Council Agrees to Fund Sustainability Coordinator; Ward 6 Residents Talk Sidewalks

In a few weeks the Takoma Park city budget will be finalized and voted on, but there's a lot to consider before then. The city council took a big step Monday night in voting to include money for a sustainability coordinator. And residents from Ward 6 came out to fight for their sidewalks.

Mayor Bruce Williams that some extra money found in the budget could be used to fund the environmental consulting position.

The council voted unanimously to fund the coordinator, but there were a few sticking points. The council ended up deciding to spend $150,000 on the position. Councilman Josh Wright (Ward 1) wanted to allot $185,000 and Councilwoman Colleen Clay (Ward 2) was at the lower end, suggesting $50,000 to $100,000.

The other question was whether the position would be contracted out as a consulting job or be made a staff position. Most council members thought a contract position was the safest way to go as the city tries to figure out exactly what the sustainability coordinator would do, but Councilman Dan Robinson (Ward 3) said a staff position would be cheaper and more efficient.

The Task Force on Environmental Action, whose report outlined environmental initiatives to be included in the budget, tweeted Monday night that a staff position was the way to go.

"Contractor takes direction from city staff. Employee would provide direction. Employee would be more effective," TFEA tweeted during the council discussion.

The council voted for the position to be contracted out initially.

Also budget related, residents of Ward 6 came out Monday night to make sure the sidewalks that were budgeted in City Manager Barbara Matthew's proposed budget stays in the final budget.

Local Takoma Langley Sector Plan expert and Wildwood Avenue resident Barrie Howard said Ward 6 was behind compared to Wards 4, 3 and 1.

"There is an inherent inequity," Howard said. "A walkable community in Ward 6 helps with connectivity in the Takoma Langley Sector Plan."

Howard also said the sustainability coordinator warranted further discussion. 

"It's premature to talk about sustainability coordinator now. The discussion must be larger," he said. "Put it in as referendum vote in November. Take time to explore options and not be in such a rush."

Another Ward 6 resident, Elizabeth Moses, said the money for sidewalks was important to the safety of residents and their children.

"Wildwood Drive is especially important for safety," she said. "We have hearing impaired people in the community. These are not generic issues; they're specific safety issues."

Donna Victoria, who lives on Merwood Drive in Ward 6, also had strong feelings about the sidewalks.

"Please keep the funding," Victoria implored.

The council voted to keep funding at what City Manager Barbara Matthew proposed, $575,000 for new sidewalks in Wards 6 and 2 as well as $300,000 for Americans with Disabilities Act retrofitting.

Correction: This story original stated that the Takoma Park City Council did not take action with regard to sidewalk funding in Ward 6.