Bates Area Civic Association

Monday, January 7, 2013

Meeting Agenda

7 PM, Mt. Sinai Church, 3^rd and Q ST NW

 

7:00 PM – 7:10 PM

 

I.          Meeting Called to Order                                             Geovani Bonilla, President

 

II.         Review of Last Meeting Minutes                                Christa Fields, Secretary

–          The December meeting was mostly an informal Christmas party, so no minutes were taken.

–          Also, the Secretary and Vice President (former Secretary) David Hall will hold a preliminary meeting on the 501(c)(3) application this Saturday to review the current bylaws and forms.

 

1. Treasurer’s Report                                                      Kyle Thomas

–          There are currently 41 dues-paying members and a balance of $2,658.87, after adding $645 for dues for 2013 in December.  Follow-up is pending for new and non-renewing members.

 

7:10 PM – 7:20 PM

           

1. Committee Updates/Announcements

 

1. Safety – review of crime statistics and PSA 501 MPD update

• Geovani spoke with Commander Solberg about recent break-ins at the market at 3rd and P, and the Commander will try to recommend improvements to the owners.
• Overall, crime was very low for the summer and fall, with violent crime at nearly 0.

 

1. Economic Development – Geovani A. Bonilla

• Steve’s Market at 1st and P is closed, it is currently zoned as R4 residential but a restaurant developer was interested, property disputes have been resolved.
• The house at 131 P is under contract and should close at the end of the month.

 

1. Friends of the Park – headed by Jon Hasse

• The application for official organization status is in progress with DPR.  We hope to continue events such as movies and obtain funding for gardening/maintenance and other events.  The park is open sunrise to sunset.

 

1. Special Events – Geovani Bonilla (none)

 

1. Other general announcements

• A representative from the DC Office of Planning will be speaking at the next meeting about the process and requirements for the Small Area Plan.

 

7:20 PM – 8:30 PM

 

1. Special Guests

 

a.  Mr. Tim Clark, Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie’s Office, Ward 5

CONTACT INFO: tclark@dccouncil.us    202-724-8028

 

–          Update on proposed relocation of WMATA bus depot: There was an unsolicited bid to relocate a bus barn (storage) to the Old Soldier’s Home off North Capitol and Michigan.  The bid was rejected, as the Old Soldier’s Home wants a different type of development on the land.  The site is not owned by WMATA, and portions are owned by the Federal government.  There is no need for an official resolution opposing the relocation at this time.

 

–          Legislative updates:

• Flooding legislation passed and is awaiting the Mayor’s action.
• There is an initiative to replace trashcans for seniors free of cost.
• The Retail Priority Act for great streets including North Capitol and Rhode Island, which would allow more funding, passed and is awaiting the Mayor’s action.

 

–          Committee updates by Mr. Ronan Gullstone:

• Council rules were passed, and CM McDuffie now has oversight over more committees including approximately 19 agencies.  The first meeting will be on Wednesday 1/10, and then there will be oversight hearings.

 

–          Reponses to questions from the audience:

• They will look into the RFPs and letters of intent for the vacant schools on P Street, including proposed charter schools.  There are ongoing discussions as to the schools that were scheduled to close in other parts of Ward 5.
• The medical marijuana dispensary on North Capitol should open within a few weeks.  The facility was the required distance from schools that were open at the time of the application, and this should be taken into account with any new proposed schools.
• The old library kiosk on New York Avenue was razed, and they may want input on a new use.  An RFP has gone out and is due back at the end of January.
• Noted that we consider traffic congestion as a concern for any new schools.

 

b.  BACA to vote on resolution opposing relocation of WMATA bus depot

–          Not taken due to Mr. Clark’s update, and the lack of a quorum of dues-paying members.  We will try to get more information and schedule a vote in the future if needed.

 

c.  Mr. Bradley Thomas, BACA Representative to the McMillan Advisory Group (MAG)

–          The last meeting was in October/November, but one is scheduled for Thurs, 1/10.  He will bring more information and handouts to the next BACA meeting.

–          There have been many changes in the plans over the last year, and the ANC voted to go ahead with some concerns.  The Bloomingdale civic association voted against the changes based on too little green space as opposed to developed space.

–          The Mayor has new plans to use the site as a reservoir for flooding storm waters.

–          There is no commitment to conduct an updated environmental impact study for changed traffic patterns, etc., but he is still pushing for that.

 

1. Standing Invitation

 

1. Mayor’s Office (none)
2. Council Member’s Office (see above)
3. Council Member at Large Office (none)
4. Area Neighborhood Commissioners (ANC)

 

–          Ms. Joyce Paul-Robinson – newly elected ANC for 5E05 (south side of Q street down):

CONTACT INFO: email: jarpaul2@verizon.net, 202-330-7955, 16 N Street NW

 

• She is working on getting the NY Avenue playground recreation center available for use until the RFP is filled and development starts, as well as getting parking restrictions reduced near the M.M. Washington project.
• She is working on the bylaws, etc. for the next ANC meeting.  She will post flyers in the neighborhood and online for meetings, and she is trying to get a board at Hanover/O Street to use for postings.
• Discussions about the M.M. Washington project: getting residents on the developer’s board, whether there will still be a basketball court for community use as initially agreed with the community, and the process for applying for senior housing.
  • Geovani will ask the developers to speak at the March BACA meeting for an update and to ensure they are complying with initial agreement.
  • She is unsure when ANC grant applications will be accepted and how much funding is available, but she will follow-up at the next BACA meeting.
  • She has discussed a project to provide metro passes to students to reduce truancy.
  • She plans to be involved in the committee to reduce the use of Ward 5 land for undesirable businesses, possibly as part of the Small Area Plan.

 

–          Ms. Terry Janine (“TJ”) Quinn – newly elected ANC for 5E06 (north side of Q street up):

CONTACT INFO: email: 5E06@anc.dc.gov, 202-495-1177, twitter: @tjqANC5E06, website: www.quinnfordc.com

 

• There are upcoming National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) events in the area.
• The DC Zoning Committee will be revamping the regulations, and there is a Ward 5 meeting on Wednesday 1/9.  You may also contact Scott Roberts (in Bloomingdale) or possibly attend another meeting throughout the month.
• Flooding update as part of the Mayor’s taskforce: McMillan will be used to store storm water runoff, 2 pipes will be rerouted in 2016, and the ultimate solution is a huge tunnel from Anacostia in several years.  These projects may delay the McMillan development.  Residents should take measures to protect their homes such as installing a backflow preventer.  They are working to get an increase in the rebate amount and/or have the DC government take over the implementation.
• She will follow up on the progress of installing a traffic signal/light at the Florida Avenue playground entrance.

 

1. Adjournment   8:30 PM