Author Archives: Committee

Hearing on Truancy in DC Schools (Oct. 10)

CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON AND COUNCILMEMBER DAVID CATANIA ANNOUNCE A JOINT PUBLIC OVERSIGHT HEARING

Truancy Reduction in the D.C. Public School System

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember David Catania announce the scheduling of a Joint Public Oversight Hearing of the Committee of the Whole and the Committee on Education to discuss truancy reduction in the District of Columbia Public Education System.  The public oversight hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October Continue Reading

Hearing on PR 20-354 (Oct. 3)

CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING

PR 20-354, Contract Appeals Board Monica Parchment Confirmation Resolution of 2013

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public hearing of the Committee of the Whole on PR 20-354, the “Contract Appeals Board Monica Parchment Confirmation Resolution 2013.”  The public hearing will be held Thursday, October 3, 2013, at 12:30 p.m. in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

The stated purpose of PR 20-354 is to confirm the re-appointment of Ms. Monica Parchment to the Contract Appeals Board.  The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony from government and public witnesses as to the fitness of this nominee for the Board.

Those who wish to testify are asked to telephone the Committee of the Whole, at (202) 724-8196, or e-mail Evan Cash, Committee Director, at ecash@dccouncil.us and provide their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business Tuesday, October 1, 2013.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  If submitted by the close of business on October 1, 2013, the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing.  Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.  A copy of PR 20-354 can be obtained through the Legislative Services Division of the Secretary of the Council’s office or at


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Hearing on B20-297 and B20-388 (Oct. 3)

CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING

Bill 20-298, Closing of a Public Alley in Square 5452, S.O. 12-03541, Act of 2013
Bill 20-388, Closing of a Public Alley in Square 858, S.O. 12-03336, Act of 2013

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public hearing of the Committee of the Whole on Bill 20-298, the “Closing of a Public Alley in Square 5452 S.O. 12-03541 Act of 2013,” and Bill 20-388, the “Closing of a Public Alley in Square 858, S.O. 12-03336 Continue Reading

Hearing on UDC’s Strategic Plan (Sept. 27)

CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC OVERSIGHT HEARING

The Progress of the University of the District of Columbia’s Strategic Plan and Its Impact on Accreditation

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public oversight hearing of the Committee of the Whole on the Progress of the University of the District of Columbia’s (UDC) Strategic Plan and Its Impact on Accreditation.  The public oversight hearing will be held Friday, September 27, 2013, at 12:30 p.m. in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

The purpose of the oversight hearing is to receive testimony from both public and government witnesses on the status of UDC’s strategic plan, with particular emphasis on how the plan will affect both the University’s reaccreditation and the accreditation of the Community College.  Currently the University is developing its strategic plan, which should be debuted in December.  Additionally, the University is planning for its accreditation reaffirmation, which will occur during the 2015-2016 academic year, as well as preparing the Community College to be deemed “separately accreditable” by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  The Committee invites testimony as to how the strategic plan will impact the planning for these accreditation efforts and the University’s needs in order to realize those efforts.

Those who wish to testify are asked to telephone the Committee of the Whole, at (202) 724-8196, or e-mail Christina Setlow, Legislative Counsel, at csetlow@dccouncil.us and provide their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business Wednesday, September 25, 2013.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  If submitted by the close of business on September 25, 2013, the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing.  Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses.

If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee of the Whole, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 410 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2013.

LivingSocial Asked to End “Drink and Shoot” Promotions

In a recent letter to LivingSocial CEO and FounderTim O’Shaunessy, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson asked the company to adopt a policy to discontinue marketing deals that promote “drink and shoot” activities, i.e., the opportunity to use a firearm and consume alcohol.

Citing public safety issues, Mendelson wrote, “Marketing gun use with alcohol consumption is corrosive to the notion of responsible gun use and ownership.” A copy of the full letter is attached.

Last year, the Council approved legislation (the Social E-Commerce Job Creation Tax Incentive Act of 2012) which provides $32.5 million in corporate and property tax abatements for the company that will go into effect beginning in 2015.