The Town Budget and Two Hour Parking Meters - Friday, June 1, 2007

Budget:



After some public comment, the Council passed an amended $4.25 million budget at its May 29th Special session. I had spent some time analyzing the City’s financial picture prior to the meeting and felt that we were underestimating the amount of bank interest income we were getting from our cash balance (averages over $500,000). I proposed that we increase the revenue projection by $10,000 to $18,000 (a conservative figure) and put that money into tax relief.



I intend to propose an ordinance that would double the recently enacted tax relief program for those residents with a household income under $60,000. In many ways our town is becoming a ‘tale of two cities’ – those who have the means to buy houses in our town and pay the taxes and those (many of whom are on fixed income) who do not have the means to pay the rising taxes in our town. I think we have to do everything possible to keep our town diverse and not drive away those long-term residents who are having trouble paying the increased taxes. I think this tax relief measure will help. It still has to be passed by Council.



Two Hour Parking Meters


After discussions with the Mt. Rainier Business Association, the Council had the first reading (two readings are necessary for legislation to pass in our town) on an ordinance that would change the parking meters on the 3300 blocks of Rhode Island Ave. and Perry Sts. and the 3700 block of 34th and 33rd Sts. to two hour maximum time limits and reduce the enforcement hours from midnight to 10 PM. A number of residents as well as business owners have complained to me about the one hour meters. It is an inconvenience for people who spend time at Artmosphere, visit the new H&F Art Gallery, or eat any potential sit-down restaurants in the downtown area.



DC Glassworks Open House –Saturday June 3rd 3:30 PM –8:30 PM



DC glassworks is an arts studio that has glass blowing facilities and offers classes on blowing glass. Once every six weeks they have a free open house where people can enjoy light refreshments, listen to live music and watch experienced glass blowers ‘magically’ form beautiful glass vases and other objects. If you haven’t been to one, you should try and attend, it’s really fun. They are located at 5346 46th Ave., in Hyattsville (very close to Franklins). You can get more information from their web-site: www.dcglassworks.com.



As always, please feel free to e-mail me with comments. Jimmy