ANC1B

Government of the District of Columbia

PO Box 73710, Washington, DC 20056

 

Myla Moss, Phil Spalding, Catherine Hammonds, Deairich R. Hunter, Brianne Nadeau, Meghan Conklin Zachary Wright, Rosemary Akinmboni, Thomas K. D. Smith, Nate Mathews, Raymond Wright

 

May Minutes

 

The regular monthly meeting of ANC1B was held on Thursday, May 3, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the True Reformer Building, Commissioner Hunter being present as chair, and Commissioner Nadeau present as secretary. Other Commissioners present, Moss, Smith, Spalding, Conklin, Mathews, and Akinmboni.

 

Commissioner Hunter called meeting to order with quorum at 7:10 p.m., and called for introductions.

 

Officers Reports & Announcements:

 

Commissioner Hunter reported on the executive committee meeting and introduced Nikki, the intern that will be assisting the treasurer. Commissioner Hunter moved that the Commission formally hire Nikki as an independent contractor to keep our financial records. Commissioner Spalding seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 7-0.

 

Commissioner Conklin explained the first quarter report and moved that the Commission approve the ANC1B First Quarter 2007 report with leave for technical amendments. Commissioner Spalding seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 7-0. The minutes were approved unanimously.

 

Commissioner Hunter called for announcements. Commissioner Conklin announced the Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association Spring Cleanup Saturday May 5 at 9 am. Commissioner Smith announced the presence of students from the Howard University School of Social Work that will be joining the monthly meetings and working with the community to prevent youth crime.

 

Commissioner Spalding announced that the Board of Zoning Adjustments passed BZA17587, 2616 Georgia Ave. 5-0. First African New Church came before the board of sanitary buildings, and there is a lingering problem with a hole in the roof of that building. This issue has been continued to a second meeting to resolve the issue. Permits have been issued for the Masons Building on U Street for the development of a CVS. The 14th Street Streetscape group has held its first public meeting, and there will be four more meetings during the planning process. The U Street Transportation and Parking Study will be holding a meeting on implementation of what was discovered in that study. Office of Property Management held its first meeting about what to do with the first floor of the Reeves Center. There will be three public meetings during the planning process. The first one is likely to be in June. A number of groups and individuals showed up to work on the Vermont St. Median last weekend and a good deal of work was completed. Commissioner Spalding expressed his thanks for all who came out to help.

 

Commissioner Moss announced that through a collaborate effort of the Public Safety Committee and the MPD, Frazier’s funeral home was shut down for operating without a license. The Juniper at 6th & T will have its grand opening Saturday May 12. Phase 3 of the Streetscape is underway, which will require the patience of the residents.

 

Commissioner Nadeau reported on an ongoing project she and Commissioner Conklin are doing on the 1400 block of Belmont Street to resolve issues with DDOT and WASA and to have the sidewalks and street replaced. Commissioner Smith reported that the 700 Block of Girard Street is having improvements done to the street and that the Georgia Avenue Great Streets group is working with DDOT to improve the quality of life along Georgia Avenue and will be making a presentation soon to the neighborhood.  Commissioner Akinmboni asked neighbors to come and be a part of the Girard Park community planning process.

 

Commissioner Hunter announced that there will be a meeting in his single member district to discuss the development project at the Anthony Bowen YMCA and that he will be holding a meeting regarding crime on the 1400 block of V Street.

 

A representative from the Office of the People’s Counsel spoke about the impending utility rate increase. Commissioner Hunter asked the representative to follow up in order that the Commission can take action.

 

A student from the Howard University School of Social Work announced that a number of students would be attending Commission meetings and reaching out to the community to be a part of the change going on.

 

Commission Business:

 

Commissioner Spalding gave an ABRA protest update, during which time he highlighted the following: The Smarta/Broadway show cause hearing is continued on May 22; 1907 9th Street came up for a status hearing and there is still work to be done as the applicant has not met with the neighborhood association or Commissioner Moss; Bohemian Caverns restaurant is open again; 11th Street Market Protest Hearing is Wednesday May 9 at 1pm; La Casona is being investigated by ABRA and will either have to put its license in safekeeping or turn it in; Black Cat the hearing is May 19; El Paraiso Market will have a show cause hearing and the voluntary agreement is still missing the owner’s signature; Manchester Bar will likely go to a protest hearing; Café Collage is still not operating; Blue Moon Bistro is undergoing work and we are looking into the renewal; Nelly’s should be operational in a month or so; Prince Hall Masons CR license should be revisited now that a CVS is going in there; 7 Days grocery will have a hearing in June; Chuck and Bill Bison’s Lounge is still being investigated; Harvard Deli has agreed to the terms of the voluntary agreement; ANT Market’s owner will put the license in safekeeping; Chuck’s Market had a protest hearing last month and the board is reviewing it now; Harvard Liquors had its protest hearing in February and it is still being reviewed.

 

Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commission protest the CR01 license of ABRA 76490, Flamengo Restaurant & Café on the basis of peace, order, quiet and that he and Commissioner Hunter be designated at the hearing. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 7-0.

 

The Commissioner heard from representatives of Town. Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commission protest the new CN03 license of ABRA 76801, Town on the basis of peace, order and quiet. Commissioner Moss seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 7-1 with Commissioner Mathews dissenting.

 

In a succession of motions, Commissioner Spalding moved to support the renewal licenses and Commissioner Hunter seconded the motions with unanimous votes of 8-0 for the following establishments:

ABRA 60804, Asmara Cafe, 900 Florida Avenue, renew CR01

ABRA 60547, Zula Restaurant, 1933 9th Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 71866, Sala Thai, 1301 U Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 60380, Twins Jazz, 1344 U Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 74175, Ulah Bistro, 1214 U Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 20468, Delicatessen Judy, 2212 14th Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 60697, Dynasty Ethiopian Restaurant, 2210 14th Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 26671, Creme Cafe, 1322 U Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 72735, Al Crostino, 1324 U Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 72472, Bar Pilar, 1833 14th Street, renew CR01  

ABRA 24599, Islander Caribbean Restaurant, 1201 U Street, renew CR01  

 

The Commission heard testimony about a curb cut at 911 Florida Avenue. Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commission support the curb cut. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 8-0.

 

The Commission heard testimony about a proposed alley closing in Square 0234. Commissioner Hunter moved that the Commission ask DCRA to delay this proposal until a community meeting may be held. Commissioner Spalding seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 8-0.

 

Grants and Presentations:

 

Commissioner Hunter moved that the Commission approved the grant request from the Mid-Town Academy in the amount of $1,000. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 7-1.

 

Commissioner Moss moved that the Commission approve the grant request from the LeDroit Park Civic Association for the security camera in the amount of $1,000. Commissioner Akinmboni seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 6-1-1 with Commissioner Spalding dissenting and Commissioner Conklin abstaining.

 

Voting on the CSNA Spring Clean & Green Grant was postponed due to lack of information.

 

Presentations on the Commy Foundation Grant Application, and the One Common Unity grant application were postponed.

 

The Commissioner heard a presentation from representatives of the LeDroit Park Oral History Project. Chairman Hunter asked that the group revise the budget items covered under the grant. No action was taken.

 

Commissioner Hunter moved that the Commissioner write to the City Council and the Mayor to set aside $500,000 in support of the Martin Luther King Memorial. Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 6-0-2 with Commissioners Mathews and Spalding abstaining.

 

Commissioner Hunter moved that the Commission write to the City Council and the Mayor asking them to promulgate new regulations regarding dog parks. Commissioner Spalding seconded the motion.  The motion was adopted 3-2-3 with Commissioners Spalding, Hunter and Moss voting in the affirmative, Commissioners Smith and Akinmboni dissenting, and Commissioners Conklin, Mathews and Nadeau abstaining.

 

Commissioner Moss moved that the Commission write to the Mayor, City Council and WMATA asking them to delay any final selection of buyers of WMATA Parcels on Florida Avenue until the ANC has had a chance to view the proposals and make a recommendation. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 8-0.

 

Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commissioner send individual letters in support of the NIF Target Area Project Grants. Commissioner Nadeau seconded the motion with the amendment that one single letter be sent in support of all five grants. The motion was adopted 8-0.

 

Commissioner Hunter moved that the Commission approve expenditures for business cards for Commissioners that need them. Commissioner Moss seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 8-0.

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.