Dear DCBIA Community,
We are sharing with you a summary of yesterday's Mayor's Order on Essential Businesses. Please let us know if you are unsure if your business falls in the essential or non-essential as we are compiling a list to bring to the attention of the Mayor. As of right now, if you are not specifically mentioned you should err on the side of caution and protecting the public health.
Today, DCRA held a virtual town hall in response to their need to close their in-person services. On this call, DCRA received a number of questions and will be sharing a comprehensive FAQ as soon as it's ready.
A few initial takeaways from the call:
DCRA
- In this telework environment, you are reminded to use the agency's customer relationship management (CRM) tool with any questions you have on any DCRA subject. Add your concern/topic to the subject line.
- Also use the CRM for raze permits. Responses are expected within 24 hours.
- The Velocity program is no longer in-person. DCRA intends to continue at same levels and schedule, using a web conferencing tool.
- Trade permits can be accepted online, including historic.
- They are working on the recorder of deeds concerns.
- DCBIA members submitted a number of additional questions. DCRA will provide more answers as their team moves to telework today.
- DCRA also shared these service updates prior to the call.
DC Water
- DC Water itself is only performing emergency work. They will not conduct hydrant flow tests. New connections and shut downs will not occur.
- DC Water will open their offices at Blue Plains, 5000 Overlook, SW beginning on Monday, March 31 for in-person drop off of plans or check payments for invoices or permits. They are only accepting checks at this time. They will also set up a mail or FedEx option at the Overlook location.
- Reviewers are available to you remotely.
- Questions: (202) 646-8600.
DDOT
- All DDOT employees are currently telecommuting.
- On-line payments can be made through TOPs. Checks can be dropped off at 1101 4th Street NW (OCFO offices), directly across the street from DCRA's building.
- No parking signs can be printed and picked up at MPD stations.
DOEE
- DOEE encourages all to continue to reach out to them through their reviewers who will be working remotely.
- They are working on an electronic way for declaration of convenants filed for stormwater, particularly the last step at recorder of deeds which is usually done in person. One option noted on the call is to use https://www.deeds.com/forms/ which can file for $15.
- Continue to contact Nakia Barnes at DCRA, 202-309-5812, for walk-through permits.
----
It's clearly been a tough few weeks and the longer this outbreak lasts and impacts our daily lives, the more questions we all have. We are all in this together! DCBIA Executive Committee member Richard Lake put it this way today in the Washington Business Journal:
“Building owners are not designed to have all their income evaporate either,” said Richard Lake, founding principal of Roadside Development LLC. “Landlords need to help tenants and banks need to help owners. We all need to think about this as if we’re in it together. If everyone is thinking about their own, narrow interests, we will make a difficult problem much, much worse than it ever had to be.”
I can't agree more. We are focused on our health and our future. The city continues to do its best to respond to this evolving outbreak. DCBIA will also continue to encourage healthy and safe protocols while development projects remain open.
See below for more updates including summaries of the historic federal relief package on its way to a Senate vote.
Take care of yourself and each other.
DC Small Business Microgrant Application ($25M)
Small businesses are encouraged to open a new application if you experienced difficulty applying yesterday.
The application has been updated to capture estimated future earnings and calculate economic injury starting from March 11, the date Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public health emergency, as opposed to aligning with the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster period beginning January 31.
To start a new application:
· If you are a small business or independent contractor click here.
· If you are a nonprofit, click here.
· If you want to access your previous application, click here.
Contact dmped.grants@dc.gov with questions.
More guidance is here.
Updates from Mayor Today
Today's presser with Mayor Bowser focused on the health and medical preparations that the city is currently undertaking. The city has increased testing and expects more confirmed cases as a result. Updates include:
- Mayor has authorized $15M from DC's contingency funds to pay for medical and protective equipment, including ventilators.
- DC will send a wireless emergency alert out tonight at 8pm reiterating "be a good neighbor, stay at home.
- The city has 781 ICU beds, 260 ventilators available.
- Drive-through testing sites are open or soon to be open: at George Washington Hospital, Sibley, Kaiser Health Center on Capitol Hill, and United Medical Center.
- With new FDA guidelines, testing formats at the city's public health lab will provide results in 24-48 hours.
- The city's unemployment office has received 21,000 claims. The one-week waiting period has been waived; claimants are instructed to use laptop or desktop using Internet Explorer web browser. Their system is catching up to the volume of claims and the changes needed after recent laws have passed. A major increase in benefits is expected after yesterday historic federal vote, and it is expected that freelancers will be included in addition to regular employees.
- Tax relief for property owners is unlikely. Mayor today said it would be catastrophic to the District government's cash flow.
Federal Action
Yesterday, Congress and the White House reached a deal to provide unprecedented relief and aid to individuals, families, health care providers, state and local governments, educational institutions and businesses. The enormous bill is expected to be voted on today by the Senate.
Read the summary and section-by-section analysis.
WBJ:
Axios: Breakdown of the bill.
The Mayor and all Councilmembers sent a letter moments ago to Sen. McConnell and Sen. Schumer asking to classify DC as a state with over 700,000 residents. Their specific request is a $1.25B minimum guarantee for DC, instead of the $500 million allocated in the bill. Read the letter.
Resources / Info
Webinars
- TOMORROW - 3-26 at 11 am | Holland & Knight - COVID-19: Charting a Path Through These Uncertain Times | Details
- Friday, 3-27 at 1 pm | Seyfarth Shaw: Coronavirus & Remote Work Force: Best Practices for Protecting Trade Secrets and Intellectual Capital | Details
© 2020 District of Columbia Building Industry Association. All Rights Reserved.
|