Monthly Archives: June 2021

Lamond-Riggs Interim Library is Open

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

The Lamond-Riggs Interim Library opened today for service at 395 Ingraham Street NE. The library’s hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Patrons are required to wear a mask inside the library.

Though the occupancy limit for the interim library is around 46 people, it feels light and spacious, with various book collections and a couple of tables for seating. There are small collections of adult and juvenile fiction and non-fiction, children’s and picture books, and books in Spanish. There is also a small collection of DVDs available to the public.

Patrons can return books and pick up holds. Individuals can use one of several public computers and print up to 20 pages per day. There is a copier, but it is currently undergoing service.

This is a really nice interim library to have while the neighborhood library is undergoing a complete rebuild, so stop in and check it out. The project website for the reconstruction of the neighborhood library is https://www.dclibrary.org/newlamondriggs.

Images of the interim library below

  • Copier and public computers
  • More public computers
  • Two tables for public seating
  • Picture book collection
  • Easy readers collection
  • Teen and young adult collection
  • Books in Spanish
  • New arrivals

June 28: ANC 4B Monthly Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B

ANC 4B Monthly Public Meeting
June 28, 2021
7:00 pm

Virtual Meeting Details: 

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/84214249196?pwd=c3E0bzJmMFpoQ1JwVWFtNmhsVkduUT09. Meeting ID: 842 1424 9196. Password: 964318.

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 842 1424 9196. Password: 964318.

To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/K967ThaQ-28. 

Agenda:

1.         Call to Order & Roll Call  

2.         Administrative Items: Instructions re Participation in Virtual Meeting Consideration and Approval of June Agenda Approval of May Regular Public Meeting Minutes Treasurer’s Report & Grants 

3.         Commissioner Updates (if applicable) 

4.         Community Concerns: *Please use the “Raise Hand” button via Zoom or *9 via telephone to speak during community concerns. The Commission will provide additional details regarding how to present community concerns via the virtual meeting at the start of the meeting.* This is the time for questions or statements from members of the public about issues on the agenda or other areas of concern. Please limit your statement or question to one minute. You may also contact members of the Commission before and after Commission meetings. 

5.         Reports: Anthony Mitchell, Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (3 minutes)  Tamira Benitez, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (3 minutes) Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education Representative (3 minutes) Metropolitan Police Department, 4th District (3 minutes) Housing Justice Committee (2 minutes) Vision Zero Committee (2 minutes) 

6.         Presentation: Mayor Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget (30 minute presentation; 10 minute discussion) 

7.         Presentation: Ernest Chrappah, Director, District Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, Agency Update (15 minute presentation; 10 minute discussion) 

8.         Presentation: Sayra Molina, Program Analyst – Community Engagement, District Department of Transportation, ParkDC Permits (5 minute presentation, 5 minute discussion) 

9.         Presentation: Jane Nelson, Nelson Architects, Proposed Development at 6101 Sligo Mill Road, NE (10 minute presentation; 5 minute discussion) 

10.     Consent Calendar:  Resolution 4B-21-0601: Calling for Virtual Testimony Option for DC Government Hearings (Commissioner Palmer) 
Resolution 4B-21-0602: Requesting Functioning Lights at Takoma Metro Station (Commissioner Yeats) 

11.     Supplemental Letter re Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Priorities (Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Yeats & Commissioner Palmer – 3 minute presentation; 3 minute discussion)

12.     Presentation and Resolution 4B-21-0603: Supporting Construction of a Detached Single Family Home at 515 Cedar Street, NW (HPA 21-373) (Commissioner Yeats – 3 minute presentation; 3 minute discussion) 

13.     Resolution 4B-21-0604: Supporting Implementation of the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor’s Recommendations for an Educational Data System to Support Student Progress (Commissioner Yeats – 3 minute presentation; 3 minute discussion)   

14.     Adjournment  

Next Regular Public Meeting: Monday, July 26, 2021, 7:00 p.m.

Contact your Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner: ANC 4B01 Evan Yeats (4B01@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B02 Erin Palmer (4B02@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B03 Jocelynn Johnson (4B03@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B04 Brenda Parks (4B04@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B05 (vacant); ANC 4B06 Tiffani Nichole Johnson (4B06@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B07 Geoff Bromaghim (4B07@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B08 Alison Brooks (4B08@anc.dc.gov); ANC 4B09 LaRoya Huff (4B09@anc.dc.gov)

ANC 5A June 16, 2021 Special Public Meeting Recap: Vacant ANC 5A04 seat; hybrid ANC meetings; interim library

Posted by nextstoprp in Uncategorized

ANC 5A held a special public meeting on June 16, 2021. All commissioners were present: Damion McDuffie, Sr. (5A01); Charles Lockett (5A02); Emily Singer Lucio – Secretary (5A03); Ronnie Edwards – Chair (5A05); Derrick Holloway (5A06); Sandi Washington – Treasurer (5A07); Gordon Fletcher – Vice Chair (5A08).

Vacant ANC 5A04 seat

The DC Board of Elections certified a vacancy for ANC 5A single member district (SMD) 5A04, which covers Catholic University. The university identified a candidate, Rev. Michael Witczak, to run for the seat. Originally from Milwaukee, Rev. Witczak is a fourteen-year resident of DC and a professor of theology at Catholic University. He lives on the grounds of the university.

Over the years, the ANC 5A04 seat has been filled sporadically by Catholic University students who sometimes have to leave in the middle of a term depending on when they graduate. University officials hope that Rev. Witczak will be able to provide continous university representation on the ANC, assuming he satisfies the requirements to be elected and remains interested in serving. The petition period to collect signatures runs from June 1 to June 21.

Hybrid in-person/virtual ANC meetings

Commissioner Lucio stated that the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (OANC) has asked the ANCs whether they anticipate being able to return to in-person meetings this fall. ANC 5A uses UDC’s Backus campus for meetings. UDC has not decided yet if the facility will be open to the public this September for the ANC’s use.

A discussion followed of a letter that was circulated among ANCs citywide requesting that the Council permit ANCs to have hybrid in-person and virtual meetings. (Aside: It looks like that letter was sent to the Council on June 10, 2021, see https://twitter.com/Alison6B09/status/1403031272474169349). ANC 5A used this special meeting to discuss whether to support the letter. After an interesting discussion started by Commissioner Washington expressing concern about a few ANCs making decisions for ANCs citywide, ANC 5A decided that they will draft their own letter at some point that I suppose they will send to the Council at some point. (Aside: All of this discussion was taking place without residents knowing what the ANC was talking about because, for whatever reason, the ANC does not make letters/resolutions being discussed available to residents ahead of time. In pre-pandemic times, resolutions would at least be available in hard copy at the meeting).

ANC 5A website

The ANC continues to make progress on updating its website. Each commissioner will have individual pages on the new site where they can post meeting notices and other items, and residents will be able to contact individuals through the site. Send suggestions/questions about the website update to Commissioner Lucio. No date given for launch of the new site just yet.

MPD Police Report

Captain Kevin Kentish is the new captain for MPD’s Fourth District. His email address is kevin.kentish@dc.gov.

Lt. Patrick Schaut gave usual advice–do not leave anything visible in cars. After seeing a slight decrease in car break-ins, MPD is now seeing an increase again. Also, take advantage of the city’s private security camera incentive program to install security cameras on your home.

ANC 5A public safety task force

Commissioner Fletcher is working with residents in ANC 5A08 to fill out a neighborhood safety assessment plan with DC’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE). That led to a discussion of how these plans will be used. Commissioner McDuffie noted that he had some questions about ONSE’s response to the safety assessment plan developed for ANC 5A01, and that is why he has not shared information about outcomes of engagement with ONSE just yet. (Aside: I have a lot to write about all of the various public safety meetings that have taken place over the past two years or so. More to come on that in a separate post). Other commissioners expressed interest in filling out a plan for their areas.

The next ANC 5A public safety meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 30, 2021.

Lamond-Riggs Library

The cost of materials to rebuild the Lamond-Riggs Library at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE has increased significantly, but construction continues. You can see visible progress of construction at the site on South Dakota Avenue and Kennedy Street NE.

The Lamond-Riggs Interim Library, located at 395 Ingraham Street NE, will open on June 28, 2021. Patrons will be able to pick up holds, browse a small collection, and use public computers.

The next ANC 5A monthly public meeting will be June 23, 2021.

June 23: ANC 5A Monthly Public Meeting (Virtual)

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 5A

ANC 5A Monthly Public Meeting
June 23, 2021
6:45 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84404462291?pwd=MkpjeWRTT1ZHQkk0NFcrTGk5SEdIZz09

Meeting ID: 844 0446 2291    
Passcode: 641962
Dial In: 301 715 8592

All residents will be muted.  Individuals will be called on once acknowledged by the Chair.

Agenda Items

Department of Motor Vehicles- RPP Parking and other issues related to the pandemic

DDOT ParkDC Visitor Parking Permit System Available to ANC 5A Residents

Posted by nextstoprp in Transportation

Residents in ANC 5A now have access to ParkDC Permits, a new system the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is testing for managing visitor parking permits. With this new system, residents will be able to print out visitor parking passes from a personal printer (or from DC public libraries, DDOT kiosks, or DC police stations if you do not have a personal printer available). Visit https://parkdc.com/permits to register. Be sure to check out the FAQ page because it explains a lot. See DDOT’s notice below.

Dear Resident,

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is excited to announce the preliminary launch of ParkDC Permits, a new, centralized system for DC residents and their visitors to manage visitor, temporary, home health aide, and contractor parking permits via a single online portal.

ParkDC Permits is now available for live testing to you as a resident of ANC 5A in the Michigan Park and Queens Chapel neighborhoods. You can use ParkDC Permits for all of your visitor parking needs. All of the information you need to get started is available on the ParkDC Permits website. Check out ParkDC Permits Instructional Videos and the ParkDC Permits FAQs for more information about the system.

The digital portal will be available District-wide next month. For more information, read the May 2021 Press Release announcing the launch of DDOT’s new digital parking permit system.

If you have questions or need support getting started using ParkDC Permits, please use the feedback feature on the ParkDC Permits website, call our 24/7 Call Center at 202-671-2631, or email ddot.parking@dc.gov.

We look forward to your feedback!

Thank you,

DDOT Parking and Ground Transportation Division

Lamond-Riggs Interim Library Opening June 28

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

The Lamond-Riggs Interim Library, located at 395 Ingraham Street NE (at the Modern at Art Place), will open for service on June 28, 2021. Images of the interim library are available here.

—

From DC Public Library

Starting in late June, the DC Public Library will phase in more services. Over the next four weeks, all locations will open, evening hours will be offered on Thursdays and meeting rooms will be available by reservation. 

The Library’s reopening schedule is:

  • On June 28, the Parklands-Turner Library, Rosedale Library and Lamond-Riggs Interim Library will open. 
  • On July 12, meeting rooms will be available for public use. Residents can begin reserving rooms on July 6.
  • On July 15, the Library’s schedule will shift to offer evening hours on Thursdays.
  • On July 19, the Northwest One Library and Takoma Park Library will open.

Starting July 15, the DC Public Library’s schedule will be:

  • Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.
  • Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Customers can visit a library location to browse the collection, sit at a table or lounge area and use public computers for 70-minute sessions. In the coming weeks, indoor programming and events will be phased in.

The following measures have been put in place at library locations to mitigate the spread of COVID-19:

  • Face masks are required for staff and the public.
  • Hand sanitizer is available for staff and the public.

For more information on the Library’s current opening status, click here.

New COVID-19 Mobile Vaccination Unit at Mary’s Center Fort Totten Clinic

Posted by nextstoprp in Public Safety
Ribbon cutting for vaccination pod at Mary’s Center Fort totten, June 10, 2021. Photo credit: Robert Oliver

Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser cut the ribbon on a new COVID-19 mobile vaccination pod at Mary’s Center, located at 100 Gallatin Street NE near Fort Totten Metro station. According to the mayor’s press release, the pod, which can be used to vaccinate up to 400 people per day, will also help to free up resources inside the clinic so that patients can continue to access regular care.

June 16: ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B, Transportation

From ANC 4B

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Vison Zero Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating/watching the meeting are included below:

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/83166670715?pwd=V3RDR05ydlc0eFZZUC9EbmFBWkhPdz09 

Meeting ID: 831 6667 0715. Password: 638567.

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 831 6667 0715. Password: 638567. 

To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/PfW6F0IHYm0

Additional information is available on the Commission’s website at https://anc4b.com/committees/vision-zero-committee/

June 14: ANC 4B Housing Justice Committee Meeting

Posted by nextstoprp in ANC 4B, Public Safety

From ANC 4B

Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4B’s Housing Justice Committee will meet on Monday, June 14, 2021, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Committee will be meeting virtually. Details about participating/watching the meeting are included below:

For video participation via Zoom on a computer or mobile device, click this link: https://streetjustice-news.zoom.us/j/81882674590?pwd=V3h0RUw0bmJHV1RrNnhiMVVpamthdz09. 

Meeting ID:  818 8267 4590. Password: 488799. 

For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592. Meeting ID: 818 8267 4590. Password: 488799. 

To watch (but not participate) via YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q6Pb7D1Vq_w

Additional information is available on the Commission’s website at https://anc4b.com/committees/housing-justice-committee/.

Lamond-Riggs Library June 2021 Construction Update & what to expect in weeks ahead

Posted by nextstoprp in Lamond Riggs Library

From DC Public Library

Here is a quick update on construction progress from your Library rebuild and what to expect in the weeks ahead specifically for Utility work on Kennedy Street NE.

Here is also the deck presented to ANC Commissioner Damion McDuffie (5A01) at his SMD meeting on May 19, 2021, which includes visuals from Lamond-Riggs Interim Library.

Construction progress update:

  • Foundation works is substantially complete
  • Offsite Structural Steel fabrication is complete.
  • The old underground fuel storage tank has been removed and hauled off.
  • Crane is onsite.
  • Steel delivery and erection has begun- photo below
  • The species for the new replacement tree are being finalized for submission to Urban Forestry & DDOT as part of the Public space permit. 
  • DDOT has approved the traffic control plans for utility work required outside the site – more detail and visuals below.  

What to expect in the weeks ahead?

  • Construction will continue within the permitted hours of 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday.
    • To make up for the lost weather days, the library has directed Consigli to work Saturdays.
    • Utility work on Kennedy street scheduled to start this week – at the earliest Thursday, June 3.
    • Utility work will be limited to permitted hours of 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM Monday thru Friday. No Saturday work is planned for Utilities.
      • Two lanes of traffic will continue to remain open as per approved traffic control plans.
      • Cones and signs will be set up, and as needed certified flaggers will be stationed.
      • Lanes will be configured day-to-day to allow work to occur in different locations on Kennedy – see visuals below.
      • Pedestrian access at the sidewalk will remain available.
  • The steel structure will continue to be erected.
  • Underground utility, electrical, and plumbing work will continue.
  • Excavators will remain on-site, and concrete trucks & pumps will be scheduled for pour days.
  • Trucks will still enter and exit the site via South Dakota Avenue into the construction enclosure from Kennedy St.
  • Consigli Construction is taking all necessary measures to run a safe operation, and as with all construction projects, construction-related noise will be part of the process as the team builds your new library.

General questions can be directed to the Library’s Community engagement liaison Martha Saccocio at her email: Martha.Saccocio@dc.gov.

Any time-sensitive Construction Safety Issues can be reported to Consigli Construction Superintendent-Michael Davis at 202.570.3375.

Photo: Steel Structure Erection underway

Approved Traffic Control Plan for Kennedy Street – 4 layouts show specific areas of work where utility work will occur on Kennedy Street within specific date ranges