Public Meetings - Washington, District Of Columbia

Chairperson Brooke Pinto convened a public hearing on four bills: the Ensuring Access to Supporting Engagement (EASE) Act for DOC Residents, the Emergency Medical Services Clarification Act, the E911 Modernization Amendment Act, and the Child Support Improvement Amendment Act. The hearing featured testimony from numerous public witnesses, ANC commissioners, advocates, and government officials. Public Comments & Testimony - EASE Act (Bill 26-480): ANC Commissioner Harold Cunningham testified in strong support, noting the impossibility of one person speaking for 2,200 residents and reading testimony from incarcerated individuals who were denied the chance to testify. Former ANC Commissioner Shamika Hayes supported the bill, highlighting barriers to communication and the need for direct testimony. Jesse White (Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts) described successful remote testimony implementation in Massachusetts. Anthony Blankenship (Civil Survival) and Stacey Littner (Second Look Project) supported the bill, with Littner recommending amendments for cost-free participation, ANC access, confidentiality, and oversight. Daniel Rosen (returning citizen) emphasized racial disparities, noting 90% of DOC residents are Black. Grace Thomas (League of Women Voters) supported the bill, citing incarcerated residents' concerns about food, housing, and conditions. Cinquan Umar Muhammad (Unlock the Box DC) urged inclusion of those in solitary confinement. In-person witnesses: James Hutchinson, Crystal Jones Nieves, Giancarlo Cambrellan Santiago (DC Justice Lab), DeAndre Davis (DC Fiscal Policy Institute), Tara Libert (Free Minds), Robert Barton (More Than Our Crimes), April Song (Wiley Rhine), Herbert Robinson (Growing Pain Solutions), Lori Pitts (Voices Unbarred), Elizabeth Eddings, and others all expressed strong support. - Child Support Improvement Amendment Act (Bill 26-572): Maridell Bullyville (Legal Aid DC) urged full pass-through, noting that millions of dollars meant for children are kept by the government. Tiana Gibbs (American University Gender Justice Clinic) highlighted the system's racial and gender inequities. Michaela Deming (DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence) requested expanded good cause exemptions for domestic violence survivors. Diana Azevedo McCaffrey (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) supported full pass-through, citing financial and administrative benefits. Andrea Thomas (United Planning Organization), Ikra Mahmood (Bread for the City), Ashley Carter (GWU Law), and Maria Haggins (Legal Aid DC) supported the bill and proposed additional reforms, including automatic suspension of child support during incarceration and driver's license suspension exemptions. Taisha Dabney (mother of a medically complex child) shared personal testimony about the hardship of lost child support. Ronald Mack (Legal Aid client) recounted decades of debt and license suspension. Robin Swanson (Volunteer Legal Advocates) and Elizabeth Davis (pediatrician) also testified in support. - Emergency Medical Services Clarification Act (Bill 26-599): Amy Morrow (former DC Fire Chief of Staff) supported the bill, citing structural issues at OUC and the need for transparency. Dr. Robert Holman (former FEMS Medical Director) detailed OUC's underperformance in nurse triage referrals (3% vs. 22% eligible) and ignoring medical director recommendations. Dave Stadter (Stadter 911 Communications) emphasized the need for unified medical oversight. Robert McClintock (IAFF) supported codifying EMD certification. Dave Hoagland (DC Firefighters Association, Local 36) highlighted over-dispatch and the need for continuous quality improvement. - E911 Modernization Amendment Act (Bill 26-456): No public witnesses testified specifically on this bill, but Councilmember Henderson and Director McGaffin discussed it. Discussion Items - Councilmember Pinto introduced each bill, emphasizing the need for DOC residents to testify (EASE Act), improving OUC accuracy and medical oversight (EMS Clarification), updating 911 funding (E911 Modernization), and sending all child support to families (Child Support Improvement). - Councilmember Henderson (E911 bill sponsor) stressed the need to modernize 911 funding, noting that the current fee has not changed since 2000 and next-generation 911 requires new resources. - Councilmember Lewis George expressed support for the EASE Act, Child Support, and EMS bills, noting they are grounded in people's experiences. - Councilmember Felder highlighted the importance of the EASE Act for Ward 7 (where DC Jail is located) and commended Commissioner Cunningham. - Councilmember Fruman discussed the child support bill, asking about fiscal impacts and the need for systems modernization. - Councilmember Parker asked about the benefits for custodial mothers and the cost-recovery model. Key Outcomes - EASE Act: Strong public support; DOC Deputy Director Johnson opposed the bill, citing security, staffing, and infrastructure concerns. PDS Special Counsel Seminova supported the bill and recommended amendments. No vote was taken. - EMS Clarification Act: Public witnesses supported the bill; Director McGaffin supported the training codification but proposed a separate OUC medical director rather than sharing FEMS' medical director. No vote was taken. - E911 Modernization Act: Director McGaffin supported updating the fee structure and proposed a hotel surcharge to fund the 911 system. No vote was taken. - Child Support Improvement Act: Attorney General Schwab and OAG supported the bill, detailing phased implementation and fiscal impacts. Additional reforms (driver's license suspension, automatic suspension during incarceration) were discussed but not included in the current bill. No vote was taken.

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.