CRESTWOOD CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONWASHINGTON, DC | ESTABLISHED 1941 |
Minutes – Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A
December 5, 2017 Regular Public Meeting
The meeting was held in the community meeting room, MPD 4th District Headquarters, 6001 Georgia Avenue N.W. Commissioner Stephen Whatley, Chair (and ANC 4A03) called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Also present were Commissioners 4a01 Phyllis Green, 4A02 Stacey Lincoln, 4A04 Patience Singleton, 4A05 Deborah Pope, 4A06 Karrye Braxton, 4A07 Marlene Moss and 4A08 Gale Black. A quorum was present for all votes.
1) Approval of the Agenda
Commissioner Braxton moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Black seconded the motion. The motion was approved, 8 yes, 0 no.
2) Resolution: Establishing Special Committee on Education
Commissioner Lincoln moved that the Commission adopt a resolution establishing a special committee on education. Commissioner Green seconded the motion. Following extensive discussion, Commissioner Braxton moved the previous question. Commissioner Lincoln seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no. The main motion was approved, 5 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain.
The adopted resolution:
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A (the ”Commission”) takes note of the following:
RESOLVED:
FURTHER RESOLVED:
3) Resolution: Establishing Standing Committee on Transportation
Commissioner Lincoln moved that the Commission adopt a resolution establishing the Standing Committee on Transportation. Commissioner Braxton seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 5 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain.
The adopted resolution:
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A (the ”Commission”) takes note of the following:
FURTHER RESOLVED:
4) Approval of Settlement Agreement-Lena Market
Commissioner Singleton presented a proposed settlement agreement between Lena Market and the Commission settling conditions for its Class B liquor license. Commissioner Whatley moved that the agreement be approved. Commissioner Braxton seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no.
The approved agreement:
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
This Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) is made on this _____ day of December 2017 by and between Hope Market, Inc. (dba Lena Market), hereinafter "Lena Market" (“Applicant”) , and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A, (Collectively, the “Parties”).
WHEREAS, the Applicant's application for renewal of its ABRA License (ABRA-082376) for premises, 1206 Underwood Street NW, Washington, DC 20012, is now pending before the District of Columbia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC); and,
Whereas, ANC4A is an affected ANC and the Applicant is located in SMD4A04;
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into an agreement governing certain understandings regarding the issue of a Retailer’s Class B License; and
Whereas, the Parties are desirous of entering into Settlement Agreement pursuant to D.C. Official Code Section 25-446 for the operation and maintenance of the Establishment in such a manner as to promote the peace, order and quiet of the neighborhood. Both parties recognize the importance of business neighborhoods that are safe, clean, and pedestrian friendly.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follow:
In witness whereof, the Parties have executed this Settlement Agreement as of the day and date first written above.
LENA MARKET
BY: ____________________________________
____________________________________
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 4A
BY: ____________________________________
Stephen A. Whatley
Chairman
5) Resolution: Clean Water Fees Legislation
Commissioner Black presented a resolution making comments and recommendations regarding the Clean Water fees being imposed by D.C. Water. Commissioner Green moved that the resolution be approved. Commissioner Lincoln seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 7 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain.
The adopted resolution:
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A (the Commission) takes note of the following:
· The Commission has many single-family, residential (non-commercial) blocks; and places of worship negatively impacted by the rain water tax. District residents are paying more in fees than the actual water/sewer usage.
· The Commissioner for single-member district 4A08 has been made aware of the negative impact that the Impervious Area Charge (IAC) has caused the faith community. Churches and cemeteries in particular are being hit hard with the IAC fee increases.
· Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4D hosted a Water Forum on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. They shared the information and concerns with ANC commissioner Gale Black, SMD 4A08. The plight of these fees were also the subject of a Washington Post Local Opinion commentary, dated November 5, 2017,C4. The commentary noted that the fees for the church went from $3,500 per year to $200,000 per year.
· These fees pose a serious threat to the financial wellbeing of these institutions as well as residents and those who are being asked to foot the bill for the rain tax.
· The DC Cemetery Private Road and Parking Lot Exemption of Clean Water Fees amendment Act of 2017 was introduced on November 7, 2017 by three members of the DC Council (Todd, Gray and Evans). As introduced, the bill exempts cemeteries from a charge assessed by the Water and Sewer Authority, the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge.
· Affected places of worship, non-profits and property owners and residents are being assessed without regard to actual usage; and DC does not assess itself for the runoff from public roads and has delayed fixing the storm water remediation recommended under the Long Term Control Plan for DC for the Rock Creek/ Piney Branch Creek overflows; and
· These assessments are inconsistent with fairness and due process;
· The Commission has considered this matter at a duly noticed public ANC 4A meeting on December 5, 2017, with a quorum present;
· These fees, if not changed, could bankrupt non-profits and our faith community if relief is not provided soon.
RESOLVED:
That Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A supports the pending legislation, “B 22-0575 DC Cemetery Private Road and Parking Lot Exemption of Clean Water Fees Amendment Act of 2017,” and asks for the Council’s consideration of this resolution in its future deliberations on the bill. The Commission will also support any other proposed legislation which accomplishes the same purpose.
FURTHER RESOLVED:
That Commissioner Gale Black, Single-Member District 4A08, is hereby authorized to serve as the Commission’s representative.
FURTHER RESOLVED:
That, in the event the designated representative Commissioner cannot carry out their representative duties for any reason, the Commission authorizes the Chairperson to designate another Commissioner to represent the Commission in all matter relating to this resolution.
FURTHER RESOLVED:
Consistent with DC Code §1-309, only actions of the full Commission voting in a properly noticed public meeting have standing and carry great weight. The actions, positions and opinions of individual commissioners, insofar as they may be contradictory to or otherwise inconsistent with the expressed position of the full Commission in a properly adopted resolution or letter, have no standing and cannot be considered as in any way associated with the Commission.
6) Resolution: Walter Reed Master Developer MBE; Resolution: Walter Reed – Diversity of Hiring
Following discussion of two resolutions presented by Commissioners Braxton and Whatley, the Commission agreed by unanimous consent to consider a consolidated resolution at its January 2018 meeting.
Presentations and Reports
1) Commissioner Green moved that the minutes of the November 7, 2017 meeting be approved. Commissioner Braxton seconded the motion. The motion was approved 8 yes, 0 no.
2) Commissioner Lincoln presented the FY 2017 3rd Quarter Report and moved that it be approved. Commissioner Green seconded the motion. The motion was approved 8 yes, 0 no.
3) Commissioner Lincoln reported briefly on the purchase of a new Konica-Minolta multifunction printer/scanner/copier and noted that the Commission has acquired the machine for $5,500, reduced from $6,125.
4) A representative of the Metropolitan Police Department 4th District reported on current crime, the presence of MS 13 in ANC 4A, and other safety issues within ANC 4A.
5) Mr. Phillip McCauley, Mayor Bowser’s office, reported on legislative and other issues of concern to the Mayor.
6) Ms. Sheryl Newman, Councilmember Todd’s office reported on issues of current concern to the Councilmember.
7) Mr. Paul Hoffman, District Department of Transportation, presented information on the reconstruction of the 16th Street Bridge.
8) Mr. Mansoor Aboumi presented information on the financing of the renovation of Takoma Place.
Commissioner Green moved that the meeting be adjourned. Commission Singleton seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 8 yes, 0 no.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 PM.