Hey neighbor! Get the full reading experience in your browser here.

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: 

• New Staff Member! - Sansskruty Rayavarapu
• New Ward 5 Wave Podcast Episode
• Tomorrow - Carver-Langston Health & Resource Fair
• Tomorrow - The Great Brookland Yard Sale
• June 9 - First Vote on FY27 Budget
• June 11 - South Dakota Ave Walks with DDOT
• June 12 - Ivy City Pet Adoption Center Grand Opening
• June 13 - Rhode Island Avenue PorchFest
• June 13 - Ward 5 Family Biking Family Ride
• ...and more!

Happy Pride! Earlier this week, officials from across DC government gathered to raise the Pride Flag outside the Wilson building like we do every year as both a symbol and a charge—DC is for everyone and love always wins. The afternoon's celebration of our LGBTQ+ community was a welcome break from the back-to-back budget conversations, public hearings, and markups that have dominated the past month. 

Looking ahead, we are waiting for the Chairman's markup before we take our first Council vote on the budget this coming Tuesday, June 9. As I shared in last week's newsletter, there remains a long list of concerning funding gaps and I am ready to fight to ensure we meet the needs of the District in this difficult budget year. 

I also want to make sure neighbors don't miss next week's walks with DDOT along South Dakota Ave NE as they prepare to bring traffic safety improvements to two segments along the corridor:

• From Lawrence St to Rhode Island Ave NE
  • June 11 @ 9:00 a.m.
  • Meet in the triangle/pocket park at Rhode Island Ave, 24th St, and South Dakota Ave NE
• From Hamlin St to Bladensburg Rd NE
  • June 11 @ 4:00 p.m.
  • Meet at the northwest corner of Hamlin St and South Dakota Ave NE

Please register to attend here. My team will be there to connect with neighbors and DDOT staff will be available to answer questions about their proposed improvements for these two segments. 

It's also grad season! Congratulations to all the students graduating—whether from kindergarten or with a Ph.D.! You did it! We want to celebrate all our graduates, so we are asking neighbors to email us with info about your favorite graduate this year. Tell us their name, where they're graduating from, and share a picture or two if you'd like. Congratulations again to the Class of 2026!

On Monday, my office welcomed our newest staff member: Sansskruty Rayavarapu. Please join me in welcoming her to the team! Sansskruty is our new Digital Communications Coordinator and Scheduler. She is passionate about storytelling and community and we're thrilled to expand our capacity with her skillset. Please join me in welcoming her to the office! You can reach her at srayavarapu@dccouncil.gov.

This week on the Ward 5 Wave Podcast, I share several updates about our fights for funding in the FY27 budget, including details on the Credible Messengers Program, Family Success Centers, public schools and charter schools, rerouting of Ward 5 Metrobus routes, and more. I also reflect on recent community invites including my 4th Annual Black Pride Celebration and last weekend's Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, or click here!

public safety updates; Notices of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5; a recap of DPR's Ward 5 Capital Projects Update Meeting from June 4; the Ivy City Pet Adoption Center grand opening on June 12; ANC and civic association meeting recaps; legislative updates in Neferteria's Nook; updates from the Committee on Youth Affairs; programs to benefit from featuring the return of FREE veggie giveaways at Edgewood Rooftop Farm on Tuesdays; and community events including the Great Brookland Yard Sale and an opportunity to volunteer at the Langdon Forest Patch, both tomorrow! Keep scrolling for more.

Councilmember Parker with Heidi Ellis (DC LGBTQ Budget Coalition) and Salvador Sauceda-Guzman (ANC 5D Commissioner) at the Pride Flag raising on June 1, 2026.

Last Saturday, my team and I joined ANCs, civic associations, and organizations across Ward 5 for our annual Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning event! Thanks to all the neighbors who came out to help make and keep our neighborhoods clean and vibrant. 

Also on Saturday, we stopped by Riggs Park Day and enjoyed the celebration of this historic Ward 5 neighborhood complete with dancing, food, games, and community resources.

On Monday, I had back-to-back meetings with colleagues, community leaders, and my team ahead of Tuesday's Legislative Meeting and in preparation for next week's budget vote. The day ended with the Pride Flag raising outside the Wilson building, hosted by the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs and featuring a DJ and reception in the beautiful weather afterwards. While the party was fun, the flag raising was also a reminder of the need to continue fighting for policies that protect and uplift the dignity and humanity of LGBTQ+ people both in DC and across the globe.

On Tuesday, the Council held a pre-Legislative Meeting breakfast, a Committee of the Whole meeting, and a Legislative Meeting. One point of much discussion was the Open Meetings Clarification Amendment Act of 2025, which has raised concerns from many neighbors and journalists about the Council holding "secret meetings." I voted "present" on the bill as I take those concerns to heart. I was also proud that my legislation creating new permanency pathways for foster youth, the SOUL Amendment Act of 2025, passed unanimously on its second reading. You can read more about the meetings and votes in the Neferteria's Nook section of the newsletter below.

Also on Tuesday, my team joined the Reading Role Models: Family Story Time at the Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library to read stories to little ones. These events help nurture a love of reading in children, and even feature a little bit of dancing to help get the wiggles out.

On Wednesday, conversations and meetings in preparation for the June 9 budget vote continued. I was especially grateful to connect with leaders from the Credible Messengers Program as I join them in their fight for restored funding. The Mayor fully cut the program in her budget this year, and my committee was able to restore $500K, but there is still more needed to ensure these leaders can continue to mentor and come alongside District youth who are involved—or at risk for becoming involved—in our juvenile justice system. I am calling on my Council colleagues to help restore the rest. Click the video below to learn more. 

Wednesday evening, I joined the Woodridge Civic Association monthly meeting and the North Michigan Park Civic Association monthly meeting. At both, I shared updates about the FY27 budget including neighborhood-specific investments, and took questions on a range of issues including juvenile justice, traffic safety, and how District agencies conduct community engagement. Thank you to both associations for welcoming me to your meetings!

Yesterday was very full, with two public hearings in the Committee on Transportation and the Environment featuring bills I was proud to introduce. The first hearing included the Eric's ID Amendment Act of 2026, which will increase safety and accessibility for residents with hidden disabilities. I was grateful for the chance to connect with the original developers of this bill—already implemented in Maryland—Eric and Linda Carpenter-Grantham. They were joined at the hearing by family and friends from across the country and elected officials from across the region in support of the legislation. 

Yesterday afternoon, there was a public hearing for the Strengthening Air Pollution Permitting Amendment Act of 2026, focused on improving our air pollution permitting regime and strengthening enforcement of our air pollution laws across the city. Ward 5 bears the brunt of the city's air pollution—we are home to multiple asphalt plants, chemical plants, bus and truck depots, and a cement plant, just to name a few. I was grateful for the many Ward 5 neighbors who came to testify at yesterday's hearing. You can read more in Neferteria's Nook below. 

While I was busy at the Wilson building yesterday, my team was busy across Ward 5 at a number of community events. In the morning, they attended a site walk with agency leaders at the Crummell School in Ivy City to monitor progress as construction gets underway for the forthcoming Crummell Community Center. The grounds are being prepared for new park space and the historic building is getting prepped for its transformation to be occupied for the first time in a half-century!

My team also connected with parents and families at the Parent Resource Fair at Wheatley Education Campus in Trinidad. Finally, they joined a site visit at the Avondale Shopping Center alongside Dollar Tree management, a representative of the shopping center's new ownership team, DPW's SWEEP inspectors, DPW's Rodent Control team, the Department of Buildings (DOB), and Councilmember Crawford's office. The visit focused on addressing ongoing concerns related to trash accumulation, illegal dumping, and rodent activity at and around the shopping center. During the site visit my team and the agency respresentatives discussed current maintenance practices, reviewed areas of concern, and explored strategies to improve waste management, deter illegal dumping, and reduce conditions that contribute to rodent activity.

Today, I was in Fort Lincoln for the Topping Out Ceremony of Ward 5's newest recreation center. We signed and then placed the final beam of the building as construction continues on the Fort Lincoln Campus Improvement Plan. I truly appreciate the decades of advocacy by neighbors and the partnership of our government agencies (Department of General Services and Department of Parks and Recreation) responsible for delivering this amazing asset to our community. I can't wait for the ribbon cutting!

Shooting in Michigan Park

My office was on the scene following a shooting that occured yesterday evening, June 4 in the 1100 block of Varnum St NE. A juvenile male was shot in the lower extremeties and transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The preliminary investigation is ongoing, but this incident appears to be a road-rage incident. MPD has made two arrests following the shooting.

Fire in North Michigan Park

A housefire spanning 4539 and 4541 South Dakota Ave NE yesterday, June 4, has resulted in damage to the properties. Fortunately, DC Fire and EMS reported to my office there were no injuries and no displacements. 

Crime Trends

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).

Meet with MPD

Next week on June 9 at 5:00 p.m. at LaSalle-Backus Elementary School, several organizations (including Ward 5 civic associations) are coming together for a public safety meeting with MPD Interim Chief Jeffrey Carroll and MPD Fourth District Commander David Hong. Hosted by the Lamond-Riggs Public Safety Group, neighbors are invited to attend to learn about MPD's priorities, recent crime trends, interactions with federal agencies, and ask questions about activity in the neighborhood.

The Department of General Services (DGS) has been conducting surveillance, search, and trapping efforts at Noyes Elementary since May 3 to address an infestation of raccoons in the rafters of the building. These mitigation efforts have included regular trap inspections, canine-assisted searches, thermal imaging, trail camera surveillance, exclusion measures, cleaning, and collaboration with Animal Control. DC Public Schools has asked DGS to continue these operations through the weekend. My office has been monitoring the situation and will continue to do so, as we call on DCPS and DGS to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for our students. I will also be at Noyes on Monday, June 8 for to connect with parents and teachers about their concerns with agency follow-up. 

17 public pools and 35 public splash parks are now open in the District! On weekends until Monday, June 22 (when pools open daily), bring your DC ID for free access to fun in the sun at DPR's pools. View locations and schedules here.

Earlier this year, neighbors in ANC 5E including in Stronghold and Bloomingdale raised important concerns regarding the accessibility, transparency, and distribution of scholarships associated with the Reservoir District's Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). The terms of the CBA specify that the developer is to distribute these scholarship benefits to The Community Foundation. When I dug deeper to track where the money was going, my team and I learned that Ward 5 students weren't benefiting as they should. The Community Foundation was giving all the money to Trinity University—but not necessarily Ward 5 students. While there was a lack of specificity in the CBA about how The Community Foundation was to distribute the scholarships, neighbors agreed that the current implementation was misaligned with the original intent of the scholarship to serve Ward 1 and Ward 5 students broadly. We proposed a new, community-led structure, which The Community Foundation agreed to and has since implemented. The revamped application process is live now, and neighbors are encouraged to learn more about the requirements and apply until applications close on June 29! This is a win for Ward 5 and a testament to community advocacy and collaboration.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) advises stakeholders to expect delays due to upcoming sidewalk closures for work related to the DC Power Line Undergrounding (DC PLUG) initiative. There will be no full roadway closure; however, sidewalks and lanes will be restricted during work hours. Sidewalks, roads, and lane closures are listed below and will take place from June 1 to 30, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Temporary northbound and southbound sidewalk, lane, and road closures for the installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 2700 to3200 blocks of 13th Street NE from Kearney Street NE to Rhode Island Avenue NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200-1300 blocks of Jackson Street NE from 12th Street NE to 14th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200 block of Irving Street NE from 12th Street NE to 13th Street NE
• Temporary southbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200-1300 blocks of Hamlin Street NE from 12th Street NE to 13th Street NE
• Temporary northbound and southbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 3000 blockof 12th Street NE from Irving Street NE to Hamlin Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200-1300 blocks of Girard Street NE from 12th Street NE to 14th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1200-1300 blocks of Franklin Street NE from 12th Street NE to 14th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of manholes, Transformer Enclosures, and Tapholes from the 1300 block of Rhode Island Avenue NE from 13th Street NE to Montana Avenue NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closures for installation of conduits, pavement restoration, including roadway base, sidewalk, curb/gutter installation, and Milling/Paving from the 2400 block of Evarts Street NE, from 24th Street NE to 26th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of Tapholes, Transformer Enclosures, conduits, manholes, pavement restoration, including roadway base, sidewalk, curb, and gutter installation, from the 1900-2600 blocks of Franklin Street NE, from 19th Street NE to 27th Street NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for installation of conduits, pavement restoration, including roadway base, sidewalk, curb/gutter installation, and Milling/Paving from the 2700 block of Vista Street NE, from 27th Street NE to South Dakota Avenue NE
• Temporary eastbound and westbound sidewalk, lane, and road closure for Milling/Paving from the 2800 block of 26th Street NE and 27th Street NE, fromFranklin Street NE to Hamlin Street NE

For more information about the DC PLUG Initiative and to stay up to date on traffic-related impacts and construction progress, please visit https://www.dcpluginfo.com/, call the DC PLUG team at 1-844-758-4146, or email DC PLUG at questions@DCPLUGinfo.com.

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 June 8: Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), Installation of New Crosswalk and ADA Ramps at 1st Place NE and Galloway Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-125-MSED)
  
  
• Closes for comment on June 29: All-Way Stop at Hamilton Street and Rock Creek Church Road NE/Fort Totten Drive NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-158-PSD)
  
  
• Closes for comment on July 6: Revision to the Safety Treatment on Queens Chapel Road NE between Evarts Street and Douglas Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-159-MSED)

On June 4 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom, DPR hosted a Ward 5 Capital Projects update meeting. This meeting gave the latest updates on projects at:

• Brentwood Recreation Center
• Carver Langston Park
• Crummell Community Center
• Fort Lincoln Recreation Center
• Harry Thomas Recreation Center
• Langdon Community Center Redevelopment
• Riggs and South Dakota Park 
• Taft Park & Field Improvements
• Turkey Thicket Recreation Center

If you missed the meeting, you can watch a replay here. You can also access the slides from the meeting here. 

The District's animal control and pet adoption services are now managed by Brandywine Valley SPCA. Join them in celebrating the grand opening of DC's newest adoption center, located in Ward 5. On Friday, June 12 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., you’re invited to visit the Ivy City Adoption Center at 1516 Okie Street NE for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and first look at this exciting new space. Tour the center, meet adoptable pets, and experience a facility thoughtfully designed to bring people and pets together. Adoption center hours will be Tuesday-Friday, 12:00 - 7:00 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The New York Ave Location is closing Sunday, May 31. All other public services, including lost and found pets, animal care and control, as well as wellness, spay & neuter, and community cat services at Brandywine Valley SPCA's low-cost Animal Health Center, will continue at the DC Village campus, located at 4 DC Village Lane in Southwest.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host a virtual public meeting for Phase II of the North Capitol Street Corridor Study, a multimodal transportation study for North Capitol Street NW between Massachusetts Avenue NW and Michigan Avenue NW. Click here to join on Tuesday, June 30 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The purpose of the workshop is for DDOT to re-engage with the community about the project and share concepts for widening sidewalks on North Capitol Street NW. The virtual meeting is an opportunity for community members to share their feedback on the project and their priorities for the corridor. DDOT staff will be available to answer questions and gather comments. For more information, please contact Ted Van Houten, DDOT Project Manager at theodore.vanhouten@dc.gov or (202) 716 - 5302. The project website is https://northcapitolstudy.ddot.dc.gov/.

This week, my team and I attended the Lamond-Riggs Citizens' Association, Stronghold Civic Association, Woodridge Civic Association, and North Michigan Park Civic Association meetings. Here's a brief recap:

• Lamond-Riggs Citizens' Association (June 1 at 6:00 p.m.):
  • My team shared updates on the Council's budget process and the DPR's Ward 5 Updates meeting on June 4. The meeting also included updates from association officers, ANC commissioners, and elected officials. Yo-Yo from the Board of Election gave a presentation on Ranked Choice Voting. Lastly, they presented the 2026 Lamond Riggs Citizens Association Scholarship to three seniors who live in the Lamond-Riggs neighborhood.  
    
    
• Stronghold Civic Association (June 1 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • My team shared a recap of the Ward 5 Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning Event, thanking neighbors for their participation and highlighting the success of the community clean-up effort. We also provided updates on budget season, the Draft Future Land Use Map comment period, and the McMillan Scholarship Program. Neighbors were informed that following community advocacy, changes were made to the scholarship application process to better align with the original intent of serving Ward 5 and Ward 1 students, with applications remaining open through June 29. Residents also received updates from the Mayor’s Office regarding property tax assistance resources, an upcoming Department of Parks and Recreation community meeting related to capital improvement projects in Ward 5, and ongoing homeowner support programs. 
    
    
• Woodridge Civic Association (June 3 at 6:00 p.m.):
  • I joined neighbors at their monthly meeting to share updates on my office's work to secure more funds for the Langdon Park Recreation Center modernization. I gave additional updates and context on the FY27 budget on everything from juvenile justice funding to business grants along the Rhode Island Ave Corridor. Neighbors asked questions on a range of topics including coordination between agencies on large capital projects, traffic safety issues in the neighborhood, and engaging parents of juveniles involved in "teen takeovers." My team also reminded neighbors about the June 11 walks with DDOT on South Dakota Ave NE and the extended deadline for submitting feedback on the draft Future Land Use Map (FLUM). Association president, Jeremiah Montague, shared several neighborhood updates including info about his Woodridge history walks.
    
    
• North Michigan Park Civic Association (June 3 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • I joined neighbors at the association's monthly meeting to share updates on the Council's FY27 budget process. Residents expressed their concerns about density in the neighborhood especially as it relates to the draft Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and Comprehensive Plan re-write. I encouraged neighbors to leave feedback regarding the Office of Planning’s FLUM until the deadline of June 7. I also shared updates on the South Dakota & Riggs Park beginning construction soon. Lastly, I spoke about the Committee on Youth Affairs and the proposals for youth curfews. 

Meetings my team will attend next week: 

• Monday, June 8
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • Eckington Civic Association
    • Queens Chapel Civic Association
      
      
• Tuesday, June 9
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • ANC 5D
    • Arboretum Neighborhood Association
      
      
• Wednesday, June 10
  • 6:00 p.m.
    • North Woodridge Citizens' Association
      
      
• Thursday, June 11
  
  • 7:00 p.m.
    • ANC 5C
      
      

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, June 2, the Council held Committee of the Whole and Legislative Meetings.

Committee of the Whole

At the Committee of the Whole Meeting, the Council considered several confirmation resolutions for Board nominees. Most discussion took place around the following bill:

• Open Meetings Clarification Amendment Act of 2026
  • The bill would do the following:
    • Clarify the definition of "meeting"
    • Provide for a public body’s ability to be briefed about potential terrorist or public health threats so long as no official action is taken
    • Exempt from the act meetings between the Council and the Mayor provided that no official action is taken at such meetings
    • Provide that a meeting shall be deemed open to the public if the public body takes steps reasonably calculated to allow the public to view or hear the meeting while the meeting is taking place, or, if doing so is not technologically feasible, as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable.
  • Councilmember Parker, voting present, spoke to this bill, noting that residents, in addition to the media, have concerns that the Council is moving into more secret deliberations. He stated that there appears to be "no change, no direction, and no acknowledgement of the feedback that we've gotten back today."
  • The bill moved forward for a first vote at the Legislative Meeting.

Legislative Meeting

During the Legislative Meeting, the agenda included a number of bills which had their second (final) reading, including one introduced by Councilmember Parker:

• Support, Opportunity, Unity, Legal Relationships (SOUL) Amendment Act of 2026
  • This bill is part of Councilmember Parker's C.A.R.E. For Youth Plan. The bill establishes and defines all the elements of a SOUL family, including SOUL “supporter” and SOUL “caregiver,” and sets the legal process for the creation of a “SOUL family” as a new legal permanency option for children involved with the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). This new permanency option enables foster youth over the age of 16 to acquire a stable network of adults who can offer housing, support, and guidance as they transition from foster care to adulthood.
  • The bill passed its second reading unanimously, and will now go to the Mayor for her signature.

Other bills that on the agenda included the following:

• Open Meetings Clarification Amendment Act of 2026
  • This bill, as described above, was up for a first vote.
  • Councilmember Allen moved an amendment, which would require that gatherings of a quorum of the Council - whether formal or informal, regular, special, or emergency, at which Councilmembers considered, conducted, or advised on public business - that was not noticed in advance, be noticed by the Secretary. 
  • The amendment was accepted unanimously.
  • The bill as amended was approved. Councilmember Parker voted present.
    
    
• Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act of 2026 
  • This bill does the following:
    • Requires housing providers to request a forwarding address from tenants, to inform them of alleged unpaid amounts within 45 days and provide the tenant an opportunity to dispute those charges.
    • Clarifies that a housing provider may not separately charge tenants for services that the housing provider is required to provide under the implied warranty of habitability, which includes charges such as trash, key fobs, and third-party billing administrative fees.
    • Prohibits housing providers from charging tenants for utility charges accrued in common spaces or vacant units, other than through monthly rent, and clarifies that this does not preclude a housing provider from using a ratio utility billing system to charge tenants for master-metered utilities.
  • Councilmember R. White moved an amendment, which clarified the methods of communication through which housing providers will notify tenants of unpaid charges.
  • The amendment was accepted unanimously.
  • The bill as amended was approved.

On Thursday, June 4, Councilmember Parker attended the Committee on Transportation and the Environment's Public Hearings for the following bills: 

• B26-0619 - Eric’s ID Amendment Act of 2026
  • Councilmember Parker jointly introduced this bill with Councilmember Lewis George. This bill would allow applicants for a license, permit, or identification card to choose to indicate on the document the applicant’s nonapparent or hidden disability.
  • Councilmember Parker spoke to his support for this bill, noting that as of 2023, there were approximately 77,000 disabled residents in the District. This law will serve to "provide vital protections for our residents with hidden disabilities and ensure that our police department engages in appropriate interactions." The Councilmember thanked Eric and Linda Carpenter-Grantham for their collaboration on the bill. Finally, Councilmember Parker recognized the State Board of Education for championing this legislation and asking for the inclusion of language that extends the legislation to DC ONE cards and student IDs.
  • If you would like to submit testimony, please click here. The deadline to submit written testimony is Friday, June 19, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

• B26-0565 - Strengthening Air Pollution Permitting Amendment Act of 2026
  • Councilmember Parker introduced this bill along with Councilmembers Allen and Henderson earlier this year. The bill would overhaul the District’s air permitting, odor control, and associated enforcement regimes in response to decades of frustrations from Ward 5 and District residents.
  • Councilmember Parker expressed his gratitude to the many Ward 5 residents, advocates, and Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners who testified in support of the legislation. The Councilmember looks forward to this legislation advancing so that we can do better by residents of Brentwood, Ivy City, Eckington, and other communities that face ongoing challenges with air pollution and odor nuisances. 
  • If you would like to submit testimony, please click here. The deadline to submit written testimony is Friday, June 19, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, June 9, the Council will have its first vote on the budget, specifically the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026 and the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act of 2026. You can find more information here.

A few notable hearings that are coming up are below:

• Wednesday, June 10
  • 10:00 a.m.
    • Committee on Public Works and Operations
      • B26-0594 - Contracting and Procurement Reform Amendment Act of 2026
      • B26-0621 - Procurement Reform 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. The deadline to register to testify in person is Monday, June 8, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. The deadline to submit written testimony is June 24, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
  • 2:00 p.m.
    • Committee on Youth Affairs
      • B26-0071 - Uniform Unregulated Transfer of Child Custody Act of 2025
      • B26-0479 - Youth Villages Grant Establishment Amendment Act of 2025
      • If you would like to watch the hearing and/or find the link to testify or submit testimony, please click here. The deadline to register to testify in person is Monday, June 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. The deadline to submit written testimony is June 24, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

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.

Registration for DPR Summer Programs opened this week! Browse programs and register here!

DPR is now hiring for hundreds of positions to support summer programming in a wide array of roles, and the team is looking for talented, community-minded applicants to help make 2026 the best summer yet. Residents are encouraged to visit EarnWithDPR.com to search for jobs and view job descriptions and pay rates. Summer job opportunities with DPR include working at DPR pools, summer camps, support services, human services, park rangers, and more. 

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.

If you've received mail from the DC Health Link or Healthy DC Plan, it's important that you read the message and confirm required information. Visit Healthy DC Plan to learn more and ensure you keep your health insurance coverage!

If you are behind on your DC property taxes, your home may be included in DC's annual tax sale in July. Free legal help is available! If you're under 60 years old, call Legal Aid DC at 202-628-1161 (ext. 7). If you're 60 years old or older, call Legal Counsel for the Elderly at 202-434-2120. Call by June 10!

Langdon:
Forest Patch Invasive Removals
June 6 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
@ Langdon Park Forest Patch (2901 20th St NE)
Join DOEE, Casey Trees, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the Langdon Park Forest Stewards for several weekends of invasive removals to keep the forest patch healthy and thriving.

Brookland:
Great Brookland Yard Sale

June 6 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@ All Across the Greater Brookland Area
Join my office as we stop by locations throughout Brookland and beyond for the Greater Brookland Yard Sale on June 6. Want to sign up to have your location on the map and sell your wares? Sign up by May 31 here.

Carver-Langston:
Health & Resource Fair

June 6 - 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@ 1500 Maryland Ave NE
Join area ANCs, District agencies, and community organizations at this health and resource fair featuring free health screenings and wellness info, food, giveaways and raffles, activities for all ages, and more.

Brookland:
Ward 5 Family Biking Family Ride

June 13 - 11:30 a.m.
@ Gather at Turkey Thicket (1100 Michigan Ave NE)
Join my team at Ward 5 Family Biking's June Family Ride. The ride will start at Turkey Thicket at 11:30 a.m. and the group will ride to Rhode Island Ave NE PorchFest. 

Rhode Island Ave NE:
Porchfest by DC Squared

June 13 - 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
@ Along Rhode Island Ave NE
DC Squared is bringing back their annual porchfest on June 13! Check out a variety of venues and enjoy food trucks, drinks, vendors, and more. Locations details coming soon!

Lamond-Riggs:
Main Street Jazz Series

June 25 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
@ Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library (5401 South Dakota Ave NE)
Join District agencies and The Parks Main Street for a jazz series presented by the Greater Washington Urban League at the library! Free and open to the public.

• DC Considering Eric's ID Law to Indicate Hidden Disabilities on IDs (WUSA 9)
  
  
• Eric's Law is Vital to Protection for DC Residents with Disabilities (The 51st)
  
  
• DC Kicks Off Pride Month with Flag Raising Ceremony (Washington Blade)
  
  
• Utility Bills in DC are Rising. Here's What to Know. (WaPo - free to read for 14 days with this gift link)
  
  
• New SNAP Work Rules are Taking Effect. Here's What They Mean for DC Residents. (WaPo - free to read for 14 days with this gift link)
  
  
• National Guard Didn't Reduce DC Violent Crime, Report Says (Axios DC)
  
  
• Local Advocates Describe Anacostia River's Current Condition (WTOP)
  
  
• Regional Drought: What Residents Are Being Asked to Do (NBC 4)

The highlight of my week was the honor of being the commencement speaker for Sojourner Truth Montessori Public Charter School's first-ever graduating class! It is inspiring to watch these young people succeed and I reminded them of the charge to live up to their school's namesake—Sojourner Truth—by being truth-tellers who pursue justice everywhere. Congrats to the Class of 2026!

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, 

Unsubscribe from future updates