Minutes – Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A

February 2, 2016 Regular Public Meeting



The meeting was held at the Ft. Stevens Recreation Center, 1300 Van Buren Street NW. Commissioner Gale Black, Chair (and ANC 4A08) called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Also present were Commissioners 4A01 Acqunetta Anderson, 4A04 Patience Singleton, and 4A07 Dave Wilson. Commissioner 4A02 Dwayne Toliver, Commissioner 4A03 Steve Whatley and Commissioner 4A05 Kim Worthy were absent. A quorum was present for all votes.



Commissioner Black noted the absence of a quorum at 7:02 PM.



A quorum was established at 7:17 PM.



1) Approval of the Agenda



Commissioner Anderson moved to amend the agenda by removing the alley closure resolution. There was no objection.



Commissioner Black moved to approve the agenda as amended. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 5 yes, 0 no.



2) Approval of Minutes



Commissioner Black asked the Commission to review the draft minutes of the January 5, 2016 meeting.



Commissioner Anderson noted that, under item #8 on page 6, her name was misspelled and should be corrected.



Commissioner Singleton asked that, under item #7, Jewish Primary Day School, on page 4, her statement that the Brightwood Community Association did not support the JPDS application because it did not get requested information on how many students at the school lived in Brightwood be included.



There was no objection to these corrections.



Commissioner Black moved that the January 5, 2016 meeting minutes be approved as corrected. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 5 yes, 0 no.



3) Alley Closure-Alaska Avenue NW, Square 2736, Lots 0035, 0036



Following extensive public comment and discussion, Commissioner Black moved that ANC 4A will not consider any resolution to close the subject alley at any time. Commissioner Singleton seconded the motion. The motion was adopted, 5 yes, 0 no.



4) FY 2016 1st Quarter Report



Commissioner Black asked that consideration of the 1st Quarter Report be deferred to the March 1, 2016 meeting. There was no objection



5) FY 2016 Budget



Commissioner Braxton moved that the Commission approve the FY 2016 budget as entered into the quarterly report. Commissioner Singleton seconded the motion. The motion was adopted 4 yes, 0 no 1 abstain.



7) Mayor’s Homelessness Initiative



Commissioner Black moved that the Commission adopt a resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Whatley, supporting the Mayor’s Homelessness Initiative. Commissioner Wilson seconded the motion.



The motion was adopted, 4 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain.



The adopted resolution:



Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A (the Commission) takes note of the following:

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration has launched a plan to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring in the District of Columbia.
The Mayor’s FY 2016 budget includes $145 million in locally funded homeless assistance resources to support this plan.
The plan includes closing DC General Hospital and replacing it with smaller, more dignified community-based emergency housing located across the District in every Ward.
The plan proposes to make shelter available to families who need it when they need it, no just during hypothermia alerts.
The plan includes “A New Lease on Life,” a program to provide affordable apartment units for families currently experiencing homelessness by providing subsidies to participating landlords.
The plan proposes to prevent or decrease the amount of time that families experience homelessness by connecting them more quickly with housing and supports.
The plan proposes to provide safety to families whose eligibility for shelter or other homeless services cannot be quickly determined by creating “interim eligibility” placements into shelter.
The plan proposes to clarify the role of emergency housing and its configuration as apartment-style or private room.


WHEREAS, the DC Department of Human Services, Homeless Services Program has been remiss in overseeing the provision of homeless services to individuals and families in the District of Columbia, including:



· DC Housing Search

· Employment

· Health

· Transportation

· Mental Health

· Shelters

· Substance Abuse



RESOLVED:



That Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4A strongly supports this initiative and urges its full implementation throughout all Wards of the city.



FURTHER RESOLVED:



That the District offer "wrap-around services" including a Homeless Early Warning System, so that families whose economic well-being is marginalized, can be assisted BEFORE they reach a homeless state



FURTHER RESOLVED:



In addition to subsidies for landlords, that those families to whom the District offers housing assistance also receive reinforced and expanded home management lessons and services, including best practices in financial management, budgeting and housekeeping.



FURTHER RESOLVED:



That the District complete a reinforced and expanded assessment of the needs of families for literacy, numeracy, physical and mental health care, job training and job placement and offer services to strengthen the economic and social well-being of the adults and children within the household. That the District develops and implements short-term and long-term plans to mitigate any shortcomings in the aforementioned.



FURTHER RESOLVED:



That Commissioner Stephen A. Whatley, ANC 4A03 is hereby authorized to serve as the Commission’s representative relating to this resolution.



FURTHER RESOLVED:



That, in the event the designated representative Commissioner cannot carry out his 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.



8) 16th Street Transit Study



Following extensive discussion, Commissioner Black suggested deferring consideration of R4A-16-0201, Recommendations Regarding Proposed Changes in 16th Street NW Bus Service to the March 1, 2016 meeting. There was no objection.



Community Concerns



1) Residents communicated their concerns regarding two packs of uncontrolled, aggressive and vicious dogs roaming the streets and attacking people and other dogs in Crestwood. Mr. Raymond Noll, Director of Field Services for DC Animal Control and Ms. Shakira Richardson, DC Department of Health Animal Services, and Metropolitan Police Department 4th District Commander Will Manlapaz responded to resident concerns.



2) Residents expressed their concerns regarding the closure of an alley opening onto Alaska Avenue NW. Many expressed opposition to the erection of barriers at the openings of the alley.



Presentations and Reports



1) Mr. Khalil Thompson, Ward 4 Liaison for Mayor Muriel Bowser, gave a report on current issues and concerns being addressed by the Mayor.



2) Ms. Sherryl Newman, representing Councilmember Todd, gave an update on issues of concern to Ward 4.



3) Mr. Stacey Lincoln, representing Councilmember Orange, discussed the recent blizzard and other issues of concern to Ward 4.



4) Deputy Fire Chief David Foust presented information on the Hands on Heart program and the contracting of a third-party ambulance service to assist DC Fire/EMS in emergency response.



Commissioner Black moved that the meeting be adjourned. Commissioner
Anderson seconded the motion. The motion was adopted unanimously.



The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 PM.