Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A

 

Monthly Community Meeting                                   Minutes                                             January 23, 2008

 

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson, Timothy Thomas, at 7PM, in the auditorium of Luke Moore Academy. A quorum was established by call of the roll. 

 

Roll Call by Commissioner Angel Alston

Commissioner Sandi Washington                                  Commissioner Patricia Roberts

Commissioner Angel Alston                                          Commissioner Cynthia Reid

Commissioner Mary Currie                                           Commissioner Timothy Thomas

Commissioner Shirley Rivens Smith                               Commissioner Jhaz Phifer

Commissioner Janae Grant                                            Commissioner Robert King

 

Agenda

·   There was a silent invocation initiated by Commissioner Currie.

·   Gottlieb Simon opened the ballots for 5A07 to open at 7PM and close at 8PM. There was some discussion regarding the time the ballots would close. It was motioned by Commissioner Smith and seconded by Commissioner Grant to move the close time to 8:30PM. The motion passed by voice vote. The candidates were given two minutes to speak; only Carolyn Steptoe and Robert Artisst spoke.

·   It was motioned by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Currie to accept the agenda. Commissioner King motioned to amend and include the agenda with the Election of SMD 5A07; it was seconded by Commissioner Smith. The motion passed by voice vote. 

·   It was motioned by Commissioner King and seconded by Commissioner Thomas to accept the minutes with any necessary amendments. The motion passed by voice vote. 

 

Nomination of Officers

It was motioned by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Currie to declare all seats vacant in order to start the voting process. The motion passed by voice vote.   

Janice Booker served as the facilitator and counter for the election.

 

·   Chair – Commissioner Thomas nominated Commissioner Alston, seconded by Commissioner Currie.

Commissioner Smith nominated Commissioner Grant, seconded by Commissioner Grant. The motion passed in favor of Commissioner Alston with 6 – 3 – 1 abstention.

·   Vice Chair – Commissioner King nominated Commissioner Currie, seconded by Commissioner Thomas. Commissioner Smith nominated Commissioner Grant, seconded by Commissioner Grant. The motion passed in favor of Commissioner Currie with 5 – 4 – 1 abstention.

·   Recording Secretary - Commissioner Grant nominated self. Commissioner Grant was elected by acclimation upon no more nominations. 

·   Corresponding Secretary - Commissioner Thomas nominated self. Commissioner Thomas was elected by acclimation upon no more nominations. 

·   Treasurer - Commissioner Thomas nominated Commissioner Washington. Commissioner Washington was elected by acclimation upon no more nominations. 

·   Parliamentarian - Commissioner Currie nominated Commissioner King. Commissioner King was elected by acclimation upon no more nominations. 

 

Correspondence – Commissioner Alston announced the vacancy of SMD 5A05 and that in March we will hold the election. Commissioner Thomas announced the ABRA hearing that was pushed back from Jan. 2nd. There were no committee reports.

 

SMD Reports

5A-01, Commissioner Sandi Washington            – no reports

5A-02, Commissioner Patricia Roberts               – no reports

5A-03, Commissioner Angel Alston                   – received notice of $7.5M Food Bank Grant and attended the ribbon cutting back in Dec. 2007. The Khonivan homes progress is doing well, they are in phase III with 32 townhomes complete.

5A-04, Commissioner Cynthia Reid                   – no reports

5A-05, Commissioner Angel Alston spoke on behalf of the development at the Old Way Baptist Church at 13th & Michigan Ave., a DCRA permit is needed.

5A-06, Commissioner Mary Currie                    – the Cardinal’s Nest is seeking to accommodate 12 people for an outside terrace. The number of occupants is a concern for the in/outside. They are still in debate with Mr. Green (owner) and will keep us informed. The next meeting agenda will be on the overview of DPR next month at Turkey Thicket.     

5A-08, Commissioner Timothy Thomas              – the North Michigan Park recreation center is in the final stages for the playground.

5A-09, Commissioner Shirley Rivens Smith        – The next meeting will be at HSC at 6:30PM on the 2nd Wednesday of the month with the PSA meeting to follow at 7PM.

5A-10, Commissioner Jhaz Phifer                       – no reports

5A-11, Commissioner Janae Grant                     – The Eclipse Nightclub and Restaurant was approved their license for another three years, and the next meeting will be on 3rd Tuesday at FPCS at 6:30 to find out what the businesses in the area are doing to support the community.  

5A-12, Commissioner Robert King                    – received notice of the BZA for Fort Lincoln and will follow up.

 

Invited Guests:

Mr. Bobby Stanford - owner of Bobby Q’s at 3301 Kearny St. solicited business and support. He used to be a detective in the Library Branch. His lifetime dream was to own a barbeque establishment. He provided menus and specialties. The kitchen will close at 10PM with hours from 12PM – 11PM going towards a 7-day schedule with carryout.

 

Ms. Jefferson - from the Public Service Commission announced the Utility Quality of Service Hearings on February 7th and 9th held by Councilmember Cheh pertaining to Pepco, Verizon and Washington Gas only and provided handouts.

 

Councilmember Harry Thomas - swore in elected officers and addressed the community. Regarding the tragedy of our children, the cases are closing out quicker because these are people that know each other. We will be having conflict resolutions meetings with the Peaceaholics. It takes community intervention and it begins with everyone of us in this room. We will also be targeting our government workers that live in Ward 5 to get more involved. There will be a Healing Ceremony on Sunday, January 27th at 2PM at Turkey Thicket to deal with the aftermath and memory of Talisha Ford, who was killed a year ago.

 

School property should remain as the public’s asset. The reform of schools should equalize the schools. Thanks to 5A for stepping up and being involved in the discussion for schools.

 

Leadership Summit this Saturday, January 26th and we’ll have our Economic Summit at CUA, again this year.

 

Clinton LeSueur – from the Mayor’s Office announced getting stop signs erected by the entrance of DMV for the pedestrians’ crossing at Saratoga. His number is 202-671-0727 or 202-340-7141.

 

Community Concerns

·   Call 311 instead of 727-1000 for city services and 911 for emergencies.

·   Ex Offenders at 1030 Kearny St. DCRA is investigating and Councilmember Thomas made 10 cite visits.

·   Small Business Tax relief is on the way to our neighborhood businesses.

·   Stop sign at Sargent Road & Emerson St. still needs to be addressed. Working to have some grant money to aid the issue.

·   Check IDs at Turkey Thicket for security concerns and collect payment from people outside DC. Mr. William’s will be facilitating the process and there should be a fee in 2008 for a card swipe system.

·   Camp slots need to freeze for DC residents before we open to outsiders and expand the period.

 

Announcements

·   The next Commission 5A Meeting will be Wednesday, February 27th at Taft at 7PM, encourage your neighbors to come out.

·   Friends of Taft – will be hosting auditions on Tues/Thus from 5PM – 8PM for the Fashion and Talent Show on February 29th.

·   Michigan Park Civic Association meets 1st Tuesday of the month at 715 Bunker Hill.

·   Brookland Civic Association meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

·   Congratulations to Don Padou who won the election for SMD of 5A07. He said he will try to do his best and his contact information is 202-832-4038 or oulton56@yahoo.com.

 

The meeting adjourned at 9PM.

 

 

Janae Grant

Recording Secretary