Monthly Community Meeting -                               Minutes                                  January 28, 2009

 

Chairperson Angel Alston, called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM, in the Metro Transit Police Department District 1 Marlon Morales Building. A quorum as established by call of the roll.

 

Roll Call by Commissioner Janae Grant

Commissioner Sandi Washington                                           Commissioner Patricia Roberts

Commissioner Angel Alston                                                   Commissioner Philip Blair

Commissioner Herman Preston                                               Commissioner Stephen McCoy                     

Commissioner Carolyn Steptoe                                              Commissioner Timothy Thomas        

Commissioner Shirley Rivens Smith                                       Commissioner Janae Grant

Commissioner Robert King                                                    Commissioner John J. Feeley, Jr.       

 

                                                                                               

Agenda

·    There was a silent invocation initiated by Commissioner Alston. Paul Washington, public servant and tireless community worker, was remembered at Commissioner King’s request.

·    It was motioned by Commissioner King and seconded by Commissioner Preston to accept the agenda. The motion passed by voice vote. 

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

 

Correspondence – There were no correspondences. There were no committee reports.

Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr

·         The councilman commended the commissioners for their support of the Gantt, Nelson, Smith and Wilson families in the aftermath of the house fire on Jackson Street.

·         He also counseled all present to insure that there are working smoke alarms in their homes.

·         He reminded all of the change of date for the councilman’s Leadership Summit which will be on Saturday, 2/7/09.

·         The councilman is particularly concerned about what may be happening to Backus Junior High School and will keep the community apprised.

·         The councilman presented Commissioner King with a resolution from the City Council commending the commissioner for 38 years of dedicated service to the District of Columbia.

He can be reached at his website www.harrythomas5.com or by email at hthomas@dccouncil.us or at 202-439-5103.

Invited Guests:

§    Officer Lucas – MPD/ PSA 405 – Theft from auto is up in 5A.

§    Residents in Emerson Park reported that when they called 311 dispatchers told them that they were not on the global positioning grid. Officer Lucas reported that they would be on locator maps with the 911 operator.

 

Election of Officers

It was motioned by Commissioner Alston and seconded by Commissioner King 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 King nominated Commissioner Alston, seconded by Commissioner Preston. Commissioner Alston was elected by acclimation upon no more nominations. The motion passed in favor of Commissioner Alston with 10 -0- 1 abstention.

·    Vice Chair – Commissioner Riven-Smith nominated Commissioner Grant seconded by Commissioner King. Commissioner Steptoe nominated Commissioner Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Preston. The motion passed in favor of Commissioner Grant with 10-2-0 abstention.

·    Recording Secretary – Commissioner King nominated Commissioner Roberts. Commissioner Rivens Smith nominated Commissioner Feeley. Commissioner Washington nominated Commissioner Steptoe.   All three declined the nomination. Commissioner Feeley reconsidered and accepted the nomination of Commissioner Rivens Smith, it was seconded by Commissioner King. The motion passed in favor of Commissioner Feeley with 11-0-1 abstention.

·    Corresponding Secretary - Commissioner King nominated Commissioner Roberts. Commissioner Washington nominated Commissioner Rivens Smith, who declined. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Preston. The motion passed in favor of Commissioner Roberts with 10 -0- 2 abstentions. 

·    Treasurer - Commissioner Rivens Smith nominated Commissioner Washington seconded by Commissioner King. Commissioner Washington was elected by acclimation upon no more nominations. The motion passed in favor of Commissioner Washington with 12 -0- 0 abstention.

·    Parliamentarian - Commissioner Grant nominated Commissioner King seconded by Commissioner Preston. Commissioner King was elected by acclimation upon no more nominations. The motion passed in favor of Commissioner King with 11 -0- 1 abstention.

·    The councilman officiated at the swearing in of officers. 

 

SMD Reports

§    5A-01, Commissioner Sandi Washington, offered no report at this time.

§    5A-02, per Commissioner Roberts- William "Billy" Lofton made his transition on Tuesday, January 27th and he will be missed. I would appreciate that you announce my phone number 636-7173 to the audience if they have any questions/concerns.

§    5A-03, Commissioner Angel Alston: Emerson Park, a new residential development has opened on Emerson Street. The Capitol Area Food Bank Building is being demolished. The commissioner has requested that a fence be erected to protect the property during demolition. The commissioner gave Councilman Thomas a tour of the site to consider development issues.                     

§  5A-04, Commissioner Herman Preston: The commissioner will hold his first single member district meeting of the year on Wednesday, February 11, at 6:30 PM in St. Catherine Hall at Providence Hospital. This will be an organizational meeting. The commissioner is looking to reorganize the SMD after 18 months with no commissioner. He can be reached at 529-9471, or at his e-mail address: 5A04@anc.dc.gov.

§  5A-05, Commissioner Stephen McCoy: The commissioner noted the new development in his SMD with the opening of the Paul Frum Public Education Center in the former Brady Hall. The Center contains two public charters, the Potomac Lighthouse Public Charter and the Yu Yin Chins Immersion Public Charter. Increased traffic is a community concern. The commissioner will hold his next single district meeting in conjunction with Commissioner Feeley on Monday, 2/9/09, at 6:30 PM at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center. He can be reached at 529-0722 and by e-mail at 5A05@anc.dc.gov. In response to a question from Commissioner Thomas, the commissioner identified two other schools in the Varnum street cul de sac: the Scrilli School and the Jesuit Academy.

5A-06, Commissioner John J. Feeley, Jr.: The commissioner commended the councilman on his speedy action in responding to community concerns about plans to put in place built medians on 12th Street between Otis and Michigan. The councilman’s meeting with DDOT has brought about a stop work order and further study of this matter. The commissioner proposed the following resolution:

Whereas the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration has charged Brookland Restaurant Inc. t/a the Cardinal’s Nest with five violations of the alcoholic beverage regulation code, including serving alcohol to persons under the legal age, selling liquor not for consumption within the said establishment, and permitting the sale of side drinks on two separate dates, 3/28/08 and 8/28/08, and

 

Whereas the Brookland Restaurant Inc. t/a the Cardinal’s Nest has broken provisions of their voluntary agreement with residential neighbors in nine instances as observed by ABRA investigators on three different dates, 3/28/08, 5/17/08, on 6/22/08, and

 

Whereas the residents of 5A06 voted 18 to one in support of revocation of the Cardinal’s Nests ‘s license at a single member district meeting on January 12, 2008,

 

We, the Advisory Neighborhood Commission for 5A, support the revocation of the liquor license of said Brookland Restaurant Inc. t/a the Cardinal’s Nest on January 28, 2008.

 

The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Blair. The chair reported that she received a phone call from a representative of the Cardinal’s Nest just prior to the current meeting requesting an opportunity to represent that institution’s case. She proposed tabling the resolution until such a presentation was made. On a vote by hand the commission voted to table the resolution, with 11 voting to table the resolution and one abstaining.

 

Commissioner Feeley also announced his intention to put forward a resolution concerning the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan at the COW meeting set for next week.

§  5A-07, Commissioner Carolyn Steptoe: The commissioner commended all those who reached out to the bereaved families connected with the Jackson Street Fire. She particularly praised the work of the pastor of  Guildfield Baptist Church. The commissioner encouraged everyone present to testify at the Council Hearing on the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan coming up at 3:00 PM on February 10 at the Wilson Building. She expressed concern about the effect on current residents, especially on the elderly, as well as the ecological effects of the development proposed in this plan. The commissioner reported that neighbors at 12th and Kearney Streets are concerned about the reopening of Bobby’s Q and its application for Liquor license renewal. The hearing concerning this application will be February 5th. Mr. Gilbride , a neighbor, is legally protesting this reapplication. Mr. Stanford and Jessie Brown, former owner of Cup of Dreams, are involved in the new venture. The mayor has called for bids for lease of the Slowe School building. MANNA Inc. is interested in leasing the site for use as a multi-use development: school, office and residential. The former commissioner for 5A07, Don Padou, has taken forward his law suit against DDOT to force the department to use allocated funds for utility undergrounding. A public hearing is coming up on 2/4/09 at 10:00 AM, courtroom 316, DC Superior court.

§  5A-08, Commissioner Timothy Thomas: The commissioner held the first SMD meeting of the year last week at the Hospital for Sick Children. Captain Mark Jones of the Metropolitan Police, Councilman Thomas, and Bruce Goldman from the Hospital for Sick children spoke.

§  5A-09, Commissioner Shirley Rivens Smith: Dollar Tree is coming to Eastern and Michigan Avenue. The second Wednesday of the month is always the SMD meeting for 5A09. For the first 2009 meeting, the councilman joined the SMD residents. This year the commissioner has taken the goal of educating residents on the services provided by various city agencies throughout the year.

§  5A-10, Commissioner Philip Blair: The commissioner presented several pending issues. Woodridge Civic has asked the commission to look at developments at 20th and Rhode Island. A new club, Lace, has opened in the SMD. The community is watching how it will be managed. Traffic calming measures are being contemplated for the SMD: traffic humps. The commissioner is particularly focused on working with the city foresters. The commissioner also encouraged the commission to consider the resolution being circulated by commissioner Feeley concerning the Brookland/CUA Metro Small Area Plan, which involves Commissions 5A, B and C.

§  5A-11, Commissioner Janae Grant: The first SMD meeting of the year was held at Friendship Charter School. Councilman-at-large Kwame Brown was in attendance. The goal for the SMD is to meet with all the At Large Councilmembers. The plan for Rhode Island Avenue Development is coming out in the near future. Two liquor license renewals are on application. The commissioner encouraged all present to attend PSA meetings.

§  5A-12, Commissioner Robert King: The commissioner reported that Costco at Fort Lincoln is on hold. The commissioner can be reached at 427-2655.

 

Visiting City Officials:

Mr. Howard Weyes from District Department of Transportation: DDOT will be soliciting input on the North Capitol Street Cloverleaf study to consider what should happen in this area the size of Dupont Circle. Among the considerations that he mentioned were a more urban model for this area and some thought about monumental gateway elements appropriate for this entrance point into the city. Commissioner Rivens Smith reminded the commission that they voted against a joint transportation study to be sponsored by Commissions 5A and 5C.

 

Persons of Interest: Jesse Brown assured those present that Bobby Q’s would be an establishment similar to his other 12th Street business, Cup of Dreams, designed to serve the community.

 

Mr. Cristaldo from Manna Inc. introduced himself and stated that Manna’s plans for Slowe School included office space, residential as well as space for the charter school currently in residence.

 

Ms. Ellena __________, the manager from the Cardinal’s Nest, stated that she looked forward to an opportunity to present a defense of that institution to the commission, particularly to describe the community contributions made by the Cardinal’s Nest to the Ward.

 

Ms. Alice Thompson, the Mayor’s representative, shared her contact information with those present.

 

Mr. Anthony Hood from BZA was recognized.

 

Chair Alston adjourned the meeting at 9:06 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by

John J. Feeley, Jr.

Recording Secretary