Bates Area Civic Association

Sorry for the delay, but here are the last meeting minutes in preparation for the next meeting on June 3rd.  Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.  Thanks!

Monday, May 6, 2013

Meeting Agenda

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

7:03 PM – 7:05 PM

I. Meeting Called to Order Geovani A. Bonilla, President

II. Review of Last Meeting Minutes Christa Fields, Secretary

III. Treasurer’s Report Kyle Thomas

• down $5, balance $2,570.53, expenses $25.41 for cleanup day, one new member $20, we are up to date with IRS filings and DCRA still in good standing, thanks to Margaret and Geo for getting us back in good standing

7:06 PM – 8:55 PM

IV. Introduction of Guest Speakers – David Hall, Vice President

a. 7:06-7:20pm Mundo Verde Charter School Presentation by Kristin Scotchmer (Executive Director) – kscotchmer@mundoverdepcs.org, 202-630-8373

• Mundo Verde bilingual charter school was awarded the J.F. Cook School building in March of 2013, final approval by DC is pending, see also power point presentation (to be posted online)
• model is bilingual in speaking and writing English and Spanish, sustainability, expeditionary learning to engage in real problems – they were recently recognized as one of best schools for this model throughout country
• currently 230 students in grades pre-K (3-year-olds) through 1^st grade, will grow thru 8^th grade
• diverse student body and committed to maintaining that to represent city, 41 full-time staff
• want to have gardening/water landscape instead of parking lot around school, have community gatherings
• progress: they have started to seek financing and have commitments for $12 mil. which would be enough to renovate to accommodate goal of up to 500 children and implement green technology; not all current families are from Ward 5 but there are communities close by/within walking distance
• CONTINUED BELOW to allow MPD to speak…

b. 7:20-7:45pm 5th District MPD community safety update by Officers Darla Sandula, Akuko, and Wilson (who have both worked on night shift in this area for awhile through patrol cars etc)

• question re shooting around 4^th and Q – was on Ward 5 border as retaliation on Ward 3D side, can’t give too many details because just happened
• in general can get more info on offense by asking for “251” public document with day and approximate time at station or through Public Information Office downtown, minimal fee if you’re not in the incident report
• question re pedestrian hit Saturday night Bates and 1^st around 8:30pm – noted was same person hit for second time on same corner, Geo expressed to councilmember’s rep that we really need a stop sign at that corner
• traffic issues:
  • unit block of P from 1^st to N. Capitol high traffic and high speed to make light, maybe speed tables etc, also CAPCS doesn’t have cross guard so kids etc cause backup and safety problem
  • parking with construction on certain areas around Dunbar causes problems – noted we should coordinate with DDOT, also contact Chief Grooms
  • people enter 1^st Street from NY Ave in morning even though not supposed to
  • discussed possibly making N Street and 1^st Street one-way during school hours once new Dunbar opens to counteract traffic, maybe also make 1^st Street one-way, Geo noted probable concerns by residents of 1300 and 1400 blocks of 1^st street due to parking
• question re incident at 1^st and Q in early afternoon last Wednesday with ambulances etc inside residence, not sure, probably not major incident and could have been medical issue
• question can anything be done to secure entry in alley between N and Hanover at Brass Knob building? owner is well aware but was taking time to remove debris, now DCRA has to get involved if he continues to neglect and may issue a fine, they monitor it frequently but continue to call if see something, Geo explained how they had worked with DCRA in past to get buildings addressed, noted 14-18 O Street were sold recently
• crime stats have been good recently, our PSA 501 has lowest numbers in entire 5D
• noted crime of opportunity fairly recently where someone left backdoor open – advised to be aware and take precautions, use lights in front and back, keep trash cans out of alley so clear access for police

a (continued) 7:45-8:00pm Mundo Verde presentation continued: answers to questions

• they are public charter school for DC residents, non-DC residents can only pay and attend if school is not fully enrolled but that probably won’t be case any time soon because they have long waitlist
• noted that DC is over 50% African-American residents and faculty is only 7% African-American, have had problems finding bilingual African-American faculty and are open to help with that
• currently not a lot of students from this neighborhood but a large portion are within walking distance, 15% are in Ward 5; by law not allowed to promise any spots to neighborhood, DC Council is considering law to allow to give preference, they only do outreach to specific communities and would do that here to try to make higher statistics for lottery, will also be adding slots next year so would be higher likelihood of residents getting in
• they’re going into 3^rd year now and currently have 500 people on waiting list for pre-K, will be adding 100 spots next year including at least 80 pre-K (3 and 4 year-olds)
• re big concerns for parking and traffic, how are we going to support current 230 students and up to 400? Why this neighborhood? it’s very centrally located and convenient for current students, also not a lot of other options, they’re currently evaluating how to not add significantly to parking and traffic problems
• there are no legal restrictions on offering after school programs to residents, but it would be hard to keep up on daily basis, possibly periodic Spanish or conservation programs for resident children
• what will they do with extra space that won’t be using for several years until get more students? may develop in stages but don’t want to do that, they will be financing and managing building themselves so will keep it up
• summary of main concerns: parking, traffic, possibly semi-circular driveway cut in to help, crossing guard in morning, community engagement e.g. possible Spanish classes for adults and children, structure of weekly events/community meetings, make sure we’re involved in any major changes to programs will be offering
• would love to help community advocate for use of vacant and dilapidated schools directly across from their proposed location but don’t want to fully lead that project

c. 8:00-8:20pm Councilmember’s Office and Legislative Update: Mr. Tim Clark (Community & Business Affairs Director), also present John Mandel and Janita Brown

• re Mundo Verde still getting lots of emails for and against, waiting on Mayor’s input, will have joint hearing
• re traffic concerns also lots of emails, want to get larger comprehensive traffic study as part of Small Area Plan, trying to work directly with DDOT instead of using normal community petition process, noted problems with amount of traffic and also types of traffic, study will probably be 2-2.5 months before recommendations and then gap before implementation, not sure when study will happen, hopefully before Dunbar opens
• noted Joyce Tsepas with SAP said there is new tool to let them weigh vehicles as go down street, John Mandel explained process re large trucks: camera detects size of vehicle and also acts as speed camera then sends out tickets if excessive weight or speed, pilot program has been very popular and effective so far
• re Dunbar CM McDuffie had tour few weeks ago and looking good, interested in getting high school students using bikes and maybe having Capitol Bike share location at high school, Bloomingdale location is highly used
• re medical marijuana dispensary that’s now open – per DOH the proposed Mundo Verde space is outside official boundaries of 1000 feet but he knows it should still be a concern, they’re introducing permanent legislation to limit number of cultivation and dispensaries in each ward and right now Ward 5 is at its limit
• re Florida Ave and NY Ave traffic problems – Geo noted should be part of SAP, DDOT will be key partner and is aware that nearby residents are very concerned, if can’t make SAP meeting then try for community office hours
• can engage WMATA in traffic patterns as well – send him email to trigger to have them look at that
• re CAPCS he’s heard rumors that they’re closing school, Comm’r Robinson-Paul said at last meeting that will not be closing completely, Terri Thomas has heard contrary rumors that CAPCS doesn’t know whether will be closing because is dependent on test scores, he will try to get definite answer on that and get back to us
• re 227 Bates working with DCRA but owner keeps finding ways to pay taxes, etc, will continue working on it
• re North Capitol Main Street – currently not in operation but working to get it back up to reinstate clean teams and other programs, must get back in good standing before funds will be available for use; Geo noted that NCMS is currently 501(c)(3) but is in process of completing missing documents and holding new elections to have new board and get back in good standing, Geo is new Board member [see also blog post re new Board elected], critical to have this organization to deal with $5 mil. allocated for main streets project but need volunteers

d. 8:20-8:45pm Commissioner Teri Janine Quinn – Community Update

• re request to amend Voluntary Agreement with Sunset Liquors to extend business hours to Sunday
  • last meeting BACA voted to remove restriction prohibiting Sunday sales, after she drafted amendment she learned from ABRA that they would just rubber stamp it instead of giving us opportunity to discuss hours, owner of Sunset Liquors is not here but last meeting minutes indicate they asked for 12 to 7 on Sundays
  • discussed pros and cons including availability of alcohol for parties, possible loitering or park interference, hours of Big Bear and other local liquor stores; noted that people who live right near store may have complaints but they’ve been made aware of the meeting/votes and no input although out of country
  • noted licenses generally come up every 3 years, discussed restrictions per current agreement that is available on BACA website, positive behavior in 6-month probationary period
  • moved to VOTE to extend hours from 12 to 7, moved to make friendly amendment 12 to 6, motion seconded: in favor of allow 12 to 6 hours on Sunday? 12 in favor, 8 opposed, 5 abstain = VOTE passed
• Big Bear has requested extended hours, see official document on Bloomingdale blog, will also be talking about it at Bloomingdale Civic Association meeting, let her know if you have concerns
• lots of changes for McMillan as of 2 weeks ago and one very vocal opponent is now much more positive, encourages involvement, can go through her or Bradley Thomas as representative for MacMillan Advisory Group
• Geo thanks to Commissioner Quinn for doing legwork on getting $1,000 worth of funds for clean-up day

e. 8:45-8:50 Malcolm Kenton – Vote on Resolution to Support DC Statehood, text on back of agenda

• purpose to reduce area that is technically DC to few blocks around capitol and have rest of city be admitted to statehood; moved to support resolution seconded, VOTE: 17 voted in favor, none opposed= VOTE passed

f. 8:50-8:55 Donna Jones with Mt. Sinai Church re upcoming activities:

• parenting class Mondays 6:30 to 8:00 for young mothers and young expectant mothers but older mothers are also welcome, meal and childcare provided; also summer camp for moms 19 and under gives one week away in New York, costs $100 and they pay the rest of the total $700 cost, looking for volunteers for support
• 3^rd Saturday of each month for men only to discuss male issues 8:00 to 10:00 am, breakfast served – free
• also 3^rd Saturday of each month for women have Sew Talk from 9:00 to 11:00 am where crochet and talk – free
• not accepting clothing donations for young life parenting right now, but do still need donations for baby supplies, can donate during class times or just bring to church

8:55-9:00 PM

V. Committee Updates/Announcements

a. Flower Power – headed by Christa Fields, Anne Henderson discussed details, will be Saturday, June 15^th, with walks to start at 3:00 and 3:30 at Florida Ave Park, reception to start at 5:30 at 61 P St NW, see also flyer and BACA website for links to nomination forms, online ticket purchases and donations via PayPal

b. Annetta Nicholas: 3^rd annual DC Senior Citizens games are coming soon, she can help arrange transportation if needed, contact her if you want to be involved in senior citizens meetings

c. Bloomingdale Civic Association has challenged BACA to walk off for health, meet neighbors, increase visibility; pedometers will be made available to be donated by Kaiser-Permanente, also possibly t-shirts for BACA members

d. Koren Stevenson is hosting political meet and greet next Tuesday 6:00 to 7:30 at Rustik [May 14th]

VII. Adjournment 9:00