Regular Public Meeting

Monday, May 24, 2021, 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order & Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 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 May Regular Public Meeting Agenda

Commissioner Brooks presented the proposed May Regular Public Meeting agenda and proposed amending the agenda to remove Resolution 4B-21-0503: Supporting Speed Humps on the 400 Block of Kennedy Street, NE (Commissioner Huff), from the consent calendar and Agenda Item No. 10, Resolution 4B-21-0504: Requesting Traffic Calming on the 5500 Block of 4th Street, NE (Commissioner Huff) to table for another meeting.

Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

Approval of April Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson moved to approve the April Regular Public Meeting minutes. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Revised Quarterly Financial Reports for the Second Quarter of 2020 and the Third Quarter of 2020, and Quarterly Financial Reports for the Fourth Quarter 2020, First Quarter 2021, and Second Quarter 2021

Commissioner Bromaghim presented the Treasurer’s Report. The Commission has a balance of approximately $28,620.35.

Commissioner Bromaghim reported out a revised Quarterly Report for the Second Quarter of 2020 and a revised Quarterly Report for the Third Quarter of 2020, which were amended based on a revised spreadsheet required to complete these reports from the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.

Commissioner Bromaghim presented and moved to approve the Quarterly Report for the Fourth Quarter 2020, the Quarterly Report for the First Quarter 2021, and the Quarterly Report for the Second Quarter 2021. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

3) Commissioner Updates  

Commissioner Palmer provided information on Sidewalk Palooza (citywide events highlighting pedestrian infrastructure). Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson provided information regarding upcoming Single Member District 4B06 events and information regarding applying for membership on the Commission’s Community Safety and Support Committee. Commissioner Brooks provided information regarding upcoming Single Member District 4B08 events and testimony before the DC Council regarding oversight of the District Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Commissioner Huff provided information upcoming Single Member District 4B09 events.

4) Community Concerns

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

5) Reports

Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District

Lieutenant Matthew Fitzgerald, 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 and volunteer efforts to get neighbors vaccinated, re-opening updates, and mask guidance, 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, provided information on the Councilmember’s new website and reported on the status of the Fiscal Year 2022 DC budget, proposed legislation, and information regarding rent and utilities assistance, 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 summer school, school funding and the current budget cycle, meals for students, and a book drive, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Vision Zero Committee

Commissioner Brooks reported on the Committee’s May 19, 2021, meeting.

6) Presentation: Nicole McEntee, Program Analyst, Education and Outreach, DC     Office of the Tenant Advocate

Nicole McEntee, Program Analyst, Education and Outreach, DC Office of the Tenant Advocate, presented information on the work of the Office, including legal representation, policy advocacy, education and outreach, and emergency housing, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

7) Presentation: Ajan Brown, Community Engagement Specialist, DC Office of Human Rights

Ajan Brown, Community Engagement Specialist, DC Office of Human Rights, presented on the work of the Office to enforce the District’s anti-discrimination laws and protections afforded to vulnerable populations, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

8) Presentation: Julian Hipkins, III, NAF Academy Director, Theodore Roosevelt High     School, NAF Academies

Julian Hipkins, III, NAF Academy Director, Theodore Roosevelt High School, presented on the school’s culinary arts and global service and diplomacy pathways, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

9) Consent Calendar:

• Resolution 4B-21-0501: Calling for All-Way Stop Signs within Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B (Commissioner Palmer and Commissioner Yeats)
• Letter: Requesting Traffic Safety Improvements on Aspen Street, NW (Commissioner Palmer)
• Resolution 4B-21-0502: Requesting Installation of Speed Humps on the Unit Block of Underwood Place, NW (Commissioner Bromaghim)
• Resolution 4B-21-0503: Supporting Speed Humps on the 400 Block of Kennedy Street, NE (Commissioner Huff)

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

10) Resolution 4B-21-0504: Requesting Traffic Calming on the 5500 Block of 4th Street,           NE

11)  Resolution 4B-21-0505: Supporting Piney Branch Road Traffic Calming       Improvements Project (NOI 2021-04-12)

Commissioner Yeats presented a draft Resolution supporting the Piney Branch Road, NW, traffic calming improvement project detailed in NOI 2021-04-12, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 1 no, 0 abstentions. Commissioner Jocelynn Johnson opposed.

12) Resolution 4B-21-0506: Supporting Use Variance for Integrative Bodywork, 6230       3rd Street, NW (BZA 20468)            

Commissioner Jocelynn Johnson presented a draft Resolution supporting an application for a use variance for Integrative Bodywork, 6230 3rd Street, NW (BZA 20468), as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

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

13) Resolution 4B-21-0507: Supporting Special Exceptions for Rear Screened Porch at        732 Tewkesbury Place, NW (BZA 20462)

Commissioner Jocelynn Johnson presented a draft Resolution supporting an application for special exceptions for a rear screened porch at 732 Tewkesbury Place, NW (BZA 20462), as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

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

14) Resolution 4B-21-0508: Supporting the Child Wealth Building Act of 2021, B24-023

Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson and Commissioner Palmer presented a draft resolution in support of the Child Wealth Building Act of 2021, B24-023, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 1 no, 0 abstentions. Commissioner Parks opposed.

15) Resolution 4B-21-0509: Calling for Legislative Revisions and Supports to Allow        Hybrid (Virtual and In-Person) Meetings for Advisory Neighborhood Commissions

Commissioner Palmer presented a draft Resolution calling for legislative revisions and supports to allow hybrid (virtual and in-person) meetings for Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

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

16) Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:44 p.m.