Minutes – October 2023

Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, October 27, 2023, 7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order & Roll Call

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Commissioner Alison Brooks, Chair (4B08), presiding. The meeting was held virtually via Zoom. Commissioner present included Commissioner T. Michelle Colson (4B01), Commissioner Erin Palmer (4B02), Commissioner Zurick T. Smith (4B03), Commissioner Evan Yeats (4B04), Commissioner Kevin Gilligan (4B05), Commissioner Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06), Commissioner Michael Cohen (4B07), and Commissioner Derrick Thompson (4B09). 

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 October 2023 Regular Public Meeting Agenda and proposed to amend the agenda to strike Resolution 4B-23-1003, Grant Award for Calvin Coolidge Alumni Association Inc. and Resolution 4B-23-1004, Grant Award for Sela Public Charter School Parent Teacher Organization from the Agenda. Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the Agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions. 

C. Approval of September 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Palmer presented and moved to approve the September 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

D. Treasurer’s Report & Approval of Quarterly Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023

Commissioner Smith presented the Quarterly Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023. Commissioner Smith moved to approve the Quarterly Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

E. Approval of Community Grants:

• Resolution 4B-23-1001: Grant Award for Takoma Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• Resolution 4B-23-1002: Grant Award for Ida B. Wells Parent Teacher Organization

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

• Resolution 4B-23-1003: Grant Award for Calvin Coolidge Alumni Association Inc. 
• Resolution 4B-23-1004: Grant Award for Sela Public Charter School Parent Teacher Organization
• Resolution 4B-23-1005: Grant Award for South Manor Neighborhood Association

Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted 7 yes, 0 no, 2 abstentions. Commissioner Colson and Commissioner Brooks abstained.

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 on Community Relations and Services, provided updates on the Whittier Elementary School swing space, the Addressing Crime Trends Now Act, and leaf pickup. 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 Janeese Lewis George, provided updates on increases to the SNAP program, the need for unity on the Mayor’s new crime legislation, the DC Plug project, 24/7 bus service, and composting. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions. 

C. Housing Justice Committee

Commissioner Palmer provided an update on Committee activities. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for November 1 at 7:00 p.m. 

D. Vision Zero Committee

Commissioner Yeats provided an update on Committee activities. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for November 15 at 6:30 p.m. 

E. Youth Advisory Committee

Commissioner Brooks provided an update on Committee activities.

6. Presentation: Randi Thorpe, Public Affairs Specialist; District Department of Public Works; Back to Basics Leaf Season and Fall initiatives

Randi Thorpe provided an update on leaf season and fall initiatives. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

7. Presentation: Brandon Kemper Seeley, Training and Education Manager; DC Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (SAFE); Emergency Services, Court Advocacy, and System Reform for Domestic Violence Survivors

Nicole Walter, Director for DC SAFE, filled in for Brandon Kemper Seeley and provided an update on DC Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment (DC SAFE) emergency services, court advocacy, and system reform for domestic violence survivors. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

8. Presentation: Kandice Lous, Senior Director of Programs; District Alliance for Safe Housing; Housing Services and Supports for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence  

Not present.

9. Presentation: Tesha Coleman, MS, Bureau Chief; Cancer and Chronic Disease Prevention Bureau, Community Health Administration; DC Government Cancer Control Programs

Tesha Coleman provided an update on DC government cancer control programs. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

10. Consent Calendar:

• Resolution 4B-23-1006: Providing Feedback on Proposal for the Intersection of 6th and Butternut Streets, NW (NOI 23-200-TESD) and Reiterating Requests for Meaningful Traffic Calming (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks)
• Resolution 4B-23-1007: Supporting Application for Zoning Modification to Board of Zoning Adjustment Order No. 19897-B for 5501 1st Street, NW (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer) 
• Resolution 4B-23-1008: Calling for the District Department of Parks and Recreation to Prioritize the Installation of New Playground Infrastructure at the Lamond Recreation Center (Commissioner Cohen)

Commissioner Thompson moved to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

11. Resolution 4B-23-1009: Supporting and Providing Feedback on Proposed Traffic Safety Enforcement Legislation (B25-0421, B25-0422, B25-0425 and B25-0435) (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks)

Commissioner Palmer presented a draft Resolution supporting and providing feedback on proposed traffic safety enforcement legislation, as well as answered questions from Commissioners and community members.

Commissioner Palmer moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

12. Adjournment

Commissioner Brooks adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.