Chairman Phil Toomajian called the meeting to order at Miner Elementary School, 601 15th St. NE, with Commissioners Calvin Ward, Amber Gove, Stephanie Zimny, Sondra Phillips-Gilbert, Patrick Malone and Mike Soderman in attendance. Commissioner Marie Claire Brown was absent.
MPD First District Commander Morgan Kane, MPD Fifth District Commander William Fitzgerald and Councilmember Charles Allen
First District Commander Kane and Fifth District Commander Fitzgerald addressed community concerns regarding recent acts of violence around Lincoln Park, D Street, NE and the Benning Road, NE corridor. According to Commander Kane, the homicides on the 1300 block and 1500 block of D Street, NE are not related. While a suspect was apprehended almost immediately after the fatal shooting on the 1500 block of D Street, NE, MPD is still requesting information pertaining to the homicide of Ezequiel Fernando Jimenez-Pinto on the 1300 block of D Street, NE on October 16, at 1:18 p.m. Anyone with information is encouraged to call (202) 727-9099 or text 50411. Commander Fitzgerald reported on the shootings at the Pentacle Apartments on the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE. He described these acts as part of an internal dispute among residents of the apartments that are unrelated to other violent crimes in the area. Commander Fitzgerald went on to explain that as MPD notices a need for additional officers in a given neighborhood, units can be borrowed from other districts to increase police presence, which is part of MPD’s response to this particular string of violent crimes within the fifth district.
Councilmember Charles Allen spoke to the council’s efforts to not only provide resources to MPD for enforcement but also implementing preemptive programs such as the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, which is part of the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results, or N.E.A.R. Act, that aims to identify and assist individuals that may become a victim of, or may themselves commit a violent crime. Along with Commanders Kane and Fitzgerald, Councilmember Allen also encouraged homeowners to take advantage of the Private Security Camera Incentive program offering significant rebates to defer the cost of installing public facing security cameras on both private residences and businesses. Those who cannot afford the cameras and qualify for certain types of public assistance can apply to have them installed for free. For more information visit ovsjg.dc.gov. Additionally, residents are encouraged to sign up for their local MPD listserv. The MPD-1D listserv can be accessed by visiting groups.yahoo.com/group/MPD-1D/ or by sending a blank e-mail to [email protected]. Other MPD s can be found on mpd.dc.gov or by visiting the Government s page of anc6a.org. Ultimately, the commanders stressed calling 911 as the best way to reach the police during an emergency.
Celeste Duffie Community Relations Liaison, Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Celeste Duffie reminded the ANC that leaf pick-ups in Ward 6 began on November 5 and will run into mid January of 2019. Residents can check DPW.dc.gov for a schedule of collection dates for their street.
- To report missed trash or recycling or to request additional receptacles, residents may call 311.
Community Outreach
The commissioners voted, unanimously to approve the grant request from the Miner Elementary School PTA in the amount of $899 towards the purchase of seven laptops for the use of students at the school.
Alcohol Beverage Licensing Actions
- The commissioners voted, unanimously, to amend its Settlement Agreement with Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H St. NE) to allow the summer garden to close at 12:00 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday nights, and 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and the nights before federal holidays.
- The commissioners voted, unanimously, to accept the CT (Tavern) license application for O2 (1350-1352 H St. NE) and to a stipulated license.
- The commissioners voted, unanimously, to protest the Class A liquor license application of Cheers DC! at 1402 H St. NE, unless a signed settlement agreement is submitted prior to the protest petition date.
Transportation and Public Space Actions
The ANC accepted the resignation of Andrea Adleman as a member of the Transportation and Public Space Committee.
Economic Development and Zoning
- The commissioners voted, unanimously, that the ANC send a letter of to the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) for zoning relief to subdivide three existing lots into two lots and for relief from lot area requirements at 1661 Gales Street (BZA Case Number Pending) on condition that the applicant make best efforts to get letters of from neighbors.
- The commissioners voted 6 to 0 that the ANC send letters of to BZA for zoning relief and to the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) for historic district approval for the construction of a rooftop penthouse on a row house at 16 10th St. NE (BZA Case 19885) on condition that the applicant make best efforts to get letters of from neighbors.
Announcements and Reports
Commissioner Zimny was pleased with the attendance of November’s Community Cleanup. Another Cleanup will be help on Saturday, December 1 at 9:00 a.m. For location and additional information visit the Community Calendar page of anc6a.org. Commissioner Zimny also reported there is a work order in for the installation of no parking signs on Wiley Court.
Commissioner Gove added AlertDC to the list of communication resources residents should be aware of for information about local happenings. AlertDC allows participants to choose which types of emergency alerts, notifications and updates they receive from public safety officials. More information about AlertDC can be found by visiting hsema.dc.gov/page/alertdc.
Visit www.anc6a.org for calendar of events, changes of date/venue, agendas and other information.
