Minutes – May 2023

Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Monday, May 22, 2023

1. Call to Order & Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Commissioner Alison Brooks, Chair (ANC 4B08), presiding. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom. Also present were Commissioner Erin Palmer (4B02), Commissioner Zurick. T. Smith (4B03), Commissioner Evan Yeats (4B04), Commissioner Kevin Gilligan (4B05), Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06), and Commissioner Michael Cohen (4B07). 

2. Administrative Items: 

A. Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting 

Commissioner Brooks provided instructions for public participation in the meeting. 

B. Consideration and Approval of Agenda 

Commissioner Brooks presented the May 2023 Regular Public Meeting Agenda and proposed removing the University of Maryland presentation (Results of Community and Resilient Environments Project) under Agenda Item No. 6 due to a calendar conflict for the presenter. Commissioner Johnson proposed the removal of Agenda Item No. 9, Resolution 4B-23-0503, Calling for Greater Education Oversight and Accountability of DC Government Adherence to the District of Columbia Human Rights Act. 

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the Agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions. 

C. Approval of April 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes 

Commissioner Gilligan presented and moved to approve the April 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes. The motion was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions. 

3. Commissioner Updates 

Commissioners provided updates regarding their Single Member Districts. 

4. Community Concerns 

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

5. Reports: 

A. Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services 

Sophia Tekola, representing the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, reported on the Mayor’s proposed public safety measures, a new Mayor’s Order 2023-061 re: a district-wide review of violence reduction programs, a Senior Fest on May 31 at the Gateway Pavilion, a recap on the Mayor’s testimony before Congress, and spray park openings. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions. 

B. Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 

Barbara Rogers, representing the Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Lewis George, reported on the Ward 4 CARE Days, the Councilmember’s action on the budget process and reversals to some proposed cuts to certain programs, plans for summer block parties and an information session re: how to host a block party, and an invitation to sign up for the weekly newsletter. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions. 

C. Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education 

Not present. 

D. Representative, Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District 

Not present. 

E. Housing Justice Committee 

Commissioner Palmer provided an update on Housing Justice Committee activities. The next meeting is scheduled for June 7 at 7:00 p.m. 

F. Vision Zero Committee 

Commissioner Yeats provided an update on Vision Zero Committee activities. The next meeting is scheduled for June 21 at 6:00 p.m. 

G. Community Safety & Support Committee 

Commissioner Johnson provided an update on Community Safety and Support Committee activities. The next meeting is scheduled for June 15 at 7:00 p.m. 

6. Presentations:

• Mark Bjorge, Community Relations Specialist, Department of Aging and Community Living, Agency Mission and Services 

Mark Bjorge provided an overview of the Department of Aging and Community Living. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions. 

• Cheryl Morse, Consumer Outreach Specialist, Office of the People’s Counsel, Agency Mission and Operations 

Cheryl Morse provided an overview of the Office of the People’s Counsel. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions. 

• Arianna Gard, Director, Growth and Resilience Across Development Lab, University of Maryland, Results of Community and Resilient Environments Project 

• Caren Garfield & Evan Goldman, EYA Multifamily LLC, Takoma Metro Station Project, 327 Cedar Street NW (HPA 23-288) 

Caren Garfield provided an update and overview of the Takoma Metro Station Project. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions. 

• Paul Tummonds, Goulston & Storrs Law Firm, Modification of Consequence for The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Art Place at Fort Totten – Block B Project 

Paul Tummonds provided an update and overview of the Art Place at Fort Totten project. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions. 

7. Consent Calendar: 

• Letter: Noting Lengthy History of Requests & Calling for Action to Address Illegal Commercial Vehicles (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer, and Commissioner Brooks) 
• Resolution 4B-23-0501: Supporting & Providing Recommendations on B25-0257, Hybrid Meeting Accessibility Act of 2023, to Ensure Accessibility & Inclusivity (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Gilligan, Commissioner Yeats) 

Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions. 

8. Resolution 4B-23-0502: Calling for Racial & Demographic Impact Analysis of DC Historic Districts (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, and Commissioner Colson) 

Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, and Commissioner presented a draft Resolution calling for racial and demographic impact analyses of DC Historic Districts, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members. 

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

9. Resolution 4B-23-0503: Calling for Greater Education Oversight and Accountability of DC Government Adherence to the District of Columbia Human Rights Act (Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Cohen) 

10. Letter: Requesting Additional Information Related to Pre-Implementation, Execution, and Follow-Up of Lead Service Line Replacement Work Performed by DC Water (Commissioner Cohen and Commissioner Smith) 

Commissioner Cohen presented a draft Letter requesting additional information related to pre-implementation, execution, and follow-up of lead service line replacement work performed by DC Water, as well as answered questions from Commissioner and community members. DC Water provided an update and answered questions. 

Commissioner Yeats moved to table the draft Letter. The motion to table the draft Letter was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions. 

11. Adjournment 

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.