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MUR
IEL BOWSER
MAYOR
February 28, 2025
The
Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
J
ohn A. Wilson Building
1350 P
ennsylvani a Avenue , NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 3 of
the Office of District Waterways
Mana
gement Establishment Act o f 2022, effective March 22, 2023 (D.C. Law 24- 33 6; D.C. Official
Code § 8–191.02), I am pleased to nominate the following i ndividual :
Ms. Melissa Bird
Warder Street, NW
Washington, DC 20010
(Ward 1)
for appointment as a n individual with experience in maritime mana gement or po lic y membe r of the
District Waterways Advisory Commission, f illi ng a new seat, for a term to end December 1, 2028.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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at the request of the Mayor
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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To confirm the appointment of Melissa Bird to the District Waterways Advisory Commission.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the "District Waterways Advisory Commission Melissa Bird
Confirmation Resolution of 2025".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
22 Melissa Bird
23 Warder Street, NW
24 Washington, DC 20010
25 (Ward 1)
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27 as an individual with experience in maritime management or policy member of the District
28 Waterways Advisory Commission, established by section 3 of the Office of District Waterways
29 Management Establishment Act of 2022, effective March 22, 2023 (D.C. Law 24-336; D .C.
30 Official Code§ 8-191.02), filling a new seat, for a term of four years.
31 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
32 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
33 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
Over twenty years of proven leadership in the urban planning field. A transformational leader driven by
challenges and opportunities to build great places to live and thrive. Passionate about cities, urban parks
and green spaces, and authentic engagement with communities. Skilled and effective communicator and
advocate. Known for creative thinking and problem solving with a focus on collaboration and partnerships
with community advocates, government agencies, and the private sector. Elevates equity and fosters team
development.
Comprehensive Plans
Public Speaking
Executive Office of the Mayor/DC Office of Planning
Executive Director, DC Census 2020
Directed the DC Census 2020 multimedia campaign and coordination of over 45 local, regional and
national partnerships, to impact over 700,000 DC residents.
Managed Mayor’s Complete Count Committee of government and private sector leaders to leverage
their expertise and influence to build effective engagement strategy.
Assembled DC’s largest coalition of advocates working in African-American, immigrant and low-income
household communities to increase participation.
Identified success metrics and tracking methodology.
Spoke at over 100 public events on behalf of the campaign in a variety of formats-informational
presentations, conferences, interviews, podcasts, radio.
Developed the first DC Census 2020 Grant program which awarded over $900,000 to local
organizations to foster hyperlocal and culturally relevant outreach plans.
Fostered unique engagement initiatives leading DC campaign to become a national model.
DC Office Of Planning
Associate Director, Neighborhood Planning
Managed diverse team of up to 10 staff members.
Directed 5 Small Area Plans from inception to Council submission and approval.
Provided oversight to multi-disciplinary teams covering engagement, land use, housing, social impact,
economic development, placemaking and delivered successful results across the city.
Successful management of consulting teams, budget control and on time delivery of projects.
Ensured portfolio alignment with mission, goals and needs of the city and government agencies.
Established lasting relationships with community stakeholders, community- based organizations,
advocates, and elected officials.
Nov 2020-Jul 2024
Oct 2018 - Nov 2020
Melissa Bird, AICP
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Partnership Development
Project/Team Management
Equity Analysis
Land Use Planning
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Page 1 of 2
DC Office of Planning
Lead Planner
Jan 2005-Jan 2016
Senior level planner with oversight of land use, development, engagement and project management of
complex projects and mutli-disciplinary teams.
Provided planning oversight in multiple Wards in the District.
Successfully managed the first Streetcar Master Land Use Study assessing economic, housing and land
use impacts related to development of a comprehensive streetcar system.
Shepherded award-winning Southwest Area Neighborhood Plan (Small Area Plan) from inception to DC
Council’s adoption.
Democracy Fellow, Inaugural Cohort
Jan 2021-Jun 2021
National Conference on Citizenship
AWARDS/FELLOWSHIPS
Outstanding Plan 2016
Southwest Neighborhood Plan
National Capital Area Chapter of the
American Planning Association
National Top Ten Charter Award 2011
Streetcar Master Land Use Study
Master of Community Planning, 1998
Regional Land Use Leadership Institute, 2017
Urban Land Institute, Washington DC
University of Maryland, College Park MD
American Institute of Certified Planners,
2001
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Melissa Bird
melissabird@gmail.com Page 2 of 2
DC Office of Planning
DC Comprehensive Plan Manager
Led update of the DC Comprehensive Plan, a 20 year framework that guides future growth,
development, planning, equity and land use-use activity for the entire District.
Managed city-wide engagement across multiple formats.
Successfully engaged sister agencies, community organizations, elected officials to ensure success.
Ushered Comprehensive Plan through DC Council public hearings.
Feb 2016- Oct 2018
E
xecutive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Mel
issa Bird
Ms. Mel
issa Bird has over two decades of experience leading and
managing transformative initiatives in urban planning, equity, and
community engagement. As the former Associate Director of
Neighborhood Planning at the Office of Planning, she spearheaded
numerous impactful projects, including the DC 2020 Census campaign,
award-winning place-based community plans, and engagement strategies
designed to advance equity and vibrancy in diverse neighborhoods.
During the 2020 Census, Ms. Bird led the largest and most complex
Census outreach campaign in DC’s history, ensuring the inclusion of the
city’s most vulnerable populations. By combining data -driven strategies
with on-the-ground engagement, the campaign was nationally recognized
for its innovative approaches to reaching hard-to-count communities.
A creative thinker and problem solver, Ms. Bird is deeply passionate about fostering equitable
outcomes that benefit all residents in urban communities. She is a member of the American
Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and an alumna of the Urban Land Institute’s Regional Land
Use Leadership Institute (Class of 2016).
A Ward 1 resident, Ms. Bird earned her Master of Community Planning from the University of
Maryland.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: February 19, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing Melissa Bird as a member of
the District Waterways Advisory Commission
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish