 14th Street Latino corridor.
- Matt Fay (ANC 1B) said the U Street preference was clearly for a BID and that he hoped the committee would strike U Street from the NMA legislation so the BID would be the only place management entity there.
- Jess Ball Batea (ANC 1A01) and Daniela Kelly (ANC 1A09) supported the Columbia Heights NMA. Kelly recommended low-income set-asides in the DC USA garage and using micromobility company revenue or taxes to help fund the NMA.
- Stacey Lee Banks (Lee's Flower and Card Shop), Kamal Ben Ali (Ben's Chili Bowl), Reggie Van Lee (Howard Theater Foundation), and Chip Ellis (Howard Theater Development Group) opposed the NMA for U Street as untested and insufficiently detailed. They said they had no objection to Columbia Heights pursuing an NMA and thanked Councilmember Doe for her press release proposing removal of U Street.
- Michael Wagner (Quadrangle Development Corp.) supported the Duke District BID, reporting the petitioners secured 59% of assessed value and 31% of parcels, and planned to submit the BID application when the DSLBD application window opens Oct. 16.
- Alexander M. Padro (Shaw Main Street) opposed creating NMAs altogether, saying existing agencies, Main Streets, and BIDs are sufficient if adequately funded; he cited a documented return of more than $3 per municipal dollar invested in Main Streets. In response to a question, he confirmed he also opposed an NMA for Columbia Heights.
- Sarah Thompson (Queen's English) strongly supported the Columbia Heights NMA, describing safety, cleanliness, and vacancy problems; she said the buildings next to her restaurant had been vacant for about 3.5 of the last 7 years, including the last 3 years.
- Francisco Ramos Meyer (former Columbia Heights/Mount Pleasant Main Street director) supported the NMA but asked for guaranteed board seats for residents, small-business owners, nonprofit directors, and street vendors, plus non-lapsing multi-year funding.
- Colleen Hawkinson (D.C. BID Council) and Kristen Barden (Adams Morgan Partnership BID) did not oppose the NMA concept but objected to the bill's provision that would permanently bar a BID from forming in an NMA's boundaries. Barden urged preserving flexibility and supported the Porch Fest bill.
- Rose Donna (Wonderland Ballroom), Emily Morrison (Studio Acting Conservatory), Allie OSeth (Dandelion Collective), and Claire Danenbaum (Columbia Heights resident) supported the Columbia Heights NMA. Danenbaum cited a Hollywood dispatch-center model that diverted 90% of nonviolent calls from police.
- Frank Chauvin (former ANC commissioner) supported removing U Street and urged a five-year sunset/reauthorization, clear preservation of future BID options, and explicit assurance that residential properties would not be assessed.
- Antonella Durateen and Reza Jafari (resident and owner of Trilogy Atelier and Zeba) supported the NMA, describing deteriorating conditions around the Civic Plaza/DC USA, including public drug use, trash, rodents, and business declines.
- Keith Krasinski (candidate, ANC 1D06) supported the NMA and asked for boundaries covering areas north and south of the main corridor and representation from affected ANCs.
- Tim Hampton (Columbia Heights resident) supported the NMA but asked for language barring NMA staff or board from lobbying on street-parking supply or revenue to avoid a conflict of interest. He also opposed a 51% business-owner board requirement and supported nonprofit participation without a mandatory seat.
- Sheera Davidson (ANC 1A08) supported the NMA, calling public space economic infrastructure, and urged a nonprofit/cultural institution seat, advisory roles for all affected ANCs, no formal role in liquor licensing or parking decisions, and resources allocated to each commercial corridor.
- Jean Hamza (930 Club/Atlantis/Lincoln Theater; Duke District BID steering committee) asked the committee to carve U Street out of the NMA bill and allow the BID to proceed, noting concerns about Lincoln Theater oversight and the NMA's lack of a sunset.
- Jenna Russell, Yaya Sardari, and Aaron Palmer supported the Columbia Heights NMA, with Sardari emphasizing fair treatment of regulated businesses and vending, and Palmer citing fragmented agency responsibility for public spaces.
Bill 26-424 - Porch Fest Permitting Amendment Act
- Zachary Israel (Petworth Porch Fest Coordinating Committee) strongly supported the bill but said the May 30, 2026 Petworth Porch Fest still saw dozens of block-party permits rejected, often without explanation, despite a temporary law in effect. He asked for decision deadlines 10-15 business days before the event, written denial grounds, an appeal process, limited denial grounds, and an option for one consolidated application. He said Petworth Porch Fest drew thousands, with more than 430 musicians/bands on over 160 porches.
- Kristen Barden said block-party permits are an important safety tool because participating porches and bands are not finalized until close to the event.
- Sabrina Rhodes (Empower DC, ANC 5D02) supported easing block-party permitting, saying the current process discourages community gatherings in places like Ivy City, where over 70% of residents are renters.
- A resident testifying as Ms. Stamper supported reducing administrative barriers to Porch Fest, asked for better snow removal and sidewalk safety, and noted planned investment around Benning Road and desire for safe access to RFK.
- Sam Bonar (D.C. Community Wealth Builders) supported the Porch Fest bill and suggested residents should be able to close their own streets rather than requiring DPW/MPD-only closures.
- Chair Allen noted Capitol Hill's first Porch Fest on Oct. 10 would have 164 bands and 53 front porches.
Government Witnesses
- Clint Osborne, Director of HSEMA, testified in opposition to the Porch Fest bill as written, saying multiple simultaneous street closures can impede first responders. He described the Mayor's Special Events Task Group process and recommended adding the word "solely" to the bill's line 48 to preserve other denial grounds. He also said HSEMA's vehicular terrorism prevention task force report had been sent to the City Administrator and recommended temporary/permanent barriers, with work underway at Capital One Arena and Eastern Market.
- Sharon Kirschbaum, Director of DDOT, also opposed the bill in its current form, saying block-party permits are designed for isolated, single-block closures, and DDOT must retain discretion to evaluate cumulative safety and transit impacts. She noted MPD has final approval authority on street closures.
- In response to committee questions, DDOT said Petworth Porch Fest generated roughly 30 block-party applications, with about 10-12 approved, and that there is no fixed numerical threshold; the design and location of closures matter. DDOT acknowledged a gap between single-block permits and full MSETG review and said it is looking at a lighter-touch process, not necessarily legislation.
- Chair Allen pressed for faster progress on bollards and barriers, especially around Eastern Market. HSEMA said the report is in transmittal to the Council and that temporary barrier vendors and procurement are being pursued.
Key Outcomes
- Councilmember Doe committed to amending Bill 26-90 to remove the U Street/Duke District NMA, clearing the way for the Duke District BID, which met petition thresholds and may submit its application Oct. 16.
- Multiple U Street business and ANC witnesses opposed the U Street NMA but, with one exception (Alexander Padro), did not oppose a Columbia Heights NMA; Columbia Heights witnesses and ANCs strongly supported the NMA.
- BID representatives raised concerns about the bill's exclusivity provision, and Councilmember Doe said she wishes to work on language so BIDs and NMAs can complement each other.
- DDOT and HSEMA opposed Bill 26-424 as drafted but offered to work with the Council and Porch Fest organizers on administrative improvements, including a potential lighter-touch coordinated review.
- The committee left the hearing record open for written testimony through Oct. 8, 2026, and the hearing was adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. I'm Charles Allen, the Ward 6 Councilmember and Chair of the Council's Committee on Transportation and the Environment. Today is Thursday, September 24th, 2026, and we are meeting both in room 120 of the John A. Wilson Building as well as over the Zoom virtual platform. The time is now 10.09 a.m. And I'm calling to order this public hearing of the committee. I want to note that we're joined by Ward 1 Counselor Brianna Doe, and look forward to any other colleagues that will be joining us. And I'll turn to you in just a moment for an opening statement. Today the committee will be hearing testimony regarding two proposed bills. Bill 26-90, the Neighborhood Management Authority Act of 2025, and Bill 26-49424, the Porch Vest Permitting Amendment Act of 2025. Let me briefly describe each. Bill 26-90 was introduced by Councilman Adou on January 28th, 2025. It was ultimately referred sequentially to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment and the Committee on Human Services. The bill would allow for the establishment of a neighborhood management authorities or NMAs, which would serve as an instrumentality of district government, similar to entities like the Green Finance Authority or Events DC. NMAs can adopt bylaws that govern how they conduct business, enter into contracts, sue or be sued, issue bonds, and employ officers and staff. NMAs would be required to prepare and submit annual budgets to the mayor, have their finances audited by an independent certified public accountant and hold public meetings regardless or sorry, regarding their performance. These entities would be governed by a board of directors with members serving three-year terms. The board is responsible for selecting a director to run the day-to-day operations, and the director must be a resident of the district, as must 51% of an authority's workforce. Under the bill as proposed, an NMA may levy an additional real property or possessory interest tax on property owners or holders of possessory interest within the authority's boundaries. The bill prohibits the mayor from considering the creation of a business improvement district if its boundaries would overlap with that of an NMA. And authorities' boundaries may be expanded if an application to do so is approved by two-thirds of the board. Beyond establishing the general structure and duties to which any future NMA would need to adhere, the bill proposes that establishment of two specific neighborhood management authorities, the Duke District Neighborhood Management Authority and the Columbia Heights Neighborhood Management Authority, which I think we'll hear about in just a moment when Councilman Doe has our opening statement. Delineating the boundaries of those NMAs. Each would be governed by a board of directors composed of nine voting members, four members appointed by the mayor, three by the council, and one appointed by advisory neighborhood commissions within the NMA's boundaries. The boards would also include nonvoting members, including the authorities director in the Main Street program within the authorities' boundaries and directors of various district agencies. The bill levies a retail vacancy fee against properties within the boundaries of the Capitol Heights NMA that have that have a yet to be determined amount of vacant commercial space. The bill also transfers any functions, powers, property records, and unexpended balances of the DC USA Garage Unit to the Columbia Heights Management Authority. And finally, the bill creates a Columbia Heights performance parking zone. To our other piece of legislation, Bill 26-424, the Porch Vest Permitting Amendment Act of 2025. It was introduced by Councillor Lewis George on October 7th, 2025, and was referred to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment on October 21. The bill would allow district residents to request block party permits for Porch Fest or any other distributed neighborhood festival, provided that one musical activities take place on personal property and not public roads. Two, the participants and attendees are not charged fees to attend, and three that it complies with other requirements of the block party permit system. So with that, comments on today's format of our hearing. A and C commissioners testifying will each have five minutes. Public witnesses testifying on behalf of an organization will also have five minutes. Those testifying on their own behalf will have three minutes. If multiple witnesses are testifying on behalf of the same organization, only one will have the first full five minutes. All others will have three minutes. We'll be using a timer to keep all on schedule. For witnesses that are testifying in person, please take a seat at the table when your name is called. We try to structure our panels so that there are four in-person witnesses per panel and everyone else has a seat. Um but we may need to pull up an extra seat and just ask everyone to be a little flexible. We also, due to the street closures downtown, may have some people that we call now and are not available, so then we'll come back and bring them back uh later on to make sure that everyone has a chance to testify. If you are testifying virtually, you'll receive a prompt via Zoom to accept a promotion of panelists. And after finishing, please hang around because we're probably gonna have some questions for you. Um for anyone who is interested in submitting testimony for the record. The committee will accept a written testimony through the council's hearing management system at LIMS.dc council.gov backslash hearings, and the record will close on October 8th, 2026. With that, let me now turn to our ward one council, Brianna Doe, for any opening statements you have. Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman.
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