Regular Public Meeting
Monday, January 25, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
Minutes
1) Call to Order & Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Commissioner Brenda Parks, Chair (ANC 4B04 Commissioner), presiding (with new officer elections for 2021 after the roll call). The meeting was held virtually via Zoom and broadcast on YouTube. Also present were Commissioners Evan Yeats (4B01), Erin Palmer (4B02), Jocelynn Johnson (4B03), Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06), Geoff Bromaghim (4B07), Alison Brooks (4B08), and LaRoya Huff (4B09).
2) Administrative Items
Instructions regarding Participation in Virtual Meeting
Gordon Chaffin, Street Justice, provided technical assistance for the virtual meeting. Commissioner Parks provided instructions for public participation in the meeting.
Election of Officers
Commissioner Parks conducted the election of officers.
Commissioner Parks called for nominations for Chair. Commissioner Parks nominated Commissioner Brooks for Chair. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Brooks was appointed by acclamation.
Commissioner Parks called for nominations for Vice Chair. Commissioner Brooks nominated Commissioner Parks. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Parks was appointed by acclamation.
Commissioner Parks called for nominations for Secretary. Commissioner Brooks nominated Commissioner Palmer. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Palmer was appointed by acclamation.
Commissioner Parks called for nominations for Treasurer. Commissioner Palmer nominated Commissioner Bromaghim. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Bromaghim was appointed by acclamation.
Appointment of Representative to Walter Reed CAC
Commissioner Brooks called for nominations for Representative to the Walter Reed Community Advisory Committee. Commissioner Palmer nominated Commissioner Bromaghim. There were no other nominations. Commissioner Bromaghim was appointed by acclamation.
Consideration and Approval of January Regular Public Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved to approve the January Regular Public Meeting agenda. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
Approval of November Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Parks moved to approve the November Regular Public Meeting minutes. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
Approval of 2021 Meeting Schedule
Commissioner Brooks requested that the Commission set the following meeting schedule for regular public meetings in 2021.
The fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m., except for the months of August and December, when no regular public meeting will be held:
February 22, 2021
March 22, 2021
April 26, 2021
May 24, 2021
June 28, 2021
July 26, 2021
August 2021 – no regular public meeting
September 27, 2021
October 25, 2021
November 22, 2021
December 2021 – no regular public meeting
January 24, 2022
Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved to approve the meeting schedule. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
Approval of ANC Security Fund
Commissioner Bromaghim requested the Commission approve the Commission’s participation in the 2020 ANC Security Fund and authorize payment of the $25.00 annual fee. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
Treasurer’s Report
Commissioner Bromaghim presented the Treasurer’s Report. The Commission has a balance of $33,360.85.
Approval of Executive Director Employment Contract
Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved that the Commission approve Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Executive Director Employment Contract with Gordon Chaffin. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
3) Commissioner Updates
Commissioner Yeats provided an update regarding applications for membership to the Commission’s Vision Zero Committee, established by Resolution 4B-20-1006.
4) Community Concerns
Members of the community were allowed the opportunity to present questions or statements.
5) Reports
Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George reported on school reopening, COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations, public safety, and upcoming events, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members. Councilmember Lewis George also introduced Council staff.
Anthony Mitchell, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services
Anthony Mitchell, representing the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, reported on Mayoral actions and events of interest to residents of Ward 4, including information regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.
Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative Frazier O’Leary
Representative Frazier O’Leary reported on issues related to the State Board of Education of interest to residents of Ward 4, including information regarding DC Public Schools reopening, COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations, and a book drive, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.
Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District
Derek Staten, Community Outreach Coordinator, was present at the meeting but was unable to present due to technical difficulties.
Housing Justice Committee
Christopher Sousa, Secretary of the Commission’s Housing Justice Committee, introduced Committee members and reported on the Committee’s December 12, 2020, meeting.
6) Presentation: DC Public Service Commission Office of the People’s Counsel, Pandemic Relief for Utility Customers
Maurice Smith, DC Public Service Commission & Stephen Marencic, Office of the People’s Counsel, presented on COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic-related services and relief for utility customers, including the Here2HelpDC initiative, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.
7) Presentation: Pepco, Capital Grid Project
Travoris Culpepper, Manager, Strategic Infrastructure & Operations Initiatives, Pepco; James Pittman, Vice President, Pepco Region, District of Columbia; and Pat Burke, Project Manager, DCI / Meade, presented on the Capital Grid Project, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.
8) Consent Calendar:
- Resolution 4B-21-0101: Supporting Construction of the Metropolitan Branch Trail in the 7100 Block of Eastern Avenue, NW (NOI #20-110-PSD) (Commissioner Yeats)
- Resolution 4B-21-0102: Calling for Adjustments to Scheduling of Hearings by the Board of Zoning Adjustments to Facilitate Public Participation (Commissioner Johnson)
- Letter of Inquiry: Ensuring Adequate Resources for Successful Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (Commissioner Brooks & Commissioner Palmer)
Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson left the meeting at this time.
9) Resolution 4B-21-0103: Supporting Renaming Park in the 6100 Block of North Dakota Avenue, NW, as the Ronald Austin Memorial Park
Commissioner Brooks presented a draft Resolution supporting renaming the park in the 6100 Block of North Dakota Avenue, NW, as the Ronald Austin Memorial Park, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.
Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the Resolution. Commissioner Brooks called for a roll call vote.
Commissioner Yeats – yes
Commissioner Palmer – yes
Commissioner J. Johnson – yes
Commissioner Parks – no
Commissioner T. Johnson – not present
Commissioner Bromaghim – abstain
Commissioner Brooks – yes
Commissioner Huff – yes
The motion was adopted, 5 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention.
10) Resolution 4B-21-0104: Calling for Fair and Equitable Elections Procedures and Improved Mechanisms to Fill Advisory Neighborhood Commission Vacancies
Commissioner Palmer presented a draft Resolution calling for fair and equitable elections procedures and improved mechanisms to fill Advisory Neighborhood Commission vacancies, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.
Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
11) Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
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