ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1B
Government of the
4 November 2004,
Attending:
Commissioners Guyot, Spalding,
Wright
Absent: Commissioner Houston
Quorum was achieved at 7:15PM. In the Secretary’s Report Commissioner
Spalding reported on activities in the past month on which the Commission had
acted. The Mayor’s Agent has ordered the
windows at 1425 W Street to be replaced.
ABRA denied the application of Arena Liquor due to the proximity of a
school. HPRB sent the designs for
In Community announcements Commissioner Spalding reported
that the next public meeting of the DDOT local Transportation and Parking Study
would be on Wednesday, November 10th at 6PM at the Housing Finance
Agency at
Commissioner Spalding introduced review of an updated design
for the building located at
Commissioner Guyot addressed agenda item “Parcel 34” as our
reexamination of who should be the designated developer for Parcel 34. At the October 27th Special
Meeting Commissioner Guyot’s motion supporting the City View team failed on a
3-3-0 vote, and Commissioner Esters offered a motion to vote on this at this
meeting. Commissioner Spalding asked if
we needed a motion to reconsider, and Commissioner Guyot responded that no the
original motion had failed, but Commissioner Esters motion was to vote at this
meeting. Commissioner Wilson requested
that the development teams present their proposals again since she was unable
to attend the previous meeting.
Chairperson Thomas stated that she would recuse herself from the
vote. She feels that all of the
developers qualify and are worthy for this project, and she has done business
with all of the teams and currently is in a working relationship with one of
the developers. Commissioner Guyot
reviewed ANC1B’s history with the RLARC/NCRC parcels in Ward 1, and
specifically to a meeting in which RLARC/NCRC adopted positions in line with
those recommended by ANC1B. Commissioner
Guyot restated NCRC’s awareness of his relationship with the Columbia Heights
Development Corporation (CHDC), and the lack of concern over any conflict of
interest presented. ANC1B’s former
Chairman
Commissioner Spalding introduced consideration of the Traffic
Control Plan (TCP) for PN Hoffman’s
Commissioner Spalding introduced BZA 17218 as a disturbing,
discouraging situation in which renovation to an abandoned row house had
exceeded zoning regulations, and now was seeking the zoning relief for work
already completed. The property is an
unattached row house inside the historic district. The applicant received permits from DCRA for
this renovation, and the plans were then approved by the Office of Historic
Preservation. When they began the
construction on the site community members noticed the zoning infractions and
made repeated calls to enforcement officials to question two design elements
including the additional floor and the back stairway. Commissioner Guyot stated that this is an
extremely simple case, and that he has visited the site and the work done is
beautiful. This developer took a crack
house at
ABRA application for renewal of a CN nightclub license for Velvet Lounge was introduced by Commissioner Spalding. This is a nightclub that has been in the neighborhood for a long time, and has received great reviews in the local press. I put the renewal up on the local list serve looking for any community comments, and received none. I am not aware of any ABRA violations during the past two years. Owner was present, and commented that they’ve been in operation at this location for twelve years. She did question the listing as a CN license, and stated that they have had and were applying to renew a CT tavern license. Commissioner Skinner added that she is one of his neighbors, and that it’s great to see people who not only want to do business in the neighborhood, but who also want to live in the neighborhood. Commissioner Spalding indicated that the notice from ABRA was for a nightclub license, and offered to vote on the renewal as a CT and then to speak with ABRA in the morning to straighten out the erroneous paperwork. Commissioner Spalding moved support of renewal of a CT tavern license for Velvet Lounge. Commissioner Guyot asked if we would be safer voting on both licenses and Secretary Spalding responded that it might be hard to craft such a letter of support. Commissioner Spalding amended his motion to be two separate motions, one supporting renewal of a CN license, and one supporting renewal of a CT license, and both were seconded and adopted unanimously (9-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot introduced renewal of the CN nightclub license for the 930 Club. This is the best publicized venue in the city. They have police at the sight to ensure safety. Chairperson Thomas added that they have been very generous in the Thanksgiving Basket program. Owner was not present to respond to questions. Commissioner Guyot moved support of the renewal of the CN nightclub license for 930 Club, and it was seconded and adopted (7-0-2).
Commissioner Spalding introduced renewal of a CT tavern license for Polly’s Café. There was no negative response from posting the renewal on the list serve, and there are no known ABRA violations in the most recent renewal period. Owner stated that they’ve been in this location for twelve years as a neighborhood hangout. Commissioner Spalding moved support for the renewal of the CT tavern license for Polly’s Café, and it was seconded and adopted (9-0-0).
Commissioner Spalding introduced renewal of dual licenses both a CN nightclub and CT tavern license for Bohemian Cavern. This is a large corner property that encompasses multiple spaces, and the ownership does own separate licenses. There were no negative responses to queries on the list serve, and the only lingering problem has to do with trash. The owner has had an ongoing problem with others filling and leaving trash in the vicinity of his dumpster, and has been fined on a regular basis. Scott Pomeroy stated that he is working with Mr. Afshar on the trash problem, and they are looking for a solution that can aid all of the businesses in the block. Many of these businesses are on properties that have 100% lot occupancy, and locating appropriate dumpster space has been difficult for all of the businesses. Commissioner Spalding asked if there had been any conversation with the bank about their property, and Mr. Pomeroy indicated that they were initiating talks on this problem with the bank. There are no known ABRA violations, and Commissioner Spalding moved support of renewal of both a CN nightclub and a CT tavern license for Bohemian Caverns, and it was seconded and adopted (7-0-2).
Commissioner Spalding introduced renewal of a CR license for the Prince Hall Masons. The Masons use this restaurant license for events that occur at their building, and there are no known complaints or ABRA violations. Commissioner Spalding moved support for renewal of the CR restaurant license for the Prince Hall Foundation, and it was seconded and adopted (9-0-0).
Commissioner Spalding introduced renewal of a CN nightclub license for Between Friends. This license has encountered a lot of difficulties in the past two years. Commissioner Spalding stated that he had difficulty discussing this application without the ownership present, and determined that the ABRA hearing date was December 15th. Chairperson Thomas also indicated difficulty in taking this license up without ownership present. Commissioner Guyot stated that this is a group that there was a fierce protest of when it was a gay club. Jim Graham, Cardozo Shaw Neighborhood Association, and Phil Spalding joined in the challenge of their license, and they had a right to do that. The ramifications of that action are that this business has been forced to declare bankruptcy, and what we ought to say very clearly is that we should move to grant this license. People have the right to fail and people have the right to succeed, but I don’t think we’re in the business of driving people into the finality of the ability to compete. We’ve been part and parcel of all the limitations that they’re facing, so I hope we can find a way to support this application. Commissioner Spalding responded that there have been ongoing problems between the applicant and the three abutting commercial tenants, and it is incumbent on the Commission to get some answers from this applicant on dealing with the loss of business and other problems facing the dry cleaners, Subway, and Seven Eleven. Commissioner Spalding stated that he would go over to Between Friends and try to get them to attend our December meeting. Commissioner Spalding moved to table, and it was seconded and adopted (9-0-0).
Commissioner Spalding introduced renewal of a CN nightclub
license for DC 9. This is a relatively
new business in the 1900 block of
Commissioner Spalding introduced application for a
stipulated license towards/and new full CT tavern license for Café Collage
located at
At the beginning of the Grant Application section of the agenda Commissioner Spalding moved that ANC1B temporarily stop grant making until the annual budget for FY ’05 is approved by the Commission. Commissioner Spalding stated that he would explain the motion if it received a second and Commissioner Hammonds seconded the motion. Commissioner Spalding stated that it is incumbent on most bodies to act in a fiscally responsible way, and I’m not sure that we’re doing so. Commissioner Skinner responded “Oh please”, and Commissioner Guyot added that he should make his case and we’ll all vote against him. Commissioner Spalding continued that ANC1B is given a stipend out of District taxpayer monies, and over this past term we have been allotted sixty thousand dollars. To date this Commission has spent seventy thousand dollars on grants alone. Putting this in perspective for the taxpayers in the audience, there are thirty-six other Commissions in the city, and reviewing the Auditor’s reports for the past ten years I’ve found that the average spending by Commissions on grant giving is about four per cent of their stipend. We’re currently in the range of 120% and with tonight’s possible approvals 140% and I think it irresponsible to spend beyond what we are given in any specific term of the Commission. I think that it is limiting on the Commission that is soon to follow this one. Chairperson Thomas asked for clarity in whether he was saying that we’re spending too much, or whether the incoming Commission might not know what to expect. Commissioner Spalding responded that in a two year Commission term, and we have overspent this term’s stipend on grants alone. I know that we came into this term with a healthy balance… Commissioner Skinner interrupted stating that we didn’t just come into… Commissioner Guyot interrupted that we should just let him finish and vote against him. Commissioner Skinner stated that he’s disrespecting everything that we’ve done. Chairperson Thomas told Commissioner Skinner that he was being rude, and Commissioner Skinner apologized. Commissioner Spalding stated that when compared to the spending of the other Commissions ANC1B is so far out of line at this point that it’s hard to comprehend. The pattern of spending by Commissions city wide is spending approximately four per cent of their allotment on the business of grant giving. Chairperson Thomas asked the Treasurer what we spend our money on, and Treasurer Esters confirmed that our running expenses were minimal. Chairperson Thomas stated that we’re given tax payer money and we’re putting it back out into the community. We don’t have an office, and we don’t have a telephone and we choose to spend our money on grants, and is that wrong? Commissioner Guyot stated that every grant that ANC1B has made has followed the procedures, and has been looked at by the auditor, and I don’t think there’s any attempt to charge us with irresponsible spending of money, and the Treasurer would have informed us if there had been. We have a public process the applicant must appear and they must present a reason for the money, and once they spend it they must come back and report to us. I don’t know of any grant we’ve made that I didn’t approve of, and that this committee didn’t vote on. It is not as if any individual is individually acting capriciously. This Commission must vote in a public session on all grants, and it has done so, and I urge us to defeat this motion quickly. We’re not the Republican Party, we’re a Commission. Commissioner Skinner stated that he’s been here a bit longer than some who might have a bit of ignorance as to how we have seventy-one thousand dollars in our budget. You look around town and you don’t see people with that kind of budget. A lot of ANC Commissions use their money on rent or employees, but what we’ve decided to do rather than use overhead is to absorb and to take your public money. We’d rather have public non profit organizations and people in our community come before us and use this money. If anything I think the one thing that Commissioner Spalding said that might be right is that we’re not like other Commissions. Go look at other Commissions and their budgets and what they’ve done, and then you can go outside and see what we’ve done over the last ten years. Now if that wasn’t a good spending of time effort and money, then I don’t know what is. I take offense that someone would even be so out of touch with why we have these monies, and why it’s so important in this community that those dollars instead of going to some real estate person who own a building or helping their friends out, that we spend that money directly back to you. We don’t even have a ceiling, which means that if we as a Commission feel is worth this amount of money, then we would in an open forum discuss it out, and then decide that we’re going to support that. For that to mean that we’re somehow odd or not being fiduciarily (sic) responsible to our community, it’s absurd on the face of it. I guess I haven’t done my job as a fellow Commissioner to explain why we have this amount of money and how hard it was to e good stewards of the people’s trust. And now to say that we’re not able to discern when we should spend money or not, it’s just absurd. Treasurer Esters stated that one thing that this Commission needs to do is to make sure that there is adequate follow up, since we do have a problem with our grantees getting reports back to us in sixty days. To clarify a point for Commissioner Guyot the District Auditor does review our grants, but he doesn’t do so until after the grant has been awarded. If we do not exercise diligence in issuing that grant, and in the event that it is disallowed by the Auditor, then we’ve essentially paid double for that grant. Dee Hunter asked for confirmation that the stipend was approximately sixty thousand dollars, and that with tonight’s possible grants the expenditure for grant making would be eighty-six thousand dollars, and Commissioner Spalding indicated that those figures were correct. Scott Pomeroy asked what the Commission’s balance was at the start of the year, and Treasurer Esters stated that it was approximately one hundred thousand dollars at the start of FY ’04. An argument ensued and Chairperson Thomas turned over the chair to Vice Chairman Skinner. Chairperson Thomas stated that she had been disrespected too many times tonight, and she had put out an effort to come out in the rain in my wheelchair. Commissioner Guyot called the previous question, and Vice Chairman Skinner called for the vote, and the motion failed (1-4-2).
Representatives of the Council of Latino Agencies presented a grant request for $3,000.00 to support workshops addressing challenges to Latino parents and youth. A description of the difficulties that the agency was hoping to aid was presented. Vice Chairman Skinner requested that they speak directly to the grant, its amount, and the uses of the grant monies. The applicant responded that the grant would aid in providing workshops that would reach out to 150 Latino families in the ANC1B area. Jaeda Harmon stated that part of the grant would go to the organization, and part would fund purchase of a computer to compile information brought back from the workshops, and also the materials needed for the workshops.
Commissioner Butler asked if this was not part of their regular budget, and Ms. Harmon responded that they had received grant funding for the development of the program, but the funding is short of finishing and getting the materials out into the field. Commissioner Guyot stated that ANC1B gave a grant to this group, or a group very similar to them, and we got a report back on the expenditure of funds. This Commission voted to support publicly the right of non citizens to vote. This is an advocacy group, and I think it would be entirely consistent with our past behavior in those two areas, so I’m moving that we support this application, and it was seconded. Commissioner Esters thanked the applicant for providing a detailed budget. Commissioner Esters asked if the target audience would be parents with children, and Ms. Harmon responded that the modules broke into three children’s age groups. Treasurer asked if the applicant could report on the expenditures within sixty days, and Ms. Harmon responded that they would be in the process of building the workshops, and would be willing to supply a future report on the distribution of the materials. Commissioner Spalding asked for clarity on the acknowledgment page of the manual citing “Auxiliary Neighborhood Committee, 1-B (Adams Morgan)”, and suggested to Ms. Harmon that this be corrected to read “Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B” and to drop the reference to Adams Morgan. Motion to support the grant application was adopted (6-1-0).
Commissioner Spalding introduced a grant application from City Arts for $4,000.00 to purchase and install lighting to illuminate the Duke Ellington Mural on the side of this building. The artists and City Arts have gained permission of the owner of the building next door to mount the lighting, and to provide the ongoing electricity for the lighting, and this grant is for the lighting equipment and the labor to install the lighting. Scott Pomeroy stated that he has worked with the group, and their hope was to get the lighting in place to coincide with the Wynton Marsalis premier at the Lincoln Theatre on December 10th, 11th, and 12th. Neither Byron Peck nor representative from City Arts was present, and motion was made to table, and it was seconded and adopted (7-0-0).
One Common Unity grant applicant was not present. Motion to table to the December meeting was seconded and adopted (7-0-0).
Commissioner Guyot requested that ANC1B continue funding for distribution of “Putting the Movement Back Into Civil Right Teaching” to local public schools. ANC1B previously spent $700 to do this, and I’d like us to further that effort. This expenditure will get us another fifty copies to distribute to the schools in 1B’s territory. Commissioner Spalding reminded Commissioner Guyot that last time we went through an effort in deciding who would be responsible for the distribution and who they would be distributed to, and Commissioner Guyot responded the same schools, and that he would be responsible for doing the distribution. Treasurer Esters indicated that the reporting on the first distribution did not list the schools receiving copies, and requested that Commissioner Guyot include a list of the schools with this expenditure, and Commissioner Guyot agreed to do so. Motion to expend $700 to purchase and distribute fifty copies of “Putting the Movement Back Into Civil Rights Teaching” was moved, seconded and adopted (6-1-0).
Commissioner Guyot introduced a grant application from the
Howard University Community Association for $3,000.00 to help in holding a
symposium on Mary Church Terrell and the Mary Church Terrell House in
Commission considered requested support for a grant application being made by Mi Casa to DHCD. Secretary Spalding stated that he took the request to be on the agenda, but no one was here to present the request for a letter of support. Commissioner Guyot stated that this is a known public group. Commissioner Guyot moved ANC1B support the grant application to DHCD from Mi Casa, and it was seconded and adopted (6-0-1).
A motion to support the DC Campaign for Inclusionary Zoning was introduced by Commissioner Spalding. This was submitted by Cheryl Cort, and Commissioner Guyot stated that that gave it immediate credibility. This is a group that has garnered support from a number of organizations to support the incorporation of inclusionary zoning into District laws and regulations. Commissioner Spalding stated that he spoke with the Office of Planning, and they are researching the legal constraints surrounding the incorporation of inclusionary zoning into the regulations, and while supporting the fundamental ideas of inclusionary zoning they were testing all of the legal ramifications and expected to report in the next few months on the impact. Scott Pomeroy came to Commissioner Spalding’s aid and explained that inclusionary zoning meant that affordability would be a part of all development across the city. This is a group that has organized support to call for the changes required to build inclusionary zoning into the District’s regulations. Commissioner Guyot moved that ANC1B support this group vigorously, and it was seconded and adopted (6-1-0). Meeting adjourned at 9:30PM.