ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1B

Government of the District of Columbia

Minutes

Thursday, October 1, 2009. 7:00 PM,

Reeves Center, 2000 14^th Street N.W.

The regular monthly meeting of ANC1B occurred on Thursday, October 1, 2009, at 7:00 pm in the Reeves Center, Commissioner Brianne Nadeau being present as Chair.  Other Commissioners present during the meeting: Rosemary Akinmboni, Meghan Conklin, Juan Lopez, Myla Moss, Sedrick Muhammad, Peter Raia, Thomas Smith, and Deborah Thomas.

Chairperson Nadeau observed the presence of a quorum and called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. She opened the meeting with the following announcement:

We ask that you silence your cell phones. By “silence” I mean either put them on “silence” or turn them off if you are able. The vibration and rings interfere with our recording and we sometimes lose valuable information.

ü This meeting is audio-recorded for the public record and the draft minutes of the meeting, which will be published on our website within one week.

ü We welcome and encourage public comment at appropriate points in the meeting. Normally, we will ask for public comment on issues before the Commission before any motion is offered for official action. Once a motion has been made and seconded, comment and discussion is confined to Commissioners.

ü We ask that all those making presentations, asking questions, or making comments speak loudly and clearly for the benefit of our recording device. You can come forward and sit at the witness table and make sure that your comments are picked up. Please state your name, residence address, and what organization you represent. If you are representing yourself as a resident, rather than an organization, please say so.

ü For the accuracy of our public records, we ask that all those making presentations, asking questions, or making comments complete the very brief speaker information form located on the sign in table at the back of the room. Please give the completed form to our Staff Director, Jim Irwin, either before or after you speak to the Commission. The purpose of this form is to assure correct spelling of your name in the minutes, accurate address and accurate statement of representation.

Thank you for your attendance, participation and cooperation.

Chairperson Nadeau asked Commissioners to introduce themselves.

Chairperson Nadeau mentioned the noise of construction on the first floor and said this was related to the provision of a new office for ANC 1B. She announced that the estimated completion date for the office is now sometime in November.

Commissioner Nadeau announced that the Treasurer’s Report would be moved to the end of the agenda because the Treasurer was unavoidably detained at work and would be arriving late.

Secretary’s Report – Minutes of September meeting

Chairperson Nadeau observed the absence of the Secretary, Commissioner E. Gail Anderson Holness. She asked Commissioners for any corrections or additions to the minutes. There was none.

Chairperson Nadeau moved that the minutes of the September 2009 meeting of ANC 1B be approved as submitted.

Commissioner Conklin seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted 7-0-1, Commissioner Smith abstaining.

Commissioner Raia stated that he had requested at the last meeting that the minutes be verbatim and he had spoken to Jim Irwin about this before this meeting. The September minutes were not verbatim as he had requested, and he wanted Mr. Irwin to work on that. He wanted the interaction between Commissioners and constituents to be in the minutes. Chairperson Nadeau suggested that Commissioner Raia review specific concerns with Mr. Irwin after the meeting. Both Commissioner Raia and Mr. Irwin said that had been done.

Community Events & Announcements

Commission Announcements

Commissioner Moss announced that the Jazz Project, which will be located where the flea market is at 8^th Stret N.W. and Florida Avenue N.W. is in final negotiations with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The WMATA Board will consider the project at their meeting on October 22^nd, and approval is expected. This project will have 132 units and 20,000 square feet of retail space. They are also working with the Department of Housing on funding tax credits. They hope to break ground on the project in the spring of 2010.

Commissioner Moss called the Commission’s attention to the property at 8^th and V Streets NW, which used to be Atlantic Plumbing and is now owned by Broadway Management. Due to the downturn in the economy, Broadway Management is now in foreclosure. UBS Bank and other lenders are now in a holding pattern waiting for a buyer for Broadway. They have asked for and received from the Zoning Board a two-year extension of their PUD. Commissioner Moss is asking the Zoning Board, Broadway Management and UBS to consider an interim use of this site, which has been a derelict and nuisance property, contributing to urban blight. Chairperson Nadeau observed that Commissioner Conklin has been working with a developer on a property at 1412 Chapin Street NW that is on the meeting agenda, and that this property might be a model and a precedent for the owners of the 8^th and V Streets property. Commissioner Moss added that she is working with Nicholas Majett of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) regarding this and other nuisance properties in her single-member district (SMD). She had a matrix of all nuisance properties and was trying to eradicate the problems that arise, especially in the winter months, when these empty sites are used by squatters.

Commissioner Raia announced that the Greater U Street Festival went well and the Greater U Street Historical Foundation was happy to receive their grant. He has heard no complaints, only positive comments about the festival.

Commissioner Muhammad announced that the South Columbia Heights Neighborhood Association, of which he is the president, would be holding its monthly meeting on Wednesday, October 21^st, at 7:00 PM at the Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15^th Street N.W.

Commissioner Moss reminded everyone that the PSA 305 Public Safety Committee meeting would be Tuesday, October 6^th, at 7:00 PM at the DC Housing Finance Agency, 815 U Street N.W.

Community Announcements

Mr. Dominic Painter, 614 S Street N.W., representing Murals DC, said they are working with the Commission on the Arts, the Department of Public Works, and Council Member Jim Graham’s office to replace illegal graffiti throughout Washington, D.C., not just in Ward One, with works of art created by youth in the community. Mr. Painter introduced Peter Cristo, the manager of the Albus Cavus art school, who will be working with youth on the creation of a mural at the corner of Sherman and Barry Streets N.W. Mr. Painter said their purpose at the meeting was to advise the Commission of this project and that they also have the assistance of Howard University. He said that he has reached out to Commissioner Anderson Holness also, but has not heard back from her. He also referred to Murals DC’s work with Commissioner Smith last year to create a mural on Fairmont Street. They hope to maintain the working relationship with all of ANC 1B. Mr. Painter then distributed informational materials about Murals DC and the Sherman Avenue project. Mr. Painter invited any questions or concerns from the Commission. Commissioner Smith commented that Murals DC had an excellent working relationship with the community during last year’s project. They conducted community meetings and designed the mural around concepts proposed by the youth participating in the project. Commissioner Smith said they bring a very good quality of work to their projects and will do well working with Howard University.

Public Safety Committee

Chairperson Nadeau observed that the Committee’s monthly meeting would be next Tuesday, but she wanted to suggest that in future Public Safety reports be delivered jointly by Commissioners Moss and Muhammad since they are working with two different PSA meetings. Commissioners Moss and Muhammad agreed with this suggestion. Chairperson Nadeau said that joint reports would now be the new procedure.

Commissioner Moss reported that the Committee did meet in August There has been an increase in the vandalism of vehicles. This has been an ongoing problem for ANC 1B in general, but there has been a noticeable increase in auto vandalism in LeDroit Park. There is very good collaboration between Howard University Police and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). There have also been a couple of robberies of Howard students. This too is a recurring problem, with students returning to school in the fall, walking with their IPods and not paying attention to the activity around them.

Commissioner Muhammad reported that last Friday evening there was a death on the 2500 block of 14^th Street NW. The MPD is aggressively investigating the case. Commissioner Muhammad will report to the community as soon as an arrest has been made.

Chairperson Nadeau referred attendees at the meeting to informational materials provided by an MPD beat officer on preventing auto thefts, car jackings, and breakins. A schedule of all PSA meetings in the Third District was also available.

Commissioner Muhammad announced that Peggy Nichols, reported as a missing person from Garfield Terrace, was found last week at George Washington Hospital. Ms. Nichols suffers from schizophrenia. Finding her is a great success story of collaboration between MPD and George Washington Hospital staff. Her family and the community were very relieved and overjoyed to find her alive and well.

Presentations

Chairperson Nadeau said there would be several presentations and asked that presenters restrict their comments to five minutes. Presentations would be followed by questions from the Commission and the audience.

MOMIES TLC

Commissioner Smith said this property is located on the 2600 block of Georgia Avenue N.W. They appeared before the Commission in 2008 to ask support for an exemption to their FAR, or lot coverage. They are now seeking support for the closure of an alley behind their building where people loiter and commit illegal acts. They are also working with the Emerging Community Arts Collective to provide parking for their facility, which is about fifty feet away, and are requesting an easement for parking. Commissioner Smith introduced Aize Sabater, C.E.O. of MOMIES TLC.

Mr. Aize Sabater, 2616 Georgia Avenue N.W., said that his organization is an innovative child development initiative and has been in operation for about ten years. They work to improve the quality of life for children in the neighborhood. Their office has been located on Georgia Avenue for the last seven years. About two years ago, they decided that they could more effectively serve children by expanding their office space. They came before this Commission then and received approval for an expansion of their space. They also have the support of the Pleasant Plains Civic Association. However, the economic collapse temporarily stopped their plans. Their architect went out of business and they had to find a new architect. They are now going through the application process with the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for the second time, so they are again requesting the support and approval of ANC 1B for an exemption for their FAR to expand their building space. This additional space will better accommodate their after-school program, summer camp program and interactive history activities with the community. Mr. Sabater then distributed cards and calendars to the Commissioners illustrating the services provided by his organization. Mr. Sabater concluded his presentation by referring to the recent fatal beating of a teenager in Chicago and the problem of youth violence. He said that unless there are community spaces that nurture our children and provide recreational activities, youth violence would continue. In Washington, MOMIES TLC is working to provide another alternative to engage children and they have a successful track record of doing that. He asked for the Commission’s support for their work.

Chairperson Nadeau asked if they have yet obtained a BZA case number. Mr. Sabater said they had just filed their application and do not yet have a case number or a hearing date scheduled.

Chairperson Nadeau asked Mr. Sabater to outline the relief they were requesting.

Mr. Sabater said that they are requesting:

• The design of the expanded building exceeds the allowable FAR, so they are requesting an exemption from the FAR limit.
• Change of zoning from Commercial & Residential to Commercial only.
• An easement to provide for parking

Chairperson Nadeau called for questions from the Commission and the community. There were no questions.

Commissioner Smith moved that ANC 1B support the request of MOMIES TLC to the BZA for relief regarding FAR, zoning and parking as described in Mr. Sabater’s presentation.

Commissioner Moss seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.

Howard University Homecoming Parade

Commissioner Smith introduced Dr. Steve Johnson, Assistant Vice President for University Events and Protocol, Howard University, 2600 6^th Street N.W.

Dr. Johnson said the Homecoming Parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 24^th. He distributed a map showing the parade route and asked that the map be posted on the ANC 1B website. The parade will begin at 10:00 AM. Assembly of the parade will begin around 8:30 AM at the corner of 6^th and Fairmont Streets, N.W. He announced that the Grand Marshall for the parade will be actress Teraji Henson, a native Washingtonian and Howard alumna, who has starred in Tyler Perry movies and many other productions. Dr. Johnson described the parade route. He said they have received all necessary permits and approvals from DC agencies, and they invite the entire community to support, participate and be a part of this celebration. He introduced Howard University Police Chief Alonzo Joy and said that they had been working closely with MPD to make sure they have extra police officers on hand for the event.

Chairperson Nadeau thanked Dr. Johnson and invited questions from the Commission and the community. There were no questions.

Commissioner’s Camp: Summers of Success

Commissioner Smith referred to the problem of youth in the neighborhood getting into “idle crime” due to a lack of constructive things to do during the summer. He said that he, along with two Howard University graduates, partnered with Howard University, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), Shiloh Baptist Church, and a couple of teachers from DC Public Schools to establish a program that would address this problem. Commissioner’s Camp: Summers of Success is a seven-week program that provided academic reinforcement of the basic skills of reading, writing and math, along with clinics in tennis and softball. Guest speakers presented information on different career paths. The program’s results are good. Academic performance of participants improved by 20 percent over the seven weeks. He said these remarkable results would be studied further. He particularly wanted to emphasize the impact and success of the partnership that had been created. This partnership includes individuals with specialized skills and has a track record of success that enabled them to obtain funding from the Youth Investment Trust. They planned a budget of $120,000, but by partnering with DPR, they were able to reduce the budget to $70,000. The funding permitted payment of teacher salaries and stipends to qualified students to support their participation. They were also able to charge a very low one-time application fee of $35.00 for seven weeks, five days per week, or just one dollar per day. The result was young people off the streets, out of harm’s way, learning academically, enjoying themselves with athletic activities and being enriched by guest speakers. Commissioner Smith emphasized that putting the project together is not that hard. All it took was good effort and good partnerships with effective organizations and individuals.

Commissioner Moss commended Commissioner Smith for his dedication and commitment to the project.

Mr. Sabater commended Commissioner Smith for his tremendous effort and said he knew it took a lot of work to make the program a success.

Howard Town Center

Commissioner Moss introduced the developers of the Howard Town Center project, Mr. Tim Kissler, CastleRock Partners, and Mr. Gil Hardie, Hardie Industries. She said the project would be mixed use with a total of 120,000 square feet, including a grocery store.

Mr. Kissler said the project would include ground floor retail space, 450 apartments and below-grade parking. They are negotiating with five grocery stores now. They anticipate groundbreaking in nine to twelve months and hope to have the project completed three years from now. Mr. Hardie said this is a $150 million project with many opportunities for local contractors. They are working with DC agencies to offer small business contracting opportunities. They are anxious to talk with those interested in such opportunities and will be making presentations to the Commission frequently as the project moves along. The first floor will include not only a grocery store but also a variety of other retail stores, so there are opportunities for local retail entrepreneurs also. They want to make sure that everyone has a fair opportunity to participate in the project.

Commissioner Moss added that the developers have met with the LeDroit Park Civic Association and the Pleasant Plains Civic Association. The project is located in Commissioner Anderson Holness’s SMD but borders on the SMDs of Commissioners Smith and Moss. All three Commissioners are collaborating.

Commissioner Thomas asked what participation in terms of jobs and retail space means.

Mr. Hardie said that there would be three forms of participation: (a) the design and construction of the facility; (b) local retail businesses moving into available space, creating jobs; and (c) jobs involving maintenance and operation of the building.

Commissioner Thomas asked whom should people be contacting and when should they be making contact if they are interested.

Mr. Hardie said that they were just getting started and had just signed the lease with Howard University last week. They are coming to the Commission now to get feedback and let people know what is going on. People who are interested can contact him or Mr. Kissler. They have been working with Commissioner Moss for four years and are very much present in the community

Commissioner Smith suggested that the developers follow the model of the Georgia Avenue Great Streets Initiative and have at least three different community working meetings to promote community involvement: one to deal with design, one to deal with financing and how local businesses can be involved, and a third meeting to bring all elements together.

Mr. Hardie said they planned to have many more than three meetings. He thought they would need maybe twenty-five meetings to keep coming back to the community as the project developed through various stages.

Commissioner Smith said that if there were twenty-five meetings, he would not be going to all of them, but he did hope that some of those meetings would be working sessions with the community focusing on how the community could be involved.

Commissioner Akinmboni asked what percentage of the apartments would be reserved for affordable or low-income housing.

Mr. Kissler said eight percent of the apartments, or about 32 units, would be affordable-low-income housing.

Commissioner Raia asked what the total number of units in the building was on which the 32 units were based.

Mr. Kissler said the exact number of apartments would be 445.

Commissioner Raia asked if they would all be rental apartments.

Mr. Kissler said yes.

Chairperson Nadeau asked for questions from the community.

Mr. Reggie Kelly of Sherman Avenue N.W. asked with what grocery stores the developers had been negotiating.

Mr. Kissler said they had contacted Giant, Safeway, Shoppers, ShopRite, and Fresh Fields.

Commissioner Smith asked if Harris Teeter had been contacted.

Mr. Kissler said Harris Teeter was not contacted because community feedback indicated that they were too expensive.

Mr. David Franco of 15^th Street NW asked if the design was “by-right.” Mr. Kissler said yes. Mr. Franco asked if any variances were required. Mr. Kissler said not yet. Mr. Franco asked if the design was conceptual or were there actual schematics. Mr. Kissler said they are still in the conceptual stage. Mr. Franco said there was concern about Eighth Street N.W. and how future housing revitalization would be affected by what appeared to be the back of a large retail strip, with a loading dock for a grocery store and other stores. Mr. Kissler pointed out that there were various restrictions on other alternative locations for the rear of the retail facility, and that Eighth Street NW was the only practical option. Mr. Franco said that he would like to encourage the developers to consider design alternatives that would allow Eighth Street to develop as a residential street.

Commissioner Smith pointed out that these are the questions that should be addressed in a community working meeting devoted to design issues. Such a meeting would have to be fairly long to significantly address these questions.

Mr. Jerry Schultz, 1913 12^th Street N.W., asked how many parking spaces would be provided in the building. Mr. Kissler said they were still working on the number; investors and lenders want as many spaces as possible, and D.C. planners and Department of Transportation authorities want as few as possible. The residential parking will probably be 0.5 to 0.75 spaces per unit. Retail parking is still in negotiation, but will probably be in the neighborhood of 150 spaces, for a total of 400-500 parking spaces.

Mr. Scott Pomeroy, 2035 13^th Street N.W., invited the developers to meet with the U Street Neighborhood Association on Thursday, October 8^th.

Commissioner Smith said that there is a lot of public transportation in the area of the development and traffic there is now very congested. He questioned introducing another 400 cars into the transportation mix on Georgia Avenue. Mr. Kissler said that investors wanted significant parking capacity to enhance the economic viability of the project, so they had to balance that against traffic concerns.

Commissioner Moss asked if the ground floor on the Georgia Avenue side of the building would be open.

Mr. Kissler said the front would be glass with as many doors as possible.

Design Review Applications and Design Committee Report

Commissioner Smith said there was no Committee report.

1412 Chapin Street N.W.

Commissioner Conklin said there was a proposal for a development at 1412 Chapin Street N.W. in her SMD. The proposal was from Dantes Partners. They do not yet have a hearing scheduled, but they have met with the Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association, which has voted to support the proposal. She said this particular block of Chapin Street has a number of abandoned buildings, and a lot of people in the community are excited to see changes in the area.

Mr. Jordan Bishop, representing Dantes Partners, introduced Jeff Goins, PGN Architects. Mr. Bishop said the proposal is for a 44-unit apartment building, which would be state-of-the-art, green-certified, and utilizing materials and technologies to enhance energy conservation. They will also be providing transit incentives. He said that, as Commissioner Smith had noted, there is abundant public transportation in the area. They will provide SmarTrip subsidies to all new residents. They will also provide memberships in DC SmartRide and 44 bicycle stalls. There will be sixteen parking spaces below-grade.

Comments by another representative of Dantes Partners were inaudible and could not be transcribed.

Mr. Bishop said that they have reached out to Mentoring Works 2 to provide apprenticeships and internships for neighborhood youth in architecture and construction.

Chairperson Nadeau asked if Dantes Partners was requesting a letter of support. Mr. ____said they were. She asked what specific relief, if any, they were requesting.

Mr. Jeff Goins said they were seeking relief from FAR restrictions, lot occupancy, and rear yard size. Relief from these restrictions would permit them to construct a building with a courtyard so that all units get lots of air and light.

Mr. ______ said the building is sandwiched on all sides and the big challenge is how to design it so that it competes on price but also stands out.

Commissioner Smith said he thought the design was very nice and well thought out, while providing units that were affordable. He commended the developers for their plan to provide Metro SmarTrip subsidies and suggested that they talk with some other developers about the need for these features, rather than so much parking.

Chairperson Nadeau asked for questions from the community.

Mr. Reggie Kelly said he liked what he saw and commended the developers for the apprenticeship/internship program, which he thought was a very important service to the community.

Mr. David Franco asked if the relief they were seeking was through the BZA or all through a PUD. Mr. _____ answered yes, all relief being sought is through the PUD. Mr. Goins added that they are not maxing out any of the requirements.

Mr. Franco asked what size units were planned for the building.

Mr. Goins said the total number of units is 44: 9 2-bedroom, four studios, and the balance 1-bedroom apartments. The size of the average 1-bedroom apartment is 700 square feet.

Mr. Franco asked if they had presented their design to community groups or the ANC especially regarding the materials they are using on the Chapin Street side of the building.

Mr. _____said they have met with Commissioner Conklin and the Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association, and had very productive meetings with them. They have also met with individual members of the community and the general reaction has been “thank goodness you are doing something with this lot.”

Mr. Franco asked what their timeline for the project was.

Mr. _____ said they are subject to how long the PUD process takes. They are hoping for approval in February or March 2010. This would give them ample time to develop the design. They are hoping to break ground in the fall of 2010. They filed their PUD application on Friday, September 25^th.

Commissioner Conklin moved that ANC 1B send a letter of support to the BZA supporting the application of Dantes Partners for a PUD, with specific support for relief for FAR, lot occupancy, penthouse and rear yard.

Commissioner Smith seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.

Liquor Licenses and ABC Committee Report

Commissioner Raia said there was no Committee report. He announced the ABC Committee would meet on October 21^st at 7:00 PM and asked Mr. Irwin to send out an announcement of the meeting, asking that anyone interested in attending contact him by October 15^th. The meeting location will be determined after October 15^th, depending on how many plan to attend.

ABRA 077350 - Bouche LLC - 1905 9^th Street N.W.

Commissioner Moss introduced Mr. Tony Lucca, co-owner and manager of Bouche. She said he is seeking a substantial change in his license, including an entertainment endorsement to permit music, operation of a rooftop deck, and an expansion of operating hours. Commissioner Moss said she has visited the business, which has been in operation for a year with no complaints or violations. It is a small, quaint restaurant with a good menu and price point. They have a good rapport with their neighbors and have met with the Westminster Neighborhood Association regarding their request for substantial changes. The rooftop deck is in the embryonic stage of development. They have just begun discussions with an architect. She has talked with Mr. Lucca about entering into a voluntary agreement and he is agreeable. She has given a draft agreement to Mr. Lucca and his attorney for review.

Mr. Lucca said that his restaurant is very small and intimate. They are hoping to take that same atmosphere up to a new roof deck. They are being very thoughtful about their approach because they do not want to change the nature of the restaurant, just add a different dynamic. They have a good rapport with their neighbors. The Westminster Neighborhood Association supports the expansion. Their landlord is involved with WNA and continues to give them feedback. They have sent an e-mail to the Association regarding the proposed changes and the e-mail responses have been favorable and supportive because the restaurant is one of the few places on 9^th Street that is what it is. There is no objection to extending operating hours to lunchtime. However, for the record, Mr. Lucca said that they have no intention of opening for lunch any time soon because it is not now economically viable. However, they are asking for the change in license so they have the option to open for lunch some years down the road when the Howard Town Center is open and the area has developed further. Regarding the rooftop deck, Mr. Lucca said it is in the preliminary stages. If they do decide to go forward, construction would begin after the winter. They have hired an architect, who has done a preliminary structural drawing and they have met with electrical and structural engineers. With regard to music, they now have live jazz on Thursday nights. They do not intend to have live music on the roof deck. They would have small speakers to transmit recorded ambient music playing in the downstairs restaurant to the roof deck. That would also be the case with the after-dinner business. There would not be any live music or anything loud.

Commissioner Muhammad asked what residents meant by saying that Mr. Lucca’s restaurant is one of the few places on 9^th Street that is what it is.

Mr. Lucca said that 9^th Street has a very interesting and eclectic mix of ethnic restaurants. On their block, between T and U Streets, most are Ethiopian, which everyone loves. His restaurant is very much a neighborhood restaurant with a different menu. People are surprised to find it is not Ethiopian. They welcome the additional diversity. His restaurant provides an alternative to the local neighborhood.

Commissioner Raia noted that Commissioner Moss had said Mr. Lucca was willing to enter into a voluntary agreement and asked if the Westminster Neighborhood Association had talked with Mr. Lucca about a voluntary agreement.

Mr. Lucca said he had discussed it with Commissioner Moss, but had not yet talked with the WNA. There have been e-mail exchanges and conversations with Mr. Lynn Johnson, their landlord, but the WNA has not approached them.

Commissioner Raia asked if they were planning to meet with WNA and tell them their business plan.

Mr. Lucca said that they did not attend the WNA meeting this past Tuesday because Mr. Johnson would not be able to attend. He had advised them to attend next month’s meeting.

Chairperson Nadeau asked for questions from the community.

Mr. Scott Pomeroy noted that the WNA boundaries stop at 9^th Street and he asked if Mr. Lucca had reached out to the residents of the 800 block of P Street N.W., who are not included in the WNA, but who would be affected by the proposed changes.

Mr. Lucca said they were still in the preliminary planning stage so they had not yet contacted residents in other parts of the neighborhood. They wanted to get the concept wrapped up and make sure they were going to go forward with the changes before engaging the broader neighborhood.

Chairperson Nadeau observed that the hearing date for the Bouche application is October 19^th, so they are not so preliminary. Mr. Lucca said yes, for the changes in the license.

Mr. Pomeroy asked if the license changes being requested did not apply to the proposed roof deck.

Mr. Lucca said they were changing their liquor license for occupancy and operating hours.

Commissioner Raia asked if they were applying for a change of license from C-R to C-T.

Mr. Lucca said he had misspoken. He did not mean they were asking for a change in the liquor license, just hours of operation, entertainment and roof deck.

Commissioner Moss said they have a C-R license.

Commissioner Raia asked if they were moving from a C-T to a C-R and would they have a minimum food requirement.

Mr. Lucca said they already had a minimum food requirement and that they now have a C-R license.

Commissioner Raia asked if they were then asking to change from their C-R to a C-T license.

Chairperson Nadeau observed that they are not asking for any change from their current C-R license to a C-T license. They are just changing their operating hours. She referred to the ABRA notice, and summarized their requests as: change of hours from Sunday-Thursday opening earlier at 11 AM. She asked if the entertainment endorsement is new.

Mr. Lucca said no, they were asking for a change in the endorsement so they could have recorded ambient music on the roof deck.

Chairperson Nadeau asked if the only thing that is new is the operating hours for the roof deck, or summer garden. Mr. Lucca said that was correct.

Mr. Pomeroy pointed out that Mr. Lucca was asking for a summer garden that would directly affect the residents of the 800 block of P Street N.W., but he had not talked with them about it. Mr. Lucca agreed. Mr. Pomeroy said that seemed like a major problem because this change would have an impact on those residents on a regular basis and he thought talking with them would have been one of the first steps to be taken.

Commissioner Moss said that communication with those affected residents would occur.

Commissioner Moss moved that ANC 1B support Bouche 1905’s request for substantial changes in its license conditional on adoption of a voluntary agreement between them, the Westminster Neighborhood Association and surrounding residents, that she be authorized to represent ANC 1B in negotiating the voluntary agreement, that the draft voluntary agreement would be circulated to all Commissioners, and that she and Chairperson Nadeau be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the Commission.

Commissioner Smith seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.

ABRA 082871 – The Brixton – 901 U Street N.W.

Commissioner Raia introduced Mr. Ian Hilton, representing The Brixton.

Mr. Hilton said he handles operations at Restaurant Marvin and the Gibson. He and his brother have been very interested in the building at 901 U Street NW and very saddened by its deteriorating condition. They succeeded in contacting the building owner and are now planning to establish a gastropub in the building. They would have a very substantial food component, similar to Restaurant Marvin. They want to have a roof deck. They have already hired PolySonic, a company that will help them make sure they do not repeat mistakes of the past regarding noise. They propose to have ambient music from speakers, similar to Bouche, and will be very careful about monitoring volume. They are applying for a C-T license but do not yet know the exact percentages. They plan to be very active with the neighborhood and are asking for the Commission’s support. He has been talking with Commissioner Raia for about a month while working on acquiring the building. He said that renovation would take a very long time. The building is in very bad shape. They have some conceptual drawings and must work with Steve Calcott at the Historic Preservation Review Board, which they are happy to do. They want to restore the building and make it a destination on the block.

Commissioner Moss asked if they planned to brew beer on-site.

Mr. Hilton said they would not do that, as it requires very expensive equipment. He said a gastropub is an English pub where food is a major component. The closes example he could think of was Commonwealth on Irving Street in Columbia Heights. The name Brixton comes from a neighborhood in East London, England, very similar to the neighborhood around 9^th and U Streets.

Commissioner Smith asked what kind of food would be served.

Mr. Hilton said the menu would include fish and chips. The menu price point will be reasonably low. The kitchen will operate until closing. Burgers, fries and food typical of a London pub will be featured. He added that they would enter into a voluntary agreement.

Chairperson Nadeau asked for questions from the community.

Mr. Tom Matha asked how large would the restaurant be.

Mr. Hilton said he could give the square footage for the building, which is 2,400 square feet on the first floor and 2,400 square feet on the second floor. The roof deck will probably be 1,600 square feet. The basement is unusable at this time, but could be 1,200 square feet, so the total for the building is about 7,000 square feet, of which 1,500 square feet will be for the kitchen and service areas.

Commissioner Raia said that he had been talking with Mr. Hilton and expected to speak with the WNA. Since they are a new restaurant, setting a specific food component in the voluntary agreement is not possible. They will wait six months or a year to see how the business develops before setting the food component of the agreement.

Commissioner Raia moved that ANC 1B support The Brixton’s application for a C-T license subject to a voluntary agreement, that he be authorized to negotiate the voluntary agreement on behalf of ANC 1B, with a draft to be circulated to all Commissioners for comment, and that Chairperson Nadeau and himself be authorized to sign the agreement.

Commissioner Muhammad seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted unanimously, 9-0.

Commissioner Lopez, who had been detained at work, introduced himself at this point in the meeting.

Grant Applications and Grant Committee Report

Columbia Heights Heritage Trail

Chairperson Nadeau referred Commissioners to materials circulated in advance of the meeting regarding the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail request for support by purchasing an ad in their launch event program book. She asked Mr. Irwin if he had been able to find out from ANC 1A what size ad they had purchased. He said he had not received a reply to his inquiry.

Ms. Elizabeth Holberg, representing Cultural Tourism DC, said that the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail would be unveiled on Saturday, October 24^th. The launch ceremony will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Speakers would include Councilmembers Jim Graham and Mary Cheh. From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, participants will be encouraged to walk the trail and discover the various neighborhoods of Columbia Heights. She distributed a map of the trail to the Commission. There will be music, and community residents will be at signs along the trail speaking about their experiences in the neighborhood. The event will begin at the new Columbia Heights Civic Plaza.

Commissioner Moss commented that it is great that we live and work in an historical city. Cultural Tourism DC has done great things and Columbia Heights is a great, growing bustling neighborhood. However, October 24^th is the date of the Howard University Homecoming Parade. She encouraged Ms. Holberg to communicate with Howard University representatives. The city is too small and there will be a logjam.

Ms. Mara Cherkasky, Cultural Tourism DC, said that the conflict in dates was not intentional. The Howard University parade came to their attention in a meeting earlier in the week. A member of the working group organizing the Trail and the launch even will be talking with Howard University personnel to encourage at least some alumni to participate in the Trail event.

Commissioner Muhammad asked if they had contacted specific Commissioners where the trail goes through their single-member districts.

Chairperson Nadeau said that they had done that with the last Commission.

Commissioner Muhammad said that he was talking about the current Commissioners who had part of the trail passing through their single-member districts and he wanted to know if they had been contacted or alerted in advance about the event.

Ms. Holberg said they had not contacted individual Commissioners.

Ms. Cherkasky said they had distributed the map at the last Commission meeting and all working group meetings during the planning process were publicized through e-mail listserves. Commissioner Muhammad said he was not talking about general publicity or activities that had occurred prior to January 2009. He was concerned about direct personal contact with him and other Commissioners whose SMDs had part of the trail passing through them and was asking whether that had happened.

Ms. Cherkasky said they had not contacted individual Commissioners, but had contacted two ANCs as a whole.

Ms. Holberg said she would like to distinguish between two different events. One is the launch event on October 24. The other is the planning of the trail, design and placement of signs, which was a process two to three years in the making. The request they were presenting to the Commission at this meeting was for the Commission to be part of and support the celebration of the trail opening by placing an ad in their program for October 24^th.

Commissioner Akinmboni said that Commissioner Muhammad was trying to explain to them that individual Commissioners whose SMDs included part of the trail should have been notified in advance of the celebration as a matter of courtesy.

Ms. Holberg noted the omission and said that she would be happy to talk with individual Commissioners after the meeting and provide more information.

Commissioner Thomas asked about the name of the Trail. She expressed confusion because she noted some of the trail signs were in Pleasant Plains and part of the trail passed through her SMD, which is part of U Street.

Ms. Holberg said the official name of the trail is Cultural Convergence: Columbia Heights Heritage Trail. She said the trail did include other neighborhoods. The story is about Columbia Heights. The working group defined where the signs should be and what the neighborhood is. She added that they are developing a Georgia Avenue/Pleasant Plains trail, which will intersect the Columbia Heights trail. The stories and neighborhoods intersect.

Chairperson Nadeau noted that the Commission had worked closely with the Trail working group when they made a presentation on the different trail markers and where they would be located. Not everyone now on the Commission was present at that time, but it was a great discussion and there was a lot of community input. She thanked Ms. Holberg and Ms. Cherkasky for the many stages of community input they had gone through while developing the Trail.

Commissioner Thomas said she still did not have an answer to her question, but she said she had always had a problem with where Columbia Heights ends and U Street begins, perhaps because she is from the old school. She said Columbia Heights was not the same as U Street or Pleasant Plains.

Ms. Cherkasky said they partly used the city planning office map, which puts the southern boundary of Columbia Heights at Florida Avenue. The southernmost marker is on Florida Avenue.

Commissioner Smith said he found that the trails tell a story from different points of view with interactions with different groups who call the same area by different names.

Mr. Reggie Kelly said that a lot of effort had been put into the planning and development of the Heritage Trail. He served on the working group and was involved in the development of the Georgia Avenue heritage trail. It was not an easy process. There have been many meetings. A lot of people have poured their hearts in this trail and he wanted to encourage the Commission to support that work. This will be a very joyous and diverse celebration. Mr. Kojo Nnamdi of WAMU-FM will be at the event.

Ms. Holberg added that Kojo Nnamdi would be the M.C. for the celebration. Local businesses are supporting the event. Commonwealth will be providing food and other businesses are donating water and juice for people walking the trail. Mr. Cosby Hunt, a teacher at the Columbia Heights educational campus, is on their board of directors, and some of his students will be volunteering and accompanying working group members at points of interest along the trail.

Chairperson Nadeau moved that ANC 1B support the Columbia Heights Heritage Trail with a quarter-page ad at a cost of $95.00.

Commissioner Raia asked what the ad would say.

Chairperson Nadeau said something along the lines of “Congratulations from ANC 1B.” She asked if Commissioner Raia might have some language to suggest.

Commissioner Raia said he was wondering if there was some usual language that would apply.

Commissioner Moss seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.

African-American Holiday Association

Commissioner Moss announced that she was introducing a grant application from the African-American Holiday Association for $1,000.00. She said this organization is a non-profit established in 1989. Their primary focus is entrepreneurial training for young people. They have applied for grants from the Commission in past years. She requested that the application be distributed to all Commissioners and reviewed at the November meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

Commissioner Lopez said that he would give the September Treasurer’s report since he was unable to attend the September meeting. Three checks were written in August:

James Irwin $1,236.96 for August 2009 wages

Bianca Body $400.56 for March, April, May 2009 wages

The Gregory Project $2,000.00 Grant 09-17

All checks were cashed.

In addition, Commissioner Lopez noted that in the September meeting the Commission approved James Irwin’s wages for September.

Commissioner Lopez moved that ANC 1B approve the Treasurer’s Report for September, 2009.

Commissioner Akinmboni seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted 7-0-1. Commissioner Smith abstained.

Commissioner Lopez presented the Treasurer’s Report for October. The current bank balance is $68,662.93. Two checks were written:

Greater U Street Historical Foundation $2,000.00

James Irwin $658.75

Both checks have been cashed.

Commissioner Lopez reported that the only expense requiring approval was James Irwin’s September wages of $887.01.

Commissioner Lopez moved that ANC 1B approve payment of James Irwin’s September wages of $887.01.

Commissioner Muhammad seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted 7-0-1. Commissioner Smith abstained.

Commissioner Lopez moved that ANC 1B approve the Treasurer’s Report for October,

2009.

Commissioner Moss seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted 7-0-1. Commissioner Smith abstained.

Commissioner Moss asked if the DC Auditor would permit reimbursement of transportation expenses when a Commissioner attends a Council hearing or other government function.

Chairperson Nadeau called on Mr. Gottlieb Simon, Director of the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, to answer the question.

Mr. Simon said that if a Commissioner is representing the Commission at a meeting, the expense is reimbursable.

Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Simon if a Commissioner attending a meeting only on behalf of his or her single-member district, and not as a representative of the full Commission, could be reimbursed for transportation expenses.

Mr. Simon said no, reimbursement was only for official Commission business.

Third Quarter FY 2009 Report

Commissioner Lopez said that all Commissioners had a copy of the report in their meeting folders.

He reported that expenditures were mainly for grants. Salary/wages were in the amount of $371.14. Grant expenditures totaled $13,585.00.

Commissioner Moss asked about the line item in the report for “Training.”

Commissioner Lopez said there was no 2009 budget allocation for training.

Chairperson Nadeau asked Mr. Simon how Commissions used training funds.

Mr. Simon said training funds could be used for anything relevant to a Commissioner’s role, provided that it is not otherwise available through the District government.

Commissioner Moss observed that most of the training the Commission might want to do would probably be available as a courtesy from the District government.

Commissioner Lopez said that any training expenses would have to be approved by the Commission before being incurred.

Commissioner Lopez moved that ANC 1B approve the FY2009 Third Quarter Report.

Chairperson Nadeau seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0

FY2010 Budget

Chairperson Nadeau said the budget was a blueprint. The Commission could go outside the lines of the budget, and it could be changed if the Commission voted to do so. The budget is really a set of guidelines for the year.

Commissioner Smith said he liked the idea of having different categories of grants. However, he did not like having all of the grant funds tied up in the two categories. That did not provide flexibility to do some of the things that might be proposed. He would like to see some grant funds uncategorized.

Chairperson Nadeau asked Commissioner Smith what things he had in mind.

Commissioner Smith said that the Commission does deal with some arbitrary things that come up that need to be done. No one can say that these projects will need $500.00. It might be $200.00. The Commission has made a grant in the past to a group that wanted to buy flowers to beautify their block and that came to $250.00.

Chairperson Nadeau said that making grants under the cap could be done.

Commissioner Smith said the proposed budget specifies five grants of $5,000 and ten grants for $500.00. That adds up to $30,000, which is the total grant budget. It does not state that there is any flexibility in those amounts.

Commissioner Lopez said that if the Commission goes over the budgeted amount, that would have to be approved by a vote of the Commission.

Chairperson Nadeau said it would be good to get people together who are interested in the grant process to have a good discussion about what they want grants to look like, and she would love to have that discussion. But what the Commission could do at this meeting was approve the budget, not necessarily with these numbers; they could be shifted around. After the grant discussion, the Commission could consider an alternative budget. The ten grants at $500.00 each was meant to be for things that come up like flowers for block beautification or ads. The big projects would be in the $5,000 grant category. The problem is that a budget cannot really account for things that come up because there is no line item for them.

Commissioner Smith said he was not saying that we do not account for them. He was suggesting that the $5,000 category be removed from the budget, leaving five $5,000 grants. That would be saying that the Commission would be funding five major programs and groups could go after those grants. He would leave the other $5,000 uncategorized. He was not sure that $5,000 would be enough to meet those smaller project needs.

Chairperson Nadeau said that the real problem was that the Commission needed to talk about the guidelines for grants and that had not happened yet.

Commissioner Akinmboni asked why the budget provided for $5,000 grants when the Commission had not yet set guidelines and everyone knows that we will not give out $5,000 grants.

Chairperson Nadeau said she was proposing that the Commission do make grants of $5,000.00.

Commissioner Thomas said that there had been a limit of $2,000 on individual grants, but there were good ideas and projects that would take more than $2,000. She asked why there was a restriction or limit of $2,000 on grants.

Commissioner Moss said that the limit had been established by Chairperson Hunter, and it was supported by Commissioner Spalding. It was a way to be prudent about expenditures.

Commissioner Thomas asked what happened to surplus funds that are not expended during the fiscal year.

Commissioner Lopez said the unspent balance is retained by the Commission and available for the next fiscal year.

Commissioner Thomas asked if it is not a question of use it or lose it.

Chairperson Nadeau said yes, at the moment, that is correct. However, she said she had had several inquiries. They must go before the Council every year and the Council has asked why the Commission has such a large surplus.

Commissioner Muhammad said that there were many constituents in single-member districts facing hardships. Councilmembers and the Mayor’s office get phone calls and e-mails asking for help. He said he thought the Commission could be more effective if it could help meet the needs that the Councilmember and the Mayor are dealing with. There are people who are facing eviction, who sacrifice a month’s rent for a utility bill or in the winter have to choose between heat and the rent. He would like to see funds allocated in the budget to deal with these needs.

Chairperson Nadeau said she did not think the Commission was permitted to spend funds in that way.

Commissioner Thomas asked if grants could not be given to organizations that do address these needs.

Chairperson Nadeau said she was glad Commissioners Muhammad and Thomas had made their comments and wanted to build on them. She said the proposed budget represented a vision of where the Commission could go in the next year. She said she had gotten a call from Councilmember Graham’s office last week saying that they were using all their funds to help people pay their bills and that the Commission had to help pick up the slack in the community. What the Commission could do is take a large sum and give it to groups in our community who have a vision and are doing good work. These organizations might propose an afterschool program or a job training program in the Commissioners’ neighborhoods, and show how that money will come back to the community, and fill in for non-profit groups that are cutting back or supplement the Councilmember’s office. These can be real transformative grants. She said her problem was that groups come to the Commission with one-time events. No one wants to say no, but she has very mixed feelings about handing out $2,000 for an event that happens over one day. Her idea was that grants would still be available to help groups with one-time events, but the amounts would be smaller. The bulk of the funds would be committed to these larger grants and the Grants Committee would take a very active role in vetting the proposals. There might be an open season where proposals are solicited, reviewed and a number of grants made at one time, with quarterly review afterwards. These ideas clearly required more time than the Commission had at this meeting, but that was why the two line items in the grant budget came out like that. She was thinking that maybe the Commission could approve the budget as a blueprint, and commit to really sitting down and working out the grant process in the next month or so, and vote on a whole new procedure for grants.

Commissioner Smith said he agreed with what the Chairperson was saying but his issue was that all of the grant funds were committed to two categories and there was no flexibility.

Chairperson Nadeau asked what other category of grants Commissioner Smith would suggest.

Commissioner Smith said he did not know and did not want to put the cart before the horse. As Commissioner Akinmboni had pointed out, the Commission is not ready to adopt new guidelines and the Grants Committee has to do whatever it needs to do. He did not want to specify categories in the budget until that work is completed. He thought there should just be a line item for grants with the amount of $30,000 and no categories.

Commissioner Lopez said that the two line items or categories would not be in the budget sent to the DC Auditor. The budget will be $30,000, and whatever the Commission wants to do with the $30,000 should be considered by the Grants Committee when setting the policies and procedures. There is no line item in the budget for the Auditor.

Commissioner Smith said he understood that, but he did not think the Commission should be so specific in its internal budget either.

Chairperson Nadeau asked how Commissioner Smith would want to do it.

Commissioner Smith said he would delete the line items for transformative grants and community organization support grants and just leave the budget as a lump sum of $30,000.

Chairperson Nadeau said she wanted to note for the record that she would vote against $30,000 worth of $2,000 grants for one-day events because she was very uncomfortable with that use of the money. If the Commission wanted to move forward with creative ideas, then she was on board.

Commissioner Akinmboni said that the budget would provide $30,000. How that money was spent would depend on what individual organizations proposed and whether or not the Commission approved. The Commission had approved a grant of $4,000 in the past because of the good proposal that was presented. What would the Commission do if it specified grants of $5,000 and ten organizations applied for that amount? Or twenty organizations? Would the Commission tell them they could not have it? The Commission should not commit itself to specific numbers until a policy has been determined.

Commissioner Moss suggested that the budget include language like “such sums as necessary” and avoid using specific numbers for the categories. That way, there would be flexibility and no commitment to rigid numbers.

Commissioner Lopez said that the two line items would not appear on the official budget which would go to the Auditor. It was up to the Commission to decide what to do with the $30,000.00. He said the Commission had not yet had a recommendation from the Grants Committee for policies and procedures to help determine what to do with the money. What are the criteria?

Commissioner Smith said there are guidelines and procedures in place.

Commissioner Lopez asked if the Commission is still going to limit grants to $2,000.

Commissioner Smith said the Commission could vote to make grants above the $2,000 limit if it wanted to. There were guidelines in place. That did not mean that they could not be improved. He had sat on the Commission and heard discussions about what the Auditor required and what the Commission had to do. Even if this document did not go to the auditor in this form, he was sure that sooner or later, someone would pull out this budget and say, “You voted to give five grants of $5,000 each.”

Chairperson Nadeau asked if the Grants Committee could commit to convene a meeting in the next month to discuss grants guidelines and criteria.

Commissioner Smith said that such a commitment had to come from others at the table, not just the Grants Committee.

Chairperson Nadeau said that there had not been a single meeting of the Grants Committee. She had been so hopeful about the Grants Committee.

Commissioner Smith said time is what it is. People had certain things, obligations. He reminded the Chair that Commissioners are volunteers.

Commissioner Thomas said that her comment was that the meeting needs to happen. The economy is bad and the Commission had money just sitting there. Commissioner Muhammad made a valid point. There are people suffering, and there is not enough money to go around. She could not get an answer to a question she asked about how to help kids who are trying to go to school and cannot afford a book bag or a bus ticket to get to college. She thought this Commission should commit themselves to do something, whatever the amount, for the kids in the community.

Commissioner Raia said he agreed with Commissioner Thomas. There is a grant process in place. If Commissioner Thomas or the Chair or other Commissioners want to support a group, then take the initiative, go to the group and have them submit a grant request, and the Commission will support the grant.

Chairperson Nadeau said she was really uncomfortable with the way the grant process works. She said, without identifying the group, that a group had come with an application, the presentation was very compelling, and the Commission had ten minutes to consider the request. She said she found out after the check was written that the person applying for the grant was under the scrutiny of the law. She said the receipts were gotten quickly because she got a tip. The Commission does not have a vetting process for these grants. The Commission hears applicants’ stories; they are all very heartwarming; the Commission writes a check. That made her very uncomfortable because these were government funds.

Commissioner Moss suggested that when the Grants Committee meets or the Commission meets as a whole that someone from the Auditor’s office be invited to attend to explain what the Commission’s jurisdiction is on dissemination of funds. She agreed that it would be good to be able to help a family pay their light or gas bills.

Chairperson Nadeau said that what the Commission can do is help organizations that help individuals in that situation.

Commissioner Moss said that while the basics are known, she does not know all that the budget could fund. She thought it would be good to have the Auditor come in and discuss this so that everyone was on the same page and effective guidelines could be developed.

Chairperson Nadeau called on Mr. Simon for comment.

Mr. Simon said the most important point is that Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are not primarily grant-giving organizations. Grant-giving is a permissible activity, but not a principal one. By law, ANCs are prohibited from giving grants to individuals or for personal subsistence. Grants may be given to organizations that serve social needs, but not to individuals.

Commmissioner Muhammad suggested, in reference to the hardships many are now suffering, that there were two organizations that would be good candidates for grants: the Columbia Heights-Shaw Family Collaborative and Mother Dear’s in LeDroit Park. Both do good work. Perhaps the Commission could give them a grant specifically to help the constituents of ANC 1B. A condition of the grant could be that the money must be allocated to assist constituents of ANC 1B only. As an example, if non-profit organization A had a grant of $5,000 from the Commission, Commissioners, the Mayor’s office, the Councilmember’s office could refer constituents of ANC 1B to that organization for assistance.

Chairperson Nadeau observed that if criteria were established, then there could be a reporting system to monitor how funds were applied. She suggested that Commissioners consider what organizations in their single-member districts could utilize grant funds to assist constituents. She also suggested that Commissioners go to the Commission website and review the document that outlines what the District Government permits an applicant to do with grant funds. Some of the brainstorming about this could be done on-line. Mr. Irwin could initiate an e-mail asking Commissioners to begin a dialogue about organizations that might want to apply. The Commission could then draft criteria and send out an e-mail asking for applications for the higher dollar amounts. Perhaps applicant organizations could be encouraged to collaborate in partnerships.

Mr. Scott Pomeroy said he wanted to reinforce Commissioner Smith’s earlier comments about partnerships. He said there are a lot of great resources in the community that are not getting fully leveraged. The Commission’s committee structure had the potential to pull in such organizations. He knew of a number of groups that would be very interested in serving on the Grants Committee and helping to shape the priorities for grants based on some of the resources they have available. The resources are there and there is great potential, but the Commission must provide the framework for these groups to apply their resources effectively.

Chairperson Nadeau asked if the Commission could approve the budget with a grant allocation of $30,000 and agree to spend the next month on e-mail working out criteria for the grants.

Commissioner Smith he agreed as long as the two grant categories were stricken from the budget.

Commissioner Lopez said that the procedures had to be revised by Commission action because the limit on grants is now $2,000.00.

Chairperson Nadeau agreed that the procedures had to be revised. She said that she had hoped the two grant categories would generate discussion, which they had done, and so she was happy to strike them from the budget.

Commissioner Raia said that his other concern about the budget was Mr. Irwin’s salary of almost $30,000.00.

Chairperson Nadeau asked if Commissioner Raia had read the explanation attached to the proposed budget.

Commissioner Raia said that it was his salary. He did not need to read an explanation.

Chairperson Nadeau said that she had written an explanation that explained the 25 hours per week.

Commissioner Raia said his concern was the $30,000. Did we need Mr. Irwin at $30,000 worth when we are trying to get money to the community? The Commission did not have someone working that many hours before.

Chairperson Nadeau said that the budget was developed with the idea that Mr. Irwin would usually work 20 hours per week, but that, with the start-up and move-in of the new office, it would be necessary to work some weeks as many as 25 hours. By providing 25 hours, the allocation avoids the possibility of a budget overrun. The allocation also allows for an increase because Mr. Irwin’s hiring discussions included a certain wage and the Commission came back very low on that. She said that she had come to the conclusion about budgeting that half the Commission would like all the money to go to grants and the other half would like all the money to go to staff support, and basically the Commission needed to come together in the middle. She thought that was what the proposed budget reflected.

Commissioner Raia said that, before the Commission hired Mr. Irwin, he had done research on finding someone to take the minutes, and that would not cost even $6,000 a year, so the budget proposal is five times that amount.

Chairperson Nadeau asked what $6,000 Commissioner Raia was referring to.

Commissioner Raia said that it would take $6,000 to get microphones in front of everyone and record the minutes verbatim as he had been requesting for the past two months, and then distribute them to the Commissioners. For $24,000 more, what are we getting with Mr. Irwin?

Chairperson Nadeau said that was a good question.

Commissioner Lopez said that Mr. Irwin was helping him.

Chairperson Nadeau said Mr. Irwin was helping all Commissioners.

Commissioner Thomas said Mr. Irwin was helping her.

Chairperson Nadeau asked if other Commissioners were getting help from Mr. Irwin.

Commissioner Raia said that the Treasurer was not doing anything except what he was elected to do and it did not need $24,000 to assist him.

Chairperson Nadeau said a lot of things were slipping through the cracks before Mr. Irwin was hired.

Commissioner Raia said that might be true for certain Commissioners but not for all Commissioners. No letter had slipped through his hands, so he did not understand what the Chairperson meant by a lot slipping through the cracks.

Chairperson Nadeau said there were a lot of operations that affect the Commission that are more than just letters. She said Mr. Irwin’s time sheets reflected that.

Commissioner Raia asked if the Chairperson was referring to Chair duties.

Chairperson Nadeau said yes, absolutely.

Commissioner Raia said then those were Chair duties, not Mr. Irwin’s duties.

Chairperson Nadeau said she was confused and did not understand how “shared duties” equaled “my duties.”

Commissioner Raia said he was talking about the duties of the Chairperson.

Chairperson Nadeau said no, she meant shared duties, the work shared among Commissioners who took on leadership roles. She said that those who assumed leadership roles should not have to assume all the grunt work that goes along with that. Most Commissioners had full time jobs. Half of the Commissioners could not get to the meeting on time because of their full-time jobs. She said Mr. Irwin did a very good job of detailing all of his work on the time sheets, and nothing he was doing was superfluous.

Commissioner Moss said that initially she had some trepidation about hiring staff given that the Commissioners are the elected officials, but she had found Mr. Irwin to be helpful for her responsibilities. Everyone had so many balls in the air, and it was really tough to do the work of a Commissioner without staff support. She had managed to do it until Mr. Irwin arrived, and she continued to do the lion’s share of what was required, but when she could delegate tasks to Mr. Irwin, she was finding it very helpful.

Commissioner Raia said that no one was saying that Mr. Irwin was not helpful.

Commissioner Moss said she was just stating that she had become accustomed to be able to delegate a project to him, and he had been responsive and expeditious.

Chairperson Nadeau said she thought having staff support made for a better Commission.

Commissioner Moss said she had been a naysayer originally, so she understood. And Washington DC is one of the most expensive cities in the country so people have got to be paid.

Commissioner Akinmboni said her problem is that the meeting announcement flyers that she received three days before the meeting had to be distributed to her SMD. She had been asking for this, but it had not been done.

Chairperson Nadeau asked Commissioner Akinmboni if she had seen the e-mail from Mr. Irwin regarding the distribution of flyers by CSOSA.

Commissioner Akinmboni said she had not seen that e-mail. She said she needed somebody to distribute flyers on her street and in her SMD.

Chairperson Nadeau said they had found someone to do that; the service would be free; all Commissioner Akinmboni had to do was tell Mr. Irwin where she wanted the flyers distributed.

Commissioner Moss said that the transition had not been easy. Kinks were still being worked out and adjustments being made to Mr. Irwin’s role, so she understood. Things had not been pristine on her side of the aisle either, but she thought that going forward all Commissioners could get what they needed.

Commissioner Muhammad asked about the allocation of $11,000 for meeting advertising.

Chairperson Nadeau said that number was just a placeholder. She was not advocating spending $11,000 to advertise the Commission meetings, but to cover all of the publications they wanted to use would cost $6,000.00 annually.

Commissioner Muhammad said there might be a better way.

Chairperson Nadeau agreed and suggested that the $11,000 be retained as placeholder, but that nothing be spent until the Commission had reviewed the advertising costs and agreed on a plan.

Commissioner Moss asked about the telephone and IT support budget: was it $700 per month?

Commissioner Lopez said that $700.00 was the total annual cost.

Commissioner Muhammad asked about the telephone/IT support budget. He said that savings might be possible in that area as well because many people now used cell phones and in DC government offices there were often desk phones that went unused.

Chairperson Nadeau asked Mr. Irwin to discuss the $700.00 cost.

Mr. Irwin said that the telephone and data line service would cost about $40.00 per month. This would provide at least three phone lines, two voice lines and one fax line, and data lines for computers. Mr. Irwin did not yet know if the office would have wireless capability. The balance of the $700.00 was an estimate for IT support fees. That cost will be charged to the Commission but the exact amount was not yet available. Mr. Irwin hoped that the estimate was high.

Commissioner Smith said that it was essential to have wireless capability in the office.

Chairperson Nadeau said if it were available, then the Commission would have it.

Commissioner Muhammad said that some DC government buildings already had wireless capability.

A member of the audience said that the Reeves Center does have wireless capability.

Commissioner Lopez moved that ANC 1B approve the proposed 2010 budget with the omission of the transformative community grant and community organization support grant categories and a general allocation of $30,000 for grants.

Commissioner Thomas seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted, 7-0-1. Commissioner Raia abstained.

New Business

Proposed Administrative Procedures for Grants

Chairperson Nadeau asked the Commission to review the draft of administrative procedures for grants, which Commissioner Lopez had circulated to all Commissioners.

Commissioner Lopez emphasized that these proposals were administrative and did not have anything to do with policy or criteria.

Chairperson Nadeau asked all Commissioners to review the draft and be prepared to consider it at the November meeting.

Commissioner Smith moved that the October 2009 meeting of ANC 1B be adjourned.

Commissioner Lopez seconded the motion.

The motion was adopted unanimously, 8-0.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.