July 2013 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 7^th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 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

Absent:

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07

1. I.              CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   The meeting was called to order at 6:32 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 Maceda seconded that the Agenda be approved.   The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

3. III.           PSA REPORT:  METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT, 1D AND 3D

   There was no officer present from Police Service Area 103 (1D).

   Officer T. A. Ford (cell:  301-204-9655; email:  timothy.ford@dc.gov) of Police Service Area 308 (3D) reported on crime activity in the area for the last 30 days as follows:

He noted that drug activity in the city has dropped drastically.

Commissioner Nigro stated there has been a big increase in begging on New Jersey Avenue.  Commissioner Chapple reported that he has received numerous complaints of drug activity in the 600 block of P Street, NW.  Commissioner Padro stated that while the homeless are now allowed to use the benches at Kennedy Recreation Center, the Commission does not want any drug activity.

A question and answer period followed.

1. IV.          request for support for ROADSIDE DEVELOPMENT /TRANSFORMER GALLERY FOR A DCCAH PUBLIC ART GRANT FOR A PUBLIC ART PROJECT AT THE CITY MARKET AT O DEVELOPMENT

   Susan Linsky, Project Manager, Roadside Development, spoke regarding the installation of artwork in six (6) niches at the City Market at O development.  Transformer Gallery is a 501(c)3 corporation located on P Street.  They are applying for a grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH), of which Roadside Development will match $100,000.  They are seeking out six (6) artists to take part in a 12-24 month installation of their art.  The application must be submitted to the DCCAH by August 12, 2013.  An Art Advisory Panel Meeting will be held and the grant is to be awarded in early October.  The installation of the public art will take place in the spring of 2014.
   
   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that ANC 6E support the application of Roadside Development /Transformer Gallery for a DCCAH Public Art Grant for the installation of public art in six (6) niches at the City Market at O development at 700 P Street, NW and that we communicate said support to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.   The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

2. V.           REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR CLASS B LIQUOR LICENSE FOR WALMART, 99 H Street, NW

   Michael Fonseca, attorney, and Nina Albert of Walmart spoke regarding their request for support for a Class B Liquor License for the new Walmart at 99 H Street, NW.  Walmart is seeking a Full Service Grocery Store license (beer and wine only).  The interior public selling area is 44,000 square feet, 25% of which (16,000 square feet) is devoted to groceries.  DC permits alcohol sales from 7:00 a.m. to Midnight.  Single sales will not occur.

   Commissioner Padro noted an error on the application in that it is the Terrell Recreation Center that is closest to the new Walmart, not the Kennedy Recreation Center.  He requested that this be corrected.

   Commissioner Maceda stated she felt that the liquor license would hurt nearby small “mom and pop” businesses.  Commissioner Padro responded that there was no loss of sales for small businesses near the Giant at O Street.

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the request of Walmart at 99 H Street, NW for a Class B liquor license and that said support be communicated in writing to ABRA, on the condition that the above-noted correction be made on the application.   The Motion passed, 4 yeas – 2 nays (Commissioner Maceda, Commissioner Wiggins) – 0 abstentions.

3. VI.          presentation re lottery for affordable dwelling units, apartments at city center dc

   Jason Jacobson spoke regarding Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) at City Center DC.  In addition to 515, 000 square feet of office space and 295,000 square feet of retail/restaurants, there will be 216 condos and 458 apartments units which will open for occupancy this October.  There will be outreach to provide information to community groups.  There will be a six week application period and a third party organization will provide oversight.  This will culminate in a lottery selection on August 21, 2013.  More information can be found at:  www.citycenterdc.com

4. VII.         watering trees

   Ian Leahy (email:  ian.leahy@dc.gov) spoke regarding the importance of residents watering trees.  7,000 trees were planted last year and another 7,000 will be done this year.  If residents and/or businesses would like to adopt a tree, they should call 311 and DDOT Trees will provide a free tree watering bag and a sign with the person’s name or the adopting organization’s name for each adopted tree.  The residents and/or businesses then agree to water the trees for two (2) years.

   A question and answer period followed. 

5. VIII.       consideration of letter of congratulations to new endeavors by women on 25^th anniversary

   Commissioner Padro spoke regarding consideration of a letter of congratulations on the occasion of the 25^th Anniversary of New Endeavors by Women (NEW) at 6^th & N Streets, NW.  NEW provided a sample letter for the Commission’s consideration.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 6E provide a letter of congratulations on the occasion of the 25^th Anniversary of New Endeavors by Women (NEW) and that the letter be customized so that it reflects the sentiments of ANC 6E.   The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

6. IX.          NEW BUSINESS

   Commissioner Maceda inquired about the status of the audit of ANC 6E.  Commissioner Chapple responded that the auditor has requested some additional material.  He stated that the last two (2) quarterly reports have been approved and the monies will be forthcoming.  The auditor has provided Commissioner Chapple with some suggestions on how to run the Commission more effectively.

7. X.           OLD BUSINESS

   None.

8. XI.          approval of expenses

   A.  MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed for the printing costs of the July 2013 Newsletter in the amount of $337.08 and $3.82 for printing costs of the Agenda for the July 2013 ANC 6E Public Meeting. The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

   B.   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the invoices submitted by Karen Loveridge in the amount of $125.00 for recording services for the ANC 6E June 5, 2013 Public Meeting and  in the amount of $125.00 for recording services for the ANC 6E July 3, 2013 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

9. XII.         APPROVAL OF minutes – JUNE 5, 2013
   
   MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6E Public Meeting of June 5, 2013 be approved pending receipt of additional corrections.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

10. XIII.       announcements

    A.  Commissioner Nigro advised that there will be chess and/or checkers and coffee and doughnuts with the commissioner at the New Jersey & O Street Park on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 8:30 a.m.

    B.  Commissioner Wiggins advised that the Public Safety Committee will meet on the last Tuesday of the month.  The committee met with the Northwest One Quarter yesterday.

    C.  Commissioner Maceda advised that the Community Development Committee is being renamed Zoning.  Commissioner Nigro advised that she is the liaison for the Communication Committee, Commissioner Padro is liaison for the Alcohol/Licensing Committee, and Commissioner Chapple is liaison for the Grants Committee.

    D.  Shiloh Baptist Church (9^th & P Street NW) will be having a Wellness and Fun Festival on August 17, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

    E.  Naomi Mitchell from Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells’ Office advised the following:

    1. 1.               They will be at the Vigilante Coffee Company on the last Thursday of this month.
    2. 2.               Sponsorship of a Senior Day at a day-time game of the Nationals at Nationals Park on July 25, 2013.
    3. 3.               Walmart has contacted their office for assistance in reaching out to Ward 6 residents to apply for jobs.  Walmart will have a job center for Ward 6 residents near the new Walmart and on-line applications.  Ms. Mitchell requested assistance from the commissioners to reach out to Ward 6 residents and for the names of organizations to coordinate this.

11. XIV.       next meeting

    Wednesday, September 4, 2013, Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library

12. XV.        ADJOURNMENT

    MOTION:    There being no further business to come before the Commission, Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.