ANC1B

Government of the District of Columbia

PO Box 73710, Washington, DC 20056

 

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

 

September Minutes

 

The regular monthly meeting of ANC1B was held on Thursday, September 6, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the True Reformer Building, Commissioner Moss being present as chair, and Commissioner Nadeau present as secretary. Other Commissioners present, Conklin, Smith, Spalding, Hammonds, and Akinmboni.

 

Commissioner Moss called meeting to order with a quorum at 7:05 p.m., and called for introductions.

 

Announcements & Officers Reports:

 

Commissioner Smith announced a pilot youth outreach program at Banneker High School starting this Monday. It will begin with 10 youth participants and there are hopes to expand.

 

Commissioner Nadeau announced a public hearing on the Alley closing related to the new YMCA development. It will be held Tuesday, September 25, 10 am at the John A. Wilson Building, Council Chamber, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Vegetarian Society of DC is offering courses on nutrition. The DC Department of Health, Nutrition and Physical Fitness Bureau is holding the fifth annual “Get Fresh” Festival on Saturday, September 8 at the RFK Stadium Open-Air Farmer’s Market, Lot 6, Oklahoma Avenue, & Benning Road, N.E. from 10-3.

 

Commissioner Conklin announced that developers at 1443 Chapin Street will present at the September 18 Meridian Hill Neighborhood Association meeting at 7pm at the Gringas Ecumenical Center on W Street. There will be an update and presentation on the Nehemiah project in November or December.

 

Commissioner Spalding announced that during next Thursday’s regularly scheduled Cardozo-Shaw Neighborhood Association meeting DDOT will be presenting on some upcoming major projects.

 

Commissioner Akinmboni announced the Fifth Annual Citywide Community Justice Advisory Network Forum on Thursday, September 27 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Gallaudet University Kellogg Conference Center.

 

Commissioner Moss announced that she will be convening a town hall meeting regarding the development of the WMATA parcel at 8th and U Street. At the recent PSA 305 public safety meeting it was announced that PSA 306 had been officially transferred to the jurisdiction of 2D and that 70 officers have moved to 2D to accommodate this change. There is ongoing community discussion related to issues of police continuity on U Street and 14th Street, which will now be split between 2D and 3D.

 

Minerva Sanders of the Prince Hall Masons Charitable Foundation announced that on Saturday, September 29 from 10-3:30 they will hold a blood drive and health fair.

 

Raymond Bell from ROOT, Inc. explained their efforts in working toward preventing gun violence in our neighborhood.

 

Mr. Norman announced a dinner in honor of Lawrence Guyot Thursday, October 4 from 6-10 pm at Navy Yard Banquet Hall.

 

The minutes for August were approved unanimously.

 

As part of the Treasurer’s report, Commissioner Conklin moved that the Commission approve the July 2007 Monthly Report with a closing balance of $82,148.28. Commissioner Nadeau seconded the motion.  The motion was adopted 6-0.

 

Commissioner Conklin moved that Commissioner Nadeau be reimbursed for secretarial expenses in the amount of $71.54.  Commissioner Spalding seconded the motion.  The motion was adopted 6-0.

 

Commission Business:

 

The Commission heard from developers at 2208 14th Street. They indicated they have full support of CSNA. Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commission support the application before HPRB. Commissioner Moss seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 6-0.

 

Commissioner Spalding explained that at 6 foot wooden fence at 1119 Clifton had been approved by DDOT Public Space without notifying the Commission or the Single Member District Commissioner or providing the information when requested. This has been an ongoing problem.  Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commission write a serious letter to DDOT Public Space explaining the situation and asking them to address this issue. Commissioner Moss seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 6-0. 

 

The Commission heard from the applicant for the curb cut at 1901 Vermont Ave. Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commission oppose the curb cut as designed, but that the Commission continue working with the applicant on the design and to resolve parking issues on this block. Commissioner Spalding was designated to represent the Commission on this issue. Commissioner Smith seconded the motion.  The motion was adopted 6-0-1 with Commissioner Akinmboni abstaining.

 

Commissioner Nadeau explained ongoing problems at 1417 Belmont street and moved that she be an additional designee on issues related to this and specifically the show-cause hearing for condemnation.  Commissioner Spalding offered a friendly amendment that Commissioner Conklin be added as well. Commissioner Spalding seconded the motion.  The motion was adopted 7-0. 

 

Commissioner Spalding gave an update on ongoing ABRA applications: Commissioner Moss is handling the late protest of the Columbia Masons and trying to work out a voluntary agreement; The owner of Queen Makeda has not been in touch and this will be mentioned at the roll-call hearing; the Smarta/Broadway hearing continues in October; Solly’s is now using its outdoor space; the Manchester Bar hearing was held; Axum’s voluntary agreement has been drafted but they still need a safety/security plan before the ANC will sign it; Vinoteca will have its hearing next month; the protest of Madjet will probably end in a voluntary agreement; 11 street market will go to full protest; 7 Days market will have the second part of its hearing September 25; Bouche has not yet communicated with Commissioner Moss on a voluntary agreement. 

 

The Commission heard from the Department of Employment Services regarding the many services they offer as well as a job fair that will be held September 20 at the Columbia Heights Community Center at 14th and Girard in partnership with Councilmember Jim Graham.

 

Commissioner Spalding explained that there is an ongoing case related to Commissions giving hand-delivered notice to establishments or property owners coming under review that would prohibit Commissions from making official decisions about any items that have not been placed on the agenda.  Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commission support ANC2F’s argument before ABC in reference to 61241-07/082P with Commissioner Spalding designated to write the letter of support and testify.  Commissioner Nadeau seconded the motion.  The motion passed 5-1-1 with Commissioner Smith dissenting based on not having had access to the legal document related to this motion and Commissioner Moss abstaining.

 

Commissioner Spalding presented information related to ABRA rulemaking on Roll Call Hearings.  This rule would allow ABRA roll-call hearings to be administrative instead of held before the board. This would streamline the process and allow more flexible scheduling.  Commissioner Spalding moved that the Commission support the proposal to make Roll Call Hearings administrative with Commissioners Spalding and Smith designated to represent the Commission on this issue.  Commissioner Smith seconded the motion.  The motion was adopted 7-0.

 

Commissioner Conklin announced that the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington had approached the DC government for financial support for their programs.  There is a Boys and Girls Club in her Single Member District that does great work for the community. Commissioner Conklin moved that the Commission write a letter of support to the City Council encouraging the DC government to fund the Boys and Girls Club request.  Commissioner Moss seconded the motion.  The motion was adopted 7-0.

 

Commissioner Spalding moved that he be designated to testify in support of Peter Feather as new chair of the ABC board.  Commissioner Moss seconded the motion.  The motion was adopted 7-0.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.