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IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 

• Completed FY27 Budget
• Tomorrow - WABA HQ Grand Opening in Brookland
• July 12 - Brookland Turns 100! @ Right Proper Brewing
• July 15 - Carver Langston Town Hall
• July 16 - Joe Mamo Lot Community Meeting
• July 15 - September 15 - Council Recess
• Now until August 14 - Submit Feedback on RFK Draft Master Plan
• ...and more!

Upcoming Community Meetings 

Finally, please mark your calendars for two community meetings coming up next week.

On Wednesday, July 15 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Langston Golf Course Clubhouse, join me and my team with ANC 5D Commissioners for a town hall covering topics for the Carver-Langston community including the closure of the Safeway grocery store, the end of Streetcar service, and the future of the Langston Golf Course. This time slot was requested so as to allow multiple government agencies to join the discussion. We will be joined by representatives from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Department of Parks and Recreation, National Links Trust, and Metropolitan Police Department. Let us know you're coming by registering here.  

Also, join my team and me, along with ANC 5E Commissioner Karla Lewis, for a virtual community meeting on Thursday, July 16, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. via Zoom to discuss the future of the Mamo Lot at the corner of Florida Avenue, N.E., and North Capitol Street, N.E. During the meeting, we'll share preliminary plans to activate the vacant lot ahead of future development and hear from community stakeholders. Representatives from Mvement and local business owners will also join the discussion. Please register for the virtual meeting here.

On Monday, my team responded to a sinkhole on the 5000 block of 12th Street, N.E., after a water main break caused the roadway to collapse and a DC Water truck to become trapped. We coordinated with DC Water and nearby residents to address the immediate situation while continuing to push for a long-term solution to the recurring water main breaks in the area. 

On Tuesday, I participated in the Council's final vote on the FY27 budget, including final approval of the Budget Support Act. While this was an especially challenging budget, I am proud of the Council's work to restore funding for vital programs while continuing to invest in essential services that residents rely on every day. I remain committed to ensuring these investments deliver meaningful results for our communities. 

Wednesday, I met with the District's Chief Financial Officer's team to review the latest revenue estimates. While revenues have increased in some areas, the CFO maintained a flat overall forecast due to ongoing economic uncertainty and the unpredictability of revenue sources such as capital gains. You can review the revenue estimates here. 

Also on Wednesday, I joined the markups for the Transportation & the Environment Committee and the Committee on Health, where we advanced several important measures. I was proud that my Food Policy Council Procurement Amendment Act of 2025, which strengthens the Food Policy Council's role in evaluating the District's food procurement practices and improves reporting and data-sharing across agencies, received unanimous approval. This legislation will help ensure that the District's food purchasing better aligns with our environmental, nutrition, and local economic goals while increasing accountability. As part of the committee's actions, the Office of Food Policy will also move to DC Health with three full-time staff positions. 

I also met with my committee team to map out our work for the remainder of the year. In addition to advancing legislation through committee markups and continuing our strong focus on oversight, we are preparing to partner with District youth to develop a plan for a Youth Advisory Council. This initiative grew directly out of the ideas and feedback shared during the youth roundtable our committee hosted earlier this year, and I'm excited to continue ensuring young people have a meaningful voice in the Council's work.

Yesterday, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to state leaders requesting that they withdraw their National Guard troops from Washington, DC. In the lead-up to the nation's 250th anniversary events, the number of Guard personnel in the District has grown to more than 4,000, raising concerns about the impact on DC residents and the city's autonomy. Below is a copy of the letter that was sent to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

Crime Trends

Contact Shooting 1900 block of Capitol Ave NE: A man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting on Wednesday, July 1. Officers from the Fifth District responded around 2:45 p.m. to the 1900 block of Capitol Avenue NE in the Ivy City neighborhood for the reported shooting. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds.  D.C. Fire and EMS took the victim to an area hospital, where he was treated for injuries that police described as non-life-threatening.

You can find the latest crime statistics using MPD's Crime Cards here. Toggle the variables at the top of the page to zoom in on your own neighborhood. Don't see a public safety incident covered in this newsletter that you have questions about? Please always feel free to reach out to my office directly anytime by phone (202-724-8028) or email (ward5contact@dccouncil.gov).

On Sunday, July 12, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Right Proper Brewing (920 Girard St NE), join neighbors in celebrating the past 100 years of the great Brookland neighborhood and visioning the next 100 years together as a community. 

From June 19 - August 23, 2026, youth ages 18 and younger have access to no-cost meals at over 100 sites across the city. Click here to learn more. 

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is required to give written notice of their intent to modify traffic and/or parking requirements to the Council and affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) to allow for a public comment period on the modifications. The following Notices of Intent (NOIs) for Ward 5 are open for comment: 

• Closes for comment on July 22: Curbside Change to Implement Metrobus Stop Rebalancing - Read and comment here (NOI-26-174-CPD)

This week, my team attended the Stronghold Civic Association meeting. Here's a brief recap:

• Stronghold Civic Association (July 6 @ 7:00 p.m.):
  • Neighbors discussed concerns stemming from the June 26 DPR Teen Hype event at Reservoir Park Recreation Center. Residents shared reports of traffic disruptions, property damage, public safety concerns, and large groups of teens moving through the neighborhood after the event was dispersed. Neighbors also raised concerns about communication from DPR, event planning, and whether Reservoir Park is an appropriate location for large youth events due to limited access control. The Mayor's Office acknowledged the community's concerns and shared that they would explore improvements to event notification, MPD coordination, and security planning for future events. 

You can always view the schedule of upcoming ANC and civic association meetings that my team will attend on my website here. Not sure which ANC is yours? Use this tool to look it up. We're here to help, so email us anytime with questions - ward5contact@dccouncil.gov. Have a need, or want to share important information for ANC and civic association meetings? Get in touch with one of our Constituent Services team members:

• 5B & 5E: Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov
• 5A, 5C, & 5D: Andrianna Lovelace, alovelace@dccouncil.gov
• 5F: Anniyah Brown, abrown@dccouncil.gov

Neferteria Brown is Councilmember Parker's Legislative Director. In this section of the newsletter, she gives updates on the Council's legislative meetings, committee hearings, and information about the legislative process. Have questions? You can reach Neferteria at nbrown@dccouncil.gov.

On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the Council held a Legislative Meeting and marked its third and final vote on the Budget. Councilmembers submitted a number of amendments to the following bill for its final reading:

• Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act of 2026
• The Budget Support Act amends or enacts various provisions of law that support the implementation of a balanced Fiscal Year 2027 budget and financial plan.
• Chairman Mendelson moved an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, which made a number of changes to the entire bill, including installation of rodent-resistant trash and recycling containers at the completion of a newly renovated or modernized DCPS or DPR facility, allowance of referrals of families for the Local Rent Supplement Program vouchers until all funded slots are filled, and broadened access to the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund.
• Some of the notable amendments that were moved included the following:
• Councilmember R. White moved an amendment to change the definition of a participating school in the Student Attendance Incentive Pilot to focus on the schools with at-risk student populations that exceed 60% of the school’s total enrollment. This was a change to the pilot (formerly known as the Youth Financial Literacy Pilot), which was introduced and championed by Councilmember Parker, and he spoke to his support of this amendment and the need to target more of our most at-risk students.   
• The amendment was accepted without objection.
• Councilmember Lewis George moved amendment 1 to ensure that the maximum duration of leave under D.C. Paid Family Leave program is fully restored at the end of the four-year financial plan.
• This amendment was accepted without objection.
• Councilmember Lewis George moved amendment 2 to preserve the Mayor’s authority to establish a government-wide telework policy while clarifying that telework remains a permissible subject of collective bargaining for future collective bargaining agreements.
• This amendment was accepted without objection.
• The Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute, as amended, passed unanimously.

• The Council also passed the following bill unanimously:
• Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2026
• This bill is the emergency measure to the bill above, and is identical in substance. It is necessary to pass this bill on an emergency basis to ensure the provisions are effective as of October 1, 2026 for the new fiscal year. In addition, there are several time-sensitive legislative provisions that must be in place prior to the October 1, 2026 applicability date.

On Wednesday, July 8, Councilmember Parker attended the Committee on Transportation and the Environment's Mark-Up of the following bills:

• B26-0244 - Micromobility Fire Safety Standards Act of 2025
• B26-0245 - Personal Delivery Device Weight Limit Amendment Act of 2025
• B26-0548 - Washington Commanders Motor Vehicle Identification Tags Amendment Act of 2025
• B26-0554 - Commercial Driver’s License Amendment Act of 2025

All four measures passed unanimously, and will be considered at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. You may view the mark-up here.

Also on Wednesday, Councilmember Parker attended the Committee on Health's Mark-Up of the following bills:

• B26-0047 - Funeral Directors Licensing Reform Amendment Act of 2025
• B26-0181 - Short-Term Disability Insurance Benefit Protection Clarification Amendment Act of 2025
• B26-0427 - Cybersecurity and Accountability Act of 2025
• B26-0444 - Food Policy Council Procurement Amendment Act of 2025 (Councilmember Parker introduced this bill and spoke to his intention in seeking to improve our food procurement strategies.)
• B26-0547 - Green Death Care Option Amendment Act of 2025

All five measures also passed unanimously, and will be considered at the next Committee of the Whole meeting. You may view the mark-up here.

The final Legislative Meeting before the Summer Recess period will be held on July 14, 2026. The Summer Recess Period begins on July 15, 2026, which means no regularly scheduled meetings of the Council are held. This period will last until September 15, 2026.

A few notable hearings before the Summer Recess are listed below:

• Monday, July 13
• 9:30 a.m.
• Committee on Transportation and the Environment 
• B26-0684 - Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026
• If you would like to watch the hearing and/or find the link to testify or submit testimony, please click here.
• 1:30 p.m.
• Committee on Public Works and Operations
• B26-0492 - Rodent Abatement and Transparency (RAT) Amendment Act of 2025
• B26-0707 - Rodent Education and Management Yields ("REMY") Results Amendment Act of 2026
• If you would like to watch the hearing and/or find the link to testify or submit testimony, please click here.

You can always access the full Council calendar by clicking here.

DPR Communal Farms Weekly Veggie Giveaways have started back up at locations across the city. From now until November 25, 2026, stop by the below locations on select days each week to get free, locally grown fruits, veggies, and herbs. For more information, including how to volunteer, email joshua.singer@dc.gov.

• Ward 5: Edgewood Rooftop Farm (301 Franklin St NE)
  • Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• Ward 7: Lederer Garden (4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE)
  • Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Ward 1: Powell Communal Farm (3149 16th St NW)
  • Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The High School Internship Program provides work-readiness skills, project-based learning, life skills, leadership development training, and work opportunities for District high school students (grades 9-12), ages 14—21. The goal of the program is to help prepare District youth to successfully transition from high school into postsecondary education, advanced training, unsubsidized employment, or a career in the military. 

• For the youth application for the 2026 - 2027 HSIP Program click here.
• For the host application for the 2026 - 2027 HSIP Program click here.

Learn more about the program and apply by August 1, 2026 here.

Brookland:
WABA HQ Grand Opening

July 11 - 10:00 a.m.
@ 1110 Hamlin St NE
Join the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) for a block party celebrating the grand opening of their new headquarters in Brookland. Food, ice cream, and fun!

Langdon:
Roving Leaders Day

July 18 - 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
@ Langdon Park (2901 20th St NE)
Join DPR for their 6th Annual Roving Leaders Day, featuring games, waterworks, moon bounces, giveaways, food, music, and more!

Eckington:
Family Bike Ride

July 18 - 3:30 p.m.
@ Alethia Tanner Park (227 Harry Thomas Way NE)
Join Ward 5 Family Biking for their July Family Bike Ride! Meet at Alethia Tanner Park at 3:30 and ride to The Park at LeDroit, where participants will be able to enjoy a splash pad, food truck, and ice cream.

Anacostia:
Jazzy Sundays

July 12 - August 30 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
@ 1234 Morion Barry Ave SE
Join District agencies, the Anacostia BID, and DCity Smokehouse on Sundays through the summer for live jazz and good vibes. Learn more and register for free tickets here.

The highlight of my week was completing the FY27 budget. I want to extend a special thank you to the Council's Budget Office, under the leadership of Jenn Budoff, for their dedication, expertise, and support throughout this year's budget process. Their hard work and partnership were instrumental in helping us deliver a budget that reflects our priorities and serves DC residents. 

As always, I invite you to use this form to provide feedback on how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you anytime. 

Yours in service and community, 

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