Meeting Minutes
January 12, 20232, 7:30 pm
The meeting convened via Zoom at 7:31 PM. Commissioners Bender, Carney, Cohen, Denny, Ghosh, Gianinno, Hall and Quinn were in attendance.
Announcements / Open Forum– opportunity for members of the community to raise issues of concern or importance to the 3E neighborhood
Commissioner Bender introduced two of the new Commissioners Jeff Denny representing ANC3E05 and Rohin Ghosh representing ANC3E08.
An attendee reminded those in attendance that WMATA will be hosting an information session regarding their plans to purchase the former Lord and Taylor site. The meeting will take place on January 31 at 6:30 pm at the Tenley Library or virtually.
Michael Heinen with the Ft Gaines Citizens Association stated that the property at 3900 Nebraska Ave, is under contract with a residential developer and his group has concerns about the plans for the property. Commissioner Bender replied that if the purchaser’s plans are within the matter of right (MOR), the community will have no opportunity for input. But if they will be seeking any zoning relief they will have to come before the Commission.
As attendee asked about the status of the negotiations with GDS (GDS admitted at the November meeting that they violated it zoning order by increasing the size of their student body for two years before they met their traffic goals). Commissioner Bender replied that the ANC can go to the Zoning Administrator to seek enforcement, but the Commission suggested they make the development over the WMATA chiller affordable housing at 30% AMI. Russell Shaw is taking it back to their board.
At attendee representing the DC Preservation League stated they intend to file for historic preservation for the site at 3900 Nebraska Ave and that the property will be subject to the large tract review process and that the wetland space on that property will be subject to preservation under DC and federal laws.
Maria Barry Director of Community Relations at AU stated that they are starting to implement their 2021 Campus plan and they are starting work on the sports complex in the NW corner of the campus. The University is engaging with the neighbors on University Ave. Information about the projects can be found on their website and they will be holding a community meeting on January 26 at 6:00 PM on the East Campus.
Liz Sterling, manager at Tenley Friendship Library introduced herself and stated they will be making valentines for local seniors, they are starting a new program for adults who like to read teen books, they will have programming for Groundhog Day and will have a board game day on January 19. Details for all of these programs can be found on their website.
Commissioner Quinn stated that the Office of Planning will be accepting comments on the Wisconsin Ave Planning Draft through January 13.
Eric Goulet, State Board of Education representative for Ward 3, introduced himself. He stated that OSSE is updating their social studies standards and are accepting comments from the community. Also, they are prepping for their budget season and would like to address school overcrowding/the need for more facilities. He would like the Commission to pass a resolution urging the DC Government to purchase the former Whittle School site. Commissioner Hall stated that she would like to address school capacity with Councilmember Frumin.
Matthew Barclay one of 2 Ward 3 MOCRS introduced himself. He can be reached at 202-240-7843 or via email at matthew.barclay@dc.gov
Presentation by 2nd District Police
Lt McHauley Murphy introduced himself as the new police Lieutenant overseeing PSA 202 and provided an update on crime in PSA 202. He stated that there were no violent crimes over the last 30 days and some property crimes (a few motor vehicle break-ins and one motor vehicle theft). There was a problem with a homeless person who sexually assaulted three woman who were reading bible verses last month. He was arrested and released on January 4. In the past, he has refused all services offered to him. If he does get arrested again, they can remove his tent. Commissioner Bender asked if the police could try to help him find housing. Lt. Murphy said they could.
Attendees: Theo Wren, Ward 3 MOCR, has been working to try to get that encampment removed on Fessenden and thanked Lt Murphy for his work.
Commissioners asked:
- To have officers assigned to Tenleytown during rush hours to deal with illegally parked cars and kids smoking pot before school;
- how the community can be alerted about crime in the community. Murphy replied that MPD maintains a Twitter account and they post alerts to Next Door and to the 2nd District Google Group. Residents can also email him personally;
- if MPD officers participated in the removal of a homeless encampment in Ft Reno last month and if so, what was their role. Murphy did not know about that event but said that in general when they, they are there to ensure no crimes are committed;
- for traffic enforcement (illegal left turns) along Wisconsin Ave from Rodman to Tenley Circle.
- for increased patrols and enforcement on Nebraska Ave between Warren and 42nd Streets for people doing drugs in their cars and defecating along the street; and
- for more information about a gun discharge that took place near Jackson-Reed HS last month.
Lt Murphy can be reached via email at mchauley.murphy@dc.gov
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution regarding renewal application for Alley Cat at 5247 Wisconsin Ave, NW with endorsements for cover charge, dancing, and entertainment
Commissioner Bender informed those in attendance that the ANC does not normally take action for liquor license renewals (as opposed to initial applications) unless there are complaints about the establishment. He added that this is a new business that just opened but their license is up for renewal. There were no concerns raised by those in attendance or sent to the Commissioners ahead of the meeting, therefore the Commission took no action on Alley Cat’s liquor license renewal.
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution regarding proposed installation by Tenleytown Main Street of a bioretention project at Wisconsin Ave and Warren St.
Kyle Todd, Interim Executive Director for TMS stated that this project will take place along the sidewalk by the PNC bank on Wisconsin Ave and Warren St. Emily Trethewey with the Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) stated that this project will be funded by DOEE and it will be done wholly in public right of way. The plan is to remove the concrete and replace it with permeable pavers and add benches and a trench drain that will not affect traffic patterns. Their plans have been submitted for permits but they have not received comments back. They hope to have their permits by the end of April and have construction completed by the fall.
Attendees had no comments or question.
Commissioners:
- asked if it will extend the curb from the street. Trethewey replied it will not extend into the street;
- stated that the design of the project they just completed by Le Chat Noir is dangerous to both cars and pedestrians and asked if it could have reflectors added or have the curb painted in reflective paint. Trethewey stated that they plan add a small fence to protect pedestrians and they can put in temporary posts until the vegetation grows in;
- stated that it takes a while for traffic to adjust to changing patterns and stated bioretention projects are a good thing.
- stated there are a lot of these projects around the city and there are many hazards to pedestrians and that they have faith that people doing this for a living know what they are doing.
Commissioner Bender offered a friendly amendment to the draft resolution.
Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Denny seconded a motion to approve the amended resolution in support of the public space application. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
Presentation by and discussion with representative from Psychiatric Institution of Washington
Commissioner Bender stated that when we first discussed having representatives from PIW in to talk about issues with their facility, PIW was in ANC3E. Starting on January 1, PIW was moved to ANC3A but they are on our border and issues with their facility are still a concern to us. Bonita Bolden, Director of Community Relations stated they are putting processes in place to address community concerns about patients loitering in front of the building.
Commissioners:
- Asked if PIW has a contract with DC Government via the Department of Behavioral Health and if patients arrive via ambulance as part of that contract. Bolden replied that they do have a contract with DBH but not all patients are through DBH and that area hospitals transport patients to PIW.
- Asked if PIW provides assistance to discharged patients to return to their residence. The case management team works with patients to help them return to their homes. They are working on getting all transportation in place before the client leaves the premises.
- Asked if patients are given carfare to get back to their homes. Case management works with patients so they are not stranded.
- Stated they have received reports of vehicles blocking the sidewalks, visitors/patients loitering, trash in front of the building and patients in hospital gowns wandering the street and exposing themselves. Bolden replied that they are in the process of hiring a security company that will provide 24/7 security to the building and they will help address the concerns about loitering and transportation services that park on the sidewalk. They are working to extend the hours of their environmental services group to help address the trash outside.
- Asked if they can put in place a process to notify the nearby business if patients escape. If a patient escapes, they do lock the garage and will notify the nearby businesses.
- Asked if discharged patients can wait inside the building for their transportation. Bolden replied that if they are being picked up or if PIW made arrangements for them to leave, they can wait inside but some patients are given a token for bus fare then they leave.
- Asked how long the average length of stay is for patients. Bolden replied that patients for substance abuse disorders average 5-7 days and patients with psychiatric disorders average 7–10-day stays.
- Stated that we have had representatives from PIW here twice before and they are not sure why illegally parked ambulances are still a problem.
- Asked if they are the still the only facility in DC that takes arrested patients. Bolden replied that there is one other that takes them.
- Asked how many patients they care for. They are a 130-bed facility with about 25-30 beds for patients in police custody.
- Asked when the security company will come start. Bolden did not know but said they expect them to start soon.
Attendees had no additional questions.
Bolden stated that if there are any issues, residents can call her and there is an administrator on call 24/7
ANC Business
- Approval of December 2022 regular Meeting Minutes – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Denny seconded a motion to approve the Draft December 2022 Meeting Minutes. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
- Approval of expenditures – Commissioner Quinn moved, and Commissioner Bender seconded a motion to approve payments of $420.00 to Sherry Cohen for administrative services. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
- Election of officers – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Denny seconded a motion to approve the following slate of officers: Commissioner Bender as Chairperson, Commissioner Cohen as Vice-Chairperson, Commissioner Quinn as Treasurer, and Commissioner Hall as Secretary. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
- Adoption of 2023 draft meeting schedule – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Ghosh seconded a motion to approve the draft meeting schedule in which ANC3E plans to meet on the second Thursday of each month, except for August. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
- Adoption of 2023 budget – Commissioner Quinn moved, and Commissioner Bender seconded a motion to approve the amended draft 2023 budget. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
- Approval of security resolution – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve the security resolution. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
- Approval of an additional expenditure – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve payment of $50 for the security fund resolution. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
- Approval of 2023 Q1 Financial Report – Commissioner Bender moved, and Commissioner Quinn seconded a motion to approve the 2023 Q1 Financial Report. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0-0.
The meeting was adjourned by acclimation at 10:03 PM.