MUTC Meets Tommorrow, Mount Rainier's City Hall

Reminder - It is my understanding that there is a MUTC meeting scheduled tomorrow evening where Streetsense is scheduled to submit revised drawings for the 3200 block of Rhode Island Avenue development project. This meeting has been posted on the city’s website and on the bulletin board at City Hall.

Jeannelle Branson Wallace

City Manager

City of Mount Rainier

One Municipal Place

Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712

(301) 985-6585 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (301) 985-6585 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Direct)

(240) 508-3595 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (240) 508-3595 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Cellular)

STILL GOT ELECTRONIC LAYING AROUND THE HOUSE

Please be reminded that Electronic Drop off Event will be held this Saturday 6/15/13.

Bring your televisions, monitors, and all things electronic to Mount Rainier's Public Works Department, 3715 Wells Ave, Mt Rainier, MD 20712

Phone:(301) 985-6583 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (301) 985-6583 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting  on Saturday between 9:00am and 1:00pm. 

PLEASE do not place these items in our regular trash, yard waste or recycling pick ups.  SATURDAY, June 15, 2013 is the day to unload those items!

THANK YOU.

Mount Rainier, until further notice, DIAL 911 for POLICE SERVICES

Due to a M/V collision on Kenilworth Avenue, all Bladensburg police communications telephone lines are out of service. If you need police assistance, please call 911 and an officer will respond. As of now, there is no estimate of when phone service to BPD will be restored. We will continue to keep everyone informed as repairs are made.

Michael E. Scott

Chief of Police

Mount Rainier Police Department

3249 Rhode Island Avenue

Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712

301-985-6580 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 301-985-6580 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting

mscott@mountrainierpd.org

Chief's Blog: http://mrpdchief.blogspot.com

Twitter: @MRPDChief

TWO STORMS HEADED OUR WAY

The National Weather Service reports they are expecting two storms through the DC area starting this evening, June 12, 2013, through tomorrow, Thursday, June 13..

The first storm is expected to reach the DC area during the evening hours and continue overnight until the early morning tomorrow (1:00-2:00). This storm has the potential to produce rainfall amounts in excess of an inch.

The second storm is expected to reach the DC area early Thursday afternoon and will clear in the evening hours. This storm is predicted to produce significantly heavier rainfall and expected accumulations of 1 to 2 inches over a relatively short period of time.

A flash flood watch is in effect for Thursday, 13 June, from 2:00.

Please be prepared for outages.  Lots of batteries, flashlights, and the like.  NO CANDLES or oil lamps for safety reasons.

CALL PEPCO immediately should your lights go out.  Have a plug in phone ready since your portable phone may or may not work.  CHARGE your cell phones NOW.

Mayor and Council Goes on Recess

WHOOPEE!  The Mayor and Council just completed their last meeting for this fiscal year and are on break until the First Tuesday in September!  Special meetings will be held as needed to get us through the summer, but NO heavy lifting.  Down time.

All City staff will be in place and working,  and Mayor and Council will be as close our cell phones and emails.  Work will continue to be done, but we will reduce the number of meetings held and spend some quality time with family and friends without having to give up ALL of our Tuesdays.

PLEASE enjoy the summer.

Prevent Blindness -- Get YOUR EYES Checked

Some of you may know that I have been going through with my eyes.  A medical friend of mine just sent me this, and I wanted to share it with you.  Today's technology is awesome, but ONLY, if YOU act in time.  I was blessed, and so far, my sight, though not 20/20 is much better than it would have been had I not been seeing my eye doctor regularly.  Here is some information that MAY be useful.  Awareness Makes a Difference!

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) -- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a deterioration or breakdown of the eye's macula. The macula is a small area in the retina — the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. The macula is the part of the retina that is responsible for your central vision, allowing you to see fine details clearly.

With macular degeneration, you may have symptoms such as blurriness, dark areas or distortion in your central vision, and perhaps permanent loss of your central vision. It usually does not affect your side, or peripheral vision. For example, with advanced macular degeneration, you could see the outline of a clock, yet may not be able to see the hands of the clock to tell what time it is.

Causes of macular degeneration include the formation of deposits called drusen under the retina, and in some cases, the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. With or without treatment, macular degeneration alone almost never causes total blindness. People with more advanced cases of macular degeneration continue to have useful vision using their side, or peripheral vision. In many cases, macular degeneration's impact on your vision can be minimal.

When macular degeneration does lead to loss of vision, it usually begins in just one eye, though it may affect the other eye later.

Many people are not aware that they have macular degeneration until they have a noticeable vision problem or until it is detected during an eye examination.

There are two types of macular degeneration:
Dry, or atrophic, macular degeneration (also called non-neovascular macular degeneration) with drusen, and,
Wet, or exudative, macular degeneration (also called neovascular macular degeneration)

(PLEASE PLEASE have your eyes checked.  The possibility of going blind can be real, and is not reversable.)

AMD Awareness Week: June 3-7, 2013

(Get more information: http://www.preventblindness.org/ )

"Prevent Blindness America" invites you and your organization to participate in AMD Awareness Week, a week-long awareness campaign to alert the public about their risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).  AMD Awareness week is held the first week of June(June 3-7, 2013).
 
Downloadable Resources:
 •Prevent Blindness America AMD Week Press Release
•Prevent Blindness America AMD Week Event Flyer
•Prevent Blindness America AMD Week Poster (8 ½ X 11)
•Prevent Blindness America AMD Week Poster (11 X 17)
•Prevent Blindness America AMD Week Fact Sheet (regular print)

•Prevent Blindness America AMD Week Poster (11 X 17)
•Prevent Blindness America AMD Week Fact Sheet (regular print)
•Prevent Blindness America AMD Week Fact Sheet (large print)
•Posts to share on social media 
Online Resources:
 • Prevent Blindness America Age-related Macular Degeneration Webpage
• Prevent Blindness America Adult Vision Risk Assessment Questionnaire
• Check central vision with an Amsler Grid

• Presentations on Age-related Eye Disease: Healthy Eyes Presentations

If you or your organization utilizes the materials above, please share what you did. To send information or ask questions about AMD Awareness Week, contact Nita Patel at npatel@preventblindness.org.

MNCPPC CALL FOR ARTISTS

Parks and Recreation Administration Building Public Art Project Project Budget: $5,000 Application Deadline: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Eligibility: Individual artists or artist teams that live, work and/or have their studio in Prince George's County, Maryland. All must be 18 years old or older. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) Public Art Committee is issuing a "Request for Proposals" for the design of artwork that celebrates and embodies Parks and Recreation within Prince George's County, Maryland. The artwork will be sited in a prominent location within the Commission's Parks and Recreation Administration Building, located at 6600 Kenilworth Avenue in Riverdale, Maryland 20737. Project Background This artwork should: Create excitement and interest for Parks and Recreation. Honor and commemorate the rich history of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation. Inspire people of all ages to remember the past, highlight activities offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation, and encourage them to see a legacy that belongs to current and to future generations. The selected artist will be expected to work in conjunction with the Committee and other departments involved in the approval process to implement design. The willingness of the artist to learn in-depth about the Parks and Recreation and have a dialogue with interested community members from which to apply the concepts is integral toward developing the artwork. The artwork must be durable, low maintenance, and appropriate to the location. The artist should take into consideration the high volume of pedestrian traffic within the facility, light (both natural and electrical), and temperature control when designing the artwork. Works in a variety of media and forms will be considered. Examples of media include, but are not limited to: textiles, paint, wood, metal, photography, digital work, etc. Although the M-NCPPC does not endorse any restrictions on any particular artistic content, in making decisions, the Committee will consider the fact that users of this building will view this artwork within the context of a family-friendly environment. Application Requirements Click here for full RFP and Application 1) One completed and signed application. 2) A brief summary of your proposal concept for this project, not to exceed five pages, including project theme, materials, dimensions, maintenance requirements, installation requirements, project budget, and any other significant facets of the project. Proposals should be accompanied by some sort of description and/or visual depiction of the concept. 3) Current Resume. If submitting as a team, a current resume should be submitted for each team member, with the primary lead member identified. 4) 5 images of the artist's past work no less than 300 dpi jpegs, 1000 pixels or less in the longest direction. In detail describe materials used, dimension and year of completion. 5) References. A list of three professional references that have intimate knowledge of the artist's work and working methods. This list must include complete addresses, telephone numbers and email address. 6) Optional. The artist may include up to three selections of support materials such as reviews, news articles, and other related information in support of his/her application. Please note: The Selection Panel reserves the right to request minor modifications to the awarded concept. The artist or artist team leader must guarantee that the arts concept they present is original and does not violate the copyright of another person. The selected artist or artist team leader will enter into a purchase agreement with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) which may have them make minor modifications to the awarded concept with a final concept being included in the contract terms. Project Timeline (Subject to Modification) June 5, 2013 - Submission Deadline by 5pm June, 2013 - Committee reviews proposals June, 2013 - Finalist(s) notified July-August, 2013 - Artist(s) work on project December 31, 2013 - Artwork Installed Application Submission Address: La'Tasha Banks The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission Department of Parks & Recreation Arts and Cultural Heritage Division 7833 Walker Drive, Suite 430 Greenbelt, Maryland 20770 Contact: La'Tasha Banks Visual Arts Specialist The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission Latasha.banks@pgparks.com 301.446.3242 (VOICE) 301.446.3233 (FAX) ______________________________________________________________________ Arts programs of The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation are supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.

Gateway Community Development Corporation drives economic revitalization along the U.S. Route 1 Corridor through business and neighborhood development initiatives including promotion of the arts as a community building strategy. Gateway CDC works within the communities of Brentwood, North Brentwood and Mount Rainier, MD and in collaboration with multiple partners to ensure the success of the entire Gateway Arts District. Gateway CDC is a 501c3 non-profit organization located in North Brentwood, Prince George's County, Maryland. Gateway CDC owns and operates the Gateway Arts Center at Brentwood. Gateway CDC 4102 Webster Street North Brentwood, MD 20722 www.gatewaycdc.org 301-864-3860

Mount Rainier Residents and MSA in general

Take heed and remember to AVOID standing water. It can be very dangerous!

 

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning until 10:15pm. Please monitor local TV and radio for additional information. Be safe out there people.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, SOUTHERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, EASTERN CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, WEST CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND* UNTIL 1015 PM EDT

 ...AT 714 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
VERY HEAVY RAIN CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING. RADAR
ESTIMATES THAT 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE ALREADY FALLEN ACROSS
ALEXANDRIA AND SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON DC IN THE LAST 45 MINUTES.
ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 1 INCH CAN BE EXPECTED.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY'S FAMILY REUNION COOKOUT & STUDENT RECRUITMENT

ATTEND THE ST. AUG FAMILY REUNION COOKOUT & STUDENT RECRUITMENT MEET AND GREET
Saturday June 1, 2013 - Grove 6, Rock Creek Park, Washington DC - 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm p.m.

We're looking forward to seeing you at the cookout! This year, the Saint Augustine's University office of Admissions will host a Student Recruitment Meet and Greet during the cookout between the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Newly accepted students and potential students have been invited and are sending in their RSVP to attend with their families and we're asking alumni to come out to meet and greet the students and their families.

We've held the student meet & greet in past years and some students were enrolled on the spot. If you know of high school students who may interested in Saint Augustine's please share the attached invitation and invite them to attend the cook out. Admissions officers will be on hand to talk with the students.

Students should bring their "official" transcript and their "official" SAT or ACT test scores with them.

As always local alumni, current students and family and friends are invited to the cook out. It's potluck -- please bring your favorite dish to share.

There will be activities for all ages and we look forward to seeing you there. For more information and to RSVP (for count purposes) email or call 202-421-4119. 

Mount Rainier Elementary's PEACE PARADE

The Mount Rainier Peace Parade is Friday, May 31, 2013.  NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL BAND will be participating! HOWEVER, some of the students must return to the school immediately following the parade and take exams. Therefore, the peace parade will be start at 9:00am instead of 9:30am.

PLEASE post on your Facebook page etc. and come out and cheer them on.

THANK YOU to everyone on staff that put their lives on hold while we worked out the transportation issue.

THANK YOU to everyone who made the bus transportation available to us!

THANK YOU to the faculty and staff for continuing our more than a decade tradition of celebrating our children for KEEPING THE PEACE, and learning that there are peaceful solutions!

Career Day at Mount Rainier Elementary School

This morning, I am up and off to "Career Day" at Mount Rainier Elementary School.  This is one of my highlights of the school year.  The other one is going to our local schools for the MML's "If I Were Mayor Contest..."

If you are looking for ways to support your local schools, consider signing up next year for career day.  You will make a major contribution, and the children will love it!

Maryland IMPOSES a RAIN TAX on HOMEOWNERS

I bet you did not see this one coming!  Was sitting in my home office working on other issues, e.g., TIFs, policies and procedures for advisory bodies, etc., and I get this question "Please explain the new rain taxes that's going into place on July 1."  What rain tax?  The City is not imposing a rain tax.  Response, no, it's that Governor O'Malley that you ran around getting everybody to vote for who is imposing the rain tax.   Left standing with my mouth wide open.

So, now, I have to stop what I am doing and figure out what I missed.   You got it, I missed the impervious surface tax.  Maryland lawmakers passed an "Impervious Surfaces" tax that is also being called the "Rain Tax."

The rain-tax program is designed to pay for upgrades to plants that treat stormwater and thus reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous flowing into the bay from rainwater that flows off development’s impervious surfaces -- roofs, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, for example.
Stormwater management fees must be in place by July 1, and property owners are in for some sticker shock.

State leaders are already muttering about making changes, including exempting nonprofits and churches. Homeowners associations and businesses with large parking lots are also set to be hit hard, because the fees are based on sizes of impervious surfaces owned.

Mayor and Council did address this issue, but as stormwater utility fee and whether or not the City should try to take this on or go with the County.  We opted to go with the County, and some how did not deal with what that would mean.  EACH COUNTY (there are 10), gets to set the fee and the amount to be paid as well as any waivers.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/22053317/chesapeake-bay-foundation-explains-maryland-rain-tax#ixzz2U2UI1sdm
Follow us: @myfoxdc on Twitter | myfoxdc on Facebook

What does this mean to Mount Rainier residents?  A lot!  If you live in Mount Rainier (the County or nine other counties in Maryland) you will be taxed for impervious surfaces (does not let the water go down into the ground, instead it runs off into the Chesapeake) in your yard, e.g., your concrete drive way, the roof on your house, etc.

This law goes into affect, Monday, July 1, 2013.  How much it will cost you?  WHO KNOWS? 

What is a TIF?

Don't know?  Do not feel bad.  I thought I knew.  We (Mayor and Council) have been discussing this giant elephant that walked into the middle of our City Hall and left one big ugly nasty footprint, and now, it is time to get educated and make this "TIF" work for us, or throw it the hello out of our City.

Question one:  What is a TIF?  These three letters stand for Tax Increment Financing.
 
Question two:  Why Tax Increment Financing is needed or used?  The original idea around TIFs was that it was a mechanism by which a city could float a bond and make the payment while at the same time cleaning up its blighted areas, and spurring its economic development and revitalization.  It would attract developers and give them help if they would do business in their blighted areas where most did not want to go because they could not see it adding to their bottomline -- profit.

Question three:  Why do TIFs still exist?  Someone thought it was a good idea and a way to revitalize blighted areas.  So Chicago, California, and a host of other places (believe it or not, years ago) came up with this plan, and in some places it has worked (at least that is what I am told).  In others, TIFs are used in rich neighborhoods, and many places have encountered debts that will be around for years!

In the next few paragraphs, I will attemp to explain TIFs in layperson terms.  If you get this , PLEASE PLEASE email me at mayormiles@gmail.com.

You and your family own the old Bass Liquor lot, the funeral home, and four other parcels of land with older buildings, and a parking lots.  Combined, you and your family pay a total property tax of $25,000 with $5000 going to City, $5000 going to Schools, $5000 going to MNCPPC, and $10000 going to the County.

Now there is a proposal to put before Mayor and Council for a 5-story building on your combined sites that will generate $100,000 in property taxes.  The City can use TIFs to help develop the site.  That means the City (Mount Rainier) pledges the increase that the new development would create, or in this hypothetical -- $75,000.  The City, Schools, MNCPPC, and the County would continue to get their split of the $25,000 of the funds that you and your family originally generated.  So no change there, and if they pull this deal off, you will have some NEW buildings down town. 

The $75,000 increase generated over the life of the TIF project (the time frame can be between 25 and 30 years) helps pay for the land assembly, utility work and/or some other public purposes as defined by the City in its mou/lda agreement with the developer.

 

You could argue hat there is no cost to the City, Schools, MNCPPC and/or the County because without the TIF assistance  the project would have never gotten off the ground and the blight would have continued.  In addition, you and your family would have continued to generate and pay the $25,000 in property taxes. 

I would argue that maybe another project at the right time would have come in (when we purchased the property, we knew we would have to hold it five or more years) built there that didn't need or require a TIF assistance, thus creating a property valuation increase that goes straight to the City, Schools, MNCPPC, and the County's coffers without a 25 to 35 year loss.

Maybe instead of a TIF-financed 5-story building, a 4-story building would be built without TIF financing.  With the new no TIF project in place, the new tax increase of about $60,000 generated by this new project in property taxes will provide $10,000 going to the City, $10,000 to the Schools, $10,000 to MNCPPC, and $30,000 going to the County -- not in 25 to 35 years but within two to three years following the completion of the project. 

 

This difference in these two projects is really a lost opportunity for the community, the City, and the County.  Neither can be proven on paper because they are hypotheticals.  That is what a TIF is based on, a hypothetical that will result in City taxes staying the same OR a need for the City to raise taxes on those "benefiting" from the TIF to handle increase cost of services (more police calls, more trash pick up, more code enforcement, more more more).

Clearly TIF is an important economic development tool, but it MUST be used wisely, and with the residents of the CITY in mind and NOT THE DEVELOPER or the County for that matter.  A TIF can be an effective revitalization tool when used prudently and rarely!  

 

The current offer on the table for our City, in my opinion is rare (we would probably be the first City in the County to use a TIF), BUT it may not be the most prudent decision your Mayor and Council could make. 

 

Many of the things that was spoken at the August and October hearings have been taken off the table or modified to the point that should the City accept the current offer, our residents will be the losers.  I am looking for a win-win for Mount Rainier, the developers, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland as the GATEWAY to the Nation's Capital, and the Signature Entry to Prince George's County.

 

I need to hear from you on this one!

 

Maryland artists Invited to APPLY

The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) invites Maryland artists to apply for the competitive 2014 Individual Artist Award (IAA).

Each year, the award recognizes the value of artists and their work to the cultural vitality of Maryland. Through the Individual Artist Award Program, The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation administers MSAC awards of $1,000, $3,000 or $6,000 to artists that apply and are selected by an out-of-state jury, which reviews anonymous submissions solely on the basis of artistic merit. This year, 87 artists received FY13 awards totaling $218,000.

The IAA Program reviews a total of 18 artistic disciplines, which are separated into three competition groups that are awarded once every three years. The artistic disciplines eligible for a 2014 IAA are:
Choreography
Classical Music Composition
Classical Music Solo Performance
Sculpture
Solo Dance Performance
World Music Composition
Three webinars will provide step-by-step instructions on how to submit a complete online IAA application with the required materials. Registration is required and webinar details will be emailed once registration is complete.

Register for Webinar 1: Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Register for Webinar 2: Wednesday, July 10, 2013, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Register for Webinar 3: Saturday, July 13, 2013, 10:00 AM - 11:30 A.M
The deadline to submit an online application for the 2014 IAA is Friday, July 26, 2013. The Awards will be announced by March of 2014.

For more information, view the 2014 IAA Guidelines (PDF) or email Kimberly Steinle-Super ( 410-539-6656 ext.101).

And the Rain DID NOT STOP Mount Rainier Day!

Thank God for the rain, but most of ALL thank you for the strong heart and showing of all the people at the Mount Rainier Day Festival!  It was awesome.  The rain did not stop the party, did not send the vendors packing, did not stop the bands from performing or the HAPPY HAPPY SPIRIT that flowed throughout the day!  ONLY in Mount Rainier.  THANK YOU residents, staff, volunteers, and everyone that came together to make this wonderful day a success.  If you missed it, you can catch it on Channel 71 Comcast or Channel 21 Verizon.  Graciella ran it LIVE all day today.  Now that was a first!

TODAY is the LONG AWAITED DAY -- MOUNT RAINIER DAY!

TODAY is MOUNT RAINIER DAY ALL DAY LONG!  Come out and join in on the fun.  ALL are welcome.  WHERE:  Rhode Island AVENUE/ROUTE One.  Parade starts at 10:00am.

MOUNT RAINIER DAY, May 18, 2013 Rhode Island Avenue

Mount Rainier Day is tomorrow ALL DAY LONG.  We will also celebrate Kids to Parks Day at 34th Street Park.  Come out and bring your children (0 to 120).  All will enjoy the parade, the basketball tounament, vendors with all kinds of foods, and neighbors and friends from ALL over the COUNTY!  Mount Rainier IS THE PLACE to be on Saturday, May 18, 2013!  See you there.

Third Annual Better Block Party

Gateway CDC Announcement

Plant and Seed Swap Coming UP

Plant and Seed Swap

at the Mount Rainier Community Tool Shed

Saturday, April 27

10 am-noon 

Bring your potted plants (veggies and flowers)  and your extra seeds (in clearly dated and marked envelopes), extra plant pots, stakes, and garden experience to share with fellow gardeners.  We may have some additional plants available for a donation to the Tool Shed.

If you don't have anything to share, come anyway --  swapping is not required.

This event is sponsored by the Mount Rainier Community Tool Shed. The Tool Shed is located at 3601 Bunker Hill Road. 

Questions about this event? call Mimi:  (301) 927-1720

http://communitytoolshed.org

Maryland General Assembly concluded the 2013 Session

Annapolis, MD – The Maryland General Assembly concluded the 2013 Session.  During this Session, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III,working in concert with Prince George’s County House and Senate Delegations,achieved legislative successes that benefit all Prince Georgians and addressed the County’s education, public safety, healthcare, and economic development priorities.

“I want to thank the members of the Prince George’s County House and Senate Delegations for delivering incredible legislative success for residents of the County,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “By addressing both policy and funding needs for education, public safety, healthcare, and economic development, our delegation members have once again delivered positive results for our citizens.”   

EDUCATION:

·         Education Reform Legislation: Today, Governor O’Malley signedMaryland House of Delegates Bill 1107 into law.  HB 1107, which goes into effect on June 1, 2013, enables County Executive Rushern L. Baker III to select the next Superintendent who, pursuant to the legislation, will hereafter be referred to as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PGCPS.  In addition, the County Executive will select the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Education. The legislation also authorizes the County Executive to appoint three members to the Board of Education and the County Council will make one appointment.  The legislation authorizes the Governor to appoint a three member search committee for the CEO.  The County Executive will select the new CEO from the three finalists recommended to him by the search committee.   In coming weeks, the County Executive will work with the Board of Education and the County Council to implement this new school governance structure. 

·         Net Taxable Income: The General Assembly also fixed the Net Taxable Income calculation formula.  Since the federal government changed the deadline for filing tax returns granted extensions, the relative wealth of a jurisdiction has been artificially undercounted to the detriment of Prince George’s County.  The General Assembly corrected this which will result in the County receiving an additional $2.5 million dollars this year and after a five year phase-in, an additional $12.5 million in revenue will be available for K-12 education in the County.

·         Funding for School Construction: The County will receive $29.3 million for school construction and rehabilitation projects. Additional school construction funding will likely be approved by the Board of Public Works later this spring.

PUBLIC SAFETY:

·         Abolishment of the Death Penalty:  County Executive Baker played an active role in testifying and lobbying for passage of this bill.  Throughout his and Prince George’s County’s First Lady, Christa Beverly Baker’s political careers, they have been strong advocates for the abolishment of the death penalty.

·         9-1-1 Surcharge: Establishes that the surcharge on wireless telecommunication services applies to prepaid service and establishes the amount of the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 fee at 60 cents per each retail transaction to increase funding to vital first responder services. The bill levels an inequity that had allowed prepaid wireless phone users to avoid having to contribute to funding for emergency services.

  

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

·         Transportation Funding : Statewide, the legislation will raise an average of $800 million annually, and is projected to support more than 8,800 jobs each year over a five-year period. During that five-year period, the package will generate an additional $3.4 billion for Maryland highway and transit projects leading to the construction of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of transportation projects of importance to Prince George’s County including the Purple Line and long neglected road projects throughout the County.

·         PILOT: Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) for specific Maryland- National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) taxes authorizes the M-NCPPC to enter into an agreement with the owner of an electric generating facility in Prince George’s County. The bill also requires the affirmative approval of the terms of a PILOT by the County Executive, County Council, and the Planning Board of Prince George’s County.

 HEALTHCARE

·         Regional Medical Center: Ensured State’s commitment to the share of funding for the new Regional Medical Center to be built in Central Prince George’s County, as well as continuation of the State’s $15 million annual operating grant and the final $10 million installment in capital funds for infrastructure improvements to existing facilities.

·         Establishment of Alzheimer’s Disease Council: To continue the work initiated by the Maryland Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission.

BUDGET

For the upcoming fiscal year, the County will receive more than $1.1 billion in total operating and capital funding from the State - an increase of almost 7% from last year.  Some of the highlights include: 

·         $3.3 million school security initiative to make our schools safer and resistant to violent attacks

·         $500,000 for State’s Attorney for prosecution of violent crimes

·         $3.2 million for municipalities for transportation (separate grant in budget)

·         $19.6 million in police aid

Better Block Night, April 26, 2013 from 6 – 10 pm

Better Block Night, April 26, 2013 from 6 – 10 pm, around the Mount Rainier Circle  

Come to our info booth at City Hall Plaza to get a map to discover featured activities:
Chatter Chair: Mount Rainier Interactive, by artists Greta Byrum and Mike Turner, will turn an overlooked alleyway into an interactive story telling studio.

Library/Insurance Building: Meet the artist John Grunwell and his colorful mural design for the Library/Insurance building.

Launch Pad: Artist Will McKindley-Ward is the organizer of Launch Pad, a free workshop space serving the young musicians of the Gateway Arts District.  Designed by local musicians and music educators, the workshop assists high-school-age music acts in developing their own unique songcraft, stagecraft, and production skills. Launch Pad will provide live music in and outside of the Gallagher Building on Better Block Night.

Circle Deli Mural: Artist Melissa Glasser mural-in-progress installation will be on view with a chance to meet and talk with the artist. Circle Deli will provide delectable samples for passer-byers who stop in to learn more about Glasser’s creative life in the Gateway Arts District.

Partytime Liquor: This community-friendly liquor store will host a free wine tasting.

Urban Eats Music Café: See the new window lettering design and meet Art-st-Business partners, Robin Bliss, visual display artist and business owners Annette and Marsha Martin.  Live music and great eats!  8pm Mount Rainier Jam Band; 9pm Kim Reynolds Quartet

Mon Cheri Haitian Fine Art Gallery hosts and exhibition open reception for a large group show with Hyattsville Community Arts Alliance.

Adinkra Cultural Arts Center and Ubuntu Nakama: Stop by for a drum class observation and then get inspired to join the open dance and drum class for all ages. Love the way you move!

Veteran's Park: Art Works Studio School will bring a new spirit of fun and creativity to this park with their bubble art activity appropriate for artists of all ages.

       Street Performances by Taratibu Youth Association’s Pan-African Drill Team and wandering story-telling with Moira Jackson

Jimmy Tarlau's Report

Councilmember Jimmy Tarlau's Report:

Council Reviews Budget and Tax Issues:   As I wrote in my last report, the City is facing a serious budget shortfall as a result of lower assessments on houses in Mount Rainier (the good news is that prices of houses being sold are going up in our city).  Tax revenues will decrease by 14.8% or over $450,000.  The City Manager has proposed and the Mayor and Council are looking at a 7 cent tax increase.  This will bring in about $230,000.  Even with the proposed tax increase, most residents will see a decrease in the property taxes next year. 

We are also looking at increasing the fees on rental units by 50% from $100/unit to $150/per unit per year and raising other fees and licenses that have not been raised in a number of years.  The increased rental charges will put us in line with other cities in our area.  The big apartment complexes in our City (Kaywood, Queenstown and Queens Manor) also pay a lot of property taxes.  Last year they paid over $660,000 in property taxes and with the proposed increases in property taxes and rental fees, they will be paying over $1 million in revenue to the City next year.

            Last year we eliminated a code enforcement position and did not fill a police officer position.  We will be taking some money out of our reserves (which are over $1 million) but that is not the solution. We cannot continue to cut back positions without risking the basic services in our city, and I believe we must raise the tax rate.  The City will be holding a Public Hearing on the budget and tax increase on Tuesday April 23rd.  Please come and let us know what you feel the City should be doing to deal with the revenue shortfall.    

Utilities Reach Agreement on Removal of Double Poles:  In the past few months, Pepco has been upgrading its electrical system by installing new utility poles.  I have become increasingly irritated that the old utility poles are not removed. I think they are unsightly and a nuisance in places where there already is a limited sidewalk.  I have been driving around the area and have found close to 100 double poles in Mount Rainier.  There are probably thousands in Prince George’s County and throughout the state.

In doing some investigation, I have found the issue to be a little complicated.  First, Pepco does not tell the other utility companies that they have installed the new poles.  The utility companies, even when they are informed, take their time (years!)  to transfer the wires from the old poles to the new poles.  Pepco can’t take out the old poles because the cable and telephone wires are still on them.

Last month the utility companies finally came to a written agreement to remove the poles.   Senator Victor Ramirez and Delegate Tom Hucker had introduced legislation that would give the utility companies time limits to inform each other of what they’re doing and deadlines to transfer the wires and remove the old poles.  

Under the new agreement the telephone and cable companies will transfer their wires from the old poles to the new poles in 60 to 90 days and all the existing double poles will be removed by the end of next year.  I want to thank Senator Ramirez for keeping the pressure on the utility companies to get them to come to an agreement.

City Reviews Residential Parking Issue:  The City is discussing whether to set a policy on issuing residential permits on certain streets where there is tight parking and residents submit a petition requesting that permit parking be implemented. 

Zeke's Coffee to Open Facility, Coffee Bar in Northeast - Northeast D.C. is about to get a caffeine boost from Baltimore-based Zeke's Coffee. Rhode Island Avenue Insider reports that the company is planning a "roastery and coffee lab" for the for the 2300 block of Rhode Island Ave. NE. The company's website confirms the plans, saying it will open this year. From the blog:

“This new location [will] fulfill the wholesale side of his DC operations and to experiment with new flavors and mixes of coffee, hence the "coffee lab" concept.… but no worries, local coffee lovers, because the front 2/3 of the shop will be retail, a coffee bar, and seating (counter and bar stools) so you can pick up your favorite flavor of bean, try samples of the coffee, or just go all in with a cup of Zeke's and enjoy it on site. In fact, they are planning to have outdoor seating.”

Negotiations on Rhode Island Avenue Development Continuing - The City is continuing its discussions with Streetsense to finalize the sale of the properties on the 3200 Block of Rhode Island.  We are negotiating over the terms of the sale and expect a conclusion to the discussions in the next couple of months.  Meanwhile the Streetsense and Neighborhood Development Company (their partner) are moving ahead with design preparations for their project.

A Lot Is Happening This Spring In Mount Rainier

1 - Mount Rainier Candidates Forum:  Thursday April 18^th 6 to 8 PM at the Mount Rainier Nature Center – 4701 31^stPlace.  [Election is on May 6^th]

2 - Neighborhood Watch Spring Into Action – April 21st   2 PM - PLEASE JOIN NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH AS WE SPRING INTO ACTION. LOCATION: MOUNT RAINIER SKATE PARK,  THE CORNER OF OTIS ST. AND WELLS AVE.  Bring your family to join Neighborhood Watch, a community-based crime prevention program where neighbors look out for each other’s safety, property and homes in a systematic and sustained way. It is based on the idea of residents, businesses,  police and other partners looking out for the safety of the neighborhood, establishing and maintaining open lines of communication, and collaborating to resolve problems of crime and disorder.  Feel free to bring light refreshments to share.

3 - Clothing Swap at Joe's Sunday April 21,  3- 5 pm, 3309 Bunker Hill Road:

Bring clothes and accessories to share and reuse. Clean out your closet and inherit a new wardrobe. Clothes can be dropped off the day of the event, or at Joe's from April 14 to 21. All remaining clothes will be donated to the ARC Thrift Store in Beltsville, MD that benefits programs serving adults with developmental disabilities. (As many folks in our hood are artists, feel free to bring items that are slightly stained or discolored but otherwise wearable, as the artists & gardeners can often use these items. Torn items made of interesting fabrics may also be of interest to the sewers/quilters/crafters in the group.)

4 - Tuesday April 23 – Public Hearing and public Comment on Budget and Tax Rate

5 - Better Block Night - April 26, 2013 –Mount Rainier Circle – 6pm to 10pm

Come down and enjoy a clean and vibrant Mount Rainier Circle. Visit local shops, hear live music, and discover art on the street and in store windows. In this sneak peek of our ideal downtown, local artists fill vacant commercial buildings with pop-up arts, give business facades a facelift, and bring the streets and sidewalks to life!

6 - Mount Rainier-Gateway 5K Run Set for Saturday April 27^th - You can now register online by going to   http://www.racepacket.com/secure/regmain.php  .  There is a $15 fee for runners and each runner will get a specially designed Mount Rainier 5K t-shirt.  There will also be a 1 mile walk/run for those who don’t want to do the full 3.1 miles.  If you would be willing to volunteer (to hand out water and keep people on the right route) please send me an e-mail.  It should be fun.  It’s either the first, or the first in a long time, race we’ve run in our community. 

7 - Farmer’s Market Opening Day – Saturday May 4th

8 - 2013 Mount Rainier Home Tour Set for Sunday May 5^th -   We now have 8 houses committed to participate, so the Tour is a definite go.  It will be from 1 to 5 PM.  To take the tour, register that day at Joe’s Movement Emporium (3309 Bunker Hill Road).  The fee for the Tour is $5.

9 - Election Day in Mount Rainier:  Monday May 6 from 8 AM to 7 PM at the Star Potts Hall Building (next to the City Municipal Building) 3405 Rhode Island Avenue.   The election will be for Mayor, one Councilmember in Ward 1, and one Councilmember in Ward 2. 

10 - Mayor and Council Vote on Budget and Tax Rate:  Tuesday May 7^th at 7 PM

11 - Gateway Arts District Open Studio Tour Saturday, May 11, 2013 12:00 - 5:00pm After-Party 5:30 - 8:00 PM - 17 Venues. 70 Studios. Over 130 Artists.  Tour begins at Gateway Arts Center 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, MD 20722. Mark your calendar for the one of the best events in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area - the 9th Annual Open Studio Tour, presented by the Gateway Community Development Corporation! This highly popular event showcases professional artists representing nearly every visual arts medium. You'll have access to art galleries, studios, cultural centers and performing spaces throughout the Prince George's County Gateway Arts District.  

                A free shuttle bus, with limited seating, is available to transport art enthusiasts between locations, with some studios within walking distance.   

For more information, visit www.gatewayopenstudios.org or call 301.864.3860.

12 - Mount Rainier Day - Saturday May 19^th - 11 ARE to 6 PM Persons interested in participating contact Janis Lomax at City Hall(301-985-6585)

13 – Electronic Recycling – Saturday June 15^th at Mount Rainier Public Works from 9 AM to 1 PM

PLEASE Support My Candidacy for MAYOR

Today, April 1, 2013, I officially placed my name on the ballot for the upcoming election in Mount Rainier Maryland to serve as your mayor for a third term.

I want and need the support of you, the residents of Mount Rainier as we work to build a community in which we all feel at home, feel safe, and of which we are all very PROUD!

A lot of work has been done to make Mount Rainier the wonderful place that it has become.  A lot of work is still needed to move it to the greatness that it can be.

For years, now, we have dreamed of our own great restaurant; our own bank; our own revitalized down town area with shops, and outdoor cafe.  We want to be a revitalized Mount Rainier, not another Takoma Park.  We cherish our uniqueness.

We want to protect our earth and our resources, and yes, we decided long time ago that going green is not a fad, but a way of life in Mount Rainier.

I have enjoyed being a part of this growth and development, and I am asking you to give me four more years.  Our election is Monday, May 6, 2013, Mount Rainier's City Hall, One Municipal Place from 7:00am until 8:00pm.

PLEASE, come out and cast your vote for MAYOR MALINDA MILES.  Together we can continue to move Mount Rainier FORWARD!

Call For Artists: Mount Rainier's Storm Drain Project

Call For Artists: Mt. Rainier Storm Drain Project

The Anacostia Watershed Society’s (AWS) vision to make the Anacostia River and its tributaries swimmable and fishable for the health and enjoyment of everyone in the community.

We seek to achieve this goal by undertaking a variety of projects, including the Mount Rainier Storm Drain Painting project. Please visit our website at www.anacostiaws.org for more details on our work.

Project Description: AWS is seeking sketch ideas for storm drain painting designs that will be completed on storm drains around Mount Rainier this spring. There will be three sets of paintings that will be carried out by three different groups of students: Mount Rainier Elementary, Thomas Stone Elementary, and Club Joe’s from Joe’s Movement Emporium. Materials costs will be covered in addition to artist commission.

DRAINS to be painted:

Thomas Stone Set: Five drains; Painting Day: TBD; Commision $500

Mt. Rainier Elementary Set: Three drains; Painting Day: Thursday, May 16, 2013; Commission $300

Club Joe’s/Community Set: Two drains; Painting Day: TBD; Commission $200

Submissions Due for all projects: Thursday, May 2, 2013

Requirements: Designs should reflect the high quality of artists in the Gateway Arts District, but should be simple enough for elementary-aged students to be able to paint/fill in the majority of the design. The artist can finalize the piece with detail/edgework for professional product.

Painting must be be outlined by artist ahead of the elementary school painting day so that students can easily fill in lines of design without smudging the outline. Artist must be present the day-of the paintings to provide assistance to students and volunteers and to paint remaining details of designs. Design must not incorporate the drain entrance as a “mouth” for any animal/creature/person/etc. To see examples from similar projects please contact call or e-mail Ann DeSanctis at adesanctis@anacostiaws.org or 301-699-6204 ext. 103.

Application Process: Please answer the following questions:
1. Artist name and contact information
2. Sketch of proposed storm drain paintings
3. Images of past work, especially any public art projects
4. Short narrative as to why you want to work with AWS
5. List of any previous experience working with children in a teaching capacity
6. Preliminary budget of supplies
7. Submit application answers, sketches of proposed ideas and images of past work to adesanctis@anacostiaws.org

This will be a collaboration between AWS and the artists. If interested, please contact Ann DeSanctis for a map, dimensions of the selected storm drains and to discuss the project in more detail, call or e-mail Ann DeSanctis at adesanctis@anacostiaws.org or 301-699-6204 ext. 103.

SHOW YOUR TALENT!