[0:16] >> calling to order this meeting.

[0:18] this is the 35th legislative meeting of council period 26.

[0:24] I'm phil mendelson chair of the council.

[0:26] the chair of the council district of columbia.

[0:28] today is tuesday july 14, 2026. It's 2:40.

[0:34] we are in room 500 of the johnny wilson building.

[0:39] this meeting is broadcast on cable channel 13 as well as on

[0:44] the council's website www.dccouncil.gov.

[0:48] this is an additional meeting. It's not a regularly scheduled

[0:51] meeting of the council. With that, we always have a

[1:00] moment of silence for reflec reflection.

[1:28] please call the roll. [ roll call]

[1:56] you have a quorum. >> thank you, madam secretary.

[1:58] we have the consent agenda before us.

[2:06] looking at the consent agenda on page 3, item 10 for initiatives

[2:15] land transparency amendment act. Was agendized for

[2:19] september 22nd. It is not on this agenda.

[2:23] on page 4 at the bottom of the page number 5, board of trustees

[2:28] university of district columbia resolution 2026, pr26-741 was

[2:36] removed from consent committee as a whole on page 5, number 9

[2:40] at the top, approval resolution 2026, was put on nonconsent at

[2:51] the committee of the whole. I believe those are only changes

[2:56] that I know of. To the consent agenda.

[2:58] are there any other changes? Hearing none.

[3:05] we have the consent agenda as amended before us.

[3:09] all those in favor say aye. >> aye.

[3:11] >> are there any opposed? Hearing none, the ayes have it

[3:16] unanimously. Turning to page 4, item 5.

[3:20] at the bottom pr26-741. Board of trustees, district

[3:29] columbia. So moved.

[3:31] is there a discussion? >> mr. Chairman.

[3:34] >> councilmember parker. >> I want to say it again for

[3:37] the record. This is a no way to undermine or

[3:40] question the qualifications of mr. Battle.

[3:45] instead, a belief that district residents should be the ones

[3:48] appointed to district boards and institutions.

[3:52] I will be voting no. I believe mr. Battle is more

[3:55] than qualified. Thank you.

[3:58] >> thank you. If there's no further

[4:00] discussion. The vote is on pr26-741.

[4:04] all those in favor say aye. >> aye.

[4:08] >> any opposed? Please record councilmember

[4:13] parker voting no. The ayes have it.

[4:16] on page 5, number 9. Pr26-736.

[4:24] bundle disposition resolution for 2026.

[4:28] councilmember frumin. >> I read the full statement at

[4:34] the -- I asked that this so moved.

[4:40] >> is there a discussion? Councilmember allen.

[4:44] >> I had couple of questions I wanted to ask mr. Frumin.

[4:50] with this deal, is there a date by which construction has been

[4:56] established to begin? >> it's not a strict term.

[5:03] there is a life of the district, would expire.

[5:08] the target is to start in 2028 I believe.

[5:14] be done by 2030. >> I guess, if we're accepting

[5:22] now $5 million financial liability plus $30 million for

[5:24] the streets, it doesn't come with a date that they have to

[5:27] get the project started by. >> I don't believe there is --

[5:33] there's a date by which it needs to be done.

[5:37] there's not -- I think the hope is it will get started much

[5:43] sooner than requirements of the term sheet.

[5:53] >> is there an agreement how much?

[5:57] >> $325,000. >> is that in escrow or is that

[6:03] what they say they will put in? >> I believe it's just what they

[6:07] say. It's their commitment as opposed

[6:10] going into a an escrow account. >> at one point they said they

[6:16] were building a park. Now they are not, we are.

[6:19] I'm anxious around a promise that they're going to do

[6:22] something on this. It's an important project.

[6:25] it needs to move forward. I'm aware that $35 million in

[6:32] capital spending on streets and parks is $35 million that we're

[6:36] not spending somewhere else for other very important projects.

[6:45] the deal just one block away came with requirements around a

[6:49] lot of money that we put in, requirements they have to

[6:53] deliver housing or else. They have to deliver many

[6:56] things. They put a lot of metrics around

[6:59] that I know $35 million is not the scale hundreds of millions

[7:04] but it adds up. As we continue to face limited amount of

[7:09] finances, make sure we're safeguarding it is important to

[7:12] me. I appreciate it.

[7:13] I know you doing your level best here to how to get this project

[7:19] moving. >> on the streets, the streets

[7:22] has come up a different times in a number of different places.

[7:29] at rfk at fletcher johnson an popular puff and other projects.

[7:36] the city has borne the cost of streets and sidewalks.

[7:40] it is not exceptional certainly in the recent projects for that

[7:43] to be a part of the component. I hear you, dollars are limited.

[7:47] if you used dollars in one place, they're not available in

[7:52] another place. This is an important place.

[7:54] our view is that this deal makes since as it is.

[7:57] will deliver for the district. >> if there's no further

[8:03] discussion, the vote will be on pr26-736.

[8:08] all those in favor say aye. >> aye.

[8:12] >> are there any opposed? Please record the meeting no.

[8:19] >> please record me as present. >> the ayes have it with me

[8:29] recorded as no and councilmember allen an present.

[8:39] the measure is approved. Turning to non--consent agenda.

[8:46] we have a final reading on the resale act.

[8:51] bill 26-224. The technical name is

[8:55] restricting egregious scalping against live entertainment

[9:00] amendment act 2026. Councilmember nadeau.

[9:12] councilmember pinto. >> thank you, mr. Chairman.

[9:41] artists and promoters rely on when decide where to book

[9:44] events. The fees go to our local venues.

[9:48] many venues make contracts with their ticketing platforms that

[9:52] are three years long. That allows them to get advance

[9:54] of the money that will be made so they can continue to maintain

[9:58] their venues which is so important to our entire economy

[10:02] and our culture here in washington d.c.

[10:05] adding this type of uncertainty about the mayoral ruling around

[10:08] fees, will make it much more difficult for district venues to

[10:13] finalize these type of contracts and receive the money that they

[10:16] need to stay open. No other jurisdiction in the

[10:20] nation regulates the primary market for tickets in this way.

[10:25] if d.c. Is the only one, artists and promoters will root around

[10:30] it and will see talent go elsewhere.

[10:33] we must refocus this bill on the original intent which is to

[10:36] ensure that consumers are protected from egregious price

[10:40] gouging in the secondary market and instead the dollars are put

[10:43] back into our local economy. I ask for my employee --

[10:53] colleagues to support this amendment.

[10:56] >> councilmember parker. >> I will acknowledge, I'm going

[10:59] to operate in the nuance of it. I, too, appreciate the

[11:04] underlying bill and appreciate what I believe councilmember

[11:08] pinto is attempted to do with this amendment.

[11:10] I'm concerned, though that by the amendment removing the

[11:15] authority to cap fees in the primary ticket market while

[11:20] leaving restrictions on the secondary market, which we

[11:23] should be doing, it creates an uneven regulatory framework that

[11:29] only empowers the giants in the primary market.

[11:32] who are often ticketmaster and live nation.

[11:36] I would point out that those market dynamics are already the

[11:41] subject of litigation brought by the u.s. Department of justice

[11:51] and numerous state attorneys general.

[11:52] many of our concert venues have expressed that by undermining

[11:57] their ability to charge fees in a reasonable way, hurts their

[12:01] bottom line. None was us want to do that.

[12:04] I would remind us all that the department of justice domination

[12:21] said live nation chargely up to ticket price.

[12:31] we all agree that we shouldn't regulate the primary market.

[12:35] we would turn a blind eye to ticketmaster, gouging and taking

[12:40] advantage. My concern again by approving

[12:45] this amendment by extension that's we're doing.

[12:48] I will leave it there. I get what the underlying bill

[12:52] is attempting to do. I support it.

[12:54] I think we should regulate the secondary market in order to

[12:57] support our artists and venues. We should also take on

[13:05] ticketmaster and live nation which operate as unchecked

[13:09] monopolies in many ways. The argument will be made, I'm

[13:12] sure, let's let the legal system play out.

[13:15] again, what is the harm of saying within reason you can

[13:20] charge a service fee or a tax but just not 30%.

[13:24] just not 40%. That seems reasonable to me and

[13:28] to just say, let the courts handle it seems as though we're

[13:33] missing an opportunity to protect our residents.

[13:37] >> if there's no further discussion.

[13:38] we have the amendment before us. All those in favor the amendment

[13:41] say aye. >> aye.

[13:43] >> are there any opposed? >> mr. Chairman, record me as

[13:52] no. >> the ayes have it.

[13:59] we have a second amendment. It was circulated by

[14:02] councilmembers allen, henderson and nadeau.

[14:05] not sure who to call on. Circulated by councilmember

[14:12] allen office. >> I move this amendment

[14:17] alongside my colleagues. On june 30th we approved an

[14:20] amendment that among other provisions ban practice of

[14:24] selling concert tickets here in the district.

[14:26] for those who are unfamiliar with the practice, surveillance

[14:31] pricing is using identifiable information usually required use

[14:34] of data mining or purchase history with these specific

[14:40] company to price a product. If all of us were global to be

[14:44] purchasing the same ticket, to the same concert, we might all

[14:47] get different prices. Surveillance pricing leads to

[14:52] two different consumers getting two different prices for the

[14:55] statement thing. It's fundamentally unfair.

[14:58] I'm looking forward to the council taking up this issue

[15:02] this fall and legislation councilmember henderson

[15:04] introduced it will ban surveillance pricing.

[15:24] this amendment was crafted to clarify that the broad

[15:28] surveillance pricing for live events and the district does not

[15:30] apply to reduction in prices or fees that are set based on

[15:34] eligibility criteria that any consumer can satisfy on equal

[15:37] terms to provide to member of broadly defined group such as

[15:42] teachers, senior citizens, students, three provided to

[15:47] recipients. This amendment clarifies any

[15:50] reduction in the price or fees for our ticket must be specified

[15:53] in terms in eligibility that disclose and provide consumer

[15:58] based on use of surveillance pricing.

[16:00] it clarifies use of location data to determine jurisdictions

[16:04] within the requirements like calculating the taxes.

[16:06] I want to thank the staff, office attorney general and

[16:12] future of music coalition. Thank you mr. Chairman.

[16:18] I move the amendment. I ask for my colleagues support.

[16:22] >> is there a discussion? Vote will be on the amendment.

[16:26] this is one circulated by councilmembers allen, henderson

[16:29] and nadeau. A those in favor say aye.

[16:32] >> aye. >> are there any opposed?

[16:35] hearing none, the ayes have unanimously.

[16:39] we have the bill as amended. Is there further discussion?

[16:48] councilmember allen, councilmember pinto, you asked

[16:50] to be recognized? >> thank you very much.

[16:53] as we get set to vote on final passage of the resale act, I'm

[16:57] very excited. We're about to put in place the

[17:00] strongest consumer protections for our resident and our live

[17:05] performance industry. This is without a doubt the most

[17:09] pro-fan, pro consumer piece of legislation in the country.

[17:12] there is so much money being made in scooping up ticket and

[17:16] reselling them for a lot more. This is become so perv pe pervae

[17:25] don't realize how badly we're being ripped off.

[17:32] they are all resell egg tickets as we saw last week.

[17:41] the whole system is rigged against our residents, artists

[17:51] and venues. It does not and this it should

[17:56] not be this way. This law does important thing.

[18:01] it puts a 10% price cap. This is key.

[18:05] we're taking significant profit from scalper and ensuring people

[18:09] sell a ticket they can't use. It will soon be there'll sell a

[18:13] ticket that you don't have. It requires high volume scalpers

[18:17] to register with the city and carry significant bonds.

[18:24] it requires fees, taxes and prices up front.

[18:32] all of this levels the playing field for music and theater fan.

[18:40] fans. I'm very grateful to my

[18:44] colleagues for the collaboration to get to this point today.

[18:48] especially councilmember nadeau and her staff for moving this

[18:50] bill through the committee. Councilmember henderson and her

[18:53] staff. I want to thank the hard work

[18:55] for local venues, artists and theaters especially I&p who

[19:03] called this out as a problem. I want to thank the staff and

[19:07] off of attorney general for guidance and feedback.

[19:10] I want to express gratitude to make sure it's perfectly

[19:19] targeted. I'm excited for the vote.

[19:22] >> thank you, councilmember allen.

[19:24] if there's no further discussion, the vote is on bill

[19:29] 26-224 as amended. All those in favor say aye.

[19:33] are there any opposed? Hearing none.

[19:37] the ayes have it. Unanimously.

[19:40] we'll turn now -- [ applause ]

[19:48] we will turn now to something more interesting.

[19:51] council period 26 recess rules amendment resolution 2026.

[20:02] we do rules resolution before every recess.

[20:06] this one does three things. It permits grant modification

[20:13] request for the university district of columbia, during

[20:16] this recess. It makes some changes to our

[20:20] rules with regard to the process for racial equity impact

[20:26] assessments. It permits the committee on

[20:28] executive administration and labor to hold up to three

[20:31] roundtables during the recess on matters of elections or campaign

[20:35] finance. So moved.

[20:36] is there a discussion? The vote will be on pr26-784.

[20:43] all those in favor say aye. Are there any opposed?

[20:48] the ayes have it unanimously. We will turn to bill 26-711.

[20:55] entertainment and establishment employee safety extension

[20:58] temporary amendment act of 202006.

[21:01] 2026. This is final reading.

[21:04] is there a discussion? The vote will be on 26-711.

[21:12] all those in favor say aye. Please record me as voting no.

[21:18] the ayes have it. Turning to emergency bills.

[21:22] private vehicle for higher operator clarification

[21:28] resolution 2026. Councilmember nadeau.

[21:34] >> thank you. This is a tremendous annual of

[21:40] emergency and temporary legislation council passed last

[21:43] year. The measure is clarify the dfhb

[21:48] continues to be empower to address the threats for higher

[21:52] vehicle operatorrers and companies and to enforce

[21:57] registration. Renewals move in coordination

[21:59] and office the attorney general as litigation against legal for

[22:03] hire activity remains active. My committee held two day

[22:07] roundtable on the state of the for hire industry which we plan

[22:11] to transmit into permanent legislation that will include a

[22:15] comprehensive update including various conflicting definitions.

[22:18] with that, I move the resolution.

[22:21] >> we have the declaration before us.

[22:23] is there a discussion? The vote will be on the

[22:31] declaration, pr-730. All those in favor say aye.

[22:40] >> chairman, please mark me as present.

[22:42] >> hearing no votes. The ayes have it unanimously.

[22:48] councilmember white is present. The vote on bill 26-728.

[23:09] >> ayes have it unanimously. Councilmember white is present.

[23:20] next business license reform and emergency declaration resolution

[23:27] pr-761. Councilmember nadeau.

[23:28] >> the bill is identical to permanent measure.

[23:33] bill 26-494. It does two main things that

[23:36] should be put in place immediately.

[23:40] first the bill makes slightly easier for people to practice

[23:45] across state line and keeping with the national best

[23:47] practices. The department of licensing and

[23:49] consumer protection wants us to pass this on emergency basis

[23:52] rather than waiting for congressional review so they can

[23:55] extend licenses to recent batch of graduates from the county

[23:58] program. It avoids lapse in some business

[24:03] licensing laws. To address implementation

[24:07] challenges. Keep the provisions in place and

[24:09] not waiter if the permanent bill to complete congressional

[24:11] review. I now move proposed resolution

[24:18] 26-671. >> thank you, we have the

[24:19] declaration before us. Is there a discussion?

[24:23] the vote will be on p r26-761. Are there any opposed?

[24:32] the ayes have it unanimously. Underlying bill, 26-730.

[24:39] councilmember nadeau. >> so moved.

[24:42] >> discussion? On the bill, all those in favor

[24:48] say aye. Are there any opposed?

[24:51] hearing none, the ayes have it unanimously.

[24:57] medical cannabis license, clarification an emergency

[25:02] declaration resolution 2026. Pr26-779, so moved.

[25:10] the underlying bill does three things.

[25:15] all of which are to continue emergency and temporary

[25:20] legislation previously adopted. Related to medical cannabis.

[25:24] the first extends the expiration date congressional licenses for

[25:30] medical cannabis, retailers internet, manufactures, career

[25:33] and testing laboratories by an additional year.

[25:37] the second clarifies the law with regard to distance

[25:42] requirements for retailers and internet retailers.

[25:48] the third is a clarification with regard to unlicensed

[25:56] establishment enforcement to clarify strengthen the authority

[26:03] the alcohol, beverage and cannabis administration to

[26:09] enforce unlicensed establishments.

[26:12] so moved. Is there a discussion?

[26:16] the vote will be on pr26-779. Are there any opposed?

[26:27] aye have it unanimously. Bill 26-759.

[26:33] medical cannabis license unlicensed establishment

[26:36] clarification amendment act 2026.

[26:39] so moved. Discussion?

[26:41] all those in favor of the bill say aye.

[26:46] are there any opposed? Hearing none.

[26:50] the ayes have it unanimously. Getting little week as the hour

[26:55] is passing. No more strengthon the votes.

[26:59] next measure is real property tax emergency declaration.

[27:05] this resolution and the underlying bill were circulated

[27:12] by me because of a legal concern.

[27:14] it was brought to my attention with regard to the current law

[27:20] and tax sales and the district of columbia and how it relates

[27:27] to recent decisions by the supreme court of the united

[27:33] states. A tax sale has been scheduled

[27:35] for tomorrow, I believe it was. Maybe it was today.

[27:39] I believe the cfo said that he's already sent out notice that's

[27:43] being delayed. I introduced a bill earlier this

[27:49] week that deals with this issue and will thread -- will thre leo

[27:57] a hearing. I believe the bill will need

[28:00] refinement. I received a fiscal impact

[28:02] statement from our budget office.

[28:05] as a reminder, this is an emergency bill before us.

[28:09] the fiscal impact statements funds not sufficient for this

[28:14] emergency legislation. As a result, I will not be able

[28:18] to move this. It is withdrawn.

[28:25] next measure is pr26-781. Omnibus redevelopment

[28:35] clarification resolution 2026. In 2022, the council approve the

[28:45] omnibus redevelopment act whichh to facilitate nature of the

[28:56] development project and mitigate the impacts of street and alley

[29:00] closures on vehicular and pedestrian traffic flows.

[29:04] the development and project has made significant progress,

[29:07] including the completion of the berry farm.

[29:13] and the ongoing construction of the edmonton.

[29:15] the project has experienced delays and require amendment to

[29:22] the redevelopment act of 2022. Accordingly, the emergency

[29:36] legislation underlying legislation is necessary.

[29:38] the declaration so moved. Is there a discussion?

[29:45] the vote will be on pr26-781. All those in favor say aye.

[29:52] are there any opposed? The aye have it unanimously.

[29:57] the underlying bill, bill 26-763.

[30:01] is there a discussion? On the bill, all those in favor

[30:07] say aye. Are there any opposed?

[30:14] hearing none, the ayes have it unanimously.

[30:19] the next measure is roads and alley by the district government

[30:25] emergency declaration resolution of 2026.

[30:28] in 2024, the council departmedepartment-- adopted ree

[30:40] district of columbia. The need of the law rose from

[30:42] the outreach of several members of the hillcrest community.

[31:01] council adopted legislation. There's similar situations

[31:05] regarding alleys and other places around the city.

[31:08] more recently, there's unpaid alley off morris road that is

[31:14] badly need of repair. The alley is on the south or

[31:17] west side of morris road. Residents have reported that the

[31:22] department of public works, their trash trucks got stuck in

[31:27] the snow and ice and tore up the alley and badly damaged the

[31:34] surface. Just as it was the case in the

[31:38] previous hillcrest situation. The ally away is -- alley is

[31:43] only way residents can park or put out their trash or have

[31:47] trash picked up. It is a covenanted alley way.

[31:53] because of slight difference in the circumstances, the amounts

[32:06] -- I should note that in drafting this legislation, we

[32:11] worked with the executive. I move the declaration.

[32:15] is there a discussion? The vote will be on pr26-782.

[32:21] all those in favor say aye. Are there any optioned?

[32:27] hearing none, the eyes have it unanimously.

[32:36] on the bill, all those in favor say aye.

[32:40] are there any opposed? Hearing none.

[32:43] the ayes have it unanimously. The next measure is pr26-783,

[32:58] net zero continuity emergency declaration resolution 2026.

[33:03] councilmember lewis george. >> I move continuity declaration

[33:09] resolution of 2026. These emergency measures are

[33:13] necessary to avoid a clash among district laws and net zero

[33:16] requirements that is set to occur due to previous two

[33:22] legislation expiring several months apart.

[33:25] on november 4, 2025, the council passed the most iteration of the

[33:31] greenhouse amendment act which moved net zero and created

[33:39] separate requirements for residents.

[33:50] on february 3, 2026, council passed net zero modification act

[33:58] introduced requirements including the definition and how

[34:01] it applies to residential and nonresidential projects.

[34:06] the temporary expires on januar. During the february 3rd 2026

[34:15] meeting the provisions related to the green government building

[34:19] act were moved through amendment supported by the executive.

[34:22] the council created a conflict among and a gap between the

[34:27] expiration of the net zero standard defined in the net zero

[34:32] modification and preservation legislation and the expiration

[34:34] of the residential provision in the greenhousing core

[34:37] legislation. When the greenhousing

[34:39] residential provisions expired in september, residential

[34:43] projects covered by the act will revert to the permanent

[34:48] residential provisions in the green buildings act which are

[34:52] tied to the net zero definition code amendment act.

[34:56] as a result, the permanent residential requirements will

[34:57] not correspond with the net zero standard which would remain

[35:03] temporarily modified. In passing these measures the

[35:09] council will provide continuity and advance for all greener

[35:12] government building act and align these important technical

[35:16] standards so they operate on a unified timeline.

[35:18] with that, I move the declaration.

[35:23] >> thank you, councilmember. We have the declaration before

[35:24] us. Is there a discussion?

[35:26] >> I have a question. >> councilmember, white.

[35:32] >> councilmember janeese lewis george.

[35:34] do you know this encompassing controversial developed in ward

[35:42] eight. >> I'm not sure.

[35:52] give me a second. >> I digress if you can get that

[36:01] to me councilwoman. That will be helpful.

[36:03] >> I will let you know. Your question does it impact it?

[36:12] >> yes. Project was derailed and not

[36:16] fully developed the way the community wanted because of this

[36:19] new law that the council passed. The administrative said they

[36:25] could not do because of this. I thought this particular --

[36:28] >> it did. We made the modification for

[36:31] indoor pools. The executive, I believe chose

[36:37] not to utilize the net zero exemptions and bring back the

[36:41] pool at congress heights. The congress heights project

[36:45] will be net zero just without a pool.

[36:49] >> I don't know what that means. >> this legislation did actively

[36:57] allow for what we were troubled with, which was can we make

[37:03] pools net zero. Base on proveiling knowledge, we

[37:06] realized this is one of the things we should be exempting.

[37:11] the executive has decided to not make the congress heights

[37:15] project -- has decided to still not have the pool, even though

[37:18] they could meet it with net zero modification.

[37:21] >> thank you for the clarification.

[37:26] >> councilmember bonds. >> yes, thank you.

[37:31] to councilwoman lewis george. Does this legislation deal

[37:38] exclusively with the compliance of the district government on

[37:43] district government projects as it relates to net zero energy

[37:48] standards or does it also incorporate timelines that the

[37:53] government must follow? Is it about the standards and

[37:57] the timeline or is it about just the standards?

[38:04] >> I understand the question. >> are there some timelines that

[38:11] the government must follow in order to meet these net zero

[38:16] energy standards? >> this is just about the

[38:20] standards. Only reason -- the timeline is

[38:22] only an issue because of the different expiring dates of the

[38:27] temporary legislation. >> does this consolidate them

[38:29] boo on -- into one package. You know if you're a staffer,

[38:34] you know there's a certain date that you have to reach as

[38:37] opposed to multiple dates that you have to reach.

[38:39] which we tend to do a lot. >> yes, the objective is that so

[38:44] there's continuity and understanding amongst everyone.

[38:48] >> I thought I heard you use the word continuity.

[38:50] I wanted to be sure. Thank you very much.

[38:53] >> thank you, any further discussion on the declaration?

[38:57] the vote will be on the declaration pr26-783.

[39:00] all those in favor say aye. Are there any opposed?

[39:05] hearing none. The ayes have it unanimously.

[39:08] we have the underlying bill, 26-767.

[39:15] councilmember lewis george. >> so moved.

[39:18] >> you circulated an amendment. >> mr. Chairman, I move lewis

[39:23] george amendment number one, circulated at 6:57 p.m.

[39:28] yesterday. >> we have the amendment before

[39:29] us. Suspect there a discussion -- is

[39:31] there a discussion on the amendment?

[39:35] a vote will be on the amendment. All those in favor say aye.

[39:40] are there any opposed? Hearing none, the ayes have it

[39:44] unanimously. We have the bill as amended

[39:48] before us further discussion? On the bill.

[39:52] all those in favor say aye. Are there any any opposed?

[39:58] hearing none, the ayes have it unanimously.

[40:03] special education for young adults and the custody

[40:08] department of corrections. Pr26-764.

[40:13] councilmember pinto. >> thank you, mr. Chairman.

[40:16] under the federal disabilities education act, or I.d.e.a. And

[40:22] district laws, student age residents in doc custody are

[40:28] entitled to special education if they were identified student

[40:32] with a disability. For school year 21-22, school

[40:36] years 22-23, special education services for eligible

[40:39] individuals and doc's custody were provided by maya angelo

[40:44] public charter school under temporary charter operation.

[40:47] the temporary charter authorization has expired but

[40:50] the end of the school year 22-23.

[40:55] we passed emergencies to ensure there's not a gap provided no

[41:00] young adults. A permanent version of the

[41:03] legislation is included in the leading education access for

[41:07] reentry and necessary success or the learns amendment act of

[41:12] 2026. Which was enacted this

[41:15] july 2nd, 2026. It must undergo congressional

[41:20] review. One more round of emergency

[41:23] legislation is necessary to send legislation of doc as the

[41:28] district agency responsible for providing a fape.

[41:34] to ensure that doc continue its contract maya angelo public

[41:40] charter schools. I move the emergency deck.

[41:43] >> thank you, councilmember. Is there a discussion on the

[41:48] declaration? The vote will be on pr26-764.

[41:52] all those in favor say aye. Any opposed?

[42:02] I believe that was a yes vote. I heard no, no votes.

[42:11] aye have it unanimously. Councilmember pinto.

[42:15] >> so moved. >> discussion?

[42:18] the vote will be underlying bill.

[42:21] all those in favor say aye. Are this any opposed?

[42:29] the ayes have it unanimously. Pr26-763.

[42:40] councilmember pinto. >> thank you, in secure d.c., we

[42:46] established prearrest diversion task force to identify best

[42:50] practices to implement prearrest diversion for certain categories

[42:54] for persons identified by the task force as being appropriate

[43:00] for diversion. Prearrest can be an effective

[43:02] tool to improve public safety by preventing low level offenses

[43:05] and we're providing appropriate mental health and substance

[43:08] abuse treatment and support individuals in need.

[43:11] the task force was required begin meeting after three months

[43:15] of secure d.c. And issue initial recommendations.

[43:21] cjcc experienced staffing restraint 8 task force was not

[43:24] able to begin meeting until jun. We included the men pro-- we

[43:32] included the provisions in the bill.

[43:35] which of an enacted on july 2, 2026.

[43:40] that bill is still undergoing congressional review.

[43:43] therefore, another round of emergency legislation is

[43:46] necessary to update the deadlines to accurately reflect

[43:50] feasible timelines for the task force with relat relate --

[43:55] recommendations that due july 31, 2026.

[43:58] it's preparing proprovide formal list of recommendations on the

[44:03] 31st. I look forward to reviewing them

[44:05] and will share them with colleague.

[44:07] I move the emergency declaration.

[44:11] >> thank you, councilmember. Is there a discussion?

[44:16] the vote will be on pr26-763. All those in favor say aye.

[44:22] are there any opposed? Hearing none.

[44:25] the ayes have it unanimously. Bill 26-762.

[44:37] councilmember pinto. >> so moved.

[44:40] >> discussion? On the bill, all those in favor

[44:48] say aye. Hearing none, the ayes have it

[44:51] unanimously. Pr26-777.

[44:54] health and human services programs and benefits

[44:59] eligibility and delivery data sharing clarifications

[45:04] resolution 2026. Councilmember frumin.

[45:07] >> so moved. >> you can say what it's about?

[45:16] >> I had done this last time. I will do it again.

[45:21] >> what do you mean last time? >> at the breakfast.

[45:26] [ laughter ] the supplemental nutrition

[45:31] assistance program, or s.n.a.p., provide assistance to low income

[45:36] resident. S.n.a.p. Is our best tool for

[45:38] addressing food insecurity. However, recent changes in

[45:42] federal law will make it harder for families to access s.n.a.p.

[45:46] the district must implement work requirements for certain people

[45:49] who receive s.n.a.p. Benefits known as abled bodied adults

[45:53] without dependents or abog. When abaaouds apply for row knew

[46:05] s.n.a.p. Eligibility they must be screened to establish they

[46:08] are complying. For example, resident might be

[46:11] exempt from work requirements if they have disability.

[46:14] or enrolled in school or training program or pregnant.

[46:18] if a resident believes they are exempt from the work

[46:21] requirements, they must fill out several forms and receive

[46:25] verification from third parties like medical professionals.

[46:29] other jurisdictions implementing public benefit program work

[46:33] requirements have found that these onerous administrative

[46:36] requirement have caused adults to lose benefits even they are

[46:40] eligible. The department of human

[46:42] services can prevent the loss of s.n.a.p. Benefits by

[46:45] automatically identifying people who qualify for exemptions and

[46:49] reducing the needs for individuals to submit additional

[46:55] documentation. This emergency legislation

[46:56] preserves district residents access to public benefits by

[47:02] allowing dhs's homeless services department to share data with

[47:05] its public benefits department so d.h.s. Can help customers

[47:10] automatically qualify from exemptions through s.n.a.p. Work

[47:14] requirements. In the future, this change could

[47:19] also help d.h.s. Exempt residents from medicaid work

[47:20] requirements that go into effect in january 2027.

[47:25] I'm grateful to the executive for moving this important

[47:28] legislation. The committee on human services

[47:31] oversight has identified the need for more robust and active

[47:35] data sharing within d.h.s. And this legislation is an important

[47:40] step toward making that happen. With that, I move the

[47:47] declaration. >> thank you.

[47:48] councilmember frumin. We have the declaration before

[47:50] us. Is there a discussion?

[47:54] the vote will be on pr26-777. All those in favor say aye.

[48:00] are there any opposed? Hearing none the ayes have it

[48:05] unanimous. Bill 26-751.

[48:09] councilmember frumin. >> so moved.

[48:11] >> discussion? On the bill, all those in favor

[48:16] say aye. Opposed?

[48:19] hearing none, the aye have it unanimously.

[48:24] pr26-757. Language access rule making

[48:29] authority emergency declaration resolution 2026.

[48:32] councilmember nadeau. >> this measure would provide

[48:35] the mayor authority rule it is the language access act of 2004.

[48:45] by staff confirmed with the office of human rights they

[48:48] would like to use this rule making authority in the coming

[48:51] months. Emergency legislation is needed

[48:53] to prevent a gap in rule makingd to create a gap between the

[48:59] temporary measure in the committee of public works moving

[49:02] permanent later this year. With that, I move the

[49:05] resolution. Chair mendelson: we have the

[49:08] declaration before us. Is there a discussion?

[49:12] on the declaration of pr-26 757, all of those in favor?

[49:18] >> aye. Chair mendelson: are there any

[49:20] opposed? Hearing none, the ayes have it

[49:23] unanimously. We have the underlying bill,

[49:27] 26-721. Ms. Nadeau : so moved.

[49:29] chair mendelson: is there a discussion?

[49:34] on the bill, all of those in favor say aye.

[49:38] >> aye. Chair mendelson: are there any

[49:40] opposed? Hearing none, the ayes have it

[49:41] unanimously.

[49:47] schedule of fines rulemaking approval and authority emergency

[49:52] declaration resolution emergency declaration resolution of 2026

[49:56] (pr 26-775) mr. Allen: amending the schedule

[50:03] of fines at fourth and 1820 600 with the rulemaking requiring

[50:08] council approval and emergency approval necessary to make sure

[50:11] the district automated safety camera program complies with the

[50:15] district of columbia court case as soon as possible to avoid a

[50:18] gap in legal exposure and under current law cameras are

[50:21] calibrated to within a plus or minus one mile per hour margin

[50:24] of error in given that reason it was equally likely that the

[50:27] driver was in fact traveling 10 to 12 miles for our over the

[50:32] speed limit. 10 miles for our would be a

[50:35] distinct offense and therefore determined that the work failed

[50:38] to prove that the driver committed the offense of

[50:42] speeding by the 11 to 15 mile per hour limit adjusting the

[50:46] threshold for certain offenses by one mile to better account

[50:48] for the margin of fire to make sure that the district to meet

[50:52] its burden of proof under the declaration.

[50:53] chair mendelson: we have the declaration before us.

[50:57] is there a discussion? The vote will be on pr-776 75.

[51:03] all of those in favor say aye. >> aye.

[51:05] chair mendelson: are there any opposed?

[51:06] hearing none, the ayes have it -- are there any opposed?

[51:13] >> books no. Chair mendelson: the ayes have

[51:25] it. Councilmember trayon white is

[51:27] voted as no. Councilmember allen?

[51:28] mr. Allen: so moved. Chair mendelson: discussion?

[51:34] the voters on 26-747. All of those in favor?

[51:39] say aye. >> aye.

[51:42] chair mendelson: that was anemic.

[51:43] all of those in favor say aye. >> aye.

[51:45] chair mendelson: are there any opposed?

[51:49] >> please record your vote of no.

[51:52] chair mendelson: the ayes have it, councilmember white will be

[51:57] recorded as voting no. Turning to first reading to vote

[52:02] on temporary legislation if there is no objection.

[52:06] I will move on all in a block. That's bill 26-seven to private

[52:10] nine, vehicle-for-hire operator clarification temporary

[52:14] amendment act. 26-760, medical cannabis

[52:19] licensing and unlicensed establishment

[52:20] enforcement clarification temporary amendment act.

[52:28] 26-764, omnibus barry farm redevelopment clarification

[52:30] temporary amendment act.

[52:35] 26 7762, real property tax sale delay temporary amendment act of

[52:44] .26. Bill 26-768, net zero continuity

[52:50] emergency amendment act of 2026 .

[52:56] bill 26-735, special education for young adults in the custody

[52:59] of the department of corrections

[53:01] temporary. Bill 26-733, prearrest diversion

[53:06] task force recommendations temporary.

[53:15] bill 26-752, health and human service programs and benefits

[53:18] eligibility and delivery data-sharing

[53:21] verifications temporary, and bill 26-722, language access

[53:26] rulemaking authority temporary .

[53:30] I believe that's nine measures. If so moved, is there a

[53:34] discussion? The vote will be on all of them.

[53:37] all of those in favor say aye. >> aye.

[53:39] chair mendelson: are there any opposed?

[53:42] the ayes have it unanimously.

[53:48] mr. White: question for clarity. In that last group was pr 26-745

[53:55] and 747 included? 775.

[54:07] chair mendelson: I'm not sure I understand your question.

[54:11] mr. White: we just voted on block.

[54:15] I wanted to see if pr 26-775 and a bill 26-747 were included.

[54:25] chair mendelson: 775 was a pr declaration.

[54:31] 747? [inaudible]

[54:36] mr. Allen: I think he's asking about a temporary for ddot and

[54:44] it's not a temporary. Just wanted to clarify that.

[54:46] mr. White: yeah. Mr. Allen: thank you.

[54:50] chair mendelson: our next legislative meeting is september

[54:55] 22. There is a little piece of other

[54:56] business. Sometimes I get a little choked

[55:02] up when I don't want to. We all know that this is doni

[55:16] crawford -- don't you get choked up, too.

[55:17] [laughter] no, I should go first.

[55:24] our last meeting. Unfortunately.

[55:26] I have a few remarks, not to encourage everyone to give

[55:31] remarks, but I just remember that -- let's see, doni crawford

[55:36] came to us twice. First as a staff person, then as

[55:42] a councilmember. When she came as a councilmember

[55:46] it was because our former colleague, kevin mcduffie, had

[55:49] stepped down, and their were 40 people who expressed an interest

[55:53] . Some of those folks talked to

[55:56] different members. I had a process where I was

[56:00] listening to other members and getting a sense of who they

[56:02] liked. Ultimately, as I recall, I asked

[56:08] members to indicate who they thought were their top three

[56:12] candidates, something like that. I think that some members in the

[56:19] honorable tradition of this counsel when asked to name three

[56:22] priorities they gave seven or 15 or 25.

[56:26] in any event, donnie rose to the top.

[56:29] compared to all of the other members, there was overwhelming

[56:32] support. Bikes and we will miss her.

[56:44] >> yes, we will miss her. I remember one of the agitators

[56:49] that was expressed by a number of members was that donnie is

[56:54] authentic. So, when it came to the council

[56:59] voting, it was unanimous in terms of filling the vacancy.

[57:03] I would say that in my own view, people are welcome to express

[57:07] their disagreement. I think nobody will.

[57:10] she's been an excellent councilmember.

[57:14] participating. Not being shy, bashful, or

[57:19] non-present. Being quite present in

[57:21] participating. I remember when we were

[57:25] struggling a few months ago with the issue of the curfew that

[57:33] donnie came up with an amendment that enabled us to get the votes

[57:36] to get that bill through. More recently, and many members

[57:42] may not know this, but as we were working on the budget

[57:47] support act and had a subtitle of dealing with the rfk stadium

[57:50] that I relied heavily on donnie to work that out with the

[57:54] commanders so that we could go forward with that subtitle to

[57:57] solve some problems around that. I would add that donnie has once

[58:06] again proved my theory, which is that former staff members on the

[58:12] council make the best councilmembers.

[58:16] >> you're in trouble now. [laughter]

[58:19] chair mendelson: I'm hearing some people say it's true.

[58:24] it is true. And I will miss you.

[58:28] anyone else? Councilmember allen?

[58:31] mr. Allen: thank you, mr. Chairman.

[58:38] service looks and comes differently for all of us.

[58:41] donnie, you had an unflinching ability to just jump right in

[58:47] and we are better for it. I remember when at our very

[58:52] first breakfast meeting you moved from the chair on the side

[58:56] up to the table. I was watching to see how is

[59:03] donnie going to handle this. Is she going to jump right in or

[59:05] hang back a bit? You jumped right in.

[59:11] everyone sat up, but you did it in such a wonderful way to new

[59:15] you belonged at that table in that seat helping to make and

[59:19] guide decisions. I am also biased and if you say

[59:23] it from the microphone, it becomes fact.

[59:25] staff to make the best councilmembers.

[59:28] so, I think that you have continued to prove that point.

[59:34] I know phil doesn't want us to go on for a long time but I've

[59:36] just got to say that your call to service to this body, and

[59:42] there were many more calls to service that will come, but the

[59:45] call to service for this body you have led with distinction,

[59:50] thought, collaboration, and a power to get things done for

[59:53] your city. So, I am grateful for it.

[59:55] thank you very much and I am proud to serve with you.

[1:00:00] chair mendelson: councilmember parker, who will be brief?

[1:00:06] mr. Parker: yes. [laughter]

[1:00:08] councilmember crawford, it is bittersweet to see you go,

[1:00:14] although I don't think you are going to go far in the sense of

[1:00:19] leaving the policy making space. I have really enjoyed your

[1:00:25] thoughtful partnership, your engagement, actually coming to

[1:00:28] committees and leaning in, making changes in proposing

[1:00:32] things. I was very proud, and I will say

[1:00:36] , when we were engaging with the chairman's process of pushing

[1:00:40] for you, I thought you had a lot to add.

[1:00:46] and you proved me and so many others right.

[1:00:49] I will leave it there and I look to see everything that you

[1:00:53] accomplish and just know, as a fellow work five neighbor, if

[1:00:59] there is anything you need, we are here your service, and thank

[1:01:04] you, thank you. Chair mendelson: councilmember

[1:01:07] frumin? Mr. Allen: -- mr. Frumin: thank

[1:01:13] you, mr. Chairman. I echo almost everything you

[1:01:18] said. I'm not buying that best

[1:01:20] councilmembers situation, but councilmember crawford, it's

[1:01:23] been such a pleasure to work with you in every different

[1:01:26] dimension and I think this theme that you jumped in and did just

[1:01:31] a great job, I do think that the juvenile curfew issue is one

[1:01:36] where your signature of how you operated really came across.

[1:01:41] we were on different sides of that issue and at one point I

[1:01:46] had asked folks in the mayor's office where you stood and they

[1:01:51] said "she was in a meeting for an hour and a half with the

[1:01:56] mayor where the mayor pounded on her on this issue and she didn't

[1:02:03] move jericho like, we were on different sides, but I did think

[1:02:13] props to her. Brand-new in the position, you

[1:02:14] held your ground, you took the time, you found a solution that

[1:02:19] worked for everyone, or almost everyone, or enough of a

[1:02:23] majority to get it through. What an accomplishment.

[1:02:28] what a great way to have done it .

[1:02:31] I am sure you are going to bring that same skill and tenacity and

[1:02:36] grace to everything that you do next.

[1:02:40] I am really excited to see what that would be.

[1:02:43] congratulations and good luck. Chair mendelson: councilmember

[1:02:48] pinto? Miss pinto: councilmember

[1:02:56] crawford, thank you so much to everything you have offered to

[1:02:59] this body, to our city. I have learned so much from you,

[1:03:05] both in your time as a staffer and councilmember.

[1:03:11] I won't disclose all the conversation itself as you were

[1:03:15] seeking to join the council, but one of the things that really

[1:03:19] set out to me was you were not shy about being honest in areas

[1:03:25] of disagreement. Even though you were trying to

[1:03:27] get everybody's votes. I think that that really speaks

[1:03:31] to your character and your integrity, you know what your

[1:03:35] principles are, you know what your values are, and you won't

[1:03:39] let those be sidelined or undermined for a goal, ambitious

[1:03:44] as it may be, and it ended up turning out in your favor,

[1:03:49] because that exact way of operating led to your unanimous

[1:03:54] support by this body, because we had all seen how you operated,

[1:03:58] seen what a hard worker you were, and knew that you could

[1:04:01] substantively do the job. I think that over the last seven

[1:04:06] months in getting to work with you as a council colleague, it

[1:04:10] has opened my eyes even further to your strengths, your

[1:04:13] intellect. You have a really impressive

[1:04:19] duality of being firm with what you know you are fighting for

[1:04:24] and having so much grace in negotiation.

[1:04:27] the public sees us debate things up here, but a lot of work

[1:04:31] happens behind the scenes when we are all debating each other

[1:04:36] and trying to get to a compromise and to the right

[1:04:40] place. I have so appreciated the issues

[1:04:42] that we have worked on together, whether it be the juvenile

[1:04:47] curfew language, other business issues around rfk.

[1:04:53] you have just been so thoughtful and such a joy to work with.

[1:04:56] I love you. I am always in your corner.

[1:05:00] thank you for your service to the district of columbia.

[1:05:04] we have your back, whatever you do next.

[1:05:07] thank you. Thank you, council number.

[1:05:12] councilmember henderson? Miss henderson: you, mr.

[1:05:16] chairman. Oh, donnie.

[1:05:19] thank you so much for raising your hand and being willing to

[1:05:22] serve. There are not a lot of people

[1:05:25] who would have. There were a lot of people who

[1:05:30] thought they were ready, but not a lot who were actually ready to

[1:05:34] step into the task at hand. And then do it all so quickly?

[1:05:40] also quickly. But we felt that you were ready

[1:05:43] and you proved us correct in terms of being able to work

[1:05:47] through the budget and do all those things.

[1:05:52] I love that we sort of share a love of very nerdy things in the

[1:05:56] details. Especially when I got funeral

[1:06:01] directors and you didn't laugh. You were like -- offering

[1:06:06] additional thoughts and advice around how we sort of navigate

[1:06:10] some of these things, so I just appreciate that.

[1:06:12] you have this insatiable love of learning that I share and

[1:06:16] admire. I know that this isn't the end

[1:06:18] of your public service. It might look different in the

[1:06:21] future, but on behalf of district residents in all of us,

[1:06:24] thank you. It would have been a rough mind,

[1:06:30] but you did it smoothly. And with a lot of strong

[1:06:35] dignity. Chair mendelson: thank you,

[1:06:40] councilmember. Councilmember bonds?

[1:06:43] miss manns: I guess I have to do this.

[1:06:46] all right. -- ms. Bonds: I guess I have to

[1:06:50] do this. All right.

[1:06:52] donnie, it has been a wonderful experience having you at this

[1:06:56] level on the dais. I recall when we were deciding

[1:07:00] who might be best. There were thoughts that many

[1:07:05] others would be best, I'm sure. But I was one of those that held

[1:07:12] the line. Every time I was asked, it was

[1:07:16] donnie, it was donnie, it was donnie.

[1:07:22] I think that what impelled me to take that approach in not sort

[1:07:27] of scatter my votes all over the place was the fact that you are

[1:07:31] here, which many of my colleagues have already spoken

[1:07:35] to. You knew the work.

[1:07:38] and you had a history of delivering.

[1:07:42] that's what was so important to us as we were going into the

[1:07:47] budget process. What I have learned from you is

[1:07:51] your humanity. The way in which you feel about

[1:07:55] the community and about young people and their opportunity to

[1:08:02] provide service to the community.

[1:08:05] that is one of the big takeaways that I have.

[1:08:09] there is no question about your skill set.

[1:08:13] your intellect. Any of that.

[1:08:15] we all know that you have it. The way in which you manage your

[1:08:23] feelings and interests in your energy that you give to the

[1:08:27] community has really been wonderful to see.

[1:08:30] as one of the older people on the council, everyone else is so

[1:08:34] young, you know, I know they are.

[1:08:36] chair mendelson: thank you, thank you.

[1:08:39] ms. Bonds: including the chair. [laughter]

[1:08:43] seriously, thinking about that, it's a joy to see you in

[1:08:48] operation and to know that our world is in a really good place

[1:08:55] with younger people like you. Younger leaders like you.

[1:09:00] and younger committed individuals and public servants

[1:09:04] like you. I know you are not going very

[1:09:06] far, I don't even have to venture to think about that.

[1:09:11] we would be crazy to lose you entirely.

[1:09:15] thank you very much for your service and for being here with

[1:09:18] us on the dais. But we know we are going to see

[1:09:21] you around and we know that you are going to continue to

[1:09:24] contribute. And we will be sad, but as pinto

[1:09:28] said, we love you. Can't get away from that.

[1:09:32] chair mendelson: thank. Councilmember white?

[1:09:37] mr. White: first, donnie, I want to say to you that we appreciate

[1:09:42] your leadership. I have to admit, I didn't know

[1:09:46] you very well before you came. After speaking to you several

[1:09:50] times, you rose one of my top three.

[1:09:53] that was important to me that you came in ready to do a great

[1:09:57] job and represent the people of d.c. On short notice and we

[1:10:00] appreciate that. I always say that you cannot

[1:10:04] conquer anything you are not committed to.

[1:10:07] so, this is something you really want to do, don't give up.

[1:10:11] I say that because many of us sitting up here didn't give up.

[1:10:15] I worked on robert white's first campaign and he lost and he's

[1:10:19] here going to become a democratic nominee for congress.

[1:10:22] I remember when miss louis george ran in 2016 and she lost

[1:10:27] and now she's the democratic nominee for mayor.

[1:10:31] phil mendelson, he meant a lot to talk about it, 1998, he lost.

[1:10:33] [laughter] fruman, right beside you, you

[1:10:47] can lean on you. Trayon white, you come back and

[1:10:52] fight for whatever you were going to do.

[1:10:55] thank you for you and your commitment to d.c., here not

[1:10:58] just quiet but active on the council, we appreciate you and

[1:11:02] thank you for your service. God bless.

[1:11:04] chair mendelson: thank you, councilmember.

[1:11:09] mr. Felder? >> thank.

[1:11:14] I want to echo some of the sentiments are colleagues have

[1:11:19] already expressed. Donnie, I feel privileged to sit

[1:11:23] next to you. I remember just throughout this

[1:11:28] entirety of this election process, the conversations that

[1:11:31] we had in terms of -- well, I don't know, it's a lot of people

[1:11:38] , how would I rise to the top? I remember telling you champions

[1:11:44] adjust, trust the process, and regardless of your journey, it

[1:11:49] makes no difference when you become one of the 13 members.

[1:11:54] so, you should feel exceptionally proud of yourself.

[1:11:58] to the councilmember's point, I also ran.

[1:12:02] I ran 10 years ago, 12 years ago now.

[1:12:06] I was unsuccessful. I learned from my mistakes.

[1:12:09] I kept, you know, I kept the fight going.

[1:12:12] I have no doubt that you will continue to be a leader for the

[1:12:16] district of columbia. You made your city proud, major

[1:12:21] family proud, made this counsel proud.

[1:12:24] you know, this is a lesson and you can go wherever you choose

[1:12:27] to go. I'm expecting good things and as

[1:12:32] always, I've been one of your biggest supporters coming out

[1:12:35] the gate. That will not change.

[1:12:38] god bless. Chair mendelson: thank you,

[1:12:47] councilmember. Councilmember lewis george?

[1:12:48] ms. Lewis george: donnie, I think I just want to say that

[1:12:54] you are so brilliant. You are incredibly smart,

[1:12:58] incredibly gifted in negotiations.

[1:13:02] as we deliberate things, you are so thoughtful.

[1:13:05] just so caring. So, it is an honor to see you

[1:13:12] work as a policy advocate and analyst and be a legislative

[1:13:18] staffer and then a councilmember .

[1:13:19] you did that. How many can say they have done

[1:13:23] what you have done and what you have accomplished at your young

[1:13:26] age, right? I want you to continue to stand

[1:13:30] in that brilliance of who you are and to know that what god

[1:13:35] has for you is for you and I am excited to see all that god is

[1:13:39] going to do for you. Thank you.

[1:13:44] chair mendelson: thank you, councilmember.

[1:13:49] councilmember robert white? Mr. White: first, thank you for

[1:13:52] your service to this city. There are only 13 of us in the

[1:13:57] size of the budget, the magnitude of the government, its

[1:14:03] massive, even for folks who have been here for years.

[1:14:06] even for folks who start at the beginning of a term when things

[1:14:09] are moderately slow. But you were able to jump in the

[1:14:14] budget and get right to work. It is because of your brilliance

[1:14:19] and talent. As colleagues have said, not

[1:14:24] that I doubt that you have doubts about it, but it is

[1:14:32] always important to remember it then to try to mount from, you

[1:14:42] know, a full campaign in the middle of that.

[1:14:47] it's just about as possible has something could be.

[1:14:51] you stepped up to all of that. Unlike many of us, who have lost

[1:14:56] races before we won races, you got, you got a time to serve in

[1:15:03] the seat and to gain the respect of the people across the dais

[1:15:11] and the city and I don't think you will take it for granted and

[1:15:14] I would urge you not to. You have so much of my respect

[1:15:21] and admiration for what you have done but also that of many

[1:15:24] people in the city who got a glimpse of your talent and

[1:15:27] ability and I guarantee you that it will not be lost on them or

[1:15:32] on us. We love you, continue to support

[1:15:34] you, and thank you again for your service.

[1:15:41] chair mendelson: thank you, councilmember.

[1:15:50] ms. Nadeau: I've been so impressed by the way it stepped

[1:15:56] right into budget season and had such a huge impact.

[1:15:59] one of my big worries when I was first here was that I wouldn't

[1:16:04] impact the budget if you had a huge one in just a few short

[1:16:07] months. You always stuck to your

[1:16:11] convictions. You have spoken, you have given

[1:16:16] tremendous input into all the things we have done during your

[1:16:19] tenure and I want to thank you for your contributions to the

[1:16:23] body and your service and I hope you will continue serving.

[1:16:28] chair mendelson: thank you, councilmember.

[1:16:36] >> we wanted you to walk away with something.

[1:16:41] so, we got you some flowers. >> thank you.

[1:16:43] [applause] thank you all.

[1:17:10] I have experienced a lot of emotional growth, because I hate

[1:17:15] frying. Usually in a year or I can count

[1:17:20] on one hand how many times I cry and this year?

[1:17:25] I have cried so many times, especially throughout the

[1:17:29] campaign. And of course, tears of joy.

[1:17:33] I have enjoyed this so much. First, I want to thank my team.

[1:17:40] rene, matthew, hello, daniel, for holding me down.

[1:17:44] we have done such a great job in this time at the council.

[1:17:48] I'm never going to forget this. I want to thank all of you and

[1:17:56] your teams. This has been a really long

[1:17:57] budget season, but this was my first as a member and I truly

[1:18:02] enjoyed every single moment of it.

[1:18:05] I am going to miss this job. This has been my favorite job

[1:18:10] thus far. I enjoyed it as a staffer and

[1:18:12] now I have the pleasure of doing it as a member.

[1:18:16] I don't want it to stop, but unfortunately it has to end this

[1:18:20] week. I think you all for your words

[1:18:21] and I will keep those words close to my heart when I reflect

[1:18:24] on this time as a member in the district of columbia

[1:18:28] representing 700,000 people. Let me see if there is anything

[1:18:34] else I wanted to say. Honestly, again, this has been

[1:18:37] the honor of my life, so thank you for this opportunity, each

[1:18:41] of you. I treasure it and will continue

[1:18:44] to do so. Thank you.

[1:18:47] chair mendelson: thank you. [applause]

[1:19:09] it is easy to say thank you when you are a class act.

[1:19:12] thank you. That will conclude the business

[1:19:15] of this meeting and the time is 3:59 p.m.

[1:19:22] this meeting is adjourned. [gavel]

Thirty-Fifth (Additional) Legislative Meeting, Phil Mendelson, Chairman

Transcript