MINUTES
ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 3F
NORTH CLEVELAND PARK, FOREST HILLS & TENLEYTOWN
PUBLIC MEETING
Capital Memorial Church
3150 Chesapeake Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008-2229
Monday, March 13, 2006
1. Call to order [7:33 p.m.]
Chair Wiss called the meeting to order and finding Commissioners Gandhi, Kessler, Klibanoff, Maudlin, Perry and Winstead present declared a quorum.
2. Agenda [7:34 p.m.]
Chair Wiss presented the meeting agenda which was adopted 7-0-0 (Chair Wiss moving and Commissioner Gandhi seconding)
3. Minutes [7:35 p.m.]
Minutes of the February 13, 2006, monthly public meeting were accepted 7-0-0 after correcting the time of the MPD report. (Commissioner Maudlin moving and Commissioner Perry seconding).
4. Announcements [7:36 p.m.]
Announcements by Commissioners:
Commissioner Perry announced the newly renovated Giant Van Ness is scheduled to reopen on March 23, 2006.
Commissioner Klibanoff announced a public meeting by Clark Realty Capital, LLC at 7:30 p.m. March 14, 2006, at the Howard Law School to discuss the proposed PUD at 2950 Tilden Street, N.W.
5. Open Forum [7:37 p.m.]
Ms. Barbara Beelar, 3505 Tilden Street, N.W., requested that ANC 3F put the Hearst Recreation Center on the agenda for the April meeting. Commissioner Kessler said he would convene the working group at the appropriate time.
Mr. Dick Potter, Van Ness South, member of the Friendship Station Citizens Advisory Counsel, reported that due to an investigation by the Postal Inspection Service at the Friendship Station more than 40 employees have received emergency suspensions which are impacting mail delivery in zones 7 and 16.
Mr. George Clark, president of the Forest Hills Citizens Association announced that FHCA and the Friends of the Forest Hills Playground are sponsoring a Family Day event at the Forest Hills Playground on Sunday, May 7, 2006 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m..
6. MPD second District Report [7:45 p.m.]
Officer LoConte reported that PSA 203 had the highest crime reduction during the current period in the 2nd District dropping to 13 crimes this year from 19 during the same period last year. The 13 crimes included two robberies, one at 5035 Connecticut Avenue and the other in the 3600 block of Chesapeake Street, N.W. In reply to a question by Commissioner Kessler Officer LoConte said police officers working off duty have full police powers.
Ms. Mary Froning asked if something could be done to reduce the eight minutes it takes for the walk sign at Davenport Street and Nebraska Avenue, N.W. to cycle so that students are not delayed crossing Davenport Street. Officer LoConte said this was not an MPD issue but controlled by DDOT. Mr. Jeff Jennings, DDOT representative, said he would have walk sign timing reviewed.
7. Election of ANC secretary [7:57 p.m.]
Commissioner Maudlin said he would continue to serve as acting secretary until the April meeting. This was approved by a vote 7-0-0 with Chair Wiss moving and Commissioner Klibanoff seconding.
8. Reconsideration of traffic calming devices for Upton Street, N.W. between Reno Road and Wisconsin Avenue [8:00 p.m.]
Commissioner Wiss noted she held a single member district meeting last month for DDOT to present its current traffic calming proposal for Upton Street. Commissioner Wiss, with the assistance of Mr. Jeff Jennings, DDOT, outlined the traffic calming devices recommended in the DDOT proposal and the discussion of the proposals at the single member district meeting. Comments and questions were requested, on a device by device basis, and each was discussed.
Commissioner Wiss moved a resolution, seconded by Commissioner Winstead, supporting the following traffic calming measures:
• Pavement markings at Wisconsin Avenue and Upton Street to ensure Compliance with the “right turn only” restrictions for this intersection and repositioning of the “right turn only” sign that is hidden by a tree just east of the intersection on Upton
• A raised crosswalk across Upton Street on the east side of the intersection of Upton and 38th Street (across Upton Street), as well as a raised crosswalk on the north side of the intersection (across 38th Street)
• A speed hump in the 3700 block of Upton Street
• A Raised crosswalk across Upton Street on the east side of the intersection of 37th Street and Upton Street (across Upton Street)
• A speed hump in the 3600 block of Upton Street
• The triangular island at Upton and Reno, with a cut for drainage, to prevent drivers from running the stop sign, but reduced to create space for two eastbound queues at the stop sign, one for left turns and one for right turns
• Replacement of signs and poles that are faded, broken, or graffiti covered, as indicated in the original study.
The resolution did not support the following DDOT proposed measures:
• Removal of all parking on the south side of Upton Street from Wisconsin Avenue to 37th Street
• Double yellow centerline striping and white sideline striping on Upton Street
• A sidewalk on the west side of Reno Road
• A no left turn 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. sign on northbound Reno Road at Upton Street
• Changing the Ward 3 Zone residential parking signs to Monday-Saturday from Monday-Friday
Commissioner Gandhi moved, seconded by Commissioner Maudlin, to amend by striking: ”A sidewalk on the west side of Reno Road” from the measures not supported. The amendment was adopted 5-2-0. (Commissioners Perry and Wiss opposing)
Commissioner Perry offered a friendly amendment that the results of the requested study of the raised island and right turn only arrows in the traffic light at Upton Street and Wisconsin Avenue be submitted to ANC 3F for review, which was accepted.
The amended resolution was adopted 7-0-0. [Res 06-06]
Recess 8:52 to 8:56 p.m.
9. Consideration of a grant to the Deal Junior High School PTA for $1,995.00 to purchase a mobile cart to hold, store, and recharge up to 30 computers [8:56 p.m.]
Ms. Mary Froning, Deal Junior High School PTA, presented information on the requested grant request for the purchase of a mobile wireless cart for 26 computers to be purchased by the PTA for student use. Commissioner Gandhi suggested a challenge grant with the school matching an ANC 3F grant. This did not appear to be feasible.
Commissioner Kessler moved and Commissioner Gandhi seconded a motion to approve the $1,995.00 grant for the wireless cart. Commissioner Maudlin presented an April 14, 2003, letter from the Office of the Corporation Counsel giving an opinion that grants could not be made for services duplicative of any that are already performed by the District government. The letter noted such items as microscopes and musical instruments. Commissioner Kessler pointed out that he had circulated a letter dated July 27, 2005 from the Office of the Attorney General which he believed would not prohibit the grant.
A question was raise regarding the fact Deal Junior High School is not located in ANC 3F and the requirement that a grant must benefit persons residing or working within the commission’s boundaries. It was estimated that 20 percent of the Deal students reside in 3F. Commissioner Perry reported that she had talk with a representative of the Office of the Attorney General regarding these issues and it was recommended that the ANC obtain a written opinion on this grant.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gandhi, seconded by Commissioner Kessler, to approve the grant conditioned on receiving an affirmative letter from the Attorney General. The motion was defeated 2-5-0. (Commissioners Gandhi and Kessler supporting)
Commissioner Wiss moved and Commissioner Perry seconded a motion to send a letter to the Attorney General for an opinion on “duplicative”, making a grant outside the ANC’s area and “substantial”. Commissioner Perry said since there was not accurate information on the number of deal students in ANC 3F she was withdrawing her second and Commissioner Gandhi seconded the resolution. The resolution was adopted 4-2-1 with the letter to be circulated to the commissioners. (Commissioners Maudlin and Perry opposing and Commissioner Kessler abstaining) [Ltr 06-05]
10. Presentation on FMBZA Application No. 17481 to expand and renovate the Chancery of the Republic of Hungary at 3900 Shoemaker Street and 2950 Linnean Avenue, N.W. [9:27 p.m.]
Ms. Allison C. Prince, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, attorney for the Republic of Hungary, addressed the concerns raised by commissioners and residents at the February 13, 2006, ANC meeting regarding the FMBZA application to renovate the existing main chancery building at 3900 Shoemaker Street, N.W. and to construct a mixed use building on an adjacent lot (replacing an existing house) at 2950 Linnean Avenue, N.W. The FMBZA hearing on the application is scheduled for April 11, 2006. The renovation is on a site zoned R-5-D and the new building is in an R-1-A district which is in the Forest Hills Tree and Slope Overlay District.
Ms. Prince was accompanied by Mr. Kovarovics of the embassy staff, Mr. Bill Geier, local architect for the project, Mr. Bob Good, landscape architect and Mr. Kevan Miller, sound engineer. They presented information on the design of the two buildings, the trees to be removed and new trees to be planted and noise from the proposed HVAC system. They also responded to questions by commissioners and the two residents who live close to the embassy, Dr. Bernard Sussman, 2400 Tilden Street, N.W. and Mr. Bernard Koteen, 2604 Tilden Place, N.W.
Dr. Sussman, whose property abuts the embassy, said his major concerns were noise from the HVAC system and the effect of the new building on the value of his property.
Commissioner Klibanoff presented and summarized a resolution which did not oppose the renovation of the current chancery at 2950 Linnean Avenue, N.W. but opposed the proposed new building at 3900 Shoemaker Street, N.W. Commissioner Klibanoff moved his resolution which was seconded by Commissioner Winstead.
A friendly amendment was accepted naming Commissioners Klibanoff, Perry and Winstead to represent ANC 3F at the April 11, 2006, FMBZA hearing.
Commissioner Gandhi moved, seconded by Commissioner Kessler, an amendment to strike “opposes” in the second resolved clause and insert “has concerns with”. The amendment failed by a 2-5-0 vote. (Commissioners Gandhi and Kessler supporting) The resolution was adopted by a vote of 6-1-0. [Res 06-07] (Commissioner Gandhi opposed)
11. Report of DPR’s plans to rebuild the Wilson Aquatic Center [11:06 p.m.]
Commissioner Wiss reported the DPR was considering two alternatives for rebuilding the Wilson Aquatic Center, one a 50-meter pool and a 30 x 60 foot training pool and the second a 25-meter pool and a larger leisure pool with a waterfall and slides.
12. Treasurer’s Quarterly Report [11:11 p.m.]
Commissioner Kessler presented the first FY2006 Quarterly Report for the period October 1 - December 31, 2005, and moved approval. Commissioner Gandhi seconded and the report was approved 7-0-0
13. Consideration of allocating money in the budget for a person to help the commission with administrative tasks [11:16 p.m.]
Commissioner Wiss listed the tasks that could be performed by an ANC administrative assistant. Commissioner Klibanoff moved and Commissioner Wiss seconded a motion to establish a committee of Commissioners Gandhi, Klibanoff and Perry, to study and recommend to the commission on the method of retaining someone to serve as an administrative assistant and the duties. The motion was adopted 7-0-0
14. ANC 3F budget for FY2006 [11:30 p.m.]
Commissioner Kessler presented a proposed final budget for FY2006 which was the same as the interim budget approved October 17, 2005. Commission Perry moved and Commissioner Wiss seconded a motion that consultants and grants be separate items in the budget. The motion was adopted 6-0-1. (Commissioner Kessler abstaining)
Commissioner Perry moved and Commissioner Gandhi seconded a motion that the budget be revised to provide $4,000.00 each for grants and consultants. The motion was adopted 7-0-0.
15. Grants task force [11:32 p.m.]
Commissioner Perry agreed to draft a grant program based on what other commissions are doing for consideration by ANC 3F.
16. Adjournment [11:34 p.m.]
Commissioner Gandhi moving and Commissioner Wiss seconding the meeting adjourned with a vote of 7-0-0
Respectfully submitted
/s/ Robert V. Maudlin
Robert V. Maudlin, Acting Secretary
The next regular monthly public meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital Memorial Church.
These minutes were approved 7-0-0, with a quorum present, at a duly noticed public meeting of ANC 3F on April 10, 2006.
Attachments:
Agenda
Res 06-06 Traffic calming measures on the 3600-3800 blocks of Upton Street, N.W.
Ltr 06-05 To the Office of the Attorney General requesting an opinion on grants that may be duplicative of services performed by the District government.
1st Quarter, FY2006, Treasurers Report
Budget FY2006