March 2011 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C

Public Meeting

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7^th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.   Chair Alexander M. Padro presided.

Present:

Alexander M. Padro, Chair, ANC 2C01

Rachelle P. Nigro, Vice Chair & Secretary, ANC 2C04

Kevin L. Chapple, Treasurer, ANC 2C02

Absent:

Doris L. Brooks, ANC 2C03

Special Guests:

Jack Evans, Ward 2 Councilmember

Nicholas Majett, Director, Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs
 

1.        I.          CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   Commissioner Padro called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.  Commissioner Nigro called the roll and the presence of a quorum was noted.

2.       II.          APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that the Agenda be approved as submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

3.      III.          PSA 308 REPORT: LT. JEFFERY CARROLL

   Lt. Jeffery Carroll of Police Service Area 308 reported on crime activity in the area for the past 30 days as follows:

   Robberies:                            5
   Burglaries:                            2
   Thefts from Vehicles:        17
   Stolen Autos:                       3

   He noted that many thefts from vehicles occur in vehicles with out-of-state tags.  Examples of items stolen were:  CDs, portable GPS systems, purses, ipods, credit cards, social security numbers, and sunglasses. Lt. Carroll encouraged those present to remind visitors to not leave valuable items, or even loose change, in sight in their cars, but to store them in the vehicles’ trunks in order to avoid having these cars be attractive targets.

   He provided the following contact information to residents:  telephone:  202-437-8198, email:  jefferyw.carroll@dc.gov

   A question and answer period followed.  Issues raised by residents were public consumption of alcohol beverages and nighttime noise.  It was noted that the 1500 block of 7^th Street, NW is a particular problem area.  Lt. Carroll stated that enhanced attention was being given to that block by his officers.

4.     IV.          WARD 2 COUNCILMEMBER JACK EVANS:  REMARKS AND Q&A

   Councilmember Jack Evans, Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Revenue, was a guest speaker.  He noted that the FY 2012 Annual Budget will be submitted by April 1, 2011.  He indicated that in 1994, the city was $518 million in the red and its bond rating fell to “D-”; in 2007, that bond rating was increased to an “AA.”  He noted that the city’s reserves will be down to $700 million by the end of the year and stressed that the city must live within its means.  An estimate yesterday indicated that the city would be getting an additional $105 million in revenue.  Evans indicated that the baseline budget projected expenses of $5.49 billion dollars and revenue $5.37 billion, leaving the city $120 million short of where it needs to be. He acknowledged that these are challenging times.

   He referred to the following development projects:  breaking ground on the Marriott Marquis Convention Center Hotel, CityMarket at O Street, Progression Place/United Negro College Fund, and breaking ground on City Center DC by spring or early summer.

   He spoke regarding redistricting and noted that the city will get the population changes in late March or early April and then committees will be set up to study the impact on ANCs.

   A question and answer period followed.  Commissioner Nigro raised an issue regarding the East Central Civic Association and being ejected from a public meeting by ECCA President Leroy Thorpe.  Councilmember Evans stated that he would not be involved in neighborhood organization issues.

5.      V.          DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER & REGULATORY AFFAIRS (DCRA) DIRECTOR NICHOLAS MAJETT:  REMARKS AND Q&A

   Director Majett of the DC Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs remarked that his department is responsible for issuing licenses and permits, conducting inspections, enforcing building, housing, and safety codes, and regulating land use and development.
   He stated that last year the department issued 30,000 building permits, 4,000 business licenses, and performed 48,000 commercial and residential inspections.  He also noted that a new voice recognition system has been instituted for requesting commercial inspections, business licenses can now be renewed on line, and that DRCA is investigating the feasibility of submitting building plans electronically.  He further noted that the department has a robust vacant property program.  Other initiatives include: opening up a Small Business Resource Center; making the agency more user friendly; and the implementation of an employee cross-training program.

   A question and answer period followed.  Commissioner Padro remarked that the building permit process takes too long and cited 1501 9^th Street, N.W.  He also asked about DCRA’s policy on blighted properties.

6.     VI.          BUNDY FIELD:  RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FEDERAL LAND TRANSFER TO DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOVERNMENT

   Martin Moulton, President of the Convention Center Community Association, spoke regarding Bundy Field, a part of which is blighted and under the control of the National Park Service.  Moulton recommended that ANC 2C encourage the National Park Service to transfer the land to the District of Columbia.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C recommend that the District of Columbia request the land at Bundy Field that is currently under National Park Service ownership be transferred from the Federal Government to the District of Columbia and that this be communicated to the DC Department of Real Estate Services and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

7.   VII.          CITYMARKET @ O UPDATE:  ROADSIDE DEVELOPMENT

   Richard Lake of Roadside Development provided a PowerPoint presentation update on the CityMarket at O project, bounded by 7^th, 9^th, O and P Streets, NW.  Construction is slated to commence in February 2011 with the stabilization and underpinning of the historic market structure.  This will be followed in late summer 2011 with the closing of the Giant Food store, the razing of the grocery store, and excavation of the site.  The new Giant will open in late summer 2013 with a 181-room Cambria Suites limited service hotel and 400 units of market rate rental housing opening in early fall 2013.  An 84-unit affordable senior housing building and 145-unit condominium will be delivered in the fall of 2014, completing the project.

   He noted that initial financing documents had been filed with HUD and that financing was expected to be finalized this summer. The Commission was asked to support the raze application for the demolition of the current Giant Food store at 1414 8th Street, NW.

MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 2C support the raze permit application at 1414 8th Street, NW and that ANC 2C communicate this in writing to the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

1.  VIII.          FRIENDS OF KENNEDY PLAYGROUND:  SUPPORT FOR NAMING WATER PLAY AREA IN MEMORY OF LILLIAN A. GORDON

Friends of Kennedy Playground Treasurer Eloise Wahab requested the Commission’s support for the naming of the water play area to be built by the Friends at the KennedyRecreationCenter, 1401 7^th Street, NW, in memory of recently deceased neighborhood activist Lillian A. Gordon, a longtime Board member of the Friends.  The action to name the water play area would have to be taken by the Council of the District of Columbia.

MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C support the Friends of Kennedy Playground’s request for naming the new Kennedy Recreation Center water play area in memory of community activist Lillian A. Gordon and that this be communicated to Councilmember Jack Evans’ office.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

1.     IX.          BIKE DC, MAY 22, 2011:  REQUEST FOR STREET CLOSURES

A representative of BikeDC requested the Commission’s support for the street closures in the Commission’s jurisdiction required to allow the 2011 BikeDC event to be held.

MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 2C support the request for street closures required to conduct the 3^rd annual BIKE DC and that this support be communicated in writing to the Special Events Task Force and to the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

1.      X.          707 G STREET, NW:  REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR VALET PARKING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR RED LINE

   Commissioner Padro noted that this was the second time that no representative of the applicant was present to speak regarding this matter.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that in light of the failure of a representative of Red Line to appear at two ANC 2C meetings, ANC 2C formally opposed their application.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

2.     XI.          RIOT ACT COMEDY THEATER, 801 E STREET, NW:  REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR CLASS CX ABC LICENSE:

   Representatives of the Riot Act Comedy Theater were present and advised that the dinner theater will seat 330 persons with tables and while they have not yet filed for the Class CX ABC license, they wanted to introduce themselves to the community.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that ANC 2C support the application of the Riot Act Comedy Theater for a Class CX ABC license.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

3.   XII.          BEAU THAI RESTAURANT, 1700 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, NW:  REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR STIPULATED AND PERMANENT CLASS CR ABC LICENSE:

   Attorney  Andrew Klein appeared on behalf of the applicant, requesting support for both a stipulated license and a permanent Class CR ABC license for the restaurant.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C support the application of the Beau Thai Restaurant for a Stipulated and Permanent Class CR ABC license.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

4.  XIII.          LIFTING VOICES:  PRESENTATION ON NON-PROFIT’S ACTIVITIES

   Ms. Reba Elliot, Executive Director of Lifting Voices, stated that Lifting Voices is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving under-served young people’s ability to think critically, read and write well, and value themselves.  The organization conducts workshops for young people around the city.  More information can be found at:  www.liftingvoices.org

5. XIV.          DESIGNATION OF LOCATION OF COMMISSION RECORDS

   Commissioner Padro advised that ANC 2C is trying to get records back from previous ANC2C officers.  A Commissioner needed to be designated as the custodian of the ANC’s records.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that Commissioner Nigro have custody of the Commission’s records.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

6.  XV.          ESTABLISHMENT OF PETTY CASH ACCOUNT, AUTHORIZATION FOR PURCHASE OF CASH BOX, AND DESIGNATION OF LOCATION OF PETTY CASH BOX

   MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Nigro seconded that a petty cash account be established, the purchase of a cash box be authorized, and that Commissioner Chapple be the holder of the petty cash box in his position as Treasurer. 

   Friendly Amendment:  Commissioner Chapple offered a friendly amendment to the above motion by stating that the petty cash amount shall not exceed $200.00, which was accepted by the maker of the motion.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

7. XVI.          APPOINTMENT OF ANC 2C REPRESENTATIVE TO CITYCENTER DC RESIDENTIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Commission is entitled to appoint a representative to the Residential Advisory Committee for the CityCenter DC project, which will be built on the site of the former WashingtonConvention Center, bounded by 9^th, 10^th and H Streets and New York Avenue, NW.

MOTION:  Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that Commissioner Nigro be appointed the ANC 2C representative to the CityCenter DC Residential Advisory Committee.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

1. XVII.          OTHER NEW BUSINESS

   A.  Commissioner Chapple advised that the Commission’s checkbook is in the possession of the DC Auditor’s Office.  Per the Auditor’s Office, quarterly reports needed to be filed by former Commission officers, and were not filed as required.  He also advised that the Commission is trying to get signatory rights on the Commission’s bank account.

   B.  Commissioner Chapple advised that there is a problem with traffic flow and pedestrian safety at the intersection of 5^th & R Streets, NW, and that a stop sign would help address pedestrian/vehicular interactions.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 2C request DDOT to perform a traffic study of the intersection of 5^th & R Streets, NW with the objective of installing a stop sign there.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

   C.  Commissioner Chapple reported that the residents of the 1700 block of 6^th Street, NW and the 400 and 500 block of S Street NW have very narrow sidewalks.  The current sidewalks do not allow for treeboxes or easy access for physically challenged residents. Residents of these blocks would like to have the sidewalks widened back to their original state, prior to 1960s changes related to a proposed freeway system that was never fully implemented.

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC2C request DDOT, after a study is completed, to widen the sidewalks in the 1700 block of 6^th Street, NW and the 400 and 500 block of S Street, NW back to their original state.  The Motion passed unanimously, 3 – 0 – 0.

1. XVIII.          OLD BUSINESS

   Committees & Call for Volunteers:  Commissioner Nigro reported that she is still looking for volunteers to serve on the following committees:

   ABC Licensing
   Housing and Economic Development
   Planning, Transportation, and Zoning
   Communications
   Public Safety

   At present, there are only three (3) persons serving on each committee.

2. XIX.          APPROVAL OF 2/2/11 MINUTES AND EXPENSES

   A.  Minutes

   MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Chapple seconded that the Minutes of the February 2, 2011 Public Meeting be approved as submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

   B.  Expenses

   MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the invoice in the amount of $125.00 from Karen Loveridge for preparation of the Minutes of the March 2, 2011 Public Meeting be approved as submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously 3 – 0 – 0.

3.  XX.          ANNOUNCEMENTS
   
   A.  Ibrahim Mumin thanked everyone for their support of his wife’s new play, “I Just Want to Tell Somebody,” that was performed at the Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company on February 28, 2011.  He also noted that the Third Annual Blacks in Wax Museum at the Kennedy Recreation Center was a fantastic event.

   B.  Jo-Ann Neuhaus of the Pennsylvania Quarter Neighborhood Association asked that she be notified of any events that will occur on Pennsylvania Avenue.

   C.  Commissioner Padro announced that the work of DC metro area fashion designers and artists is being featured at the Garment District Temporium at 1005 7^th Street, N.W. until March 20, 2011.

   D.  Carole Mumin announced that she serves on the advisory committee for Washington Gas if residents have any problems.

   E.  Martin Moulton announced that on March 12, 2011, a community clean-up will be held by the Convention Center Community Association.

4. XXI.          ADJOURNMENT

   There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.

NEXT ANC 2C MEETING:     Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 6:30 p.m.,
Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library