Saturday, February 13, 2016

invitation: Share Your Stories at the Monday, 2-29-2016, DCRA Oversight Hearing

See this message from the Bloomingdale Action list at Google Groups:


Neighbors -

We have an opportunity to raise the DC Council’s awareness of citywide concerns about DCRA’s enforcement of building codes and zoning regulations at a February 29 Oversight Hearing. Below is information on taking part. Read and forward this to your networks.

Options for Action for 2/29 Hearing

·  Sign up to testify—ASAP. Simply email Peter Johnson, pjohnson@dccouncil.us or call 202-727-6683 and ask to get on the witness list.

·  If you can’t testify in person, submit written comments (1 page is perfect, but feel free to include attachments with more details).

Regardless of what you can do, at the least, please email pjohnson@dccouncil.us and ask the Council to hold a special hearing on DCRA in the near future to dig deeper, talk in depth with DCRA staff, and come up with a plan to help fix things. 

Note: There will also be Oversight hearings on OAH and the Offices of Planning and Zoning: details are at the end of this email.

How To Prepare for 2/29

·  Testifying in Person. Typically, you will be allowed 3 minutes to speak about 1 1/2 double spaced pages) and 5 minutes if you are an ANC Commissioner or representing an organization (about 2-3 pages, double spaced). Provide your name/affiliation; your challenges with DCRA (be specific); personalize your story; and close by asking for Council action.

·  To Submit Written Testimony. Email pjohnson@dccouncil.us. Cover the same points above. Include your contact information.


More About the 2/29 Hearing

The Feb 29 hearing is a performance review of multiple agencies, including DCRA. The day is long and will involve a commitment on your part. Our hope is that you can accomplish two goals: (1) share your concerns on specific DCRA problems and (2) ask the Council to hold a special hearing on DCRA only to dig deeper, talk in depth with DCRA staff, and come up with a plan to help fix things. Learn more about the Feb 29 hearing, starting at 10am to the end of the day (1350 Pennsylvania Ave, Room 500) and the purpose of oversight hearings.

Learn more about the DC Council Committee on Business, Consumer, and Regulatory Affairs, which oversees DCRA and is chaired by Councilmember Orange. Members include Councilmembers Nadeau, Todd, Allen and Silverman. 

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More About Other Upcoming Hearings

Neighbors may have also had experiences with other DC agencies which they would like to share with the Council. Details for those Oversight Hearings are below:

Office of Administrative Hearings

COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016; Room 120
10:00 a.m. - End

Persons wishing to testify about the performance of OAH (and other agencies) may contact: Katherine Mitchell, kmitchell@dccouncil.us or by calling 202-727-8275.


Office of Zoning

Office of Planning

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016; Room 412
9:30 a.m. - End

Persons wishing to testify about the Office of Zoning (other agencies) may send an email to: cow@dccouncil.us

The full schedule of the Oversight Hearings can be found here:


In April, the Council will hold Budget Hearings, which will offer a second opportunity to weigh in on these agencies.



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