October 2013 Minutes

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E

Public Meeting

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E convened at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 7^th Street, N.W., Washington, DC, on Wednesday, October 2, 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

Alfreda S. Judd, ANC 6E07 (arrived at 7:01 p.m.)

Absent:

Alvin Judd, Sr., ANC 6E06

1. I.              CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

   The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.  The roll was called and the presence of a quorum was noted.

2. II.            INTRODUCTION – NEW LIBRARIAN:  Commissioner Nigro introduced Leslie Griffin, the new Librarian.  Ms. Griffin stated she was happy to be onboard.  She noted the expanded hours of the library.
3. III.           APPROVAL OF AGENDA

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Agenda be approved as submitted.   The Motion passed unanimously, 5 – 0 – 0.

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

   Officer B. A. Murphy from Police Service Area 103 (1D) and Officer Richard Ehrlich of Police Service Area 308 (3D) reported on crime activity in the area for the last 30 days as follows:

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A question and answer period followed.

The Metropolitan Police Department Third District Station will be hosting a Halloween Party at the station at 1620 V Street, NW on Thursday, October 31, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

1. V.           PRESENTATION BY WE ARE FAMILY DC, A SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION SERVING SENIORS

   Mark Anderson spoke on behalf of We Are Family DC, a social service organization serving seniors.  We Are Family is an outreach organization that is volunteer driven by seniors utilizing a very small staff to coordinate its efforts.  The organization brings free services, advocacy, and friendship directly into seniors’ homes.  It has gone from helping 50 seniors in 2004 to serving nearly 600 in 2012.  Last year, We Are Family delivered more than 6,000 grocery bags, provided more than 570 round trip rides, conducted 429 outreach visits to seniors in their homes, delivered 402 personalized birthday cards, provided 531 Thanksgiving baskets, delivered 412 holiday gifts, and saved two seniors from eviction.   

2. VI.          DISCUSSION OF THE PENDING PLAYGROUND ON THE GROUNDS OF THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY, 801 K STREET, NW

   Commissioner Maceda stated that she met with the Office of Planning and with DPR about a playground that has been approved for the 7^th Street side of Mount Vernon Square.  The project was supposed to start in October, however now the City is negotiating with the Spy Museum which will push this project back for two or three more years.  She will email any developments prior to the next Public Meeting.

3. VII.         DISCUSSION OF THE TIMING OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT THE MAJOR INTERSECTIONS OF ANC 6E:  5^TH ST. AND MASSACHUSETTS AVE., NW, 5^TH ST. AND NEW YORK AVE., NW, AND 4^TH ST. AND MASSACHUSETTS AVE., NW

   Commissioner Maceda reported the following issues in regard to the timing of traffic lights at the following locations:

   (1) 5^th Street, New York Avenue, and L Street:  the traffic signals are short timing and this is very dangerous.

   (2)  5^th Street, I Street, and Massachusetts Avenue, NW:  there are 22 traffic signals that are not working.

   (3)  4^th Street, NW & Massachusetts Avenue, NW:  there have been two (2) deaths at this intersection.

   Mr. Asnake Negassie of DDOT was invited to the meeting and addressed the Commission’s concerns in the order they were presented:
   
   (1)   5^th Street, New York Avenue, and L Street:  This is a very wide intersection; he will check if there is a detector failure at L Street with the pedestrian walking signals.  Commissioner Madeda advised that the signal at 5^th & L Streets, NW is also an issue.

   (2)  5^th Street, I Street, and Massachusetts Avenue, NW:  DDOT is working to improve pedestrian safety at this intersection, the signal is being upgraded and the project will finish by mid-November 2013; the double lights will come down.

   (3)  4^th Street, NW & Massachusetts Avenue, NW:  He talked to the Traffic Safety Group – they investigated it and put some new recommendations to make the southbound double turn to a single turn.

4. VIII.       NORTH SOUTH CORRIDOR PLANNING STUDY BY DDOT

   Marc Soronson, Planning Director, DC Streetcar spoke on behalf of DDOT in regard to the North-South Corridor Planning Study.  Over the next year, DDOT will be conducting technical analysis, in collaboration with the community, area businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders to identify and evaluate premium transit alternatives to improve transit service and provide additional capacity in the corridor.  This is the first in a series of three sets of meetings to be located in the north, central, and southern portions of the corridor and will be held in the first week of November.  Further information can be found at:  www.dcstreetcar.com

   Commissioner Padro addressed the following:

   (1) There is concern from residents in this area about the proposed termination of the 74 bus line.  Mr. Soronson responded that this is a totally separate matter.

   (2) The circulator bus was suspended because of City Market at O Street construction.

   (3)  Georgia Avenue trolley proposal had it going down 7^th Street.  Is it going down 14^th Street now?

5. IX.          1537 7^TH STREET, NW:  REQUESAT FOR STIPULATED ABC LICENSE FOR IVY & CONEY (NORMAL LICENSE SUPPORTED BY COMMISSION IN SEPTEMBER)

   Commissioner Chapple stated that the Commission approved at its September 4, 2013 Public Meeting the request for support for a Class C Liquor License for Ivy and Coney, but failed to ask for a stipulated ABC license.

   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E support the application request of Ivy & Coney for a Stipulated ABC License and that said support be communicated in writing to ABRA.  The Motion passed, 4 yeas – 1 nay (Commissioner Maceda) – 1 abstention (Commissioner Wiggins).

6. X.           1501 7^TH STREET, NW:  PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF RELEASE OF RFP, RFEI, OR RFQ BY DMPED FOR DISPOSITION OF PARCEL 20

   Commissioner Chapple introduced Will Lansing of Valor Development to speak regarding 1501 7^th Street, NW and a Proposed Resolution in support of release of RFP, RFEI, or RFQ by DMPED for disposition of Parcel 20.  Mr. Lansing advised that the Commission had supported Valor Development’s proposed acquisition of the adjacent city owned parcel at 631 P Street, NW back in January 2012.

   Mr. Lansing requested the Commission’s support to release the city piece and then rezone the two parcels together to make a bigger project.  They are working on assembling additional land along this site.  He urged that the city be petitioned to release this site so that the public can bid on it.

   Commissioner Padro advised that he spoke with the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and expressed the Commission’s support for the release of Parcel 20.  At the time, DMPED was focused on other parcels.

   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that ANC 6E request that DMPED release an RFP, RFEI, or RFQ for disposition of Parcel 20.   The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

7. XI.          REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FOR A PUBLIC SPACE PERMIT FOR 206 N STREET, NW:  USE OF ALLEY FOR CONSTRUCTION STAGING

   James Saint-Rossy spoke in regard to his request for support for a Public Space Permit for 206 N Street, NW and use of the alley for construction staging. The permit will be for two weeks starting October 15, 2013 during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The property is undergoing a rear parking space project and

   retaining wall repair.  In order to do this, some dirt from the back of the property will have to be removed.  During this work, excavation equipment and a dump truck may be blocking the Kirby Street alley entrance.  He will coordinate trash pickups in the alley on Wednesdays so they are not affected.  He has notified all of his neighbors who may be affected by this construction and he received no objections.

   MOTION: Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that ANC 6E support the request for support for a Public Space Permit for 206 N Street, NW for use of the alley for construction staging for two weeks starting on October 15, 2013 during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and that said support be communicated in writing to DDOT.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

8. XII.         SUPPORT FOR THE REMOVAL OF A “NO RIGHT TURN ON RED” SIGN AT THE SE CORNER OF 10^TH AND S STREETS, NW

   Commissioner Padro spoke in regard to a letter dated September 30, 2013 to ANC 6E from the French Street Neighbors Association requesting the Commission’s support for the removal of a “No Right Turn on Red” sign at the SE corner of 10^th and Streets, NW.  10^th Street, NW dead ends into R Street, NW within two blocks of the turn onto S Street, NW.  The volume of right turn traffic is reasonably low and, in addition, it is almost impossible to see the “No Right Turn on Red” sign at night.

   MOTION: Commissioner Padro moved and Commissioner Maceda seconded that ANC 6E issue correspondence to DDOT requesting the removal of the “No Right Turn on Red” sign at the southeast corner of 10^th and S Streets, NW.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

9. XIII.       NEW BUSINESS

   Public Safety Committee Meeting:  Commissioner Wiggins reported that at the last Public Safety Committee meeting, it was suggested that perhaps ANC 6E could provide matching funds, along with the support of vendors in the area, to put up cameras to deter crime in the neighborhood.

   Commissioner Maceda voiced her opposition to “matching” funds.  Martin Moulton stated that on-line cameras are less expensive.

   Commissioner Padro advised that there are other resources available such as the Great Streets Program.  He will explore this and report back to the next Public Meeting.

10. XIV.      OLD BUSINESS

    None.

11. XV.        approval of expenses

    A.  MOTION:  Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed for the printing costs of the monthly Newsletter in the amount of $370.79.   The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

    B.   MOTION: Commissioner Chapple moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that Commissioner Nigro be reimbursed for printing costs for additional copies of the monthly Newsletter in the amount of $10.43.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

C.   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 October 2, 2013 Public Meeting be approved.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

1. XVI.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 4, 2013

   MOTION:  Commissioner Nigro moved and Commissioner Padro seconded that the Minutes of the ANC 6E Public Meeting of September 4, 2013 be approved as submitted.  The Motion passed unanimously, 6 – 0 – 0.

2. XVII.     announcements
   1. A.   Alfreda Judd stated there will be an Oktoberfest block party on Pierce Street on Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
   2. B.   Commissioner Padro announced the following:  (1) Tomorrow, October 3, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dacha Beer Garden, a new Liz Taylor mural will be dedicated; (2) Shaw Main Streets will be sponsoring its annual Halloween Bar Crawl from 1:00 pm to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2013.
   3. C.   Commissioner Wiggins announced that the next meeting of the Public Safety Committee meeting will be at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.
   4. D.   Commissioner Maceda announced the following:  (1) the Mount Vernon Square Pet Parade will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 5^th & Eye Streets, NW; (2) the city is trying to assess each condo building a tax for running a BID (Business Improvement Development) or a CID (Community Improvement Development).    We are going to be fighting condo buildings collecting a tax.
   5. E.   Commissioner Padro announced that the ABRA this afternoon voted to reject 5 – 0 – applications for a U Street liquor license moratorium.
   6. F.    Naomi Mitchell of Councilmember Tommy Wells’ office stated the following:
      1. a.    Charles Allen, Chief of Staff of Councilmember Tommy Well’s office, is  leaving – Linda O’Brien will be Acting.
      2. b.    Walmart job information session tomorrow; next Tuesday there will be a meeting for stakeholders.
      3. c.    A Job Fair will be held at Arena Stage next month; PEPCO has a job readiness program that we will tap into.
      4. d.    Tommy Wells’ Shaw Community Hours are on the 4th Thursday of every month.
3. XVIII.    next meeting

   Wednesday, November 6, 2013, Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 6:30 p.m.

4. XIX.      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 8:10 p.m.