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Friends,
BACK TO SCHOOL
Eleven schools opened on August 8, while the majority of the District's 104 public schools and 118 charter schools opened to students Monday, August 22. Whether in new buildings or those planned for renovation, DC students will attend facilities equipped with great staff, ample supply of books and computers, and resources enabling their growth and development for another exciting and productive school year. Also, many thanks to advocates and education officials for the opening of the new Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, the District's first all-male public school.
Like many of you, I have extended my gratitude to Chancellor Kaya Henderson for her many years of service and appreciation for the academic improvements made by District of Columbia students. Her service, concern and caring for the people will be fondly remembered.
SUMMER
With the upcoming holiday in mind, I hope you enjoy these final weeks of summer and do not let the heat and humidity alter your plans to close yet another good summer. While this summer has been very hot, we can all take comfort in knowing that our community has not experienced heat-related deaths or widespread power outages during these days of 100+ degree heat index temperatures. While more hot days remain in the forecast, I urge you to visit DC.gov for heat emergency information. Also, please remain mindful of our homeless population. Heat stroke and hypothermia can be fatal. The hypothermia hotline for the homeless and persons at risk is (800) 535-7252.
-Anita
 Photo- Councilmember Anita Bonds and DC Office on Aging Director Laura Newman.
SENIOR SYMPOSIUM 2016
Councilmember Bonds was delighted to join more than 600 attendees and senior activists at the Mayor's Fifth Annual Senior
Symposium on Thursday, August 4, 2016, at Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior
High School hosted by the DC Office on Aging.
Councilmember
Bonds used the opportunity to speak with small groups of seniors about the District's $40 million dollar budget for the Office on Aging to administer
programs and initiatives to benefit DC's elder residents. She also talked about her legislation at the DC Council including the “Limitations of Guardianship Amendment Act”, “Safe
at Home Act" and the recently passed "Financial
Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults and the Elderly Amendment Act."
The day-long event also featured panel discussions, workshops, exhibits and a trade show
on senior resources, programs and services to help DC residents remain in their communities.
Click here to learn more about the DC Office on Aging
 Photo- Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander, 6th District Commander David Taylor and Councilmember Anita Bonds.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
National Night Out (NNO)
is an annual event that occurs on the first Tuesday in August. Each year, the Metropolitan Police
Department actively participates in National Night Out by interacting with community
members throughout the District. NNO events were held in each of the city's seven Police Districts to
build stronger relationships with residents, to prevent
criminal activity, to strengthen community, and to build lasting partnerships.
"We need more National
Night Out nights throughout the year to keep goodwill flowing," said
Councilmember Bonds who attended the event held at River Terrace Park.
 Photo- Rev. Dr. Morris L. Shearin Sr.of Israel Baptist Church cuts the ribbon.
NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING!
Councilmember Anita Bonds participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony of Visionary Square, 47
new units of convenient, comfortable, affordable, and luxurious apartments
for older residents. Visionary Square is located steps away from the Rhode Island Metro and abuts retail and restaurants.
Visionary Square is the realization of Israel Baptist Church’s mission to provide for DC residents. Years ago, the church’s non-profit entity, Israel Manor Inc. (IMI), forged a partnership with Mission First Housing Group and The Henson Development Company. This collaboration established and maintained a common goal – to provide affordable housing to one of our most precious, yet underserved populations – the seniors of our community.
Visionary Square provides four stories of modern, secure and convenient living in studios and one and two bedroom units, all with spacious floor plans, plenty of natural light and modern kitchens with energy efficient appliances – complete with full-size stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and garbage disposal. Amenities include a club room, TV lounge and an on-site laundry facility.
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONS
Councilmember Anita Bonds was a guest speaker at the recent ANC 5C04 community meeting in the Arboretum/N.Y. Ave. NE neighborhood. Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and 5th District Commander William Fitzgerald also attended the meeting.
The meeting also featured discussion and presentation of plans concerning the development that is currently underway at the intersection of NY Ave NE and West Virginia Ave. NE called "New City."
"Residents are grateful to hear directly from Councilmember Bonds about the activities at the council and we are especially glad to hear that she has proposed legislation to convert abandoned and blighted properties into affordable housing," stated ANC Commissioner Jacqueline Manning.
COUNCIL RECONVENES SEPTEMBER 15
The Council of the District of Columbia is in recess until September 15, 2016 and will hold their first Legislative Meeting and Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, September 20. Many important issues and bills will be debated and considered throughout the fall until the end of the 21st Legislative session which ends January 1, 2017.
During the recess, Councilmember Anita Bonds has been working on several legislative proposals to enact into law, including but not limited to:
Rental Housing Late Fee Fairness Amendment Act of 2016
For the first time in DC history, late fees for renters will be regulated. Late fees will be capped by limiting the amount of fees a landlord may charge
a tenant for unpaid rent up to 5% of the rent. It defines the term
"late payment" to mean rent that is unpaid within 10 days of
the due date; requires that the late fee be charged only once and
correlate to the unpaid amount of rent; and also prohibits landlords from
assessing late fees unless a written agreement between the landlord and
tenant provides for the imposition of late fees. Finally, it provides for
the imposition of a civil fine if its provisions are violated.
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Omnibus Amendment
Act of 2016 This bill brings the District's Advisory
Neighborhood Commissions into the 21st century and empowers the
commissioners to better serve their constituents by requiring
specified government agencies and entities to provide written notice to
the commissions prior to undertaking certain actions; requires government
agencies and other specified entities to give weight to the advice and
recommendations from the commissions; establishes procedures for
commission elections of officers; delineates the responsibilities of
each officer; establishes enhanced procedures for the governance of the
commissions; requires the Office of the Attorney General to provide
certain legal services to the commissions; requires the Mayor to provide
certain services, equipment, and information to the commissions; and
expands the duties of the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
A provision exempting ANC's
from FOIA is being reconsidered based upon recent testimony from
commissioners and legal experts. A third and final hearing on the bill
will be held September 29, 2016. Then, the legislation is expected to be
reported out of committee for consideration by the entire council.
Property Rehabilitation for Affordable Housing Act
of 2016
This bill establishes a program to transform vacant and
blighted properties into affordable housing by offering the
buildings to District residents and non-profits through a government
assisted tax sale process in exchange for the
rehabilitation of the property. The
purchaser must agree to keep all property costs at or below 35% of a
buyer or renter’s monthly income that is between 50%-80% of the AMI. The
purchaser may only sell the property at a price that generates a maximum
profit of 25% of the cost of construction.
Committee
on Housing and Community Development
Announces a Public Hearing of
the Committee on
B21-0697,
the “Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Omnibus Amendment Act of 2016”
Councilmember Anita Bonds, Chairperson
of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, will hold the third and final
public hearing on B21-0697, the “Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Omnibus
Amendment Act of 2016”. The public hearing will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016, at 4:30 PM in Room 500
of the John A. Wilson Building.
The Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Omnibus Amendment Act
of 2016 proposes a wide variety of changes to laws governing the Advisory
Neighborhood Commissions. Key proposals in the bill include clarifying
requirements for agency notification to Advisory Neighborhood Commissions
(ANCs); clarifying the requirements of great weight; providing a remedial
process for cases where notice or great weight requirements are not properly followed;
streamlining ANC notices to the community; providing for a modest office space
in each ward for ANCs to share; and creating a stipend for Commissioners who
regularly attend ANC meetings.
Those who wish to testify are requested to telephone the Committee
on Housing and Community Development, at (202) 724-8198, or email omontiel@dccouncil.us, and provide
their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if
any), by close of business on September 28, 2016. Persons wishing to
testify are encouraged to submit 15 copies of written testimony. Oral testimony
should be limited to three minutes for individuals and five minutes for
organizations.
 Nuestra oficina está aquí para
ayudar a los que hablan español en el Distrito
Me gustaría saludar a todos los residentes de Washington DC. El propósito de este boletín es proporcionar información, inspirar a la participación, y que las cosas funcionen mejor en esta gran ciudad. Como siempre, mi puerta está abierta para usted y doy la bienvenida a sus pensamientos y comentarios en cualquier idea actual que puede presentarse ante el Consejo. Por favor no dude en llamar a nuestra oficina para obtener información o acerca de un problema que usted pueda tener. Es por eso que estamos aquí, para servir a ustedes, nuestros residentes de Washington DC.
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