Guest Post

On Wednesday, April 25, 2016, ANC 5A held its monthly public meeting.

Commissioners Present: Angel Alston (5A08), Isaiah Burroughs (5A04), Ronnie Edwards (5A05), Grace Lewis (5A02), Adrian Jordan (5A03), Jasmine White (5A06), and Frank Wilds (5A01)

REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

DC Water Green Infrastructure Briefing

Meghan Hazer, Green Infrastructure Coordinator, DC Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water), discussed the Clean Rivers Project. She explained that DC has a single system to handle both sewage and storm water. But during heavy rains, the system overflows and releases raw sewage into our rivers. To manage the overflow, DC Water is implementing a Green Infrastructure (GI) program, which the nearby Rock Creek Project A represents. DC Water is conducting a neighborhood survey for this project area.

Ms. Hazer said the GI program’s goal is to reduce storm water runoff using various technologies such as bioretention curbs and planters and permeable pavement. Each captures and slows storm water runoff by design.

In response to questions, the DC Water team said:

• A National Green Infrastructure Certification training program will be available to DC residents;
• CBE requirements are included in the DC Water contract;
• DC Water will provide a sewage cleaning schedule; and
• The GI program cost is covered by a portion of your DC Water bill.

Catholic University of America (CUA)

Mr. Lawrence Morris, CUA General Counsel, informed the community of the latest CUA campus issues. He covered the university’s interest in a new business school and residence hall, a student bar on campus, and work on CUA’s walls facing Michigan Avenue, NE. In response to questions, he said CUA owns the land supporting the development on Monroe Street, NE. However, CUA is not affiliated with either the hotel on Michigan Avenue and Irving Street NE, nor Chancellor’s Row on Seventh Street NE.

District Department of Transportation (DDOT) State Rail Plan

Ryan Westrom, DDOT Senior Transportation Planner/Engineer, discussed DC’s State Rail Plan. He said that Federal Railroad Administration standards require all states to develop a State Rail Plan. (DC receives state treatment regarding transportation matters). The plan covers the 22 miles of DC commercial and passenger railway, but not Metro. According to Mr. Westrom, DDOT will host a public meeting on the State Rail Plan in June at Eastern Market.  He is also aware of the train vibrations affecting housing along Puerto Rico Avenue, NE.

University of the District of Columbia: Urban Food Systems

Dwane Jones, Ph.D., is the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at UDC. Dr. Jones discussed DC’s goal to grow its own food, and how UDC can assist.  He cited three proposed training programs UDC plans to offer: aquaponics, business kitchen incubation and even, a food truck.  Entrepreneurs will raise fish for sale via aquaponics, apply business concepts in the incubator kitchen space, or manage a food truck.  According to Dr. Jones, UDC is still refining the details of each program.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) PSA 405

Lieutenant Ashley Rosenthal introduced Captain Brian Bray to everyone. He is responsible for PSA 403, 404 and 405.  Lt. Rosenthal said robbery and theft are still a problem, and she cited the theft of an ATM from the Providence Hospital lobby.  She asked everyone to not leave anything in their cars and to secure car doors and windows.

DC Council Update

Ronan Gulstone, Chief of Staff for Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, covered the councilman’s latest bills: “Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults and the Elderly Amendment Act of 2016” and “Fair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Act of 2016.” The former protects seniors from financial exploitation, while the latter bans a housing provider from making criminal history inquiries until a housing offer is conditionally extended. Owner-occupied residences and residences with three or less units are exempted.

Old Business

EYA gave a briefing on its development plans to ANC 5A’s Committee of the Whole, and no decisions or agreements were made.

Commissioner Jordan wants an economic development Survey. He proposed revising the North Capitol Main Street Survey for use by the ANC within 90 days. Also, he suggests that each SMD select a community volunteer to assist.

The Commissioners are reviewing “The Advisory Neighborhood Commission Omnibus Amendment Act of 2016” sponsored by CM Bonds.

The March minutes were approved.

Adjournment: 8:50 p.m.