ADVISORY
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1B
Government of the District of Columbia
Columbia Heights / LeDroit Park
/ Shaw / University
Heights
2 September 2004,
True
Reformer Building, 1200 U
Street NW
Attending: Commissioners Guyot, Spalding, Thomas, Houston, Butler, Skinner, Esters
Absent: Commissioners Hammonds, Wilson, Wright
Quorum was achieved at 7:15PM. In the Secretary’s report Commissioner
Spalding stated that the grant application form had been modified to include
language suggested by Commissioner Skinner at the August meeting. ANC1B now has a voluntary agreement in
place with Sonya’s Market. The
Zoning Advisory Committee wants input on any difficulties with DCMR11, and we
will submit a copy of our language passed earlier in the year dealing with
withdrawals allowed under section 3113.10.
The U Street/Shaw/Howard University Transportation and Parking Study is
now underway, and public meetings will be held through the fall. Commissioner Guyot indicated that he
would make a motion to designate two people to serve on the committee. Election for ANC Commissioners will be
held on the November 2nd ballot, and a map showing the single member
districts was available. No one has
yet pulled papers for 1B07, and the deadline is Sept. 3rd. A list of people who have registered was
also made available. Further
information is available on the DC BOEE website. Minutes of the August meeting were
moved, seconded and adopted unanimously (6-0-0). In the Treasurer’s Report Commissioner
Esters reported that as of 8/31/04 we had a balance of $76,348.39, which
represents the working balance since we have two outstanding checks in the
amount of $8,000. Clearing this
past month were checks for Guild Printing for $550.00, secretarial reimbursement
checks for $28.01 and $242.11, and the grant check to the Lower Georgia Ave.
Business Development Corp. for $7,355.57.
Treasurer’s report was moved, seconded and adopted unanimously
(6-0-0). Treasurer also moved
secretarial expenses for August in the amount of $56.72, and it was seconded and
adopted unanimously (6-0-0).
Candidates were given time to speak to the Commission. Hope Tucker Stewart candidate for DC
Democratic State Committee At Large addressed the Commission. June E. Johnson candidate for DC
Democratic State Committee At Large addressed the Commission.
In Community Events and Announcements Commissioner Butler
stated that on September 18th there will be a rally to protest the
proposed plan to close the 14th St. Boys & Girls Club
and develop the site with condominiums.
Commissioner Guyot stated that on September 9th at Israel Baptist Church the NAACP will be sponsoring an at
large candidate’s forum. Scott
Pomeroy stated that the True Colors Theatre Company would be staging Langston
Hughes’ “Tambourines to Glory” at the Lincoln Theatre from September 11th
through the 26th. This
will hopefully be the beginning of major theatre staged at the Lincoln, and the
performance on the 11th will benefit Whitman Walker Aids Clinic and
the 14th and U Main Streets Initiative. A portion of the seats will be available
for those who would not normally be able to afford the performances. Chairperson Thomas stated that on
September 8th at 1:30PM there will be a celebration ground breaking
on the 1400 block of W Street. This
will celebrate the purchase of three buildings totaling 102 units of affordable
housing by the tenants.
Commissioner Guyot moved that ANC1B cosponsor the event regarding the
Boys & Girls Club on September 18th, and it was seconded. Commissioner Spalding asked Commissioner
Butler for an explanation of the nature of the event, which he had described as
a protest rally. Commissioner
Butler explained that the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club took over the
Metropolitan Boys and Girls Club.
The site of the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club on 14th
Street has been sold to a developer who wants to put
in condominiums. This will
incorporate a new space in the building for the Club. The new space will be much larger, but
the way that the negotiations have been done lacked any community
involvement. Commissioner Guyot
stated that representatives of the Boys and Girls Club had appeared before
ANC1B, and had been asked about their plans and had stated that they had no
plans on moving and would be there in perpetuity. When the community is not given
information about development that is a reason to rally. We had a situation very similar to this
recently when a developer moved into LeDroit Park and started putting up some
condominiums, and didn’t announce anything to the civic association or this
Commission. Commissioner Butler
added that in released documents the Boys and Girls Club was offered thirteen
million dollars for the right to build on the site, but as a result of protests
by the community the developer has brought down the offer to nine million
dollars. The President of the Boys
and Girls Club has been on WPFW and used language that was not well received by
the local community. She said that
in five or six years there will be no kids in the neighborhood and that they
would sell their rights to the condominium. Motion was moved and passed on a vote of
(5-0-1).
Developer for the property at 11th and T was not
present. Commissioner Spalding
stated that the developer had appeared at our previous meeting and asked to be
on the agenda. This is a small
development project in the historic zone that has run into complications. It is the site of an old gas station,
and in removing the tanks to make the site build able the developer has run into
a number of problems and wanted to share their ideas about the site with the
Commission. Commissioner Spalding
stated that he would talk with the Office of Historic Preservation and see if
this can be presented at our October meeting.
HPRB review of plans for development at 10th and V
Streets was introduced by Commissioner Spalding. This is our second review of conceptual
designs for the development of the First African
New Church that ANC1B had a part in securing
landmark status. There is a letter
from Tim Arnold the historic
preservation officer of the CSNA, and their committee has reviewed the new
designs and have recommended that ANC1B approve the conceptual design. Mr. Arnold also noted that one of the
concerns expressed by ANC1B in our previous meetings was giving public notice to
the history of the church, and that the developer had taken that suggestion to
heart and had included a number of ways to help illustrate the position of the
building in the community’s history.
Developer Tom Yockey said that they have held extensive talks with
community members, and that the redrawn designs incorporate the input from the
community. Architect Bill Bonstra
reviewed the changes that have been made to the design. The entry to the building has been moved
from 10th
St. over to V
St., and the church is
being treated as an infill façade on a residential street. In working with Steve Callcott the
aesthetic direction of building an abutting building was made, and the entrance
moved to V
St. The
original church building was on the corner lot, and when the new church was
erected it was abutting the original corner building. The common brick façade facing south on
the church indicates that its history is as a party wall. The new designs also show true
indications on the actual height of the existing church and the neighboring
development by Robertson Development.
The façade on 10th next to the church building has been
redrawn to be more sympathetic to the lines of the church building with vertical
bays and fenestration that echoes the church’s fenestration. The penthouse levels of the new building
have been pulled further back, but are contingent on BZA relief. The development team has met with the
adjoining neighbors to the east on V St., and have addressed the safety of the
construction on the existing neighbor’s building. Commissioner Spalding asked about the
fenestration on the east face of the new building, and Mr. Bonstra indicated
that by code the fenestration could not begin until twelve feet above the roof
line of the adjoining building, and that they would be at risk windows. There may be glass block fenestration at
lower levels, and fuller windows at the higher locations on the east face. The difficulty is in not presenting the
east façade as a blank wall, and this portion of the façade will be very visible
from the street. The condominium
sale documents will necessarily indicate that the windows on this façade are ‘at
risk’, and the design of these units will have to assure that the interior
design allows for the possible loss of these windows. Chairperson Thomas asked for the plans
to retain the historic sense of the church building, and developer indicated
that they would be placing a plaque on the church building itself giving the
history of the church building, an inclusion of art in the public space in the
new building illustrating the history of the church and the site, and possible
signage in cooperation with community historic signage. Chairperson Thomas indicated that she
had grown up on this block and had been a member of the church for fifteen
years. Commissioner Spalding asked
about the schedule of their presentation before the HPRB, and Mr. Yockey
indicated that they would be on the September calendar, and the BZA application
will be filed once HPRB conceptual approval is granted. Commissioner Skinner stated that the new
design is still to massive next to the church building. It just looks like all the developers
are just trying to see how many people you can stick in a building. Mr. Yockey responded that they are
following the Mayor’s directive asking for increased high density development in
transit oriented development sites.
Mr. Bonstra indicated that the height of the penthouse structure is
dependent on BZA agreement and the variance on residential recreation space, and
could possibly force a taller penthouse if elevator access to the roof deck is
required. They are attempting to
limit the influence of the penthouse structures, which will minimize the visible
impact on comparison with the church façade. Mr. Bonstra also indicated that they
have not designed any balcony spaces on the façade of the new building next to
the church façade to limit visual impact.
An historian with the development team reminded the Commission that the
most important thing in the community’s interest should be saving the church,
and that this proposal will save the building. The building is suffering from dangerous
neglect, and restoration is desperately needed at this point. The rhythm of the revised design fits
the historic context of the community, and is harmonious with the mix of
buildings in the neighborhood’s context.
Commissioner Butler asked about the arrangements for parking, and Mr.
Bonstra stated that they have parking access from the alley which they prefer to
curb cuts along the streetscape.
Currently there are eleven below grade spaces and three at grade
spaces. Due to the frailty of the
church structure they are not contemplating any excavation under the church
building itself, which in turn limits the space available for development of
parking spaces. Commissioner Butler
asked about the possibility of more parking, and developer responded that they
are researching a car elevator; however, the supplied parking meets the zoning
requirements. Commissioner Skinner
stated that he doesn’t want us to become like Georgetown, and that it’s irresponsible to not
provide enough parking spots for the number of units. It’s just how many people can we fit in
this building. Commissioner Guyot
stated that he was pleased with the presentation, and Callcott is going to make
them work with him. I like what I
see, and the changes are clear with an emphasis on the church, and I’m prepared
to vote for this. Commissioner
Spalding spoke to the parking, and stated that the zoning requirements for
parking in this development are one for three units. Commissioners Skinner responded that
he’s sure that it meets the zoning requirements, but it doesn’t pass the common
sense test. The zoning didn’t know
what we’re doing on U
Street, let’s do something different. Commissioner Spalding indicated that the
developers were limited by the community’s choice to landmark the church
building, which in turn has restricted the normal development options for the
design team. Commissioner Skinner
responded that this does not excuse the developers from designing a building
without enough parking in this densely inhabited area. Commissioner Spalding moved support of
the current design before the September meeting of the HPRB, and the motion was
seconded. Commissioner Guyot asked
to dissociate himself from the apology for us having this declared an historic
church. I want to completely
dissociate myself from that.
Commissioner Spalding explained that this owner was planning on
developing the entire site, which would have entailed losing the historic
building. The community moved
successfully to save the façade, and now the developer is working with the new
constrained situation to both develop the site and preserve the historic
façade. We have limited the use of
the site, and now are asking the developer to both restore the historic building
façade and to work with the limitations that preservation puts on the
development. Scott Pomeroy
commented on the parking for a building that will be only one block away from
the metro station, and the trade off is in the affordability component. To provide the additional parking will
be extremely expensive, and would probably be at the expense of some of the
units. I would rather see a greater
diversity in the housing stock, and we should not be building around the
suburban model based on everyone’s ownership of cars. I live just a block away and I have a
parking space, but I don’t have a car and rely on public transit and the now
available flex car rental system.
Commissioner Skinner stated that he had had trouble finding parking for
tonight’s meeting, and with all the building that’s happening parking is already
a problem. In the future it’s going
to be even more difficult, so what I’m saying is that approving a design that
inherently says we’re not going to be able to accommodate thirty units, and we
should demand affordable units regardless.
I don’t know how much money they’re going to make on this project, but
I’m sure they’ll make a handsome amount, and that’s not my business, but my
business is the impact on this community.
A neighboring constituent asked how they are going to access the parking
with just the ten foot alley available, and developer responded that below
Florida
Avenue in the historic district ten foot alleys are
the normal access. Thomas K. D.
Smith asked if the cornice line could be addressed by changing the color of the
materials above the cornice line of the church building, and developer indicated
that the historic guidelines suggest that the massing be no more than a storey
or so different from the affected building. In this design the cornice line responds
quite well to the existing lines of the church. Clyde Howard stated that this area below
Florida
Avenue is full of ten foot access alleys, and often
there is no parking available with historic residential buildings. I’m tired of people who don’t live here
proposing projects that will severely impact the already difficult parking
situation in our community.
Statistics show that one in three families have two cars, and
consequently your suggestion of fourteen spaces is just not adequate. Right now there’s a robotic parking
system located in Georgetown that has allowed further density in
parking. I think you should go back
to the drawing board and determine how you can add more parking. Commissioner Guyot withdrew his second
of Commissioner Spalding’s motion supporting the design, and Commissioner Esters
seconded the motion. Motion to
support was defeated on a vote of (2-3-1).
Consideration of BZA application No. 17218 was tabled to the
October meeting due to non attendance by the applicants. Commissioner Spalding described the
issues involved for the Commission.
The applicant had received DCRA building permits to turn a row house in
the historic district into two flats.
In the process of the renovations the applicant had exceeded both the
height and lot occupancy limitations, and now were seeking variances for the
excesses in the construction. It
should be noted that the Westminster Neighborhood Association is opposed to the
variances, and is seeking party status in the BZA hearing.
ABRA application No. 60766 for a new full Class A license for
Arena Liquor to be located at 2904
Georgia Avenue was introduced by its owner Fasil
Asnake. At the July meeting ANC1B
voted support for a stipulated license, and now he is back before the Commission
asking for approval of the full license.
Commissioner Skinner stated that since the approval of the stipulated
license he has been meeting with nearby business owners and that they had
expressed concern with possible loitering in the vicinity of the new
establishment. The positive
sentiment was that the building was currently vacant, and that occupancy of the
building would help the community.
Commissioner Skinner suggested that in response to community concerns
ANC1B consider a voluntary agreement addressing loitering, public nuisances and
other concerns voiced by local constituents. In researching the owner’s previous
location there are no known problems and it’s hoped that this location would be
operated in the same manner.
Commissioner Spalding asked if the Commission needed to protest the
application in order to get to the negotiations involved in a voluntary
agreement, and Commissioner Guyot stated that we need either a protest or a
history of violations by the applicant.
We don’t have either, and a voluntary agreement that does not include
these will not get my vote. The
voluntary agreement has replaced the 14e petition, and it’s being used in ways
that do not go to the ABRA guidelines.
Why would we even consider a voluntary agreement, and Commissioner
Spalding responded that it’s Commissioner Skinner’s SMD, and he’s responding to
the concerns of his constituents.
Commissioner Skinner stated that he’s sure the business owner has no
interest in having people loitering outside his store, but there are concerns
about what direction we want our neighborhood to be going and how we want new
businesses to operate in our community.
I do not want to imply that this applicant has any violations, and
speaking to the people downtown they said that he ran a great business. Commissioner Esters asked why the
Commission would have to wait until there are incidents to draft a voluntary
agreement, and why not address the concerns of the neighbors now. My SMD is adjacent to this location and
I’ve done some polling of people in the neighborhood and many of them are very
concerned about the location of a Class A license in this location. Some of the business owners on my side
of the street don’t want it located there.
Commissioner Guyot stated that what we should not do is succumb to what
is syllogistically simple but logistically deadening. We had an argument on a place very near
here, someone came in here when Glen
Melcher was sitting in your chair and said ‘we don’t have a
problem with this place, but we have a problem with the place down the street
being developed, and we see this as the camel getting its nose under the
tent’. In our responsibility in
dealing with each case on its merits that we don’t make the mistake of setting
an example with this gentleman. If
there’s discontent anyone has the right to protest. Commissioner Spalding said that the
voluntary agreement that Commissioner Skinner had drafted with the owner of
Sonya’s Market represents a document that is not difficult to do business under,
the terms address specific constituent concerns but do not appear to be
burdensome to the business owner. I
think an agreement of this type shows concern for both the residents and the
business owner and provides the Commission with documentation of our
concern. Commissioner Guyot
responded that the voluntary with Sonya’s grew out of complaints, and
Commissioner Skinner stated that it had grown out of constituent complaints and
concerns. With the history of
liquor stores on Georgia
Avenue there is a concern held by members of the
community, and for the benefit of the community we need to address those
concerns and saying that the Commission is taking active steps to assure that
those problems will not return.
Commissioner Esters stated that we have an opportunity to address the
concerns of our constituents, and they are very concerned with a liquor store
coming into the neighborhood. A
voluntary agreement would help us address those concerns, why should we wait
until something happens and then try to address it? Let’s try to address it now, let’s make
this part of the agreement—loitering, trash, noise, non alcoholic items that are
sold, single items. Let’s do that
now, and we can go to our constituents and say ‘yes, we now have a liquor store
here, but that liquor store is to operate under these agreed terms’. Scott Pomeroy stated that additionally
the Commission’s secretary takes amazing notes at all of these meetings, and
some of the commitments that are made in this context can be part of the
process. The voluntary agreement is
unenforceable when dealing with loitering, but significant issues like adequate
lighting and adequately maintained trash receptacles. Make sure that the issues addressed in
the voluntary agreement are those that the business owner has control of and is
in agreement with. A resident of
Harvard
Street who owns a property just behind the liquor
store, and since we learned of the business we are opposed to it. There is and will be a protest. There are already problems associated
with the location proposed for this store which immediately impact a number of
residences behind the store. There
is currently a terrible trash problem in the alley behind the store, and there
is an ongoing problem with drug use, sales and loitering. We are trying to control these problems,
but we just think that adding a liquor store will aggravate the situation. We also want to let you know that when
the Commission approved the stipulated license two months ago no one knew of the
plans for a liquor store in this location.
There was no placarding and no notification to abutting owners. Jeff Jennings indicated that there is a
great deal of community opposition to the location of the liquor store, and that
the community sentiment is that the surrounding community is already saturated
with similar establishments, and I’m wondering why you are considering this
location and whether the applicant had considered any other type of retail
establishment in this location.
Chairperson Thomas asked for clarity in regard to our previous approval
of this license, and Commissioner Spalding responded that we had voted to
support a stipulated license for this applicant at this location, and that
tonight we were considering the merits of a full Class A license. Under the ABRA guidelines if an ANC
approves a stipulated license the establishment is granted a trial period that
can be withdrawn if there is a protest of the licensing, and tonight we are
considering the transfer of this license to the location on Georgia Ave. Commissioner Guyot stated that he cannot
vote for a voluntary agreement, but I think there’s a majority on this
Commission to do it. Ethically I
can’t do it. I will watch the
Commission draft this voluntary agreement, and I will support the agreement, and
I will oppose any challenges brought against this gentleman. Commissioner Esters stated that when we
considered this license two months ago there was no placard on the building, and
the resident’s concern that they did not know that a liquor store was going to
be considered for this location is correct. Also, at our meeting two months ago I
asked if you found that there was significant community opposition, would you be
willing to work with the neighboring businesses and residents. In my travels through the neighborhood I
haven’t found anyone who was aware that there were plans for a liquor store, and
also no one who would admit that they had talked with you or knew your
intentions. Commissioner Skinner
responded that he had taken the owner to meet other local businessmen. We also need to do a better job of
getting the community involved in the agreement. There is a difference between concern
over a liquor license and how our community is policed. A well run liquor store will not
necessarily add to the public safety concerns, but an empty building probably
will. My business is located in a
spot that was once a crack house, and now that it’s occupied by a business is
adding to the community. We’re not
going to improve Georgia
Avenue policing by refusing to allow this man to have
a liquor store. Having vibrant
businesses along the corridor will do more to address the issues of crime, and
his store can be part of that as long as he abides by the rules established by
the community. Commissioner Skinner
moved that ANC1B support the application of Arena Liquor for a Class A license,
conditioned on a voluntary agreement being reached addressing unlawful
activities taking place surrounding the business and inside. Commissioner Spalding asked the
Commission if when we support a license and simultaneously ask for negotiations
towards a voluntary agreement what will ABRA’s response be. The normal procedure is to protest and
then go into a period of negotiations, and Commissioner Guyot clarified that we
would be presenting to ABRA a letter that a voluntary agreement is being
negotiated, and that we are supporting both the application and the content of
the voluntary agreement.
Chairperson Thomas asked if Commissioner Skinner would be working with
the community protesters, and Commissioner Skinner agreed that he would work
with protesters in both his SMD and Commissioner Esters SMD. Motion was seconded and adopted in a
unanimous (7-0-0) vote.
ABRA application No. 60810 of the Saloon located at
1205-7 U
Street for renewal of a CR license was introduced by
Commissioner Spalding. This is a
business that has been in the community for a long time, and has been an active
participant in community affairs, and there are no known ABRA violations. Owner was present and explained that the
business was originally located in Georgetown, and had moved to U Street in the
90’s. Commissioner Spalding moved
support for renewal of the CR license for the Saloon, and it was seconded and
unanimously supported (7-0-0).
ABRA application No. 32018 of Twins Jazz located at
1344 U
Street for renewal of their CR license was introduced
by Commissioner Spalding. This is a
relatively new business for U Street that has provided jazz on the upper storey
of a building on the west end of the 1300 block of U Street, and they appear to
have been a happy addition to the mix of businesses on U Street. There are no known ABRA violations or
complaints from constituents. Owner
was present and indicated that they were happy with how the business was doing,
but were currently having some difficulty with parking with the loss of the
space now occupied by the Ellington.
Commissioner Spalding suggested that the owner work with the
14th and U Main Streets Initiative in addressing ongoing commercial
concerns like parking, and introduced the owner to Scott Pomeroy. Commissioner Spalding moved approval of
renewal of the CR license for Twins Jazz, and it was seconded and adopted
unanimously (7-0-0).
ABRA application No. 60828 for the White Rabbit Café for a
new CR license and a stipulated license to be located at 2045 14th
Street in the new Metropolis Langston Lofts building
was introduced by Commissioner Spalding.
The owner was present and stated that they would be occupying a large
space and would be a combination of restaurant and bookstore, to which
Commissioner Guyot replied ‘that’s enough I’m ready to vote for you.’ The bookstore will concentrate on
politics similar to Politics and Prose combined with a café and restaurant. The restaurant is designed to be
affordable and conducive to regular patronage by residents of the
neighborhood. There will be
community space in the design.
Commissioner Spalding asked about the applicant’s other businesses, and
applicant responded that he also owns Mimi’s American Bistro and the Luna Grill
in the Dupont
Circle area.
Applicant stated ‘I thought the Dupont Circle Association was tough but
you guys are something’. Barbara
Menkart will be helping design and run the bookstore, and Commissioner Guyot
responded ‘you’re just too well wired.’
Applicant stated that they are a progressive business
operation that returns hundreds of thousands of dollars to charitable
organizations, and I want to be part of the U Street community. Commissioner Spalding stated that we
have an open Commission spot in 1B, so where do you live? Chairperson Thomas asked about the
employment opportunities for local citizens, and applicant said that he will be
bringing one or two experienced managers from his other venues, but that he
would be hiring thirty to forty people and he will advise the Commission when
those jobs are opening up.
Applicant stated that they would be open for breakfast, lunch and
dinner. Applicant was asked if they
were open late, and applicant responded that in one of their other restaurants
they do have an active late night crowd, but that he’s not a bar person but
rather a restaurant person.
Commissioner Spalding asked about live entertainment, and applicant
stated that he only envisions poetry readings at this point. I’m also going to be restricted since
I’m in a condominium building, and I’m sure that they’ll be even tougher than
you guys. Commissioner Esters asked
about the timing of the opening, and applicant responded that he is projecting
an opening in the Spring of 2005.
Commissioner Spalding asked if he was really going to call it the White
Rabbit Café and applicant responded that he was currently planning on calling it
Busboys & Poets in homage to Langston Hughes. Commissioner Spalding moved support of
both a stipulated and a full CR license for application 60828, and it was
seconded and adopted enthusiastically and unanimously (7-0-0).
Grant application from the Faircliff Plaza Tenant Association
was introduced by Shiela Abney-Minor.
This grant of $2,000 would go towards purchasing school supplies for
fifty elementary and junior high school students whose parents have been
identified as not having the financial ability to provide the needed
supplies. Treasurer Esters
requested that an itemized budget be developed for the grant request. Last month we gave over $7,000 to the
Georgia Ave. Association for school
supplies for students in 1B, and request that Commissioner Skinner be addressed
to see if this can be covered under the same grant. Commissioner Spalding stated that it’s
hard to be against funding school supplies, but here we have a targeted
population in one location, and we just had Commissioner Skinner’s grant doing a
similar activity in another location, but what happens in other areas that may
have similar needs? If this is the
pattern we are going to follow, then wouldn’t it be more logical to work with
the school system in identifying those in need and hopefully serve all of those
needing help in 1B’s area? I also
worry about a parade of these requests, and if we’re giving out forty dollars to
each student what are the limits of our capacity to serve our constituents in an
equitable fashion. Chairperson
Thomas responded that Commissioners Esters and Spalding were on the right path,
and that there will still be even needier students in 1B who won’t have school
supplies. Chairperson Thomas asked
Commissioner Skinner if there was a way to incorporate the list of students from
Faircliff in the Georgia
Avenue grant.
Commissioner Skinner responded that the school systems don’t work, so I’m
not going to go anywhere near letting them get involved. Second, we have a responsibility to our
constituents that will not be met with the $3,000 for Georgia Avenue Days. I think if we could ever put together
the money to serve all of the students in our area that would be a better
goal. I think anything we can do
for the kids is an ounce of prevention, so this is not our monies it’s the
people’s monies and they’re saying we should use this money for something that
can really benefit everybody and that’s little jo jo and ray ray being able to
read and write. Commissioner Butler
stated that in this request the children have been identified as being in
need. Commissioner Guyot stated
that he works in the schools, and he sees the children come to school, and he
wants to see this Commission do anything possible for the schools. We only deal with people who come, they
have come and followed the rules and are prepared to give us a good budget, and
they’ve got my vote. Commissioner
Spalding reasserted his concern with giving help to specific groups of students
at the possible expense of others in need, and the unbound parameters of
continuing to purchase school supplies beyond the capacity of our budget to
provide for serving all such needs in 1B.
Chairperson Thomas stated that no one from her single member district has
approached ANC1B for funds in the past six to seven years, so why not coordinate
with the schools and the social service agencies to identify the needs and then
have the Commission fund supplies that reach all of the areas of 1B. Scott Pomeroy mentioned that there are
now two tax free periods for the schools, I’d love for this Commission to
provide seed funding that would allow us to then get other monies to fund needs
in this community. Why not use
these periods and state that during these periods we’ll be doing a fund drive
for ANC1B for school supplies so that we can leverage as many dollars as we can
out of this community for our kids where it’s really needed. Commissioner Guyot responded that that
is a grand plan, but the issue before us now is these fifty students who have
made a claim, and we’re elected to do what’s best for this city, and if we
facilitate the advancement intellectually and emotionally of fifty kids, may the
Lord bless us and may all our enemies die.
Commissioner Guyot moved that we appropriate the $2,000 contingent on a
budget that spells out how each scintilla of this amount will be spent, and it
was seconded and approved on a vote of (6-1-0).
Commissioner Butler introduced a grant application for
$3,500 for football helmets for the Parents Association aligned with the Boys
and Girls Club. This will be used
to equip 75 kids participating in a youth football program. Chairperson Thomas asked if this is the
same group asking us for money who we’re protesting for not supplying the
details of their development plans, and Commissioner Butler responded that this
is not the Boys and Girls Club but the parents association that tries to provide
for the kids at the Boys and Girls Club.
Commissioner Spalding asked for a clarification from the Treasurer
regarding the purchase of athletic equipment, and whether we have to keep
control of the equipment. Treasurer
Esters indicated that he did not see anything in the grant guidelines. Commissioner Skinner added that it’s a
grant application and all that has to be promised is that the equipment will be
reused. Commissioner Spalding asked
about the problems ANC1B had with the grant to DC Taekwondo and their request
for equipment, and Commissioner Skinner replied that in that case the uniforms
were not reusable. Commissioner
Guyot stated that if we want to approve this we have to make sure that we know
who is in charge of the equipment, and who maintains control of the
equipment. Commissioner Guyot moved
that we support the application, and that we designate the constructive owner as
Commissioner Butler. Commissioner
Spalding added that he had spoken with representatives of the Howard University
National Youth Sports Program to which we had given a large grant earlier this
year, and that they had indicated that they have a lot of equipment that is
available for youth programs.
Treasurer asked that an itemized budget be amended to this application
and be a part of the motion, and it was accepted as a friendly amendment. Motion was passed (5-1-1).
Commissioner Guyot offered a resolution supporting the
Mississippi Democratic Party Anniversary.
Congressman Thompson from Mississippi
has introduced a concurrent resolution in the House commemorating the Mississippi Democratic
party’s desegregation of the democratic party, moving it from a segregationist
party, and it names the participants.
I ask that the Commission support the resolution and communicate our
support to the City Council and urge them to support it’s passage in the House,
and communicate directly to the House and to the author our support for this
resolution. The actual language was
passed out at our last meeting, and I think I’ve adequately summarized it for
the Commission. Motion to support
was moved, seconded and adopted in a unanimous (7-0-0) vote.
Meeting adjourned at 9:33