Council hearing on Streetcars legislation: Tuesday, June 22, at 2 p.m.

Last week, Councilmember Tommy Wells was joined by all but one of his colleagues (Phil Mendelson) in introducing a bill to transfer the ban on overhead wires in DC to DC Code, to allow a narrow exception for streetcar wires along H Street, and to require the Mayor to submit a report on how soon those wires could be replaced with wireless technology. The bill was referred to the Council's Committee on Public Works and Transporation. Councilmember Jim Graham chairs that Committee, is a support of streetcars, and will be holding a public hearing on the bill in two weeks on Tuesday, June 22, at 2:00 p.m. You are encouraged to attend and testify or to submit testimony in the hearing annnouncement below.

COUNCILMEMBER JIM GRAHAM, CHAIRPERSON
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION
ANNOUNCES
A PUBLIC HEARING ON
B18-823, the “Transportation Infrastructure Amendment Act of 2010”
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2010 AT 2:00 P.M.

ROOM 412, JOHN A. WILSON BUILDING
1350 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004

On Tuesday, June 22, 2010, Councilmember Jim Graham, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, will convene a public hearing on B18-823, the “Transportation Infrastructure Amendment Act of 2010”. This notice is being abbreviated because a prompt hearing may increase District opportunities for Federal grants.

Bill 18-823 would prohibit the installation of any additional telephone, electric lighting, or other wires over any of the streets or avenues of the City of Washington, except for those aerial wires the Mayor may authorize for the purpose of powering transportation infrastructure projects; repeal a section of an Act making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and eighty-nine, and for other purposes; and repeal a section of an Act making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety.

The Committee invites the public to testify or to submit written testimony, which will be made a part of the official record. Those who wish to testify should contact Ms. April Hawkins-Mason at (202) 724-8195. Witnesses should bring 16 copies of their testimony to the hearing. Individuals will be permitted 3 minutes for oral presentation; individuals representing organizations or groups, 5 minutes.

If you are unable to testify at the public hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted to Ms. Hawkins-Mason, Committee on Public Works and Transportation, Room 116, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20004, or electronically at ahawkinsmason@dccouncil.us, by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 2010.