Meeting Minutes

July 25, 2019 by A. Frayer Leave a Comment

July 2019 Minutes

BNCA Monthly Meeting
July 16, 2019 — DCTV

Meeting came to order, 7:08 p.m.

Dan: Welcome! Thanks for coming. Please be sure to go to the back to get some free ice cream from Bri McCullough, owner of Bri’s Brookland Creamery. If you haven’t signed in, please do. If you’re not a member, please join! See Rene McCray in the back.

Old Business:

A couple of items. Last night Howard U held a charrette, a community meeting to get input, regarding the 23-acre campus up on Taylor. HU is looking at how to repurpose it. Over 100 attendees were at the meeting. Several years ago Urban Land Institute was retained by HU on how to redevelop the land and produced a report. They restarted the process earlier this year. This was the second charrette on that piece of land; their first was in January. HU did present a more specific plan on residential use of the property–they’re proposing low-density single family housing on the west side, and on the east side alongside S. Dakota, 5-6 story housing. It’s no surprise they’re looking at housing. BNCA and community concerns about protecting green space and the historic value of the property were well-voiced.

Question: When they are ready to build does it go through the ANC? What’s the opportunity for input?

Dan: Depending on what they build, there are different regulatory pathways. HU always tells us they don’t know enough to know what they path would be. The ANC would be involved to provide input, but they don’t have decision making authority. BNCA has taken no official position on this and we can discuss that going forward. Private groups have filed an application to get Mays Hall protected under historical status and that application is pending. Because there’s an application pending nothing can happen to it. HU has said that they don’t want to do anything to the facade of the building.

Kathy: They did say they are going to sell part of the land.

Dan: Yes, that was interesting. That was a wishy washy answer, whether they are selling. They are thinking about selling homes to people and they would lose control over the land in that capacity. They have said they want to be stewards in some capacity. They want to house students and faculty and people involved in the school. If they’re selling below market rate housing to students and faculty, that’s great, but what happens when those people turn around and sell at market rate? HU hasn’t figured that out yet, and they acknowledged that.

Leroy: The meeting was mostly noise and confusion. Nobody could hear anything. Basing the height of buildings on sea level, that makes no sense.

Dan: Yes, that was a confusing way of presenting what they might want to build in terms of building heights. They don’t intend to build higher than the parapet of Mays Hall. They tried to show that in absolute terms using sea level.

For more information about the project, visit https://hueast.com/

Dan: Caroline, please speak about what’s going on with the Comprehensive Plan (CP).

Caroline: You all are familiar with the CP effort? No? I will explain.

Caroline: The CP is the planning guidance for city planning in all sorts of different respects. Housing, commercial retail development, health care, education, environmental. The document looks over a 20-year timeframe and charts a course across the city. The City is now amending the CP, the one that was last developed and that’s currently on the books, which dates to 2006. There have been a few amendments to it. City is in a major amendment cycle. The Council solicited the public for comments, BNCA submitted some comments. Most of the energy is focused on two areas: affordable housing and consternation mostly from developers because of lawsuits that have stymied development projects across the city. Some of these projects are familiar to us–for example, 901 Monroe, and McMillan.

A year ago, Office of Planning submitted a bill for approval to the Council for an amendment to Framework Element–that’s the opening chapter of the CP, it sets an overarching framework for the rest of the elements that follow. It addresses population growth, housing across the city, the nuts and bolts of facts on the ground that then determine how the rest of the city development will proceed under it. About a year ago The Mayor submitted her proposed changes to the Framework Element for approval to DC Council. That was controversial, there was a hearing, hundreds of people testified, went till 4 a.m. There was a feeling that the plan was bending over backward in response to the lawsuit issue and the changes muddied the waters, made things more ambiguous, eliminated the possibility for successful lawsuits going forward. That’s not planning. Last week CM Mendelson introduced a mark-up to the Mayor’s bill. Committee of the Whole did a mark-up of the CM’s substitute. It’s a major improvement to what Mayor Bowser introduced. A lot of the ambiguity-inducing amendments have been removed. Now there are fairly clear definitions. Also CM McDuffie made a major push to put new language into the plan on racial equity–new language that would require greater consideration to racial equity on housing, commercial interests, and other areas–that’s a major improvement. There’s a couple of areas that remain of concern to BNCA and we’ll be reviewing those. We are concerned by the treatment of Small Area Plans under Mendelson re-draft. About 8 years ago, Brookland went through major effort for SAP including Metro area. Everyone was involved in over a year’s worth of effort and while nobody got everything they wanted it was a collaborative effort and it satisfied many needs. Mendelson’s treatment of SAPs is to give them a whole lot less weight. What would be lost and what significant changes as a result? Another concern is language regarding industrial lands and calls for no net loss, which we found odd. An amendment we submitted would change the planning map for areas just north of Metro and south of the tracks–we proposed a change that would change industrial uses for areas abutting low-density residential. Our proposal would change the land use map to mixed use. That wouldn’t shut everything down but in the case of future development of those areas or re-zonining of those areas, they could be zoned mixed use, transit-oriented development. Not industrial.

Dan: Thank you. That’s very complicated. It’s wonky and legalistic but it does set the course for the future of the city. It’s about what the city will look like in the future–it’s about having input into what we want the community to look like going forward, so we will continue to stay involved in this.

Treasurers’ report:

Clyde: Good to see you. I’m presenting the July report which reflects activity for June. We had a good month, with 14 new or renewed members. We had two expenses–paper statement fee, and we joined DC Federation of Citizen Associations–you met Earl Williams from that organization. We started with $3890 and change and ended with $4001 and change. Rene anything to report for membership?

Rene: We are currently at 200 members. We crossed that threshold in June. It’s our highest number of active members yet. Does that stand up Caroline?

Caroline: Yes!

Clyde: If you want a copy give me your email I will send it to you! I ask that treasurers’ and membership report be accepted.

Seconded. No opposed or absentions. Accepted.

New Business:

Dan: Next up, Brianna McCullough from Bri’s local Brookland Creamery. We want to promote local businesses as much as possible so we’re glad to have her here tonight.

Bri McCullough: Thank you Dan. I I moved to Brookland in 2015, with my then-boyfriend and now husband. We’re at 9th and Kearney. We loved the neighborhood. We love our friendly neighbors. We saw exciting restaurants popping up. Noticed there wasn’t a good ice cream place. I grew up churning ice cream on my family’s farm. I was doing it for fun. Friends were taste testers and encouraged me to start a business. We started and last year were Brookland Farmers Market. We’re in 8 farmers markets now. We sell around Good Food Market’s [Rhode Island and 20th], Wardman Wine [Monroe and 7th]. We make our ice cream in Tastemaker [10th and Franklin]. Our future is looking to expand footprint across DC and hopefully open a brick-and-mortar store.

Helen: Do you take flavor suggestions?

Bri: Yes!

Dan: Our next speaker is a resident of Brookland–she’s here on behalf of Emily Lucio who has been involved with an ad hoc Halloween Parade. I’m turning it over to Audrey Reese who is an organizer.

Audrey: Emily couldn’t be here so I’m here in her place. The Halloween Parade has been going on for at least 5 years. It started at Arts Walk and then the route goes down 10th street. One year the parade went to Turkey Thicket but after that no one could get a permit to do that again. Over the past few years we’ve grown a bit. We have a partnership with Friends of Noyes Park. We did that last year–they applied for the permit for the park and we did publicity and organizing.

It’s been a parade on the sidewalk–Emily had the idea to do it on the street. We’ve worked with Community Police walking with us and stopping cars to pass side streets. This year Emily said let’s try for the permit–to make the parade bigger, and have even more community involvement. Last year we tried to get spectators –we flyered on 10th street but only one family came out. A week ago Monday we went in person to a DCRA Board. We have provisional version of the permit. They sent us this sheet with all the next steps. Emily and myself and some officers from FONP and a few other volunteers are leading. We want to move to 12th streets to get more visibility–we need more signatures. We have to get 75% of people. There can’t be cars on that street. The idea is that the parade moves to street and that will encourage people to come out. We want to gather at St. Anthony’s. For that amount of time there would be a re-route of buses.

Question: What’s the proposed route?

Audrey: We’d begin at St Anthony’s down 12th to Franklin, then turn on Franklin on the sidewalk and go into the park.

Question: Given logistics and buses running on 12th–wouldn’t it be easier to keep it on 10th?

Audrey: Yes, it would be easier, and we’re kind of feeling our way into this. We’re trying to make the parade bigger and more parade-like. But there is a lot to do.

Dan: Yes, I had the same question. I’m happy to support but it is worth considering whether to move it?

Question: Can we walk in costume?

Audrey: Yes.

Question: The Fire station on Monroe offered to put fire truck in parade when we tried to organize a 125th anniversary parade. Have you talked to them?

Audrey: Yes, the Fire Department has been really helpful! Also there’s an interest in a marching band.

Dan: I also recommend outreach to Noyes Elementary.

Audrey: Yes, great idea, thank you!

Nolan: I talked to someone with connection to a marching band–they’re really interested.

Clyde: Is the parade open to all kids in area?

Audrey: Absolutely! We have no age limits. FONP has a parade page on their website. If you want to see pictures et or donate money or time please do.

Dan: Are you looking for donations?

Audrey: Yes, definitely. We won’t want to accept donations to march in the parade. We’re going to apply for all the grants we can and the Mayor’s office of special events has been hugely helpful to us in identifying grants but there will be costs that can’t be covered by the grants so we need donations. We will need banners and they will be at Noyes Park.

From Emily: People can donate right now here on our website. In step 2, select other amount and input whatever contribution they would like to make. In step 4, they should add a note to designate the funds for the 2019 Halloween Parade.

Clyde: Are the costs of going on 10th the same as 12th?

Audrey: I don’t know. I think the cost of re-routing buses and police are major costs of doing it on 12th.

Dan: Thank you Audrey. We look forward to further updates. We have a check for $250 in support. We encourage others to support too. This could be a great community event.

Dan: Our main event tonight relates to Franklin Street calming measures that DDOT has proposed. They’ve issued a Notice of Intent–that’s basically an opportunity to comment. We’ve had a couple of meetings with DDOT on these issues–we’ve been working with DDOT on traffic, for years. This is one of the first major products of that work we’ve been involved in for years to get DOOT to think more comprehensively about these issues.

Michael Goodno will present. He can take questions and then we can decide whether we want to vote on a resolution in support. Comment periods August 21st.

Mike: Good evening everyone. I’m a Transportation Planner at DDOT.

You’re aware of Franklin street. Michigan to Rhode Island Ave. is the general area we’re discussing. We’re looking at 4th to 12th street. One travel lane in each direction and parking on either side of the road from 12th to RIA.

Traffic goes from one lane to two lanes, you see some bad behavior. Pretty heavy vehicle volume. It’s classified as a “Minor arterial.” We have speed data–85th percentile speed. 900 bikes per day on MBT. Plus there are difficult pedestrian crossing. More than 30 crashes per year, ¼ of which are sideswipes.

There are a lot of schools in the area. Lot of children walking to school. Noyes park in the area. Bikes would go with traffic.

Bridge section–would like to get the bikes in the road. Would like to have a center turn lane.

Right now NOI is just for 7th to 10th stretch of Franklin. It would end at MBT because there’s controversy on the stretch from 7th to 4th–we want more comment and study on 4th to 7th.

Elise: It’s not the most recent data–you’re using old data. We brought forward the idea of changing minor arterial to residential. We had a whole lot of ideas– you’re putting the cart before the horse.

Dan: Let’s hold comments and let him get through presentation.

Mike: We’re limited on what we can put on the bridge–we are thinking about planters, or possibly even using epoxy to affix something down on the bridge deck. We are limited in what we can do on the bridge because we can’t damage the bridge.

Reiterating that 4th-7th is not part of the current plan. There was discussion about removing 30-34 spaces and put it bike lanes on both sides but that’s on hold for further study.

Clyde: If you do that, where do those cars park?

Mike: We have some analysis showing that there is available capacity in the neighborhood and some people have parking in their homes.

Elise: Very limited parking is available.

Dan: Nick is the ANC here for that side of the bridge.

Nick: I don’t want to slow the process. Cyclists want to get across that bridge and onto the trail. It’s important to build a protected bike lane. Given all dynamics, my goal was, does this make Franklin more safe? I support moving ahead with 7th-12th. I think full-time parking is better than rush hour restricted parking on 4th-7th and that’s how I view the 4th-7th section.

Mike: The minimum width required for a travel lane is 10 feet and 7 feet for a parking lane.

Dan: 12th to 7th is priority for us as it is in our jurisdiction. My understanding is there are a few folks on Franklin who don’t have parking in back but most do. But many commute and ride that route and so we care about it. So a bike lane there may be possible in the future.

Question: Thank you for all of this. When you’re going westbound to have left turn lane on 7th, it’s important. I like that you have that. But when DC Prep lets out is an important data point–and also Inspired Teaching. Schools let out at different times. Westbound traffic gets really dense because the kids are all going to school at the same time. But when you’re assessing and studying the various options, look at the dismissal time.

Kathy: I hear on list serv about accidents at 13t and Franklin. What’s the relationship of this project to that issue?

Mike: I have a colleague who has been working on that intersection, he has some proposals. I can’t speak to them.

Elise: We have a very long list, and they’re chunking it bit by bit, and not doing it in order. Why isn’t the whole thing zoned as a school area so you have to go slow no matter what? There are other issues, people speeding, schools let out, Tastemakers, etc. We need a comprehensive approach. We’re putting bandaids on certain things.

Mike: Thank you, happy to answer questions, please get more input.

Dan: I would defer to engineers on this. My understanding is that shrinking of this street, adding bike lanes, should have spillover effect, slows things down, eliminates the problem of people gunning it toward the intersection.

Leroy: There should be safety patrols by schools, and 30 MPH not speeding. 36 MPH is speeding. Traffic control is a big problem in DC. I think you should be clear about what is speeding and why you’re working on Franklin when you can’t put a bike lane throughout.

Dan: To clarify–85% of cars are going 33 MPH, that’s the meaning of that statistic. 8 miles over the limit is speeding, especially in a school zone. There are other drivers going 40, 50, 60 mph on that stretch of Franklin sometimes. There is definitely a speeding problem on Franklin, as many neighbors can attest.

Caroline: I like what I’m hearing, it’s the first time I’m hearing it, I appreciate all the hard work. I firmly believe anytime the District takes steps to make this a more bike-friendly city it redounds to the benefit of other vehicular traffic. I applaud that.

Elise: Assuming this goes through, if there’s a problem with schools with that turn,, there has to be a period of time where we assess a change, what if people can’t make turn and schools are out and it sees a lot of accidents, how do we assess the impact?

Mike: Yes, usually we try out something like this for 6 month. The nice part about this is that it’s really just paint. We can change it pretty easily. We do make modifications and we’re open to comments. We can tweak it—adjust signal timing for example.

Elise: I just want to make sure it’s a fluid thing, I want to work with you to make amendments, I don’t want it to be a done deal.

Mike: Yes, you’ll be working with me, I’ll be working with my colleagues. We’d like to get it perfect right away but that rarely happens.

Dan: This isn’t the end of our issues with DDOT by any means. My view is this a good step. I would like to propose for discussion that BNCA take a vote on it and pass a resolution—that would allow us to speak to DDOT on comments.

13 eligible members in attendance and more than two officers. By bylaws we have a quorum.

Lucky: I’d like to make a motion that BNCA adopt a resolution in favor of DDOT proposal for bike lane from 12th the 7th. Seconded.

Discussion:

Lucky: As many people attended Edgewood meeting—this is a compromise proposal. Recognizes that there are issues with people missing parking from 4th to 7th. DDOT will continue working on the remaining section. The plan is good for pedestrians and bikers and sends an important signal to motorists.

Clyde: No opposition but I would like to close discussion and take a vote.

[A vote by a show of hands of voting members in good standing was taken.]

Dan: 11 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention. Motion passes. BNCA will prepare a resolution and send a letter to DDOT. Thank you for participating in local democracy.

Announcements:

Statehood hearing postponed for Bob Mueller hearing. September 10th was mentioned for rescheduling. Franklin Garcia came and dropped off buttons.

We don’t meet in August. We’ll be back in September.

Calabash: Thanks for all the support. We’re open W-S 11-7 Su 11-6 closed M-T. We’re preparing letter of application for outdoor space.

Leroy: Many people have hesitation on 51st state because they think the city should be in better shape.

Dan: BNCA has been a longtime support of statehood. Meeting adjourned. 8:33 p.m.

July 8, 2019 by A. Frayer Leave a Comment

June 2019 Minutes

BNCA Monthly Meeting
June 18, 2019 – DCTV

Officers in Attendance: Dan, Clyde, Rene, Fred, Kathy

Welcome

Old Business

Recap of Franklin St. traffic calming meeting in June.
- BNCA meeting planned with DDOT in July.
Public safety at Triangle Park (14th and RI Ave.)
- Shooting on Memorial Day
- June 17 meeting with Commander Fitzgerald with neighbors – shared information about how to be helpful as a community.
- Want to work with Office of Attorney General – pursuing nuisance order against property owner in commercial strict. More information to come.
- June 22 – Fred and other neighbors participating in Summer Services Expo at Triangle Park (10 AM – 2 PM) with Malik Miller (Mayor’s office), Kelly Sislow (McDuffie’s office) and non-MPD agencies.

Treasurer’s report – June report for month of May

23 new/renewing members
$240 receipts, $2 expenditures

Guest Speaker Ambrose Lane – Health Alliance Network (HAN) Founder and Chair

Started HAN in 2013 to do health advocacy in Ward 7; LLC
Convene like-minded people to change health culture
Create atmosphere for collaboration (among hospitals, universities, faith-based organizations, businesses, etc.)
Advocate with City Council – Committee on Health
Member of Commission on Health Equity – 2nd term
Programs
- Department of Behavioral Health – Train violence interrupters on Mental Health First Aid for youth and adults
- Her Story Matters – breast cancer champions. Breast Cancer Awards for women in Ward 5, 7, 8, and 6 (starting in October 2019)
- Early Childhood Intervention Network – mitigate toxic stress among kids 0-5
Worked on Health Impact Assessment legislation
Encouraged all to read DC Health Equity Report: https://dchealth.dc.gov/publication/health-equity-report-district-columbia-2018
Plans to hold HAN meeting in Ward 5 in September at DCTV

Guest Speaker Early Williams – DC Federation of Citizens Associations
www.dccitizensfederation.org

Established in 1910; citizens’ associations were segregated so African Americans formed Civic Associations; two still exist but are integrated
BNCA – 27th member of the Federation
Speak out on issues citywide – currently focused on:
- Comprehensive Plan – will have forum on it in the Fall
- 5G Towers – different networks (Sprint, Verizon, ATT, T Mobile) putting up towers in Wards 7 and 8; don’t know health effects; other wards are fighting it; Associations want all networks on one tower.
Federation of Citizens Associations and Federation of Civic Associations considering merging; have some differences to work out; will probably vote in the Fall.

May 29, 2019 by A. Frayer Leave a Comment

May 2019 Minutes

BNCA Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2019 – DCTV

Welcome

Dan: Welcome. All are welcome at BNCA meetings so please invite your neighbors. Clyde our Treasurer is here and Helen LaCroix our Recording Secretary is here.

Some tweaks to agenda:

Ambrose Lane will not be here–we will invite him for a later meeting.
Nicole Commodore from Ascension is here, I apologize that she wasn’t included on the agenda.
And Officer Willis is here from MPD.

Old Business

Dan: Triangle Park – as you know, this park on 14th street has been a hot spot and it definitely needs some love and care and attention, some neighbors have been very active in working with our Council Member Kenyan McDuffie and various city agencies to take action to help improve this park and make it safer. We had a meeting earlier today and I’m going to ask BNCA member Tom Kirlin, who was there, to report on what happened.

Tom Kirlin: a group of 12-14 people came, neighbors and folks from various agencies and also MPD officers. We talked about making use of the $155k that CM McDuffie has brought to the table, but we mostly talked about how to re-engage city agencies, and talked about doing an event on that side of RIA. We talked about bringing in 8-10 year old kids to clean up the areas and put some family pressure on the older brothers who are out on the street dealing. A number of neighbors were there. Malik Miller organized the meeting and Kelley Cislo was also there and there were reps from BNCA, ANCs, and of course the CM’s’ office. We’re all now coordinating on an effort to bring neighbors together to attend to this issue and engage with people who largely have been left out. We’re planning for an event 4-5 weeks right now that will engage community leaders and government agencies and of course the residents of the area.

MBT 5K and Great Brookland Yard Sale report outs

Dan: The MBT race was a success, about 150 people came out for the event. There’s room for growth in that event for sure but overall it was a great success. The BNCA sponsored it and it was great to get the community out to use public space. Everyone had a chance to meet some neighbors and enjoy the trail.

Great Brookland Yard Sale – we had a successful Great Brookland Yard Sale on May 4th with about 75 sales and no rain. Thank our partners for their support–Atlantic Electric Supply Company on 10th St and Menkiti Group. They helped with printing and distributing packets, and Brookland Garden Club had their plant sale. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this successful event.

Other?

Sergeant Willis: this is my PSA. I had crime stats printed out to share with you, and then I ran to work a gun recovery on Todd Pl and wasn’t able to bring them. Overall I was pleased with the crime stats for the last month.

Dan: what are the stats looking like in this area over the last month?

Sgt. Willis: for this area I was surprised. Numbers are down which you don’t expect when the weather warms up. PSA 507 on other side of Benning Rd– that’s had the Summer Crime Initiative–it’s not a good thing when your neighborhood gets that. You’re not a candidate for that. The downside for us is, they get more resources, which means I have fewer officers to work with.

Clyde: Regarding the park on Otis between 18th and 20th. Some time back your colleague said there would be an officer stationed there. Is that still going on?

Sgt. Willis: Yes, one of my officers is on foot there now.

Clyde: What’s going on with shooting at 20th/Newton?

Willis: Our investigative team is on that, there’s nothing new I can report.

Tom: It really makes a difference to have officers on foot. Too often you’re fighting a guerrilla war with garrison troops. We need face time on foot or on bike, we understand you have to get to scenes quickly in the car, but we need more face time.

Willis: Foot is good, but it’s second class. I’d rather have mountain bikes.

Tom: That makes sense, thanks.

Lucky: When school gets out on MBT thanks for the officers on bikes at 3:30, it’s great to see you guys out on the bikes, tells the kids if they run they can’t make it. We appreciate that, thanks for that.

Treasurer’s Report and Membership Report

Clyde: I’d like to make the May report which is for activity during April. We had 3 people renew. That made $30 in income. We spent $2 on the bank paper statement fee. We sponsored the 5k race at expense of $200. Ended month with $3646 and change. We had 190 active members as of the end of April. This is the largest number of active members that we’ve had. Being able to go online and sign up via paypal facilitates that. We get most of our memberships that way.

Questions: is there a renewal?

Clyde: if you sign up online it automatically renews unless you cancel your subscription. If you want a copy I send via email.

Seeing no other questions, I ask for my report to be accepted.

Seconded. Any questions or concerns? None.

Dan: I move that it be accepted. No opposed or abstentions, it’s accepted.

Dan: I see some new faces, if you’d like to join, this is a good time to mention that you’re most welcome! Anyone can be associate member but you don’t get voting rights when we take positions on issues. You are eligible to vote if you live within our organizational boundaries.

Membership is for a calendar year. There’s one exception. If you pay in the 4th quarter, you’re paid through the following year.

Join BNCA at http://brooklandcivic.org/join

Foster Care in DC – Kathleen Stines (DC CFSA)

Dan: Please welcome Kathleen Stines to speak about opportunities to be a foster parent in DC.

Kathleen: Good evening everyone I’m a social worker at Child and Family Services Agency. Thank you for having me. National Foster Care Month is May. We use this month to acknowledge and honor foster parents in District who have opened doors to kids. We do that highlight them all year but especially in May. We also use this month to raise awareness about the need for foster families..

Children who need foster families are abused or neglected. We always try to narrow the funnel– we are always looking for relatives and anyone who can take the kid (kin). We use foster families while we are working with families to achieve reunification.

There are about 850 kids in foster care in DC. We had 3k children in care at one point. Numbers have gone down. We attributed that to concerted effort to work with families to find someone. 70% in Wards 7 and 8. 86% are African American. Many end up in MD because we don’t have foster parents in the District. It adds another layer of trauma when we put them in unfamiliar surroundings. It’s hard to preserve relationships with teachers, friends, relatives –it’s hard to maintain those.

80% of the time they’re coming in from neglect. Parents struggling with substance abuse. Parents are incarcerated, mental health, struggling with housing resources..

What’s the process? You have to be a District resident. We have a private contract that can license MD families. You need to be over 21 and an owner or renter of housing. You need an extra bedroom for the child. We look at finances–that you can make household expenses outside of stipend that you get for the child. Kids get DC Medicaid to handle mental health and doctors expense. We also go through a background check– you would be disqualified for child abuse. If there’s a hit for something else it can depend on what’s for– we understand recklessness and it can be an asset when working with kids in foster care.

Older kids are often forgotten. We start having trouble when kids hit 10 or 11. Many people far that it’s too late to help the kid, their personalities are formed, what can I do make an impact? No one ages out of their family. It’s NOT too late. They need life skills– how to make a meal, do laundry, have a bank account, get a drivers license. These kids are transitioning. One-on-one guidance is much more effective than group home–bouncing around from group home to group home leads to trouble, teen pregnancies, etc. Teens want a sense of belonging, it’s a labor of love, they definitely test people. Plus they’re coping with layers of trauma. Once we match you with a child, we don’t just place them in your home. We see it as a partnership. We have an Office of Well Being staffed with mental health professionals, nurses, educational coordinators. We’re constantly doing assessments to see where gaps are and where services need to go. We provide daycare vouchers, a stipend, mentoring, tutoring, have a unit for pre-college training, lots of supports to help you help the child.

It takes 100 days to become licensed. First step is orientation, no commitment, 6 week training (1x a week), to give you tools to deal with kid who has had trauma. We partner you with a support worker who is your advocate, someone to talk to, brainstorm ideas with you, someone to go on the journey with you. Child also has a social worker working in concert with you. 15-22 months is our benchmark for reunification. Working with parents to get them to a place where kid will be safe. 90% of foster parents move forward with adoption.

For folks who can’t take kids in — there are ways to support our work. You can help by highlighting our information. If you belong to a church that would put our info in a newsletter, put it in sanctuary, or belong to a book club, other orgs, or can help organize info tables on festivals and street fairs. Our recruiters come out on weekends, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 99% of the time, if there’s an opportunity to raise awareness, we’re there.

Clyde: do you have to be married or in a couple?
Kathleen: I’m glad you asked that. We define family very broadly. You can be single, married, have kids, no kids, same sex, families come in all shapes sizes and colors. We’re looking for people who can dedicate time to a child.

Question: is there an age limit?

Kathleen: No, just over 21, and healthy enough to take a kid.

Stipend continues until kid is 21 if you end up adopting and Medicaid goes till the kid is 26.

What happens to kids who don’t get adopted? We started working with them a few years out–we work on housing, education track is sorted, we identify a person who is committed to them as they age out, someone for holidays and who will really stick by them.

The stipend varies. Sibling groups can be tough. Special needs kids, older children, and teen moms are tough. Foster parents are there to teach them parenting skills. Stipends may be higher. Ballpark figure $1000 a month.

Each case is unique. If the kid is on grade level, they can go to DCPS. Many kids are behind in school or have learning disabilities. They may require smaller or inclusive school setting. DCPS will work to identify school best suited to their needs. We then provide bus transportation to take them to and from whatever school they end up at. We have an educational coordinator that works with DCPS. We’re always aspiring to put them in the best school for them. We have various programs under foster care program. There’s the Interval program–folks are just committing 4-72 hours. This is for when we just need an emergency solution– for example we found Grandma but she’s in another state or needs furniture. We have the STAR program–that’s a 30 day commitment. Specialized Opportunity for Youth or SOY program is for people who have the skill set to work with kids 15-18 who are really struggling. In those situations the placements are planned and not spontaneous. Child will have chance to meet you and receive a gradual introduction to your home. Kids have been having serious struggles.

I will leave flyers on table. Please take them to your ANCs, churches, book clubs, etc. Please let us know and we’ll come out to meet your community. The presentation can be short or long as necessary.

Clyde: are there any tax write offs?

Kathleen: It’s changed over the years, I’d have to find out the status. There was a time when you could write off adoption, but I’m not sure you can write off the stipend.

Question: Can you list the child as a dependent?

Answer: I don’t know but I’ll find out.

Nicole Commodore, Director of Community Impact and Advocacy, Ascension Health

Nicole: Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Providence has new leadership since March of this year, I’m part of her leadership team. We’re no longer a hospital as of April 30th. We’re providing outpatient or community-based services. We’re continuing our legacy of serving poor and vulnerable and still offer care to the uninsured. We wanted to change the way we provide services. We’re focusing on actual needs of community so we did a needs assessment. Mental/behavioral health issues, managing chronic illness, managing senior care are key needs. That’s the core of the the healthy village concept. Senior care is a big issue. Senior care will be a primary focus going forward. Seniors and young families in Bookland. Senior care is a continuum– independent living at home, so we want to put adult day care on the campus. Then people need assisted living with memory care, then Carroll Manor, which is a skilled nursing care facility, and then there’s hospice. Also independent affordable housing. For families–urgent care, we’re trying to open that. We’re dealing with regulatory issues with Dept of Health on the urgent care. Hope to open that as soon as possible. Dispensary of Hope is providing free medication for those who need it– for chronic illness. We put a lot of this info on our new website, providencehealthyvillage.org. We post community updates, we talk about what healthy villages look like, on page 6, social services, education, job training We’ve been doing community meetings all around. My information is in this packet. We’re doing meetings here and in Wards 6, 7, 8. ANC 5d meeting is tomorrow. I’ve met with all ANCs.

Tom: Finances were cited as reason for closing hospital. What’s the financial model going forward? Are we going to have senior care facility with peripheral services for community?

Answer: It’s a huge campus. We lost $170m on that one campus because revenue wasn’t keeping it afloat. Reducing size should help–we had empty beds weren’t needed. That amount of shrinkage will stem the tide of loss. We’ll be bringing in partners and that reduces the financial burden on us. Children’s National, Mary’s Center–all these groups that need space can provide services. Carroll Manor will be run by Ascension. And we’ll take on the losses. Primary docs are staying with us and we will have urgent care. Dispensary and Pharmacy will be run by us.

Question: When do you anticipate not being in the red?

Answer: I don’t know offhand. Since we’re doing so many services it may be never, but not as much as $170m.

Age-Friendly DC – Gail Kohn (Office Dep. Mayor for HHS)

Gail: I am the Age Friendly DC coordinator, I have been there longer than anyone else in my office, I worked with Brenda Donald and you got her at family services, she’s wonderful. We have a wonderful deputy mayor, who is also the head of healthcare finance, Wayne Turnage, he’s doing that and our work in a balance, it’s impressive. I took this job as having been founding executive of Capitol Hill Village. When you’re a village leader you listen, you don’t talk. You’ve got a village happening here. I want to disabuse you of the idea that it’s only about older adults. It’s about staying in the neighborhood. World Health Organization started this initiative about transforming cities, getting them ready for future with older adults, making sure that older adults get services they need. I took the job because I couldn’t resist spreading the village concept. People are moving to cities and staying there. Empty nesters move into the city because it’s walkable. WHO focuses on health, participation, security, equity. MD is about to become an age-friendly state. There are other states becoming age friendly.

Dan: Does the West need this more than other areas of the world where there’s more of a tradition of caring for the elderly?

Gail: I went to Japan because Age Friendly DC is well known internationally – Japan wanted to hear about how we’re responding to the president, who wants less immigration. They’re interested in us as a model.

Pillars of AFDC are built environment, changing attitudes about growing older, and lifelong health security. We added emergency preparedness and resilience, and also neglect and fraud. When we studied it we found the issue is not just about older people falling for swindles, it’s also about families trying to get their older relatives’ money. In 2017 we evaluated activities we’d taken from 2012-2017 and residents were worried about financial security, having enough money to take care of themselves, and tax relief.

Clyde: a few years ago a bill passed to exempt seniors who met certain criteria from real estate taxes, and it got killed once it get passed.

Gail: It got reduced but it’s not as big as it good be. You can get some tax relief if you’re income qualified. I will send you the right info to get to the AARP Foundation–there’s a counselor to get you the information you need. DC government isn’t doing the counseling.

Lucky: Yes, the program is through OTR. Combined with homestead exemption it will give you tax relief. https://otr.cfo.dc.gov/page/homesteadsenior-citizen-deduction

Gail: Safety–if people feel they can’t leave at night they don’t come to meetings like this. That should not be the case.

Lifelong learning– universities are adding programs, they need to recruit populations who can take advantage of that, that’s older people, and also includes 70k adults having difficulty reading or calculating. So they can read books to their grandchildren.

Caregiving–need setups for caregiving to work effectively.
Again our aims: built environment, changing attitudes about growing older, lifelong health and security. Built environment includes housing and transportation. We need to be thinking about this population that’s healthy, living longer, and want to be involved in employment.

Our initiatives: Safe at Home, Vision Zero, Sustainable DC, home sharing, Comprehensive Plan. Safe at home is home modification for income qualified residents, enabling people to get fixes so they can stay at home. Vision Zero– we want people to be safe crossing the street and being out and about.

Sustainable DC

Home sharing: people are house poor. Working with Gallaudet and Howard, we find faculty who are looking for housing,

Comprehensive Plan: Please have a speaker from Office of Planning. You understand the importance. That is swarming with age friendly action.

No Wrong Door: figuring out what should be done when things go wrong. City is continuing a program started with Federal money. Office of Community Living working on LGBTQ outreach.

Lifelong health and security: there’s a heavy focus on food here. Getting food across the city.
Right Care Right Now: 911 will be changing. They should come to a meeting if they haven’t already so you can all hear about that.

Training and Response for older victims– people need to be emergency prepared.

Neighborhood watch–has died in some areas, and gotten stronger elsewhere. In Capitol HIll we’re more focused on it than we were before.

Business initiative–we’re working to highlight age friendly business in Brookland–really attracting people of any age into businesses because they have good practices, welcoming people, making materials legible, go to a friendly website, good lighting in the business. More visibility for age friendly businesses.

Tom: that’s an impressive array of services, 27% of the population in Ward 5 are 65 and older, that means a quarter of the population of this area is senior. We talk about gentrification, but we should be looking at seniors.

Gail: Brookland is a candidate for home sharing. Typically in the district it’s 19% of the population that’s senior.

Ra: a guy Ii talked with said MD was worst state to retire and DC was close to that on the list. Is that true?
Answer: Milken Institute ranked us 9th on the list of best place to retire.

Ra: Don’t forget about Boomer Buddies–if you’re over 55 the Humane Alliance will waive all adoption fees.

Question: Has Howard Divinity School reached out to you? One of their proposed ideas is to make it a lifelong learning campus.

Gail: We haven’t, we haven’t heard from them.

Dan: We can put you in touch with them.

DDOT Updates: 10th/Michigan – Joelle Burgard (DDOT)

Joelle: I work in the Green infrastructure team. This is about making public space safer for everyone. We’re still in concept so I’m here to get feedback.

Dan: this intersection is on our list of hot spots, we’re familiar with it.

Joelle: I’m coming at it from from a green perspective, and then other things got layered into it.
Resurfacing sidewalks, trip hazards, redoing sidewalk, repaved and smoothed out. Also a tree furnishing zone. Modified parking to expand triangle park–the street there is 30 feet which doesn’t need to be that wide. We’ll be adding a crosswalk to make crossing more accessible.

Dan: the left turn will reduce gridlock, that’s the idea?

Joelle: Yes, that’s the goal.

Tom: Can you make Otis one way going back to 12th st? Newton is one way.

Clyde: I disagree. The congestion stems from street parking on both sides of narrow street. I recommend street parking on only one side of the street. You need further study and views from a variety of people. I think it’s because street is narrow. It jams up.

Joelle: Buses and shuttles are also a problem. Further study is a good idea. This little portion can move forward to make it more pedestrian-friendly.

Dan: I doubt you will get opposition to the project. More likely people will want to know when this is slated to happen?

Joelle: I have to design this year and plan for construction next year.

Clyde: Otis Street is the only street you can use to go all the way from South Dakota to Metro, it’s the only street you can do that both ways. Also there are condos behind the 7-11 and te new condos across from CVS. You have increased population density which adds traffic.

Dan: Also WMATA wanted to sell that property and there would be underground parking garage.

Joelle: really? I will be back out to present further plans. joelle.burgard@dc.gov

Other community concerns and announcements

Dan: We’re over time. I apologize.

Ra: Here’s a flyer for a meeting we’ll be having Thursday May 30th,it’s a joint meeting to talk about traffic calming design, everyone can come out and give input, joint meeting with 5B04 and 5E01. We want BNCA there because ENC will be there.

Also there’s the ANC 5 meeting, 1731 Bunker Hill Road tomorrow at 7.

Meeting adjourned 8:49 p.m.

April 30, 2019 by A. Frayer Leave a Comment

April 2019 Minutes

BNCA Meeting Notes
April 16, 2019 (Emancipation Day!)
Brookland Union Baptist Church

Meeting called to order 7:14 p.m.

1. Welcome

Dan: Hello and thank you for coming, please sign in by the door and pick up agenda and flyers. We have a busy agenda and we should get right into it. We are an all-volunteer and non-profit organization in Brookland and everyone can be a member. If you’re not a member or unsure of your status check in with Rene our membership secretary and Clyde will take your money. Membership is $10 for a full year. We’ve had a very busy spring—many events happened and more to come.

2. Old Business

Please raise your hand and ask questions if you have them. We had a clean-up at Ft. Bunker Park on April 6th. Thanks to Ian MacFarlane, past BNCA board member. He has a relationship with Park Service and organizes this event. We had 15-20 people out on a beautiful day. We pulled out a lot of invasive species and picked up trash.

At our last meeting, we had a presentation by Ward Five Council Member McDuffie and Commander Fitzgerald of the 5th District in response to an uptick in gun violence in the neighborhood. The meeting went well. It was a prelude to community walkthrough that happened the next day. The big takeaway was Council Member McDuffie’s efforts to get full funding for the NEAR Act, his signature legislation to implement a public health approach to gun violence prevention. This approach has been tried in some areas and is seeing success. We need the credible messengers and violence interrupters here in Ward 5. We did submit comments in support of the NEAR Act and full funding for its implementation to the Judiciary committee at the budget hearing.

Nolan Treadway (CM McDuffie’s Office): Yes, there was a good showing of people at the hearing. There was good engagement in the community, and we appreciate that. The budget process is ongoing.

Dan: And of course, the Great Brookland Yard Sale, our big annual event, is Saturday, May 4. Anyone who wants to have a yard sale that day, in or around Brookland, can sign up. The BNCA will be hanging out at a vendor fair at Atlantic Electric, on 10th St. by Turkey Thicket. We’ll be tabling. If you want to have a table you can sign up there. Space is limited so please do sign up early. Seabury will be at the vendor fair.
Tom: About the register of gun offenders I spoke about at the last meeting: I gave information to Nolan about a study by the Giffords Center, showing a 92% reduction in certain gun crimes in Baltimore as a result of preventing offenders from re-registering. We need more public knowledge of this issue. Tom will send this information to Dan.[H1] Helen: Full minutes are on the website.

3. Treasurer’s and Membership Reports

Clyde: I’m here to present the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2019. We had some good activity in March. We had $651.08 in receipts from renewing or signing up 50 people, and $111 in donations. We had our usual paper statement fee, we renewed our post office box, we bought office supplies, paid for web hosting and computer equipment. Expenses totaled $371.43.

Ending balance $3818.42 for the month of March.

We had 180 active members at the end of March. One of largest active memberships we have had in a long while. I ask that this report be accepted.

Motion to accept Treasurer’s for month of April made. Seconded.

No discussion.

Passed unanimously, no abstentions.

4. Brian Kenner, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

Dan: I forgot to say, thank you to Brookland Union Baptist Church for hosting us this evening. We found out from DCTV that they couldn’t host us because of Emancipation Day. Our Member-at-Large Fred Jackson was able to work with the church. Please pass our thanks along to the pastor and others.

I’d like to introduce Brian Kenner, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, he’ll be talking about what he’s been working on, followed by a Q-and-A.

Brian: With me is Marie Whitaker, Chief of Staff in our office. I’m here for 3 things. Thank you for allowing me to come. I want to talk about what our office does. Second, I want to talk about the Mayor’s budget. We are in budget process formulation right now. One of the things we’ve been doing is going to Civic Associations, ANCs, other meetings all around the city, talking about highlights of the budget, to give you a sense of what we’re proposing. And also to field questions. I can’t answer them all, but my job is to take them back to the Mayor so she understands what you’re interested and what you want to see.

Item 1: We are responsible for executing the Mayor’s vision for economic development. We have three goals that we focus on in our office. The first is getting DC residents jobs – jobs are the foundation of economic stability. Jobs can lead to community investments. Unemployment has come down over last 4 years, with more significant decreases in Wards 7 and 8 where historically that’s been hard. We have lots of work to do still, though. We have lots of people in DC who are struggling for a pathway to the middle class. The second goal: to increase tax revenue, which pays for services that we enjoy – police, fire, health, and everything else. Many of the projects and initiatives are focused on increasing revenue by developing land or stimulating revenue by increasing its use. Our third goal: to increase the supply of affordable housing. This issue impacts everyone everywhere. Over the last 4 years, we’ve stimulated production or preservation of 7k units of additional affordable housing. We funded $100m into the Housing Production Trust Fund, every year, that goes to affordable housing. What are the income restrictions for that Fund? Majority of the projects it funds are for folks at 50% of AMI or lower. That typically means a family of 4 earning $60-65k annually per year. That’s the upper limit, it goes all the way down to 0% of AMI. Many advocates are focused on 0-30% bucket, which is really important— that helps to produce housing for homeless. We have a new investment for above 50% AMI bucket in the new budget.

Now, about the second reason I’m here: the Mayor has proposed the budget. We’re in the process of working through it. In January and February are the Mayor’s Town Hall budget meetings, where people get to engage early in the process. People were vocal, I went to 3 or 4 of those meeting, heard all kinds of things. The Mayor then takes that input and proposes a budget. The Council can make changes, they vote on it once, change some more things, then vote on it again. Then it’s done. Right now, the Council is looking for input before the first vote. The Council Members are also taking in feedback.

The proposed budget is $15.5 billion, which includes $9 billion of local money—tax revenues or fees that come directly to DC. Approximately 25% is devoted to public education, 25% to human support services (health, Medicaid, homeless services), 15% to public safety or justice, 12% to debt service financing (capital budget pays for roads, school, libraries), every year we have to make a payment, paying off long term capital, 10% to direct services, 10% for public works, and 5% for economic development.

Generally we are in good standing. Most cities would love to trade their finances for ours. We have AAA credit rating. We can borrow more cheaply than anyone else. We have a fully funded pension. We have $2.5 billion in a rainy day fund. If something terrible happens, we can operate for a while. We had a test case earlier this year with the government shutdown. There are things for us to worry about in the future. That was an unforeseen expense that the city had. It really hit home. We get tax revenue quarterly, we lost $50m this quarter because of the shutdown, because people weren’t out spending money at hotels, restaurants, etc. That means we have $50m less than we need. Are we in a pre-recession? No one knows. But we should be thinking these kinds of scenarios.

I could talk about all the proposals, but I’ll just name a few. If you’re interested, Mayor’s website has presentation that goes into the specifics. We can also send it back here.

Housing—Mayor has proposed 30% increase to Housing Production Trust Fund, to support additional affordable housing. She’s proposing a new concept, a workforce housing fund. I’ve heard about this in the last year or so—if you make more than $65K, DC has no program to support you. A teacher’s salary averages $80k. That’s close to 100% of AMI. We don’t have a program to support people at this level in the District. We’re putting $20m, leveraged with other private funding, to produce this housing. People in this income bracket are moving out because it’s expensive to live here, and there are not as many housing options. If you can’t find housing at your income level, you go down a level, which puts pressure on those who can’t buy down.

Education—we’re making additional investments around education—keeping 2.2% increase in universal per student formula, which is used to fund schools. $4.6 m budget investment so that every student in grades 3, 6, 9 can get electronic device provided to them for free.
Public safety—this issue hits everyone, everywhere, but in different ways. We’re proposing to build the police force up to 4k officers by 2021 and added $3m for Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and $6m for Office of Victims Services and Grants.

Additional investments—transportation and resilience are things we’re really focused on. We’re looking at the K St Transitway. This is K St between Mt. Vernon Triangle and Georgetown. We’re thinking about it as a bus route so that public transit by bus is a little bit easier. We’re envisioning a center lane that buses can go on more quickly. We can’t add new streets in DC. We have to think about how to move people through the city better. Cars are not the future.

The Mayor had a pilot where Circulator was free. She is now proposing to make the circulator for free indefinitely. To get people to take public transit. Other investments in bike lane enforcement and rush hour towing.

I can take questions.

Dan: Comprehensive Plan is on our mind. We’re concerned about Amendments, the process that’s been going on for a couple years, and haven’t heard what the status is. There were changes that were proposed that were of concern to us. Can you speak to what’s going on with Comp Plan?

Brian Kenner: Yes, it’s in limbo. The last major rewrite was 2006. There were 600 amendments proposed that got us to the current CP. Two years ago when we started the process, we got 3,000 amendments to it. Partially as a result of that, Office of Planning took a specific approach: they established the framework part of the CP in the first 50 pages, and remaining section is 1000 pp with all the amendments. The ddea was that framework would guide individual changes. The framework captures how they city will grow and what principles the city wants to live by. Just that framework—the first 50 pages– was discussed last year. The Council was supposed to set the framework, establishing those guiding principles, and there would be a hearing, that would set what would happen with 1,000 pages of amendments. CM Mendelson had a hearing last year. We’re waiting on him to release the framework. I’ve spoken to him and begged and pleaded with him for the Council to birth the framework. What people want to know is how those principles will affect their neighborhood. CM McDuffie is also agitating for it, because there are lots of CP issues in Ward 5. If you want CP to move faster, CM Mendelson needs to release it, please tell him you want to see it. This spring or summer, OP will be coming back out to community to refresh people on where we are. There will be a series of meetings around the city to re-engage people.

Tom: without or with the CP, some of us are seeing division with development—we see development at RIA metro and retail development. Then also service development—shelter, mental and emotional issues, abused service. 12th to 20th along RIA is being treated and developed different than the rest of Brookland. We are looking for food, people are shopping at Rite Aid, we have no dentist, no vision clinic, you have to go to Giant for food. We have no barber shop or beauty shop. The city is torn by drugs, 80s and 90s, buildings torn down, development is one-sided. You do finance these efforts. You are being watched. 1550 Girard Street is an example.

That kind of tension is happening all over the city. Some would argue Ward 5 is lucky—you have nodes of development, you have Good Food Market, you have amenities, things that people demand, expect, need. Dentist may no longer be able to pay rent. We do subsidize, we give incentives for certain kinds of development. Over the last 4 years, we have targeted areas that have greater than 10% unemployment. So for example, we’re working with Good Foods Market to open a store in Ward 8, we worked on St. Elizabeth’s East, and the Brookland Manor redevelopment. Years ago, that’s how you got Giant and Home Depot. We think about where we can be most impactful in investment of additional amenities.

Ambrose: I’ve always been tried to shoot straight. I try to be respectful despite difference of opinions. I do want to comment about food deserts and the choice of developer who bypass the PUD process. One way of doing it is a challengeable process, the other is not. Developers use that workaround to get a zoning change. With the map amendment process [H2] they don’t even have to do Community Benefits Agreement. There are good things in the budget and there are glaring holes in the budget. Health is a hole in the budget, as are chronic diseases. And again, the PUD vs MAP amendment piece. This is so important, given Opportunity Zones. They can be a wonderful thing, depending on how it’s executed. The Opportunity Zone Fund can exist from anywhere. People from anywhere else, not knowing our community, what our community wants. How can you protect communities from Opportunity Zones the funds are outside DC—people who intend to buy property and try to promote specific business?

Brian: We are thinking about that. The way that the Opportunity Fund law is written, we can’t preclude outsider from coming in. However, we can provide extra incentive in Zones if they meet more District priorities. IF you hire DC folks, if you create additional housing, work with our small businesses, you will get extra funding.

Regarding PUD vs MAP or by right: Up till 2.5 years ago, the Zoning Commission had what they call deference—they were the body deciding, if you did something not covered in CP today, you did a PUD, they heard you present your PUD, and they heard from other landowners adjacent to you, they evaluated the plan, and then they wrote an order that said, you are allowed to do that. When ZC was challenged by Court of Appeals, the courts gave them deference. That deference was put into question 2.5 years ago. ZC has corrected those issues by now. Many developers, when choosing, are facing the road they do know vs, they one they don’t know, they choose the route they know. They don’t come to community because they do it by right, and that largely means they are not adding affordable housing. We’re a growing city. We need low income, workforce, and general housing. This issue is causing our housing shortage to get worse. I’m hopeful ZC will get deference again and we can go back to our own process. People are forced to bypass normal process.

Caroline: I disagree with premise articulated there. Those premises are expressed in changes proposed to CP, and in the framework. They are problematic. The framework is inserting ambiguity into the plan in a way that seems designed to eliminate the possibility of successful lawsuits. You are incentivizing and setting the stage for upzoning and MAPS amendments that would otherwise occur by PUDs. IF you’re concerned by the switch from PUDs to MAP, if you’re concerned by that, you should be concerned about what you’re incentivizing. I’d like to make a broader point. I think too often DMPD treats its responsibilities as if DC were beggar city. We’re not. We’re world-class, people want to live here, we should be using every opportunity to leverage power to get benefits we need—use the authority to leverage those benefits for the city. What happened in NOMA is an example. Someone is getting rich from skyscrapers, but we have to get $50m from taxpayers to build a city park. DMPD should use authority it has. Use your bully pulpit.

Leroy. I went to hearing on affordable housing. There’s a basic problem. Council and mayor have been enacting a gentrification plan. If we stopped spending money on things we don’t need, like streetcar, spend on what we need, things like housing, jobs, education, health, things will be fine. Don’t just invite people to the city. Where are you going to put them? We don’t need 800k people. We want to maintain the quality of life for people who are here now. Get rid of the streetcar, don’t extend to Minnesota Avenue, we can never make any money on it.

Audience member: My question is a about tax abatement for real property for developers—I put phone calls in, I’m realtor, I’ve identified 23 properties that went to a tax sale, that went to developers that don’t pay taxes. I can go to MLS and do research. Is it public information who gets those abatements?

Brian: It is normally, because normally Council approves those abatements.

Question: Does that money that’s being abated, where does it go?

Brian: Sometimes it’s just a straight up abatement. Occasionally there are affordable housing projects that have an abatement that doesn’t come to general fund at all. We have taken potential abatements and put it back into projects as TIF to pay for parks, etc.

Lamont: I’ve been in commercial real estate since 90s. Current process is never going to get Mayor what she wants. Instead of giving RFP, giving or selling land to developers– you can cut out the developer and get 100% affordable housing. You could do 100 projects a week. She can get there, but not with projects where she gives RFP to developers and they build 100 units, and 10 of them are affordable. There are many people in the community who can build homes. You just cut the developer out of it.

Brian: It’s a great question. On public housing—should we be building public housing? Feds are not funding anymore. Big question we’re facing. I want to acknowledge my limitation. We are terrible builders of housing. There is a lane to incentivizing professionals to do. Eliminate RFP process where developers want to get profit. City owns the land and the entity, and private industry builds it and runs it.

Fred: I’m a native Brooklander, I’m thrilled about Mid City and the refresh of Brentwood, Union Market. Council talks about determinants of health and equity. We talked about 9 areas that are important. We talked about services on RI Ave. We feel we’re getting a burden of that. Deputy Mayor of Health not being responsive. We want to look like Michigan and Monroe. We have vacant lot on 13th and RIA. We could have market rate housing. We want to be refreshed but we want it done fair. There’s significant amount of frustration. We want to help. You’re not listening to single family homeowners. We want to work with you.

Brian: I appreciate the candor; I’ve been treated worse elsewhere. We appreciate voices of support. For every voice that says they do want a development, there’s another voice that says they don’t. We need engaged citizens to speak up. When do CP reengagement, your voices will be important. How do you incentivize low scale density and increase storefronts.

Fred: But point is, we need rich folks to support those businesses. We’re fortunate that we have these families coming in, we want them to come in.

Dan: Thank you for coming Brian.

5. Health Alliance Network, Ambrose Lane Jr.

Dan: Unfortunately, we’re way over time.

Ambrose: Can I come back next month?

Dan: Yes, absolutely.

Ambrose: I’m talking about social determinants of health, housing is a big component, framework element has language that’s unethical, lends toward greed, what we’re fighting is greed. When you allow greedy interests, not all developers are greedy, when you reduce great weight of ANCs, create language that is intentionally ambiguous, it pushes needle to greed. I’m not criticizing Brian. I think he’s in a tough spot. We are most intensely gentrifying city in he nation, most economically stratified, in the nation. That’s the legacy of the Council and the Mayor, and it didn’t start with this mayor. It’s a badge of honor you shouldn’t want. Policies continue to go on and on. Are you kidding me with the second streetcar? $300m that could have cut unemployment in half in Wards 7 and 8. Why wasn’t Fletcher Johnson included as Opportunity Zone? I have an issue with that. It’s an opportunity to provide more opportunity. It’s the 4th largest tract of undeveloped land in DC. So much of the budget is uneven—Karl Racine got $360k for violence interrupters, but we spent so much more on dog parks. I love dogs. But if kids and dogs are in a burning house, I’d get my kids first. We keep resuscitating the dogs first.

Dan: I met Ambrose at Dept Health presentation on health equity report. It’s really worth a read. Goes through all the different drivers of quality of life. Sweeping analysis. Showing gross disparity across all these sectors, life expectancy differences. We should scrap the CP and start with this. One of the best research reports I’ve seen in decades in DC. 9 key drivers, around social determinants of health. It’s the Department of Health Health Equity Report.

6. DC Federation of Civic Associations – Graylin Presbury

My name is Graylin Presbury. President of DC Federation of Civic Association. President of Fairlawn Citizens Association. Lived there since 86. Became President in 2010. Civic Associations are volunteer orgs, only as strong as people who volunteer for them, we’re at a disadvantage when it comes to advocating on behalf of residents. IF you have informed, engaged community members, or part of governmental establishment, or have left it and have no conflict of interest, you’re one leg up. Two sides to the coin—being reactive, trying to stop the train that’s run you over, the other is proactive, trying to organize members of your community. Bringing them together by whatever bonds them beyond boundaries of neighborhood. What can they grab a hold of, take ownership of, be to the betterment of the neighborhood? Current issue is CP. I don’t want process to move any faster because right now its not in a state I support. We’re at a disadvantage—I had no clue about it 2 years ago. IF you look source of comments—for amendments—by and large they’re from law firms, representing developers. I didn’t know I needed to look at SAP for where you are. Brookland does have a SAP. We do want firm language about what you want to see in that community and how it develops. No weak wishy washy language not useful for advancing your position. That’s an advantage you have as civic association. I used to see ANC as opposed to us, but now I appreciate that they augment us. Another internal issue is merger, of two federations. There is a Citizens Association formed for 1910, Constitution basically says, no African Americans. Frustration with trying to join Citizens Association that forced founding of Federation of Civic Associations in 1921. Been around 98 years. Rumors circulating about the merger for the two federation. Purely rumors. We do seek to collaborate on issues of mutual concern—most of them are of mutual concern. Education, transportation, housing. What’s different—members of civic federation, particularly those in less developed wards, 6, 7, and 8, there’s a difference in priorities that we set.

Dan: Thanks for sharing the legacy of segregation, within the two organizations. It seems there are two different groups doing the same thing. Wouldn’t there be advantages to two groups coming together?

Graylin: Yes. Many people have long memories. But some people just don’t want to do it. They’ll be dragged kicking and screaming or left behind. There won’t be a shotgun wedding. We’re dating. Trying to figure each other out.

Dan: We haven’t taken a vote, speaking from my point of view—there’s value to be had, we could benefit from these groups coming together, unifying groups with common concerns, there’s strength in numbers.

Earl Williams is your counterpart—President of the Federation of Civic Associations. He lives in Hillcrest.

Graylin: People are pushing for more Associations to join Civic Federation. The end goal is to force a vote on this. Think it would be premature and a bit unfortunate. But it may come down to that.

Dan: we’re running out of time, we’re losing people, thank you for coming.

7. Membership Discussion on BNCA direction

Postponed.

8. Other Announcements

a. Great Brookland Yard Sale – Saturday May 4
b. Other?

Kathy: Metropolitan Branch Trail Walk. Run, April 27th, next Saturday. Sign up. We are bronze level sponsor. We will have a table and we can sponsor two runners.

Ra: ANC full commission, last 4th Wednesday of the month, next Weds, at Noyes Elementary. 6:30 p.m.
Agenda: Julie Lawson from Mayor’s Clean City Office, and a representative from DDOT.

Also, the 4th Thursday of every month, 7 p.m., 5th district at Bladensburg Citizens Advisory Council, 5th District, direct access to law enforcement officers.
Casey Trees will be at our June SMD meeting for SMD 5B04. We’ll be hearing from the Director and his team. They want to hear from you, and I want to hear from you.

Seabury: We’re doing our annual event at Annie’s hardware to collect gardening tools, May 4th, stuff supply shed to supply volunteers providing gardening services, Seabury. Stuff the Shed.

Nolan: Greetings from CM McDuffie’s office. The CM has introduced legislation to create racial equity tool to be used in evaluating all legislation. There’s a hearing on April 25th. There are trainings at Benning Rd. [H3]

Ra: I spoke on this on WPFW. It’s on the website.

Ambrose will testify on equity.

Ambrose: I’m with the Health Alliance Network—established in Ward 7, we are working in Ward 5, we were meeting at Unity Health Care on Saratoga, free meeting places, metro accessible. Need a home to meeting in Ward 5. Seabury? Brookland Metro, check out the Brooks Mansion.

9. Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

[H1] Tom Kirlin may need to check and verify the specific statistic he cited.

[H2] The “map” refers to the two maps in the Comp Plan – a policy map and future land use map. The designations of general land use categories on these maps are the most significant elements of the Comp Plan from a land use development perspective.

[H3] This was apparently a training on how to advocate for the bill and related racial justice and equity issues. We can find out more about the organizers of this effort if anyone is interested.

March 23, 2019 by A. Frayer Leave a Comment

March 2019 Minutes

BNCA Minutes
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Brooks Mansion

Meeting began at 7:04 p.m. with call to order by BNCA President Dan Schramm.

Dan: Welcome to familiar and new faces. New people are here for important reason–issue we’ve been focused on for several years. Seems to be not getting better but worse–gun violence and crime in our community and streets. Recent incident and recent ones before that seem different. Literal gun battle on street is grave concern. BNCA is all volunteer org that exists to serve community and to serve as conduit between city and Councilmember McDuffie.

Tomorrow evening there will be a walkthrough in neighborhood–in vicinity where incident took place. Opportunity to find out more about what city is doing to address the problem. You will have a chance to ask questions but first let’s let him talk.

CM McDuffie: Good evening. Thank you all for opportunity to be here to have this conversation about crime and public safety in Brookland and adjoining communities of late. Thanks to Commander Fitzgerald and his team for being here.

Unfortunately this latest incident is not the only one we’ve seen.I’ve been meeting with small groups in and around the affected areas lately.

Gun violence is unacceptable. Frustrating to see, hear, experience this violence–around Woodridge, Langdon Park, Edgewood, Brentwood. At night, and in broad daylight.

Video of essentially a shootout at 20th and Newton. As someone who grew up here in DC in 8s and 90s, when DC was homicide capital, with open air drug and gun violence and homicide, it frustrates me to experience this today in the least.

Shorter term, what we have done: perps should be arrested and prosecuted to fullest extent of law. MPD has done what they could to identify them and has increased its patrols in the area. We can’t arrest our way out of a culture of gun violence in the District. There aren’t enough cops to do that. If you post a vehicle at 20t and Newton, the criminals go somewhere else. If you post at the Rec Center, they go to Mills St. It’s a culture–young black men and women, primarily men, are resorting to guns to resolve disputes. We have to get to root cause to solve problem. There’s a long term solution. But you all need to feel safe in your neighborhoods. Wanton disregard for lives in that video, for their own lives and yours, requires more resources than law enforcement. Neighborhood beefs are not new. But we want to end it. I believe we can.

We’ve stepped up patrols, reached out to Office of Neighborhood Safety, which is part of NEAR Act, funded 1.5 years ago through the NEAR Act. It’s a public health-based approach to the epidemic of gun violence. It involves violence interrupters or credible messengers in neighborhoods with highest rates of gun violence. Trinidad and part of Langston Carver are seeing this approach now. I’ve been working with ONS to implement this program. The peer violence model–I looked around the country to find evidence-based practices, Dr. Gary Slutkin, came up with this model–it’s a data-driven practice. Same model as in Richmond CA where they reduced violence. Interrupters are people who had own brushes with the law. They can connect with these young people in a way that most people can’t. They come into ONS and get into Pathway program–get them out of community, get them into structured program.

ONS is one program. And also AG Karl Racine is working something called Cure the Streets model.This is the same model that I’m talking about, where you identify individuals who are at the highest risk of committing gun violence. Two cohorts have graduated from Pathways–one of them is working in my office. Introducing them to things, giving them sense of hope–show them alternatives. Current path leads to prison or death. I sent a letter to Mayor asking in general for support for Ward 5–asking for infrastructure, schools, libraries, and so on. I also asked for more resources to implement this model in more neighborhoods in Ward 5. We need more resources in our rec centers, and more resources to get to people who aren’t getting to rec centers.

I’ve been meeting with neighbors at 18th and Otis, meeting with neighbors throughout Ward 5, want criminals to know that these are our communities, playgrounds, fields, schools, that are their to support everyone. You all should not fear spending time with your families at these places.

Commander Fitzgerald: Thank you CM McDuffie. I agree wholeheartedly with the what the CM has been saying–the results from Cure the Streets are outstanding.

What we know about this incident is that it’s part of a longstanding beef. Kids at 18th and Otis is beefing with Saratoga and Langdon Park — this has been going on for over 30 years.In fact the kids involved today don’t even know why it occurred.

There were murders in Langdon Park some 10-15 years ago, and then you saw murder in response of young woman up the street. That was the same beef.

The reality is, the 20th/ Newton shooting is not more horrible than any other shooting. The difference is, this one was caught on video and I’m glad it’s on video because it shows it graphically.

The video has not led to arrests–we don’t have probable cause. We’ve executed warrants. Video raises alarm and that brings people to this meeting, which is good.

We have to hold gun owners accountable–prior felons with guns charges need to be charged in US District Court. That has mandatory minimums. We have a situation where people aren’t afraid to carry gun in waistband. If kids know there are severe penalties, that will deter them.

We don’t know for certain if this shooting is related to Langdon Park. You had that shooting in Langdon Park, week later, this happens, you do the math.

About Cure the Streets–take Trinidad for example. It’s not Shangri-La there, but the level of police intervention has definitely gone down. Unfortunately you can’t quantify the impact of the work that’s being done because you can’t count something that doesn’t happen.

Guys in Cure the Streets–some have done 10 years in jail and then go out into streets. They really are credible messengers who can speak authentically about guns. We used to have to put a lot of extra resources in Trinidad. Crime suppression team haven’t had to hit Trinidad.

We have to arrest the people with guns. There’s no other way. You don’t go to jail for selling dime bags on the street now.

We also have a community outreach program in 5D to try to reach kids when they’re young–5-7 years old. We work in schools,we have the side-by-side band to play music, we have bullying intervention, and other programs. And we’re increasing community policing.

The car is a visible deterrent. We have one at the park. When the weather gets warmer–we’re going to get cops on bikes. They should engage with anyone–not just kids. We
Re adding a 2-week foot beat training. We’re finding with these young cops coming out of the academy, they need that kind of training. Young police officers need to be trained in community policing and engage with residents.

We’re seeing better results, we’re seeing cases papered. But we can’t stop everyone–we have to respect citizens’ rights.

Questions:

Q: Are the parents of these kids responsible if they are under 18? We told cops the kids went into the house with guns. Cops went in but found no guns? I can’t identify the kid in person but I know it was him. There are 4 of these little kids–I call the cops on them all of the time.

A: We have ballistic evidence that we’ve been collecting.

Q: Officer who came to collect shell casings had not seen the video. How is that possible?

A: I don’t know, I’ll follow up with him about that.

Q: Communication with citizens needs to be improved. And also communications within your side also needs to be improved.

A: I want to reiterate, selling drug is not a violent crime. But people shoot each other over it. We’re trying to go to Federal court to address this issue.

Q: Does the city have a program to help us get video cameras?

A: Yes, there is. Also court program that involves a victim impact statement. It’s important for the court to see that the whole neighborhood is the victim with a crime like this–this video is evidence that really moves court.

Q: My question is about the contradiction between CM McDuffie’s statement and Commander Fitzgerald’s statement. The Councilmember says we can’t arrest our way out of this problem. Gun violence has waxed and waned over the years. But the Commander says periods of quiet happened because people because people were jailed or died. I know of a program in North St. Louis that involves oral histories to get a deeper background on crime patterns–to get more explanations on what causes that waxing and waning. You get a better understanding of what happened when and why.

A: For 10 years we had no intervention programs. People forgot about them. Then violence goes up. We need programs to prevent violence, not just to respond to it.

A: (CM McDuffie): Cure the Streets and ONSE are not the first programs of their kind. In the early 2000s we had Peaceaholics and similar programs. I met with activists who had done this type of work and they helped me write the NEAR act. I don’t know why those programs ended, I wasn’t at the Council at the time. We should be augmenting MPD not replacing them. We need to prevent crime–whereas MPD acts afterwards. Mayor’s budget comes out tomorrow–we’ll be looking though it carefully to see how NEAR is funded. There were several provisions that weren’t funded originally–an Office of Public Health that was supposed to be created, and outreach to family and a victim’s circle after someone is shot.

Q: You mentioned that program in Trinidad. Why is it not here in Brookland?

A: The resource allocation depended on what neighborhoods experience the highest rates of violent crime especially gun violence. Trinidad was identified for implementation with stakeholders in law enforcement–they choose Trinidad and 18th and M, where Carver Terrace is.

The program works because credible messengers are rooted in their communities. CM Trayon White and I identified in $750k and mayor threw in $50k for implementation. That money got allocated to non-profits that would implement the program in Wards 7 and 8. The rest of the money went to a single non-profit for work in Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. It’s just not enough resources. Plus, now you’re taking people in Brentwood and sending them to Ward 4 as credible messengers. But they aren’t credible messengers outside their communities. If we’re going to do this program, we have to be faithful to the model.

Q: What about volunteers?

A: We’ve certainly had individuals who have volunteered as credible messengers.

Q: What exactly do we need to do that program going?

A: When the Mayor’s budget comes down, if the funding levels we need are not in it, we need you to come down to the budgetary hearings to advocate it for that funding.

Q: What about community advocacy?

A: I meet with people all the time, to get these advocates on the same page. We had less than $5m for ONS. We need to scale up.

Q: When is the hearing? We want that information and BNCA will provide testimony.

A: There are various budget oversight hearings taking place. Hearing dates on DC Council website.

Q: You mentioned a crime suppression team. How does it operate?

A (Commander Fitzgerald): That’s a team of 26 officers, 2 working on prostitution, 4 in what we call the powershift hour, 18 split 9-9, 7 days a week. We select neighborhoods to target with these teams–it’s basically a more aggressive approach. It means extra people, on top of your PSA officers. I have moved extra people who aren’t normally here to this area. They’ve been here in Saratoga and Edgewood. They secured the house and executed search warrants. We’ve had a lot of search warrants related to guns.

Q: Where are people getting these guns? Where do they come from?

A: Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania. You can buy them easily. You can have some from ATF here to explain how these guns get here from out of state. We have progressive gun laws in DC but largely the flow of guns is coming from surrounding jurisdictions. There are a lot of legal guns, but guns don’t shoot themselves. People shoot guns. This generation had parents who grew up here and lived in this environment and went to prison because of the drug trade. Just because you know who did it doesn’t mean they go away to do the time.

Beat book? Community policing.

Q: There is a lack of public disclosure of people who commit crimes using guns. Criminals convicted of a gun offense should be required to register just like sexual assault offenders. However, the public currently has no access/knowledge of which neighbors or prospective tenants or people who may want to mow your lawn may have been convicted of a gun offense. We are both disarmed by DC gun laws and blindfolded by the DC officials who won’t inform us who has committed a prior gun offense. This is not good public safety policy and I believe city officials are beginning to recognize this.

CM McDuffie and Commander Fitzgerald departed 7:50 p.m.

Dan: Lieutenant Kopp will be in hallway to address questions now and after meeting. Walkthrough tomorrow will be at 6 p.m at 18th/ Otis. Let’s now move to the remainder of our meeting. First up is Patrick Flynn–owner of Patrick’s Pets.

Patrick: I realize this is serious evening for you. With all this serious stuff it’s nice to talk about a thriving business in Brookland. We offer dog daycare, boarding, grooming, and dog walking. The community has been good to us. We had a rough start with contractor but since then things have been good. We’re a site for Deaf Reach and Project Empowerment. Deaf people can come to us and interact with animals to address their sensory issues. All workers are Brookland residents. We got a large grant from Great Streets to get the salon space next door–we’ll be blasting through wall to connect two spaces so we can expand and offer dog grooming. If you have a dog, please keep Patrick’s Pet Care in mind.

Q: Are you referring to Nails Etc?

A: No, it’s the beauty supply place. We went before our ANC last month, they gave us full support for minimally invasive construction process. We are just taking out one internal wall. J You shouldn’t notice anything from street except unified signs and storefront. There won’t be any dumpsters, cranes, jackhammers, or anything of that nature.

Q: I was an early customer of Patrick when I lived in Columbia Heights, it’s a great DC story.

Q: Is Patrick a member in good standing?
A: Yes.

Dan: That’s a great reminder, we have sorted out all issues membership should be sorted out, some of you may have gotten notice you need to renew, I think we’ve sorted this out so the proper people got renewal notices. Please remember to join if you haven’t. You get a voting right when we take positions on issues. Clyde will take your money. Now we’ll hear from Ann Jaffe, from Seabury Resources for the Aging. I’m excited to have her here because I have wanted to have Seabury for a long time.

Ann: Seabury Resources for the Aging is in your community and offers two programs we want to talk about, Age-in-Place and Home First residences. We’re volunteers on the Advisory Council, we are not Seabury staff. The Age-in-Place program supports older adults through transformative volunteer services, mainly free yard work and house cleaning. We started in 1995 and have served over 500 homeowners. Our volunteers are often church youth groups and college students. The shifts are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. -12 pm. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Volunteers complete a 10-15 minute orientation, learn cleaning tips and learn how to respectfully connect with our clients. The program provides transportation to and from client home and from the Metro. We know from firsthand experience that volunteers get as much from program as clients do. And clients benefit from the connection with volunteers.

Our Home First program is a group residence for seniors, there are 3 in the neighborhood. We have a long history with Brookland because 2 churches in Brookland helped to start the program through Catholic Charities. There are many ways to volunteer to help the seniors who live in these residences. We’re doing a fundraiser at Masala Story next Weds 3/27 from 5-9 p.m. 15% of all proceeds from the restaurant’s sales during that window will be donated to our program.We’re thrilled about Greater Brookland Intergenerational Village and look forward to collaborating in any way that’s possible.

Dan: So the relationship is to partner and collaborate?

A: Yes.

Ra: If I may just add–for the Greater Brookland Intergenerational Village we want at least 100 surveys to find out what people in the community actually want. We have about 64 done. If you haven’t done a survey, please go online or see me in person, if you want to do one in paper.

Patrick: I know you focus on people. I have clients for whom their pet is everything. Is there a way to incorporate keeping pets?

A: That’s not what this program is but that could be something the Greater Brookland Intergenerational Village looks into.

Kathy: Someone from the Humane Alliance came to our SMD meeting last night and talked about cats and programs for low income people. Human Alliance want to come here too.

A: Our program is very well-organized–you can come as an individual, or come as a group. You can come once, or come many times.

Q: Are background checks required?

A: No. Kids are supervised in the home.

Q: What are methods you use to protect residents?

A: A Seabury staff member is on hand as a supervisor in the home.

Q: I know this program well and have never heard if anyone having issues with security. If you know a neighbor struggling, refer them to Seabury.

A: Yes, please do, they could get fined for a messy yard–please refer them.

Dan: And remember to get out to Masala Story, 5-9 p.m. next Wednesday March 27th. Next up is Chicaro Martin to talk about the annual Met Branch Trail 5k.

Chicaro Martin: April 27th, we’re hosting annual MBT 5k. The Met Branch Trail runs from Union Station through Silver Spring. Visit Gometbranchtrail.org to sign up, we have a sign-up sheet here for volunteers. It’s $20 now to register and will be $35 on race day. Our goal to raise $10k to host the run and ongoing programming throughout the summer. For example workout classes. Crystal has organized lots of classes, including yoga, and we’re trying to organize Brookland and Eckington. We’re also looking for business sponsorships. If there are local businesses in BNCA, please talk with us!

Q: Are you associated with WABA?

A: WABA is a sponsor and advocate for us along with Rails to Trails.

Q: Will the race be a problem for users of the trail?

A: Historically this has not been an issue. The race is Saturday morning when the trail is not in heavy use. DC Road Runners is handling logistics for the event. There will be a walk and a run.

Q: Where is the starting point?

A: We’re working that out. It may be moving south, depending on number of people registered.. Race begins at 9 a.m., registration starts at 8 a.m.

Dan: Thank you. No we’ll open the floor for other announcements.

Landon Jones: I’m Commissioner for ANC 5B05. On March 27th, ANC 5B is meeting at Stokes Elementary School. We’ll have an update from MPD, and someone from guns and take the out and put jobs. Find me if you want to get on the ANC 5B list. Also Brookland Middle School is having a meeting on Tuesday about gentrification. I for one am tired of seeing young people villainized in our community. Department of Employment Services for jobs.

Sheila Weaver: I’m working with Capitol One Bank on an event in honor of Intellectual Property Day for 7th and 8th graders. The event is Friday, April 26th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to help, students to understand how to protect ideas. There will be a workshop and then lunch, and I’ll have a program on athletic scholarships so the kids are advocating for themselves effectively. Contact me shelovessports@gmail.com to learn more.

Malik Miller: I’m a community liaison from Mayor Bowser’s office–I’m working with Deputy Mayor–Tuesday Blitz– violations. Thank you Dan and Fred for keeping me informed on what’s happening. There will be a host of spring and summer events. There will be a multi-Agency call on March 28th– I’d love to spread the word. Mayor Bowser’s program offers a $500 rebate on camera installation. It’s free for residents 65 and older. You can read about it at dcoa.dc.gov. Also tomorrow Mayor’s budget will be released–there will be a website launched tomorrow between noon and 5 p.m. And I’ll take back to my director your comments about a gun offender registry to see what can be done.

Q: Did you say 65 is age requirement for the free camera?

A: Yes.

Q: Is the $500 per camera?

A: $500 per resident.

Q: Is it income-based?

A: No.

Dan: We would like to see what Mayor Bowser is doing with regard to the issues we discussed here today. We want to see what’s she’s doing to fund ONS. Please take that back to Mayor.

A: Yes, definitely. And I will post the dates for the oversight hearings on the listserv. And send them to Dan.

Dan: Thank you. Clyde, let’s have our Treasurers’ Report.

Clyde: Thank you Dan. This is my report for March, which reflects activity for February. February was a good month. We signed up 38 members for the month, either as renewals or as new members. That brought us $405 and change. We had a significant expense–we catered Woodridge library event for the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum. There were 50+ people there, everyone had a good time and learned something. We spent $880 and the food was good. Masala Story did a fantastic job. So we had $1040 expenses and change. We ended the month with $3,538.77, which jives with the records at the bank. We have 147 members at the end of February. I’d like to ask for report to be accepted.

Motion to accept report, seconded, none opposed. Unanimously approved. Treasurer’s report for February accepted.

Dan: Thank you Clyde. One further note: The Anacostia Museum History series continues this Saturday, with a presentation from an ANC Commissioner in Langdon, Saturday March 23rd, regarding the freeway fight at 2 pm. Jeremiah Montague Jr. will present at at Woodridge Library.

Also, tomorrow night, Wednesday March 20th, ANC Commissioner Ra Amin will hold his first SMD meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Right Proper Brewery. DDOT will be there to talk about traffic calming measures on Franklin St., specifically, a bike lane.

I’ve been in touch with BNCA Member Ian MacFarlane (ijmacfarlane@verizon.net) who is working with the Park Service on our next Ft. Bunker Hill clean-up, which will be April 6th, from 10 am – noon. Meet at the corner of 14th and Otis.

Finally, the yard sale is scheduled for Saturday May 4th, more information about that will be forthcoming soon.

January 17, 2019 by A. Frayer Leave a Comment

January 2019 Minutes

Community Meeting – January 15, 2019, 7:00 PM

Officers:

Dan Schramm – President
Brian Stevens – Vice President
Clyde Blassengale – Treasurer
Elise Scott – Corresponding Secretary
Lamont Bessicks – Recording Secretary
OPEN – Membership Director
Ian MacFarlane – At-Large member

Meeting began at approximately 7:03 PM

Item #1 – Old Business and Notice of BNCA Officer Elections: February, 2019

Members are encouraged to participate as officers.
Lamont Bessicks (Recording Secretary) is stepping down after three years of service.

Item #2 – Treasurer’s Report – November & December, 2018

Beginning Balance: $3,705.75
Revenue: $130.00
- 10 New Members $100.00
- Contributions $30.00
- Paypal Surplus $0.00
Expenses $301.68
- Paper Statement Fee (Nov./Dec.) $4.00
- DC Fed. of Civic Assn. Luncheon Fee $130.00
- Clyde & F. Jackson Luncheon Exp. $45.61
- Nov. Officer. Mtg Refreshments $122.07 (Marsala Restaurant)
Ending Balance: $3,535.07
Membership for the year-end was 180.
The Treasure’s Report was read and accepted in the meeting minutes.

Item #3 – Brookland History of Events at Woodridge Library

Eric White (DC Public Library)
- Robotics Class – every Thursday
- Legal assistance from Neighborhood Legal Services – every Wednesday
- Free tax services, provided twice per week, through a partnership with AARP, beginning the end of January.
- Free sign language classes every Thursday evening.
- Chess classes and chess tournaments.
- Provides certification for Microsoft NorthStar courses.
- Downloadable book services – audible and e-books.
- February 17 – Kick-Off for Brookland History of Events
- The entire exhibit can be seen at the Library of Anacostia from February through the end of 2019.
Contact Eric.white@dc.gov, for more information
Contact BNCA President, Dan Schramm, on the BNCA website, if anyone would like volunteer for the Brookland portion of the exhibit, or if a local business would like to donate its services.

Item #4 – Creating a “Village” in Brookland

Emma Klingenstein, Executive Director
Greater Brookland Community Village
Provides volunteers to assist seniors with services as they age-in-place.
Attempts to reduce loneliness of seniors through community interaction.
Ra Mean (ANC B5-A04) is in support of the Village.
Desired to connect with local churches and schools.
Contact Emma for more information.

Item #5 – Development Projects on Rhode Island Avenue, NW

Dillan Investments – Jehat Mehmetoglu & Martin Sullivan (Sullivan & Barros, LLP)
- 1904 Irving Street, NE
  - 4 units, with three of them affordably priced.
- 1600 Rhode Island Avenue, NE
  - Purchased the building in 2016; opened District Floor Depot in 2017.
  - Uses part of the building as offices for his real estate development business.
  - Desires to construct an additional floor of approximately 1,300 square feet, to house his offices.
  - Board of Zoning would require one (1) parking space for the addition.
  - Dillan is asking for relief from the BZA for the parking space, because the footprint of 1600 Rhode Island occupies the entire foot print of the existing lot.
- 1818 Rhode Island Avenue
  - In the conceptual stage of a 12-unit apartment building.
  - Current planning also presents parking issues.

Item #6 – Other Community Concerns & Announcements

Howard Divinity School Campus
- ANC 5B Meetings – January 16 & 23
- Howard University & FLLGA at Burroughs Elementary School (6:30 PM)
Triangle Park DPR Community Meeting
- Meeting on February 7, 2019
- More details to follow
Bollywood Night at Masala Story
- Date TBD
Danielle Delvecchio
- Blue Bird Sky Yoga Studio at 12th & Irving Streets, NE
Nolan Treadway, Councilmember McDuffie’s Office
- Redrawing of lines between of MPD’s 4th and 5th Districts.

Meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM.

Next BNCA Meeting: Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 7:00 PM

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