On November 20, 2024, the Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker will be giving away free turkeys to Ward 5 residents for the holiday season at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center.
You must reserve your free turkey at ward5.us/turkey2024. Bring identification with proof of Ward 5 residency when you pick up your turkey.
There will also be first-come, first-serve turkey giveaway pop-ups in Brentwood, Carver Langston, and North Michigan Park. More details on the pop-ups will be provided later.
Don’t need a turkey but want to help spread holiday cheer?Sign up as a volunteer to help with turkey distribution on November 20!
Huge thanks to Alan Thompson, owner of the Chick-fil-A located at 220 Riggs Road NE, for once again cleaning up the north side of Riggs Road NE by the National Park Service parkland and CSX bridge. In October of last year, neighbor Keith reached out to Mr. Thompson to ask if his team could help clean up that stretch of the sidewalk along Riggs. His team did such a great job. This year, they did it again.
For voice-only participation on a telephone, dial (301) 715-8592.
Meeting ID: 846 2610 8389.
1. Call to Order & Roll Call
2. Administrative Items:
A. Instructions for Participation in Virtual Meeting
B. Consideration and Approval of October 2024 Regular Public Meeting Agenda
C. Approval of September 2024 Regular Public Meeting Minutes
D. Treasurer’s Report, Approval of Quarterly Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter of FY 2024
E. Approval of Community Grants & Expenditures:
Resolution 4B-24-1001: Grant Award for Takoma Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization
Resolution 4B-24-1002: Grant Award for Calvin Coolidge Alumni Association Inc.
Resolution 4B-24-1003: Grant Award for Ward 4 Mutual Aid
Resolution 4B-24-1004: Authorizing Commission Community Support and Outreach Expenditures
3. Commissioner Updates
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:
A. Yamileth Escobar, Mayor’s Office on Community Relations and Services(3 minutes)
B. Barbara Rogers, Office of Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George(3 minutes)
C. Frazier O’Leary, Ward 4 State Board of Education (3 minutes)
D. Housing Justice Committee(2 minutes)
E. Vision Zero Committee(2 minutes)
F. Youth Advisory Committee(2 minutes)
G. Community Safety & Support Committee (2 minutes)
6. Presentation: Matthew Ramos, Communications & Public Affairs Specialist, Office of the Inspector General regarding Work and Mission of the Office (10-minute presentation; 10-minute discussion)
7. Consent Calendar:
Resolution 4B-24-1005: Calling for a Modern Container Deposit-Return Law to Reduce Litter and Improve Recycling Rates (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith)
Letter: Expressing Concerns regarding the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2024 and Calling for Engagement with Tenant Lawyers and the Tenant Community in Modifying Emergency Rental Assistance (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith)
8. Resolution 4B-24-1006: Calling for a Full-Time Nurse in Every Public School and Efforts to Enhance Staffing (Commissioner Palmer, Commissioner Yeats, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Smith)
9. Adjournment
The next ANC 4B Planning Meeting is scheduled for November 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Regular Public Meeting is scheduled for November 25 at 7:00 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Housing Justice Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 6 at 7:30 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Youth Advisory Committee Meeting is tentatively scheduled for November 16.
The next ANC 4B Vision Zero Committee Meeting is scheduled for November 20 at 7:00 p.m.
The next ANC 4B Community Safety and Support Committee meeting is scheduled for November 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Kids & their grown-ups can wear costumes, bring a blanket and treats to share. Meet at the Fort Circle Park pavilion near Galloway Street & 11th Street NE.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) approved the final design for the North Michigan Park-Fort Totten Metro station pedestrian path realignment on its consent agenda on October 17, 2024. This is the short path that will link Gallatin and Galloway streets NE between South Dakota Avenue and 4th Street NE. The National Park Service (NPS) had begun construction on the trail years ago when construction workers first found an unexploded ordnance and then later encountered the top of Metro’s green line tunnel. So, NPS had to design a new alignment for the trail about 20 feet to the east and get all of the necessary approvals for the new alignment. The CFA review was the last approval needed after the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) determined that NCPC review was not necessary.
I have not gotten my hands on the 100% design just yet, but this post discussing the NCPC report contains a link to the 70% design.
Even better news is that I have been told that NPS has identified construction funding for the project. For a while, NPS had been saying that the agency still needed to identify construction funding. Now it looks like construction will be funded in Fiscal Year 2025 barring any last-minute roadblocks. Once the project is out for bid, NPS will have a better sense of how long construction will take.
Neighbors know this project has been sitting around for roughly 15 years (decades if we’re including the time that North Michigan Park residents had been advocating for the path). It is amazing how long it takes to build a pretty short one-block trail. It will be nice to finally get this path constructed and the abandoned construction site restored. And hopefully Metro and NPS have learned some valuable lessons about working together better along the way.
2024 Children’s Fall Festival Event Series Hosted by DC Fray & the Cafritz Foundation 3rd Saturday, September-December 1:00 pm The Modern at Art Place 400 Galloway Street NE
Join DC Fray + the Cafritz Foundationfor the Children’s Festival Event Series for some free, community-centered fun every third Saturday through December! See details below.
October 19th – Field Day Fun
Share your nostalgic carnival favorites with the whole family this summer! Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to win fun prizes; play games like ring toss, cornhole, Plinko and pin the tail on the donkey; or get your face painted – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
November 16th – Carnival Experience
Ready to kick off this next school year? Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation to collect free school supplies and warm up your brains with our immersive instructional experiences including fun math games + a visit from a reptile expert – all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
December – Home for the Holidays
Calling all young witches and wizards! Show off your house pride by dressing up in your best robes and enjoy themed snacks, trivia, face painting, themed prizes + more. Join DC Fray + The Cafritz Foundation for free, all as part of our community-centered Children’s Festival Event Series.
IV. Commission Business A. Secretary i. Minutes (September 2024) B. Treasurer i. 4th Quarter Financial Report
V. Commission Action Items/Updates A. Proposal to allocate funds towards the Faith United Church of Christ Thanksgiving Food Giveaway (Lucio) B. Mundo Verde Large Tract Review- Letter of Support (5A03) C. Motion to Establish a Joint 5A/5B Special Committee on the Taylor Street PBL Project (5A03)
VI. Community Updates A. MPD B. Mayor’s Office C. Councilmember Parker’s office
VII. Reports & Presentations A. Jubileaf LLC (5A08) B. Bicycle Program Specialist, District Department of Transportation- Greg Matlesky C. Washington Yu Ying-Jose Sousa (5A05)
VIII. Community Comments
IX. Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 (note: 5th week of November due to the holiday)
Illustrative rendering of potential affordable housing development, southwest corner 1st Place & Riggs Road NE by Valor Development.
The DC Council recently approved the closure of a paper alley that will permit a development team to consolidate two lots to build a 100% income-restricted, affordable housing development on the corner of 1st Place and Riggs Road NE. The plan is for approximately 104 apartments, underground parking, and no retail.
The property sits across the street from Impact DMV Church, which owns one of the lots. It is currently being used as an overflow parking lot with an unfinished structure next door. The church has an agreement to sell the lot and will get underground parking in the new development.
A representative of Valor Development appeared before ANC 5A back in March after giving a presentation to the Council.
DDOT previously requested conditions related to using the paper alley network west and south of the property for access to the property. The Council negotiated language “that would make the closing contingent upon ‘the property owner receiving the requisite public space approvals for parking and loading access prior to the recordation of the plat by the Surveyor.'” (See committee report).
DDOT also requested conditions related to maintaining consistency with and minimizing conflicts along the Met Branch Trail, which traverses 1st Place in front of the property, as well as a tree preservation plan. The Council determined that these issues should be addressed through the public space permitting process.
Last I was told, the development team is still working to secure financing for the project.
The property sits in ANC 5A07. There has not been an ANC commissioner for that area for a while now, and no one has signed up to run for the seat for the next term.
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites residents to join his next Monthly Public Safety Call on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
This month’s meeting will focus on school safety as the new school year kicks off. Guests will include members of the Safe Passage team and youth mentors.
Register to receive the meeting link at ward5.us/monthlycall. The meeting will be livestreamed on CM Parker’s YouTube channel. It will be recorded, and slides will be shared afterwards.
Emily Singer Lucio Commissioner ANC 5A03 5a03@anc.dc.gov 202-421-8674 Do you live in my SMD, then please join my Listserve and tell your neighbors too: https://groups.io/g/SMD5A03
The October 2024 LRCA Community meeting will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM EST. Doors open at 5:45 PM. This meeting commences LRCA’s 2024-2025 Program Year.
This IN-PERSON meeting is scheduled to take place at the Lillian J. Huff Neighborhood Library, Meeting Room 1, located at 5401 South Dakota Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20011.
Students can earn community service hours by assisting with the distribution of the LRCA monthly newsletter. If you are interested, please reach out to LRCA President Barbara Rogers at Barbara@lrcadc.org or call 202-904-1027.
The Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association, with the assistance of The Parks Main Street, is conducting a placemaking survey for the Riggs Park neighborhood. Complete the short survey by Friday, October 11, 2024.
Riggs Park boundaries are New Hampshire Avenue NE to the north, Metro red line tracks to the west, Galloway Street NE to the south, and Eastern Avenue, DC/Maryland line to the east.
For the fourth year in a row, Edwin Washington and the team at The Parks Main Street put together another great Art All Night in Riggs Park. On September 28, 2024, residents and visitors were able to get their steps in, traversing the entire South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road corridor to get a taste of food, art, and commerce.
The Modern at Art Place joined the fun this year. Soka Tribe kicked things off at South Dakota and Galloway with a high energy Soca performance. District Kings ended the evening with go-go. In between, residents could enjoy art from artists like Tarika Campbell or shop with vendors like Black Squirrel Company.
The Lamond-Riggs Library provided a ton of family-friendly activities, including face painting, chess, video games, and group painting. The good folks at DC Retro Jumpers will convince anyone that they can Double Dutch. Vendors, artists, and a DJ rounded out the mix.
Food trucks set up at Troka Insurance along with DJ Super Sid. Fire dancer and local resident Jordan Seitz brought the fire as usual.
Hellbender was hopping all night long. Hellbender mainstay Beef Space BBQ provided the eats. I caught the tail end of Shirleta Settles and Friends, which is always a treat.
Vendors, a live painting artist, and a DJ set up shop on the plaza area outside the Wingstop. There, I met local resident Renee Blair, owner of Happy Violet DC, a waterless nail shop that will be opening at Riggs Crossing in 2025.
Finally, I made my way to Riggs Wine & Liquor, where kids were painting a community mural using banners recycled from previous Art All Night events.
The rain held off, creating the perfect night to walk and enjoy the Riggs Park Main Street corridor.
[Note: Discussion with Mayor Bowser’s chief of staff and DDOT’s community engagement team is tabled until the November meeting that DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum will attend.]
From North Michigan Park Civic Association
North Michigan Park Civic Association Monthly Meeting
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to un mute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Community Update
Update from meeting with the Executive Office of the Mayor and Director of DDOT (9-20-24)
Results of 9-20-24 meeting
November 2024 meeting will be face to face with the Director of DDOT – Sharon Kershbaum and Executive Office of the Mayor
Request volunteers for Safety Committee
Early Voting begins Monday October 28th thru Sunday November 3, Time 8:30 am to 7:00 check dcboe for locations. Turkey Thicket for this area of Northeast
Guest Speakers:
Kelly Carter, Office Coordinator and Youlanda Gross, Deputy Director- Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Charities Update for the Kennedy Institute Development
Deirdre Brown, Chair of Vote No on Initiative 83
Executive Office of the Mayor and Department of Transportation – Tabled until November meeting
Lindsey Parker – Chief of Staff
Tyler Williams – Manager Constituent Service
Community Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill , Anthony Black
Ward 5 Council Member’s Office – Oliver Stoute
ANC Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08, 5A09
Faith United Church – Rev. Joseph K. Williams, Sr.
Ms. Elaine (left) with neighbors at Daru, May 2024.
I recently attended a memorial service for a beloved neighbor, Ms. Elaine Faye Gunter. Ms. Elaine was one of the first people I met when I started attending community meetings several years ago now. She was so kind, so warm, so welcoming. Humble, generous, and encouraging.
Ms. Elaine earned a Master of Science degree in Information and Telecommunications Systems from Johns Hopkins University. She worked as a senior software engineer for NASA for many years. She worked pretty much up until her passing at 77 years old. Ms. Elaine was like many elders in the neighborhood, particularly women, who enjoyed a remarkable career, accomplishing a lot in the face of discrimination.
I don’t quite remember the year I met Ms. Elaine. We developed a warm friendship through our community involvement. I will always remember how she stood for decency. Literally standing up in meetings to ask that everyone, whether new to the neighborhood or a long-term resident, be treated with respect.
Ms. Elaine was a core member of the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association development task force. By the time I moved to the neighborhood and started attending meetings, a couple of big projects were just getting underway. At almost every meeting, Ms. Elaine would ask for a wine bar.
We did not get that wine bar before Ms. Elaine passed. A group of us would get together every so often outside the neighborhood for food and friendship. One of the last memories I have of her was my birthday dinner in May. She gifted me wind chimes for my porch. Hopefully we will get a chance soon to raise a glass in the neighborhood for the gift that was Ms. Elaine.
May she rest well and memories of her be a comfort to all those who loved her.
ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting on September 25, 2024. Commissioners present: Duvalier Malone (5A01); Emily Singer Lucio (5A03) – Vice Chair, Secretary; Diego Rojas (5A04); Gordon Fletcher (5A08) – Chair; Shelagh Bocoum (5A09) – Treasurer. ANC 5A06 & 5A07 are vacant.
Commission Business
The ANC approved the Fiscal Year 2024 3rd Quarter financial report. The ANC tabled voting on the FY 2025 budget.
The ANC approved a job description for an ANC administrative assistant.
Christian Starghill is a new Ward 5 MOCR. She will be helping out with issues in ANC 5A. She can be reached at christian.starghill@dc.gov or at 202-394-4399. Mr. Black can be reached at anthony.black@dc.gov or at 202-251-5049.
The MOCRs will hold Ward 5 days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:00am-3:00 pm, when they can meet with ANC commissioners and residents across the ward to address issues.
September was National Preparedness month. Art All Night took place across all eight wards.
Ward 5 Council Report (Oliver Stoute, Constituent Services Coordinator for Councilmember Zachary Parker)
Ward 5 Day was a big success, with a shoutout going to Commissioner Lucio for helping with the young entrepreneur fair.
CM Parker is chairing a new subcommittee on libraries and youth affairs.
DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb plans to issue a letter regarding the investigation into the sale of the Providence campus. Look for that in an upcoming newsletter from CM Parker.
Up in the Air Public Arts Project (Leonina Arismendi & Lynda Andrews-Barry)
The Up in the Air art project is a public call to action for equitable access to clean air in Ward 5 with a special focus on the Ivy City and Trinidad neighborhoods. The “artivists” are currently working to install an exhibit at Trinidad Recreation Center. They are supporting the 2023 Environmental Justice Amendment Act. Residents can support the project by submitting photos to Up in the Air.
National Links Trust was awarded a 50-year operating lease at three golf courses in DC for an initiative called the Nation’s Capital Project. They recently reopened the mini golf course at East Potomac Park. They are turning their attention to renovations at historic Langston Golf Course, which opened in 1939. They will be holding community meetings to get input on the golf course. They emphasized the importance of municipal golf courses and their goal of having the site used for community programs (for example, an exhibit on Black golf history) and workforce development. Stay tuned for notices about community meetings regarding Langston.
Commissioner Updates
5A03
Commissioner Lucio (5A03) will hold a single member district meeting on October 10. She will discuss the Mundo Verde renovation and the friar building that is for sale.
Commissioner Lucio said she is working with CM Parker’s office to make sure the community is considered in the Attorney General’s letter that is forthcoming regarding the Providence campus.
The Kennedy School development is moving ahead. They will be razing the site shortly.
She is working with the HOA of the Michigan Park townhomes to resolve what is the city’s responsibility and what is the HOA’s responsibility.
5A08
Commissioner Fletcher (5A08) will have an SMD meeting on October 24.
There was a groundbreaking for 1 Hawaii Avenue, a 100% income-restricted affordable housing development in ANC 5A06.
5A09
A “party of five” that included Commissioner Bocoum acting in her personal capacity, not as a commissioner, reached a settlement agreement with Aldi for the sale of beer and wine at the store that will be opening soon at 5300 South Dakota Avenue in ANC 5A09.
(Aside: I have to acknowledge ANC 5F Commissioner Aru Sahni (5F02). Back in June I reached out to him to ask for a copy of the settlement agreement that his ANC reached with the Trader Joe’s that will be opening near Brookland Metro station. He responded right away. I shared that agreement with Commissioner Bocoum prior to the ANC’s June meeting, explaining that ABCA encourages parties to copy agreements that have been vetted and approved and tailor them as appropriate. For whatever reason, other commissioners on the ANC did not understand the protest process and created unnecessary confusion in trying to get an agreement at the ANC level. So Bocoum ended up pursuing an agreement as a party of five.)
Miscellaneous
Earlier in the meeting, a resident tried to tie the environmental justice issues in Ward 5 discussed during the “Up in the Air” presentation to the South Dakota Avenue safety study by stating that bike lanes on South Dakota Avenue would cause more car idling. Therefore, the resident said, there will be more air pollution if bike lanes are put on South Dakota Avenue. In response, Commissioner Fletcher said that he has been told that bike lanes have been taken off the table for the South Dakota Avenue project. A resident then stated that DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum said that all bike lane projects across the city have been put on hold. Commissioner Fletcher did not state where he received his information.
Jose Sousa, Chief Operating Officer for Yu Ying, requested to present on the school’s expansion at the ANC’s October meeting.
· Call to Order · Opening Prayer – Silent · Roll Call of Officers
Meeting Protocol
Meeting Protocol is Robert’s Rules of Order
Phone call should remain on mute unless asked to un mute.
Respect others when speaking
Respect our guest.
Raise your hand if you have a question and wait to be acknowledged.
Community Update
Update from meeting with the Executive Office of the Mayor and Director of DDOT (9-20-24)
Bike Lanes are no longer on the table for South Dakota Ave
Safety issues are still on the table for South Dakota Ave.
November 2024 meeting will be face to face with the Director of DDOT – Sharon Kershbaum
Request volunteers for Safety Committee
Early Voting begins Monday October 28th thru Sunday November 3, Time 8:30 am to 7:00 check dcboe for locations. Turkey Thicket for this area of Northeast
Guest Speakers:
Kelly Carter, Coordinator – Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Charities Update for the Kennedy Institute Development
Deirdre Brown, Chair of Vote No on Initiative 83
Executive Office of the Mayor and Department of Transportation
Lindsey Parker – Chief of Staff
Tyler Williams – Manager Constituent Service
Community Leader Reports
Mayor’s Office – MOCR – Christian Starghill , Anthony Black
Ward 5 Council Member’s Office – Oliver Stoute
ANC Commissioners 5A02, 5A03, 5A08, 5A09
Faith United Church – Rev. Joseph K. Williams, Sr.
Visit small businesses, shop, dine, see local art, and experience live performances by artists from Riggs Park, Manor Park, and surrounding communities in Wards 4 and 5. Spaces throughout our business corridors transform into galleries, vending booths, food stations, and performances for an evening of art in all its forms.
Reserve your free ticket for an evening of festive fun while supporting small businesses. All registrants will automatically be entered in drawing for gift certificates from local small businesses in Riggs Park and Manor Park! Registrants must check-in at one of two Welcome Centers to confirm eligibility.
Volunteers Needed
Meet new friends, feel good about making a difference, and have fun! Become a volunteer and help The Parks Main Street bring the communities of Riggs Park and Manor Park together to celebrate Art All Night.
NOTE: This event has been cancelled due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict
—
Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker invites residents to join his next Monthly Public Safety Call on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.
This month’s meeting will focus on school safety as the new school year kicks off. Guests will include members of the Safe Passage team and youth mentors.
Register to receive the meeting link at ward5.us/monthlycall. The meeting will be livestreamed on CM Parker’s YouTube channel. It will be recorded, and slides will be shared afterwards.
Due to the potential for rain, DPR has changed the location for tonight’s meeting. Please see below for updated location.
From DPR
Please join the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) for a community meeting to discuss the future renovations to the green space at the intersection of Riggs Road NE and South Dakota Avenue NE. This meeting will be an opportunity to learn more about the project and discuss what you would like to see in the upcoming renovations.
Your attendance is greatly appreciated!
Meeting details:
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m.
NEW Location: Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library, 5401 South Dakota Ave. NE (Children’s Room).
Next Stop...Riggs Park 
