Regular Public Meeting

Monday, March 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), and Geoff Bromaghim (4B07).

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 March Regular Public Meeting Agenda

Commissioner Brooks presented the proposed March Regular Public Meeting agenda, noting a clerical correction to Item 11 to renumber Resolution 4B-20-0302 as Resolution 4B-21-0302. Commissioner Jocelynn Johnson moved to approve the agenda as corrected. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

Approval of February Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the February Regular Public Meeting minutes. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

Treasurer’s Report

Commissioner Bromaghim presented the Treasurer’s Report. The Commission has a balance of $33,362.06.

3)       Commissioner Updates  

Commissioner Palmer provided information regarding DC Water’s upcoming green infrastructure project, Rock Creek Green Infrastructure Project B, including upcoming public meetings hosted by DC Water on April 7th and May 4th. In addition, Commissioner Palmer provided information on two public meetings related to a project funded by a Community Stormwater Solutions Grant awarded to neighbors in Takoma.

Commissioner Brooks provided updates regarding Single Member District 4B05, including a recent Commission meeting to address resident concerns and issues in light of the vacant seat. Commissioner Brooks also provided updates regarding Single Member District 4B08.

4)       Community Concerns

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

5)         Reports

Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District

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

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 such as appointment scheduling and eligibility, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Tamira Benitez, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

Tamira Benitez, representing the Office of Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, reported on DC Statehood, COVID-19 (coronavirus) vaccinations, and District agency performance oversight hearings, 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 local schools, school funding and the current budget cycle, meals for students, and a book drive, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

6)       Presentation: Louis Davis, Jr., State Director, AARP District of Columbia, Proposal to Install an AARP FitLot at Lamond Recreation Center, 20 Tuckerman Street, NE

Louis Davis, Jr., State Director, AARP District of Columbia, presented information regarding the installation of a FitLot, an outdoor public exercise facility, at the Lamond Recreation Center, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members. Commissioner Bromaghim stated that he would host a Single Member District meeting regarding the project.

7)       Presentation: Casey Auch, Client Services Manager, goDCgo, Go Far with No Car Campaign

Casey Auch, Client Services Manager, goDCgo, presented regarding a public campaign launching in April focused in Brightwood, Go Far With No Car, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

8)       Presentation: Lester Wallace, Community Outreach Coordinator, Capital Bikeshare, Capital Bikeshare for All Program

Lester Wallace, Community Outreach Coordinator, Capital Bikeshare, presented on the Capital Bikeshare for all Program, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

9)       Presentation: Masaley Kargbo, Director, Academy of Health Sciences, Coolidge Senior High School (2 minute presentation; 2 minute discussion)

Masaley Kargbo, Director of Coolidge Senior High’s Academy of Health Sciences, presented information about that Academy, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

10)     Presentation: James Waller, Chief of Schools; Lee Chaffin, Consultant to Friendship; and Tony Newman, Director of Architectural Operations at Michael Marshall Design, Proposed Expansion of Friendship Public Charter School’s Ideal Campus, 6130 North Capitol Street, NW

James Waller, Chief of Schools; Joseph E. Speight, Principal; and Lee Chaffin, Consultant, Friendship Public Charter School, as well as Tony Newman, Director of Architectural Operations at Michael Marshall Design, presented regarding a proposed expansion of Friendship Public Charter School’s Ideal Campus, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

11)      Consent Calendar:

• Resolution 4B-21-0301: Requesting Installation of Speed Humps on the 7100 Block of 9th Street, NW (Commissioner Palmer)
• Resolution 4B-21-0302: Supporting Proposed Concept Design for The Parks at Walter Reed Building WXY (Commissioner Bromaghim)

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

12)     Resolution 4B-21-0303: Supporting Proposed Improvements to Intersection of Piney Branch Road, Whittier Street, and 8th Street, NW (NOI #21-6-TOA)

Commissioner Palmer presented a draft Resolution supporting proposed traffic safety improvements to the intersection of Piney Branch Road, Whittier Street, and 8th Street, NW, as detailed in the District Department of Transportation’s Notice of Intent #21-6-TOA. Commissioner Palmer also answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

13)     Resolution 4B-21-0304: Establishing Public Safety Committee

Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson presented a draft Resolution to establish a Community Safety and Support Committee to (1) recommend proposed community safety measures within the Commission’s boundaries; (2) analyze and provide feedback, including letters and testimony on proposed legislation and policy affecting community safety; (3) host and support educational events on topics related community safety. Commissioner Johnson also answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

14)     Letter re Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Priorities

Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson, and Commissioner Yeats presented a letter regarding Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s fiscal year 2022 budget priorities, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

15)     Adjournment

Commissioner Jocelynn Johnson moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m.