ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION
1B
Government of the District of Columbia
Columbia Heights
/ LeDroit Park / Shaw / University Heights
6 May 2004,
True Reformer
Building, 1200 U Street NW
Attending: Commissioners Guyot,
Spalding, Hammonds, Thomas, Skinner, Esters, Wright
Absent: Commissioners Houston,
Butler, Wilson,
Glover
Quorum was achieved at
7:20PM. In the Secretary’s report
Commissioner Spalding indicated that he had attended the screening of “U Street
Blue” at the DC Film Festival which was partially funded by ANC1B. We will be working with the producers to
get a screening locally as soon as the restrictions on presentation allow. BZA Case No. 17138 regarding the request
for an increase to four units at 1325 Fairmont Street failed to get approval
from the Board. We made our case
for approval; however, the Board did not think that the property met their
standard of uniqueness required for this type of variance. The voluntary agreement with Shop
Express is continuing before ABRA, and the next scheduled hearing will be in
June. We are in the process of
building a web site for ANC1B, www.anc1b.org, in conjunction with the
OANC. There are some initial
technical glitches that we’re working out, but the site is up and should be
filled with information soon.
Minutes for the April 2004 meeting were moved and seconded and adopted
unanimously (6-0-0). With the
absence of the Treasurer Commissioner Spalding gave the Treasurer’s report. Our initial balance was $100,837.61,
check number 1533 was issued to reimburse secretarial expenses, a quarterly
deposit of $7,304.85 was made, and a $1.00 charge was assessed for mail deposit
bank charge, which leaves the current balance of $108,007.35. Treasurer’s report was moved and
seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Currently monthly request for reimbursement of secretarial expenses was
detailed as $11.00 for paper, $1.06 for postage, and $29.97 for the first three
months of remote hosting of the ANC1B website, which gives a total of $42.03 and
all receipts are included. Motion
was made to reimburse the Secretary for $42.03, and it was seconded and adopted
unanimously (6-0-0).
In Community Events and
Announcements Commissioner Guyot asked constituents to attend the Shaw Main Street’s
Community Visioning Meeting on Monday, May 24th, at 7PM. This Saturday, May 8th from
noon to 3PM at the Capital Pavilion there will be an election of the Ward 1
Democrats. There will be a week
(May 11th through the 15th) of activities celebrating
‘Migrant Awareness Week’ at the Seaton Elementary
School.
Larry Holman and Desmond Holman
gave a presentation of Metro Youth Entrepreneurs. There are two programs, the MetroVoice
Information Network which provides networking support for local area
businesses. Cooperative information
and advertising will be provided on a web site. The second program is MetroVoice
Business to Youth Mentoring Program.
The youth program will encourage local youths to create a life marketing
plan. There will also be a focus on
curbing youth violence. The
programs will both be meeting at Cada Vez, and the youth program will begin on
June 22nd. Chairperson
Thomas asked about the targeted aged of participants in the youth program, and
Mr. Holman responded that it was between ten and twenty-one. Commissioner Spalding requested that
they contact and work with the Main Streets program and requested that the
Holman’s meet with Scott Pomeroy who was in attendance. Commissioner Wright offered to provide
space for the computer training described in the MetroVoice package. Commissioner Guyot asked if they have an
application for funding in place that ANC1B could write a letter in support of
the application, and Mr. Holman stated that they have a request pending with the
North Capitol Collaborative.
Chairperson Thomas asked about the geographic scope of the program, and
Mr. Holman responded that they are hoping to be city wide, but that they are
starting in Ward 1. Scott Pomeroy
suggested that ANC support for slots in the DC Youth Summer Employment Program,
and also support could be gained through the Columbia Heights Shaw Family
Support Collaborative which might help extend their reach into other portions of
ANC1B’s territory. Commissioner
Guyot moved that ANC1B support the utilization of summer job employment by
MetroVoice, and that we support their application to the North Capitol
Collaborative, and an application to each of the local Main Streets programs,
and the motion was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot gave a
progress report on the Howard Theatre and Radio One proposed
development. Commissioner Guyot
pointed out the affordable housing commitments between the developer and Manna
CDC. The handout specified the
targets of affordable condominium and rental units, and also addressed small
business subsidies. Jonathan Taylor
of Kumase Development Group spoke to the ongoing work with Manna CDC and UPO in
developing targets and guidelines for the proposal. UPO will be leading the effort towards
living wage jobs, and the target of fifty percent of these jobs being reserved
for neighborhood residents. This
will include both the construction jobs and the permanent jobs created by the
proposed development. Commissioner
Guyot asked for assurance that each currently existing business on 7th
Street being approached about the development, and
Mr. Taylor indicated that they had been going door to door and will continue to
do so. Scott Pomeroy stated that
Mr. Taylor has been working with the 14th and U Main Streets
Initiative in working with business owners and business property owners, and has
shown a concern for helping avoid displacement in that capacity. Mr. Jennings asked about the definitions
involving affordability, and Mr. Taylor responded that in terms of the housing
component they would be working with the AMI of the neighborhood and not the
regional numbers. Commissioner
Guyot moved that the language in the letters be included in any decision made by
DHCD or NCRC regarding these two respective properties, and that ANC1B support
the agreement and ask that it be inserted in any language of finality by either
DHCD or NCRC regarding the Howard Theatre and Radio One at 7th
and S. Commissioner Esters asked if
this was stressing the 30% affordable figure, and Commissioner Guyot responded
that Derrick Woody of the Office of Planning has made it clear that if section
eight monies cannot be used that then it would revert to a thirty thirty thirty
situation. Motion was seconded and
adopted on a vote of (5-1-0). Mr. Ellis of Radio One gave an overview of the
meetings that Radio One has held with city officials on the unsolicited
proposal. Jill Chodorov asked about
the timeline for the development, and Mr. Ellis responded that they were hoping
to reach an exclusive rights agreement by this summer. A constituent asked how they can assure
the community that they can achieve the thirty percent affordable target as well
as assuring the quality of construction sought by the community. Mr. Ellis responded that they will be
seeking subsidies to help them achieve the stated targets, and they are hoping
to work with Trammel Crow which should allay any fears about the quality of the
construction. Mr. Howard asked
where the subsidy would come from, and Mr. Ellis responded that it would come
from the Housing Development Trust, which would be a HUD grant from the
city. Mr. Pomeroy asked if there
were also ways to write down the land costs with NCRC and others involved, and
Mr. Ellis agreed that they were working with NCRC to formulate ways of
encompassing an equity involvement.
Young America Works
Charter School was not in attendance, and their
presentation was tabled to a future meeting.
Commissioner Spalding introduced
the application for a traffic control plant (TCP) for the matter of right
development called the “Rhapsody” in the 2100 block of Vermont Avenue. This will be a condominium development
with 162 units including a small number of ‘arts’ affordable units as specified
in the zoning guidelines.
Commissioner Spalding indicated that he had been speaking with Tamara
Campbell the Ward 1 DDOT coordinator for TCP’s, and that DDOT had not expressed
any serious concerns with this TCP.
Mr. Rubenstein first showed a representation of the finished building,
and then moved to the specifics of the TCP. One lane of W
St. and one lane of Vermont/Florida Ave. will be used
temporarily during the construction, and both sidewalks will not be available
during the construction.
Commissioner Guyot asked for a description of the affordable units, and
Mr. Rubenstein responded that there were projected to be ten studio units priced
at approximately $128,000.
Commissioner Spalding asked about truck queuing, and Mr. Rubenstein
responded that the queuing would be along Florida Avenue and should not have an
extensive impact on the existing residential community. Commissioner Guyot asked how we could
get more affordable units, and Mr. Rubenstein responded that the units were
included as determined by the zoning regulations, and Commissioner Guyot asked
“How about fifteen?” Mr. Rubenstein
responded that as a matter of right project they had included the full number of
units required for the additional space allowed in the zoning. Commissioner Spalding asked about
crosswalks and pedestrian traffic on Florida Avenue, and Mr. Rubenstein
responded that there is no crosswalk at W., and that traffic would be routed to
the existing crosswalk further north.
Mr. Howard asked about the impact on new residents at the building being
constructed at 10th and W, and Mr. Rubenstein responded that their
project may not finish much before the Rhapsody, and that he did not see any
large impact. Mr. Rubenstein added
that Clark would be doing the construction, and
that they had extensive experience in building within the neighborhoods of the
District. Mr. Howard asked about
environmental remediation concerns with the former gas station, and Mr.
Rubenstein responded that since they would be digging to three floors of
underground parking and had filed all environmental remediation applications,
the removal of the contaminants was being dealt with. Commissioner Spalding pointed out that
the plan appeared to indicate the fencing on Florida running down past currently existing
properties, and Mr. Rubenstein responded that this was a difficulty in the
drafting of the plan, and that the blockage will not extend beyond their
property line. Commissioner
Spalding asked Mr. Rubenstein to develop a relationship with the Principal of
Garnet Patterson School in order to keep them fully informed of the effects of
the TCP, and Mr. Rubenstein agreed to do so. Commissioner Esters asked about the
right turn from W St. onto Florida, and Mr. Rubenstein indicated that
again this was overemphasized in the current plan, and that there should be no
difficulty in making this turn.
Commissioner Spalding moved support for the TCP for the Rhapsody as
presented, and it was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Public Space application for
café tables and seating at Starbucks (corner of 13th and U) was
introduced by Commissioner Spalding.
The Starbucks recently opened and featured café tables running south on
the 13th
Street side of their business, and this application
is to make this feature legal.
Commissioner Spalding indicated that the week when the tables were in
place they were enormously popular, provided great eyes on the street, and
enlivened the corner of 13th and U. Commissioner Guyot asked if this was a
Magic Johnson Starbucks, and Joe Spinelli responded that it was. Mr. Spinelli explained that the café
seating would be comprised of six tables with umbrellas and chairs, and a
portable railing to enclose the space.
The equipment would be taken indoors at closing each day. Mr. Spinelli specified that there is
twenty-six feet between the building and the curb, and that the café seating
would use approximately ten feet of that distance leaving sixteen feet of
sidewalk. Mr. Spinelli stated that
it’s Starbucks policy to assign a worker to make sure that the space is kept
clean during operations, and that they also contract help in power washing the
sidewalk space once a month.
Commissioner Esters asked about the duration of the café seating, and Mr.
Spinelli responded that they normally apply for the full twelve months and use
the seating as much of the year as possible. Scott Pomeroy asked about space for
local performers, and indicated that the 14th and U Main Streets
Initiative has been trying to include street performances with a number of their
promotions. Mr. Pomeroy asked that
Starbucks build into their insurance coverage the use of the café seating area
for this type of community based use.
Mr. Spinelli stated that he was unable to give an answer for Starbucks,
but would relay the request back to the owners. Commissioner Guyot moved support, and it
was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Commissioner Spalding introduced
Public Space application No. 04-020 for café seating for Love Café at the corner
of 15th and U. This
would provide two café tables in the recess along U Street, and four
café tables near the corner entrance on 15th Street. Bert Jackson stated that the owner,
Warren Brown, had been called out of town unexpectedly. Mr. Jackson stated that the seating was
in response to their patrons who had regularly asked for outdoor café
seating. Mr. Jackson stated that
there is thirteen feet of space between the building and the curb at the recess
on the U
Street side of the building, which would allow for
the tables and no interference with the sidewalk. Mr. Jackson said that there would be
approximately ten feet of sidewalk on the 15th side from the tables
to the curb. Support for the
application was moved, seconded and unanimously approved (6-0-0).
Commissioner Spalding introduced
the scheduled Board of Condemnation of Insanitary Buildings hearing on
1323 V
Street.
Neither the contractor (current owner) nor the prospective owners were
present. Commissioner Spalding
stated that the building was purchased by the contractor this past January, and
that he is currently gutting the structure and rebuilding. Commissioner Esters asked about the
state of the building, and Commissioner Spalding reported that the façade has
been retained, but that the remainder of the building was being gutted and
replaced, and that Steve Callcott from OHP had been made aware of the ongoing
work. Motion was made to oppose the
condemnation, and it was seconded and adopted unanimously (7-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot described the
reappearance of Smarta/Broadway for a Temporary Stipulated license for a new
nightclub (CN) located at 1919
9th Street. At our last meeting we approved a full
license for the applicant, but they are currently applying for a temporary
stipulated license, and ABRA asked that we vote specifically on the stipulated
license. Commissioner Guyot moved
support for the temporary stipulated license. A constituent asked who the applicant
was, and Commissioner Guyot indicated that Mr. Smart was present. Mr. Smart was asked about parking for
the club, and he stated that he had parking behind the building. Mr. Smart was asked if the parking was
sufficient for the capacity of the club, and Mr. Smart indicated that the
provided parking met ABRA standards.
Commissioner Spalding indicated that he had received letters from the
Westminster Neighborhood Association, and from Craig MacIvor with concerns about
the new club. Commissioner Spalding
made copies of the letters available to each of the Commissioners, and asked the
applicant to meet with both the Westminster Neighborhood Association and the
Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood Association to address their concerns. Commissioner Spalding requested that the
applicant check to determine if their club would be within four hundred feet of
a school, notably Maya Angelou
Charter School and Cleveland Elementary, and if so
to meet with the administrations of the schools and address any concerns that
they may have with a new nightclub.
Commissioner Guyot stated that he agreed that the applicant should meet
with WNA and CSNA, but that he had a serious problem of imposing a new condition
on an applicant that was here at our last meeting, and on whose application
we’ve already voted in favor.
Chairperson Thomas asked if the proximity to the schools was not a
legitimate concern, and Commissioner Guyot responded that Chris Shaheen was in
charge of changing the zoning on this block. Commissioner Guyot stated that Shaw Main
Streets had met with Mr. Shaheen and objected to any zoning changes that would
affect the businesses already operating on the block. This is another attempt to go around the
existing businesses like the Georgia Avenue zoning changes. Warren Flint has proposed a façade
program for the block, but I told him that he had to go and explain it to the
businesses. So, my concern is that
if we apply the school situation without ABRA applying it, let’s just close down
everything on Main
Street.
If ABRA forces them to do it that’s one thing, but we should not be in
that position. Chairperson Thomas
asked if Commissioner Spalding’s requests were a friendly amendment, and
Commissioner Spalding replied that though we voted on this issue at our last
meeting the discussion very short, it was curtailed too quickly, and was not
explored as thoroughly as it should have been explored. I think it’s preferable that the
applicant check with the schools now rather than later. Commissioner Spalding said that the
suggestions need not be accepted as a friendly amendment. Commissioner Guyot stated that he has
had thorough discussions with applicant and forcibly required that they comply
with all ABRA laws. Commissioner
Skinner stated that it is important that the applicant reach out to address the
community members concerns. We have
to be careful about the stress on black owned businesses, and if you think there
are any subtle racist attempts to make you do thinks that aren’t right I extend
my phone number to you. Issues
regarding policing, inadequate parking somehow become the responsibility of a
business owner. These buildings
have been here before your business, and you’re not responsible for the design
of the city. I think we’ve had a
constant real subtle attempt at trying to intimidate immigrant and black owned
businesses. We’ll do a lot more
than talk about it if that’s true.
I hope it’s a lot of ignorance not racism, and if those people are
ignorant than we should teach them.
If there’s anything out of the ordinary that’s tied to skin tone please
let me know. Chairperson Thomas
responded that those may be Commissioner Skinner’s opinions, but she felt that
one because it insinuates something about her own character. Commissioner Guyot stated that this
applicant has been commendable, everything that I’ve asked him to do he’s
done. Previous question was called
by Commissioner Guyot, and it was approved on a vote of (6-1-0).
Discussion of ABRA Case No.
50106, Cada Vez for substantial changes, was introduced by Chairperson
Thomas. Cada Vez is located in Ward
2, but it is on the boundary of ANC1B.
Commissioner Guyot cited previous experience in boundary cases, and that
we can be given great weight on this license. Commissioner Guyot stated that ANC2B
would be opposing this application for substantial changes, and ANC1B has an
opportunity to support the proposed changes. Mary Zhou introduced herself as the new
owner of Cada Vez. Ms. Zhou stated
that she has been operating a restaurant in Maryland for almost twenty years, and that she
was excited about coming to the U
Street community. Charles Zhou explained that their family
has a long history of involvement in the restaurant community in DC. They took over Cada Vez and in the past
six months have been making major changes.
They have changed and updated the menu to reflect the diverse and vibrant
U Street
community. Cada Vez used to just
have performances on weekends, but they have expanded this to nightly
performances. They are already
working with Mr. Holman’s MetroVoices and Martha’s Table, and hopes to become a
regular participant in the greater community. Eugene Wimbush discussed the
performances and security as part of the new management team. Mr. Wimbush stated that he has been
working with the Zhou’s in a number of their locations. Mr. Wimbush stated that they have had
another business running in Ward 5 for a number of years, and that they have no
trouble with the police. The
lengthening of the hours is in response to the late crowd, and their
conditioning to the standard late ABRA hours. The extension of the hours would be for
an extra hour each night to go to the regular ABRA cut off hours. People are accustomed to the regular
closing hours, and the earlier closing hours currently allowed to Cada Vez lead
to disgruntled patrons and difficulty in getting them out. Commissioner Guyot asked how much the
applicant had spent on renovating the property, and Mr. Zhou responded that it’s
been like a money pit and they have spent over a half million dollars on
renovations. Commissioner Guyot
moved that ANC1B support the application for substantial changes, and it was
seconded. Commissioners Spalding
asked about the ownership changes, and Mr. Zhou explained that they own the
business, however, the Cimo’s still own the property, and that they have no
current designs on purchasing the property. Commissioner Guyot asked applicant to go
on the record as supporting all the ABRA laws and regulations, and Mr. Wimbush
replied that ABRA uses their security guidelines as examples for other
establishments. Question was called
and adopted on a vote of (4-0-2).
Commissioner Spalding introduced
ABRA application No. 60704, Sodere restaurant for a temporary stipulated license
(CR) at 1930 9th
Street.
The ownership is familiar since they operate Dukem at the corner of
12th and U. The property
is the small yellow building next to the parking lot on the western side of the
1900 block of 9th.
Mekonen Zewdie, Merfin Zewdie, and Mike Pappas were present to answer
questions about their application.
Commissioner Spalding asked if they were planning an Ethiopian restaurant
and what the capacity would be, and Mr. Zewdie responded that it would be an
Ethiopian restaurant with a capacity of one hundred and twenty-two. Chairperson Thomas asked if they would
be using both floors, and Mr. Zewdie said that they would be using both
floors. Commissioner Guyot stated
that 1928 and 1930 were actually one building, but Mr. Zewdie clarified that
Expo restaurant was occupying both floors of 1928, and that Sodere would be
occupying both floors of 1930.
Commissioner Spalding indicated that the proximity of the residents who
own homes behind these properties magnified the concern over noise and trash
issues. There is not even room for
a service alley between the residential buildings on 9 ½ Street and the
businesses on 9th, and Bill Stevens stated that his home is just
eight feet from the backs of the commercial buildings. Commissioner Spalding indicated that he
had a letter from Craig MacIvor (another resident of 9 ½ Street) with general
support for the license.
Commissioner Spalding also asked applicant to determine their distance
from the Maya
Angelou School, and if inside four hundred feet to
contact the administration of the school to discuss the new business and
license. Commissioner Esters asked
about the hours of operation, and Mr. Zewdie responded that they were the normal
ABRA closing hours. Mr. Zewdie did
indicate that they would have live entertainment, and Commissioner Spalding
asked when they would be holding performances, and Mr. Zewdie indicated that
they were planning on three days each week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Commissioner Spalding noted that there
had been recent difficulties with Dukem and late night noise, but that the
owners had met with residents and hopefully solved the problem. Commissioner Spalding moved support for
a temporary stipulated license for Sodere at 1930 9th
St., and it was seconded
and adopted unanimously (7-0-0).
Grant application by AALEAD was
brought up, but there were no representatives from the organization
present. Commissioner Guyot asked
if we could review the request, and Commissioner Spalding responded that we were
not in receipt of the application to this point. Commission agreed to consider the AALEAD
grant application at the June meeting.
Grant application of the LeDroit
Park Civic Association was introduced by Commissioner Guyot. Alice Aughtry from LPCA described their
attempt to improve the Anna J.
Cooper Circle with plantings. Commissioner Spalding asked the
applicant to take the time to compare prices for the plants with businesses
located in ANC1B. Garden District
is located at the corner of 14th and S, and while their prices might
not be comparable to Home Depot, if they are close or if you can talk the owner
into matching the prices, it would be preferable to buy from a small businessman
inside 1B’s boundaries.
Commissioner Guyot moved support
of the LeDroit Park Civic Association’s grant application for $1500.00 to
purchase plants for beautification of the Anna J. Cooper Circle, and it was seconded
and adopted unanimously (7-0-0).
Clyde Howard suggested that if they put a water tap in the circle that
they put a lock on the faucet so that vandals can’t destroy the work that
they’re doing.
Grant application of DC
Taekwondo was raised from the table.
Gloria DuBissette indicated that she was following up on ANC1B’s request
for reporting on her previous year’s grant expenditures. Ms. DuBissette indicated that she had
filed documents with Treasurer Glover, and had a single copy available for the
Commissioners to review if required.
Commissioner Spalding, requesting the other Commissioners helps him with
his memory, indicated that there were two concerns with the DC Taekwondo
request; first was the accounting for the previous year, and second was the
concern over the specifics of the request for the current year, and whether they
were allowable expenses.
Commissioner Guyot refreshed the Commission that we had agreed on a
figure of $3,500 which replaced the original request for $3,000. Ms. DuBissette asked for more clarity
from the Commission in understanding the guidelines, and Commissioner Spalding
gave the new expanded version of the ANC1B grant request form to Ms. DuBissette
which includes the guidelines.
Chairperson Thomas empathized with the confusion that Ms. DuBissette was
feeling, but explained that the rules and regulations do change and that it is
difficult understand what is required.
The new grant request with guidelines should help in making the process
easier to understand. Chairperson
Thomas asked if there was a time when her organization needed to have the
funding, and Ms. DuBissette responded that their first event was scheduled for
the first Saturday in June.
Commissioner Guyot moved that ANC1B appropriate the requested $3,500 with
the understanding that there will be an acceptable request submitted that abides
by our rules and regulations and is approved by the Treasurer, and motion was
seconded. Commissioner Spalding
indicated that he was reluctant to support the motion without having the grant
request to review. Commissioner
Guyot stated that the Commission could count on Brother Glover to be as stingy
as possible. Commissioner Esters
asked if we had not already approved the figure of $3,500, and Commissioner
Guyot indicated that we had approved the amount and subsequently tabled the
request, and that we should remove the request from the table and he so moved,
and it was seconded, and approved on a vote of (7-0-0). Original motion to grant the DC
Taekwondo Association $3,500 was adopted on a vote of (6-1-0).
Deborah Johnson presented a
grant request for $6,200 to defray the cost of providing free on-site NYSP
sports physicals to all age-eligible (10-16 year old coeds) ANC1B constituents
attending the 2004 NYSP camp at Howard University. Ms. Johnson explained that the program
is aimed as disadvantaged youth, and involved participation in a free,
educational, sports driven activity program. The sports taught are tennis, swimming,
basketball, track, flag football, soccer, and golf in addition to career
building programs. Ms. Johnson
indicated that her most difficult task was in getting kids around Howard University involved in the program. Applications have been delivered to the
local schools, but the medical forms required are not completed and returned in
time for admission to the program.
The camp is held in June and early July and lasts five weeks, but the
required medical exams have prevented a number of local youth from
participating. Last year only
eleven of the 273 applicant campers from zip code 20001, but calls came in after
the start of the camp. The grant
request is to provide the physicals on the Howard campus on a specific Saturday
for the residents of ANC1B, which will assure broader local participation. Commissioner Guyot indicated that he
spoke with people at Howard University who assured him that Howard
used to provide these physicals free of charge. Commissioner Guyot gave his support to
the application, however, he wanted to send a message to Howard that it’s
incongruent for them to be attempting to establish a new service oriented
hospital on the grounds of a former hospital and not providing services for the
needy in its immediate environment.
Chairperson Thomas asked for clarity in the ownership of the program, and
Ms. Johnson explained that Howard University writes a grant to NCAA, and
Howard in kind donates the facilities and space. The grant is for $60,000 to staff the
program. Chairperson Thomas asked
Ms. Johnson what happens if the grant is approved and she still doesn’t get kids
from ANC1B, and Ms. Johnson said that they’ll still have the program. The grant would cover medical staff
available to give the physicals on this specific time. Chairperson Thomas recommended that Ms.
Johnson alert the ANC Commissioners to get the word out. Commissioner Esters asked about
outreach, and also how the Commission could be assured that the expenditure
would be on the children of ANC1B.
Ms. Johnson responded that she would publicize through whatever channels
were available and have the medical personnel ready to complete the
physicals. Commissioner Esters
suggested that perhaps an evening session might capture both kids and parents
more effectively. Commissioner
Esters asked if there was any possibility of using the pediatric residency
program of the hospital to provide these physicals, and Ms. Johnson responded
that the physicals have to be performed by doctors. Commissioner Esters stated that
pediatric residents are doctors.
Commissioner Guyot stated that he had heard of this request from the
Commission’s Secretary, and he lives one fence from Howard University. Commissioner Guyot stated that though he
favored the request, he is adamant that the LeDroit Park Civic Association be
involved, all of the local schools, the Pleasant Plains Civic Association be
brought aboard. Commissioner Guyot
stated that he’s done more for Howard University than anyone else, and he wishes
that Howard would better inform him of these issues. Commissioner Spalding stated that the
size of the grant was too large for his support, and that it is very difficult
for Commissioners to consider grant requests when they are not submitted in a
timely fashion. Commissioner
Skinner stated that looking at the amount and the type of outreach being
attempted, and the budget that ANC1B has, it’s much cheaper than seeing those
young people on the block getting locked up. We’re talking about spending the
people’s money that has been here paying taxes for years often receive the least
amount of services. I wish we could
give even more of our hundred thousand dollars to help these kids. Commissioner Esters stated that $6,200
is large for the grants that the Commission considers, however, he his
supportive of this request, but you do need to approach the local civic
associations and community leaders to help with the outreach. Chairperson Thomas stated that the
outreach that the program has been doing for the past years has not worked, try
something different. Tony Norman of
the Pleasant Plains Civic Association added that there has never been any
outreach for this program and this really needs to be addressed. Commissioner Skinner proposed that next
year if the program submits a grant application to ANC1B that it also include
monies to publicize the program.
Commissioner Guyot requested that Ms. Johnson meet with the local
associations in order to recruit the students. Commissioner Guyot moved that there be
an active outreach, and that there be a meeting scheduled that includes the
Pleasant Plains Civic Association, the LeDroit Park Civic Association, 1B01,
1B11, 1B10, Florida Avenue Baptist Church, and the civic association headed
by Norman Woods. Commissioner
Spalding asked if there was something in the motion that spoke to the grant
request, and Commissioner Guyot responded that he supports the grant
request. Commissioner Esters added
a friendly amendment the contact be made with Howard University pediatric
training program at the hospital in order to make more opportunities for these
physicals to take place.
Chairperson Thomas stated that she still had no guarantee that the
children of 1B would be serviced by the grant monies provided, and Commissioner
Guyot accepted this as a friendly amendment and that Ms. Johnson be required to
provide names, addresses and social security numbers of applicants whether they
are accepted by the program or not, so that we can make sure that 1B is adequately represented. Motion was seconded and adopted on a
vote of (6-1-0).
Commissioner Esters introduced a
grant request from the Pleasant Plains Civic Association for $1,500 to provide
rain storage barrels and drip irrigation devices for the Hobart Garden community garden. The Hobart community garden has received funding
from the ANC, and this request is to deal with the lack of available water at
the garden. A private homeowner
next to the garden has agreed to allow PPCA to divert the gutter water from
520 Hobart
Place, and that will collect in rain barrels which
will feed a drip irrigation system.
A list of garden users was also supplied, and Mr. Tony Norman of the PPCA
stated that they have no problem with the request. Commissioner Spalding asked that
Commissioner Esters provide a second name for “responsible representative” in
the grant, and Commissioner Esters supplied the name of Dorothy Copps. Commissioner Guyot moved support of the
grant application, and it was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot presented a
motion to support the application to Save America’s Treasures for the Mary
Church Terrell house. ANC1B has
previously supported this application, and the grant was not awarded last
year. Howard University and the LeDroit Park Civic
Association are applying again for funding to restore and maintain the house,
and are seeking our support again.
Alice Aughtry stated that they were encouraged to reapply this year, and
are seeking ANC1B’s support of the application. Commissioner Guyot moved support, and it
was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot requested
that the Commission purchase and distribute fifty copies of the newly released
“Putting the Movement Back Into Civil Rights Teaching” to ANC1B schools. The book is aimed at K-12 teachers and
includes lesson plans. Commissioner
Spalding asked, as a former bookseller, whether the Commission would be extended
a discount on bulk purchase, and Commissioner Guyot agreed to explore getting
the best price available for the Commission’s purchase. Ms. Menkart of the group Teaching for
Change stated that the book covers many of the lesser known participants in the
civil rights movement. There are
lessons included, and flagged, that are appropriate for elementary, middle and
high school levels. Commissioner
Guyot noted that he had noticed the book advertised at $19 in a catalog, and Ms.
Menkart responded that they would honor that price. Commissioner Spalding asked how we would
cover distribution to the schools once the Commission had its fifty copies, and
Commissioner Guyot volunteered to distribute the copies. Commissioner Spalding asked if
Commissioner Guyot would distribute to 1B located Charter Schools as well as the public schools, and
Commissioner Guyot agreed to do so.
Commissioner Guyot moved that ANC1B purchase fifty copies of “Putting the
Movement Back Into Civil Rights Teaching” and distribute those copies to the
schools located in ANC1B, and it was seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot introduced a
resolution responding to WASA’s proposed resolution #04-28. This is WASA’s proposal on replacing
lead pipes in the District. Copies
of the resolution were provided in each Commissioner’s packet, and our response
would be to support WASA’s proposed resolution #04-28. Support was moved, seconded and adopted
unanimously (6-0-0).
Meeting adjourned at 10:30PM