SPECIAL NOTICE: Due to space availability issues, the April ANC 2F regular monthly public meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, April 10, 2014, 7pm at the Washington Plaza Hotel. Subscribers to ANC 2F’s email list will receive additional reminders about the date change.
COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Commissioner Linn announced his resignation as Commissioner for Single Member District (SMD) 2F03 due to an upcoming move to Columbia Heights. Linn reflected on his fifteen months of service as the 2F03 Commissioner, and spoke fondly of the learning experiences gained while working on crime, public safety, and education issues. He thanked his constituents for their support and lauded ANC 2F residents for their activism in improving the neighborhood. Later in the meeting, Commissioner Raymond moved to adopt a resolution thanking Linn for his service; the Commission unanimously (7-0) adopted the resolution.
- Commissioner Raymond announced an upcoming special election process for two vacant ANC 2F Commissioner seats that will run concurrently. Petitions for the two vacant seats (Single Member Districts 2F03 and 2F08) will be available on Monday, March 10. Please read the March 6 blog post for more information about the special election process.
COMMUNITY FORUM
- Sherri Kimbel of Councilmember Jack Evans’ office noted that due to the recent snowstorm, many residents trash and recycling was not picked up last week. Residents are advised to bring in their recycling from the curb until collection next Tuesday so as not to be fined. Update: trash collection has since resumed its regular schedule.
- Councilmember Evans has co-introduced legislation with Councilmember Mary Cheh that will make it easier to fine residents and businesses who do not shovel snow from the sidewalks in front of their properties, pursuant to current D.C. law. Under the proposed legislation, businesses will be fined more than residents, and allowances will be made for senior citizens.
- Evans’ work to push forward legislation that provides a tax break for Senior residents who are earning less that $60k annually and who have lived in the District for at least 15 years is advancing. Evans’ office is hopeful the tax break will be in effect for the 2015 tax season.
- Sgt. David Terrestre presented the monthly crime report, noting that compared to last month overall crime is down slightly. Specifically, violent crimes are down; total property crimes are up slightly; theft is up, largely due to package thefts; and auto theft is down.
- Officer Derick Tarr from the 3rd District Vice Operations answered community concerns about undercover strategies to target criminals. Tarr spoke to a search warrant operation that occurred two weeks ago on the 1300 block of Riggs St, NW, noting that the arrests resulting from the operation were related to drug possession and intent to distribute.
- Roger Kemp, Erin Lyons, and Kate Rakoczy of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia spoke about a group of recent arrests related to drug and armed robbery charges resulting from of a “long-term, in-depth drug investigation” in the summer of 2012. The trio requested that the Commission submit a Community Impact Statement (CIS) for the judges ‘consideration in the March sentencing. The Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to submit a CIS. For more information about CISs, go about halfway down this page.
- James Bulger, Ward 2 Liaison to the D.C. Mayor’s Office encouraged residents to report potholes to 311. Bulger also reminded attendees about the upcoming State of the District Address on Tuesday, March 11, 7pm, at Kelly Miller Middle School (301 49th St, NE).
ABRA POLICY COMMITTEE (APC) REPORT
- The next APC meeting will be Wednesday, March 19th, 7pm at N Street Village (1333 N St, NW), 2nd floor Multipurpose Room.
- At the March 19 meeting, the APC will vote on final edits to both APC policy language and the template for Settlement Agreements.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (CDC) REPORT
- Commissioner Cain moved for adoption of the CDC report of its February 19 meeting. The report included the Committee’s recommendation for HPRB concept and massing approval for 1225 10th St, NW, and a recap of an informational design presentation for 1516 Kingman Pl, NW. The Commission unanimously (7-0) adopted the CDC report.
CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE (CPSC) REPORT
- Commissioner Lallas provided a summary of the February 19 CPSC meeting, which touched on the topics of prostitution, human trafficking, officer foot and bike patrols in the neighborhood, and community involvement in crime mitigation.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT
- Commissioner Linn shared that Councilmember Evans and Mayor Gray have tentatively reached an agreement to fully fund the complete modernization of Garrison Elementary School in fiscal year 2015.
- Linn presented a resolution to support the full modernization of Garrison Elementary school. The resolution urges the City Council and Mayor to fully fund Garrison’s modernization by allocating sufficient funds in fiscal year 2015 and allowing for a complete, one-time modernization of both the school building and its grounds. The Commission unanimously (7-0) approved the resolution.
- Linn noted the upcoming Education Committee meeting will be Saturday, March 15, from 10:00-11:30 am at the Schools Without Walls (2130 G St, NW).
- Commissioner John Fanning will be Acting Co-Chair for the Education Committee along side Evelyn Boyd Simmons until a replacement appointment is made.
OLD BUSINESS
- The Commission empowered Commissioner Melcher to attempt continued negotiations with 1209-1213 10th St, NW (The American) to reach a mutually satisfactory Settlement Agreement (SA).
- Commissioner Linn presented a resolution to support a new SA with 1336 14th St, NW (Ghana Café). The resolution supports Ghana Café in terminating its existing VA when it is legally able to do so, and expresses the Commission’s concern to the ABC Board about the disadvantages establishments with older, multi-party Voluntary Agreements face when trying to make updates or amendments if all parties do not cooperate. The Committee approved the resolution (6-1) and further voted to enter into a new and separately negotiated SA with Ghana Café (6-0-1).
NEW BUSINESS
- In light of the fact that a representative for the DDOT public space application for 1400 M St, NW (Westin Hotel) did not attend the monthly public meeting, the Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to request that DDOT/the Public Space Committee delay consideration of the application until such time as a representative for the application appears before the Commission.
- Due to space availability issues for the planned April 2 ANC 2F regular monthly public meeting, the Commission voted unanimously (7-0) to consider alternative meeting dates. Update: Thursday, April 10 has since been confirmed as the date of the next ANC 2F regular monthly public meeting.
*Please note that this meeting summary is provided by ANC 2F as a courtesy for individuals who were not able to attend the Regular Monthly Public Meeting. The information contained here within is not an exhaustive summary nor does it constitute official meeting minutes. The above information may not be referenced in any official business matter related to the Commission. Please see the “Minutes” page of the ANC 2F blog for official meeting business.
