Minutes – March 2024

Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 25, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

1.   Call to Order & Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Commissioner Alison Brooks, Chair (4B08), presiding. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom, and a recording of the meeting is available on YouTube. Commissioners present also included Commissioner T. Michelle Colson (4B01), Commissioner Erin Palmer (4B02), Commissioner Zurick T. Smith (4B03), Commissioner Evan Yeats (4B04), Commissioner Kevin Gilligan (4B05), Commissioner Michael Cohen (4B07), Commissioner Derrick Thompson (4B09) (who joined after Agenda Item No. 2(B)), and Commissioner Jinin Berry (4B10) (who joined after Agenda Item No. 4). Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06) was not present.

2.   Administrative Items:

A. Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting

Commissioner Brooks provided instructions for public participation in the meeting. Commissioner Brooks reminded residents they can sign up to receive monthly Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B meeting notifications automatically via the Commission’s website.

B. Consideration and Approval of March 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda

Commissioner Brooks presented the March 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda and proposed to amend the agenda to remove Agenda Item No. 6 on the draft Agenda, Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal, due to the delayed release of the Mayor’s budget.

Commissioner Gilligan moved to approve the agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

Commissioner Thompson joined the meeting at this time.

C. Approval of February 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Brooks presented the February 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes. The Minutes were approved as presented.

3.   Commissioner Updates

Commissioners provided updates regarding their Single Member Districts, including community cleanups, office hours, Single Member District meetings, recent zoning decisions, and infrastructure improvements.

4.   Community Concerns

Members of the community were provided the opportunity to present questions or statements.

Commissioner Berry joined the meeting at this time.

5.   Reports:

A. Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services 

Sophia Tekola, representing the Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services, responded to Commissioner issues raised at the February meeting and provided updates on the District’s grant opportunities, among other issues. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

B. Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 

Barbara Rogers, representing the Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, provided updates on the delayed Fiscal Year 2025 budget, emergency rental assistance, and the Kennedy Street Revitalization project, among other issues. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

C.  Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education

Frazier O’Leary provided updates on the DC School Report Card, testimony before the DC Council on school modernization issues, the Board’s work on financial literacy standards and menstruation standards, and a book drive, among other issues. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

D. Kornelius Anderson, Community Engagement Specialist, District Department of    Transportation

Kornelius Anderson, representing the District Department of Transportation, responded to several Commissioner questions regarding open Notices of Intent, as well as needed traffic safety infrastructure. Members of the community also asked questions.

E. Housing Justice Committee 

Commissioner Palmer provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s March 6th meeting. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for April 3rd at 7:30 p.m.

F. Vision Zero Committee

Commissioner Yeats provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s March 20th meeting. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for April 17th at 7:00 p.m.

G. Youth Advisory Committee

Commissioner Brooks and Commissioner Palmer provided an update on the first upcoming meeting of the Commission’s Youth Advisory Committee.

H. Community Safety & Support Committee

Commissioner Johnson was not present to provide an update.

6.   Presentation: Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal

7.   Presentation: Marty Sullivan, Sullivan & Barros, LLP, Application for Zoning Modification at 5924 9th Street, NW for Five Additional Dwelling Units (BZA Case #21106)

Alexandra Wilson, Associate, Sullivan & Barros, LLP, and Eric Gronning, Architect, presented the application for a zoning modification at 5924 9th Street, NW, to construct five additional dwelling units. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

Resolution 4B-24-0301: Supporting Special Exceptions for Five Additional Dwelling Units at 5924 9th Street, NW (BZA Case #21106) (Commissioner Gilligan)

Commissioner Gilligan presented a draft Resolution supporting the special exceptions for five additional dwelling units at 5924 9th Street, NW. Commissioners and members of the community were given the opportunity to ask questions.

Commissioner Gilligan moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

8.   Resolution 4B-24-0302: Calling for Greater Transparency and Coordination in Permitting Neighborhood Utility Work and Improvements to DC Transportation Online Permitting System (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Smith)

Commissioner Palmer presented a draft Resolution calling for greater transparency and coordination in permitting utility work and improvements to the DC Transportation Online Permitting System. Commissioners and members of the community were given the opportunity to ask questions.

Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

9.   Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.