On May 24, 2017, ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting. All commissioners were present, except Commissioner Frank Wilds (5A01).
Police Report
PSA 405 Lieutenant Ashley Rosenthal reported there has been a decrease in violent crimes, but property crimes are up. Most of the property crimes are thefts from auto. There have been a few reported cases of removal of tires and tags from cars. Many of the reported thefts involve thefts from office buildings and hospitals in the PSA. Lt. Rosenthal advised residents not to leave anything visible in cars and not to leave purses, cell phones, and other items unattended in the hospitals.
See: May 2017 Crime Stats (pdf)
Catholic University ABRA Petition
The ANC agreed to support an ABRA petition by Catholic University to operate a bar/restaurant called Murphy’s Bar on the lower level of its student center. The space would accommodate approximately 150 people. It would serve as additional gathering space for students and faculty and would be open to the community as well. CU hopes to open the bar in fall 2017.
Crime Victims Compensation Fund
Donald Younger presented on the DC Superior Court Crime Victim Compensation Program, which offers financial assistance to victims of crime, including assistance with medical bills, funeral costs, and lost wages. See: DC Crime Victim Fund Flyer (pdf)
Private Security Camera Rebate Program
Christopher Dyer with DC’s Office of Victim Services & Justice Grants presented on DC’s private security camera rebate program. The program provides up to $200 for a camera installed on the exterior of a home, with a cap of $500 per property. It does not cover installation or storage plans. Residents have to register the camera with MPD to receive the rebate. Be sure to upload receipts showing that the camera has been paid for when applying. And be sure to have the camera installed prior to applying to avoid delay in receiving the rebate.
Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie Report
Marita Crawford Reddick, Staff Assistant to Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, discussed bills introduced by Councilmember McDuffie. The Family Unit Amendment Act would require a certain percentage of funds disbursed by the Housing trust Fund to be used to create rental units with a minimum of three bedrooms. The MOWS Act would create a program to assist senior residents with landscaping.
See: CM McDuffie recently introduced bills handout (pdf) & MOWS Act flyer (pdf)
Pepco Capital Grid Project
Pepco plans to upgrade the grid by upgrading three substations, building an additional substation, and placing 10 miles of cable underground. The project needs to be approved by the Public Service Commission and is expected to run from spring 2018 to 2022. Work in residential areas will likely take place from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Work in nonresidential areas will be done at night. Pepco has a dedicated project website at http://www.pepco.com/capitalgrid/ and will communicate with residents before work begins in a particular area.
See: Pepco Capital Grid Project Presentation to ANC 5A May 24, 2017 (pdf)
Comprehensive Plan Amendment Presentation
DC’s Office of Planning extended the Open Call for amendments to DC’s Comprehensive Plan to June 23, 2017. The Comp Plan is the blueprint for how DC develops. David Whitehead, Housing Program Organizer for Greater Greater Washington, presented on proposed amendments to the Comp Plan by a coalition of affordable housing groups, local organizations, and for-profit developers. Highlights include promoting housing for families and affordable housing, addressing displacement in a better way, and advocating for lasting community benefits. The ANC voted to support the coalition’s priorities. For the complete list and explanation of the coalition’s priorities, see http://dchousingpriorities.org and Coalition Comp Plan Amendment Priorities Statement (pdf)
Mayor’s Office
Lionell Gaines, Ward 5 MCOR, provided a brief update from the mayor’s office. May is InnoMaytion month. DC has launched an Inclusive Innovation Incubator at Howard University. The mayor’s office launched the Reign: Empowering young women as leaders program.
ANC Business
ANC website & dropbox
The ANC tabled approval for a private ANC website pending additional bid research requested by the commissioners. For the past three years, the ANC has been trying to figure out how to have an operational website as the website at anc5a.org is apparently too difficult to operate. Commissioner Gordon Fletcher (5A08) took the lead in seeking bids for a website. He received two bids and proposed one for approval at the meeting. Commissioners thought the bid was too high so they recommended seeking additional bids. Anyone with ideas or input should contact Commissioner Fletcher. In the interim, the ANC has set up a dropbox for notices, minutes, and official ANC documents. [Ed. Note: Now that the ANC has a means of providing minutes, we will probably start phasing out full ANC 5A recaps and just report on major updates from the meetings]
Mundo Verde PCS Petition
Commissioner Ronnie Edwards (5A05) briefly addressed the petition by Mundo Verde PCS to the Public Charter School Board to operate and expand to accommodate up to 600 students at 4401 8th st. NE near Providence Hospital. The ANC adopted a resolution conditionally supporting operation of the school at its current enrollment of 458 students and opposing an expansion to 600 students. That resolution was filed with the PCSB and is available in the ANC’s dropbox. Mundo Verde sought an agreement with the ANC incorporating much of the resolution, but also included a provision that the school would be permitted to explore expanding to 600 students after the third year in operation. It was not clear if Commissioner Edwards said that the ANC was not aware of this provision when he signed the agreement because he said that the ANC would make clear to the PCSB that the ANC resolution should take precedent over the agreement. The ANC expects a decision on the petition at the PCSB’s June meeting.
Next Stop...Riggs Park 