ANC3B

June 2021 Meeting Report

Police Report.   Lt. Paul Johnson gave the police report.  No violent crimes occurred in the 30-day period ending on June 10, down from 1 for the same period last year.  Property crimes, however, were up substantially from 11 last year to 21 this year.  The biggest jump was in thefts from 4 to 13.  Theft from auto was also up slightly from 4 to 5.

Presentation from DC Office of Human Rights (OHR).  Ajan Brown, Community Engagement Specialist at OHR spoke about the work of the agency and the protections DC offers for vulnerable populations, including rights related to housing, public spaces, employment and educational institutions.  Their mission includes a) eradicating discrimination, b) increasing equal opportunity, and c) protecting civil rights through enforcement.  Rosa Carrillo and Alkindi Kadi from OHR also spoke about the language access program.  The program covers six languages—Spanish, French, Vietnamese, Chinese/Catonese, Korean and Ethiopian-Semitic.  Services include interpreting verbal communications and translating written documents issued by District agencies.  The language program will also reimburse ANCs for translation services at meetings. More information on all OHR services is available at https://ohr.dc.gov/.

Response to Breadsoda request to extend hours on outdoor patio at 2233 Wisconsin Avenue.  At the June meeting, Breadsoda presented a request to extend their food and beverage service with ambient music on the patio to 2 am weekdays and 3 am on weekends.  Commissioner Blumenthal issued a 30-day public comment period.  Comments were by and large in support.  Only a few concerns were noted and subsequently addressed.  Commissioner Blumenthal presented a resolution to amend the ANC’s settlement agreement with Breadsoda and extend the hours as requested.  The resolution passed unanimously.

Glover Park Main Street Application for Banner Installation.  Kate Dean, Executive Director of GPMS, presented designs for “Glover Park” banners to hang from streetlight poles along Wisconsin in the commercial area. The Main Street is applying to DDOT for permission to install about 30 banners to give Glover Park a “sense of place” or “brand” and encourage visitors, foot traffic and business. Other work beginning on the commercial corridor includes power washing, painting and repairs at the gas station at Calvert and Wisconsin.  Façade improvements are also being done on the eastside at Whole Foods, Chase Bank and Sprig and Sprout.

Grant Request from Feed the Family Pantry.  Barbara Ferris from the International Women’s Democracy Center–a 501(c)3 organization–requested a $2,500 grant for a laptop computer, printer, and compostable bags for their new Feed the Family Pantry at Van Ness, which offers residents around Ward 3 who are struggling with food insecurity the opportunity to get groceries, toiletries, and household cleaning items.  Opened on May 15, the pantry was developed in response to the hardships caused by the pandemic.  The pantry has grown from helping 60 families to over 100.  The grant was approved unanimously.

Presentation by DC Health Link about savings available on health insurance if people act now.  Kishan Putta, Community Outreach Specialist for DC Health Link (and also a Commissioner in ANC 2E01) talked about the savings being offered to District residents on their health insurance premiums, due to the funding under the federal “American Rescue Plan.”  Specifically, the plan reduces premiums for health insurance through DC Health Link, provides health insurance for as little as $2/month to people who lost their jobs, and pays for 100% of COBRA premiums for laid-off workers.

Updates and Information

• The Mayor’s new budget includes a construction project at Stoddert but the Chancellor says the funding is to replace the temporary structures (trailers), not expand capacity. It’s unclear what the budget or the Chancellor’s plans will mean for the proposals for a new elementary school at Foxhall and the proposed changes in boundaries for Stoddert.
• The Stay DC Program was created for those who have fallen behind on rent or utilities because of the COVID19 health crisis. People need to apply soon as it expires in September.
• WMATA service changes on June 6 included saving cross-town routes 30S and 30N routes but eliminating the last bus of the day and making some changes in 31 and 33 bus schedules including extended service on the 33 later in the evening. WMATA has also said they plan to expand bus service in the fall depending on ridership numbers, but the Board vote the day of the ANC meeting called for eliminating the 30S and 30N in September. WMATA has been talking about the possibility of bringing back the D1 if ridership numbers are high on the D2, but that is not in the current plans.

Next Meeting:   July 15