Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 6B held a hybrid meeting via Zoom and in-person at 700 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. on Oct. 8. Frank Avery (6B01, treasurer); Jerry Sroufe (6B02); David Sobelsohn (6B03, secretary); Frank D’Andrea (6B04); Kasie Durkit (parliamentarian, 6B05); Chander Jayaraman (6B06); Vince Mareino (6B07, vice chair); Edward Ryder (6B08, chair) and Matt LaFortune (6B09) were in attendance.
Kaisie Durkit (6B05) is stepping down as commissioner effective Oct. 12 due to a change of address and an increased employment workload. Durkit took office in January 2022. She is particularly proud of her work on the Tenth Street alleyway restoration and the commission’s Southeast Library Taskforce. Durkit recalled the earliest online meetings of the ANC in January and February 2022, which could extend to five or six hours in length.
“I think this is public service of the highest order,” Durkit said, “and it’s been such an honor to work with you all.”
DC Code dictates that an ANC seat cannot be filled if it is vacated within 60 days of a general election. There is currently no one on the Nov. 5 ballot to represent 6B05. However, a write-in candidate could successfully win the election.
If no-one is elected in November, a candidate could file petitions with the DC Board of Elections in January 2025 and claim the seat by acclamation. If more than one candidate files petitions in the new year, the ANC will host an election with the assistance of the Office of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (OANC). Learn more at dcboe.org/candidates/anc-advisory-neighborhood-commissioners
Bottle Bill
Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) President Chris Williams appeared on behalf of the Return, Refund and Recycle for DC Coalition (3RC for DC) in of a bill to incentivize recycling of single-use plastic, aluminum and glass beverage containers. The coalition of community and environmental groups is ing a law that would create a 10 cent or 15 cent deposit, depending on the size of the container on each of those types of containers. The deposit would be paid at the time of purchase and could be redeemed by bringing the container back to the point of purchase or to a redemption center.
The system would be funded by beverage companies that use the containers. Companies like Pepsi-Cola, Williams said, have made commitments to use a certain percentage of recycled materials in packaging but have trouble securing enough material to meet the commitment. Ten states already have similar legislation.
Williams said the city is facing a trash crisis and that the plastic bottle is the most common piece of trash found in AWS trash traps, representing 50 to 60 percent of trash collected. Currently, only about 25 percent of single-use beverage containers end up in recycling, he said; the rest are incinerated in landfills or end up on the ground or in the river.
Williams said data indicates the deposit system increases recycling of containers by between 60 and 75 percent.
The bill is expected to be introduced at DC Council in early 2025. The ANC deferred discussion of a resolution in of the bill to their November meeting to allow commissioners time to study the proposed legislation.
Fair Elections
Office of Campaign Finance (OCF) Hearing Examiner Calvin Etta Pete outlined the Fair Elections Program for commissioners as part of OCF outreach. The Fair Elections Program is a division of OCF. OCF regulates the reporting and disclosure of the financial operations and activities of the candidates for local office, political committees, Political Action Committees (PACs) and independent expenditure committees.
The program matches small contributions to candidates for public office with public funds. If a candidate meets the minimum contribution from the number of District residents required for that office, they go through a certification process to receive funds. The amount matched will only apply to qualified, small-dollar contributions from District residents. Fair Election candidates must also participate in at least one public debate.
Pete said the program is designed to allow candidates with limited means the opportunity to compete on a more level playing field with those that have deeper pockets. Learn more at fairelections.ocf.dc.gov.
Other Business
The ANC ed a stipulated license for Saint Georges at 301 Seventh St. SE, the French bakery expected to open in the former Radici storefront. The applicant agreed to defer their hearing date in pursuit of a Settlement Agreement (SA). ANC Alcoholic Beverage Cannabis (ABC) Committee Chair Jayaraman expects to have it in hand within a few days and the stipulated license would allow the ANC to ensure the SA was in hand without delaying the opening of the new business. The full license will be considered at the November meeting.
The ANC voted to :
• an application to the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis istration (ABCA) by High Demand at 511 11th St. SE for a new medical cannabis retail license along with an associated SA;
• A letter to the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) the DCHA Police and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) asking that the three agencies meet with residents of Potomac Gardens to deal with security and safety issues.
ANC 6B generally meets the second Tuesday of each month except August. The next regular meeting of the full ANC was moved due to the General Election and will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4. See calendar and get information on how to at anc6b.org
