Minutes – January 2024

Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Monday, January 22, 2024, 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, and a recording of the meeting is available on YouTube and on the Commission’s website. Commissioners 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 Jinin Berry (4B10).

Commissioner Derrick Thompson (4B09) was not present.

2.   Administrative Items:

A. Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting

Commissioner Brooks provided instructions for public participation in the meeting. Commissioner Brooks reminded residents they can sign up to receive monthly Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B meeting notifications automatically via the Commission’s website.

B. Election of Officers

Brenda Parks, former Commissioner for Single Member District 4B04 and former Chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B, facilitated the election of officers.

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

Commissioner Brooks nominated Commissioner Smith for Vice Chair. Commissioner Smith was elected Vice Chair by acclamation.

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

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

C.  Appointment of Representative to Walter Reed CAC

Commissioner Brooks nominated Commissioner Colson to be the Commission’s representative to the Walter Reed Community Advisory Committee. Commissioner Colson was appointed as the Commission’s representative to Walter Reed Community Advisory Committee by acclamation.

D.  Consideration and Approval of January 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda

Commissioner Brooks presented the January 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda. The Agenda was approved as presented.

E. Approval of November 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Brooks presented the November 2023 Regular Public Meeting Minutes. The Minutes were approved as presented.

F.  Approval of 2024 Meeting Schedule

Commissioner Brooks provided an overview of the 2024 Regular Public Meeting schedule, to include the Commission recessing in July, August, and December. The Commission meets on the fourth Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m., except for April (with regard to the start of Passover) and May (with regard to Memorial Day). In 2024, the Commission will meet on January 22nd, February 26th, March 25th, April 29th, May 28th, June 24th, September 23rd, October 28th, and November 25th. The first meeting of 2025 will be January 27th, 2025. Commissioner Brooks moved to approve the 2024 meeting schedule, and the motion was adopted, 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

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

H. Treasurer’s Report and Quarterly Financial Report for First Quarter FY2024

Commissioner Brooks noted that the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions is currently completing Quarterly Financial Reports and has not yet provided to the Commission the Quarterly Financial Report for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2024.

3.   Commissioner Updates

Commissioners provided updates regarding their Single Member Districts, including community cleanups, office hours, Single Member District meetings, and infrastructure improvements. Commissioner Brooks highlighted the Commission’s upcoming Crime Prevention Resource and Training Fair on February 10th.

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 District’s snow response, including plowing and shoveling, leaf collection, and the Marion Barry Youth Summer Employment Program, among other issues. 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 the Councilmember’s community listening sessions, expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and performance oversight hearings at the DC Council. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

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

Not present. 

D. Housing Justice Committee 

Commissioner Palmer provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s January 3rd meeting. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for February 7th at 7:30 p.m.

E. Vision Zero Committee

Commissioner Yeats provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s January 17th meeting. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for February 21 at 7:00 p.m.

F. Youth Advisory Committee

Commissioner Palmer provided an update on recruitment of members for the Commission’s Youth Advisory Committee.

6.   Presentation: Christopher Dyer, Community Engagement Manager, Department of Parks and Recreation, Update on Spring and Summer Programs and Activities

Christopher Dyer, Community Engagement Manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation, provided an update on spring and summer programs and activities. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

7.   Presentation: Gragg, Cardona, and Souadi, Update regarding Affordable Assisted Living Facility, 7709 Georgia Ave, NW (Sq. 2961, Lot 810), Map Amendment from MU-4 to MU-10 (Case No. 23-11)

Haaziq Gragg, Oussama Souadi, and Saman Zomorodi, representatives from Gragg, Cardona, and Souadi, provided an update on a proposed affordable assisted living facility at 7709 Georgia Avenue, NW, and their related application to the Zoning Commission for a zoning map amendment from the MU-4 Zone to the MU-10 Zone (Case No. 23-11). Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.

• Letter: Supporting and Providing Feedback on Proposed Map Amendment from MU-4 to MU-10 for 7709-7723 Georgia Avenue, NW (Case No. 23-11) (Commissioner Colson, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith, and Commissioner Yeats)

Commissioner Palmer provided remarks regarding a draft Letter supporting and providing feedback on the proposed map amendment from the MU-4 Zone to the MU-10 Zone (Case No. 23-11). Commissioner Brooks opened the floor to questions.

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

8.   Presentation: Dr. Linda McKay, Executive Director, Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy Public Charter School, Petition to Public Charter School Board to Amend Charter Agreement to Relocate from Sixth Presbyterian Church at 5413 16th Street, NW, to Takoma Park Baptist Church at 635 Aspen Street, NW

Not present.

• Letter: Noting Challenges with Community Engagement Process for Charter School Relocation and Need for Coordination and Oversight for Siting of Public Charter Schools (Commissioner Palmer and Commissioner Yeats)

Commissioner Palmer and Commissioner Yeats presented a draft Letter noting challenges with the community engagement process related to the proposed relocation of Mary McLeod Bethune Day Academy Public Charter School from Sixth Presbyterian Church at 5413 16th Street, NW, to Takoma Park Baptist Church at 635 Aspen Street, NW, and the need for coordination and oversight by the DC Public Charter School Board for the siting of public charter schools. Commissioners and members of the community commented and asked questions.

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

9.   Consent Calendar:

• Resolution 4B-24-0101: Supporting and Providing Feedback on B25-0574, the Do Right by DC Tenants Amendment Act of 2023 (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Smith)
• Resolution 4B-24-0102: Noting History of Requests and Calling for Installation of Meaningful Traffic Calming at the Intersection of 5th Street, NW and Underwood Street, NW (Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Brooks, and Commissioner Yeats)

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

10. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.