7:05 Called to order – VP David Hall presiding since President Geovani Bonilla was out of town
a. Community Safety – Officer Darla Sandula and Officer Bassil from 5th District MPD
– armed robbery at 3rd and P market same people as last armed robbery per video, appear to be coming over from Ward 3, investigation is ongoing
– Ward 5 doing pretty well this month in theft etc, still force and violence where people have iphones and ear buds in, take charge and make eye contact, travel in numbers, turn on lights on
– complaint of drug interaction in alley of unit block between Bates and P – they made contact but found nothing on him, continue to call in and note where they stash drugs if possible
– they’re increasing patrols in our area with good results
– noted that flyers on doors for several days may be sign that owners are out of town
– how do they handle school-aged kids during school hours? There is one truancy van for morning hours, would be on low priority for 911 but still call in and will be dispatched
– possible to have break point or satellite office etc at 1st and Q? Start request with Sgt. Ferretti at robert.ferretti@dc.gov (couldn’t make it to meeting tonight), also cc. Lt. Griffin
– shooting dice is illegal, noted complaints of ongoing activity at 200-300 block of Q, start with call to report it and gives them cause to make contact and investigate
– fines are possible for not shoveling sidewalk but that’s not through police
b. Treasurer’s Report – Kyle Thomas: current balance $2,675.94, added 4 new or renewing members so now up to 35 members, please join or renew for BACA benefits
c. Mayor’s Office of the Environment – Lee Goldstein and Andre Robinson, Community Outreach: presentation of Sustainable DC program to make DC a greener city
– joint venture between Office of Planning and Office of Environment, also working on Small Area Plan, goal to make most liveable etc city by 2032
– full plan available at www.sustainable.dc.gov – $4.5 million allocated for 12 projects, sector-based budgets (e.g. universities, embassies, can be neighborhoods)
– will have public implementation kick-off early April – please come and bring ideas, will have new outreach website by category around late March
– in community garden development? That is through DPW and Parks and Recreation, but there will be 8 gardens attached to recreation centers, thinks one will be Harry Thomas Rec Center
– other ideas advanced by small groups for goals within one year? Pooling resources for solar panels, composting, trash collection, etc
– top 3 things to be more green? Decrease water run-off by collecting and using in garden/yard e.g. through rain barrels or otherwise (see rain barrel voucher programs through DC Dep’t of Environment), bike share, general energy saving tips for home
– comment need to replace/maintain supercans because are in disrepair so dirty, rats, etc
– outreach or resources for churches and faith-based organizations? Trying to reach out to them
– suggestion from officer to seek pledge from MPD because lots of green space in Ward 5D
d. Mayor’s Office on Volunteering – Juan M. Thompson, Outreach Specialist with Serve DC
– www.serve.dc.gov, power point and handouts, sign up to get emails about service opportunities
– can register projects to get more publicity, no funds in general but maybe nat’l days of service
– they are part of sustainability plan and working together work Dep’t of Environment
– community service in lieu of parking tickets like in San Francisco? Discussing incentives
– do they do CPR training? No that’s through Red Cross but they do other trainings through CERT programs (community emergency response team) ranging from 4 to 20 hrs
e. Jacqueline Turner – Mt. Sinai Summer Life Enrichment Program at www.msbcdc.org
– started last year, organized by grades from K through 6th, each grade focuses on different topic, morning is usually classroom, afternoon for lab work and fitness to broaden horizons
– they need volunteers including teachers, etc., 2 hours a day or can be guest speaker
– 5-week program 9am-4pm, $375 per summer or $75 per week, breakfast and lunch included, better to do full program but don’t have to, afternoon care available starting at $25 a week
– still working on scholarships but had some funding last year, can sponsor child
– does it address etiquette or civic responsibility? Not specifically but is included in general
8:05 Committee Updates/Announcements
a. Flower Power – Christa Fields: probably end of May, to beautify tree boxes and yards and meet neighbors, start prepping your space now, need volunteers to lead committee and help plan
b. Clean Up/Beautification Project – David Hall: will be in April, see also Comm’r Quinn’s comments
– Eliza Young has volunteered to lead committee but still need more volunteers
– Mt. Sinai Church has volunteered to coordinate dirt/mulch pick-up across street at 3rd and Q
– comments how to keep people from allowing dogs to use tree boxes and getting them to pick up after dog, possibly signs as in Bloomingdale but not sure how effective they are
– comment don’t put your household trash in community trash bins because they fill up
– discussed informal ongoing neighborhood efforts to clean up streets: contact Christa Fields at christasf@gmail.com if want to help on Saturday or Sunday mornings (exact time up for discussion), also neighbors in 200-300 block of Bates have ongoing clean-up
c. Tim Clark with Councilmember McDuffie’s Office
CONTACT: direct line 202-724-8830, tclark@dccouncil.us, council line 202-257-8318
– flooding town hall to be held Tues 3/5at 160 U Street church
– just launched Ward 5 Industrial Land Transformation Task Force, also Ward 5 Business Advisory Council with ideas for legislation for current and new businesses
– re NY Ave playground: discussing how to use old public library green space and rec center, April community engagement hour will be at the NY Ave rec center
– progress for vacant buildings on P St (Cook, Langston, Slater schools)? We objected to original use proposal, we will schedule him to come back and talk about this more, noted wanted to focus on historic preservation, should start by addressing it as part of Small Area Plan
– noted building closest to N. Capitol is health hazard and he’ll look into it
– problems with 3-1-1 mobile app? Noted app now has backlog and people are getting notifications of orders “closed” when really is just service order being transferred to work order, planning on having workshop with agencies to make app work better
– neighbors who got tow tickets/were towed due to emergency closing of N Street for Dunbar HS construction over weekend should contact their office and they should be able to take care of it
d. Review of Sunset Liquors’ (Voluntary) Settlement Agreement – Comm’r Quinn
– Issue 1: whether to lift 6-month probationary restriction and allow to stay open one more hour until 11pm on Friday and Saturday – noted significant improvement in appearance and cooperation, less drinking in Florida Ave park, no new complaints with ABRA, other liquor stores in neighborhood are open until 11pm, no objections voiced, VOTE approved 10-0
– Issue 2: whether to remove restriction to not open on Sunday to allow to apply under new DC law, deferred vote until next meeting pending gathering further info
e. Comm’r Teri Janine “TJ” Quinn (shortened version of comments due to time)
– ANC clean-up day will be 4/20/13 – encourage community associations/SMDs to organize on that date, will have seeds and flowers and possibly gloves and mulch, no grants/funds available from ANC 5E, plan as if no funds or supplies coming
– traffic light across Florida Ave to the park is in progress
– her SMD meeting will be quarterly, last one was in January so next meeting should be in April
f. Comm’r Joyce Robinson Paul (short due to time)
– working to address neighbor complaints of no info available, will have meeting every month at NY Ave playground rec center, next meeting will be Wed 3/12/13 at 6:15, see flyer for topics
– graffiti board on N. Capitol has been removed, now working on getting area cleaned
– she will be on Small Area Plan committee
– let her know if streets or yards need cleaning
9:05 adjourned
Bates Area Civic Association 