Guest Post

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On November 29, 2017, ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting.

Commissioners present: Grace Lewis (5A02); Isaiah Burroughs (5A04); Ronnie Edwards (5A05); A. Jamaal Lampkin (5A06); Sandi Washington (5A07); Gordon-Andrew Fletcher (5A08). Commissioner Wilds (5A01) is recuperating from surgery and is doing well.

The commissioners unanimously approved the October 2017 minutes.

Police Report

PSA 405 Sergeant Scott Dowling stated that Lieutenant Ashley Rosenthal has been replaced by Lt. Todd Perkins who currently works the midnight shift. Sgt. Dowling’s crime report covered the last 60-days of activity:

Crime	+/- Change over Prior Period
Robbery	+1
Assault w/Deadly Weapon	-4
Gun	-1
Burglary	-3
Property Crimes (Package Theft)	-1
Theft from Auto	-1

Sgt. Dowling mentioned that PSA 405’s crime statistics skew upward due to the local hospitals, which are crime hotspots. He also mentioned that the higher prevalence of crime in Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights disproportionately affects the statistics for the Fourth District.

Catholic University of America (CUA) Expansion

Catholic University Architect Margaret Carney and Catholic University General Counsel Lawrence Morris spoke next about CUA’s field expansion. Mrs. Carney explained that CUA wants to develop a playing field on its property adjacent to Bates Street NE and opposite the Fort Totten Transfer Station. The new field would incorporate a storm water management system and feature synthetic turf. Also, 130 parking spaces, additional lighting and restroom facilities are included. Lastly, the DDOT-installed gate on Bates Street NE would be moved to allow CUA traffic to access the field from Fort Totten Drive NE. However, the gate would remain to deter other traffic from accessing John McCormack Drive NE via Bates Street NE. Mr. Morris asked for an ANC 5A letter of support, which ANC 5A voted unanimously to provide.

DC Department of Public Works (DPW)

DPW Inspector Darlett Sally addressed sanitation infractions for a variety of offenses such as (1) using trashcans without lids, placing excess litter on top of trashcans, or leaving trashcans in the alley well before or after trash pickup; (2) using plastic bags (especially black) for leaf disposal; or (3) failing to notify bulk trash in advance of bulk item disposal.

In response to questions, Inspector Sally explained the Helping Hands and Sustainability DC programs. Helping Hands is a community cleanup program in which DPW provides tools and supplies – rakes, brooms, bags, gloves – for use.  The inspector provided Mr. David Williams at (202) 615-7190 and Mr. Earl Simpson at (202) 576-9004 as contacts. However, the compost delivery plan promised as part of Sustainable DC is not available yet.

DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)

Mr. Travis Dread-Hughes cited that the DBH provides mental health and drug addiction support city-wide. According to the DBH website “The Department of Behavioral Health provides prevention, intervention and treatment services and supports for children, youth and adults with mental and/or substance use disorders including emergency psychiatric care and community-based outpatient and residential services.”

Mr. Dread-Hughes informed the audience that DBH has a network of 60 inpatient and outpatient drug and mental health treatment centers throughout the city. All can be accessed by calling a single number, (888) 793-4357, to access a 24-hour helpline. Mr. Dread-Hughes provided the contact information to each audience member. He closed by saying that we need to rise above our stigma against those who truly need help.

Mayor’s Office Report

Ward 5 MOCR Lionell Gaines covered the Mayor’s latest initiatives which follow:

• December 9, 2017 – Explore the city’s school options (Pk3 – 12) by attending Edfest 2017 from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the D.C. Armory, 2001 East Capitol Street SE.
• December 15, 2017 – Attend the two-year anniversary celebration of the Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Smith Public Trust, 3514 12^th Street NE.
• January 31, 2018 is the last day to enroll in the DC HealthLink insurance program.

Ward 5 Councilmember’s Office Report

Ms. Chanell Autrey gave the following information from Ward 5 Councilmember McDuffie’s office:

• December 13, 2017 – Ward 5 Holiday Party at the Docks in Union Market, 1309 5^th Street NE, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• December 30, 2017 – Legislative meeting on the disposition of Keene School (emergency legislation for DC Bilingual PCS) at Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 120 at 11:00 a.m.
• TBD – Meeting with Riggs Plaza Tenants before end-of-year

ANC 5A website

Commissioner Fletcher (5A08) said the final website updates, including commissioner biographies, will be done by the end of the year.

Grant Request: Ward 5 Warriors

Mr. Andrew-Fletcher introduced the plight of the Ward 5 Warriors, a Pop Warner football team, to the audience. The Warriors earned a berth to playoff rounds held in Florida, but $30,000 is needed for lodging and travel. So far, the Warriors have only raised $2,500. More importantly, this sum must be raised in a few days.

To do so, the ANC commissioners unanimously agreed to waive the 14-day advance notice requirement to make the grant available. Next and after some discussion, the commissioners agreed to support a $5,000 grant if the team coaches:

• Complete the grant application, and provide supporting documentation that lists the team members living in ward five; and if
• Gottlieb Simon, Director of DC Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, approves this expenditure.

Community Concerns

• Lamond-Riggs Library Friends (LRLF)

Mr. Oliver, President LRLF, discussed the following:

• Lamond-Riggs Librarian, Liane Rosenblatt, will retire during December 2017. She led adult programming and won the prestigious Cafritz Outstanding DC Government Employee Award in 2016.
• A vendor will drill core samples on library property during December to assess the soil conditions.
• DCPL has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to interested architectural firms. Three finalists will be selected next year to be evaluated by a board composed of DCPL and community members.

• Community Activists

Activists presented two proposals for ANC 5A consideration:

• A draft resolution to divest from Bank of America. The activist noted that four ANCs have already approved it, including that covering Cleveland Park.
• A second resolution in support of the NEAR Act was provided for ANC review and approval.

Chairman Edwards (5A05) collected the resolutions for further review and comment by the commission.