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, May 15, 2006
1. Call to order [7:36 p.m.]
Chair Wiss called the meeting to order and finding Commissioners Gandhi, Klibanoff, Maudlin, Perry and Winstead present declared a quorum.
2. Agenda [7:38 p.m.]
Chair Wiss presented the meeting agenda. Sheffield Wine and Liquor was stricken from the agenda for lack of notice to the applicant by motion by Commissioner Maudlin seconded by Commissioner Perry 6-0-0. The order of consideration of the liquor licenses was changed by consensus and the agenda was adopted 6-0-0. Chair Wiss moving and Commissioner Winstead seconding.
3. Minutes [7:42 p.m.]
Minutes of the April 10, 2006, ANC Meeting were approved after making several minor revisions on motion by Commissioner Gandhi seconded by Commissioner Wiss. 6-0-0
(Commissioner Kessler arrived)
Minutes of the May 8, 2006, Special ANC Meeting were approved on motion by Commissioner Maudlin seconded by Commissioner Gandhi 6-0-1 (Commissioner Kessler abstaining)
4. Announcements [7:46 p.m.]
Commissioner Wiss announced that the Office of Planning’s Ward 3 meeting on the revised Comprehensive Plan had been changed to May 30, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. at UDC’s Windows Lounge (4200 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Building 38).
Ms. Barbara Simons reported that the Ward 3 Democrats is sponsoring a mayoral candidate forum at 7:00 p.m., May 31, 2006 at the Wilson High School.
Mr. Dick Potter, Postal Customers Advisory Council, announced that there would be an international philatelic exhibit with 100 countries represented at the DC Convention Center from May 27 to June 2, 2006
Mr. C. J. Yoon, Pastor of Capital Memorial Church, announced the church’s International Vegetarian Food Fair on May 21, 2006, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
5. Open Forum [7:50 p.m.]
None
6. MPD Second District Report [7:51 p.m.]
Officer LoConte, PSA 203, and Officer Williams, PSA, 202, presented crime statistics reports for their PSA’s for the period April 15 to May 15, which showed that, except for theft from auto, crime was down. They urged residents not to leave items visible in their cars that could encourage theft. Commissioner Perry requested information on an alleged incident on May 10, at about 10:00 a.m., involving students on a metro bus at Connecticut Avenue and Van Ness Street and the use of the K-9 force. Officer LoConta said he did not have any information and Commissioner Perry requested that the ANC be supplied a written report. There was discussion of vehicles in one-way alleys on both sides of Connecticut Avenue going in the wrong direction. Commissioner Wiss requested that patrols at Ft. Reno be increased.
Captain Glenette Hilton, Public Safety at UDC, introduced herself to the community and explained her operations at UDC and her desire to work with the ANC and be informed of any concerns of the areas residents. Commissioner Kessler asked for help in discouraging students who eat in their cars from leaving trash on Yuma Street.
7. Election of ANC secretary [8:11 p.m.]
When no one indicated an interest in running for secretary, Commission Maudlin said he would serve as acting secretary for the month. This was moved by Commissioner Wiss, seconded by Commissioner Gandhi and approved. 6-0-1 (Present - Commissioner Maudlin)
8. Clark Realty Capital’s application for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and map amendment at 2950 Tilden Street, N.W. ZC Case No. 05-26 [8:12 p.m.]
Commissioner Winstead asked if any commissioners had a relationship with or received any gift or services from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, the law firm representing the applicant for the Planned Unit Development, Tilden LLC. He then made reference to a letter dated April 7, 2006 from Commissioner Gandhi to Chairman Griffis of the FMBZA regarding the Hungarian Embassy which he alleged was prepared by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Commission Gandhi said he had requested talking points for preparing a minority report and did not pay for them and the law firm did not pay him. Commissioner Gandhi refused to recluse himself and Commissioner Winstead moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, that the commission asks Commissioner Gandhi to recuse himself from the case. The motion failed by a vote of 1-3-3 ( Yes - Commissioner Winstead, No - Commissioners Kessler, Maudlin and Wiss, Present - Commissioners Gandhi, Klibanoff and Perry)
Commissioner Klibanoff offered a draft resolution opposing the approval of the PUD and outlined the provisions of the resolution. He then moved the resolution which was seconded by Commissioner Winstead.
There was extended discussion of the draft resolution with Commissioner Perry offering a number of changes which were accepted by Commissioner Klibanoff. Commissioner Wiss discussed a revised draft resolution she had prepared which was presented to the Commission. After working on the draft resolution and the resolve clauses there was a consensus that a revised draft resolution should be prepared after the meeting and a public meeting be held to finalize a resolution.
Commissioner Gandhi offered a motion, seconded by Commissioner Perry, that it is the consensus of the ANC to oppose the PUD application and that wording of the resolution be considered at a public meeting. The motion was approved 6-0-1 with Commissioner Kessler abstaining.
9. Report on status of renovation to the Hearst Recreation Center and Playground
[9:20 p.m.]
Commissioner Kessler advised the Commission that the Hearst Working Group had developed a plan for Phase 2 of the playground renovation that would cost $1,300,000 but that was only $500,000 available from the funds appropriated for the total project and that the upper field part of Phase 1 work had not been completed. The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) had issued a Phase 2 plan that was not acceptable to the community. DPR then requested that the Working Group prepare a prioritized list of items for Phase 2 which was done in December 2005. In March 2006 DPR released a new Phase 2 plan which was similar to the original plan and acceptable to the community. An additional $600,000 of funding was found in the FY2007 budget for the project which would make a total of $1,100,000 available in October 2006 subject to approval of the US congress.
The Working Group has a meeting scheduled for May 18, 2006, with DPR to work out the details for Phase 2 plan.
Ms. Martha Black, 3510 Quebec Street, N.W., thanked the Commission for its support of the Hearst project and she said believes that the final result will be great facility.
Commissioner Wiss noted that she had testified at the DC budget hearing in support of full funding for recreation and parks projects.
10. Liquor licenses [9:30 p.m.]
A. Van Ness Liquors, 4201 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Renewal and Substantial Change to License No. 60668
[9:30 p.m.]
Commissioner Perry offered a resolution, seconded by Commissioner Gandhi, not objecting to renewal and substantial change (change of hours when the lottery jackpot is high) of the Class A license for Van Ness Liquors. The resolution was adopted 7-0-0. Res 06-12
B. Calvert Woodley Wine & Liquor, 4339 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Renewal of License No. 4339 [9:32 p.m.]
Commissioner Perry offered a resolution, seconded by Commissioner Gandhi, not objecting to renewal of the Class A license for Calvert Woodley & Wine and Liquor. Commissioner Perry also presented a voluntary agreement between ANC 3F and Calvert Woodley which was signed by Chair Wiss. The resolution was adopted 7-0-0. Res 06-13
C. Tenley Wine & Liquors, 4525 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Renewal of License No. 23137 [9:42 p.m.]
Commissioner Wiss offered a resolution, seconded by Commissioner Winstead, not objecting to renewal of the Class A license for Tenley Wine & Liquors with change of hours to 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. The resolution was adopted 7-0-0. Res 06-14
Note: Commissioner Winstead distributed an article from the May 10, 2006, issue of The Dupont Current, regarding the ABC Board rejecting the protest of an ANC for lack of proper notice to the community of a meeting where it voted to protest a liquor license.
D. Giant Food Store #382, 4303 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Application for New Class B Liquor Licence, License No. 75065 [9:48 p.m.]
Commissioner Perry described and moved a resolution objecting to the issuance of a new Class B liquor license to Giant Food Store #382. Commissioner Winstead seconding. Several changes to the language of the resolution were accepted
Ms. Barbara Simons, said she was authorized by the Forest Hills Citizens Association to state that the Association was opposed to the issuance of the license. Mr. Wilus Hawley, 2828 Upton Street, N.W., said he opposed the application and Mr. Bill Coe, 3600 block of Van Ness Street, N.W. said he supported the Giant application.
Commissioners Kessler, Perry and Winstead were designated in the resolution to represent ANC 3F at the ABC Board hearing on June 14, 2006. The amended resolution was adopted 4-2-1. (Yes - Commissioners Kessler, Perry, Winstead and Wiss, No - Commissioners Klibanoff and Maudlin, Present - Commissioner Gandhi)
11. Discussion of creating a wireless zone (wi-fi) in ANC 3F [10:21 p. m.]
Commissioner Gandhi outlined a proposal to create a wireless zone in ANC 3F similar to one operating in the Dupont Circle area. He estimated the set up cost at about $20,000 to be financed by businesses in the area and suggested that it could be in the Van Ness Metro area or a larger area and he believed it would be an asset to the community.
Commissioner Kessler noted that Mayor Williams has a proposal for city wide wi-fi. Commissioner Winstead said that between the ANC office and Brandywine Street he had detected a number of access points and that if additional points are established it would cut down the effectiveness of all access points.
Commissioner Gandhi said the question now is, does the ANC support an effort by the ANC, as a service to the residents of the area, to install or be a part of installing a wi-fi system? Commissioners Perry and Wiss said they did not believe it was a role of the ANC.
Commissioner Perry moved and Commissioner Winstead seconded a motion that the ANC should not further consider the creation of a wireless zone. Commissioner Maudlin offered and amendment, seconded by Commissioner Kessler, that the ANC circulate an e-mail to the ANC’s e-mail list to determine if there is an interest for a wireless zone in the area. The amendment was adopted 4-3-0. Commissioner Winstead offered an amendment that the e-mail include information on possible interference with existing wi-fi’s. Commissioner Perry offered an amendment, seconded by Commissioner Kessler, that any e-mail be approved by a vote before it is sent out. The amendment failed by a vote of 3-3-1. Commissioner Gandhi offered an amendment, seconded by Commissioner Klibanoff, that an e-mail by circulated to all commissioner for comment by e-mail before sending it to the community for comment and input. The amendment failed by a vote of 3-3-1.
Commissioner Gandhi requested that the issue be on the agenda for the next meeting.
Commissioner Winstead moved to table, seconded by Commissioner Perry, which was approved 4-3-0.
12. Treasurers’ Reports [10:58 p.m.]
A. Quarterly Report, January 1 - March 31, 2006
Commissioner Kessler presented the Quarterly Report of Financial Activity for January 1 to March 31, 2006 and moved its acceptance. This was seconded by Commissioner Klibanoff and the report was approved 7-0-0.
B. Monthly Report
Commissioner Kessler presented a report for the period October 1, 2005 to April 30, 2006, which included details of expenditures during April 2006.
C. Transfer of monies from ANC’s checking account to savings account.
Commissioner Kessler moved and Commissioner Maudlin seconded a motion to transfer $10,000.00 from the ANC’s checking account to the ANC’s savings account. Approved 7-0-0.
D. Expenditure for computer virus protection
Commissioner Gandhi suggested that the ANC’s office be connected to UDC’s network. Commissioner Winstead pointed out that the ANC had not received the approval of UDC and that the virus software required by UDC had not been updated. Commissioner Wiss moved and Commissioner Gandhi seconded, approval of an expenditure of up to $100.00 for the purchase of virus protection software that meets the UDC requirements for the office computer. This was approved 7-0-0.
13. Special Meeting [11:11 p.m.]
There was a consensus that the ANC hold a special meeting on May 24, 2006, to further consider the Clark Capital’s PUD application. Meeting place to be determined.
14. Adjournment [11:16 p.m.]
Commissioner Gandhi moving and Commissioner Kessler seconding, the meeting adjourned with a vote of 7-0-0
Respectfully submitted
/s/ Robert V. Maudlin
Robert V. Maudlin
Acting Secretary
Attachments:
Res 06-14 Renewal of Class A liquor license for Tenley Wine & Liquors, 4525 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Treasurer’s Quarterly Report, January 1 - March 31, 2006
These minutes were approved 7-0-0, with a quorum present, at a duly noticed public meeting of ANC 3F on June 19, 2006.