Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 23, 2024, 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, and a recording of the meeting is available on YouTube and on the Commission’s website. Commissioners present also 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. Consideration and Approval of September 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
Commissioner Brooks presented the September 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda. After discussion, Commissioner Yeats proposed to amend the agenda to add Resolution 4B-24-0906, Supporting Request for Special Exception at 245 Peabody Street, NW (BZA Case No. 21101) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Palmer, and Commissioner Brooks) as Agenda Item No. 9.
Commissioner Johnson moved to amend the agenda to add Resolution 4B-24-0906. The motion was adopted 8 yes, 1 no, 0 abstentions. Commissioner Cohen voted no. Commissioner Johnson then moved to approve the agenda, as amended. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
C. Approval of June 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Brooks presented the June 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes. The Minutes were approved as presented.
D. Treasurer’s Report, Approval of Quarterly Financial Report for the Third Quarter of FY 2024, and Approval of Budget for Fiscal Year 2025
Commissioner Yeats provided the Treasurer’s Report. Commissioner Yeats presented and moved to approve the Quarterly Financial Report for the Third Quarter of FY 2024. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions. Commissioner Yeats presented and moved to approve the Commission’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
E. ANC 4B Annual Report Art Submission Competition
Commissioner Brooks shared details regarding the Commission’s Annual Report art submission competition for local students.
F. ANC 4B Professional Website Translation
Commissioner Yeats shared details regarding the Commission’s nearly completed professional website translation into Spanish and Amharic.
3. Commissioner Updates
Commissioners provided updates regarding their Single Member Districts, including community cleanups, office hours, Single Member District and community meetings and events, and neighborhood infrastructure and development updates.
4. Community Concerns
Members of the community were provided the opportunity to present questions or statements.
5. Reports:
A. Yamileth Escobar, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services
Yamileth Escobar, Ward 4 Manager, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services, introduced the Commission and residents to the new Representative for Ward 4, Leticia Acosta, as well as provided updates on neighborhood events and government services and resources, among other issues. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.
B. Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
Candace Tiana Nelson, Chief of Staff, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, provided legislative updates, including related to emergency rental assistance, traffic safety, and the Office of Unified Communications, as well as updates regarding neighborhood utility projects, among other issues. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.
C. Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education
Representative O’Leary provided updates on State Board of Education actions related to nurses in schools and cell phone policies, as well as a book drive, among other issues. Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.
Commissioner Palmer provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s July 3rd meeting, August 21st social, and September 4th meeting, as well as the Committee’s Tenant Resource Fair on July 14th. The next Committee Meeting is scheduled for October 2nd at 7:30 p.m.
Commissioner Yeats and Commissioner Brooks provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s September 18th meeting. The next Committee Meeting is scheduled for October 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioner Brooks and Commissioner Palmer provided an update on Committee activities, including the Committee’s August 31st meeting and September 15th meeting. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for October 20th at 4:00 p.m.
G. Community Safety & Support Committee
Commissioner Johnson provided an update on the Committee’s activities, including the Committee’s July 18th meeting and August 22nd meeting. The next Committee meeting is scheduled for September 26th at 7:00 p.m.
6. Presentation: Cheryl Morse, Consumer Outreach Specialist & Ade Adeniyi, Assistant People’s Counsel, DC Office of the People’s Counsel, Mission and Work of the Office and Action on Project Pipes (Washington Gas)
Cheryl Morse, Consumer Outreach Specialist, and Ade Adeniyi, Assistant People’s Counsel, with the DC Office of the People’s Counsel, presented regarding the mission and work of the office, including as related to Project Pipes (Washington Gas). Commissioners and members of the community asked questions.
7. Consent Calendar:
- Resolution 4B-24-0901: Recommending Removal of “Rush Hour No Parking” Restriction on the 400 and 500 Blocks of Cedar Street, NW (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Smith)
- Resolution 4B-24-0902: Requesting Comprehensive Street Redesign for the 200 and 300 Blocks of Vine Street, NW (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Smith)
- Resolution 4B-24-0903: Reiterating Requests for Beautification and Art Along Aspen Street, NW, Underpass of the Metropolitan Subdivision as Part of Construction of Metropolitan Branch Trail (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Smith)
- Letter: Detailing Pedestrian Access and Pedestrian Safety Challenges and Requests for Improvements at Safeway (6500 Piney Branch Road, NW) (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith)
- Resolution 4B-24-0904: Calling for the Office of Tax and Revenue to Advocate for Statutory Changes to Allow for a Spend Down Process for the Adjusted Gross Income of Property Owners Over 65 and those with Disabilities (Commissioner Johnson)
Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.
8. Presentation: Alexandra Wilson, Sullivan & Barros, Application to Board of Zoning Adjustment for Special Exception to Construct Child Development Center at 245 Peabody Street, NW (BZA 21101)
Alexandra Wilson, Sullivan & Barros, presented regarding an application to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for a Special Exception to Construct a Child Development Center at 245 Peabody Street, NW (BZA 21101). Commissioners and members of the community asked questions and provided comments.
- Resolution 4B-24-0905: Supporting and Providing Feedback Regarding Request for Special Exception at 245 Peabody St., NW (BZA 21101) (Commissioner Cohen)
Commissioner Cohen moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was not seconded and was therefore not brought forward for discussion or a vote.
9. Resolution 4B-24-0906: Supporting Request for Special Exception at 245 Peabody Street, NW (BZA Case No. 21101) (Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Palmer, and Commissioner Brooks)
Commissioner Yeats presented and read into the record a draft Resolution supporting a special exception at 245 Peabody Street, NW (BZA Case No. 21101). Commissioners and members of the community asked questions and provided comments.
Commissioner Yeats moved to approve the Resolution. Commissioner Cohen requested a roll call vote.
T. Michelle Colson (4B01): Abstain
Erin Palmer (4B02): Yes
Zurick T. Smith (4B03): Yes
Evan Yeats (4B04): Yes
Kevin Gilligan (4B05): Abstain
Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06): Yes
Michael Cohen (4B07): Abstain
Alison Brooks (4B08): Yes
Derrick Johnson (4B09): not present
Jinin Berry (4B10): Yes
The motion was adopted 6 yes, 0 no, 3 abstentions. Commissioner Colson, Commissioner Gilligan, and Commissioner Cohen abstained.
10. Letter: Requesting Audit of Settlement Agreements Approved by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (formerly Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration) to Ensure Enforceability and Racial Equity (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks)
Commissioner Palmer presented a draft Resolution requesting an audit of settlement agreements approved by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration to ensure enforceability and racial equity. Commissioners and members of the community were given the opportunity to ask questions.
Commissioner Palmer moved to approve the Resolution. The motion was adopted 9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstention.
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 p.m.
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