April 2016 Issue 335
TheMessage City of Mount Rainier— A City on the Move
In this Issue >>> The Buzz Around the City City Calendar Green & Healthy Living Mount Rainier Recycle Guide Take the Mount Rainier Carbon Footprint Challenge!
mountrainiermd.org
Set the stage >>>
Economic Development Samantha Olatunji
Spring is here, and seats are out!
In mid-2016, Flywheel Development also plan to deliver four net-zero townhomes Outdoor furniture is popping up on that are for-sale. The townhomes are ideal sidewalks in the town center. Businesses, for buyers from young families to empty before you put out your furniture, please nesters. This project will serve as a contact City Hall to get your new “Sidewalk Café regionally-significant model for low-impact Permit.” On March 1, 2016, the City Council development, built to the Passive House Standard. adopted Ordinance No. 1-2016 that amends The homes will be energy neutral over the course Chapter 7, Licenses and Permits, of the Mount of a year. For more info about purchasing the Rainier Code to include sidewalk cafes. homes, and to learn more about “net-zero”, visit The City wants to create policy that helps to ensure http://www.flywheeldevelopment.com/projects/ perry-street/ the health, safety, and welfare of businesses and residents in public spaces serving the commercial Did you say Fashion? areas of the City of Mount Rainier. Amongst other On March 23, 2016, the Prince George’s things, sidewalk cafes help to increase pedestrian Arts & Humanities Council sent an epresence and increase foot traffic within the public blast announcing a Call for applications realm of downtowns. from the DC Fashion Foundation, requesting applications to participate in For more information about the Ordinance 1— the DC Fashion Incubator at Macy’s Metro 2016, click here http:// Center, DC. Applications deadline for Prince www.mountrainiermd.org/wp-content/ George’s County: April 29, 2016. Application uploads/2013/08/Ord-12016.pdf . A copy of the Sidewalk Café Permit can be downloaded here: A available at www.dcfashionfoundation.org or email info@dcfashionfoundation.org. Satellite copy of the Sidewalk Café Permit can be downloaded location coming to the Gateway Arts District, in Mount here http://www.mountrainiermd.org/wp-content/ uploads/2013/08/MtR-Sidewalk-Cafe-PermitRainier, summer 2016. Application_3-25-16-FINAL.pdf. Business Highlight Article on behalf of Neena of Joes Development gearing up for 2016! Movement—Thanks for dancing at Development activity is heating up in our “Rhythm of the Night” 2016 gala Mount Rainier; residential building at Joe's Movement Emporium this, permits are on the rise, and construction evening of March 19. The City of is getting ready in the Mixed Use Town Mount Rainier would like to Center on Rhode Island Ave. Stay tune for more congratulate Joes Movement Emporium for 21 information on the start of construction for the years of service to the community. Check out 3300 Block rehabilitation of the Singer Building photos (courtesy of Marketa Ebert) from the gala properties. Check out The Menkiti Group’s plans for the site http://www.mountrainiermd.org/wp- on Joe’s Facebook page! Like, share, and tag yourself! Click here for full album. https:// content/uploads/2015-1103-Menkiti-Groupwww.facebook.com/media/set/? Presentation-City-of-Mount-Rainier.ppt . If you set=a.10153500672478443.1073741896.96859618442 want to give feedback on the development, send your input to info Email: Stay tune for more business highlights next mountrainier@menkitigroup.com. Phone: month! 202.733.5455 2
DATE
2016 BUDGET CALENDAR
Tuesday, December 15, 2016 Friday, January 8, 2016 Friday, February 12, 2016 Monday, March 7, 2016 Tuesday, March 15, 2016 Thursday, April 7, 2016 Tuesday, April 12, 2016 Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Tuesday, May 3, 2016
EVENT
Adopt Resolution setting proposed budget calendar for FY 2017 Budget Budget instructions issued to all City Departments and Community Groups Deadline for all City Departments and Community Groups (including Bunker Hill Fire Department) to submit Budget FY 2017 requests to City Manager City Manager submits Proposed Budget FY 2017 to the Council City Manager presents Proposed Budget FY 2017 to the Council. Council holds work session on proposed Budget FY 2017 and discussion of Constant Yield Tax Rate Notice in Prince George’s Post and/or Sentinel of Public Hearing on Proposed FY 2017 Budget and Public Hearing on Constant Yield Tax Rate (if necessary) scheduled for April 19, 2016 The Council Meeting; Special work session on Budget FY 2017 Public Hearing and Public Comment on Proposed Budget FY 2017and Constant Yield Tax Rate; Special Meeting for First Reading on Budget FY 2017 The Council Meeting; Second Reading and Vote on Budget FY 2017 and Constant Yield Tax Rate and Tax Rate
City of Mount Rainier Public Works Trash & Recycle Schedule April/Abril DATE FECHA
April 1 Abril 1
Recycle Reciclar
April 4 Abril 4
Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda Bulk Trash Granel Basura Regular Trash Basura Regular Recycle Reciclar Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda Regular Trash Basura Regular Recycle Reciclar Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda Bulk Trash Granel Basura Regular Trash Basura Regular Recycle Reciclar
April 6 Abril 6
CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
April 8 Abril 8 April 11 Abril 11
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Mount Rainier, Maryland, proposes to increase real property taxes.
April 13 Abril 13
For the tax year beginning July1, 2016, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 10.53%, from $348,436,200 to $385,138,647. If the City of Mount Rainier maintains the current tax rate of $0.86 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 10.53% resulting in $315,641 of new real property tax revenues. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.7780, the constant yield tax rate.
April 15 Abril 15 April 18 Abril 18
April 20 Abril 20 April 22 Abril 22
The City is considering not reducing its real property tax rate enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The City proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of $0.86 per $100 of assessment. This tax rate is 10.53% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $315,641 in additional property tax revenues. A public hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 in the City Council Chambers – Upper Level at Mount Rainier City Hall, One Municipal Place, Mount Rainier, MD 20712.The hearing is open to the public and public testimony is encouraged. Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call (301) 985-6585 for further information. 3
PICK UP RECOGER
April 25 Abril 25
Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda
April 27 Abril 27
Regular Trash Basura Regular Recycle Reciclar
April 29 Abril 29
May/Mayo DATE FECHA
May 2 Mayo 2
May 4 Mayo 4
PICK UP RECOGER
Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda Bulk Trash Ganel Basura Regular Trash Basura Regular
May 6 Mayo 6 May 9 Mayo 9
Recycle Reciclar Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda
May 11 Mayo 11
Regular Trash Basura Regular
May 13 Mayo 13
Recycle Reciclar
May 16 Mayo 16
Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda Bulk Trash Granel Basura Regular Trash Basura Regular
May 18 Mayo 18 May 20 Mayo 20
Recycle Reciclar
May 23 May 23
Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda Bulk Trash Granel Basura Regular Trash Basura Regular Recycle Reciclar
May 25 May 25 May 27 Mayo 27 May 31 Mayo 31
Yard Waste Basura de la Yarda
Bulk Trash Appointments must be made by 12 noon on the Friday proceeding the pick-up date. Contact Department of Public Works: 301.985.6583
Set the stage >>>
Green and Healthy Living MaryLee Haughwout
FACT: Did you know the average Maryland resident generates 6 pounds of waste each day? This adds up and in the City of Mount Rainier this totaled close to $75,000 in landfill costs in 2014. Reducing waste, recycling and composting can help save the planet and save money. The purpose of this guide is to help residents find alternatives and beneficial uses of your waste.
pay for the overage. Bamboo and wood are not yard waste, these are collected as bulk trash. Yard waste such as brush and branches must be tied in bundles not more than 4’ in length and/or 50 pounds. Backyard Composting Program The City launched a program to help residents compost by offering compost bins for residents at a subsidized cost of $20. The bins generally retail for
Mount Rainier Recycling Rules Curbside Recycling Pickup The City picks up recycling every Friday. If there is a holiday, it will be picked up the following Monday. Accepted materials include aluminum and steel/tin food and beverage cans, glass bottles, jars, mixed paper and cardboard. All materials should be placed in the City’s yellow recycling bins before 7AM on the day of pickup. Recycle bins are available at Public Works.
more than $80. The City has a three-year goal to get 225 new Mount Rainier single family homes turning food scraps and pa-per products into useful compost for their gardens. Help City Curbside Yard Waste keep food waste out of the Pickup landfill and contact Public Works Biodegradable yard waste is to purchase a bin at 301-985collected every Monday March 6583. through November. Yard waste must be in biodegradable paper City Electronic E-Cycle Days bags or in reusable The City generally has a few containers—no plastic bags. electronic waste recycling days Residents are allowed 3 cubic year and acceptable items yards per pick up, anyone going include computers, tablets, over the limit will be asked to keyboards, computer mice, 4
printers, scanners, fax machines, TVs, VCRs, DVD/CD/MP3 players, stereos, radios, turntables, telephones, cell phones, cables/cords, and ink jet and toner cartridges. Contact: Public Works— 301.985.6583 for the next scheduled date. City—Bulk Trash Pick-Up The City will pick-up your bulk trash when you request a pickup in advance. There is an additional fee for selected items. Call Public Works to schedule. Where can I RECYCLE: Plastic Bags? As of July 1, 2015 plastic bags are no longer recyclable. Many grocery stores accept plastic bags and have bins for recycling. You can search for the nearest location here: www.plasticfilmrecycling.org/ s01/s01dropoff.html Where can I RECYCLE: Refrigerators, Freezers, Air Conditioners? Pepco has an appliance recycling program and will recycle old, working refrigerators or freezers and give you $50. Through this program you can also recycle working window air conditioners and get an extra $25 at the same time. You can schedule a pickup by calling: 877-395-5540.
CONSTRUCTION Where can I RECYCLE: Household goods and furniture? The Habitat for Humanity Restore accepts donations of household goods, building supplies and furniture donations. All household goods and furniture donations are sold to the public at deep discounts and all proceeds are used to fund the building of affordable housing in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. You can drop off items or they will pickup from your home or business. More info at http:// habitatmm.org/furnituredonations visiting http:// communityforklift.org/donate/ donate-materials/
CONSTRUCTION Where can I RECYCLE: Concrete? Do you have concrete, bricks or chunks of clay and rubble in your yard you don’t know what to do with? Welcome to Mount Rainier! Luckily there is a local business that will recycle this material for a small price at 3334 Kenilworth Ave in Hyattsville. Contact DC Materials at 301-403-0200 or http://www.dcmaterials.com/
CITY RECYCLING CHECKLIST The City CANNOT accept your recycle in PLASTIC BAGS. The following is the list of items eligible for pick-up:
□ Glass, Food and beverage containers □ Empty aerosol cans Aluminum and steel food and beverage containers □ Aluminum foil □ Coat hangers Mixed Paper/Corrugated Cardboard □ All paper □ Milk and juice cartons □ Catalogs & Magazines □ Flattened corrugated cardboard (boxes) □ Frozen food packaging □ Hard/soft- covered books □ Newspapers with inserts □ Paper board (cereal boxes) □ Telephone books Plastics □ Drinking cups □ Flower pots □ Wide-mouth containers such as peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise tubs □ Empty Prescription bottles □ Coat hangers Remember to rinse all food and beverage containers and to recap or place the lids in the recycling cart/bin.
CONSTRUCTION Where can I RECYCLE?: Scrap Metal? Where can I RECYCLE?: Scrap metal is a hot Building Materials & commodity in Mount Rainier. If Furniture? you’d like to get some cash for Community Forklift in your metal, you can bring it to Edmonston accepts donations Metro ReUzIt Co., Inc. at 3401 of mostly new and salvaged Kenilworth Ave in Hyattsville. building & landscaping More information is available materials, appliances, and at metroreuzit.com tools, as well as antique and vintage housewares. They also Where can I RECYCLE?: accept furniture and Clothing, Housewares Items? commercial materials on a case-by-case basis. For more □ Goodwill-goodwill.org/ information contact: 301- 832- donateandshop/donate stuff 0781. NEXT MONTH: GRANTS, □ Faith-Based Institutions LOANS & RESOURCES to assist check local area faith-based with your next Renovation institutions for drop off days Project and clothes closets. 5
Set the stage >>>
The Buzz around the City Plug-in to the
Spring Greening Fair 2016
April 16, 2016 12– 5 pm Mount Rainier Nature Center 4701 31st Street, Mount Rainier LEARN about ways to “Go GREEN”
Join the Community Toolshed with the Annual SEED & SWAP Event! Bring your Seeds and Plants. FREE Seeds while they last! Join the Bike Co-op for FREE Bike Raffle, Bike, Compost Demonstrations from the Green Team and more! JOIN in the fun with:
City of Mount Rainier, Bee Workshop ECO City Farms, MOMS Organic, Bike Co-op, Plant and Seed Event, Food Vendors and more!
April Calendar of Events April 2, 2016 at 11:00 am Learn to Crochet Mount Rainier Public Library 3409 Rhode Island Avenue April 4, 2016 at 7:30 pm Election Board Meeting City Hall April 5, 2016 at 7:00 pm Mayor and City Council Hearing City Hall - Watch it LIVE on mountrainiermd.org April 6, 2016 at 7:30 pm Bike Co-op 3601 Bunker Hill Road FREE Pizza
April 9, 2016 10 am — 12 pm Garden Committee City Hall Contact: jacqlynw@gmail.com April 11, 2016 Green Team Meeting City Hall April 13, 2016 at 8:30 am Mount Rainier Business Association (MRBA) meeting 3249 Rhode Island Avenue April 13, 2016 at 7:00 pm MUTC Meeting City Hall April 16, 2016 at 12 pm — 5 pm Spring Greening Fair Mount Rainier Nature Center
April 6, 13, 20, 27, 2016 at 11:00 am April 19, 2016 at 7:00 pm Mayor and City Council Story Hour for ages 3—5 Work Session—City Hall Mount Rainier Public Library 6
Petting Zoo
April 23, 2016 9am—12 pm Annual Watershed Clean-up Mount Rainier Nature Center
May May 3, 2016 at 7pm Mayor and City Council Meeting May 7, 2016 Embassy Tour—Washington, DC RSVP— MR Nature Center May 14, 2016 12—5 pm Gateway CDC Studio Tour Come and join over 100+ Artists May 17, 2016 at 7 pm Mayor and City Council Work Session—Watch it LIVE at mountrainiermd.org May 19, 2016 at 7 pm Tree Commission Meeting City Hall
Take the Mount Rainier Carbon Footprint Challenge!
EARTH DAY QUIZ
1. When year was the first Earth Day? 2. What program was introduced in 1980 to clean up toxic and hazardous waste? 3. The melting of Greenland ice sheets poses an immediate threat to what animal? 4. How much of our air pollution comes from cars or trucks? 5. What are the three “R”’s of Waste Management? 6. Who is the founder of Earth Day? Earth Day is April 22, 2016
Give yourself 10 points for each item that you are doing towards our Sustainability efforts!
1. Do you recycle? 2. Do you have solar panels on your roof? 3. Do you walk or bike at least three times a week instead of using your car? 4. Do you have CFL or LED lightbulbs in your home? 5. Are your appliances Energy Star rated? 6. Do you garden? 7. Do you have a rain barrel? 8. Do you compost? If you received 10 points for each question above you are a Sustainable
Answers: 1—1970, 2 — Superfund, 3 — polar bears, 4 — 50%, 5 — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, 6 —
Shining Stars of Prince George’s County MOUNT RAINIER School Board Meetings are: Ruth Sandy Thursday, April at 1:00 Tiffany Davis We honored Ms. Lomax for 14th her 13+ yearspm of Thursday, 28th at 7:00Ms. pm service at the City ofApril Mount Rainier! Julia Broadnax
Newsletter Credits: Samantha Olatunji MaryLee Haughwout Brishay Corbin
Lomax we will miss you! Meetings are held at 14201 School Lane, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. You are all invited to come to Upper Marlboro or watch the Board meeting live on Channels 96 or 38. 7
The Message Newsletter
Editor—Veronica Owens
CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY NUMBERS STAFF Deadline for the AprilCITY edition is March 15, 2016 Mayor Contact the Editor—Veronica 911 All Emergencies Interim CityOwens Manager vowens@mountrainiermd.org Malinda Miles POLICE—911 Emergency Larry Hughes mayormiles@gmail.com lhughes@mountrainiermd.org 301.985.6565 Non-Emergency Assistant City Manager Ward 1 301.985.6590 Administrative Veronica Owens Tracy Loh FIRE—911 Emergency thadden@gmail.com vowens@mountrainiermd.org 301.985.5406 Non-Emergency Jesse Christopherson City Treasurer WATER—WSSC Vijay Manjani jschris@gmail.com 301.206.4002 Emergency Ward 2 301.206.8000 Main vmanjani@mountrainiermd.org Bryan Knedler Economic Development Director Washington Gas Samantha Olatunji bknedler@aol.com 703.750.1000 Shivali Shah ELECTRIC—PEPCO solatunji@mountrainiermd.org MRTV Shivali@ShivaliShah.com 1.877.737.2662 Gerome Williams Contact Council 301.985.6585 Live wire 202.872.3432 CITY RESOURCES gwilliams@mountrainiermd.org Legislative 47th District Mount Rainier Library City Police Diana Fennell Chief Michael Scott 301.864.8937 301.858.3478 mscott@mountrainierpd.org Hours: Mon-Thurs 11am-7pm Del Jimmy Tarlau 301.985.6565 Non Emergency (closed 2:00 pm- 2:30 pm) Department of Public Works Closed Fridays 301.335.6099 Michael Barnes Senator Victor Ramirez Mount Rainier Nature Center 301.858.3745 mbarnes@mountrainiermd.org 301.927.2163 Mount Rainier Post Office 301.985.6583 District 2 Code Enforcement 301.699.8856 CodeEnforcement@MountrainierMD.org County Councilwoman Mount Rainier Bike Coop 301.985.6551 Deni Taveras 301.277.2110 Ruth Sandy Mount Rainier Com Toolshed 301.952.4436 rsandy@mountrainiermd.org 301.660.7433 Alex Brown U. S. Congress CALL A BUS abrown@mountrainiermd.org Rep. Donna Edwards 240.832.6559 9am-2pm Sustainability Coordinator Tax Assistance/Tax Sale 301.516.7601 Jessica Love 301.952.4030 jlove@mountrainiermd.org
Printing and mailing provided by: 301-864-4026
Coming in MAY 2016 >>> Before you begin your Renovation—Grants/loans RESOURCES Foreclosure Assistance 877.462.7555 www.mdhope.org 240.391.6413 Landlord/Tenant Commission 800.487.6007 Maryland Home Tax Credit Contact City Hall—Finance Department Statewide Housing Counseling Services 800.642.2227 MD Energy Assistance (MEAP) Provides Energy Assistance Limited Funding for Free Furnaces 301.909.6330 Mortgage Assistance www.mmpmaryland.gov 301.429.7400 Public Defender 301.699.2760 State’s Attorney 301.952.3500 Health Department 301.583.5920 Child Abuse/Neglect 301.699.8605 Animal Control 301.780.7200 Special Needs TDD 301.627.3352 Family Crisis Center 301.731.1023