January 2014

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 7^th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.   Chair Rachelle P. Nigro presided.

Present:

Rachelle P. Nigro, Chair, ANC 6E04

Alexander M. Padro, Vice Chair, ANC 6E01

Marge Maceda, Secretary, ANC 6E05

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 6E02

Frank S. Wiggins, ANC 6E03

Alvin Judd, Sr., ANC 6E06

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07

1. I.              CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.  The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.

2. II.            APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Agenda be approved as amended.   The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

3. III.           ANC 6E OFFICER ELECTION

   Lydia Goring, former ANC 2C Commissioner, was invited to conduct the Election of Officers.

1. IV.          PSA REPORTS:  METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT 1D AND 3D

Crime statistics for the period December 8, 2013 to January 8, 2014 are as follows:

Officer Richard Ehrlich was present from Police Service Area 308 (3D).  A question and answer period followed.  A number of comments/questions were received from Commissioners:  Commissioner Nigro reported a bike mechanic was knocked out on 7^th Street; Commissioner Wiggins asked whether the police have made any progress regarding the car break-ins on L Street; Commissioner Judd, Sr. reported he was stopped for having a center tail light out on his 1985 vehicle, which does not have said break light; Commissioner Padro asked about a robbery with a knife on the 1600 block of 7^th Street, NW.

Sgt. Jim Crouch and Officer Joshua Strassman were present from Police Service Areas 102 and 103 (1D).  The Commissioners welcomed their presence at the meeting.  The officers reported a series of burglaries that have occurred at Radio Shacks where iPhones have been taken.  They also reported that the stolen autos statistics are actually rental cars that have been abandoned at Union Station; A question and answer period followed.  A number of comments/questions were received from Commissioners:    Commissioner Maceda reported the following:  (1) teenagers are skating on the sculpture at 5^th & K Streets; she called police and they responded, but advised that they do not arrest or prosecute teenagers; the officers responded that they could authorize a barring notice if the sculpture is private property; (2) people are parking on the sidewalk at the K Street streetscape by the repair shop; Commissioner Wiggins reported poor lighting and loitering at 1^st & New York Avenue, NW.

1. V.           REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR A SPECIAL EXEMPTION TO BE A QUICK FOOD SERVICE RESTAURANT, RITO LOCO, 606 FLORIDA AVENUE, NW

   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the zoning relief sought by Rito Loco, 606 Florida Avenue, NW, and that said support be communicated in writing to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA).  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

2. VI.          DISCUSSION AND SUPPORT FOR PARKING FOR IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH AT THE FUTURE 8^TH & O STREET DEVELOPMENT

   Monsignor James Watkins spoke in support for parking for Immaculate Conception Church at the future 8^th & O Street development.  By way of history, he noted that an agreement was made with DMPED wherein the church agreed to sell a playground at the southeast corner of 8^th and N Streets, NW, to the Convention Center in exchange for the opportunity to purchase of Parcel 23. The parcel is now too valuable for the Archdiocese to purchase, and they seek parking spaces in the building’s garage instead.

   Per Commissioner Wiggins, DMPED’s RFP will include a provision that parking spaces be provided for Immaculate Conception’s use.  Monsignor Watkins advised that a Pre-Response Conference will be held on January 9, 2014 at the Kennedy Recreation Center at 2:00 p.m.  The church is asking for 25 parking spaces at the future development.

   Monsignor Watkins also stated that the church will be celebrating its 150^th Anniversary on Saturday, May 17, 2014.  More information will follow.

3. VII.         DISCUSSION ABOUT 5^TH AND i STREET DEVELOPER PRESENTATIONS

   Commissioner Maceda provided a detailed handout which provided the community’s comments and pros and cons for the use of the four (4) developers who made the short list to prepare their Best and Final offers to the city.  No matter who is awarded the contract, the community wants $2.5 million for parks/playgrounds/dog park to be placed in an escrow account to be used only for that purpose at the beginning of the project.

   Commissioner Padro stated that the non-residential projects are the most attractive.  He suggested that the handout be edited down prior to submitting it to DMPED.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that ANC 6E submit the Commission’s 5th & I Street project recommendations to DMPED and Mayor Gray by January 17, 2014.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

4. VIII.       SUPPORT FOR A STIPULATED LIQUOR LICENSE, LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN, 433 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, NW

   Attorney Brian Molloy, Mallios & O’Brien, spoke requesting support for Stipulated and Permanent Liquor Licenses for Le Pain Quotidien, 433 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.  He stated that alcohol sales will only represent 2% of total sales and that the liquor license will be for beer and wine only.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that ANC 6E support the issuance of Stipulated and Permanent Liquor Licenses to Le Pain Quotidien, 433 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, and that said support be communicated in writing to ABRA and the ABC Board.   The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

5. IX.          PRESENTATION BY RICHARD SANDOVAL RESTAURANTS ABOUT THE FUTURE RESTAURANT AT 7^TH AND Q STREET, NW

   Jordan Bishop and Ivan Iricanin spoke regarding a Richard Sandoval restaurant to be located at 7^th & Q Street, NW.  Construction will begin in late summer with a projected opening in late spring 2015.  The restaurant will be a Mexican cantina concept.  There will be two levels occupying a total of 2,000 square feet.  They are applying for a patio permit on the Q Street side.  They will also offer a take-out window.  The kitchen will feature two exhausts and a char grill will be added.  A DJ will be playing music in the basement only.

6. X.           NEW BUSINESS

   City Arts Public Art Project:  Commissioner Padro stated that G. Byron Peck, Founder/Artistic Director, and lead artist for City Arts murals, mosaics, and other community arts projects, will be doing a mural at the Watha T. Daniel Library depicting the community’s history.  They are applying for a $15,000 grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and are requesting a letter of support.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 6E support City Arts’ proposal for funding by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities for a mural at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library and that said support be communicated in writing to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

7. XI.          OLD BUSINESS
   1. A.           Vote on the Future Location of ANC 6E Public Meetings

      Commissioner Nigro advised that Northwest One Library, 155 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, has agreed to allow ANC 6E to meet in their meeting space on the second floor of the library on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

   2. B.           ANC 6E Calendar for Future Meetings

      MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 6E adopt a meeting calendar for monthly meetings at the Northwest One Library for February through December 2014.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.    

Dates are:

Tuesday, February 4, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014 (Election Day) – alternate date to be determined
Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

1. XII.         APPROVAL FOR ANC 6E PARTICIPATION IN ANC SECURITY FUND

   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the ANC 6E Security Fund Participation fee of $25.00 for the bonding of the Commission’s officers be approved. The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.    

2. XIII.       DISCUSSION OF 2014 BUDGET

   Commissioner Chapple advised that in order to finalize the 2014 Budget, Commissioners should email him their priorities so that the budget can be approved at the February 4, 2014 meeting.

3. XIV.      approval of expenses
   1. A.     MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the invoice submitted by Karen Loveridge in the amount of $125.00 for recording services for the ANC 6E January 8, 2014 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

   2. B.     MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $397.83 for printing costs of the January 2014 Newsletter. The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

   3. C.     MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $10.66 for printing costs for the January agendas.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

   4. D.     MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $298.22 for printing costs of the December 2013 Newsletter.   The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

   5. E.     MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed in the amount of $5.08 for printing costs of the December 2013 agendas.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

1. XV.        APPROVAL OF MINUTES – december 4, 2013

   MOTION:  Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6E Public Meeting of December 4, 2013 be approved with corrections to be submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr., and Judd)   – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.

2. XVI.      announcements
   1. A.       Commissioner Maceda announced that Alba Osteria restaurant, 425 I Street, NW, will be hosting a neighborhood celebration/Happy Hour with food tastings tomorrow, January 9, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
   2. B.       Commissioner Padro stated that the new Ivy & Coney sports bar at 1537 7^th Street, NW has received good reviews and will feature a retractable roof deck, to be built this year.
   3. C.       Two Candidates for DC City Council – Ward 6 – were introduced:

      Dr. Shelanda Tillman:   She stated she is a  former high school teacher, has an Ed.D degree in Organizational Leadership, and is the principal of a management consulting firm.  She is running as a Democrat

      Darrel Thompson:  He stated he  has lived on Capitol Hill for almost 20 years, that he’s running for City Council because he believes in the future of Ward 6, and because new leadership is needed.  He is a former Deputy Chief of Staff for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  He is running as a Democrat.

3. XVII.     next meeting

   Tuesday, February 4, 2014, Northwest One Library, 155 L Street, NW, 6:30 p.m.

4. XVIII.    ADJOURNMENT

   MOTION:    There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Maceda moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The Motion passed unanimously, 7 yeas (Commissioners Nigro, Padro, Maceda, Chapple, Wiggins, Judd, Sr. and Judd) – 0 nays – 0 abstentions.   The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.