1. Public Hearing Canceled: A public hearing on removal of a Poplar Avenue speed hump which had been scheduled for July 6 has been CANCELED to allow time for additional neighborhood discussion. (City Clerk)

2. Welcome the New Ward 6 Councilmember!: Donna Victoria has been appointed to fill the unexpired term of Doug Barry to represent Ward 6 on the City Council. Join the City Council in welcoming Councilmember Victoria on Monday, July 6, 7:00 p.m. in the Atrium Lobby. Mayor Williams will administer the oath of office at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. (City Clerk)

3. Fair Return Rent Petition Training for Landlords: The Housing and Community Development Department conducted a Fair Return Rent Petition training session for 12 landlords on Wednesday, July 1 at the Community Center. Landlords who are subject to the city's rent stabilization program may file a fair return petition with the Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs (COLTA) if they can show a reduction in the net operating income of their rental facility. Rent increases granted by COLTA through the petition process may be taken in addition to the annual rent stabilization allowance. Two more classes are currently scheduled - Thursday, August 6 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Thursday, October 6 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required by calling 301-891-7222. Additional classes will be scheduled in the fall and winter months. (Housing and Community Development)

4. Request for Rental Units for Displaced Tenants: A number of tenants who reside at Hampshire Towers (7333 New Hampshire Avenue) are being displaced this month due to condo conversion. Many of the tenants wish to stay in Takoma Park or the local area. The county and city are assisting the tenants in locating available housing. Anyone having information about an available 2 or 3 bedroom rental unit should call Linda Walker at 301-891-7222. (Housing and Community Development)

5. 2009 Homeowners and Renters Property Tax Credit Applications Available: If you are a homeowner or renter with an household income under $60,000, you may qualify to receive a credit for the property taxes that you pay. To obtain an application, please call 301- 891-7222 and leave your name and address and indicate if you are a homeowner or renter. You may also access the applications directly at http://www.dat.state.md.us/sdatweb/taxcredits.html The deadline for filing an application is September 1, 2009. (Housing and Community Development)

6. New Plantings (Wards 6, 2, and 3): All along New Hampshire Avenue new plants have been installed near commercial areas to improve their profile and give the area a positive outside character. (Housing and Community Development)

7. Maple Avenue Planning Workshops (Ward 4): On Tuesday, June 23, the Planning team held a workshop at the Parkview Towers Apartment and about 50 residents participated. Tenants identified their top priorities, including street lighting, gym facility, and farmers market. Priorities that were unique to Parkview Towers included a festival space, and formalizing Sligo Creek Park. For more information or to arrange for a meeting in other languages, contact Carman Lam at 30-891-7219 or carmanl@takomagov.org. (Housing and Community Development)

8. Ride-On Bus Stop Coordination (Wards 1, 2, 3, and 6): City staff are working with Ride-On to bring bus stops up to ADA standards where feasible along Philadelphia Avenue and Carroll Avenue (from Grant Avenue to University Boulevard). Bus Stop improvements, if approved by SHA, would be installed by Ride-On this summer/fall. This is a continuation of earlier improvements along New Hampshire Avenue. (Housing and Community Development)

9. Orchard Avenue Community Garden (Ward 3): An attractive and much-needed deer fence was erected this week around the new Orchard Avenue Community Garden. The fence, which has five arching wooden arbor entry ways, was installed mainly as a means of preventing deer and other animals from harming the crops. It was funded by the City's New Hampshire Ave. Greening and Beautification program. (Housing and Community Development)

10. Hillwood Manor Community Garden (Ward 6): Tillerman Landscaping, a local business, completed a natural stone retaining wall at the corner of Erskine and New Hampshire Avenue this week. The wall further contributes to a series of landscaping improvements already made by the Hillwood Manor neighborhood at this same site, and paves the way for a gateway garden to be installed in the early fall. It was funded by the City's New Hampshire Ave. Greening and Beautification grant program and the Takoma Foundation. (Housing and Community Development)

11. Takoma Langley Crossroads Sector Plan (Ward 6): On Tuesday evening, John Marcolin of M-NCPPC, met with residents and property/businesses representatives to review the draft Urban Design Guidelines and plan design details. (Housing and Community Development)

12. Open Basketball (Every Thursday at Piney Branch Elementary): Come shoot around or play some scrimmage games with friends every Thursday. Youth, ages 11-18, can enjoy the open basketball program which is supervised by the Takoma Park Recreation staff. So if you're looking for a safe and fun way to get exercise, then this free program is for you! Takes place Thursdays throughout the summer from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Piney Branch Elementary School (gym) for free! For more information, please contact the Recreation Department 301- 891-7290. (Recreation)

13. Snapshots: The latest edition of Snapshots is running on City TV, and is now posted on the City website at http://takomapark.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=86. Topics this month include: Sharing The Road; Maple Avenue Corridor Improvement Study; Takoma Park Arbor Day Tree Giveaway 2009; Friends of Sligo Creek Sweep the Creek; and Takoma Park 5K Challenge. (Communications)

14. The Newsletter: The July edition of the newsletter was printed last week and residents should have received a copy in their mail over the last few days. The Newsletter is also available for online viewing at this URL: http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/news/newsletter/2009/July09.pdf.
(Communications)

15. Crossroads Press Conference: City TV staff covered the Press Conference held in the Crossroads on Tuesday, June 28 which will be featured in a future Snapshots episode. (Communications)

16. 4th of July: City TV staff will be covering the Annual Independence Day Parade on Saturday morning and some of the other festivities in the evening. (Communications)

17. Officers in Meetings:
- On June 30, Chief Ricucci attended the Takoma Park-Long Branch Business Alliance Press Conference. The Montgomery County Business Alliance serves as a model for business owners and county agencies to customize and implement responsible policies to address alcohol abuse, drinking in public, and under 21 alcohol use.
- On July 1, Chief Ricucci met with the new Ward 6 Councilmember, Donna Victoria; Capt. Ed Coursey attended a Council of Governments (COG) briefing on the H1N1 Virus. (Police)

18. Officers in Training: On June 29 and July 1, various members of the Police Department attended CPR/AED re-certification training. (Police)

19. Traffic Enforcement: Officers conducted at least 77 traffic stops, which resulted in citations, two vehicle impounds, and two Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests.

During June 22-July 1, 2009, the following details were completed:

June 22, 2009
- 900 block of East West Highway (speeding) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued two state citations for speed and one other state citation.
- 900 block of East West Highway (speeding) - conducted a 60-minute and issued two state citations for speed, one other state citation, one warning, and one Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO).

June 23, 2009
- Jackson Avenue & Ethan Allen Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued no citations or warnings.

June 24, 2009
- Erskine Avenue & New Hampshire Avenue (red light enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one state citation.

June 25, 2009
- 7500 block of New Hampshire Avenue (equipment violations) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one warning.
- 1300 block of University Blvd. (seatbelt enforcement) - conducted a 2- hour detail and issued ten state citations.
- Maple Avenue & Sherman Avenue (various violations) - conducted a 60-minute detail and issued five state citations and one warning.
- Carroll Avenue & Tulip Avenue (crosswalk enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one state citation.
- Erskine Street at 13th Place (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 3-hour detail and issued six state citations.

June 26, 2009
- 13th Place at Erskine Street (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued no citations or warnings.

June 27, 2009
- 900 block of East West Highway (speeding and no left turn) - conducted a 2-hour detail and issued four state citations for speed and one other state citation.

June 28, 2009
- 6700 block of Prince George's Avenue (parking offenses) - conducted intermittent detail and issued one parking citation.

June 29, 2009
- 7600 block of Flower Avenue (speeding) - conducted a one 60-minute detail and issued four state citations for speed and one other citation.
- 1300 block of University Blvd. (seatbelt enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued three state citations.
- Maple Avenue & Sherman Avenue (Safety Equipment Repair) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one Safety Equipment Repair Order (SERO).

June 30, 2009
- Lincoln Avenue at Elm Avenue (traffic circle enforcement) - conducted a 60-minute detail and issued one state citation.
- Jackson Avenue & Ethan Allen Avenue (stop sign enforcement) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued no citations or warnings.
- Manor Circle & Ethan Allen Avenue (various violations) - conducted a 60-minute detail and issued two state citations.

July 1, 2009
- Roanoke Avenue & Kennewick Avenue (various violations) - conducted a 90-minute detail and issued three state citations.
- Anne Street at Hammond Avenue (various violations) - conducted a 2-hour detail and issued four state citations.
- 900 block of East West Highway (speeding) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued one state citation.
- East West Highway & Ethan Allen Avenue (various violations) - conducted a 30-minute detail and issued no citations or warnings.
(Police)