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Fall 2023
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Message from Keith, the New Deputy Mayor
Hello DC!
I am honored and humbled that Mayor Bowser appointed me to be your new Deputy Mayor of Operations and Infrastructure and am excited to begin this new journey of public service.
My commitment to serving our beloved city runs deep. I am a native Washingtonian and grew up in the Takoma neighborhood in Ward 4. I recall fondly the old landmarks along Georgia Avenue like Morton’s and the House of Champions like it was yesterday. I am pleased that today we see more new businesses and residents in my old neighborhood. I am a product of the DC Public School System, having attended Lafayette Elementary School, Deal Middle School, and Jackson-Reed Senior High School—most of the time using public transportation, before great advancements such as Kids Ride Free and dedicated bus lanes.
I did leave DC to attend an HBCU—Hampton University—but wasted little time coming back home after graduation to begin my career serving District residents and businesses. Little did I know back then that someday I would become a deputy mayor of the best city in the nation!
During my first few weeks, I’ve been getting to know the dedicated #TeamDMOI staff and cluster agency directors. Thanks to them, I’m quickly familiarizing myself with programs and services beyond the environmental initiatives where I got my start. I take a boots on the ground approach to my work, rather than sitting in an office in front of a computer, so I will be regularly visiting our agency teams. I’ll be reaching out to our legislators and stakeholders to get a sense of their priorities. And of course, I will be listening to you, our residents and businesses, to learn how well we serve you now, and what we need to do serve you better in the future.
Ready to serve,
Keith
To see the Mayor's announcement of Keith's appointment, go here.
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Anderson Testifies at Traffic Enforcement Safety Hearing
On November 1, Deputy Mayor Anderson testified before a DC Council committee regarding three traffic safety enforcement bills, along with three DMOI cluster directors. Anderson's key point: To effectively address traffic safety and traffic enforcement in the District, we all must work together—the Executive, the Council, stakeholders, and residents.
DC Supports Fall 2023 Street Smart Campaign
DC’s Highway Safety Office (HSO) joined officials from Maryland and Virginia on October 25 to launch the Fall 2023 Regional Street Smart Campaign. Led by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), the educational and enforcement campaign reminds drivers how to safely share the roads with bicyclists and pedestrians during the fall, when it gets dark earlier. National studies show that most deadly pedestrian crashes happen after dark. Learn more at BeStreetSmart.net.
HSO Gets $87,000 Grant
The Governors Highway Safety Association and General Motors awarded an $87,000 grant to HSO, which will use the funds to: (1) implement neighborhood-specific campaigns for all eight wards to raise awareness of distracted driving dangers; (2) begin an evidence-based, peer-to-peer micromobility education program for middle school students in partnership with Impact Teen Drivers; and (3) explore the feasibility of expanding the District’s automated traffic enforcement program to include equipment that can detect distracted drivers.
HSO Wins 'WRAPPY' Award
HSO received a 2023 Public Partnership Award from the nonprofit Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) during its Annual Meeting and WRAPPY Awards ceremony on October 20. WRAP commemorated its 41st year fighting drunk driving and underage drinking.
Leadership Updates
Beyond our new deputy Mayor Keith Anderson, here are a few updates on leadership positions in the DMOI cluster.
The DC Council confirmed the following directors:
- Richard Jackson, Department of Energy and Environment
- Brian Hanlon, Department of Buildings
- Tiffany Crowe, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Sharon Kershbaum was appointed interim DDOT Director by Mayor Bowser.
Melinda Bolling withdrew her nomination as Acting Director of the Department of For-Hire Vehicles.
Independent Agency Highlights
Alcohol Beverage Cannabis Administration (ABCA)
DC Water
Office of the People's Counsel (OPC)
Public Service Commission (PSC)
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Mayor Bowser Kicked Off Leaf Collection Program with DPW
On October 19, Mayor Bowser and the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) kicked off the 2023-2024 Leaf Collection season. Leaf collection began on October 30 and continues through January 20.
This year, adjustments were made to the program to make it more efficient, to include new equipment such as 40 new electric leaf blowers, six more leaf vac trucks, 18 additional dump trucks to haul the vacs, and three new buckets that can be attached to the agency’s trucks and allow crews to collect leaves at a faster rate than in years past.
This year's program is updated to be more responsive to when leaves fall across DC. Instead of sending a set schedule that goes out once in October, DPW is assessing the city every two weeks and updating the leaf collection schedule. Residents can check the latest schedule every Friday by 5:00 p.m., through an online leaf tracker or the DPW Leaf Line at (202) 671-LEAF (5323).
Residents are reminded that they can compost pumpkins and gourds at the District’s food waste drop-off locations.
Mayor Bowser Celebrated 50% Milestone for DC Smart Street Lighting Project
On November 6, Mayor Bowser, the Department of Transportation (DDOT) and other District officials celebrated progress on the DC Smart Street Lighting Project, which is providing neighborhoods across all eight wards with better, more efficient, and more modernized streetlights. The project is part of the District’s Smart Cities initiative to upgrade the entire District streetlight network of more than 75,000 lights to LED, which offer energy efficiency, better light directing and safety, remote monitoring, and brightness control. So far, the District has modernized nearly 40,000 streetlights.
This is the District’s first public-private partnership (P3) and the largest P3 streetlight project in the nation. To learn more, visit streetlights.dc.gov or email info@dcsmartstreetlights.com.
Are You Are Charged Up About EV Stations?
If you are a DC resident and own an electric or plugin hybrid vehicle, we want to hear from you! Share your experience with charging your vehicle and specific charging stations.
Cluster Agency Highlights
Here are just a few DMOI agency accomplishments over the last several months.
Department of Buildings (DOB)
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Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
- Joined forces other District agencies at the Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center to ensure a thriving community for all
- Its Small Business Resource Center continued to provide small business owners with extensive training on regulatory processes and obtaining necessary licenses
- Continued to promote the Business Licensing Portal
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Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)
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Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV)
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Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV)
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Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB)
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Department of Public Works (DPW)
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Department of Transportation (DDOT)
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DC Is Hiring!
Be part of DC's Comeback. #DCisHiring. We have a variety of available positions across District Government, including within DMOI agencies. Search career opportunities at together.dc.gov/jobs.
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DC Agencies Under DMOI's Purview
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Independent Agencies
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