Minutes – January 2023

Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Monday, January 23, 2023

1. Call to Order & Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm by Commissioner Alison Brooks, Chair (ANC 4B08 Commissioner), presiding. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom. Also present were Commissioners T. Michelle Colson (4B01), Erin Palmer (4B02), Zurick T. Smith (4B03), Evan Yeats (4B04), Kevin Gilligan (4B05), Tiffani Johnson (4B06), Michael Cohen (4B07), Audrey Walker (4B09), and LaRoya Huff (4B10).

• Administrative Items
  • Instructions re: Participation in Virtual Meeting

Commissioner Brooks provided instructions for public participation in the meeting. Commissioner Brooks updated residents on new option to receive monthly Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B meeting notifications automatically by signing up on the website.

• Election of Officers

Natalee Snider, Director of the Mayor’s Office on Caribbean Community Affairs and a former Commissioner, facilitated the election of officers.

Commissioner Palmer nominated Commissioner Brooks for Chair. Commissioner Brooks was elected Chair by acclamation.

Commissioner Huff nominated Commissioner Palmer for Vice Chair. Commissioner Palmer was elected Vice Chair by acclamation.

Commissioner Palmer nominated Commissioner Gilligan for Secretary. Commissioner Gilligan was elected Secretary by acclamation.

Commissioner Brooks nominated Commissioner Walker for Treasurer. Commissioner Walker was elected Treasurer by acclamation.

• Appointment of Representative to Walter Reed CAC

Commissioner Brooks nominated Commissioner Smith to be representative to Walter Reed CAC. Commissioner Smith was appointed Representative to Walter Reed CAC by acclamation.

• Consideration and Approval of January Agenda

Commissioner Brooks presented the January 2023 Regular Public Meeting agenda. Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the agenda. The motion was adopted, 10 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• Approval of November 2022 Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the November 2022 Regular Public Meeting minutes. The motion was adopted, 10 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• Approval of 2023 Meeting Schedule

Commissioner Brooks provided an overview of 2023 Regular Public Meeting Schedule, to include the Commission recessing in July and December and Regular Public Meetings to occur on 2/27/2023, 3/27/2023, 4/24/2023, 5/22/2023, 6/26/2023, 8/28/2023, 9/26/2023, 10/23/2023, 11/27/2023, and 1/22/2024. The 2023 Meeting Schedule was adopted unanimously, as presented.

• Approval of ANC Security Fund

Commissioner Brooks provided an overview of the Advisory Neighborhood Commission Security Fund Resolution for the Commission’s participation in the Advisory Neighborhood Commission Security Fund. Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted, 10 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• Treasurer’s Report and Quarterly Financial Report for First Quarter FY2023

Commissioner Walker presented the Treasurer’s Report. The Commission had an ending balance of $50,454.97. Commissioner Walker presented and moved to approve the Quarterly Financial Report for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023. The motion was adopted, 10 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• Commissioner Updates

Commissioner Palmer highlighted upcoming community cleanups and office hours. Commissioner Smith stated he will send an update on water line construction. Commissioner Gilligan encouraged 4B05 constituents to sign up for email updates. Commissioner Cohen shared that his office hours will occur on Wednesdays. Commissioner Brooks highlighted a planned quarterly cleanup for March. Commissioner Walker encouraged 4B09 constituents to sign up for email updates. Commissioner Huff highlighted a planned meet-and-greet and updates on upcoming Pepco cable installation work on New Hampshire Ave. Commissioner Colson encouraged 4B01 constituents to sign up for email updates.

Director Natalee Snider of the Mayor’s Office of Caribbean Affairs within the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs introduced herself and her new office’s mission to connect and collaborate with the District’s Caribbean community and to share available resources.

• Community Concerns

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

• Reports
  • Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services

Sophia Tekola, representing the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, introduced herself and reported on Mayoral actions and events of interest to residents of Ward 4, including Department of Public Works holiday trees/greenery curbside collection or drop-off options and an Office of Personnel Management event for guidance on federal internships and other opportunities, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

• James Lewis, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

In lieu of James Lewis, Councilmember Janeese Lewis George spoke to introduce her new Legislative Director, Barbara Rogers, and highlight ongoing and upcoming community listening sessions occurring in Ward 4. Councilmember Lewis George also provided an update on her Council Committee assignments and answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

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

Representative Frazier O’Leary was not present but provided a written statement on issues related to the State Board of Education of interest to residents of Ward 4, including information regarding continued need for maintenance and upkeep in area schools and book donation opportunities.

• Housing Justice Committee

Palmer provided an update on Housing Justice Committee activity. The next meeting is February 1, 7:00pm. At-Large Council Member Robert White will be in attendance.

• Vision Zero Committee

Commissioner Yeats provided an update on Vision Zero Committee activity. The Committee is seeking new members. Meetings occur on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm

• Community Safety & Support Committee

Commissioner Johnson provided an update on Community Safety & Support Committee. The Committee is seeking new members. The first meeting is February 20 at 7:00pm.

• Presentations
  • Stephen Akyereko, Outreach Coordinator, DC Water, Lead Free DC

Sean Moore, Lead Free DC Communications and Outreach Manager, provided updates on the District’s Lead Free DC program and actions in Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B and requested that affected residents sign consent forms to allow DC Water to replace lead service lines on private property at no cost.

• Consent Calendar
  • Resolution 4B-23-0101: Calling for Greater Transparency and Action to Address Sidewalk Repairs, Sidewalk Gaps, and Pedestrian Infrastructure (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks & Commissioner Johnson)
  • Resolution 4B-23-0102: Highlighting History of Advocacy for and Requesting Stronger Centralized Resources for Successful Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Walker & Commissioner Yeats)
  • Letter: Supporting and Providing Additional Feedback on Application of TM Associates, LLC, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for Consolidated Approval of Planned Unit Development and Map Amendment at Takoma Metrorail Station (ZC Case #22-36) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer & Commissioner Brooks)
  • Resolution 4B-23-0103: Expanding Membership of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Housing Justice Committee (Commissioner Palmer)
  • Resolution 4B-23-0104: Calling on the Executive to Fully Implement the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Act of 2016 (Commissioner Johnson & Commissioner Gilligan)

Commissioner Palmer moved to approve the consent calendar. The motion was adopted, 10 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:54pm. The next Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 27, 2023, 7:00 p.m.