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Neighbors,

Even as we continue to practice necessary social distancing in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the needs for ourselves and our families continue. The public health emergency has obviously had a brutal impact on our entire economy, importantly, including our local small businesses.

From the Council's first legislative response to COVID-19, I have been focused on helping residents make it through the pandemic safely and with their health. Small businesses are not just a critical part of the District's culture and fabric, they employ our people and they are more likely to spend their dollars within our community.

I've been highlighting essential Ward 5 small businesses that are open during the health emergency and I encourage you to support them as well. Stay in shape with during the pandemic with Wired Cycling Fitness Studio ([link removed][UNIQID]) , Bourne 2 Fly Fitness Studio ([link removed][UNIQID]) , or Fitness Snob Studio ([link removed][UNIQID]) . Pick up a cup of coffee atCreative Grounds ([link removed][UNIQID]) on North Capital St and Seaton Pl NW or stop by Tastemakers ([link removed][UNIQID]) in Brookland for some contact-free goodies from Captain Cookie, Bullfrog Bagels, or OMG Latin Flavors.

Ward 5 Main Street organizations also have directories of local businesses that are open in Brookland, Rhode Island Avenue NE, and Bladendsburg Road NE ([link removed][UNIQID]) as well as North Capital Street ([link removed][UNIQID]) . Support our local economy and shop local!

In service,

Kenyan
For the latest and most comprehensive information always visit [link removed][UNIQID] ([link removed][UNIQID]) .
In this issue of the Ward 5 Report:

* Three Ways to Engage with the Council on the Budget
* The Ward 5 Office is Open and Teleworking
* In the Community
* Kenyan in the News
* Do You Have Spingarn Photos or Memories to Share?
* Pre-Order the Book Written by Brookland Middle School Students
* Open Space Design for the New York and Florida Ave NE Intersection Project - May 18
* Lamond-Riggs Library Meeting - May 20
* DC Water Northeast Boundary Tunnel Forum -  May 21
* Vote by Mail in the June Primary



** Three Ways to Engage with the Council on the Budget
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Next week, the Council will receive a draft budget from the Mayor and begin holding Budget Oversight Hearings. For obvious reasons, this budget process will not be like other years. Council committees are each taking written testimony as well as allowing residents to call a phone line and leave testimony, which will be transcribed and included in the official record. Additionally, there will be limited opportunities to testify before committee hearings held via videoconference. Check the Council website for the full schedule of hearings ([link removed][UNIQID]) and additional details for each committee.

The Council Committee on Business and Economic Development, chaired by Councilmember McDuffie, will receive input from the public through multiple channels:

Written Testimony:
* Written Testimony shall be submitted by emailing the document to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
* Written testimony must be submitted as instructed above by June 3, 2020, 5:00 pm, to be included in the record.
* Public witness testimony will not be accepted after that date.

Transcribed Oral Testimony:
* Call (202) 430-5122.
* When prompted, ready your testimony (speak slowly and clearly).
* You may provide up to three minutes of testimony.
* Your testimony will be transcribed and made a part of the record.
* At the beginning of the message please state your name, spell your name, the agency you are testifying on, provide the name of the organization you are representing (if any), and then begin your testimony.

Live testimony via videoconference hearing:
* The hearing will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, June 16 from 9:00 am – Noon. As with all Council hearings, it will be streamed live on the Council website and broadcast on DC cable channel 13.
* Public witnesses are required to complete the witness form linked from here ([link removed][UNIQID]) . The form to sign up for the virtual hearing will open on June 10, 2020, at 9:00 am and close on June 12, 2020, at 5:00 pm.
* Participation in the virtual hearing is limited, and participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Each public witness will receive a maximum of three minutes to testify, and each organization is limited to one testimony at the virtual hearing.
* Witnesses that completed the form on May 11-12 will carry over to the new witness list.
* Public witnesses selected to participate in the virtual hearing will receive additional instructions from the Committee on Business and Economic Development.
* These hearings are official proceedings of the Council of the District of Columbia, and public witnesses who will appear live in a virtual hearing must conduct themselves respectfully and are subject to removal for using profane, indecent, or abusive language or images.
* All public witnesses are encouraged to submit written testimony in advance of the hearing. Written Testimony can be submitted by emailing the document to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
+ Written testimony must be submitted as instructed above by June 3, 2020, 5:00 p.m., to be included in the record.


** The Ward 5 Office is Open and Teleworking
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Throughout the public health emergency, Councilmember McDuffie and staff are teleworking and remain hard at work on behalf of Ward 5 residents. You can still call (202) 724-8028 or email any staff ([link removed][UNIQID]) .


** In the Community
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Team McDuffie joined ANC Commissioner Pierre Hines (ANC 5C03) in delivering masks, gloves, and hot meals to seniors in Ft. Lincoln.


** Kenyan in the News
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* Councilmember McDuffie discussed DC bars, restaurants hope to expand outdoor seating with Bob Barnard on FOX 5 DC. ([link removed][UNIQID])

* Councilmember McDuffie talked with Sarah Konsmo of WUSA9 about a new report that found essential workers of color could be more at risk during pandemic ([link removed][UNIQID]) .


** Do You Have Spingarn Photos or Memories to Share?
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[link removed][UNIQID]


** Pre-Order the Book Written by Brookland Middle School Students
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[link removed][UNIQID]
A group of Brookland Middle School are publishing a book, We Matter: Notes from DC's Generation Z. Pre-order the book today for only $15 by clicking here ([link removed][UNIQID]) . The book description reads: From go-go dancing and Mumbo sauce to gentrification, education equality, and environmental concerns, this collection explores what matters to this generation of new authors and offers key perspective into what DC is really like from their point of view.


** Open Space Design for the New York and Florida Ave NE Intersection Project - May 18
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[link removed][UNIQID]
The NoMa Parks Foundation invites you to provide input on the potential design of new public spaces that will result from the New York Avenue NE and Florida Avenue NE Intersection Project ([link removed][UNIQID]) . The project will both improve the intersection for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicular traffic, as well as create three new open spaces. This online meeting will present concept designs for the new open spaces.


** Lamond-Riggs Library Meeting - May 20
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Join your friends and neighbors on Wednesday, May 20, at 6 pm for a virtual community meeting about the Lamond-Riggs Library project. The design team will:
* Share final designs for the new library
* Provide a project timeline
* Talk about what to expect during construction
* Gather community feedback and answer questions

This meeting will be held online. Please click on this link to join the meeting ([link removed][UNIQID]) . Learn more about this project at [link removed][UNIQID]. ([link removed][UNIQID])


** DC Water Northeast Boundary Tunnel Forum - May 21
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DC Water looks forward to providing construction and traffic safety improvement updates and answering your questions, at the upcoming Tunnel Forum Meeting. In line with the current restrictions on mass gatherings due to the COVID-19 emergency, this meeting will be held online via Zoom on Thursday, May 21, 2020, from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm ([link removed][UNIQID]) .

Tunnel Forum Agenda:
* Bryant Street APA & New LeDroit Park APA
* Construction Site Updates
+ First Street NW Pumping Station
+ T Street NW
+ Florida Avenue NW
+ R Street NW
* Main Street Update
* Questions and Answers


** Vote by Mail in the June Primary
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[link removed][UNIQID]

For the 2020 Primary Election, voting by mail is strongly encouraged. To vote by mail, you must submit a request to do so before the deadline on May 26. Voters can request a ballot several ways:
* Request a ballot online. ([link removed][UNIQID])
* Download the Vote 4 DC App (iPhone ([link removed][UNIQID]) /Andriod ([link removed][UNIQID]) ).
* Download Absentee Request Form ([link removed][UNIQID]) , scan the form as an attachment and email it to [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected])
* Download Absentee Request Form ([link removed][UNIQID]) and fax it to 202-347-2648.
* Download Absentee Request Form ([link removed][UNIQID]) and mail it to DC Board of Elections, 1015 Half Street, SE, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20003.
* Call 202-741-5283 and =request your mail-in ballot application.
* Mail-in ballot request forms were also included in every Voter Guide, which was mailed to every registered voter.

For someone looking to download the request form, even though the instructions for the form indicate you must print and sign, you do not have to do so. If you’re unable to print, sign, and scan the form, save the completed form as a pdf and email it to [email protected]. The Board will accept unsigned request forms (however, the board will not accept unsigned ballots). Voters can check the status of their ballot request forms and ballots using the Board’s tracker ([link removed][UNIQID]) .

If voters do choose to vote in person, the Board is prepared to safely receive them at any of the 20 Vote Centers, regardless of their residence. Voters who choose to vote in person must wear masks and socially distance. Voters who choose to vote in person are strongly encouraged to use early voting, rather than on Election Day. Vote Centers will be open for the Primary Election from May 22 through June 2, except on May 25 for Memorial Day. On Election Day, they’re open 7 am – 8 pm, and for all other early voting days from 8:30 am – 7 pm. This means on Election Day June 2, there will only be two polling places open in Ward 5.

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day but can be received at the Board’s offices no later than June 9. If a voter received a mail-in ballot but didn’t put their ballot in the mail, you can also drop off your ballot at any Vote Center.

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