Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D

Meeting Location -- St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church – 600 Maine Ave., SW

Minutes

December 10, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Moffatt
Present: Commissioners Hamilton, Litsky, McBee, Moffatt, Skolnik, Siegel, Sobelsohn
 
 1. Approval of agenda
Commissioner Sobelsohn requested discussion of Potbelly Sandwich Works be moved from New Business to Old Business. Commissioner Litsky asked to place a motion to allot funds for the ANC office move under New Business. The agenda, as amended, passed 7-0.
 2. Community Concerns
Gene Solon, of Harbor Square spoke on several issues.
3. Public Safety
There was no representation from MPD or DCFD. Commissioner Sobelsohn proposed sending a letter to Commander Kamperin requesting a police presence at future ANC meetings. The Chair said that a letter would be sent.
 4. Map and Text Amendments to the Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlay
Forest City Washington representatives were before the Commission to request support for a group of amendments to the Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlay.
The amendments are scheduled for review by the Zoning Commission on January 12, 2008.
Stephanie Baldwin, of Greenstein, Delorme and Luchs, attorneys for the project, described the amendments as technical in nature. Those include moving the western boundary 50’ because of security concerns of government, changing street layouts, and changing occupancy requirement for some lots. Construction is slated to commence in 2008, with a residential building and rehabilitation of a historic building into a retail center. 
Motion: Commissioner Siegel moved and Commissioner Litsky seconded a motion to send a letter to the Zoning Commission supporting the map and text amendments to the Southeast Federal Center Zoning Overlay. The motion passed 4-0-3, Commissioners Hamilton, McBee and Sobelsohn abstaining.

5. Resolution -- Jefferson Middle School Natatorium

Motion: Commissioner Skolnik moved and Commissioner Sobelsohn seconded a resolution urging the Mayor, City Council and DC Public Schools to support the razing of a warehouse next door to Jefferson Middle School to construct a natatorium/aquatic center for use by the school and community, and provide the necessary funding to staff and maintain the center. The motion passed 7-0.

 6. Motion to Allocate Funding for ANC Move

Motion: Commissioner Litsky moved and Commissioner Sobelsohn seconded a motion to enable to expenditure of not more than $1000 for moving expenses for the move of the ANC offices. At the request of the Chair, Commissioner Litsky offered an amendment to raise the figure to $1500, which was accepted without objection. The motion passed 7-0.

 7. Brain Tumor Society 5K Race
Nicola Beddowes, representing the Brain Tumor Society presented a request for support of a 5K race to be held on Sunday, May 4th. The race enters ANC 6D at 2nd Street and Independence Avenue SW, and returns on 2nd Street to Independence Avenue. Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved and Commissioner Skolnik seconded a motion to send a letter of support to the Emergency Preparedness Task Force supporting the Brain Tumor Society 5K Race. The motion passed 7-0. 
 8. Stadium Liquor License

This is a request for support for a CX Arena License, covering all liquor services, at the Nationals Stadium. An ABC hearing is scheduled for January 2, 2008. The attorney for the Applicant, Volume Services, Inc. was requested at the November ANC meeting to return with representatives of the Nationals to discuss the license, particularly the request for hours extending to 3 a.m., and the impact of liquor service on the surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Fonseca appeared with Nationals executives Michael Shapiro, Vice President for Business Affairs, Matt Blu0sh, Vice President for Ballpark Operations, and Gregory McCarthy, Coordinator for the Ballpark District.

Mr. Shapiro stated that the late hours were to accommodate a “rare” private event, not for regular ballpark activity, and he was willing to consult with the ANC on the hours. Mr. Blesh stated that there would be extensive security both inside and outside the stadium, as well as “Ambassadors” whose job would be to maintain a good experience for game attendees. They also said that the neighborhood would be kept clean. Mr. Shapiro said that the centerfield restaurant would only be kept open during games.

Motion: Commissioner Litsky moved and Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to support the granting of a CX Arena license to Volume Services, Inc. for liquor service at the stadium.

The motion passed 6-0-1, with Commissioner Sobelsohn abstaining.

On other issues, the Nationals executives stated they would

§ Like to hold regular meetings with the ANC

§ Hold two job fairs, one in Anacostia, and one in Southwest and hire a substantial number of people from the ballpark’s neighborhood for the 2-3,000 full and part-time jobs they will have available

§ Invite neighborhood children to play on the ball field, use the batting cages, and tour the offices to learn about the business

§ Continue meetings with DDOT and MPD on parking issues, assigning ticket holders to parking spaces and providing directions to parking spaces that do not go through neighborhoods.

§ Work with MPD and DDOT on signage

9. Update: H2O Liquor License

Commissioner Skolnik reported that the attorneys for H2O have not yet provided him with information that they committed to providing, and that H2O is still fighting the protests brought by the ANC and a group of H2O’s neighbors.

10. Potbelly Sandwich Works Coupons

Motion: Under paragraph 9 of our April 2007 agreement with Potbelly Sandwich Works, I move to instruct Potbelly to distribute its promised 150 sandwich coupons (under that paragraph) for this year (2007) to the James Creek Resident Council, for free redistribution, to one per person who attends, at events (a) organized by the James Creek Resident Council, (b) attended primarily by youth under 18 who live in Greenleaf Gardens Extension, James Creek, or Syphax Gardens, and (c) open to residents of all three housing complexes. The motion passed 7-0.

11. ABC Committee Report

Coralie Farlee reported that there is a group protesting the renewal of Cantina Marina’s license. She also said that Zanzibar’s license renewal is moving forward, along with its request to change its license from a CR (restaurant) to a CN (nightclub) in order to eliminate the requirement that 45% of its revenue must come from food service.

12. Other Committees

There were no reports from the Community Outreach or Development Committees.

13. November Minutes

Motion: Commissioner Sobelsohn moved and Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to table the November minutes. The motion passed 6-0-1, with Commissioner Moffatt abstaining.

14. Treasurer’s Report

Commissioner Skolnik presented the Treasurer’s Report. The report shows that the opening checking account balance was $40,019.10, and that the savings account balance was $5,146.58. There was an allotment of funds from the District of $4,873.05, a grant reimbursement of $29.68, and there was an interest payment to the savings account of $2.11. There were disbursements of $831.15 to Roberta Weiner (Check #351); $98.82 to Verizon for telephone service (Check #352); and $90 to St, Augustine’s church for rental (Check #353). At closing, there was $43,901.86 in the checking account, and $5,148.59 in the savings account.

Motion: The Chair requested a motion be made to temporarily withhold $20 from the payment to St. Augustine’s because the meeting room was not set up. Commissioner Sobelsohn made the requested motion. The motion died for lack of a second.

Motion: Commissioner Skolnik moved and Commissioner Siegel seconded a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report. It was approved 5-2, with Commissioners Moffatt and Sobelsohn voting no.

Commissioner Sobelsohn requested that a report of ANC expenditures for the year to date be prepared. Commissioner Skolnik said he would do so.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.