Minutes – September 2023

Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order & Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Commissioner Alison Brooks, Chair (4B08), presiding. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom. Commissioners present included Commissioner Palmer (4B02), Commissioner Smith (4B03), Commissioner Yeats (4B04), Commissioner Gilligan (4B05), Commissioner Johnson (4B06), Commissioner Cohen (4B07), Commissioner Brooks (4B08), and Commissioner Thompson (4B09).

Commissioner Brooks announced the Commission will have vacancy in Single Member District 4B10 upon Commissioner Huff’s upcoming resignation from the position.

Commissioner Palmer chaired the meeting due to intermittent Chair technical difficulties.

2. Administrative Items:

• Consideration and Approval of Agenda

Commissioner Palmer presented the September Regular Public Meeting Agenda and proposed to amend the agenda to switch the order of Agenda Item No. 7 (DC Department of Energy and Environment, Clean Energy DC 2.0 Plan) and Agenda Item No. 8 (Department of Energy and Environment, & Representative, Office of Planning, Sustainable DC 3.0 Plan) at the request of the agency.

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

• Approval of August 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the August 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes. The motion was adopted 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• Treasurer’s Report: Approval of Budget for Fiscal Year 2024

Commissioner Smith presented the Commission’s proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024. Commissioner Thompson moved to approve the proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The motion was adopted 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• ANC 4B Annual Report Art Submission Competition

Commissioner Palmer provided information about an art competition for students for the Commission’s Annual Report.

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:

• Sophia Tekola, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services (3 min)

Sophia Tekola provided updates on the World Festival, Mayor’s Arts Awards, testimony for the Chief of Police nomination, Metropolitan Police Department community walks, and climate change mitigation programs offered by the DC government.

• Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 min)

Jim Lewis from Councilmember Lewis George’s office had to leave the meeting early, but provided information in the chat that was read into the record during the meeting. That information included: the Councilmember’s team would be at the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association public safety walk; a save the date for the 2023 Senior Jubilee (Friday, October 6); and resources for neighbors shared on the Councilmember’s website.

• Representative, Metropolitan Police Department, Fourth District (3 min)

The Metropolitan Police Department was not present for the meeting.

• Housing Justice Committee (2 min)

Commissioner Palmer provided an update on Committee activities. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for October 4 at 7pm.

• Vision Zero Committee (2 min)

Commissioner Yeats provided an update on Committee activities. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for October 18 at 6pm.

6. Presentation: Travoris Culpepper, Manager, Strategic Infrastructure & Operations Initiatives, Pepco Rate Case Update

Travoris Culpepper provided an update on the Pepco multi-year rate plan. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

7. (Previously Agenda Item No. 8) Presentation: Oana Leahu-Aluas, District Department of Energy and Environment, Sustainable DC 3.0 Plan

Oana Leahu-Aluas provided an update on the Sustainable DC 3.0 Plan. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

8. (Previously Agenda Item No. 7) Presentation: Jamie Donovan, Project Manager, District Department of Energy and Environment, Clean Energy DC 2.0 Plan

Jamie Donovan provided an update on the Clean Energy DC 2.0 Plan. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

9. Presentation: Mel Negussie, Managing Member, Developer RE1 LLC re: Application for Zoning Modification at 5501 1st Street NW (BZA Case #19897-B) and 201 Kennedy Street NW Update

Mel Negussie provided an update on 5501 1st Street NW (BZA Case #19897-B) and 201 Kennedy Street, NW. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

10. Presentation: Planned Unit Development at Elm Gardens (7050 Eastern Avenue, NW) (ZC Case #23-19)

Representatives from the NHP Foundation provided updates on the proposed planned unit development at 7050 Eastern Avenue, NW. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

Resolution 4B-23-0901: Supporting Planned Unit Development at Elm Gardens (7050 Eastern Avenue, NW) (ZC Case #23-19) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks)

Commissioner Yeats presented a draft Resolution supporting a planned unit development at Elm Gardens (7050 Eastern Avenue, NW) (ZC Case #23-19), as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the Resolution. Commissioner Palmer called for a roll call vote, as follows:

T. Michelle Colson (4B01): not present

Erin Palmer (4B02): Yes

Zurick T. Smith (4B03): Yes

Evan Yeats (4B04): Yes

Kevin Gilligan (4B05): Yes

Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06): Yes

Michael Cohen (4B07): No

Alison Brooks (4B08): Yes

Derrick Johnson (4B09): Yes

LaRoya Huff (4B10): not present

The motion was adopted 7 yes, 1 no, 0 abstentions. Commissioner Cohen voted no.

11. Consent Calendar:

• Resolution 4B-23-0902: Calling for Extended Outdoor Public Pool Season & Hours (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Brooks)
• Resolution 4B-23-0903: Establishing Youth Advisory Committee (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer)

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

12. Resolution 4B-23-0904: Requesting District Department of Public Works Supervision of Trash Routes (Commissioner Johnson)

Commissioner Johnson presented a draft Resolution requesting District Department of Public Works supervision of trash routes, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

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

13. Resolution 4B-23-0905: Supporting B25-0258, “Access to Home Amendment Act of 2023” (Commissioner Johnson)

Commissioner Johnson presented a draft Resolution supporting B25-0258, “Access to Home Amendment Act of 2023,” as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

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

14. Resolution 4B-23-0906: Calling for Reform to Vacant & Blighted Property Laws and Regulations for Residential and Commercial Properties (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Yeats)

Commissioner Palmer presented a draft Resolution calling for reform to vacant and blighted property laws and regulations for residential and commercial properties, 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.

14. Resolution 4B-23-0907: Recommendations for Improvements and Oversight at the Office of Unified Communications (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer)

Commissioner Yeats presented a draft Resolution with recommendations for improvements and oversight at the Office of Unified Communications, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

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

15. Adjournment

Commissioner Palmer adjourned the meeting at 10:27 p.m.