June 2023 Minutes

BNCA Meeting Minutes
June 20, 2023
Zoom Virtual Meeting

Welcome Announcement from BNCA President Kathy Jacquart

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer not present. Report will be presented in July

Discussion of previous month meeting – Public Safety focused

• Tips from Council Member Kenyon McDuffie’s Office staff member Kelley Cislo
  • Share information with community members and with the police
  • Block captain program is beginning, please get in touch if you are interested

Brookland Welcome Sign Garden Project

• Area had been neglected so the BNCA with ANC 5B04 Commissioner Ra Amin have beautified the space with native plants. Special thanks to Amanda Frayer
• Thanks to donations from Annie’s Ace Hardware, Right Proper Brewing, Developer Hashim Hassan, Hanover Developers, Pearl Fine Teas, and many neighbors and friends through the GoFundMe fundraising campaign. We reached our goal!
• Received grant of native seedlings from Bona Terra
• We will continue to receive donations for that location as well as for beautification of other areas in the community

U. S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USAO) – Presentation by Wendy Pohlhaus, Director of Community Outreach (Community Engagement Programs)

• Office prosecutes 90% of violent felonies
• Explanation of charging standards for crimes
  • Probable cause is the standard for police, but the lawyers’ standard is based on the likelihood you can convict the accused
• Person charged with assault with a deadly weapon at Brookland Metro has pleaded guilty. (case # 2022cf2003435)
  • Sentencing is July 28th
  • Community impact statement can be submitted on or before July 14th
• USAO has multiple working groups focused on prevention of various types of crime
• USAO has primary jurisdiction for adult prosecutions
  • DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG) prosecutes adults, but usually based on ordinances, but OAG has primary jurisdiction on juveniles
• DC Crime Lab is not currently accredited, so it makes prosecutions much harder
• Ms. Polhaus will follow up with updates on two murders in the Brookland neighborhood over the past 6 months

Plans for the Providence Hospital site – Presentation by EYA Developers Will Leimenstoll and Evan Goldman (info@providencereimagined.com; https://www.providencereimagined.com/)

• Providence Urgent Care and Diagnostic Imaging Center will close on 7/31/23
• Looking to re-develop the site
  • Keeping 5 buildings – mostly medical industry businesses
  • Focusing on affordable housing, seniors, non-profits, and community spaces
  • Remove unused parking lots and create mixed-use neighborhood
  • Hoping housing and amenities will help keep current and attract new businesses
  • Questions/comments from members
    • Save and plant as many trees as possible
    • Large deaf community in Brookland that would appreciate any opportunities to partner or offer internships
    • Calls by minority contractors and small businesses that they be included in this effort and not as an afterthought

Other announcements

• Council Member Parker’s office – Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov; 771-333-9912; newsletter