MINUTES of February 5, 2013 ANC 4A MEETING

Fort Stevens Recreation Center, Van Buren and 13th Streets, NW, Washington, DC



Meeting called to order by Vice-Chair, Commissioner Braxton, at 7:18 PM.



Commissioners Black, Bennett, Braxton, Whatley, Wilson, and Anderson were in attendance. Chairperson Toliver was absent.



Approximately 25 persons were in attendance from the community.



I. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS

a. January 2013 minutes. Commissioner Black asked that 2013 meeting calendar be attached to the January minutes. Minutes were accepted as amended to add 2013 meeting calendar. All in favor. Motion carried.

b. The Quarterly Report will be presented at the March 2013 meeting. Commissioner Whatley has gained approval from the DC Auditor to submit the report on March 6, 2013. Commissioner Braxton asked for email confirmation for our records.

II. PRESENTATIONS

a. Norris Dodson of Dodson Realty introduced Mr. Isadora Amaya who is interested is applying for a restaurant and entertainment license for the Silver Sands Restaurant located at 7303 Georgia Avenue in 4B. [Note: ANC 4A does not require a vote. This presentation is purely informational.]

i. Mr. Amaya has been in business for the past 22 years and owns establishments (with entertainment licenses) in Capitol Hill and Columbia Heights.

ii. The proposed operating hours will be 7 days per week, 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM.

iii. ANC 4B Commissioner Green and Andre Carley, President of Concerned Neighbors, Inc. are both in support of the establishment.

iv. Commissioner Anderson requested that security be in place during operating hours.

b. Laurence F. Jones, Policy Analyst from Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) provided updates on the following:

i. Pepco Smart Meters. There has been much concern about the safety and security of the meters and whether there is an opt-out option. There are currently two petitions by the OPC and the Public Service Commission will be holding a hearing on opt-out use.

ii. Formal Case 1093. The OPC is against the Washington Gas rate increase of 29 million dollars to pay for equipment and infrastructure improvements and will argue that the money should be returned to ratepayers.

iii. Formal Case 1090. Evidentiary hearings and subsequent Town Hall Meetings on Verizon’s quality of service and reliability were held in January. Over 80 people attended town halls with at least 56 people providing statements for the record as part of the OPCs brief on the subject matter.

iv. Formal Case 1102. PSC is going to open hearings on Verizon’s continued use of the copper infrastructure and plans to change to fiber-optic cable. Over the last 6 months, there has been an uptick in complaints about this proposed transition because with copper (during a power outage) you still have landline service. However, with fiber-optic you will lose service after 8 hours unless you have backup batteries. This case does not have a hearing scheduled yet, but it will investigate this potential transition and whether or not ratepayers will be given an opportunity to opt out.

v. Alternative Energy Service Providers. The Public Service Commission certifies them but there have been a number of complaints about their sales practices and the confusion generated by not divulging the whole truth. A Consumer Alert will be placed on OPC website (www.opc-dc.gov) about these energy service providers. The OPC will ask PSC to take a closer look at their practices.

III. COMMISSIONER DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS

a. Commissioner Whatley provided the following updates on Walter Reed:

i. January 23, 2013 first meeting of the Community Advisory Group (CAG) was held to establish some of the ground rules. This group will work to ensure the community has an opportunity to participate. However, this newly formed group will not have a vote like the previous LRA body.

ii. There will be a meeting in mid-March to discuss the potential interim uses at Walter Reed.

iii. The group will be working closely with Councilmember Bowser.

iv. The selection of a Master Developer will occur within the next year.

v. There will be a developmental meeting with the community in the near future to discuss the State Department portion of property. Commissioner Whatley will make sure the community is properly notified once a date is finalized.

vi. Wendy Blake Coleman (Shepherd Park resident) doesn’t feel people understand all the negative ramifications of development (e.g., 16th and Aspen) and encourages the use of listservs as means of notification. Ms. Coleman also suggested the citizens can have meetings and advise the committee.

vii. Commissioner Anderson recommended the use of her website (www.anc4a01.org) to request a one-on-one meeting with her to provide feedback click on proposed development at Walter Reed.

viii. Commissioner Whatley posed a question to the commission about a formal name change recommendation for that location. Commissioner Braxton suggested moving this topic to next month’s agenda.

b. Latino Outreach. Commissioner Braxton reported that only one volunteer (from ANC 4C) has signed up to assist with this outreach effort. If there is interest, please email the ANC 4A office at 4A@anc.dc.gov.

c. Commissioner Anderson moved that ANC 4A support the “Lowell School, Inc. Revenue Bonds Project Approval Resolution of 2013”, PR20-57. The motion did not pass. Commissioner Anderson will appear before the council in support of the resolution on Thursday, February 7th. Commissioner Anderson’s testimony will represent SMD 4A01 and not the commission as a whole.

d. Commissioner Anderson moved that ANC 4A support the “Strengthen the 1994 Assault Weapons Resolution Act of 2013.” Commissioner Whatley seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-1, with Commissioner Braxton abstaining.

e. Commissioner Black announced that based on the Office of Planning’s Ward 4 meeting last month, there may or may not be another opportunity for the public to weigh in on the zoning regulations. Commissioner Black proposed that ANC 4A draft a letter on this so our concerns are formally recognized.





Commissioner Whatley moved the meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Commissioner Braxton.



Meeting adjourned at 8:31PM.


ANC 4A COMMISSIONERS

ANC 4A01 Commissioner Acqunetta Anderson

North Portal Estates, Colonial Village, and portions of Shepherd Park



ANC 4A02 Commissioner Dwayne Toliver, Chair

Shepherd Park



ANC 4A03 Commissioner Stephen A. Whatley, Treasurer

Portions of Shepherd Park and Brightwood



ANC 4A04 Commissioner Marian C. Bennett, Secretary

Brightwood



ANC 4A05 Vacant

Fort Stevens and Brightwood



ANC 4A06 Commissioner Karrye Braxton, Vice-Chair

Brightwood



ANC 4A07 Commissioner Dave Wilson

16th Street Heights



ANC 4A08 Commissioner Gale Black

Crestwood and Crestwood North



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Respectfully Submitted by,

Marian Bennett (ANC 4A04), Secretary