Since the next BACA meeting is coming up soon, here are the last meeting minutes for those of you that didn’t see them on Facebook:
Bates Area Civic Association
Monday, April 1, 2013
Meeting Agenda
7 PM, Mt. Sinai Church, 3rd 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
III. Treasurer’s Report – Kyle Thomas: $2,575.94 balance, spent $100 for Friends of Florida Ave, one new member, 47 current members
IV. Guest Speakers 7:10 PM – 9:10 PM
a. 7:10 Mr. Scott Jacobs from Revive scott@revive-dc.com
– he is working with DPW (Nancy Lyons) re mural on side of building at 1st and Florida NW, prior submission was not well received, seeking local community input on designs, see also electronic link
– landlord is receptive to discouraging loitering and other improvements
– currently focusing on catering, also provided food for recent feed the hungry event, plan on resuming carry-out soon, will be revising menu to add some healthy options
b. 7:15 Office Darla Sandula with 5th District Metro Police Department – Community Safety:
– she volunteered for foot beat so will be on segue in this area esp. starting in summer, working on B&V Liquor store (1304 N. Cap) re loitering etc, also 18 Bates problems in alley
– 501 stats (this PSA) are good, improving on robberies and burglaries better than other Ward 5
– discussed Revive’s issues with the liquor store selling singles, would also like bus stop moved to other side of N. Cap to prevent loitering
– re episodes of kids harassing people around 2nd and U – not sure exactly of status
– Geo updated that NW co-ops Board of Directors met and approved space for satellite office in co-op esp. with warmer weather, email Sgt. Ferretti, cc Lt. Griffin and Cmdr. Solberg will get involved
– Geo advised that unit block of P Street has lots of vehicles speeding between lights
– Geo asked to keep him updated re abandoned/nuisance properties, including 18 Bates due to biohazards, can work with DRCA to give those homes high priority and coordinate with MPD
– advised to turn on lights at night, poss. coordinate with Home Depot re sale for BACA
– re white van/U-Haul truck in morning that picks up workers in unit block and 100 block of P Street, driver didn’t want to talk to him about it – she will let morning Sgt. know
– noted that more problems seem to happen in morning before 2:00pm – her shift starts at 2, they are also trying new theory like only 3-4 cars and everyone else on foot or at least visible
– noted strange incident on 200 block of Q last week night/early morning hours someone came on deck and turned on grill even though lights were on – suggested to post such items on BACA blog
– re people on 118 Bates stoop and behind house, in/out of vans, requested more visibility
– re 120 Bates older man with pickup and prior contact, she’ll bring that up to lieutenant
c. 7:40pm Johnny Holiday with Urban Matters Development – Update on the House of Lebanon Construction at the M.M. Washington School:
– target date is November 2013, accepting applications in August, will be open house
– amenities will include 15,000 sq. ft of community space, working with AARP etc on programs, he will be running community space and they plan on having tight rules
– discussion re prior problems with equipment being stolen – he suggested cameras to monitor
– is for age 55+ affordable housing for independent living, discussion re ensuring that only approved residents live there, no children allowed of any age (including 20’s etc)
d. 7:45pm Mr. Tim Clark with CM McDuffie’s Office tclark@dccouncil.us 202-257-8318
– Mayor’s budget: Ward 5 did pretty well but will still fight for more funding: ensuring some Great Streets funding, Retail Priority Incentive Legislation Act of 2013 got $5 mil. in funding for local corridors
– they introduced legislation for trashcans for seniors free of charge when move into DC and one time replacement, resulted in funding trashcans for entire city including replacement cans
– re capital improvement projects including schools – Dunbar, Brooklyn middle school for amenities and parking, $50 mil for NOMA parks because part of NOMA is in Ward 5
– currently on legislative recess, they will be introducing bills to let breweries have pubs attached
– re JF Cook school and award to new charter school Mundo Verde:
– acknowledges prior complaints and objections to proposed charter school, vacant schools go to city govt agencies for possible use first and then to charter schools, another Request for Offer was put out in Sept. 2012, had community meeting in Jan., not sure if there was proper notice
– Mundo Verde bilingual charter school K-8 won the bid and now goes to council for review, CM McDuffie’s office will have hearing or community roundtable, BACA can oppose proposal again and they want to work with us, suggests to keep open mind for pros and cons
– Ms. Kathy Davis discussed complaints and prior testimony against other charter school, that there are exceptions where city can sell schools to businesses for development
– Geo met with executive director of Mundo Verde and got tour, he explained our concerns, she’s also here at meeting and she will be speaking at May BACA meeting
– Geo noted frustration because seems like should now go to developer since charter school didn’t make it last go round, also planning seems fragmented including with Small Area Plan
– new resident discussed confusion about charter school process, noted Mundo Verde is very successful but spots are mostly reserved, would like more preference to local residents
– re Slater school: is being leased out, he and CM McDuffie will be in area this month to see concerns and issue report, they will work with DGS on maintenance plan for buildings across city
– re N. Cap corridor: are meeting with majority of business/landowners to see status of properties, want to move vacant properties along, trying to provide incentives instead of just penalize
– re NW corner of Florida and N. Cap: project authorization is about to expire again, area has changed since 2008 and now more apartments, he’s open to community use, they’re cleaning the site
– re N. Cap Firehouse project: was sold few months ago, will try to hold new owners to making progress with family-friendly restaurant or will try to take it away from them
– discussion with residents across from Dunbar construction re property damage, illegal parking tickets/boots, pollution/dust etc, have been working with DGS for over a year but now told must go through Office of Risk Mgmt so now deadline to report issue has expired, he will follow up with DGS
– NY Ave rec center is vacant, there is RFP out and CM McDuffie will be having mtg on that
– re Medical marijuana dispensary on N. Cap: opening in mid-April, they introduced legislation to cap number of dispensaries and cultivation centers in Ward 5, there are currently RFPs out for more
– discussed increased pollution and vermin on RI Ave with new development, also unattended pit bulls during day – they are trying to address through supercans, also working with Dept of Health, suggestions made to educate residents and business owners to use proper trash cans
– discussed traffic at 1st street esp. at P, Dunbar construction is almost done, have discussed timing of lights with DPS, also noted will have increased volume once Dunbar opens, O Street will also be reopening, noted that DDOT is huge partner and traffic issues are significant part Small Area Plan
e. 8:20pm Commissioner Teri Janine Quinn
– ANC 5E wide clean-up day is 4/20, $1,000 allocated to each civic association for materials, associations must organize, mulch will be outside Mt. Sinai, must be used for front common spaces
– she met with CM Catania’s staff last week re education, she was advocating for BACA and Bloomingdale, Catania will be at Bloomingdale meeting on April15 to talk about education
– she also met with CM Bonds re education and using community service to pay off parking fines and traffic tickets, Bonds was very excited about that program, pending outcome of special election
– special election for at-large CM will be April 23rd – will be 2 candidate forums, early voting is from April 8 through Sat April 20 at Judiciary Square
– building at … is being renovated to 8 one BR condos and potentially one studio in basement, asked developer to consider bicycle garage in basement to help with parking problems
– will be meeting April 27th on McMillan project, she’ll send link for website for major updates
– LIQUOR LICENSING VOTE for Sunset Liquors to remove restriction in settlement agreement from operating on Sundays due to chance in DC law, discussed owner Bobby’s cooperation with association and noted improvements, possible difficulties with park activities and loitering on Sundays, they would ask to be open on Sundays 12 to 7; VOTE held, no opposition, vote passed
– re protest to Best One Liquor’s settlement agreement being renewed: had vote but ABRA was confused by what the issue was and it came back to the residents, appears to be dead issue now
– Big Bear is up for renewal of liquor license, protest deadline is early May
f. 8:40pm Commissioner Joyce Robinson-Paul
– SMD meetings are once a month at NY Ave rec ctr, April meeting will include Asst. Chief of MPD such as being proactive about safety, will have meet and greet for PSA 501 police officers
– discussed community cleanup day and supplies
– Hanover Area Civic Association had Mundo Verde speak, excited about possibly entering lottery for next year and bilingual possibilities, next meeting April 9 Mundo Verde will speak again
– Boys & Girls Club was supposed to close on Mar. 31 but obtained sponsors for funds until June 30 including Perry School, still need funds for afterward
– 57 N Street NW was approved as historic landmark, back part wasn’t designated only front part
– Dunbar scheduled to open for upcoming school year, will have week of opening activities
– discussed MM Washington Senior Housing project and holding developers to original plans
– Metroball basketball tournament for area youth 13th year will be mid-June to mid-Aug
– discussed minutes from last ANC meeting re her request for laptop purchased at ANC expense and her statement “you are sick” etc re spending money on plants/dirt but not laptop, she says she did not say this but they did approve $400 for laptop that will be for ANC use
– CAPCS will no longer have 6th through 8th grade but is not closing completely, not sure if other schools will also operate out of building or how much longer Metro Baptist Church will be operating, noted they have been uncooperative and frequent traffic and trash, Geo will ask them to come speak
g. 9:00pm Mr. Mark Williams from Mayor’s Office 202-340-7141, marchim.williams@dc.gov
– will have budget town hall meeting in Ward 5 on Wed. April 10th re surplus
– Geo suggested coordinating with DPW for outreach and education with business and residents re trash disposal, possible fines and enforcement, they will start doing community walkthroughs
V. 9:10pm Committee Updates/Announcements
a. April Clean Up and Beautification – Geovani Bonilla (see also Comm’r Quinn’s comments above), need more help with that and will get more info out on this soon
b. (Other updates/announcements skipped due to time)
VII. 9:10pm Adjournment
Bates Area Civic Association 
The minutes are incorrect and incomplete.
Thanks for your comment. I strive to keep detailed notes, and I believe the minutes as posted are correct and complete, although some minor details that did not add to the substantive nature of the discussion were left out to keep them from being even longer. However, if you feel that some changes should be made, please let me know what those are and I’m happy to review them, along with other officers, to make sure we have an accurate report!
Minutes quoted were not the 5e minutes, just non professional, he say, she say. What a waste for a great group. In the future, my report will be written out so it will not be taken out of context. I hope the sour grapes stops immediately.
Anc5e05 commissioner
Joyce (Commissioner Robinson-Paul) – My summary is a reflection of what occurred during the BACA meeting alone. Specifically, a resident asked you about your request for ANC funds to purchase a laptop and comments that you were quoted as saying in the available ANC 5E meeting minutes, you denied that you made those comments, but you stated that funds were authorized for you to purchase a laptop for ANC use. I used my discretion to leave out some other minor details concerning your explanation as to the reasons you asked for the funds. I have no idea if the statements posted in the ANC meeting minutes were taken out of context, as I was not at that meeting and have no control over what is contained in the ANC minutes. BACA takes pride in having open discussions about matters that are important to the community during our meetings. I, in turn, take pride in recording and summarizing what took place in a professional manner, and I will continue to do so. Thank you.
Hey Proactive,
Why are you so angry? The person who posted the notes was just trying to do a nice thing for those of us who were not able to attend. If the notes are that incorrect and incomplete, offer corrections and completions instead of just being upset.
In reference to CAPS, the sentence should have ended with I had no idea how long Metropolitan Baptist Church would be operating out of the school. The comma and addition to the sentence concerning the “trashand traffic was stated by Thomas Bradley’s wife along with asking me why I needed the ANC to buy me a computer for my personal use. I responded that the computer would be purchased for the use of the entire ANC5E. I am an unpaid ANC Commissioner providing info to the community, however when I am verbally attacked by your group at a meeting that I was invited to attend, I feel that the minutes should be stated correctly, rather than summarized with
incomplete information.