>> calling to order this meeting.
this is the 35th legislative meeting of council period 26.
I'm phil mendelson chair of the council.
the chair of the council district of columbia.
today is tuesday july 14, 2026. It's 2:40.
we are in room 500 of the johnny wilson building.
this meeting is broadcast on cable channel 13 as well as on
the council's website www.dccouncil.gov.
this is an additional meeting. It's not a regularly scheduled
meeting of the council. With that, we always have a
moment of silence for reflec reflection.
please call the roll. [ roll call]
you have a quorum. >> thank you, madam secretary.
we have the consent agenda before us.
looking at the consent agenda on page 3, item 10 for initiatives
land transparency amendment act. Was agendized for
september 22nd. It is not on this agenda.
on page 4 at the bottom of the page number 5, board of trustees
university of district columbia resolution 2026, pr26-741 was
removed from consent committee as a whole on page 5, number 9
at the top, approval resolution 2026, was put on nonconsent at
the committee of the whole. I believe those are only changes
that I know of. To the consent agenda.
are there any other changes? Hearing none.
we have the consent agenda as amended before us.
all those in favor say aye. >> aye.
>> are there any opposed? Hearing none, the ayes have it
unanimously. Turning to page 4, item 5.
at the bottom pr26-741. Board of trustees, district
columbia. So moved.
is there a discussion? >> mr. Chairman.
>> councilmember parker. >> I want to say it again for
the record. This is a no way to undermine or
question the qualifications of mr. Battle.
instead, a belief that district residents should be the ones
appointed to district boards and institutions.
I will be voting no. I believe mr. Battle is more
than qualified. Thank you.
>> thank you. If there's no further
discussion. The vote is on pr26-741.
all those in favor say aye. >> aye.
>> any opposed? Please record councilmember
parker voting no. The ayes have it.
on page 5, number 9. Pr26-736.
bundle disposition resolution for 2026.
councilmember frumin. >> I read the full statement at
the -- I asked that this so moved.
>> is there a discussion? Councilmember allen.
>> I had couple of questions I wanted to ask mr. Frumin.
with this deal, is there a date by which construction has been
established to begin? >> it's not a strict term.
there is a life of the district, would expire.
the target is to start in 2028 I believe.
be done by 2030. >> I guess, if we're accepting
now $5 million financial liability plus $30 million for
the streets, it doesn't come with a date that they have to
get the project started by. >> I don't believe there is --
there's a date by which it needs to be done.
there's not -- I think the hope is it will get started much
sooner than requirements of the term sheet.
>> is there an agreement how much?
>> $325,000. >> is that in escrow or is that
what they say they will put in? >> I believe it's just what they
say. It's their commitment as opposed
going into a an escrow account. >> at one point they said they
were building a park. Now they are not, we are.
I'm anxious around a promise that they're going to do
something on this. It's an important project.
it needs to move forward. I'm aware that $35 million in
capital spending on streets and parks is $35 million that we're
not spending somewhere else for other very important projects.
the deal just one block away came with requirements around a
lot of money that we put in, requirements they have to
deliver housing or else. They have to deliver many
things. They put a lot of metrics around
that I know $35 million is not the scale hundreds of millions
but it adds up. As we continue to face limited amount of
finances, make sure we're safeguarding it is important to
me. I appreciate it.
I know you doing your level best here to how to get this project
moving. >> on the streets, the streets
has come up a different times in a number of different places.
at rfk at fletcher johnson an popular puff and other projects.
the city has borne the cost of streets and sidewalks.
it is not exceptional certainly in the recent projects for that
to be a part of the component. I hear you, dollars are limited.
if you used dollars in one place, they're not available in
another place. This is an important place.
our view is that this deal makes since as it is.
will deliver for the district. >> if there's no further
discussion, the vote will be on pr26-736.
all those in favor say aye. >> aye.
>> are there any opposed? Please record the meeting no.
>> please record me as present. >> the ayes have it with me
recorded as no and councilmember allen an present.
the measure is approved. Turning to non--consent agenda.
we have a final reading on the resale act.
bill 26-224. The technical name is
restricting egregious scalping against live entertainment
amendment act 2026. Councilmember nadeau.
councilmember pinto. >> thank you, mr. Chairman.
artists and promoters rely on when decide where to book
events. The fees go to our local venues.
many venues make contracts with their ticketing platforms that
are three years long. That allows them to get advance
of the money that will be made so they can continue to maintain
their venues which is so important to our entire economy
and our culture here in washington d.c.
adding this type of uncertainty about the mayoral ruling around
fees, will make it much more difficult for district venues to
finalize these type of contracts and receive the money that they
need to stay open. No other jurisdiction in the
nation regulates the primary market for tickets in this way.
if d.c. Is the only one, artists and promoters will root around
it and will see talent go elsewhere.
we must refocus this bill on the original intent which is to
ensure that consumers are protected from egregious price
gouging in the secondary market and instead the dollars are put
back into our local economy. I ask for my employee --
colleagues to support this amendment.
>> councilmember parker. >> I will acknowledge, I'm going
to operate in the nuance of it. I, too, appreciate the
underlying bill and appreciate what I believe councilmember
pinto is attempted to do with this amendment.
I'm concerned, though that by the amendment removing the
authority to cap fees in the primary ticket market while
leaving restrictions on the secondary market, which we
should be doing, it creates an uneven regulatory framework that
only empowers the giants in the primary market.
who are often ticketmaster and live nation.
I would point out that those market dynamics are already the
subject of litigation brought by the u.s. Department of justice
and numerous state attorneys general.
many of our concert venues have expressed that by undermining
their ability to charge fees in a reasonable way, hurts their
bottom line. None was us want to do that.
I would remind us all that the department of justice domination
said live nation chargely up to ticket price.
we all agree that we shouldn't regulate the primary market.
we would turn a blind eye to ticketmaster, gouging and taking
advantage. My concern again by approving
this amendment by extension that's we're doing.
I will leave it there. I get what the underlying bill
is attempting to do. I support it.
I think we should regulate the secondary market in order to
support our artists and venues. We should also take on
ticketmaster and live nation which operate as unchecked
monopolies in many ways. The argument will be made, I'm
sure, let's let the legal system play out.
again, what is the harm of saying within reason you can
charge a service fee or a tax but just not 30%.
just not 40%. That seems reasonable to me and
to just say, let the courts handle it seems as though we're
missing an opportunity to protect our residents.
>> if there's no further discussion.
we have the amendment before us. All those in favor the amendment
say aye. >> aye.
>> are there any opposed? >> mr. Chairman, record me as
no. >> the ayes have it.
we have a second amendment. It was circulated by
councilmembers allen, henderson and nadeau.
not sure who to call on. Circulated by councilmember
allen office. >> I move this amendment
alongside my colleagues. On june 30th we approved an
amendment that among other provisions ban practice of
selling concert tickets here in the district.
for those who are unfamiliar with the practice, surveillance
pricing is using identifiable information usually required use
of data mining or purchase history with these specific
company to price a product. If all of us were global to be
purchasing the same ticket, to the same concert, we might all
get different prices. Surveillance pricing leads to
two different consumers getting two different prices for the
statement thing. It's fundamentally unfair.
I'm looking forward to the council taking up this issue
this fall and legislation councilmember henderson
introduced it will ban surveillance pricing.
this amendment was crafted to clarify that the broad
surveillance pricing for live events and the district does not
apply to reduction in prices or fees that are set based on
eligibility criteria that any consumer can satisfy on equal
terms to provide to member of broadly defined group such as
teachers, senior citizens, students, three provided to
recipients. This amendment clarifies any
reduction in the price or fees for our ticket must be specified
in terms in eligibility that disclose and provide consumer
based on use of surveillance pricing.
it clarifies use of location data to determine jurisdictions
within the requirements like calculating the taxes.
I want to thank the staff, office attorney general and
future of music coalition. Thank you mr. Chairman.
I move the amendment. I ask for my colleagues support.
>> is there a discussion? Vote will be on the amendment.
this is one circulated by councilmembers allen, henderson
and nadeau. A those in favor say aye.
>> aye. >> are there any opposed?
hearing none, the ayes have unanimously.
we have the bill as amended. Is there further discussion?
councilmember allen, councilmember pinto, you asked
to be recognized? >> thank you very much.
as we get set to vote on final passage of the resale act, I'm
very excited. We're about to put in place the
strongest consumer protections for our resident and our live
performance industry. This is without a doubt the most
pro-fan, pro consumer piece of legislation in the country.
there is so much money being made in scooping up ticket and
reselling them for a lot more. This is become so perv pe pervae
don't realize how badly we're being ripped off.
they are all resell egg tickets as we saw last week.
the whole system is rigged against our residents, artists
and venues. It does not and this it should
not be this way. This law does important thing.
it puts a 10% price cap. This is key.
we're taking significant profit from scalper and ensuring people
sell a ticket they can't use. It will soon be there'll sell a
ticket that you don't have. It requires high volume scalpers
to register with the city and carry significant bonds.
it requires fees, taxes and prices up front.
all of this levels the playing field for music and theater fan.
fans. I'm very grateful to my
colleagues for the collaboration to get to this point today.
especially councilmember nadeau and her staff for moving this
bill through the committee. Councilmember henderson and her
staff. I want to thank the hard work
for local venues, artists and theaters especially I&p who
called this out as a problem. I want to thank the staff and
off of attorney general for guidance and feedback.
I want to express gratitude to make sure it's perfectly
targeted. I'm excited for the vote.
>> thank you, councilmember allen.
if there's no further discussion, the vote is on bill
26-224 as amended. All those in favor say aye.
are there any opposed? Hearing none.
the ayes have it. Unanimously.
we'll turn now -- [ applause ]
we will turn now to something more interesting.
council period 26 recess rules amendment resolution 2026.
we do rules resolution before every recess.
this one does three things. It permits grant modification
request for the university district of columbia, during
this recess. It makes some changes to our
rules with regard to the process for racial equity impact
assessments. It permits the committee on
executive administration and labor to hold up to three
roundtables during the recess on matters of elections or campaign
finance. So moved.
is there a discussion? The vote will be on pr26-784.
all those in favor say aye. Are there any opposed?
the ayes have it unanimously. We will turn to bill 26-711.
entertainment and establishment employee safety extension
temporary amendment act of 202006.
2026. This is final reading.
is there a discussion? The vote will be on 26-711.
all those in favor say aye. Please record me as voting no.
the ayes have it. Turning to emergency bills.
private vehicle for higher operator clarification
resolution 2026. Councilmember nadeau.
>> thank you. This is a tremendous annual of
emergency and temporary legislation council passed last
year. The measure is clarify the dfhb
continues to be empower to address the threats for higher
vehicle operatorrers and companies and to enforce
registration. Renewals move in coordination
and office the attorney general as litigation against legal for
hire activity remains active. My committee held two day
roundtable on the state of the for hire industry which we plan
to transmit into permanent legislation that will include a
comprehensive update including various conflicting definitions.
with that, I move the resolution.
>> we have the declaration before us.
is there a discussion? The vote will be on the
declaration, pr-730. All those in favor say aye.
>> chairman, please mark me as present.
>> hearing no votes. The ayes have it unanimously.
councilmember white is present. The vote on bill 26-728.
>> ayes have it unanimously. Councilmember white is present.
next business license reform and emergency declaration resolution
pr-761. Councilmember nadeau.
>> the bill is identical to permanent measure.
bill 26-494. It does two main things that
should be put in place immediately.
first the bill makes slightly easier for people to practice
across state line and keeping with the national best
practices. The department of licensing and
consumer protection wants us to pass this on emergency basis
rather than waiting for congressional review so they can
extend licenses to recent batch of graduates from the county
program. It avoids lapse in some business
licensing laws. To address implementation
challenges. Keep the provisions in place and
not waiter if the permanent bill to complete congressional
review. I now move proposed resolution
26-671. >> thank you, we have the
declaration before us. Is there a discussion?
the vote will be on p r26-761. Are there any opposed?
the ayes have it unanimously. Underlying bill, 26-730.
councilmember nadeau. >> so moved.
>> discussion? On the bill, all those in favor
say aye. Are there any opposed?
hearing none, the ayes have it unanimously.
medical cannabis license, clarification an emergency
declaration resolution 2026. Pr26-779, so moved.
the underlying bill does three things.
all of which are to continue emergency and temporary
legislation previously adopted. Related to medical cannabis.
the first extends the expiration date congressional licenses for
medical cannabis, retailers internet, manufactures, career
and testing laboratories by an additional year.
the second clarifies the law with regard to distance
requirements for retailers and internet retailers.
the third is a clarification with regard to unlicensed
establishment enforcement to clarify strengthen the authority
the alcohol, beverage and cannabis administration to
enforce unlicensed establishments.
so moved. Is there a discussion?
the vote will be on pr26-779. Are there any opposed?
aye have it unanimously. Bill 26-759.
medical cannabis license unlicensed establishment
clarification amendment act 2026.
so moved. Discussion?
all those in favor of the bill say aye.
are there any opposed? Hearing none.
the ayes have it unanimously. Getting little week as the hour
is passing. No more strengthon the votes.
next measure is real property tax emergency declaration.
this resolution and the underlying bill were circulated
by me because of a legal concern.
it was brought to my attention with regard to the current law
and tax sales and the district of columbia and how it relates
to recent decisions by the supreme court of the united
states. A tax sale has been scheduled
for tomorrow, I believe it was. Maybe it was today.
I believe the cfo said that he's already sent out notice that's
being delayed. I introduced a bill earlier this
week that deals with this issue and will thread -- will thre leo
a hearing. I believe the bill will need
refinement. I received a fiscal impact
statement from our budget office.
as a reminder, this is an emergency bill before us.
the fiscal impact statements funds not sufficient for this
emergency legislation. As a result, I will not be able
to move this. It is withdrawn.
next measure is pr26-781. Omnibus redevelopment
clarification resolution 2026. In 2022, the council approve the
omnibus redevelopment act whichh to facilitate nature of the
development project and mitigate the impacts of street and alley
closures on vehicular and pedestrian traffic flows.
the development and project has made significant progress,
including the completion of the berry farm.
and the ongoing construction of the edmonton.
the project has experienced delays and require amendment to
the redevelopment act of 2022. Accordingly, the emergency
legislation underlying legislation is necessary.
the declaration so moved. Is there a discussion?
the vote will be on pr26-781. All those in favor say aye.
are there any opposed? The aye have it unanimously.
the underlying bill, bill 26-763.
is there a discussion? On the bill, all those in favor
say aye. Are there any opposed?
hearing none, the ayes have it unanimously.
the next measure is roads and alley by the district government
emergency declaration resolution of 2026.
in 2024, the council departmedepartment-- adopted ree
district of columbia. The need of the law rose from
the outreach of several members of the hillcrest community.
council adopted legislation. There's similar situations
regarding alleys and other places around the city.
more recently, there's unpaid alley off morris road that is
badly need of repair. The alley is on the south or
west side of morris road. Residents have reported that the
department of public works, their trash trucks got stuck in
the snow and ice and tore up the alley and badly damaged the
surface. Just as it was the case in the
previous hillcrest situation. The ally away is -- alley is
only way residents can park or put out their trash or have
trash picked up. It is a covenanted alley way.
because of slight difference in the circumstances, the amounts
-- I should note that in drafting this legislation, we
worked with the executive. I move the declaration.
is there a discussion? The vote will be on pr26-782.
all those in favor say aye. Are there any optioned?
hearing none, the eyes have it unanimously.
on the bill, all those in favor say aye.
are there any opposed? Hearing none.
the ayes have it unanimously. The next measure is pr26-783,
net zero continuity emergency declaration resolution 2026.
councilmember lewis george. >> I move continuity declaration
resolution of 2026. These emergency measures are
necessary to avoid a clash among district laws and net zero
requirements that is set to occur due to previous two
legislation expiring several months apart.
on november 4, 2025, the council passed the most iteration of the
greenhouse amendment act which moved net zero and created
separate requirements for residents.
on february 3, 2026, council passed net zero modification act
introduced requirements including the definition and how
it applies to residential and nonresidential projects.
the temporary expires on januar. During the february 3rd 2026
meeting the provisions related to the green government building
act were moved through amendment supported by the executive.
the council created a conflict among and a gap between the
expiration of the net zero standard defined in the net zero
modification and preservation legislation and the expiration
of the residential provision in the greenhousing core
legislation. When the greenhousing
residential provisions expired in september, residential
projects covered by the act will revert to the permanent
residential provisions in the green buildings act which are
tied to the net zero definition code amendment act.
as a result, the permanent residential requirements will
not correspond with the net zero standard which would remain
temporarily modified. In passing these measures the
council will provide continuity and advance for all greener
government building act and align these important technical
standards so they operate on a unified timeline.
with that, I move the declaration.
>> thank you, councilmember. We have the declaration before
us. Is there a discussion?
>> I have a question. >> councilmember, white.
>> councilmember janeese lewis george.
do you know this encompassing controversial developed in ward
eight. >> I'm not sure.
give me a second. >> I digress if you can get that
to me councilwoman. That will be helpful.
>> I will let you know. Your question does it impact it?
>> yes. Project was derailed and not
fully developed the way the community wanted because of this
new law that the council passed. The administrative said they
could not do because of this. I thought this particular --
>> it did. We made the modification for
indoor pools. The executive, I believe chose
not to utilize the net zero exemptions and bring back the
pool at congress heights. The congress heights project
will be net zero just without a pool.
>> I don't know what that means. >> this legislation did actively
allow for what we were troubled with, which was can we make
pools net zero. Base on proveiling knowledge, we
realized this is one of the things we should be exempting.
the executive has decided to not make the congress heights
project -- has decided to still not have the pool, even though
they could meet it with net zero modification.
>> thank you for the clarification.
>> councilmember bonds. >> yes, thank you.
to councilwoman lewis george. Does this legislation deal
exclusively with the compliance of the district government on
district government projects as it relates to net zero energy
standards or does it also incorporate timelines that the
government must follow? Is it about the standards and
the timeline or is it about just the standards?
>> I understand the question. >> are there some timelines that
the government must follow in order to meet these net zero
energy standards? >> this is just about the
standards. Only reason -- the timeline is
only an issue because of the different expiring dates of the
temporary legislation. >> does this consolidate them
boo on -- into one package. You know if you're a staffer,
you know there's a certain date that you have to reach as
opposed to multiple dates that you have to reach.
which we tend to do a lot. >> yes, the objective is that so
there's continuity and understanding amongst everyone.
>> I thought I heard you use the word continuity.
I wanted to be sure. Thank you very much.
>> thank you, any further discussion on the declaration?
the vote will be on the declaration pr26-783.
all those in favor say aye. Are there any opposed?
hearing none. The ayes have it unanimously.
we have the underlying bill, 26-767.
councilmember lewis george. >> so moved.
>> you circulated an amendment. >> mr. Chairman, I move lewis
george amendment number one, circulated at 6:57 p.m.
yesterday. >> we have the amendment before
us. Suspect there a discussion -- is
there a discussion on the amendment?
a vote will be on the amendment. All those in favor say aye.
are there any opposed? Hearing none, the ayes have it
unanimously. We have the bill as amended
before us further discussion? On the bill.
all those in favor say aye. Are there any any opposed?
hearing none, the ayes have it unanimously.
special education for young adults and the custody
department of corrections. Pr26-764.
councilmember pinto. >> thank you, mr. Chairman.
under the federal disabilities education act, or I.d.e.a. And
district laws, student age residents in doc custody are
entitled to special education if they were identified student
with a disability. For school year 21-22, school
years 22-23, special education services for eligible
individuals and doc's custody were provided by maya angelo
public charter school under temporary charter operation.
the temporary charter authorization has expired but
the end of the school year 22-23.
we passed emergencies to ensure there's not a gap provided no
young adults. A permanent version of the
legislation is included in the leading education access for
reentry and necessary success or the learns amendment act of
2026. Which was enacted this
july 2nd, 2026. It must undergo congressional
review. One more round of emergency
legislation is necessary to send legislation of doc as the
district agency responsible for providing a fape.
to ensure that doc continue its contract maya angelo public
charter schools. I move the emergency deck.
>> thank you, councilmember. Is there a discussion on the
declaration? The vote will be on pr26-764.
all those in favor say aye. Any opposed?
I believe that was a yes vote. I heard no, no votes.
aye have it unanimously. Councilmember pinto.
>> so moved. >> discussion?
the vote will be underlying bill.
all those in favor say aye. Are this any opposed?
the ayes have it unanimously. Pr26-763.
councilmember pinto. >> thank you, in secure d.c., we
established prearrest diversion task force to identify best
practices to implement prearrest diversion for certain categories
for persons identified by the task force as being appropriate
for diversion. Prearrest can be an effective
tool to improve public safety by preventing low level offenses
and we're providing appropriate mental health and substance
abuse treatment and support individuals in need.
the task force was required begin meeting after three months
of secure d.c. And issue initial recommendations.
cjcc experienced staffing restraint 8 task force was not
able to begin meeting until jun. We included the men pro-- we
included the provisions in the bill.
which of an enacted on july 2, 2026.
that bill is still undergoing congressional review.
therefore, another round of emergency legislation is
necessary to update the deadlines to accurately reflect
feasible timelines for the task force with relat relate --
recommendations that due july 31, 2026.
it's preparing proprovide formal list of recommendations on the
31st. I look forward to reviewing them
and will share them with colleague.
I move the emergency declaration.
>> thank you, councilmember. Is there a discussion?
the vote will be on pr26-763. All those in favor say aye.
are there any opposed? Hearing none.
the ayes have it unanimously. Bill 26-762.
councilmember pinto. >> so moved.
>> discussion? On the bill, all those in favor
say aye. Hearing none, the ayes have it
unanimously. Pr26-777.
health and human services programs and benefits
eligibility and delivery data sharing clarifications
resolution 2026. Councilmember frumin.
>> so moved. >> you can say what it's about?
>> I had done this last time. I will do it again.
>> what do you mean last time? >> at the breakfast.
[ laughter ] the supplemental nutrition
assistance program, or s.n.a.p., provide assistance to low income
resident. S.n.a.p. Is our best tool for
addressing food insecurity. However, recent changes in
federal law will make it harder for families to access s.n.a.p.
the district must implement work requirements for certain people
who receive s.n.a.p. Benefits known as abled bodied adults
without dependents or abog. When abaaouds apply for row knew
s.n.a.p. Eligibility they must be screened to establish they
are complying. For example, resident might be
exempt from work requirements if they have disability.
or enrolled in school or training program or pregnant.
if a resident believes they are exempt from the work
requirements, they must fill out several forms and receive
verification from third parties like medical professionals.
other jurisdictions implementing public benefit program work
requirements have found that these onerous administrative
requirement have caused adults to lose benefits even they are
eligible. The department of human
services can prevent the loss of s.n.a.p. Benefits by
automatically identifying people who qualify for exemptions and
reducing the needs for individuals to submit additional
documentation. This emergency legislation
preserves district residents access to public benefits by
allowing dhs's homeless services department to share data with
its public benefits department so d.h.s. Can help customers
automatically qualify from exemptions through s.n.a.p. Work
requirements. In the future, this change could
also help d.h.s. Exempt residents from medicaid work
requirements that go into effect in january 2027.
I'm grateful to the executive for moving this important
legislation. The committee on human services
oversight has identified the need for more robust and active
data sharing within d.h.s. And this legislation is an important
step toward making that happen. With that, I move the
declaration. >> thank you.
councilmember frumin. We have the declaration before
us. Is there a discussion?
the vote will be on pr26-777. All those in favor say aye.
are there any opposed? Hearing none the ayes have it
unanimous. Bill 26-751.
councilmember frumin. >> so moved.
>> discussion? On the bill, all those in favor
say aye. Opposed?
hearing none, the aye have it unanimously.
pr26-757. Language access rule making
authority emergency declaration resolution 2026.
councilmember nadeau. >> this measure would provide
the mayor authority rule it is the language access act of 2004.
by staff confirmed with the office of human rights they
would like to use this rule making authority in the coming
months. Emergency legislation is needed
to prevent a gap in rule makingd to create a gap between the
temporary measure in the committee of public works moving
permanent later this year. With that, I move the
resolution. Chair mendelson: we have the
declaration before us. Is there a discussion?
on the declaration of pr-26 757, all of those in favor?
>> aye. Chair mendelson: are there any
opposed? Hearing none, the ayes have it
unanimously. We have the underlying bill,
26-721. Ms. Nadeau : so moved.
chair mendelson: is there a discussion?
on the bill, all of those in favor say aye.
>> aye. Chair mendelson: are there any
opposed? Hearing none, the ayes have it
unanimously.
schedule of fines rulemaking approval and authority emergency
declaration resolution emergency declaration resolution of 2026
(pr 26-775) mr. Allen: amending the schedule
of fines at fourth and 1820 600 with the rulemaking requiring
council approval and emergency approval necessary to make sure
the district automated safety camera program complies with the
district of columbia court case as soon as possible to avoid a
gap in legal exposure and under current law cameras are
calibrated to within a plus or minus one mile per hour margin
of error in given that reason it was equally likely that the
driver was in fact traveling 10 to 12 miles for our over the
speed limit. 10 miles for our would be a
distinct offense and therefore determined that the work failed
to prove that the driver committed the offense of
speeding by the 11 to 15 mile per hour limit adjusting the
threshold for certain offenses by one mile to better account
for the margin of fire to make sure that the district to meet
its burden of proof under the declaration.
chair mendelson: we have the declaration before us.
is there a discussion? The vote will be on pr-776 75.
all of those in favor say aye. >> aye.
chair mendelson: are there any opposed?
hearing none, the ayes have it -- are there any opposed?
>> books no. Chair mendelson: the ayes have
it. Councilmember trayon white is
voted as no. Councilmember allen?
mr. Allen: so moved. Chair mendelson: discussion?
the voters on 26-747. All of those in favor?
say aye. >> aye.
chair mendelson: that was anemic.
all of those in favor say aye. >> aye.
chair mendelson: are there any opposed?
>> please record your vote of no.
chair mendelson: the ayes have it, councilmember white will be
recorded as voting no. Turning to first reading to vote
on temporary legislation if there is no objection.
I will move on all in a block. That's bill 26-seven to private
nine, vehicle-for-hire operator clarification temporary
amendment act. 26-760, medical cannabis
licensing and unlicensed establishment
enforcement clarification temporary amendment act.
26-764, omnibus barry farm redevelopment clarification
temporary amendment act.
26 7762, real property tax sale delay temporary amendment act of
.26. Bill 26-768, net zero continuity
emergency amendment act of 2026 .
bill 26-735, special education for young adults in the custody
of the department of corrections
temporary. Bill 26-733, prearrest diversion
task force recommendations temporary.
bill 26-752, health and human service programs and benefits
eligibility and delivery data-sharing
verifications temporary, and bill 26-722, language access
rulemaking authority temporary .
I believe that's nine measures. If so moved, is there a
discussion? The vote will be on all of them.
all of those in favor say aye. >> aye.
chair mendelson: are there any opposed?
the ayes have it unanimously.
mr. White: question for clarity. In that last group was pr 26-745
and 747 included? 775.
chair mendelson: I'm not sure I understand your question.
mr. White: we just voted on block.
I wanted to see if pr 26-775 and a bill 26-747 were included.
chair mendelson: 775 was a pr declaration.
747? [inaudible]
mr. Allen: I think he's asking about a temporary for ddot and
it's not a temporary. Just wanted to clarify that.
mr. White: yeah. Mr. Allen: thank you.
chair mendelson: our next legislative meeting is september
22. There is a little piece of other
business. Sometimes I get a little choked
up when I don't want to. We all know that this is doni
crawford -- don't you get choked up, too.
[laughter] no, I should go first.
our last meeting. Unfortunately.
I have a few remarks, not to encourage everyone to give
remarks, but I just remember that -- let's see, doni crawford
came to us twice. First as a staff person, then as
a councilmember. When she came as a councilmember
it was because our former colleague, kevin mcduffie, had
stepped down, and their were 40 people who expressed an interest
. Some of those folks talked to
different members. I had a process where I was
listening to other members and getting a sense of who they
liked. Ultimately, as I recall, I asked
members to indicate who they thought were their top three
candidates, something like that. I think that some members in the
honorable tradition of this counsel when asked to name three
priorities they gave seven or 15 or 25.
in any event, donnie rose to the top.
compared to all of the other members, there was overwhelming
support. Bikes and we will miss her.
>> yes, we will miss her. I remember one of the agitators
that was expressed by a number of members was that donnie is
authentic. So, when it came to the council
voting, it was unanimous in terms of filling the vacancy.
I would say that in my own view, people are welcome to express
their disagreement. I think nobody will.
she's been an excellent councilmember.
participating. Not being shy, bashful, or
non-present. Being quite present in
participating. I remember when we were
struggling a few months ago with the issue of the curfew that
donnie came up with an amendment that enabled us to get the votes
to get that bill through. More recently, and many members
may not know this, but as we were working on the budget
support act and had a subtitle of dealing with the rfk stadium
that I relied heavily on donnie to work that out with the
commanders so that we could go forward with that subtitle to
solve some problems around that. I would add that donnie has once
again proved my theory, which is that former staff members on the
council make the best councilmembers.
>> you're in trouble now. [laughter]
chair mendelson: I'm hearing some people say it's true.
it is true. And I will miss you.
anyone else? Councilmember allen?
mr. Allen: thank you, mr. Chairman.
service looks and comes differently for all of us.
donnie, you had an unflinching ability to just jump right in
and we are better for it. I remember when at our very
first breakfast meeting you moved from the chair on the side
up to the table. I was watching to see how is
donnie going to handle this. Is she going to jump right in or
hang back a bit? You jumped right in.
everyone sat up, but you did it in such a wonderful way to new
you belonged at that table in that seat helping to make and
guide decisions. I am also biased and if you say
it from the microphone, it becomes fact.
staff to make the best councilmembers.
so, I think that you have continued to prove that point.
I know phil doesn't want us to go on for a long time but I've
just got to say that your call to service to this body, and
there were many more calls to service that will come, but the
call to service for this body you have led with distinction,
thought, collaboration, and a power to get things done for
your city. So, I am grateful for it.
thank you very much and I am proud to serve with you.
chair mendelson: councilmember parker, who will be brief?
mr. Parker: yes. [laughter]
councilmember crawford, it is bittersweet to see you go,
although I don't think you are going to go far in the sense of
leaving the policy making space. I have really enjoyed your
thoughtful partnership, your engagement, actually coming to
committees and leaning in, making changes in proposing
things. I was very proud, and I will say
, when we were engaging with the chairman's process of pushing
for you, I thought you had a lot to add.
and you proved me and so many others right.
I will leave it there and I look to see everything that you
accomplish and just know, as a fellow work five neighbor, if
there is anything you need, we are here your service, and thank
you, thank you. Chair mendelson: councilmember
frumin? Mr. Allen: -- mr. Frumin: thank
you, mr. Chairman. I echo almost everything you
said. I'm not buying that best
councilmembers situation, but councilmember crawford, it's
been such a pleasure to work with you in every different
dimension and I think this theme that you jumped in and did just
a great job, I do think that the juvenile curfew issue is one
where your signature of how you operated really came across.
we were on different sides of that issue and at one point I
had asked folks in the mayor's office where you stood and they
said "she was in a meeting for an hour and a half with the
mayor where the mayor pounded on her on this issue and she didn't
move jericho like, we were on different sides, but I did think
props to her. Brand-new in the position, you
held your ground, you took the time, you found a solution that
worked for everyone, or almost everyone, or enough of a
majority to get it through. What an accomplishment.
what a great way to have done it .
I am sure you are going to bring that same skill and tenacity and
grace to everything that you do next.
I am really excited to see what that would be.
congratulations and good luck. Chair mendelson: councilmember
pinto? Miss pinto: councilmember
crawford, thank you so much to everything you have offered to
this body, to our city. I have learned so much from you,
both in your time as a staffer and councilmember.
I won't disclose all the conversation itself as you were
seeking to join the council, but one of the things that really
set out to me was you were not shy about being honest in areas
of disagreement. Even though you were trying to
get everybody's votes. I think that that really speaks
to your character and your integrity, you know what your
principles are, you know what your values are, and you won't
let those be sidelined or undermined for a goal, ambitious
as it may be, and it ended up turning out in your favor,
because that exact way of operating led to your unanimous
support by this body, because we had all seen how you operated,
seen what a hard worker you were, and knew that you could
substantively do the job. I think that over the last seven
months in getting to work with you as a council colleague, it
has opened my eyes even further to your strengths, your
intellect. You have a really impressive
duality of being firm with what you know you are fighting for
and having so much grace in negotiation.
the public sees us debate things up here, but a lot of work
happens behind the scenes when we are all debating each other
and trying to get to a compromise and to the right
place. I have so appreciated the issues
that we have worked on together, whether it be the juvenile
curfew language, other business issues around rfk.
you have just been so thoughtful and such a joy to work with.
I love you. I am always in your corner.
thank you for your service to the district of columbia.
we have your back, whatever you do next.
thank you. Thank you, council number.
councilmember henderson? Miss henderson: you, mr.
chairman. Oh, donnie.
thank you so much for raising your hand and being willing to
serve. There are not a lot of people
who would have. There were a lot of people who
thought they were ready, but not a lot who were actually ready to
step into the task at hand. And then do it all so quickly?
also quickly. But we felt that you were ready
and you proved us correct in terms of being able to work
through the budget and do all those things.
I love that we sort of share a love of very nerdy things in the
details. Especially when I got funeral
directors and you didn't laugh. You were like -- offering
additional thoughts and advice around how we sort of navigate
some of these things, so I just appreciate that.
you have this insatiable love of learning that I share and
admire. I know that this isn't the end
of your public service. It might look different in the
future, but on behalf of district residents in all of us,
thank you. It would have been a rough mind,
but you did it smoothly. And with a lot of strong
dignity. Chair mendelson: thank you,
councilmember. Councilmember bonds?
miss manns: I guess I have to do this.
all right. -- ms. Bonds: I guess I have to
do this. All right.
donnie, it has been a wonderful experience having you at this
level on the dais. I recall when we were deciding
who might be best. There were thoughts that many
others would be best, I'm sure. But I was one of those that held
the line. Every time I was asked, it was
donnie, it was donnie, it was donnie.
I think that what impelled me to take that approach in not sort
of scatter my votes all over the place was the fact that you are
here, which many of my colleagues have already spoken
to. You knew the work.
and you had a history of delivering.
that's what was so important to us as we were going into the
budget process. What I have learned from you is
your humanity. The way in which you feel about
the community and about young people and their opportunity to
provide service to the community.
that is one of the big takeaways that I have.
there is no question about your skill set.
your intellect. Any of that.
we all know that you have it. The way in which you manage your
feelings and interests in your energy that you give to the
community has really been wonderful to see.
as one of the older people on the council, everyone else is so
young, you know, I know they are.
chair mendelson: thank you, thank you.
ms. Bonds: including the chair. [laughter]
seriously, thinking about that, it's a joy to see you in
operation and to know that our world is in a really good place
with younger people like you. Younger leaders like you.
and younger committed individuals and public servants
like you. I know you are not going very
far, I don't even have to venture to think about that.
we would be crazy to lose you entirely.
thank you very much for your service and for being here with
us on the dais. But we know we are going to see
you around and we know that you are going to continue to
contribute. And we will be sad, but as pinto
said, we love you. Can't get away from that.
chair mendelson: thank. Councilmember white?
mr. White: first, donnie, I want to say to you that we appreciate
your leadership. I have to admit, I didn't know
you very well before you came. After speaking to you several
times, you rose one of my top three.
that was important to me that you came in ready to do a great
job and represent the people of d.c. On short notice and we
appreciate that. I always say that you cannot
conquer anything you are not committed to.
so, this is something you really want to do, don't give up.
I say that because many of us sitting up here didn't give up.
I worked on robert white's first campaign and he lost and he's
here going to become a democratic nominee for congress.
I remember when miss louis george ran in 2016 and she lost
and now she's the democratic nominee for mayor.
phil mendelson, he meant a lot to talk about it, 1998, he lost.
[laughter] fruman, right beside you, you
can lean on you. Trayon white, you come back and
fight for whatever you were going to do.
thank you for you and your commitment to d.c., here not
just quiet but active on the council, we appreciate you and
thank you for your service. God bless.
chair mendelson: thank you, councilmember.
mr. Felder? >> thank.
I want to echo some of the sentiments are colleagues have
already expressed. Donnie, I feel privileged to sit
next to you. I remember just throughout this
entirety of this election process, the conversations that
we had in terms of -- well, I don't know, it's a lot of people
, how would I rise to the top? I remember telling you champions
adjust, trust the process, and regardless of your journey, it
makes no difference when you become one of the 13 members.
so, you should feel exceptionally proud of yourself.
to the councilmember's point, I also ran.
I ran 10 years ago, 12 years ago now.
I was unsuccessful. I learned from my mistakes.
I kept, you know, I kept the fight going.
I have no doubt that you will continue to be a leader for the
district of columbia. You made your city proud, major
family proud, made this counsel proud.
you know, this is a lesson and you can go wherever you choose
to go. I'm expecting good things and as
always, I've been one of your biggest supporters coming out
the gate. That will not change.
god bless. Chair mendelson: thank you,
councilmember. Councilmember lewis george?
ms. Lewis george: donnie, I think I just want to say that
you are so brilliant. You are incredibly smart,
incredibly gifted in negotiations.
as we deliberate things, you are so thoughtful.
just so caring. So, it is an honor to see you
work as a policy advocate and analyst and be a legislative
staffer and then a councilmember .
you did that. How many can say they have done
what you have done and what you have accomplished at your young
age, right? I want you to continue to stand
in that brilliance of who you are and to know that what god
has for you is for you and I am excited to see all that god is
going to do for you. Thank you.
chair mendelson: thank you, councilmember.
councilmember robert white? Mr. White: first, thank you for
your service to this city. There are only 13 of us in the
size of the budget, the magnitude of the government, its
massive, even for folks who have been here for years.
even for folks who start at the beginning of a term when things
are moderately slow. But you were able to jump in the
budget and get right to work. It is because of your brilliance
and talent. As colleagues have said, not
that I doubt that you have doubts about it, but it is
always important to remember it then to try to mount from, you
know, a full campaign in the middle of that.
it's just about as possible has something could be.
you stepped up to all of that. Unlike many of us, who have lost
races before we won races, you got, you got a time to serve in
the seat and to gain the respect of the people across the dais
and the city and I don't think you will take it for granted and
I would urge you not to. You have so much of my respect
and admiration for what you have done but also that of many
people in the city who got a glimpse of your talent and
ability and I guarantee you that it will not be lost on them or
on us. We love you, continue to support
you, and thank you again for your service.
chair mendelson: thank you, councilmember.
ms. Nadeau: I've been so impressed by the way it stepped
right into budget season and had such a huge impact.
one of my big worries when I was first here was that I wouldn't
impact the budget if you had a huge one in just a few short
months. You always stuck to your
convictions. You have spoken, you have given
tremendous input into all the things we have done during your
tenure and I want to thank you for your contributions to the
body and your service and I hope you will continue serving.
chair mendelson: thank you, councilmember.
>> we wanted you to walk away with something.
so, we got you some flowers. >> thank you.
[applause] thank you all.
I have experienced a lot of emotional growth, because I hate
frying. Usually in a year or I can count
on one hand how many times I cry and this year?
I have cried so many times, especially throughout the
campaign. And of course, tears of joy.
I have enjoyed this so much. First, I want to thank my team.
rene, matthew, hello, daniel, for holding me down.
we have done such a great job in this time at the council.
I'm never going to forget this. I want to thank all of you and
your teams. This has been a really long
budget season, but this was my first as a member and I truly
enjoyed every single moment of it.
I am going to miss this job. This has been my favorite job
thus far. I enjoyed it as a staffer and
now I have the pleasure of doing it as a member.
I don't want it to stop, but unfortunately it has to end this
week. I think you all for your words
and I will keep those words close to my heart when I reflect
on this time as a member in the district of columbia
representing 700,000 people. Let me see if there is anything
else I wanted to say. Honestly, again, this has been
the honor of my life, so thank you for this opportunity, each
of you. I treasure it and will continue
to do so. Thank you.
chair mendelson: thank you. [applause]
it is easy to say thank you when you are a class act.
thank you. That will conclude the business
of this meeting and the time is 3:59 p.m.
this meeting is adjourned. [gavel]