Meeting Minutes
May 11, 2017, 7:30 pm
The meeting convened at 7:36 PM. Commissioners Bender, Hall, McHugh, Quinn and Wallace were present.
Announcements / Open Forum– opportunity for members of the community to raise issues of concern or importance to the 3E neighborhood
Commissioner Bender announced that the Commission is now live-streaming audio of meetings and posting the recordings to the anc3e.org website. He also announced that UIP was not ready to present their updated plans for 4620 Wisconsin Ave at this meeting; they expect to present their plans at the June meeting.
Ian Maggard, the Ward 3 Liaison to the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations announced the Mayor added $7m to the school budget and $1.3 billion for school modernization budget. The recent count of homeless residents showed a 10.5% decrease in homeless individuals and a 10.8% decrease in homeless families this year.
A resident, Deborah Srabstein talked about synthetic play surfaces (silica sand) at Turtle Park. She stated that she believes the synthetic play surfaces and synthetic turf planned to be used in the park are dnagerous. Commissioner Bender stated the Commission would like to have her back at a future meeting, where representatives from the city can be present to present rationale for their choice in play surfaces.
Presentation by 2nd District Police
Lt. Hill from the 2nd District provided an update on crime trends in the area. There were two violent crimes in PSA 202 the last 30 days, a 67% decrease this year over last year. There was a 115% increase in thefts this year, mostly at retail establishments and many of the thefts were closed with arrests. The MPD are seeing an increase in package and bicycle thefts. The 2nd District Police arrested 2 different groups suspected in thefts from autos. Questions were asked by attendees about enforcement of pedestrian safety and a robbery on Harrison St. Commissioners asked questions about traffic enforcement at different intersections around the neighborhood and MPD’s use of bait cars to catch auto thieves. Lt Hill announced will be participating in DC’s truck touch day on June 10 from 9 – 2 at RFK stadium. Hill reminded the audience that he can be reached via email at alan.hill@dc.gov with any questions or concerns.
Discussion of and possible vote on resolution regarding public space application by Muncheez for sidewalk cafe at 4600 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Muncheez, a Lebanese, fast-casual restaurant expects to open at the end of May at 4600 Wisconsin Ave at Tenley Hill. They would like to install an outdoor patio in front of the restaurant that will close at 10 PM on weeknights and midnight on weekends. Commissioner Bender moved and Commissioner Wallace seconded a motion to support the resolution for a sidewalk café for Muncheez. The motion was approved by a vote of 4-0-0 with Commissioner McHugh absent during the vote.
Presentation by DDOT of their traffic study in the vicinity of 41 St and Military Rd, NW
Emily Dalphy from DDOT presented their traffic study plan for the area surrounding 41st St and Military Rd. The study started in response to a resolution passed by ANC3E to see how diverters along Military Road were affecting traffic on 41st St. DDOT has hired a consultant to study traffic volume, speed, accidents, etc., and they would like input on community concerns. The study will take between 4 and 6 months and they expect to come back to the ANC at the end of the summer with a set of recommendations. An attendee stated he didn’t want resident’s access to the neighborhood impeded. Other attendees asked questions about: additional traffic from GDS’ new school; bicycle access at diverters; how aggressive driving will be addressed; the design of intersections; pedestrian safety; and the placement of signs. Commissioners asked DDOT to look at 43rd St between Military and Jenifer and the intersection of Belt Rd and Chesapeake St. They asked if bulb outs could be added to 42nd St while it is under construction. They also asked if DDOT could look at private school traffic from Maryland cutting through the neighborhood and if DDOT could extend the study to surround GDS.
Presentation by representative from People for Fairness Coalition regarding its initiative seeking installation of public restrooms throughout downtown DC
Marcy Bernbaum, a resident in the area and a representative of People for Fairness, a homeless advocacy group, gave a presentation of the lack of public restrooms in the downtown DC area. Elderly people, children, homeless, tourists, etc. need access to restrooms. There is a bill being reviewed by the DC Committee on Health to fund public stand alone toilets similar to those available in London or Portland, Oregon and they are trying to garner community support for their initiative. They are also hoping DC will provide incentives to businesses to open their toilets to the public. Commissioner asked where they would be installed, the cost to build and operate the toilets, and the zoning requirements and the relief required to install them. They hoped that businesses and the federal government could help fund the initiative. Ms. Bernbaum asked the Commission to consider sending a resolution in support of the initiative to the DC Council.
Discussion of and possible vote on grant application from Joy of Motion for a dance festival it plans to hold at Ft. Reno
At the last meeting, Julia Herman Cain presented a grant request for $2000 to support Joy of Motion’s dance festival at Ft. Reno Park on June 10 from 9 am to 3 pm. They have since amended their grant application to ask for $1960 for flooring under the tents. Commissioner Quinn moved and Commissioner Wallace seconded a motion to support the grant request. The motion was approved 5-0-0.
ANC Business
- Approval of April 2017 meeting minutes – Commissioner Bender moved and Commissioner Wallace seconded a motion to approve the March 2017 Meeting Minutes. The motion was approved 4-0-0.
- Approval of expenditures – Commissioner Quinn moved and Commissioner Bender seconded a motion to approve payments of $262.50 to Sherry Cohen for administrative support, of $30.94 to FedEx for copying services, and of $1960 to Joy of Motion for their grant request. The expenditures were approved 5-0-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 PM by unanimous consent.