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ANC 4B06

Community Reminder: Patience & Grace During Winter Challenges Neighbors, as we continue to dig out from the recent snow and ice, please remember that these conditions create unique challenges for everyone—limited parking, blocked sidewalks, and slower city services. Let’s extend patience and grace to one another during this temporary inconvenience. A little understanding goes a long way toward keeping our community strong and safe. Friendly Tip: If you finish shoveling early, consider helping a neighbor who may need assistance. Small acts of kindness make a big difference!

ANC 4B06 SMD Meeting Summary

Summary:

The discussion focused on the challenges posed by ongoing ice and snow conditions in the community, particularly regarding snow removal and the responsibilities of residents. Tiffani Johnson raised concerns about the reinstatement of fines for un-shoveled sidewalks and sought clarification from the Department of Public Works on whether residents are expected to clear alleys, a requirement that has not been common in the past. She emphasized the need for community support, especially for those struggling to access trash cans due to icy conditions and is awaiting responses from relevant agencies to address these issues.

Participants shared personal experiences with ice management and safety concerns. Sam provided tips on breaking up ice for easier removal, while Tiffani recounted her own difficulties, including damaging her shovel and needing help from a friend. The conversation highlighted the risks associated with navigating icy areas, particularly for individuals with past injuries. Additionally, Tiffani discussed community resources for snow preparedness and the delayed completion of alley work, clarifying that the responsibility for this project lies with the Department of Transportation (DDOT).

The group also addressed broader infrastructure issues, including the need for traffic calming measures and the status of bike lanes in the area. Tiffani noted community requests for four-way stop signs and acknowledged mixed feelings about bike lanes, particularly regarding their impact on parking and safety. Sam raised concerns about the accessibility of protected bike lanes during winter, especially for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The discussion underscored the importance of community advocacy and engagement with local government, with Tiffani encouraging residents to participate in district meetings and share information to enhance community involvement.

Chapters & Topics:

Community Concerns Regarding Snow and Ice Management
Tiffani Johnson highlighted the challenges posed by ice and snow in the community, including the recent reinstatement of fines for un-shoveled sidewalks. She is awaiting clarification from the Department of Public Works regarding residents' responsibilities for clearing alleys, as conflicting information has emerged. Johnson also encouraged residents to reach out for assistance if they are unable to clear their sidewalks.

Alley Work and Community Resources
Tiffani Johnson shared her contact information and resources for snow preparedness, including alerts and assistance options. She is currently waiting for an update from DDOT on the completion of alley work, which has faced delays. Tiffani Johnson acknowledged the challenges and offered to assist by submitting a 311 request and advocating for the alley's improvement. Both emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean and well-kept alley to discourage littering.

Strategies for Engaging with Department Heads
Tiffani Johnson voiced her frustration with the bureaucratic process, while Sam suggested that contacting the deputy mayor could be a more effective strategy if agency directors are unresponsive. This approach could help in navigating the complexities of local government.

Discussion on Traffic Calming Measures and Bike Lanes
Tiffani Johnson discussed the community's need for four-way stop signs at intersections along 5th, 3rd, and 4th Streets. 

Community Concerns Regarding Bike Lanes
Tiffani Johnson acknowledged the community's limited cycling presence and explained that the bike lane project aimed to connect various areas. She also mentioned that the city had been responsive to community concerns, leading to adjustments in the plan.

Community Engagement and Communication Strategies
Tiffani Johnson encouraged participation in her single-member district meetings and mentioned her plans to resume office hours. She also discussed the importance of block captains to help disseminate information to those without computer access and addressed concerns about virtual meeting security.

Updates on Kansas Avenue Infrastructure Issues
Tiffani Johnson addressed several infrastructure issues on Kansas Avenue, including a proposed shared-use path and the need for sidewalk expansion, which necessitates collaboration with the National Park Service. A meeting with NPS Superintendent Joyner is set for February 23rd. Johnson also noted that the installation of a four-way stop sign at Madison and Kansas is pending due to weather-related delays.

DPW Service Level Updates Trash and Recycling Collection Update: Trash, recycling, and food waste collections continue throughout the District. If your trash or recycling is not collected on your scheduled day, please leave your bins out, as missed collections will be prioritized the following day. If materials have not been collected within two days, residents should report the issue to 311.

Food Waste Collection Program & Food Waste Drop-Off Sites:

Winter Weather Updates:
As a result of the ongoing snow emergency, food waste collection and drop-off services are impacted.

Please follow @dcdpw and @dczerowaste on social and check DPW.dc.gov and zerowaste.dc.gov for the latest about delays or food waste drop-off event closures. Some events (not all) will be closed this weekend.

There are several events that occur on Saturday (February 7th) and Sunday (February 8th) that will be open, but several farmers' markets have announced they are closed due to snow and ice accumulation. Please continue to check this webpage for updates about the weekend drop-off events: https://zerowaste.dc.gov/foodwastedropoff

Notices to DPW Food Waste Smart Bin Users:

• Most of the smart bins are serviceable but unplowed roads may affect the ability to service smart bins.
• If a smart bin is full or the lid cannot be opened due to accumulated snow and ice, please do not drop off materials; take them back home and store them in your freezer until roads are passable (and therefore smart bins are serviceable).

The Special Waste Collection Events: 

DPW Special Waste Collection Events for safe disposal of household hazardous waste, recycling of electronics, and secure document shredding will be conducted twice quarterly.

Register at tinyurl.com/hhw-register. For more information on residential special waste, visit the District's Zero Waste

DC DPW’s Special Waste Collection Event has been moved slightly and will now take place at RFK Lot 8, entrance off of Independence Ave SE, through March of 2026. Registrations as well as Proof of DC residency will be required to enter the event.
Eventbrite registration is presently available for the following event:

• Saturday, March 14, 2026, at RFK Parking Lot 8 (2500 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003)

Unified Communication Center UCC

DPW is committed to delivering efficient and effective services to our residents and quickly resolving issues. As our partner in providing streamlined and effective resolutions, we want to share the best channels for residents to utilize. 

To ensure smooth communication for everyone, we kindly request that you share the contact details of the UCC with all members in your office and constituents who reach out to you. This will make the service resolution process quicker for residents and raise awareness about DPW's communication center. DPW’s leadership team is here to address continual issues or problems that have not been satisfactorily addressed by the UCC.  

UCC Phone: (202) 673-6833 (Mon – Fri) 8:30 am – 4:30 pm  

Central Email: dpw@dc.gov. 

Takoma Aquatic Center Closure The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) would like to inform the community that Takoma Aquatic Center (300 Van Buren Street, NW) will be closed from February 2nd to March 10th  for annual maintenance, upgrades to the locker room, and for the 39th Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet. The Takoma Community Center will remain open during this time. Takoma Aquatic Center will reopen on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Residents are welcome to contact DPR's Customer Care Center at (202) 673-7647. The call line is open during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday, and is closed on weekends and holidays. You may also contact us via email at dprcustomercare@dc.gov.

Wards 3 & 4 DPR Construction Update- Thursday, February 12th, 2026

Please join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for a virtual community meeting regarding the upcoming capital construction projects coming to the Ward 3 and 4 communities. 

Your attendance and feedback are greatly appreciated! Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at my contact information listed below.

Meeting details: 

Date:  Thursday, February 12^th, 2026 

Time:  6:00 PM 

Location:  Virtual 

For more information and to RSVP, please visit: 

https://wardupdates.splashthat.com/

Capital City Neighborhood Updates

I received the below update from Capital City Public Charter School on Friday, January 30th, 2026:

We want to update you on our current campus state, our plans for next week, and the ongoing concerns we have regarding students and families commuting to and from school safely. We recognize the challenges the city had in clearing snow and ice from the streets and sidewalks and have kept our building closed the entirety of this week. 

We plan to welcome students back to school on Monday and our campus sidewalks, parking lot and entry areas have been maintained and our systems running normally.

The accessibility to the campus is drastically compromised due to the amount of ice piled up at every street corner.

The Bus stops on Kansas Avenue and Blair road by the 7-11 have yet to be cleared as well as the sidewalk leading to them. These are the primary bus stops that serve our students, staff, and families.

Moreover, the ice piled at each intersection currently prevents any pedestrian from  walking to the school from any directions. Today, the few brave people using public transportation were forced to walk or stand in the car lane...

Additionally, all streets surrounding the school property are plowed only to the width of one car making it impossible for passing vehicles to get through. That also means street parking is not even an option which is already a challenge during normal school operations and Kansas Ave is currently undergoing renovations and inaccessible for parking on a normal day

For next week, we will be asking families to stagger their drop off (8-9am) and pick up (3:30-4:30pm). In addition, we are planning on staffing intersections during arrival and dismissal (as we already do). We requested additional snow treatment from our private contractor as well as requested city support via the "Reporting Snow issues" tracker to improve traffic safety along Peabody st NW 100 block, 2nd st NW between Quackenbos st and Oglethorpe st NW.

Please find attached a map of the neighborhood we are sharing with families and staff asking to follow traffic patterns to enhance safety and alleviate congestion.

However, we are sincerely worried for our student safety next week. We'd appreciate any support in getting streets cleared of ice and snow.

Councilmember Lewis George responded on January 31, 2026, and has contacted WMATA for assistance in clearing the bus stop.  Unfortunately, DPW won't be able to plow the street corners until they have completed the residential roads.  Her office will continue to advocate for a resolution.  

If anyone is able to assist, please let me know.

Ward 4 Dispatch: Snow Response, Budget Forum, and TranspoBINGO! *Sign up to receive the complete Ward 4 Dispatch from Councilmember Janeese Lewis George. Updates on DC’s Emergency Snow Response As the District continues to recover from the recent winter storm, I want to share an update on where things stand and how my office is responding. DPW reports that crews are still working through more than 5,000 service requests logged through 311. Snowplows remain active, and SWEEP inspectors are engaging residents and businesses to ensure sidewalks and crosswalk lead-ins are cleared so pedestrians can move safely. Alley sanitation collections are also ongoing, with crews collecting trash by hand where necessary and working to clear safe access routes for trash and recycling trucks. To speed up this work, Bobcats are operating around the clock to service alleys. This is a 24-hour operation, so DPW has shared that overnight work may create noise. Over the last week, I have been in active communication with DPW leadership, pushing for faster response times, clear communication, and focused attention on areas that have been hardest hit. My staff has also been out in the community shoveling alongside residents, while reporting ongoing issues directly to DPW. DPW continues to share updates on social media and via their website, and my office will continue to monitor the situation closely and share updates as we receive them. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, submitted service requests, and shown patience during this challenging period. Please know we hear you and share your frustrations—we will continue pressing executive agencies to respond to the needs of our community. If you would like to testify in DPW’s upcoming performance oversight hearings to share your experiences, you can sign up to testify on the Council’s website. Ward 4 Budget Forum Set for February 10th On Tuesday, February 10th at 2pm and 7pm, I am hosting virtual budget forums to hear neighbors' priorities for the upcoming FY27 budget process. This is your opportunity to speak about programs and projects that need funding and help guide my work advocating for Ward 4. Stay tuned for next week's newsletter for more details and how to sign up! Wards 3 and 4 DPR Construction Update On Thursday, February 12th at 6pm, DPR is hosting a virtual community meeting regarding the upcoming capital construction projects coming to the Wards 3 and 4 communities. For more information and to RSVP, visit DPR’s website.

Lead Free DC Virtual Community Meeting Thank you for your continued support of DC Water’s Lead Free DC (LFDC) initiative by attending our quarterly virtual community meeting “Frozen Ground, Forward Motion,” held on January 28. We appreciate your partnership in helping us reach communities across the District and providing them with the LFDC program resources and information.    The meeting was recorded and posted on DC Water’s YouTube channel.