The Friends of Wangari Gardens Grant Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026 addresses the urgent need to amend the Department of Transportation Establishment Act of 2022 to allow the Director of the Department of Transportation (DDOT) to issue a grant to the Friends of Wangari Gardens. This grant will fund the assessment, design, and installation of a water meter and potable water source on the Wangari Gardens property, which is essential for the community garden's operations. Currently, the Friends of Wangari Gardens rely on an expensive fire hydrant permit from DC Water for their water supply, which has become financially burdensome, leading to significant depletion of their funds.

The resolution highlights that $75,000 has been allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for this project, but due to DDOT's limited capacity to manage the project directly, it is proposed that the Friends of Wangari Gardens take on this responsibility. The emergency legislation is necessary to clarify that DDOT can grant these funds for the water source, even though it does not directly relate to transportation goals. The Council has determined that the circumstances warrant immediate action, allowing the resolution to take effect without delay.