BNCA Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2025
Officers in attendance: Pres. Dawn Amore, VP John Leibovitz, Membership Coordinator Rene McCray, Communications Coordinator Elise Scott, Member-at-large Kinyofu Mlimwengu, Treasurer Josh Bercu, Secretary Kathy Jacquart
DC Water Presentation – Dee WIlliams, Public Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement, Lead Free DC
dee.smith@dcwater.com
- Presentation discussed the health risks of lead exposure, especially for children and pregnant women.
- Lead Free DC: Program to eliminate 42,000 lead service lines (LSLs)
- 8,080 LSLs removed so far
- https://www.dcwater.com/resources/lead
- Expanding the Lead Free DC Outreach Team
- New program status dashboard – updated in real time
- DC Water Replacing service lines in streets and working with homeowners to replace line to the residence free of charge (Block by block program) with copper material
(geo.dcwater.gov/lead)- Lead Pipe Replacement Assistance Program (LPRAP)
- Voluntary Full Replacement Program (VFRP)
- Anything destroyed in the process (e.g., trees) is restored/replaced.
- For more information: lead@dcwater.com; (202)787-4044
Councilmember Parker’s Office – Melissa Littlepage, Communications Director
mlittlepage@dccouncil.gov; 771-333-9834
- Budget update:
- House Republicans introduced and the House passed a Continuing Resolution that did not protect DC’s budget (would reduce DC back to FY 24 levels even though we are half way through FY 25).
- CM Parker and other CMs advocated to protect DC.
- Senate passed the CR as is and a fix for DC (DC spending bill).
- Believe the House will approve the Senate bill when they return from recess.
- Resources for Federal Workers
- https://does.dc.gov/page/resources-impacted-federal-workers
- Site contains a lot of information, including job fairs and how to apply for unemployment
- DPW – special waste collection events
- April 19 8am-2pm @ RFK Stadium; sign up required for a 15 minute slot via Event Brite
- CM staff recently did a site visit and addressed neighbors’ concerns about construction site at Burroughs Elementary with contractors
- The office was told that personal vehicles of construction workers will be parked a couple blocks away from the Burroughs area.
- All company and construction vehicles will be parked inside the construction site, within the fenced area.
- The office is continuing to work with DCPS and monitor the situation, and they are open to organizing a public community meeting to discuss the 12th Street NE area and the Burroughs construction if needed.
- Contact CM Parker Constituent Services Director Oliver Stoute ostoute@dccouncil.gov
- Recent retail burglaries on 12th Street
- CM staff had a meeting at Cool Coffee last week; plan to organize a meeting with residents and MPD soon
- 12th Street CVS security issues
- Security guards aren’t expected to stop theft; they are there to protect the safety of the employees.
- CM staff tried to talk to CVS management but didn’t get much from them.
- Dept of Health is involved because of presence of pharmacy, especially after closure of Walgreens on Rhode Island Avenue
- MPD does investigate and arrest.
- Customers can contact CVS management and express concerns.
- Trader Joe’s may open in May, though subject to change.
- No updates on Metro development project; CM still advocating for community benefits
- Providence Hospital update – still stuck in Attorney General’s office
- Melissa suggested that BNCA members sign up for the CM’s newsletter or listen in on the podcast.
- CM Newsletter and podcast: ward5.us/newsletter, ward5.us/podcast
Ward 5 Mutual Aid Society – Leslie Tolf (neighbor on Perry Street)
- Started in early 1980s, volunteer-driven
- Started in Ward 5 during the Covid pandemic, then went dormant for a few years; new interest given current events
- People make monetary donations; the food, diapers, etc. are distributed to those in need
- Looking for space to store materials, ideally for free
- https://ward5mutualaid.wixsite.com/ward5mutualaid; https://www.facebook.com/ward5mutualaid/about
Build “Community and Connection”
- Attendee survey issued online. Results below.
- Anyone that believes they can recruit a new member or head up a volunteer activity should contact us ASAP!
- The BNCA Officers have listed “Connection and Community” as the theme for 2025. What do you believe our Brookland community needs this *the most* this year? (Pick your top choice.)
- Beautification & Public Spaces: 0/14 (0%)
- Intergenerational Initiatives: 1/14 (7%)
- Supporting Local Businesses: 2/14 (14%)
- Community Advocacy & Engagement: 10/14 (71%)
- Increasing Membership: 1/14 (7%)
- I would love it if BNCA would organize activities like [fill in the blank]:
Responses: telephone tree for emergency notification, yard sale, chili cook off, advocacy, community events, social potluck at member’s houses, business directory, Brookland anthem or fight song, meetings about development in the neighborhood, ways to promote local businesses; improve 12th St., historic tours, neighborhood get togethers, DC autonomy, statehood initiatives, Beautification, Yard Sale, business advocacy, corner meetups.
- Do you believe you can recruit 1 other person to join the BNCA before the April meeting?
- Yes! I am sure I can! 7/14 (50%)
- I’m not sure. 7/14 (50%)
- Would you be willing to work with the BNCA Officers and volunteer to lead an activity this year?
- Count me in! 5/14 (36%)
- Not sure, I need to know more about what is involved 5/14 (36%)
- I can’t commit to anything more this year 4/14 (29%)
- What is the best way to communicate with you and remind you of upcoming events?
- BNCA Newsletter 11/14 (79%)
- Brookland DC Facebook Group 6/14 (43%)
- Meeting notices (so they save in my calendar) 6/14 (43%)
- Farmers Market 2/14 (14%)
- Printed out fliers 2/14 (14%)
Meet the New BNCA Officers
Officers introductions
Date for the Great Brookland Yard Sale: Saturday, May 10, 10am-2pm
Meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm.
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