Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D

65 I Street SW · Washington, DC 20024 · 202/554-1795

 

Minutes

February 9, 2004

 

Present: Commissioners Assalaam, Hargrave, Johnson Moffatt, Siegel Williams. Absent: Commissioner Litsky,

 

The meeting was convened at 7:00 pm.  The Commissioners introduced themselves.  Chairman Assalaam reviewed the rules for the meeting.

 

  1. Agenda

The agenda was adopted by consensus 

 

2.      Police Report

Representatives of the First Police District were present.  Lt Butler reported on PSAs 104 and 101 and reported that for the period of October 1 through January 31 all crime was down 21 percent, and there were 400 fewer reported crimes in FY 2004 than in FY 2003.  In response to a question from Commissioner Williams, Lt. Burnett reported that Captain Shelton was in charge of a new “hot spot,” running from Half Street SW to Canal Street,  and from M to Q Streets.  The Police Department has identified 12 “hot spots” around the city and put each captain in charge of a detailed action plan, with the involvement of a core team of fourteen city agencies, including a clean-up of the drug sales, drug intervention programs, DCRA, tree trimming, removal of abandoned vehicles, etc. The detailed action plan developed by District 1 has not yet been signed off on.   

 

Commissioner Williams asked about an increase in robberies on M Street.  Lt. Burnett stated that it might be so, but often the robberies are not reported.  As an example, Burnett told about a man at River Park who had died as a result of a robbery, which was reported to River Park security, but not the police.  Commissioner Moffatt asked whether it was an on-going problem with the security people at River Park. Burnett replied that he had met with them and underlined the importance of reporting crime to the police.  If crime is not reported, it’s not included in the crime statistics, on which deployment is based.  Lt. Burnett pointed out that using percentages in reporting crime can be deceptive, because they don’t take into account the hard numbers they represent, e.g. a 100 percent increase in sexual assault can mean a rise from one to two. Commissioner Hargrave and Commissioner Williams reported on incidents where the police would not take a report of a crime, and Lt. Burnett promised to follow up.

 

Commissioner Assalaam asked whether the ANC would be included in the core team, and said that several commissioners had participated in a previous core team Lt. Burnett said that with redistricting the core team changed to a Ward 6 entity, and that Peter Jones, the Mayor’s Ward 6 coordinator has been attending core team meetings. 

 

3.      Waterside Towers

Commissioner Johnson stated that Waterside Towers is under new management and they are having problems.  He is meeting with representatives of the tenants, Councilmember Ambrose’s office, and  DCRA to discuss the problems.  He introduced Myrtle Johnson, who represents the tenants.  She said there had been no notice of the new management until after the building was sold. There has been no electricity or heat, and the landlord has only offered a one-day concession on the rent.  She said that management was requesting six-month leases, rather than one year.  Commissioner Johnson stated that asking for six-month leases was suspicious, and it appeared to him that the new landlord had plans for the building.  Commissioner Williams pointed out that the situation was similar to that at Town Center and Capitol Park.

 

4.      Office of the People’s Counsel

Pamela Nelson, of the Office of the People’s Counsel made a presentation on what the Office does as the consumer advocate for utilities.  She presented an overview of the deregulation of utilities in the District, and discussed consumer choice.  She also provided examples of the ways in which the Office advocates for DC citizens, mentioning as an example a current petition filed with the Public Service Commission against Washington Gas citing consumer complaints about water in the gas lines. 

She also discussed telephone scams.  Commissioner Assalaam asked about the increases in gas fees, and was told that because of deregulation the cost of gas was divided between Washington Gas, which generates the gas, and the distributor,leasing to an increase in rates.  In response to a question from Commissioner Hargrave, she talked about “slamming” and cramming.”  The jurisdiction of the office does not cover cable or wireless phones.

 

5.      Tree Replacement for Square 537

Theresa Sheils of Gensler Architects returned to the ANC for approval of a plan for replacing trees at a construction site at 4th and E Streets SW.  Motion: Commissioner Johnson moved that the ANC approve the plan for tree removal and replacement proposed by Gensler Architects for Square 537. It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt. It passed 6-0. 

 

6.      Holiday Inn/550 C Street SW

Michael O’Connor of Donohoe Construction presented plans for construction of a new lay-by and renovation at the Holiday Inn at 660 C Street SW.  Currently there is a drive through into a courtyard.  There are security considerations involved, as FEMA is next door and requested changes, including the closing off of the courtyard.  The plan is to move the lobby and construct a lay-by to keep traffic off the street.  While the change is for security, it will be an improvement.  Commissioner Moffatt asked about parking spaces, and was told all parking is underground, and cabs are already using that street.  Commissioner Hargrove pointed out that the notice from the Office of the Surveyor was dated January 16th, and that it would automatically be approved on February 16th with no action by the Commission.  Gottlieb Simon raised the point that during the original construction there had been an agreement between Donohoe Construction and the community to employ local people in the construction  Mr. O’Connor said the job would probably be budgeted at a couple of million dollars.  Motion: Commissioner Hargrave moved to defer action on the approval.  It was seconded by Commissioner Williams.  Commissioner Johnson asked about the timetable on the project, and Mr. O’Connor replied that they were hoping to start on March 1st.  The motion passed 6-0.  Mr. O’Connor was asked to see whether Donohoe had a copy of the agreement on file.

 

7.      Anacostia Waterfront Initiative

Commissioner Johnson stated that the City Council is having a first hearing on February 11 on the establishment of the Anacostia Waterfront Development Corporation.  He asserted that the community is concerned about what will happen to NCRC, and that will not be addressed at this hearing, which is concerned about the structuring of a new NCRC-like organization.  He suggested the ANC make recommendations about the structure of the new entity.  His suggestions include: 1/ that the AWDC be subject to FOIA; 2/that the AWDC be subject to Robert’s Rules of Order, and open meeting rules, which the NCRC is not; 3/notice requirements for meetings, published in the DC Register and notice to ANCs, 4/ that the salaries of AWDC executives be published; 5/ that local employment preference guidelines be incorporated and followed.  These suggestions just address the structure of the AWDC because at this point other kinds of recommendations will not be welcomed.

 

Commissioner Williams expressed her reservations about the creation of another corporation, and another bureaucracy, mentioning the difficulties in dealing with NCRC, and the gap in communication the ANC has had with the NCRC on a project that has so much to do with the Southwest community.  She mentioned the importance of learning about the funding, and having community representation on the Board.

 

Commissioner Johnson stated that he also has reservations, and that the testimony not be either an endorsement or a protest of the plan, but simply say that if you go forward with an AWDC, these are things that should be included.  Commissioner Hargrave stated that he would want to see any testimony before it was approved and given.  Commissioner Moffatt stated that he believed the Commission should go on record in favor of more sunshine and community participation, and the other recommendations.  Motion:  Commissioner Johnson made a motion that the ANC make the following recommendations: 1/ that the AWDC be subject to FOIA; 2/ that the AWDC follow Robert’s Rules of Order, and DC regulations for open meetings; 3/ that the AWDC adopt DC guidelines for local hiring preference; 4/that they follow DC regulations for notification in the DC Register and for ANCs; 5/ question the cost of creating new entity 6/ that there be greater community participation than the NCRC.  It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt.  Commissioner Williams said that the recommendations should be couched in the context of “if this body is deemed necessary,” and Mr. Johnson agreed.  Motion: Commissioner Hargrave moved that the recommendation on funding be eliminated.  There was discussion of the issue.   There was no second to the amendment, and the amendment failed  Gottlieb Simon suggested that the notice requirements be according to the ANC law.  Commissioner Williams suggested that the proposed public member of the board be a resident of Southwest.  Commissioner Johnson agreed.  The motion passed 5-1 Voting in favor: Commissioners Assalaam, Johnson, Moffatt, Siegel, Williams.   Voting in opposition: Hargrave.  It was agreed that Commissioner Johnson will deliver write and deliver the testimony.

 

8.      US Department of Transportation Street Openings

Commissioner Johnson said he had spoken with Bob Elliot of JPG Construction, and ANC approval is required by the Office of the Surveyor for the street openings planned for the Department of Transportation building at the Southeast Federal Center.  Commissioner Johnson mentioned that the streets will be turned over to the City after they are built. Motion: Commissioner Johnson moved that the ANC offer no objection to DOT’s plans for street openings around its building.  It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt. Commissioner Siegel stated that the project is in his SMD and he has no objection to the project.  It was passed by a vote of 5-0-1, with Commissioner Williams abstaining.

 

9.      Lead in District Water

Commissioner Williams stated that Carrollsburg Place and Half Street in her SMD were among those areas tested last summer and were not told that there was a problem.  Fourteen residents of Carrollsburg Place and ten on Half Street participated, and results were not received until two weeks prior to the meeting, the day before the story broke.  She said that in Southwest, apartments did not have a problem, and the problem is confined to older, single family homes.  She said that nine residents on her street have received results, all have high levels of lead, about 500 parts per billion.  The neighbors are working with WASA now to alleviate the situation.  She recommends that schools be tested.  She also suggested calling the WASA hot line for information.  In response to a question from Commissioner Hargrave, she said that WASA is only offering testing to people in single family homes. 

 

10.  Chairman’s Report

Chairman Assalaam reported that on February 19th, Councilmember Catania is having his annual ANC oversight hearing.  Commmissioner Williams said that Commissioner Siegel, as Treasurer, should be at the meeting.  Commissioner Assalaam said that the letter said that another officer should accompany the Chairman.  There was some discussion of the questionnaire.  Gottlieb Simon suggested that the hearing was an opportunity for ANCs to showcase their programs, and that the financial details are not as important. 

 

The Chairman listed the meeting dates for ANC meetings for 2004.  They are: January 12, February 9, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, (August 9), September 13, October 18, November 8, December 13. Motion: Commissioner Johnson moved that the meeting schedule be accepted as presented.  It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt.  It was passed by a vote of 6-0.  Motion: Commissioner Johnson moved that the ANC’s website be adopted as a secondary official notice source for ANC meetings.  It was seconded by Commissioner Williams.  It was passed 6-0 

 

11.  Finance Committee Report

Commissioner Hargrave presented a report:

The Finance Committee, as directed by ANC 6D at the January 12, 2004 meeting, conducted an audit of the petty cash fund on February 7, 2004.

 

Principal findings were:

1.      Several discrepancies were uncovered between the Treasurer’s ANC 6D petty cash register (November 10, 2003) and the Administrative Assistant’s Petty Cash Receipt Book.

2.      Three petty cash receipts were missing.  Per information provided by the AA, they totaled $4.43.

3.      The petty cash fund was established at $8.88 as of Febrary 7, 2004.

 

Recommendations of the Finance Committee are:

1.      Freeze the petty cash fund until the ANC meeting of February 9, 2004.

2.      Replenish the ANC 6D petty cash fund to $100.

3.      Require that all expenditures in excess of $100 be paid by check.

4.      Require that all expenditures be approved by ANC 6D as a line item in an approved budget or approved specifically by ANC 6D before or after the expenditure.

5.      Require the ANC 6D Treasurer and the AA to use basic accounting procedures for all petty cash fund transactions and to purchase a separate accounting book.

6.      Request that the Treasurer and the AA review the Petty Cash log and the current Petty Cash receipt book and prepare a coordinated report for the period of January 10, 2003f through February 7, 2004.  Request that this report be submitted to the ANC no later that the April 12, 2004 meeting.

 

Attending the meeting:  Commissioners Hargrave, Moffatt, Siegel and Williams.  Also attending was AA Roberta Weiner.

                                                                       Submitted by C. W. Hargrave, ANC 6D-02

                                                                       February 9, 2004

 

Commissioner Johnson questioned the recommendation that purchases over a $100 always paid by check, because it is sometimes awkward.  Commissioner Williams stated that there shouldn’t be a problem if items are approved.  She also emphasized that the petty cash expenditures should be no more than $100 per month. There was discussion about how the petty cash should be replenished.  Chairman Assalaam said that all large expenditures should be approved by the Commissioners.  Gottlieb Simon stated that the petty cash fund should not be replenished unless receipts are available for what has been disbursed.  Motion: Commissioner Williams moved that petty cash be limited to $100 per month.  It was seconded by Commissioner Hargrave.  Voting in favor: Commissioners Assalaam, Hargrave, Williams. Voting in opposition Commissioners Moffatt, Siegel. Abstaining: Johnson

 

Motion: A motion was made by Commissioner Moffatt to adopt the recommendations of the Finance Committee.  It was passed 5-0, with Commissioner Moffatt not voting.

 

The Treasurer reported that he had found another $18 in the locked petty cash file cabinet, so that the petty cash figure was closer to the $32 he thought we had.  Commissioner Williams expressed her concerns about the discrepancies in the petty cash.

 

                                                                      

12.   Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer reported that there is $5,066.98 in the ANC’s saving account and $19,705.40 in the checking account for a total of $$24,772.38. He reported that taxes were paid on time.  The Auditor stated that he had not received the quarterly report in a timely fashion, but he has spoken with them, and told them it was filed in a timely fashion.  He said there was an error on the 4th Quarter FY2003 and 1st Quarter FY 2003 Quarterly Reports, which was to report the gross salary of the Administrative Assistant instead of the net salary.  Gottlieb Simon stated that the Auditor can be informed of the discrepancy without the necessity of submitting a new report..  The discrepancy iin the 4th Quarter is the salary line reads $3,516, and it should be $3,461.26.  In the 1st Quarter Quarterly Report, the number reads $2,232, and it should be $2,061.26. Commissioner Hargrave raised the issue that there is a conflict in the petty cash figure in the quarterly report with what the Treasurer reported.  He mentioned several line item purchases that were necessary.  Motion: Commissioner Assalaam moved that the office anti-virus software be updated.  It was seconded by Commissioner Hargrave.  It was approved 6-0. 

 

There was discussion about keeping the office secure while another was using one of the ANC’s rooms.  The Commission was told that he’s moving.

 

Motion: Commissioner Assalaam made a motion to approve the continuing ANC Budget.  It was seconded by Commissioner Johnson.  Commissioner Hargrave said that the ANC had operated ten years with that budget.  Commissioner Johnson stated that the ANC needs a budget and this one is here.  Commissioner Williams noted that the numbers are not current and totally bad.  Gottlieb Simon said that this will provide a foundation for the Auditor to check expenditures, even if it’s not up-to date.  The motion was passed 6-0.

 

Motion: Commissioner Siegel made a motion to authorize ANC 6D participation in the ANC Security Fund, and to authorize the expenditure of $25 to do so.  It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt.  It passed 6-0.

 

Motion: Commissioner Hargrave made a motion to pass the Quarterly Report for the 1st Quarter.  It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt.  There was discussion focusing on the petty cash figure.  The motion passed, 3-0-3.  Voting in favor: Commissioners Johnson, Moffatt, Siegel.  Abstaining: Assalaam, Hargrave, Williams.

 

Motion: Commissioner Moffatt moved that no more than  be authorized for the purchase of two ink cartridges and a tape recorder.  It was seconded by Commissioner Johnson.  Commissioner Hargrave raised the issue of payment for purchases, and discussed the possibility of using a credit card.  Gottlieb Simon said that the Corporation Counsel has issued an opinion that ANCs cannot use credit cards to reimburse people for using credit cards, which makes it very difficult.  The motion passed 6-0.

 

13.  Approval of Minutes

Motion: Commissioner Assalaam made a motion to approve the minutes for November. It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt.  They were approved, 5-0-1, with Commissioner Williams abstaining.

Motion: Commissioner Assalaam moved to approve the January minutes, as amended.  It was seconded by Commissioner Moffatt.  

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 pm.

 

 

 














Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6D
65 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20024

554-1795 n 554-1774

office@anc6d.org