Meeting Minutes
June 11, 2026
7:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
The meeting convened via Zoom at 7:32 PM with Commissioners Bender, Cohen, Gianinno, Graff, Hall, Mitchell, and Quinn in attendance.
Chairman Bender opened the meeting by welcoming constituents and inviting announcements.
Agenda Item 1: Announcements / Open Forum for Members of the Community to Raise Issues of Concern or Importance to the 3E Neighborhood
Commissioner Bender invited announcements from the public about issues of interest or that that should be on a future 3E agenda:
- Owen Cox, MOCRS, announced upcoming District events, including:
- Capital Pride Parade will be held on June 20 at 3:00 p.m.
- BBQ Battle, sponsored by Giant, June 27-28, 2026, Pennsylvania Ave, between 3rd-7th
- Noah Getz (Tenleytown Main Street) announced the upcoming TMS event, Bastille Day, taking place on Saturday, July 11th, 2-4p at Fessenden Park. He also noted ongoing safety-related concerns in the neighborhood and appreciated the collaboration with the ANC, MPD, and the community and looks forward to speaking about with this group to address.
- A constituent expressed concern about why it took so long to get notice that the boil water advisory issued by DC Water on June 5th had been lifted on June 6th. The constituent said that she never received the notice of the advisory or that it had been lifted directly from DC Water. Owen Cox (MOCRS) and Leigh Catherine Miles (Office of Councilmember Frumin) indicated that they would follow up with her directly and with DC Water on the notification issues.
Agenda Item 2: Presentation by Second District Police
Commander Dorsey opened by expressing appreciation for the significant engagement from the ANC 3E community, stating that community input is extremely valuable in helping MPD respond effectively. He updated the community on current ongoing issues:
- MPD has increased its police presence in Tenleytown in response to recent crime incidents, including the two shootings in May.
- It also has increased enforcement efforts in the area including acting against an illegal cannabis operation out of Smoke Island, which was investigated over time and resulted in several arrests.
- MPD described an arrest made on June 11th involving an unhoused individual for indecent exposure, who has been moving around the Tenleytown area, and a court-issued stay-away order was obtained, which would allow for additional enforcement if violated.
- Commander Dorsey stressed the importance of calling 911 for all illegal activity, even minor incidents, explaining that calls help generate real-time responses and improve MPD data, which in turn leads to improved staffing and deployment decisions.
- He described ongoing collaboration with District agencies, including the Office of Encampments, to address encampment issues, noting that coordination across agencies is necessary but can take time. He described that plans were being discussed to organize another community walk with multiple agencies to address neighborhood concerns around encampments.
- He stated that investigations (including the Brady Flowers case and a subsequent shooting) are ongoing and that they are making progress, but he cannot share details.
- MPD encouraged residents to provide detailed tips directly to MPD if they have information and to follow MPD.DC.gov for press releases and information about road closures and other issues around the holiday period.
Constituent Comments / Questions:
- Noah Getz expressed appreciation for MPD’s engagement and reinforced the importance of calling 911, noting that even smaller incidents contribute to better coordination and response.
- Constituents raised concerns about persistent encampments, noting that individuals are often moved but return, creating a recurring issue.
- Questions were raised about the status of the Brady Flowers murder investigation and requests for updates on progress.
Commissioner Comments / Questions:
- Commissioner Bender thanked MPD for closing the Smoke Island operation and asked about a subsequent shooting; Commander Dorsey indicated progress is being made but reiterated that he is unable to share details about an ongoing investigation but said that the incidents are likely unrelated.
- Commissioner Cohen noted that the community is frequently asking about the lack of an arrest in the Brady Flowers case and highlighted ongoing concerns about encampments and expressed his appreciation for Commander Dorsey’s engagement and increased support.
- Commissioner Quinn raised concerns about reports of students hiding weapons near Jackson-Reed High School. Commander Dorsey indicated that K9 searches had been conducted around JRHS but did not find anything. He encouraged constituents to continue to report specific incidents or tips.
- Commissioner Quinn also asked about a recent incident involving a 14-year-old with a firearm in Friendship Heights, outside the Residences at Mazza. Commander Dorsey explained that investigations can involve coordination across jurisdictions and legal processes that may delay enforcement actions.
- Commissioner Hall and others emphasized that issues involving unhoused individuals require coordination with social services and should not be addressed solely through enforcement.
- Commissioners Graff discussed the importance of balancing enforcement with humane responses, as being unhoused is not a crime in and of itself, and emphasized the importance of emergency calls, including regarding medical situations, being taken seriously by all in the community.
Agenda Item 3: Friendship Place about the Services it Offers People Experiencing Homelessness
Faith Allen, Assistant Director at Friendship Place (FP) and Juanita Driver, Outreach Director, Miriam’s Kitchen (MK) presented about the support and services they provide to people experiencing homelessness in Ward 3 and specifically how they are supporting individuals in Tenleytown.
- Ms. Allen and Ms. Driver presented on their outreach model, emphasizing a “person-centered, housing first” approach. Services include meals, hygiene support, case management, mental health care, and referrals for medical services, with coordination across multiple wards.
- Outreach involves building trust over time with unhoused individuals, particularly those who are reluctant to accept services, and seeing results can take time. Part of their outreach is to help individuals to act appropriately within the community, in order build trust and rapport and then try and connect them to services.
- The presenters explained that some individuals decline shelter due to restrictions, such as not being able to have pets or family members with them, a sense of loss of autonomy, or prior negative experiences at shelters.
- The presentation highlighted the significant shortage of housing vouchers and shelter space in the District due to budget cuts, along with reduced government funding and the challenge of maintaining continuity of care when encampments are moved, which has frequently been the case in DC over the past year.
- Presenters described expanded outreach efforts, including coordination with behavioral health and public health teams to support individuals with more complex needs.
Constituent Comments / Questions:
- Constituents expressed appreciation for outreach efforts but noted that a small number of individuals remain difficult to engage and contribute disproportionately to neighborhood challenges, including illegal activity and sanitation issues which can bring rodents.
- Questions were raised about funding sources for FP and MK. The presenters noted that MK receives funding from the DC government (e.g., through DHS) and private sources and donations, while FP relies primarily on private funding.
- Constituents asked about volunteer opportunities and ways to support outreach efforts. MK has volunteer information on its website. FP supports youth volunteers and relevant information about volunteering is on the website.
Commissioner Comments / Questions:
- Commissioners asked specifically about the Tenleytown encampment and what additional steps could be taken to address persistent conditions, particularly because clearing encampments without more just moves the problem around for both the persons experiencing homelessness and the broader community.
- Presenters described the process as ongoing and complex, involving coordination with multiple agencies and continued efforts to build relationships that may eventually lead to housing placement. They are working to bring in more Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and other agencies, e.g., Public Health Corps, with more medical support and psychiatrists to build rapport and help engage the individuals.
- Commissioners expressed appreciation for the work of both organizations and interest in continued updates and collaboration.
Agenda Item 4: Mill Creek regarding issues associated with construction at former Superfresh site.
Peter Braunolhler and Steve Reid from Mill Creek presented a status update on the construction at the Ladybird development site (former Superfresh site) and how Mill Creek was responding to issues being faced by residents during the excavation phase.
- Mill Creek representatives stated that the project has completed the excavation phase—particularly challenging in the northeast corner which had deeper rock —and is now entering the concrete phase.
- The anticipated timeline includes a certificate of occupancy by September 2027, after which tenants (including Mom’s Organic Market) will begin interior build-out on the G1 level.
- The developer described efforts to respond to resident complaints, including conducting pre- and post-excavation surveys so they can compare issues against a baseline, visiting homes, documenting conditions, and offering repairs such as patching and painting cracks. They are working in good faith to respond to concerns from residents as they are brought to them.
- The developer stated that vibration monitoring data has been collected throughout construction and does not indicate impacts outside expected ranges.
Constituent Comments / Questions:
- Residents expressed confusion and frustration about the process for reporting damage and the lack of clear communication. Numerous residents expressed that the process for engaging Mill Creek and reporting issues or following up on a post-excavation survey is not clear.
- Concerns were raised that reported impacts extend beyond cosmetic issues such as cracks, including structural damage, water table effects, and cases where residents have temporarily vacated homes. Mr. Braunolhler stated that vibration data has been taken consistently and made available on their website and none of the data shows that vibrations were outside of the norm.
- Some residents stated they were unable to obtain pre- or post-construction surveys and expressed dissatisfaction with agency oversight. The Mill Creek team indicated they have not had any structural engineers come to residences because if pre-award surveys were not done, they will not have baseline data.
- Constituents questioned whether independent structural engineers would be engaged to assess more serious damage.
Commissioner Comments / Questions:
- Commissioners raised questions about accountability for damage and clarity around mitigation measures.
- Commissioner Bender asked Mill Creek if it could make a structural engineer available to check whether houses in which owners reported damage were facing structural threats or only cosmetic issues. Mill Creek agreed to do so.
- Commissioner Quinn raised the issue of community benefits that were of the MOU, including planned infrastructure improvements (e.g., HAWK signal, intersection upgrades). Mill Creek indicated that the HAWK signal has been approved by DDOT and that the work on the intersection improvements will start in Q2 and Q3 in 2027.
- Commissioners requested continued updates and suggested that the developer return to a future meeting to address community amenity issues.
Agenda Item 5: National Park Service Regarding Plans for Fort Reno Park
Brian Joiner and Christine Bruins of the National Park Service (NPS) presented the Civil War Defenses of Washington Plan Amendment, which includes Ft. Reno Park, to the community to share details about the plan and how it is intended as part of a larger effort to connect the Circle Parks with other bike lanes and paths in the city.
- The NPS is in the process of soliciting comments on the Civil War Defenses of Washington Plan Amendment. The plan will not result in any changes to the usage and the pattern of people using the park, DPR will continue to manage the soccer fields, baseball fields, and city tennis courts. The amendment represents no change to the usage of Ft. Reno Park. It would, however, foreclose new future uses that some have suggested over the years such as housing or a pool. The plan is focused on preservation and compatible use.
- Discussion included potential improvements to connectivity (e.g., bike and pedestrian pathways) and accessibility, including the improvement of the dirt pathway from Fessenden Street to Deal Middle School.
- The park’s historical and archaeological significance—including Civil War and Reno City history—was emphasized as a key factor in planning decisions.
Constituent Comments / Questions:
- Constituents asked about archaeological findings and potential constraints on future improvements.
- Questions were raised about maintenance of existing amenities and infrastructure, including water access for the baseball field. NPS indicated that DPR is responsible for maintaining and that there will not be any additions or rehabilitation of water pipes/access at Ft. Reno.
Commissioner Comments / Questions:
- Commissioners discussed balancing historic preservation with recreational use and the need for coordination among agencies responsible for park amenities.
- A resolution related to supporting the NPS plan at Fort Reno Park was moved by Commissioner Hall, seconded by Commissioner Gianinno, and approved unanimously 7-0-0.
Agenda Item 6: Presentation by DDOT about plans to install bike lane in the vicinity of 44th and Jenifer Streets
Greg Billing, DDOT, Bikeways Branch Manager presented an update on the immediate start of construction to install bike lanes at 44th and Jenifer Streets.
- DDOT presented plans to upgrade unprotected bike lanes to protected facilities to improve safety and connectivity with Maryland networks.
- Proposed changes include a two-way protected lane on Jenifer Street and reallocation of space on 44th Street, including removal of five parking spaces on Jenifer Street and 25 metered spots on 44th Street, and adjustments to bus areas/WMATA parking area.
- Work is expected to begin immediately, as early as June 12th, with weekday construction and some weekend activity.
- The plan will convert unprotected bike lanes on 44th and Jenifer to improve safety and connected to protected bikeways in MD
Constituent Comments / Questions:
- Residents asked about traffic signalization for cyclists, connection to future infrastructure on Western Avenue, and details of lane protection design.
Commissioner Comments / Questions:
- Commissioners expressed support for improved bike infrastructure and emphasized the importance of broader network connections, particularly along Western Avenue.
ANC Business
- Approval of May 2026 meeting minutes
-
- Bender moved to pass the May minutes as amended. Quinn seconded and the motion was approved by 7-0-0.
- Approval of expenditures:
-
- Check to Sarah Nugent for administrative services; Invoice #103: $478.33 covering May 14-June 10.
- Check to Sarah Nugent for expenses related to Domain Name renewal; $19.18
- Commissioner Quinn moved to approve, Commissioner Bender seconded, and the motion was approved by 7-0-0.
- Move July meeting to week of July 20th – July 21 and 22. It was agreed to move meeting to either 21st or 22nd, to be confirmed by email.
The meeting was adjourned by acclimation at 10:52 p.m.
/s/: Jon Bender
Prepared by: Sarah Nugent
Approved on: July 21, 2026
Attested by: /s/ Tom Quinn
Meeting Minutes_June11_2026_Final
Meeting Minutes_June11_2026_Final_Draft