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Meeting was called to order by acting Chair Douglas Mitchell. Commissioners present were Maudlin, Perry, Kogan, Bardin, Fitzgerald and Spencer.
Adoption of Agenda-- The agenda was adopted by unanimous consent. The first order of business was the election of officers for the remainder of the calender year. The following Commissioners were elected unanimously: Chairman Douglas Mitchell, Vice Chairman David J. Bardin, Secretary Karen L. Perry and Treasurer Phil Kogan.
Announcements--Commissioner Kogan reported the theft of two autos in the 3700 block of Upton St. on January 1, 1999 and the safeguards attached to securing any street parked vehicle such as anti-theft hardware or an alarm system. Commissioner Kogan introduced a potential agenda item related to the ongoing expansion and renovations of the Hillwood Museum and referred the matter to Commissioners Perry who represents that SMD. Commissioner Bardin announced an upcoming meeting, "Liberating the Last Colony: Getting Voting Rights for DC in Congress," to be held January 21 at 6:30 p.m., UDC Room A03. Commissioner Spencer cited the recent death of longtime Forest Hills resident Judge Theodore Tannenwald Jr. A letter of condolence will be sent to his family. Commissioner Spencer also announced a meeting, "District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority," announcing focus groups addressing the quality of drinking water and problems that may be inherent to residents. The meetings are scheduled for January 27 and March 10th. A flyer was distributed with more details.
Open Forum-- Sergeant John Griffin of PSA 201, an area that is bordered to the north by Western Ave and south by Tilden St., east by Rock Creek and west by Reno Rd. Of the twenty patrol offices assigned to 201PSA, Forest Hill's has roughly four-- three in patrol cars and one on foot/bike patrol. Sergeant Griffin followed up on Commissioner Kogan's announcement relating that cars parked in residential urban areas should have either an alarm, "the Club" or a "lojack type" deterrent. With exception of an incident occurring in north Chevy Chase on December 11th in which 15 cars were stolen in the early morning, most car thefts are random. The most popular car stolen are Camreys, Accords, and Acuras. Phone numbers for PSA 201 are-- 727-1010, non emergency, 282-2234, office and 727-4932 box 24316, Sergeant Griffin.
Regular Business--
Residents of Linnean Terrace Call for "All Stop" Signs at
33rd St. and 34th St. intersecting Linnean Terrace.
Karen Epstein, Mary Sifton and her son Ivan, all of Linnean Terrace,
were introduced to the Commission by Commission Maudlin. They are concerned
about motorists' neglect of posted speed signs. They offered a petition
containing 25 signatures of residents of Linnean Terrace and adjacent streets
and a letter from Council member Patterson supporting the petitioners need
for "all way" stops at the intersections of 33rd St. and Linnean Terrace
and 34th St. and Linnean Terrace. A motion was made to support the petitioners'
request. A discussion followed and several ideas with respect to the installation
of the signs were made, as well as the possibility of an existing traffic
survey evaluation by DPW that would include the actual locations of any
existing signs in the area. The motion failed 1-6-0, (Maudlin). The Commission
agreed to re-visit the petitioner's issue at a future meeting.
Plans for Sunday Flea Market at UDC Plaza.
Commissioner Bardin recognized ANC3F resident Michael Sussman of Brandywine
Street and Sharon Bland of the University Relation's Office at UDC.
Sussman, a businessman with over 23 years experience in flea market operations,
and Bland, part of the new administration at UDC, appeared before
the ANC f with plans for a Sunday 9AM-5PM flea market from Spring through
Fall. Bland cited the importance of UDC becoming more a part of the community,
not just as a weekday neighbor, and the potential financial aspects resulting
from venders fees and nominal parking fees. Sussman recognized the Commission's
concerns about parking maintenance and trash removal as being top priority
and guaranteed they will be handled by reliable outside venders. Sussman's
plan calls for a fresh produce stand, a baker's stand, collectibles and
original art. The plaza is accessible to daily traffic flow and is accessible
to Metro and UDC elevators. The Commission invited Mr. Sussman and Ms.
Bland to revisit at a later date.
Consideration of Class "CR" Liquor License, Bombay Cafe.
4221 B Connecticut Ave. NW.
Domingo D'Costa, ER Restaurant Inc., and Malinda Perry, Counsel to
Mr. D'Costa, appeared before the Commission to request non-opposition of
Mr. D'Costa's recent application before the ABC Board for a Class "CR"
license for Bombay Cafe. It was noted that the ANC3F had not received notice
of Bombay Cafe's hearing date that was set for January 29, 1999. The Commission
outlined the terms of a voluntary agreement between Bombay Cafe and the
ANC3F and some adjustments to the agreement were added and agreed to by
both parties. Several members attending the meeting spoke in favor of Mr.
D'Costa's reputation in the neighborhood. (He also operates the Peacock
Restaurant in the 5000 block of Connecticut Avenue.) A motion was made
to not oppose Bombay Cafe's "CR" application. The motion carried 6-1-0
(Maudlin.) A copy of the voluntary agreement with Mr. D'Costa and ANC3F
is enclosed.
Consideration of Public Service Commission applications to install
outdoor pay phones by Onyx Communication at 4303 Connecticut
Avenue
and Robin Tech. at 4221 Connecticut Avenue
The Commission, without invited representatives of Onyx and Robin,
discussed the applications for new outdoor pay phones at two Connecticut
Avenue locations. Commissioner Perry noted that the sites of the new phones
were within steps of existing phones (there are 14 outdoor phones between
the 4100 - 4500 blocks of Connecticut Avenue) and that none of the store
owners were ever approached by Onyx or Robin to sign off on the addition
of new phones. Comments from the audience included the eyesore created
by public phones--many are left damaged for months and many remain out
of order with no notice to consumers and no way to get a refund. A motion
was made to oppose the application for 4303 Connecticut Avenue. The motion
carried 6-1-0 (Kogan). A motion was made to oppose the application at 4221
Connecticut Avenue. The motion carried 6-1-0 (Kogan).
Adoption of By-laws
In review of the ANC3F's existing by-laws the following actions
took place: The Chair moved that all checks be consigned only by
the Chair and Treasurer. The motion was defeated by 3-4-0. A motion was
made by Commissioner Kogan (relative to the Chair's apprehension of the
cosigning of checks with respect to the Auditor's current rules of bonding
and the new guidelines of liability to the Chair and Treasurer) to have
the Chair and Treasurer jointly appoint, in the form of a written
memo to the Commission prior to any financial business, an officer
of the Commission, in the absence of either the Chair and or Treasurer,
to assume cosigning authorization. The motion carried 5-1-1 (Mitchell.)
By unanimous consent the Commission approved changing the amount of solicitation
or acceptance of funds from $100.00 to $400.00, and to review and/or revise
by-laws by a majority vote of three-forths of the Commission. A motion
was made to accept the amended by-laws. The motion carried 7-0-0. A copy
of the by-laws are enclosed.
Adoption of Budget 1999.
The 1999 budget, drafted by Commissioner Kogan prior to the meeting,
is based on the ANC3F disbursements and allotments of 1998. Commissioner
Kogan introduced several potential cost saving measures that are in the
research stage. A motion was made to adopt the 1999 budget and the motion
carried 7-0-0. A copy of the budget is enclosed.
Committees and Liaisons 1999.
Commissioners Perry, Kogan and Maudlin were appointed to the Committee
on Commuter Safety. Commissioner Bardin was appointed liaison to the Forest
Hills Citizens Association. Commissioner Fitzgerald was appointed liaison
to ANC 3C. Chair Mitchell was appointed liaison to ANC 3G. Additional Committees
and liaisons will be determined at future meetings.
Schedule of Meetings 1999.
The Commission, as a rule, will meet the third Monday of each month
unless a conflict occurs. Meetings for July and August are scheduled as
tentative. There is no meeting scheduled for December.
Secretary's Report--Commission Perry moved to approve the minutes for November 1998 and the minutes were approved by a vote of 1-0-6. Note-- Commissioner Perry is the only re-elected member of the current ANC 3F who was present at the November 1998 meeting.
Treasurer's Report--Commissioner Kogan moved to approve expenditures for November 1998 and December 1998. The motion carried 7-0-0. Commissioner Kogan moved to approve the Auditor's Report for the Quarter ending 1998. The motion carried 7-0-0.
Future Meeting-- February 17, 1999.
Adjournment-- 11:50 pm.