Regular Public Meeting

Monday, February 22, 2021, 7:00 p.m.

1) Call to Order & Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Commissioner Alison Brooks, Chair (ANC 4B08 Commissioner), presiding. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom and broadcast on YouTube. Also present were Commissioners Evan Yeats (4B01), Erin Palmer (4B02), Jocelynn Johnson (4B03), Brenda Parks (4B04), Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06), Geoff Bromaghim (4B07), 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 Brooks provided instructions for public participation in the meeting.

Consideration and Approval of February Regular Public Meeting Agenda

Commissioner Brooks noted a clerical correction, renumbering Resolutions 4B-21-0104, 4B-21-0105, and 4B-21-0106 on the noticed agenda as Resolutions 4B-21-0204, 4B-21-0205, and 4B-21-0206. Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

Approval of January Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Parks moved to approve the January Regular Public Meeting minutes. 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 $33,361.50.

3) Commissioner Updates  

Commissioner Palmer provided information regarding an upcoming Single Member District meeting with the District Department of Transportation regarding proposed safety improvements for the intersection at Piney Branch Road, NW, Whittier Street, NW, and 8th Street, NW. Commissioner Jocelynn Johnson introduced herself and provided contact information. Commissioner Brooks provided details on a Single Member District 4B05 meeting to address resident issues in consideration of the vacancy. Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Huff provided updates on efforts to help individuals 65 and older sign up for COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations.

4) Community Concerns

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

5) Reports

Tamira Benitez, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

Tamira Benitez, representing the office of Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, reported on COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations and District agency performance oversight hearings, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Yamileth Escobar, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services

Yamileth Escobar, 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 the COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations like details regarding appointment scheduling and eligibility, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative

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, meals for students, proposed legislation impacting the State Board of Education, and a book drive, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District

Captain Franklin Porter, 4th District, reported on crime statistics and police action in Ward 4 and answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Housing Justice Committee

Commissioner Palmer, Chair of the Commission’s Housing Justice Committee, introduced members of the Housing Justice Committee and reported on the Committee’s February 8, 2021, meeting.

6) Presentation: Susan Davis, East Rock Creek Village, Assistance for Individuals 65+ with COVID-19 (coronavirus) Vaccination Appointments

Not present.

7) Presentation: Gerard Brown, Program Manager, District Department of Health, Rodent Control

Gerard Brown, Program Manager, District Department of Health presented on rodent control, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

8) Presentation: Sayra Molina, Program Analyst – Community Engagement, District Department of Transportation, Overview of Programs

Sayra Molina, Program Analyst – Community Engagement, District Department of Transportation provided a brief overview of programs, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

9) Consent Calendar:

• Resolution 4B-21-0201: Calling for Improved Mechanisms to Address Abandoned Cars (Commissioner Palmer)
• Resolution 4B-21-0202: Requesting Installation of Speed Humps on the 300 Block of Longfellow Street, NW (Commissioner Johnson)
• Resolution 4B-21-0203: Requesting Traffic Calming Within Single Member District 4B04 (Commissioner Parks)

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

10) Resolution 4B-21-0204: Providing Feedback On and Expressing Opposition to WMATA Proposed Budget and Service Cuts in Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B

Commissioner Yeats presented a draft Resolution providing feedback on and expressing opposition to WMATA proposed budget and service cuts in Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

11) Resolution 4B-21-0205: Establishing Recreation and Community Spaces Committee

Commissioner Huff presented a draft Resolution establishing a Recreation and Community Spaces Committee, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Huff moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

12) Resolution 4B-21-0206: Providing Feedback on 65% Design of Metropolitan Branch Trail from Fort Totten to Takoma

Commissioner Bromaghim presented a draft Resolution providing feedback on the 65% design of the Metropolitan Branch Trail from Fort Totten to Takoma, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Palmer moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

13) Adjournment

Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m.